UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher

Company: iManage

Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience Research

Date Posted: September 11, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Conduct in-depth user research to drive product strategy and inform design decisions for enterprise software solutions.

• Partner with product management, design, and engineering teams to uncover user needs, pain points, and workflow opportunities within complex B2B and SaaS environments.

• Utilize a range of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to gather actionable insights that reduce product risk and enhance user experience.

• Contribute to the development of research artifacts such as personas and journey maps, fostering a user-centric approach across the organization.

• Leverage AI-enabled tools to support research synthesis and insight management, while maintaining rigorous standards and data sensitivity.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role specifically targets a UX Researcher with experience in B2B/SaaS enterprise environments, emphasizing the application of research to complex workflows and AI-powered features. The hybrid work model with designated in-office days highlights the importance of collaborative interaction for this position.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Plan and execute generative and evaluative research studies throughout the entire product lifecycle, from initial discovery to post-release analysis.

• Identify and analyze user needs, pain points, behaviors, and workflow inefficiencies within complex enterprise software contexts.

• Collaborate closely with product managers, designers, and engineers to translate research findings into actionable roadmap and design recommendations.

• Select and apply appropriate research methodologies, including but not limited to interviews, usability studies (moderated and unmoderated), surveys, diary studies, and benchmarking.

• Synthesize complex qualitative and quantitative data into clear, concise, and impactful insights that guide product and design teams.

• Develop and present research artifacts such as personas, user journey maps, and detailed recommendations to inform strategic decision-making.

• Contribute to the establishment and maintenance of a robust research repository for efficient insight reuse and improved research operations.

• Employ AI-enabled tools for research synthesis and insight management, ensuring methodological rigor, sound judgment, and adherence to data sensitivity protocols.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities outline a comprehensive UX research process, from planning and execution to synthesis and artifact creation. The emphasis on AI tools and data sensitivity is a key differentiator for this role within the enterprise software domain.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors, Psychology, or a closely related field. Experience:

• A minimum of 3 years of dedicated experience conducting UX research for digital products, with a strong preference for B2B, SaaS, or enterprise software environments. Required Skills:

• Proficient in qualitative research methodologies and experienced in applying mixed methods to address product and design inquiries.

• Proven ability to partner effectively with cross-functional teams, including product managers, designers, and engineers, on multiple concurrent initiatives.

• Demonstrated capability to research and understand complex workflows, translating findings into clear, actionable recommendations for product design.

• Experience conducting both moderated and unmoderated research sessions.

• Excellent communication, facilitation, and storytelling skills, with the ability to adapt insights for diverse audiences.

• Experience in contributing to research planning, prioritization, and strategy development.

• Comfort and adaptability in ambiguous situations, embracing iteration and balancing immediate product needs with long-term opportunities.

• Proven ability to advocate for user needs while navigating technical, organizational, and domain-specific constraints. Preferred Skills:

• Experience researching AI-powered product experiences.

• Familiarity with utilizing AI-assisted tools within research workflows.

• Understanding of responsible AI principles, including privacy, governance, bias mitigation, and enterprise data sensitivity.

• Experience within specialized domains such as legal tech, knowledge management, or document management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize practical experience in enterprise SaaS environments and a solid foundation in mixed-methods UX research. The "Bonus Points" section highlights a strategic focus on AI and specialized industry knowledge, which would be highly beneficial for candidates.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a diverse range of UX research projects, demonstrating proficiency in both generative and evaluative methodologies.

• Clearly articulate the research problem, the methods employed, and the specific insights derived from each project.

• Highlight how your research directly informed product design decisions, led to measurable improvements in usability, or reduced product risk.

• Include examples of artifacts created, such as personas, journey maps, or detailed user flow analyses, and explain their impact.

• Demonstrate experience in synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data into actionable recommendations for stakeholders. Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how you have contributed to research planning and prioritization processes.

• Showcase instances where you have managed research projects from initiation to completion, managing timelines and stakeholder expectations.

• Illustrate your approach to documenting and sharing research findings, including contributions to research repositories.

• Include any experience with leveraging AI tools for research synthesis or insight management, explaining the benefits and limitations.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Researcher role, the portfolio is critical for demonstrating practical application of skills. The emphasis here is on showcasing the impact of research on product outcomes and the ability to manage the research process, including the use of emerging AI tools.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The overall US annual base salary range for this position is $85,000 to $125,000.

• 📝 Enhancement Note: This salary range is competitive for a mid-level UX Researcher in a major metropolitan area like Chicago, considering the specified experience level and the nature of enterprise software. Regional cost of living and industry benchmarks for SaaS companies were considered in this assessment.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health, Vision, and Dental Insurance.

• Life Insurance coverage.

• 401k Retirement Savings Plan with a company match of up to 4%.

• Annual performance-based bonus.

• HealthJoy: A healthcare concierge service to assist with maximizing health benefits.

• Enhanced paid parental leave: 20 weeks for primary caregivers and 10 weeks for secondary caregivers.

• Flexible time off policy for vacation, holidays, personal needs, and recharging.

• Company wellness days.

• Free access to the Healthy Minds app for mindfulness, meditation, and mental well-being.

• Access to unlimited courses on LinkedIn Learning for continuous skill development. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work hours, with flexibility. The role requires in-office presence on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

• 📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model with two mandatory in-office days is explicitly stated, indicating a need for structured collaboration while still allowing for significant remote work flexibility.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, specifically focused on Knowledge Management and Intelligent Work Platforms for professional services. iManage operates within the enterprise SaaS sector, providing critical solutions for knowledge workers.

Company Size: iManage is a significant player in its niche, serving over one million professionals across 65+ countries. This indicates a well-established company with a global reach and a substantial user base, suggesting a structured yet dynamic operational environment.

Founded: iManage has a history of innovation in its field, implying a culture that values long-term vision and continuous improvement.

Team Structure:

• The UX Research team is likely integrated within a larger Product and Design organization.

• Collaboration is expected with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and potentially other stakeholders across multiple product initiatives.

• The reporting structure would likely place the UX Researcher under a UX Research Lead or Head of Product Design. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is a core principle, with research insights directly influencing product strategy and design.

• Emphasis on understanding complex professional workflows and translating them into user-friendly software solutions.

• Adoption of AI-enabled tools suggests a forward-thinking approach to research operations and efficiency.

Company Website: http://imanage.com

📝 Enhancement Note: iManage's focus on "Making Knowledge WorkTM" and serving professional knowledge workers suggests a company culture that values expertise, efficiency, and sophisticated problem-solving. The emphasis on AI and enterprise solutions positions it as a technologically advanced organization.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a mid-level, requiring 3+ years of experience. It signifies a move beyond entry-level research tasks to independently planning, conducting, and synthesizing research with significant impact on product direction. The researcher is expected to manage multiple initiatives and contribute strategically.

Reporting Structure: The UX Researcher will report into a management role within the Product or Design division, likely a UX Research Lead or Manager. This structure allows for mentorship and guidance while providing autonomy on research projects.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher's work directly influences the usability, effectiveness, and adoption of iManage's enterprise platform. By uncovering user needs and pain points, they play a crucial role in reducing product risk, driving customer satisfaction, and ultimately contributing to business outcomes and revenue growth through improved product-market fit.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in researching AI-powered features, responsible AI, or specific industry verticals like legal tech.

• Leadership: Transition into a Senior UX Researcher role, mentoring junior researchers, or leading research initiatives for major product areas.

• Skill Development: Gain advanced training in quantitative analysis, research operations, or AI-assisted research tools through internal resources and external learning platforms like LinkedIn Learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth within UX research, with opportunities to specialize in cutting-edge areas like AI and to take on more strategic leadership responsibilities within a growing enterprise SaaS company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role operates within a hybrid work model, requiring in-office presence on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The description mentions a "modern open plan workspace" with amenities like a gaming area, free snacks, and drinks, suggesting a collaborative and engaging office environment.

Office Location(s): Chicago, Illinois. The specific office location details would be provided upon inquiry or during the interview process.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model is designed to foster collaboration, connection, and learning with peers on designated in-office days. This is crucial for brainstorming, ideation, and team cohesion.

• Tools & Technology: Access to necessary research tools, collaboration platforms, and potentially AI-assisted research software will be provided. The company's commitment to innovation suggests a modern technology stack.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with product managers, designers, engineers, and other cross-functional partners within the office space.

Work Schedule: While the core work is full-time, the company offers flexible working hours to support a healthy work-life balance, with the exception of the mandatory in-office days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment balances the need for in-person collaboration with the flexibility of remote work, aiming to create a productive and supportive atmosphere conducive to complex enterprise software research.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or HR representative will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation with the hiring manager to delve deeper into experience, research methodologies, and alignment with the role's specific responsibilities.

• Portfolio Presentation: A critical stage where candidates present their UX research portfolio, showcasing key projects, methodologies, insights, and impact. This is an opportunity to demonstrate problem-solving skills and communication abilities.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders such as Product Managers, Designers, and Engineers to assess collaboration skills and understanding of their perspectives.

• Final Round: Potentially a discussion with a senior leader or a panel interview to evaluate strategic thinking and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Impact: Focus on projects where your research demonstrably influenced product decisions, led to positive user outcomes, or solved significant user problems. Quantify impact where possible (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion times).

• Methodological Diversity: Present a range of research methods used, explaining why each method was appropriate for the research question. Include both qualitative and quantitative examples.

• Tell a Story: Structure your presentation like a narrative: the problem, your approach, the insights, the recommendations, and the outcome. Clearly articulate your role and contributions.

• Address Enterprise Context: Highlight any experience with B2B, SaaS, or complex enterprise workflows. Discuss how you navigated technical or organizational constraints.

• AI Integration: If applicable, showcase any projects where you used AI tools for synthesis or analysis, explaining your approach and the results.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for potential case studies or hypothetical research scenarios related to iManage's product suite or similar enterprise software.

• Practice articulating complex research findings clearly and concisely, tailoring your message to different audiences (e.g., engineers, product managers, executives).

• Consider how you would approach researching a new feature or identifying pain points in an existing complex workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio presentation is a central component of the hiring process for this role. Candidates should prepare to clearly articulate their research process, findings, and their direct impact on product development and business objectives.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research Platforms: Experience with tools for conducting moderated and unmoderated usability testing, surveys, and remote interviews (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey).

• Collaboration & Documentation: Proficiency in tools like Jira, Confluence, Miro, Figma, and Google Workspace for project management, documentation, and collaborative ideation.

• AI-Assisted Tools: Familiarity or experience with AI tools for qualitative data analysis, synthesis, transcription, or insight generation (specific tools not mentioned, but expected to be open to exploring and using them).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary analyst role, an understanding of how to interpret quantitative data from surveys and analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel) to complement qualitative findings is beneficial.

• Experience in creating clear, visually appealing reports and presentations to communicate research findings. CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managing CRM or automation systems, an understanding of how user experience research integrates with sales processes, customer success, and marketing automation can provide valuable context for B2B SaaS products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AI-enabled tools for synthesis and insight management is a key technology requirement. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience or willingness to adopt such technologies in their research workflow.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user's needs, ensuring products are intuitive, efficient, and valuable.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Relying on empirical evidence from research to inform product strategy and design choices, moving beyond assumptions.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Working effectively with cross-functional teams, fostering open communication and shared understanding of user insights.

• Continuous Improvement & Learning: Embracing iteration, seeking feedback, and staying current with research methodologies and technologies, particularly in the evolving AI landscape.

• Rigor & Sound Judgment: Applying a methodical approach to research while exercising critical thinking and ethical considerations, especially regarding data sensitivity and responsible AI.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively engaging with product, design, and engineering teams to embed research insights throughout the development process.

• Proactive Communication: Regularly sharing findings, progress, and potential challenges with stakeholders to ensure alignment and buy-in.

• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to team discussions, sharing best practices, and helping to build a collective understanding of user needs and research approaches within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to value a blend of analytical rigor, user advocacy, and collaborative teamwork, with a forward-looking approach to technology and continuous learning.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Enterprise Workflows: Navigating and understanding highly specialized and intricate workflows common in enterprise software, requiring deep domain understanding and user empathy.

• Balancing User Needs with Technical Constraints: Advocating for optimal user experiences while working within existing technical limitations, organizational structures, or business objectives.

• Integrating AI Research: Effectively leveraging AI-assisted tools for research while maintaining methodological integrity, data privacy, and avoiding potential biases.

• Demonstrating ROI: Clearly articulating the business value and return on investment of UX research activities to stakeholders.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized AI Research: Gaining in-depth experience researching AI-powered features and understanding responsible AI principles.

• Advanced Methodologies: Expanding expertise in mixed methods, quantitative analysis, and potentially research operations management.

• Industry Immersion: Deepening knowledge within specific verticals like legal tech or knowledge management.

• Mentorship: Access to experienced researchers and product leaders for guidance and career development.

• Continuous Learning: Utilizing resources like LinkedIn Learning, industry conferences, and internal training programs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents opportunities to tackle complex challenges in enterprise software and AI research, fostering significant professional growth and skill development in a supportive environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to research a complex workflow. How did you approach it, and what were your key findings?" (Focus on process, methodology, and stakeholder communication).

• "How do you balance advocating for user needs with organizational or technical constraints? Provide an example." (Highlight problem-solving, negotiation, and advocacy skills).

• "Imagine we are developing a new AI feature for our platform. How would you approach researching its usability and user acceptance?" (Demonstrate understanding of AI research nuances and a structured approach). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about iManage and our focus on 'Making Knowledge Work'?" (Research the company's mission, products, and market position).

• "How do you see yourself contributing to our collaborative and user-centric culture?" (Align your values and work style with the company's stated culture).

• "How do you measure the impact of your UX research on product success and business outcomes?" (Prepare to discuss metrics, ROI, and tangible results). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select High-Impact Projects: Choose 2-3 projects that best demonstrate your skills, impact, and relevance to enterprise SaaS research.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly outline: the business/product context, the research goals, your specific role and methods, key findings, actionable recommendations, and the impact on the product or business.

• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to illustrate the success of your research and recommendations.

• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your methodology, decision-making process, and how you handled challenges. Be ready to discuss your experience with AI tools and enterprise software.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to not only showcase their research skills but also their strategic thinking, collaborative abilities, and understanding of the enterprise software domain. The portfolio presentation is a key opportunity to do so.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the iManage careers portal.

• 📝 Enhancement Note: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords and experiences directly relevant to UX research in B2B/SaaS enterprise environments, AI-powered features, and mixed-methods research.

• 📝 Enhancement Note: Curate your portfolio to showcase 2-3 impactful projects that demonstrate your research process, insights, and tangible contributions to product development. Focus on clear storytelling and quantifiable results.

• 📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to articulate your research process, decision-making, and impact during a portfolio presentation. Practice explaining how you would approach research challenges specific to iManage's product suite or enterprise software.

• 📝 Enhancement Note: Thoroughly research iManage's company mission, products, target audience, and recent news. Understand their commitment to "Making Knowledge WorkTM" and how UX research contributes to that vision.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

---