UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher

Company: Jewelers Mutual Group

Location: Raleigh, North Carolina, USA

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience Research / Design Operations

Date Posted: May 12, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive innovation and product development by bridging the gap between user needs and business goals through rigorous UX research methodologies.

• Manage and operate a dedicated Design Lab, ensuring seamless execution of usability testing and research initiatives.

• Translate complex user behaviors, motivations, and pain points into actionable insights and clear recommendations for product and design teams.

• Foster a user-centered approach across the organization by presenting research findings and advocating for user needs to key stakeholders.

• Contribute to a data-driven culture by maintaining organized research archives and a comprehensive research repository for ongoing learning and strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a critical enabler for innovation and customer satisfaction within Jewelers Mutual Group. The emphasis on "Design Lab Operations" suggests a hands-on, operational component beyond traditional research, requiring meticulous organization and technical proficiency. The role is expected to significantly influence product strategy by providing deep user insights.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design Lab Operations:

  • Set up, maintain, and manage the physical design lab, ensuring all necessary equipment and technology are functional and ready for research activities.
  • Schedule and coordinate user testing sessions, liaising effectively with internal teams (UX designers, product managers) and external participants.
  • Oversee participant recruitment, screening processes, and manage compensation logistics to ensure a diverse and representative participant pool.
  • Ensure the reliable operation of lab equipment, including cameras, recording software, and observation room technology, troubleshooting issues as they arise.
  • Maintain organized archives of all test recordings, research materials, and participant data in compliance with privacy standards.

• Conduct User Research:

  • Execute moderated and unmoderated usability tests on prototypes and live products, both within the physical lab and remotely.
  • Conduct in-depth user interviews to uncover user behaviors, understand current workflows, and identify critical pain points.
  • Facilitate various evaluative research methods such as card sorting and tree testing to inform information architecture and navigation design.
  • Observe and meticulously document user interactions with designs in real-time, identifying usability issues and areas for improvement.
  • Compile detailed notes and create highlight reels from testing sessions to effectively communicate key findings.

• Reporting & Collaboration:

  • Develop clear, concise, and actionable reports summarizing usability findings, insights, and prioritized recommendations.

  • Present research findings compellingly to UX designers, product managers, engineers, and other key stakeholders to drive informed decision-making.

  • Collaborate closely with UX designers to refine test plans, research protocols, and research questions, ensuring alignment with design objectives.

  • Partner with the UX team to strategically prioritize which designs and features require user testing based on impact and development stage.

  • Maintain and contribute to a centralized research repository, documenting past studies, key learnings, and participant feedback for organizational knowledge.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly delineate between operational duties (lab management, participant coordination) and core research activities. The emphasis on "Design Lab Operations" indicates a need for strong organizational and logistical skills, which are crucial for efficient research execution. The reporting and collaboration aspects highlight the importance of communication and the ability to translate technical findings into business-relevant insights.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 2+ years of hands-on UX research experience conducting research in-house within a product development environment.

Required Skills:

• Highly skilled in a variety of qualitative research methods (e.g., usability testing, user interviews, contextual inquiry, diary studies).

• Demonstrated ability to plan, recruit for, execute, and analyze qualitative research studies independently.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate research findings and recommendations compellingly to diverse audiences, including senior stakeholders.

• Detail-oriented with a strong capacity for independent work, self-motivation, and proactive task management.

• Ability to understand and empathetically relate to users' needs, motivations, and perspectives.

• Talent for identifying opportunities for improvement within user flows and product interactions.

• Ability to forge strong, collaborative partnerships with cross-functional teams, including Product Managers, UX Designers, and Engineers.

Preferred Skills:

• Direct experience conducting a broad range of design research methodologies, including both qualitative and quantitative approaches (e.g., surveys, A/B testing, analytics review, exploratory, and generative research).

• Familiarity with quantitative research methods and data analysis techniques to complement qualitative findings.

• Experience with various UX research tools and platforms for remote testing, surveys, and analytics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of "2+ years" suggests a role that requires foundational experience but is not necessarily senior-level. The emphasis on "in-house" experience is significant, indicating a need for individuals who understand internal product development cycles and stakeholder management within a corporate structure. The preference for broader methodological experience highlights an opportunity for candidates to showcase versatility.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating end-to-end UX research projects. Each case study should clearly outline the research problem, methodology employed, participant profile, research process, key findings, and actionable recommendations.

• Methodology Showcase: Include examples of how you've applied various qualitative research methods (usability testing, interviews, card sorting, tree testing) to solve specific design challenges.

• Impact & Outcomes: Clearly articulate the impact of your research on product decisions, user experience improvements, and business outcomes. Quantify results where possible (e.g., reduction in task completion time, increase in user satisfaction scores).

• Process Documentation: Provide evidence of your ability to document research plans, protocols, and findings in a clear, organized, and professional manner. This could include example research reports or summaries.

Process Documentation:

• Research Planning: Demonstrate a structured approach to developing research plans, including defining research objectives, selecting appropriate methodologies, and creating recruitment screeners.

• Execution & Analysis: Showcase your process for conducting research sessions, synthesizing qualitative data, and identifying themes and insights.

• Reporting & Recommendation: Illustrate your method for translating raw data into actionable insights and presenting them effectively to drive product improvements and strategic decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Researcher role, a portfolio is paramount. The emphasis here is on demonstrating practical application of research skills, the ability to manage the research process from planning to recommendation, and crucially, the impact of that research on product outcomes. Detailing the "Design Lab Operations" aspect within a case study would be highly beneficial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

The estimated salary range for this UX Researcher position in Raleigh, North Carolina, for an individual with 2-5 years of experience, is between $75,000 and $100,000 annually. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for UX Researchers in mid-sized metropolitan areas with a strong tech presence, considering the company's stated commitment to innovation and its employee benefits package. Jewelers Mutual Group's commitment to competitive compensation and its "Great Place to Work® Certified" status suggests a competitive offering within this range, potentially at the higher end for exceptionally qualified candidates.

Benefits:

• Performance Bonuses: Eligibility for performance-based bonuses, rewarding individual and company achievements.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO): Comprehensive paid time off to support work-life balance and personal well-being.

• Retirement Program: A top-tier retirement plan featuring 401(k) matching and additional company contributions, demonstrating a commitment to long-term financial security.

• Charitable Gift Matching: 50% charitable gift matching, empowering employees to support causes they care about.

• Paid Volunteer Time: Dedicated paid time off for volunteering, fostering community engagement and corporate social responsibility.

• Health & Wellness: While not explicitly detailed, typical comprehensive benefits packages often include medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as potential wellness programs.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work schedule, likely around 40 hours per week. The on-site nature of the role suggests adherence to typical business hours, with potential for flexibility depending on specific testing schedules and project demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is estimated based on common market rates for UX Researchers with 2-5 years of experience in a location like Raleigh, NC. The benefits listed are directly from the job description and are highly attractive, particularly the retirement contributions and charitable matching, which are often differentiators. The "Great Place to Work® Certified" status adds significant weight to the overall employee value proposition.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Specializing in Jewelry Insurance and Related Products). As a technology-focused organization within this niche, Jewelers Mutual Group leverages data and innovation to serve its specific customer base. This context means research insights will be applied to unique customer needs within the jewelry industry, requiring an understanding of consumer behavior related to high-value items and insurance.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, Jewelers Mutual Group is a well-established organization with a significant history (founded in 1913), suggesting a medium to large enterprise size. This implies structured processes, cross-functional departments, and opportunities for impact within a stable yet evolving company.

Founded: 1913. With over a century of experience, Jewelers Mutual Group has a strong foundation of trust and expertise. This long history suggests a culture that values stability, reliability, and customer loyalty, while also embracing modern technological advancements to remain relevant and competitive.

Team Structure:

• Operations Team: Likely integrated within a broader Product, Design, or Technology department. The UX Researcher would report into a UX Lead or Head of Product Design.

• Reporting Structure: The role reports into management within the UX/Product Design function, with significant collaboration expected across Product Management, Engineering, and potentially Marketing.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The UX Researcher is expected to forge strong partnerships with Product Managers, UX Designers, and other cross-functional stakeholders, indicating a highly collaborative and integrated product development process.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: A core focus on leveraging data-driven insights to inform design and business decisions. This involves rigorous qualitative research and potentially quantitative analysis.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: The role directly contributes to optimizing user workflows and product interactions through research, aiming for seamless and user-centered experiences.

• Automation & Efficiency: While not explicitly research-focused, the company's technology focus suggests an appreciation for efficient processes, including the operational aspects of research itself (e.g., lab management, participant recruitment).

Company Website: https://www.jewelersmutual.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Jewelers Mutual Group's industry (specialized financial services) is key. The "technology-focused organization" within this niche implies a blend of traditional financial stability with a forward-thinking approach to digital products and user experience. The "Great Place to Work® Certified" status is a strong indicator of a positive and engaging company culture.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This UX Researcher role is positioned as an individual contributor with 2-5 years of experience. It requires a solid foundation in qualitative research methods and operational capabilities related to research execution. The role has significant autonomy in managing research projects and influencing product direction.

Reporting Structure: The UX Researcher will likely report to a UX Manager or Director of Product Design. This structure provides mentorship and guidance while allowing for independent project execution. Collaboration will be extensive with Product Managers and UX Designers, forming a core product development triad.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher's primary impact is on enhancing the user experience, driving product adoption, and increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty. By ensuring products meet genuine user needs and are intuitive to use, this role directly contributes to customer retention, positive word-of-mouth, and ultimately, business growth and revenue through improved product performance and customer engagement.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in qualitative research methods and potentially gain exposure to quantitative research techniques. Developing advanced skills in specific methodologies like generative research or evaluative testing.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Expanding understanding of product management, UX design principles, and the broader business objectives of Jewelers Mutual Group, enabling more strategic research contributions.

• Leadership Potential: With demonstrated success and expanded capabilities, potential pathways could lead to Senior UX Researcher roles, specialization in specific research areas (e.g., generative research, service design), or even leadership positions within the UX team. The company's focus on innovation and growth suggests a willingness to invest in developing talent.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within UX research, with opportunities to expand methodological expertise and influence. The emphasis on collaboration with Product Management and Design suggests that success in this role can lead to broader product strategy involvement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is explicitly "On-site" in Raleigh, North Carolina, indicating a traditional office-based work environment. This suggests a structured setting conducive to focused work and in-person collaboration.

Office Location(s): Raleigh, North Carolina. This location offers a vibrant tech hub environment with access to talent and resources. Specific details about the office building, amenities, and accessibility would be part of the onboarding process.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The emphasis on forging strong partnerships and presenting findings suggests an environment that values teamwork and open communication. The presence of a physical Design Lab implies dedicated space for collaborative research activities.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to necessary equipment for the Design Lab, including cameras, recording software, and potentially specialized research tools. The company's technology focus indicates a commitment to providing modern tools for its employees.

• Team Interaction: The on-site nature facilitates spontaneous interactions with UX designers, product managers, and other colleagues, fostering a strong sense of team and enabling quick feedback loops during research and design processes.

Work Schedule:

• A standard full-time schedule (likely 40 hours/week) is expected. While the role is on-site, research activities, particularly usability testing, may require flexibility in scheduling to accommodate participant availability and project timelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is a key factor for candidates. It highlights an environment that prioritizes in-person collaboration and dedicated research facilities, which can be a significant advantage for conducting high-quality, controlled user research.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and relevant experience.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on your UX research experience, methodologies, operational capabilities (lab management), and understanding of user-centered design principles. Expect questions about your approach to research planning and execution.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present 1-2 detailed case studies from your portfolio. This is a critical opportunity to showcase your research process, insights, and the impact of your work. Be prepared to discuss your role, challenges faced, and how you drove action.

• Skills-Based Assessment/Challenge: Potentially a practical exercise or case study focused on a research problem, requiring you to outline a research plan, methodology, or analyze a given scenario. This tests your problem-solving and methodological thinking in real-time.

• Cross-Functional Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers and UX Designers to assess your collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to integrate research findings into the product development lifecycle.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss cultural fit, strategic thinking, and long-term potential within the organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure Your Case Studies: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role and responsibilities, the research methodology used, key findings, actionable recommendations, and the impact/outcome of your research. Use visuals to illustrate your points.

• Highlight Operational Skills: Since "Design Lab Operations" is a key responsibility, showcase any experience you have in setting up labs, managing participants, or streamlining research logistics.

• Demonstrate Impact: Quantify results whenever possible. Instead of saying "improved usability," state "reduced task completion time by X%" or "increased user satisfaction scores by Y points."

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize your qualitative research skills and experience with moderated/unmoderated testing, interviews, card sorting, and tree testing. Show how your research directly influenced design decisions.

• Be Ready for Questions: Prepare to discuss your decision-making process for choosing methodologies, handling challenging participants, and presenting findings to non-research audiences.

Challenge Preparation:

• Research Plan Development: Practice outlining a research plan for a hypothetical product or feature, including defining objectives, target users, methodology, and key research questions.

• Methodology Justification: Be prepared to explain why you chose a particular research method for a given problem and what its strengths and limitations are.

• Insight Synthesis: Practice synthesizing qualitative data into clear, concise, and actionable insights that directly address the research objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio presentation and potentially a skills-based challenge indicates that practical demonstration of research skills and operational capabilities will be a key part of the evaluation. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their process and impact clearly.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Usability Testing Platforms: Experience with tools like UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, or similar platforms for conducting moderated and unmoderated remote testing.

• Prototyping Tools: Familiarity with tools used by designers, such as Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD, to understand and test prototypes.

• Video Conferencing & Recording: Proficiency with tools like Zoom, Google Meet, or dedicated recording software for capturing remote and in-lab sessions.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Reporting & Presentation Software: Proficiency in tools like Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Keynote for creating clear and compelling research reports and presentations.

• Data Synthesis Tools: Experience with tools or techniques for organizing and synthesizing qualitative data, such as Dovetail, Condens, or even advanced spreadsheet functions.

• Spreadsheet Software: Strong skills in Excel or Google Sheets for data organization and basic analysis.

CRM & Automation:

• Research Repository Tools: Experience with platforms designed for managing research findings and insights, such as Dovetail, Aurelius, or similar knowledge management systems.

• Participant Management: Familiarity with any systems or processes used for managing participant databases, scheduling, and communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tool names aren't listed, the description implies a need for proficiency in standard UX research tools, presentation software, and potentially a research repository. The "Design Lab Operations" aspect suggests familiarity with AV equipment and recording software.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user in all product development decisions. This means prioritizing user needs and ensuring products are intuitive, effective, and satisfying.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: A strong belief in using research data and insights to inform strategy, product roadmaps, and design iterations. Decisions are made based on evidence, not just assumptions.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Fostering strong working relationships across teams (Product, Design, Engineering) to ensure research is integrated seamlessly into the development process and insights are acted upon.

• Agility & Relevancy: Embracing the company's core values of Agility and Relevancy means being adaptable to changing user needs and market conditions, and ensuring research efforts remain focused on what is most important for the business and its customers.

• Curiosity & Innovation: A mindset of continuous learning and exploration, actively seeking to uncover new insights about users and their behaviors to drive innovative solutions.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Approach: Research is not a siloed function but is deeply integrated into the product development lifecycle, working hand-in-hand with designers and product managers from concept to launch.

• Constructive Feedback: An environment where feedback on designs and research findings is shared openly and constructively, aiming for continuous improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages sharing research findings widely and maintaining accessible documentation (research repository) to benefit the entire organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's explicit mention of core values (Agility, Accountability, Relevancy) provides direct insight into their operational ethos. For a UX Researcher, this translates to a need to be adaptable, own research outcomes, and ensure research is relevant to business goals.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Research Demands: Managing multiple research projects simultaneously, each with different timelines, stakeholders, and methodological requirements. Prioritizing effectively will be key.

• Translating Insights into Action: The challenge of not just finding insights, but effectively communicating them in a way that compels stakeholders to act and drives tangible product improvements.

• Operationalizing Research: Effectively managing the physical Design Lab, participant recruitment, and scheduling to ensure research can be conducted efficiently and reliably. This requires strong organizational and logistical skills.

• Navigating Stakeholder Priorities: Aligning research goals with broader business objectives and potentially competing priorities from different departments.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Methodological Expansion: Opportunities to gain hands-on experience with a wider array of research methodologies, including quantitative research, surveys, and advanced qualitative techniques.

• Industry Exposure: Deepening understanding of the specialized insurance and financial services industry, and how user behavior differs within this context compared to other sectors.

• Cross-Functional Acumen: Developing a stronger understanding of product management, business strategy, and engineering constraints, enabling more strategic and impactful research contributions.

• Tool Proficiency: Expanding skill set with various UX research and analytics tools, and potentially contributing to the evolution of the research tech stack.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the dual nature of this role: deep research expertise combined with practical operational management. Growth opportunities are geared towards expanding both research depth and strategic breadth.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to advocate for a user insight that was met with resistance. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on communication, data-driven persuasion, and stakeholder management.)

• "How do you prioritize research requests when faced with multiple urgent projects from different teams?" (Assess your prioritization framework, time management, and stakeholder negotiation skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of Jewelers Mutual Group and the insurance industry, what do you see as the biggest UX challenges or opportunities for our customers?" (Shows your research into the company and industry, and strategic thinking.)

• "How do you see the UX Researcher role contributing to our company values of Agility, Accountability, and Relevancy?" (Connects your work to the company's core principles.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each case study, frame it as a narrative – the problem, the journey of discovery through research, the 'aha!' moments, and the resolution or impact.

• Focus on "Why" and "So What": Clearly articulate why you chose a particular methodology and so what the findings mean for the product and the business.

• Showcase Operational Rigor: If possible, highlight aspects of your case studies that demonstrate your ability to manage research logistics, recruit participants, or operate within a lab environment.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your specific contributions, methodological choices, data analysis techniques, and how your recommendations were implemented.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice focuses on demonstrating not only research expertise but also operational capability, strategic thinking, and alignment with the company's values and industry context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on recruiting.ultipro.com.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and portfolio highlight your 2+ years of in-house UX research experience, with specific examples of qualitative research methods, usability testing, and lab operations. Tailor your resume to include keywords like "Usability Testing," "Qualitative Research," "Participant Recruitment," and "Design Lab Management."

• Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate achievements using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result), quantifying your impact where possible. Emphasize your ability to translate research findings into actionable recommendations that drove product improvements.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting 1-2 key case studies from your portfolio, focusing on methodology, findings, impact, and your operational role. Be ready to discuss your approach to managing a design lab and recruiting participants. Research Jewelers Mutual Group's mission, values, and recent product developments.

• Company Research: Understand Jewelers Mutual Group's position in the financial services industry, its commitment to technology and innovation, and its core values (Agility, Accountability, Relevancy). Prepare to discuss how your UX research skills align with these aspects.

⚠️ 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.