UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher

Company: U.S. Bank National Association

Location: Minneapolis, MN, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: User Experience Research / GTM Operations Alignment

Date Posted: April 20, 2026

Experience Level: 3-5 years

Remote Status: Hybrid (3+ days in-office expectation)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and execute end-to-end UX research initiatives, aligning user insights with business objectives to drive product development and strategic decision-making.

• Design and implement diverse research methodologies to uncover user needs, pain points, and behaviors, translating findings into actionable product impact.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with product managers, UX designers, business line clients, marketing, and analytics teams to ensure research findings influence key business and product strategies.

• Champion a data-driven approach to understanding customer needs and advocating for user-centric design principles within the organization, directly impacting Go-To-Market (GTM) effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is primarily UX Research, its focus on "product impact," "business objectives," and "influencing product, design, and business decisions" strongly suggests a need for the UX Researcher to understand and contribute to the broader GTM strategy. The ability to translate research into actionable insights that drive product outcomes is directly tied to the success of sales and marketing efforts. Therefore, this role is categorized under UX Research with a strong emphasis on GTM Operations Alignment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead comprehensive UX research projects from inception to completion, defining research objectives and ensuring alignment with overarching business goals.

• Design and execute a variety of research studies, including but not limited to usability testing, in-depth interviews, surveys, focus groups, and ethnographic research, selecting appropriate methods based on project scope and business needs.

• Synthesize complex research data to derive clear, actionable insights and compelling narratives that inform product strategy, design iterations, and business line decisions.

• Develop and present high-quality research artifacts, including reports, personas, journey maps, and presentations, tailored to diverse audiences ranging from design teams to executive stakeholders.

• Foster strong collaborative relationships with UX designers, product managers, marketing teams, analytics, and business line clients to ensure research insights are effectively integrated into product roadmaps and GTM strategies.

• Establish measurable objectives for UX research work and systematically evaluate research outcomes to demonstrate impact and ROI, contributing to the justification of design investments.

• Maintain a high standard of research quality, including rigorous methodology, effective facilitation, compelling storytelling, and precise insight synthesis to drive product excellence.

• Proactively identify opportunities for research to address critical business questions and improve the user experience across U.S. Bank's digital platforms and services.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities emphasize end-to-end research leadership, strategic insight generation, and cross-functional collaboration. This goes beyond simply executing research tasks; it requires strategic thinking, influencing stakeholders, and demonstrating quantifiable impact, which are key components of senior-level operations roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

Required Skills:

• UX Research Expertise: Proficient in designing and conducting end-to-end qualitative and quantitative UX research studies (e.g., usability testing, interviews, surveys, card sorting, tree testing).

• Methodology Mastery: Deep understanding of various research methodologies, knowing when to apply them, and the ability to make pragmatic tradeoffs based on project constraints and objectives.

• Insight Synthesis & Communication: Ability to translate raw research data into clear, actionable insights and compelling narratives for diverse audiences.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Proven experience partnering effectively with UX designers, product managers, business stakeholders, marketing, and analytics teams to influence product and business decisions.

• Presentation & Facilitation Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present findings persuasively and facilitate collaborative workshops.

• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Demonstrated ability to analyze complex problems, identify root causes, and propose data-driven solutions informed by user research.

Preferred Skills:

• Financial Institution Industry Knowledge: Prior experience working within the financial services sector, understanding its unique user needs and regulatory landscape.

• Large Client UX Experience: Experience conducting UX research for large commercial and/or corporate clients, understanding complex enterprise needs.

• Impact Demonstration: Proven ability to define measurable research objectives and clearly demonstrate the value and ROI of UX research efforts.

• Storytelling: Skill in crafting engaging stories from research findings that resonate with stakeholders and drive action.

• Prototyping Tool Familiarity: Basic understanding or familiarity with prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD) to better understand the design process and leverage prototypes in research.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "3-5 years" experience level implies a mid-level to senior individual contributor role. The preferred skills highlight a specialization in financial institutions and large clients, suggesting a need for candidates who can quickly adapt to the enterprise environment and understand complex business needs.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Research Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating your end-to-end UX research process, from problem definition and methodology selection to insights generation and impact on product/business outcomes.

• Methodology Application: Clearly articulate the research methodologies used in each case study and the rationale behind your choices, highlighting adaptability to different project needs.

• Insight Articulation: Provide concrete examples of how your research findings translated into actionable insights that directly influenced design decisions, product strategy, or business objectives.

• Impact Demonstration: Quantify the impact of your research whenever possible (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced customer support tickets, increased user satisfaction scores). If direct quantification is not possible, describe the qualitative impact and how it influenced strategic direction.

Process Documentation:

• Research Plan Examples: Include examples of well-structured research plans that outline objectives, target participants, methodological approach, and key research questions.

• Synthesis Artifacts: Showcase examples of synthesized research findings, such as thematic analysis summaries, user journey maps with identified pain points, or personas that highlight key user behaviors and needs.

• Presentation Artifacts: Include examples of research presentations that effectively communicate findings and recommendations to diverse audiences, demonstrating clarity, conciseness, and visual appeal.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Researcher role, a portfolio is critical for demonstrating practical application of research skills. The emphasis here is on showcasing the entire research lifecycle and, crucially, the impact of that research on business outcomes, which aligns with operations' focus on efficiency and ROI.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $105,400.00 - $124,000.00 per year (This range reflects figures based on the primary location, Minneapolis, MN. Actual compensation may vary based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and the specific location of the role.)

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Healthcare: Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to support overall well-being.

• Life & Disability Insurance: Basic term and optional term life insurance, along with short-term and long-term disability coverage for financial security.

• Family Support: Pregnancy disability and parental leave, and adoption assistance to support team members during life events.

• Retirement Planning: 401(k) plan with employer match and an employer-funded retirement plan to secure future financial goals.

• Paid Time Off: Generous paid vacation (2-5 weeks depending on salary grade and tenure), up to 11 paid holidays, and Sick and Safe Leave accruals.

• Additional Benefits: Access to adoption assistance and other benefits detailed on the company's benefits portal.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time workweek, typically 40 hours. The role offers a hybrid/flexible schedule with an expectation of 3 or more days per week in the Minneapolis office, allowing for flexibility on other days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific to the Minneapolis, MN location. For candidates in other potential locations, the compensation might be adjusted based on local market rates. The benefits package is comprehensive, covering health, financial security, and work-life balance, which are key considerations for operations professionals seeking stable and supportive employment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services / Banking

Company Size: Large Enterprise (U.S. Bank National Association is a major financial institution with tens of thousands of employees globally). This size suggests a structured environment with established processes, significant resources, and opportunities for large-scale impact.

Founded: 1863 (U.S. Bank has a long history, indicating stability, established practices, and a deep understanding of the financial market).

Team Structure:

• The UX Researcher will likely be part of a dedicated User Experience or Design team, reporting into a UX Research Manager or Director.

• This team collaborates closely with Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, Analytics, and various Business Lines (e.g., Commercial Banking, Consumer Banking).

Methodology:

• U.S. Bank emphasizes a customer-centric approach, leveraging data and insights to drive decisions. This includes a growing adoption of agile methodologies and a focus on continuous improvement.

• The company values a disciplined approach to research, balancing rigor with practicality to deliver timely and actionable insights that support business objectives and regulatory requirements.

• Collaboration and shared ambition are key cultural tenets, encouraging team members to work together to achieve common goals.

Company Website: https://careers.usbank.com/global/en

📝 Enhancement Note: U.S. Bank's status as a large, established financial institution implies a certain level of process maturity and a need for UX research that respects regulatory environments and enterprise-scale challenges. The company culture likely values stability, data-driven decision-making, and cross-functional teamwork.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-career to senior individual contributor. It requires independent leadership of research projects and the ability to influence strategic decisions, moving beyond task execution to strategic contribution.

Reporting Structure: The UX Researcher will report to a UX Research Lead or Manager, likely within a broader Design or Digital organization. They will collaborate extensively with Product Managers and Engineering Leads on specific product initiatives.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher's impact is critical for ensuring that U.S. Bank's digital products and services are intuitive, effective, and meet the needs of its diverse customer base. By providing user insights, this role directly influences product design, customer satisfaction, adoption rates, and ultimately, the financial success and market competitiveness of U.S. Bank's offerings. This influence is key to aligning product development with Go-To-Market strategies.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific research methodologies or user segments within financial services.

• Leadership: Progress to a Senior UX Researcher role, leading larger, more complex research initiatives, mentoring junior researchers, and contributing to research strategy.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Potentially move into Product Management or UX Design roles by leveraging a deep understanding of user needs and product development.

• Learning & Development: Access to internal training programs, industry conferences, and professional development opportunities focused on UX research and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth trajectory for a UX Researcher at a large institution like U.S. Bank typically involves increasing scope of responsibility, strategic influence, and potential for leadership within the UX discipline or related product functions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as Hybrid, requiring a minimum of 3 days per week in the Minneapolis office. This indicates a blend of in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility.

Office Location(s): Minneapolis, MN, United States. Specific office details would be provided upon inquiry or during the interview process.

Workspace Context:

• The Minneapolis office likely offers a collaborative workspace designed to foster teamwork, with shared project areas, meeting rooms, and potentially quiet zones for focused work.

• Access to standard office technology, including computers, monitors, and relevant software for research and communication.

• Opportunities for regular interaction with UX designers, product managers, and other stakeholders, facilitating dynamic problem-solving and idea generation.

Work Schedule: The hybrid model allows for a structured work week with flexibility. Team members are expected to be present in the office for key collaborative activities, while remote days can be used for focused individual work, analysis, and deep thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model is common in large financial institutions, balancing the need for in-person collaboration and relationship-building with the desire for employee flexibility. For operations roles, this balance is crucial for maintaining team cohesion and operational efficiency.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will review your application and resume to assess basic qualifications and experience.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation with the hiring manager to discuss your experience, research philosophy, and fit with the team and company culture.

• Portfolio Presentation: A critical step where you will present 1-2 detailed case studies from your portfolio to a panel of UX researchers, designers, and potentially product managers. This will focus on your process, insights, and impact.

• Skills-Based Assessment/Exercise: You may be given a short research-related task or asked to walk through a hypothetical research scenario to assess your problem-solving and methodological approach.

• Final Interviews: Discussions with additional stakeholders, potentially including senior leadership, to assess strategic thinking and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Select Impactful Case Studies: Choose projects that clearly demonstrate your ability to drive product or business impact. Focus on your contribution and the outcomes.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly articulate: the problem/objective, your role, the methodology used and why, key findings, actionable insights, and the resulting impact.

• Quantify When Possible: Use data and metrics to showcase the success of your research. If direct metrics are unavailable, explain the qualitative impact and how decisions were influenced.

• Tailor to Financial Services: If possible, highlight any experience or understanding of the financial services industry.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your methodology choices, how you handle challenging stakeholders, and how you measure research success.

Challenge Preparation:

• Methodology Depth: Be ready to discuss the pros and cons of various research methods and when to apply them.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Practice thinking through how you would approach a research problem with limited time or resources.

• Communication Clarity: Prepare to articulate complex research concepts simply and effectively, as if explaining them to a non-expert stakeholder.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount for UX Researchers. Candidates should prepare to not only showcase their work but also articulate their thought process, strategic decision-making, and the tangible impact of their research on business goals, which is a key expectation for operations-aligned roles.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research Platforms: Familiarity with tools for remote usability testing and participant recruitment (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, UserZoom).

• Survey Tools: Proficiency with survey platforms for data collection and analysis (e.g., Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Google Forms).

• Collaboration Tools: Experience with tools for team collaboration and documentation (e.g., Jira, Confluence, Microsoft Teams, Slack).

• Prototyping Tools (Familiarity): Understanding of how prototypes are built and used in design and research (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Software: Ability to analyze quantitative data from surveys and other sources (e.g., Excel, SPSS, R, Python for statistical analysis).

• Visualization Tools: Experience with tools to create clear and compelling data visualizations (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Google Data Studio).

CRM & Automation (Indirect Relevance):

• While not directly managing CRM systems, an understanding of how user data is captured and utilized within CRM and marketing automation platforms can provide valuable context for research. Familiarity with customer data platforms (CDPs) or data warehouses might be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the core tools are research-specific, an understanding of how research data integrates with broader analytics, CRM, and marketing automation platforms is increasingly valuable for operations-focused roles, as it bridges user insights with business performance metrics.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the customer's needs in all product and business decisions.

• Data-Driven Decision-Making: Reliance on research and analytics to inform strategy and measure success, ensuring objectivity and impact.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A belief in the power of cross-functional partnerships to achieve shared goals and drive innovation.

• Excellence & Rigor: Upholding high standards in research methodology, analysis, and communication to deliver credible and actionable insights.

• Continuous Improvement: A mindset of learning, adapting, and refining processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in research and product development.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: Actively seeks to build strong working relationships with product, design, engineering, and business teams, fostering mutual understanding and shared ownership.

• Transparent Communication: Shares research plans, findings, and recommendations openly and proactively, ensuring all stakeholders are informed and engaged.

• Feedback Integration: Open to constructive feedback on research approaches and findings, using it to refine insights and improve future work.

• Cross-functional Learning: Encourages knowledge sharing and learning across disciplines to build a holistic understanding of the customer and business.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on customer-centricity, data-driven decisions, and collaboration aligns perfectly with the core tenets of effective Revenue Operations and GTM functions, where understanding the customer journey and driving measurable business outcomes are paramount.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Rigor and Speed: Effectively conducting high-quality research within tight project timelines common in fast-paced product development cycles.

• Influencing Stakeholders: Translating complex research findings into compelling arguments that drive adoption and action among diverse stakeholders with varying priorities.

• Navigating Enterprise Complexity: Understanding and adapting research approaches to the unique needs and constraints of a large, regulated financial institution.

• Demonstrating ROI: Clearly articulating and quantifying the business value and return on investment of UX research activities to secure continued support and resources.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Methodologies: Opportunities to explore and master emerging research techniques and technologies.

• Industry Specialization: Deepen knowledge of financial services, digital banking, and evolving customer behaviors in the sector.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gain exposure to product management, design strategy, and business analytics through close collaboration.

• Mentorship: Potential to be mentored by senior researchers or leaders within the UX and digital organizations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for strategic thinking, strong influencing skills, and a results-oriented mindset, all critical for success in operations-focused roles that bridge user understanding with business performance.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you used UX research to significantly influence a product decision or business strategy. What was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, the insight, and the measurable impact).

• "How do you decide which research methodology is most appropriate for a given project? Walk us through your decision-making process." (Highlight your understanding of trade-offs, objectives, and constraints).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about U.S. Bank and our work in the financial services industry?" (Research the company's recent initiatives, values, and market position).

• "How do you approach collaboration with product managers and UX designers to ensure research insights are effectively integrated into the product development lifecycle?" (Showcase your understanding of cross-functional teamwork and communication).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame your case studies as compelling narratives with a clear beginning (problem), middle (your process and insights), and end (impact/resolution).

• Visual Clarity: Use clear, concise slides with strong visuals. Avoid dense text; focus on key findings and recommendations.

• Participant Centricity: Emphasize the "why" behind your research – understanding the user and their needs.

• Actionable Insights: Clearly articulate what actions were taken based on your research and the results of those actions.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time constraints. Practice your presentation to ensure it flows well and stays within the allotted time.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for this role should focus on demonstrating not just research proficiency, but also strategic thinking, business acumen, and the ability to translate user insights into tangible business value, mirroring the expectations for operations professionals.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the U.S. Bank careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to highlight 2-3 of your most impactful UX research projects, emphasizing your end-to-end process, key insights, and demonstrable business or product outcomes. Tailor the selection to showcase experience relevant to financial services or enterprise-level products if possible.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your UX research experience, specific methodologies used, and quantifiable achievements. Integrate keywords like "UX research," "user insights," "product impact," "cross-functional collaboration," and "stakeholder management" naturally.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on clear storytelling, actionable insights, and demonstrating the business value of your research. Prepare for behavioral questions related to collaboration, problem-solving, and influencing stakeholders.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with U.S. Bank's mission, values, recent news, and digital product offerings. Understand their position in the financial services industry and the importance of user experience in this sector.

⚠️ 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.

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