Principal User Research

About the Role:

We are a cutting-edge fintech company dedicated to transforming how to build and access more credit for consumers with innovative & customer focused solutions. Our mission is to empower consumers to build & enable easy access to credit. We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Principal User Researcher to join & create the research function at Self. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of user-centered design principles, generative research, wide experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative research, and a passion for fintech. As a Principal User Researcher, you will play a critical role in shaping our product strategy and ensuring our offerings meet the needs and expectations of our diverse user base. 

What you will do:

• Lead Research Initiatives: Design and execute comprehensive research plans to gather user insights through various methods, including interviews, surveys, usability testing, and ethnographic studies. This will be a key input to the broader 3 yr product strategy for the company and where we should expand out product offerings. 
• Identify and prioritize research questions based on business objectives and product goals. Collaborate with product teams to define research objectives and deliver actionable insights. Collaborate with marketing and customer support teams to understand user behavior and feedback from multiple touchpoints. Build strong relationships with stakeholders to ensure user research is aligned with business goals and priorities. 
• Synthesize and Communicate Findings: analyze research data to uncover patterns, trends, and key insights that inform product development and design decisions. Create compelling and actionable insights and user personas to communicate findings to stakeholders at all levels. Advocate for the user perspective in strategic discussions, roadmap prioritization and decision-making processes. 
• Lead workshops and training sessions to educate  user research best practices across the organization. Mentor and guide product & design teams to actively participate & leverage customer research. 
• Partner with product managers, designers, engineers, and data analysts to integrate user research into product execution and delivery. 
• Stay up-to-date with industry trends, emerging research methodologies, and best practices in user experience and fintech. - Experiment with innovative research techniques and tools to enhance the quality and efficiency of user research efforts. 

What we want you to have:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, or a related field. 
• 8+ years of experience in user research, with a focus on consumer-facing products, preferably in the fintech industry. 
•  Proven track record of leading and executing complex research projects from start to finish. 
• Strong expertise in both qualitative and quantitative research methods. - Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate research findings into actionable recommendations. 
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex insights to a diverse audience.  
• Experience working in a fast paced startup development environment and collaborating with cross-functional teams. - Passion for fintech and a deep understanding of the financial needs and behaviors of consumers.

Base salary range: $171,000-209,000 annually.  Individual pay is based on factors unique to each candidate, including skill set, experience, and other job-related reasons.