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Sr. User Researcher, Walmart.com
Dec 18 04
Source: CHI-Jobs
COMPANY: Walmart.com
LOCATION: Brisbane, CA (10 miles south of SF)
TITLE: Sr. User Researcher
REPORTING TO: Manager, User Research
DURATION: Full time
GENERAL SUMMARY:
Curious about consumers? Like serving a big variety of businesses and services? Walmart.com has lots of both. And our world-class User Experience team is seeking a talented Senior User Researcher to collect and interpret user input for site and site/store integration projects.
The Senior User Researcher will collaborate with IAs, designers, writers, program managers, business owners and marketers to translate research into improved user experiences and business results. S/he will work on customer- and associate-facing projects and support development teams. By applying various research methods at different phases of the design process, s/he will ensure that Wal-Mart provides customers and Associates with usable and useful experiences.
The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated, insightful and flexible individual who can deliver superior results in the face of very tight timeframes, diverse stakeholders and Wal-Mart’s Every Day Low Price environment.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Research Preparation (10%)
* Clarify research goals of Business or User Experience team
* Design research approach and prepare research plans independently
* Plan user research activities, including participant recruiting and scheduling, material, lab preparation and other logistics
* Create research materials as necessary
2. Conduct Research (30%)
* Conduct secondary, usability and discovery research
* Use site analytics tools to gain insights into customers’ online behaviors
* Compile and organize research data
3. Perform Analysis (30%)
* Interpret customers’ or associates’ needs based on trending analysis
* Prepare initial analysis and review with manager as needed
* Support the qualitative analysis of interviews and track themes
4. Synthesize and Report (30%)
* Translate research findings into actionable, prioritized recommendations
* Document and present findings and recommendations to business and development groups
* Strategize with development teams on how best to implement research findings
* Support development teams with effectiveness metrics on implemented findings
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
1) Competencies: Skills, knowledge & abilities
Functional Competencies:
* Lead, plan and execute user research projects. Apply a wide range of research methods for evaluation and discovery research
* Participate in project definition activities
* Demonstrate excellent research writing, presentation and public-speaking skills
* Analyze research data and translate findings into insightful and actionable recommendations. Report findings to team and other groups within the company.
* Conduct secondary research of relevant studies published in fields of usability/HCI and consumer behavior
* Monitor site analytics and customer service feedback
* Work closely with information architects, graphic designers and writers to review process flows, site maps, wire frames, screen prototypes, functional specifications, layouts and copy for potential usability issues
Interpersonal Competencies:
* Very good project management skills: able to work on multiple projects, reprioritize as needed and consistently deliver on time
* Escalate issues appropriately to manager and project team
* Set project schedules and estimate/manage own time accurately and effectively
* Anticipate potential project problems and create solutions or contingency plans
* Demonstrate willingness to teach and contribute to the team
* Collaborate successfully within the Design team, Creative team and across the company. Take a proactive approach to creative and cross-functional communication
* Actively seek out feedback from manager and peers, improve own performance based on that feedback, and develop an understanding of how to give effective feedback.
* Is able to resolve conflicts constructively with some input from manager
Leadership Competencies:
* Demonstrate a high level of integrity and maturity
* Foster and maintain Wal-Mart's three core values:
* Respect for the Individual
* Service to our Customers
* Strive for Excellence
* Can set and take direction, and can think conceptually about a project
* Excellent understanding of project context
* Able to persuade/influence team members, sell ideas effectively, get results and follow through
* Understand company goals, sales goals and relationship with home office in Bentonville, AR
* Accountable for own projects, and takes ownership of mid-sized projects with input and feedback from manager
* Demonstrate initiative and resourcefulness
2) Experience:
* 4+ years of usability testing and discovery research experience
3) Minimum educational level:
* Graduate degree in human factors, HCI, cognitive science, anthropology or a related field (or equivalent experience)
4) Physical Requirements:
* Must be able to lift, carry and use research equipment (e.g. laptops, recorders, cameras, tripods, portable lab) that can weigh up to 25 lbs.
* Must be able to conduct research independently in a wide variety of settings (e.g. stores, homes, offices)
* Requires occasional use of own vehicle for research trips
* Travel required roughly 1 week every quarter (length and frequency of required travel may vary depending on business/project requirements)
CONTACT INFO:
Please send resume and cover letter to ISmith@Walmart.com. Include "Sr. User Researcher" in the subject line.
No phone calls, please.