UX Researcher

smartdept.inc. is searching for a UX Researcher for a pharmacy and eCommerce client located in Chicago, IL. The ideal candidate will come with 7-10+ years of experience conducting qualitative user research. This is a full-time, 2-year contract with the possibility of extension or converting to a permanent position. This is an on-site position, candidates must be local to Chicago or be willing to relocate. 

What You’ll Do: 

• Plans, manages, and executes all aspects of generative and evaluative user and design research including planning, execution, and delivery of results.
• Translates user behaviors and research findings into clear insights and actionable recommendations, opportunities, and guiding principles.
• Works collaboratively across teams and actively drives engagement in research activities and promotes the adoption of research insights. Partners with Service and User Experience Designers to ensure that user goals, needs and expectations are met, by helping to improve processes, clarity of content, and functionality across the client's experiences.
• Evangelizes User Research best practices and Design Thinking methodology within the company, including communication to cross-functional project teams and senior-level stakeholders.
• Contributes to the development and ongoing evolution of research and testing approaches, methods, and timelines.
• Assists in managing usability lab operations, including system operation and participant recruiting/scheduling.
• Contributes to ongoing knowledge management and cataloging of research and insights into a sharable, searchable database/library. 

What You’ll Need: 

• Experience in the digital (adaptive web, app, and kiosk) space; experience with store-based research and/or employee tools is a definite plus!
• Experience researching complex software applications. Eg. Finance, Healthcare, Accounting
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience building relationships with internal/external partners, and working collaboratively within and across disciplines.
• Experience with analyzing and reporting data in order to identify issues, trends, or exceptions to drive improvement of results and find solutions.
• Experience identifying operational issues and recommending and implementing strategies to resolve problems.
• Experience adapting to changes related to project needs and scope.
• Experience utilizing critical thinking, analysis, and creative problem-solving skills.
• Experience using time management skills such as prioritizing/organizing and tracking details and meeting deadlines of multiple projects with varying completion dates.