UX Principal Researcher

About Goosehead

Since 2003, Goosehead Insurance has been disrupting the insurance industry by giving clients the power of choice, utilizing a smarter marketing approach, and delivering world-class service. This is all powered by our focus on hiring and retaining extraordinary people. Our clients trust us with their most valuable possessions, so we’re more than just a bit selective when it comes to hiring new team members.

Job Summary

As a member of the User Experience Team, you will play a crucial role in Goosehead’s future growth by understanding people and their needs as a Principal UX Researcher. In this individual contributor position, your focus will be on driving user-centered design through strategic research initiatives and impactful insights. You will lead research efforts and collaborate with cross-functional teams to influence product roadmaps and inform design decisions. This role requires expertise in various research methodologies, strong communication and presentation skills, and the ability to translate research findings into actionable recommendations.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Connect long-term business strategy with user needs and behaviors.
• Ensure that design decisions address immediate issues while aligning with the overall organizational direction and user impact.
• Set research strategies, prioritize projects, manage resources, and ensure high-quality research outcomes.
• Engage daily with Product, UX Design, and Content stakeholders to understand priorities and key initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with Product Managers to use insights for shaping product direction and prioritizing the most impactful features.
• Scope qualitative and quantitative research studies with stakeholders to define objectives, research questions, constraints, and determine the most efficient and effective approach.
• Establish and maintain research quality standards and best practices to guide consistent, scalable research across the team.
• Execute project work independently with a high degree of ownership and rigor.
• Share insights and recommendations with stakeholders, ensuring that these recommendations influence product strategy, design decisions, and improve business and user outcomes.
• Mentor junior researchers by providing guidance, feedback, and opportunities for skill development.
• Contribute to the UX Team community by participating in initiatives that enhance our practices, processes, and overall research maturity.

Experience and Education

• Bachelor's and/or master’s degree in design, Human Factors, Psychology, or a related field.
12 years of proven experience in conducting and leading Design Research/User Experience Research efforts

Required Skills and Abilities

• Proven ability to design and execute qualitative and quantitative research methods, including one-on-one interviews, A/B testing, Benchmark Testing, Summative testing, Rapid formative, heuristic evaluation, etc.
• Ability to recommend appropriate research methods and approaches based on objectives and constraints.
• Capability to rapidly scope, execute, and deliver results with minimal oversight.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to rapidly analyze research data and share insights and recommendations succinctly, presenting a strong point of view with actionable takeaways.
• Curiosity and confidence to ask questions that will uncover stakeholders’ actual needs.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to influence and build trust with users and stakeholders in product, design, and content areas.
• Ability to pivot in complex environments.
• Skill in tying research insights and recommendations to business needs and challenges.
• A growth mindset, demonstrating a strong desire to learn and improve, as well as a willingness to give and receive feedback that enhances deliverables and outcomes.
• Familiarity with analytics and in-market experimentation is preferred.
• Proven expertise in understanding business drivers and provide research consultation.
• Ability to challenge traditional assumptions about UX Design and Research by seeking out, inventing, testing, and sharing new directions and technologies.
• Capability to teach others about User Experience Research.

System Access:

• Basic Microsoft Suite of tools
• Jira and Suite of tools
• Adobe Suite
• Figma
• UserTesting
• Miro

Benefits Summary

• High-quality voluntary health, vision, disability, life, and dental insurance programs
• 401K Matching Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave
• Corporate-sponsored programs to enhance employee physical, financial, mental, and emotional wellness
• Financial Solution Program

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Goosehead is an equal-opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, guidelines, and regulations. Goosehead strictly prohibits and does not tolerate unlawful discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered person because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, transgender status, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. All applicants for employment and all Goosehead employees are given equal consideration based solely on job-related factors, such as qualifications, experience, performance, and availability.

To learn more about our job opportunities, apply here. We look forward to speaking with you!