Designs and conducts complex user experience research studies to support user interface design and provide actionable recommendations that improve usability across digital products. Partners with business, design, and technology teams to deliver insights that enhance user satisfaction, efficiency, and overall product quality.

Core Responsibilities

User Research & Usability Evaluation

Designs and executes complex UX research studies—including usability testing, heuristic evaluations, surveys, card sorting, tree testing, interviews, and field/contextual inquiries—to support UI decision-making across web and mobile applications.
Selects and recommends appropriate qualitative and quantitative research methods based on project needs, audience, and required insights.
Reviews and applies human factors research and usability best practices to strengthen design decisions and overall user experience quality.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

Provides usability services and consultation for business and IT teams across multiple platforms and mid-scale projects.
Conducts user interviews and contextual inquiries professionally, ensuring participant privacy and data protection.
Analyzes findings, synthesizes insights, and presents results to design teams, business stakeholders, and mid-level decision makers in clear, compelling formats.
Suggests strategies for securing stakeholder buy‑in and adoption of critical usability recommendations.

Insight Delivery & Impact

Delivers actionable recommendations grounded in UX principles and knowledge of the product’s target users.
Identifies key qualitative and quantitative usability issues and collaborates with cross-functional teams to address them.
Presents usability findings to leaders and works with support from senior UX colleagues to negotiate adoption of research-backed recommendations.

Leadership, Mentorship & Practice Development

Contributes to the development and evolution of usability principles, methodologies, and best practices within the organization.
Provides mentorship, training, and guidance to junior researchers, sharing expertise in research design, usability testing, and analysis.
Supports organizational UX maturity efforts by educating teams about the value and impact of user experience research.

Additional Contributions

Participates in special projects to advance UX research practice and organizational goals.
Performs other responsibilities as assigned to support business, product, and design objectives.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

Five or more years of relevant UX research or usability experience.
Undergraduate degree in a creative, behavioral science, human factors, HCI, or technical field—or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Special Factors

Sponsorship

Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position.

About Vanguard

At Vanguard, we don't just have a mission—we're on a mission.

To work for the long-term financial wellbeing of our clients. To lead through product and services that transform our clients' lives. To learn and develop our skills as individuals and as a team. From Malvern to Melbourne, our mission drives us forward and inspires us to be our best.

How We Work

Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for the majority of our crew members, designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in-person learning, collaboration, and connection. We believe our mission-driven and highly collaborative culture is a critical enabler to support long-term client outcomes and enrich the employee experience.

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User Experience Researcher, Specialist