At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct user research to understand audience needs and improve digital products.
- Company: Join a leading media organisation with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Generous leave, medical cover, gym memberships, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping user experiences and driving product evolution.
- Qualifications: Three years of user research experience and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
We’re looking for a User Researcher to join the Product Design & User Research team in our London Office. You will work on our Experience team, using a wide range of research methods to help us gain a deeper understanding of our audiences. You’ll collaborate across squads of designers, product managers, engineers and the Newsroom, with support from data, marketing and other stakeholders within the FT.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan and prioritise research initiatives, aligning with company OKRs and cross‑functional team direction.
- Collaborate with product managers, designers, engineers and other stakeholders across the discovery and development process to create a shared understanding of customer needs.
- Design, plan and conduct relevant generative research activities suitable for the objectives and timelines of the team, uncovering user behaviours and motivations.
- Create empathy maps, experience journeys and flows to surface pain points and opportunities, providing a higher‑level picture for strategic decision‑making.
- Ideate, iterate, and test concepts with teams, shaping ideas with research insights and refining based on learnings.
- Synthesize learnings and share insights creatively with squads and the broader business.
- Continuously improve research processes by adding new techniques and phasing out obsolete ones while driving product evolution toward objectives.
- Participate in biannual reviews using the FT user research progression framework, self‑assessing progress and setting focus areas with your line manager.
Key Qualifications
- Three years or more as a user researcher in product teams, with experience shipping multiple features and iterations across several products.
- Proven research skills, using a range of methods and techniques to deliver insights that impact product strategy and direction.
- Clear communication and presentation skills, able to tell a compelling customer narrative with qualitative and quantitative results.
- Strong initiative to solve problems, manage workload and set expectations.
- Excellent collaboration skills, influencing through common ground and rapport building with team members.
- Natural curiosity and a desire to understand how and why people use digital products and how the FT can best meet their needs.
Benefits
Our benefits vary by location. In London we provide generous annual leave, medical cover, inclusive parental leave packages, subsidised gym memberships and opportunities to give back to the community. We operate a hybrid model requiring 50% onsite work, with flexible working options considered on a case‑by‑case basis. Full details are available on the FT careers site.
Accessibility
We are a disability confident employer and a Valuable 500 signatory. If you require reasonable adjustments or personalisation as part of the application process or interview, please let us know.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
We believe in the power of unique perspectives and want all voices in our organisation to be heard, respected and valued. A supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves and operate to their full potential. We are committed to removing barriers for everyone, focusing on addressing those faced by under‑represented groups.
User Researcher in England employer: The Financial Times Ltd
At the Financial Times, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly for our User Researchers in London. Our collaborative work culture fosters innovation and creativity, allowing you to engage with diverse teams while benefiting from generous annual leave, medical cover, and inclusive parental leave packages. With a strong commitment to employee growth and a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, we provide a supportive environment where your insights can drive meaningful change in our products and services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land User Researcher in England
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
In the world of UX/UI design, your portfolio speaks volumes! Make sure it's packed with your best work and showcases your process, not just the final product. We want to see how you tackle design challenges, so consider adding case studies that reflect your thought process and user-centric approach.
✨Get Involved in Design Communities
Jump into local or online design meetups and workshops! Places like UXPA or local design events can be goldmines for networking and learning. Plus, mingling with fellow designers can introduce you to potential job openings that might not be listed elsewhere.
✨Tailor Your Applications
When you find a role that excites you, like the one at The Financial Times Ltd for a User Researcher, make your application count! Highlight specific projects and skills that directly relate to the job description. Hiring managers are looking for candidates who fit into their specific team, so show them you’re the one!
✨Leverage Social Media
Don't underestimate the power of social media in finding a UX/UI design job! Follow design leaders on platforms like Twitter or Instagram, share your work, and engage in conversations. It’s a great way to get noticed by recruiters and even catch wind of openings at companies like The Financial Times Ltd before they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace User Researcher in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Design Process:When you're applying for a UX/UI Design role like User Researcher at The Financial Times Ltd, make sure to include examples that clearly highlight your design process. We want to see not just the final product but also the journey that led you there—wireframes, user personas, and iterations demonstrate your thought process and user-centric approach!
Tailor Your Portfolio:A tailor-made portfolio is crucial for a full-time design role! Curate your best projects that align with the kind of work The Financial Times Ltd does. We suggest including 3-5 case studies that showcase a variety of skills such as wireframing, prototyping, and user testing to really make your application pop.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should not just be a summary of your CV. Use it to express why you’re excited about UX/UI Design and what draws you specifically to The Financial Times Ltd. Mention any relevant experience, tools you’re proficient in (like Sketch or Figma), and how you can contribute to their projects.
Highlight Collaboration Skills:In the world of UX/UI Design, teamwork is crucial. Make sure to highlight any past experiences where you worked in cross-functional teams. Illustrate how you communicated design decisions and listened to feedback, as this will resonate well with the culture at The Financial Times Ltd.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Financial Times Ltd
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
When you're gunning for a full-time UX/UI design role, your portfolio is your best friend! Make sure you've got a solid selection of your work, showcasing not just the final designs, but the process behind them—think wireframes, user flows, and any user research you've conducted. During the interview with The Financial Times Ltd, be prepared to discuss your design decisions and how they solve specific user problems.
✨Prepare for Design Challenges
Expect to face some practical design tasks during your interview. The Financial Times Ltd might ask you to tackle a quick design challenge or critique an existing interface. Brush up on your problem-solving skills and try to articulate your thought process as you work through these scenarios. Showing how you approach a design problem is just as important as the final output!
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with the tools commonly used in the industry—figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch should be second nature to you. Be ready to discuss your preferred tools during the interview and how they've shaped your design process at previous positions. This knowledge could give you an edge at The Financial Times Ltd!
✨Show Passion for User Experience
In a full-time UX/UI design role, having a genuine passion for improving user interactions can set you apart. Be prepared to share instances when you went above and beyond to ensure a great user experience in your previous projects. This will demonstrate that you’re not just a designer, but a user advocate, which is exactly what The Financial Times Ltd is looking for.
