Lead Design Researcher

As a Lead Design Researcher at Xero, your primary responsibilities include leading qualitative and quantitative research projects, uncovering customer insights, and translating complex data into actionable recommendations. You’ll design and conduct interviews, craft insightful surveys, and analyze data trends. Collaboration with various teams and clear communication of findings are essential to influence product strategies and shape the company’s roadmap.

To be considered for the Lead Design Researcher position at Xero, you should ideally hold a degree or equivalent training in design research, backed with a strong portfolio demonstrating impactful insights and effective communication. Proven experience in user-centered design principles and a knack for mentoring design teams will greatly strengthen your application, as will experience in fast-paced, agile environments.

Xero is deeply committed to employee well-being. As a Lead Design Researcher, you’ll enjoy generous paid leave options, tailored support for physical and mental health, access to an Employee Assistance Program, private medical insurance, gym passes, and 26 weeks of paid parental leave for primary caregivers. All of this is designed to ensure you feel valued and can perform at your best.

Success as a Lead Design Researcher at Xero requires strong communication and stakeholder management skills, the ability to interpret data to recognize patterns, and expertise in creating engaging user experiences. Additionally, being able to manage tasks effectively, foster collaboration among teams, and advocate for ethical research practices will set you up for success in this role.

At Xero, career growth potential is robust for a Lead Design Researcher. You will be encouraged to take ownership, develop your skills, lead initiatives to improve research practices, and advocate research across the organization. As you build trusted relationships with senior leaders and deliver impactful recommendations, you’ll find numerous opportunities to advance your career within a supportive and innovative environment.

In your response, highlight specific qualitative methods you've utilized, like in-depth interviews or field studies, along with quantitative approaches like surveys and data analysis. Discuss how you combined these methods to derive insights that informed strategic decisions at previous companies.

Share how you assess the business context and the importance of each research request. Emphasize your organizational skills and use specific examples of how you have successfully managed research tasks while maintaining quality and deadlines.

Discuss the importance of crafting concise and compelling presentations, using clear visuals, and tailoring your message to suit different audiences. Provide examples of how your communication has influenced product strategies or decision-making processes.

Explain your commitment to ethical research by discussing your adherence to guidelines and how you approach inclusivity, ensuring diverse voices are represented. Mention any initiatives you've led to promote ethical practices within your team.

Provide a detailed example illustrating the situation, your research methods, the insights you uncovered, and how they directly influenced product changes or strategic planning. Highlight the business impact to reinforce your value.

Talk about your process for mapping customer journeys, identifying pain points, and synthesizing data across stages. Showcase your analytical skills and how you connect insights to influence design decisions.

Discuss the importance of cross-functional teamwork in your research process. Explain how you collaborate with product managers, developers, and other stakeholders to ensure that research findings are integrated effectively into product development.

Share your philosophy on mentoring and coaching, emphasizing skills development, fostering a collaborative environment, and leading by example. Discuss specific strategies or initiatives you’ve implemented to enhance your team’s research capabilities.

Explain your commitment to continuous learning through attending conferences, following industry publications, participating in online communities, or networking with peers. Highlight how this knowledge informs your research approach at Xero.

Describe the types of projects that excite you, such as those that focus on user-centered design or innovative solutions. Share your motivations and how your interests align with the mission and goals of Xero.