UX Research Strategist

The Citi UX Research Strategist focuses on strategic research, insight generation, and cross-functional collaboration to influence product direction within Financial Crimes Platforms. This on-site position is based in Tampa, FL, with a salary range of USD 125,600 to 188,400 per year.

Responsibilities

• Strategic research and insight generation: Proactively identify critical research questions and strategic opportunities within the Financial Crimes Platforms domain, navigating ambiguous problem statements. Design and execute lean, agile methodologies such as rapid qualitative studies, ethnographic inquiries, usability testing, surveys, and data analysis to yield timely hypotheses and actionable insights. Promote innovative approaches to gather user feedback and operational intelligence.
• Operational and data-driven understanding: Gather, analyze, and synthesize operational data to establish the foundations for understanding complex systems, workflows, and user behaviors. Develop comprehensive user flows, process maps, and journey diagrams to articulate current states, surface pain points, and envision future-state solutions. Use these artifacts to inform design decisions, support product roadmaps, and drive cross-functional alignment.
• Cross-functional collaboration and influence: Serve as a strategic partner to Product Management, Engineering, and Business stakeholders, embedding user understanding throughout the product lifecycle from discovery to delivery. Translate complex user behaviors, motivations, and pain points into clear narratives and strategic recommendations that resonate with diverse audiences. Contribute to product strategy and roadmap discussions, ensuring user needs and research insights are reflected in decisions.
• Design partnership and advocacy: Work with Design teams to ensure research insights feed into the design process and inform the evolution of enterprise design systems. Provide recommendations grounded in user input and behavior, advocating for users within complex workplace systems. Promote a user-centered culture and elevate design thinking across the organization.
• Thought leadership: Provide guidance on best practices for product research, UX strategy, and user advocacy within a regulated and fast-paced financial technology environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Cognitive Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Design, Product Management, or a related field.
• 8-12+ years of progressive experience in UX Research, Product Strategy, or a similar role, with a strong portfolio demonstrating impactful work.
• Proven experience operating in a senior individual contributor or leadership capacity within an enterprise environment, preferably in financial services or FinTech.
• Demonstrated experience with end-to-end research processes, from planning and execution to synthesis and communication of insights.
• Proven mastery of AI-enabled workflows to generate insights, synthesize research, and create strategic concepts and artifacts.
• Exceptional ability to operate proactively, independently, and resourcefully to deliver impactful insights with speed and efficiency.
• Advanced analytical skills with the ability to gather, interpret, and synthesize both qualitative and quantitative operational data to inform strategic recommendations.
• Expertise in developing and using visual artifacts such as user flows, process maps, and journey maps to communicate complex interactions.
• Deep understanding of human behavior, cognitive psychology, and user-centered design principles.
• Strong familiarity with enterprise design systems and contributing to their evolution based on user input.
• Superior communication, presentation, and storytelling skills, with the ability to influence senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated ability to drive initiatives and influence without direct authority.
• Strong business acumen and understanding of the product development lifecycle in an agile environment.
• Work samples must directly reflect the skills and capabilities described for this role.
• Experience in the financial services industry, particularly within compliance, anti-money laundering (AML), fraud, or other financial crimes platforms.
• Experience collaborating with global teams and diverse user bases.

Benefits

• Medical, dental & vision coverage
• 401(k)
• Life, accident, and disability insurance
• Wellness programs
• Paid time off packages (vacation, sick leave, and holidays)
• Discretionary and formulaic incentive and retention awards