User Researcher

CAIS is the pioneer in democratizing access to and education about alternative investments for independent financial advisors, empowering them to engage and transact with leading asset managers on a massive scale through a wide variety of alternative investment products and technology solutions. CAIS provides financial advisors with a broad selection of alternative investment strategies, including hedge funds, private equity, private credit, real estate, digital assets, and structured notes. CAIS also delivers industry-leading technology, operational efficiency, and world-class client service throughout the pre-trade, trade, and post-trade experience. CAIS supports over 50,000 advisors who oversee more than $6 trillion in network assets.  

We are looking for a User Researcher to join our growing team. Historically, product designers have been responsible for conducting research within their verticals. In this first of its kind individual contributor role, we are looking for a dedicated researcher who will work within the broader product and design organization to garner and distill insights from across our wealth management user base including financial advisors, client service associates, home offices, asset managers, bank issuers, and more.  

The ideal candidate is an exceptional communicator who excels in leading structured conversations, gathering themes, and educating others across the firm. They must also bring focus and influence to help establish the research discipline and integrate it into the firm’s culture.  

While this role will be the only dedicated researcher at this time, the hire will sit within a product design team ranging in background and experience. The user researcher will closely collaborate with product management, client services, and other field teams as well. This role will be key to fostering planning across verticals that focused on a shared strategic experience vision.  

Responsibilities: 

• Build upon current user personas, at the individual and firm level, to ensure product development is anchored by human centered design.  
• Expand and maintain detailed user journeys supported by data to highlight usability improvement opportunities. 
• Plan and execute on user research to inform product design with a focus on qualitative-leaning methodologies.  
• Recommend and apply appropriate research methodologies, introducing new methods as needed, while influencing the company’s culture to value and integrate user research. 
• Stand up a Research Ops framework that includes a research repository, participant database, standardized templates, repeatable processes, and continuous feedback loops. 
• Collaborate with product managers, designers, and stakeholders to integrate insights throughout the product lifecycle, leveraging strong interpersonal and coordination skills. 
• Manage research projects, ensuring timely and budget-conscious delivery, and demonstrate resourcefulness in participant recruitment. 
• Conduct usability testing for design validation and collect feedback post-product release to guide continuous improvement. 
• Present findings and actionable recommendations to senior stakeholders, fostering data-driven decision-making. 
• Take initiative to establish research operations, including training client-facing staff to perform simple research tasks. 

Experience: 

• 4+ years of experience preferred (however, please apply if you have education and/or work experience that you can demonstrate contributes to your ability to succeed in this role.) 
• Demonstrated ability of translating wide spanning conservations into high level insights and actionable next steps.  
• Experience in B2B finance, with financial advisors or asset managers. 

Technical Skills & Design Literacy: 

• Ability to produce polished deliverables at a standard of craft. 
• Fluency across a range of research methodologies, including but not limited to user interviews, focus groups, card sorts and usability testing. 
• A portfolio of work that showcases mixed research methods.   
• Solid understanding of industry standards, best practices & trends. 
• Proficiency in distilling insights for data-heavy interfaces, including interactive charts, complex tables, or financial reporting tools. 

Mindset / Soft Skills: 

• Resourceful self-starter with a positive, can-do attitude. 
• Collaborative team player with high EQ and sense of empathy. 
• Excellent communication and presentation skills. 

CAIS is consistently recognized as a Best Place to Work, and our culture is at the heart of our success. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where employees can be their most authentic selves and feel inspired and supported to bring their voice forward to drive community, growth, and innovation. We are an equal opportunity employer, and do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law.  Learn more about our culture, benefits, and people at https://www.caisgroup.com/our-company/careers. 

CAIS’ compensation package includes a market competitive salary, a performance bonus, and exceptional benefits. If you are located in New York, New York, the base salary range for this role is $120,000 - $145,000. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, and specific office location. 

CAIS offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes generously subsidized healthcare with 100% employer paid dental and vision insurance, an employer matched retirement plan, wellness programs, and generous PTO and parental leave. Additionally, CAIS offers a flexible, hybrid in-office model; for most roles, we do not require a minimum number of days in office per week. For more information on our benefits and career opportunities, please visit our website: https://www.caisgroup.com/our-company/careers.