Senior UX / User Experience Researcher

Shift4 (NYSE: FOUR) is boldly redefining commerce by simplifying complex payments ecosystems across the world. As the leader in commerce-enabling technology, Shift4 powers billions of transactions annually for hundreds of thousands of businesses in virtually every industry.

What we’re looking for

The Merchant Experience team is building a research practice within Shift4 Labs™ a customer-led product incubator purpose-built to design products that propel our Merchants forward. We are looking for an experienced, human-centered User Experience Researcher to support current product initiatives and establish the foundations of the Shift4 Labs design research practice. 

Our initial phase will be focused on establishing a nimble usability evaluation processes and formalizing our customer insights.  Ultimately, we hope to grow the research practice within Shift4 Labs to incorporate more generative research activities.  

The ideal candidate for this role is a highly skilled product researcher with a deep understanding of the role customer research plays in creating best-in-class experiences with an equal mix of usability and desirability. The candidate should have a balanced view of the relationship between customer needs and business goals and be able to articulate clear and practical insights to internal stakeholders.  

This role is onsite and can be based at any of the following Shift4 locations: Tampa, FL (preferred location) / Atlanta, GA / Center Valley, PA / Las Vegas, NV / Toronto, Canada

Relocation assistance may be available. 

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement necessary research initiatives based on product roadmaps and organizational initiatives.  
• Author and conduct various types of usability evaluations, including moderated, unmoderated, and prototype testing which may include  experiments, t-tests, A/B tests, and other data analysis.
• Apply diverse research methods such as interviews, surveys, contextual inquiries, ethnography, and diary studies to address key questions.  
• Facilitate workshops and collaborative sessions to assist customers in articulating business needs. 
• Create process flows, wireframes, mockups and functional prototypes to effectively communicate design strategies and detailed interaction behaviors. 
• Synthesize findings into clear, actionable insights and influence key stakeholders through storytelling and evidence-based recommendations.
• Help build product metrics measurement programs, platforms and reporting mechanisms to scale growing organizational needs.
• Develop and maintain a repository of research findings and standard methodologies to promote organizational learning and drive continuous improvements. 

Qualifications

• 7+ years hands-on of experience in UX research with a focus on usability testing and mixed-method studies.
• Excellence in evaluative research (e.g., usability testing, prototype validation, A/B testing).
• Excellent written communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills in English; the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and persuasively across different audiences and varying levels of the organization.
• Focused interest in growing into the generative research insights arena of UX. 
• Ability to independently drive multiple concurrent projects in an agile environment.
• Experience in complex B2B SaaS or enterprise platforms with multiple personas.  
• A robust portfolio showcasing prior research projects with both desktop + mobile research outcomes. 

Preferred Skills (Additional skills that are a plus to have):

• Working knowledge of Figma. 

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Position Title: CMBS / CRE Research - Associate (PA)

Entity: Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC

Employment Type: Full-time

Location: Dresher, Pennsylvania

Summary/Overview:

Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA)’s CMBS group is seeking a highly motivated CMBS / CRE Research Associate to support the firm’s commercial real estate (CRE) and CMBS platform. The CMBS group assigns and maintains credit ratings and conducts thought-leadership research across Conduit, SASB, Agency, CRE CLO, SFR, Data Center, and other CRE transactions.

This role will work closely with the Senior Researcher, as well as modeling, new issue and surveillance teams, to produce high-quality research, data analysis, and publications that inform market participants and support KBRA’s ratings process. This role is ideal for candidates with strong analytical and technical skills, an interest in CRE and structured finance, the ability to translate complex data into clear actionable insights, and strong writing and communication abilities.

Job Responsibilities:

• Support the development of CMBS and CRE research publications including market commentary, thematic reports, default studies, and sector analyses
• Analyze large proprietary and third-party datasets related to loan and ratings performance, property-level metrics, and broader CRE market trends. Extract, clean, and manipulate data using SQL, Excel, and VBA to support research
• Formulate data-centered opinions to support internal and external research
• Prepare, draft and edit CRE and CMBS research pieces within company publishing guidelines. Produce monthly research reports for CMBS market participants
• Assist with various ad hoc data management tasks or projects to ensure an efficient and effective group workflow
• Stay abreast of CRE and CMBS markets and trends as well as general economic and capital market conditions by attending online or in-person seminars and conferences and reading industry literature

You will be successful in this role if you have:

• Bachelor’s degree is required, preferably in Finance, Real Estate, Economics, Data Science, or a related field
• Two to five years of experience in CMBS, CRE analytics, structured finance or data-driven research roles
• Technical Skills: Advanced proficiency in Excel, including financial modeling, large dataset manipulation, and automation using VBA and AI. Strong working knowledge of SQL for querying, extracting, and managing data (expected to be used regularly)
• Solid understanding of commercial real estate fundamentals and capital markets. Familiarity with CMBS structures, loan-level analysis, and surveillance concepts preferred
• Experience working with CRE data platforms (especially, Trepp database) and CREFC Investor Reporting Package is desired.
• Exceptional attention to detail; strong verbal, written and presentation skills; ability to multitask and manage deadlines.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently and work closely with fellow team members in a collaborative environment. 
• Familiarity with Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT for research, data insights, and general productivity is a plus

Salary Range:

The anticipated annual base salary range for this full-time position is $90,000 to $110,000. Offer amounts are determined by factors such as experience, skills, geography, and other job-related factors.

Benefits:

• A hybrid work schedule (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday in the office)
• Competitive benefits and paid time off
• Paid family and disability leave
• 401(k) plan, including employer match (100% vested)
• Educational and professional development financial assistance
• Employee referral bonus program

About Us:

Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC (KBRA) is a full-service credit rating agency registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an NRSRO. Kroll Bond Rating Agency Europe Limited is registered as a CRA with the European Securities and Markets Authority. Kroll Bond Rating Agency UK Limited is registered as a CRA with the UK Financial Conduct Authority pursuant to the Temporary Registration Regime. In addition, KBRA is designated as a designated rating organization by the Ontario Securities Commission for issuers of asset-backed securities to file a short form prospectus or shelf prospectus. KBRA is also recognized by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners as a Credit Rating Provider.

More Info:

KBRA encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, and veteran status or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law.

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