Branch International - Lead - User Research

User Research Lead

About Branch :

- Branch delivers world-class financial services to the mobile generation. With offices in the United States, Nigeria, Kenya, and India, Branch is a for-profit socially conscious company that uses the power of data science to reduce the cost of delivering financial services in emerging markets. We believe that everyone everywhere deserves fair financial access.

- The rapid spread of smartphones presents an opportunity for the world's emerging middle class to access banking options and achieve financial flexibility.

- Branch's mission-driven team is led by the founder and former CEO of Kiva.org. The company presents a rich opportunity for our team members to drive meaningful growth in rapidly evolving and changing markets.

- In 2019, Branch announced our Series C and had garnered more than $100M in funding with investments from leading Silicon Valley firms, including Andreessen Horowitz, Trinity Capital, Foundation Capital, Visa, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

- As a company, we are passionate about our customers, fearless in the face of barriers, and driven by data. As a product-driven org, we value bottom-up innovation and decentralized decision-making. We believe the best ideas can come from anyone in the company, and we create an environment where everyone feels empowered to propose solutions to the challenges we face.

- We value diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive working environment where human beings of all backgrounds can thrive.

About the job :

- Branch is hiring a User Research Lead to help create delightful customer experiences with existing and new products.

- In this role, you'll be working with teams across the globe to gather feedback from customers and internal stakeholders to help us improve our existing products and launch new products.

- In this role, you will be both a researcher and a leader of the User Research team, mentoring research associates across markets.

Here are some things you'll do :

- Set up a mature research function and develop team processes and skills to facilitate world-class user research that guides Branch's product and strategy.

- Mentor a global team of young researchers to learn research and support them to deliver impactful insights on our growing user base and product portfolio in these markets.

- Proactively design and conduct qualitative and quantitative research to help improve the product throughout the product lifecycle including product discovery and testing.

- Proactively design and execute user and market research to inform our product roadmap, offer critical user feedback, and recommend product improvements.

- Present findings and recommendations to project stakeholders through written reports and oral presentations.

About you :

- A minimum of 4 years of work experience in applied research with diverse research methodologies in a product-driven B2C environment.

- Strong background in qualitative research ; building customer personas, usability testing, diary studies, and focus group studies.

- Strong understanding of the strengths and shortcomings of different research methods, including when and how to apply them during each product phase, along with their best practices.

- Highly entrepreneurial and comfortable with ambiguity and taking initiative.

- Excellent attention to detail and a nose for spotting insights.

- Organized and methodical project manager to prioritize and execute multiple projects and requests in parallel.

- Outstanding communication skills: listening, written, verbal, and presentation.

- Experience managing or mentoring researchers is preferred.

- Experience with researching the young aspiring mobile generation or an interest in Fintech space would be an asset.

Benefits of joining :

- Mission-driven, fast-paced, and entrepreneurial environment

- An opportunity to create a global impact

- Competitive salary and equity package

- Comprehensive private health insurance

- Generous vacation policy

- Team meals and virtual social events

- Branch International is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The company does not and will not discriminate in employment on any basis prohibited by applicable law. We're looking for more than just qualifications ; so if you're unsure that you meet the criteria, please do not hesitate to apply!