Lead, Experience Research Strategist

Velera is the nation’s premier payments credit union service organization (CUSO) and an integrated fintech solutions provider. The company serves more than 4,000 financial institutions throughout North America, operating with velocity to help our clients keep pace with the rapid momentum of change and fuel growth in the new era of financial services. Our purpose: We accelerate partners’ success through innovative financial technology solutions and inspired service.

The Opportunity:

We are seeking a talented senior-level experience researcher to help shape the future of our products by uncovering deep user insights and strategic opportunities. This role is focused on early-stage, exploratory work - identifying unmet needs, emerging trends, and areas not yet well served by existing solutions through rigorous mixed-method research. You’ll partner closely with Experience Intelligence Analysts, Design, Engineering, and Product to guide ideas from discovery through early execution.

The ideal candidate is a strategic, holistic thinker who thrives in ambiguity, sees the big picture, and can connect user needs with market dynamics to inform bold, customer-centered direction.

Day in the Life:

• Identify strategic opportunities by integrating user research with market and behavioral data.

• Lead mixed-method research studies (qualitative and quantitative) to support early product exploration and concept validation.

• Plan and facilitate workshops and cross-functional sessions to align teams around insights, opportunity areas, and strategic direction.

• Translate findings into clear, compelling narratives that influence product vision and decision-making.

• Partner closely with Design and Product to guide early-stage initiatives from insight through concept development.

• Maintain a holistic, systems-level view of the product ecosystem and user journey.

• Contribute to maturing our research practice by introducing new tools, frameworks, and methods.

• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or relevant job experience.

• 8–10+ years of experience in user research, strategy, design research, or related roles ( or combined 6 years Agency experience with in-house experience.)

• Technical Skills - Marvin, Sketch, Adobe XD, Figma, FigJam, Lyssna

• Familiarity with Agile is a plus.

• Travel 10-25%

About Velera

At Velera we are committed to fostering a workplace where every employee feels valued, respected, and connected. We understand, attract and engage a diverse workforce where every employee can live up to their full potential; ensuring that our employee base reflects the consumers we serve. The result of this effort is an inclusive environment where diverse talent thrives. We strive to foster a safe and inclusive work environment for people to bring their authentic selves in order to build a better community within our company and with our partners.   Learn more about our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion HERE!

Pay Equity

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Actual Pay will be adjusted based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law.

Great Work/Life Benefits!

• Competitive wages

• Medical with telemedicine

• Dental and Vision

• Basic and Optional Life Insurance

• Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Maternity, Parental, Family Care

• Community Volunteer Time Off

• 12 Paid Holidays

• Company Paid Disability Insurance

• 401k (with employer match)

• Health Savings Accounts (HSA) with company provided contributions

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

• Supplemental Insurance

• Mental Health and Well-being: Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Wellness program

• Benefits are subject to generally applicable eligibility, waiting period, contribution, and other requirements and conditions

Velera is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local law.

Velera is an Equal Opportunity Employer that complies with the laws and regulations set forth in the following "EEO is the Law" Poster. Velera will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the legal duty to furnish information.

Velera is an E-Verify Employer. Review the E-Verify Poster here.  For information regarding your Right To Work, please click here.

As an ongoing commitment to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities please contact a recruiter at [email protected] for assistance.