Research Operations Principal

You will lead the Research Operations team to strive to integrate UX and research into our culture by creating new strategies and processes that all internal stakeholders can utilise. Through coaching and leading by example, you will empower stakeholders to execute user research and utilise the insights gained. Your expertise in research principles and business objectives will guide others to develop successful product solutions.

Here is what you can expect from this role:

• Ownership of Research Operations strategic initiatives and the ways in which we implement them into our product practice across all Trade Me verticals
• Team leadership of the Research Operations function at Trade Me, including support, coaching and craft development.
• Collaborate with product teams to help them make customer-centric decisions; assisting the teams to design for members and their core needs from the very start.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of our UX Research policies, best practice guidelines, and templates, so that we are doing joined up and best practice research.
• Your deep curiosity and customer aroha mean you provide thought leadership and strategic thinking which informs and shapes how we utilise and engage in user research within the pan trade me research team and across departments.
• You manage the UX research budget pan-Trade Me, ensuring we manage activities within our cost envelope.
• Your ability to distil complex data and customer research, means you can effectively communicate key insights and learnings at different levels across the business
• You work in tandem with the Design and UX Lead to develop strategies that leverage the Design team in synthesising the insights provided by research insights.
• Specific responsibility lies within Research Operations for company-wide training for the Trade Me research management tool and ensuring it is used across the organisation.
• Represent Trade Me and UX internally and externally through talks, blogs, interviews etc.

What you will bring to our team:

• 5+ years experience in a similar role and/or evidence of skills
• Experience and evidence of leadership.
• A clear and concise presentation style with excellent storytelling, enthusiasm and audience engagement.
• Facilitation skills - can steer a workshop to the desired outcome while being friendly and approachable.
• Is friendly in your responses, timely, reliable, and true to their word. Takes opportunities to add value and build strong relationships across Trade Me.
• Experience leading user research and bringing stakeholders and non-research colleagues along the journey.
• An inclusive, collaborative approach that helps maintain our values and contributes to making Trade Me a great place to work
• You're passionate about quality, rigour, and best practice - both defining and upholding them.
• Strong problem-solving skills - have the ability to identify and leverage opportunity areas quickly and effectively.
• Strong attention to detail - have the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Entrepreneurial mindset - keen to challenge our "status quo" with an eye to continual improvement
• Strong inclination to support others as they learn and grow their skills. Empathetic and people-focused - understand that customers and business needs sometimes diverge and optimistic that the best solution is possible. You think the best of people, which leads to the best outcomes.

You'll have the best time working at Trade Me, and this is why: #Flexibility: Flexibility means different things to different people and we support you to find what works, including a home office set up and utilities allowance. We value team connection and come together in person on Monday and at least one other day a week. #Leave: We support you with leave when you need it, including 5 days of wellness leave each year and 10 days of sick leave from day 1. #Social: Nothing beats getting together to have some fun and celebrate our success. Join us in the office on payday for company paid lunches. Regular Friday drinks and nibbles, annual Trade Me company awards, celebrations and more.

We know some candidates can be reluctant to apply for roles if they feel they don't 'tick all the boxes'. If you're excited about this opportunity, we'd still really like to hear from you so please send us your resume and a short cover note outlining the "Why".

Trade Me is an INZ accredited employer. We truly value diversity and embrace a flexible workplace where people are encouraged to achieve their potential.