Lead UX Researcher

Are you looking

• To make meaningful changes at the fastest-growing tech company in Japan?
• For a fair, highly flexible, inclusive working environment where anyone, regardless of their background, can make an impact?
• To build the next bold idea in customer acquisition and revenue growth through conversational commerce technology
• For a place where things are not just fast - but they happen now?

We Are Zeals - “Designing conversations. Driving conversions.”

Zeals is not another chatbot. Our automated chat solution and conversational technology change how consumers purchase or act online. Zeals converts customers who appear "unengaged" to become "valuable" through designed chat on Messaging Apps. Using AI-powered, human-designed conversation flows across chat platforms, Zeals enables brands to build personalized, automated conversations with their consumers and develop a deeper understanding of their preferences while creating a delightful, seamless shopping experience. Our last 3 years have been phenomenal. We have captured the heart of many businesses in Japan, with over 480 enterprises relying on our chat commerce offering to boost their mobile business.

The goal is simple: to “revolutionize hospitality on the Internet” by unlocking digital customer service experiences that were limited to physical stores previously.

Just Getting Started…

With more than 480 enterprise companies worldwide already utilizing our product, we are perfectly poised to seize market share and fuel exponential growth in the US market, with an eye on global expansion. Investors have taken note of our potential, leading us to recently secure nearly $40 million in funding, backed by Salesforce Ventures.

Your Typical Day With Us

As a Lead UX Researcher at Zeals, you will play a pivotal role in advancing our research capabilities and shaping the user experience of our products. You will focus on high-level research strategy, mentorship, and research operations, guiding our research and UX teams toward greater efficiency, innovation, and impact. Additionally, you will be expected to actively participate in some research projects, applying your expertise to generate actionable insights and contribute hands-on to the research process.

Your day-to-day responsibilities will include:

• Actively participate in and lead selected research projects, applying your expertise to generate actionable insights and contribute hands-on to the research process.
• Collaborate closely with product designers, product managers, and other research associates to establish and prioritize research initiatives that enhance user experiences and drive business growth.
• Drive the evolution and consistency of our research methodologies and practices across multiple products and features, ensuring the highest quality and alignment with business objectives.
• Take ownership of strategic research initiatives, working closely with senior members of the product team to identify insights and opportunities that inform our product roadmap.
• Assess and interpret business requirements to guide research strategy and methodology selection.
• Empathize with and solve users’ needs and/or pain points through in-depth qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Conduct and evaluate complex research studies, including user segmentation studies, usability testing, and competitive analysis.
• Develop and implement comprehensive user research strategies and methodologies.
• Establish the product team’s research and testing environment, including the selection and management of research tools and platforms.
• Write and present compelling research findings and insights to cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

What You’ll Need

• 7+ years of experience in UX research or a related field, with a strong portfolio showcasing your strategic thinking, leadership, and impact on research operations.
• Proven track record of leading and mentoring a team of UX researchers and/or research associates, actively helping build a collaborative and high-performing environment.
• Deep understanding of research principles, methodologies, and best practices, with the ability to develop and implement research standards and processes at scale.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence cross-functional stakeholders to drive research initiatives forward.
• Experience working in an agile environment, with a demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects while meeting deadlines and business objectives.
• Proficiency in research tools such as Hotjar and Maze is ideal, and familiarity with research operations tools for workflow management and optimization.
• Fluent proficiency in both verbal and written English.
• Ability to efficiently and effectively share research findings with the team and stakeholders.
• Ability to translate end users' narratives into actionable UX recommendations and documents.
• Ability to formulate specific, answerable, and practical research questions.
• Strong problem-solving mindset and analytical skills.
• Familiarity with a broad array of research tools and methodologies.
• Experience in managing development-related projects.
• Experience working in an early-phase product team or experience launching one.
• Experience with user testing, collecting reviews, research moderation, and facilitating workshops.
• Robust portfolio or equivalent showcasing your research work and impact.

What Makes You Stand Out

• Japanese language proficiency at a business or native level which allows you to liaise with our primarily
• Understanding of cultural differences
• Knowledge and experience in chatbots, AI, marketing, and SaaS products

Don’t Just Take Our Word For It

Zeals has received the LinkedIn Top Startups award twice in a row. We believe this is a testament to our growth and our ability to attract great talents–who could potentially be your colleagues!

Ready To Roll Up Our Sleeves

We obsess over bringing hospitality to everyone–be it our customers or you! You’re an individual with unique needs. So, while we can’t attract you with ping-pong tables or all-you-can-drink espresso bars, we promise you a once-in-a-lifetime experience and co-workers that you can brag about to your friends, family, or anyone you meet the next time you go out for a party! As an employer, we are ready to roll up our sleeves and change the status quo if it means to make your experience better!

• Salary Range: competitive (performance review every 6 months)
• Performance review: twice a year
• Holidays: 10 days paid holidays during the first year, weekends off, national holidays, summer and winter break.
• Visa support: We sponsor visas for the right candidates. You can expect full visa support from our professional HR team.
• Education support: Udemy, Frontend Masters
• Flexible working: Highly flexible, remote-first international organization
• For Japan residents: Work from anywhere, interim work from overseas, full flex time
• Housing allowance (within 1.5KM away from office)
• Club activity allowance
• Shuffle Lunch allowance (Cross department lunch)
• Zeals Bar (bi-monthly free-flow beer party)