Open to opportunities

Douglas Wilbur

@douglaswilbur

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Senior UX Researcher with expertise in human-centered design.

Zimbabwe

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What I'm looking for

I seek a collaborative environment where I can leverage my UX research skills to drive impactful product decisions and enhance user experiences.

I am a seasoned Senior UX Researcher and Lead UX Experience Researcher with a strong focus on human-centered design. My experience spans across various industries, where I leverage both qualitative and quantitative research methods to deeply understand user needs, behaviors, and motivations. I pride myself on being a results-driven team leader and customer advocate, successfully identifying gaps and guiding the design and development of innovative digital products.

Throughout my career, I have demonstrated exceptional research and storytelling skills, leading teams to create usable and impactful customer experiences across web, mobile, and internal software platforms. My ability to mentor and motivate staff, coupled with my expertise in AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini, allows me to enhance strategic decision-making and accelerate research processes. I am passionate about creating user-friendly systems and ensuring that the voice of the customer is at the forefront of product development.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Independent Research Projects

Jan 2024 - Present (1 year 7 months)

Conducted AI-assisted analysis using various LLMs to examine large datasets, extracting sentiment insights and audience behavioral trends. Explored applications of LLMs in UX workflows to accelerate survey refinement, journey mapping, and qualitative data synthesis.

Gemini NLP Prompt Engineering Data Analysis Strategic Communications

UX Strategist and Researcher

Gold Belt Incorporated

Sep 2023 - Present (1 year 11 months)

Led a small UX team as a strategist and researcher for a classified digital management control system for the US Army. Mentored team members in analyzing and interpreting data using AI and NLP to create clear, concise reports and presentations.

UX Strategy UX Research AI NLP Data Analysis Stakeholder Engagement Focus Groups

Senior UX Researcher

United Healthcare

Apr 2023 - Present (2 years 4 months)

Responsible for monthly benchmarking of the www.uhone.com website, including competitive market analysis and AI-powered sentiment analysis. Executed an insurance broker study using interviews, a diary study, and a survey to gain insights for a new broker portal.

UX Research Benchmarking Competitive Analysis Gemini NLP Prompt Engineering Usability Studies Heuristic Analysis Data Mining

Lead UX Researcher

Freedom Mortgage

May 2022 - Present (3 years 3 months)

Served as research lead for a two-person team, coaching and mentoring junior researchers. Led five multi-phase studies and the creation of a brand for a new data science company.

UX Research Team Leadership Mentoring Big Data

UX Researcher

DOCUSIGN

May 2021 - Present (4 years 3 months)

Served as research lead for a cross-functional product team championing a new B2B e-commerce environment in an Agile setting. Piloted, coordinated, and executed multi-method research projects to deliver valuable user feedback.

UX Research Agile Click Tests Personas Ethnographic Studies Heuristic Analysis A B Testing Google Analytics Big Data Analytics Machine Learning

Lead UX Researcher

University of Missouri

Aug 2013 - Present (12 years)

Supervised and oversaw multi-disciplinary high-performing teams of 3-6 people, chairing over 40 complex, agile, budget-conscious projects. Served as the primary point of contact for clients, leading meetings and presentations.

UX Research Team Supervision Project Management Client Management Agile Methodologies Budget Management

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

University of Missouri

PhD, Strategic Communication

2013 - 2021

Completed a PhD in Strategic Communication, focusing on advanced research methodologies and communication strategies. This program enhanced my ability to analyze complex information and present findings effectively.

Kent State University

Master of Science, Human Computer Interaction

Obtained a Master of Science in Human Computer Interaction, gaining expertise in user experience design, usability principles, and interaction methodologies. This degree provided a strong foundation in understanding user behavior and system design.

St. Mary's University

Bachelor of Arts, Marketing

Earned a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing, developing a comprehensive understanding of market dynamics, consumer behavior, and strategic branding. This program equipped me with essential skills for product positioning and communication.