User Research Strategist [Contract]

Blenderbox is seeking a seasoned User Research Strategist to lead a discovery engagement for one of our public-sector clients. This role will drive the research, facilitation, analysis, and strategic recommendations that inform the direction of a complex digital platform.

You’ll work closely with our Project Manager, UX/UI Designer, and Technical Product Manager to ensure the discovery work is rigorous, user-centered, and grounded in organizational realities.

This is a US-based remote contract position with an anticipated timeline of 6-8 weeks in Q1 2026.

This role is responsible for the core discovery activities that require deep expertise in research, facilitation, and strategy. Your primary focus will be:

• Plan and conduct stakeholder interviews across multiple teams and roles

• Facilitate cross-functional sessions to uncover needs, workflows, gaps, and areas of opportunity

• Conduct user interviews or evaluative research as applicable

• Analyze inputs to identify themes, insights, and problem areas

• Develop clear findings, insights, and opportunity areas

• Map workflows, journeys, and service touchpoints

• Translate research into frameworks that support decision-making

• Design and facilitate workshops to validate findings, refine direction, and align stakeholders

• Prepare materials, run the sessions, and synthesize outcomes

• Partner with the Project Manager and UX/UI designer on facilitation planning and outputs

You’ll play a central role in preparing key outputs, including:

• A findings + insights report

• Strategic recommendations and rationale

• Early conceptual direction and prioritization

• A roadmap-style view of next steps

• A synthesized presentation deck for leadership

The project includes content, workflow, UX, and accessibility audits that are supported by internal team members. You may:

• Assist in reviewing and interpreting audit findings

• Contribute to synthesis when audit insights intersect with research themes

• Lead specific audit activities if relevant to your experience

While the Project Manager will lead most early alignment activities, you may support:

• Clarifying research questions

• Defining user groups and stakeholder dimensions

• Shaping the discovery plan

• Significant experience leading UX research and strategic discovery initiatives

• Strong portfolio of complex, multi-stakeholder research projects

• Demonstrated ability to synthesize ambiguity into clarity and document findings

• Excellent facilitation skills — especially remote workshops

• Strong writing and communication abilities for client-facing deliverables

• Experience with public-sector, nonprofit, or large institutional environments is a plus

• Comfortable partnering collaboratively with UX, PM, and technical roles

• US Citizen or authorized to work in the US.

Experience using and creating deliverables in tools such as:

• Figma / FigJam

• Miro 

• Zoom-based remote facilitation

• airtable

• google suite

• Standard research documentation workflows

You’ll be embedded in our cross-functional team and supported by a dedicated Project Manager throughout the engagement.

If this seems like a good fit for you, please apply via the link. Please share:

• Your resume or portfolio

• A summary of your relevant experience

• Please include your hourly rate 

No Recruiters, please.

Blenderbox is a human-centered design and technology agency. We work with governments and organizations to improve their products and services.