020 7834 0028
User Experience Architect
The Senior Associate User Experience Architect (EA) is a specialist in user centred design whose primary role is to design web based business applications that are easy and satisfying for the target audience to use. The Senior Associate EA represents the end user needs in system design. He/she will create appropriate EA documentation e.g. Process/task flows, site maps, UI specification.
The Senior Associate EA will be capable of leading all aspects of user research and usability testing (e.g. focus groups, prototyping, usability testing) and interpreting the results into actionable requirements. The role is client facing and requires effective collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams including business analysts, strategists, engineers, visual designers and content strategists.
The Senior Associate EA works autonomously on small projects and under the direction of a Leader EA on large projects. The Senior Associate EA is expected to give project direction and mentoring to Associate and Graduate EAs.
Responsibilities and Results
DELIVERY
Takes full or part ownership of EA analysis in the following areas:
- Develop user scenarios in collaboration with business and internal stakeholders
- Design, production and maintenance of site maps
- Use cases, (in collaboration with business analysts and engineers)
- Design and production of page/task flows
- Design, production and maintenance of all project user interface specifications (including template specifications and functional specifications) Mentor more junior EAs in the production of such deliverables
- Reviews of EA documentation with clients
- Prototyping activities (as appropriate for each phase of design, including paper prototypes, vision wire frames and HTML)
- Develop usability/user research plans, reports and supporting materials including screeners, questionnaires, scripts etc
- Plan and execute usability tests and all aspects of user research
- Interpret results from user research as design or strategic recommendations.
- Effectively present results from user research to clients
Performs work under established procedures and using existing document templates
Ensure deliverables meet specified quality requirements and deadlines
Manages processes or activities that involve multiple people
Conducts timely, fair and accurate project reviews for team members, using the standard templates, where appropriate and as agreed with Project Manager
Provides 360° feedback for team members where appropriate as agreed with Project Managers
Conducts self, and communicates, professionally with clients and colleagues
Works proactively with PM to ensure completion of project reviews for self
COMPANY
Contributes to business development efforts (e.g. reviews proposals)
Attends and presents knowledge sharing sessions to the EA team
Provides research and EA support on internal projects such as white-papers
Communicates ideas and industry trends to colleagues through informal communication and formal presentations and training sessions
Identifies areas for process improvement within either a project or the office and present solutions
Mentors junior colleagues on an informal basis offering opinions and input in a supportive manner
Endeavours to complete objectives identified with line manager in CPR form
Welcomes and makes improvements based on constructive feedback
Makes use of appropriate research materials (Internet, publications etc.) to ensure skills and knowledge remain current
Maintains an up to date resume detailing client project experience
Maximises billable hours through making oneself available for client work. Makes best use of non-billable hours by working on internal initiatives, business development and self development
Qualifications and experience
• A degree (or similar) in human computer interaction, ergonomics, human factors, psychology, library information science or IT/Computer Science degree would be an advantage
• 2 - 5 years work experience as an user experience architect or similar role in consulting or industry
• Significant experience of user-research intensive client projects
• Full-lifecycle experience of system development / web design projects
Skill
Description
Information and user interface design
Apply an iterative user centred design methodology to the design of the navigation, user interface and content structure of systems.
Contribute to the formulation of system concepts and business requirements.
Author high quality EA deliverables including UML use cases, process flows, site maps, wireframes, user interface specifications, user research plans and reports.
Capable of producing multiple visual diagramming styles in documenting system and UI designs (e.g. high fidelity wireframes, thumbnail sketches of screen flow, process mapping etc).
Demonstrable knowledge of web accessibility.
Understand and contribute to the formulation of project business objectives.
Work closely with visual designers to develop design options that are on brand and meet business and user needs.
Work closely with technical disciplines to identify tradeoffs in the design around technical constraints.
Serve as the conduit between creative and technical communities on small to medium complexity projects.
Deep knowledge of Usability and Accessibility.
User research
Use primary and secondary research methods to gather data on user needs (e.g. stakeholder meetings, card sorting, focus groups, usability testing, competitor analysis).
Identify appropriate research method(s) based on project needs.
Communication
Lead deliverable review meetings with clients.
Good oral and written skills.
Evidence of strong attention to detail.
Ability to learn, and assimilate new ideas quickly and gain the respect of fellow team members and clients.
Communicate clearly and unambiguously to all team members.
Teamwork
Lead small to medium EA teams with initiative and enthusiasm. and motivate by example.
Coach and develop other team members, act as a source of knowledge and guidance.
Provide a primary source of problem resolution amongst the EA team. Escalate problems where necessary.
Ability to work independently and encourage effective teamwork on broad areas.
Actively identify where help can be provided in areas that may not specifically fall within an EA role (e.g. business analysis or content strategy).
Technical
Prototyping tools – paper techniques, Freehand & Fireworks MX, Dreamweaver, Flash (some basic knowledge desirable).
Diagramming tools – Visio, Omnigraffle, Illustrator (good overall knowledge required)
MS Office suite
Can operate portable audio and video recording equipment.
Location:
London
Recruiter name:
Graham Livesey / Rachel Taylor
Salary:
Negotiable