User Experience Researcher Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

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Summary

Following creative direction, produces user experience and user interface designs across the firm's digital properties. This role involves building and maintaining digital design systems to ensure a cohesive brand and user journey. Working in cross-functional teams, this designer will craft intuitive and visually engaging web pages, components, and dashboards, while aligning with the firm's visual identity and brand goals.

Location

This position can sit in any of our U.S. office locations and offers a hybrid work schedule.

Responsibilities

• Designs and implements UX and UI solutions for a variety of digital platforms, including websites, microsites, dashboards, intranets, apps, and extranets.

• Develops, documents, maintains, and builds comprehensive visual design systems under the guidance of the Sr Manager, Digital Design.

• Maps out intuitive user flows, sitemaps, and journeys to ensure logical navigation.

• Utilizes Figma to create low-to-high fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes to visualize how a site will function before development.

• Creates and refines detailed user personas to advocate for the user and ensure design strategies align with the specific needs of diverse audience groups.

• Conducts comprehensive UX research, usability testing, and website analytics data to gather insights on user friction points and behaviors, using this information to implement educated, data-driven design improvements.

• Creates scalable web design components to be used across multiple digital touchpoints.

• Applies a strong understanding of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) best practices to ensure digital designs are optimized for discoverability and performance.

• Assists in the design and creation of visually engaging email campaigns, ensuring alignment with brand standards and overall communication goals.

• Actively participates in weekly team meetings; comprehends project expectations, communicates updates effectively, and consistently meets deadlines.

• Manages assigned project tasks from concept to completion, ensuring clarity and consistency in the firm's branding and messaging.

• Assists with day-to-day operations of the brand function.

• Availability to work outside regular hours for high-profile projects if necessary.

• Other duties as assigned.

Desired Skills

• Must have a strong and dynamic design portfolio showcasing a solid foundation in UX/UI and visual design principles.

• Advanced, high-level proficiency in Figma is required for creating comprehensive design systems for producing branded assets, knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud software is a plus.

• Must have experience crafting intuitive components for multimedia web platforms, as well as helping with the design and creation of email campaigns. A solid understanding of UX research methodologies, along with current SEO and GEO best practices is required.

• Must have understanding of responsive design principles, accessibility (WCAG), and basic front-end development (HTML/CSS) for better developer handoff.

• Direct experience working within enterprise Content Management Systems (CMS), specifically Sitecore and Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) is a strong plus.

• The ability to leverage AI tools to enhance the design workflow is highly desired.

• Must have strong communication and interpersonal skills with a focus on customer service and willingness to adapt to evolving project needs and work on anything from small one-off projects to fully integrated web systems.

• Must have solid working knowledge of Microsoft Office software; including PowerPoint and Word.

• Demonstrated follow-through and must be a self-starter.

• Ability to successfully work within a team environment.

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

• Excellent organizational skills are necessary to manage multiple projects on an on-going basis.

• Excellent digital file management skills required.

Minimum Education

• Bachelor's Degree in UX/UI Design or related field.

Preferred Education

• Master's Degree in UX/UI Design or related field.

Minimum Years of Experience

• 3 years of experience in professional print and digital design experience. Proven work experience as a Graphic Designer or similar role required.

Essential Job Expectations

While the specific job requirements of a DLA Piper position may vary depending upon scope of the job and area of specialty, there are certain universal requirements that are expected of all DLA Piper employees, which include but are not limited to:

• Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and third parties;

• Produce deliverables, answer phone calls, and reply to correspondence in an efficient and responsive manner;

• Provide timely, accurate, and quality work product;

• Successfully meet deadlines, expectations, and perform work duties as required;

• Foster positive work relationships;

• Comply with all firm policies and practices;

• Engage in both physical and sedentary activity, such as (a) working at a computer for extended periods of time, including on-screen reading and typing; (b) participating in digital/virtual conference calls; (c) participating in meetings as needed;

• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing demands in a fast-paced environment;

• Perform all other duties, tasks or projects as assigned.

Our employees are expected to embrace and uphold our firm values as a part of our DLA Piper culture. We are committed to excellence in how we represent our clients and develop our people.

Physical Demands
Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Work Environment

The individual selected for this position may have the opportunity for a hybrid work arrangement comprised of remote and in-office work, the requirement for which will be determined in coordination with the hiring manager or supervisor and may be modified in the firm's discretion in the future.

Disclaimer

The purpose of this job description is to provide a concise statement of the work elements and to organize and present the information in a standardized way. It is not intended to describe all the elements of the work that may be performed by every individual in this classification, nor should it serve as the sole criteria for personnel decisions and actions. The job duties, requirements, and expectations for this position may be modified at the Firm's discretion at any time. This job description does not change the at-will nature of employment.

Application Process

Applicants must apply directly online instead of sending application materials via email.

Accommodation

Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request to permit individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions and responsibilities of the position or to participate in the job selection process. If you have a request for an accommodation during the application process, please contact careers@us.dlapiper.com.

Agency applications will not be considered.

No immigration sponsorship is available for this position.

The firm's expected hiring range for this position is $41.20 - $65.52 per hour depending on the candidate's geographic market location. Non-exempt positions will be paid on an hourly basis and paid overtime in accordance with applicable laws.

The compensation offered for employment will also be dependent on other factors including the candidate's experience, skills, educational and professional background, and overall qualifications. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k).

Applicants who are not based in the jurisdiction in which this position is posted and who apply for this role are doing so voluntary and are not eligible for relocation assistance. Any relocation benefits, if any, are provided only where a relocation is required at the firm's direction and in accordance with applicable policy and law.

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DLA Piper is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.Job applicant poster viewing center.