26-2245: User Research Lead - Annapolis, MD
Annapolis, Maryland, United States of America
Full Time
1 day ago
Key skills
User ResearchCommunication
About this role
User Research Lead
Job ID#: 26-2245
Clearance: N/A
Location: Annapolis, MD
Who We Are:
Since our inception back in 2006, Navitas has grown to be an industry leader in the digital transformation space, and we’ve served as trusted advisors supporting our client base within the commercial, federal, and state and local markets.
What We Do:
At our very core, we’re a group of problem solvers providing our award-winning technology solutions to drive digital acceleration for our customers! With proven solutions, award-winning technologies, and a team of expert problem solvers, Navitas has consistently empowered customers to use technology as a competitive advantage and deliver cutting-edge transformative solutions.
What You’ll Do:
Navitas is seeking a User Research Lead and execute foundational qualitative user research across three participating agencies to inform service transformation efforts under the Navitas program. This role ensures research is inclusive, methodologically rigorous, and aligned with the “Build with, not for” mandate—bringing underserved and historically excluded populations into the design process in meaningful ways.
Responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
What You’ll Need:
Job ID#: 26-2245
Clearance: N/A
Location: Annapolis, MD
Who We Are:
Since our inception back in 2006, Navitas has grown to be an industry leader in the digital transformation space, and we’ve served as trusted advisors supporting our client base within the commercial, federal, and state and local markets.
What We Do:
At our very core, we’re a group of problem solvers providing our award-winning technology solutions to drive digital acceleration for our customers! With proven solutions, award-winning technologies, and a team of expert problem solvers, Navitas has consistently empowered customers to use technology as a competitive advantage and deliver cutting-edge transformative solutions.
What You’ll Do:
Navitas is seeking a User Research Lead and execute foundational qualitative user research across three participating agencies to inform service transformation efforts under the Navitas program. This role ensures research is inclusive, methodologically rigorous, and aligned with the “Build with, not for” mandate—bringing underserved and historically excluded populations into the design process in meaningful ways.
Responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
- Plan and conduct multi‑agency user research, including a minimum of 9 in‑depth interviews across 3+ distinct user groups.
- Develop research materials, including interview guides, recruitment screeners, consent language, and protocols tailored to diverse populations.
- Lead inclusive recruitment, ensuring representation of underserved, hard‑to‑reach, and culturally diverse communities.
- Synthesize research findings into actionable insights, including:
- User archetypes
- Journey maps
- Pain points, needs, and opportunity areas
- Facilitate cross‑agency learning, training staff on qualitative research methods, interviewing skills, and empathy‑building practices.
- Champion human‑centered design principles, ensuring research insights directly inform service design and policy decisions.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including service designers, policy analysts, and program leads, to translate insights into next steps.
What You’ll Need:
- 5+ years conducting qualitative user research in complex, multi‑stakeholder environments.
- Demonstrated experience with inclusive research design and recruiting diverse or underserved participant populations.
- Proven ability to synthesize qualitative data into clear archetypes, journey maps, and opportunity areas.
- Experience coaching or training non‑researchers in interviewing, observation, and empathy‑building techniques.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to translate research into compelling narratives for technical and non‑technical audiences.
- Preferred: Research experience in government, public sector, or healthcare settings.
Equal Employer/Veterans/Disabled
Navitas Business Consulting is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Navitas Human Resources.
Navitas is an equal opportunity employer. We provide employment and opportunities for advancement, compensation, training, and growth according to individual merit, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, genetic information, disability, veteran-status veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable Federal, state, or local law. Our goal is for each staff member to have the opportunity to grow to the limits of their abilities and to achieve personal and organizational objectives. We will support positive programs for equal treatment of all staff and full utilization of all qualified employees at all levels within Navitas.