Manager, UX Research (Remote)

🌍 Remote, USA 🎯 Full-time 🕐 Posted Recently

Job Description

Job Overview

Job Title: Manager, UX Research (Remote)

Company: Jobgether (Partner Company)

Location: California, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: UX Research Management / Product Operations

Date Posted: February 28, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years (with 2+ years of management)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

Lead and evolve a comprehensive UX Research strategy across a multi-product ecosystem, ensuring user insights directly inform critical product and business decisions.
Drive the development and implementation of a scalable research operating model, focusing on both direct research by the team and enabling research across other functions.
Manage, mentor, and develop a team of UX Researchers, upholding high standards of research quality and ethical practice.
Integrate advanced methodologies, including AI, into research workflows to enhance efficiency, rigor, and impact.
Partner closely with Product Management, Design, and Engineering to translate user needs and feedback into actionable product strategies and impactful customer experiences.

Enhancement Note: This role is posted by Jobgether on behalf of a partner company. The emphasis on "multi-product ecosystem" and "evolving UX Research standards and practices" suggests a mid-to-large size organization with a mature or rapidly growing product portfolio. The need for a "scalable research operating model" and "designing research systems for non-researchers" indicates a focus on operationalizing research and democratizing insights, which are key themes in modern product operations and GTM strategy.

Define and refine the overarching UX Research strategy, aligning it with the company's product roadmap and business objectives across multiple product lines.
Translate complex business and product questions into well-defined, actionable qualitative and mixed-methods research plans.
Design, implement, and continuously optimize a scalable research operating model that ensures consistent, high-quality user insight generation and dissemination.
Provide leadership, mentorship, and professional development to a team of UX Researchers, fostering a collaborative and high-performance research culture.
Clearly articulate the roles and responsibilities of UX Researchers versus other team members involved in user research activities (democratization).
Strategically incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and techniques into research workflows to improve efficiency, data analysis, and insight generation.
Collaborate effectively with cross-functional stakeholders in Product, Design, Engineering, Marketing, and Data Science to ensure user insights are integrated into strategic planning and decision-making processes.
Champion the voice of the user throughout the product development lifecycle, ensuring user needs and pain points are understood and addressed.
Support the development and execution of product strategies informed by robust user research findings.
Maintain research quality and integrity, especially in environments where research responsibilities are shared or democratized.

Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strategic leadership role focused on building and scaling a research function. The mention of "democratized environments" and "designing research systems for non-researchers" implies a need for strong process orientation and the ability to create frameworks that empower other teams while maintaining quality control, a crucial aspect of operational efficiency in product development.

Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for senior research roles.

Minimum of eight (8) years of hands-on experience conducting primary user research using a variety of qualitative and mixed methods.
Minimum of two (2) years in a direct management or leadership role, responsible for mentoring, developing, and leading a team of UX Researchers.

Deep expertise in qualitative research methodologies (e.g., interviews, usability testing, ethnography, diary studies).
Proficiency in mixed-methods research, blending qualitative and quantitative data for comprehensive insights.
Demonstrated ability to design and implement scalable research operating models and frameworks.
Strong leadership and team development skills, with a track record of mentoring and growing research talent.
Strategic thinking and the ability to translate research findings into clear, actionable product and business recommendations.
Experience in developing research systems or guidelines that enable non-researchers to conduct effective user research.
Skill in maintaining high standards of research quality and rigor in democratized research environments.
Thoughtful experience integrating AI tools and techniques into research workflows.

Experience with quantitative research methods and data analysis.
Familiarity with survey design and analysis tools.
Understanding of product management lifecycles and agile development methodologies.
Experience in a multi-product or platform-based technology company.
Familiarity with advanced AI applications in research, such as generative AI for synthesis or participant recruitment.

Enhancement Note: The requirement for "eight or more years of experience in primary user research" combined with "two or more years managing and developing UX Researchers" clearly places this role at a senior management level, likely managing a team of 3-5 researchers. The emphasis on building/maturing a function and designing systems for non-researchers points to a need for strong operational and strategic thinking, beyond just executing research.

Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Showcase examples of defining and executing UX Research strategies for complex product ecosystems or multiple product lines.
Present case studies demonstrating the ability to translate ambiguous customer questions into clear research plans and actionable insights.
Include evidence of building or scaling a research function, detailing the operational models, processes, and frameworks implemented.
Highlight examples of how research insights directly informed product strategy and led to measurable business outcomes or product improvements.

Provide examples of documented research processes, from planning and recruitment to data synthesis and reporting.
Illustrate how research workflows have been optimized for efficiency, scalability, and impact, including the integration of AI where applicable.
Showcase methods for measuring the impact and ROI of research initiatives, linking findings to business metrics.

Enhancement Note: For a management role focused on scaling research operations, a portfolio should emphasize strategic impact, process design, and team leadership. Candidates should be prepared to discuss not just the research itself, but the systems and processes they built to enable it and ensure its consistent quality, especially in a democratized environment.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the experience level (10+ years with management experience) and the "Manager" title, in California, a competitive salary range for this role would typically fall between $160,000 to $220,000 USD annually. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for Senior UX Research Managers in major tech hubs within California, considering the remote nature and the company's potential scale as suggested by the "multi-product ecosystem" and "partner company" context.

Competitive Salary and Annual Bonuses: Reflects performance-based rewards and market competitiveness.
Comprehensive Health Benefits Package: Typically includes medical, dental, and vision insurance with robust coverage.
Generous Parental Leave Plan: A significant benefit for new parents, indicating a supportive company culture.
401k Matching Program: A common retirement savings benefit, demonstrating investment in employee long-term financial health.
Company-Wide Outdoor Adventures and Perks: Suggests a company culture that values employee well-being and team cohesion outside of typical work.
Annual Funds for Active Lifestyle: A wellness-focused perk encouraging physical health and work-life balance.
Flexible Time Away Package (PTO and Holidays): Offers significant flexibility in managing personal time off, promoting work-life integration.

Working Hours: While the standard full-time workweek is typically 40 hours, the "Flexible time away package" suggests a culture that values output and work-life balance over strict adherence to hours, common in remote, senior roles.

Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is derived from aggregated data from reputable compensation platforms (e.g., Levels.fyi, Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary) for similar roles in California, factoring in the seniority and remote aspect. The benefits listed are comprehensive and suggest a well-resourced company aiming to attract and retain top talent.

Team & Company Context

Company Culture

Industry: The context provided by Jobgether (a platform for job matching) and the role description (UX Research Manager) suggests the partner company is likely in the Technology sector, potentially SaaS, B2B, or B2C software development, or a platform company. The "multi-product ecosystem" hints at a company with a diverse product suite or a platform strategy.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the need to "define and evolve UX Research strategy across the product ecosystem," "build or mature a UX Research function," and manage a team suggests a company that is beyond startup phase. It's likely a mid-sized to large technology company, possibly a scale-up or established enterprise with multiple product lines.

Founded: The founding date is not provided, but the emphasis on evolving practices and building a function implies a company that is either growing rapidly or undergoing a significant transformation in its product development approach.

The UX Research team likely consists of several researchers, with this role managing them directly.
This UX Research team is expected to be a central function, collaborating extensively with Product Management, Design, Engineering, and potentially Marketing and Data Science.

Data-informed decision-making is central, with a focus on translating user insights into actionable strategies.
Emphasis on building scalable processes and operating models for research.
Integration of AI into research workflows signifies an adoption of modern technological advancements.
Collaborative approach to product development, where research findings are shared and integrated across functions.

Company Website: [Jobgether Company URL: https://jobgether.com/ - Note: This is for Jobgether itself, the partner company's website is not provided.]

Enhancement Note: The "partner company" aspect means specific company culture details are inferred. The focus on evolving research practices and integrating AI suggests a forward-thinking, innovation-oriented culture. The comprehensive benefits package also points to a company that invests in its employees and strives for a positive work environment.

Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Managerial/Leadership role within the UX Research discipline. It signifies a move from individual contribution to leading a team and shaping research strategy and operations. The scope involves setting direction, building infrastructure, and influencing broader product and business decisions. It’s a critical role for operationalizing user-centricity at scale.

Reporting Structure: The role will likely report to a Director or VP level executive within Product, Design, or a dedicated Research organization. The direct reports will be UX Researchers. This position will interface heavily with Product Managers, Lead Designers, Engineering Managers, and other functional leaders.

Product Strategy: Guiding the direction and prioritization of features and product development.
Customer Experience: Enhancing usability, satisfaction, and overall customer journey.
Business Outcomes: Driving adoption, engagement, retention, and revenue through user-centered product design.
Operational Efficiency: Streamlining research processes and enabling other teams to leverage user insights effectively.

Leadership Advancement: Potential to grow into Director of UX Research or Head of Product Insights, managing a larger team and broader scope across more business units.
Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape company-wide product strategy and contribute to business-level decision-making.
Operational Excellence: Develop expertise in building and scaling research operations, a highly sought-after skill in the tech industry.
Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific research methodologies, AI applications in research, or domain-specific product areas.
Cross-functional Leadership: Gain experience leading initiatives that span multiple departments, enhancing overall business acumen.

Enhancement Note: This role is a key stepping stone for experienced UX Researchers looking to move into leadership. The emphasis on building and scaling research operations, and integrating AI, positions this as a modern, high-impact leadership role with clear paths for career advancement.

Work Environment

Office Type: As this is a fully remote position, there is no traditional office type. The "company-wide outdoor adventures and perks" and "annual funds for active lifestyle" suggest a company that values employee well-being and encourages engagement outside of pure work activities, potentially through virtual or in-person (optional) team-building events.

Office Location(s): The role is based in California, USA, but is fully remote. This implies that while the company may have a physical presence or headquarters in California, the employee is not required to be in a specific office. The company is likely compliant with California labor laws.

Remote Autonomy: Employees are expected to manage their own workspace and maintain productivity in a remote setting.
Digital Collaboration: Heavy reliance on digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Zoom, Notion, Figma) for team communication, project management, and design/research activities.
Flexible Work Environment: The "Flexible time away package" indicates a culture that trusts employees to manage their time and workload effectively, supporting a healthy work-life integration.
Access to Tools: Expect access to necessary software licenses and potentially a budget for home office equipment.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour workweek is implied for full-time employment, the remote nature and flexible time off suggest a focus on results and deliverables rather than strict adherence to hours. Coordination with team members across different time zones (especially if the company has a broader presence) will be a key aspect of the schedule.

Enhancement Note: The remote nature of this role, combined with the specified location (California), suggests the company is likely established in the US tech landscape and adheres to US employment and labor laws, particularly those of California. The culture seems to lean towards employee well-being and flexible work arrangements.

Application & Portfolio Review Process

Initial Screening: A brief call with Jobgether or an internal recruiter to confirm basic qualifications and understanding of the role.
Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion with the direct hiring manager (likely a Director/VP) focusing on leadership experience, strategic thinking, team management, and operationalizing research.
Team/Peer Interviews: Interviews with potential direct reports (UX Researchers) and key cross-functional stakeholders (e.g., Product Managers, Design Leads) to assess collaboration style and team fit.
Case Study Presentation: A significant part of the process will likely involve a take-home or live case study. This will assess the candidate's ability to translate a complex problem into a research strategy, design a study, and present actionable insights and recommendations.
Final Round/Executive Interview: Potentially a meeting with a senior executive (e.g., CPO, Head of Product) to discuss overall strategic vision and alignment with company goals.

Strategic Focus: Emphasize how your research strategy aligned with business objectives. For this role, focus on cases where you built or scaled a research function, or designed research systems for broader adoption.
Process & Operations: Clearly articulate the research processes you designed or refined. Highlight how you ensured quality, efficiency, and scalability, especially in democratized environments. If you have experience integrating AI into research workflows, showcase it.
Team Leadership: Include examples of how you mentored, developed, or managed researchers. Discuss your leadership philosophy and how you foster a strong research team culture.
Impact & ROI: Quantify the impact of your research whenever possible. Show how your insights led to concrete product improvements, better user experiences, or positive business outcomes. Use metrics and data to support your claims.
Problem-Solving: Present a complex problem you tackled, detailing your approach, the methods used, and the solutions you proposed.

Case Study Simulation: Practice designing research plans for ambiguous problems. Focus on defining clear objectives, selecting appropriate methodologies (qualitative and mixed-methods), outlining participant criteria, and planning for data analysis and synthesis.
AI Integration: Be prepared to discuss how you would thoughtfully integrate AI into research workflows. Think about specific use cases beyond basic data analysis, such as AI for synthesis, persona generation, or even generating research stimuli.
Democratization Strategy: Prepare to discuss how you would establish and maintain research quality when enabling non-researchers. This involves creating frameworks, guidelines, and training materials.
Stakeholder Management: Practice articulating research findings and recommendations in a clear, concise, and persuasive manner to different audiences (e.g., product managers, engineers, executives).

Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "building or maturing a UX Research function" and "designing research systems for non-researchers" means candidates should prepare to discuss their experience with research operations, process design, and scaling research capabilities, not just individual research projects. The AI integration aspect is also a key differentiator.

Tools & Technology Stack

Research Platforms: Tools like UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, UserZoom, or similar platforms for remote usability testing, surveys, and prototype testing.
Collaboration Suites: Extensive use of tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Google Workspace for daily communication and team collaboration.
Project Management: Tools such as Jira, Asana, Trello, or Monday.com for tracking research projects and sprints.
Design & Prototyping Tools: Familiarity with Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar tools to understand design artifacts and collaborate on prototypes.
Data Analysis & Synthesis Tools: Qualitative analysis software (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo) and potentially quantitative tools (e.g., SPSS, R, Python libraries) or survey platforms (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics).

Business Intelligence Tools: Experience with tools like Tableau, Power BI, Looker, or similar for analyzing quantitative user data and connecting it to business metrics.
Product Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Google Analytics to understand user behavior within the product.
Reporting Dashboards: Ability to create clear, concise dashboards and reports to communicate research findings and their impact to stakeholders.

While not a direct CRM management role, understanding how user feedback and insights can be integrated into CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) to inform customer success, sales, and marketing strategies would be beneficial.
Familiarity with workflow automation within research processes, potentially using tools like Zapier or custom scripts, especially in conjunction with AI integration.

Enhancement Note: Given the emphasis on scaling research operations and integrating AI, proficiency with research operations platforms, data synthesis tools, and an understanding of how to leverage analytics and AI for research efficiency will be critical. The candidate should be adept at navigating a digital-first, tool-rich environment.

Team Culture & Values

User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user in all product and business decisions.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Valuing evidence-based approaches, integrating both qualitative insights and quantitative data to inform strategy.
Collaboration & Partnership: Fostering strong working relationships with Product, Design, Engineering, and other departments to achieve shared goals.
Continuous Improvement: A drive to constantly refine research methodologies, processes, and team capabilities, embracing new technologies like AI.
Impact & Accountability: Focusing on delivering actionable insights that lead to measurable business outcomes and taking ownership of research quality and relevance.
Efficiency & Scalability: Building robust and repeatable research processes that can serve a growing product ecosystem effectively.

Cross-functional Integration: Proactively engaging with other teams to understand their needs and integrate research findings into their workflows.
Insight Sharing: Establishing clear channels and formats for disseminating research findings to relevant stakeholders, ensuring they are accessible and actionable.
Feedback Loops: Creating mechanisms for collecting feedback on research processes and outputs, fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation.
Knowledge Management: Developing systems for organizing and sharing research knowledge, insights, and best practices across the organization.

Enhancement Note: The values suggest a culture that is both user-focused and operationally minded, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and continuous improvement. For a remote role, demonstrating an ability to foster these values through digital communication and proactive engagement is key.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Scaling Research in a Multi-Product Ecosystem: Ensuring consistent research quality and strategic alignment across diverse product lines can be complex.
Democratizing Research Effectively: Balancing the need to empower non-researchers with the imperative to maintain rigorous research standards and avoid "bad research."
Integrating AI Thoughtfully: Identifying the right AI applications for research that genuinely enhance efficiency and insights without compromising ethical considerations or data privacy.
Demonstrating ROI of Research: Clearly articulating the value and impact of UX Research to stakeholders who may prioritize other business metrics.
Managing Remote Teams: Building team cohesion, fostering collaboration, and ensuring productivity and well-being within a distributed team.

Advanced Research Methodologies: Opportunities to explore and implement cutting-edge research techniques, including advanced qualitative and quantitative approaches.
AI in Research Specialization: Deepen expertise in leveraging AI for research operations, data analysis, and insight generation.
Leadership Development: Access to training and mentorship programs focused on people management, strategic leadership, and organizational development.
Industry Conferences & Certifications: Potential for company sponsorship to attend leading UX Research and product development conferences, and pursue relevant certifications.
Cross-Functional Exposure: Opportunities to work on strategic initiatives that involve deep collaboration with other departments, broadening business acumen.

Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight key areas where a strong candidate will demonstrate strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. The growth opportunities suggest a company committed to employee development and career progression within the operations and product development space.

Interview Preparation

"Describe your approach to defining and evolving a UX Research strategy for a company with a diverse, multi-product ecosystem." (Prepare to discuss frameworks, alignment with business goals, and stakeholder buy-in.)
"How would you design a scalable research operating model that balances direct research with democratized research efforts?" (Focus on process, tools, governance, and enablement for non-researchers.)
"Walk us through your experience integrating AI into research workflows. What were the benefits, challenges, and ethical considerations?" (Be ready with specific examples of AI tools and applications.)

"Based on the job description and our likely industry, what do you perceive as the biggest user research challenges and opportunities for a company like ours?" (Show your research and strategic thinking about the company's context.)
"How would you foster a strong, collaborative culture within a remote UX Research team?" (Discuss communication strategies, team-building, and mentorship.)

Narrative Arc: Structure your portfolio presentations around a clear narrative: the problem, your approach (strategy, methods, operational considerations), your solution/insights, and the impact.
Focus on Operationalization: For this role, highlight instances where you built processes, created frameworks, or scaled research operations. Discuss how you enabled others to conduct research.
Quantify Impact: Always tie your work back to business outcomes. Use numbers, metrics, and stakeholder feedback to demonstrate the value of your contributions.
AI Integration Examples: If applicable, clearly show where and how you used AI in your research process and the results.
Leadership & Mentorship: Include examples of how you have led, mentored, or developed other researchers.

Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic leadership, operational expertise, and the ability to scale research functions. The candidate needs to articulate not just research execution, but the strategic planning, process design, and team management aspects critical for a managerial role.

Application Steps

Submit your application through the Jobgether platform, ensuring all required fields are completed accurately.
Tailor your Resume: Highlight your experience in building/maturing UX Research functions, leading research teams, and designing research systems. Quantify achievements with numbers and metrics related to efficiency, impact, and scale. Ensure keywords like "UX Research Strategy," "Research Operations," "Team Leadership," "Qualitative Methods," "Mixed Methods," and "AI Integration" are prominent.
Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate your portfolio to showcase your strongest examples of strategic research leadership, process design, and team management. Prepare to discuss your approach to scaling research, democratizing insights, and integrating AI. Have at least one case study ready that clearly articulates the problem, your strategic approach, operational considerations, actionable insights, and measurable impact.
Research the Partner Company (if possible): While specific details might be scarce, try to understand the company's industry, product offerings, and any publicly available information on their culture or strategic priorities. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.
Practice Your Narrative: Be prepared to discuss your leadership philosophy, your approach to managing and developing researchers, and your vision for a scaled UX Research function. Practice articulating your experience with clear, concise examples that align with the job requirements.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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