Research Manager – Beta Testing & Internal Insights

General Motors; United States; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

General Motors seeks a Research Manager for Beta Testing & Internal Insights to lead beta programs shaping GM’s products and experiences. You will translate customer feedback into actionable recommendations across Engineering, Software & Services, Design, Marketing, and other functions.

You’ll oversee mixed-methods research, coach analysts, and present to senior leadership, driving a learning agenda and collaboration across GCR and partners while ensuring timely, high-quality studies and

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in Market Research, Insights, UX Research, or related analytics fields.
• Demonstrated experience with both quantitative and qualitative research methods (surveys, usability/beta testing, in-depth interviews, focus groups, diary studies).
• Strong analytical skills and familiarity with statistical concepts; translate complex data to actionable insights.
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally and influence without authority across Engineering, Software & Services, Product, Marketing.
• Excellent storytelling, presentation, and communication skills for senior leaders and non-research audiences.
• Strong project management and organizational skills managing multiple concurrent projects.
• Advocacy for the voice of the customer and internal users in discussions and decisions.
• Ability to work in dynamic, ambiguous environments and form well-reasoned viewpoints.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, execution, and analysis of beta testing programs across vehicles, software features, digital experiences, and services with clear, customer-driven recommendations.
• Conduct deep qualitative and quantitative research to uncover needs, pain points, behaviors, and opportunities informing product decisions.
• Partner with Engineering, Software & Services, Product Development, Marketing to define research objectives and learning agendas.
• Synthesize data to identify themes, trends and build a customer insights POV for stakeholders.
• Develop narratives and deliver presentations/reports tailored to diverse audiences, including senior leadership.
• Collaborate with GCR and peer teams to shape integrated learning plans and consistent insights.
• Manage research suppliers and internal partners ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery of studies.
• Champion experimentation and share best practices across teams.

Skills

Beta testing

User research

Quantitative research

Qualitative research

Analytics

Cross-functional

Storytelling

Presentations

Project management

Communication

Leadership

Ambiguity tolerance

Influence without authority

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Market Research / related field

Job description

Job Description

Hybrid: This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to Warren, Michigan three times per week, at minimum or other frequency dictated by the business.

The Role

The Research Manager – Beta Testing & Internal Insights is a people leader responsible for designing and executing beta testing and internal user research that shapes GM’s products, software, and customer experiences. This role serves as a strategic thought partner and advocate for customers, translating research, feedback, and emerging trends into actionable insights that inform decisions across Engineering, Software & Services, Design, Marketing, and other key functions.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the design, execution, and analysis of beta testing programs across vehicles, software features, digital experiences, and services providing clear, unbiased, and customer‑driven recommendations
• Conduct deep‑dive qualitative and quantitative research to uncover needs, pain points, behaviors, and opportunities that inform product, feature, and experience decisions.
• Partner closely with Engineering, Software & Services, Product Development, Marketing, and other stakeholders to frame business questions, define research objectives, and translate them into clear research plans and learning agendas.
• Synthesize data and insights from multiple sources to “connect the dots,” identify themes and trends, and build an informed point of view on customer and internal user needs.
• Develop compelling narratives and deliver engaging presentations and written reports tailored to diverse audiences, including senior leadership, that turn complex findings into simple, actionable stories.
• Collaborate across GCR and with peer research teams to shape integrated learning plans, align on methodologies, and ensure consistent, high‑impact insights across programs.
• Manage research suppliers and internal partners to ensure high‑quality, on‑time, and on‑budget delivery of studies, including survey design, sampling, fieldwork, analysis, and reporting.
• Champion a culture of experimentation and continuous improvement in beta testing and internal research practices, sharing best practices, playbooks, and learnings across teams.

People Leadership

• Work with a variety of analysts across GCR, leading, coaching, and developing to deliver high‑quality research and insights.
• Provide clear direction, feedback, and career development support; foster a performance‑based, inclusive, and collaborative team culture.
• Balance workload and priorities across multiple concurrent projects, ensuring deadlines are met and stakeholder expectations are managed effectively.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s degree in Market Research, Business, Marketing, Psychology, Human Factors, Data Science, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in Market Research, Insights, UX Research, or related analytics fields, with a track record of designing and executing primary research that informs product, experience, or business decisions.
• Demonstrated experience with both quantitative and qualitative research methods (e.g., surveys, usability/beta testing, in‑depth interviews, focus groups, diary studies), and the ability to select the right approach for the question at hand.
• Strong analytical skills and familiarity with statistical concepts; able to translate complex data sets into clear, actionable insights and recommendations.
• Proven ability to work cross‑functionally and influence without authority, providing diplomatic consultation and guidance to stakeholders in Engineering, Software & Services, Product, Marketing, and other functions.
• Excellent storytelling, presentation, and communication skills (written and verbal), with experience presenting to senior leaders and non‑research audiences.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, meet tight deadlines, and maintain high quality and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to advocate for the voice of the customer and internal user, bringing an objective, independent perspective to discussions and decisions.
• Comfort working in dynamic, ambiguous environments and forming a well‑reasoned point of view based on imperfect or evolving information.

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• MBA or advanced degree in Business, Marketing, Behavioral Science, Human‑Computer Interaction, or a related field.
• Experience leading beta testing or pilot programs for software, digital products, or connected vehicle features (internal or external audiences).
• Prior experience in the automotive industry, mobility, or adjacent technology sectors.
  GM does not provide immigration‑related sponsorship for this role. Do not apply for this role if you will need GM immigration sponsorship now or in the future. This includes direct company sponsorship, entry of GM as the immigration employer of record on a government form, and any work authorization requiring a written submission or other immigration support from the company (e.g., H1‑B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J‑1, etc).This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location at least 3 times a week {or other frequency dictated by their manager}.The selected candidate will be required to travel <25% for this role.This job is not eligible for relocation benefits. Any relocation costs would be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

About GM

Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.

Why Join Us

We believe we all must make a choice every day – individually and collectively – to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.

Benefits Overview

From day one, we’re looking out for your well‑being–at work and at home–so you can focus on realizing your ambitions. Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting Total Rewards resources.

Non‑Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)

General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.

All employment decisions are made on a non‑discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran or protected veteran, or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws.

Accommodations

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