Research Operations Lead, Community Engagement

Whoop; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity package

Competitive base salary

Job summary

WHOOP in Boston seeks a Research Operations Lead, Community Engagement to define and drive the strategy for growing the WHOOP Labs Research Collective. You will lead the team responsible for recruitment, engagement, and retention while building scalable programs and strategic partnerships.

The role requires balancing strategic planning with operational execution, leading high-performing teams, and collaborating cross-functionally to optimize participant recruitment and engagement.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in community engagement, research operations, or program management with success leading complex operational initiatives.
• 2+ years in a leadership role, managing individuals or multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience managing a customer/participant panel or with Community-Based Participatory Research.

Responsibilities

• Drive the recruitment vision and implement tactics for WHOOP Labs Research Collective to ensure a diverse, high-caliber panel.
• Mentor and lead the Community Engagement team with clear goals, feedback, and inclusive leadership.
• Build scalable operational frameworks to improve recruitment productivity and participant journey.
• Define and track core metrics for panel growth, representation, and operational health using data-driven insights.
• Cultivate strategic alliances with local organizations to broaden reach and trust.
• Oversee in-person activations, regional events, and marketing initiatives to raise WHOOP Labs visibility.
• Collaborate with Research, Marketing, and Legal to align recruitment goals and manage risks.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Team mentorship

Communication

Data-driven decisions

Job description

At WHOOP, we're on a mission to unlock human performance. WHOOP empowers members to perform at a higher level through a deeper understanding of their bodies and daily lives. Research at WHOOP is powered by the WHOOP Labs Research Collective, our community of study participants.

As the Research Operations Lead, Community Engagement, you will define and lead the strategy for growing and engaging the WHOOP Labs Research Collective (panel) while managing the team responsible for executing it. You will build scalable community engagement programs, develop strategic partnerships, and ensure WHOOP maintains a diverse, high-quality participant community capable of supporting an expanding research portfolio.

Success in this role requires balancing strategic planning with operational execution, building high-performing teams, and partnering cross-functionally to continuously improve participant recruitment, engagement, and retention.

Responsibilities:

• Drive the overarching vision and tactical implementation of recruitment efforts for the WHOOP Labs Research Collective, ensuring a diverse and high-caliber community that fulfills evolving study requirements.

• Mentor and lead the Community Engagement team by establishing clear goals, offering consistent feedback, and cultivating an inclusive, high-performance environment that supports professional development.

• Construct and refine scalable operational frameworks and standard procedures to enhance recruitment productivity, elevate the participant journey, and enable sustainable program growth.

• Define and track core metrics for panel growth, demographic representation, and operational health, utilizing data-driven insights to direct strategy and effectively distribute resources.

• Cultivate high-impact strategic alliances with local organizations to broaden our reach and foster deep community trust in WHOOP Labs.

• Oversee the design and execution of in-person community activations, regional events, and marketing initiatives intended to amplify the Whoop Labs presence and stimulate interest in research participation.

• Collaborate with internal partners across Research, Marketing, and Legal to harmonize recruitment objectives, mitigate potential risks, and safeguard project timelines.

• Manage the operational budget for community engagement, overseeing expenditures for campaigns and incentives while uncovering efficiencies to maximize the return on recruitment investment.

• Serve as the primary voice for community engagement to senior leadership, presenting performance reports, operational trends, and future strategic recommendations.
  

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of professional experience in community engagement, research operations, or program management, with demonstrated success leading complex operational initiatives.

• 2+ years of experience in a leadership capacity, including direct management of individuals or the coaching of multidisciplinary teams.

• Demonstrated expertise management of a customer/user/participant panel and/or experience with Community-Based Participatory Research

• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and stakeholder management skills, with experience influencing cross-functional partners and presenting to senior leadership.

• Willing to work flexible hours (evenings and/or weekends) to attend community events as a representative of WHOOP Labs

This role is based in the WHOOP office located in Boston, MA. Candidates must be prepared to work in person in the WHOOP office or at relevant activations 5 days each week.

WHOOP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-verify to determine employment eligibility. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

The WHOOP compensation philosophy is designed to attract, motivate, and retain exceptional talent by offering competitive base salaries, meaningful equity, and consistent pay practices that reflect our mission and core values.

At WHOOP, we view total compensation as the combination of base salary, equity, and benefits, with equity serving as a key differentiator that aligns our employees with the long-term success of the company and allows every member of our corporate team to own part of WHOOP and share in the company’s long-term growth and success.

The U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $90,000 - $130,000. Salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within each range, individual pay is based on factors such as job-related skills, experience, performance, and relevant education or training.

In addition to the base salary, the successful candidate will also receive benefits and a generous equity package.

These ranges may be modified in the future to reflect evolving market conditions and organizational needs. While most offers will typically fall toward the starting point of the range, total compensation will depend on the candidate’s specific qualifications, expertise, and alignment with the role’s requirements.