Senior Lead UX Research & Ops Strategy Architect

Cox Enterprises; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Cox Automotive is seeking a Senior Lead in Research Operations to set the strategy, operating model, and roadmap for the entire function. Lead cross‑functional efforts, govern standards, and drive enterprise-wide transformation with executives across research, design, product, and business units.

The role emphasizes measurable outcomes, scalable research systems, and a culture of continuous improvement. Travel may be required as part of stakeholder engagement and external representation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with extensive experience in research operations, program leadership, or similar roles.
• Advanced degree preferred in HCI, organizational design, information science, or business management.
• 10+ years of research operations or leadership experience, including 3+ years in senior IC roles.
• Experience in UX/Product Design, product, design, marketing, analytics, or customer research environments.

Responsibilities

• Define and own the long-term Research Ops strategy, operating model, and capability roadmap for the organization, aligning to business, product, and research priorities.
• Serve as the principal authority on Research Ops discipline, standards, tools, and emerging practice areas.
• Lead enterprise-level Research Ops transformation initiatives spanning portfolios, departments, or business units.
• Establish and govern enterprise standards for research repositories, insight management, data governance, and operational quality.
• Drive alignment across research, design, product, market intelligence, and executive leadership to connect investments to measurable outcomes.
• Partner with C-suite and SVP stakeholders to define strategic value and shape priorities.
• Lead AI-enabled, automated research systems to reduce friction and scale capacity.
• Own the Research Ops measurement framework with enterprise KPIs and ROI.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Executive communication

Research operations

Cross-functional collaboration

AI-enabled research

Change management

Stakeholder influence

Data storytelling

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Advanced degree in HCI / organizational design / information science / business

Ph.D. with experience in related field

12+ years experience in related field

Tools

Research tooling

Job description

Cox Automotive is seeking a Senior Lead in Research Operations to set the strategy, operating model, and roadmap for the entire function. Lead cross‑functional efforts, govern standards, and drive enterprise-wide transformation with executives across research, design, product, and business units.

The role emphasizes measurable outcomes, scalable research systems, and a culture of continuous improvement. Travel may be required as part of stakeholder engagement and external representation.