Sr Lead UX Researcher - Operations

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

Senior Lead User Research Operations is the highest individual contributor level in the Research Ops career path and serves as the organizational authority on Research Ops strategy, practice, and innovation at Cox Automotive. This role operates at the intersection of enterprise strategy, research excellence, and operational transformation — shaping how research is practiced, scaled, and valued across the organization. The Senior Lead defines the future state of Research Ops, influences executive stakeholders, represents the discipline externally, and acts as a principal advisor to research, design, product, and business leadership. Senior Leads are distinguished by the organizational scope of their impact, their ability to lead through ambiguity, and their role as the primary steward of Research Ops maturity and culture.

Position 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 and internal thought leader on Research Ops discipline, standards, tools, and emerging practice areas

• Lead enterprise-level Research Ops transformation initiatives that span multiple portfolios, departments, or business units — including research infrastructure modernization, AI enablement, and governance evolution

• Establish and govern enterprise standards for research repositories, insight management, participant protection, data governance, and operational quality

• Drive alignment across research, design, product, market intelligence, and executive leadership to ensure Research Ops investments are connected to measurable business outcomes

• Partner with C-suite and SVP-level stakeholders to define and communicate the strategic value of Research Ops, influence investment decisions, and shape organizational priorities

• Lead the design and institutionalization of agentic, AI-enabled, and automated research systems that reduce friction, improve quality, and scale research capacity across the enterprise

• Own the Research Ops measurement framework — defining, tracking, and communicating enterprise-level operational KPIs and the return on Research Ops investment

• Oversee strategic vendor partnerships, multi-year tooling investments, and research operations budget planning at the portfolio or enterprise level

• Represent Cox Automotive's Research Ops practice externally through speaking, publishing, or community engagement, elevating the organization's reputation in the field

• Model and develop a culture of craft, rigor, and continuous improvement across the Research Ops community of practice

• Serve as executive sponsor, coach, and principal mentor to Research Ops professionals across levels, contributing to career development, onboarding, and team capability growth

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in and 8 years’ experience in a related field. The right candidate could also have a different combination, such as a master’s degree and 6years’ experience; a Ph.D. and 3 years’ experience in a related field; or 12 years’ experience in a related field

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in HCI, organizational design, information science, or business management preferred

• 10+ years of experience in research operations, program leadership, or operations roles, including at least 3 years operating at a lead or equivalent senior individual contributor level

• 10+ years of experience working in UX/Product Design, product, design, marketing, analytics, or customer research environments

• Recognized enterprise-level authority in Research Ops, including mastery across multiple operational domains (participant programs, repository governance, tooling ecosystems, AI-enabled workflows, metrics and measurement)

• Proven track record of defining and leading large-scale, cross-functional operational programs that deliver measurable, lasting organizational change

• Exceptional strategic thinking and systems-level problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate ambiguity, complexity, and competing priorities

• Executive-level communication and influence skills, including demonstrated success partnering with senior and C-suite leadership to drive strategic alignment and investment

• Experience building and scaling Research Ops functions, including tooling strategy, vendor governance, and AI-enabled automation at an enterprise level

• Demonstrated ability to translate operational vision into executable strategy, communicate impact through data and storytelling, and inspire others to follow

• Use general-purpose LLM tools to analyze and synthesize user behavior, identify patterns, and prioritize opportunities

• Use AI to accelerate discovery, experimentation, development, and recommend improvements

Additional Information:

• May require periodic travel