Sr Lead UX Researcher - Operations

Cox Automotive; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 149,000 - 248,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental leave

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Wellness program

Job summary

Cox Automotive is seeking a senior leader to define and own the long-term Research Ops strategy, operating model, and measurement framework across the enterprise.

You will partner with C-suite stakeholders, govern repositories and data governance, and drive AI-enabled transformation to scale research capacity and impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 8+ years in related field; alternative combos possible (e.g., master’s 6+ yrs, PhD 3+ yrs, or 12+ yrs).
• Advanced degree in HCI, organizational design, information science, or business management preferred.
• 10+ years in research operations or related leadership roles; 3+ years at lead level.
• 10+ years in UX/Product Design, product, design, marketing, analytics, or customer research environments.

Responsibilities

• Define and own the long-term Research Ops strategy and capability roadmap.
• Lead enterprise-level Research Ops transformation across portfolios and business units.
• Govern standards for research repositories, data governance, and operational quality.
• Drive AI-enabled research systems and governance to scale capabilities enterprise-wide.
• Measure ROI via enterprise KPIs and communicate investment value to executives.

Skills

Executive-level communication

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

AI-enabled automation

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

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

Tools

LLM tools

AI-enabled workflows

Job description

parental leave, paid time off, paid holidays

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

USD 148,500.00 - 247,500.00 per year

Compensation

Compensation includes a base salary in the range of $148,500.00 - $247,500.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.

Benefits

The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company's needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.

Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship.

EOE, including disability/vets