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Ux Research Lead Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SMART TECH SKILLS LLC

Lead UX Researcher

Boston, MA · On-site

$181K/yr

Lead experience strategy, service design, and user experience initiatives for the enterprise ... Translate research findings into actionable recommendations and design decisions Experience ...

Siri InfoSolutions Inc

Lead / Senior UX Researcher

Irving, TX · On-site

$160K/yr

Hi, Role: Sr. UX Researcher/ Lead (12350 ) Location: Irving, TX 75063 (Onsite) Contract Length: 6+ ... In this role, you'll lead experience research initiatives that shape the design of customer-facing ...

Wilcore Technologies

UX Research and Design Lead

$125K - $140K/yr

Job Type Full-time Description The UX Research and Design Lead directs the strategy, research, and design efforts for human-centered digital experiences across Wilcore's federal programs, with a ...

AutoZone

UX User Experience Research Manager

Memphis, TN · On-site

$113K/yr

The Manager of UX Research is a thought-leader, driving AutoZone's strategic and tactical UX ... Provide insights that lead AutoZone's design, product, and engineering to successfully deliver ...

Closure Technologies

UI/UX Engineer

Mclean, VA

$95K - $118K/yr

Closure Technologies is seeking a UI/UX Engineer in McLean, VA who will conduct user research, lead UX strategy and design system development, and produce accessible, high-fidelity UI designs and ...

Smartsheet

Manager, UX Research

$155K - $187K/yr

About UX Research And The Role As Manager of UX Research, you'll lead research for one of Smartsheet's core product areas, uncovering customer insights that drive product decisions and measurable ...

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Ux Research Lead information

See salary details

$40.5K

$129.6K

$173.5K

How much do ux research lead jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for ux research lead in the United States is $129,588.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $110,500.00 and $154,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a UX Research Lead?

UX Research Leads are professionals responsible for guiding and overseeing user experience research within an organization. They plan, execute, and analyze research studies to understand user needs, behaviors, and pain points, often leading a team of researchers. Their insights inform product and design decisions, ensuring that end-users have positive and effective experiences with digital products or services. UX Research Leads also collaborate closely with designers, product managers, and engineers to translate research findings into actionable improvements.

What is the difference between Ux Research Lead vs Ux Researcher?

AspectUx Research LeadUx Researcher
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, or related fields; experience in research methodsSimilar educational background; entry to mid-level experience in research techniques
Work EnvironmentLeads research projects, collaborates with cross-functional teams, manages research timelinesConducts user interviews, usability testing, data collection, and analysis under guidance
Industry UsageUsed in organizations with dedicated UX teams, overseeing research strategyCommonly employed in UX teams to gather user insights

The Ux Research Lead typically oversees research initiatives, manages teams, and aligns findings with business goals. In contrast, the Ux Researcher focuses on executing research activities and gathering user data. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and work environments, but the Lead has more strategic responsibilities.

How does a UX Research Lead typically balance hands-on research activities with mentoring and strategic responsibilities?

As a UX Research Lead, you’ll often balance conducting your own studies with guiding junior researchers and aligning research efforts to broader business objectives. This means you may split your time between planning and running user interviews or usability tests, mentoring team members, and collaborating with product managers and designers to ensure research insights inform key decisions. Developing research frameworks, prioritizing projects, and advocating for user-centered design at a strategic level are also core parts of the role. This blend of hands-on and leadership tasks ensures you both drive research quality and foster team growth.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a UX Research Lead, and why are they important?

To thrive as a UX Research Lead, you need expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methods, user-centered design principles, and a background in human-computer interaction or a related field. Familiarity with research tools like UserTesting, Lookback, or Dovetail, and fluency with analytics platforms and wireframing software are typically required. Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and communication skills help you guide teams and effectively translate research insights into actionable design decisions. These abilities are crucial for ensuring user experiences are grounded in evidence and for driving product success through informed decision-making.
More about Ux Research Lead jobs
What cities are hiring for Ux Research Lead jobs? Cities with the most Ux Research Lead job openings:
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What job categories do people searching Ux Research Lead jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Ux Research Lead jobs are:
Ux Research Lead jobs near you
Infographic showing various Ux Research Lead job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $129,588 per year, or $62.3 per hour.

Lead UX Researcher & Strategist

Victoria's Secret

Reynoldsburg, OH • On-site

$128K - $175K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago

Victoria's Secret rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 400 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

44th of 104 rated fashion retailers

Job description

YOUR ROLE:
**We are open to considering applicants currently residing in both NYC, NY and Columbus, Ohio**
We are seeking an experienced Lead UX Researcher & Strategist to drive high-impact research that shapes product direction, informs roadmaps, and influences business decisions across multiple teams. This role leads complex, foundational, and generative research initiatives, owning discovery end-to-end and ensuring customer insight is deeply embedded in how products and experiences are defined, prioritized, and delivered in alignment with enterprise and brand priorities.
As a Lead UX Researcher & Strategist, you will operate with a high degree of autonomy and influence. You will set research direction for large initiatives, partner closely with senior stakeholders, and translate customer insights into clear recommendations that guide decision-making at both the team and portfolio level. You will integrate and triangulate insights across research, analytics, experimentation, and other customer data sources to create a holistic view of the customer experience. You will also help strengthen the overall UX research practice through mentorship, standards, and improved insight activation.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Research Leadership & Ownership
  • Lead end-to-end UX research for initiatives spanning multiple product teams and complex problem spaces.
  • Identify where generative and foundational research is needed to inform product strategy, experience direction, and roadmap decisions.
  • Independently scope, design, and execute research plans aligned to business goals, operating with minimal oversight.
  • Apply deep research rigor, strategic thinking, and business context to guide experience and product decisions.
  • Anticipate research needs proactively and influence partners toward discovery-led approaches.

Insight Synthesis & Influence
  • Synthesize qualitative and quantitative inputs into clear, compelling, and actionable insights.
  • Translate research findings into implications that resonate with product, design, and senior leadership audiences.
  • Produce executive ready deliverables that tie customer insight into strategic business priorities and investment decisions.
  • Influence prioritization, tradeoff decisions, and roadmap direction by clearly articulating the business impact of customer needs and experience gaps.
  • Champion customer insights across the organization and help evolve how insights are shared and operationalized.
  • Connect insights across studies to identify patterns that inform portfolio-level strategy and long-term direction.

Practice Leadership & Mentorship
  • Serve as a research lead, setting a high bar for quality, rigor, and strategic impact.
  • Mentor and coach researchers, supporting skill development, research maturity, and confidence in influence.
  • Contribute to the evolution of UX Research standards, methodologies, tools, and best practices.
  • Strengthen research operations at scale, including repositories, frameworks, and insight governance.

Collaboration & Cross-Functional Partnership
  • Partner closely with UX Design, Product Management, Digital Merchandising, Analytics, Customer Insights, and Digital Testing teams.
  • Align research with analytics, experimentation, and secondary data to deliver a unified view of customer behavior.
  • Provide continuity from discovery through delivery, ensuring customer intent remains clear as work moves into execution.
  • Navigate complex stakeholder environments with clarity, collaboration, and influence.

Execution Excellence
  • Lead and conduct a wide range of research methods, including:
    • Generative interviews and discovery studies
    • Usability and concept evaluation
    • Diary studies and longitudinal research
    • UX Benchmarking
  • Conduct secondary research (competitive analysis, behavioral data review, market and industry scanning) to inform problem framing.
  • Manage multiple workstreams, timelines, and stakeholder expectations with reliability and transparency.
  • Adapt to changing priorities while maintaining high standards of quality and insight depth.

Click here for benefit details related to this position.
  • Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Design, Business, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
  • 7+ years of UX Research experience in a corporate or product-led environment.
  • Deep expertise in generative and evaluative UX research methods.
  • Proven ability to independently lead complex research initiatives with significant ambiguity.
  • Strong ability to synthesize research into insights that directly inform product direction and business decision-making.
  • Exceptional communication, facilitation, and storytelling skills.
  • Strong understanding of digital ecosystems, e-commerce experiences, and usability best practices.
  • Demonstrated ability to influence without authority in cross-functional, Agile environments.
  • Experience mentoring researchers or leading practice-level initiatives.
  • Strong experience partnering with senior product and design leaders.
  • Ecommerce experience required; retail, fashion, or consumer brand experience preferred.

**We are open to considering applicants currently residing in both NYC, NY and Columbus, Ohio**
We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest records, conviction records, or other criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of any applicable state and local laws. Please see links: California Fair Chance Act, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, Philadelphia Fair Chance Law, San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance
An equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate in hiring or terms and conditions of employment because of an individual's race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status or any other protected category recognized by state, federal or local laws. We only hire individuals authorized for employment in the United States.

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