Director of UX Research, Dating Outcomes & Platform

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Director of UX Research, Dating Outcomes & Platform

Company: Match Group (Hinge)

Location: New York, New York, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience Research / Product Strategy

Date Posted: June 10, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic vision and roadmap for UX research within critical Hinge product areas: Dating Outcomes and Platform.

• Drive impactful product decisions by synthesizing complex qualitative and quantitative user insights, informing executive-level strategy and investment.

• Manage, mentor, and grow a team of experienced UX researchers, fostering a culture of rigor, curiosity, and deep user empathy.

• Serve as a key strategic partner to Product, Design, Data Science, and Engineering leadership, influencing product vision and ensuring research informs roadmaps at the earliest stages.

• Identify and address organizational and process gaps to enhance team velocity, cross-functional collaboration, and overall research quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a senior leadership position within Hinge, focusing on the core user experience and relationship formation aspects of the dating app. It requires a blend of strategic thinking, people management, and deep research expertise, with a strong emphasis on influencing product strategy and driving measurable outcomes. The integration of data science findings is a critical component, indicating a need for a candidate comfortable with mixed-methods approaches and complex data synthesis.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and execute the UX research vision, strategy, and roadmap for the Dating Outcomes and Platform product domains, prioritizing critical questions to address before product roadmaps are finalized.

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of seasoned UX researchers, establishing a high standard for research craft, methodological rigor, and impactful outcomes.

• Act as a strategic advisor by synthesizing user research (UXR) and data science (DS) findings into clear points of view that shape product vision, strategy, and inform executive decision-making.

• Effectively communicate research insights, roadmaps, trade-offs, and product implications to senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders, ensuring clear understanding and alignment.

• Drive cross-team synthesis and develop frameworks to unify insights across different teams and product groups, creating a cohesive understanding of user needs and behaviors.

• Proactively identify structural and organizational inefficiencies, designing and implementing new ways of working to improve team velocity, enhance cross-functional collaboration, and elevate research quality.

• Cultivate a team culture characterized by intellectual curiosity, rigorous methodology, profound user empathy, and a positive, collaborative spirit.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a proactive and strategic approach to research leadership. The requirement to prioritize research questions before roadmaps are locked indicates a significant influence on product planning. The emphasis on "organizational glue work" highlights the need for a candidate who can diagnose and solve team and process issues, not just conduct research.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Master's or Ph.D. in Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, or a related field is often preferred for senior UX Research roles, demonstrating a strong foundation in research methodologies and human behavior.

Experience: 10+ years of progressive experience in UX Research, with a minimum of 4 years directly managing and developing a team of researchers across various levels of seniority. Proven experience leading research initiatives for complex, multi-team consumer product portfolios is essential, with demonstrable examples of research directly influencing product strategy and contributing to measurable business outcomes.

Required Skills:

• Deep expertise in both qualitative (e.g., user interviews, usability testing, ethnography) and quantitative (e.g., surveys, A/B testing analysis, behavioral data analysis) research methodologies.

• Proven ability to integrate quantitative and qualitative findings into a unified, comprehensive research strategy.

• Strong strategic thinking and ability to set research vision and roadmap for complex product areas.

• Experience partnering fluently with Data Science teams to leverage data and insights effectively.

• Demonstrated skill in managing and mentoring senior individual contributors, including establishing clear roles, protecting scope, and supporting their strategic contributions.

• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, capable of representing research strategy at VP-level forums and influencing product, engineering, and design stakeholders.

• Ability to diagnose organizational and process issues and drive effective interventions to improve team functioning and research quality.

• Passion for innovation, including exploring the application of emerging technologies like generative AI to enhance research craft and impact.

• Strong understanding of product development lifecycles and how research integrates into agile environments. Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the dating, social media, or consumer tech industry.

• Familiarity with generative AI tools and their application in research or product development.

• Experience with large-scale consumer product portfolios and their associated research challenges.

• A track record of driving organizational change and process improvement within research functions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications highlight a need for a leader who is both a master of research craft and a skilled organizational strategist. The emphasis on managing senior ICs and influencing VP-level forums suggests a high degree of autonomy and strategic responsibility. The mention of generative AI indicates a forward-thinking approach to research tools and methodologies.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 significant product initiatives where you led UX research efforts, demonstrating clear impact on product strategy and measurable outcomes.

• Include examples of how you synthesized mixed-methods research (qualitative and quantitative) to inform complex product decisions.

• Present case studies illustrating your ability to manage and grow a research team, including examples of mentorship and impact on team performance.

• Highlight instances where you diagnosed and solved organizational or process challenges within a research function or cross-functional team.

• Demonstrate your ability to influence product roadmaps and executive-level strategy through compelling research insights and clear communication. Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of research roadmaps you've developed, illustrating prioritization frameworks and strategic alignment with business goals.

• Showcase how you've integrated qualitative and quantitative research findings into unified product strategies or recommendations.

• Illustrate your approach to fostering collaboration between UX Research, Data Science, Product Management, and Design.

• Include documentation or descriptions of processes you've implemented or improved to enhance research team efficiency, quality, or impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Director-level role, the portfolio should emphasize strategic leadership, team development, and measurable business impact rather than just individual research execution. The focus is on how the candidate shaped product direction and organizational effectiveness through research.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $235,000 - $287,000 per year.

Benefits:

• 401(k) Matching: 100% match on the first 10% of pre-tax contributions, up to $10,000 annually.

• Professional Development: Annual Learning & Development stipend after three months of employment.

• Udemy Access: Free access to over 6,000 courses from day one.

• Paid Parental Leave: 20 weeks of 100% paid leave for new parents (birth and non-birth).

• Fertility Support: Access to fertility care through Carrot, including basic treatments and preservation, with a stipend for fertility preservation.

• Date Stipend: $100 monthly stipend for dates, plus free Hinge Premium for employees and loved ones.

• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): Active groups supporting diverse communities (Asian, Unapologetic, Disability, LGBTQIA+, Rainbow, Women/Nonbinary, Parents) with regular events and support.

Working Hours: Standard 40-hour work week, with an expectation of flexibility to manage a senior leadership role and global teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided for a New York City-based position and may be adjusted for other locations. The benefits package is comprehensive, emphasizing personal well-being, professional growth, and employee community engagement, reflecting a strong company culture.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Online Dating / Social Networking (Technology)

Company Size: Match Group is a large, publicly traded company with numerous dating brands. Hinge, as a specific brand within Match Group, operates with a focused mission but benefits from the resources and scale of its parent company. The company size implies a structured environment with opportunities for cross-brand collaboration and significant impact.

Founded: Hinge was founded in 2012. Its mission is to be "the dating app designed to be deleted," focusing on fostering genuine, long-term relationships.

Team Structure:

• The UX Research team likely operates within the Product and Design organizations, with this Director role overseeing research for the "Dating Outcomes" and "Platform" product areas.

• This role holds significant leadership responsibility, reporting to a VP or equivalent within Product or Design, and managing a team of senior individual contributors.

• Cross-functional collaboration is central, with close partnerships expected with Group-level Product, Design, Data Science, and Engineering leadership. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is core, with a strong emphasis on synthesizing both qualitative user insights and quantitative data science findings.

• Product strategy is informed by deep user understanding, focusing on understanding barriers to connection and evolving the online dating paradigm.

• A culture of continuous improvement and innovation is encouraged, with an openness to exploring new technologies like generative AI.

Company Website: https://www.mtch.com/ (Match Group corporate site), https://hinge.co/ (Hinge brand site)

📝 Enhancement Note: Hinge's mission to create meaningful connections is a strong cultural anchor. The company values authenticity, courage, and empathy. As part of Match Group, it operates within a competitive and dynamic market, necessitating a research function that is highly strategic, data-informed, and capable of driving innovation.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Director of UX Research. This is a senior leadership role responsible for a significant product domain and a team of experienced researchers. It requires strategic vision, people management, and the ability to influence at executive levels.

Reporting Structure: This role will report to a senior leader within Product or Design (likely a VP) and will manage a team of experienced UX Researchers. There will be close collaboration with other Group-level leaders in Product, Design, Data Science, and Engineering.

Operations Impact: The research conducted and insights generated will directly shape Hinge's product strategy, investment priorities, and the core user experience of the app. The goal is to fundamentally shift how dating works online by understanding and addressing users' needs for genuine connection, directly impacting user acquisition, retention, and ultimately, the company's success in its mission.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership: Opportunity to shape the long-term research vision for critical product areas and influence company-wide product strategy.

• Team Development: Build and lead a high-performing research team, fostering talent and developing future research leaders.

• Cross-Functional Influence: Deepen partnerships with key stakeholders across Product, Design, Data Science, and Engineering, expanding influence and impact.

• Industry Impact: Contribute to evolving the online dating landscape through innovative research and product development, potentially leading to industry recognition or thought leadership.

• Career Progression: Potential pathways to VP-level roles within UX Research or broader Product leadership roles within Match Group.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant scope for strategic impact and leadership development. The emphasis on shaping product vision and influencing executive decisions points to a high-growth potential for the right candidate.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Based in New York, NY, the role is described as Hybrid. This suggests a collaborative office environment with dedicated workspace and meeting areas, balanced with the flexibility of remote work.

Office Location(s): New York, New York. This location offers access to a vibrant tech ecosystem and a large talent pool.

Workspace Context:

• The hybrid model likely supports both focused individual work and collaborative team sessions.

• Expect access to modern technology and tools necessary for UX research and team collaboration.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with product, design, data science, and engineering teams are integral to the role, fostering a dynamic and integrated work environment.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is implied, the nature of a Director-level role in a fast-paced tech company often requires flexibility to manage strategic initiatives, team needs, and cross-functional meetings across different time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment is designed to balance focused work with essential in-person collaboration, a common model in senior tech roles. The New York City location provides access to a rich professional network and resources.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A conversation with a Talent Acquisition partner to assess basic qualifications, role alignment, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion with the hiring manager (likely a VP) covering strategic leadership, team management philosophy, and research vision.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Product, Design, and Data Science to assess collaboration style, strategic influence, and ability to synthesize mixed-methods insights.

• Team Interviews: Conversations with members of the UX Research team to evaluate leadership style, mentorship approach, and ability to foster team culture.

• Case Study Presentation/Portfolio Review: A critical stage where candidates present their portfolio, showcasing past work, research impact, and strategic thinking. This may involve a prepared presentation or a deep dive into specific projects.

• Executive Interview (Potentially): A final conversation with a senior executive to assess overall strategic alignment and leadership potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the business and user impact of your research. Quantify outcomes whenever possible (e.g., improved conversion rates, increased user satisfaction, informed strategic investments).

• Strategic Synthesis: Showcase how you synthesized complex qualitative and quantitative data to drive product strategy and influence executive decisions. Provide examples of your "point of view" derived from research.

• Leadership & Team Management: Include examples of how you've led, mentored, and grown research teams, highlighting your management philosophy and success in developing researchers.

• Problem-Solving: Present case studies where you identified and addressed organizational or process challenges, demonstrating your ability to improve team efficiency and effectiveness.

• Storytelling: Structure your portfolio presentations as compelling narratives that highlight the problem, your approach, the insights, the strategic recommendations, and the resulting impact.

• Tailor to Hinge: Demonstrate an understanding of Hinge's mission and the unique challenges of the dating app industry. Connect your past experiences to the specific needs of this role.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss how you would approach ambiguous, high-stakes research problems related to dating outcomes and platform development.

• Practice articulating complex research findings and product implications clearly and concisely for a VP-level audience.

• Think about how you would integrate generative AI into your research toolkit and strategy.

• Prepare examples of how you've fostered collaboration and driven process improvements within research teams or cross-functional settings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to rigorously assess strategic leadership, research expertise, and collaborative capabilities. A strong, impact-driven portfolio is crucial for demonstrating the required experience and influence.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Research Platforms: Tools for user interviews, usability testing, surveys, and diary studies (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Dovetail, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey).

• Collaboration Tools: Platforms for team communication and project management (e.g., Slack, Jira, Confluence, Asana, Miro).

• Data Analysis Tools: Software for qualitative data analysis (e.g., NVivo, Dovetail) and quantitative analysis (e.g., SPSS, R, Python for statistical analysis).

• Presentation Software: Tools for creating compelling reports and presentations (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides, Keynote).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Science Platforms: Collaboration with Data Science teams suggests familiarity with platforms used for behavioral analytics, A/B testing analysis, and large-scale data exploration (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics, internal BI tools).

• Data Visualization Tools: Experience interpreting and potentially contributing to dashboards and reports (e.g., Tableau, Looker).

CRM & Automation: While not directly mentioned for UX Research, understanding how CRM data (e.g., Salesforce) and user engagement data inform research is beneficial. Familiarity with automation tools may be relevant for streamlining research workflows or data collection.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role requires a broad understanding of research tools and a strong ability to collaborate with Data Science teams. Proficiency in synthesizing insights from various data sources, including behavioral analytics and structured qualitative data, is key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Authenticity: Encouraged to be open in sharing words, actions, and intentions, fostering a transparent research environment.

• Courage: Embracing ambitious goals and tackling tough challenges in understanding user behavior and improving dating outcomes.

• Empathy: Deeply considering the perspectives of users and team members, which is foundational to UX research and leadership.

• Data-Driven: A core value that influences decision-making, requiring synthesis of both qualitative and quantitative data.

• User-Centricity: The entire product development process is geared towards understanding and serving users' needs for meaningful connections.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Strong emphasis on partnering with Product, Design, and Data Science to ensure research insights are deeply integrated into product strategy and execution.

• Influence Without Authority: The role requires building strong relationships and influencing stakeholders across different departments, often without direct reporting lines.

• Rigorous Peer Review: A culture that values high standards of research craft, encouraging constructive feedback and continuous improvement among researchers.

• Knowledge Sharing: Platforms and opportunities for sharing insights, methodologies, and best practices across the research team and with broader product groups.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's core values directly inform the expected conduct and approach within the UX Research team. A collaborative, empathetic, and data-informed ethos is paramount for success in this leadership role.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Ambiguity: Tackling complex, ill-defined problems related to human connection and relationship formation in the online space.

• Data Synthesis: Integrating diverse qualitative and quantitative data sources, including behavioral data and potentially generative AI outputs, into cohesive insights.

• Influence at Scale: Driving research-informed decisions across multiple product teams and influencing senior leadership within a large organization.

• Team Development: Managing and growing a team of senior researchers, ensuring they remain challenged, motivated, and impactful.

• Cultural Shifts: Potentially driving shifts in how the organization understands and prioritizes user needs to achieve Hinge's mission.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Impact: Opportunity to significantly shape the product direction of a leading dating app and influence the broader online dating industry.

• Leadership Growth: Develop advanced people management and strategic leadership skills through leading a critical function.

• Methodological Advancement: Explore and implement cutting-edge research methodologies, including leveraging generative AI for research acceleration and deeper insights.

• Industry Exposure: Gain deep expertise in the dynamics of the online dating market and consumer tech product development.

• Mentorship: Potential to be mentored by and mentor senior leaders within Match Group.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges that are directly tied to substantial growth opportunities, particularly for candidates seeking to make a large-scale impact in product strategy and leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you define the research vision and roadmap for Dating Outcomes and Platform, given the mission of Hinge?" (Focus on prioritization, key questions, and alignment with company goals.)

• "Describe a time you synthesized complex qualitative and quantitative data to drive a significant product strategy shift. What was your point of view, and how did you influence executive decisions?" (Highlight your ability to connect data to strategy and leadership influence.)

• "How would you approach building a high-performing UX research team in a hybrid environment? What are your core principles for managing and mentoring senior researchers?" (Showcase your leadership philosophy and team-building approach.)

• "Imagine you've identified a key structural or organizational gap hindering research effectiveness. How would you diagnose the root cause, and what interventions would you propose?" (Demonstrate your problem-solving and organizational change management skills.)

• "How do you see generative AI impacting the future of UX research, and how would you explore its application at Hinge?" (Prepare to discuss your forward-thinking approach to research tools.) Company & Culture Questions:

• Research Hinge's mission, values (Authenticity, Courage, Empathy), and recent product developments.

• Understand the competitive landscape of dating apps and Hinge's unique positioning.

• Prepare to discuss how your leadership style and research approach align with Hinge's culture. Be ready to provide examples of how you've fostered empathy and authenticity in your teams. Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically: Problem -> Your Approach (methodology, team collaboration) -> Key Insights -> Strategic Recommendations -> Impact/Outcomes.

• Data Visualization: Use clear, concise visuals to present data and insights. Avoid overwhelming slides with text.

• Storytelling: Frame your projects as compelling stories that highlight your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking.

• Focus on Leadership: Emphasize your role in leading research, managing teams, and influencing product strategy, not just individual contributions.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, quantify the results of your work (e.g., impact on metrics, strategic decisions made).

• Q&A Readiness: Anticipate questions about your methodology, decision-making process, challenges faced, and how you would apply your learnings to Hinge.

📝 Enhancement Note: Thorough preparation focusing on strategic impact, leadership, and data synthesis will be key. Demonstrating an understanding of Hinge's mission and the nuances of the dating app market will differentiate candidates.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Director of UX Research position:

• Submit your application through the provided job portal link.

• Portfolio Customization: Review your professional portfolio and select 2-3 key projects that best showcase your experience in leading UX research for complex consumer products, demonstrating strategic influence, mixed-methods expertise, and team leadership. Tailor your presentation to highlight impact and alignment with Hinge's mission.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 10+ years of UX research experience, specifically highlighting your 4+ years of people management and your track record of directly shaping product strategy with measurable outcomes. Integrate keywords such as "UX Research," "Product Strategy," "Qualitative," "Quantitative," "Team Leadership," and "Stakeholder Management."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your research vision, leadership philosophy, and strategic approach to problem-solving. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions related to influence, collaboration, and managing senior individual contributors. Rehearse your portfolio presentation for clarity, impact, and conciseness.

• Company Research: Deeply research Hinge's mission, values, target audience, and recent product initiatives. Understand the competitive landscape of dating apps and identify Hinge's unique value proposition. This will enable you to tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest and strategic alignment.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.