Director Quantitative UX Research and AI Enablement

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Director Quantitative UX Research and AI Enablement

Company: Target

Location: 1000 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403-2542, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: UX Research & AI Enablement (Operations Focus)

Date Posted: 2026-06-22

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Remote OK (Hybrid/Flex for Your Day Arrangement possible)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic direction and operational execution of enterprise-wide quantitative UX research initiatives, focusing on driving actionable insights through rigorous data analysis and AI enablement.

• Develop and implement experience measurement frameworks, including UX metrics, benchmarking, and longitudinal tracking, to inform product development and business strategy.

• Establish standards and guidance for the responsible integration of AI agents and synthetic users within UX research workflows, ensuring ethical and effective application.

• Manage, coach, and develop a high-performing team of five researchers, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, data-driven decision-making, and human-centered design principles.

• Drive the maturity of Target's research ecosystem, ensuring insights are organized, reusable, and readily available to support AI-enabled workflows and enhance overall operational efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned at a Director level, implying significant strategic ownership and leadership within the Quantitative UX Research function. The "AI Enablement" aspect suggests a forward-thinking approach to leveraging emerging technologies for research scalability and efficiency, which aligns with modern GTM and operations strategies focused on data-driven automation and insight generation.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the overarching strategy for quantitative UX research, experience measurement, and AI enablement across Target's diverse digital ecosystem.

• Oversee the design, implementation, and analysis of large-scale research programs, including UX metrics, benchmarking studies, user panels, survey research, and longitudinal tracking initiatives.

• Establish and enforce rigorous, scalable methodologies for survey design, sampling techniques, statistical analysis, reporting, and synthesis of quantitative findings.

• Forge strategic partnerships with UX, Product, Technology, Analytics, and broader Business and Insight teams to align research efforts with product roadmaps, experimentation, and key business outcomes.

• Define and implement responsible AI guidelines and standards for the application of AI agents and synthetic users in research, ensuring ethical considerations, data privacy, and research integrity are maintained.

• Champion the advancement of Target's research ecosystem by organizing insights, promoting reusability, and ensuring readiness for AI-enabled workflows and advanced analytics.

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of five quantitative UX researchers, supporting critical product areas through embedded partnerships, rigorous research, and early-stage human-centered design methodologies.

• Drive continuous improvement in research rigor, speed, and overall impact by implementing best practices and fostering innovation within the research team.

• Proactively identify and address operational challenges and opportunities within the research function to ensure alignment with strategic, business, and financial objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of strategic leadership, operational execution, and team management. The focus on "AI Enablement" and "responsible AI guidance" indicates a need for a leader who can navigate emerging technologies while maintaining ethical standards and research integrity, a crucial aspect for operations and GTM roles seeking to leverage AI for efficiency and insight.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Master's or Ph.D. degree in a relevant field such as Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative discipline is highly preferred, demonstrating a strong theoretical and methodological foundation. Experience:

• 10+ years of progressive experience in UX research, quantitative research, applied research, or a closely related field, with a deep understanding of human-centered design principles and the nuances of digital product development lifecycles.

• 5+ years of proven people leadership experience, with a demonstrated track record of successfully hiring, coaching, developing, and managing high-performing, geographically dispersed or remote teams. Required Skills:

• Deep expertise in quantitative research methodologies, including advanced survey design, sampling strategies, statistical analysis (e.g., regression, ANOVA, factor analysis), measurement design, benchmarking, and longitudinal tracking.

• Proven experience leading and scaling enterprise-level measurement programs and effectively influencing product and business decisions with data-driven insights.

• Strong understanding of the interconnectedness of quantitative research with qualitative research, A/B testing and experimentation, behavioral data analysis, product analytics, and overall business performance metrics.

• Demonstrated ability to shape research standards, establish governance frameworks, implement research tooling, and develop robust research repositories for scalable and efficient operations.

• Solid understanding of how AI can responsibly augment UX research, including identifying opportunities, mitigating risks, defining governance needs, and assessing implications for research quality and validity.

• Ability to operationalize research processes to be more structured, discoverable, reusable, and AI-ready, while critically maintaining human judgment, contextual understanding, ethical considerations, and methodological rigor.

• Proficient in data-driven visual, verbal, and written storytelling, with a strong capacity to build consensus and drive alignment among diverse partners.

• Experience in proactively identifying and resolving complex issues that could impede the team's ability to meet strategic, business, or financial goals. Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within large, complex, matrixed organizations, demonstrating adaptability and effective navigation of organizational structures.

• Familiarity with a wide array of quantitative research tools, survey platforms, statistical software, and data visualization tools.

• Experience in developing and managing user panels or community programs.

• Knowledge of AI/ML concepts relevant to research augmentation and synthetic data generation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "10+ years of experience" and "5+ years of people leadership" clearly defines this as a senior leadership role. The required skills highlight a need for a strong analytical foundation combined with strategic vision for integrating AI into research operations, a critical component for driving efficiency and innovation in GTM and product development.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase examples of enterprise-scale quantitative research programs led, demonstrating end-to-end ownership from strategy definition to impact reporting.

• Include case studies detailing the design and execution of complex survey research, benchmarking studies, or longitudinal tracking initiatives, highlighting methodological rigor and analytical depth.

• Present evidence of influencing product roadmaps or business decisions through data-driven insights derived from quantitative research.

• Demonstrate experience in establishing or improving research operations, such as governance frameworks, tooling standardization, or insight repository development.

• Provide examples of how you have guided the responsible use of technology or AI in research processes, emphasizing ethical considerations and data integrity. Process Documentation:

• Documented workflows for survey design, sampling, data collection, and rigorous statistical analysis, emphasizing scalability and efficiency.

• Frameworks for integrating quantitative research findings with other data sources (qualitative, behavioral, product analytics) to provide holistic insights.

• Methodologies for establishing and maintaining research standards, governance, and knowledge management systems to ensure consistency and reusability.

• Processes for defining and tracking key UX metrics and performance indicators, linking them to business outcomes and strategic objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Director-level role, the portfolio should not only demonstrate past successes but also showcase strategic thinking and operational leadership. Emphasis on scalability, integration, and the responsible use of AI in research processes will be critical for demonstrating readiness for this role.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $168,000.00 - $303,000.00 USD per year

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Benefits: Medical, Vision, Dental Insurance coverage.

• Life Insurance: Provided for financial security.

• Retirement Savings: Eligible team members can participate in a 401(k) plan.

• Employee Discount: Significant discounts on Target products and services.

• Disability Coverage: Short-term and Long-term Disability insurance to provide income protection.

• Paid Time Off: Generous provisions including Paid Sick Leave, Paid National Holidays, and Paid Vacation.

• Additional Benefits: Access to a wide range of programs covering financial wellness, education, and overall well-being, as detailed at https://corporate.target.com/careers/benefits. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time commitment is approximately 40 hours per week.

• The role offers flexibility with potential for Remote or Hybrid ("Flex for Your Day") work arrangements, allowing team members to adapt their work location based on daily tasks and team needs, while adhering to country-specific work regulations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a Director-level position in a major metropolitan area like Minneapolis, reflecting the seniority and specialized skills required. The comprehensive benefits package is typical for a large retail organization like Target, emphasizing employee well-being and financial security. The "Flex for Your Day" arrangement highlights Target's commitment to modern work flexibility.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Retail. Target operates as a leading multinational retailer with a significant presence in e-commerce and brick-and-mortar stores, focusing on delivering value and convenience to guests.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (Target employs hundreds of thousands of team members globally). This size indicates a complex organizational structure, extensive resources, and a wide scope for impact.

Founded: 1902. With over a century of history, Target has a deep-rooted legacy and a well-established brand presence, implying a culture that values both tradition and innovation.

Team Structure:

• UX Global Team: This role sits within Target's Global UX team, comprised of design, research, and accessibility practitioners. It suggests a collaborative environment focused on human-centered design and digital innovation.

• Reporting: The Director will likely report to a senior leader within UX, Product, or potentially a broader Insights/Analytics organization, overseeing a team of five researchers.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Expect extensive collaboration with Product Management, Engineering, Data Science, Marketing, and other business units to deeply integrate research insights into product strategy and business operations.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Insights: Emphasis on using quantitative data, advanced analytics, and AI enablement to drive informed decision-making.

• Human-Centered Design: A core tenet of the UX team, ensuring that user needs and experiences are at the forefront of all product development.

• Agile & Iterative: Likely adoption of agile methodologies for product development and research, allowing for rapid iteration and continuous improvement.

Company Website: https://corporate.target.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Target's established presence in the retail industry and its focus on innovation provide a rich context for a UX Research Director. The scale of the organization means that successful implementation of strategies can have a significant enterprise-wide impact, aligning with the goals of operations professionals focused on efficiency and scalability.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Director. This level signifies a senior leadership position responsible for setting strategic direction, managing significant operational functions, and leading a team. It involves a high degree of autonomy and accountability for driving key business outcomes through research and AI enablement.

Reporting Structure: The Director will report to a senior executive (e.g., VP of UX, Chief Product Officer, or equivalent) and will directly manage a team of five quantitative UX researchers. This structure allows for strategic alignment with executive priorities while maintaining operational focus through direct team leadership.

Operations Impact: This role has a substantial impact on Target's revenue and business decisions by:

• Ensuring digital products are user-centric, leading to improved guest satisfaction, engagement, and conversion rates.

• Providing critical data-driven insights that inform product strategy, feature prioritization, and investment decisions.

• Optimizing the use of AI in research, potentially leading to faster insights, more efficient operations, and innovative product features.

• Enhancing the overall digital experience, which is crucial for Target's competitive position in the retail market. Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership Expansion: Potential to expand the scope of responsibilities to encompass broader product analytics, AI strategy for customer insights, or lead larger cross-functional initiatives.

• Skill Development: Opportunity to deepen expertise in AI enablement for research, advanced statistical modeling, and navigating complex organizational dynamics within a Fortune 50 company.

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into VP-level roles within UX, Product, or Data & Analytics, leading larger teams and driving more significant strategic impacts across the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Director title at Target, a major retail player, implies significant opportunities for career advancement, both within the UX research domain and into broader product or data leadership roles. The focus on AI enablement positions the individual at the forefront of technological advancements within a large-scale operational context.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job description mentions a "Flex for Your Day" arrangement, indicating a hybrid model where team members can work remotely or onsite at a Target location as needed. This suggests a modern office environment designed for collaboration and flexibility, with dedicated workspaces or hot-desking options available at the Minneapolis headquarters.

Office Location(s): The primary listed location is 1000 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403-2542. This is Target's corporate headquarters, a central hub for strategic decision-making and cross-functional collaboration.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a dynamic and collaborative workspace that encourages interaction among UX, Product, Engineering, and other relevant teams.

• Tools and Technology: Access to cutting-edge research tools, analytics platforms, and internal systems necessary for quantitative research and AI enablement.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and strategic planning with direct reports and peers. The hybrid model allows for intentional in-person collaboration when most beneficial.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is expected, the "Flex for Your Day" arrangement implies a degree of flexibility in managing one's schedule, balancing remote work with necessary onsite presence for team collaboration and strategic meetings. This flexibility is crucial for operations roles that require deep focus on data analysis and process optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model at Target's headquarters offers a blend of flexibility and collaborative opportunity, catering to the needs of operations professionals who require both focused analytical time and the ability to engage effectively with cross-functional teams.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely review applications and conduct an initial screening call to assess basic qualifications and interest.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A deep dive into your experience, leadership style, strategic thinking, and understanding of quantitative UX research and AI enablement.

• Team/Peer Interviews: Discussions with potential direct reports, peers within UX, and cross-functional partners (e.g., Product Managers, Data Scientists) to evaluate collaboration skills, team fit, and technical expertise.

• Presentation/Case Study: A common step for senior roles, involving the presentation of a portfolio piece or a simulated strategic challenge related to quantitative UX research or AI enablement for Target. This assesses your ability to articulate strategy, methodology, insights, and impact.

• Executive Interview: A final interview with a senior leader (e.g., VP) to assess strategic alignment, leadership potential, and overall fit with Target's culture and business objectives.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your most impactful projects that best demonstrate your leadership in quantitative UX research, experience measurement, and AI enablement.

• Highlight Operations Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your strategic approach, the quantitative methodologies used, the key insights derived, and the measurable business or operational impact (e.g., efficiency gains, improved conversion, cost savings).

• Showcase AI Enablement: Include examples where you've considered or implemented AI in research processes, detailing the rationale, methodology, and outcomes.

• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically. For each case study, use a clear structure: Challenge -> Approach -> Execution -> Results -> Learnings.

• Quantify Everything: Use data and metrics to substantiate your claims and demonstrate the ROI of your work.

• Prepare for Questions: Be ready to discuss your decision-making process, challenges encountered, how you collaborated with stakeholders, and how you led your team.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Target's Business: Research Target's current strategic priorities, digital initiatives, and competitive landscape.

• Anticipate Research Scenarios: Prepare for questions or case studies involving common retail UX challenges, experience measurement frameworks, or the application of AI in user research.

• Focus on Strategy and Scalability: Demonstrate your ability to think strategically about how to scale research operations and leverage AI for broader impact.

• Practice Presentation Skills: Rehearse your presentation delivery to ensure clarity, conciseness, and confidence.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides practical advice tailored to a senior research leadership role, emphasizing the need to demonstrate strategic impact, operational efficiency, and a forward-looking approach to AI within research. The portfolio review is critical for showcasing quantifiable results and leadership capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Survey Platforms: Proficiency with enterprise-grade survey tools (e.g., Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey Enterprise, Alchemer/SurveyGizmo) for designing, deploying, and managing complex surveys.

• Statistical Software: Expertise in statistical analysis tools such as R, Python (with libraries like Pandas, SciPy, Statsmodels), SPSS, or SAS for rigorous quantitative analysis.

• Data Visualization Tools: Experience using tools like Tableau, Power BI, Looker, or D3.js to create compelling and informative visualizations of research findings.

• Research Repositories/Knowledge Management: Familiarity with platforms or systems for organizing, storing, and making research insights discoverable and reusable (e.g., Dovetail, Confluence, custom solutions).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics Platforms: Experience with tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Pendo, or Amplitude for tracking user behavior and measuring product performance.

• BI Tools: Ability to leverage Business Intelligence platforms for synthesizing data from various sources and generating comprehensive reports.

• Experimentation Platforms: Understanding of A/B testing and experimentation tools (e.g., Optimizely, Adobe Target) and how to integrate research findings with experimental results.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: While not a direct CRM role, understanding how CRM data (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics) can inform or be informed by user research is beneficial.

• AI/ML Platforms: Familiarity with AI/ML concepts and platforms that can support research enablement, such as natural language processing (NLP) for text analysis, or tools for generating synthetic data or AI agents for research simulation.

• Integration Tools: Understanding of how different data and research tools can be integrated to create a cohesive research operations ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong command of quantitative research tools and statistical software, alongside an understanding of how to integrate these with broader analytics, product, and emerging AI technologies. Proficiency in data visualization and knowledge management systems is key for operational efficiency.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Data-Driven Decisions: A strong commitment to using empirical evidence and rigorous analysis to guide strategic choices and operational improvements.

• User-Centricity: A fundamental belief in prioritizing the needs and experiences of users (guests and team members) in all aspects of product development and research.

• Innovation & Efficiency: A drive to continuously explore new methodologies, technologies (like AI), and processes to enhance research effectiveness and operational efficiency.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Valuing strong working relationships across departments to ensure research insights are integrated holistically and drive collective success.

• Integrity & Responsibility: Upholding ethical standards in research, particularly concerning data privacy, AI usage, and the responsible interpretation of findings.

Collaboration Style:

• Embedded Partnership: Researchers are likely embedded within product teams, fostering close collaboration and deep understanding of specific product areas.

• Cross-Functional Influence: A proactive approach to sharing insights and building consensus with product managers, engineers, designers, and business stakeholders.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging a culture where best practices, learnings, and methodologies are openly shared within the UX team and across the organization.

• Feedback-Driven Improvement: An open loop for receiving and providing constructive feedback to continuously refine research processes, methodologies, and team performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: Target's culture likely emphasizes teamwork, data-informed strategy, and a commitment to guest experience. For this role, demonstrating how these values translate into operational excellence within UX research and AI enablement will be key.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling AI Enablement: Developing and implementing responsible AI frameworks for research at an enterprise scale, ensuring quality, ethics, and practical application across diverse teams.

• Integrating Diverse Data Streams: Harmonizing quantitative UX findings with qualitative research, product analytics, and business intelligence to create a unified view of the user and business performance.

• Driving Behavioral Change: Translating complex data insights into actionable recommendations that influence product roadmaps and drive behavioral change among stakeholders.

• Navigating a Large Matrixed Organization: Effectively influencing and collaborating across numerous departments and leadership levels within a large retail enterprise.

• Measuring Long-Term Impact: Establishing robust metrics and methodologies to track the long-term impact of UX research initiatives and AI enablement efforts on business outcomes.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced AI in Research: Deepening expertise in applying cutting-edge AI/ML techniques for research augmentation, predictive modeling, and advanced data analysis.

• Strategic Leadership: Gaining exposure to enterprise-level strategic planning and decision-making within a leading retail organization.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Developing a broader understanding of retail operations, e-commerce, and technology strategy through extensive collaboration.

• Mentorship Programs: Access to senior leadership mentorship within Target, fostering career growth and development.

• Industry Conferences & Training: Opportunities to attend leading UX research, data science, and AI conferences to stay abreast of industry trends and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant opportunities to tackle complex, strategic challenges at the intersection of UX research, AI, and large-scale operations, offering substantial professional growth and development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your strategic vision for quantitative UX research at a company like Target, considering the role of AI." (Prepare to discuss how you'd prioritize initiatives, build capabilities, and integrate research into the business.)

• "How would you establish and govern the responsible use of AI agents and synthetic users in UX research to ensure rigor and ethical compliance?" (Focus on frameworks, risk mitigation, and quality assurance.)

• "Walk me through a time you significantly influenced a major product or business decision using quantitative UX research. What was your methodology, and what was the measurable impact?" (Be ready to detail your process, data analysis, and communication strategy.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Target's approach to digital innovation and guest experience, and how would your role contribute to it?" (Research Target's recent initiatives, values, and market position.)

• "How would you foster a culture of data-driven decision-making and user-centricity within your team and across cross-functional partners?" (Discuss your leadership philosophy and collaboration strategies.)

• "How do you measure the ROI of UX research, especially in a large retail environment?" (Prepare to discuss metrics, impact assessment, and linking research to business outcomes.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Executive Summary: Start with a concise overview of your role, key responsibilities, and the overall impact of your work.

• Storytelling with Data: For each case study, weave a narrative that highlights the challenge, your strategic approach, the quantitative methods, key findings, and the tangible business/operational impact. Use clear, impactful visuals.

• Demonstrate AI Integration: Clearly articulate any instances where you've leveraged or guided the use of AI in research, explaining the "why," "how," and "what" of its application.

• Focus on Leadership & Scalability: Emphasize your role in leading teams, establishing processes, and scaling research operations for enterprise-wide impact.

• Anticipate Questions: Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your methodologies, data analysis, stakeholder management, and team leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, operational leadership, a deep understanding of quantitative methods, and a forward-looking perspective on AI's role in research, all within the context of a large retail organization.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link on Target Careers.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your experience in quantitative UX research, AI enablement, experience measurement, statistical analysis, and people leadership. Quantify your achievements with specific metrics and impact data relevant to operations and GTM.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a selection of 3-5 impactful projects that showcase your strategic leadership, quantitative methodologies, AI integration experience, and demonstrable business/operational outcomes. Ensure it's well-structured and easy to navigate.

• Research Target: Familiarize yourself with Target's business, digital strategy, and recent innovations. Understand their approach to guest experience and technology adoption.

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare for behavioral, situational, and strategic questions, especially those related to leading research teams, leveraging data and AI, and driving impact in a large organization. Rehearse your portfolio presentation.

⚠️ 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.

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