Director, UX Research

Okta
Full-timeβ€’$224k-345k/year (USD)β€’Washington, United States

πŸ“ Job Overview

Job Title: Director, UX Research

Company: Okta

Location: Bellevue, Washington; Chicago, Illinois; New York, New York; Washington, DC

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience Research Operations & Strategy

Date Posted: 2026-09-04

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

πŸš€ Role Summary

  • Owns the strategic direction, quality assurance, and measurable impact of user research initiatives across Okta's Design & UX Research organization, ensuring research directly influences product development and business outcomes.

  • Leads and scales a high-performing team of UX researchers and research managers, fostering a culture of craft excellence, rigorous methodology, and impactful business judgment.

  • Develops and operationalizes research infrastructure, including panel management, recruiting, tooling, and standardized methodologies, to support a growing global research function.

  • Drives the adoption of AI-native research practices, leveraging AI-assisted synthesis, rapid validation techniques, and efficient tooling to significantly compress the insight-to-decision cycle time without compromising research integrity.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior leadership opportunity within a critical product development function. The emphasis on "Research Operations as a distinct, self-contained function" and "AI-native ways of working" indicates a strategic focus on modernizing research processes and scaling impact. The target candidate must demonstrate a blend of deep research expertise, strong leadership capabilities, and a forward-thinking approach to operational efficiency and technological integration.

πŸ“ˆ Primary Responsibilities

  • Establish and champion the overarching research agenda and multi-quarter roadmap, proactively identifying key learning areas to support Okta's strategic goals in enterprise markets and AI-powered identity trust.

  • Implement rigorous prioritization frameworks for research requests, ensuring resources are allocated to studies that will directly influence product specifications and strategic decisions, while actively retiring low-leverage activities.

  • Develop and maintain a robust insight pipeline, ensuring research findings are systematically logged, prioritized, tracked through to implementation, and their impact on shipped product outcomes is measured and communicated.

  • Actively represent the voice of the user and the value of research in strategic planning, roadmap discussions, and cross-functional forums, shaping product direction from the outset.

  • Recruit, manage, mentor, and develop a team of skilled researchers and research managers, fostering their growth as craft experts and player-coaches with strong business acumen and methodological judgment.

  • Design and implement scalable research operations infrastructure and processes, including efficient recruiting pipelines, standardized tooling, and best-practice methodologies, to support a growing global team without unnecessary bureaucracy.

  • Lead the charge in adopting and evangelizing AI-assisted tools for research synthesis, transcription, and analysis, aiming to deliver actionable insights to stakeholders within days.

  • Champion the development and implementation of rapid, rigorous validation methods, such as in-context testing and lightweight quantitative studies, to accelerate the feedback loop on product designs and features.

  • Critically evaluate and strategically adopt new AI research tools and technologies, ensuring they deliver tangible improvements in research velocity or quality, and discard those that do not.

  • Forge strong, collaborative partnerships with Product Management and Engineering leadership to embed research seamlessly into the early stages of product planning and development cycles.

  • Collaborate closely with Design leadership to ensure research and design efforts are tightly aligned, with research informing design strategy and design partners actively participating in testing and validation.

  • Communicate research findings, strategic implications, and user advocacy directly and effectively to executive leadership and, when appropriate, to external customers.

  • Drive measurable improvements in product usability, user trust metrics, and overall user experience through data-driven research insights and strategic recommendations.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on strategic leadership and operational execution. The emphasis on "AI-native research practice" and "compressing the insight-to-decision cycle" suggests that candidates with experience in leveraging AI for research efficiency will be highly valued. The requirement to "scale without bloat" indicates a need for process optimization and a pragmatic approach to research operations.

πŸŽ“ Skills & Qualifications

Education:

  • Master’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Computer Science, or a related field; OR equivalent practical experience demonstrating a strong foundation in research methodologies and their application. Experience:

  • Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in user research, with a substantial portion dedicated to leading and developing research teams.

  • At least 5 years of direct experience managing and mentoring UX researchers and research managers, ideally within an enterprise B2B SaaS environment.

  • Proven track record of user research initiatives that have directly and demonstrably shaped product roadmaps, feature specifications, and strategic business decisions.

  • Extensive experience in owning or closely partnering with Research Operations functions, encompassing participant recruiting, panel management, tooling selection and implementation, research repository management, and compliance. Required Skills:

  • Research Strategy & Vision: Ability to define and articulate a compelling research agenda and roadmap that aligns with business objectives and proactively addresses future learning needs.

  • Methodological Fluency: Deep expertise across a broad spectrum of qualitative (e.g., interviews, ethnography, usability testing) and quantitative (e.g., surveys, A/B testing, analytics) research methods, with a strong ability to select the most appropriate method for the decision at hand.

  • AI-Native Research Practices: Demonstrated experience in adopting and leading the implementation of AI-assisted tools and workflows for research synthesis, transcription, data analysis, and rapid validation.

  • Team Leadership & Development: Proven ability to hire, manage, coach, and scale high-performing research teams, including developing research managers and fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning.

  • Research Operations Management: Experience in establishing and optimizing research operations, including participant recruitment, panel management, tooling, and methodology standardization, to ensure efficient and high-quality research delivery.

  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Strong ability to partner effectively with Product Management, Engineering, Design, and other stakeholders to integrate research insights into the product development lifecycle.

  • Executive Communication & Influence: Superior ability to present complex research findings, strategic recommendations, and user advocacy clearly and persuasively to senior leadership, executives, and external audiences.

  • Business Acumen: A strong understanding of business objectives, market dynamics, and how user research can drive commercial success, particularly within the enterprise B2B SaaS landscape.

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience within the identity and access management (IAM) or cybersecurity space.

  • Familiarity with AI technologies and their implications for user experience and trust.

  • Experience with global research teams, including managing remote researchers and offshore operations.

  • A portfolio showcasing successful research initiatives that led to significant product improvements and business impact.

  • Experience in defining and tracking key research metrics for team and organizational performance.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize both depth of research expertise and breadth of leadership and operational experience. The explicit mention of "AI-assisted synthesis" and "compressing cycle time" highlights a key differentiator for candidates. The requirement for "strong judgment on when to use which [method], and when 'fast and rough' beats 'slow and perfect'" points to a need for pragmatic, decision-oriented researchers.

πŸ“Š Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Impactful Case Studies: Provide detailed case studies demonstrating how your research directly influenced product strategy, design decisions, and led to measurable business outcomes (e.g., increased adoption, improved user satisfaction, reduced churn).

  • Methodological Diversity: Showcase a range of qualitative and quantitative research projects, clearly articulating the research questions, chosen methodologies, execution details, and the rationale behind method selection.

  • Research Operations Framework: Include examples of how you have designed, implemented, or optimized research operations processes, such as participant recruitment strategies, panel management, research repository structures, or tooling evaluations.

  • AI Integration Examples: Present specific instances where AI tools or techniques were leveraged to enhance research efficiency, accelerate synthesis, or improve the speed of insight delivery, along with the resulting impact.

  • Leadership & Team Development: If applicable, include examples of how you have mentored researchers, developed team capabilities, or scaled research functions, highlighting your leadership philosophy and impact.

Process Documentation:

  • Research Planning & Prioritization: Demonstrate experience in developing strategic research plans, prioritizing initiatives based on business impact and learning needs, and managing research roadmaps effectively.

  • Insight Synthesis & Dissemination: Showcase your approach to synthesizing complex data into clear, actionable insights and communicating them effectively to diverse stakeholders, including executive leadership.

  • Agile Research Integration: Provide examples of how you have integrated research seamlessly into agile development workflows, ensuring research activities align with sprint cadences and product release cycles.

  • ResearchOps Efficiency: Outline processes for managing research recruiting, participant screening, incentive distribution, consent management, and data privacy compliance.

  • Methodology Standards: Document your approach to establishing and maintaining standards for research methodologies, ensuring rigor, consistency, and defensibility across the research team.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: For a Director-level role, the portfolio should clearly articulate strategic thinking, leadership impact, and operational efficiency. Candidates are expected to demonstrate not just research execution but also the ability to build and scale a research practice, with a strong emphasis on driving business outcomes and leveraging modern tools like AI.

πŸ’΅ Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

  • California (excluding Bay Area), Colorado, Illinois, New York, Washington: $224,000 - $308,000 USD per year.

  • San Francisco Bay Area: $251,000 - $345,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

  • Comprehensive Health Coverage: Includes medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

  • Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with potential company match.

  • Financial Flexibility: Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for healthcare and dependent care expenses.

  • Paid Time Off: Generous paid leave, including Paid Time Off (PTO) and comprehensive parental leave.

  • Equity: Potential for stock options or other equity awards.

  • Performance Bonuses: Annual bonus opportunities based on individual and company performance.

Working Hours:

  • Standard full-time hours are typically 40 hours per week.

  • This role is designated as Hybrid, requiring a balance of in-office and remote work. Specific days in the office will be determined by team and leadership guidelines.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The salary ranges provided are competitive for a Director-level UX Research role in major tech hubs. The detailed breakdown by region reflects common compensation practices in the US. The inclusion of equity and bonus opportunities, alongside comprehensive benefits, indicates a robust total rewards package. The "Hybrid" work arrangement suggests expectations for in-office collaboration, but specific details will likely be clarified during the interview process.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏒 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (Identity & Access Management, Cloud Security, SaaS)

Company Size: Large (Likely 5,000+ employees, based on typical large tech company structures and global reach)

Founded: 2009

Team Structure:

  • The UX Research team operates within the broader Design & UX Research organization, reporting to the VP of Design & UX Research.

  • This Director role leads a team of UX Researchers and Research Managers, potentially including specialized roles or leads for different product areas or geographies (e.g., Bangalore team mentioned).

  • The function is expected to collaborate extensively with Product Management, Engineering, and Design teams across various product lines.

  • Research Operations is highlighted as a distinct, self-contained function, indicating a structured approach to supporting the research team's needs. Methodology:

  • Data-Driven Decision Making: A core principle is to ground product and business decisions in user insights and evidence.

  • Agile & Iterative Development: The company likely operates with agile methodologies, requiring research to adapt to fast-paced roadmaps and iterative design processes.

  • AI Integration: Okta is actively pursuing AI-native ways of working, extending this to research processes for increased efficiency and speed.

  • Customer-Centricity: A strong emphasis on understanding and advocating for the "real user experience in the real world."

Company Website: https://www.okta.com

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Okta is a leader in the identity management space, a critical component of modern enterprise security and cloud adoption. The company culture, as described, emphasizes speed, innovation, and a strong user focus, particularly in the context of AI. The "Door 2" principles and "Design & Research operating principles" suggest a well-defined framework for how teams operate and make decisions, which candidates should familiarize themselves with.

πŸ“ˆ Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Director, UX Research

This is a senior leadership position responsible for setting strategic direction, managing a team, and operationalizing key processes within the UX Research function. It signifies a move beyond individual contribution or direct team management to shaping the overall discipline and its impact on the organization.

Reporting Structure:

  • Reports directly to the VP of Design & UX Research.

  • Manages a team of UX Researchers and Research Managers.

  • Collaborates closely with Product and Engineering Directors/VPs. Operations Impact:

  • Directly influences product strategy, roadmap prioritization, and design decisions by ensuring user needs and insights are integrated early and continuously.

  • Drives improvements in user experience, product adoption, and customer satisfaction, which are critical for Okta's success in the competitive B2B SaaS market, particularly in large enterprise accounts.

  • Contributes to building trust in Okta's AI-powered identity solutions by ensuring rigorous user validation and understanding of user concerns.

  • Enhances operational efficiency within the research team through the implementation of AI-native workflows and optimized Research Operations. Growth Opportunities:

  • Strategic Leadership: Opportunity to shape the future of UX research at Okta, influence company-wide product strategy, and drive innovation in research methodologies.

  • Team Expansion & Development: Potential to grow the research team, expand into new product areas or geographies, and mentor emerging research leaders.

  • Industry Influence: Become a thought leader in AI-native research practices and enterprise B2B UX research.

  • Advancement: Potential career progression to VP-level roles within Design, Research, or Product organizations.

  • Skill Diversification: Opportunity to deepen expertise in AI research applications, strategic planning, and operational scaling.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This role offers significant scope for strategic impact and leadership development. The emphasis on AI and operational efficiency positions the candidate to be a change agent within Okta's product development process. Career growth will likely involve demonstrating leadership in scaling the research function and driving measurable business outcomes.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid Model

This role requires a blend of remote work and in-office presence, indicating a need for collaboration and team interaction within Okta's physical office spaces. The exact balance and specific office days will be determined by team needs and company policy.

Office Location(s):

  • Bellevue, Washington

  • Chicago, Illinois

  • New York, New York

  • Washington, DC Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Environment: Expect to work in an environment that values cross-functional teamwork, with opportunities to engage with Product, Engineering, and Design peers.

  • Technology-Rich: Access to standard enterprise technology, including collaboration tools, design software, and potentially specialized AI research platforms.

  • Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and strategic discussions with direct reports and peers.

  • Immersive Onboarding: The company emphasizes an "immersive, in-person onboarding experience" to accelerate integration and connection.

Work Schedule:

  • Standard 40-hour work week is typical for full-time roles.

  • The hybrid nature allows for some flexibility in work location, but requires adherence to scheduled in-office days and responsiveness during core working hours.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model suggests a need for strong remote collaboration skills alongside the ability to engage effectively in an office setting. Candidates should be prepared for a dynamic work environment that balances flexibility with structured collaboration, particularly for onboarding and key team interactions.

πŸ“„ Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  1. Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

  2. Hiring Manager Interview: A deeper dive into your experience, leadership philosophy, research strategy, and operational approach. Expect questions about managing teams and scaling research.

  3. Team/Peer Interviews: Meetings with other UX Researchers, Research Managers, or Design/Product leaders to assess collaboration style, methodological depth, and strategic thinking. This may include a case study presentation.

  4. Portfolio Review & Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present selected case studies from your portfolio, demonstrating your impact, research process, and ability to drive decisions. This is a critical stage for showcasing your leadership and strategic capabilities.

  5. Executive Interview: A final interview with the VP of Design & UX Research (or other senior leadership) to discuss your vision for the research function, leadership approach, and alignment with Okta's strategic goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Focus on Impact: Prioritize case studies that clearly demonstrate how your research led to tangible business outcomes and product improvements. Quantify impact wherever possible.

  • Strategic Narrative: Frame your projects not just as research studies, but as strategic initiatives that addressed critical business questions or user needs.

  • Leadership & Scale: For this Director role, highlight instances where you led teams, scaled research operations, or implemented process improvements that increased efficiency and impact.

  • AI Integration: Explicitly showcase any experience with AI-assisted research tools, demonstrating how you leverage technology to accelerate insights and compress cycle times.

  • Clarity & Conciseness: Present your work clearly, focusing on the "why," "what," and "so what" of each project. Use visuals effectively to illustrate findings and processes.

  • Defend Your Methods: Be prepared to articulate the rationale behind your methodological choices and defend them under scrutiny.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Strategic Vision Case Study: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach building or evolving the UX Research function at Okta, focusing on strategic priorities, team structure, and operational improvements.

  • Problem-Solving Scenario: You might be given a hypothetical product challenge and asked to outline a research approach, including method selection, prioritization, and how you would integrate AI.

  • Leadership & Management Scenarios: Prepare to discuss how you handle team dynamics, performance management, coaching, and conflict resolution.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess strategic leadership, operational excellence, and deep research expertise. A strong portfolio that highlights business impact and AI integration will be crucial. Candidates should prepare to articulate a clear vision for the UX Research function and demonstrate their ability to lead and scale effectively.

πŸ›  Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Research Platforms: Familiarity with platforms for user interviews, surveys, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Lookback, Maze).

  • AI-Assisted Research Tools: Experience with AI-powered tools for transcription, synthesis, sentiment analysis, and rapid insight generation (specific tools will vary, but understanding the concept and application is key).

  • Collaboration Suites: Proficiency with tools like Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet) or Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) for documentation, communication, and presentations.

  • Project Management Software: Experience with tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for managing research projects and workflows.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • Product Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with tools that track user behavior within the product (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel, Pendo) to inform research questions and validate findings.

  • Data Visualization Tools: Experience using tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Looker Studio for presenting quantitative data and research findings.

  • Spreadsheet Software: Advanced proficiency in Excel or Google Sheets for data analysis and manipulation.

CRM & Automation:

  • CRM Systems (Indirect Knowledge): While not directly managing a CRM, understanding how user data is stored and accessed within systems like Salesforce can be beneficial for context.

  • Workflow Automation Concepts: Familiarity with how automation can streamline research processes (e.g., automated participant scheduling, incentive distribution).

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "AI-native research practices" means that candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with or understanding of AI tools relevant to research. This could include AI transcription services, AI-powered synthesis tools, or AI for participant screening. Familiarity with core enterprise SaaS tools is also expected.

πŸ‘₯ Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • User Advocacy: A relentless commitment to representing the user's needs and perspectives in product development, ensuring that "our north star is the real user experience."

  • Data-Driven Decision Making: Prioritizing evidence-based decision-making, where research findings directly inform product strategy and design choices. The principle "The faster we learn, the cheaper our mistakes" underscores this.

  • Speed & Efficiency: Embracing agility and pragmatism, defaulting to "the faster path to real signal" and actively removing inefficient processes. This is exemplified by the push for "AI-native ways of working."

  • Leadership & Ownership: Taking initiative, bringing a point of view, and proactively influencing the roadmap ("We lead"). This applies to both strategic direction and day-to-day execution.

  • Clarity & Directness: Fostering an environment of open, specific feedback to drive continuous improvement in research quality and rigor. "Clarity is kindness."

  • Continuous Improvement: Constantly raising the bar for research quality and impact ("Raise your own bar") and simplifying processes ("Move fast, simplify, repeat").

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-Functional Partnership: Strong emphasis on working closely with Product Management, Engineering, and Design to ensure research is integrated throughout the product lifecycle.

  • Proactive Engagement: Researchers are expected to "come to the table with a point of view and evidence," rather than waiting to be asked.

  • Iterative Feedback Loops: A culture that embraces feedback on research quality and methodology to refine practices.

  • Knowledge Sharing: Implicit in scaling a team and function is the need for effective knowledge sharing, especially concerning research insights and best practices.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The cultural values are strongly aligned with a fast-paced, innovative tech environment. Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of these principles and how they would apply them in their leadership and research practices, particularly concerning AI adoption and driving measurable user impact.

⚑ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Scaling Research Operations: Ensuring research infrastructure, recruiting, and tooling can keep pace with Okta's growth and the increasing demand for research insights globally.

  • Integrating AI Effectively: Successfully adopting and scaling AI-native research practices while maintaining rigorous methodology and defensibility of findings. This requires careful evaluation and strategic implementation.

  • Balancing Speed and Rigor: Navigating the inherent tension between delivering insights quickly (especially with AI) and ensuring the depth and quality required for critical product decisions.

  • Influencing Roadmaps: Consistently embedding research insights at the earliest stages of product planning and roadmap development, shifting from validation to proactive shaping.

  • Managing Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Aligning research priorities and findings across various Product, Engineering, and Design teams with potentially competing objectives.

  • Developing Global Research Capabilities: Scaling the research practice to support international markets and diverse user bases, including the mentioned Bangalore team.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • AI in Research Specialization: Deepen expertise in leveraging cutting-edge AI tools and techniques for research synthesis, analysis, and rapid validation.

  • Strategic Leadership Development: Enhance skills in setting organizational vision, managing complex budgets, and influencing executive-level strategy.

  • Enterprise B2B SaaS Research: Gain deeper insights into the unique challenges and opportunities of researching complex enterprise software solutions.

  • Cross-Functional Influence: Develop advanced skills in stakeholder management and driving consensus across diverse teams.

  • Mentorship & Coaching: Opportunities to mentor and develop a team of researchers and managers, fostering the next generation of research leaders.

  • Industry Conferences & Certifications: Potential for Okta to sponsor participation in leading UX research and AI conferences, as well as relevant professional development.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a senior leadership role in a rapidly evolving tech company. Successfully navigating these will require strong strategic thinking, operational acumen, and a commitment to continuous learning. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering a path for significant career advancement and specialization.

πŸ’‘ Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe your vision for a world-class UX Research function within an enterprise B2B SaaS company like Okta, particularly as AI becomes more integrated into products and research processes." (Focus on strategic pillars, team structure, operational efficiency, and AI adoption.)

  • "How would you prioritize research requests when faced with competing demands from multiple product teams and limited resources? Walk us through your framework." (Highlight prioritization criteria, stakeholder management, and strategic alignment.)

  • "What steps would you take to ensure research insights are not just delivered, but are actively used to shape product decisions and roadmaps?" (Emphasize insight dissemination, follow-through, and building relationships with product/engineering.) Company & Culture Questions:

  • "Based on your understanding of Okta and the identity/AI space, what do you see as the biggest user research challenges and opportunities for us?" (Demonstrate research into Okta, the industry, and AI's role.)

  • "How do you foster a culture of user advocacy and continuous learning within a research team? Provide examples of how you've embedded this in your past roles." (Align with Okta's stated values and leadership principles.)

  • "Describe a time you had to influence senior leadership or a skeptical stakeholder group to adopt a user-centric approach or invest in research. How did you build your case?" (Showcase executive communication and influence skills.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure for Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate: 1. The Business/Product Problem, 2. Your Research Objective, 3. Your Methodology (and why), 4. Your Key Findings, 5. The Impact/Outcome (quantified if possible), and 6. Lessons Learned.

  • Highlight Leadership & Scale: For this role, emphasize projects where you led teams, managed research operations, or scaled processes.

  • Showcase AI Integration: If applicable, dedicate specific slides or sections to how you leveraged AI tools to accelerate research cycles or improve synthesis. Be specific about the tools and the benefits.

  • Defend Your Choices: Be prepared to deeply discuss your methodological decisions, trade-offs made, and how you ensured rigor.

  • Connect to Okta: Where possible, subtly link your experience and approach to Okta's mission, products, and the challenges of enterprise identity and AI.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, operational expertise in Research Operations, and a forward-looking approach to AI in research. The portfolio presentation is a key opportunity to showcase practical application of these skills.

πŸ“Œ Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

  • Submit your application through the Okta careers portal using the provided link: https://www.okta.com/company/careers/opportunity/7839824?gh_jid=7839824

  • Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in leadership, research strategy, Research Operations, and AI-driven research practices. Use keywords from the job description and incorporate quantifiable achievements related to product impact and team development.

  • Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most impactful UX research projects that best demonstrate your strategic thinking, leadership, operational capabilities, and ability to drive business outcomes. Ensure these case studies clearly articulate the problem, your approach, findings, and measurable results, with a focus on any AI integration or operational scaling.

  • Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your leadership philosophy, your approach to scaling research functions, and your vision for UX research in an AI-driven enterprise environment. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your resume and portfolio.

  • Research Okta: Thoroughly research Okta's products, especially in the identity and AI space, understand their market position, and familiarize yourself with their company culture and stated values (e.g., Door 2 principles). This will help you tailor your answers and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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.

Application Requirements

Candidates must have 10+ years of user research experience, including 5+ years in leadership roles, preferably within enterprise B2B SaaS. A Master's degree or equivalent experience is required, along with deep expertise in both qualitative and quantitative research methods.