Founding UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Founding UX Researcher

Company: Posh

Location: New York, New York, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Experience Operations / Product Operations

Date Posted: September 16, 2025

Experience Level: 5+ Years

Remote Status: On-site (New York City Office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the foundational UX Research function, driving a user-centric approach to product development and strategy within a fast-paced startup environment.

• Translate complex user needs, behaviors, and motivations into actionable product insights that directly influence the roadmap and prioritization for both attendee and organizer experiences.

• Establish and scale Posh's research capabilities, building lightweight processes and practices essential for rapid learning and informed decision-making in a growing organization.

• Foster a deep understanding of the diverse user base by employing a comprehensive suite of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, ensuring all product decisions are grounded in user impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Founding UX Researcher," the responsibilities and requirements suggest a role that bridges UX Research with Product Operations by embedding research directly into the product development lifecycle and driving strategic product decisions. This role is crucial for establishing operational excellence in understanding and serving user needs.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead comprehensive, end-to-end research initiatives across the entire attendee and organizer user journeys, encompassing both generative (exploratory) and evaluative (usability testing) studies.

• Synthesize qualitative and quantitative research findings into clear, compelling, and actionable insights that directly inform and shape product strategy, feature prioritization, and overall product direction.

• Develop and maintain a profound understanding of Posh's diverse user segments by leveraging a wide array of research methods, including in-depth user interviews, surveys, diary studies, contextual inquiries, and rigorous data analysis.

• Collaborate intimately with Product Management and Product Design teams to define research hypotheses, select appropriate methodologies, and seamlessly integrate research activities into the agile product development lifecycle.

• Create and maintain essential user-centric artifacts, such as detailed personas, comprehensive journey maps, and opportunity frameworks, to effectively communicate user needs and drive team alignment and action.

• Act as a champion for user-centered thinking across the entire organization, guiding teams to effectively balance business objectives with genuine user impact and satisfaction.

• Build and scale Posh’s research function from its inception, establishing lean, effective processes and foundational practices that empower a small, agile team to learn and iterate rapidly.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "translating research findings into actionable insights" and "partnering closely with product managers, designers, and engineers" highlights the operational aspect of this role. The Founding UX Researcher will be responsible for operationalizing user feedback into tangible product improvements and strategic direction, acting as a key liaison within the product development workflow.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for UX Research roles, providing a strong theoretical foundation for user-centered methodologies.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of dedicated UX Research experience is required, with a proven track record of impacting product direction and delivering measurable business outcomes. Experience as the first or an early researcher in a company is highly valued, demonstrating the ability to build research programs, tools, and processes from the ground up within a startup environment.

Required Skills:

• Proficient in leading end-to-end UX research projects, from planning and execution to analysis and reporting, across the full product lifecycle.

• Expertise in a broad spectrum of qualitative research methods (e.g., user interviews, ethnographic studies, usability testing, diary studies) and quantitative methods (e.g., surveys, A/B testing analysis, behavioral data analysis).

• Proven ability to synthesize complex qualitative and quantitative data into clear, concise, and actionable insights that drive product strategy and design decisions.

• Strong proficiency in developing and utilizing user research artifacts such as personas, journey maps, user flows, and empathy maps.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively articulate research findings and advocate for user needs to diverse stakeholders, including executive leadership, product, design, and engineering teams.

• Demonstrated experience in building and scaling research programs, processes, and best practices within a growing organization.

• Adaptability and resourcefulness, with a comfort level in navigating ambiguity and building structure in a fast-paced startup environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in consumer-facing products, social platforms, or marketplace businesses, particularly those focused on facilitating offline community building and in-person connections.

• Familiarity with data analysis tools and techniques for interpreting user behavior data and combining it with qualitative insights.

• Experience with remote research methodologies and tools, even though this role is on-site.

• A portfolio that clearly demonstrates the impact of your research on product outcomes and business goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "building research programs, tools, and processes from scratch" and "establishing lightweight processes and practices" points to a need for operational rigor and the ability to create scalable frameworks. The portfolio should showcase not just research execution but also the strategic implementation and impact of that research within a product context.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 5 years of impactful UX Research work, demonstrating a clear progression of projects and quantifiable outcomes.

• Case studies that highlight the end-to-end research process, from problem identification and research design to execution, synthesis, and the ultimate impact on product strategy or user experience improvements.

• Evidence of building or significantly contributing to the development of research processes, tools, or best practices within previous organizations, particularly in early-stage environments.

• Examples of how research findings were translated into actionable insights that directly influenced product roadmaps, feature prioritization, or design iterations, with clear articulation of the problem, your approach, and the results.

• Demonstrations of your ability to select and apply appropriate research methodologies (qualitative and quantitative) based on specific project goals and constraints.

Process Documentation:

• Portfolio sections should ideally include documentation of the processes you established or improved, detailing workflow design, implementation phases, and how performance was measured.

• Be prepared to discuss how you ensured research was integrated into the product development lifecycle, detailing the operational touchpoints and collaboration mechanisms you established.

• Showcase your approach to managing and prioritizing research requests and how you communicated insights to ensure adoption and impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an operations-focused role, the portfolio needs to demonstrate not just individual research skills but also the ability to operationalize research within a product team. This means showing how you built processes, influenced workflows, and contributed to a more data-informed and user-centric product development system.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The provided salary range for this role is $140,000 to $160,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans to support employee well-being.

• Paid time off and holidays, providing opportunities for rest and rejuvenation.

• Potential for equity or stock options, offering a stake in the company's growth and success.

• Opportunities for professional development, including training, conferences, and access to learning resources to advance UX research and operational skills.

• A collaborative and dynamic work environment within a rapidly growing startup.

• The chance to build and shape a critical function within a mission-driven company focused on fostering real-world human connections.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are expected, typically around 40 hours per week. However, given the startup environment and the nature of building a new function, flexibility and commitment may be required to meet project deadlines and organizational goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a founding-level UX Researcher role in New York City, reflecting the strategic importance and foundational nature of this position. The benefits package should be evaluated for its support of ongoing professional development, which is crucial for someone building out a new operational function.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Social Networking, Event Organizing, Community Building. Posh operates within the intersection of social technology and real-world experiences, aiming to combat digital isolation by facilitating in-person community events. This industry context means a focus on user engagement, platform scalability, and fostering authentic human connections.

Company Size: Posh has grown to a team of 60 employees. As a relatively early-stage startup, this size allows for a high degree of impact, direct access to leadership, and the opportunity to shape processes and culture significantly. For operations professionals, this means being hands-on, adaptable, and comfortable with ambiguity while contributing to the establishment of formal structures.

Founded: Posh was founded by event enthusiasts and college dropouts, indicating a culture that values passion, innovation, and a pragmatic, hands-on approach. The company's rapid growth ($40M in venture funding, 5M+ users, $220M+ in transactions in three years) suggests a high-performance, execution-focused environment.

Team Structure: As the "Founding UX Researcher," this role will likely operate within or closely alongside the Product and Design teams. The structure is expected to be lean and cross-functional, with direct collaboration between research, product management, and engineering. The researcher will be instrumental in defining how the research function integrates operationally with these teams.

Methodology: Posh's rapid growth and mission suggest methodologies centered around rapid iteration, data-driven decision-making, and a strong emphasis on user feedback. The UX Researcher will be key in operationalizing these methodologies by embedding user insights into every stage of product development. This includes establishing processes for continuous discovery, hypothesis validation, and performance analysis of new features.

Company Website: https://www.posh.vip/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission to combat digital loneliness and foster real-world connections is a significant cultural driver. Operations professionals in this environment should be passionate about user well-being and community building, and be adept at creating processes that support these goals effectively.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a "Founding UX Researcher," indicating a senior individual contributor role with significant autonomy and responsibility. It's a critical foundational position, implying that the individual will set the standards and build the initial infrastructure for UX Research operations within the company. The scope extends beyond just conducting research to establishing the practice itself.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, a Founding UX Researcher typically reports into a Head of Product, VP of Product, or a similar senior product leadership role. This ensures direct alignment with product strategy and provides a clear channel for influencing the product roadmap. The role will require close, daily collaboration with Product Managers and Designers.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher will have a direct and substantial impact on Posh's operations by ensuring that product development is grounded in a deep understanding of user needs. This operational excellence in user research will lead to more effective product-market fit, higher user adoption rates, increased user satisfaction, and ultimately, stronger community engagement and transaction volume. By identifying and articulating user problems and opportunities, the role directly contributes to revenue growth and operational efficiency through better product design.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in Research: Opportunity to build and lead the UX Research function from the ground up, defining its strategy, hiring future researchers, and establishing best practices.

• Strategic Influence: Direct input into product strategy and roadmap prioritization, shaping the future direction of Posh's platform.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Deep collaboration with product, design, and engineering teams, fostering a broad understanding of product development operations.

• Industry Impact: Contributing to a company with a strong social mission, helping to redefine digital social interactions.

• Skill Expansion: Potential to expand into product management or broader user experience leadership roles as the company scales.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "founding" aspect of this role is key to the growth analysis. It signifies an opportunity to establish operational frameworks, mentor future team members, and potentially grow into a leadership position overseeing a larger research or product insights team as Posh scales.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is explicitly stated as an "in-person position at our New York City office." This suggests a traditional office setting designed to foster collaboration and a strong company culture.

Office Location(s): The office is located in the heart of SoHo, New York City. This prime location offers a vibrant working environment with access to numerous amenities, public transportation, and a dynamic urban atmosphere.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment is likely designed to encourage spontaneous interactions, brainstorming sessions, and close-knit teamwork between product, design, and engineering. Expect shared workspaces and meeting areas conducive to cross-functional collaboration.

• Resource Availability: As a well-funded startup, Posh likely provides employees with the necessary tools, technology, and resources to perform their jobs effectively, including research equipment and software.

• Team Interaction: The small team size (60) means direct and frequent interaction with colleagues across various departments, facilitating a holistic understanding of the business and its operational challenges.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is typical, the startup environment at Posh implies a culture of dedication and flexibility. Operations professionals should be prepared for potentially dynamic work schedules, especially during critical project phases, to ensure research outputs are delivered promptly and effectively integrated into product development cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on an in-person role in a prime NYC location suggests a company that values face-to-face collaboration and a strong physical presence. For operations roles, this means understanding how the physical workspace supports efficient workflows, knowledge sharing, and team cohesion.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience alignment. Be prepared to articulate your UX research philosophy and your experience in building research functions.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A deeper dive into your background, skills, and motivations. Expect questions about your experience with different research methodologies, your approach to synthesizing insights, and your comfort with ambiguity.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders from Product Management, Design, and Engineering. These sessions will assess your collaboration style, how you embed research into the product development process, and your ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences.

• Portfolio Presentation/Deep Dive: A dedicated session where you will present key case studies from your portfolio. Focus on demonstrating the impact of your research, your problem-solving approach, and your ability to translate findings into actionable product strategies. Be ready to discuss the operational aspects of your past work.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Product or CEO) to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and overall alignment with Posh's vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Impact: Prioritize case studies that clearly demonstrate the tangible impact of your research on product outcomes, user experience, or business metrics. Quantify results whenever possible.

• Process & Strategy: Detail your research process from start to finish for each case study. Explain why you chose specific methodologies and how your insights informed strategic decisions. Highlight any processes you built or improved.

• Problem-Solution-Outcome: Structure your case studies around a clear problem statement, your research approach (methodologies, tools), your key findings, and the resulting solutions or product changes.

• User-Centered Narrative: Frame your work through the lens of the user, demonstrating empathy and a deep understanding of their needs and behaviors.

• Adaptability: Include examples that showcase your ability to adapt research methods to different contexts, constraints, and project goals, especially relevant for a startup environment.

Challenge Preparation:

• Hypothetical Research Scenario: You might be given a product problem or a user segment to research. Be prepared to outline a research plan, including objectives, target participants, methodologies, and key questions.

• Insight Synthesis: You may be asked to analyze a set of (hypothetical) research data and present key findings and recommendations. Focus on clarity, actionable insights, and strategic implications.

• Process Building: Be ready to discuss how you would approach building a research function at Posh, including key priorities, initial processes, and how you would measure success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to evaluate not only research skills but also the candidate's ability to operationalize research within a product team and build a foundational function. Demonstrating strategic thinking, collaboration, and a proactive approach to process development will be critical.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: Tools like UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, or similar platforms for remote usability testing, feedback collection, and user interview management.

• Survey Tools: Platforms such as SurveyMonkey, Typeform, Google Forms, or Qualtrics for designing and distributing user surveys.

• Data Analysis Tools: Proficiency in qualitative data analysis software (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo) and potentially quantitative analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Google Sheets, R, Python for basic analysis) to interpret user data.

• Collaboration & Documentation Tools: Familiarity with tools like Figma, Miro, Confluence, Notion, or Google Workspace for creating artifacts, documenting findings, and collaborating with product and design teams.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: While not directly the researcher's tool, understanding how to leverage data from tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Google Analytics to complement qualitative findings is beneficial.

• Reporting Dashboards: Ability to create clear, concise reports and presentations using tools like Google Slides, PowerPoint, or data visualization tools to communicate research insights effectively.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot): Understanding how CRM data can inform user segmentation and research targeting is a plus.

• Automation Tools: While not directly in scope, awareness of how research insights can feed into marketing automation or user engagement workflows could be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The ideal candidate will be proficient in a range of user research tools and methodologies. Beyond execution, the ability to integrate research insights into product development workflows and communicate findings effectively using standard collaboration and reporting tools is essential for operational success.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A fundamental commitment to understanding and advocating for the user in all product decisions, ensuring that user needs are at the forefront of operational processes.

• Impact-Driven: A focus on delivering research that leads to measurable improvements in user experience, product adoption, and business outcomes.

• Collaboration: A proactive and open approach to working with cross-functional teams, fostering a shared understanding of user insights and joint ownership of product success.

• Agility & Adaptability: Embracing the fast-paced nature of a startup, being comfortable with evolving priorities, and quickly iterating on research plans and processes.

• Data-Informed Decision Making: A belief in the power of both qualitative and quantitative data to guide strategy and operations, ensuring that decisions are evidence-based.

• Building & Ownership: A proactive mindset towards establishing new processes, tools, and best practices, taking ownership of the research function’s development.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership: Working as a close partner with Product Managers and Designers, integrating research seamlessly into their workflows rather than operating in a silo.

• Active Listening & Empathy: Demonstrating strong listening skills and empathy not only for users but also for colleagues, fostering trust and open communication.

• Transparent Communication: Sharing research plans, findings, and limitations openly and proactively with relevant stakeholders to ensure alignment and informed decision-making.

• Feedback Integration: Actively seeking and incorporating feedback on research plans and findings to improve the research process and its applicability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values suggest a culture where operations professionals are expected to be proactive, collaborative, and deeply invested in the user experience. The ability to build and operate within these values is crucial for success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Establishing a New Function: As the founding researcher, the primary challenge will be building the UX Research function from scratch, defining its scope, processes, and methodologies within a rapidly evolving startup.

• Balancing Depth and Speed: The need to conduct rigorous research while operating at the pace of a fast-moving startup requires strategic prioritization and efficient execution.

• Influencing Product Strategy: Effectively translating research insights into actionable product changes and influencing product roadmap decisions requires strong communication and persuasion skills.

• Resource Constraints: Initially, resources for research (tools, participant recruitment) may be limited, requiring creativity and resourcefulness to achieve research goals.

• Defining User Segments: As Posh grows, clearly defining and understanding the distinct needs of different user segments (attendees vs. organizers, different event types) will be an ongoing challenge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Foundational Role: The opportunity to define and build a critical operational function, offering immense learning in program management, strategic planning, and process development.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gaining deep experience working across product, design, engineering, and potentially marketing teams, understanding their operational workflows and challenges.

• Industry Expertise: Developing specialized knowledge in the social networking, event organizing, and community-building sectors, and understanding the unique UX research needs within these domains.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Potential to mentor future researchers and grow into a leadership role managing a research team as the company scales.

• Continuous Learning: Access to industry conferences, training, and the opportunity to learn from a talented team in a fast-paced environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "founding" nature of this role presents significant challenges, primarily around establishing operational frameworks and processes. However, these challenges are directly linked to substantial growth opportunities in leadership, strategic influence, and skill development within a dynamic operational context.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Research Program Development: "How would you approach building a UX Research function from the ground up at Posh? What would be your top priorities in the first 90 days?" Focus on outlining a phased approach, defining key processes, and identifying initial research needs.

• Methodology Selection: "Given a specific product challenge (e.g., improving attendee retention for event organizers), what research methodologies would you employ and why?" Demonstrate your ability to match methods to research questions and business goals.

• Translating Insights to Action: "Describe a time when your research findings led to a significant change in product strategy or design. How did you ensure your insights were understood and acted upon by the product team?" Showcase your process for communication and influence.

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: "How do you balance the needs and opinions of various stakeholders (product, design, engineering, marketing) with your user research findings?" Highlight your collaboration and negotiation skills.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Understanding Posh's Mission: "What excites you about Posh's mission to combat digital loneliness and foster real-world connections? How do you see UX Research supporting this mission?" Show genuine interest and alignment with the company's values.

• Startup Environment Experience: "Describe your experience working in a startup or fast-paced environment. How do you handle ambiguity and prioritize tasks when processes are not yet established?" Demonstrate adaptability and a proactive mindset.

• Team Collaboration: "How do you envision your role collaborating with Product Managers and Designers on a daily basis?" Prepare to articulate your ideal working relationship and integration strategy.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Structure: For each case study, tell a clear story: the problem, your role, the research process, your key findings, the impact/solution, and lessons learned.

• Focus on Impact: Emphasize the "so what?" of your research. Clearly articulate how your work influenced product decisions and delivered value. Quantify outcomes where possible.

• Demonstrate Process: Walk through your methodology, explaining your choices and how you adapted them to project needs. Show your thought process.

• Artifact Showcase: Present key artifacts (personas, journey maps) that illustrate your findings and how they were used to drive action.

• Conciseness and Clarity: Be prepared to present your most impactful work concisely, allowing time for discussion and questions. Tailor your presentation to the audience (product, design, leadership).

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just research expertise but also the operational capability to build and integrate a research function effectively. Highlighting experience in process building, cross-functional collaboration, and strategic impact will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Portfolio Customization: Prepare a portfolio that specifically highlights your experience in building research programs, establishing processes, and demonstrating the impact of your research on product outcomes. Tailor case studies to showcase your ability to translate user insights into actionable strategies relevant to Posh’s mission.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 5+ years of UX research experience, emphasizing achievements related to process improvement, cross-functional collaboration, and driving product strategy. Use keywords such as "user-centered thinking," "qualitative and quantitative methods," "product roadmap influence," and "building research functions."

• Interview Preparation: Familiarize yourself with Posh's mission and product. Practice articulating your research process, synthesis methods, and the impact of your work using specific examples. Prepare to discuss how you would approach building the UX Research function at Posh.

• Company Research: Thoroughly review Posh's website, mission, and any recent news or funding announcements. Understand their business model, user base, and their stated goal of combating digital loneliness. This research will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate your understanding of their operational context.

⚠️ 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.