Senior Manager, UX Research

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Manager, UX Research Company: Equinix Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada & Dallas, Texas, United States Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: User Experience (UX) / Design Operations Date Posted: November 5, 2025 Experience Level: 10+ Years (Senior Level) Remote Status: On-site (with potential for hybrid considerations based on team/role evolution)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and architect comprehensive user research strategies and execution for digital products and platforms, ensuring a deep understanding of user needs and behaviors.
• Drive the application of contemporary user experience (UX) methodologies, translating research findings into actionable insights for interaction and visual design across websites and applications.
• Provide strategic guidance and creative direction for UI/visual design, ensuring a cohesive and engaging end-user journey from onboarding to completion.
• Manage and mentor a team of UX researchers and designers, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, data-driven decision-making, and cross-functional collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is listed as "Senior Manager, UX Research," the responsibilities extend significantly into UX strategy, information architecture, interaction design, and visual design leadership, alongside people management. This indicates a hybrid role that requires a strategic leader capable of overseeing the entire UX lifecycle and managing a team of specialists. The "On-site" designation suggests a strong emphasis on in-person collaboration and team cohesion, which is critical for complex design and research initiatives.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Architect and execute end-to-end user research plans, encompassing methodology selection, data collection coordination, vendor management (when necessary), and rigorous analysis across multiple functional domains.
• Translate complex user research data into clear, actionable insights and compelling presentations for diverse stakeholders, influencing product strategy and design decisions.
• Provide strategic creative direction for site and application-level interaction and visual design, ensuring consistency, rigor, and adherence to best practices across Equinix's digital properties.
• Oversee the development and socialization of prototypes, wireframes, mockups, and task flows, determining prototyping needs based on functional complexity and business requirements.
• Act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for UX strategy, applying critical thinking to solve complex user problems considering user needs, business objectives, and technical constraints, while evangelizing UX principles across marketing and other cross-functional teams.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of UX professionals, managing performance, succession planning, talent development, and fostering a culture aligned with Equinix's values.
• Collaborate closely with Project Managers and cross-functional teams to manage resource allocation, track utilization, and ensure project execution within approved budgets.
• Define, evangelize, and measure performance against UX-related processes, policies, and standards, proactively identifying and implementing continuous improvement opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on leadership, strategic thinking, and process ownership. The role is not just about conducting research but about building and optimizing the entire UX function, including team management, strategic direction, and process governance. The "Marketing cross-functionally" mention indicates a need for strong collaboration with marketing teams, suggesting UX insights will be crucial for marketing initiatives.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree preferred. A Master's or Ph.D. in Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Cognitive Science, or a related field would be a significant asset for advanced research methodologies and strategic thinking.

Experience: 15+ years of progressive experience in User Experience (UX) research, design, and strategy. This should include substantial experience in leading UX initiatives, managing cross-functional projects, and a proven track record of delivering impactful user-centered designs and research insights.

Required Skills:

• User Research Expertise: Deep understanding and practical application of a wide range of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies (e.g., in-depth interviews, surveys, contextual inquiry, diary studies, usability testing, A/B testing, heuristic evaluations).
• Information Architecture (IA) & Interaction Design (IxD): Proven ability to design complex information structures and intuitive user flows for digital products and platforms.
• Visual/UI Design Leadership: Capability to provide creative direction and ensure high-quality visual design standards across digital interfaces.
• Prototyping & Wireframing: Proficiency in creating various fidelities of prototypes, wireframes, mockups, and user flows using industry-standard tools.
• UX Strategy Development: Ability to define and implement overarching UX strategies that align user needs with business objectives and technical realities.
• People Management & Leadership: Demonstrated experience in leading, mentoring, and managing teams of UX professionals, including performance management and talent development.
• Stakeholder Management & Communication: Exceptional ability to present, defend, and articulate design and research work to diverse stakeholders, including senior leadership.
• Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving: Strong analytical skills to dissect complex user problems and devise effective, user-centered solutions.
• Process Definition & Optimization: Experience in establishing and refining UX processes, policies, and standards to enhance efficiency and quality.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the digital infrastructure, data center, or cloud services industry.
• Familiarity with enterprise-level software design and complex B2B user journeys.
• Experience with design systems and their implementation.
• Knowledge of accessibility standards (WCAG) and inclusive design principles.
• Experience managing budgets and resource allocation for UX projects and teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "15+ years experience preferred" combined with a "Bachelor's degree preferred" suggests that extensive, demonstrable experience and leadership in UX is highly valued over specific academic credentials. The required skills list has been expanded to reflect the breadth of responsibilities, including strategic leadership and people management, which are critical for a Senior Manager role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end UX projects, with a focus on research methodologies, user journey mapping, problem definition, and solution design.
• Include detailed case studies that highlight your approach to user research, interaction design, and visual design, illustrating your ability to gather insights and translate them into tangible product improvements.
• Showcase examples of how you have managed UX teams, defined UX processes, and influenced product strategy through data-driven insights and user advocacy.
• Provide evidence of successful stakeholder engagement, including how you've presented research findings, defended design decisions, and collaborated with cross-functional partners.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss and demonstrate their experience in defining and documenting UX processes, including user research protocols, design review frameworks, and usability testing procedures.
• Highlight examples of how you have implemented or improved processes to ensure consistency, rigor, and efficiency in UX deliverables across multiple projects or product lines.
• Be ready to articulate how you measure the effectiveness of UX processes and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Manager role, a portfolio is crucial not just for demonstrating individual design skills but also for showcasing leadership in process definition, team management, and strategic impact. The emphasis is on the candidate's ability to build and scale a UX function.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Canada - Toronto Office TRO: 136,000 - 204,000 CAD / Annual
• United States - Dallas Infomart Office DAI: 155,000 - 233,000 USD / Annual

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary ranges are a strong indicator of the seniority and scope of this role. The significant difference between the Canadian and US ranges reflects typical market variations for comparable roles in these regions. The ranges are competitive for senior leadership positions in UX, indicating Equinix's investment in experienced talent.

Benefits:

• Employee Assistance Program: Comprehensive support services for employees and their families.
• Health Insurance: Robust medical coverage designed to complement provincial healthcare systems (Canada) and comprehensive health plans (US).
• Life Insurance: Coverage to provide financial security for beneficiaries.
• Disability Insurance: Protection against loss of income due to illness or injury.
• Retirement Plan: Opportunities to contribute to financial future through employer-sponsored plans (e.g., Defined Contribution Pension Plan, Group Retirement Savings Plan, RRSP, TSFA in Canada; Retirement Plan in the US).
• Paid Time Off (PTO) & Vacation: Accrued PTO and dedicated vacation time to ensure work-life balance and opportunities for rest and recharge.
• Paid Holidays: Recognition of public holidays for employees to observe.
• Potential for Bonus and Equity: Employees are eligible for bonus, and equity may be offered depending on the position, reflecting performance-based rewards.

Working Hours: Typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility often available based on project needs and team agreements, consistent with a management role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits package is comprehensive and tailored to both Canadian and US employees, reflecting Equinix's global presence and commitment to employee well-being. The inclusion of bonus and potential equity is standard for senior management roles and signals a performance-driven compensation structure.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Infrastructure provider, enabling cloud, network, and digital services globally. Equinix operates as a critical backbone for the digital economy. Company Size: Large enterprise (implied by global presence and employee count, likely 10,000+ employees worldwide). This means established processes, significant resources, and a structured environment. Founded: 1998. With over two decades of operation, Equinix has a mature corporate culture and a significant market presence.

Team Structure:

• The UX Research team likely operates within a broader Product or Digital organization, collaborating closely with Product Management, Engineering, UX/UI Design, and Marketing.
• As a Senior Manager, you would likely manage a team of UX Researchers and possibly UX Designers, reporting into a Director or VP of Product/Design.
• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, requiring strong partnerships with various business units to understand their digital needs and translate them into user-centered solutions.

Methodology:

• Equinix likely employs a blend of agile development methodologies, requiring UX to integrate seamlessly into sprint cycles for rapid iteration and feedback.
• Data analysis is core, with a strong emphasis on leveraging both quantitative (analytics, A/B testing) and qualitative (user research) data to inform decisions.
• Workflow planning and optimization are key, especially in managing complex digital products and ensuring efficient user journeys.
• Automation and efficiency practices are expected to streamline processes, from research recruitment to design handoffs.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Equinix's position as a global leader in digital infrastructure means the company values reliability, scalability, and innovation. The UX team's work will directly impact how businesses and individuals connect and operate in the digital realm. The company culture emphasizes progress and the integration of diverse perspectives.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Manager, UX Research. This is a leadership role responsible for strategic direction, team management, and operational excellence within the UX function. It signifies a transition from individual contribution to strategic oversight and people leadership.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Manager will likely report to a Director or VP level executive within Product, Design, or a related digital transformation function. They will directly manage a team of UX researchers and potentially UX designers, overseeing their performance, development, and project delivery.

Operations Impact: This role has a significant impact on Equinix's digital products and customer experiences, directly influencing user adoption, satisfaction, and retention. By ensuring user-centered design and effective research, the role contributes to business objectives such as market competitiveness, operational efficiency, and revenue growth through improved digital services.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advancement to Director/VP Level: Successful performance in this role can lead to Director or VP positions, overseeing larger UX organizations, expanding into broader product strategy, or specializing in areas like AI/ML-driven UX.
• Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific research methodologies, UX strategy, or people leadership through training, conferences, and challenging projects.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Potential to lead strategic initiatives that span multiple departments, contributing to Equinix's overall digital transformation and business strategy.
• Mentorship & Coaching: Developing leadership skills through mentoring junior team members and shaping the UX talent pipeline within Equinix.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path for a Senior Manager in UX at a company like Equinix is typically focused on scaling impact through leadership and strategic influence. The role provides a platform to shape the future of digital experiences for a critical global infrastructure provider.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job is listed as "On-site" with primary locations in Toronto and Dallas. This suggests a traditional office-based environment designed for collaborative work, team meetings, and focused individual contribution. Office Location(s):

• Toronto Office TRO, Ontario, Canada
• Dallas Infomart Office DAI, Texas, United States

Workspace Context:

• The office environment is expected to foster collaboration among UX teams, product managers, and engineers, facilitating agile workflows and rapid feedback loops.
• Access to standard office technology, meeting rooms, and potentially specialized UX research facilities or equipment will be available.
• Opportunities for direct interaction with team members, managers, and stakeholders are prioritized, supporting a cohesive team dynamic and knowledge sharing.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time working hours (approximately 40 hours per week) are expected. While management roles often require flexibility to meet project deadlines, Equinix's emphasis on work-life balance and benefits suggests a structured approach to hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" requirement emphasizes the value Equinix places on in-person collaboration, team cohesion, and spontaneous interactions, which are often crucial for complex problem-solving and creative ideation in UX.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.
• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion with the hiring manager to explore leadership experience, strategic thinking, team management philosophy, and alignment with Equinix's values.
• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A crucial stage where candidates present selected case studies from their portfolio, demonstrating their UX process, research insights, design solutions, and impact. This often involves a presentation to a panel of UX leaders, product managers, and potentially engineers.
• Team/Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with potential direct reports, peers, and key stakeholders from Product Management, Engineering, and Marketing to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and technical understanding.
• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss strategic vision, broader organizational impact, and final alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 complex projects that showcase your leadership, research rigor, strategic thinking, and impact. Tailor the selection to highlight experience relevant to Equinix's industry and scale.
• Structure for Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role and responsibilities, the methodologies used, the process followed, key insights derived, design solutions, and measurable outcomes/impact. Use visuals effectively.
• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, include metrics that demonstrate the success of your work, such as improvements in user satisfaction, task completion rates, conversion rates, or reduction in support tickets.
• Highlight Leadership: For this role, emphasize your experience in managing teams, mentoring individuals, defining processes, and influencing product strategy.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a potential take-home assignment or an in-person design/research challenge. This might involve analyzing a hypothetical user problem, outlining a research plan, or critiquing an existing design.
• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely. Focus on how you would approach a problem, what questions you would ask, and what data you would seek.
• Be ready to discuss UX trends, how you stay current, and how you would champion user-centered practices within a large enterprise like Equinix.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a Senior Manager role is rigorous, focusing heavily on leadership capabilities, strategic vision, and the ability to translate complex UX work into business value. The portfolio review is a critical component for demonstrating this.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Prototyping & Wireframing: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, Axure RP, InVision.
• User Research Platforms: UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Typeform.
• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Miro, Mural.
• Design Systems: Experience with creating, maintaining, or utilizing design systems.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics.
• Product Analytics: Mixpanel, Amplitude.
• Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI (for presenting research insights).

CRM & Automation:

• While not the direct focus, understanding how UX integrates with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms can be beneficial for understanding the broader customer journey.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with industry-standard UX tools is expected. The emphasis is on the candidate's ability to leverage technology to conduct effective research, create compelling designs, facilitate collaboration, and measure impact. Experience with enterprise-level tools and platforms is a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for user needs in all design and research decisions.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Reliance on research findings and analytics to inform strategy and validate design choices.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong emphasis on working effectively with cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: A drive to explore new methodologies, technologies, and approaches to enhance user experiences and operational processes.
• Integrity & Accountability: Upholding ethical research practices and taking ownership of deliverables and team performance.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Open communication and active partnership with Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, and other stakeholders to ensure cohesive product development.
• Process Review Culture: Encouraging constructive feedback within the UX team and with collaborators to refine methodologies and improve outcomes.
• Knowledge Sharing: Facilitating a culture where insights, best practices, and learnings are regularly shared across teams to foster collective growth and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: Equinix emphasizes innovation, integrity, and a customer-focused approach. The UX team's culture should reflect these values, promoting a collaborative environment where research and design are seen as critical drivers of business success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling UX in a Large Enterprise: Ensuring consistent UX quality and research rigor across a vast portfolio of products and services within a large, complex organization.
• Balancing User Needs with Business/Technical Constraints: Navigating competing priorities to deliver user-centered solutions that are also feasible and align with business objectives.
• Driving Adoption of UX Best Practices: Evangelizing the value of UX research and design across all levels of the organization, particularly in areas less familiar with user-centered methodologies.
• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Expectations: Effectively communicating research findings and design rationales to a wide range of stakeholders with varying levels of UX understanding.
• Leading and Developing a High-Performing Team: Attracting, retaining, and developing top UX talent while fostering a collaborative and productive team environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Opportunities to attend leading UX conferences (e.g., CHI, UXPA) and specialized workshops to stay abreast of the latest research techniques and design trends.
• Internal Training & Certifications: Access to Equinix's learning platforms for leadership development, project management, and specialized technical skills.
• Mentorship Programs: Participation in formal or informal mentorship programs, both as a mentee and a mentor, to foster career growth.
• Exposure to Global Operations: Gaining insights into how UX operates across different regions and business units within Equinix, broadening strategic perspective.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant opportunities for professional growth by tackling complex challenges inherent in a global enterprise. The company's commitment to learning and development provides a strong foundation for career advancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to influence stakeholders to adopt a user-centered approach when they were resistant. What was your strategy, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your communication, persuasion, and data-driven advocacy skills.)
• "How would you approach building a user research strategy for a new product line at Equinix, considering our industry and customer base?" (Demonstrate strategic planning, methodology selection, and alignment with business goals.)
• "Walk me through your process for managing a team of UX researchers. How do you foster talent, ensure quality, and handle underperformance?" (Highlight your leadership philosophy, team development approach, and performance management skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Equinix and our mission in digital infrastructure?" (Show you've researched the company and understand its impact.)
• "How do you see the role of UX evolving in the context of a global technology infrastructure company like Equinix?" (Demonstrate forward-thinking and strategic perspective.)
• "Describe a time you had to adapt your UX approach due to technical constraints or tight deadlines. How did you manage this while still advocating for the user?" (Assess your pragmatism and problem-solving under pressure.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: Frame your case studies as narratives with a clear beginning (problem), middle (your process and solutions), and end (impact and learnings).
• Focus on "Why": Explain the rationale behind your methodological choices, design decisions, and strategic recommendations.
• Highlight Your Leadership: For this Senior Manager role, emphasize your contributions to team growth, process improvement, and strategic influence, not just individual design work.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your specific contributions, challenges faced, and how you would apply similar approaches at Equinix.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic leadership, deep UX expertise, and the ability to translate complex UX work into tangible business value within a large enterprise context. Be ready to discuss your team management philosophy and how you drive operational excellence in UX.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Manager, UX Research position:

• Submit your application through the Equinix careers portal via the provided job link.
• Tailor your resume: Highlight leadership experience, strategic UX planning, people management accomplishments, and experience with complex digital products. Use keywords from the job description.
• Prepare your portfolio: Curate 3-4 strong case studies showcasing leadership in UX research, strategy, design, and team management. Quantify impact where possible and be ready to present.
• Research Equinix: Understand their business, industry, recent news, and company values to tailor your responses and demonstrate your interest.
• Practice your presentation: Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough, focusing on clear articulation of your process, impact, and leadership capabilities. Prepare thoughtful questions for the interviewers.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details, especially regarding specific responsibilities, team structure, and interview processes, should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.