Senior UX Product Researcher, User Lifecycle

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Product Researcher, User Lifecycle

Company: Strava

Location: San Francisco, California, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Experience (UX) Research / Product Research

Date Posted: 2026-02-25

Experience Level: Mid-Level to Senior (3+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end research programs focused on the entire user lifecycle within the Strava application.

• Drive product strategy and innovation by translating user insights into actionable recommendations for product, design, and data science teams.

• Champion a user-centered development approach across a late-stage startup environment, influencing stakeholders at all levels, including executive leadership.

• Leverage a diverse methodological toolkit, encompassing both qualitative and quantitative research techniques, to address strategic and tactical product decisions.

• Contribute to the evolution of a best-in-class research team by introducing new methods and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within Strava's Research & Insights team, specifically focusing on the "User Lifecycle" team. This implies a deep dive into the user journey from onboarding to long-term engagement and retention, requiring a strong understanding of user psychology, behavioral economics, and growth strategies within a digital product context. The "Senior" title and reporting line to the Director of Research and Insights indicate significant autonomy and strategic influence.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Identify, prioritize, and lead research roadmaps that have a tangible impact on company and product strategy, user satisfaction, and business outcomes.

• Lead high-visibility research projects, collaborating closely with cross-functional partners such as Design, Product Management, Data Science, Engineering, and Marketing.

• Develop and execute a comprehensive research strategy for the User Lifecycle, covering acquisition, activation, engagement, retention, and potential churn points.

• Synthesize findings from various research initiatives (qualitative interviews, surveys, usability tests, quantitative data analysis) into clear, compelling, and actionable insights.

• Socialize research insights effectively across the organization, forging high-trust relationships and influencing cross-functional partners to act on recommendations.

• Provide clear, actionable recommendations with relevant business context to drive product and business decisions.

• Mentor and guide junior researchers or external agencies as needed, contributing to the overall growth and maturity of the research function.

• Stay abreast of new research methods, tools, and best practices to continuously evolve the team's capabilities.

• Advocate for the user throughout the product development lifecycle, ensuring their needs and behaviors are understood and addressed.

• Connect dots across multiple product areas to foster a holistic understanding of the Strava user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "systems thinking" for growth, engagement, and retention, along with the requirement to connect dots across product areas, suggests that this role will involve understanding complex user journeys and the interplay of various product features. The expectation to influence senior stakeholders and exec-level leaders underscores the strategic importance of this position.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 3+ years of experience in product research and/or user experience (UX) research roles, with a proven track record of leading end-to-end research studies.

• Demonstrated experience leading research programs that require systems thinking, focusing on growth, engagement, and retention across the entire user experience.

• Experience leading research for highly strategic and foundational business problems, as well as more tactical experience and product decisions.

• Hands-on experience leading studies both in-house and with external agencies.

• Experience with large-scale usability studies and design systems research is a plus.

Required Skills:

• Strong product thinking and leadership capabilities.

• Expertise in a full range of methodological toolkits, including both qualitative and quantitative methodologies.

• Ability to connect dots across multiple product areas and think about Strava as a holistic product and experience.

• Ability to inform and influence strategic direction and senior stakeholders, including executive-level stakeholders.

• A balance of creative and analytical skills with the ability to proactively define research questions, identify appropriate methods, execute studies, and synthesize findings.

• Exceptional communication skills (adept at translating data into actionable insights both verbally and in writing).

• Expertise in data-driven storytelling, transforming raw data into compelling narratives and visualizations.

• Self-initiative, a clear point of view (POV), and a bias for action.

• Excitement and love for the Strava product, business, and mission.

Preferred Skills:

• Quantitative research skills and experience collaborating with Data Science and Analytics teams.

• Familiarity with new research methods and tools.

• Experience in a late-stage startup environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for an advanced degree in a related field, coupled with 3+ years of experience, positions this as a solid mid-to-senior level role. The emphasis on influencing executives and connecting dots across product areas highlights the strategic impact expected, going beyond typical "task-based" research roles.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase of end-to-end research projects, demonstrating the full lifecycle from problem definition to actionable recommendations and impact.

• Examples of research roadmaps developed and executed, highlighting prioritization strategies and alignment with business goals.

• Case studies demonstrating how research insights informed strategic product decisions and influenced cross-functional teams.

• Demonstrations of systems thinking in research, particularly related to user growth, engagement, and retention strategies.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of research plans, methodologies chosen (and justification), and execution details.

• Synthesized research reports that clearly articulate findings, implications, and actionable recommendations.

• Artifacts that demonstrate collaboration with design, product management, and data science, showing how research was integrated into their workflows.

• Documentation highlighting how research was socialized across the organization and the impact it had.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "Senior" title and the focus on influencing strategy, candidates will be expected to present a portfolio that demonstrates not just research execution but strategic thinking, stakeholder management, and tangible impact on product development and business outcomes. The ability to articulate "systems thinking" within research is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $170,000 - $180,000 USD per year

Benefits:

• Strava offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees' well-being and professional growth. While specific details are linked externally, typical benefits for a company of Strava's caliber and stage often include:
  • Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holidays
  • Stock Options/Equity Grants
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
  • Parental Leave
  • Professional Development and Learning Opportunities
  • Wellness Programs and Stipends (e.g., gym memberships, fitness classes)
  • Commuter Benefits (for hybrid roles)

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work week, typically around 40 hours.

• Flexibility is implied for a hybrid role in a late-stage startup, allowing for adaptation to project needs and personal work styles, while maintaining productivity and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided ($170,000 - $180,000) is competitive for a Senior UX Product Researcher role in San Francisco, a high cost-of-living and competitive tech market. The "hybrid" work arrangement suggests a need for some in-office presence for collaboration, balanced with remote flexibility.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Social Networking / Fitness Technology / Mobile Applications

Company Size: Strava is a well-established, late-stage startup with over 180 million athletes globally. While employee count isn't explicitly stated, its backing by prominent venture capital firms (Sequoia Capital, TCV, Madrone Partners, Jackson Square Ventures) and its substantial user base suggest a company size likely in the hundreds to over a thousand employees. This indicates a dynamic, growing environment with established processes but still retaining startup agility.

Founded: Strava was founded in 2009, giving it over a decade of experience in the fitness tracking and social networking space, allowing for deep domain expertise and a mature product.

Team Structure:

• The Research & Insights team is led by a Director, to whom this Senior Researcher will report.

• This team collaborates closely with Product Management, Design, Data Science, Engineering, and Marketing departments.

• The User Lifecycle team is a dedicated product area focused on the entire user journey.

Methodology:

• Strava emphasizes making confident, user-centered decisions.

• The Research & Insights team turns "signals into strategy" by providing audience understanding and validating opportunities.

• There's a strong focus on data and meaningful insights to shape user experiences.

• The company is "hungry for a user-centered development approach" and supportive of research's impact.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Strava's mission to "motivate people to live their best active lives" is central to its culture. The company values movement, community, and making fitness accessible. The "late-stage startup" environment implies a balance between established processes and the need for agility, resourcefulness, and a bias for action.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as Senior UX Product Researcher. It signifies a level of expertise and autonomy beyond an entry-level or mid-level researcher. The role is expected to lead significant research programs, influence strategy, and potentially mentor others.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Researcher reports directly to the Director of Research and Insights. This indicates a clear line of communication and mentorship, with opportunities to influence the direction of the research team.

Operations Impact: The "User Lifecycle" focus means this role has a direct impact on user acquisition, engagement, and retention – key metrics for a subscription-based platform like Strava. By shaping product strategy through research, this role directly contributes to Strava's business growth and community development. The emphasis on influencing "exec level stakeholders" highlights the strategic weight of this position.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in user lifecycle research, systems thinking, and influencing senior leadership. Opportunity to explore and implement new research methodologies.

• Leadership Development: Potential to lead larger, more complex research initiatives, take on mentorship roles, and contribute to shaping the research team's strategy and processes.

• Career Progression: Potential pathways could lead to Group Lead of UX Research, Director-level roles, or specialization in specific areas of product strategy and user understanding.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain deep insights into product management, data science, design, and marketing strategies within a successful fitness tech company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is designed for an individual who can operate independently, drive strategic initiatives, and demonstrate significant impact. Growth opportunities are tied to expanding research leadership, strategic influence, and contributing to the overall maturity of Strava's user-centered approach.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Strava operates with a hybrid work model. This suggests a blend of remote work and in-office collaboration, likely offering flexibility while providing opportunities for in-person team interaction and strategic planning sessions.

Office Location(s): The primary location mentioned is San Francisco, California. Strava likely has other office locations, but this role is based in or closely aligned with the San Francisco hub for its hybrid requirements.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model necessitates intentional collaboration, with opportunities for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional workshops both virtually and in person.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to standard UX research tools, collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Zoom), and potentially advanced analytics and data visualization tools, alongside Strava's internal product development stack.

• Operations Team Interaction: Regular interaction with the Research & Insights team, product managers, designers, and data scientists to integrate research into the product development lifecycle.

Work Schedule: While primarily a full-time role (approx. 40 hours/week), the hybrid nature and startup environment may offer some flexibility in scheduling, provided core collaboration needs and project deadlines are met. Emphasis is placed on resourcefulness and fast-paced approaches when necessary.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model in San Francisco implies access to a vibrant tech ecosystem, but also requires proactive engagement for in-office collaboration. The environment is described as supportive of research impact, suggesting a culture that values data-driven decision-making.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, alignment with the role, and interest in Strava.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the Director of Research and Insights to delve into experience, research philosophy, strategic thinking, and leadership capabilities.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A core part of the process will likely involve presenting past research work, demonstrating end-to-end project ownership, impact, and strategic influence. This may be a dedicated session or integrated into other interviews.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders from Product Management, Design, and potentially Data Science to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to influence diverse teams.

• Research Team Interview: Meeting with other researchers to discuss methodology, teamwork, and contribution to research best practices.

• Final Interview/Debrief: Potentially with a senior leader (e.g., VP of Product) to finalize assessment of strategic fit and leadership potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 impactful projects that best showcase your ability to lead research for the user lifecycle, demonstrate systems thinking, and drive strategic outcomes.

• Structure for Impact: For each project, clearly articulate:

  • The Business/Product Problem: What was the challenge or opportunity?
  • Your Role & Approach: What was your specific contribution and the methodologies used?
  • Key Insights: What did you discover?
  • Recommendations: What actions did you propose?
  • Impact: What was the outcome? (Quantify where possible – e.g., increased engagement by X%, reduced churn by Y%, informed Z strategic decision).

• Highlight Systems Thinking: Explicitly show how your research addressed interconnected parts of the user journey or product ecosystem.

• Demonstrate Influence: Provide evidence of how you communicated insights and persuaded stakeholders to act.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your methodological choices, trade-offs made, and how you handled challenges.

• Tailor to Strava: Emphasize projects related to growth, engagement, retention, or new user onboarding if possible.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready for potential case study exercises or hypothetical research scenarios that require you to outline a research plan for a specific problem related to the user lifecycle.

• Prepare to discuss your perspective on the Strava product and its user experience, identifying potential research questions or areas for improvement.

• Practice articulating complex research findings concisely and persuasively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role. Candidates should focus on demonstrating strategic impact and leadership, not just execution of research tasks. The ability to articulate "systems thinking" and influence senior stakeholders will be key assessment points.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Qualitative Research Platforms: Tools for remote user interviews, usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Dovetail for synthesis).

• Survey Tools: For quantitative data collection and user feedback (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform, Qualtrics).

• Synthesis & Analysis Tools: Affinity mapping software, whiteboarding tools (e.g., Miro, Mural), spreadsheets, potentially specialized qualitative analysis software.

• Collaboration Tools: Slack, Zoom, Google Workspace.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Visualization Tools: Experience interpreting data from tools like Tableau, Looker, or Amplitude is beneficial for collaborating with Data Science and Analytics teams.

• Product Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with platforms like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or similar for understanding user behavior patterns.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how user data is managed and how CRM/marketing automation might leverage user lifecycle insights could be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, the role requires proficiency in a broad range of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and the associated tools. The ability to collaborate effectively with Data Science implies comfort with data interpretation and potentially working with analytics platforms.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user in all product decisions.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Relying on both qualitative insights and quantitative data to inform strategy and product development.

• Collaboration & Inclusion: Working effectively across diverse teams and perspectives to achieve common goals.

• Impact & Action: A bias towards action, translating insights into tangible improvements and business outcomes.

• Passion for Movement: A genuine enthusiasm for Strava's mission and the active lifestyle it promotes.

• Continuous Improvement: A drive to evolve research practices and contribute to a best-in-class research team.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, working closely with Product Management, Design, Data Science, Engineering, and Marketing.

• Emphasis on forging high-trust relationships and fostering innovation.

• Requires the ability to influence without direct authority and communicate complex ideas effectively to diverse audiences.

• Openness to diverse perspectives while maintaining a strong, data-backed point of view.

📝 Enhancement Note: Strava's culture is deeply tied to its mission. The Research team is positioned as a strategic partner, integral to the product development process, not just a support function. The emphasis on influencing and collaboration is key to success in this role.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Rigor and Pace: Navigating the demands of a late-stage startup requiring fast-paced approaches while maintaining high research quality and rigor.

• Driving Strategic Impact: Ensuring research insights translate into meaningful product changes and business outcomes, especially with executive-level stakeholders.

• Holistic User Understanding: Connecting disparate user behaviors and product touchpoints across the entire lifecycle to form a cohesive strategy.

• Influencing Diverse Stakeholders: Effectively communicating research findings and recommendations to teams with different priorities and perspectives.

• Defining and Measuring Success: Establishing clear metrics and methods to demonstrate the impact of user lifecycle research.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Methodologies: Opportunity to deepen expertise in quantitative research, systems thinking, and potentially new emerging research techniques.

• Strategic Influence: Developing skills in executive communication, stakeholder management, and influencing product roadmaps at a high level.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Gaining experience in leading research initiatives that span multiple product areas and departments.

• Mentorship: Potential to guide junior researchers and contribute to the professional development of the research team.

• Industry Exposure: Working within a leading fitness technology company, gaining insights into user behavior in a highly engaging domain.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the strategic nature of the role, requiring a blend of research expertise, business acumen, and strong interpersonal skills. Growth is framed around expanding influence, strategic thinking, and contributing to the research function's maturity.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led a research program that significantly impacted product strategy for a user lifecycle stage (e.g., acquisition, engagement, retention). What was your approach, what were the key insights, and what was the business outcome?"

• "How do you approach building a research roadmap for a complex, interconnected product like Strava? How do you prioritize initiatives?"

• "Walk me through how you would tackle understanding and improving the onboarding experience for new Strava users."

• "How do you ensure your research findings are actionable and effectively communicated to different stakeholders (e.g., Product Managers, Engineers, Executives)?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Strava's mission and product?"

• "How do you see your research skills contributing to Strava's goal of motivating people to live their best active lives?"

• "How do you approach working in a hybrid environment and collaborating with distributed teams?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with the "Why": Clearly state the business problem and your research objectives for each case study.

• Showcase Your Process: Detail your methodological choices, why you chose them, and any pivots you made.

• Highlight Key Findings & Insights: Focus on the "aha!" moments and their implications.

• Emphasize Recommendations & Impact: Clearly articulate what actions were taken based on your research and what the measurable outcomes were. Use data to support impact whenever possible.

• Demonstrate Influence: Explain how you socialized your findings and how they influenced decisions.

• Be Ready for Questions: Anticipate deep dives into your methodology, trade-offs, and challenges.

• Connect to Strava: Frame your experience and insights in the context of Strava's user base and business goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, end-to-end ownership, and the ability to drive tangible business impact through research. Candidates should be ready to articulate their research philosophy and how they build consensus and influence stakeholders.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Product Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Portfolio Customization: Carefully select and prepare 3-4 of your most impactful research projects that align with the user lifecycle, growth, engagement, or retention themes. Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates strategic thinking, end-to-end ownership, and measurable impact.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in product research, user lifecycle studies, systems thinking, stakeholder influence, and quantitative/qualitative methodologies. Quantify achievements wherever possible, focusing on business impact.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your research process, key insights, and the impact of your work. Prepare to discuss your approach to influencing stakeholders and driving user-centered decisions within a product team. Research Strava's product, mission, and recent developments.

• Company Research: Understand Strava's market position, its community focus, and its business model. Consider how your research skills can directly contribute to its continued success and growth.

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