Senior UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Researcher Company: Cox Enterprises Location: Atlanta, GA Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: User Experience Research / Product Development Date Posted: December 08, 2025 Experience Level: 5-10 Years Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This Senior UX Researcher role focuses on leveraging mixed-methods research to drive exceptional user experiences within Cox Automotive's product development lifecycle.
• The position requires independent management of research projects, from initial scoping through to the delivery of actionable insights, emphasizing a user-centered design approach.
• A key aspect of this role involves strong cross-functional collaboration with Product, Design, and Engineering teams to influence product strategy and inform design decisions.
• The role also contributes to the advancement of research operations, process improvements, and the adoption of new methodologies and tools.
• A unique emphasis is placed on AI-Driven experimentation, requiring an interest in exploring and applying AI to enhance research efficacy and product innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the input job description is for a UX Researcher, this enhancement will frame it through the lens of GTM (Go-To-Market) operations by highlighting how user research directly informs product strategy, market fit, and ultimately, the success of go-to-market initiatives. The insights generated by this role are critical for understanding target audiences, validating product-market fit, and refining user journeys, all of which are foundational to effective GTM operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and analyze mixed-methods research (qualitative and quantitative) throughout the entire product lifecycle, from early-stage discovery to final validation.
• Independently manage the end-to-end research process, including project scoping, participant recruitment, study design, data collection, in-depth analysis, and the clear articulation of actionable insights.
• Foster strong collaborative partnerships with UX designers, Product Managers, Engineers, and other stakeholders to ensure research findings effectively influence product strategy, design decisions, and overall user experience enhancements.
• Synthesize complex research data into compelling narratives and clear, concise presentations, effectively communicating findings and recommendations to diverse audiences, including executive leadership.
• Champion user-centered design principles across the organization, actively contributing to building and nurturing a research-driven culture and promoting user empathy among teams.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of research operations by identifying opportunities to enhance existing processes, evaluate and implement new research tools, and maintain comprehensive documentation.
• Investigate and evaluate emerging User Experience Research trends and technologies within the industry, providing strategic recommendations to UX leadership for enhancing research velocity, value, efficacy, and adopting innovative methodologies and tools.
• Assist in the creation of interaction designs and prototype development as needed to support specific initiatives, particularly within the active Cox Automotive Inventory Solutions area.
• Translate project goals into intuitive design structures that enable users to successfully achieve their objectives and complete tasks efficiently.
• Communicate interaction design specifications and UX requirements clearly to the engineering implementation team to ensure accurate translation into the final product.

📝 Enhancement Note: These responsibilities are expanded to emphasize the operational impact. For instance, "Independently manage research projects" is detailed to include the full project lifecycle, highlighting project management skills critical in operations. "Contribute to research operations" is elaborated to explicitly mention process improvement and tool evaluation, aligning with operations functions focused on efficiency and scalability. The inclusion of "AI-Driven experimentation" directly links to modern operational strategies for rapid testing and iteration.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Anthropology, Computer Science, or a related discipline is required.
• An advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in a related field is preferred, indicating a deeper theoretical and practical understanding crucial for complex research initiatives.

Experience:

• A minimum of 4 years of hands-on UX research experience is required, with a strong emphasis on managing research projects from inception to completion.
• Proven experience demonstrating expertise in mixed-methods research, supported by a robust portfolio showcasing successful projects and methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and effectively manage multiple concurrent research projects, prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Extensive knowledge and practical application of both qualitative research methods (e.g., in-depth interviews, ethnographic studies, usability testing, contextual inquiries) and quantitative research methods (e.g., surveys, A/B testing, behavioral analytics, card sorting).
• Exceptional skills in synthesizing complex data from various sources into clear, compelling narratives and actionable insights, translating research findings into strategic recommendations.
• Proficiency with a range of research tools and platforms, including but not limited to UserTesting.com, Optimal Workshop, Qualtrics, Dovetail, and various analytics platforms.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to present findings and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to be a valuable contributing member of cross-functional teams, fostering confidence and respect for the impact of research on user experience.
• Proven capability to effectively partner with and communicate research insights to stakeholders, designers, product managers, and engineering development teams.

Required Skills:

• Mixed-Methods Research Design and Execution
• Qualitative Research Methodologies (Interviews, Usability Testing, Ethnography)
• Quantitative Research Methodologies (Surveys, A/B Testing, Analytics)
• Data Synthesis and Analysis
• Storytelling and Presentation of Research Findings
• User-Centered Design Principles Advocacy
• Cross-Functional Collaboration and Communication
• Independent Project Management and Scoping
• Research Tool Proficiency (e.g., UserTesting, Qualtrics, Dovetail)

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the automotive, e-commerce, or enterprise SaaS industries.
• Familiarity with Design Thinking methodologies and Agile development processes.
• Experience with AI-Driven experimentation and its application in user research.
• Knowledge of statistical analysis software.
• Prototyping and basic interaction design skills.
• Experience contributing to research operations and process improvement initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The skills are categorized into Required and Preferred to provide clarity. "Mixed-Methods Research" and "Data Synthesis" are highlighted as core competencies, aligning with operational needs for data-driven decision-making. The mention of "AI-Driven experimentation" is included as a preferred skill, reflecting the forward-looking aspect of the role and its relevance to modern operational strategies.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is essential, showcasing a minimum of 4 years of UX research experience with a strong emphasis on mixed-methods expertise.
• The portfolio should clearly demonstrate the candidate's ability to independently manage research projects from initiation to completion, detailing the scope, methodology, and impact of each project.
• Expectation to present case studies that highlight the application of both qualitative and quantitative research methods, illustrating how user insights were synthesized and translated into actionable product or strategic recommendations.
• The portfolio must showcase the ability to derive insights from complex data and communicate them effectively through compelling storytelling and clear presentations, demonstrating impact on user experience and business objectives.
• Evidence of familiarity with and application of various research tools (e.g., UserTesting, Optimal Workshop, Qualtrics, Dovetail) and analytics platforms should be present.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates are expected to demonstrate experience in documenting research processes, including study plans, participant recruitment strategies, data collection protocols, and analysis frameworks.
• The portfolio should include examples of research reports and presentations that clearly articulate findings, implications, and recommendations, serving as a model for effective knowledge transfer within the organization.
• Demonstrated understanding of how research processes integrate with broader product development workflows, such as Agile and Design Thinking, is crucial.
• Experience in contributing to or improving research operations, including refining workflows, standardizing documentation, and evaluating tools, will be highly valued.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section emphasizes the operational value of a portfolio. It's framed not just as a collection of work, but as evidence of process management, documentation capabilities, and the ability to integrate research into broader development workflows—all critical for operational efficiency and scalability. The link to "AI-Driven experimentation" implies a need for portfolios that might include examples of rapid testing or data-driven iteration.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The anticipated base salary range for this position is $99,000.00 to $165,000.00 USD per year.
• The final base salary will be determined based on factors such as the candidate's ultimate work location, their demonstrated knowledge, skills, abilities, and overall experience.
• This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, potentially including an incentive program, reflecting performance-based rewards common in operations and product development roles.

Benefits:

• Flexible Time Off: Employees have the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as deemed consistent with their duties and company needs.
• Paid Holidays: Seven paid holidays are provided throughout the calendar year.
• Paid Wellness: Up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for personal or family member wellness.
• Additional Paid Time Off: Including bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.
• Health Care Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans are available.
• Retirement Planning: Access to retirement planning options, such as a 401(k) plan.
• Drug-Free Workplace: Compliance with drug-free workplace policies, with specific information regarding pre-employment drug testing for marijuana.

Working Hours:

• Standard working hours are expected to be approximately 40 hours per week, typically falling within the Day shift.
• The hybrid work arrangement allows for a portion of the week to be worked remotely, offering flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided as stated. The benefits are detailed to highlight aspects that contribute to employee well-being and work-life balance, which are increasingly important factors for operations professionals seeking roles. The inclusion of "incentive program" suggests a performance-driven compensation structure often found in operations roles focused on tangible outcomes. The mention of hybrid work also addresses a common operational consideration for flexibility.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Automotive Services, Digital Transformation Cox Automotive operates within the dynamic automotive industry, focusing on digital solutions and services that transform how vehicles are bought, owned, sold, and used. This sector is characterized by rapid technological advancement, a strong emphasis on data, and a drive for seamless customer experiences, directly impacting the UX research function.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (Cox Enterprises likely employs thousands globally, with Cox Automotive being a significant division). This size suggests a structured environment with established processes, but also opportunities for broad impact across numerous brands and products.

Founded: Cox Enterprises was founded in 1898, with Cox Automotive evolving significantly over time to become a leader in the digital automotive space. This long history indicates stability, a deep understanding of market evolution, and a commitment to innovation.

Team Structure:

• The UX Research team likely operates within the broader Engineering or Product Development group. It's expected to be a specialized team with clear reporting lines, potentially to a Director or VP of UX/Product.
• As an Individual Contributor role, the Senior UX Researcher will likely work within a pod or squad structure, collaborating closely with dedicated Product Managers, Designers, and Engineers on specific product initiatives.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a cornerstone of this role, requiring seamless interaction with marketing, sales enablement, and other GTM teams to ensure research insights are leveraged across the entire business.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis and Insights: Emphasis on rigorous data analysis, employing both qualitative and quantitative methods to uncover deep user needs and behavioral patterns.
• Workflow Planning and Optimization: Focus on integrating research seamlessly into product development lifecycles, particularly within Agile frameworks, to ensure efficient and timely insights.
• Automation and Efficiency: An interest in exploring how AI and new tools can automate aspects of research or enhance the efficiency and impact of UX research processes.

Company Website: https://www.coxenterprises.com/ and https://www.coxauto.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context is framed to highlight how its industry, size, and history influence the operations role. For example, the "large enterprise" size implies a need for scalable research processes and strong cross-functional alignment, essential for GTM operations. The "Methodology" section directly ties into operational efficiency and data-driven decision-making.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as an "Individual Contributor" at a "Senior" level, indicating a high degree of autonomy and expertise. It signifies a transition from executing research to owning research strategy for specific product areas, mentoring junior researchers, and significantly influencing product direction.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Researcher will report to a UX leadership role (e.g., UX Research Manager, Director of UX). They will work closely with Product Managers, Designers, and Engineering teams, forming a cross-functional unit focused on product development.

Operations Impact: The insights generated by this Senior UX Researcher are critical for informing product-market fit, refining user journeys, and validating product strategies before market launch. This directly impacts the success of Go-To-Market (GTM) operations by ensuring products meet genuine user needs, reducing development risks, and optimizing marketing messaging and sales enablement materials. By advocating for user-centered design, this role helps ensure products are not only functional but also desirable and intuitive, leading to higher adoption rates and customer satisfaction.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific research methodologies, emerging technologies like AI in research, or particular product domains within Cox Automotive.
• Leadership Development: Potential to move into a Lead UX Researcher role, managing research initiatives, mentoring junior team members, and contributing to the strategic direction of the UX research function.
• Cross-Functional Mobility: Possibility to transition into Product Management, UX Design leadership, or even GTM strategy roles by leveraging a deep understanding of user needs and market dynamics.
• Process Improvement Leadership: Opportunity to lead initiatives focused on enhancing research operations, improving efficiency, and scaling research capabilities across the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section explicitly connects the UX Researcher role to GTM operations and career progression. The "Operations Impact" subsection details how user research directly supports GTM strategies like market fit and messaging. "Growth Opportunities" are framed within the context of operations, including process improvement and strategic leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid Work Model. Employees are expected to work from the office part of the week and can work remotely for the remainder. This model aims to balance in-person collaboration and team building with individual focus and flexibility.

Office Location(s): Primarily based in Atlanta, GA, at the 6305 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd Bldg A location. The role requires 15% travel, potentially to other Cox Automotive locations or for in-person research activities.

Workspace Context:

• The work environment is described as fast-paced and independent, requiring self-starters who can manage their own workload and deliverables.
• Collaboration is a key aspect, with expectations to work closely with UX, Product, and Engineering teams, suggesting an open and interactive office space conducive to teamwork.
• Access to necessary research tools, software, and analytics platforms will be provided to support research activities.
• Opportunities for interaction within the broader Cox Automotive ecosystem will exist, fostering a culture of shared learning and innovation.

Work Schedule:

• Standard day shift hours are expected, typically around 40 hours per week.
• The hybrid arrangement offers flexibility in terms of where work is performed on designated remote days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role is highlighted as a key aspect of the modern work environment, relevant to operations professionals who value flexibility. The required travel is quantified, providing practical information for candidates to assess their suitability and preferences.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and portfolios, focusing on qualifications, experience, and alignment with the role's requirements.
• Portfolio Review & Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, detailing specific research projects, methodologies used, insights generated, and the impact of their work. This is a critical stage for assessing practical skills and communication abilities.
• Technical/Skills Interview: Expect questions focused on UX research methodologies, data analysis, synthesis, and problem-solving. This may involve discussing hypothetical research scenarios or challenges.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Designers, and Engineers to assess collaboration style, communication effectiveness, and ability to integrate research into product development workflows.
• Behavioral Interview: Questions designed to evaluate cultural fit, problem-solving approaches, self-management skills, and experience working in a hybrid or fast-paced environment.
• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic thinking, long-term vision, and overall fit within the organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 impactful projects that best showcase your mixed-methods expertise, independent project management skills, and ability to drive product decisions.
• Structure Your Case Studies: For each project, clearly outline: the problem/context, your role and responsibilities, the research questions, methodologies employed (and why), key findings, actionable recommendations, and the resulting impact (quantified if possible).
• Emphasize Impact: Clearly articulate how your research influenced product strategy, design decisions, or business outcomes. Use metrics where available to demonstrate ROI.
• Showcase Methodology Depth: Explain your rationale for choosing specific qualitative and quantitative methods and how you synthesized findings from different sources.
• Prepare for Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio concisely and engagingly. Be ready to answer in-depth questions about your process, decisions, and challenges.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a potential research challenge or case study, which might involve analyzing a dataset, outlining a research plan for a given scenario, or critiquing an existing design.
• Focus on demonstrating your structured thinking, problem-solving approach, and ability to apply UX research principles to real-world problems.
• Clearly articulate your assumptions, the steps you would take, and how you would measure success.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice tailored to the UX Research role, emphasizing the portfolio as a key component. The advice on structuring case studies and demonstrating impact is crucial for operations candidates who need to show tangible results. The mention of "AI-Driven experimentation" suggests candidates might prepare examples related to rapid testing or data-driven iteration if applicable.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research Platforms: UserTesting.com, Lookback.io, Maze, UserZoom for remote usability testing and participant feedback.
• Qualitative Data Analysis: Dovetail, NVivo, ATLAS.ti for organizing, analyzing, and synthesizing qualitative data from interviews and studies.
• Survey & Quantitative Data: Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Google Forms for designing and deploying surveys, and collecting quantitative data.
• Collaboration & Documentation: Confluence, Jira, Miro, Figma for collaborating with design and product teams, documenting research plans, and sharing findings.
• Analytics Platforms: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Mixpanel for understanding user behavior, tracking key metrics, and informing quantitative research.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Experience with web analytics tools to understand user behavior patterns and identify areas for further research.
• Proficiency in generating reports and dashboards that effectively communicate research insights to stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how user insights impact customer journeys within CRM systems can be beneficial. Familiarity with automation tools used in research recruitment or data collection is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section identifies specific tools relevant to UX research. While not directly "operations tools" in the traditional sense (like Salesforce or Marketo), these platforms are critical for gathering data and insights that fuel operational decision-making in product development and GTM strategy. The emphasis on analytics and reporting aligns with the data-driven nature of operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A core value is prioritizing the user's needs and experience in all product development and strategic decisions.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasis on using research insights and data to inform strategy, design, and product roadmaps.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering a spirit of partnership across disciplines (UX, Product, Engineering) to achieve shared goals.
• Continuous Improvement: A commitment to refining research processes, exploring new methodologies, and enhancing the overall effectiveness of the UX function.
• Innovation: Encouraging curiosity, experimentation (including AI-driven approaches), and the pursuit of novel solutions to user challenges.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamless integration with Product Management, Design, and Engineering to ensure research is embedded throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Proactive Communication: Maintaining open lines of communication with stakeholders to share insights, gather feedback, and align on research priorities.
• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in team discussions, sharing learnings, and contributing to a collective understanding of user needs and market trends.
• Constructive Feedback: Willingness to both give and receive constructive feedback to improve research quality and team effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section translates typical UX research values into an operations context, emphasizing data-driven decision-making, process refinement, and cross-functional collaboration as key cultural drivers that align with operational excellence.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Pace of Innovation: Keeping pace with rapid technological advancements, especially in areas like AI, and integrating new research methods effectively.
• Balancing Research Needs: Managing competing priorities and stakeholder demands to deliver impactful research within tight timelines.
• Demonstrating ROI: Quantifying the impact of UX research on business outcomes and effectively communicating this value to leadership.
• Scaling Research: Developing processes and strategies to scale research operations efficiently across a large organization with diverse product portfolios.
• Navigating Complex Products: Understanding and researching complex, interconnected products within the automotive technology ecosystem.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Methodologies: Opportunities to learn and apply cutting-edge research techniques, including AI-driven experimentation and advanced analytics.
• Industry Conferences & Training: Support for attending relevant industry conferences (e.g., CHI, UXR Conference) and pursuing certifications.
• Mentorship: Access to experienced UX leaders and the opportunity to mentor junior researchers.
• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gaining deeper insights into Product Management, Engineering, and GTM strategies through close collaboration.
• Leadership Development: Potential pathways to lead research initiatives, manage teams, or contribute to strategic planning within the UX organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section highlights challenges and growth opportunities relevant to an operations-focused perspective. Challenges like "Demonstrating ROI" and "Scaling Research" are core operational concerns, while growth opportunities focus on skill advancement and leadership within a research operations framework.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to influence product strategy with your research findings. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, stakeholder management, and the measurable impact.)
• "How would you approach researching a new feature for [specific Cox Automotive product, e.g., Kelley Blue Book valuation tool] to ensure it meets user needs and business goals?" (Demonstrate your structured thinking, methodological choices, and understanding of product goals.)
• "Walk me through a complex research project you managed independently. What were the key challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Highlight project management, problem-solving, and resilience.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Cox Automotive and our mission to transform the automotive industry?" (Research Cox Automotive's business, brands, and recent news. Connect your passion for user experience to their goals.)
• "How do you foster a user-centered culture within cross-functional teams, especially those less familiar with research?" (Discuss your advocacy skills, communication strategies, and experience building empathy.)
• "How do you measure the success and impact of your UX research efforts?" (Be prepared to discuss metrics, ROI, and how you tie research to business outcomes.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame your case studies as narratives with a clear beginning (problem), middle (process/challenges), and end (solution/impact).
• Visuals: Use clear, concise visuals (screenshots, diagrams, charts) to illustrate your points and make your findings more digestible.
• Focus on Decisions: Explain why you made certain methodological choices or recommendations, demonstrating critical thinking.
• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to show the tangible results of your research (e.g., increased conversion rates, reduced support tickets, improved user satisfaction scores).
• Engagement: Be prepared for Q&A. Engage with your interviewers and be open to discussing alternative approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview questions are tailored to assess skills directly relevant to operations—strategic influence, problem-solving, impact measurement, and cross-functional collaboration. The portfolio presentation strategy emphasizes demonstrating tangible results and clear decision-making processes.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application officially through the Cox Careers portal via the provided URL.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating mixed-methods research, independent project management, and significant impact on product strategy or user experience. Focus on case studies that show how your insights drove actionable decisions.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your years of experience, proficiency in qualitative and quantitative research methods, experience with relevant tools, and your ability to collaborate cross-functionally. Use keywords from the job description naturally.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your research process, methodologies, and the impact of your work. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions related to independence, collaboration, and problem-solving. Rehearse your portfolio presentation.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Cox Automotive, its various brands (e.g., Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, Manheim), and its strategic goals within the automotive industry. Understand their approach to technology and customer experience.

⚠️ 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.