Senior UX Researcher, Gen AI and Search

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Researcher, Gen AI and Search

Company: Target

Location: 1000 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403-2542

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Experience Research / Product Development Operations

Date Posted: 2025-11-25

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on leveraging User Experience (UX) research methodologies to inform the development and enhancement of Target's Generative AI and Search capabilities, directly impacting the digital guest experience.

• The Senior UX Researcher will be instrumental in bridging the gap between guest needs and product strategy, utilizing data-driven insights to guide cross-functional teams in creating intuitive and valuable digital touchpoints.

• This position requires a deep understanding of modern research practices, including experimental approaches with AI, to uncover user pain points and opportunities within complex digital ecosystems.

• The role emphasizes translating complex research findings into actionable recommendations that drive product innovation and business growth within a fast-paced, agile environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the raw job description is for a UX Researcher, this enhancement frames it within an "Operations" context. The core function of UX Research is to operationalize user insights into product development, which is a critical component of a successful GTM (Go-To-Market) strategy and product lifecycle operations. The focus on GenAI and Search implies a forward-looking, data-intensive operations role.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design, plan, and execute comprehensive qualitative and quantitative UX research studies, including but not limited to moderated/unmoderated testing (remote and in-person), surveys, heuristic reviews, benchmark studies, concept testing, ethnographies, and online/in-store intercepts.

• Synthesize research findings from diverse methodologies into clear, actionable insights and compelling narratives that effectively communicate guest needs, pain points, and opportunities to product managers, UX designers, engineering teams, data scientists, content designers, and site merchandisers.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional product development teams throughout the entire research project lifecycle, from methodology recommendation and scoping to execution, synthesis, and post-research analysis, ensuring research directly informs product decisions.

• Champion a human-centered design philosophy within UX, product, and engineering departments by consistently advocating for the guest's perspective in all product development processes and strategic planning.

• Actively contribute to the ongoing development and maintenance of the UX research library, ensuring a comprehensive and up-to-date repository of guest insights to support strategic initiatives and ongoing product evolution.

• Navigate the complexities and ambiguities inherent in a large, matrixed organization to drive research initiatives and ensure alignment across various stakeholders.

• Experiment with and evaluate the effectiveness of Generative AI (GenAI) features and search functionalities through rigorous user research, providing data-backed recommendations for optimization and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: These responsibilities are expanded to highlight the operational aspects of research: lifecycle management, cross-functional collaboration, data synthesis for decision-making, and championing user-centric processes within product development. The mention of "experimenting with AI" is crucial for a modern operations role focused on innovative technologies.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of dedicated experience practicing UX research for digital product teams, with a demonstrable track record of influencing product strategy and design.

• Proven experience managing multiple research projects of varying scope and complexity concurrently, adapting to shifting priorities and project timelines within an agile framework.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in a wide range of UX Research methodologies, including but not limited to: remote moderated and unmoderated testing, online and in-context (e.g., in-store) intercepts, surveys, usability testing, heuristic evaluations, and ethnographies.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to articulate complex research concepts, findings, and recommendations clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, including senior leadership.

• Strong storytelling capabilities, with a demonstrated ability to translate raw research data into compelling narratives that resonate with stakeholders and drive action.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, enabling effective collaboration with cross-functional partners and comfortable moderating discussions with a wide range of user demographics.

• Proficiency in managing and tracking multiple projects throughout the product design lifecycle, ensuring timely delivery and thorough execution.

• Demonstrated ability to thrive in ambiguous situations, proactively seeking clarity and driving research initiatives forward.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience specifically in experimenting with and researching Generative AI (GenAI) features and their impact on user experience.

• Experience running, recruiting, moderating, and analyzing data from online user panels.

• Familiarity with A/B testing principles and how research findings can complement experimental data.

• Experience in the retail industry or with e-commerce platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level is explicitly stated. Preferred skills are highlighted to indicate areas where candidates can differentiate themselves, particularly the GenAI experience, which is a significant differentiator for modern UX roles impacting product operations. The mention of specific tools is vital for ATS keyword optimization.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing a minimum of 3-5 distinct UX research projects, with a strong emphasis on projects involving digital product development, preferably within e-commerce, search, or AI-driven features.

• Each project should clearly articulate the research problem, the methodologies employed (qualitative and quantitative), the research process, key findings, and the actionable recommendations provided to product teams.

• Demonstrate the impact of your research, showcasing how your insights influenced product decisions, improved user experience metrics (e.g., task success rates, satisfaction scores, conversion rates), or contributed to business objectives.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of designing and documenting research plans, including clear objectives, participant criteria, methodologies, and timelines, ensuring alignment with project goals and product roadmaps.

• Examples of how you have integrated research findings into agile development workflows, such as providing insights at key sprint planning sessions or backlog refinement meetings.

• Demonstrate experience in iterative research, showing how feedback loops were established to refine designs and product features based on ongoing user testing and validation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is crucial for operations roles. A portfolio isn't just a collection of work; it's proof of process, impact, and the ability to operationalize insights. The emphasis on 'process documentation' and 'iterative research' aligns with the operational rigor expected in such roles.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• USD $95,000 - $171,000 per year.

Benefits:

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental insurance; life insurance; short-term and long-term disability coverage.

• Financial Security: Eligible team members can participate in a 401(k) plan; access to employee discount programs.

• Time Off: Paid sick leave, paid national holidays, and paid vacation time.

• Additional Perks: Access to detailed benefit information at https://corporate.target.com/careers/benefits.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time position, typically 40 hours per week.

• The role operates on a Hybrid/Flex for Your Day work arrangement, requiring a balance of onsite work at the Minneapolis HQ and remote work, depending on team and task requirements. Specific onsite days will be determined by role, team, and task needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is explicitly stated with a clear explanation of influencing factors. Benefits are detailed and categorized for clarity. The "Hybrid/Flex for Your Day" work arrangement is explained, emphasizing flexibility within a structured hybrid model, which is common in operations roles requiring collaboration and focused work.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Retail. Target is a leading omnichannel retailer in the United States, known for its strong brand presence and commitment to innovation in both physical and digital spaces.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (Target is a Fortune 50 company with over 400,000 employees globally). This size implies robust processes, significant resources, and opportunities for large-scale impact.

Founded: 1902. With over a century of history, Target has a deeply ingrained culture of customer focus and adaptation to market changes.

Team Structure:

• The Global UX team is a cross-functional collective of design practitioners, content strategists, researchers, and accessibility experts dedicated to enhancing digital experiences for guests, team members, and partners.

• The Senior UX Researcher will be embedded within the broader Guest UX Team, acting as a key partner to product managers, UX designers, engineers, data scientists, content designers, accessibility consultants, and site merchandisers.

Methodology:

• The team emphasizes a human-centered design approach, utilizing tried-and-true research methodologies to understand guest needs deeply.

• There's a focus on translating research data into powerful stories and actionable insights that directly shape product development and business strategy.

• Emphasis is placed on innovation, particularly with emerging technologies like Generative AI, and applying these to improve end-to-end guest experiences across digital touchpoints.

Company Website: https://corporate.target.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context is fleshed out with industry and size details, which are important for understanding the operational scale and complexity. The team structure highlights the collaborative and matrixed nature, critical for operations professionals. The methodology section reinforces the user-centric and data-driven approach.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level individual contributor role within the operations domain of User Experience Research. It signifies a high degree of autonomy, expertise, and responsibility for driving significant research initiatives that directly impact product strategy and business outcomes. The role focuses on complex problem-solving and influencing product direction.

Reporting Structure: While specific reporting lines are not detailed, Senior UX Researchers typically report to a UX Research Manager or Director. They will work closely with Product Managers, UX Designers, and Engineering Leads as peers and collaborators within cross-functional product teams.

Operations Impact: The core impact of this role is operationalizing user insights to ensure Target's digital products, specifically GenAI and Search functionalities, are intuitive, effective, and meet guest needs. This directly contributes to guest satisfaction, loyalty, conversion rates, and ultimately, revenue growth by enhancing the digital shopping experience.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in Generative AI research, advanced quantitative methods, or specific product domains (e.g., personalization, search algorithms).

• Leadership: Transition into a Lead UX Researcher role, mentoring junior researchers, or moving into management positions within the UX Research function.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Potential to move into Product Management, Design Strategy, or Data Science roles leveraging deep user understanding and analytical skills.

• Skill Development: Opportunities for continuous learning through internal workshops, industry conferences, and potentially certifications in advanced research techniques or AI ethics.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis frames the UX Researcher role within an operations career path, emphasizing its strategic importance and potential for advancement. The "Operations Impact" section clearly articulates how UX research contributes to core business metrics, which is a key consideration for operations professionals.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid/Flex for Your Day work arrangement. This indicates a flexible model where the employee is expected to work both remotely and onsite at the Target HQ in Minneapolis, MN, as needed by the role, team, and specific tasks.

Office Location(s): Target HQ, 1000 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403-2542. This is a central urban location.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to foster collaboration, with opportunities for in-person interaction with cross-functional teams (Product Managers, Designers, Engineers) at the Minneapolis HQ.

• Access to necessary technology and tools for both remote and onsite work, supporting a seamless research workflow.

Work Schedule:

• Standard 40-hour work week, with flexibility often provided within a hybrid model to manage work-life balance, provided core responsibilities and collaboration needs are met.

• The hybrid nature requires proactive communication and coordination to ensure availability for team meetings, research sessions, and onsite collaboration days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment is detailed, including the "Flex for Your Day" aspect, which requires clear communication and self-management—key operational skills. The context emphasizes collaboration and access to resources, typical of large corporate environments.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and resumes, followed by a brief phone screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, focusing on 1-2 key projects that demonstrate their UX research expertise, process, and impact, particularly in areas relevant to GenAI and search. Be prepared to discuss your role, methodologies, challenges, and the outcomes of your research.

• Skills-Based Interviews: Multiple rounds of interviews with UX researchers, product managers, UX designers, and potentially engineering leads or data scientists. These will assess your research skills, problem-solving abilities, communication style, and understanding of human-centered design principles. Expect behavioral questions and scenario-based questions.

• Take-Home Assignment or Case Study: You might be given a research challenge or a scenario to prepare a research plan or analysis. This tests your ability to apply your skills to a relevant problem.

• Final Interview: A final discussion with a senior leader to assess overall fit, strategic thinking, and alignment with Target's culture and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the business or user impact. Use metrics where possible (e.g., "increased task completion rate by X%", "reduced user errors by Y%", "informed a product decision that led to Z% improvement in engagement").

• Showcase Process: Detail your research process from problem definition to actionable insights. Highlight how you selected methodologies and why.

• Tell a Story: Structure your presentations with a clear narrative arc: the problem, your approach, the findings, and the solution/recommendation.

• Highlight GenAI/Search Relevance: If possible, include projects related to AI, search, or complex digital systems to demonstrate direct relevance.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your decision-making process, how you handled challenging stakeholders, and how you adapted methodologies.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a take-home assignment, thoroughly research Target's current digital offerings, especially in search and any AI-related features.

• Focus on Actionability: Ensure your proposed research plan or analysis focuses on generating actionable insights that can directly inform product development.

• Demonstrate Methodological Rigor: Clearly outline the rationale behind your chosen methods and how they align with the research objectives.

• Practice Presentation: Rehearse presenting your findings and recommendations concisely and persuasively.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides a structured guide to the interview process, with specific tips tailored for a UX Researcher role, emphasizing portfolio presentation and challenge preparation relevant to operations professionals. The focus on "actionability" and "impact" is critical for operations roles.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: UserTesting.com, Lookback, UserZoom, Maze. This is for conducting remote moderated and unmoderated usability tests, surveys, and prototype testing.

• Survey & Data Analysis: Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey. Essential for designing and deploying surveys, collecting quantitative data, and initial data analysis.

• Qualitative Data Analysis: Dovetail, NVivo, or similar tools for organizing, coding, and synthesizing qualitative data from interviews and usability sessions.

• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom. For daily communication, virtual meetings, and remote collaboration.

• Prototyping & Design Tools (Familiarity): Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD. While not a design role, understanding these tools is beneficial for collaborating with designers on prototypes for testing.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics. For understanding user behavior on live digital products and identifying areas for further research.

• BI Tools (Familiarity): Tableau, Power BI. Understanding how to interpret data visualizations and dashboards to complement research findings.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems (Familiarity): Salesforce, Adobe Experience Cloud. Understanding how guest data is managed and utilized can inform research questions and strategy.

• AI/ML Tools: ChatGPT, other LLM platforms. For research synthesis, generating hypotheses, and potentially exploring AI-driven research assistance.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is critical for operations roles. Listing specific tools and their applications in a UX research context provides a clear picture of the technology stack and required proficiencies, which are vital for both job seekers and ATS systems.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Guest Obsession: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of Target's guests, ensuring that all research and product decisions are guest-centric.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Valuing empirical evidence and research insights to inform strategy and product development, moving beyond assumptions to data-backed conclusions.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Fostering strong working relationships across product, design, engineering, and business teams to ensure research is integrated and impactful.

• Innovation & Adaptability: Embracing new technologies like GenAI and methodologies, and being agile in response to evolving guest needs and market trends.

• Impact & Accountability: Focusing on delivering tangible results and taking ownership of research outcomes, ensuring research contributes measurably to business goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively embedding into product teams, participating in agile ceremonies, and facilitating research discussions to ensure seamless integration of user insights into the product lifecycle.

• Open Communication & Feedback: Encouraging a culture of constructive feedback, open dialogue about research findings, and transparent sharing of insights and challenges.

• Knowledge Sharing: Participating in and contributing to internal communities of practice, sharing learnings, best practices, and fostering a collective growth environment within the UX research discipline.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section translates Target's general company values into specific operational expectations for a UX Researcher, emphasizing data-driven approaches, cross-functional collaboration, and a commitment to actionable insights.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complexity: The primary challenge will be navigating Target's large, matrixed organization to effectively influence product decisions and ensure research is prioritized and acted upon across diverse teams.

• Ambiguity in GenAI: Researching rapidly evolving technologies like Generative AI presents inherent ambiguity regarding user behavior, ethical considerations, and long-term impact, requiring innovative research approaches.

• Balancing Research Rigor with Agile Speed: Ensuring research methodologies are robust enough to yield valid insights while still meeting the fast-paced demands of agile product development cycles.

• Translating Insights into Action: The ongoing challenge of ensuring research findings are not just delivered but actively understood, adopted, and implemented by product teams to drive meaningful change.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Research Techniques: Opportunities to explore and implement cutting-edge research methods, particularly those relevant to AI, complex search algorithms, and personalized experiences.

• Industry Exposure: Participation in leading UX research conferences (e.g., CHI, UXR Conference) and workshops to stay abreast of industry trends and best practices.

• Mentorship: Access to senior researchers and leaders within Target's UX organization for guidance, career advice, and skill development.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Opportunities to learn from and collaborate with experts in product management, data science, AI/ML, and design, broadening your understanding of the product development ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section proactively addresses potential challenges inherent in the role and organization, framing them as opportunities for growth and skill development, which is a key aspect of operational excellence and continuous improvement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to influence a product team that was resistant to your research findings. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Assesses influence, communication, and resilience)

• "How would you approach researching the user experience of a new Generative AI feature within Target's search functionality? What methods would you prioritize, and what ethical considerations would you address?" (Assesses GenAI research expertise, methodological planning, and ethical awareness)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Target's approach to UX research, particularly concerning GenAI and search?" (Assesses research into Target's operations and cultural alignment)

• "How do you see your role contributing to Target's overall mission of helping families discover the joy of everyday life through digital experiences?" (Assesses understanding of Target's values and alignment with the company's purpose)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: For each project presented, lead with the business or user outcome. Quantify success whenever possible.

• Structure for Clarity: Use a consistent structure: Problem > Your Role > Methodology > Process > Key Findings > Recommendations > Impact.

• Highlight GenAI/Search Relevance: Ensure at least one project discussed has elements that relate to complex digital systems, AI, or search, even if not explicitly.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your decision-making, trade-offs made, and alternative approaches you considered.

• Demonstrate Storytelling: Weave a narrative that engages the interviewers and clearly communicates the value of your research.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides concrete examples of interview questions and preparation strategies, directly linking them to the operational aspects of the role, such as influencing stakeholders, managing complex projects, and articulating impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight keywords from the job description, focusing on your experience with qualitative and quantitative research, GenAI, search, project management, and cross-functional collaboration. Quantify achievements with metrics where possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest UX research projects that best demonstrate your skills in user-centered design, data synthesis, and driving product impact. Ensure your portfolio clearly outlines your process, your role, and the outcomes.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your experience and research insights using theSTAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result), especially for behavioral interview questions. Be ready to discuss your portfolio in detail.

• Research Target: Understand Target's business, its digital presence (especially search and any AI features), and its stated values. Prepare thoughtful questions for the interviewers about the team, the role, and the company's approach to UX research and product development.

⚠️ 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.

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