UX Researcher, Lead, VP

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher, Lead, VP Company: Morgan Stanley Location: Purchase, New York, United States Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: User Experience Research / Product Insights Date Posted: 2025-10-24 Experience Level: 10+ Years Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and evangelize the practice of user research within the Wealth Management Platforms division, influencing the future of UX research discipline.
• Guide a team of researchers in planning, executing, and analyzing diverse research studies to inform product and technology strategy.
• Serve as a strategic partner to Product Management, Product Design, and Technology teams, translating user insights into actionable product improvements and feature development.
• Develop and refine best practices, processes, and an insights repository to empower product teams and foster a user-centric culture.
• Drive the creation of intuitive, seamless digital experiences for both Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and their clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a senior leadership position within UX Research, requiring a blend of deep research expertise, strong team leadership, and strategic influence. The "VP" title suggests significant responsibility for the UX research function within the Wealth Management Platforms division, implying a need to champion the practice and drive organizational change.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Mentor and coach research team members, ensuring high-quality research outputs and fostering professional growth.
• Make strategic staffing decisions for the research team based on business priorities, project needs, and team member development.
• Champion the value of user research by collaborating closely with cross-functional partners (Product Management, Design, Technology) to identify opportunities for product enhancement.
• Develop and maintain a robust insights repository and communication plan to disseminate user knowledge across the organization.
• Design and execute a variety of user research studies (qualitative and quantitative) to uncover user needs, pain points, and behaviors.
• Translate complex user data and research findings into compelling narratives and actionable recommendations for product roadmaps and feature development.
• Build scalable research processes and potentially enable self-service research capabilities for product teams where appropriate.
• Foster a continuous learning environment by sharing higher-level research insights and user trends with the broader team and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with designers, product managers, and technologists to ensure research findings directly inform execution and pipeline development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on team leadership and direct contribution to product strategy. The emphasis on "actionable insights," "business value," and "strategic partner" indicates that this role is crucial for driving tangible product improvements and demonstrating the ROI of UX research.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Cognitive Science, or a related field is typically expected for senior UX Research roles. Experience: 9+ years of relevant experience across higher education and professional environments, with a significant portion focused on user research leadership and team management.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in planning, conducting, and analyzing a wide range of user research methodologies (e.g., interviews, usability testing, surveys, ethnographic studies, diary studies).
• Proven experience in leading and mentoring a team of user researchers, including coaching, performance management, and career development.
• Exceptional storytelling and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex insights clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, including senior leadership.
• Strong strategic thinking and the ability to connect user needs to business objectives and product strategy.
• Deep empathy for end-users and a proven ability to extract nuanced insights through effective moderator script development and moderating techniques.
• Experience in building and refining research processes, best practices, and knowledge-sharing mechanisms (e.g., insights repositories).
• Ability to foster strong, collaborative relationships with Product Management, Product Design, Engineering, and other cross-functional stakeholders.
• A proactive approach to evangelizing user research and advocating for a user-centered approach across the organization.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the financial services industry, particularly in wealth management or digital banking platforms.
• Familiarity with agile development methodologies and how to integrate research within fast-paced product cycles.
• Experience with quantitative research methods and statistical analysis.
• Proficiency in using research tools for participant recruitment, survey administration, and data analysis.
• Experience in developing external-facing content or presenting at industry conferences (with appropriate approvals).

📝 Enhancement Note: The "9+ Years of transferrable experience" suggests that candidates with strong research backgrounds from academia or other industries are welcome, provided they can demonstrate leadership and strategic impact. The emphasis on "evangelize research" and "external sharing" points to a desire for thought leadership.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a portfolio demonstrating a strong track record of leading impactful user research initiatives from conception to outcome.
• Include case studies that highlight your ability to influence product strategy and drive measurable business value through research.
• Provide examples of how you have mentored and developed research talent, demonstrating leadership and team-building capabilities.
• Detail your approach to establishing and optimizing research processes, including insights management and cross-functional collaboration frameworks.
• Present examples of translating complex user insights into clear, actionable recommendations for product roadmaps and feature development, illustrating your strategic partnership skills.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience in documenting research plans, methodologies, findings, and recommendations.
• Examples of creating and managing an insights repository or knowledge-sharing platform are highly valued.
• Demonstrating how you have implemented or improved workflows for research operations, stakeholder communication, and feedback loops will be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: While no explicit mention of a portfolio is made, for a Lead/VP level UX Researcher, a comprehensive portfolio is standard. It should not only showcase individual research projects but also highlight leadership, strategic thinking, process improvement, and team development capabilities.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The expected base pay rate for this role is between $110,000 and $190,000 annually.

• 📝 Enhancement Note: This range is a base salary expectation. The total compensation package may include additional elements such as commission earnings, incentive compensation, discretionary bonuses, other short and long-term incentive packages, and other Morgan Stanley sponsored benefit programs. For a Lead/VP level role in Purchase, NY, this range appears competitive, reflecting the experience and leadership required. Cost of living in the Purchase, NY area is higher than the national average, which is factored into this range.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Employee Benefits (details not specified but indicative of a robust package)
• Stock Options
• Equity
• Support for employees and their families.
• Ample opportunity for internal mobility within the business.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are implied to be 40 hours per week, typical for a FULL_TIME position. Flexibility may be available, but the "On-site" designation suggests a primary presence in the office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The inclusion of Stock Options and Equity suggests a significant long-term incentive component, aligning with the VP-level title and the financial services industry. The emphasis on "comprehensive" benefits indicates a strong overall package.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Wealth Management Platforms) Company Size: Morgan Stanley is a large, global financial services firm, employing over 80,000 people across 1,200 offices in 42 countries. This indicates a well-established, complex organizational structure with significant resources. Founded: Over 89 years ago, highlighting a long history and deep-rooted expertise in the financial sector.

Team Structure:

• The UX Design & Research team is part of the broader Wealth Management (WM) Platforms division, which is comprised of nine sub-teams.
• This role will likely lead a dedicated UX Research team within the UX Design & Research sub-team.
• Collaboration is expected with Product Management, Product Design, Technology, and other business units to achieve unified digital experiences.
• The structure supports a user-centered approach to solving real business problems and creating a seamless digital experience.

Methodology:

• The team employs design thinking methods and a user-centered approach.
• Emphasis on providing actionable insights that dramatically shape product and technology direction.
• Focus on translating insights into execution and pipeline development.
• Encourages a culture of learning and user-centric product strategy through regular sharing of higher-level research insights.

Company Website: https://www.morganstanley.com/about-us/global-offices

📝 Enhancement Note: Morgan Stanley's culture emphasizes integrity, excellence, client focus, and diversity. The Wealth Management Platforms division operates within a highly regulated and competitive financial services landscape, requiring a rigorous and data-driven approach to product development.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Lead/VP level position within UX Research. It signifies a senior leadership role responsible for managing a team, setting strategic direction for research within their domain, and acting as a key influencer in product development. The scope extends beyond individual contribution to shaping the practice of research and its impact on business outcomes.

Reporting Structure: The specific reporting line is not detailed, but it's likely to be to a Director or higher within the UX Design & Research or Wealth Management Platforms organization. The role will manage a team of researchers.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher Lead, VP is critical in ensuring that product decisions are informed by a deep understanding of user needs and behaviors. This directly impacts the success of digital platforms by improving user adoption, satisfaction, and efficiency for both clients and financial advisors, ultimately contributing to business growth and competitive advantage in the wealth management sector.

Growth Opportunities:

• Opportunity to significantly shape the UX research practice and influence product strategy at a leading global financial firm.
• Potential for advancement into higher leadership roles within UX, Product, or related strategic functions.
• Develop expertise in the financial services domain and contribute to cutting-edge digital solutions for wealth management.
• Gain experience in leading and growing a high-performing research team.
• Opportunities to present research findings and insights externally (with approval), building personal and company brand.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "VP" title strongly suggests a significant leadership track. Growth opportunities will likely involve expanding the scope of responsibility, managing larger teams, or moving into broader product leadership roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site. The role is based in Purchase, New York. Office Location(s): 2000 Westchester Ave, Purchase, New York. This is a specific corporate office location.

Workspace Context:

• A professional, corporate environment within a leading global financial institution.
• Opportunities for collaboration with diverse teams of designers, product managers, technologists, and business stakeholders.
• Access to company resources and tools necessary for conducting research and delivering insights.
• The culture fosters collaboration and encourages an entrepreneurial spirit within a structured firm.

Work Schedule: Standard corporate work schedule, likely Monday to Friday, with 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, some flexibility may be offered, but core working hours and collaboration needs will dictate presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: Being on-site at a major Morgan Stanley campus suggests a structured work environment with opportunities for in-person collaboration and networking, which can be beneficial for leadership roles.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely with an HR representative or recruiter to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.
• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the hiring manager to delve into leadership experience, research philosophy, team management approach, and strategic thinking.
• Team/Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with potential direct reports, peers (e.g., Product Design Leads, Product Managers), and senior stakeholders to assess collaboration skills, technical depth, and ability to influence.
• Presentation/Case Study: Candidates will likely be asked to present a portfolio review or a specific case study demonstrating their research leadership, strategic impact, and communication skills. This will be a critical step.
• Final Round: May involve senior leadership for final approval, focusing on strategic vision and alignment with company goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by research domain, impact, or team leadership. Use a clear narrative for each case study.
• Focus on Leadership & Strategy: For this role, emphasize projects where you led research initiatives, influenced strategy, and managed researchers. Showcase your ability to connect research to business outcomes.
• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, include metrics demonstrating the impact of your research (e.g., improved conversion rates, increased user satisfaction, cost savings, successful product launches).
• Process & Methodology: Clearly articulate the research methodologies used, the rationale behind your choices, and how you adapted them to specific contexts.
• Team Development: Include examples of how you've coached, mentored, or developed research talent.
• Presentation Skills: Be prepared to present your portfolio compellingly, telling a story that highlights your problem-solving approach, insights, and impact. Practice your delivery.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss hypothetical scenarios related to leading research teams, prioritizing research initiatives, handling stakeholder resistance, and integrating research into agile workflows.
• Prepare to articulate your philosophy on user research and its role in product development.
• Think about how you would build and scale a research function within a large financial institution.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the Lead/VP level, the interview process will heavily scrutinize strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, and proven impact. The portfolio presentation is likely the most crucial part of the evaluation.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting remote usability testing, surveys, interviews, and participant recruitment (e.g., UserTesting.com, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Lookback, Dovetail, UserZoom).
• Collaboration Tools: For team communication and project management (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Confluence, Asana).
• Design Tools: Familiarity with design tools used by the team (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD) can aid collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Tools like Google Analytics or Adobe Analytics to understand user behavior on digital platforms.
• Data Visualization Tools: For presenting insights and trends (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).
• Internal Reporting Dashboards: Morgan Stanley likely has proprietary or customized reporting tools.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how user data integrates with CRM systems or marketing automation platforms can be beneficial for understanding the broader customer journey.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools are not listed, a strong understanding of the user research toolkit, collaboration platforms, and data analysis/visualization is essential. The ability to adapt to proprietary Morgan Stanley systems is also key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Client Focus: A core value at Morgan Stanley, meaning research should ultimately serve to improve the experience for both clients and financial advisors.
• Integrity and Excellence: Upholding high standards in research quality, data analysis, and ethical conduct.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Valuing diverse perspectives in research participants and within the research team itself to ensure comprehensive insights.
• Leading with Exceptional Ideas: Encouraging innovation and proactive research to uncover new opportunities and drive product evolution.
• Giving Back: While not directly research-related, it reflects a corporate culture of social responsibility.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional partnership: Expected to work closely with Product, Design, and Technology teams, fostering a collaborative environment where research insights are integrated throughout the product lifecycle.
• Strategic Dialogue: Engaging in high-level discussions with stakeholders to align research efforts with business objectives and influence strategic decisions.
• Knowledge Sharing: Promoting a culture of sharing research findings and user insights to ensure collective understanding and user-centricity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values of Morgan Stanley are deeply embedded in its operations. A successful candidate will demonstrate how their research approach aligns with these core principles, particularly client-first thinking and a commitment to excellence.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating a Large, Complex Organization: Influencing product direction and embedding research practices within a large, established financial firm can require significant stakeholder management and strategic communication.
• Balancing Research Rigor with Business Agility: Ensuring research studies are robust while meeting the fast-paced demands of product development cycles.
• Demonstrating ROI of Research: Continuously proving the business value of UX research to secure resources and buy-in.
• Managing and Developing a Research Team: Leading researchers through complex projects, fostering their growth, and ensuring consistent quality.
• Evolving Research Practices: Staying ahead of new research methodologies and technologies to keep the practice relevant and effective.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Financial Services: Gaining specialized knowledge in wealth management, financial advisory tools, and client investment behaviors.
• Leadership Development: Opportunities to hone leadership skills, manage larger teams, and influence organizational strategy.
• Industry Best Practices: Staying current with advancements in UX research methodologies and tools through internal knowledge sharing and potentially external training/conferences.
• Mentorship: Potential to be mentored by or mentor senior leaders within Morgan Stanley.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers the challenge of driving significant change within a large, established organization, which can be highly rewarding for experienced leaders. The growth opportunities are substantial, particularly for those looking to advance into senior leadership within the financial technology space.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you establish or scale a UX research function within a large financial institution like Morgan Stanley?"
• "Describe a time you had to influence product strategy with research insights. What was the outcome?"
• "How do you balance the need for rigorous research with fast-paced product development timelines?"
• "What are your key principles for leading and mentoring a team of researchers?"
• "How do you ensure your research directly contributes to measurable business value?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Morgan Stanley and our Wealth Management Platforms division?"
• "How do you see user research contributing to our company values, such as 'Client First' and 'Excellence'?"
• "Describe your experience working with product management, design, and technology teams. How do you foster effective collaboration?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame your case studies as compelling narratives – identify the problem, your approach, the challenges, the insights, and the impact.
• Focus on Leadership: Highlight instances where you led initiatives, mentored team members, or influenced strategic decisions.
• Quantify Results: Use data and metrics to demonstrate the tangible business outcomes of your research.
• Address the Role: Tailor your examples to demonstrate how your skills and experience align with the specific responsibilities and requirements of this Lead/VP UX Researcher role.
• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Prioritize your most impactful work and be prepared to answer detailed questions about your process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview will probe your strategic vision, leadership capabilities, and ability to drive impact. Be prepared to discuss your research philosophy, team management style, and how you translate insights into business value within a complex financial services environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Researcher, Lead, VP position:

• Submit your application through the Morgan Stanley Workday careers portal using the provided URL.
• Portfolio Preparation: Curate a portfolio that clearly demonstrates your leadership in UX research, strategic influence on product development, and team management experience. Focus on case studies that highlight impact and ROI.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 9+ years of experience, leadership achievements, experience with diverse research methodologies, and ability to drive business value. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Practice: Prepare to articulate your research philosophy, leadership approach, and how you would contribute to Morgan Stanley's user-centered goals. Practice presenting your portfolio with a focus on storytelling and quantifiable results.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Morgan Stanley, its Wealth Management division, and its commitment to client experience and innovation. Understand the competitive landscape of financial technology.

⚠️ 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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