Senior Director UX Research

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Director, UX Research Company: Elsevier Location: London, United Kingdom Job Type: Full-Time Category: User Experience (UX) Research Leadership Date Posted: May 19, 2026 Experience Level: Senior-level / Director Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and define the overarching UX Research strategy, ensuring alignment with global product and business objectives for a leading information and analytics provider.
• Govern and elevate the quality and impact of UX research initiatives across a complex, product-led organization, championing user-centered thinking at all levels.
• Drive product and business strategy by translating complex user insights and data-driven findings into actionable recommendations for senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing UX Research community, fostering a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and evidence-based decision-making.
• Integrate cutting-edge methodologies, including AI-driven insights and tools, to enhance research effectiveness and deepen customer understanding for strategic advantage.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a senior leadership position within User Experience, focusing on strategic direction and community governance for UX Research. While not a traditional "Revenue Operations" or "Sales Operations" role, the emphasis on influencing product strategy, driving business impact through insights, and managing cross-functional collaboration aligns with the strategic operational responsibilities found in GTM operations. The role requires a strong understanding of how user research directly impacts business outcomes, product adoption, and customer satisfaction, which are key metrics for operations teams.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define, implement, and own the global UX Research strategy, ensuring it directly supports Elsevier's overarching company and product objectives.
• Establish and maintain high standards for UX research quality, rigor, and impact across the organization, providing governance and best practice guidance.
• Collaborate closely with senior leaders in Product, UX Design, and Engineering to influence product strategy, prioritize roadmaps, and champion user needs.
• Act as a primary advocate for user and customer needs at the executive level, effectively communicating research findings and their strategic implications.
• Oversee the execution of complex, high-impact research programs designed to address significant strategic business challenges and uncover new opportunities.
• Leverage research data, insights, and testing outcomes to inform critical decisions, guide prioritization, and shape future business and product strategy.
• Build, develop, and scale research teams with diverse, complementary skill sets to maximize organizational effectiveness, learning, and impact.
• Establish, track, and report on key research KPIs, identifying performance gaps and proactively introducing new methods, tools, or processes as needed.
• Represent Elsevier's UX Research function internally and externally, including at industry conferences, leadership forums, and through thought leadership initiatives.
• Manage and cultivate relationships with external research partners and agencies, ensuring high-quality delivery and strategic alignment when external resources are leveraged.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strategic leadership function that bridges research with business outcomes. This requires not only methodological expertise but also strong business acumen, stakeholder management, and team development capabilities, characteristic of senior operations leadership roles focused on driving strategic initiatives.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A Master's or Ph.D. in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Information Science, or a related field is typically expected for this level of leadership. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience:

• Extensive experience (10+ years) leading UX Research at scale within large, complex, product-led organizations, demonstrating a track record of significant impact.
• Proven experience managing and developing research teams, fostering talent, and building research capabilities within an organization.
• Demonstrated success in influencing senior stakeholders (VP, C-suite level) and embedding user insights into strategic decision-making processes.

Required Skills:

• UX Research Strategy: Ability to define and execute a comprehensive research vision aligned with business goals.
• Qualitative & Quantitative Research Methodologies: Deep expertise in a wide range of methods (e.g., ethnography, in-depth interviews, usability testing, surveys, diary studies, conjoint analysis) and the ability to select appropriate methods for strategic questions.
• AI-Driven Insights Integration: Proven experience applying AI tools, techniques, or methodologies to enhance user research, uncover deeper insights, and inform product strategy or customer understanding.
• Stakeholder Management & Influence: Exceptional ability to build relationships, communicate complex findings persuasively, and influence decision-making at all organizational levels.
• People Leadership & Team Development: Demonstrated experience in mentoring, coaching, building high-performing teams, and fostering a collaborative research community.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to tackle complex, ambiguous problem spaces, identify key strategic questions, and translate research into actionable business and product strategies.
• Data Literacy & Metrics: Strong understanding of how to define key performance indicators (KPIs) for research, measure impact, and use data to guide decisions and demonstrate ROI.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with Product Management, UX Design, Engineering, Data Science, and commercial teams.
• Communication & Presentation: Excellent verbal, written, and visual communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages to diverse audiences, from practitioners to executives.
• UX Research Tools & Platforms: Familiarity with industry-standard tools for survey administration, data analysis, and user testing (e.g., Qualtrics, UserTesting.com, Lookback).

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in information services, publishing, scientific research, or healthcare technology sectors.
• Familiarity with advanced analytics, machine learning, or data science concepts relevant to user behavior.
• Experience managing external research vendors and agencies effectively.
• A strong external presence through publications, conference presentations, or community involvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AI-driven insights is a critical modern requirement for senior research roles, signaling a need for candidates who can leverage emerging technologies to gain a competitive edge. The "10+" years of experience and the specific mention of influencing senior stakeholders point to a director-level role with significant strategic responsibility, aligning with a senior operations leadership track.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Strategic Impact Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 significant projects where your research directly influenced product strategy, roadmap decisions, or business outcomes, clearly demonstrating the problem, your approach, key insights, and the resulting impact (e.g., increased user adoption, improved conversion rates, new feature development, market expansion).
• Leadership & Team Development Examples: Provide evidence of your ability to build, mentor, and lead high-performing research teams, including examples of how you've scaled research operations, implemented best practices, or developed talent.
• Methodological Breadth & Depth: Illustrate your expertise across a range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies, highlighting instances where you applied mixed methods to solve complex problems or uniquely integrated AI-driven insights into your research.
• Stakeholder Influence & Communication: Include examples of how you've effectively communicated complex research findings to senior leadership, driving alignment and influencing strategic decisions. This could be through executive summaries, presentations, or workshops.

Process Documentation:

• Research Strategy Frameworks: Demonstrate your ability to develop and document clear, actionable research strategies that align with organizational goals, outlining objectives, target audiences, methodologies, and expected outcomes.
• Methodology Governance & Best Practices: Provide examples of how you've established and enforced research standards, ensuring quality, consistency, and ethical practices across research initiatives. This could include templates, style guides, or training materials.
• Research Operations & Tooling: Showcase your experience in managing research operations, including selecting and implementing research tools, managing vendor relationships, and optimizing research workflows for efficiency and scalability.
• Impact Measurement & Reporting: Illustrate your approach to defining and tracking research KPIs, measuring the business impact of research, and reporting on program effectiveness to stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior leadership role in research, a portfolio is crucial for demonstrating strategic impact and leadership capabilities. The emphasis on case studies that show direct business influence and team development is key. This is analogous to operations roles requiring a portfolio of process optimization projects or system implementation successes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• U.S. National Base Pay Range: $118,300 - $219,800 USD per year.
• London, UK Adjustment: Given the primary listed location is London, UK, the salary would be adjusted to reflect local market rates. Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Director-level UX Research roles in London, a comparable salary range would likely be in the range of £100,000 - £160,000+ GBP per year, depending on experience, specific responsibilities, and the company's compensation philosophy. Geographic differentials will apply to other listed locations (Raleigh, Philadelphia, Amsterdam).

Benefits:

• Country-Specific Benefits Package: Elsevier offers comprehensive benefits packages tailored to each country of employment. These typically include:
  • Health and well-being programs (e.g., medical, dental, vision insurance, mental health support).
  • Retirement savings plans (e.g., 401(k) in the US, pension schemes in the UK).
  • Generous paid time off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and public holidays.
  • Professional development and learning opportunities (e.g., training, conferences, tuition reimbursement).
  • Life and disability insurance.
  • Potential for performance-based bonuses or long-term incentives.
  • Employee assistance programs.
  • Flexible working arrangements where applicable (though this role is primarily on-site).
• Global Information & Analytics Focus: Opportunity to work with cutting-edge data and analytics in the scientific and healthcare sectors.
• Impactful Work: Contribute to advancing science and healthcare outcomes globally.

Working Hours:

• Standard: 40 hours per week.
• Flexibility: While the role is primarily on-site, there may be some flexibility for occasional remote work or adjusted hours, subject to team and business needs. The nature of a senior leadership role may require availability outside standard hours for critical business needs or global team coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided US salary range serves as a benchmark. For the London location, a significant adjustment is necessary. Research indicates that senior director roles in London command higher salaries than the US equivalent when converted directly due to cost of living and market demand. The benefits are generalized but emphasize the importance of country-specific offerings as highlighted by the company.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Global information and analytics provider, focusing on scientific research, healthcare, education, and academic publishing. Elsevier operates at the intersection of data, technology, and knowledge dissemination. Company Size: Large enterprise (Likely 10,000+ employees globally, based on typical organizations of this nature). This size implies a structured environment with established processes, potential for significant cross-functional collaboration, and opportunities for impact at scale. Founded: Elsevier has a long history, tracing its roots back to 1880. This heritage suggests stability, deep industry expertise, and a culture that values knowledge and long-term vision.

Team Structure:

• Global UX Team: A diverse, multidisciplinary group comprising designers, researchers, and content specialists. This team is dedicated to creating user-centric experiences across Elsevier's product portfolio.
• Reporting: The Senior Director, UX Research reports directly to the Chief Design Officer, indicating a strategic position within the design leadership hierarchy.
• Collaboration: The team actively partners with product management, engineering, data science, and commercial leaders, highlighting a highly collaborative, cross-functional approach to product development and strategy.

Methodology:

• User-Centred Design: A core philosophy, emphasizing the importance of understanding and addressing user needs.
• Evidence-Based Design: Decisions are driven by robust data and insights derived from user research and analytics.
• Data-Driven Insights: Strong emphasis on using data to inform strategic direction, product development, and business outcomes.
• Continuous Improvement: A commitment to refining processes, tools, and methodologies to enhance research effectiveness and impact.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Elsevier's position as a leader in scientific and healthcare information is crucial. The company's mission to advance science and healthcare implies a need for research that is rigorous, impactful, and contributes to significant societal advancements. The large company size suggests a need for strong process governance and the ability to navigate complex organizational structures.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Director level, signifying a senior leadership role with strategic responsibility for a critical function (UX Research). This role is responsible for setting direction, managing teams, and influencing executive-level decisions. It sits at the executive or near-executive level within the UX function.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Chief Design Officer. This places the role within the senior design leadership team, with significant influence over design and product strategy. The role will also have direct reports, likely comprising UX Researchers and potentially Research Managers.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is measured by its ability to:

• Shape Product Strategy: Ensure that user needs and insights are fundamental to the product roadmap and future development.
• Drive Business Outcomes: Translate research findings into tangible improvements in user engagement, product adoption, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, business revenue and market position.
• Enhance Decision-Making: Provide senior leadership with the critical intelligence needed to make informed strategic choices.
• Build Research Capability: Develop and scale the UX Research function to meet the growing needs of a global organization.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to expand the scope of responsibility within the UX Research function or transition into broader product leadership roles.
• Strategic Influence: Deepen involvement in executive-level strategy discussions and contribute to the overall direction of Elsevier's digital products and services.
• Industry Thought Leadership: Opportunities to represent Elsevier at industry events, publish findings, and contribute to the advancement of UX research practices globally.
• Mentorship & Development: Continued opportunities to mentor and develop a team of research professionals, fostering the next generation of research leaders.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Potential to lead or contribute to strategic initiatives that span multiple departments beyond UX.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a significant step in a career focused on user research leadership. For those transitioning from or adjacent to operational roles, it represents a move into a strategic function that directly impacts business strategy and product direction, similar to how senior GTM operations leaders influence sales and marketing strategy.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The primary location is London, UK, with other potential locations in Raleigh, Philadelphia, and Amsterdam. Given this is an "On-site" role, it implies a physical office environment. Elsevier, as a large corporation, likely provides modern, well-equipped office spaces designed for collaboration and productivity. Office Location(s):

• London, UK: Specific office location is "London Wall."
• Other Potential Locations: Raleigh, NC; Philadelphia, PA (USA), Amsterdam (Netherlands).

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Offices are likely designed to facilitate interaction between researchers, designers, product managers, and engineers, encouraging a team-based approach to problem-solving.
• Tools & Technology: Access to state-of-the-art UX research tools and platforms (e.g., Qualtrics, UserTesting, Lookback), as well as company-specific internal systems and data analytics platforms.
• Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities for direct collaboration with cross-functional teams, participation in design reviews, product strategy sessions, and leadership meetings.
• Professional Development: Access to resources, training, and opportunities to engage with industry peers.

Work Schedule:

• Standard: Typically 40 hours per week, with expectations of flexibility to meet project deadlines and business needs.
• On-site Requirement: The role is designated as on-site, emphasizing the importance of in-person collaboration and leadership within the office environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site designation for a senior leadership role suggests a company culture that values in-person collaboration, mentorship, and the ability for leaders to be present and accessible to their teams and cross-functional partners.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Talent Acquisition conducts an initial review of applications and may conduct a brief phone screen to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the Chief Design Officer (or a designated senior leader) to delve into strategic thinking, leadership experience, and alignment with the role's objectives.
• Team & Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with key peers and stakeholders, including Product leaders, UX Design leaders, and potentially senior engineers or data scientists. This assesses collaboration skills and ability to influence.
• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A dedicated session where candidates present 2-3 key case studies from their portfolio, demonstrating their strategic impact, research methodology, and leadership capabilities. This is a critical stage for this role.
• Final Round: May involve a broader executive discussion or a final assessment focused on leadership philosophy and long-term vision for the UX Research function.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Strategic Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the business problem, your research objectives, the strategic questions you aimed to answer, your methodology, key insights, and most importantly, the impact your work had on product strategy, business outcomes, or user experience. Quantify impact wherever possible.
• Demonstrate Leadership: Highlight instances where you led research initiatives, mentored team members, or influenced organizational strategy. For this Senior Director role, showcasing your ability to build and govern a research function is paramount.
• Showcase Methodological Breadth and Innovation: Present a variety of research methods, including how you've integrated AI or novel techniques to achieve deeper insights.
• Tailor to Elsevier: Research Elsevier's products, target audiences, and business goals. Frame your experience and case studies to demonstrate how you can address their specific challenges and contribute to their mission.
• Concise and Clear Storytelling: Structure your presentation logically. Use visuals effectively but keep the focus on the narrative and the insights. Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your process and decisions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic Research Design: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach a complex, ambiguous problem relevant to Elsevier's business (e.g., understanding researcher workflows, identifying unmet clinical needs, optimizing a platform for educators).
• Team Building & Governance: Discuss your philosophy on building and managing research teams, establishing best practices, and fostering a culture of continuous learning.
• Influencing Senior Stakeholders: Prepare examples of how you've successfully navigated challenging stakeholder dynamics and influenced strategic decisions with data and insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio presentation is a central component of the interview process for this leadership role. Candidates must be able to articulate their strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, and demonstrable impact clearly and persuasively. This aligns with operations roles requiring candidates to showcase process improvement projects and their quantifiable results.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Qualtrics: Widely used for survey design, distribution, and advanced analytics, essential for quantitative research and understanding customer feedback at scale.
• UserTesting.com / Maze / UserZoom: Platforms for conducting remote usability testing, gathering qualitative feedback on prototypes or live products, and analyzing user behavior.
• Lookback / Userlytics: Tools for in-depth qualitative research, including moderated and unmoderated user interviews and session recordings.
• A/B Testing Platforms (e.g., Optimizely, Adobe Target): For experimental design and validating hypotheses through live testing.
• Data Visualization Tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI): To create compelling dashboards and reports that communicate research findings and impact to stakeholders.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Internal Data Warehouses/Lakes: Access to large datasets for quantitative analysis and to complement qualitative findings.
• Product Analytics Tools (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics): To understand user behavior within products and track key metrics.
• Reporting Dashboards: Creation and maintenance of dashboards to track research program effectiveness, KPIs, and strategic impact.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems (e.g., Salesforce): Understanding how user data is managed and how research can inform CRM strategies and customer segmentation.
• Workflow Automation Tools: While not directly for research, an understanding of how research insights can drive automation in customer journeys or internal processes is beneficial.
• Collaboration Platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Confluence): Essential for day-to-day communication, project management, and documentation within cross-functional teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with a range of qualitative and quantitative research tools is expected. The mention of AI-driven insights suggests familiarity with emerging research technologies or platforms that incorporate AI for analysis or participant recruitment.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Data-Driven Impact: A commitment to using rigorous research and data analysis to drive meaningful business outcomes and strategic decisions.
• User Advocacy: A deep-seated belief in championing the needs and experiences of users and customers in all product and business development.
• Curiosity & Continuous Learning: Fostering an environment where exploring new questions, learning from both successes and failures, and staying abreast of research advancements is encouraged.
• Collaboration & Partnership: Valuing strong working relationships with Product, Design, Engineering, and commercial teams to achieve shared goals.
• Excellence & Rigor: Maintaining high standards for research quality, methodology, and ethical practices.
• Efficiency & Scalability: Developing research processes and capabilities that can effectively serve a global organization.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Researchers are expected to be embedded within or work very closely with product teams, acting as strategic partners rather than service providers.
• Open Communication: Encouraging transparent sharing of insights, challenges, and learnings across teams.
• Feedback Culture: A willingness to provide and receive constructive feedback to continuously improve research practices and team effectiveness.
• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in sharing research findings, methodologies, and best practices across the organization through presentations, documentation, and informal channels.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes a blend of scientific rigor, strategic business impact, and collaborative teamwork. For a Senior Director, embodying and promoting these values, especially in leading the research community and influencing stakeholders, is key.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling Research in a Large Organization: Ensuring consistent quality and impact across numerous product lines and teams within a global enterprise.
• Influencing Senior Leadership: Effectively communicating complex research findings and advocating for user needs in high-stakes strategic discussions.
• Integrating AI Effectively: Navigating the evolving landscape of AI in research, identifying the most impactful applications, and ensuring ethical implementation.
• Balancing Strategic vs. Tactical Research: Managing the demands for both high-level strategic insights and immediate product development support.
• Demonstrating ROI: Clearly articulating and measuring the business value and return on investment of UX Research initiatives.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Methodologies: Opportunities to explore and implement cutting-edge research techniques, including AI-assisted analysis and predictive modeling.
• Strategic Leadership Development: Access to executive coaching, leadership training, and opportunities to hone strategic planning and business acumen.
• Industry Engagement: Representing Elsevier at major UX and research conferences, contributing to the broader professional community.
• Mentorship: The chance to mentor and develop a talented team, fostering future leaders within the UX field.
• Exposure to Diverse Domains: Working across Elsevier's broad portfolio (science, health, education) provides exposure to a wide range of user types and complex problem spaces.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the complexities of a senior leadership role in a large, global organization. The growth opportunities point towards continued professional development and significant career advancement potential.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your philosophy for developing a global UX Research strategy. How would you ensure it aligns with Elsevier's business objectives and drives measurable impact?" (Focus on strategic frameworks, alignment, and KPIs).
• "How do you approach integrating AI and new technologies into UX research workflows to enhance insights and decision-making? Can you provide an example?" (Demonstrate forward-thinking and practical application).
• "Walk us through a complex strategic problem you tackled using UX research. What was the challenge, your approach, the key insights, and the ultimate business impact?" (Prepare 2-3 strong case studies showcasing strategic influence, methodology, and results).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Elsevier's mission and its role in advancing science and healthcare? How would your UX Research leadership contribute to this mission?" (Show research and alignment with company values).
• "How would you foster a culture of user-centricity and continuous learning within a large, diverse organization like Elsevier?" (Discuss leadership style and cultural initiatives).
• "Describe your approach to building and developing high-performing UX Research teams. How do you ensure diverse skill sets and career growth?" (Focus on people leadership and team development).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the business context, the user problem, your research objectives, methodology, key findings, strategic recommendations, and quantifiable impact. Use a "Problem -> Approach -> Insights -> Impact" structure.
• Highlight Leadership: Emphasize your role in leading the research, influencing stakeholders, and managing the process. Showcase your ability to mentor team members.
• Showcase Methodological Sophistication: Be prepared to discuss why you chose specific methods and how they addressed the research questions effectively. Include any innovative approaches or AI integrations.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the value of your work (e.g., increased conversion by X%, reduced support tickets by Y%, identified Z new market opportunities).
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your methodology, decision-making process, and how you handled challenges or disagreements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic leadership, deep methodological expertise, the ability to drive business impact, and strong people management skills. Case studies are critical for validating these claims.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Director, UX Research position at Elsevier:

• Submit Application: Navigate to the provided Workday job posting link and complete the online application form.
• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume highlights your extensive experience in UX Research leadership, strategic planning, team management, and successful integration of research with business outcomes. Use keywords from the job description (e.g., UX Research strategy, AI-driven insights, stakeholder influence, people leadership).
• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 impactful case studies that best showcase your strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, methodological breadth, and demonstrable business impact. Be ready to present these concisely and persuasively.
• Research Elsevier: Thoroughly understand Elsevier's business, mission, products, and customer segments. Identify potential research challenges and opportunities within their context.
• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare for behavioral and situational questions, focusing on your leadership philosophy, strategic approach, and how you handle common challenges in a senior UX Research role. Rehearse your portfolio presentation.

⚠️ 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.