senior project manager, UX Research Operations

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Project Manager, UX Research Operations

Company: Starbucks Coffee Company

Location: Seattle, Washington, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Operations Management / User Experience Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-19

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in-office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and optimize UX Research Operations for digital product teams, ensuring efficient and effective research execution.

• Streamline research operations processes, identify gaps, and implement improvement plans to enhance team productivity.

• Manage all logistical aspects of research studies, including tool setup, participant scheduling, and observation room coordination.

• Develop and manage participant panels, consent forms, and ensure compliance with data usage policies.

• Foster strong cross-functional relationships to support the UX research program and its impact on product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for enabling UX research teams within Starbucks' digital product development to operate with maximum efficiency. It bridges project management discipline with the specific needs of UX research operations, focusing on process optimization, resource management, and stakeholder coordination within a large, established corporate environment. The emphasis on "partner" experience highlights a unique company culture where employee well-being and development are integrated into the operational framework.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Streamline research operations processes by identifying gaps and executing improvement plans for greater efficiency and scalability.

• Manage logistical needs for research studies, including but not limited to Miro board setup, equipment coordination, observation room readiness, and travel arrangements.

• Improve team efficiency by managing, implementing, and optimizing research tools and platforms.

• Track progress of research recruiting requests, ensuring timely and accurate candidate sourcing.

• Recruit and schedule research participants across US and Canadian company-owned markets, acting as a liaison with Coffeehouse leaders and partners.

• Manage participant panels, ensuring accurate record-keeping of consent forms and adherence to data usage policies.

• Collaborate with UX researchers, designers, product managers, and engineers to understand research needs and provide operational support.

• Develop and maintain documentation for research operations processes and best practices.

• Manage risks associated with research operations, including participant recruitment challenges and tool implementation issues.

• Contribute to procurement processes for research tools and services as needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed indicate a hands-on role requiring both strategic process improvement and tactical execution. The emphasis on "partnering with Coffeehouse leaders and partners" suggests a need for strong interpersonal skills and an understanding of operational realities within a retail environment. Managing participant panels and data usage reviews points to a requirement for meticulous attention to detail and an understanding of compliance.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., Business Administration, Project Management, Psychology, Human-Computer Interaction) is often preferred for senior-level project management roles.

Experience:

• 5+ years of comprehensive research operations management experience, encompassing scope, time, cost, risk, quality, procurement, and communications management.

• 5+ years of dedicated experience working with UX research teams, managing complex or mid-sized projects from inception to completion.

• 5+ years of proven success in building and nurturing strong cross-functional relationships within large, matrixed organizations.

• 2+ years of experience mentoring research professionals specifically in the domain of research operations.

• 5+ years of corporate experience within large, complex, and matrixed organizational structures. Required Skills:

• Project Management: Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, adhering to scope, timeline, budget, and quality standards.

• Research Operations Management: Deep understanding of the end-to-end UX research lifecycle and the operational processes that support it.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Exceptional ability to build rapport and work effectively with diverse teams (UX Research, Design, Product, Engineering, Store Operations).

• Process Improvement & Optimization: Strong analytical skills to identify inefficiencies, develop strategic improvement plans, and implement solutions.

• Participant Recruitment & Management: Experience in sourcing, screening, scheduling, and managing research participants, including panel management.

• Logistical Coordination: Proficiency in managing the practical aspects of research studies, such as tool setup, scheduling, and resource allocation.

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication, with the ability to articulate complex issues clearly to various stakeholders.

• Problem-Solving: Demonstrated ability to proactively identify and resolve issues that may impact research timelines or quality.

• Microsoft Outlook & Teams: Advanced proficiency, with a strong advantage for experience in Teams Live Events for remote observations.

• UX Tools Proficiency: Familiarity with tools commonly used in UX workflows, such as Figma for design collaboration and Jira for project tracking.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Miro for collaborative ideation and research synthesis.

• Knowledge of risk management frameworks and mitigation strategies within research operations.

• Familiarity with procurement processes for research-related software and services.

• Experience in mentoring junior research operations staff.

• Familiarity with data privacy regulations and consent management best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The extensive experience requirements (5+ years across multiple areas) and the emphasis on working in "large, matrixed organizations" suggest this role is for a seasoned professional capable of navigating complex corporate structures. The specific mention of Microsoft Outlook/Teams and UX tools like Figma/Jira indicates a need for practical, day-to-day tool proficiency. The preference for Miro and experience in risk/procurement points to a more strategic operational capability.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Process Improvement Case Studies: Demonstrations of how you have analyzed existing UX research operations processes, identified inefficiencies, and implemented solutions that led to measurable improvements in speed, cost, or quality.

• Project Management Deliverables: Examples of project plans, risk registers, communication plans, and status reports for complex research operations projects.

• System Implementation Examples: Documentation or descriptions of research tools or platforms you have managed, implemented, or optimized, including user adoption strategies and support models.

• Participant Management Frameworks: Showcase of methodologies used for participant recruitment, screening, scheduling, and panel management, including examples of consent forms and data usage policies you have developed or managed.

• Cross-functional Collaboration Evidence: Examples of how you have partnered with diverse teams to achieve operational excellence in research, highlighting communication strategies and conflict resolution.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Evidence of designing, documenting, and optimizing end-to-end workflows for research operations, from initial request to final reporting and data archiving.

• Tool Implementation & Automation: Examples of research on, selection, implementation, and integration of research tools, potentially including automation of repetitive tasks.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Metrics and dashboards used to track the performance of research operations, including key performance indicators (KPIs) related to recruitment speed, participant satisfaction, and operational efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "Senior Project Manager" title and the focus on operations, a portfolio demonstrating structured project management, process improvement methodologies, and successful tool implementation is crucial. Candidates should be prepared to showcase how they have systematically enhanced research operations, using data and concrete examples to illustrate impact. The emphasis on participant management and data usage review suggests a need for documentation related to compliance and ethical research practices.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Senior Project Manager in UX Research Operations in Seattle, WA, with 5-10 years of experience, the estimated salary range is $112,900 to $169,500 USD per year.

📝 Enhancement Note: This salary range is an estimate derived from publicly available compensation data for similar roles in the Seattle metropolitan area, considering the specified experience level and the nature of the role within a large corporation. Factors such as specific skills, interview performance, and internal equity will influence the final offer.

Benefits:

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

• Paid Time Off: Generous paid vacation from date of hire, accrued sick time, eight paid holidays, and two personal days per year. Specific vacation accrual rates may vary by state.

• Family Support: Paid parental leave, family expansion reimbursement, and backup care services.

• Financial Security: Eligibility for a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, discounted company stock purchase program (S.I.P.), and Starbucks equity program (Bean Stock).

• Financial Well-being: Access to incentivized emergency savings and financial well-being tools.

• Educational Opportunities: 100% upfront tuition coverage for a first-time bachelor’s degree through Arizona State University's online program (Starbucks College Achievement Plan), and student loan management resources.

• Other Perks: DACA reimbursement.

Working Hours: Standard full-time work hours, typically 40 hours per week, with an expectation of working onsite at the Starbucks Support Center in Seattle four days per week. Some flexibility may be available, but the core requirement is consistent in-office presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: Starbucks offers a robust benefits package, particularly strong in educational support and financial wellness programs, which are significant differentiators. The mention of specific state variations in vacation accrual and potential impacts of collective bargaining agreements indicates a need for candidates to verify details relevant to their location and situation.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Coffeehouse / Food & Beverage Retail. Starbucks is a global leader in the coffee industry, known for its brand experience, commitment to sustainability, and focus on community.

Company Size: Large (Starbucks has hundreds of thousands of employees globally), operating in a matrixed organizational structure. This means operations professionals will likely work within a complex network of departments and reporting lines.

Founded: 1971. With a long history, Starbucks has established a mature corporate culture that emphasizes partner development, customer experience, and innovation.

Team Structure:

• The User Experience (UX) team is part of the broader digital product development organization.

• This role specifically supports the UX research program, which likely comprises UX researchers, designers, and product managers focused on digital platforms.

• The Senior Project Manager, UX Research Operations will report into a leadership role within UX or Product Operations, with direct collaboration across multiple product teams.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a key element, involving partners from design, product management, engineering, and store operations to ensure a cohesive and effective user experience for employees. Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: The UX team leverages data and research insights to inform product decisions and improve partner experiences. The operations manager will facilitate the gathering and dissemination of this information by ensuring research can be conducted efficiently.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: A core function of this role is to design, document, and continuously improve operational workflows that support UX research activities.

• Automation & Efficiency: Implementing and managing research tools to automate tasks and increase the overall efficiency of the research process is a key objective.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Starbucks' "partner" terminology signifies a culture that values its employees and aims to create a supportive work environment. The company's scale and matrixed structure mean that operational roles require strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to drive change through influence as well as direct authority. The focus on "delightful experiences" extends to internal tools and processes, not just customer-facing products.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Project Manager role, indicating a mid-to-senior level position. It requires significant experience and the ability to manage complex projects independently, as well as mentor others. The role is focused on operational excellence within a specialized function (UX Research Operations).

Reporting Structure: The role likely reports to a Director or Senior Manager of UX Research Operations or Product Operations. The Senior Project Manager will work closely with UX Research Leads and individual researchers, as well as product teams across the organization.

Operations Impact: This role directly impacts the efficiency and effectiveness of UX research, which in turn influences the quality and user-centricity of Starbucks' digital products. By streamlining operations, this role enables faster iteration cycles, better data-driven decision-making, and ultimately, more successful product launches that enhance the partner experience.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in UX Research Operations, potentially leading to roles focused on broader Product Operations or Digital Operations strategy.

• Leadership Development: Potential to move into management roles, leading a team of research operations specialists or project managers as the function grows.

• Cross-functional Mobility: The experience gained in this role, particularly in stakeholder management and process optimization, can open doors to opportunities in Product Management, Program Management, or other strategic operational roles within Starbucks.

• Mentorship: The requirement to mentor research professionals provides an avenue for developing leadership and coaching skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a senior-level operational role within a large company, this position offers a clear path for career progression. The emphasis on mentorship and cross-functional collaboration suggests opportunities for skill development beyond pure project management, preparing individuals for broader leadership responsibilities within the operations or product development domains.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role requires working onsite at the Starbucks Support Center in Seattle, WA, four days per week. This indicates a hybrid work model with a strong emphasis on in-person collaboration.

Office Location(s): Starbucks Support Center, Seattle, Washington. This is a central hub for corporate functions, likely offering a modern, well-equipped workspace.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model with a significant in-office component suggests an environment that values face-to-face interaction, team brainstorming, and spontaneous collaboration. Expect open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and potentially dedicated project spaces.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to standard corporate IT infrastructure, including robust network connectivity, communication platforms (Microsoft Teams), and potentially specialized UX research tools and collaboration software.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities to interact daily with UX researchers, designers, product managers, and other operations professionals, fostering a strong sense of team and shared purpose.

Work Schedule: Typically a 40-hour work week. While there's an expectation of in-office presence, the nature of project management often involves some flexibility to meet project deadlines, but the core structure is hybrid.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "four days a week in the office" requirement is a key differentiator, signaling a preference for in-person collaboration over fully remote work. This environment is suitable for individuals who thrive on team synergy and direct interaction, while still offering some flexibility.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion with the hiring manager to evaluate project management skills, research operations expertise, and understanding of the role's strategic importance.

• Team/Peer Interviews: Conversations with UX researchers, designers, or other operations team members to assess collaboration style, problem-solving abilities, and technical proficiency.

• Case Study/Presentation: Candidates may be asked to present a portfolio piece or work through a hypothetical research operations challenge, demonstrating their approach to process improvement, logistics management, or participant recruitment.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and alignment with Starbucks' values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Process Optimization: Prepare detailed case studies demonstrating how you identified operational bottlenecks in research and implemented solutions. Quantify the impact (e.g., reduced recruitment time by X%, increased participant satisfaction by Y%).

• Highlight Project Management Skills: Include examples of project plans, risk assessments, and communication strategies for research operations initiatives.

• Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your experience with relevant UX and operations tools (Jira, Figma, Miro, Outlook, Teams) and how you've leveraged them for efficiency.

• Emphasize Cross-functional Collaboration: Provide examples of successful partnerships with diverse teams, detailing your communication and stakeholder management approach.

• Detail Participant Management: Showcase your experience with participant panels, consent forms, and data usage reviews, emphasizing compliance and ethical considerations.

Challenge Preparation:

• Process Improvement Scenario: Be prepared to analyze a hypothetical research operations challenge (e.g., slow recruitment, inconsistent tool usage) and propose actionable solutions.

• Logistics Planning: Practice outlining the logistical steps for a complex research study, considering participant scheduling, remote observation setup, and necessary equipment.

• Stakeholder Communication: Prepare to articulate how you would communicate project status, risks, and operational changes to different stakeholders (e.g., researchers, product managers, store partners).

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this role. Candidates should focus on demonstrating tangible results from their process improvement initiatives and project management capabilities. The interview process is likely to be multi-stage, assessing both technical/operational skills and interpersonal/collaboration abilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Project Management: Jira (for tracking research requests, tasks, and project progress), Microsoft Project or similar (for detailed project planning).

• Collaboration & Communication: Microsoft Teams (essential for daily communication, meetings, and Live Events for remote observations), Miro (highly preferred for collaborative whiteboard sessions, ideation, and research synthesis).

• UX Design & Prototyping: Figma (for design collaboration, feedback, and potentially sharing prototypes for user testing).

• Research Participant Management: Familiarity with participant panel management software (e.g., UserTesting.com, Respondent.io, or internal solutions), CRM-like systems for tracking participant interactions.

• Scheduling & Calendar Management: Microsoft Outlook (critical for scheduling participants, meetings, and managing complex calendars).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Performance Tracking: Tools for tracking operational KPIs (e.g., recruitment timelines, participant completion rates, tool adoption metrics). This might involve internal dashboards or reporting features within project management tools.

• Data Analysis: Basic proficiency in Excel or Google Sheets for data manipulation and reporting.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM (Customer Relationship Management): While not a direct sales CRM, a system for managing participant relationships and recruitment pipelines is essential.

• Automation: Experience with or understanding of how to leverage tools to automate repetitive tasks within research operations (e.g., automated scheduling reminders, data entry).

• Integration: Understanding of how different tools integrate to create seamless workflows (e.g., linking Jira tasks to calendar invites).

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (especially Outlook and Teams) and Jira is a baseline requirement. Experience with UX-specific tools like Figma and collaborative platforms like Miro will be significant advantages. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they have utilized these tools to drive efficiency and improve research operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Service to Others: Reflecting the Starbucks partner culture, operations professionals are expected to support and enable other teams. This means prioritizing the needs of UX researchers and product teams.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasizing the use of data and insights to guide operational improvements and strategic planning.

• Efficiency & Optimization: A continuous drive to improve processes, reduce waste, and increase the speed and effectiveness of research operations.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong belief in working together across departments to achieve common goals, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.

• Integrity & Quality: Upholding high standards in all operational processes, particularly concerning participant data, consent, and the overall quality of research support.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive & Supportive: The operations team is expected to anticipate the needs of UX researchers and proactively offer solutions and support.

• Cross-functional Integration: Active participation in cross-functional team meetings, providing operational insights and ensuring alignment between research needs and business objectives.

• Process Review Culture: Encouraging open feedback on operational processes and actively participating in reviews to identify areas for improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: A willingness to share best practices, lessons learned, and insights with colleagues to elevate the operational capabilities of the entire UX team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at Starbucks, particularly the "partner" ethos, suggests a collaborative and service-oriented approach. Operations professionals will need to be adept at building relationships and influencing without direct authority, while consistently focusing on driving efficiency and quality.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating a Large Matrixed Organization: Balancing the needs of various product teams and stakeholders while adhering to corporate policies and procedures.

• Scaling Operations: As the digital product portfolio grows, ensuring research operations can scale efficiently to meet increasing demand.

• Tool Adoption & Integration: Encouraging consistent adoption of new tools and processes across diverse teams and managing the technical integration of different systems.

• Data Privacy & Compliance: Managing participant data and consent forms in a way that strictly adheres to privacy regulations and company policies.

• Balancing Onsite & Remote Collaboration: Optimizing hybrid work models to ensure seamless collaboration between in-office and potentially remote team members or participants.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Project Management: Opportunities to gain certifications or specialized training in project management methodologies relevant to operations.

• UX Research Methodologies: Deeper understanding of various UX research techniques and how operations can best support them.

• Digital Transformation: Exposure to Starbucks' broader digital transformation initiatives and how operations plays a key role.

• Leadership Skills: Development through mentoring, cross-functional leadership opportunities, and potential for advancement into management roles.

• Industry Conferences & Training: Access to conferences or workshops focused on UX, research operations, or project management best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents opportunities to tackle complex operational challenges within a well-established company, offering significant growth potential. The challenges are typical of large organizations, requiring strong problem-solving and adaptability skills, while the growth opportunities are geared towards both specialized operational expertise and broader leadership development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you streamlined a complex research operations process. What was the challenge, your approach, and the quantifiable outcome?"

• "How do you manage competing priorities and requests from multiple product teams for research support?"

• "Walk me through your process for managing participant recruitment for a large-scale study, including how you ensure quality and compliance."

• "How have you used data and metrics to drive improvements in research operations efficiency?"

• "Describe your experience mentoring junior operations professionals. What is your approach to developing their skills?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Starbucks' commitment to its partners and customer experience?"

• "How do you see this role contributing to Starbucks' mission of inspiring and nurturing the human spirit?"

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid environment, particularly with a 4-day in-office expectation."

• "How would you foster collaboration between UX Research, Product, and Store Operations teams?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each portfolio item, clearly state the problem, your role/actions, the solution/process implemented, and the measurable results.

• Quantify Impact: Use numbers and data wherever possible to demonstrate the positive outcomes of your work (e.g., time saved, cost reduction, efficiency gains).

• Highlight Process: Emphasize the systematic approach you took to identify issues, plan solutions, and execute them.

• Showcase Tool Usage: Be ready to discuss how you leveraged specific tools (Jira, Figma, Teams, Miro) to achieve your objectives.

• Tailor to Starbucks: Whenever possible, connect your experience and examples to Starbucks' context, its partners, and its brand.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on behavioral questions that assess past performance and situational questions that gauge future potential. Demonstrating a clear, data-backed understanding of process improvement and project management within an operations context will be key. A strong, well-prepared portfolio will be an invaluable asset.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Starbucks Careers portal.

• Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in research operations management, project management, UX research support, cross-functional collaboration, and proficiency in relevant tools (Jira, Figma, Teams, Outlook, Miro). Use keywords from the job description and quantifiable achievements.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Prepare a concise portfolio that showcases 2-3 key projects demonstrating your ability to streamline processes, manage complex research logistics, and drive operational efficiency. Focus on impact and measurable results.

• Practice Your Narrative: Rehearse your responses to common interview questions, particularly those related to process improvement, project management, stakeholder management, and your experience in hybrid work environments. Be ready to walk through your portfolio with confidence.

• Research Starbucks: Understand Starbucks' mission, values, and recent digital initiatives. Consider how your role as a UX Research Operations Project Manager contributes to the company's overall success and partner 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.