Senior UX Research Manager, Customer Engagement, Google Ads

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Research Manager, Customer Engagement, Google Ads

Company: Google

Location: Mountain View, California, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience (UX) Research Management / GTM Operations Enablement

Date Posted: 2026-08-21

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead a team of UX Researchers focused on enhancing customer engagement within the Google Ads platform, driving user-centric product development.

• Shape the strategic direction of Google Ads by influencing product roadmaps, conceptualizing UX ecosystems, and advocating for user needs with executive leadership.

• Spearhead research initiatives to understand and optimize the experience for Google Ads sellers and advertisers, with a particular focus on Agentic AI integration.

• Foster a high-performing research team, guiding individual career development and inspiring innovative design solutions that align with Google's user-first philosophy.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within the "Customer Engagement" umbrella, specifically focusing on the "Connect Sales Platform" team. This indicates a strong GTM (Go-To-Market) enablement component, where UX research directly supports sales effectiveness and advertiser success within the Google Ads ecosystem. The emphasis on "Sales CRM/Sales AI" and "Agentic AI" highlights a strategic push towards leveraging AI to empower sales teams and enhance advertiser outcomes, requiring a deep understanding of B2B and Enterprise SaaS dynamics.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of UX Researchers, fostering their professional growth and ensuring high-quality research output.

• Define and execute research strategies that evaluate the impact of Google Ads products, services, and ecosystem initiatives on user engagement and business outcomes.

• Collaborate closely with executive leadership (Director level and above) to articulate product vision, define solution trajectories, and guide strategic pivots, particularly for Marketing Advisor strategies.

• Translate research insights into actionable recommendations that drive the launch of user-centered solutions within a dynamic and complex product environment.

• Influence and shape complex technical roadmaps and business strategies across B2B, Enterprise SaaS, and the Ads domain, ensuring user needs are paramount.

• Champion the adoption of Agentic AI for both Google Ads sellers (promoters) and advertisers, identifying key user pain points and opportunities for AI-driven solutions.

• Conduct and oversee advanced qualitative research methodologies, including field studies, in-depth interviews, and diary studies, to inform product development and influence overall strategy.

• Partner with Product Management, Engineering, and other UX teams to ensure seamless integration of research findings into the product development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of strategic leadership and hands-on research oversight. The mention of "Agentic AI" and influencing "complex technical roadmaps and business outcomes across B2B, Enterprise SaaS, or Ads" suggests a need for the candidate to understand not just user behavior but also the technical feasibility and business implications of AI-driven sales tools and enterprise solutions. This role requires a strong ability to translate complex user needs into strategic product decisions that impact revenue and advertiser success.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Anthropology, Cognitive Science, Statistics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

• Master's degree or PhD in Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Science, Statistics, Psychology, Anthropology, or a related field is preferred. Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in an applied research setting, with a strong focus on UX research.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience leading design projects and managing people or teams.

• 10 years of experience conducting UX research on products and working directly with executive leadership (e.g., Director level and above) is preferred.

• 7 years of experience managing projects, and working within a large, matrixed organization is preferred.

• Experience in Ads, B2B, Commerce, or Enterprise SaaS product domains is highly preferred. Required Skills:

• Deep expertise in qualitative research methods (field studies, interviews, diary studies, usability testing).

• Proven experience in leading and mentoring research teams, fostering individual growth and team performance.

• Strong strategic thinking and the ability to translate research insights into product strategy and roadmap influence.

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence executive leadership and cross-functional partners.

• Proficiency in data analysis and synthesis to derive actionable insights from complex research data.

• Demonstrated ability to shape product development and advocate for user-centered design principles. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Agentic AI concepts and their application in user interfaces and workflows.

• Familiarity with B2B SaaS platforms, CRM systems, and enterprise sales processes.

• Understanding of the advertising technology landscape and advertiser/publisher needs.

• Experience navigating large, matrixed organizations and driving consensus across diverse teams.

• Familiarity with quantitative research methods and statistical analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements blend foundational UX research expertise with specialized domain knowledge in B2B, AI, and the advertising technology sector. The emphasis on executive leadership interaction and influencing complex roadmaps suggests a need for strong business acumen and strategic communication skills beyond typical UX research roles. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate how their research has directly impacted business outcomes and strategic decisions.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a portfolio showcasing a history of leading significant UX research initiatives that have directly influenced product strategy and user experience for complex products.

• Include case studies that clearly articulate the research problem, methodology, key insights, and the tangible impact on product development, user adoption, or business metrics.

• Showcase experience in guiding the development and implementation of research processes within a team or organization, highlighting improvements in efficiency or effectiveness.

• Present examples of how research findings were translated into actionable product requirements or strategic recommendations for stakeholders at various levels, including executive leadership.

• Highlight experience with systems and tools relevant to UX research, data analysis, and cross-functional collaboration. Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how research plans were documented, including clear objectives, participant profiles, methodologies, and timelines for complex projects.

• Showcase how research insights were synthesized and communicated to cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, Design, Marketing) to ensure alignment and actionability.

• Illustrate processes for managing research operations, including participant recruitment, data management, and ethical considerations, particularly within a large organization.

• Demonstrate a systematic approach to evaluating the success of research initiatives and iterating on processes for continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this senior leadership role, the portfolio should not just present past projects but demonstrate strategic thinking in research operations and team management. Candidates should be ready to discuss how they build and scale research functions, manage research pipelines, and ensure research is integrated effectively into a complex product development lifecycle, especially concerning AI and B2B/enterprise solutions.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The provided salary range for this role in Mountain View, CA, is $236,000 - $329,000 USD per year. This range is competitive for senior-level UX Research Management positions in the Bay Area tech market, reflecting the seniority, strategic impact, and specialized skills required for this role at Google. Benefits:

• 25% Bonus Target: Performance-based annual bonus opportunity, directly tied to individual and company performance.

• Equity: Stock options or grants, providing long-term financial upside and ownership in Google's success.

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for employees and their dependents.

• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with company match to support long-term financial planning.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, sick leave, and paid holidays.

• Parental Leave: Supportive policies for new parents.

• Wellness Programs: Access to various health and wellness resources and initiatives.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continued learning, training, and conference attendance.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time position, typically around 40 hours per week. However, given the leadership and strategic nature of the role, flexibility may be required to accommodate project demands, executive meetings, and global team collaboration, especially during critical product development phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is explicitly stated for the US market. The benefits package is typical for a major tech company like Google, emphasizing comprehensive health, financial, and work-life balance support. The bonus target and equity are significant components of the total compensation, reflecting the role's impact and seniority.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (Internet Services & Software)

Company Size: Google is a very large, publicly traded technology company with tens of thousands of employees globally. This size implies a vast network of resources, established processes, and opportunities for cross-functional collaboration, alongside potential for navigating complex organizational structures.

Founded: 1998. Google's long history signifies a mature organization with a deeply ingrained culture of innovation, data-driven decision-making, and a focus on user experience, all of which heavily influence its operations and product development.

Team Structure:

• The role sits within the "Customer Engagement" organization, specifically on the "Connect Sales Platform" team. This team is focused on building core surfaces and workflows for Google Ads sellers.

• This implies a highly cross-functional environment, with close collaboration expected between UX Research, Product Management, Engineering, and potentially Sales Operations, Marketing, and Data Science teams.

• The reporting structure for a Senior UX Research Manager typically involves direct reports (UX Researchers) and reporting up to a Director or VP level within the UX or Product organization. Methodology:

• Google operates with a strong emphasis on data-driven decision-making and user-centric design. Research findings are expected to be rigorously validated and clearly communicated to influence strategy.

• Agile methodologies are commonly employed in product development, requiring UX research to be integrated seamlessly into iterative cycles.

• A culture of continuous learning and experimentation is prevalent, encouraging the exploration of new technologies like Agentic AI and their impact on user workflows.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Google's culture is characterized by its "Focus on the user and all else will follow" mantra, which is central to all roles, especially in UX. The "Connect Sales Platform" context means this UX research role is deeply embedded in GTM enablement, directly impacting how Google Ads sellers operate and succeed. The emphasis on "Agentic AI" indicates a forward-looking approach to leveraging technology for operational efficiency and enhanced user experiences.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior leadership role, managing a team of UX researchers and influencing strategic product decisions. It represents a significant step in a UX research career, moving from individual contribution to team leadership and strategic impact. The role requires not only research expertise but also strong people management, strategic planning, and executive communication skills.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Research Manager will likely report to a Director or VP of UX Research or Product within the Google Ads organization. They will directly manage a team of UX Researchers, guiding their work and career development. Collaboration will extend across Product Management, Engineering, and other GTM functions.

Operations Impact: The primary impact of this role is on the effectiveness of the Google Ads sales platform and, by extension, the success of Google Ads sellers and advertisers. By ensuring user-centered design and strategic alignment, this role directly influences:

• Seller productivity and efficiency through improved CRM and AI tools.

• Advertiser success and satisfaction by shaping products that drive measurable results.

• The overall strategic direction and innovation of the Google Ads customer engagement ecosystem.

• The quality and impact of UX research practices within Google Ads. Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into Director-level roles, managing larger teams and broader research domains within Google.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like AI-driven user experiences, B2B SaaS research, or advertiser/publisher behavior.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Opportunities to move into Product Management or other strategic roles within Google, leveraging deep user and market understanding.

• Mentorship & Training: Access to Google's extensive learning and development resources, including leadership training, advanced research methodologies, and industry conferences.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a critical juncture for UX research professionals looking to transition into leadership and strategic influence. The focus on GTM enablement and AI integration provides a unique growth path within the rapidly evolving advertising technology sector. Success in this role can lead to significant career progression within Google's extensive product and leadership frameworks.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, implying a traditional office environment within Google's expansive campuses. Google offices are known for fostering collaboration, innovation, and employee well-being.

Office Location(s): The primary location is Mountain View, California, which is Google's headquarters. This location offers access to a vibrant tech ecosystem, extensive amenities, and a large concentration of Google employees and resources.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Google offices feature a variety of collaborative spaces, meeting rooms, and informal areas designed to encourage spontaneous interactions and teamwork among researchers, product managers, and engineers.

• Tools & Technology: Researchers will have access to state-of-the-art hardware, software, and specialized research tools necessary for conducting in-depth studies. This includes access to internal Google platforms for data analysis, participant management, and collaboration.

• Team Interaction: Being on-site facilitates direct, in-person collaboration with team members, hiring managers, and cross-functional partners, which is crucial for strategic alignment and rapid problem-solving in a dynamic environment.

Work Schedule: While the core hours are likely aligned with a standard 40-hour work week, the nature of leadership and strategic initiatives may require flexibility. This could involve early morning or late afternoon meetings to accommodate global teams or critical project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement at Google's HQ in Mountain View suggests an immersive work environment designed for high levels of collaboration and access to resources. This setting is ideal for a leadership role where continuous interaction with diverse teams is key to driving strategic initiatives like AI integration in sales platforms.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and resume, focusing on alignment with minimum and preferred qualifications, particularly leadership experience and domain knowledge.

• Phone/Video Interview(s): Expect interviews with UX researchers, UX research managers, and potentially product leaders to assess your research expertise, leadership style, and strategic thinking.

These may include behavioral questions and discussions about your past projects.

• On-site/Virtual On-site Loop: This typically involves a series of interviews (4-6) with various stakeholders, including:

  • Hiring Manager Interview: Deep dive into your leadership experience, team management philosophy, and strategic vision.
  • Peer Interviews: Discussions with other UX researchers or managers about your collaboration style, problem-solving approach, and technical skills.
  • Cross-functional Interviews: Conversations with Product Managers and Engineers to assess your ability to partner effectively and influence product roadmaps.
  • Portfolio Review Presentation: A dedicated session where you present 1-3 case studies from your portfolio, demonstrating your impact and strategic thinking.

• Hiring Committee Review: Your feedback from the interview loop is compiled and reviewed by a hiring committee to make a final decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Select case studies that clearly demonstrate how your research led to significant product improvements, strategic shifts, or measurable business outcomes. Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., "increased conversion rates by X%", "reduced user errors by Y%").

• Showcase Leadership: For this role, highlight projects where you led a team, mentored researchers, or influenced strategy at a higher level. Demonstrate your ability to manage research operations and build effective research functions.

• Strategic Framing: Frame your case studies around strategic challenges and how your research provided critical insights to address them. Emphasize your role in defining the research agenda and influencing product direction, not just executing studies.

• Tailor to Google Ads & AI: If possible, include examples related to B2B products, sales enablement, AI integration, or complex platforms. Showcase your understanding of the challenges in these domains.

• Clear Communication: Be prepared to articulate your process, rationale, and findings clearly and concisely. Practice your presentation to ensure it flows logically and fits within the allocated time.

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic Problem-Solving: Be ready to discuss how you would approach a hypothetical research challenge related to Google Ads customer engagement, AI adoption, or sales platform optimization.

• Leadership Scenarios: Prepare for questions about managing team conflicts, developing team members, and driving alignment across different functions.

• Executive Communication: Practice articulating complex research findings and their strategic implications in a way that is accessible and compelling to executive leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process at Google is rigorous and multi-faceted. For this leadership role, expect a strong emphasis on strategic thinking, people management, and demonstrable impact. The portfolio review is a critical component, requiring candidates to effectively showcase their leadership capabilities and strategic influence on product development and business outcomes, particularly within the context of B2B sales enablement and AI.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: Tools for survey creation, participant management, in-home/remote usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze). Google likely utilizes internal tools for many of these functions.

• Data Analysis Software: Statistical packages (e.g., SPSS, R, Python libraries like Pandas, NumPy) for quantitative data analysis, and qualitative analysis tools (e.g., NVivo, Dovetail) for synthesizing interview and field study data.

• Collaboration Suites: Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet, Chat) for daily operations, documentation, and team communication.

• Project Management Tools: Tools like Jira, Asana, or internal Google equivalents for tracking research projects and timelines.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Visualization Tools: Tableau, Looker (Google's own BI platform), or similar tools for creating dashboards and reports to communicate research findings and impact to stakeholders.

• Internal Analytics Platforms: Google likely has proprietary tools for analyzing user behavior, product telemetry, and market data specific to Google Ads.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: Familiarity with CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce, or Google's internal equivalents) is crucial given the focus on sales enablement and customer engagement.

• Automation Tools: Understanding how research can inform the automation of sales workflows and customer interactions, particularly with AI.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific internal Google tools are proprietary, candidates should highlight proficiency with industry-standard tools for qualitative and quantitative research, data analysis, visualization, and collaboration. Experience with CRM systems and an understanding of how research can inform AI and automation strategies within a sales context are highly valued.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User Focus: A fundamental principle at Google, emphasizing that all decisions and product developments should prioritize the user experience and needs. For this role, it means deeply understanding the needs of Google Ads sellers and advertisers.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: A strong reliance on data and evidence to inform strategy, product direction, and operational improvements. Research must be robust and actionable.

• Innovation & Experimentation: A culture that encourages pushing boundaries, exploring new technologies like Agentic AI, and iterating rapidly based on learnings.

• Collaboration & Inclusivity: Fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and cross-functional teamwork is essential for success.

• Impact & Accountability: A focus on delivering measurable results and taking ownership of outcomes, particularly in driving business success for advertisers and sellers.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Researchers are expected to be deeply embedded within product teams, working closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and Designers to ensure research insights are integrated throughout the product lifecycle.

• Proactive Engagement: A proactive approach to identifying research opportunities and engaging with stakeholders early in the product development process.

• Transparent Communication: Open and honest communication about research findings, challenges, and recommendations to build trust and facilitate informed decision-making.

• Feedback Loops: A culture of providing and receiving constructive feedback to continuously improve research quality and team effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: Google's culture emphasizes a blend of rigorous, data-informed work with a dynamic, innovative spirit. For this role, the ability to integrate deeply with cross-functional teams and champion user needs within a fast-paced, AI-focused environment will be key to success. The emphasis on impact and accountability aligns with the GTM enablement focus of the Connect Sales Platform team.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complexity: Google Ads is a vast and complex ecosystem. Understanding its intricacies, user segments (sellers, advertisers), and technological components (including AI) will be a significant learning curve.

• Influencing Executive Stakeholders: Effectively communicating research insights and advocating for user needs to busy executive leadership requires sophisticated strategic thinking and communication skills.

• Driving Adoption of New Technologies: Leading research to support the adoption of Agentic AI and other advanced technologies requires understanding potential user resistance and designing strategies to overcome it.

• Balancing Strategic Vision with Execution: As a manager, balancing the team's day-to-day research execution with the long-term strategic vision for customer engagement and sales enablement.

• Measuring Impact in a Dynamic Market: Quantifying the impact of UX research on complex B2B/SaaS products and advertising outcomes in a rapidly evolving market.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced AI Research: Opportunities to delve into research methodologies for understanding user interaction with AI-driven tools and features.

• Strategic Leadership Training: Access to Google's extensive leadership development programs, focusing on people management, strategic planning, and executive communication.

• Industry Expertise: Deepen knowledge in the advertising technology, B2B SaaS, and enterprise sales domains through internal resources and external conferences.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to be mentored by and mentor senior leaders within Google's extensive UX and product organizations.

• Broad Exposure: Working across multiple product areas within Google Ads provides broad exposure to different user problems and business challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges related to the scale and complexity of Google Ads, the cutting-edge nature of AI integration, and the demands of executive influence. However, these challenges are matched by robust growth opportunities within one of the world's leading technology companies, offering significant potential for career advancement and skill development in high-impact areas.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you influenced a product strategy or roadmap based on your research. How did you approach executive leadership?" (Preparation: Focus on strategic impact, stakeholder management, and executive communication. Use a STAR method approach with a clear articulation of the problem, your strategy, execution, and outcome.)

• "How would you approach researching the adoption challenges and opportunities for Agentic AI within the Google Ads sales platform?" (Preparation: Outline a research plan including target users, methodologies, key questions, and how you'd measure success. Showcase your understanding of AI adoption barriers and opportunities.)

• "Imagine you need to drive consensus between Product, Engineering, and Sales leadership on a new feature based on user research. How would you facilitate this process?" (Preparation: Discuss your facilitation, negotiation, and communication strategies. Emphasize data-driven persuasion and building common ground.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Google's 'Focus on the user' philosophy, and how would you apply it to the Google Ads Connect Sales Platform team?" (Preparation: Research Google's mission and values. Connect them to the specific context of sales enablement and B2B/SaaS products.)

• "How do you foster a collaborative and inclusive environment within your research team and with cross-functional partners?" (Preparation: Provide specific examples of your leadership style, team-building activities, and methods for promoting diverse perspectives.)

• "How do you measure the impact of your UX research team and ensure accountability for delivering business value?" (Preparation: Discuss your approach to defining KPIs for research, tracking project success, and communicating ROI to stakeholders.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: For each case study, clearly define the business context, the user problem, your research approach, key insights, recommendations, and the ultimate impact (quantified if possible).

• Highlight Leadership: Explicitly call out your role in leading the research, managing the team, influencing stakeholders, and driving strategic decisions.

• Tell a Story: Weave a narrative that engages the interviewers, demonstrating your passion for user advocacy and problem-solving.

• Anticipate Questions: Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your methodologies, decision-making process, and challenges faced during each project.

• Connect to Google Ads: Whenever possible, draw parallels between your past work and the challenges or opportunities at Google Ads, especially concerning B2B, AI, or large-scale platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only research expertise but also strategic leadership, business acumen, and the ability to influence at senior levels within a complex, data-driven organization like Google. Case studies should highlight impact and leadership.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the Google Careers portal link provided.

• Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your 10+ years of UX research experience, 5+ years of leadership/management, and any relevant experience in B2B, Ads, Enterprise SaaS, or AI. Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 impactful case studies that demonstrate your leadership in UX research, strategic influence on product roadmaps, and ability to drive measurable business outcomes. Ensure these showcase your skills in qualitative research, stakeholder management, and ideally, experience with complex platforms or AI.

• Prepare for Behavioral & Strategic Questions: Practice answering common interview questions using the STAR method, focusing on your leadership experiences, problem-solving skills, and strategic thinking. Be ready to discuss your approach to managing teams and influencing executive stakeholders.

• Research Google Ads & Customer Engagement: Understand the mission of Google Ads, the role of Customer Engagement, and the specific focus of the Connect Sales Platform team. Familiarize yourself with the concept of Agentic AI and its implications for sales and advertising.

⚠️ 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.