Senior Vice President, Lead UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Vice President, Lead UX Researcher

Company: BNY

Location: New York, NY, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience (UX) Research / Product Strategy

Date Posted: April 15, 2026

Experience Level: Senior Level (10+ years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and manage strategic user experience (UX) research initiatives to inform product development and enhance user journeys within the financial services sector.

• Drive cross-functional collaboration by building strong relationships with design, product management, and client-facing teams to translate user insights into actionable product roadmaps and strategies.

• Champion specialized UX research practice areas, focusing on enhancing overall practice maturity, process efficiency, and the adoption of advanced methodologies across the organization.

• Conduct in-depth user needs analysis and behavioral research, validating new designs and product features before development through rigorous usability testing and feedback programs.

• Proactively identify and anticipate potential challenges in research projects and product development, developing innovative solutions and maintaining open communication channels to ensure project success.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a Senior Vice President level position within UX Research, indicating significant leadership responsibilities, strategic influence, and a focus on both individual research contributions and team/practice development. The emphasis on financial services and enterprise feedback tools suggests a need for deep domain knowledge and experience with robust, scalable research operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct and manage comprehensive qualitative and quantitative UX research projects aligned with assigned product experiences and overarching strategic research objectives.

• Drive influential relationships and effective interactions with design and product experience leads to ensure research findings are integrated seamlessly into the product development lifecycle.

• Foster strong partnerships with product managers to proactively influence and shape multi-year product roadmaps, prioritizing user-centric features and innovations.

• Efficiently manage and communicate project progress, findings, and recommendations to internal stakeholders across various departments and leadership levels.

• Lead the development and enhancement of specialized research practice areas, contributing to the overall maturity, standardization, and efficiency of the UX research function.

• Take ownership of driving research initiatives forward, demonstrating accountability while maintaining transparent and open communication channels with all involved parties.

• Proactively identify potential research roadblocks or product development challenges, developing and implementing effective solutions to mitigate risks and ensure project continuity.

• Manage and cultivate relationships with client-facing teams to gather critical market feedback and user insights, ensuring research efforts are aligned with client needs and business priorities.

• Design and deliver impactful trainings and workshops in areas of UX research expertise, empowering teams and fostering a culture of user-centricity.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of team processes and organizational efficiency, identifying opportunities for optimization and implementing best practices in research operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities indicate a blend of hands-on research, strategic influence, team leadership, and process improvement, typical of a Senior VP role in a large financial institution. The focus on "specialized research practice areas" suggests opportunities to develop expertise in niche methodologies or areas critical to the company.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, User Experience, Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a closely related discipline.

Experience:

• 10-12 years of progressive experience in User Experience (UX) Research.

• Proven track record of managing complex research projects from inception to delivery within a corporate or enterprise environment.

• Experience in the securities or financial services industry is highly desirable.

Required Skills:

• Deep expertise in facilitating a wide range of qualitative research methodologies (e.g., in-depth interviews, ethnography, diary studies, contextual inquiry).

• Broad knowledge and practical application of multiple research methodologies, including quantitative approaches where applicable.

• Strong analytical and synthesis skills, with the ability to effectively combine information from multiple data sources to derive actionable insights.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex findings clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, including executive leadership.

• Exceptional attention to detail and robust organizational skills to manage multiple projects, timelines, and deliverables concurrently.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in leading and mentoring junior UX researchers or contributing to the development of research talent.

• Familiarity with quantitative research methods, statistical analysis, and A/B testing principles.

• Knowledge of design thinking principles and agile development methodologies.

• Experience with prototyping tools and their application in user research validation.

• Understanding of product strategy and roadmap development processes within a large organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for an advanced degree being a "plus" and the specific mention of enterprise feedback tools like Qualtrics and Medallia, along with the financial services industry experience, are key differentiators for this role. The "limited direction" requirement signals a need for high autonomy and proactive problem-solving.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 distinct UX research projects that demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the research lifecycle, from defining research questions to delivering actionable insights.

• Clearly articulate the research objectives, methodologies employed, and the specific user problems addressed for each project.

• Provide evidence of impact, detailing how research findings influenced product decisions, design iterations, or business outcomes, ideally with quantifiable results.

• Include examples of synthesizing complex qualitative and quantitative data into clear, concise, and compelling reports or presentations.

Process Documentation:

• Exhibit examples of well-defined research plans, outlining scope, timelines, participant recruitment strategies, and moderation guides.

• Showcase documentation of research findings, including debrief summaries, thematic analysis, and key takeaways presented in a structured format.

• Provide evidence of contributing to or developing standardized research processes, templates, or best practices that enhance team efficiency and research quality.

• Illustrate how research insights were translated into actionable recommendations for design and product teams, potentially through user journey maps, personas, or feature prioritization frameworks.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior VP role, the portfolio should not only highlight individual research skills but also demonstrate strategic thinking, leadership in process improvement, and the ability to drive impact at an organizational level. The focus should be on how research contributes to business goals and influences product strategy.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The base salary for this position is expected to be between $102,000 and $246,000 USD per year at the commencement of employment.

• 📝 Enhancement Note: This range is based on data provided by BNY, reflecting their stated compensation assessment methodology. The final offer will be determined by individualized factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, market location, and performance. This range is an estimate for the base salary only and does not include potential bonuses, incentives, or other benefits.

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation: A comprehensive package designed to reward performance and contribution.

• Wellbeing programs: Access to resources and initiatives focused on employee health, mental resilience, and overall wellness.

• Generous paid leaves: Including vacation time, holidays, and paid volunteer time to support personal and family needs.

• Financial goals support: Programs and resources aimed at helping employees achieve their financial objectives.

• Flexible global resources and tools: Access to a suite of tools and support systems to facilitate work and personal life.

• Company-sponsored benefit programs: Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and retirement plans (details to be provided upon hire).

Working Hours:

• The standard working hours for this role are approximately 40 hours per week.

• 📝 Enhancement Note: While a standard work week is outlined, the Senior VP level often implies a degree of flexibility and a commitment that may extend beyond strict hours, particularly for strategic initiatives or critical project phases.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services. BNY is a leading global financial services company, operating at the heart of the global financial system and influencing a significant portion of the world's investible assets. The company leverages cutting-edge AI and breakthrough technologies to drive transformative solutions for clients.

Company Size: Large Enterprise. As a major financial institution, BNY has a substantial global presence and a large employee base, offering significant opportunities for impact and career development within a structured environment.

Founded: BNY has a long-standing history, indicated by its position as a major financial institution. Its focus on innovation, AI, and advanced technologies suggests a culture that balances tradition with forward-thinking strategies.

Team Structure:

• The UX Research team likely operates within a larger Product or Digital Transformation division, potentially structured to support specific business lines or product portfolios.

• Reporting lines would typically flow up to a Director or VP of Product Design/UX, with this Senior VP role leading a significant practice area or a dedicated research group.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis and Insights: Emphasis on rigorous data analysis, synthesizing qualitative and quantitative feedback to generate actionable insights that inform strategic decisions.

• Workflow Planning and Optimization: Focus on refining research processes, improving efficiency, and ensuring research efforts are scalable and impactful across the organization.

• Automation and Efficiency Practices: Exploration and implementation of tools and techniques to automate repeatable tasks and enhance the overall efficiency of research operations.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: BNY's emphasis on AI, technology, and client-driven solutions suggests a progressive culture within the financial services sector. The "Life at BNY" narrative highlights innovation, inclusion, and a commitment to employee growth, which are crucial for attracting top talent in specialized fields like UX Research. The awards listed (Fortune's America's Most Innovative, World's Most Admired, Just Capital's Most Just Companies) reinforce a positive and impactful company image.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at the Senior Vice President (SVP) level, signifying a leadership position with extensive experience and strategic responsibility. It involves not only executing research but also shaping the research practice, mentoring teams, and influencing organizational strategy. The scope includes driving significant product initiatives and contributing to the overall maturity of UX research within a large financial institution.

Reporting Structure: The SVP, Lead UX Researcher will likely report to a higher-level executive such as a Chief Product Officer, Head of Design, or a Senior Vice President overseeing digital strategy. They will manage a team of UX researchers and collaborate closely with peers in Product Management, Engineering, and other critical business units.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is substantial, directly influencing the user experience of BNY's financial products and services. By ensuring products are user-centered, intuitive, and meet client needs, this role contributes to client satisfaction, retention, operational efficiency, market competitiveness, and ultimately, revenue growth for BNY. The insights generated will guide strategic investments in product development and innovation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in advanced qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, explore emerging research technologies (e.g., AI-driven insights), and lead large-scale, strategic research programs.

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into executive leadership roles within UX, Product, or broader Digital Strategy functions, expanding influence across the organization. This includes opportunities for team building, strategic planning, and cross-departmental leadership.

• Industry Influence: Contributing to the advancement of UX research practices within the financial services industry through thought leadership, speaking engagements, or internal process innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The SVP title implies a significant leadership track and the potential for further advancement into executive roles. The emphasis on influencing roadmaps and leading specialized practices suggests opportunities for shaping the future of BNY's user experience strategy.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This position is based in New York City and is an on-site role. The work environment is expected to be a professional corporate office setting within BNY's New York headquarters or a significant operational hub.

Office Location(s): New York, NY, United States. This central location offers access to a vibrant professional ecosystem and ample opportunities for networking and collaboration within the financial capital.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely be a modern, collaborative office environment designed to foster teamwork and innovation.

• Access to state-of-the-art tools and technology, including advanced research software, analytics platforms, and collaboration suites, is expected to support the research function.

• Opportunities for regular interaction with a diverse range of colleagues, including UX designers, product managers, engineers, and business leaders, will be integral to the daily work experience.

Work Schedule: The role adheres to a standard 40-hour work week, with the expectation of flexibility to accommodate project demands and strategic initiatives. This structure allows for dedicated focus on research activities while also enabling collaboration and responsiveness within the fast-paced financial services environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in New York City suggests a preference for in-person collaboration, team cohesion, and direct engagement with stakeholders in a major financial hub. This environment typically offers robust resources and a high level of professional interaction.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess alignment with the core requirements, particularly experience in UX research, qualitative methodologies, and financial services.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on your background, leadership experience, research philosophy, and strategic thinking. Expect questions about how you've influenced product roadmaps and managed research teams.

• Panel Interviews: Interactions with key stakeholders, including design leads, product managers, and potentially other senior researchers or executives. These interviews will assess your collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to translate research into business value.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session to walk through key projects from your portfolio, demonstrating your research process, impact, and problem-solving capabilities. Be prepared to discuss challenges, methodologies, and outcomes in detail.

• Case Study/Research Challenge (Potential): You might be asked to tackle a hypothetical research problem or present a strategy for a specific product area, assessing your analytical and strategic approach.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 impactful projects that best showcase your leadership, strategic influence, and depth of UX research expertise, particularly in complex enterprise environments or financial services.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, highlight the business outcomes, ROI, or user experience improvements that resulted from your research. Use metrics to demonstrate value.

• Showcase Process & Methodology: Clearly articulate your research process, the rationale behind your methodological choices, and how you adapted to project constraints.

• Tailor to BNY: Research BNY's products, strategic initiatives, and recent news. Frame your portfolio examples to resonate with their business context and user challenges.

• Practice Your Narrative: Be ready to clearly and concisely explain each project, focusing on your role, the challenges, your approach, and the resulting impact.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand BNY's Business: Familiarize yourself with BNY's role in the financial system, its client base, and its strategic priorities.

• Research Methodologies: Be prepared to discuss and apply various qualitative research methods, and how you would choose the most appropriate one for a given scenario.

• Problem-Solving Framework: Practice breaking down complex problems, identifying key research questions, and outlining a strategic approach to finding solutions.

• Communication Strategy: Prepare to articulate your thought process, findings, and recommendations clearly and persuasively, anticipating questions from different stakeholder perspectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio presentation and potential case studies suggests that BNY values candidates who can not only perform research but also strategically communicate its value and impact to business stakeholders.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Enterprise Feedback Management Tools: Deep expertise in platforms such as Qualtrics, Medallia, or Foresee for survey design, deployment, data collection, and analysis at scale.

• User Research Platforms: Experience with tools for remote usability testing, session recording analysis, and participant recruitment (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Validately).

• Collaboration Suites: Proficiency in tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, Google Workspace for day-to-day communication, project management, and team collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Software: Familiarity with tools for qualitative data analysis (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo) and potentially quantitative analysis (e.g., Excel, SPSS, R basics).

• Business Intelligence Tools: Exposure to BI platforms (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) for understanding broader product performance metrics and how UX research findings integrate with business intelligence.

• Presentation Software: Mastery of tools like PowerPoint or Google Slides for creating compelling reports and presenting research findings to executive audiences.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: While not a direct CRM role, understanding how UX research insights can feed into CRM strategies and inform customer segmentation is beneficial. Familiarity with Salesforce or similar enterprise CRMs is a plus.

• Project Management Tools: Experience with tools such as Jira, Asana, or Trello for managing research project timelines, tasks, and team workflows.

• Data Integration Concepts: Awareness of how different systems (e.g., CRM, feedback tools, analytics platforms) can be integrated to provide a holistic view of the user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of enterprise feedback tools is critical. Beyond that, the role requires a strong understanding of how research data integrates with broader business intelligence and product management workflows, emphasizing analytical and reporting capabilities.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A core commitment to understanding and advocating for the user in all product development and strategic decisions.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Valuing rigorous research and analytical insights as the foundation for strategic planning and problem-solving.

• Collaboration and Partnership: Fostering strong, cross-functional relationships to ensure research is integrated effectively and its impact is maximized.

• Innovation and Continuous Improvement: A drive to explore new research methodologies, leverage advanced technologies, and continuously enhance processes for greater efficiency and effectiveness.

• Integrity and Excellence: Upholding high standards of research quality, ethical conduct, and professional excellence in all endeavors.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive Partnership: Actively seeking opportunities to collaborate with Design, Product Management, Engineering, and business stakeholders, offering research expertise early in the product lifecycle.

• Open Communication: Maintaining transparent and frequent communication regarding research plans, progress, findings, and recommendations, ensuring all relevant parties are informed and engaged.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture of sharing research insights, best practices, and learnings across teams to build collective understanding and foster a user-centered mindset throughout the organization.

• Feedback Integration: Welcoming constructive feedback on research approaches and findings, and providing actionable feedback to collaborators to collectively improve product outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: BNY's stated values of innovation, inclusion, and client focus are likely reflected in the team's operational values. The emphasis on data-driven decisions and collaboration is paramount for a Senior UX Research leader.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex Stakeholder Landscapes: Managing diverse expectations and priorities across multiple departments and leadership levels within a large financial institution.

• Translating Research into Action: Ensuring research insights are effectively communicated and acted upon to drive tangible product improvements and business results, overcoming potential inertia.

• Balancing Strategic vs. Tactical Research: Effectively allocating time and resources between foundational, strategic research initiatives and more immediate, tactical validation needs.

• Adapting to Evolving Technologies: Staying abreast of and integrating new research tools, AI-driven insights, and evolving user behaviors in the digital financial landscape.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership: Developing skills in high-level strategic planning, influencing organizational direction, and leading large-scale research programs.

• Mentorship and Team Building: Opportunities to build, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of UX researchers, fostering their professional growth.

• Industry Trends and Innovation: Engaging with cutting-edge research methodologies, emerging technologies, and thought leadership within the UX and financial services domains.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Gaining deeper understanding of product management, engineering, and business strategy within a leading financial services organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the complexities of working in a large, established financial institution, emphasizing the need for strong influencing skills and strategic thinking. The growth opportunities are geared towards executive leadership and thought leadership within the field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you influenced a multi-year product roadmap based on your research. What was your process and what was the outcome?" (Preparation: Prepare a STAR method example focusing on strategic influence, roadmap impact, and quantified results.)

• "How would you approach establishing or maturing a specialized UX research practice area within a large organization like BNY?" (Preparation: Outline a phased approach focusing on defining scope, establishing processes, building relationships, and demonstrating value.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of BNY and the financial services industry, what do you see as the biggest UX challenges or opportunities for our clients?" (Preparation: Research BNY's business, recent news, and common challenges in digital finance for both institutional and retail clients.)

• "How do you foster a user-centric culture within teams that may not be directly involved in product development?" (Preparation: Discuss strategies for advocating for users, sharing insights widely, and building empathy across departments.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Strategic Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the business problem, your strategic approach, and the measurable impact your research had on product strategy or business outcomes.

• Demonstrate Methodological Depth: Be ready to discuss why you chose specific methodologies and how they were best suited to answer the research questions.

• Highlight Leadership & Collaboration: Showcase instances where you led research initiatives, mentored others, or effectively collaborated with cross-functional teams to drive consensus and action.

• Tell a Compelling Story: Structure your presentation with a clear narrative arc: problem, approach, findings, recommendations, and impact. Make it engaging and easy to follow.

• Anticipate Questions: Prepare for detailed questions about your process, decisions, and the outcomes of your work. Be ready to defend your choices and discuss lessons learned.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation emphasizes strategic thinking, impact quantification, and the ability to navigate complex organizational dynamics, aligning with the SVP-level responsibilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the BNY careers portal.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight your 10-12 years of UX research experience, emphasizing qualitative methodologies, enterprise feedback tool proficiency (Qualtrics, Medallia, Foresee), and any financial services industry experience. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare your portfolio: Curate 3-5 impactful UX research projects that demonstrate strategic influence, leadership, and measurable outcomes. Be ready to present these clearly and concisely, focusing on impact and process.

• Research BNY: Familiarize yourself with BNY's business, its role in the financial system, its client base, and its recent innovations. Understand their stated values and culture.

• Practice for interviews: Prepare to discuss your research philosophy, strategic approach to influencing roadmaps, experience with enterprise tools, and how you lead and collaborate with cross-functional teams. Practice articulating your portfolio projects.

⚠️ 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.