Sr Lead UX Researcher - Operations

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr Lead UX Researcher - Operations

Company: Cox Enterprises

Location: Atlanta, GA; Burlington, VT; Irvine, CA

Job Type: Full time

Category: Revenue Operations / Research Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-11

Experience Level: Senior Lead / 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid - Ability to work remotely part of the week

🚀 Role Summary

• This Senior Lead UX Researcher role is pivotal in shaping and executing the Research Operations (Research Ops) strategy across Cox Automotive, focusing on enterprise-level operational transformation and research excellence.

• The position demands a strategic leader to define, scale, and govern research practices, tooling, and infrastructure, ensuring alignment with overarching business, product, and research objectives.

• Key responsibilities include driving AI enablement within research workflows, establishing robust governance for insight management and data protection, and influencing executive stakeholders to demonstrate the strategic value of Research Ops.

• This role operates as the highest individual contributor in the Research Ops career path, acting as an organizational authority on innovation, maturity, and culture within the research discipline.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Sr Lead UX Researcher - Operations," the responsibilities clearly delineate a "Research Operations" function, focusing on the strategy, infrastructure, and scaling of research activities rather than direct user research execution. This is a strategic, operational leadership role within the broader UX/Research umbrella.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define, own, and execute the long-term Research Ops strategy, operating model, and capability roadmap, ensuring alignment with Cox Automotive's business, product, and research priorities.

• Act as the principal authority and internal thought leader for Research Ops, establishing best practices, standards, tooling ecosystems, and emerging practice areas across the enterprise.

• Lead enterprise-level Research Ops transformation initiatives that span multiple portfolios, departments, or business units, including modernization of research infrastructure and AI enablement.

• Establish and govern enterprise standards for research repositories, insight management, participant protection, data governance, and operational quality to ensure consistency and compliance.

• Drive alignment across research, design, product, market intelligence, and executive leadership to ensure Research Ops investments are directly connected to measurable business outcomes and ROI.

• Partner with C-suite and SVP-level stakeholders to define and communicate the strategic value of Research Ops, influence investment decisions, and shape organizational priorities.

• Lead the design and institutionalization of agentic, AI-enabled, and automated research systems to reduce friction, improve research quality, and scale research capacity across the enterprise.

• Own the Research Ops measurement framework, defining, tracking, and communicating enterprise-level operational KPIs and the return on Research Ops investment.

• Oversee strategic vendor partnerships, multi-year tooling investments, and research operations budget planning at the portfolio or enterprise level.

• Represent Cox Automotive's Research Ops practice externally through speaking, publishing, or community engagement to elevate the organization's reputation in the field.

• Model and develop a culture of craft, rigor, and continuous improvement across the Research Ops community of practice.

• Serve as executive sponsor, coach, and principal mentor to Research Ops professionals, contributing to career development, onboarding, and team capability growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize strategic leadership and operational transformation, positioning this role as a key driver of efficiency and effectiveness within the research function. The focus on AI enablement and scaling research capacity indicates a forward-thinking approach to operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in HCI, Organizational Design, Information Science, or Business Management preferred.

• A combination of education and experience may be considered (e.g., Master's degree + 6 years experience, PhD + 3 years experience, or 12 years of related experience). Experience:

• 10+ years of experience in research operations, program leadership, or operations roles, with a minimum of 3 years operating at a lead or equivalent senior individual contributor level.

• 10+ years of experience working in UX/Product Design, product, design, marketing, analytics, or customer research environments.

• Proven track record of defining and leading large-scale, cross-functional operational programs that deliver measurable, lasting organizational change. Required Skills:

• Recognized enterprise-level authority in Research Ops, with mastery across multiple operational domains (participant programs, repository governance, tooling ecosystems, AI-enabled workflows, metrics and measurement).

• Exceptional strategic thinking and systems-level problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate ambiguity, complexity, and competing priorities.

• Executive-level communication and influence skills, with demonstrated success partnering with senior and C-suite leadership to drive strategic alignment and investment.

• Experience building and scaling Research Ops functions, including tooling strategy, vendor governance, and AI-enabled automation at an enterprise level.

• Demonstrated ability to translate operational vision into executable strategy, communicate impact through data and storytelling, and inspire others.

• Proficiency in using general-purpose LLM tools to analyze and synthesize user behavior, identify patterns, and prioritize opportunities.

• Ability to leverage AI to accelerate discovery, experimentation, development, and recommend improvements. Preferred Skills:

• Deep understanding of HCI principles and their application in operationalizing research.

• Expertise in organizational design and its impact on research team effectiveness.

• Familiarity with information science principles for effective data and insight management.

• Strong business acumen and experience in business management related to operational functions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirements are substantial, indicating this is a senior-level role focused on strategic impact rather than hands-on execution. The emphasis on AI and LLM tools highlights the modern operational skill set expected. The "related field" allows for flexibility, but a strong operations or program leadership background is essential.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a portfolio showcasing the definition and implementation of enterprise-level Research Ops strategies, including operating models and capability roadmaps.

• Provide examples of leading large-scale, cross-functional operational transformation initiatives, particularly those involving research infrastructure modernization or AI enablement.

• Showcase experience in establishing and governing enterprise standards for critical operational domains such as research repositories, insight management, participant protection, and data governance.

• Include case studies that illustrate the successful translation of operational vision into executable strategy, with clear articulation of measurable business outcomes and ROI. Process Documentation:

• Detail the design and institutionalization of agentic, AI-enabled, and automated research systems that demonstrably reduced friction, improved quality, and scaled research capacity.

• Present the development and application of a comprehensive Research Ops measurement framework, including the definition, tracking, and communication of enterprise-level operational KPIs.

• Document experience in overseeing strategic vendor partnerships, multi-year tooling investments, and budget planning for research operations at a portfolio or enterprise level.

• Illustrate how you have modeled and fostered a culture of craft, rigor, and continuous improvement within a Research Ops community of practice.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the senior leadership and strategic nature of this role, a portfolio is crucial. It should focus on strategic impact, operational transformation, and measurable results, rather than just individual research projects. The emphasis on AI and scaling is a key differentiator.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The anticipated base pay range for this position is $148,500.00 - $247,500.00 annually.

• Actual base salary will be determined based on factors such as the candidate's ultimate work location, knowledge, skills, and abilities.

• This position may also be eligible for additional compensation through an incentive program. Benefits:

• Flexible paid vacation policy, allowing employees to take time off as deemed consistent with duties and company needs.

• Seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year.

• Up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for personal wellness or family member care.

• Additional paid time off includes bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.

• Health care insurance (medical, dental, vision).

• Retirement planning, including a 401(k) plan.

• Cox is a drug-free workplace; however, pre-employment drug tests for marijuana are not administered for this position. Working Hours:

• Standard work schedule is likely based on a 40-hour work week, typical for a full-time role.

• The hybrid work arrangement allows for flexibility, with the ability to work remotely part of the week, accommodating personal needs alongside operational requirements.

• Travel is expected, estimated at 15% of the time, requiring flexibility in scheduling for business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is broad, reflecting the senior-level nature and the potential variability based on location and candidate qualifications. The benefits package is comprehensive, with a notable emphasis on flexible time off and wellness.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive, Technology, Media, and Communications. Cox Enterprises operates across diverse sectors, with Cox Automotive being a significant player in the automotive industry, focusing on transforming how vehicles are bought, owned, and sold through technology.

Company Size: Cox Enterprises is a large, privately held company. Cox Automotive, a subsidiary, is a significant entity within this structure, implying a large, complex, and well-established operational environment for this role. This size offers stability and extensive resources but may also involve navigating larger organizational structures and established processes.

Founded: Cox Enterprises was founded in 1898, with Cox Automotive evolving significantly over time. This long history suggests a company with deep roots, a strong culture, and a commitment to long-term growth and innovation, which can influence operational priorities and approaches.

Team Structure:

• This role is part of the Engineering / Product Development group, specifically within the Sr Lead UX Researcher profile. It is a "Sr Manager - Non People Leader" role, indicating a senior individual contributor path focused on expertise and strategic influence rather than direct people management.

• The Research Ops function likely operates as a central or shared service team, supporting various product, design, and research teams across Cox Automotive's diverse portfolio (e.g., Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, vAuto, Manheim).

• Collaboration is expected across research, design, product management, market intelligence, and executive leadership, requiring strong cross-functional partnership skills. Methodology:

• The role emphasizes leveraging AI and LLMs for user behavior analysis, pattern identification, and accelerating discovery and development, indicating a data-driven and technologically advanced approach.

• Operational transformation, scaling research capacity, and improving operational quality are core methodologies, driven by strategic planning and a focus on measurable business outcomes.

• Establishing enterprise standards and governance for research practices, repositories, and data management points to a structured and disciplined operational methodology.

Company Website: https://www.coxenterprises.com/ and https://www.coxauto.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Sr Manager - Non People Leader" designation is critical, highlighting that this role is about deep expertise and strategic impact, not managing a team directly. The company's long history and diverse portfolio mean this role will operate within a large, established, and potentially complex ecosystem.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents the "Sr Lead" level within the Research Ops career path, positioned as the highest individual contributor. It signifies an organizational authority on Research Ops strategy, practice, and innovation, impacting the entire enterprise. This level is characterized by leading through ambiguity, defining future states, and influencing executive stakeholders.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, this role likely reports into a senior leader within Product Development, Engineering, or a dedicated Research/Design leadership function. The "Sr Manager - Non People Leader" title suggests that direct reports are unlikely, but influence and mentorship of other Research Ops professionals are expected.

Operations Impact: The primary impact of this role is on operational efficiency, research quality, and the strategic scaling of research capabilities across Cox Automotive. By defining and implementing effective Research Ops strategies, this role directly contributes to better product decisions, improved customer experiences, and ultimately, measurable business outcomes and ROI for the organization.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership Expansion: Potential to expand influence to broader operational strategy within Cox Automotive or related business units, moving beyond just Research Ops.

• Industry Recognition & Thought Leadership: Opportunities to represent Cox Automotive externally, building personal brand and contributing to the advancement of the Research Ops field through speaking and publishing.

• Mentorship & Capability Building: Develop and mentor a community of practice for Research Ops professionals, fostering talent and advancing the discipline across the organization.

• Innovation & AI Integration: Lead cutting-edge initiatives in AI-enabled research systems, positioning the individual at the forefront of operational innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Sr Manager - Non People Leader" designation implies a focus on deep subject matter expertise and strategic influence over direct team management. Growth will likely come from expanding the scope of operational impact and thought leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as "Hybrid," meaning employees are expected to work part of the week remotely and part of the week from an office location. This offers a blend of flexibility and in-person collaboration.

Office Location(s):

• Primary: Atlanta, GA - 6305 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd Bldg B

• Alternate: Burlington, VT; Irvine, CA

Candidates can be based in any of these locations, with the expectation of hybrid work. Travel is also expected (15%).

Workspace Context:

• The hybrid model suggests a dynamic workspace that balances remote work efficiency with in-office collaboration opportunities for strategic discussions, team building, and executive engagement.

• As a senior leader, access to appropriate technology, tools, and potentially dedicated workspace for strategic work is implied.

• Opportunities for interaction with diverse teams across research, design, product, and executive leadership are inherent in the role's cross-functional nature. Work Schedule:

• The "Day" work shift indicates standard business hours.

• The hybrid arrangement and 15% travel requirement necessitate a flexible approach to scheduling, adapting to project needs, travel demands, and ensuring operational coverage.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature allows for a balance of personal flexibility and organizational needs. The travel requirement indicates that adaptability and efficient time management will be key.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• Hiring Manager Interview: Deep dive into experience, strategic thinking, and operational leadership capabilities, focusing on how the candidate has driven large-scale change.

• Panel Interviews: Sessions with cross-functional stakeholders (e.g., Design Leads, Product Leaders, potentially Executive Sponsors) to assess collaboration, influence, and strategic alignment. Expect questions around Research Ops strategy, AI enablement, and governance.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where candidates present their portfolio, showcasing strategic initiatives, operational transformations, and measurable impacts. This is crucial for demonstrating enterprise-level authority.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior executive to confirm strategic alignment and overall fit for the organization's vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Strategic Impact: Showcase how your initiatives drove measurable business outcomes, ROI, and organizational change, not just operational improvements.

• Demonstrate Enterprise-Level Thinking: Highlight projects that spanned multiple departments or portfolios, demonstrating your ability to influence and lead at scale.

• Emphasize AI & Automation: Clearly articulate your experience in designing and implementing AI-enabled research systems and automation.

• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio with clear case studies that detail the problem, your strategic approach, the operational solutions implemented, and the quantifiable results.

• Executive Communication: Prepare to articulate complex operational strategies and their value proposition concisely and compellingly, as if speaking to C-suite executives.

Challenge Preparation:

• Expect potential case studies or hypothetical scenarios related to scaling Research Ops, implementing AI in research, or improving governance across a large organization.

• Prepare to discuss your approach to navigating ambiguity and influencing stakeholders at all levels.

• Be ready to articulate your vision for the future of Research Ops and how you would implement it at Cox Automotive.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh strategic impact and the ability to lead operational transformation at an enterprise level. The portfolio review is a critical component for demonstrating this capability.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research Ops Platforms: Experience with or ability to implement and manage platforms for participant management, scheduling, and consent (e.g., User Interviews, Respondent, specialized tools).

• Insight Repositories/Knowledge Management: Familiarity with tools for centralizing, tagging, and disseminating research findings (e.g., Dovetail, Productboard, specialized internal systems).

• Collaboration & Project Management: Proficiency with tools like Jira, Confluence, Asana, or similar for workflow management, documentation, and cross-functional collaboration.

• AI & LLM Tools: Direct experience or strong understanding of how to leverage general-purpose LLMs for user behavior analysis, pattern identification, and accelerating research processes.

Analytics & Reporting:

• BI Tools: Experience with tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Looker for creating dashboards and reporting on Research Ops KPIs and impact.

• Data Analysis Tools: Proficiency in analyzing operational data to identify trends, bottlenecks, and areas for improvement.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how research insights integrate with CRM data for customer understanding is beneficial.

• Workflow Automation Tools: Experience with or understanding of tools that can automate research workflows, such as Zapier, Make (formerly Integromat), or custom scripting.

• System Integration: Knowledge of how different operational systems (e.g., research tools, repositories, collaboration platforms) can be integrated to create seamless workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AI and LLM tools is a key differentiator for this role. The ability to integrate various operational systems and drive automation is also critical.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Strategic Impact: A strong focus on ensuring operational efforts directly contribute to measurable business outcomes and organizational strategy.

• Operational Excellence: Commitment to defining, implementing, and refining robust processes, standards, and governance for research.

• Innovation & Future-Thinking: Embracing new technologies, particularly AI and automation, to transform and scale research capabilities.

• Collaboration & Influence: Fostering strong partnerships across diverse teams and levels, effectively influencing stakeholders to drive alignment and adoption.

• Craft & Rigor: Upholding high standards of quality, ethics, and continuous improvement within the research and operations community.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Proactively working with product, design, engineering, and business leaders to embed Research Ops best practices and support strategic goals.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing data and metrics to inform operational strategies, measure impact, and justify investments.

• Thought Leadership & Mentorship: Sharing expertise, guiding junior professionals, and fostering a community of practice to elevate the collective capability of Research Ops.

• Executive Engagement: Regularly communicating with senior leadership to provide strategic insights, gain buy-in, and ensure alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture values strategic thinking, data-driven approaches, and proactive collaboration, especially with executive leadership. The emphasis on innovation, particularly with AI, suggests a forward-looking and dynamic operational environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling Research Ops in a Large Enterprise: Navigating the complexities of a large, established organization like Cox Enterprises to implement and scale Research Ops initiatives effectively across diverse business units.

• Driving AI Adoption: Championing and integrating AI and LLM tools into existing research workflows, which may involve change management, training, and addressing potential skepticism or resistance.

• Measuring and Demonstrating ROI: Quantifying the impact of Research Ops on business outcomes and securing executive buy-in for continued investment in the face of competing priorities.

• Maintaining Governance and Standards: Ensuring consistent application of research ethics, data governance, and operational standards across a distributed and potentially diverse set of research teams.

• Leading Through Influence: As a senior individual contributor, effectively driving change and strategy without direct people management authority requires strong influence, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced AI/LLM Training: Deepen expertise in applying cutting-edge AI technologies to operational challenges in research.

• Executive Leadership Development: Opportunities to hone skills in strategic planning, executive communication, and influencing at the highest levels of the organization.

• Industry Engagement: Representing Cox Automotive at industry conferences and through publications, fostering personal and organizational thought leadership in Research Ops.

• Cross-Portfolio Exposure: Gain broad understanding of different business units within Cox Automotive, enhancing strategic perspective and operational adaptability.

• Mentorship Programs: Formal or informal opportunities to mentor junior Research Ops professionals and build leadership capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for senior operational roles in large enterprises, emphasizing strategic influence and technological adoption. Growth opportunities are geared towards expanding leadership scope and industry recognition.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you defined and implemented a long-term Research Ops strategy for an enterprise. What were the key components, and what was the measurable impact?"

  • Preparation: Focus on strategic frameworks, roadmap development, and quantifying ROI.

• "How would you approach leading an enterprise-wide AI enablement initiative for research operations at Cox Automotive? What are the key considerations for governance and adoption?"

  • Preparation: Outline a phased approach, including stakeholder engagement, pilot programs, change management, and ethical AI use.

• "Walk me through your experience in establishing and governing enterprise standards for research repositories, insight management, or participant protection. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?"

  • Preparation: Use a STAR method approach, detailing specific standards, implementation challenges, and successful outcomes.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of Cox Automotive, where do you see the biggest opportunities for Research Ops to drive strategic value?"

  • Preparation: Research Cox Automotive's business units, challenges, and strategic priorities. Connect Research Ops capabilities to these.

• "This role is a 'Sr Manager - Non People Leader.' How do you envision driving impact and influencing change without direct reports?"

  • Preparation: Emphasize your strengths in influence, collaboration, strategic communication, and building communities of practice.

• "How do you measure the return on investment for Research Ops initiatives? What KPIs are most critical?"

  • Preparation: Be ready to discuss specific metrics related to efficiency, quality, scale, and business impact.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Executive Summary First: Begin with a high-level overview of your most impactful achievements.

• Focus on Transformation: Highlight initiatives that led to significant organizational change or modernization.

• Quantify Everything: Use data and metrics to demonstrate the scale of your impact and the ROI of your efforts.

• AI Integration Emphasis: Clearly articulate your experience and vision for leveraging AI in Research Ops.

• Storytelling: Frame your projects as compelling narratives with clear problems, solutions, and outcomes.

• Tailor to Cox: Connect your experience and examples to the specific context and challenges of Cox Automotive.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic leadership, enterprise-level impact, and a forward-thinking approach to operations, particularly with AI. The portfolio presentation is a critical opportunity to showcase this.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Cox External Career Site.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your professional portfolio to prominently feature examples of enterprise-level Research Ops strategy, AI enablement initiatives, and measurable business impact. Ensure case studies clearly articulate challenges, your strategic approach, operational solutions, and quantifiable results.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords and achievements directly relevant to Research Operations, strategic planning, operational transformation, AI/LLM utilization, governance, and executive stakeholder management. Quantify your accomplishments wherever possible.

• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly research Cox Enterprises and Cox Automotive. Prepare detailed answers to potential strategy, leadership, and problem-solving questions, using the STAR method. Practice your portfolio presentation, focusing on clear, concise articulation of impact and strategic vision.

• Company Research: Understand Cox Automotive's business model, key brands (Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, etc.), and current industry challenges. Identify how Research Ops can strategically support their goals and demonstrate this understanding during interviews.

⚠️ 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.