Sr. UX Researcher I

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. UX Researcher I

Company: Yum!

Location: Plano, Texas, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: User Experience Research & Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)

Date Posted: May 21, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the optimization and continuous improvement of KFC's Atlas web and mobile app experience through a combination of UX research and Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) methodologies.

• Validate global UX/UI standardization for KFC's Atlas platform, ensuring consistent performance across all markets while confirming local configurations are clear, usable, and effective for international customers.

• Partner closely with the Analytics team to uncover behavioral patterns, identify user friction points, and inform experimentation strategies aimed at improving conversion rates, transaction volume, and customer retention.

• Establish and scale robust UX research capabilities within the Global Brand Experience team, building foundational processes for qualitative and quantitative insight generation.

• Influence the product roadmap and overall experience strategy for KFC's digital platforms by delivering data-driven insights and actionable recommendations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role sits within the Global Brand Experience team, focusing on KFC's Atlas platform (web and mobile app). The primary objective is to enhance the digital customer experience globally and in local markets through rigorous UX research and CRO. The hybrid work arrangement suggests a need for strong self-management and communication skills. The emphasis on "global UX/UI standardization" indicates a strategic focus on consistency, while "local relevance" highlights the need for nuanced market-specific research.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct end-to-end qualitative UX research, including user interviews, contextual inquiries, and usability testing, to deeply understand user needs, behaviors, and pain points within the Atlas web and mobile app.

• Design and execute CRO strategies, leveraging a test-and-learn experimentation approach to identify and implement improvements that drive key business metrics such as conversion rates, transaction volume, and customer engagement.

• Perform in-market usability testing in both existing and upcoming international markets to ensure the Atlas platform delivers a high-quality, locally relevant customer experience as it scales globally.

• Collaborate with product managers, designers, developers, and analytics teams to translate research findings and CRO insights into actionable product improvements and feature enhancements.

• Analyze quantitative data from sources like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, and FullStory to identify user behavior patterns, segment user populations, and pinpoint areas for A/B testing and optimization.

• Develop and refine UX research processes and best practices, contributing to the establishment of scalable research capabilities within the Global Brand Experience team.

• Advocate for user-centered design principles and data-driven decision-making across cross-functional teams, fostering a culture of continuous optimization and experimentation.

• Conduct accessibility evaluations and inclusive research practices to ensure the Atlas platform is usable and equitable for all customers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of deep qualitative research (interviews, usability testing) and quantitative analysis (GA, Adobe, FullStory), with a strong emphasis on CRO and experimentation. The global scope, including specific mention of "in-market usability testing," indicates a significant international component and the need for cultural sensitivity in research. The role is expected to build research capabilities, suggesting a need for process definition and mentorship potential.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Computer Science, or a related field. Master's degree or Ph.D. is a plus.

Experience: 5-10 years of progressive experience in UX Research, Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO), or a closely related field, with a proven track record of impacting digital product performance.

Required Skills:

• UX Research Expertise: Demonstrated proficiency in designing and conducting a wide range of qualitative research methods, including user interviews, usability testing (moderated and unmoderated), ethnographic studies, and heuristic evaluations.

• Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO): Strong understanding of CRO principles, A/B testing methodologies, multivariate testing, and experiment design and analysis.

• Data Analysis & Interpretation: Ability to analyze both qualitative and quantitative data from various sources (e.g., user feedback, analytics platforms, survey data) to derive actionable insights and inform strategic decisions.

• Analytics Tools Proficiency: Hands-on experience with web analytics platforms such as Google Analytics (GA) or Adobe Analytics, and user behavior analytics tools like FullStory, Hotjar, or similar.

• Research & Prototyping Tools: Familiarity with UX research platforms (e.g., UserTesting.com, UserZoom) and design/prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD) for research synthesis and collaboration.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with product managers, designers, engineers, marketing, and analytics teams.

• Global Mindset: Ability to conduct research and develop strategies that consider diverse international markets, cultural nuances, and localization requirements.

• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to identify complex user problems and propose innovative solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with survey design and analysis tools.

• Knowledge of accessibility standards (WCAG) and experience conducting accessibility evaluations.

• Familiarity with agile development methodologies and experience working within product teams.

• Experience in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) or food and beverage industry.

• Experience establishing or scaling UX research functions within an organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements specify a blend of UX research and CRO expertise, emphasizing hands-on experience with common industry tools like GA, Adobe Analytics, FullStory, and UserTesting. The mention of "5-10 years" aligns with a "Sr." level role. The preferred skills suggest a candidate who can not only execute but also contribute to building the function and understanding industry-specific challenges.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: A robust portfolio showcasing 3-5 detailed case studies that demonstrate your impact on digital product optimization through UX research and CRO. Each case study should clearly articulate the problem, your research approach, methodologies used, key findings, implemented solutions, and measurable outcomes (e.g., conversion rate lift, transaction increase, engagement improvement).

• Methodology Showcase: Evidence of your ability to apply a variety of research methodologies (qualitative and quantitative) and CRO techniques, explaining why specific methods were chosen for particular problems.

• Data Visualization: Examples of how you present complex data and research findings in a clear, compelling, and actionable manner, using charts, graphs, and dashboards.

• Cross-functional Collaboration Examples: Demonstrations of how you have collaborated with diverse teams (product, design, engineering, analytics) to drive product improvements based on your research.

Process Documentation:

• Research Plan Examples: Samples of well-defined research plans that outline objectives, target participants, methodologies, timelines, and success metrics for research initiatives.

• Usability Testing Protocols: Examples of structured usability test scripts and moderation guides that ensure consistent and effective data collection.

• Experimentation Frameworks: Documentation or descriptions of frameworks used for designing, executing, and analyzing A/B tests and other experiments, including hypothesis generation and statistical significance interpretation.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Sr. UX Researcher/CRO role, a candidate's portfolio is critical. The emphasis should be on demonstrating tangible impact through data and clear articulation of the process. The inclusion of "process documentation" points towards an expectation that the candidate can not only perform research but also formalize and improve the processes around it, especially given the goal of "scaling UX research capabilities."

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $109,000 - $142,900 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Bonus Eligibility: Opportunity to earn performance-based bonuses, directly tied to individual and company success.

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage to support employee well-being.

• Retirement Savings Plan: 401(k) or similar plan with potential company match to aid long-term financial planning.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay to ensure work-life balance.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, conferences, and certifications to enhance skills in UX research, CRO, and related fields.

• Employee Discounts: Potential for discounts on Yum! Brands products and services.

Working Hours: Standard 40-hour work week, with potential for occasional overtime during critical project phases or market launches. Flexibility in scheduling may be available, aligning with hybrid work policies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is typical for a Senior UX Researcher/CRO in a major metropolitan area like Plano, TX, considering the experience level. The "Bonus Eligibility" is a common perk for senior roles. The other benefits listed are standard for full-time employees at large corporations like Yum!.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Food & Beverage / Quick Service Restaurants (QSR). Yum! Brands is a global leader with a diverse portfolio of brands including KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (over 10,000 employees). This implies a structured environment with established processes, but also opportunities for significant impact due to the scale of operations.

Founded: 1997 (Yum! Brands). While the parent company is relatively young, its core brands have much longer histories, indicating a blend of legacy and innovation.

Team Structure:

• Global Brand Experience Team: This role is part of a central team responsible for defining and maintaining brand-wide digital experiences.

• Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a Director or VP of Global Brand Experience, Digital Product, or UX.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Will work closely with product management, UX/UI design, engineering, analytics, marketing, and regional market teams to ensure global consistency and local relevance.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: A strong emphasis on using both qualitative research and quantitative data to inform product strategy and optimization.

• Global Standardization with Local Adaptation: A core principle of the Atlas platform, requiring a balance between consistent core experiences and market-specific needs.

• Test-and-Learn Culture: Encouragement of experimentation and continuous iteration to improve user experience and business outcomes.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Yum! Brands' scale and industry is crucial. The focus on global standardization for KFC's Atlas platform means this role operates at a significant international level. The hybrid nature and large company size suggest a need for proactive communication and alignment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor. This role is expected to lead complex research initiatives, provide strategic insights, and mentor junior team members, but without direct people management responsibilities initially.

Reporting Structure: Reports to a leadership position within the Global Brand Experience or Digital Product organization. The success of this role relies heavily on influencing product and design teams.

Operations Impact: Directly impacts key business metrics for KFC's digital channels, including conversion rates, transaction volume, customer retention, and global brand perception. The work contributes to the strategic growth and user satisfaction of KFC's digital ecosystem worldwide.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in Research & CRO: Potential to become a subject matter expert and leader in UX research and CRO for Yum! Brands, potentially leading to managing a research team or expanding the function.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape the digital product roadmap and experience strategy for a major global brand.

• Cross-Brand Exposure: As part of Yum! Brands, there may be opportunities to contribute to or learn from research initiatives across other brands within the portfolio.

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas such as international UX research, advanced CRO techniques, or accessibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: This is a senior individual contributor role with significant potential for growth. The emphasis on "scaling research capabilities" indicates an opportunity to define processes and potentially build a team. The global nature of the role offers exposure to diverse markets and complex challenges.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model. Employees are expected to work from the office a set number of days per week, with the flexibility to work remotely on other days. This fosters a balance between in-person collaboration and individual focus.

Office Location(s): Plano, Texas. This is a major hub for Yum! Brands and likely offers a modern office environment with amenities supporting collaboration and productivity.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment likely includes meeting rooms, brainstorming areas, and open spaces designed to facilitate interaction and teamwork with designers, product managers, and analysts.

• Technology Enabled: Access to necessary hardware, software, and high-speed internet to support research activities, data analysis, and remote collaboration.

• Team Integration: Opportunities for regular in-person and virtual team meetings, workshops, and knowledge-sharing sessions.

Work Schedule: Primarily standard business hours (e.g., 9 AM - 5 PM Central Time), with flexibility to accommodate global market research needs or project deadlines. Collaboration with international teams may require occasional adjustments to working hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work arrangement in Plano, TX, suggests a professional office setting that balances in-person collaboration with remote flexibility. The role requires adaptability to potentially work with teams across different time zones due to the global nature of KFC's operations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and resume to assess basic qualifications and experience.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation focused on your background, experience with UX research and CRO, and understanding of the role's responsibilities and impact.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A critical stage where you will present 2-3 of your strongest case studies, detailing your process, findings, and the business impact of your work. Expect questions about your methodologies, decision-making, and how you handle challenges.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with key collaborators (e.g., Product Manager, Lead Designer, Analytics Lead) to assess your teamwork, communication style, and ability to integrate research insights into product development.

• Final Interview: May involve a senior leader to discuss strategic alignment, cultural fit, and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the "so what?" of your research. Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., "increased conversion rate by X%", "reduced task completion time by Y seconds").

• Showcase Your Process: Detail your thought process for selecting methodologies, defining research questions, and analyzing data. Explain why you did what you did.

• Tailor to the Role: Highlight projects most relevant to digital product optimization, global platforms, and CRO. If possible, demonstrate experience with web and mobile applications.

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies as narratives that engage the interviewer and clearly demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to drive change.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your methods, tools, and decision-making.

Challenge Preparation:

• Hypothetical Scenario: You might be given a hypothetical problem related to KFC's digital experience and asked to outline a research approach or CRO strategy.

• Data Analysis Exercise: Potentially a small dataset or analytics report that you'll need to interpret and draw conclusions from.

• Presentation Practice: Rehearse your portfolio presentation to ensure it's concise, impactful, and within any time limits. Practice explaining technical concepts clearly to a non-technical audience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical application and demonstrated impact, especially through the portfolio review. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their CRO and UX research strategies in detail and demonstrate how they've driven measurable business outcomes.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Analytics Platforms: Google Analytics (GA), Adobe Analytics (essential for understanding user behavior and conversion funnels).

• User Behavior Analytics: FullStory, Hotjar, or similar tools for session recording, heatmaps, and user journey analysis.

• UX Research Platforms: UserTesting.com, UserZoom, Lookback, or similar for remote usability testing and participant recruitment.

• Design & Prototyping Tools: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD (for reviewing designs, creating prototypes for testing, and collaborating with designers).

Data Analysis & Reporting:

• Spreadsheet Software: Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets for data manipulation and basic analysis.

• Statistical Software (Optional but beneficial): SPSS, R, or Python for more advanced statistical analysis of experiment results.

• Data Visualization Tools: Tableau, Power BI, or similar for creating dashboards and communicating insights effectively.

CRM & Automation:

• While not primary tools for this role, familiarity with how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms integrate with digital experiences can be beneficial for understanding the broader customer journey.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with core analytics and user behavior tools is non-negotiable. The role requires the ability to not only gather data but also interpret it to inform strategic decisions and experiments. Experience with Figma or similar design tools is important for collaborative workflows.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the end-user throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Data-Driven Excellence: Valuing rigorous analysis and evidence-based decision-making to drive measurable improvements in user experience and business outcomes.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Fostering an environment where ideas are shared openly, feedback is constructive, and teams work together effectively towards common goals.

• Continuous Improvement: Embracing a mindset of ongoing learning, experimentation, and iteration to stay ahead of user needs and market trends.

• Global Perspective: Appreciating and respecting cultural diversity and the need for localized solutions within a standardized global framework.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: Working closely with product, design, and engineering to co-create solutions and ensure research insights are integrated seamlessly into the product roadmap.

• Influence & Persuasion: Effectively communicating research findings and CRO recommendations to gain buy-in from stakeholders at various levels.

• Feedback Integration: Open to receiving and providing constructive feedback to foster growth and refine strategies.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in team discussions, sharing learnings, and contributing to the collective knowledge base of the Global Brand Experience team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "global UX/UI standardization" versus "local relevance" suggests a culture that balances strategic consistency with market-specific nuance. The role requires strong collaboration skills to influence without direct authority.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Global Standards with Local Needs: Effectively navigating the complexities of standardizing UX/UI across diverse international markets while ensuring local relevance and usability.

• Scaling Research Capabilities: Establishing and scaling robust UX research and CRO processes within a large organization to meet the demands of a global platform.

• Driving Experimentation Culture: Fostering a widespread adoption of test-and-learn methodologies across product and marketing teams.

• Data Integration: Synthesizing insights from disparate qualitative and quantitative data sources into a cohesive understanding of user behavior.

• Cross-Cultural Research: Conducting research in various international markets, requiring sensitivity to cultural differences and potential language barriers.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced CRO Techniques: Deepen expertise in areas like personalization, advanced experimentation design, and predictive analytics.

• International UX Research: Gain hands-on experience and develop best practices for conducting research across a wide range of global markets.

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to lead complex projects, mentor junior researchers, and contribute to strategic planning for the Brand Experience team.

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Support for attending relevant conferences (e.g., UXPA, CHI, ConversionXL) and obtaining certifications in UX, CRO, or analytics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges stem from the global scale and the task of building out research infrastructure. The growth opportunities are well-aligned with advancing within the specialized fields of UX research and CRO, with potential leadership tracks.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you used UX research to significantly improve a digital product's conversion rate. What was your process, and what were the results?" (Focus on demonstrating CRO impact and research methodology.)

• "How would you approach validating the global UX/UI consistency of KFC's Atlas platform while also ensuring it meets local needs in markets like Japan and India?" (Assess understanding of global vs. local UX, and research planning.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Yum! Brands and KFC's digital presence? How do you see UX research contributing to our goals?" (Demonstrate research and understanding of the company's business.)

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid environment. How do you ensure effective collaboration with remote and in-office team members?" (Assess adaptability and collaboration skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each case study, clearly outline: Problem Statement, Your Role, Research Questions/Hypotheses, Methodology, Participants, Key Findings, Recommendations/Solutions, Impact (Quantified Results), and Lessons Learned.

• Visuals: Use clear screenshots, prototypes, data charts, and journey maps to illustrate your points.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your strongest cases within a given timeframe (e.g., 15-20 minutes per case study), allowing ample time for Q&A.

• Data Storytelling: Weave a narrative that highlights your critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and the tangible value you brought to previous projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on showcasing a blend of strategic thinking, tactical execution in both UX research and CRO, and the ability to drive measurable business impact. Be ready to discuss specific tools and methodologies used.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided Oracle Cloud link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features case studies demonstrating your impact on digital product optimization through both UX research and Conversion Rate Optimization. Prioritize examples that highlight improvements in conversion, transactions, and retention.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords such as UX Research, CRO, Usability Testing, Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, FullStory, A/B Testing, and global product optimization. Quantify your achievements with specific metrics wherever possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your research process, the rationale behind your methodological choices, and the business outcomes of your work. Prepare to discuss how you would address the unique challenges of a global platform like KFC's Atlas.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Yum! Brands, KFC's digital strategy, and the concept of global UX standardization. Understand the company's mission and values to articulate your cultural fit.

⚠️ 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.

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