UX Researcher-CNBC, MS NOW and E! Online

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher - CNBC, MS NOW and E! Online

Company: Versant

Location: Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience Research / Product Operations

Date Posted: May 07, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Conduct comprehensive qualitative and quantitative user research to inform product strategy and enhance digital experiences for leading news and entertainment brands.

• Translate complex user needs and behaviors into actionable insights that guide product design, development, and business decisions.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Management, Design, Engineering, and Data Analytics, to champion user-centricity.

• Develop and execute research strategies aligned with ambitious digital goals and product roadmaps for CNBC, MS NOW, and E! Online.

• Foster a data-driven culture by integrating behavioral analytics with qualitative findings to advocate for user needs throughout the product lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role sits within a newly created product and tech unit at Versant, indicating a strategic focus on digital innovation and growth for its media properties. The emphasis on "journalistic content" and being a "consumer of news and media" suggests a need for passion in this domain, bridging editorial, technical, and commercial aspects for effective product operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Plan, design, and execute a variety of user research studies, including usability testing, user interviews, surveys, and ethnographic research, to uncover deep user insights.

• Develop robust research strategies that directly support product roadmaps and overarching business objectives for digital platforms.

• Synthesize research findings into clear, compelling, and actionable recommendations presented through reports, personas, journey maps, and other relevant artifacts.

• Partner effectively with Product Managers, UX Designers, and Engineers to define research questions, hypotheses, and ensure research outcomes are integrated into product development cycles.

• Collaborate with data analysts to integrate behavioral analytics and performance metrics with qualitative user insights, providing a holistic view of user engagement.

• Present research findings and strategic recommendations to executive leadership and diverse stakeholder groups, influencing key product and business decisions.

• Advocate for user needs and perspectives across all stages of the product development lifecycle, ensuring a user-centric approach.

• Stay abreast of the latest UX research methodologies, tools, and industry trends, particularly within digital media, news, and entertainment sectors.

• Contribute to building and nurturing a company-wide culture that prioritizes evidence-based decision-making and user empathy.

• Ensure research considerations for accessibility standards and inclusive design principles are embedded in product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "work across multiple news brands" and support "ambitious digital goals" highlights the need for adaptability and the ability to manage research projects for diverse audiences and product types within the news and entertainment space. The explicit mention of integrating "editorial, technical, and commercial worlds" emphasizes the cross-functional nature of this role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Computer Science, or a related field is desired.

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of dedicated UX research experience within the digital media industry.

• Proven track record of conducting research for B2C (consumer-facing) digital products, particularly in web, mobile applications, and Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms.

Required Skills:

• Qualitative Research Methods: Expertise in conducting user interviews, contextual inquiries, ethnographic studies, and focus groups.

• Quantitative Research Methods: Proficiency in designing and analyzing surveys, A/B testing, and analyzing behavioral data.

• Data Synthesis & Analysis: Strong analytical skills to interpret complex qualitative and quantitative data, identify patterns, and derive actionable insights.

• Communication & Presentation: Exceptional ability to articulate research findings, insights, and recommendations clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, including senior leadership.

• Product Lifecycle Understanding: Familiarity with the entire product development lifecycle and how research integrates into each phase.

• User Empathy: A deep understanding of user needs, behaviors, and motivations, with the ability to translate this into compelling narratives.

• Digital Media Fluency: A genuine passion for and understanding of digital or journalistic content, and a strong consumption of news and media.

Preferred Skills:

• Stakeholder Management: Ability to effectively manage relationships and communicate with senior management, product managers, designers, and engineers.

• Evangelism for the Customer: Proven experience in advocating for the customer through research, data, and user testing.

• Accessibility & Inclusive Design: Understanding of accessibility standards and inclusive design principles to ensure products are usable by all.

• Persona and Journey Mapping: Expertise in creating user personas and journey maps to represent user understanding and guide design.

• Behavioral Analytics Integration: Experience partnering with data analysts to combine qualitative insights with quantitative behavioral data.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Desired Qualifications" emphasize the need for a strong point of view when presenting findings to senior management, suggesting that candidates should be prepared to not only report data but also to articulate strategic implications and recommendations with conviction.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a range of UX research projects demonstrating proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative methodologies.

• Include examples of how research insights directly influenced product design, strategy, or business outcomes.

• Provide evidence of translating complex data into clear, actionable recommendations for product teams.

• Highlight projects where you advocated for user needs and influenced product decisions at various stages of development.

Process Documentation:

• Detail your approach to developing research plans and strategies aligned with product roadmaps and business goals.

• Illustrate your process for synthesizing findings from multiple research methods into cohesive insights.

• Showcase examples of how you document and present research findings to cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

• Describe your methods for integrating behavioral analytics with qualitative research to provide a comprehensive user understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on influencing strategic decisions and working across multiple brands, a portfolio demonstrating the ability to manage diverse research projects and communicate effectively to various levels of stakeholders will be crucial. The expectation is not just to do research, but to drive product decisions and business impact through that research.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $100,000 - $130,000 per year

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• 401(k) retirement plan

• Paid Leave (Vacation, Sick, Holidays)

• Employee Discounts and Perks

• Onsite Fitness Center with state-of-the-art equipment and daily group classes

• Gourmet Cafeteria with daily specials and soup/salad bars

• Onsite Dry Cleaning services

Working Hours:

• Typically 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, Versant may offer flexibility in daily scheduling, subject to team needs and management approval, allowing for effective data analysis and process management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided ($100,000 - $130,000) is a strong indicator for a mid-level UX Researcher with 3+ years of experience in a major media market like the New York metropolitan area. This range aligns with industry benchmarks for roles involving B2C digital product research and strategic influence. The comprehensive benefits package, especially the onsite amenities and transportation, suggests a significant investment in employee well-being and convenience at the Englewood Cliffs headquarters.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Media & Entertainment, News, Digital Content, Technology. Versant operates at the intersection of traditional media powerhouses and innovative digital platforms, aiming to engage audiences across diverse content verticals.

Company Size: Versant is a large, publicly traded company, suggesting a structured environment with established processes but also opportunities within a newly formed product and tech unit for significant impact.

Founded: While the specific founding date of the consolidated "Versant" entity isn't provided, its portfolio includes established brands like CNBC, suggesting a long history in media. The emphasis on being an "independent, publicly traded company" and a "newly created product and tech unit" indicates a dynamic and evolving organizational structure.

Team Structure:

• The UX Researcher will be part of a newly created product and tech unit, implying a lean, agile, and potentially fast-paced environment focused on innovation.

• This role likely reports to a Director of Product Design, indicating a reporting structure that values design leadership and user experience.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: A core tenet of the role is to foster a culture of evidence-based decision-making, heavily relying on research findings and behavioral analytics.

• User-Centricity: The emphasis on understanding user needs, behaviors, and motivations drives product strategy and design.

• Agile Development: While not explicitly stated, the creation of a new product unit suggests an agile or iterative approach to product development, where research insights are continuously fed into the process.

Company Website: https://www.versantmedia.com/ (Assumed based on domain_derived: versantmedia.com, as no specific company URL was provided in the input)

📝 Enhancement Note: The creation of a new product and tech unit signifies a strategic investment by Versant into its digital future. This often means opportunities for individuals to shape processes, define best practices, and have a visible impact, though it can also involve navigating ambiguity and establishing new workflows.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Mid-Level (2-5 years of experience), suitable for a UX Researcher ready to take on more responsibility, manage multiple projects autonomously, and influence strategic product decisions. It's a stepping stone towards senior research roles or specialized product strategy positions.

Reporting Structure: The UX Researcher will report to the Director of Product Design, indicating a direct line of influence on design strategy and a collaborative relationship with design leadership. This structure typically allows for mentorship and clear guidance on UX best practices.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher's primary impact will be on shaping the user experience of digital products across major media brands (CNBC, MS NOW, E! Online). By providing data-driven insights, they will directly influence product roadmaps, feature development, user engagement, and ultimately, the commercial success of these platforms (e.g., subscription models, ad revenue).

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific research methodologies (e.g., advanced qualitative techniques, large-scale quantitative analysis) or product areas (e.g., news consumption, entertainment platforms).

• Leadership: Potential to lead research initiatives, mentor junior researchers (as the team grows), and contribute to defining the UX research practice within Versant.

• Cross-Functional Development: Gain exposure to product management, engineering, and editorial strategies, broadening understanding of the media business and GTM operations.

• Advancement: Clear path towards Senior UX Researcher roles, UX Research Manager, or Product Strategist roles within Versant or other media/tech organizations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mid-level designation and the context of a newly created unit suggest that while there's room for growth, the initial focus will be on establishing effective research practices and demonstrating value. Candidates should be eager to contribute foundational elements to the UX research function.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at CNBC Headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, NJ, indicating a professional, corporate office environment. The description highlights significant onsite amenities, suggesting a focus on employee well-being and convenience.

Office Location(s):

• Primary Location: 900 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632.

• Accessibility: Free shuttle transportation is provided from multiple locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Hoboken, and Jersey City, making it accessible for those living in the wider New York metropolitan area.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role involves close collaboration with Product Managers, Designers, and Engineers, suggesting a team-oriented workspace.

• Tools & Technology: Access to necessary UX research tools, analytics platforms, and potentially a dedicated research lab or testing facilities.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for frequent interaction with colleagues within the new product and tech unit, as well as broader teams across Versant's media brands.

Work Schedule:

• A standard 40-hour work week is expected. As an on-site role, adherence to the office schedule is required, but there may be some flexibility in daily start/end times. The emphasis on data analysis and process management suggests a need for focused work periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The comprehensive onsite amenities (fitness center, cafeteria, dry cleaning) and shuttle service indicate that Versant aims to create a highly supportive and convenient work environment for its on-site employees, potentially encouraging longer tenure and a strong sense of company community.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a brief call with HR or a recruiter to assess basic qualifications and interest.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the Director of Product Design to delve into experience, research methodologies, and strategic thinking. Be prepared to discuss your approach to user research planning and execution.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A key stage where candidates will present a selection of their best work. Focus on 2-3 impactful projects that showcase your research process, insights, and the resulting impact on product or business outcomes.

• Skills-Based Exercise/Case Study: Potentially a take-home assignment or an in-person problem-solving exercise focused on a UX research challenge relevant to digital media. This will assess your analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Designers, and potentially Engineers to assess collaboration style, communication, and ability to integrate research into development workflows.

• Executive/Stakeholder Interview: An opportunity to present findings and strategic recommendations to senior leadership, demonstrating your ability to influence decisions with a clear point of view.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate your proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative research, and highlight your impact on product strategy. Tailor your selection to the digital media context.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your research approach, the key insights discovered, the recommendations made, and the resulting outcomes or impact. Use visuals effectively.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your research recommendations (e.g., improved conversion rates, increased user satisfaction, reduced support tickets).

• Showcase Process: Explain why you chose specific methodologies and how you synthesized diverse data points. Demonstrate your understanding of the product lifecycle and how research fits in.

• Highlight Collaboration: Mention how you worked with cross-functional teams and presented findings to diverse stakeholders.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate Media-Specific Scenarios: Think about common UX challenges in digital media: user engagement with news, monetization strategies (subscriptions, ads), content discovery, mobile vs. desktop experiences, and the impact of breaking news.

• Practice Articulating Insights: Be ready to present research findings clearly and concisely, focusing on actionable insights and strategic recommendations, rather than just raw data.

• Demonstrate Problem-Solving: For case studies, outline your thought process for defining research questions, selecting methods, and interpreting results, even if you don't have all the data.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on presenting to executives and influencing strategic decisions means candidates should prepare to speak to the business implications of their research, not just the user experience outcomes. A strong portfolio will showcase not just research execution, but also strategic thinking and impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Research Platforms: Proficiency with tools for conducting remote usability testing, surveys, and user interviews (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey).

• Collaboration & Documentation: Experience with tools like Jira, Confluence, Miro, Figma, or similar for project management, documentation, and design collaboration.

• Prototyping Tools: Familiarity with tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD for reviewing and providing feedback on prototypes.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Behavioral Analytics: Experience with web and mobile analytics platforms such as Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Mixpanel, or Amplitude to integrate behavioral data with qualitative insights.

• Reporting & Visualization: Skill in creating clear and persuasive reports and dashboards using tools like Tableau, Power BI, or even advanced Excel/Google Sheets functionalities.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary focus, familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms can be beneficial for understanding customer data and user segmentation within a media context.

• Data Integration: Understanding how different data sources (analytics, CRM, research) can be integrated for a comprehensive view of the user.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on digital media and B2C products, proficiency in user analytics platforms is crucial for complementing qualitative research. The ability to work with data to understand user behavior and engagement metrics will be a significant advantage.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user across all product development processes.

• Data-Driven Insights: Valuing evidence-based decision-making, leveraging both qualitative and quantitative data to inform strategy.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Open communication and teamwork across departments to ensure research is integrated effectively.

• Innovation & Agility: Embracing new methods and technologies to improve research practices and adapt to the evolving digital media landscape.

• Impact & Accountability: Focusing on delivering research that drives tangible improvements in user experience and business outcomes.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively seeking opportunities to collaborate with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Data Analysts to ensure research is relevant and actionable.

• Evidence-Based Advocacy: Presenting research findings with a clear point of view, backed by data, to influence decisions and drive consensus.

• Continuous Improvement: Fostering a culture where feedback is welcomed, and research processes are continually refined for greater efficiency and impact.

• Knowledge Sharing: Proactively sharing research insights and best practices across teams to build collective user understanding and empathy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "newly created product and tech unit" suggests a culture that is likely to be dynamic, entrepreneurial, and focused on rapid iteration and impact. Employees are expected to be proactive and collaborative.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Multiple Brands: Effectively managing research needs and priorities across distinct media brands (CNBC, MS NOW, E! Online) with potentially different user bases and product goals.

• Balancing Research Rigor with Speed: In a fast-paced digital media environment, ensuring thorough research is conducted while meeting tight product development deadlines.

• Influencing Senior Stakeholders: Effectively communicating complex research findings and advocating for user needs to executives who may have strong opinions or commercial priorities.

• Integrating Diverse Data Sources: Synthesizing qualitative research with quantitative behavioral analytics and business metrics to provide a holistic view.

• Establishing New Processes: As part of a new unit, contributing to defining and refining the UX research processes and best practices for Versant.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Research Techniques: Opportunity to explore and implement more sophisticated qualitative and quantitative research methods.

• Product Strategy Immersion: Deepen understanding of product management, business models (subscriptions, advertising), and go-to-market strategies within the digital media industry.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gain insights into content creation, editorial processes, and the technical infrastructure supporting digital media platforms.

• Industry Exposure: Potential to attend industry conferences or workshops focused on UX research, digital media, or content strategy.

• Mentorship: Learning from experienced Product Designers and Leaders within Versant.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Challenges" section highlights that this role requires not only strong research skills but also significant strategic thinking, communication abilities, and adaptability, especially given the context of a new unit and multiple brands.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to influence a product decision with research findings, especially when there was initial resistance from stakeholders. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your ability to present with a clear point of view and use data persuasively.)

• "How do you approach developing a research strategy for a new digital product or feature, considering business goals, user needs, and available resources?" (Highlight your strategic planning and alignment with product roadmaps.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about working for Versant and specifically for brands like CNBC, MS NOW, and E! Online? How do you consume news and entertainment content?" (Showcase your passion for the industry and your understanding of the target audience.)

• "How do you foster a user-centric culture within product teams that may be more focused on technical or commercial aspects?" (Address your ability to advocate for users and build empathy.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select 2-3 High-Impact Projects: Choose projects that best showcase your research process, problem-solving skills, and the tangible impact of your work on product or business outcomes.

Prioritize projects relevant to digital media or B2C products.

• Structure Each Case Study: For each project, clearly outline:

  • The Problem/Opportunity: What was the challenge or question?
  • Your Role & Methodology: What was your specific contribution, and why did you choose your research methods?
  • Key Findings & Insights: What did you learn about the users?
  • Recommendations & Impact: What did you recommend, and what was the outcome (quantified if possible)?
  • Key Takeaways/Learnings: What did you learn from this project?

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your methodology, your interpretation of the data, and how you handled challenges.

• Demonstrate Strategic Thinking: Connect your research findings to broader business objectives and product strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes a blend of research expertise, strategic thinking, communication skills, and cultural fit. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their thought process and demonstrate how their research directly contributes to business success and user satisfaction in the digital media space.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on jobs.smartrecruiters.com.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your experience in digital media, B2C products, and proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative UX research methods. Emphasize projects where your insights led to measurable improvements.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 3+ years of relevant experience, specific research methodologies employed, and key achievements using ATS-friendly keywords like "UX Research," "Digital Media," "B2C," "Usability Testing," "User Interviews," "Data Synthesis," and "Product Strategy."

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on storytelling, clarity of insights, and quantifiable impact. Prepare to discuss your strategic approach to research planning and stakeholder management.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Versant's brands (CNBC, MS NOW, E! Online), their digital products, target audiences, and recent news or initiatives. Understand their competitive landscape in the digital media space.

⚠️ 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.