UX Research Lead

Introduction
At IBM, work is more than a job – it’s a calling: To build. To design. To code. To consult. To think along with clients and sell. To make markets. To invent. To collaborate. Not just to do something better, but to attempt things you’ve never thought possible. Are you ready to lead in this new era of technology and solve some of the world’s most challenging problems? If so, lets talk.

Your Role and Responsibilities
IBM’s Security Software team is seeking a User Experience (UX) Researcher who is passionate about making a difference in the world through responsible, data-driven innovations for our AI and data platforms. As a member of the global user research team, you will join an established and impactful team of user researchers that are responsible for leading and driving user-centered research initiatives. Your research findings and insights will drive the design and development of user-centered solutions. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including designers, product managers, and engineers, to ensure our products deliver exceptional user experiences. This is a role where you will have the opportunity to shape our UX research strategy, mentor a team of researchers, and demonstrate impact and influence for product roadmap. Rigor, attention to detail, insatiable curiosity, and a willingness to learn will be critical as you work in this rapidly evolving space in the industry.
Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute a comprehensive UX research strategy that aligns with business goals, ensuring a user-centered approach throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Leadership: Define the research roadmap you want you and your user research team to execute. Mentor UX researchers, providing guidance, feedback, and fostering their professional growth.
• Research Planning: Define research goals, methodologies, and timelines for various projects, ensuring alignment with product objectives and user needs.
• User Research: Conduct qualitative and quantitative research studies, such as interviews, usability testing, surveys, and user journey mapping, to gather insights about user behaviors, needs, and preferences.
• Data Analysis: Analyze research data and derive actionable insights that drive informed design decisions and product improvements.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including designers, product managers, and engineers, to advocate for user needs and ensure research findings are effectively communicated and integrated into the product development process.
• User Advocacy: Serve as a user advocate, ensuring that user feedback and insights are consistently considered and prioritized in product decisions.
• Industry Trends: Stay up-to-date with the latest UX research methodologies, industry trends, and best practices, and proactively apply them to enhance our research processes and deliverables.
• Research Operations: Establish and optimize research operations, including participant recruitment, research tools, and documentation, to streamline research activities and ensure high-quality deliverables.
• Collaboration and Communication: Foster a collaborative and inclusive research culture, encouraging knowledge sharing and effective communication across teams and stakeholders.
• Executive eminence: Measure and present the impact that UX research has produced through your leadership and work.

Required Technical and Professional Expertise

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, User Experience Research, or a related field. A Ph.D. is a plus.
• Proven experience (8+ years) in UX research, with a focus on user-centered research methodologies and techniques.
• Strong leadership skills, with experience managing and mentoring a team of UX researchers.
• Expertise in both qualitative and quantitative research methods, including usability testing, interviews, surveys, field studies, and analytics.
• Proficiency in data collection and analysis and visualization tools to derive meaningful insights from research data.
• Solid understanding of UX principles, design thinking, and human-centered design processes.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and storytelling skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex research findings and recommendations to diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience in collaborating with cross-functional teams and driving user research initiatives within an agile product development environment.
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities, with a keen eye for detail.
• Passion for user-centered design, empathy for users, and a commitment to delivering exceptional user experiences.

Preferred Technical and Professional Expertise

• None