Principal UX Research Manager

Microsoft is a global leader in technology, and they are seeking a Principal UX Research Manager to guide the development of their next generation of AI-powered products. This role involves leading a team of UX Researchers, driving product strategy through rigorous research, and fostering cross-team collaborations to create impactful user experiences.

Responsibilities:

• Lead a team of UX Researchers creating clarity, generating energy and delivering results
• Understand the behaviors, motivations, needs, and aspirations of our customers to create a differentiated advantage in our ability to build relevant and impactful experiences for people across the world
• Drive product strategy through rigorous programs of multi-stage research executed to the highest standards
• Balance rigor with scrappiness and the ability to push with a fast-moving team
• Drive cross-team collaborations among all disciplines from early product stages to final implementations
• Guide teams in creative new directions and help set ambitious goals that stand out from the crowd
• Identify new opportunities and generate innovative ideas to improve our processes, culture, and influence our approach to research (e.g. mindsets, methodologies)
• Lead research on highly visible products or set of business initiatives with notable risk and complexity
• Regularly influence at the highest levels of organizations
• Elevate the research craft of the team
• Elevate and accelerate the team’s adoption of the thoughtful application of AI to our workflows, including coding by team members
• Create an environment where people can do their best work and grow
• Embody our culture and values

Requirements:

• Doctorate in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND 5+ years user experience research experience and/or product development experience or related experience in research
• OR Master's Degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND 6+ years user experience research experience and/or product development experience or related experience in research
• OR Bachelor's Degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND 8+ years user experience research and/or product development experience or related experience in research
• OR equivalent experience
• 5+ years people management experience
• 8+ years experience working in UX research or a related field
• High level research skills across methods, qualitative and quantitative (i.e. a Mixed Methods researcher)
• Excellent communication and presentation / storytelling skills, with the ability to energize and activate teams
• Demonstrated championing of fundamentals of user experience, including accessibility and inclusive design
• Experience with commonly used research tools, specifically AI-powered research tools