Lead Design User Researcher - Senior Manager Level

$199,100 - $227,200/Yr

Capital One - McLean, VA

Full-time - Senior

McLean, VA

Credit Intermediation and Related Activities

About the position

The Lead Design (User) Researcher at Capital One is a senior management role focused on strategic level research to enhance customer experiences through human-centered design. This position emphasizes collaboration across various teams to translate customer insights into actionable product decisions, ensuring that the voice of the customer is represented in all aspects of product development. The role involves leading and mentoring a team, advocating for research-driven design practices, and facilitating workshops to align business needs with user insights.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with design, technology, product, and business teams to create engaging customer experiences across multiple projects.
• Translate research findings into insights that guide product decisions.
• Lead formative and foundational research to shape early product definitions.
• Engage in portfolio prioritization to set the research strategy and roadmap for the team.
• Advocate for the customer through human-centered research methods.
• Define standards and best practices for conducting research.
• Champion the prioritization of research and analysis for design-centered product enhancements.
• Work with partners and teams across various geographies.
• Embrace and advocate for an experience mindset in all work.
• Build and lead successful teams through mentoring and career development.
• Guide team members in research planning, execution, and analysis.
• Navigate conflict resolution within the team and projects.
• Participate in hiring by reviewing resumes and conducting interviews.
• Demonstrate fluency in research tools and techniques to support decision-making.
• Conduct end-to-end product research using various methods to understand customer needs.
• Lead project teams in applying research findings and framing problems.
• Facilitate synthesis and knowledge mapping sessions, teaching research methodologies.
• Distill findings into actionable insights for stakeholders.
• Plan and facilitate workshops with stakeholders to align with business needs.
• Present and communicate research and analysis effectively across organizations.

Requirements

• Master's Degree in social sciences, human factors, cognitive science, human-computer interaction, or behavioral economics.
• At least 7 years of experience with user, product, or market research.

Nice-to-haves

• Ph.D. or certifications in a design or research-related field.
• Experience working with agile and legal teams.
• Familiarity with conducting and analyzing research for cross-channel experiences.
• Experience managing a cross-functional team.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage.
• Performance-based incentive compensation, including cash bonuses and/or long-term incentives.
• Support for total well-being through a competitive benefits package.