The Role
The Lead User Researcher establishes research strategy, drives evidence-based product decisions, and influences product strategy across global markets while mentoring others in customer-centric decision-making.
Summary Generated by Built In
Who We Are
At OKX, we believe that the future will be reshaped by crypto, and ultimately contribute to every individual's freedom. OKX is a leading crypto exchange, and the developer of OKX Wallet, giving millions access to crypto trading and decentralized crypto applications (dApps). OKX is also a trusted brand by hundreds of large institutions seeking access to crypto markets. We are safe and reliable, backed by our Proof of Reserves. Across our multiple offices globally, we are united by our core principles: We Before Me, Do the Right Thing, and Get Things Done. These shared values drive our culture, shape our processes, and foster a friendly, rewarding, and diverse environment for every OK-er.
About the OpportunityWhat You’ll Be Doing What We Look For In You Nice to HavesPerks & Benefits
The Lead User Researcher is the foundational IC responsible for establishing research standards, strategy, and operating models. This is a highly hands-on role working directly with senior leaders to drive evidence-based product decisions. The position covers onshore trading, payments, and rapidly evolving AI-powered capabilities.
This position offers uniquely high visibility across product portfolios and executive leadership, with direct influence on decisions shaping the future of trading, payments, and AI-driven financial services.
The successful candidate will be accountable for ensuring research impacts direction, prioritization, and performance across global product portfolios.
- Design and implement the foundational research strategy and scalable working model for the discipline.
- Lead end-to-end research that guides strategic product decisions, including planning, recruiting, moderation, analysis, synthesis, and activation.
- Translate research into clear decisions, opportunity sizing, and prioritization that deliver measurable product and business improvement.
- Influence inflection points in product strategy, ensuring insight reduces risk and accelerates successful outcomes.
- Conduct research reflecting cultural, regulatory, and behavioral differences across US, EU, Brazil, and UAE user populations.
- Partner with Product, Data Science, and Marketing to create evidence-backed recommendations that resonate with executives.
- Communicate insights through compelling narratives that drive alignment and action at senior levels.
- Leverage behavioral datasets to triangulate and validate findings and sharpen differentiation.
- Establish research operations foundations including participant programs, tooling, governance, and insight-driven KPI tracking.
- Mentor product and design partners, elevating research literacy and customer-centric decision-making without direct line management.
- Bachelor’s or advanced degree in HCI, Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Behavioral Science, or closely related field.
- 10+ years UX research experience including strategic insight leadership for complex product ecosystems.
- Proven ability to turn customer insight into strategic outcomes, including improved adoption, engagement, conversion, retention, or market expansion.
- Demonstrated experience influencing roadmap trade-offs, investment decisions, and performance metrics.
- Mastery of qualitative and quantitative mixed methods with strong methodological judgment.
- Success working across global markets and culturally diverse audiences.
- Exceptional executive communication, strategic framing, and insight storytelling skills.
- Ability to operate in dynamic, fast-moving environments with clarity and leadership.
- Research involving AI-assisted decision-making or human-AI interaction.
- Experience in regulated, data-intensive environments such as fintech, crypto, payments, or trading platforms.
- Insight activation playbooks that ensure research results drive sustained improvement.
- Experience establishing or scaling research capability as a senior IC.
- Competitive total compensation package
- L&D programs and Education subsidy for employees' growth and development
- Various team building programs and company events
- Wellness and meal allowances
- Comprehensive healthcare schemes for employees and dependants
- More that we love to tell you along the process!
OKX Statement:
OKX is committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, genetic information, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, lawful alien status, national origin, age, marital status, and non-job related physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
- The salary range for this position is $268,333 - $313,055
- The salary offered depends on a variety of factors, including job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and market location. In addition to the salary, a performance bonus and long-term incentives may be provided as part of the compensation package, as well as a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered. Applicants should apply via OKX internal or external careers site.
#LI-SHONE #LI-HYBRID
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Top Skills
Behavioral Analytics
Hci
Qualitative Methods
Quantitative Methods
Ux Research
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The Company
What We Do
Founded in 2017, OKX is one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency spot and derivatives exchanges. OKX innovatively adopted blockchain technology to reshape the financial ecosystem by offering some of the most diverse and sophisticated products, solutions, and trading tools on the market. Trusted by more than 20 million users in over 180 regions globally, OKX strives to provide an engaging platform that empowers every individual to explore the world of crypto.
In addition to its world-class DeFi exchange, OKX serves its users with OKX Insights, a research arm that is at the cutting edge of the latest trends in the cryptocurrency industry. With its extensive range of crypto products and services, and unwavering commitment to innovation, OKX’s vision is a world of financial access backed by blockchain and the power of decentralized finance.
