Lead UX Researcher - (Onsite in Springfield, MO)

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Lead UX Researcher will work onsite at Bass Pro Shops corporate office in Springfield, MO and serves as a domain-level leader in advancing user research practices and insights that shape enterprise-level digital experiences. As part of the Digital Experience team, this role partners closely with UX designers and cross-functional product teams to ensure research and design together inform and elevate the customer journey across ecommerce. The Lead UX Researcher drives strategic research initiatives across domain areas, ensuring that findings are actionable, measurable, and directly embedded in product roadmaps. In addition to planning and delegating research projects, this role leads both researchers and designers in applying user-centered evidence to their work. This position represents the next step beyond project ownership, taking on domain-level influence and responsibility for the maturity, integration, and impact of the research discipline within the broader product ecosystem. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Lead Strategic Research and Deliver Actionable Insights

• Spearhead planning, execution, and delivery of advanced research programs that align with business strategy and user needs. 
• Define, scope, and lead large-scale mixed-method research projects (qualitative and quantitative) to uncover deep insights into customer behaviors, motivations, and pain points. 
• Translate complex research findings into clear, actionable recommendations that directly inform product strategy and enterprise initiatives. 
• Champion frameworks such as journey maps, experience models, behavioral segmentation, and UX metrics to connect insights across multiple initiatives. 
• Ensure research deliverables adhere to high standards of rigor, accessibility, and business relevance. 
• Monitor and apply emerging research methodologies and tools to enhance practice and customer understanding. 

Drive Collaboration, Communication, and Research Influence

• Institutionalize user-centered decision-making across product lifecycles through storytelling and evidence-based recommendations. 
• Partner closely with stakeholders to frame business problems and align research strategies with organizational objectives. 
• Collaborate with design, product, engineering, and analytics teams to ensure insights are embedded into roadmaps and solutions. 
• Oversee and delegate work to other researchers, setting priorities, scopes, and quality standards for research deliverables. 
• Mentor junior and mid-level researchers, fostering professional growth, methodological expertise, and impact. 
• Present research insights and domain-level strategies to senior stakeholders and executive audiences. 
• Independently scope and deliver high-impact research projects across multiple initiatives within the domain with minimal direction. 
• Build strong working relationships with other customer insights and analytics teams to ensure consistency and cross-pollination of findings. 

Strengthen and Develop Research Operations and Frameworks

• Lead the evolution and governance of shared research frameworks, repositories, and systems that scale across teams. 
• Drive continuous refinement of research processes and team standards to improve rigor, repeatability, and accessibility. 
• Ensure data, documentation, and insight repositories are maintained and accessible. 
• Vet and manage outside research vendors or contractors as needed to scale capacity or access specialized expertise. 

Advance Personal and Professional Expertise and Team Growth

• Maintain a proactive personal development plan aligned to emerging research methodologies, leadership skills, and technology. 
• Lead learning initiatives within the Digital Experience team, sharing expertise and fostering a culture of curiosity and innovation. 
• Support community-building and cross-functional education in user research. 
• Provide coaching and developmental feedback to researchers, monitoring quality of project work and adherence to standards and practices. 
• All other duties as assigned. 

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum Degree Required:    Bachelor's Degree in a related field such as Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Cognitive Science, Anthropology, Information Science, Market Research, or Design
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree 
• Advanced degree such as a Ph.D. in a relevant field is a plus but not required 
• Or equivalent relevant professional experience 

Preferred Certificate(s) or License(s): 

• Professional certifications such as Certified User Experience Researcher (CUER) from UXPA, Certified Professional in User Experience (CPUX) from UXQB, or Nielsen Norman Group UX Research Certification 
• Other UX research or specialized training programs (e.g., advanced qualitative/quantitative methods, data science, or behavioral research bootcamps) 

Previous Experience:   

• 7+ years of applied UX research experience in product or service development, with increasing responsibility and leadership on complex, cross-functional initiatives. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITY:

• Advanced proficiency in qualitative and quantitative research methods, including ethnography, contextual inquiry, surveys, usability testing, and statistical analysis. 
• Strong ability to synthesize insights into compelling narratives that influence strategy, product roadmaps, and design direction. 
• Proven ability to set research vision within a domain and oversee multiple concurrent initiatives with measurable impact. 
• Advanced proficiency with research frameworks and tools (e.g., UserTesting, dscout, Qualtrics, Looker/Tableau, Figma for collaboration). 
• Skilled in mixed-method approaches and triangulating insights across qualitative, quantitative, and behavioral data sources. 
• Fluent understanding of modern UX design processes and practices, enabling effective collaboration with designers and translation of insights into experience improvements. 
• Demonstrated ability to shape product strategy and business outcomes through evidence-based recommendations. 
• Strong leadership, delegation, and mentoring skills across a team of researchers, with the ability to guide designers in applying evidence to their work. 
• Advanced experience operating within agile and fast-paced product development environments. 
• A strong research portfolio demonstrating complex, end-to-end studies that drove business outcomes and informed product direction. 

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• n/a
• This role is required to be onsite at Bass Pro Shops Base Camp offices in Springfield, Missouri 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Regularly sits and does computer work.

Occasionally walks and stands.

Seldom/Never lifts up to 50 lbs.

INDEPENDENT JUDGEMENT:

Develops objectives and general policies and procedures for a specific program or functional area of responsibility within general scope of established operational goals and plans. Day-to-day work and decisions do not require direction or review by immediate supervisor. End results are reviewed by supervisor.

Full Time Benefits Summary:
Enjoy discounts on retail merchandise, our restaurants, world-class resorts and conservation attractions!

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Account
• Voluntary benefits
• 401k Retirement Savings
• Paid holidays
• Paid vacation
• Paid sick time
• Bass Pro Cares Fund
• And more!

Bass Pro Shops is an equal opportunity employer.  Hiring decisions are administered without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Reasonable Accommodations

Qualified individuals with known disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws.
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please visit your nearest location or contact us at [email protected].