TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) helps people thrive in their local communities by providing the trusted local news and services that matter most. With 64 television stations in 51 U.S. markets, TEGNA reaches more than 100 million people monthly across the web, mobile apps, streaming, and linear television. Together, we are building a sustainable future for local news.
We are seeking a highly experienced Principal UX Researcher to lead strategic research initiatives that drive product innovation and enhance user experience across our digital platforms. In this role, you will shape research strategy, mentor and guide research practices across the organization, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and turn insights into action to influence product direction at the highest level. The Principal UX Researcher is a key role that helps us understand and obsess over our users (both internal and external) – their contexts, concerns, behaviors, needs and aspirations. In leading the practice of human- centered research, this role heavily informs the strategy and direction of TEGNA’s digital ecosystem – ensuring we put the needs of our end users front and center.
Who you are
The Principal UX Researcher is the nexus between consumer centered business strategy and enabling Digital Products at scale. In this position, you will serve as both a visionary and a hands-on integrator and leader. Your exceptional talents drive insights and strategy that help shape the future of media, community, and connection. Understanding people and their critical needs, you advocate for the best outcomes across business and product teams. You have a proven record of conceptualizing, designing and delivering elegant and intuitive research solutions that directly impact the products, experiences, and platforms you are accountable for.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic Leadership: Lead UX research efforts for complex, high-impact initiatives across multiple products or business units. Develop long-term research roadmaps aligned with company goals.
- Research Execution: Design, plan, and conduct qualitative and quantitative research methods (e.g., ethnographic studies, usability testing, surveys, diary studies, field research, etc.) to deeply understand user behaviors, needs, and motivations.
- Establish Research Guidelines: enable team of product and UX leaders through UX research tool kits, standards, guides.
- Cross-functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Product Management, Design, Engineering, Marketing, and Data Science teams to integrate research findings into product planning and decision-making.
- Insight Communication: Deliver compelling insights through reports, presentations, and storytelling that inspire product innovation and support executive-level decisions.
- Mentorship & Guidance: Mentor junior researchers and help establish best practices and research standards across the UX organization.
- Vendor Management: contract with and manage required vendors and tools to enable UX research across the TEGNA digital ecosystem.
- Thought Leadership: Represent the UX discipline in strategic conversations, contribute to the UX research community, and advocate for a user-centered culture.
Requirements:
- 8–10 years of experience in UX research, human-centered design, or related fields.
- Demonstrated experience leading research for complex, large-scale digital products.
- Expertise in both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
- Proven ability to turn ambiguous questions into clear research plans.
- Exceptional communication, storytelling, and collaboration skills.
- Experience influencing executive stakeholders and cross-functional teams.
- Master’s or Ph.D. in Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, or related field (preferred but not required).
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working in agile, fast-paced product environments.
- Deep knowledge of accessibility, inclusive design, or emerging technologies (e.g., AI/ML, AR/VR).
- Background in consumer-driven domains.
Why Join Us?
- Drive the user research strategy at a product and organizational level.
- Collaborate with a world-class UX and Product team.
- Make a tangible impact on the lives of millions of users.
- Competitive salary, benefits, and opportunities for growth. #LI-MS1
TEGNA offers comprehensive benefits designed to safeguard the physical, mental and financial health of our employees and their families. TEGNA offers two medical plan options for full and part-time employees through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, as well as access to dental and eye care coverage; fertility, surrogacy and adoption assistance; disability and life insurance.
Our 401(k) program offers full, part-time and temporary employees the opportunity to contribute 1% - 80% of their pay on a pre-tax basis to TEGNA’s 401(k). Contributions made up to the first 4% of pay are eligible for a 100% match from the company and are 100% vested from day one.
Regardless of participation in TEGNA medical plans, ALL employees and their eligible family members receive nine free virtual doctor’s appointments with a physician through Teladoc, and 12 free annual therapy sessions with a licensed clinician through Spring Health.
TEGNA offers a generous Paid Time Off (PTO) benefit as well as nine paid holidays per year.
* Some jobs are covered by a collective bargaining agreement and thus some or all of the benefits described herein may not apply. For example, some newsroom bargaining unit employees receive health and retirement benefits under plans administered by the union.
EEO statement:
TEGNA Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, hiring and developing individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences to add to our collaborative culture. We value and consider applications from all qualified candidates without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, disability, medical condition, enrollment in college or vocational school, political affiliation, military or veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. TEGNA will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law. If you are in need of an accommodation in order to submit your application, please email [email protected]
Recruiting Fraud Alert:
To all candidates: your personal information and online safety are important to us. Only TEGNA Recruiters or Hiring Managers will reach out to you regarding consideration of your application or background. Communications with TEGNA employees will either come from a TEGNA email address with a domain of tegna.com or one of our affiliate station domains.
Recruiters or Hiring Managers will never request payments, ask for financial account information or sensitive information such as social security numbers.
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What We Do
As one of the most geographically diverse broadcasters in the U.S., TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) is an innovative media company that serves the greater good of our communities. Across platforms, TEGNA tells empowering stories, conducts impactful investigations and delivers innovative marketing solutions. With 64 television stations in 51 U.S. markets, TEGNA is the largest owner of top 4 network affiliates in the top 25 markets among independent station groups, reaching approximately 39 percent of all television households nationwide. TEGNA also owns leading multicast networks True Crime Network and Quest. TEGNA Marketing Solutions (TMS) offers innovative solutions to help businesses reach consumers across television, digital and over-the-top (OTT) platforms, including Premion, TEGNA’s OTT advertising service. Across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, TEGNA's stations have over 31 million social followers. In everything we do, we are driven by our strongly held values and our stated purpose to serve the greater good of our communities. TEGNA produces trusted, impactful and innovative content across platforms. We tell stories that matter, are an advocate for those in need and help bring positive change to our communities. Our award-winning journalists have been recognized with numerous national honors including Edward R. Murrow, Alfred I. duPont, George Foster Peabody, George Polk, Walter Cronkite and Emmy awards.
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