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Building a better future for this generation and the next.
The Role
Owns enterprise Research Operations strategy, governance, tooling, AI-enabled workflows, measurement, vendor partnerships, and transformation initiatives. Advises executives, scales research infrastructure, establishes operational standards, communicates business impact, represents the discipline externally, and mentors Research Ops professionals. The role requires leading cross-functional programs, influencing senior stakeholders, and advancing research quality and organizational maturity.
Summary Generated by Built In
Senior Lead User Research Operations is the highest individual contributor level in the Research Ops career path and serves as the organizational authority on Research Ops strategy, practice, and innovation at Cox Automotive. This role operates at the intersection of enterprise strategy, research excellence, and operational transformation - shaping how research is practiced, scaled, and valued across the organization. The Senior Lead defines the future state of Research Ops, influences executive stakeholders, represents the discipline externally, and acts as a principal advisor to research, design, product, and business leadership. Senior Leads are distinguished by the organizational scope of their impact, their ability to lead through ambiguity, and their role as the primary steward of Research Ops maturity and culture.
Position Responsibilities:
Required Qualifications:
Additional Information:
USD 148,500.00 - 247,500.00 per year
Compensation:
Compensation includes a base salary in the range of $148,500.00 - $247,500.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.
Benefits:
The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company's needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.
Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship.
EOE, including disability/vets
Position Responsibilities:
- Define and own the long-term Research Ops strategy, operating model, and capability roadmap for the organization, aligning to business, product, and research priorities
- Serve as the principal authority and internal thought leader on Research Ops discipline, standards, tools, and emerging practice areas
- Lead enterprise-level Research Ops transformation initiatives that span multiple portfolios, departments, or business units - including research infrastructure modernization, AI enablement, and governance evolution
- Establish and govern enterprise standards for research repositories, insight management, participant protection, data governance, and operational quality
- Drive alignment across research, design, product, market intelligence, and executive leadership to ensure Research Ops investments are connected to measurable business outcomes
- Partner with C-suite and SVP-level stakeholders to define and communicate the strategic value of Research Ops, influence investment decisions, and shape organizational priorities
- Lead the design and institutionalization of agentic, AI-enabled, and automated research systems that reduce friction, improve quality, and scale research capacity across the enterprise
- Own the Research Ops measurement framework - defining, tracking, and communicating enterprise-level operational KPIs and the return on Research Ops investment
- Oversee strategic vendor partnerships, multi-year tooling investments, and research operations budget planning at the portfolio or enterprise level
- Represent Cox Automotive's Research Ops practice externally through speaking, publishing, or community engagement, elevating the organization's reputation in the field
- Model and develop a culture of craft, rigor, and continuous improvement across the Research Ops community of practice
- Serve as executive sponsor, coach, and principal mentor to Research Ops professionals across levels, contributing to career development, onboarding, and team capability growth
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in and 8 years' experience in a related field. The right candidate could also have a different combination, such as a master's degree and 6years' experience; a Ph.D. and 3 years' experience in a related field; or 12 years' experience in a related field
- Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in HCI, organizational design, information science, or business management preferred
- 10+ years of experience in research operations, program leadership, or operations roles, including at least 3 years operating at a lead or equivalent senior individual contributor level
- 10+ years of experience working in UX/Product Design, product, design, marketing, analytics, or customer research environments
- Recognized enterprise-level authority in Research Ops, including mastery across multiple operational domains (participant programs, repository governance, tooling ecosystems, AI-enabled workflows, metrics and measurement)
- Proven track record of defining and leading large-scale, cross-functional operational programs that deliver measurable, lasting organizational change
- Exceptional strategic thinking and systems-level problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate ambiguity, complexity, and competing priorities
- Executive-level communication and influence skills, including demonstrated success partnering with senior and C-suite leadership to drive strategic alignment and investment
- Experience building and scaling Research Ops functions, including tooling strategy, vendor governance, and AI-enabled automation at an enterprise level
- Demonstrated ability to translate operational vision into executable strategy, communicate impact through data and storytelling, and inspire others to follow
- Use general-purpose LLM tools to analyze and synthesize user behavior, identify patterns, and prioritize opportunities
- Use AI to accelerate discovery, experimentation, development, and recommend improvements
Additional Information:
- May require periodic travel
USD 148,500.00 - 247,500.00 per year
Compensation:
Compensation includes a base salary in the range of $148,500.00 - $247,500.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.
Benefits:
The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company's needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.
Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship.
EOE, including disability/vets
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 8 years of experience, or an equivalent combination such as a master’s degree with 6 years, Ph.D. with 3 years, or 12 years of related experience
- Bachelor’s degree
- Advanced degree in HCI, organizational design, information science, or business management
- 10+ years of experience in research operations, program leadership, or operations roles
- At least 3 years operating at a lead or equivalent senior individual contributor level
- 10+ years of experience in UX/Product Design, product, design, marketing, analytics, or customer research environments
- Enterprise-level Research Ops expertise across participant programs, repository governance, tooling ecosystems, AI-enabled workflows, metrics, and measurement
- Track record of defining and leading large-scale, cross-functional operational programs delivering measurable organizational change
- Strategic thinking and systems-level problem-solving skills in ambiguous and complex environments
- Executive-level communication and influence skills, including experience partnering with senior and C-suite leadership
- Experience building and scaling Research Ops functions, including tooling strategy, vendor governance, and enterprise AI-enabled automation
- Ability to translate operational vision into executable strategy and communicate impact through data and storytelling
- Ability to use general-purpose LLM tools to analyze and synthesize user behavior, identify patterns, and prioritize opportunities
- Ability to use AI to accelerate discovery, experimentation, and development and recommend improvements
- Current authorization to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship
What the Team is Saying
Belinda
Manager of Network Automation
Tonya
Director of Agile Delivery
Chris
Manager of Engineering Support & Delivery
John Chapman
National Client Sales Director, Cox Automotive
Kib Yahyehyrab
Audit Analysis, Cox Enterprises
Jenny Arias
Marketing & Events Assistant, Cox Farms
Cox Enterprises Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Medical coverage is presented as robust, with multiple plan options, in‑network preventive care covered in full, and added programs for telehealth, mental health, and chronic conditions. Materials also highlight ongoing enhancements and vendor partnerships that broaden access and support.
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Parental & Family Support — Family-building benefits are emphasized, including paid parental leave, fertility support via specialized partners, adoption assistance, lactation resources, and childcare discounts. Feedback suggests these offerings help employees navigate key life stages with practical support.
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Retirement Support — Retirement programs feature a company‑matched 401(k) alongside financial coaching tools and student‑debt assistance. Feedback suggests the retirement match and savings resources are viewed as meaningful components of total compensation.
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The Company
What We Do
Cox Enterprises is a family-owned enterprise spanning 125+ years of innovation. Through our diverse network of businesses, our people are shaping the future with bold thinking, cutting-edge technology and an unwavering commitment to doing what’s right. Across a range of industries — including automotive, agriculture, cleantech, journalism and more — we’re building a better future for this generation and the next. Make your mark at Cox!
Why Work With Us
Founded in 1898, Cox Enterprises is a community of kind, grounded individuals who work together to drive positive change across vital industries. At Cox, employees experience meaningful work, great benefits, work-life balance and a supportive team environment, plus ample opportunities for career growth across our family of businesses.
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Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
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