Senior UX Researcher - News

Company Description

NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our theme parks and consumer experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, USA Network, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Universal Studio Group, and have world-renowned theme parks and attractions through Universal Destinations & Experiences. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers, and audiences live and work. We have a rich tradition of giving back and ensuring our employees have the opportunity to serve their communities. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world.

Comcast NBCUniversal has announced its intent to create a new publicly traded company ('Versant') comprised of most of NBCUniversal's cable television networks, including USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel along with complementary digital assets Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. The well-capitalized company will have significant scale as a pure-play set of assets anchored by leading news, sports and entertainment content. The spin-off is expected to be completed during 2025.

Job Description

About Versant: Versant is an industry-leading news, sports and entertainment media business that provides content through a portfolio of iconic television networks (MSNBC, CNBC, USA Network, Golf Channel, E!, SYFY and Oxygen) and through complementary digital assets (Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow and SportsEngine).

Versant is seeking an experienced and detail-oriented UX researcher to join our Data, Insights and Strategic Analytics team

The Senior UX Researcher will lead our user research initiatives across our News DTC products and platforms. You will partner with cross-functional teams—including product, design, data science, and editorial—to uncover user needs, behaviors, and motivations, and generate actionable insights that drive product strategy and design decisions.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive research roadmaps aligned with product and business goals.
• Lead complex research projects from inception to completion, including study design, participant recruitment, data collection, analysis, and presentation of findings
• Design, conduct, and synthesize both generative and evaluative research studies using a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Translate complex research findings into clear, actionable insights and communicate them effectively to stakeholders at all levels.
• Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Data Analysts to inform product direction and measure impact.
• Advocate for the user at every stage of product development and champion a culture of empathy and evidence-based decision-making.
• Manage research vendors and external partners as needed.
• Contribute to the strategic vision for UX across the company, particularly as it relates to media consumption, personalization, accessibility, and cross-platform engagement.
• Stay current with emerging media consumption behaviors and technology trends.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in conducting user or product research (including generative work) for digital consumer products, with at least 2 years in a leadership or management role.
• Proven success in leading UX research within a fast-paced, agile product environment—experience in media, streaming, or content platforms is a strong plus.
• Deep understanding of mixed method research (e.g., usability testing, ethnography, surveys, diary studies, A/B testing) and when to apply them.
• Excellent storytelling and communication skills—both written and verbal.
• Experience collaborating with and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Proficiency with research tools such as UserTesting, Optimal Workshop, Dovetail, or similar platforms.
• Passion for understanding audiences and shaping digital experiences in the media landscape.
• A strong research portfolio demonstrating past work experience and deliverables.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Anthropology, Design, or related field (or equivalent practical experience).

Additional Requirements: