Manager of User Research

We are seeking a Manager, User Research to lead our efforts in understanding customer needs, behaviors, and motivations. This role is pivotal in shaping our product and business strategies through actionable insights. The Manager of User Research will oversee both research and research operations, ensuring that our practices, tools, and workflows are efficient and scalable. This leader will champion best practices, develop policies, and build a world-class research capability that drives the organization forward.

What you’ll be doing

• Strategic Leadership:
  • Define and execute a comprehensive user research strategy aligned with DigitalOcean’s business and product goals.
  • Advocate for a user-centered approach to decision-making across all levels of the organization.
  • Identify strategic opportunities for user research to drive innovation and enhance the user experience.
• Research Operations (ResearchOps):
  • Establish and maintain scalable research processes, tools, and systems to enable efficient research across the organization.
  • Develop and implement best practices and policies for research operations, ensuring consistency and quality in execution.
  • Oversee participant recruitment strategies and the management of research data, ensuring compliance with ethical and legal standards.
  • Collaborate with legal, security, and compliance teams to address data governance and privacy considerations.
• Team Management:
  • Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing team of user researchers with diverse skill sets.
  • Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning within the research team.
  • Allocate resources effectively to balance strategic initiatives and tactical support.
• Research Planning and Execution:
  • Lead end-to-end research initiatives, including identifying research goals, methodologies, and deliverables.
  • Employ a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods, such as user interviews, surveys, usability testing, and data analysis.
  • Synthesize complex findings into clear, actionable insights and recommendations.
• Stakeholder Collaboration:
  • Work closely with Product, Design, Engineering, Marketing, and Customer Success teams to align research efforts with business priorities.
  • Present research findings and recommendations to executive leadership, fostering buy-in and alignment.
  • Serve as the voice of the user in strategic discussions and ensure user insights are integrated into the product development lifecycle.
• Continuous Improvement:
  • Evaluate and implement new research tools, technologies, and methodologies to enhance efficiency and impact.
  • Establish and maintain best practices for user research and research operations across the organization.
  • Monitor industry trends to ensure DigitalOcean’s research practices remain cutting-edge and relevant.

What we’ll expect from you

• 5+ years of experience in user research, with at least 2 years in a leadership role.
• Proven track record of driving business outcomes through user research and research operations.
• Deep expertise in a variety of research methodologies and tools, including qualitative and quantitative approaches.
• Experience in establishing and scaling ResearchOps practices, including participant management and data governance.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights.
• Exceptional communication and storytelling skills, capable of influencing diverse stakeholders.
• Experience managing and scaling a team of researchers and research operations specialists in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiarity with the needs of developers and small-to-medium businesses is a strong plus.
• Passion for fostering a culture of user-centered design and operational excellence.

Why You’ll Like Working for DigitalOcean

• We innovate with purpose. You’ll be a part of a cutting-edge technology company with an upward trajectory, who are proud to simplify cloud and AI so builders can spend more time creating software that changes the world. As a member of the team, you will be a Shark who thinks big, bold, and scrappy, like an owner with a bias for action and a powerful sense of responsibility for customers, products, employees, and decisions. 
• We prioritize career development. At DO, you’ll do the best work of your career. You will work with some of the smartest and most interesting people in the industry. We