Principal UX Research Manager

Microsoft•Redmond, WA

About The Position

The Windows + Devices, Design + Research team is hiring a Principal UX Research Manager to shape the future direction of Windows‑in‑the‑Cloud and Windows Commercial experiences. In this role, you will lead a dynamic team of researchers spanning IT Admin and end‑user touchpoints, collaborating across disciplines and throughout Microsoft. Your team’s deep expertise in commercial customers will directly influence WCX Windows investments and opportunities. Your insights will inform product strategy, value propositions, and feature direction across WCX and Windows growth initiatives. You’ll lead a dynamic team of researchers and collaborate across disciplines and throughout Microsoft. From defining macro-level strategy to refining implementation details, guiding W365 and Windows evolution. We’re looking for someone who thrives in ambiguity and leads with clarity, who connects dots across domains and builds understanding out of complexity. You uncover unspoken questions and assumptions and answer them with precision, depth, and durability. You put people first, centering the needs, problems, goals, and aspirations of both customers and your team, ideally with a strong passion for commercial users. This leader will cultivate a culture of trust, inclusion, and excellence, empowering their team to navigate ambiguity with confidence, adapt quickly to shifting priorities, and deliver insights that are both timely and durable. They will be committed to helping their team flourish—investing in their growth, championing their aspirations, and creating a culture where everyone can do their best work. If you are energized by how technology can improve the lives of one billion customers, inspired by the challenge of shaping the future of commercial computing, and passionate about leading with a growth mindset and turning abstract ideas into reality, we would love to hear from you. Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.

Requirements

Doctorate in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND 3+ years user experience research experience and/or product development experience or related experience in research OR Master's Degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND 4+ years user experience research experience and/or product development experience or related experience in research OR Bachelor's Degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND 6+ years user experience research and/or product development experience or related experience in research OR equivalent experience.
3+ years people management experience.
3+ years of experience leading a team through ambiguity and coaching to grow careers.
Excellent communication and presentation / storytelling skills, with the ability to energize and activate teams.
High level research skills across methods, qualitative and quantitative (i.e. a Mixed Methods researcher).
Demonstrated championing of fundamentals of user experience, including accessibility and inclusive design.
Experience with commonly used research tools.

Nice To Haves

8+ years experience in applied user experience research, design research, product research or the equivalent product research in industry.
5+ years of experience leading a team through ambiguity and coaching to grow careers.
Experience supporting the development of AI features.
Experience applying AI within workflow.
Experience researching and building Trust, Privacy and Security into product.

Responsibilities

Invest in people by modeling, coaching, and caring for your team, the studio, and the company.
Champion deep understanding of customer behaviors, motivations, needs, and aspirations to shape experiences that deliver differentiated value and lasting impact.
Drive product strategy through multi-stage research programs, balancing rigor with scrappiness to support confident decision-making in fast-moving environments.
Foster cross-functional collaboration, guiding teams toward needle-moving creative directions, setting clear goals, and improving products, processes, and culture.
Leverage research to influence products initiatives, navigating complexity and risk to deliver insights that influence decisions at the highest levels.
Elevate the craft of research, mentoring others, evolving methodologies including AI, and advocating for research excellence across the organization.
Embody our culture and values by bringing a growth mindset to your own development and showing up with inclusion, curiosity, and energy every day.

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