Sr. Staff Qualitative Product Researcher, Ads

Pinterest•Seattle, WA

7d•$163,639 - $336,903•Hybrid

About The Position

Pinterest is seeking a Sr. Staff Qualitative Product Researcher to lead research in high-priority advertising areas. The researcher will embed in complex, ambiguous problem spaces, identify important advertiser and Pinner needs, and translate those needs into a clear learning agenda. They will apply qualitative and mixed-methods expertise to design, conduct, and communicate strategic research to senior stakeholders across the Ads organization and beyond. The role partners with Product, Design, Engineering, Data Science, and quantitative UX Research to shape product strategy and the ads roadmap. It owns a broad problem space and an autonomous research agenda, including determining where sustained research investment is warranted, directing large cross-team initiatives, presenting findings and written points of view to senior leadership, and mentoring researchers to strengthen qualitative craft. The role uses AI tools to improve research workflows and make collaboration and communication of findings more effective. The position may be located anywhere in the United States and requires in-office collaboration 1–2 times per quarter. Preferred locations are the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, and New York; Bay Area employees should be able to travel to the San Francisco or Palo Alto office as needed. Relocation assistance is not available. The role is eligible for equity. The listed U.S. base salary range is $163,639–$336,903, with final salary depending on factors including location, travel, relevant experience, skills, and expertise.

Requirements

At least 7 years of experience in qualitative or mixed-methods user research.
A track record of leading research at staff or senior staff level in a product organization.
Deep expertise in qualitative methods, including interviews, ethnography, diary studies, usability testing, and concept testing, with sound judgment in selecting methods for the question, timeline, and decision.
Demonstrated success partnering with Data Science and quantitative UX Research to combine qualitative depth with quantitative scale and triangulate findings across data sources.
Ability to influence product strategy and roadmap through strong storytelling and actionable recommendations.
Strong executive communication skills, including presenting insights, written points of view, and recommendations to senior leaders (Sr. Directors+) and cross-functional partners, while tailoring messages to the audience.
Ability to thrive in ambiguity, define questions in unstructured, high-urgency problem spaces, and build a learning agenda with minimal direction.
Strong strategic judgment and decision quality to prioritize research impact and make a clear case for whether sustained investment is warranted.
Ability to collaborate with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, Data Scientists, and quantitative researchers and build trust across disciplines.
Experience leading large collaborative research efforts, setting direction across teams, aligning stakeholders around a shared point of view, and driving complex initiatives to completion.
Curiosity and creativity in using AI tools and enthusiasm for applying AI to research workflows, including synthesis and storytelling.
Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.

Nice To Haves

Experience in ads, marketplaces, or B2B/B2C platforms.
Familiarity with advertising, advertiser needs, ad ecosystems, and related challenges.
Working knowledge of standard AI-based research tools and capabilities.

Responsibilities

Lead the full research cycle for one or two high-priority advertising problem spaces, from discovery and planning through execution, delivery, and influence on product decisions.
Identify complex advertiser and user needs spanning the ads product and translate them into clear business opportunities.
Work with Product, Design, Engineering, Data Science, and quantitative UX Research to define and prioritize research questions and independently identify where research can have the greatest impact.
Select appropriate qualitative methods, plan and conduct studies, synthesize findings, and partner on mixed-methods studies that combine qualitative depth with quantitative scale.
Provide actionable recommendations to Product Managers and Designers and communicate insights to leadership to help shape product direction and roadmap.
Write points of view and cross-study syntheses that connect findings into broader insights.
Assess whether problem areas warrant sustained research investment and make the case to leadership for where to invest.
Apply AI tools creatively to research workflows and communication of findings to make collaboration faster and more effective.
Lead cross-team research initiatives across the Ads organization and, as needed, across Ads and consumer organizations; set direction and align partners around a shared point of view.
Coach and develop other researchers and elevate qualitative research craft across the team.