User Research Lead

Abridge•San Francisco, CA

13d•$211,000 - $263,000

About The Position

As the Head of Research at Abridge, you will define how we understand and build for the people at the center of healthcare — shaping how clinicians and patients experience our product every day. Healthcare doesn’t just need better tools — it needs tools that fit seamlessly into complex, high-stakes workflows. As we reimagine the future of healthcare with AI, deeply understanding our users isn’t optional — it’s foundational. In this role, you’ll operate as a hands-on research leader — driving the evolution of our research practice and managing a small team, while staying embedded in the work itself. You’ll partner with product and design leadership to shape the research roadmap and influence product direction, while also leading and executing high-impact studies. You’ll play a pivotal role in uncovering insights and translating them into clear, actionable direction for product, design, and engineering. At the same time, you’ll help bring structure and alignment to a small but growing research team, ensuring our work is focused, connected, and consistently raising the bar. You’ll play a pivotal role in uncovering these insights and translating them into clear, actionable direction for product, design, and engineering. From early-stage exploration to post-launch learning, you’ll ensure that every decision is grounded in a deep understanding of clinicians, patients, and care teams. This role is for a researcher who enjoys leading through influence, shaping strategy, and staying deeply hands-on — someone who can elevate both the impact of research and how it’s practiced across the organization.

Requirements

8–10+ years of experience in user research, with a strong track record of influencing product direction in complex domains.
Demonstrated leadership or management experience guiding research practice, initiatives and mentoring peers, while influencing product direction in complex, fast-paced environments.
Experience conducting end-to-end research incorporating qualitative and quantitative methods and product analytics
A portfolio or body of work that demonstrates how your research has shaped product decisions and outcomes.
Strong ability to turn ambiguous business questions into clear research questions and plans
Strong synthesis and storytelling skills – you can turn ambiguous data into meaningful insights with clear and actionable recommendations
Experience working independently in fast-paced, ambiguous environments
Ability to prioritize effectively across multiple initiatives.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in healthcare or other highly regulated environments

Responsibilities

Shape Product Strategy with Leadership: Partner with product and design leadership to align on priorities and guide product strategy, ensuring research informs high-level decision-making.
Lead a High-Impact Research Team: Manage and mentor a small team of researchers by providing strategic guidance and setting clear priorities.
Prioritize the Research Roadmap: Ensure the research team is focused on the highest-impact opportunities and aligning efforts with business goals and user needs.
Drive End-to-End Research: Lead research across the product lifecycle; Identify the right methods for each question and execute with rigor.
Translate Complexity into Insight: Synthesize complex qualitative and quantitative data into clear, actionable insights.
Influence Product and Design Direction: Partner closely with product managers, designers, and engineers to shape roadmaps, inform decisions, and prioritize opportunities.
Build Empathy and Alignment Across Teams: Communicate findings in compelling and accessible ways. Create shared understanding through storytelling, artifacts, and rituals that keep users top of mind.
Elevate the Practice of Research: Set a high bar for quality, rigor, and impact. Mentor others, introduce new methods, and continuously improve how research contributes to the organization.
Bring the Voice of the Clinician into Every Decision: Develop a deep understanding of clinicians, patients, and care teams. Surface insights that reflect real-world workflows, constraints, and needs — ensuring the product aligns with how healthcare actually works.

Benefits

Generous Time Off: 14 paid holidays, flexible PTO for salaried employees, and accrued time off for hourly employees
Comprehensive Health Plans: Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage for all full-time employees and their families.
Generous HSA Contribution: If you choose a High Deductible Health Plan, Abridge makes monthly contributions to your HSA.
Paid Parental Leave: Generous paid parental leave for all full-time employees.
Family Forming Benefits: Resources and financial support to help you build your family.
401(k) Matching: Contribution matching to help invest in your future.
Personal Device Allowance: Tax free funds for personal device usage.
Pre-tax Benefits: Access to Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Commuter Benefits.
Lifestyle Wallet: Monthly contributions for fitness, professional development, coworking, and more.
Mental Health Support: Dedicated access to therapy and coaching to help you reach your goals.
Sabbatical Leave: Paid Sabbatical Leave after 5 years of employment.
Compensation and Equity: Competitive compensation and equity grants for full time employees.