Job Opportunity: Manager, User Experience Research Needed (Work from Home USA)

Let’s be honest—who doesn’t want the freedom to work from the comfort of their home while still building a fulfilling career? If you’re hunting for a flexible, remote role in the USA that lets you balance work and life effortlessly, this opportunity with the Wikimedia Foundation might be just what you’re looking for.

Imagine waking up, grabbing your morning coffee, and starting your workday without the hassle of a commute. Not only does this role offer the perks of working from home in the USA, but it also lets you make a global impact by contributing to one of the world’s most recognizable platforms—Wikipedia! Sounds intriguing, right? Stick with me to discover how this position could transform your career and help you achieve a healthier work-life balance.

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Job Opportunity: Manager, User Experience Research

  • Employer: Wikimedia Foundation
  • Location: Remote
  • Salary Range: $120,791 – $189,762 per year

The Wikimedia Foundation, the nonprofit organization behind Wikipedia and other Wikimedia free knowledge projects, is seeking a Manager of User Experience (UX) Research. This role offers an exciting opportunity to lead a talented team of design researchers and program managers. The team’s mission is to advance the product, technology, and design developments of Wikipedia across more than 300 languages.

This role reports directly to the Head of Research and involves extensive collaboration with senior leadership and stakeholders across the organization, spanning multiple time zones.

Candidates should be prepared to:

  • Participate in critical meetings and synchronous work between 15:00 and 19:00 UTC to ensure effective communication and collaboration.
  • Travel up to four times per year to attend in-person meetings, events, or workshops as part of the role’s responsibilities.

Flexibility and the ability to work effectively in a global, distributed team environment are essential for success in this position.

Who Is Wikimedia Foundation?

First, let’s talk about the Wikimedia Foundation. They’re the nonprofit powerhouse behind Wikipedia and other free knowledge projects. Their vision is crystal clear: making knowledge accessible to everyone, everywhere.

This isn’t just any organization—it’s a community-driven entity with a mission that’s all about inclusivity, transparency, and innovation. By joining their team, you’ll be working alongside passionate professionals who believe in breaking barriers and connecting the world through knowledge. If you’re someone who thrives on purpose-driven work, you’ll feel right at home here.

The Role: Manager, User Experience Research

The UX Research Manager role isn’t your run-of-the-mill job. It’s a golden opportunity to lead a talented team of researchers and program managers in a fully remote setting. You’ll be working on projects that touch millions of lives globally, from understanding how users interact with Wikipedia to identifying ways to improve these interactions.

Plus, with a salary range of $120,791 to $189,762 per year, this position is not just fulfilling—it’s also financially rewarding. You’ll get the best of both worlds: a chance to make a difference while enjoying the perks of working from home in the USA.

Key Responsibilities

Here’s what you’ll be doing in this role:

  • Lead and Manage a Team: Build and support a diverse, high-performing remote team of researchers and program managers.
  • Oversee Research Projects: Plan and execute research that drives product and design strategies for Wikimedia platforms.
  • Collaborate Across Teams: Work closely with product, design, and research teams to deliver user-focused solutions.
  • Set Annual Goals: Propose annual plans, manage budgets, and align the team’s work with Wikimedia’s mission.
  • Promote Insights: Consolidate and analyze user insights to inform critical decision-making across the organization.

If you’re passionate about research and innovation, this role lets you work at the intersection of technology, design, and global collaboration—all from the comfort of your home in the USA.

Skills and Experience:

  • A minimum of three years of experience managing, coaching, and developing UX researchers across various seniority levels within a large, matrixed organization.
  • At least three years of experience collaborating directly with senior leadership to drive research initiatives and strategic decisions.
  • Over five years of hands-on experience conducting or overseeing UX research in product-focused teams or organizations.
  • Proven expertise in leading human-centered research projects that encompass diverse languages, cultures, and geographical regions.
  • A strong history of translating research insights into actionable design and product strategies.
  • Advanced academic qualifications, such as a Master’s or PhD, in fields like Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Science, Statistics, Behavioral Economics, Linguistics, Psychology, Anthropology, or related disciplines.
  • Exceptional communication skills, including proficiency in both oral and written English, with a focus on asynchronous communication.

Qualities that are important to them:

Candidates for this role should demonstrate:

  • A deep alignment with the Wikimedia Foundation’s mission, values, and guiding principles.
  • The ability to lead and make decisions effectively in the face of ambiguity, complexity, and constant change.
  • A self-motivated and proactive attitude towards tackling challenges and achieving goals.
  • Strong interpersonal communication skills, with an emphasis on responsible communication and active listening.
  • A curious mindset, critical thinking abilities, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
  • Strong organizational and time-management skills, capable of methodically prioritizing tasks.
  • A dedication to producing high-quality, impactful work that benefits the organization and its mission.
  • A commitment to fostering a positive workplace culture and supporting the broader team’s well-being.
  • Comfort with public and transparent work in a multicultural and collaborative environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Applicants with the following experience or skills will be considered favorably:

  • Previous experience leading teams with expertise in mixed-method research approaches.
  • Experience working with international vendors and contractors to execute research initiatives.
  • Familiarity with volunteer-driven communities and projects.
  • Experience in NGO, non-profit, or socially driven organizations.
  • Contributions to Wikimedia projects or other open-source platforms.
  • Fluency in one or more languages besides English.
  • Recent research publications or active involvement in research communities within the last three years.

This role offers the chance to contribute to meaningful projects while supporting the mission of free knowledge. The ideal candidate will thrive in a dynamic, remote-first environment and bring a passion for innovation and collaboration.

What Makes This Job Stand Out?

Flexible Remote Work Setup

Working from home is no longer a luxury—it’s becoming the norm. And this role takes full advantage of that trend. Forget about long commutes or spending hours in traffic. Here, your “office” is wherever you feel most comfortable. Whether it’s your living room, a cozy café, or even a sunny beachside spot (with Wi-Fi, of course), the choice is yours.

This flexibility doesn’t just save time; it also boosts productivity and gives you the freedom to design your day around your peak working hours.

A Chance to Impact Millions

Think about this: Wikipedia is accessed by millions of users daily across 300+ languages. As a UX Research Manager, you’ll have a direct hand in shaping how these users experience one of the internet’s most beloved platforms. It’s not just a job—it’s a chance to leave your mark on a platform that has become a staple of global knowledge.

Work-Life Balance Like Never Before

One of the biggest perks of working from home in the USA is reclaiming your time. No more rushing out the door in the morning or scrambling to make it to a meeting. With this role, you can work smarter, not harder, and still have time for what matters most—family, hobbies, or simply recharging.

What You’ll Need to Succeed

To excel in this role, you’ll need UX research experience, a leadership knack, and strong communication skills. A Master’s or PhD in a relevant field is preferred, but the right mix of experience and passion can take you far.

Most importantly, you’ll need a drive to learn, adapt, and collaborate. Wikimedia values curiosity, critical thinking, and the ability to lead through ambiguity.

How to Apply

Ready to join them? Applying is simple:

  1. Prepare Your Application: Update your resume to highlight your UX research experience and leadership skills.
  2. Submit Your Application Online: Visit Wikimedia Foundation’s career page to find the full listing and apply.
  3. Follow-up: Be ready to discuss your qualifications during the interview and showcase how you’ll thrive in a work-from-home USA role.

If you need assistance or accommodations due to a disability, you can contact Wikimedia’s recruitment team at recruiting@wikimedia.org.

Why Wait? Take the Leap!

This opportunity isn’t just about finding a job—it’s about embracing a career that aligns with your values and aspirations. So, don’t just sit on the fence. If you’ve been dreaming of working from home in the USA while making a real impact, this might be your moment.

Check out the full job description, polish up that resume, and get ready to join a team that’s changing the world, one byte of free knowledge at a time.

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