Lead Researcher, Tableau

Salesforce is the #1 AI CRM, where humans with agents drive customer success together. Here, ambition meets action, tech meets trust, and innovation is a way of life. The Research & Insights (R&I) team is a core function within the Experience organization and a strategic partner to UX designers, product management, engineering, and go-to-market teams. We balance big-picture thinking with detailed craft to shape the future of Salesforce for millions of end users.

About the role

We are seeking a Lead Researcher to support Tableau, the world's leading AI-powered analytics platform. This role will shape the next generation of analytics capabilities and tackle complex challenges customers face with unlocking the value of data. The researcher will distill complex problems into insights that inform product, design, development, and business decisions.

The ideal candidate will have domain expertise in analytics and related topics such as semantics, data prep, data visualization, governance, and data storytelling, along with experience in Generative AI and related technologies. This role requires familiarity with enterprise software, particularly “as-a-service,” and its evolving personas (e.g., Admins, Developers, Data Analysts, Business Users, CIOs, CDOs, CTOs).

You will work cross-functionally across highly technical teams, manage collaborative research initiatives, and focus on customer value. The role also involves managing a customer advisory board program and representing research at Salesforce events such as the Tableau Conference and Dreamforce.

Responsibilities

• Scope and drive full research initiatives, including planning, developing, and executing studies, managing stakeholders, triangulating data, and translating insights into actions.
• Synthesize research findings into actionable insights by creating narratives to frame problems and highlight the business value of recommended solutions.
• Proactively partner with senior management across cross-functional teams, including product, design, engineering, and customer success, to advocate for product strategy rooted in data and customer insights.
• Scope and drive externally-facing feedback programs and event activations with leaders from customer organizations.
• Conduct strategic, generative, and evaluative research using mixed methods, from large-scale survey design to in-depth interviews.
• Work on fast-paced and ambiguous projects, maintaining attention to detail and focus on end goals within constrained timelines.
• Shepherd the integration of AI tools (e.g., Claude, Gemini) to accelerate the research lifecycle, separating "AI noise" from meaningful signals and validating AI-generated outputs for accuracy.
• Maintain the highest data integrity and ethical research standards, particularly regarding AI bias, privacy, and "ethical imagination" in product development.
• Contribute to the broader Research & Insights organization through mentorship, teaching craft and methodology, and facilitating deep collaboration across teams.

Requirements

• 7+ years of hands-on experience in UX, product design, or technology research, with at least 2 years in a large, matrixed organization.
• AI fluency: A working grasp of how AI systems fail and learn, knowing when to deploy AI for efficiency and when human oversight is non-negotiable.
• Advanced understanding of research methods (qualitative and quantitative) and familiarity with a broad range of user research tools.
• Proven track record influencing product direction and strategy with actionable insights.
• Ability to plan, design, execute, and communicate both strategic and tactical research engagements.
• Experience structuring and leading internal and external workshops and analyzing outcomes for stakeholders.
• Experience working in cross-functional teams (e.g., customer success, solution architects, design, product management, engineering, marketing).
• Excellent project management, communication, storytelling, and presentation skills.
• Comfortable collaborating with globally dispersed teams (AMER/APAC) and navigating different market needs.
• University degree in a field emphasizing human behavior (e.g., Psychology, Anthropology, HCI) or a research-focused business discipline.

Please include a portfolio of 1-2 research projects with details of your direct contributions with your application.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including well-being reimbursement, generous parental leave, adoption assistance, and fertility benefits.
• World-class enablement and on-demand training with Trailhead.com.
• Exposure to executive thought leaders and regular 1:1 coaching with leadership.
• Volunteer opportunities and participation in our 1:1:1 model for giving back to the community.

For more details, visit Salesforce Benefits.

Pay

The typical base salary range for this position is $172,500 - $260,100 annually. In select cities within the San Francisco and New York City metropolitan area, the base salary range is $207,800 - $285,800 annually. The range represents base salary only and does not include company bonus, incentive for sales roles, equity, or benefits, as applicable.