UX research manager, Digital UX & Design

About the role

From the beginning, Starbucks set out to be a different kind of company—one that not only celebrated coffee and the rich tradition but also brought a feeling of connection. We believe that user insights power meaningful connections between customers, partners, and our brand. Research, testing, and synthesis are part of our digital product fabric, leading to a constantly evolving lifecycle of best-in-class products and experiences.

As part of the UX Design & Research team within our Digital organization, the UX Research Manager leads a team focused on generative and evaluative research and insight delivery across customer and partner experiences. This role drives best-in-class research across Starbucks’ global digital ecosystem, influencing experiences for millions of customers and partners. You’ll lead a team that transforms insights into strategic decisions, shaping the future of retail and digital engagement.

Responsibilities

• Manage and grow a diverse and inclusive team of UX researchers, focusing on customer and partner digital products
• Oversee generative and evaluative research across several product portfolios and initiatives
• Partner closely with coffeehouse operations leads, designers, product managers, and engineers to guide approach and research strategy
• Continuously advocate for our customers and partners—sharing evidence of user needs with the digital team, operations partners, and other stakeholders
• Ensure research findings from the team are clear, timely, and actionable
• Be a champion of change through action—improve research operations, tooling, and workflows
• Coach and uplevel researchers on methodology, storytelling, and stakeholder engagement
• Co-create and support our broader research strategy under the Director of Research & Strategy
• Advocate and exemplify our company values of Craft, Results, Courage, Belonging, and Joy every day

Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years of UX research experience, including empathetic people management and mentorship
• Rock-solid foundation in evaluative and generative research methods and an endless bag of tips and tricks to problem solve
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams and stakeholders
• Strong communication and synthesis skills
• Prefer background in retail, eCommerce, hospitality, and food & beverage
• Experience working with design-led and human-centric design-focused organizations preferred
• Experience in testing operation or production-line focused experiences and tools ideal
• Previous experience with agency and vendor partnership experience—accelerating testing with external collaborators and temporary staff

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, and other voluntary insurance benefits for you and your family
• Short-term and long-term disability, paid parental leave, and family expansion reimbursement
• Paid vacation from date of hire (accrued up to a maximum of 120 hours for roles below director and 200 hours for roles at director or above; 190 hours in CA for roles below director and 316 hours in CA for roles at director or above), sick time (accrued at 1 hour for every 25 hours worked), eight paid holidays, and two personal days per year
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
• Discounted company stock program (S.I.P.) and Starbucks equity program (Bean Stock)
• Incentivized emergency savings and financial well-being tools
• 100% upfront tuition coverage for a first-time bachelor’s degree through Arizona State University’s online program via the Starbucks College Achievement Plan
• Student loan management resources and access to other educational opportunities
• Backup care and DACA reimbursement

Schedule

This role is onsite four days a week.