UX Researcher

Company Description

VERSANT is a leading force in news, sports and entertainment - home to iconic and trusted brands that inspire, inform, and delight audiences. Our unique combination of content, technology and services enriches the cultural fabric, igniting passions, sparking conversations, and connecting people to what they love most.

As an independent, publicly traded company, VERSANT brings together powerhouse cable networks - including USA Network, CNBC, MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), Oxygen, E!, SYFY, and Golf Channel - with dynamic digital and direct-to-consumer brands such as Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. Together, these businesses reflect our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences across every screen and service.

VERSANT is an industry-changing media company fueled by innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit. With a strong foundation and a forward-looking vision, VERSANT empowers creativity, embraces change, and drives connection in an ever-evolving world.

Job Description

We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced UX Researcher responsible for uncovering actionable insights that inform and inspire exceptional digital product experiences. This role combines qualitative and quantitative research methods to deeply understand user needs, behaviors, and motivations, translating them into data-driven recommendations that guide design and product strategy.

The ideal candidate is both an empathetic listener and an analytical thinker, capable of telling compelling stories with research findings. The UX Researcher for CNBC will be responsible for working across multiple news brands to help build the next set of innovative products within Versant. This is an exciting time to be joining a newly created product and tech unit that will support the ambitious digital goals of CNBC, MS NOW and E! Online.

This person must have a passion for digital or journalistic content and be a huge consumer of news and media. To succeed, this person will need to be equally fluent in the editorial, technical, and commercial worlds.

Responsibilities

• Work with the Director of Product Design and key stakeholders to plan, design, and conduct qualitative and quantitative user research to inform product decisions
• Develop research strategies aligned with business goals and product roadmaps
• Collaborate with Product Managers, Designers, and Engineers to define research questions and hypotheses
• Lead usability testing, user interviews, surveys, and ethnographic studies
• Synthesize findings into actionable insights that guide design and product direction
• Create clear and compelling research reports, personas, and journey maps
• Advocate for user needs across all stages of the product lifecycle
• Partner with data analysts to integrate behavioral analytics with qualitative insights
• Present findings to executives and stakeholders to influence strategic decisions
• Stay current on UX research methods, tools, and industry trends
• Foster a culture of evidence-based decision-making and empathy for users

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of UX research experience in digital media
• Proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative research methods
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret behavioral data and identify patterns
• Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to present complex findings clearly and persuasively
• Understanding of accessibility standards and inclusive design principles
• Proven understanding of web, mobile apps and OTT products in the consumer (B2C) space and/or in media and publishing

Desired Qualifications

• Ability to work with senior management and present research findings with a clear point of view.
• Strong experience on evangelizing for the customer through the use of research, data, user testing etc.
• Experience working in subscription business, a news organization or a content company / publisher
• Bachelor's degree desired; MBA a plus

This position is eligible for company sponsored benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, and a variety of other discounts and perks.

Salary range: $80,000 - $120,000

What we’ll offer: At CNBC Headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, NJ, you’ll have access to great perks and amenities:

• Sweat it out -- Free onsite fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment, plus daily group classes
• Eat up -- Gourmet cafeteria with daily specials plus soup and salad bars
• Extras -- Dry cleaning, and sneak peeks
• Don’t have a car? No problem! We offer free shuttle transportation to and from multiple locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Hoboken and Jersey City.

Additional Information

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with a VERSANT Media employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. VERSANT Media's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to candidateaccessibility@versantmedia.com.

VERSANT Media is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. We include a good faith pay range for each position to comply with applicable state and local pay transparency laws and to promote equity across our organization. Actual compensation will be based on factors such as the candidate's skills, qualifications, experience, and location and may include additional forms of compensation and benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, etc.

VERSANT Media is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at VERSANT via-email, the Internet, or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from VERSANT's Talent Acquisition team will be deemed the sole property of VERSANT. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by VERSANT as a result of the referral or through other means.