Director of User Research, AEC

Job Description for Director, AEC User ResearchThe Director, AEC User Research will lead the User Research function within the AEC User Success organization, part of the broader Experience Foundations team. This role is responsible for advancing research excellence, defining the research operating model, and embedding a journey-centric, mixed-methods approach across AEC.This leader will manage a team of research managers and senior individual contributors, ensuring high-quality, scalable research that integrates qualitative and quantitative insights. Working closely with cross-functional partners across product, analytics, growth, and design, this role ensures that user insights are clearly understood, effectively communicated, and translated into impactful decisions.The Director plays a critical role in helping AEC evolve from fragmented research practices to a mature, AI-enabled product insights function—ensuring the voice of the user is consistently represented, understood, and acted on across the organization, while enabling the shift toward more intelligent, automated, and agentic user experiences.This position reports to the Senior Director, AEC User Success.LocationEast Coast Preferred (US & Canada)ResponsibilitiesLead, mentor, and grow a team of research managers and senior ICs, building a high-performing and scalable organizationEstablish and uphold high standards for research quality, rigor, and craft across all workDevelop team capability in mixed-methods research and journey-centric practicesResearch Strategy & IntegrationDefine and evolve the AEC research operating model, including methodologies, standards, and prioritizationEmbed journey-centric approaches (e.g., Critical User Journeys) to connect insights to end-to-end user experiencesPartner with Product, Analytics, Growth, and Strategy to deliver integrated, cross-functional insightsInsight Storytelling, Activation & ImpactEnsure insights are communicated through clear, compelling storytelling that drives understanding and actionDrive activation of research into product decisions, innovation, and experience design outcomesEstablish and track how research influences decisions and business impact, communicating that impact across the organizationStrategic Execution & Operational LeadershipLead high-impact, cross-AEC initiatives where research drives key business outcomesOversee research prioritization, resourcing, and delivery across multiple business unitsAdvance adoption of AI-enabled tools and workflows to scale research speed, quality, and impactFuture Readiness & AI-LiteracyStay informed on emerging technologies, particularly AI and agentic systems, and translate their implications into research strategy and practiceEnable the team to research and inform AI-enabled, automated, and agentic user experiences, ensuring they are grounded in real user needs and behaviorsPartner with Product, Design, Engineering, and Content Strategy to ensure research effectively shapes human-AI interaction models, trust, and experience quality at scaleMinimum Qualifications10+ years of experience in user research, product insights, or a related field5+ years of experience leading research teams, including second-line leadershipDeep expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methodsExperience working in complex, cross-functional environmentsStrong ability to translate insights into strategic recommendations and business impactExcellent communication, storytelling, and stakeholder influence skillsFamiliarity with AI-enabled product development and its implications for user experience and researchAt this level, business acumen and the ability to connect insights to outcomes are as important as subject-matter expertise. This role requires interpreting complex business challenges and influencing decisions across multiple teams and leadership levels.Salary TransparencySalary is one part of Autodesk's competitive compensation package. For U.S.-based roles, we expect a starting base salary between $184,000 and $329,120. Offers are based on the candidate's experience and geographic location, and may exceed this range. In addition to base salaries, our compensation package may include annual cash bonuses, commissions for sales roles, stock grants, and a comprehensive benefits package.At Autodesk, we're building a diverse workplace and an inclusive culture to give more people the chance to imagine, design, and make a better world. Autodesk is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. We also consider for employment all qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with applicable law.J-18808-Ljbffr