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UX Research Director

At Wizards of the Coast, we connect people around the world through play and imagination. From our genre defining games like Magic: The Gathering® and Dungeons & Dragons® to our growing multiverse, we continue to innovate and build new ways to foster friendship and connection. That’s where you come in!

Skeleton Key is a new game development studio and division of Wizards of the Coast. We are a group of industry veterans who are guided by the belief that empowering our teams and providing the proper time, tools, and support we can foster a creative culture where everyone can do their best work.

Our new studio will be located in Austin, TX, and we are looking for a passionate and dedicated UX Research Director to join us! This role will be essential in crafting and carrying out a strategic vision for:

• User Experience Research
• Player Persona Identification & Acquisition
• Player Experience
• Market Intelligence

In this role you will be a part of the Studio Leadership team reporting directly to the Studio Head and are responsible for influencing not only the business strategy for the studio, but also advising key development decisions for the game. Additionally, you will have opportunities to work within the greater Wizards of the Coast organization to help expand and unify studio knowledge sharing across various products and player experiences. You will also help build and cultivate a healthy, high-functioning studio and culture.

What You'll Do:

What experience, knowledge, and skills are you expected to bring to the team?

Leadership

• Lead efforts to identify and define player behaviors and personas to assist our team in developing better-informed and more engaging experiences.
• Pioneer and influence studio and company culture regarding user experience, player research, and data informed decision-making.
• Pitch and carry out business and game strategic recommendations with marketing, game development, and leadership teams.
• Recruit, lead, and grow player research team and their tools and methodologies.

Product Knowledge

• Keen understanding and awareness of emerging player, product, genre, and industry trends, so we can identify potential market opportunities and enhance business performance.
• Be an advocate and voice for the player.

Research and Data

• Develop, implement, and lead all aspects of player experience and consumer insights research strategy.
• Evaluate quantitative and qualitative research results to interpret and generate executive reports based on key findings.
• Assess and incorporate ongoing evolutions of UX research techniques, technologies, and processes.

What You'll Bring:

8+ years of experience in development and operations of AAA console/PC video games with several years as a Principal or Lead UX/Player Researcher with a specialization in analytics.

• Prefers priority and business decisions to be informed by data and supported by research, but can balance that with good design intuition & creativity.
• Tried hands-on experience and proficiency in sentiment analysis/measurement tools and reporting technologies and platforms.
• Ability and demeanor to readily context-switch between high-level strategy and execution of day-to-day tasks.
• Outstanding knowledge of video game product planning and execution with a deep understanding of all facets of game development.
• Strong collaborator with desire to build partnerships and are the kind of person that people want to work for and work with.
• Incredible problem-solving skills, and ability to empower others to find solutions in new situations and fluid, dynamic environments.
• Passion for building cross functional teams, leading with empathy, and encouraging an inclusive and diverse team culture.

We are an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer

The above is intended to describe the general content of and the requirements for satisfactory performance in this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of the duties, responsibilities, or requirements of the position.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. If you are selected to move forward in our application process and need to request an accommodation, please let your recruiter or coordinator know.