Director, User Research - Product Design

Datadog is hiring a Research leader to define the next evolution of our research practice. You will lead a group that integrates human insights with quantitative depth and AI-driven synthesis to build the right products for our customers while driving measurable business impact. At Datadog, we help customers visualize and troubleshoot complex, distributed systems at scale and keep them healthy. As the Director of User Research, you will lead the charge in transforming dense technical signals into human-centric experiences by establishing a research culture that is fast, actionable, and deeply integrated into our product development lifecycle.

In this role, you will build a lean, high-impact team of researchers while simultaneously empowering our entire design and product organization with the methods and tools needed to deeply understand customer pain points and motivations. You will be responsible for moving the team beyond tactical, project-level work toward strategic influence that drives measurable business outcomes.

What you’ll do:

• Grow, manage and mentor a talented group of researchers to operate at the frontier of the field.
• Establish a Mixed-Methods Practice ensuring researchers can analyze product telemetry and statistical data ("the what") alongside qualitative insights ("the why").
• Scale Research Capabilities by defining inquiry methods and teaching the broader organization (designers and PMs) how to use them to run deep, insight-driven probes.
• Take accountability for the business metrics influenced by research findings. You will be expected to demonstrate business impact through the work that you lead.
• Build the foundation for AI as a research collaborator, using tools like custom GPTs and synthetic personas to accelerate synthesis and provide real-time deliverables.
• Collaborate with the Head of Design, design and cross functional leaders to establish roadmaps and ensure research insights are grounded in both technical reality and user needs.
  
  

Who You Are:

• 10-15+ years in user research or product design, with experience building and managing high-performing teams.
• Proficient in both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, with the ability to size and validate behavioral patterns using data.
• Proven track record of moving research beyond "usability testing" to impacting product direction and business metrics.
• Comfortable navigating the technical complexities of modern software development and infrastructure.
• Excited by the potential of AI to transform how research is conducted, synthesized, and shared.

Benefits and Growth:

• New hire stock equity (RSUs) and employee stock purchase plan (ESPP)
• Continuous professional development, product training, and career pathing
• Intradepartmental mentor and buddy program for in-house networking
• An inclusive company culture, ability to join our Community Guilds (Datadog employee resource groups)
• Access to Inclusion Talks, our internal panel discussions
• Free, global mental health benefits for employees and dependents age 6+
• Competitive global benefits

#LI-Hybrid