At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead UX research strategy and mentor fellow researchers to elevate their craft.
- Company: Join tombola, a creative and player-centred organisation that values research.
- Benefits: Influence product strategy and enjoy a collaborative work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on product decisions and shape the future of UX research.
- Qualifications: Extensive UX research experience and strong strategic mindset required.
- Other info: Explore AI tools in research and enjoy excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Locations: UK (Sunderland or Leeds), Gibraltar, Ireland (Dublin)
Team: Product Design
Level: Lead Individual Contributor
Reports to: Head of Product Design
tombola is looking for an influential and highly experienced Lead UX Researcher to join our growing Product Design team. This is a strategic and hands-on role where you will shape the direction of research across multiple squads and play a critical part in how insights drive product decisions.
If you’re passionate about elevating research craft, connecting insights to real business impact, and guiding fellow researchers to do their best work, this role offers the scope and influence to make a big difference.
What You’ll Do
- Set the Research Strategy – Drive research priorities across multiple squads, aligning with product and business goals.
- Raise Quality Standards – Define and uphold best-in-class research planning, execution, and insight delivery.
- Influence Across Squads – Connect themes and opportunities across teams to inform broader product direction.
- Mentor & Elevate – Coach researchers at all levels, supporting their development and improving research craft across the organisation.
- Collaborate Deeply – Partner with Product, Design, and Tech to embed research in decision-making and prioritisation.
- Own Knowledge Management – Lead contributions to tombola's research repository to ensure insights are scalable, shareable and reusable.
- Explore AI in Research – Introduce and evaluate AI tools responsibly, helping the team understand where they add value.
- Champion the Player Advocate – For player needs and ensure they remain central to product decisions.
- Deliver When It Matters – Lead complex, high-impact research studies hands-on where needed.
What You’ll Bring
- Extensive experience in UX Research, leading large-scale or complex research initiatives.
- Strong strategic mindset with the ability to link insights to business outcomes.
- Deep expertise in qualitative methods and working knowledge of quantitative/mixed-methods.
- Experience mentoring and upskilling researchers.
- Excellent communication skills, especially with senior stakeholders.
- Strong collaboration experience across multiple squads or business areas.
- Curiosity and evolving knowledge of how AI can support research practice.
- A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for players.
Bonus Skills
- Experience defining cross-squad research roadmaps.
- Familiarity with behavioral data or large-scale analytics.
- Knowledge of accessibility and inclusive research practices.
- Experience in gaming, gambling or entertainment industries.
Why tombola? You’ll join a creative, player-centred organisation where research is valued, championed, and embedded in decision-making. You will influence product strategy across multiple teams and help shape the future of UX research at tombola.
Lead UX Researcher in Leeds employer: Tombola
Contact Detail:
Tombola Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead UX Researcher in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best UX research projects. Make sure it’s easy to navigate and showcases how your insights have driven real business impact. This is your chance to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to UX research. Think about how you can demonstrate your strategic mindset and collaboration skills. We want to see how you can influence product decisions!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team at tombola.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead UX Researcher in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Lead UX Researcher role. Highlight your experience in UX research and how it aligns with our goals at tombola. We want to see how you can drive research priorities and influence product decisions!
Showcase Your Strategic Mindset: In your application, emphasise your ability to link insights to business outcomes. We’re looking for someone who can set a research strategy that aligns with product and business goals, so don’t hold back on sharing relevant examples!
Highlight Your Mentoring Experience: Since mentoring is a key part of this role, make sure to include any experience you have in coaching or upskilling other researchers. We value collaboration and want to know how you’ve helped others elevate their research craft.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our creative, player-centred organisation!
How to prepare for a job interview at Tombola
✨Know Your Research Strategy
Before the interview, make sure you understand how to set and drive research priorities. Be ready to discuss how you would align these with product and business goals at tombola. Think about examples from your past experience where you've successfully influenced product direction through research.
✨Showcase Your Mentoring Skills
Since this role involves mentoring fellow researchers, prepare to share specific instances where you've coached others. Highlight how you’ve elevated their skills and improved research quality. This will demonstrate your commitment to developing talent within the team.
✨Communicate Effectively
Excellent communication is key, especially with senior stakeholders. Practice articulating complex ideas clearly and concisely. You might want to prepare a few scenarios where your communication skills made a significant impact on project outcomes.
✨Embrace AI in Research
With the growing importance of AI tools in research, be prepared to discuss your knowledge and experience in this area. Think about how you can responsibly introduce AI to enhance research practices and provide value to the team at tombola.