Research Operations Program Manager ( Eastern or Central Time Zone preferred)

At Docker, we make app development easier so developers can focus on what matters. Our remote-first team spans the globe, united by a passion for innovation and great developer experiences. With over 20 million monthly users and 20 billion image pulls, Docker is the #1 tool for building, sharing, and running apps—trusted by startups and Fortune 100s alike. We’re growing fast and just getting started. Come join us for a whale of a ride!

UX Research at Docker is a fast-paced, collaborative team that partners closely with Product Designers, Product Managers, and Engineers who are passionate about developer experience. The User Research team at Docker is looking for a Research Operations Manager to support UX research activities and to develop a culture of user-centered development across the company. This is an operational role, ideal for someone who is passionate about enabling research through strong logistical, strategic, and organizational execution.

Note: This is not a transitional role into UX research. It is intentionally structured for professionals who are focused on research operations as their long-term career path.

Responsibilities

• Manage and optimize the processes, tools, and infrastructure that support UX research activities

• Coordinate participant recruitment logistics (e.g., sourcing, screening, scheduling, NDAs, and compensation)

• Build and lead the strategy for participant management, including maintaining the research participant database

• Own key operational areas of the research program such as data governance, vendor and knowledge management, and standardizing documentation

• Develop and scale programs that foster a user-centered culture across the company, empowering cross-functional teams to connect with users and gather feedback; partner with other teams (Support, Sales, etc.) as needed

• Document and standardize research operations processes, including cross-functional processes with Legal, Security, and others

• Implement and oversee success metrics for user research activities

• Develop and implement a long-term vision for research operations that aligns with organizational goals

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in research operations or a related field in a fast-paced Agile environment

• Background in project management, event coordination, or logistics-heavy roles

• Proven track record in managing end-to-end participant recruitment processes

• Strong knowledge of research tools and platforms (e.g., Qualtrics, Calendly)

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

• Excellent organizational skills with a keen attention to detail

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and “herd cats” effectively

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; highly collaborative and proactive

What to Expect

First 30 Days: Observe, Learn, and Contribute

• Onboard with the User Research team

• Review existing research operations processes, tools, templates, and documentation

• Familiarize yourself with participant recruitment tools, databases, and external vendors in use

• Begin to identify pain points and opportunities for improvement

• Start contributing to live operational tasks such as scheduling

First 90 Days: Own Processes and Propose Improvements

• Take ownership of day-to-day recruitment and operations for research initiatives

• Propose and begin implementing improvements to existing processes

• Define success metrics for key research operations processes and begin tracking baseline performance

• Propose a long-term participant management strategy

• Draft a roadmap for research operations improvements for the next 6–12 months

One-Year Outlook: Build Scalable Operations and Drive Strategic Impact

• Establish end-to-end research operations as a well-oiled function

• Standardize recruiting workflows, including participant consent, scheduling, NDAs, and compensation

• Launch cross-functional programs that embed user-centered thinking into the broader company culture

• Implement tooling and vendor improvements

• Become a trusted strategic partner to UX Research, Design, Product, Legal, and Security

We use Covey as part of our hiring and / or promotional process for jobs in NYC and certain features may qualify it as an AEDT. As part of the evaluation process we provide Covey with job requirements and candidate submitted applications. We began using Covey Scout for Inbound on April 13, 2024.

Please see the independent bias audit report covering our use of Covey here.

Perks

• Freedom & flexibility; fit your work around your life

• Designated quarterly Whaleness Days

• Home office setup; we want you comfortable while you work

• 16 weeks of paid Parental leave

• Technology stipend equivalent to $100 net/month

• PTO plan that encourages you to take time to do the things you enjoy

• Quarterly, company-wide hackathons

• Training stipend for conferences, courses and classes

• Equity; we are a growing start-up and want all employees to have a share in the success of the company

• Docker Swag

• Medical benefits, retirement and holidays vary by country

Docker embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our company will be.

Due to the remote nature of this role, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship.