Senior Manager, UX Research and Design Strategy - AI Ecosystem

Location: This role is based at our office in downtown Chicago, IL and will work a hybrid schedule (onsite 3 days/week).

AI Ecosystem is a new, centralized AI organization designed to deliver a unified AI solution that seamlessly spans Lenovo Intelligent Devices Group devices and segments. We are a diverse, nimble, fast‑paced team driven by entrepreneurial spirit. Our talented product and development teams combine deep user understanding with collaborative empowerment to create a new era of experiences across wearables, smartphones, tablets, laptops, and cloud services.

• Lead generative and ethnographic research to uncover emerging user needs, cultural contexts, and behavioral shifts in AI adoption.
• Translate research insights into actionable strategic frameworks, opportunity spaces, and design principles that guide product development.
• Partner with product and design leadership to shape near‑term product roadmaps and long‑term AI experience vision.
• Mentor junior researchers and establish best practices for exploratory and evaluative research methodologies, including AI‑augmented approaches.
• Present compelling research narratives to senior leadership and influence decision‑making across cross‑functional teams.
• Build strong stakeholder relationships and advocate for user‑centered design thinking throughout the organization.
• Create learning experiments to test core assumptions and de‑risk new designs.
• Collaborate in agile, pod‑based organizations and work closely with hardware teams.
• Synthesize qualitative and quantitative research with strong analytical rigor to drive design decisions.
• Hands‑on experience using AI tools to improve user research processes.

• Master's or PhD in Anthropology, Sociology, HCI, Science & Technology Studies (STS), Design Research, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience conducting design or user research in technology product environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in qualitative and ethnographic methods with a portfolio showcasing measurable impact on product strategy.
• Proven experience researching and designing for emerging or novel technologies.

• Experience leveraging AI tools to enhance research and design processes.
• Exceptional storytelling abilities and track record of influencing senior stakeholders.

The base salary range budgeted for this position is $140,000 - $190,000. Individuals may also be considered for bonus and/or commission.

Lenovo's various benefits can be found at

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any federal, state, or local protected class.

Additional Locations: United States of America - Illinois - Chicago