Senior Specialist, Researcher

Title and Summary

Senior Specialist, Experience Researcher

At Mastercard, we believe that the future of our business depends on our ability to help our partners define and deliver great experiences. In support of that, we are driving a comprehensive Customer Experience & Design (CX&D) program within Foundry to create innovative products using customer‑centric strategic and design approaches. The Experience Researcher is a key member of the team responsible for shaping and testing strategies and delivering great experiences for our customers and consumers.

• Participate in all phases of the research, strategy, and design process—from framing the problem and defining the design target to envisioning the future state experience and validating concepts.
• Develop and execute research approaches using a range of qualitative and quantitative methods, critically evaluating processes and applying statistical analysis where appropriate.
• Conduct generative and evaluative research, including drafting screeners, discussion guides, and surveys; moderate in‑person and remote sessions; and collaborate with third‑party vendors when needed.
• Apply critical thinking to synthesize findings, identify patterns and themes, and translate them into compelling insights and implications for product teams.
• Deliver insights at various stages of the product lifecycle to inform strategy and design decisions that lead to best‑in‑class experiences.
• Present key takeaways to stakeholders and confidently field questions during readouts.
• Guide research planning across teams, helping shape roadmaps and priorities based on user and business impact.
• Collaborate on experimentation frameworks (e.g., A/B testing, usability testing, cohort analysis) and integrate UX research with data analytics to inform product and business decisions.
• Ensure ethical research practices and data privacy standards are upheld across all initiatives.
• Contribute to the development of research best practices and mentor less experienced researchers.

• 5+ years of experience in UX research, data analytics, or a related field, preferably in a product‑led or digital environment.
• Strong expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methods (usability testing, interviews, surveys, ethnography) and experience conducting or supporting A/B tests and experimental design.
• Proficiency in analytics tools such as DOMO, Mixpanel, Amplitude, Tableau, Excel, or similar BI platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex data and research findings into clear, compelling narratives using strong oral and written communication skills.
• Familiarity with Design Thinking methodologies and experience applying them in cross‑functional product teams.
• A strategic mindset with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels and align research with business and customer needs.
• Experience leading cross‑functional initiatives and presenting to senior leadership.
• A collaborative, inclusive approach to teamwork and a passion for mentoring others.
• Comfort balancing short‑term delivery with long‑term research planning.
• Curiosity and enthusiasm for evolving global consumer experiences in areas like payments, small business, digital identity, and loyalty.
• Passion for understanding user behavior and turning insight into measurable outcomes.

• Abide by Mastercard’s security policies and practices.
• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed.
• Report any suspected information security violation or breach.
• Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard’s guidelines.

In line with Mastercard’s total compensation philosophy and assuming that the job will be performed in the US, the successful candidate will be offered a competitive base salary and may be eligible for an annual bonus or commissions depending on the role. The base salary offered may vary depending on multiple factors, including but not limited to location, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Mastercard benefits for full‑time employees generally include:…