Director UX Research

Collectors is the leading creator of innovative technology that provides value-added services for collectors worldwide. We grade authenticate vault and sell millions of record-setting collectibles all while modernizing and digitalizing the process to further our mission of helping collectors pursue their passions. We’re always on the lookout for talented people to join our growing team.

Our services span collectible trading cards autographs comic books coins video games event tickets and memorabilia. Our subsidiaries include PSA PCGS Beckett SGC and Card Ladder.

Since our founding in 1986 we have graded and authenticated millions of items. We employ more than 3000 people across our headquarters in Santa Ana California and offices in New Jersey Texas Florida Japan Shanghai Hong Kong Canada Mexico Germany and France.

As part of our interview process we request that candidates have their cameras on during video interviews. This helps foster meaningful conversation and allows us to create an experience that closely resembles our standard working environment. Certain interview steps may take place by phone. For remote roles and at our discretion candidates may be asked to participate in an on-site interview as part of the final stages of the process.

We understand there may be occasional circumstances requiring accommodation and are happy to discuss them as needed. Your recruiter will be able to clarify expectations and answer any questions you have.

Overview

We are looking for a Director UX Research to join the Customer Insights team at Collectors and lead our UX research function. This is an exciting time to join the growing collectibles space. This role will have the unique opportunity to shape a suite of products to help card collectors grade sell manage and enjoy their collections. 

You will lead the UX research team to deeply understand the people behind the collections and how our products can meet their needs. We need a leader who is skilled at prioritizing what research will drive the biggest impact and weighing how different research methods are best suited for each ask.

Remote or hybrid candidates (close to Santa Ana or Jersey City offices) will be considered. This will be discussed further as part of the recruiting process.

What You’ll Do

• Set Research Strategy: Define and drive the UX research roadmap by identifying critical knowledge gaps and prioritizing work that influences company-level decisions.

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Act as a senior partner to Marketing Product Design  and Engineering leads to weave the right insights together and drive decision making. 

• Execute Research: Both independently conduct and guide team members on the design and execution of generative formative and summative research to support product design and development (including but not limited to ethnography interviews surveys concept testing and usability studies)

• Team Leadership: Mentor the user research team. Set clear direction mentor team members and establish a high bar for research craft.

Who You Are

• Experienced UX Leader: 7+ years of experience in user research preferably with experience in consumer technology collectibles sports or fandom. You are an experienced people manager (2+ years of experience). You know what "excellent" looks like and how to coach others to get there.

• Master of Craft: You possess a broad methodology range (qualitative and quantitative) and have a track record of research that has moved the needle on real-world business outcomes. You have the ability to moderate interviews and conduct user research independently. 

• Strategic Thinker: You can translate ambiguous problem spaces into clear research questions and connect findings to product strategy with confidence. You understand when different data points/methodology is required to make the most compelling case (e.g. primary research vs. behavioral data usability vs. market research study etc.). 

• Master Storyteller: You can land a narrative regardless of the audience—from a small product squad to a senior leadership forum.

• Collaborative Partner: You build buy-in and navigate competing priorities with grace. You are known as an honest transparent partner at every level of the organization.

• Adaptable & Tech-Forward: You understand how AI is transforming research. You encourage experimentation with new tools while holding the line on quality and rigor.

Salary Range

The salary range for this position is $163308 - $267038. Actual compensation varies based on location experience and skill set. This role may be eligible for bonuses equity or other forms of compensation.

Reasons To Join Us

• Health Insurance: All full-time employees are eligible to enroll in Medical Dental and Vision

• Additional Benefits: Full-time employees are eligible for fertility commuter and educational assistance benefits

• 401(K) Matching Plan: We are proud to offer a competitive 401k matching plan to our employees to support their future financial goals

• Vacation: All salaried employees are eligible for flexible time-off

• Holiday Pay: All regular full-time employees are eligible for ten company paid holidays

• Employee Discounts: Employees receive discounts on select grading services for approved submissions

• Flexible Hours: Many of our teams offer flexible schedules with varying shifts and will work with you to accommodate your needs

• Fun Working Environment: Our team members are invited to participate in celebrations holiday events and team building activities

Collectors uses e-Verify to validate your ability to work legally in the United States.

We are aware that there are instances where individuals are receiving job offers that fraudulently allege to be from Collectors or one of our business units. This type of fraud can be carried out through false websites through fake e-mails claiming to be from the company or through social media. We never ask for personal information such as your bank account Social Security numbers or National IDs nor do we send or request payments for the purchase of business-related equipment. If you suspect fraud please reach out to [email protected].

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race color ethnicity ancestry religion national origin gender sex gender identity or expression sexual orientation age citizenship marital or parental status disability veteran status or other class protected by applicable law. We believe that a team that represents a variety of backgrounds perspectives and skills will better service the diverse community of collectors we support.

If you require an accommodation to apply or interview with us due to a disability or special need please email [email protected].

U.S. residents: for disclosures relating to personal information we collect during the employment application and recruitment process please see our Privacy Notice for U.S. Applicants.

If you are based in California you can read information for California residents here.

What We Do

Collectors has multiple business lines that grade authenticate and sell millions of high-value record-setting collectibles. We're the leader in third-party authentication and grading services for high-value collectibles including trading cards (Professional Sports Authenticator and Card Ladder) coins (Professional Coin Grading Services) video games (Wata) event tickets autographs and memorabilia and with your help we can continue to grow rapidly. Our goal is to make the joy of collecting accessible to everyone - collectors looking to complete their set inventors looking to maximize the value of their collection and anyone who’s looking to preserve a game card or coin that reminds them of fond memories in their lives. We’re entering an exciting new stage of growth as a result of our acquisition in 2021 led by entrepreneur and sports card collector Nat Turner D1 Capital Partners L.P. and Cohen Private Ventures in addition to renowned athletes and collectors. We’re investing in scalable modern infrastructure to support the maturation of the industry increasing value of collectibles and demand for our services. Help us build a tech-enabled business for collectors. Our services span collectible coins trading cards video games event tickets autographs and memorabilia through our subsidiaries which include Professional Sports Authenticators (PSA) Professional Coin Grading Services (PCGS) Wata Certified Coin Exchange (CCE) Collectors Corner Set Registry Collectors.com and the Long Beach Expo collectibles trade show. Since our founding in 1986 we have graded and authenticated more than 80 million items. We employ over 1000 people across our Santa Ana CA headquarters New Jersey Seattle Hong Kong Paris Shanghai and Tokyo.

Why Work With Us

Collectors has long been the global leader in third-party authentication grading and valuation services for collectibles. This gives us the chance to disrupt the industry by applying technological advances to our services. We strive to be the most innovative organization in collectibles building an ecosystem that celebrates the joy of collecting

Gallery