Manager, User Research – Games

• Define and drive the playtesting strategy for Netflix Games from an initial scrappy phase through a fully operational, scalable program
• Serve as the primary point of contact for playtesting needs
• Collaborate with Consumer Insights, studio and product leads, game partners, central production, and cross-functional stakeholders
• Maximize existing Netflix research tools and build, buy, or borrow new tools as needed
• Stand up and manage moderated user testing, closed tests, and open betas for cloud and mobile games
• Improve participant recruitment, build distribution, player segmentation, feedback collection, and data reporting processes
• Develop and maintain playtesting facilities, using external facilities or building in-house
• Track and report key metrics demonstrating impact on game quality and business outcomes
• Combine behavioral data with survey or session-based attitudinal data to analyze player response
• Lead and mentor a small team of researchers
• Stay close to developer needs and respond flexibly to emergent development needs
• Partner with Consumer Insights to contextualize UX findings within market and audience insights
• Work with cross-functional teams to develop scalable, secure, and effective playtesting tools
• Stay current on industry trends and emerging technologies in playtesting and user research

Requirements

• 10+ years in games research with a proven track record of building or scaling playtesting programs
• 4+ years in leading teams of researchers who specialize in UX research methodologies
• Demonstrated ability to own complex programs, influence without authority, and drive cross-functional alignment
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and good judgment in when to borrow and when to build from scratch
• Familiarity with game build distribution, player segmentation, data pipelines, and feedback tools
• Experience with games across various genres, audiences, and input methods (e.g., touch vs controller)
• Deep empathy for both players and developers; passionate about delivering high-quality player experiences
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to synthesize complex requirements and present clear recommendations to stakeholders at all levels
• Ability to frequently travel, primarily between Los Angeles and Los Gatos, to meet with stakeholders
• Comfortable understanding people, behaviors, attitudes, and motivators
• Comfortable making decisions without complete data
• Ability to seek answers to difficult questions
• Ability to work hands-on and adapt to change
• Equal parts strategic and operational
• Familiarity with Netflix culture memo and values

Core Competencies

Expertise in developing and scaling playtesting programs, with a strong focus on user experience research methodologies and cross-functional collaboration. Proven ability to analyze player data and feedback to enhance game quality and business outcomes.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• 10+ Years In Games Research
• 4+ Years In Leading UX Research Teams
• Playtesting Program Development
• Data Analysis And Reporting
• Excellent Communication Skills

Hard Skills

• Playtesting Strategy Development
• User Testing Management
• Player Segmentation
• Data Pipeline Familiarity
• Feedback Tool Utilization
• Game Build Distribution
• UX Research Methodologies
• Behavioral Data Analysis
• Session-Based Attitudinal Data Analysis
• Metrics Tracking

Soft Skills

• Empathy For Players And Developers
• Decision-Making In Ambiguity
• Influencing Without Authority
• Adaptability To Change
• Synthesis Of Complex Requirements

Industry Keywords

• Game Research
• User Experience
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Emerging Technologies
• Market Insights

Tools & Technologies

• Netflix Research Tools
• Moderated User Testing Tools
• Cloud Gaming Platforms
• Mobile Gaming Platforms
• In-House Playtesting Facilities