Salesforce

Principal Program Manager, Research & Insights Operations

Salesforce$171K — $273K *
Consumer Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8+ years of experience in Program Management, Research Operations, or related field
  • Experience collaborating with Product Research, User Experience, and Data Science teams
  • Proven ability to scale operations and lead cross-functional projects
  • Exceptional communication and influencing skills with stakeholders
  • Comfortable analyzing data and using it for operational strategies
  • Related technical degree required

Responsibilities

  • Apply long-term strategic thinking to enhance research operations
  • Design and execute participant recruitment strategies for new product lines
  • Translate evolving research requirements into structured program plans
  • Coordinate with internal teams and executives to align operations with business objectives
  • Define operational metrics for participant recruitment and surface trends
  • Analyze telemetry and sales data to find new participant sourcing opportunities

Benefits

  • Collaboration with an innovative team within a fast-paced technology environment
  • Opportunity to shape the infrastructure and tools for future research operations
  • Engagement in high-visibility projects that align with business goals
  • Access to a range of enterprise-level AI tools and workflows
  • Focus on automation and self-service solutions in the role
Full Job Description

To get the best candidate experience, please consider applying for a maximum of 3 roles within 12 months to ensure you are not duplicating efforts.

Job Category

Program & Project Management

Job Details

The Experience

The Research Operations team sits within the Experience Organization, supporting Product Research and Design across Salesforce. As a Principal Program Manager and Strategic Research Program Lead, you'll drive the evolution of Research Operations toward an AI-enabled model that redefines how we run research and engage with customers. You'll bring systematic, long-term thinking to a team that connects product builders with the people who shape what we build — and you'll have the opportunity to architect the infrastructure, tooling, and strategies that scale research operations for the future.

What You'll Actually Be Doing
  • Apply systematic, long-term strategic thinking to research operations — building repeatable mechanisms, infrastructure, and AI solutions that drive efficiency at scale, moving away from reactive, one-off request handling.

  • Design, build, and execute comprehensive operational and participant recruitment strategies tailored for new or immature product lines and highly specialized, hard-to-find niche personas. Convert existing but inactive contacts into active, well-profiled participants.

  • Serve as the steady hand in high-visibility, fast-moving initiatives — effectively translating vague or evolving research requirements into structured, actionable program plans.

  • Lead, influence, and coordinate across multiple internal teams, cross-functional partners, and executive stakeholders to ensure research operations align with broader business objectives.

  • Define and maintain operational health metrics for the research participant pipeline, including database growth, lead conversion rates, recruitment cycle times, and self-service adoption to surface trends and inform strategic decisions.

  • Deeply analyze telemetry, platform usage, and sales data to proactively identify untapped participant sourcing opportunities, keeping the research pipeline ahead of product needs.

You're Our Person If...
  • You have 8+ years of experience in Program Management, Research Operations, Technical Program Management, User Experience Research (UXR), or a closely related field within a fast-paced technology environment.

  • You have experience working alongside Product Research, User Research, User Experience, Product Management, or Data Science teams.

  • You have a proven track record of scaling operations or research programs from the ground up, and strong experience leading cross-functional projects.

  • You have exceptional communication skills with a demonstrated ability to influence, align, and collaborate with cross-functional leadership and high-level stakeholders.

  • You're comfortable working with data, with experience leveraging product telemetry, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), or sales data to drive strategic operational decisions.

  • A related technical degree required.

Even Better If...
  • You have familiarity with enterprise research and AI tools such as Qualtrics, UserTesting, Outset AI, ListenLabs, User Interviews, or Salesforce CRM.

  • You're comfortable operating in AI-first workflows with a demonstrated interest in automation and self-service design.

  • You have familiarity with compliance, privacy (e.g., General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)), and strict participant privacy protocols regarding research participants.

  • You have a background in designing sourcing infrastructure for early-stage (0-to-1) products or highly technical target audiences.

About Salesforce

ExactTarget is a provider of on-demand email marketing software solutions. Their suite of on-demand one-to-one marketing applications enables clients to send business-critical and event-triggered communications to increase sales, optimize marketing investments, and strengthen customer relationships. They offer four editions of their on-demand software application along with integrated solutions such as ExactTarget for AppExchange and ExactTarget for [Microsoft](/organization/Microsoft) Dynamics CRM.

Salesforce Careers

Joining Salesforce means becoming part of a dynamic, global team of professionals who are deeply committed to driving customer success and innovation. As the world's leading Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform, Salesforce offers unparalleled job opportunities in technology and consulting, making it an ideal place for ambitious individuals looking to make a significant impact.

Work You'll Do

At Salesforce, every position is a chance to leverage your skills and creativity to transform businesses and industries. Our diverse team of experts collaborates to deliver cutting-edge solutions that foster growth and enhance leadership capabilities. By joining our team, you'll be at the forefront of digital innovation, using Salesforce's powerful platform to help clients navigate their transformation journeys.

Innovate and Lead

Salesforce is not just a company; it's a community where you can lead with your ideas and see them come to life. Our culture of innovation encourages you to challenge the status quo and push the boundaries of what's possible. With Salesforce, you'll work alongside leaders in technology and business who are committed to your growth and professional development.

Career Growth and Opportunities

Whether you're looking for an internship, a full-time position, or leadership roles, Salesforce provides a wealth of opportunities to advance your career. Our commitment to professional growth is reflected in our robust training programs, including leadership development and diversity training, designed to help you excel at every stage of your career.

Be Part of a Great Team

Salesforce prides itself on a culture that values diversity, teamwork, and open communication. We believe that our strength lies in our people, and we're committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive. Joining our team means being part of a supportive community that encourages networking and collaboration.

Benefits and Culture

At Salesforce, we understand that job satisfaction extends beyond the office. That's why we offer competitive benefits to support the health, well-being, and financial security of our employees and their families. From health insurance and retirement plans to wellness programs and flexible working arrangements, we provide the benefits that contribute to a better work-life balance.

Explore Job Opportunities

Ready to take the next step in your career? Explore the wide range of employment opportunities at Salesforce. From technical roles to customer engagement positions, we are continuously hiring talented individuals who are passionate about making a difference.

Stay Connected

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73,541 employees
Market Cap
$130.4 billion
Industry
Net Income
$4 billion
Founded
2000
5 Year Trend
+25.7%
Revenue
$21.2 billion
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