Research Operations Manager

What You’ll Do: 

As a Research Operations Manager at NinjaTrader, you will join a team delivering strategic insights that inform mission-critical decisions across the organization. Your ReOpsleadership and your experience implementing systems, standards, and tools to improve research processes will amplify the efficiency and capacity of NinjaTrader’s researchers. This is an impactful role that will influence the shape of NinjaTrader for years to come. 

In this role, you will: 

• Design efficient research workflows and processes by evaluating current research operations from project intake through delivery and building repeatable systems that reduce friction  
• Ensure research practices adhere to company standards, including regulatory and compliance requirements as well as internal best practices for brand voice and participant experience  
• Build and manage a customer research panel, including platform onboarding, recruitment strategy, and governance of contact frequency  
• Manage day-to-day research logistics by supporting study setup, launch, monitoring, and troubleshooting while coordinating access to the research panel 

What you'll need:  

• At least 5 years of experience in research operations, panel management, or the operational or project management side of market research  
• A proven track record of building a research operations function from the ground up  
• Strong understanding of quantitative and qualitative research project workflows  
• Working or conceptual knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods, especially sampling and study design  
• Strong organizational and project management skills  
• Experience working with cross-functional teams and driving successful outcomes  
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to collaborate with stakeholders of varying research experience levels  
• Self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and brings clarity to ambiguous situations  
• Low ego, high emotional intelligence, and a collaborative work ethic 

Bonus Points For: 

• Experience building a customer research panel  
• Familiarity with CRM-based participant workflows  
• Background in fintech, financial services, or trading platforms  
• Knowledge of the ResearchOps landscape, including frameworks like the Eight Pillars of User Research or Nielsen Norman Group’s Six Core Components 

Compensation: 

The salary range for this role will be $105,000.00 - $125,000.00 USD. In addition, this position will also receive an annual target bonus of 10%. Bonus pay at NinjaTrader is based on individual performance (50%) as well as company or team performance (50%). 

Salary and bonus earnings are only two components of the total compensation package offered by NinjaTrader. NinjaTrader offers a 401K plan through ADP under which the company will match up to 3.5% of employee contributions. Annual paid time off allowance accrues at a rate of 18 days per year (some positions may qualify for more) plus seven paid holidays. 

Location: 

This role is based in Chicago, IL. *There may be remote flexibility for exceptional candidates in the following states: California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington DC, Wisconsin. 

Hybrid: 

For Chicago-based employees, we follow a hybrid work schedule: In-office Tuesday through Thursday, with remote work on Mondays and Fridays. In addition to these weekly remote days, we offer: 

• 20 additional flex remote days annually  
• 5 Company Wide Office-Optional weeks tied to major holidays 

What You’ll Do: 

As a Research Operations Manager at NinjaTrader, you will join a team delivering strategic insights that inform mission-critical decisions across the organization. Your ReOpsleadership and your experience implementing systems, standards, and tools to improve research processes will amplify the efficiency and capacity of NinjaTrader’s researchers. This is an impactful role that will influence the shape of NinjaTrader for years to come. 

In this role, you will: 

• Design efficient research workflows and processes by evaluating current research operations from project intake through delivery and building repeatable systems that reduce friction  
• Ensure research practices adhere to company standards, including regulatory and compliance requirements as well as internal best practices for brand voice and participant experience  
• Build and manage a customer research panel, including platform onboarding, recruitment strategy, and governance of contact frequency  
• Manage day-to-day research logistics by supporting study setup, launch, monitoring, and troubleshooting while coordinating access to the research panel 

What you'll need:  

• At least 5 years of experience in research operations, panel management, or the operational or project management side of market research  
• A proven track record of building a research operations function from the ground up  
• Strong understanding of quantitative and qualitative research project workflows  
• Working or conceptual knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods, especially sampling and study design  
• Strong organizational and project management skills  
• Experience working with cross-functional teams and driving successful outcomes  
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to collaborate with stakeholders of varying research experience levels  
• Self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and brings clarity to ambiguous situations  
• Low ego, high emotional intelligence, and a collaborative work ethic 

Bonus Points For: 

• Experience building a customer research panel  
• Familiarity with CRM-based participant workflows  
• Background in fintech, financial services, or trading platforms  
• Knowledge of the ResearchOps landscape, including frameworks like the Eight Pillars of User Research or Nielsen Norman Group’s Six Core Components 

Compensation: 

The salary range for this role will be $105,000.00 - $125,000.00 USD. In addition, this position will also receive an annual target bonus of 10%. Bonus pay at NinjaTrader is based on individual performance (50%) as well as company or team performance (50%). 

Salary and bonus earnings are only two components of the total compensation package offered by NinjaTrader. NinjaTrader offers a 401K plan through ADP under which the company will match up to 3.5% of employee contributions. Annual paid time off allowance accrues at a rate of 18 days per year (some positions may qualify for more) plus seven paid holidays. 

Location: 

This role is based in Chicago, IL. *There may be remote flexibility for exceptional candidates in the following states: California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington DC, Wisconsin. 

Hybrid: 

For Chicago-based employees, we follow a hybrid work schedule: In-office Tuesday through Thursday, with remote work on Mondays and Fridays. In addition to these weekly remote days, we offer: 

• 20 additional flex remote days annually  
• 5 Company Wide Office-Optional weeks tied to major holidays