Full-Time

Labs Operations Manager

Posted on 9/7/2025

BetterUp

BetterUp

1,001-5,000 employees

Digital coaching platform for enterprise leadership

Compensation Overview

$122k - $192k/yr

Washington, DC, USA + 4 more

More locations: San Francisco, CA, USA | Austin, TX, USA | Chicago, IL, USA | New York, NY, USA

Hybrid

Employees are expected to be available to work from one of our office hubs at least two days per week, or eight days per month.

Category
Lab & Research (1)
Required Skills
Data Science
Requirements
  • Master’s or PhD in behavioral science, data science, public health, or a related field (preferred)
  • Prior experience in lab operations, research program management, or study coordination
  • Familiarity with research design, timelines, deliverables, and working with scientists
  • Comfort with managing customer-facing research services or consulting engagements
  • Highly organized and detail-oriented; able to manage complex cross-functional initiatives
  • Strong analytical thinking and strategic judgment
  • Ability to scope work, price and frame service offerings, and match delivery to capacity
  • Excellent communication skills—able to translate research to internal and external audiences
  • Comfortable driving work forward with limited oversight; independently identifies and solves problems
  • Confident and credible in client-facing settings, including executives and strategic partners
  • Skilled at working with account teams, navigating enterprise environments
  • Experience managing internal relationships across product, legal, science, and leadership
  • Able to build trust with scientific advisors and represent the research agenda with nuance
  • High conscientiousness and personal ownership over outcomes
  • Naturally collaborative and comfortable leading cross-functional execution
  • Flexible and adaptable; thrives in ambiguous, high-stakes environments
  • Motivated by the opportunity to help shape and scale a novel research function
Responsibilities
  • Define key Labs service categories and maintain a menu of offerings to support sales and solutioning
  • Scope research engagements in partnership with account teams, including pricing, complexity, and resource fit
  • Represent Labs services in client meetings or enable the field to do so confidently
  • Own and manage intake for all Labs research and service requests, including high-stakes relationships with customers, scientific advisors, and internal stakeholders
  • Lead end-to-end project management for high-complexity research engagements, from planning and IRB approval to launch, rollout, and wrap-up
  • Coordinate closely with account teams to align research with broader partner strategies
  • Coordinate resources (people, systems, time) required to execute research at scale
  • Advocate for research needs across internal functions (e.g., product, engineering, legal, coach ops)
  • Escalate risks, drive clarity, and ensure timely execution across all Labs workstreams
  • Maintain centralized visibility into all Labs research: past, present, and planned. Be able to 'speak the catalog' — confidently represent our research assets and service track record
  • Track study designs, timelines, outcomes, and leads across the Labs portfolio
  • Maintain visibility into where services have been deployed, including usage, satisfaction, and business impact and report outcomes and key learnings to leadership and go-to-market teams
  • Identify and surface findings that can be reused, published, or repurposed to amplify Labs’ scientific impact
  • Continuously refine Labs processes, materials, and offerings based on internal and external feedback
Desired Qualifications
  • Master’s or PhD in behavioral science, data science, public health, or a related field (preferred)
  • Prior experience in lab operations, research program management, or study coordination
  • Familiarity with research design, timelines, deliverables, and working with scientists
  • Comfort with managing customer-facing research services or consulting engagements

BetterUp provides a digital coaching platform for businesses to support leadership development and employee well-being. It connects employees, managers, and executives with professional coaches through a subscription-based service, delivering personalized coaching programs and analytics-driven insights to drive performance and resilience. The platform tailors coaching to each organization’s needs and measures outcomes such as individual and team performance, resilience, optimism, and stress reduction. Key differentiators include its enterprise-focused, analytics-informed approach that scales across many industries, rather than a one-size-fits-all solution. The company’s goal is to help organizations improve leadership capabilities and overall employee experience by delivering measurable improvements in performance and well-being.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

Series E

Total Funding

$579M

Headquarters

San Francisco, California

Founded

2013

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Expanded Workday Peakon integration drives managers to act on feedback.
  • RTO survey highlights demand for BetterUp's resilience coaching amid burnout.
  • John Muir Health calls BetterUp coaching a game changer for leaders.

What critics are saying

  • CoachAccountable undercuts $499/user/month pricing, eroding subscription revenue.
  • Lyra Health poaches NASA with clinically validated therapy, causing 20-30% attrition.
  • Free Google Gemini Copilot AI coaching obsoletes BetterUp's platform in 3-6 months.

What makes BetterUp unique

  • BetterUp invented virtual coaching with 3,000 coaches in 46 languages across 90 countries.
  • BetterUp Manage pioneers AI-powered scalable management development platform.
  • BetterUp MCP server uniquely integrates coaching into AI tools like Claude.

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Benefits

Medical, dental, & vision benefits

Flexible Time Off

Paid parental leave

Unlimited coaching

Wellness programs

Education & learning stipend

Volunteer days

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

0%

2 year growth

0%
BetterUp
Mar 18th, 2026
Kristen Bell, Adam Grant, Brené Brown, Pete Sohn, Derrick Henry and Nick Saban to headline BetterUp's Uplift 2026.

Kristen Bell, Adam Grant, Brené Brown, Pete Sohn, Derrick Henry and Nick Saban to headline BetterUp's Uplift 2026. Registration is Open for Uplift in San Francisco on April 15-16: Attendees will Hear From Agents of Change about Building Lasting Organizations in the Age of AI AUSTIN,TX - March 18, 2026 - BetterUp(R), the AI-powered human transformation company and inventor of virtual coaching, today announced its speaker lineup for Uplift, an immersive two-day summit where global enterprise leaders, leading researchers and cultural visionaries gather to exchange ideas, engage in debate and uncover new insights around AI readiness, leadership, talent retention, growth, and performance. This year's theme, "Agents of Change," spotlights the forward-thinking leaders that are transforming uncertainty into opportunity. In an era of acceleration and AI, bold leadership is the difference between reacting to change and driving it. Uplift will gather a community of change agents who are actively leading transformation. They will engage in rigorous debate, share experiences, and offer learnings to attendees and each other. Luminaries such as actress, philanthropist, and producer Kristen Bell; research professor, bestselling author Brené Brown; organizational psychologist, bestselling author Adam Grant; director of Disney, Pixar's Elemental, Pete Sohn; Baltimore Ravens running back, five-time Pro Bowler and NFL leader in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns Derrick Henry; and world-renowned football coach, sportscaster Nick Saban will take the stage alongside the world's leading voices on workforce performance and AI. "Uplift brings together the leaders who understand that transformation is now a core competency. In an era where AI is flattening technological advantages, human adaptability is the last true edge," said Alexi Robichaux, CEO and Co-founder of BetterUp, "We're honored to host the world's leading changemakers at a moment when bold, human-centered leadership has never mattered more." Attendees will convene for two days of insightful conversations, uncovering strategies to unlock human potential and drive lasting business impact. Additional speakers include Quinetta Roberson, IN-Q, Susan David, Eliza Filby, Dacher Keltner, as well as leaders from Unilever, Google, Lumen, Patagonia, Salesforce, Aon, Pfizer, MIT, Stanford, Oxford and other organizations. Example programming includes: * The courage to transform: A conversation with Adam Grant and Kristen Bell - Actress, producer, and philanthropist, Kristen Bell, joins organizational psychologist and bestselling author, Adam Grant, to explore how BetterUp, Inc. can build cultures where people feel free to be honest, take risks, and grow. In an exclusive live recording for Adam's Re:Thinking podcast, expect a conversation that's as honest as it is useful, with plenty of laughs along the way. * Driving change from the top: The CEO-CHRO playbook - When CEOs and CHROs operate as true partners, transformation accelerates. At Pfizer, bold innovation isn't just happening in the lab. It's happening across the enterprise. From delivering life-saving breakthroughs at unprecedented speed to rearchitecting how the organization operates, Pfizer is setting a new standard for agility and impact. At the center of it all: a CEO and CHRO leading in true partnership. This conversation offers a rare inside look at one of the most powerful dynamics in the C-suite and a roadmap for driving innovation and impact at scale. Speakers include: * Dr. Albert Bourla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Pfizer Inc. * Payal Sahni, Chief People Experience Officer & Executive Vice President, Pfizer Inc. * Moderated by BetterUp CEO and Co-founder Alexi Robichaux * AI: The great equalizer or the great divider? - AI has the potential to democratize talent and accelerate performance, but only if leaders design for it thoughtfully. In this compelling debate, expert voices examine AI's real impact on the workforce and what it means for equity, engagement, and long-term growth. Speakers include: * Andrew McAfee, Principal Research Scientist, AI Thought Leader, and Bestselling Author, MIT * Jeff Hancock, PhD, Director of the Stanford Social Media Lab and Professor, Stanford University * Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, PhD, Professor of Economics & Behavioural Science and Director, Wellbeing Research Centre, University of Oxford * Moderated by BetterUp Chief Scientist and Head of BetterUp Labs Kate Niederhoffer "There's never been a more critical time for people leaders to convene. AI is reshaping everything - how we hire, develop talent, and drive performance," said Jolen Anderson, Chief People and Community Officer at BetterUp, "At Uplift, we're bringing together the sharpest minds and boldest practitioners, creating space for CHROs and people leaders to come together, share what's actually working, and equip leaders to become true agents of change in their organizations." Tickets for Uplift are available for purchase and anyone can tune into the majority of sessions via BetterUp's free online live stream. To see the full agenda and learn more visit BetterUp.com. Media inquiries can be directed to [email protected]. Published March 18, 2026

BetterUp
Oct 9th, 2025
Introducing the BetterUp MCP server: Connect coaching to your AI tools

Introducing the BetterUp MCP server: connect coaching to your AI tools. AI assistants are quickly becoming indispensable partners in the way BetterUp, Inc. live and work. But to unlock their full potential, they need secure, structured access to the specialized platforms BetterUp, Inc. use every day. That's why BetterUp, Inc. is excited to introduce the BetterUp MCP server - its production-ready implementation of the Model Context Protocol (MCP) that connects BetterUp's coaching platform directly into AI assistants like Claude. Today, the BetterUp MCP server works with Claude as the MCP client. BetterUp, Inc. plan to support additional MCP clients - including ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot - as those clients expand their MCP support. Because MCP clients implement the protocol differently, available tools and behaviors may vary by client. MCPs are rapidly becoming the standard way to bridge AI tools with external systems. While many companies are using MCPs to connect infrastructure or developer workflows, BetterUp is among the first to apply MCP to the domain of human growth and coaching. This makes it easier than ever for leaders and employees to integrate personal development into their daily flow of work. What is the BetterUp MCP server? The MCP is an emerging standard that allows AI models to interact with external systems in a secure, structured way. The BetterUp MCP server connects your BetterUp account with supported AI clients (currently: Claude; additional MCP clients to follow), exposing a set of tools your assistant can use on your behalf: * Get coaching support: Access the BetterUp AI Coach instantly and receive relevant resources for your growth journey. * Manage scheduling: Check coach availability and manage bookings directly through your AI assistant. The Human Transformation Platform Process doesn't change your business. People do. Its platform removes the guesswork from developing your people at scale and delivers growth that's proven, predictable, and precise. Schedule a demo How to connect (current support: Claude) Getting started with Claude is simple: * Go to Claude > Settings > Connectors * Click Connect and select the BetterUp connector. Add the BetterUp MCP server: * Individual accounts: Select Custom MCP server, paste https://mcp.betterup.co/mcp, then Save. * Enterprise (org-managed): If custom connectors are restricted, ask your admin to add the BetterUp MCP server using https://mcp.betterup.co/mcp * Once approved, choose BetterUp from your approved connectors list. * Log in with your BetterUp account * Start your conversation with Claude - for example: "Work with my coach on my next growth topic." Note: For Enterprise Claude accounts, creating custom connectors may be restricted to admins. At this time, BetterUp, Inc. has only integrated with Claude; support for other MCP clients will roll out as their implementations mature. A security-first architecture Security is central to the BetterUp MCP server design. BetterUp, Inc. has built a stateless, standards-based system that ensures interactions are always authenticated and authorized, without persisting user data. Key architectural features include: * OAuth 2.1: Modern, secure authentication with automatic discovery endpoints (RFC 8414/9728 compliant). * Stateless design: No server-side storage; tokens are client-managed for each request. * Robust safeguards: Token passthrough prevention and resource-specific binding protect against misuse. Why build an MCP server for coaching? Every company is racing to launch an MCP server, but most focus on technical or infrastructure use cases. BetterUp's MCP server is unique because it enables human transformation, making trusted coaching and growth resources available in the same AI environments people already use for work. With BetterUp MCP, you can: * Get real-time recommendations for resources that fit your development goals * Send a quick message to your human coach, right from your AI assistant * Ask Claude to schedule your next session with a BetterUp coach This is where BetterUp stands apart. By bringing coaching into MCP, BetterUp, Inc. is not just following a trend - BetterUp, Inc. is pioneering how AI can strengthen growth, resilience, and performance in the flow of work. What's next The BetterUp MCP server is live - and this is just the beginning. Its roadmap includes: * Adding support for additional MCP clients (e.g., ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot) and publishing a client-by-client compatibility matrix, since capabilities may differ. * Unlocking richer experiences with MCP Prompts * Enabling deeper workflows like messaging your human coach, booking sessions seamlessly, and surfacing personalized resource recommendations * Exploring future write capabilities, such as updating coaching goals or tracking progress directly through AI assistants As AI assistants become core collaborators, BetterUp MCP ensures that growth and development move right alongside them. Start your integrated coaching journey With BetterUp MCP, professional coaching is only a conversation away. By connecting your AI assistant to BetterUp, you can make learning, reflection, and growth a natural part of your daily work. The Human Transformation Platform. Process doesn't change your business. People do. Its platform removes the guesswork from developing your people at scale and delivers growth that's proven, predictable, and precise.

PR Newswire
Jul 31st, 2025
Unmind Announces $35M In New Funding to Transform Workplace Mental Health

Laura joins from BetterUp, where she was RVP of Sales for Global Strategic Accounts, leading teams across the U.S. and EMEA to support some of the world's largest organizations.

BambuUP
Jan 14th, 2025
Nayya bolsters leadership bench: George Michaels joins as Chief Revenue Officer and Rabia Qari joins as Chief Consumer Officer

Rabia joined Nayya from BetterUp, where she was the General Manager of BetterUp's Direct-to-Consumer business.

BetterUp
Dec 6th, 2024
BetterUp Expands Partnership with Workday to Help Managers Act on Employee Feedback and Drive Measurable Results

First-of-its-kind integration with Workday Peakon Employee Voice will help drive organizational success AUSTIN, Texas - Today BetterUp(R), the human transformation company and inventor of virtual coaching, announced an expanded integration with Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ: WDAY), a leading provider of solutions to help organizations manage their people and money.

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