Advanced Specialist, UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Advanced Specialist, UX Designer

Company: Pearson

Location: Hoboken, New Jersey, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: UX/Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-06-22

Experience Level: Senior (5-8 years implied)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the end-to-end design of complex user experiences for higher education products, encompassing both web and mobile platforms.

• Drive the creation and maintenance of scalable design systems, ensuring consistency, accessibility, and efficient implementation.

• Lead user research initiatives, from planning and facilitation to synthesis, translating insights into actionable design and product recommendations.

• Champion user-centered design principles and advocate for user needs throughout the product development lifecycle, influencing product strategy and direction.

• Design and document AI-driven teaching and learning experiences, with a strong emphasis on pedagogical effectiveness and ethical considerations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The title "Advanced Specialist, UX Designer" coupled with the description mentioning "Senior UX Designer or Senior User Experience Designer" and a requirement for 5-8 years of experience indicates a senior-level individual contributor role. The emphasis on AI, higher education, and pedagogical principles suggests a specialized focus within the UX design field.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and deliver end-to-end user experiences across web and mobile platforms, from initial concept and user flows through to detailed specifications for engineering handoff.

• Develop high-fidelity designs, including interactive prototypes, that clearly communicate design intent and facilitate user testing and stakeholder reviews.

• Contribute to and evolve the company's design system by creating new patterns and components, ensuring scalability, accessibility, and cross-platform consistency.

• Plan, conduct, and synthesize user research and usability testing to inform design decisions and validate solutions with users.

• Collaborate closely with product managers, content strategists, researchers, and engineers to define problems, identify opportunities, and establish clear success metrics for product initiatives.

• Present design work and strategic recommendations to senior leadership, building consensus and influencing product direction.

• Mentor junior designers through design critiques, pair designing, and constructive feedback to foster their professional growth.

• Design AI-powered learning experiences, considering ethical implications, pedagogical effectiveness, and the principles of adaptive and agentic learning.

• Leverage data and analytics to validate design decisions and drive iterative improvements through A/B testing and experimentation.

• Facilitate design workshops and collaborative sessions to build shared understanding and achieve alignment among cross-functional stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on design execution, strategic thinking, leadership (mentorship), and deep collaboration within a product team structure. The focus on AI and higher education signifies a specialized domain.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Psychology, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for this level of role. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience:

• 5-8 years of professional experience in Product Design, UX Design, or a similar role.

• Proven track record of designing and shipping successful digital products, demonstrated through a strong portfolio.

• Experience designing AI-powered experiences is a significant plus.

• Experience working within the higher education sector or with educational technology is highly desirable. Required Skills:

• User-Centered Design: Deep understanding and application of user-centered design principles and methodologies.

• UX Design Expertise: Proficiency in creating user flows, wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes.

• User Research & Usability Testing: Experience planning, conducting, and synthesizing user research and usability studies.

• Design Systems: Ability to contribute to, maintain, and advocate for design system best practices, ensuring scalability and consistency.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work effectively with product management, engineering, content, and research teams.

• Communication & Presentation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present design rationale and strategic recommendations to diverse audiences, including senior leadership.

• Problem Framing: Skill in reducing ambiguity, identifying core user problems, and defining clear paths forward.

Preferred Skills:

• AI/ML Design: Experience designing for AI-driven products, understanding of machine learning concepts in a user context.

• Higher Education/EdTech: Familiarity with the educational landscape, learning science, and pedagogical principles.

• Accessibility Standards: Strong knowledge of WCAG and best practices for designing inclusive digital products.

• Data Analysis & Experimentation: Experience using data, A/B testing, and experimentation to inform and validate design decisions.

• Mentorship: Experience guiding and mentoring junior designers.

• Figma/Sketch/Adobe Creative Suite: Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a senior-level designer who is not only skilled in craft but also possesses strategic thinking, leadership potential, and domain-specific knowledge in AI and education. The portfolio is crucial for demonstrating impact.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated collection of 3-5 impactful projects showcasing end-to-end UX design process from problem definition to shipped product.

• Each case study should clearly articulate the user problem, your role and responsibilities, design process, key decisions, and measurable outcomes (e.g., impact on user engagement, learning outcomes, business metrics).

• Demonstrations of strategic thinking, problem-solving, and user advocacy are critical.

• Include examples of high-fidelity designs, prototypes, user flows, and research insights.

• Highlight contributions to design systems, accessibility considerations, and collaboration with engineering.

• For AI-focused projects, showcase understanding of AI's role in the user experience and its ethical implications. Process Documentation:

• Portfolios should effectively document the design process, illustrating how user research, ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration were utilized to arrive at the final solution.

• Emphasize how design decisions were informed by data, user feedback, and business objectives.

• Showcase an understanding of agile development processes and how design integrates within them.

📝 Enhancement Note: The expectation is for a portfolio that tells a story of impact, demonstrating not just design skills but also strategic thinking, problem-solving capabilities, and the ability to drive measurable results within a product context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $110,000 - $135,000 USD per year. This range is a statutory requirement for multiple US states and reflects the senior specialist level for this role in the Hoboken, NJ area.

Benefits:

• Eligibility to participate in an annual incentive program.

• Comprehensive benefits package as detailed on the Pearson benefits website.

• Opportunities for professional development and growth within a global learning company.

• Hybrid work environment offering a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week (standard full-time). Flexibility may be available, typical for hybrid roles, but core hours for collaboration will be expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is explicitly provided and is a key piece of information for candidates. The mention of an incentive program and access to a dedicated benefits website provides further clarity on compensation and perks.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Education Technology, Publishing, AI in Learning. Pearson is a global leader in providing educational content, assessments, and digital learning solutions.

Company Size: 10,000+ employees (global). This indicates a large, established organization with opportunities for impact and career progression, but also a need for clear processes and structured collaboration.

Founded: 1844. Pearson has a long history, now undergoing significant digital and AI transformation, particularly in its Higher Education division.

Team Structure:

• This role is part of a product team, likely embedded within a specific product area focused on higher education.

• The team consists of Product Managers, UX Designers (including this role), Researchers, Content Strategists, and Engineers.

• Collaboration is a core tenet, with designers expected to partner closely across disciplines.

• Designers may report into a UX/Design Lead or Manager within the product organization. Methodology:

• User-Centered Design: A strong emphasis on understanding user needs through research and testing.

• Agile Development: Design work is integrated into agile sprints, requiring close collaboration with engineering and product management.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizing analytics and A/B testing to inform and iterate on designs.

• Design Systems: A commitment to building and leveraging a robust design system for efficiency and consistency.

• AI Integration: A forward-thinking approach to incorporating AI ethically and effectively into learning experiences.

Company Website: https://www.pearson.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Pearson's focus on digital and AI transformation in education is a key differentiator. The company culture values collaboration, user advocacy, and a commitment to improving learning outcomes through technology.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an "Advanced Specialist," aligning with a Senior UX Designer level. It implies a high degree of autonomy, ownership over significant product areas, and the ability to influence strategy.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will likely report to a Design Manager or Director within the product organization, and will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads within their assigned product team.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's impact is directly tied to improving the learning experience for higher education students and instructors. This includes enhancing user engagement, facilitating learning outcomes, driving adoption of digital tools, and contributing to Pearson's mission of shaping education and opportunity. The role's focus on AI-driven learning means impacting the future of educational technology.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in Design: Opportunity to lead design for major product initiatives, mentor junior designers, and contribute significantly to the design system.

• Domain Expertise: Deepen expertise in AI in education, learning science, and higher education product development.

• Strategic Influence: Grow influence on product strategy and roadmap through design leadership and advocacy.

• Career Progression: Potential to move into lead design roles, management positions, or specialized AI design roles within Pearson.

• Professional Development: Access to learning resources, conferences, and internal training opportunities offered by Pearson.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within a specialized and impactful area of UX design, with opportunities for both technical and leadership development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. This means a mix of in-office collaboration and remote work.

Office Location(s): Hoboken, New Jersey. This location likely offers a modern workspace designed for collaboration.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model necessitates effective collaboration tools and practices, with designated in-office days likely focused on team syncs, workshops, and brainstorming.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma, Sketch, Adobe Suite), prototyping tools, and collaboration platforms.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with product teams, design critiques, and mentorship sessions. The company culture emphasizes openness and shared learning.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, with flexibility inherent in a hybrid arrangement. This allows for focused work time, balancing individual tasks with team collaboration needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model in Hoboken suggests a workplace that values in-person connection for strategic work and team building, while offering flexibility for individual focus.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and alignment with company culture.

• Portfolio Review: Presentation of your design portfolio to a panel, likely including design leads, product managers, and potentially engineers. Be prepared to walk through 2-3 key projects in detail, focusing on your process, decision-making, and impact.

• Design Challenge/Exercise: A take-home assignment or a live design exercise to assess problem-solving skills, design thinking, and ability to articulate rationale under timed conditions. This might involve a specific problem related to AI in education.

• Behavioral & Situational Interviews: Questions focused on collaboration, leadership, handling challenges, and your approach to user advocacy and design quality.

• Final Round: Interviews with senior leadership to assess strategic thinking, cultural fit, and overall alignment with the role and company vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Structure your case studies as narratives that highlight your journey from problem to solution and impact.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., increased user engagement, improved learning outcomes, reduced task completion time).

• Show Your Process: Clearly articulate your design process, including research, ideation, iteration, and collaboration.

• Highlight AI/EdTech Experience: If you have relevant experience, make it prominent.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, trade-offs, and how you handle feedback.

• Tailor to Pearson: Research Pearson's mission and current AI initiatives to align your examples.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the context of higher education and the role of AI in learning.

• Practice articulating your design thinking process concisely.

• Be ready to discuss trade-offs, constraints, and how you would prioritize solutions.

• Consider how you would approach ethical design challenges related to AI.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely rigorous, emphasizing the candidate's ability to demonstrate strategic thinking, a strong design process, and measurable impact, particularly within the context of AI and education.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly likely), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, XD).

• User Research & Testing: Tools such as UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, or internal research platforms.

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack, Microsoft Teams.

• Design System Management: Tools for documenting and managing design tokens, components, and guidelines.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with web analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) and A/B testing tools (e.g., Optimizely, VWO) is beneficial for understanding user behavior and validating designs. CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct requirement for UX design, understanding how user data is managed in CRMs (like Salesforce) and how automation impacts user journeys can be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is almost a given for modern UX roles. Experience with design system tools and analytics platforms will be a strong asset.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User Advocacy: A deep commitment to understanding and championing the needs of learners and educators.

• Craft Excellence: A dedication to high-quality design, attention to detail, and polished execution.

• Collaboration: A belief in the power of cross-functional teamwork to achieve better outcomes.

• Innovation & Curiosity: An openness to exploring new technologies like AI and applying them thoughtfully to enhance learning.

• Impact & Purpose: A drive to make a meaningful contribution to education and human potential.

• Persistence & Execution: The ability to navigate complex challenges and deliver results.

Collaboration Style:

• Embedded Teams: Designers are part of product teams, working daily with PMs, Engineers, and Researchers.

• Shared Ownership: A culture where team members feel responsible for the success of the product.

• Open Feedback: Encouragement of constructive critique and open communication to improve design and product quality.

• Data-Informed: Decisions are grounded in user research, analytics, and business goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes a mission-driven approach, with a strong focus on user outcomes, collaborative problem-solving, and leveraging technology for positive impact in education.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for AI Ethics and Pedagogy: Navigating the complexities of AI in education, ensuring ethical use, and aligning design with robust pedagogical principles.

• Balancing Innovation with Scalability: Developing cutting-edge AI-driven features while ensuring they integrate seamlessly into existing products and a scalable design system.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Achieving consensus and driving alignment across diverse stakeholders with varying priorities and technical constraints.

• Measuring Impact: Defining and tracking meaningful metrics for learning experiences, especially those involving AI.

• Hybrid Work Dynamics: Effectively collaborating and maintaining team cohesion in a hybrid work environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI in Education Specialization: Becoming a leader in designing AI-powered learning experiences.

• Mentorship and Leadership: Opportunities to mentor junior designers and potentially lead design initiatives.

• Exposure to Global Education Market: Gaining insights into diverse learning needs and educational systems worldwide.

• Continuous Learning: Access to internal resources, workshops, and potentially external training to stay abreast of UX and AI advancements.

• Career Path Development: Clear pathways for advancement within Pearson's design or product organizations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents significant challenges in a rapidly evolving field, offering substantial growth opportunities for designers passionate about the future of AI in education.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex user problem you solved using design. What was your process, what were the trade-offs, and what was the measurable impact?" (Focus on strategic thinking, process, and outcomes.)

• "How would you approach designing an AI-powered feature for personalized learning that also addresses ethical considerations and pedagogical effectiveness?" (Tests domain knowledge and ethical design thinking.)

• "Walk us through a project where you had to gain buy-in from senior leadership or multiple stakeholders for your design recommendations. How did you build conviction?" (Assesses communication, influence, and stakeholder management.)

• "How do you balance the needs of users with business goals and technical constraints in your design process?" (Evaluates pragmatism and holistic problem-solving.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Pearson's mission and our work in AI for education?" (Tests research and genuine interest.)

• "Describe a time you had to collaborate closely with engineers or product managers. What made that collaboration successful?" (Assesses teamwork and cross-functional skills.)

• "How do you ensure accessibility and inclusivity in your designs?" (Probes commitment to inclusive design practices.)

• "How do you stay updated on the latest trends in UX design, AI, and education technology?" (Indicates continuous learning.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Relevant Projects: Choose projects that best showcase your skills in end-to-end design, AI/EdTech experience (if applicable), design systems, and strategic impact.

• Focus on the "Why": Clearly articulate the problem, your vision, and the user/business value.

• Demonstrate Process, Not Just Polish: Show your thinking, iterations, and how you arrived at the solution, not just the final beautiful screens.

• Quantify Impact: Use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your decisions, research findings, and technical considerations.

• Practice Your Narrative: Rehearse your presentation to ensure a smooth, engaging, and concise delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, a robust and adaptable design process, strong collaborative skills, and a deep understanding of the educational technology landscape, particularly concerning AI.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Advanced Specialist, UX Designer position:

• Navigate to the Pearson careers portal via the provided URL and submit your application.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating end-to-end design process, strategic impact, and any experience with AI, education technology, or design systems. Ensure case studies clearly articulate problems, your role, process, and quantifiable outcomes.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize keywords from the job description, such as "UX Design," "Product Design," "User Research," "Design Systems," "AI," "Higher Education," and "cross-functional collaboration." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process and decision-making for your portfolio projects. Prepare for behavioral questions related to collaboration, problem-solving, and leadership. Research Pearson's mission and current AI initiatives in education.

• Company Research: Gain a deep understanding of Pearson's commitment to AI transformation in higher education, their user base, and their overall company values. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details, especially regarding specific interview stages and portfolio requirements, should be verified directly with the hiring organization or recruiter.