Agentic UX Designer (Contract)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Agentic UX Designer (Contract)

Company: APPLY

Location: Canada

Job Type: Contractor

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design Operations

Date Posted: September 15, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level to Senior (5-10 years estimated)

Remote Status: Hybrid/Remote Friendly (Preference for ET or PT timezones)

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the vision and design for a flagship, AI-driven Brand Building platform, consolidating 30 legacy tools into a single, intelligent ecosystem.

• Drive the synthesis of hundreds of brand-building jobs-to-be-done (JTBD) into a unified Information Architecture (IA) and intuitive agentic user flows.

• Rapidly build high-fidelity, functional prototypes using code-adjacent AI tools to translate complex designs into actionable engineering specifications.

• Collaborate closely with product managers, engineers, and business leads in a fast-paced, client-facing environment to ensure design alignment and timely delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Agentic UX Designer," the responsibilities heavily lean into product operations and workflow consolidation within a complex enterprise software environment. The emphasis on AI-driven platforms and the consolidation of disparate tools suggests a role that bridges pure UX design with strategic operational thinking. The "Contract" nature and specific end date (end of December 2026) are critical for candidate expectations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Workflow & Architecture Consolidation: Map, synthesize, and design a unified Information Architecture (IA) and agentic user flows from hundreds of brand-building jobs-to-be-done (JTBD) across 30 legacy tools.

• Rapid Prototyping & Technical Translation: Develop high-fidelity, functional prototypes using AI-powered tools (e.g., Claude, v0, Anima, code-based Figma) that effectively communicate design intent and translate directly to engineering teams for implementation.

• Design System Contribution & Evolution: Support the audit of existing legacy design systems and contribute to defining updated component libraries and interaction patterns specifically tailored for agentic AI workflows, considering chat, autonomy, and mixed-modality interactions.

• User Testing & Validation: Design, set up, execute, and analyze rapid usability testing sessions using platforms like Maze to validate complex workflows and iterate quickly to meet critical executive milestones.

• Stakeholder Collaboration & Facilitation: Actively engage with product, engineering, and business teams to align on priorities, facilitate design reviews, manage expectations, and clearly communicate design progress and rationale to both technical and non-technical audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of strategic IA design, hands-on rapid prototyping with emerging AI tools, and critical stakeholder management, all within a compressed contract timeline. The focus on "agentic" implies designing for systems that can act autonomously or semi-autonomously, requiring a different approach to user flows and error handling than traditional UX.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. Experience:

• 5-10 years of professional experience in UX Design, Product Design, or a similar role, with a strong emphasis on complex software or SaaS platform design.

• Proven experience in designing and delivering solutions for AI-driven or agentic workflow environments. Required Skills:

• Agentic UX Expertise: Demonstrated ability to design complex software, SaaS platforms, or agentic/AI-driven workflow environments.

• Rapid AI Prototyping: Proficiency in building interactive prototypes using code-generating rapid prototyping tools such as Claude, v0, Anima, or advanced code-based Figma workflows, effectively bridging the gap between design and development.

• Information Architecture & User Flows: Mastery in analyzing fragmented multi-tool systems and mapping them into streamlined, scalable, and intuitive platform architectures and user journeys.

• Usability Testing & Validation: Hands-on experience conducting and analyzing quantitative/qualitative user research using platforms like Maze to inform design iterations.

• Consulting & Communication: Exceptional ability to operate in a fast-moving, client-facing environment, read stakeholder needs, manage expectations, and present design rationale with clarity and confidence to diverse audiences.

Preferred Skills:

• Design Systems Acumen: Familiarity with design systems and an understanding of how to adapt them for evolving interaction paradigms like chat, autonomy, and mixed-modality interfaces.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams, including product management, engineering, and business stakeholders.

• Brand Building Domain Knowledge: Experience or understanding of brand-building workflows and challenges within CPG, Retail, Sports, or Media industries.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements highlight a specific need for experience with emerging AI prototyping tools and a strong understanding of Information Architecture for complex systems. The "consulting" aspect implies a need for strong interpersonal and presentation skills suitable for client-facing engagements.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase at least 2-3 complex projects demonstrating your ability to consolidate fragmented systems into unified, intuitive user experiences.

• Include case studies that highlight your process for mapping Information Architecture and designing agentic user flows for AI-driven platforms.

• Provide examples of high-fidelity prototypes, ideally created with code-adjacent or AI-powered tools, demonstrating functional interactivity.

• Clearly articulate the problem, your design process, the tools used, your role, and the measurable impact or intended outcomes of your solutions. Process Documentation:

• Detail your approach to synthesizing complex user needs and legacy workflows into cohesive design strategies.

• Illustrate your methodology for rapid prototyping and iterating based on user testing feedback, particularly within AI-centric design contexts.

• Demonstrate how you collaborate with engineering and product teams to ensure design feasibility and timely implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare a portfolio that specifically addresses the integration of AI/agentic capabilities into user experiences and showcases their ability to translate complex requirements into functional prototypes using modern, often code-centric, tools. The emphasis is on process and demonstrable impact within a short timeframe.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• As a contract role in Canada, the estimated salary range for an Agentic UX Designer with 5-10 years of experience, focusing on AI and complex SaaS platforms, could range from CAD $80,000 to CAD $120,000 annually, prorated for the contract duration. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for contract UX/Product Designers in Canada, considering the specialized skills in AI prototyping and workflow consolidation. The final rate will depend on the candidate's specific experience, skill set, and alignment with the project's needs. Benefits:

• Flexible work arrangements (hybrid/remote options).

• Contribution to a modern, AI-native delivery environment.

• Opportunity to work with international brands and gain exposure to cutting-edge ACx solutions.

• Inclusive and safe work community.

• Access to modern tools and systems. Working Hours:

• This is a full-time contract engagement, estimated at 40 hours per week.

• Candidates are preferred to align with ET (Eastern Timezone) or PT (Pacific Timezone) working hours to facilitate collaboration with internal teams and stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary is estimated based on contract rates for experienced UX/Product Designers in Canada, with an uplift for specialized AI/agentic skills and client-facing consulting experience. The benefits are standard for contract roles, with emphasis on the unique aspects of working with APPLY.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Software, Consulting, Digital Transformation, Customer Experience (CX) focused on AI.

Company Size: APPLY is likely a growing mid-sized firm, given its focus on AI-native delivery and partnerships with major global brands like Arc'teryx, NFL, Lululemon, and Kraft Heinz. This size suggests a dynamic environment with opportunities for significant impact.

Founded: Founded in 2019 (based on company website information), APPLY is a relatively young company, indicating a culture that is agile, forward-thinking, and focused on leveraging new technologies like AI.

Team Structure:

• The UX Designer will be embedded within a project team, working closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and Business Leads.

• Collaboration is expected to be cross-functional and fast-paced, characteristic of a consulting or agency-style delivery model.

• The team structure likely supports agile methodologies and rapid iteration cycles. Methodology:

• APPLY specializes in "Agentic Customer Experience (ACx)" leveraging AI for delivery. This suggests a methodology that prioritizes intelligent automation, data-driven insights, and seamless workflow design.

• The approach involves deep domain expertise combined with AI-native delivery capabilities, focusing on turning CX vision into commercial reality.

Company Website: https://applydigital.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: APPLY's focus on "Agentic CX" and its client roster suggest a high-performance culture that values innovation, speed, and client success. The company's relative youth implies a modern approach to technology and work.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-to-senior level individual contributor, focusing on design strategy and execution within a critical project. The "Agentic UX Designer" title, combined with the responsibilities, places it at a level where strategic thinking, technical proficiency, and strong communication are paramount. It's a key role for driving the success of a major platform initiative.

Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a Design Lead, Program Manager, or Product Manager within the project team. They will collaborate daily with engineers and business stakeholders, requiring strong self-management and communication skills.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on the operational efficiency and effectiveness of brand-building activities for APPLY's clients. By consolidating legacy tools and creating intelligent workflows, the designer will enable more streamlined, data-driven, and ultimately more profitable brand operations. The success of the platform directly influences APPLY's ability to deliver value and retain clients.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-driven UX design, agentic systems, and rapid prototyping with emerging AI tools.

• Project Leadership: Gain experience leading design efforts on high-profile, complex projects for major brands.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Enhance understanding of product management, engineering, and business strategy through close collaboration.

• Consulting Acumen: Develop advanced client-facing communication, stakeholder management, and strategic advisory skills.

• Potential for Future Engagements: Successful completion of this contract could lead to further opportunities with APPLY.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are primarily focused on skill development in a cutting-edge field and gaining experience in a high-impact consulting environment. The contract nature means direct career progression within APPLY might be limited beyond the engagement term, but the experience gained will be highly valuable.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: APPLY offers a hybrid/remote work environment. The preference is for candidates based in Canada, aligning with ET or PT timezones. This suggests a distributed team model where effective remote collaboration tools and practices are essential.

Office Location(s): While specific office locations are not detailed, the emphasis on Canada and specific timezones implies a focus on talent within that region. This could mean a distributed Canadian team or specific hubs within major Canadian cities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a dynamic, fast-paced environment that relies heavily on digital collaboration tools for communication, design reviews, and project management.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to modern design and prototyping tools (Figma, Claude, v0, Maze) is critical. The environment will likely be technology-forward, embracing AI and automation.

• Team Interaction: While remote, opportunities for connection and collaboration will be facilitated through regular virtual meetings, design critiques, and team syncs. The success of the role hinges on proactive engagement and clear communication.

Work Schedule:

• This is a full-time contract role, typically around 40 hours per week.

• Flexibility is offered through remote work, but adherence to ET or PT timezones is preferred for effective team collaboration and client interaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is geared towards remote-first or hybrid models, demanding strong self-discipline and excellent virtual communication skills. The focus on specific timezones is to ensure seamless integration with existing teams and client schedules.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application, resume, and portfolio by the recruiting team. Focus on showcasing relevant AI/agentic UX, rapid prototyping, and IA experience.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation with the hiring manager to discuss your experience, skills, and fit for the role and the contract project. Be prepared to elaborate on your portfolio case studies.

• Design/Technical Interview: A session with design or engineering leads to assess your technical skills, design process, and ability to translate complex requirements into functional prototypes. This may involve a design exercise or a deep dive into your portfolio.

• Stakeholder/Team Interview: An opportunity to meet with potential team members and key stakeholders to evaluate cultural fit, collaboration style, and communication effectiveness.

• Final Decision: Based on overall assessment across all stages.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Agentic/AI Focus: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects involving AI, agentic workflows, or complex system integrations.

• Showcase Rapid Prototyping: Demonstrate your proficiency with tools like Claude, v0, or code-based Figma. Include interactive prototypes and explain the technical translation process.

• Detail IA & Flow Design: Clearly present your approach to Information Architecture and user flow mapping for complex, multi-tool environments. Use diagrams and visual aids.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, quantify the results of your work (e.g., improved efficiency, reduced complexity, positive user feedback metrics from Maze).

• Explain Your Role: Be explicit about your contributions, especially in a collaborative or consulting setting.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss how you would approach consolidating 30 legacy tools into a single platform, focusing on IA and user flows.

• Prepare to articulate your strategy for rapid prototyping and validating designs with users under tight deadlines.

• Practice explaining complex design decisions and technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

• Research APPLY's work, particularly their "Agentic Customer Experience" approach and client projects, to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely be rigorous, with a strong emphasis on practical skills in AI prototyping and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments. A well-curated portfolio is crucial for demonstrating these capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Prototyping & Design: Figma (likely with advanced features or code-based workflows), Claude, v0, Anima, or similar code-adjacent AI prototyping tools.

• User Testing & Analytics: Maze (mandatory for rapid usability testing and validation).

• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or similar platforms for remote team interaction.

• Project Management: Tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, or Monday.com are likely used for task tracking and workflow management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data visualization tools may be used indirectly for reporting on user testing results or platform performance, though direct analytics tool proficiency might not be the primary focus for this UX role. CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how design impacts CRM-integrated workflows or marketing automation platforms could be beneficial. The focus is on the front-end user experience of a brand-building platform.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in AI-powered rapid prototyping tools and Maze is a critical technical requirement for this role. Familiarity with Figma and common collaboration/project management tools is also expected.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Agility: A commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AI and delivering solutions at pace, characteristic of a dynamic consulting firm.

• Client-Centricity: A strong focus on understanding and delivering commercial value for ambitious consumer and entertainment brands.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Fostering an environment where cross-functional teams work together openly, sharing progress and challenges.

• Excellence in Delivery: A dedication to high-quality execution and turning CX vision into tangible commercial reality.

• Inclusivity & Safety: A commitment to building a diverse, respectful, and safe community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Close collaboration with Product Managers, Engineers, and Business Leads is essential, requiring effective communication and a shared understanding of project goals.

• Agile & Iterative: The team likely operates with agile principles, emphasizing rapid iteration, feedback loops, and continuous improvement.

• Remote-First Communication: Strong reliance on digital communication channels and a proactive approach to sharing information and seeking input.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at APPLY is likely fast-paced, innovative, and client-focused, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and leveraging AI for delivery. The emphasis on inclusivity is a key cultural pillar.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Consolidating Disparate Systems: The primary challenge is synthesizing 30 legacy tools and hundreds of workflows into a single, coherent, and intelligent ecosystem, requiring significant analytical and design strategy.

• Rapid Development Timeline: The contract nature (ending Dec 2026) necessitates rapid design, prototyping, and iteration cycles to meet executive milestones.

• Designing for Agentic AI: Moving beyond traditional UX to design for AI-driven workflows and autonomous agents presents a novel design challenge.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Balancing the needs and expectations of various stakeholders (product, engineering, business) in a fast-moving client-facing environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Cutting-Edge AI Design: Gaining hands-on experience with emerging AI prototyping tools and designing for agentic systems.

• Complex System Integration: Developing expertise in architecting solutions for large-scale platform consolidation.

• Consulting Experience: Enhancing skills in client management, strategic communication, and delivering impact in a consulting context.

• Exposure to Major Brands: Working on projects for globally recognized brands, offering unique industry insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity to tackle complex design challenges at the forefront of AI-driven CX, providing significant learning and development in a high-demand specialization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to consolidate multiple complex systems or workflows into a single, user-friendly interface. What was your process, and what were the key challenges?" (Focus on IA, user flows, and stakeholder management.)

• "How would you approach designing for an 'agentic' system versus a traditional UI? What are the unique considerations for AI-driven workflows?" (Demonstrate understanding of agentic design principles.)

• "Imagine you have limited time before an executive review. How would you prioritize your design efforts for rapid prototyping and user validation?" (Highlight your ability to work efficiently and effectively under pressure.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about APPLY's focus on Agentic Customer Experience (ACx)?" (Research their website and understand their core value proposition.)

• "How do you ensure alignment and buy-in from diverse stakeholders (product, engineering, business) when presenting design solutions?" (Showcase your communication and negotiation skills.)

• "Describe your experience working in a fast-paced, client-facing consulting environment. How do you manage competing priorities and client expectations?" (Emphasize adaptability and professionalism.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation by project, clearly outlining the problem, your role, process, solutions, and outcomes.

• Highlight AI/Agentic Work: Dedicate significant time to showcasing projects that involve AI, agentic design, or complex system consolidation.

• Demonstrate Prototyping: Walk through interactive prototypes, explaining the tools used (Claude, v0, Figma) and how they facilitated engineering handoff.

• Emphasize IA & Flows: Use visual aids (IA diagrams, user flow maps) to clearly explain your architectural decisions.

• Quantify Impact: Present data and metrics whenever possible to demonstrate the value and effectiveness of your designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a strong blend of technical design skills, strategic thinking, and excellent communication, particularly in the context of AI and complex system design.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Agentic UX Designer (Contract) position:

• Submit your application through the provided Lever link, ensuring your resume and portfolio are up-to-date and tailored to the role.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature projects demonstrating expertise in AI-driven UX, rapid prototyping with tools like Claude/v0, and complex Information Architecture. Prepare 2-3 key case studies for in-depth discussion.

• Resume Optimization: Highlight keywords related to UX Design, Agentic AI, Rapid Prototyping, Information Architecture, SaaS, Maze, and stakeholder management. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, especially for complex system consolidations and AI-centric projects. Prepare to discuss your approach to rapid prototyping and user validation using tools like Maze.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research APPLY's mission, their ACx approach, and their client work. Understand how your skills can contribute to their vision and client success.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.