Design and UX Senior Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Manager, UX Design

Company: Stride, Inc.

Location: US - VA - Remote (Nationwide)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Design & User Experience Operations (GTM/Product Focus)

Date Posted: June 15, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5+ years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and manage a team of UX Designers, fostering a user-centered design methodology to deliver innovative solutions for educational applications.

• Drive the end-to-end design process, from initial user research and concept development to wireframing, prototyping, and implementation oversight.

• Act as a key leader within Agile/Scrum teams, partnering with Product Owners and cross-functional stakeholders to define and execute product roadmaps.

• Ensure design solutions adhere to accessibility standards (WCAG 2.0), mobile-friendly guidelines, and student data privacy regulations.

• Champion the continuous improvement of UX practices and contribute to the growth of the User Experience community within Stride, Inc.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is "Design and UX Senior Manager," its responsibilities heavily involve managing design processes, aligning with product strategy, and ensuring successful product delivery within an agile framework. This positions it within the broader "Operations" umbrella from a GTM and Product perspective, focusing on the operational execution of design strategy and team leadership. The emphasis on user research, data-driven decisions, and cross-functional collaboration aligns with operational excellence in product development.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Development:

  • Directly supervise and manage a team of 6-12 UX Designers and occasional flex contributors.
  • Provide guidance on design craft, research methodologies, and quality standards.
  • Set individual and team goals, conduct performance reviews, and actively support career development for team members.
  • Foster a collaborative and high-performing design team environment.

• User-Centered Design Strategy & Execution:

  • Apply a user-centered design methodology to create successful, business-aligned solutions for education-related applications.
  • Translate user needs, business goals, and technical constraints into intuitive and effective user experiences.
  • Initiate and conduct user research, interviews, and data collection to ground design decisions in evidence.
  • Develop process maps, user flows, data flows, and use cases to clearly define problems and system interactions.
  • Design functionality that meets user needs and adheres to established standards for navigation, layout, and labeling.

• Agile Team Collaboration & Product Delivery:

  • Act as the Lead UX Designer on Scrum teams, partnering closely with Product Owners to understand vision, business value, and user stories.
  • Participate actively in Agile ceremonies, including sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and backlog refinement.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (Product Management, Engineering, Visual Designers, Testers) to define functional requirements, dependencies, and design solution approaches.
  • Deliver necessary design artifacts, including flow diagrams, conceptual designs, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and detailed specifications.

• Design Implementation & Quality Assurance:

  • Provide light front-end development support and collaborate closely with developers to ensure faithful and feasible implementation of designs.
  • Review implemented designs for adherence to specifications, style guides, and accessibility standards.
  • Incorporate feedback from usability testing and user research to iterate on designs and improve user satisfaction.
  • Ensure designs comply with governance, compliance, and student data privacy requirements.

• Process Improvement & Knowledge Sharing:

  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of the scrum team's agile processes and overall User Experience practices at Stride.

  • Proactively support knowledge-sharing initiatives within and outside the UX team.

  • Identify and develop new design patterns and best practices as needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of direct design work, team management, and operational process leadership within an agile framework. The emphasis on "leading a team," "determining schedules for deliverables," and "partnering with product owners to understand vision and business value" directly points to operational management of the design function and its integration into the GTM product lifecycle.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in User Experience Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Product Design, or a closely related field. Experience:

• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in planning and executing successful web applications or software solutions.

• Proven experience in user-centered design methodologies and translating user needs into interactive experiences.

• Demonstrated experience working within Agile/Scrum development environments.

• Experience leading and mentoring design teams is essential for this Senior Manager role. Required Skills:

• User-Centered Design (UCD): Deep understanding and practical application of UCD principles.

• UX Research & Synthesis: Ability to plan and conduct user research (interviews, data collection) and synthesize findings into actionable design insights.

• Information Architecture & Design: Skill in designing complex systems, visual representations of relationships, data, and task flows.

• Wireframing & Prototyping: Proficiency in creating wireframes, interactive prototypes, and detailed specifications.

• Agile/Scrum Methodologies: Experience participating in and leading within an Agile/Scrum framework.

• People Leadership: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop a team of designers.

• Responsive & Mobile Design: Strong understanding of designing for various devices and screen sizes.

• Communication: Excellent written, oral, and diagrammatic communication skills for effective stakeholder engagement.

• Design Software Proficiency: Adeptness with relevant design and information flow software, such as Sketch or Axure.

Preferred Skills:

• Accessibility Standards: Experience designing for accessibility, specifically WCAG 2.0 guidelines.

• Front-End Development Familiarity: Familiarity with HTML/CSS and component-based UI development.

• Geographically-Dispersed Team Collaboration: Experience working effectively with remote and distributed teams.

• Education Technology Domain: Experience designing for educational applications or the EdTech sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Other Required Qualifications" section emphasizes hands-on design skills and process familiarity, while the "Supervisory Responsibilities" section and the explicit mention of leading a team solidify the management aspect. The combination of these requirements suggests a candidate who can both strategize and execute, while also developing talent.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies of End-to-End Design Process: Showcase a minimum of 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating your involvement in the complete design lifecycle, from problem definition and user research to final implementation and iteration.

• Problem-Solving & Solution Design: Present examples of how you have tackled complex user problems and translated them into elegant, effective design solutions for web or mobile applications.

• User Research & Data Integration: Include evidence of how user research, data analysis, and user feedback have informed and driven your design decisions.

• Agile Workflow Integration: Demonstrate how your design process integrates seamlessly with Agile/Scrum methodologies, including collaboration with Product Owners and Developers.

• Design System/Pattern Development (if applicable): Showcase instances where you have contributed to or led the creation of design systems, style guides, or reusable UI patterns.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design and Optimization: Provide examples of process maps, user flows, and data flows developed to illustrate complex systems and user journeys.

• Usability Testing & Iteration: Document your approach to conducting usability testing and how you use the findings to iterate and improve designs.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Illustrate how you have documented and facilitated communication and collaboration with product management, engineering, and other stakeholders throughout the design process.

• Accessibility & Compliance Documentation: If applicable, show how you have documented design considerations for accessibility (WCAG 2.0) and ensured compliance with relevant regulations (e.g., student data privacy).

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Manager role, the portfolio should not only showcase individual design skill but also leadership in process, team guidance, and strategic integration. The focus should be on demonstrating the impact of their design leadership and operational efficiency on product outcomes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The anticipated salary range for this role is $93,328.50 to $130,000 per year.

📝 Enhancement Note: This salary range is based on the provided information and industry benchmarks for Senior UX Design Managers in the US. Factors influencing an individual's specific compensation within this range include geographic location (though remote, some companies adjust based on cost of living), depth of relevant experience, specific qualifications, and the expected quality and quantity of work. The inclusion of a bonus eligibility further enhances the total compensation potential.

Benefits:

• Health Benefits: Comprehensive health insurance plans.

• Retirement Contributions: Support for retirement savings, likely through a 401(k) plan with company matching.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous paid time off for vacation, personal days, and holidays.

• Bonus Eligibility: Potential to receive performance-based bonuses.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for learning and growth, as implied by the company's commitment to continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time position, typically requiring approximately 40 hours per week.

• As a remote role, there is inherent flexibility in scheduling, though core hours for team collaboration and sprint participation will be expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits listed are standard for a full-time role at a company of this size and scope. The "Bonus Eligibility" and "Professional Development" aspects are particularly relevant to senior roles seeking growth and recognition.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Education Technology (EdTech)

Company Size: Stride, Inc. is a significant player in the EdTech sector, likely employing hundreds to thousands of individuals (based on typical structures for companies in this space, though specific size not provided). This size suggests a structured environment with established processes but also opportunities for impact.

Founded: While the founding date is not explicitly provided, Stride, Inc. has a history of providing online education solutions, indicating a mature organization with established methodologies and a long-term vision in the digital learning space.

Team Structure:

• UX Design Team: Reports to the Senior Manager, UX Design. This team comprises UX Designers and occasional flex contributors responsible for the user experience of Stride's educational applications.

• Scrum Teams: The Senior Manager will act as a Lead UX Designer on specific Scrum teams, which are cross-functional units including Product Owners, Developers, Testers, and other subject matter experts.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Close collaboration with Product Management, Engineering, IT Managers, and senior executives is a core aspect of the role, emphasizing alignment with organizational objectives.

Methodology:

• User-Centered Design: The fundamental approach guiding all design activities, ensuring user needs are paramount.

• Agile/Scrum: The primary development methodology employed, requiring iterative development, frequent feedback loops, and collaborative teamwork.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasis on using user research, data collection, and usability testing to inform design choices.

• Continuous Improvement: A commitment to refining agile processes, UX practices, and knowledge sharing.

Company Website: stridelearning.com (Inferred from domain_derived)

📝 Enhancement Note: Stride, Inc.'s focus on education technology implies a mission-driven culture centered on improving learning outcomes. The company's scale suggests a need for robust operational processes to manage product development and user experience across a diverse range of educational applications.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Managerial role within the Design and UX function, operating at a strategic and operational leadership level. It involves direct people management and significant influence over product development processes.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Manager, UX Design will report to a higher-level executive within Product, Technology, or a dedicated Design leadership role (e.g., Director/VP of Product or Design).

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on the success of Stride's educational applications by ensuring they are user-friendly, effective, and meet the needs of students, educators, and administrators. This operational excellence in UX directly contributes to user adoption, retention, and overall educational outcomes, which are key business metrics.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into Director-level roles overseeing larger design teams or broader product experience functions.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape the overall UX strategy and design vision for Stride's product portfolio.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Possibility to lead initiatives that span multiple departments, enhancing influence and visibility.

• Domain Expertise: Deepen expertise in the EdTech sector, becoming a recognized leader in UX for educational products.

• Mentorship & Coaching: Further develop coaching and mentorship skills by guiding and developing a team of talented designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for career progression within design leadership and product management. The emphasis on operational execution within an agile framework provides opportunities to hone skills in process management, team development, and strategic alignment, all critical for advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position, with no requirement for physical office presence.

Office Location(s): The role is open to residents across the 50 United States and Washington D.C.

Workspace Context:

• Virtual Collaboration: The primary mode of interaction will be through digital tools, requiring strong communication and collaboration skills in a virtual setting.

• Technology & Tools: Access to necessary design software (Sketch, Axure), collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom), and project management tools (e.g., Jira) will be provided or expected.

• Team Interaction: Regular virtual meetings, design reviews, and stand-ups will facilitate interaction with the design team, scrum teams, and other stakeholders.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time, approximately 40 hours per week.

• While remote, adherence to a structured work schedule for effective team collaboration and project delivery is expected. Flexibility in daily hours may be possible, but alignment with core team working hours is crucial for Agile ceremonies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature of the role necessitates a self-disciplined approach to work and a high level of comfort with virtual communication and collaboration tools. The company's focus on education implies a professional and mission-oriented work environment, even in a remote setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest.

• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion with the Senior Manager or Director to explore experience, leadership philosophy, and approach to UX challenges.

• Portfolio Review & Design Exercise: A presentation of your portfolio, focusing on key case studies that demonstrate your process, leadership, and impact. This may also include a take-home design challenge or an on-the-spot problem-solving exercise related to UX strategy or team management.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Product Management, Engineering, and potentially other design leads to assess collaboration skills and strategic alignment.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior executive (e.g., VP of Product/Design) for final assessment and cultural alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Leadership & Impact: As a Senior Manager, emphasize your role in leading teams, influencing strategy, and driving measurable outcomes, not just individual design contributions.

• Structure Case Studies: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role and responsibilities, the process undertaken (research, ideation, design), the solutions developed, and the results/impact achieved. Quantify impact whenever possible.

• Highlight Process & Methodology: Explain your approach to user research, design thinking, and Agile integration. Show how you manage the design process operationally.

• Showcase People Management: If possible, include examples of how you have mentored designers, improved team processes, or fostered a positive team culture.

• Tailor to Stride: Research Stride's products and mission. Frame your portfolio examples to demonstrate how your skills and experience align with their educational technology focus and user base.

Challenge Preparation:

• UX Strategy: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach defining UX strategy for a new educational product or feature, considering user needs, business goals, and competitive landscape.

• Team Management Scenarios: Anticipate questions about managing team conflicts, prioritizing design work, providing constructive feedback, and fostering designer growth.

• Agile Integration: Be ready to articulate how UX integrates into an Agile team, managing timelines, dependencies, and stakeholder expectations.

• Problem Solving: Prepare to walk through your thought process for solving a hypothetical UX problem relevant to the education sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a Senior Manager role will heavily weigh leadership, strategic thinking, and operational execution. Demonstrating an ability to manage both people and processes effectively within an Agile framework will be critical.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Sketch, Axure (explicitly mentioned), Figma, Adobe XD (common alternatives).

• User Research Platforms: UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Qualtrics (for surveys).

• Wireframing Tools: Balsamiq, Miro (for collaborative whiteboarding).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel.

• Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI, Looker.

• A/B Testing Tools: Optimizely, Google Optimize.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management/Agile Tools: Jira, Asana, Trello.

• Collaboration Platforms: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom.

• Documentation & Knowledge Sharing: Confluence, Notion.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with industry-standard UX design and prototyping tools is essential. Familiarity with the broader product development toolchain, including project management and collaboration platforms, is also expected for effective operational integration.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of students, educators, and parents.

• Innovation & Excellence: Driving forward with creative solutions and maintaining high standards in design craft and execution.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Working effectively across teams, sharing knowledge openly, and fostering a supportive environment.

• Data-Driven Approach: Utilizing research and analytics to inform decisions and measure the impact of design.

• Continuous Improvement: A proactive mindset towards refining processes, skills, and product quality.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamlessly integrating UX design into the broader product development lifecycle, working closely with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders.

• Feedback Culture: Encouraging open and constructive feedback among team members and with stakeholders to drive iterative improvement.

• Agile Cadence: Participating actively in Agile ceremonies to ensure alignment and efficient workflow.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively contributing to the UX community within Stride through presentations, documentation, and mentorship.

📝 Enhancement Note: Stride's mission-driven focus in education likely fosters a culture that values impact, learning, and collaboration. The emphasis on user-centered design is paramount, supported by agile operational practices.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Navigating the complexities of aligning diverse user requirements with business objectives and technical constraints within an educational context.

• Managing Remote Teams: Effectively leading and motivating a geographically dispersed team, maintaining team cohesion and high performance.

• Navigating Complex Educational Systems: Understanding the unique challenges and requirements of the education sector, including diverse user groups, regulatory environments, and learning methodologies.

• Driving UX Maturity: Continuing to elevate the importance and practice of UX within a growing organization and across various product lines.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Leadership Training: Opportunities to enhance people management, strategic planning, and operational leadership skills.

• EdTech Industry Insights: Gaining deeper expertise in the rapidly evolving educational technology landscape.

• UX Innovation: Exploring and implementing cutting-edge UX research methodologies and design techniques.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Developing a broader understanding of product management, engineering, and business strategy through close collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a senior leadership role in a dynamic industry. The growth opportunities are geared towards expanding leadership capabilities and industry expertise.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your philosophy for leading a UX design team, especially in a remote environment. How do you foster collaboration and ensure high-quality output?"

  • Preparation: Focus on your leadership style, methods for remote team engagement, performance management strategies, and how you foster a strong design culture.

• "How do you approach balancing user needs with business objectives and technical feasibility when designing for complex educational applications?"

  • Preparation: Be ready to discuss your process for stakeholder alignment, prioritization frameworks, and how you advocate for the user while respecting constraints. Use a case study example.

• "Walk me through a complex project where you had to integrate UX design into an Agile/Scrum process. What were the key challenges, and how did you overcome them?"

  • Preparation: Select a strong case study from your portfolio that highlights your role in Agile ceremonies, collaboration with developers, and adapting to iterative development. Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Stride's mission in education technology, and how do you see UX contributing to that mission?"

  • Preparation: Research Stride's products, values, and recent news. Connect your passion for UX with their educational goals.

• "How do you ensure accessibility and inclusivity in your design processes, especially for diverse student populations?"

  • Preparation: Discuss your understanding of WCAG guidelines and your practical experience in designing for accessibility and diverse user needs.

• "What is your experience with student data privacy regulations, and how do you ensure designs comply with these requirements?"

  • Preparation: Demonstrate awareness of data privacy concerns in the EdTech space and how you incorporate these into design decisions. Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Curate Select Case Studies: Choose 2-3 of your most impactful projects that showcase leadership, complex problem-solving, and successful product outcomes.

• Structure for Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate: the problem/opportunity, your role and responsibilities (especially leadership aspects), the methodologies used (research, design, Agile), the solutions, and the measurable results.

• Highlight Operational Aspects: Emphasize how you managed the design process, collaborated with cross-functional teams, and ensured efficient delivery within the Agile framework.

• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your decision-making process, challenges faced, and how you would apply your experience to Stride's specific context.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Manager role, the interview will focus on strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, and operational execution. Be prepared to discuss your management style, your approach to process optimization, and your ability to drive impact through your team.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design and UX Senior Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link: https://strideinc.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/SK/job/US-Nationwide---Remote/Design-and-UX-Senior-Manager_JR115156

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your experience in UX leadership, people management, Agile/Scrum environments, and educational technology (if applicable). Use keywords from the job description such as "User-Centered Design," "UX Research," "Agile," "Scrum," "Team Leadership," and "Responsive Design."

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a portfolio that clearly showcases your leadership in design projects, focusing on complex problem-solving, team management, and measurable impact. Be ready to present 2-3 detailed case studies.

• Research Stride, Inc.: Familiarize yourself with their mission, products, and values. Understand their commitment to education and how UX plays a role in their success.

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare for behavioral and situational questions related to leadership, team management, UX strategy, and Agile processes. Practice articulating your portfolio case studies concisely and impactfully.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details, particularly regarding salary ranges and specific benefits, should be verified directly with Stride, Inc. during the application or interview process.