Financial Services - Senior Manager - Tax Technology & Transformation - UX designer - EDGE

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Manager - Tax Technology & Transformation (UX Designer)

Company: EY

Location: Austin, Texas, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Tax Technology & Transformation / UX Design

Date Posted: April 20, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This Senior Manager role is pivotal in driving the evolution of the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) to accelerate the delivery of innovative tax technology solutions within EY's Financial Services Organization (FSO).

• The position focuses on creating exceptional user experiences through advanced UX/UI design, directly impacting client satisfaction and the adoption of technology investments in the tax domain.

• The role involves leading teams, managing complex projects, and fostering a collaborative environment between design, engineering, and product teams to bridge strategic vision with practical execution.

• As a key member of the EY EDGE practice, the Senior Manager will be instrumental in enhancing service delivery, growth, and the overall technological advancement of tax services for financial services clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "Senior Manager" title and the focus on leading teams, managing budgets, and client relationships within a specialized practice (EY EDGE), this role is positioned as a leadership opportunity requiring both deep technical UX/UI expertise and strong operational management capabilities. The integration into the Financial Services Organization (FSO) and the specific mention of "Tax Technology & Transformation" indicate a specialized domain focus.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic evolution and implementation of the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) to expedite the delivery of innovative tax technology solutions from concept to engineering.

• Design, develop, and iterate on workflows, prototypes, and visual design artifacts that facilitate rapid validation and ensure build readiness for new user experiences.

• Actively partner with engineering and product management teams, fostering direct collaboration to bridge functional gaps and achieve shared objectives.

• Define and execute a compelling user-centered experience vision that is strategically aligned with business priorities and client needs in the financial services tax sector.

• Apply user-led design methodologies, including user research and behavioral analysis, to understand user needs and drive improvements in product outcomes and service delivery.

• Translate strategic objectives into tangible and impactful experience solutions through direct involvement in the design and development process.

• Oversee and contribute to the creation of intuitive UX and visually appealing UI designs that enhance product usability, accessibility, and desirability for tax technology applications.

• Guide and refine design work through hands-on critique, iterative development, and advanced prototyping techniques.

• Drive the adoption and consistent application of scalable design systems and industry best practices across relevant projects and teams.

• Lead and mentor design teams, including those up to the senior manager level, cultivating a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

• Provide active coaching, real-time feedback, and dedicated working sessions to foster the professional growth and skill development of design team members.

• Build and manage a high-performing team that balances strategic foresight with exceptional execution capabilities in UX/UI design.

• Lead engagement delivery, taking full accountability for program and project management, including defining scope, timelines, and deliverables.

• Manage engagement economics, ensuring project profitability and adherence to financial targets through effective resource planning and budget development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed are a blend of direct UX/UI design leadership and broader operational management typical for a Senior Manager. The emphasis on "accelerate delivery," "faster validation," "bridging gaps," and "scalable design systems" highlights a focus on efficiency and process optimization within the SDLC.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree required (4-year degree) in Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, Economics, or a related field.

Experience:

• Typically, a minimum of 5 to 7 years of relevant professional experience is required.

• Experience in leading complex projects, managing budgets, and building client relationships is essential.

Required Skills:

• UX/UI Design Expertise: Proven ability to create user-centered experiences, design workflows, prototypes, and visual assets that improve usability, accessibility, and desirability.

• Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) Leadership: Experience in evolving and managing SDLC processes to accelerate product delivery and enhance engineering efficiency.

• Project & Program Management: Strong capabilities in leading complex initiatives, managing engagement economics, developing resource plans, and ensuring overall project profitability.

• Client Relationship Management: Demonstrated success in building and managing senior client relationships, understanding client needs, and delivering high-value solutions.

• Team Leadership & Mentoring: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop design teams, fostering a culture of accountability and innovation.

• Financial Services & Tax Domain Knowledge: Exposure to the financial services industry and a strong understanding of accounting, finance, or tax performance improvement, tax software development, or implementation.

Preferred Skills:

• Design Systems & Standards: Experience in driving the adoption and maintenance of scalable design systems and user experience standards.

• Prototyping & Iteration: Proficiency in advanced prototyping techniques and a strong ability to guide work through hands-on critique and iteration.

• Stakeholder Management: Ability to influence internal and external stakeholders through clear communication of vision and execution plans.

• Risk Management: Experience in identifying and mitigating risks associated with technology implementations and process changes.

• Budgeting & Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of managing engagement economics and developing detailed resource plans and budgets.

• Professional Certification: Possession of one of the following certifications: CPA, EA, JD, or a Master's degree in business administration, finance, economics, computer science, information systems, engineering, quantitative economics, or a related quantitative field.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "typically no less than 5-7 years" combined with the "Senior Manager" title suggests a candidate pool with potentially 7-10 years of experience, especially if they possess the preferred Master's degree or certifications. The inclusion of specific certifications like CPA, EA, JD alongside technical degrees points towards a role that may require a blend of business, technical, and potentially legal/regulatory understanding relevant to tax and finance.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a strong portfolio demonstrating end-to-end UX/UI design process, including user research, wireframing, prototyping, and final visual design for complex digital products or services.

• Present case studies that highlight the impact of your design solutions on key business metrics such as user adoption, task completion rates, efficiency gains, or client satisfaction.

• Include examples of how you've applied design thinking and user-led methodologies to solve complex problems and drive measurable improvements.

Process Documentation:

• Provide evidence of experience in defining and documenting user workflows, interaction models, and design specifications for technical teams.

• Showcase examples of how you have contributed to or led the evolution of design processes within an SDLC framework, focusing on acceleration and validation.

• Present documentation or descriptions of how you have managed design system implementation and ensured consistent application of standards.

• Include examples of how you have managed project scope, timelines, and delivered design solutions within defined project constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Manager role focused on UX/UI design in a consulting environment, a portfolio is critical. It needs to demonstrate not just design skills but also the ability to manage processes, integrate with development cycles, and articulate the business impact of design decisions. The emphasis on "accelerate delivery," "faster validation," and "scalable design systems" points to a need for process-oriented thinking in portfolio submissions.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on the provided information for the US, the base salary range for this role is $133,300 to $346,000 per year.

  • The broader US range is $133,300 to $304,500.
  • For the New York City Metro Area, Washington State, and California (excluding Sacramento), the range is $160,000 to $346,000.

• This range reflects the Senior Manager level, the specialized nature of Tax Technology & Transformation, and the UX Designer focus, as well as variations in cost of living across different US regions.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical and dental coverage.

• Pension plan and 401(k) plan for retirement savings.

• Generous paid time off, including paid holidays, winter breaks, and summer breaks.

• Access to personal/family care leave to support well-being.

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time position, with an expected working week of approximately 40 hours.

• The role operates under a hybrid model, with an expectation for most client-serving roles to work together in person approximately 60% of the time over the course of an engagement, project, or year.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary ranges provided are specific to different US regions, indicating that compensation is geographically adjusted. This is a crucial detail for candidates to consider. The hybrid work arrangement with a specific in-office percentage (60%) is also noteworthy for managing expectations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Professional Services / Financial Services / Technology Consulting. EY is a global leader in professional services, with a dedicated Financial Services Organization (FSO) focused on serving clients in Banking, Capital Markets, Wealth and Asset Management, Insurance, and Real Estate. The role is within the Tax Technology and Transformation practice, highlighting a strong technology and innovation component.

Company Size: EY is a very large, global organization, with tens of thousands of employees worldwide. This scale offers extensive resources, diverse client opportunities, and a broad network for professional development.

Founded: Ernst & Young was formed in 1989 by the merger of Ernst & Whinney and Arthur Young. Its history dates back to the mid-19th century. This long-standing heritage contributes to a culture of trust, integrity, and a commitment to building a better working world.

Team Structure:

• The role is part of the Financial Services EY EDGE practice, specifically the Tax Technology and Transformation team. This team specializes in delivering advanced tax technical services powered by technology.

• The team likely comprises professionals with diverse backgrounds in tax, technology, UX/UI design, data analytics, and project management, working collaboratively to solve complex client challenges.

• As a Senior Manager, you will lead and mentor junior designers, analysts, and potentially project managers, reporting to a Director or Partner within the FSO Tax practice.

Methodology:

• User-Centered Design: Emphasizes understanding user needs, behaviors, and pain points to create intuitive and effective solutions.

• Agile/Lean Principles: The focus on "accelerating delivery," "faster validation," and "iterative prototyping" suggests an adoption of agile or lean methodologies within the SDLC.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: While not explicitly stated for UX, it's an EY-wide approach; expect to use data and analytics to inform design choices and measure impact.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: A key methodology involves bridging gaps between design, engineering, and product through direct, proactive engagement rather than just oversight.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of EY EDGE as an "Exceptional Delivery and Growth Engine" suggests a high-performance, innovation-focused environment within the broader EY structure. The emphasis on "bold ambition" and "reshaping and redefining our industry" points to a company that values forward-thinking and transformative initiatives.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a Senior Manager level within EY's consulting framework. It signifies a leadership position with significant responsibility for project delivery, client management, team leadership, and financial oversight. It requires a blend of deep functional expertise (UX/UI Design, Tax Technology) and strong management capabilities. This level is often a stepping stone to Director or Partner roles.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Manager will likely report to a Director or Partner within the Financial Services Organization (FSO) – Tax practice. They will, in turn, lead and mentor a team of designers, analysts, and potentially junior project managers. The role demands significant interaction with senior client stakeholders.

Operations Impact: The operations impact is substantial, focusing on enhancing the efficiency, usability, and adoption of tax technology solutions for financial services clients. By improving user experience, this role directly contributes to:

• Increased client satisfaction and retention.

• Accelerated project delivery and faster time-to-value for technology investments.

• Reduced operational friction and errors for tax professionals.

• Driving revenue growth for EY through innovative, experience-led offerings.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Clear pathway to Director and Partner roles within EY's FSO Tax practice, with increased responsibility for business development, client strategy, and firm leadership.

• Specialization Deepening: Opportunities to become a recognized subject matter expert in specific areas of tax technology, UX/UI design for financial services, or digital transformation.

• Skill Development: Access to EY's extensive learning and development programs, including leadership training, advanced design methodologies, and industry-specific certifications.

• Cross-Service Line Exposure: Potential to collaborate with other EY service lines (e.g., Consulting, Strategy and Transactions) on integrated client engagements.

• Mentorship & Coaching: Develop strong coaching skills by mentoring junior team members, a critical aspect of leadership development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior Manager" title at EY, a Big Four firm, implies a rigorous career progression. The emphasis on "shaping the future with confidence" and "building a better working world" suggests a culture that supports ambitious career goals and professional development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role operates under a hybrid model. This means a blend of remote work and in-office collaboration. EY's expectation for client-serving roles is to work together in person approximately 60% of the time over the course of an engagement, project, or year. This suggests a structured approach to hybrid work, balancing flexibility with the need for in-person collaboration.

Office Location(s): The primary location is Austin, Texas. EY has multiple office locations, and the specific team may utilize the Austin office for in-person collaboration, client meetings, and team gatherings. Candidates should expect to be based in or near Austin.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model, with a significant in-person component, fosters collaborative work sessions, brainstorming, and team building. Expect a dynamic workspace designed for both focused individual work and group activities.

• Technology & Tools: EY likely provides access to state-of-the-art technology and software essential for UX/UI design, project management, and communication within a global professional services firm.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for interaction with design teams, tax specialists, project managers, and senior leadership, both in person and virtually, are expected.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is likely aligned with a full-time role (approx. 40 hours/week), but client demands may necessitate flexibility. The hybrid model offers some autonomy in managing work location, but in-office days are crucial for teamwork and client engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "60% in-person" guideline for client-serving roles in a hybrid model is a key detail. It indicates that while flexibility exists, a significant portion of the work week will involve in-office presence, likely dictated by project needs and client proximity.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: An HR or Talent Acquisition representative will likely conduct an initial screening to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation with the hiring manager (likely a Director or Partner) to delve deeper into your experience, leadership style, and specific qualifications for the Senior Manager role.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with other members of the Tax Technology & Transformation team, potentially including peer Senior Managers, Directors, or senior client representatives. These will assess your technical expertise, collaboration skills, and ability to influence.

• Case Study / Portfolio Presentation: A critical stage where you will be asked to present your portfolio, showcasing relevant projects and demonstrating your problem-solving approach, design process, and impact. This may involve a prepared presentation or a live design challenge.

• Final Interview: A final conversation with senior leadership to confirm your fit with EY's culture and strategic objectives.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your most impactful projects that best demonstrate your UX/UI design skills, experience with complex problem-solving, and ability to manage projects within a development lifecycle. Tailor selections to highlight financial services or tax technology experience if possible.

• Structure for Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role and responsibilities, the process you followed (user research, ideation, design, testing), the solutions you designed, and the measurable outcomes or business impact achieved. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

• Highlight Process & Collaboration: Emphasize how you collaborated with engineering, product managers, and stakeholders. Showcase your understanding of SDLC and how you integrated design into the development process.

• Showcase Design Artifacts: Include key artifacts like user personas, journey maps, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups. Explain your design decisions and rationale.

• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., "improved task completion time by 25%," "increased user engagement by 15%," "reduced support tickets by 10%").

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: Research EY's FSO, the EDGE practice, and current trends in tax technology and UX design for financial services.

• Prepare Design Thinking Examples: Be ready to discuss how you approach complex problems using user-centered design principles.

• Practice Presentation Skills: Rehearse your portfolio presentation to ensure a clear, concise, and compelling delivery. Be prepared for questions that probe your decision-making process and leadership style.

• Anticipate Behavioral Questions: Expect questions about how you handle conflict, manage difficult stakeholders, lead teams, and adapt to change.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio review and potential design challenges is standard for UX/UI roles. For a Senior Manager, the review will likely focus not only on design quality but also on strategic thinking, process management, and leadership.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping Software: Proficiency in industry-standard tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, XD), InVision, or similar. Figma is increasingly becoming a dominant tool for collaborative design.

• User Research Tools: Experience with tools for user interviews, surveys, usability testing, and analytics platforms (e.g., UserTesting.com, SurveyMonkey, Hotjar, Google Analytics).

• Collaboration & Project Management: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, or Microsoft Project for managing workflows, tracking tasks, and collaborating with development teams.

• Design Systems Tools: Experience with tools or platforms used to create, manage, and distribute design systems (e.g., Zeroheight, Storybook, or internal EY systems).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Visualization Tools: Ability to interpret and potentially create visualizations using tools like Tableau, Power BI, or similar, to understand user behavior and report on design impact.

• Web Analytics: Familiarity with Google Analytics or similar platforms to track user interactions and performance metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how UX integrates with CRM systems (like Salesforce) and automation platforms (like Workato or Zapier) to create seamless user journeys can be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given EY's scale and focus on technology, candidates should be proficient in current, industry-leading UX/UI tools. The ability to work within a structured SDLC and potentially integrate with client-side systems through APIs or other means is implied. EY likely has its own internal design systems and collaboration platforms that candidates will need to learn.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Integrity: Upholding high ethical standards in all client interactions and internal operations, a core value at EY.

• Empathy & Client Focus: Deeply understanding client needs and challenges, and designing solutions that genuinely address them.

• Collaboration: Working effectively within diverse teams, fostering a spirit of mutual support and shared success.

• Innovation: Continuously seeking new and better ways to solve problems, leverage technology, and deliver value.

• Excellence: A commitment to delivering high-quality work, exceeding expectations, and driving impactful outcomes.

• Accountability: Taking ownership of tasks, projects, and team performance, ensuring delivery and driving results.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: A proactive and collaborative approach to working with engineering, product, tax specialists, and client teams, aiming to break down silos and foster unified project execution.

• Feedback Culture: Openness to giving and receiving constructive feedback to continuously improve designs, processes, and team dynamics.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, learnings, and insights across the team and the wider organization to foster collective growth.

• Hybrid Collaboration: Adapting communication and collaboration strategies to effectively work with team members both remotely and in person, ensuring inclusivity and productivity.

📝 Enhancement Note: EY's stated values (Integrity, Caring, Respect, Teamwork, Energy, and Courage) are likely reflected in the team's daily operations. The emphasis on "client-focused, results-driven, and innovative" in the job description further colors the expected team culture.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Constraints: Navigating the inherent tension between ideal user experiences and project budgets, timelines, and technical limitations.

• Driving Adoption of New Designs: Overcoming resistance to change and ensuring successful adoption of new interfaces and workflows by end-users within established financial services environments.

• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Expectations: Effectively communicating design rationale and managing expectations across various client stakeholders with potentially differing priorities and levels of technical understanding.

• Rapid Technological Evolution: Keeping pace with advancements in UX/UI design tools, methodologies, and emerging technologies (like AI in design) to maintain a competitive edge.

• Geographic & Cultural Diversity: Collaborating effectively with distributed teams and clients across different time zones and cultural backgrounds.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX/UI Training: Access to specialized courses and workshops on emerging UX trends, interaction design, service design, and accessibility standards.

• Tax Technology Immersion: Opportunities to deepen understanding of tax processes, regulations, and technology solutions within the financial services sector.

• Leadership Development Programs: EY offers extensive programs for leadership, management, and strategic thinking, crucial for career advancement.

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Support for attending relevant industry events (e.g., design conferences, FinTech forums) and obtaining professional certifications.

• Mentorship: Benefit from mentorship by experienced leaders within EY, gaining insights into career progression, client management, and strategic decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are framed to highlight the problem-solving and strategic thinking expected at the Senior Manager level, while the growth opportunities emphasize continuous professional development and career advancement within a large, global firm.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex tax technology solution you've designed. What was the problem, your process, and the business impact?" (Focus on showcasing your end-to-end design process, problem-solving skills, and ability to quantify results.)

• "How do you balance user needs with business requirements and technical constraints in a fast-paced consulting environment?" (Demonstrate your pragmatic approach, negotiation skills, and ability to find optimal solutions.)

• "How would you lead a team of designers to deliver a critical project under tight deadlines?" (Highlight your leadership style, delegation skills, team motivation strategies, and project management approach.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to EY and this specific role within the FSO Tax Technology & Transformation practice?" (Research EY's values, their FSO focus, and the EDGE initiative. Connect your aspirations to their mission.)

• "How do you approach building and managing relationships with senior client stakeholders?" (Emphasize your communication, empathy, and strategic partnership skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each project, frame it as a narrative: the challenge, your journey through the design process, the solutions you crafted, and the successful outcome.

• Be Data-Centric: Quantify the impact of your designs whenever possible. Use metrics to support your claims about usability improvements, efficiency gains, or user adoption.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, prototypes, mockups) to illustrate your design thinking and the evolution of your solutions.

• Explain Your Role Clearly: Be precise about your contributions, especially in team projects. Highlight leadership and collaboration aspects.

• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, alternative approaches, and how you would handle specific challenges relevant to EY or the financial services industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice is tailored to a Senior Manager role, emphasizing leadership, strategic thinking, client management, and the ability to articulate impact. The portfolio presentation is highlighted as a critical component.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the EY Careers portal via the provided URL.

• Tailor Your Resume: Carefully align your resume with the job description, highlighting keywords related to UX/UI design, Tax Technology, Financial Services, SDLC management, project leadership, and client relationship management. Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate your strongest case studies that demonstrate your UX/UI design process, problem-solving skills, collaboration with engineering teams, and measurable business impact. Ensure it's easily accessible (e.g., via a link).

• Research EY & the Role: Deeply understand EY's values, the FSO's mission, the EY EDGE practice, and current trends in tax technology. Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough and responses to common interview questions, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and demonstrating leadership potential.

⚠️ 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.

---