Financial Services - Technology Consulting - UX/UI Designer - Senior

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Financial Services - Technology Consulting - UX/UI Designer - Senior

Company: EY

Location: McLean, VA

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Technology Consulting / Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-10

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design discipline within multidisciplinary teams, focusing on creating superior user experiences for financial services technology solutions.

• Translate strategic requirements and wireframes into high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes, ensuring alignment with user-centered design principles.

• Collaborate closely with researchers, technologists, and engagement teams to deliver innovative and visually compelling digital products.

• Act as a key point of contact for clients, effectively communicating design choices, strategic recommendations, and project progress.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within EY's Financial Services Organization (FSO), specifically within their Design Studio. The emphasis on "Technology Consulting" and "Financial Services" indicates a need for designers who can bridge the gap between complex financial industry needs and cutting-edge digital solutions. The "Senior" title suggests a leadership component in guiding design processes and mentoring junior team members, alongside direct client interaction. This role is not a traditional "Revenue Operations" or "Sales Operations" role but can be framed as "Design Operations" within a consulting context, focusing on the operational aspects of delivering design services and solutions.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as the design discipline lead on project teams, guiding the creation of user interfaces, user experiences, and visual designs for financial services applications and platforms.

• Develop detailed wireframes, user flows, and high-fidelity mockups that effectively communicate design concepts and functionality.

• Create interactive prototypes using industry-standard tools to demonstrate user journeys, interactions, and dynamic content.

• Collaborate with UX researchers to integrate user feedback and insights into the design process, ensuring solutions meet user needs and business objectives.

• Partner with front-end developers and animators to ensure seamless implementation of designs and the creation of engaging visual elements.

• Present design concepts, user research findings, and strategic recommendations to clients and internal stakeholders, articulating the rationale behind design decisions.

• Contribute to the development of design best practices, standards, and methodologies within the EY Design Studio, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

• Mentor and guide junior designers, providing constructive feedback and support to enhance their professional development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on design work and leadership. The emphasis on "translating schematic wireframes to high fidelity mockups" and "working with developers and animators to create stunning prototypes" points to a need for strong technical design skills. The role as a "design discipline lead" and the requirement to "communicate tactical and strategic design choices" indicate a strategic thinking component beyond pure execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, UX Design, Industrial Design, Product Design, or a related field.

• Alternatively, a Master’s degree in a relevant design discipline is accepted. Experience:

• A minimum of 3 years of progressive, post-baccalaureate work experience in UX/UI design, or 2 years of work experience with a Master's degree.

• Demonstrated experience in user-centered design methodologies and a strong portfolio showcasing successful design projects. Required Skills:

• UX/UI Design Expertise: Proven ability to design intuitive, engaging, and visually appealing user experiences and interfaces.

• Design Software Proficiency: Expert-level skills in Photoshop, Illustrator, Adobe Creative Cloud suite, Sketch, Keynote, InVision, and Figma.

• Prototyping Tools: Hands-on experience with various prototyping software to create interactive and high-fidelity prototypes.

• Wireframing & Mockup Creation: Ability to translate complex requirements into clear wireframes, user flows, and detailed mockups.

• Client Communication: Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex design concepts clearly and persuasively to clients and stakeholders.

• Collaborative Environment: Proven ability to multitask and thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative, multidisciplinary team setting.

• Conceptual Thinking: Strong conceptual thinking and problem-solving skills, with a focus on delivering innovative and effective design solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Financial Services Industry Interest: A passion for or prior experience working within the financial services industry (Banking, Capital Markets, Wealth Management, Insurance, Real Estate).

• Presentation & Publication: Experience with writing, publishing, and delivering conference-level presentations on design topics.

• Agile/Scrum Familiarity: Understanding of agile development methodologies and experience working within agile teams.

• Design System Development: Experience in creating and maintaining design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The education requirements are standard for senior design roles. The specific software requirements (Photoshop, Illustrator, Sketch, Figma, InVision) are critical and should be highlighted by candidates. The "ideal" skills point towards candidates who can quickly integrate into the FSO context and contribute at a higher strategic and communicative level.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: A comprehensive portfolio showcasing 3-5 distinct UX/UI design projects that demonstrate your design process from concept to completion.

• Process Documentation: Clearly articulate your role, the problem statement, your design process, key decisions, and the outcomes for each case study. Highlight your contributions to user research, wireframing, prototyping, and final UI design.

• System Implementation: Examples of how your designs have been implemented and integrated into functional applications or software, ideally with examples of collaboration with development teams.

• ROI Demonstration: Where possible, include metrics or qualitative feedback demonstrating the impact and success of your designs, such as improved user satisfaction, increased task completion rates, or business objective achievement.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Showcase your ability to design end-to-end user workflows that are intuitive and efficient, particularly for complex financial services scenarios.

• User-Centered Iteration: Provide examples of how you have iterated on designs based on user feedback, usability testing, or A/B testing results.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Detail how you have worked with product managers, developers, and other stakeholders to ensure design feasibility and successful implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior design role in consulting, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond just visual aesthetics to demonstrate a strategic understanding of user needs, business goals, and the practicalities of implementation within technology projects. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their process and justify their design decisions with data and user insights.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Base Salary (US General): $100,200 - $165,400 annually

• Base Salary (NYC Metro, WA, CA excluding Sacramento): $120,200 - $188,100 annually

• Note: Actual compensation within these ranges will be determined by factors such as education, experience, skills, and geographic location.

Benefits:

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, supporting the physical and mental well-being of employees and their families.

• Retirement Planning: Access to both pension and 401(k) plans for long-term financial security.

• Work-Life Balance:

  • Flexible vacation policy, allowing employees to determine their own needs.
  • Designated EY Paid Holidays.
  • Winter/Summer breaks.
  • Personal/Family Care leave.

• Professional Development:

  • Excellent training and development opportunities through established programs and on-the-job learning.
  • Regular feedback on performance to accelerate professional growth.

• Additional Perks: Programs and benefits designed to support physical, financial, and social well-being.

Working Hours:

• The role operates within a standard 40-hour work week.

• Hybrid Model: Expect to work in person 40-60% of the time over the course of an engagement, project, or year, in line with EY's team-led and leader-enabled hybrid model.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary ranges provided are specific and vary by location, with higher ranges for high-cost-of-living areas. The benefits package is robust, with a notable emphasis on flexible time off and professional development, which are key attractors for experienced professionals. The hybrid work arrangement is clearly defined, indicating a need for candidates comfortable with a structured balance of remote and in-office work.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Professional Services (Assurance, Tax, Transaction, Consulting) with a strong specialization in Financial Services (FSO - Financial Services Organization).

Company Size: Large Global Enterprise (EY is one of the "Big Four" accounting firms, employing over 300,000 people globally).

Founded: 1989 (as Ernst & Young). EY has a long-standing history of providing professional services.

Team Structure:

• Design Studio within FSO: This role is part of the EY Design Studio, a specialized unit focused on user experience and design within the broader Financial Services Organization.

• Multidisciplinary Teams: You will work within project teams composed of researchers, technologists, strategists, and engagement managers, fostering a collaborative and diverse work environment.

• Reporting Structure: While specific reporting lines may vary by project, Senior Designers typically report to Design Leads, Project Managers, or Directors within the FSO consulting practice.

Methodology:

• User-Centered Design: EY Design Studio emphasizes a deep understanding of user needs and business objectives to create effective and engaging digital solutions.

• Data-Driven Insights: Designs are informed by research, analytics, and client data to ensure strategic alignment and measurable impact.

• Agile & Iterative Development: The consulting environment often involves agile methodologies, requiring iterative design processes and close collaboration with development teams.

• Focus on Value Creation: The core methodology revolves around delivering tangible value to financial services clients through innovative technology and design solutions.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: EY's FSO context is critical. Candidates should understand the unique challenges and opportunities within financial services technology. The "Design Studio" implies a dedicated focus on design excellence, separate from core consulting delivery, but integrated to serve clients. The company's scale means opportunities for broad impact and exposure to diverse projects.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Designer within a Technology Consulting practice. This level implies a significant degree of autonomy, responsibility for leading design efforts on projects, and the ability to mentor junior staff. It sits between an individual contributor designer and a design management role.

Reporting Structure: You will report to project leadership (e.g., Engagement Manager, Project Lead) and potentially a Design Lead within the FSO. You will also collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including researchers, strategists, and developers.

Operations Impact: As a Senior UX/UI Designer, your impact will be directly tied to the successful design and delivery of technology solutions for major financial institutions. This includes enhancing user engagement, streamlining complex financial processes, improving client satisfaction, and ultimately contributing to the client's business objectives and EY's reputation for delivering high-quality consulting services.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunity to lead design initiatives, mentor junior designers, and potentially transition into design management or lead consultant roles within EY's FSO.

• Industry Specialization: Deepen expertise in the Financial Services industry, becoming a go-to designer for complex banking, wealth management, or insurance technology projects.

• Skill Expansion: Gain exposure to a wide range of technologies, design challenges, and consulting methodologies, fostering continuous learning and skill enhancement.

• Global Mobility: As part of a global firm, opportunities may arise for international projects or collaborations.

• Certification & Training: Access to EY's extensive training programs and potential for industry certifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for career progression within a large consulting firm. The "Senior" title suggests a focus on leadership and strategic contribution. Growth opportunities are tied to both design expertise and consulting acumen, particularly within the specialized FSO domain.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: EY operates on a hybrid model, meaning the work environment is a blend of remote work and in-office collaboration. The office will likely be a professional, modern workspace designed to facilitate collaboration and client meetings.

Office Location(s): McLean, VA. This location serves as a hub for client engagements in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, a significant market for financial services and technology consulting.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Offices are equipped with meeting rooms, project spaces, and common areas designed to encourage team interaction and knowledge sharing.

• Technology-Rich Environment: Access to modern technology infrastructure, including high-speed internet, collaboration tools, and necessary software for design and project management.

• Client-Facing Focus: As a consulting role, expect an environment that prioritizes client needs, which may involve client site visits or extended periods of work on client premises depending on project requirements.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected, with flexibility managed through the hybrid model. The 40-60% in-office expectation for client-serving roles suggests a structured approach to balancing remote and in-person work, likely coordinated at the project level.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the work environment is a key aspect. Candidates should be comfortable with a structured approach to in-office days, likely determined by project needs and team coordination. The McLean location places the role in a strategic area for technology and financial services clients.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or HR representative will review your application and potentially conduct a brief phone screen to assess basic qualifications and interest.

• Portfolio Presentation: Expect a dedicated session where you will present your portfolio to a panel of designers, project managers, or senior leaders. This is a critical stage to demonstrate your design process, problem-solving skills, and communication abilities.

• Technical/Case Study Interview: You may be given a design challenge or case study to solve, either pre-interview or during a live session. This assesses your ability to apply design thinking to specific problems relevant to financial services technology.

• Behavioral & Situational Interviews: Questions will focus on your experience, teamwork, client interaction skills, and how you handle challenging situations.

• Final Round: Typically involves meeting with senior leadership to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and overall suitability for the Senior Designer role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase a range of skills and problem-solving approaches. Prioritize projects with clear impact and demonstrable results.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, design, testing), your key contributions, and the final outcome or impact. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Process Over Polish: While polished visuals are important, emphasize your thought process, decision-making, and how you navigated challenges. This is crucial for a consulting role.

• Tailor to Financial Services: If possible, include projects that demonstrate an understanding of complex data, regulated environments, or enterprise-level applications, even if not directly financial services.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, how you handle feedback, collaboration with developers, and your understanding of user needs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a case study, thoroughly understand the prompt, the target user, and the business objectives.

• Structure Your Approach: Outline your problem-solving steps before diving into solutions. Consider user needs, technical constraints, and business goals.

• Communicate Clearly: Articulate your thinking process verbally and visually. Use sketches or wireframes to convey ideas quickly.

• Focus on Impact: Demonstrate how your proposed solution would address the problem and deliver value.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a senior consulting role at EY will be rigorous, with a strong emphasis on portfolio presentation and the ability to articulate a strategic design process. Candidates must be prepared to defend their design decisions and showcase their ability to work effectively in client-facing engagements.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator), InVision, Keynote. Proficiency in at least one primary tool (e.g., Figma or Sketch) is essential, with familiarity across the suite being highly advantageous.

• Collaboration & Communication: Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zoom, Jira, Confluence. Familiarity with project management and team communication tools is expected for seamless integration into project workflows.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus for a UX/UI Designer, an understanding of how design impacts analytics and reporting is beneficial. Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar platforms for understanding user behavior post-launch is a plus. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design responsibilities, but an awareness of how design interfaces with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) or automation platforms used by clients in the financial sector can be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core requirement is mastery of industry-standard UX/UI design and prototyping tools. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their proficiency and experience with these specific technologies. The mention of collaboration tools underscores the importance of teamwork in a consulting environment.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Integrity and Respect: Upholding high ethical standards and fostering a culture of mutual respect among colleagues and clients.

• Collaboration: Working together across diverse teams and geographies to deliver exceptional client service and innovative solutions.

• Excellence: Striving for the highest quality in all aspects of work, from design execution to client communication and project delivery.

• Innovation: Embracing new ideas, technologies, and approaches to solve complex challenges and create future value.

• Empathy: Understanding and addressing the needs of clients, users, and colleagues with genuine care and consideration.

Collaboration Style:

• Team-Led, Leader-Enabled: EY emphasizes a collaborative environment where teams work together, supported by leadership.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect to work closely with individuals from diverse professional backgrounds (consulting, technology, research), requiring strong communication and ability to translate between disciplines.

• Client-Centric Approach: All collaboration is geared towards understanding and meeting client needs and delivering measurable business outcomes.

• Open Communication: A culture that encourages open dialogue, feedback exchange, and constructive debate to arrive at the best solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: EY's values emphasize professionalism, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence. Candidates should demonstrate how their personal values and work style align with these principles, particularly in a client-facing consulting context where trust and integrity are paramount.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Bridging Design and Complex Finance: Translating intricate financial services concepts and regulatory requirements into intuitive and user-friendly designs.

• Client Expectations: Managing diverse client expectations, navigating organizational politics within client firms, and ensuring design solutions meet both user and business objectives under tight deadlines.

• Technology Integration: Working with legacy systems or integrating new designs into complex, existing technology stacks within financial institutions.

• Pace of Consulting: Adapting to fast-paced project cycles, evolving client needs, and potentially long hours during critical project phases.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Access to EY's extensive internal training programs covering design methodologies, financial services industry knowledge, and consulting skills.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from experienced designers, project managers, and industry experts within EY's FSO.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Working alongside professionals from various backgrounds will broaden your understanding of technology, business strategy, and client management.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining deep insights into the financial services sector, its challenges, and its technological advancements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical of a senior role in a high-stakes consulting environment. The growth opportunities are substantial, leveraging EY's global resources and structured development programs to foster both design and consulting career paths.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex project where you had to balance user needs with strict business or regulatory requirements. How did you approach it?" (Focus on process, trade-offs, and communication.)

• "How do you ensure your design decisions are data-driven and aligned with business objectives, especially in a financial services context?" (Highlight research, analytics, and strategic alignment.)

• "Walk us through your process for creating a high-fidelity prototype for a new financial application. What tools do you use, and why?" (Demonstrate technical proficiency and workflow.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why EY, and why the Financial Services sector specifically?" (Showcase genuine interest and research.)

• "How do you approach collaboration within a multidisciplinary team, especially when there are differing opinions?" (Emphasize teamwork, communication, and conflict resolution.)

• "How would you handle a situation where a client is resistant to design recommendations?" (Focus on client management, persuasion, and finding common ground.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with a concise overview of your career and design philosophy. Then, present 3-5 case studies, each with a clear problem statement, your role, process, challenges, solutions, and measurable impact.

• Articulate Your 'Why': Be ready to explain the rationale behind every design decision. Connect your choices back to user needs, business goals, and design principles.

• Showcase Collaboration: Highlight instances where you worked effectively with developers, researchers, product managers, and clients.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Interviewers may ask detailed questions about specific aspects of your projects, so have a deep understanding of all your work.

• Practice Your Narrative: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it flows smoothly, stays within time limits, and clearly communicates your value proposition.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, strong communication skills, and a robust understanding of the design process within a consulting framework. The portfolio presentation is the most critical component.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

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

• Resume & Portfolio Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight relevant UX/UI design experience, software proficiency, and any financial services exposure. Ensure your portfolio is polished, easily accessible (e.g., via a link), and clearly demonstrates your design process and impact.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with EY's Design Studio, their work in the Financial Services sector, and their core values. Understand the challenges and opportunities within financial technology consulting.

• Interview Practice: Prepare to present your portfolio confidently and practice answering common behavioral and situational interview questions relevant to a senior design role in consulting. Be ready to discuss your approach to design challenges and client interactions.

• Prepare Questions: Develop thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers about the team, projects, culture, and growth opportunities within EY.

⚠️ 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.

---