Advanced Specialist, UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Advanced Specialist, UX Designer

Company: Pearson

Location: Hoboken, New Jersey, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: 2026-02-26

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Designs and leads end-to-end user experiences for web and mobile platforms, encompassing the entire product lifecycle from concept to implementation.

• Creates high-fidelity designs, including user flows, interactive prototypes, and detailed specifications to ensure seamless engineering handoff.

• Contributes to and enhances the company's design system with reusable components and patterns, focusing on scalability, accessibility, and consistency across platforms.

• Plans, conducts, and synthesizes user research and usability testing to validate design decisions and inform iterative improvements.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is explicitly stated as aligning with a "Senior UX Designer" level, indicating a significant level of autonomy and responsibility in design strategy and execution. The emphasis on "leading design for major product areas and full user journeys" further supports this seniority.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and deliver intuitive and engaging user experiences across web and mobile applications, ensuring alignment with learning outcomes and pedagogical goals.

• Develop comprehensive design documentation, including wireframes, user flows, site maps, interactive prototypes, and detailed design specifications for engineering teams.

• Champion user-centered design principles by conducting user research, usability testing, and analyzing feedback to iteratively refine designs and ensure product-market fit.

• Contribute to and evolve the organization's design system, ensuring consistency, scalability, and accessibility across all digital products.

• Partner effectively with product management and engineering to define project scope, establish design timelines, and articulate clear success criteria for design initiatives.

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

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

• Leverage data analytics and A/B testing to validate design decisions and drive continuous improvement of user experiences.

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

• Design for AI-driven teaching and learning experiences, carefully considering ethical implications and pedagogical effectiveness in collaboration with learning scientists.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic design leadership and hands-on execution. The emphasis on AI and learning science indicates a forward-thinking product development approach within the higher education sector.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for roles of this caliber. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: 5-8 years of professional product design experience, with a strong track record in designing complex, end-to-end user experiences for digital products.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in user-centered design methodologies and best practices.

• Proficiency in creating user flows, wireframes, mockups, and high-fidelity interactive prototypes using industry-standard tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).

• Experience in designing for both web and mobile platforms, understanding responsive design principles.

• Strong understanding of design system principles, including component creation, scalability, and cross-platform consistency.

• Demonstrated ability to conduct user research (e.g., interviews, surveys) and usability testing, translating insights into actionable design recommendations.

• Excellent visual design skills with a keen eye for detail, typography, and layout.

• Proficient in collaborating with cross-functional teams, including product managers, engineers, and content strategists.

• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and influence stakeholders.

• Experience in defining and tracking design success metrics, including A/B testing and data analysis.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the higher education or EdTech industry.

• Knowledge of learning science principles and their application in digital product design.

• Experience designing AI-driven educational experiences and understanding ethical considerations.

• Familiarity with agile development methodologies.

• Experience mentoring junior designers.

• Understanding of front-end development principles and technical constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of "5-8 years" and the explicit mention of "Advanced Specialist" aligning with "Senior UX Designer" clearly positions this role as a mid-to-senior level individual contributor with leadership potential. The preferred skills in AI and Higher Education are crucial for candidates targeting this specific niche.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 comprehensive case studies demonstrating end-to-end UX design process for complex digital products (web and mobile).

• Highlight contributions to a design system, including examples of reusable components, patterns, and their impact on consistency and scalability.

• Present evidence of user research and usability testing, detailing methodology, insights gained, and how they influenced design decisions.

• Include examples of high-fidelity interactive prototypes and detailed design specifications provided for engineering handoff.

• Demonstrate strategic thinking and problem-framing abilities, showing how designs solved user needs and business objectives.

Process Documentation:

• Clearly articulate your design process, from discovery and research through to iteration and implementation.

• Illustrate how you collaborate with cross-functional teams (product, engineering, content, research) throughout the design lifecycle.

• Provide examples of how you incorporate user feedback and data analytics (e.g., A/B testing) into your iterative design process.

• Showcase your approach to contributing to or managing design systems, including documentation and governance.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is paramount for this role. The emphasis on "measurable impact" and "strategic thinking" suggests that candidates should focus on showcasing not just design artifacts but also the process and outcomes that demonstrate their value.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $110,000 - $130,000 per year (This range is based on the provided information for specific US states and may vary based on candidate experience and specific location within the US.)

Benefits:

• Participation in an annual incentive program.

• Comprehensive benefits package (details available via the provided link: pearsonbenefitsus.com). This typically includes health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans (e.g., 401k), paid time off, and potentially other perks like tuition reimbursement or wellness programs.

• Hybrid work arrangement, offering flexibility between remote and in-office work.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is explicitly stated and applies to specific US locations, indicating a need for candidates in those regions to be aware of this baseline compensation. The inclusion of a link to benefits information is standard practice.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Education Technology / Publishing

Company Size: Pearson is a large, global organization with over 18,000 employees across 70 countries, indicating a robust corporate structure and significant market presence.

Founded: Information on the founding date is not provided, but Pearson's long history as a leading learning company shapes its institutional knowledge and approach to education.

Team Structure:

• Product designers are embedded within product teams, fostering close collaboration with product managers, content strategists, UX researchers, and engineers.

• This structure suggests a matrixed environment where designers report functionally to design leadership but operate day-to-day within dedicated product squads.

Methodology:

• The company is undergoing a significant digital and AI transformation, focusing on agentic, adaptive, and human-centered learning experiences.

• Design decisions are informed by user research, data analytics, and A/B testing, emphasizing an iterative and evidence-based approach.

• There's a strong emphasis on pedagogical rigor and the ethical implications of AI in education.

• Design quality, strategic thinking, and user advocacy are core values driving the design process.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Pearson's positioning as a global leader in education, coupled with its current digital and AI transformation, presents a unique opportunity for designers to influence the future of learning technology. The company culture appears to value collaboration, strategic impact, and innovation in a complex, regulated industry.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as an "Advanced Specialist," equivalent to a "Senior UX Designer." This indicates a trajectory beyond entry-level or mid-level roles, focusing on leading design initiatives, strategic contributions, and potentially mentoring junior team members. The scope involves ownership of significant product areas and full user journeys.

Reporting Structure: While designers are embedded within product teams, functional reporting likely goes to a Design Lead or Head of Design, ensuring design consistency and professional development across the organization. Day-to-day collaboration is primarily with product managers and engineering leads within their assigned product area.

Operations Impact: Designers at Pearson are expected to drive significant impact by shaping user experiences that directly support learning outcomes and business objectives. This includes influencing product direction through design strategy, advocating for user needs, and contributing to the company's mission of lifelong learning and digital transformation. The focus on AI in education highlights an opportunity to pioneer new forms of learning engagement.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in AI-driven educational design, learning science integration, and advanced UX research methodologies. Opportunity to contribute significantly to a evolving design system.

• Leadership Development: Take on lead design roles for major product initiatives, mentor junior designers, and gain experience presenting to senior leadership, preparing for potential future management or principal design roles.

• Career Progression: Potential pathways include Principal UX Designer, Design Lead, or specialization in areas like Design Systems, UX Research, or Product Strategy within Pearson's education technology division.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth within a specialized domain (EdTech, AI in learning) and provides opportunities for both individual contribution at a senior level and aspiring leadership roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as "Hybrid," indicating a blend of remote work and in-office collaboration. This suggests a modern approach to work-life balance, leveraging the benefits of both focused remote work and in-person teamwork.

Office Location(s): The primary listed location is Hoboken, New Jersey. Pearson operates globally, so there may be other office locations, but this is the specified hub for this role.

Workspace Context:

• The hybrid model necessitates strong communication and collaboration tools to ensure seamless interaction between remote and in-office team members.

• Designers are expected to have access to and proficiency with standard design software and collaboration platforms.

• The environment encourages cross-functional collaboration, suggesting open communication channels and a culture that values diverse perspectives.

• The focus on AI and digital transformation implies a dynamic and evolving workspace, embracing new technologies and methodologies.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time working hours (40 hours per week) are expected, with the flexibility afforded by the hybrid work arrangement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role is a key aspect, requiring candidates to be comfortable with a mix of remote and in-office work. The Hoboken location anchors the physical presence requirement.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and salary expectations.

• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing their process, impact, and strategic thinking. A design challenge (either take-home or live) may be administered to assess problem-solving skills and design craft.

• Team & Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with potential peers, cross-functional partners (Product Managers, Engineers), and Design leadership. These interviews will focus on collaboration, communication, technical understanding, and design philosophy.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader or hiring manager to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and final alignment with the role and company vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies to clearly articulate the problem, your role and process, the solutions you designed, and the impact achieved.

• Highlight Collaboration: Emphasize how you worked with different teams and stakeholders.

• Showcase Strategic Thinking: Explain why you made certain design decisions, linking them to user needs and business goals.

• Demonstrate Craft: Ensure your visual designs and prototypes are polished and professional.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs.

• Tailor to Pearson: Research Pearson's mission and recent work in AI and education to tailor your presentation and highlight relevant experience.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a challenge that likely involves a higher education context or a complex user problem.

• Focus on demonstrating your problem-framing, research, ideation, and high-fidelity design skills within the given timeframe.

• Clearly articulate your assumptions, design rationale, and potential next steps for iteration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is standard for senior design roles, with a strong emphasis on portfolio presentation and the ability to articulate strategic design thinking and collaborative impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Figma (or similar industry-standard tools such as Sketch, Adobe XD) for wireframing, UI design, and prototyping.

• Prototyping tools for interactive mockups and user flow visualization.

User Research & Testing Tools:

• Survey platforms (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform).

• User testing platforms (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback).

Collaboration & Documentation Tools:

• Project management software (e.g., Jira, Asana).

• Communication platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams).

• Documentation tools (e.g., Confluence, Google Workspace).

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with modern design and collaboration tools is essential. The mention of AI-driven experiences suggests familiarity with platforms or methodologies that support intelligent design features.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for user needs in all design decisions.

• Collaboration: A belief in the power of cross-functional teamwork to achieve shared goals and build better products.

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

• Strategic Impact: A focus on designs that not only solve user problems but also drive business outcomes and align with the company's educational mission.

• Innovation & Adaptability: An embrace of new technologies, particularly AI, and a willingness to adapt to evolving learning landscapes.

• Empathy & Curiosity: Approaching design challenges with an understanding of user contexts and a drive to explore new possibilities.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, with designers working closely within product teams alongside PMs, engineers, researchers, and content strategists.

• Emphasis on open communication, constructive feedback through design crits, and shared ownership of product success.

• Designers are expected to influence and guide stakeholders through clear articulation of design rationale and user advocacy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes a blend of individual design expertise and collaborative team synergy, all aimed at achieving the company's mission within the education sector.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating AI Transformation: Designing innovative yet ethical and pedagogically sound AI-driven learning experiences in a rapidly evolving field.

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Effectively managing diverse requirements and expectations from product, engineering, content, and leadership teams.

• Scalability and Consistency: Ensuring design quality and system consistency across a broad portfolio of higher education products.

• Translating Research to Impact: Rigorously applying user research insights to drive tangible improvements in user experience and learning outcomes.

• Mentoring and Leadership: Growing from an individual contributor role to mentoring junior designers and potentially leading design strategy for key product areas.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Opportunities to deepen knowledge in AI in education, learning science, accessibility standards, and advanced UX research techniques.

• Industry Engagement: Potential for attending conferences, workshops, and engaging with the broader EdTech design community.

• Mentorship Programs: Access to senior design leaders for guidance and career development.

• Design System Contribution: Opportunity to shape and grow a critical design asset, gaining expertise in design governance and scalability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical of a senior role in a transformative industry, offering significant opportunities for professional growth and impact.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex UX problem you solved. What was your process, what were the key insights, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on problem framing, research, iteration, and impact).

• "How do you approach designing for AI-driven educational experiences, considering ethical implications and pedagogical effectiveness?" (Demonstrate understanding of AI's role in education and your design approach).

• "Walk us through a significant contribution you made to a design system. What were the challenges and how did you ensure scalability and adoption?" (Highlight your system thinking and collaboration skills).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Pearson's mission and our transformation in higher education?" (Research Pearson's recent initiatives, AI focus, and learning outcomes).

• "How do you foster collaboration within a cross-functional product team?" (Provide examples of your communication and teamwork strategies).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Flow: Structure your presentation to tell a compelling story for each case study, emphasizing the "why" behind your decisions.

• Process Over Polish: While polished artifacts are important, focus on explaining your thought process, research methods, and how you navigated challenges.

• Quantify Impact: Be ready to discuss metrics and how your designs contributed to user success or business objectives.

• Relevance: Select case studies that best align with the requirements of this role, particularly those involving complex digital products, design systems, or educational contexts.

• Q&A Readiness: Anticipate questions about your design philosophy, how you handle feedback, and your approach to mentorship.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, user advocacy, collaborative skills, and a deep understanding of the design process, all within the context of Pearson's educational mission.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Advanced Specialist, UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Pearson careers portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and highlights projects most relevant to designing complex digital experiences, design systems, and user research, ideally with examples related to education or AI.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize keywords from the job description, such as "UX Designer," "User-Centered Design," "Design System," "User Research," "Prototyping," "AI-Driven Experiences," and "Higher Education." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly review your portfolio and prepare to discuss your design process, challenges overcome, and the impact of your work. Practice articulating your responses to common UX interview questions, especially those related to strategy, collaboration, and user advocacy. Research Pearson's current initiatives in AI and education.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Pearson's mission, values, and recent developments in their digital transformation, particularly regarding AI in learning and higher education products.

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