Director, UX Design (Freelance)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Director, UX Design (Freelance) Company: VSA Partners Location: Remote, U.S. Job Type: Contractor Category: UX/UI Design & Strategy Operations Date Posted: 2025-12-04 Experience Level: 10+ years

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic design and execution of human-centered user experiences for global dot-com platforms, ensuring alignment with business objectives and user needs.
• Drive the creation of cohesive, end-to-end digital experiences by defining robust design strategies and advocating for best practices in UX.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including product managers, developers, and project managers to ensure seamless integration and delivery of innovative design solutions.
• Champion the implementation and adherence to enterprise-level design systems, such as Carbon Design System, to maintain brand consistency and efficiency across all digital touchpoints.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a freelance contractor, indicating a need for self-directed professionals who can quickly integrate into project-based work. The "Director" title suggests a senior leadership role focused on strategy and high-level execution, rather than day-to-day task management. The emphasis on "global dot-com presence" implies a need for experience with large-scale, complex digital ecosystems.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and articulate UX design strategies, translating client business goals and user insights into actionable design roadmaps for enterprise-level digital platforms.
• Lead the conception and development of wireframes, interactive prototypes, and user flows to effectively communicate design concepts, interactions, and system behaviors.
• Oversee the creation of visually appealing and brand-consistent designs, including layouts, typography, iconography, and graphics, ensuring adherence to strict brand guidelines.
• Partner closely with engineering and product teams to ensure designs are technically feasible, scalable, and seamlessly integrated into the final product, providing clear specifications and design documentation.
• Facilitate design reviews, gather feedback from stakeholders, and iterate on designs to meet user needs and business objectives, while managing design resources effectively.
• Drive the adoption and consistent application of enterprise design systems, ensuring scalability, maintainability, and a unified user experience across all digital touchpoints.
• Stay abreast of current UX trends, emerging technologies, and design pattern best practices, integrating relevant innovations into design strategies and solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership, hands-on design execution, and cross-functional collaboration, typical for senior design roles in agency or consulting environments. The mention of "engagement agreements and timelines" suggests involvement in project scoping and client management aspects.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in User Experience Design, Digital Experience, Interaction Design, or a related field is preferred.

Experience:

• 8+ years of progressive experience in leading UI and UX design for enterprise-scale digital platforms.
• Proven track record as a UX Director or senior-level UX practitioner, demonstrated through a strong portfolio.
• Extensive experience in defining design strategies, crafting user experiences, and delivering end-to-end digital solutions.

Required Skills:

• Deep understanding of UX principles, usability principles, information architecture, and human-centered design methodologies.
• Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools, with a primary focus on Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite.
• Expertise in developing wireframes, interactive prototypes, and detailed user flow documentation.
• Strong knowledge of web accessibility standards (WCAG) and best practices to ensure inclusive design.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship management skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and influence stakeholders.
• Experience in working with and implementing enterprise-level design systems to ensure consistency and scalability.
• Strict adherence to brand guidelines and a thorough understanding of UX best practices.
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of current design pattern trends.
• An innovative and collaborative mindset, with the ability to adapt to fast-paced, evolving creative environments.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with specific design systems such as Carbon Design System.
• Familiarity with Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) and Adobe Target for content management and personalization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 8+ years of experience in "enterprise scale digital platforms" and "leading UI and UX design" clearly indicates a senior leadership role. The emphasis on both strategic thinking and hands-on design proficiency is crucial for this position. The preference for Carbon Design System suggests potential work with IBM-related projects or a company that values that particular framework.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 8 years of experience in leading UX design for enterprise-scale digital platforms, with clear examples of strategic contributions.
• Include detailed case studies demonstrating the end-to-end design process, from initial concept and user research to final implementation and iteration.
• Highlight projects where you defined design strategies, developed comprehensive wireframes, and created interactive prototypes for complex user flows.
• Demonstrate the ability to implement and scale enterprise-level design systems, showcasing consistency and efficiency improvements.
• Provide evidence of working with strict brand guidelines and adhering to UX best practices, including web accessibility standards (WCAG).

Process Documentation:

• Document the process of translating business goals and user needs into actionable design strategies and roadmaps.
• Illustrate the methodology for creating wireframes, interactive prototypes, and user flow specifications, including tool usage (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite).
• Detail the approach to collaborating with cross-functional teams (developers, product managers) to ensure seamless design integration and technical feasibility.
• Explain the process of implementing and maintaining design systems, including governance and contribution models.
• Showcase how feedback is gathered, incorporated, and iterated upon throughout the design lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is paramount for this role, as it will be the primary tool for evaluating a candidate's strategic thinking, design execution capabilities, and experience with complex digital ecosystems and design systems. The ability to articulate the "why" behind design decisions and the process followed is as important as the final output.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As a freelance Director, UX Design role, compensation will be project-based and competitive, reflecting the seniority and specialized skills required. Based on industry benchmarks for senior freelance UX Directors in the U.S. with 8+ years of experience, a typical hourly rate could range from $100 to $175+, depending on project scope, duration, and specific client needs.

Benefits: As a freelance contractor, standard employee benefits are typically not provided. However, VSA Partners may offer access to certain contractor-specific perks or opportunities, such as:

• Opportunity to work with high-profile clients and impactful projects.
• Exposure to cutting-edge design challenges and technologies.
• Flexible work schedule and remote work arrangement.
• Potential for ongoing engagements based on performance and project needs.
• Access to VSA Partners' professional network and creative community.

Working Hours: This is a freelance position, and specific working hours will be determined by project scope and client requirements. It is estimated to require approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility to accommodate project deadlines and cross-functional team collaboration across different time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, and industry reports for freelance UX Director roles in the U.S., considering the stated experience level and remote nature. Benefits are outlined assuming a standard freelance contractor engagement model.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: VSA Partners operates within the Strategy and Design agency sector, focusing on creating meaningful and measurable experiences for clients by blending consumer insights, data, and human-centered design. They work across various industries for leading brands. Company Size: VSA Partners is a mid-sized agency with offices in Chicago, New York, and San Francisco. This size typically fosters a collaborative environment with opportunities for cross-functional interaction while maintaining a degree of specialized focus. Founded: Founded over 40 years ago, VSA Partners has a long-standing reputation for delivering solutions for business and creative leaders. This longevity suggests a stable, experienced, and adaptable organization.

Team Structure:

• The UX Design team likely operates within a larger creative or digital product development group, collaborating closely with strategy, branding, technology, and data science teams.
• Freelance Directors often lead specific project teams or initiatives, working alongside internal VSA Partners staff and client stakeholders.
• Reporting structure for a freelancer would typically be to a VSA Partners Director or Senior Manager overseeing client engagements.

Methodology:

• VSA Partners emphasizes a human-centered design approach, integrating consumer insights and data to drive strategy and execution.
• They focus on activating meaningful, motivating, and measurable experiences, indicating a results-oriented and data-informed methodology.
• The agency's integrated capabilities (branding, advertising, data science, technology) suggest a holistic and cross-disciplinary approach to problem-solving.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: VSA Partners' description highlights a blend of strategic thinking, creative execution, and data-driven insights, common in leading design agencies. The "freelance" nature of this role means the candidate will be integrated into project teams, requiring adaptability and strong collaboration skills.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a Director level, signifying a senior leadership position focused on strategic design direction, team leadership (even if on a project basis), and high-impact client engagements. It requires extensive experience and the ability to operate autonomously. Reporting Structure: As a freelance Director, you would typically report to a VSA Partners internal lead (e.g., Group Director, VP of Design) for project oversight and client management. You would also work closely with client-side product and business stakeholders. Operations Impact: The role's impact is significant, directly shaping the user experience of global dot-com platforms. This influences user engagement, conversion rates, brand perception, and ultimately, client business objectives. Success in this role contributes directly to client satisfaction and VSA Partners' reputation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Expansion: Gain exposure to diverse client challenges, industries, and cutting-edge design technologies.
• Portfolio Enhancement: Work on high-profile projects that can significantly elevate your professional portfolio.
• Networking: Build relationships with VSA Partners leadership and a broad range of client-side professionals.
• Future Engagements: Successful performance can lead to repeat engagements and long-term partnerships as a preferred freelance resource.
• Strategic Influence: Contribute to evolving design strategies and best practices within VSA Partners and for their clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a freelance role, "growth" is often measured by the caliber of projects, the depth of experience gained, and the potential for future work. This role offers a platform to operate at a strategic level and influence major digital presences.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position within the U.S. The candidate will work independently from their own workspace. Office Location(s): While VSA Partners has offices in Chicago, New York, and San Francisco, this specific role allows for remote work from anywhere within the United States.

Workspace Context:

• Requires a dedicated, professional home office environment conducive to focused design work and virtual collaboration.
• Access to reliable high-speed internet is essential for seamless communication and use of cloud-based design tools.
• The candidate will utilize their own equipment and software, leveraging VSA Partners' preferred toolset (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite).
• Opportunities for virtual collaboration include video calls, shared digital whiteboards, and frequent communication via Slack or similar platforms with VSA Partners teams and clients.

Work Schedule: While the role is estimated at 40 hours per week, the freelance nature offers flexibility. However, successful candidates must be available for core collaboration hours to effectively engage with VSA Partners teams and client stakeholders, which may span across different U.S. time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote, freelance nature emphasizes autonomy and self-management. Candidates must be comfortable working independently and adept at virtual communication and collaboration tools.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio by a VSA Partners recruiter to assess experience, skills, and alignment with the role requirements.
• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A session where you will present key projects from your portfolio, detailing your strategic approach, design process, challenges, and outcomes. Expect in-depth questions about your experience with enterprise platforms, design systems, and collaboration.
• Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with VSA Partners leadership and potentially client representatives to evaluate strategic thinking, leadership potential, communication skills, and cultural fit.
• Technical/Skills Assessment: This may involve a design exercise or a deeper dive into specific technical proficiencies (e.g., Figma mastery, design system application).
• Final Decision: Based on overall assessment of skills, experience, strategic thinking, and fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your most relevant and impactful projects that showcase enterprise-scale digital platforms, design system implementation, and strategic UX leadership.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role and contribution, the process followed (research, ideation, design, testing), key decisions made, and the measurable outcomes or impact.
• Highlight Process: Emphasize your strategic thinking, problem-solving approach, and how you leveraged UX principles and design systems to achieve project goals.
• Showcase Technical Proficiency: Demonstrate your expertise with tools like Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, and your understanding of accessibility standards (WCAG).
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics or data that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, increased user satisfaction, reduced bounce rates).

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your experience with design patterns and best practices in enterprise environments.
• Anticipate questions about how you manage client expectations and collaborate with diverse teams under tight deadlines.
• Consider how you would approach a hypothetical design challenge for a global dot-com platform, focusing on strategy, user research, and iterative design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical. Candidates should be ready to articulate not just what they designed, but why and how, demonstrating strategic intent and a deep understanding of user-centered design principles within a complex enterprise context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for wireframing, prototyping, and collaborative design. Expect to use its advanced features for component libraries and design system management.
• Adobe Creative Suite: Primarily Photoshop and Illustrator for visual asset creation, UI elements, and brand-aligned graphics.
• Prototyping Tools: Proficiency in tools like Figma, Adobe XD, InVision, or similar for creating interactive prototypes to visualize user flows and interactions.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with web analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics) to understand user behavior, track KPIs, and inform design decisions.
• Ability to interpret data and user feedback to iterate on designs and demonstrate impact.

CRM & Automation:

• While not primary UX tools, an understanding of how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms integrate with digital experiences can be beneficial for context.
• Experience with Digital Experience Platforms (DXPs) or Content Management Systems (CMS) like Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is explicitly stated as primary. The mention of Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) as a preferred skill suggests potential work with clients who utilize this CMS for their digital platforms.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Human-Centered Design: A core value focused on understanding and prioritizing user needs in all design decisions.
• Data-Driven Insights: Utilizing consumer insights and data analytics to inform strategy and validate design solutions.
• Collaboration: Fostering strong partnerships with clients and internal cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals.
• Excellence & Impact: Striving for high-quality, innovative solutions that deliver measurable business results and create meaningful experiences.
• Adaptability: Embracing change and evolving in fast-paced, dynamic creative environments.

Collaboration Style:

• Emphasis on cross-functional teamwork, requiring strong communication and partnership with strategists, developers, project managers, and client stakeholders.
• A culture that values constructive feedback and iterative design processes.
• Openness to diverse perspectives and an inclusive approach to problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: VSA Partners' stated purpose—"to design for a better human experience"—underscores a commitment to user advocacy within a business context. The freelance nature implies a need for proactive collaboration and integration into existing team dynamics.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Global Scale Complexity: Designing for a global dot-com presence involves navigating diverse user needs, cultural nuances, language barriers, and regional technical constraints.
• Design System Integration: Ensuring consistent application and evolution of enterprise design systems across a large, complex digital ecosystem requires rigorous governance and communication.
• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Effectively managing expectations and aligning the design vision across multiple client stakeholders with potentially competing priorities.
• Fast-Paced Agency Environment: Adapting to project-based work, tight deadlines, and evolving client requirements in a dynamic agency setting.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Exposure to Leading Brands: Working with globally recognized brands provides unique learning experiences and insights into different business models.
• Advanced Design System Application: Deepening expertise in implementing and scaling sophisticated design systems.
• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Gaining broader understanding of strategy, data science, and technology through close work with VSA Partners' integrated teams.
• Client Relationship Management: Developing skills in managing client relationships and contributing to strategic client discussions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the complexity of working on large-scale, global digital products, requiring strategic thinking and robust process management. Growth opportunities are geared towards expanding expertise and influence within high-profile projects.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to define a design strategy for a global digital platform. What were the key considerations and how did you approach it?" (Focus on user research, localization, scalability, and business alignment.)
• "How do you ensure a global dot-com presence maintains brand consistency while also catering to diverse regional user needs?" (Discuss design systems, localization frameworks, and user research methodologies.)
• "Walk us through your process for translating complex business requirements into user-centered design solutions. Provide an example from your portfolio." (Emphasize strategic thinking, problem decomposition, and iterative design.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about VSA Partners' approach to 'design for a better human experience'?" (Research their work and articulate alignment with your own design philosophy.)
• "How do you approach collaboration with developers and project managers, especially in a remote, freelance capacity?" (Highlight communication strategies, proactiveness, and conflict resolution.)
• "Describe your experience working with enterprise-level design systems. What are the key challenges and benefits?" (Showcase understanding of governance, scalability, and user adoption.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each case study, follow a clear narrative: Problem > Your Role > Process > Solution > Impact.
• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups, wireframes, and prototypes. Annotate key design decisions and user flows.
• Data & Metrics: Quantify the impact of your work whenever possible. If direct metrics aren't available, discuss expected outcomes based on user research or industry benchmarks.
• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Focus on the most critical aspects of each project and be prepared to elaborate on details as requested.
• Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your specific use of Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, and any experience with AEM or Adobe Target.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily focus on the candidate's ability to articulate strategic design thinking, demonstrated experience with large-scale platforms and design systems, and their collaborative approach in a project-based setting.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided Greenhouse link, ensuring your resume and portfolio are up-to-date and readily accessible.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating experience with enterprise-scale digital platforms, global presence considerations, and the implementation/management of design systems (like Carbon Design System). Focus on case studies that showcase strategic UX leadership and measurable impact.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 8+ years of experience in UX leadership, proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, and knowledge of usability principles, information architecture, and web accessibility (WCAG). Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on articulating your strategic rationale, design process, and collaborative approach. Prepare specific examples for common UX Director interview questions related to leadership, strategy, and stakeholder management.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with VSA Partners' work, clients, and stated values, particularly their "design for a better human experience" philosophy. Understand their agency model and how freelance talent integrates into their project teams.

⚠️ 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.