Senior Director of UX Operations & Accessibility

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Director of UX Operations & Accessibility

Company: Elsevier

Location: London, United Kingdom (Primary), with flexibility for Raleigh, NC, Philadelphia, PA, and Amsterdam

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience (UX) Operations & Accessibility Leadership

Date Posted: April 10, 2026

Experience Level: Senior Director / 10+ Years Experience

Remote Status: On-site (Primary)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead global UX operations and accessibility strategy to ensure consistent, high-quality, and inclusive user experiences across Elsevier's diverse product portfolio.

• Drive operational excellence by establishing standardized UX processes, governance models, and the adoption of enterprise design systems.

• Champion user-centered design principles and accessibility compliance (WCAG, ADA, EN 301 549) across all digital platforms.

• Develop and manage UX metrics, KPIs, and research operations to demonstrate impact and inform product strategy.

• Influence senior stakeholders and drive organizational change in a complex, global, matrixed environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the primary location is London, the inclusion of multiple international locations (Raleigh, Philadelphia, Amsterdam) suggests a global remit and potential for hybrid or remote work arrangements for individuals based in those other regions, or significant travel. The role is positioned as a senior leadership function, overseeing strategy and operational frameworks rather than hands-on design execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and implement a comprehensive global UX Operations strategy, aligning business units and product lines with overarching design and accessibility goals.

• Establish and standardize UX processes for critical functions including research intake, design workflows, tooling implementation, and governance frameworks.

• Drive the adoption and governance of enterprise design systems and ensure cross-platform consistency in user experience.

• Lead UX resource planning, manage external vendor relationships, and oversee budget allocations for UX operations initiatives.

• Develop and implement robust UX metrics, dashboards, and KPIs that directly align with product performance and broader business outcomes.

• Champion UX operational maturity and best practices across distributed, global UX teams, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

• Own and advance the enterprise accessibility strategy, ensuring alignment with global standards such as WCAG, ADA, and EN 301 549.

• Lead accessibility audits, coordinate remediation initiatives, and establish ongoing compliance monitoring processes.

• Build and scale UX research operations, including participant management, tooling, and the creation of centralized insights repositories.

• Act as an executive advocate for user-centered, inclusive, and ethical design principles throughout the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: These responsibilities indicate a strategic leadership role focused on building scalable frameworks, ensuring compliance, and driving operational efficiency within a large, global organization. The emphasis on "global," "enterprise," and "scaling" suggests a need for someone who can build and manage complex systems and processes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, Psychology, or a related field is typically expected for this level of leadership.

Experience:

• 12+ years of progressive experience in UX, Design Operations, or Digital Experience leadership roles.

• 5+ years of direct experience leading global, multidisciplinary UX teams.

Required Skills:

• Deep expertise in accessibility standards, regulatory requirements (WCAG, ADA, EN 301 549), and practical implementation strategies.

• Strong understanding of design systems, their governance, and their role in achieving cross-platform consistency.

• Demonstrated ability to define, track, and align UX metrics with critical business and product impact.

• Executive-level communication, presentation, and influencing skills, with a proven ability to gain buy-in from senior stakeholders.

• Strong knowledge of UX research methodologies, experimentation frameworks, and their operationalization.

• Experience driving organizational change, particularly within complex, matrixed, and global organizational structures.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with vendor management and budget oversight for operational functions.

• Familiarity with project management methodologies and tools relevant to operationalizing design processes.

• Understanding of ethical design principles and their application in product development.

• Experience with building and managing research operations infrastructure.

📝 Enhancement Note: The extensive experience requirement (12+ years) and specific leadership duration (5+ years leading global teams) highlight the seniority of this role. The emphasis on "scaling," "governance," and "organizational change" points to a need for a highly strategic and operationally astute leader. Experience in specific industry verticals like SaaS, health tech, or digital publishing is a strong indicator of the type of business context the candidate will navigate.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrations of successfully building and scaling UX Operations functions, showcasing process improvements, team growth, and operational efficiency gains.

• Case studies illustrating the development and implementation of enterprise-level design systems and their impact on consistency and scalability.

• Examples of established UX governance models and their effectiveness in managing cross-functional design efforts.

• Evidence of strategic planning and execution for accessibility initiatives, including compliance audits, remediation strategies, and ongoing monitoring.

Process Documentation:

• Detailed descriptions of standardized UX research intake, design workflow, and governance processes implemented.

• Examples of how participant management, tooling, and insights repositories were developed for UX research operations.

• Documentation outlining strategies for driving adoption of design systems and ensuring cross-platform consistency.

• Evidence of successful budget management and resource planning for large-scale UX operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior director role focused on operations and strategy, a portfolio should showcase the candidate's ability to design, implement, and manage complex operational frameworks, not just individual UX projects. Emphasis should be on scalable processes, governance, and measurable impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: U.S. National Base Pay Range: $118,300 - $219,800 USD per year.

Note on Location: Geographic differentials may apply in some locations to better reflect local market rates. This range is a national average and actual compensation will vary based on location, experience, and other factors.

Benefits:

• Country-specific benefits package available.

• Comprehensive health and wellness programs.

• Professional development and learning opportunities.

• Retirement savings plans.

• Paid time off and holidays.

• Access to global employee networks and resources.

Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week. Flexibility may be offered, but the role's strategic and operational oversight may require availability outside standard hours for global team coordination and critical initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided U.S. salary range serves as a benchmark. For UK, Netherlands, or other international locations, significant adjustments based on local market data for senior leadership roles in tech/information services would be necessary. For London, a senior director in a global tech organization could command a higher salary than the U.S. national average, potentially in the £150,000 - £250,000+ range depending on exact experience and benefits.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Information and Analytics (Global Leader in Scientific, Technical, and Medical Information)

Company Size: Large Enterprise (Elsevier is part of RELX, a global provider of information and analytics)

Founded: Elsevier has a long history, with its origins tracing back to the 19th century, evolving into a major player in scientific publishing and information services.

Team Structure:

• The Global UX team is diverse and multidisciplinary, including designers, researchers, and content specialists.

• This role operates at a senior leadership level, likely reporting into a VP or Chief Product Officer, and managing a global team of UX Operations and Accessibility professionals.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on user-centered, evidence-based design informed by user needs, business strategy, and technology capabilities.

• Commitment to raising the quality and consistency of user experiences across Elsevier’s global portfolio.

• Data-driven decision-making and a focus on measurable impact.

• Collaboration and cross-functional partnerships are core to achieving strategic objectives.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Elsevier's position as a global leader in scientific and medical information implies a complex user base (researchers, clinicians, educators) and a need for highly reliable, data-rich, and accessible platforms. The company's scale suggests a need for robust operational frameworks to ensure consistency and quality across a vast product ecosystem.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Director - This level signifies a strategic leadership role responsible for defining and executing operational strategy across a significant portion of the business (global UX operations and accessibility). It involves managing teams, budgets, and influencing executive-level decisions.

Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a Vice President of Product, Chief Product Officer, or a similar senior executive responsible for product development and user experience strategy. The role will oversee a global team of UX Operations and Accessibility specialists.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on the usability, accessibility, and consistency of Elsevier's product portfolio, which underpins scientific research, clinical decision-making, and educational outcomes for millions of users worldwide. Effective UX operations and accessibility contributions directly support Elsevier's mission to advance knowledge and improve outcomes, translating into enhanced user satisfaction, broader market reach, and compliance with global regulations.

Growth Opportunities:

• Opportunity to shape and scale enterprise-wide UX operations and accessibility initiatives at a global level.

• Potential for advancement to VP-level roles within UX, Product Operations, or Digital Strategy.

• Development of expertise in managing large-scale, complex operational frameworks within the scientific and healthcare information sector.

• Leadership role in driving critical organizational change and fostering a culture of user-centricity and inclusion.

• Opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies and data platforms that support scientific advancement and healthcare improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior Director" title and responsibilities denote a significant leadership position. Growth potential would involve expanding the scope of responsibility, leading larger or more strategic operational domains, or moving into broader product leadership roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Primarily on-site, with flexibility indicated for other global locations. This suggests a structured work environment that values in-person collaboration for strategic leadership.

Office Location(s): Primary: London, UK (London Wall). Other potential hubs: Raleigh, NC; Philadelphia, PA; Amsterdam.

Workspace Context:

• The role will likely involve leading a distributed, global team, necessitating strong remote collaboration and communication skills.

• Expect a dynamic, fast-paced environment typical of a large, global information services company.

• Access to robust internal IT infrastructure, design tools, and collaboration platforms is expected.

• Opportunities for cross-functional collaboration with product management, engineering, research, legal, and compliance teams.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week), but strategic leadership, global team management, and critical project demands may require flexibility and availability outside of typical business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the specified locations suggests an organization that embraces global talent while maintaining core on-site presence for key leadership roles. The role will require balancing in-person collaboration with effective remote team management.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR and possibly a senior UX leader will assess alignment with experience and qualifications.

• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion about leadership philosophy, operational strategy, and experience in scaling UX operations and accessibility.

• Cross-functional Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with leaders from Product, Engineering, or other relevant departments to assess collaboration style, communication, and strategic alignment.

• Executive Presentation/Case Study: A potential requirement for the candidate to present a strategic plan or case study related to scaling UX operations or improving accessibility within a complex organization.

• Final Round: Discussions with senior leadership to confirm fit and strategic vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on showcasing your strategic influence and operational impact rather than just individual design work.

• Prepare detailed case studies on how you built, scaled, or optimized UX Operations functions. Quantify improvements using metrics (e.g., efficiency gains, cost savings, consistency improvements).

• Clearly articulate your approach to establishing governance models for design systems and accessibility.

• Present your experience in managing global teams and driving organizational change.

• Be ready to discuss specific challenges you've faced in accessibility compliance and how you've overcome them.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss how you would develop a 3-5 year strategy for UX Operations and Accessibility at Elsevier.

• Think about how you would measure the ROI of UX Operations and accessibility initiatives.

• Prepare to answer questions about managing conflicting priorities across different business units or product lines.

• Consider how you would foster a culture of inclusion and accessibility across a global, distributed workforce.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the senior director level and focus on operations, the interview process will heavily emphasize strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, and a demonstrable track record of operational excellence and change management. A portfolio that showcases the systems and processes built is crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Systems Tools: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar for managing design components and documentation.

• Collaboration Platforms: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello for workflow management and documentation.

• Communication Tools: Slack, Microsoft Teams for daily team interaction.

• Project Management Software: Tools for resource planning, scheduling, and budget tracking.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Platforms: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar for tracking user behavior and product performance.

• BI & Dashboarding Tools: Tableau, Power BI, Looker for creating and presenting UX metrics and KPIs.

• Survey & Feedback Tools: SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics, Typeform for gathering user feedback.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: Experience with Salesforce or similar enterprise CRMs to understand user data and customer journeys.

• Accessibility Testing Tools: WAVE, Axe, Siteimprove, or similar for auditing and compliance checks.

• Research Participant Management Platforms: UserTesting.com, Lookback, or internal systems for managing research recruitments.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly listed, a senior director in this role would be expected to have a strong understanding of the ecosystem of tools and how they integrate to support scalable UX operations and accessibility. Proficiency in selecting, implementing, and governing these tools is key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving user needs in all design and operational decisions.

• Inclusion & Accessibility: Prioritizing the creation of experiences that are usable and accessible to everyone, regardless of ability.

• Operational Excellence: Driving efficiency, consistency, and quality through robust processes and continuous improvement.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing metrics and insights to inform strategy and measure impact.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Working effectively across teams and disciplines to achieve shared goals.

• Innovation & Continuous Learning: Embracing new approaches and technologies to enhance UX and operations.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, working closely with product management, engineering, research, marketing, and legal teams.

• Emphasis on clear, concise communication and stakeholder management.

• Fostering a culture of shared responsibility for user experience and accessibility.

• Open to feedback and iterative improvement of processes and strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: Elsevier's mission to advance science and improve outcomes suggests a culture that values rigor, impact, and ethical considerations. The UX Operations and Accessibility functions will be integral to upholding these values in practice.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Global Scale & Complexity: Managing UX operations and accessibility across a vast, diverse product portfolio and numerous business units requires sophisticated governance and standardization.

• Driving Organizational Change: Shifting mindsets and embedding new operational practices and accessibility standards in a large, established organization can be challenging.

• Balancing Consistency with Autonomy: Ensuring platform consistency while allowing product teams the flexibility to innovate.

• Measuring ROI: Demonstrating the tangible business value and return on investment for UX operations and accessibility efforts.

• Evolving Accessibility Standards: Keeping pace with changing global regulations and best practices.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen expertise in accessibility compliance and assistive technologies.

• Develop advanced skills in operational strategy, process optimization, and enterprise-wide change management.

• Gain exposure to diverse product lines within the scientific, medical, and educational sectors.

• Opportunities to mentor and develop a global team of operations and accessibility professionals.

• Attend industry conferences and workshops focused on UX operations, design systems, and accessibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the strategic nature of the role and the need for a leader adept at navigating complexity and driving change. Growth opportunities are tied to expanding influence and expertise in critical areas of product development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you assess the current state of UX operations and accessibility at Elsevier and develop a roadmap for improvement over the next 18 months?"

• "Describe a time you successfully implemented a new design system or governance model across multiple product teams. What were the key challenges and how did you overcome them?"

• "What are the critical metrics you would track to demonstrate the value of UX Operations and accessibility to senior leadership? How would you report on these?"

• "How do you ensure accessibility compliance is integrated into the product development lifecycle from the outset, rather than being an afterthought?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of Elsevier's mission, how would you tailor UX operations and accessibility to best serve researchers and clinicians?"

• "How do you align operational strategies with broader business objectives and product roadmaps in a large, matrixed organization?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio around key themes: Scaling Operations, Establishing Governance, Driving Accessibility, Measuring Impact.

• Case Studies: Select 2-3 detailed case studies that best demonstrate your strategic leadership and operational achievements. For each, clearly articulate the problem, your solution (processes, systems, strategies), your role, and the measurable outcomes (quantified impact).

• Visuals: Use clear diagrams to illustrate process flows, organizational structures, or system architectures.

• Accessibility Focus: Ensure your presentation itself is accessible and consider including a case study specifically highlighting a significant accessibility improvement initiative.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your most impactful work concisely, and have deeper details available for follow-up questions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, operational expertise, leadership acumen, and a deep understanding of both UX operations and accessibility principles within an enterprise context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Director of UX Operations & Accessibility position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Elsevier Careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and any submitted portfolio materials to highlight experience in scaling operations, designing governance frameworks, and leading accessibility initiatives within large, global organizations. Use keywords from the job description.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your leadership experience, quantifiable achievements in operational efficiency, and impact on product quality and accessibility. Emphasize experience with global teams and complex organizational structures.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your strategic vision for UX Operations and Accessibility, using specific examples from your experience. Prepare to discuss case studies that demonstrate your ability to drive change and deliver measurable results.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Elsevier's product portfolio, target user groups (researchers, clinicians, educators), and its mission to advance science and improve outcomes. Understand how UX and accessibility contribute to these goals.

⚠️ 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.

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