Senior UI Designer and Developer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UI Designer and Developer

Company: Unbound

Location: Kansas City, KS, US

Job Type: Full Time

Category: Web Design & Development / Content Management Systems

Date Posted: 2026-05-13

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design, development, and ongoing evolution of Unbound’s web properties, with a primary focus on maximizing the transition to SitecoreAI from its existing self-hosted Sitecore environment.

• Serve as the organization’s internal subject matter expert on SitecoreAI, guiding architecture decisions, component development, and content management workflows.

• Design and produce assets for Unbound’s website while implementing industry best practices and emerging technologies.

• Play a leading role in developing solutions and resolving challenges related to the website user experience and front-end functionality, ensuring effectiveness and consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior individual contributor with significant ownership over a critical platform migration (SitecoreAI) and the organization's digital presence. The focus on SitecoreAI, a headless CMS, indicates a need for modern front-end development skills and a strategic understanding of content management systems.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• SitecoreAI Platform Leadership:

  • Act as the primary subject matter expert for SitecoreAI, overseeing the migration from the current self-hosted Sitecore instance and driving platform adoption.
  • Architect and develop reusable, scalable component libraries within SitecoreAI using Sitecore’s headless CMS framework, Next.js, and the Sitecore JavaScript Rendering SDK (JSS).
  • Configure and manage SitecoreAI environments, including tenant setup, site definitions, deployment pipelines, and integration with Sitecore Experience Edge.
  • Build and maintain Sitecore data templates, rendering items, layout definitions, and personalization rules to support acquisition, engagement, and retention goals.
  • Collaborate with the Technology Services web development team to integrate SitecoreAI with Unbound’s back-end systems, CRM, and third-party marketing tools via APIs.
  • Develop and document authoring guidelines and training materials to empower content editors and stakeholders.
  • Monitor platform performance, conduct audits, and identify opportunities to improve site speed, reliability, and content delivery efficiency.
  • Stay current with Sitecore product roadmap updates, SitecoreAI releases, and headless CMS best practices.

• UI Design & Front-End Development:

  • Design and implement user interfaces for Unbound’s website and digital applications, creating wireframes, mockups, and prototypes.
  • Develop front-end solutions using HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, and React/Next.js, referencing design documentation.
  • Create visually appealing and intuitive interfaces focusing on typography, color, iconography, spacing, and layout to guide users toward sponsorship and engagement goals.
  • Design and develop interactive components such as navigation menus, calls-to-action, forms, and landing page elements.
  • Ensure responsive layouts are optimized for all screen sizes and devices, maintaining cross-browser and cross-platform compatibility.
  • Contribute to Unbound’s brand guidelines with an online design system to ensure brand consistency.
  • Develop and maintain a component library for the CMS, enabling easy deployment of approved design patterns.
  • Document design decisions and components, and maintain an updated knowledge base.

• Digital Asset & Content Operations:

  • Ensure website design aligns with acquisition and engagement goals, incorporating user feedback and stakeholder input.
  • Optimize images and media assets for web and mobile performance, managing them through the organization’s digital asset manager.
  • Maintain the photo library to manage usage rights and asset expiration.
  • Provide ongoing monitoring, maintenance, and support of Unbound’s web properties, including content updates and issue identification.
  • Ensure adherence to Unbound’s web change management process, quality review workflow, and accessibility standards compliance.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Leadership:

  • Work with cross-functional teams to plan and execute site initiatives within specified timelines and budgets.

  • Partner closely with the Marketing & Communications Project Manager and Technology Services Lead System Analyst to manage priorities and deadlines.

  • Collaborate with the Technology Services back-end development team to define requirements, confirm design solutions, and manage testing/implementation.

  • Mentor and provide guidance to junior team members or stakeholders on web design best practices and CMS authoring.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly delineate a dual focus on SitecoreAI platform expertise and front-end development/UI design. The emphasis on SitecoreAI migration and headless architecture suggests a strategic, technical leadership component beyond typical UI design tasks.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 5+ years of professional experience in UI design and front-end web development, with demonstrated growth in the scope and complexity of work.

• Experience with headless CMS architecture, including familiarity with Next.js, React, and REST or GraphQL APIs for content delivery.

• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and deployment workflows in a cloud-hosted web environment.

• Strong organizational and multi-tasking skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and consistently meet deadlines.

• Experience in the nonprofit sector or with mission-driven organizations is a plus.

Required Skills:

• Sitecore Platform Expertise: Hands-on experience with Sitecore CMS (AEM or other CMSs are acceptable, but deep Sitecore experience is crucial). Direct experience with SitecoreAI (SaaS headless CMS) is strongly preferred. Candidates with deep Sitecore experience and demonstrated ability to learn SitecoreAI will be considered.

• Front-End Development: Proficiency in HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript (ES6+), and jQuery. Experience with React/Next.js is essential for component development within SitecoreAI.

• UI/UX Design Principles: Thorough knowledge of visual design principles including graphic design, layout, typography, color theory, and branding. Experience creating wireframes, mockups, and prototypes using tools like Figma or Adobe Creative Cloud.

• Responsive & Accessible Design: Knowledge of responsive design principles, cross-browser development, and web accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1).

Preferred Skills:

• Headless CMS Frameworks: Proficiency with the Sitecore JavaScript Rendering SDK (JSS) or comparable headless rendering frameworks.

• UI Toolkits: Familiarity with UI toolkits like Bootstrap, Tailwind, and similar.

• Prototyping Tools: Moderate to advanced proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign); familiarity with Figma or comparable prototyping tools is preferred.

• API Integration: Experience working with REST or GraphQL APIs for content delivery and system integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for SitecoreAI experience or a strong aptitude to learn it is a key differentiator. The blend of design and development skills, coupled with CMS expertise, positions this as a hybrid role requiring deep technical knowledge in a specific platform.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing a minimum of 5 years of UI design and front-end development work is mandatory.

• The portfolio must demonstrate both high-quality visual design execution and strong front-end technical capabilities, with clear examples of responsive design and accessibility compliance.

• Include case studies or detailed project examples that highlight your process for translating requirements into elegant, user-centered design and development solutions.

• Showcase experience with component-based development, preferably demonstrating reusable component libraries and their implementation within a CMS context.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate experience in documenting design decisions, components, and maintaining knowledge bases for broader team access.

• Showcase examples of developing authoring guidelines and training materials for content editors and stakeholders within a CMS environment.

• Include examples of how you have optimized images and media assets for web performance and managed digital assets within a Digital Asset Management (DAM) system.

• Provide evidence of adherence to web change management processes, quality review workflows, and accessibility standards compliance in past projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this role, particularly one that highlights Sitecore experience, headless development, and a user-centric design approach. The emphasis on process documentation suggests that the ability to create scalable, maintainable digital assets and provide training is highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan with potential company match.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, conferences, and certifications related to SitecoreAI, web development, and UI/UX design.

• Life and Disability Insurance: Employer-paid life and disability insurance coverage.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Support services for personal and professional challenges.

• Mission-Driven Work: Opportunity to contribute to a meaningful mission focused on poverty alleviation.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are typically 40 hours per week.

• While the role is on-site, there may be some flexibility for focused work sessions, with clear communication expected regarding availability and project timelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on common compensation for similar roles in the specified location and experience level. Specific benefits and working hours should be confirmed with Unbound during the application process.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: International Nonprofit / Humanitarian Aid

Company Size: The provided data does not specify company size, but typical nonprofit organizations of this nature can range from 50-500 employees, suggesting a collaborative environment with potential for cross-functional impact.

Founded: Unbound was founded by lay Catholics grounded in the Gospel call to put the needs of the marginalized and vulnerable first. This foundation shapes a culture of service, compassion, and dedication to their mission.

Team Structure:

• Operations Focus: The role sits within a team focused on managing and evolving the organization's digital presence. This likely involves close collaboration with Marketing & Communications, Technology Services, and potentially program-related teams.

• Reporting: This is a senior individual contributor role, likely reporting to a Web Manager, Director of Digital Strategy, or a similar leadership position within the Marketing or Technology department.

• Collaboration: Expect close partnerships with a Marketing & Communications Project Manager, a Lead System Analyst from Technology Services, and back-end developers. Mentorship of junior team members is also a component.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The role emphasizes aligning website design with acquisition and engagement goals, suggesting a data-informed approach to decision-making.

• Process Optimization: Responsibilities include improving site speed, reliability, and content delivery efficiency, indicating a focus on optimizing web operations.

• Agile/Iterative Practices: The need to manage priorities, timelines, and deadlines, along with continuous refinement based on user feedback, implies an iterative approach to web development and design.

Company Website: https://unbound.org/

📝 Enhancement Note: Unbound's mission as an international nonprofit heavily influences its culture, emphasizing compassion, dignity, and a commitment to serving vulnerable populations. This role will be integral to amplifying that mission through effective digital platforms.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor

This role is a senior individual contributor, meaning it requires a high degree of autonomy, expertise, and the ability to lead initiatives without direct reports. The scope includes strategic platform migration (SitecoreAI), detailed UI/UX design, front-end development, and an understanding of content operations. It's a critical role for the organization's digital strategy.

Reporting Structure:

The Senior UI Designer and Developer will likely report to a manager overseeing web strategy or digital platforms, such as a Director of Digital Strategy or Lead Web Administrator. They will collaborate extensively with various departments, including Marketing & Communications and Technology Services, acting as a subject matter expert and technical lead for web initiatives.

Operations Impact:

The role has a direct impact on Unbound's ability to achieve its mission by:

• Driving Engagement: Enhancing the user experience to encourage sponsorships and donations.

• Optimizing Content Delivery: Ensuring content is accessible, effective, and aligned with organizational goals.

• Enabling Efficiency: Migrating to a modern CMS (SitecoreAI) that streamlines content management and web development processes.

• Maintaining Brand Integrity: Ensuring a consistent and professional online brand presence across all digital touchpoints.

Growth Opportunities:

• Platform Specialization: Deepen expertise in SitecoreAI, becoming the go-to internal authority and potentially leading future platform enhancements or integrations.

• Technical Leadership: Transition into a team lead or technical architect role for web development within Unbound as the organization grows or evolves its digital strategy.

• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Gain broader exposure to marketing strategy, content operations, and backend system integrations through close collaboration.

• Mentorship: Develop leadership and communication skills by mentoring junior team members or colleagues on design and development best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for this role leans towards deeper technical specialization within the Sitecore ecosystem or a broader leadership role in digital strategy, leveraging the foundational experience gained from this senior individual contributor position.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site

This position requires the individual to work from Unbound's office in Kansas City, Kansas. This fosters in-person collaboration, team cohesion, and direct interaction with colleagues across departments.

Office Location(s):

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The on-site nature is designed to facilitate teamwork, brainstorming sessions, and direct problem-solving with colleagues from Marketing, Technology, and other relevant departments.

• Tools & Technology: Access to standard office equipment, dedicated workstations, and necessary software for design, development, and content management (e.g., Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, SitecoreAI environment).

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular face-to-face interaction with the Marketing & Communications Project Manager, Technology Services Lead System Analyst, and back-end development teams, promoting efficient communication and project alignment.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is full-time, approximately 40 hours per week.

• While on-site, the organization likely values productivity and results, potentially offering some flexibility in daily start/end times, provided project deadlines and team collaboration needs are met. Clear communication regarding availability is key.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on an on-site environment suggests a preference for direct collaboration and team synergy, which is common in nonprofit settings where resourcefulness and shared problem-solving are highly valued.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications, experience, and alignment with the role's technical and design requirements.

• Technical/Design Interview: An in-depth discussion focusing on your UI design process, front-end development skills, and specific experience with Sitecore or similar CMS platforms. Expect to walk through portfolio examples.

• Platform Migration & Strategy Discussion: A conversation centered on your approach to leading a SitecoreAI migration, architecting component libraries, and managing content workflows. Your understanding of headless CMS principles will be evaluated.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Cultural Fit: Interviews with key stakeholders from Marketing and Technology Services to assess your ability to collaborate effectively, communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences, and align with Unbound's mission and values.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss overall strategic fit and long-term contributions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Sitecore/Headless Experience: Prioritize projects demonstrating your work with Sitecore or other enterprise CMSs, especially those involving headless architecture, Next.js, or React.

• Showcase Design Process: For each project, clearly articulate your problem-solving approach, from initial wireframing and user research to final design and development implementation.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics or outcomes demonstrating the effectiveness of your designs and development work (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced bounce rates, enhanced user engagement).

• Demonstrate Technical Proficiency: Include code samples or links to live sites that showcase your front-end development skills (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React/Next.js) and adherence to best practices (responsiveness, accessibility).

• Tailor to SitecoreAI: If you have experience with SitecoreAI or similar SaaS headless CMS, explicitly call it out. For others, emphasize your ability to quickly learn new platforms and adapt to new technologies.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your strategy for migrating from a self-hosted Sitecore to SitecoreAI, including potential challenges and mitigation plans.

• Anticipate questions about architecting reusable component libraries and ensuring a consistent brand experience across a headless CMS.

• Prepare to explain how you would mentor colleagues on CMS authoring and front-end standards.

• Brush up on WCAG 2.1 accessibility guidelines and how you implement them in your design and development work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh your ability to lead a complex platform migration and translate technical requirements into effective user experiences. A well-curated portfolio that directly addresses these points is crucial for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CMS: SitecoreAI (primary focus), Sitecore (current environment), potentially other enterprise CMS platforms.

• Front-End Frameworks/Libraries: Next.js, React, JavaScript (ES6+).

• Design & Prototyping: Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), Figma (preferred), other comparable prototyping tools.

• Web Languages: HTML5, CSS3, jQuery.

• UI Toolkits: Bootstrap, Tailwind (familiarity expected).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Likely Google Analytics or similar tools to track website performance and user behavior.

• Performance Monitoring: Tools to monitor site speed, reliability, and content delivery efficiency within SitecoreAI.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Integration: Experience integrating web properties with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics) via APIs is beneficial.

• Marketing Tools: Familiarity with third-party marketing tools that integrate with CMS platforms.

• APIs: Understanding and experience working with REST or GraphQL APIs for content delivery and system integration.

• Deployment: Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and deployment workflows in a cloud-hosted web environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in SitecoreAI, Next.js, and React is paramount. Experience with headless CMS principles and API integration will be highly valued, reflecting the modern technical stack Unbound is adopting.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission Alignment: A deep commitment to Unbound’s mission of supporting families and communities out of poverty. All work should ultimately serve this purpose.

• Dignity & Respect: Recognizing the dignity of each person, fostering relationships of mutual respect, teamwork, and commitment to core values.

• User-Centricity: Designing and developing with the end-user in mind, ensuring intuitive, accessible, and effective online experiences for sponsors, donors, and beneficiaries.

• Quality & Thoroughness: Demonstrating accuracy, attention to detail, and a commitment to improving performance and quality in all digital assets and processes.

• Collaboration: Building trusting, collaborative relationships across all departments, working cooperatively with a wide variety of people.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively partnering with Marketing & Communications, Technology Services, and other departments to ensure web initiatives are aligned with broader organizational goals.

• Process Review & Feedback: Openness to sharing expertise, receiving feedback on designs and development work, and participating in quality review workflows.

• Knowledge Sharing: Mentoring colleagues, documenting best practices, and contributing to a shared knowledge base for web design, development, and CMS usage.

• Adaptability: Quickly shifting focus among competing activities, maintaining composure under pressure, and adapting readily to changing work demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at Unbound is deeply rooted in its humanitarian mission. Successful candidates will not only possess strong technical skills but also demonstrate a genuine alignment with the organization's values of dignity, respect, and service.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• SitecoreAI Migration Complexity: Leading the transition from a self-hosted Sitecore to a SaaS headless CMS (SitecoreAI) presents technical and procedural challenges, requiring careful planning, execution, and stakeholder management.

• Balancing Design and Development: Effectively merging strong UI/UX design principles with robust front-end development capabilities to create intuitive yet technically sound web experiences.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring that web development efforts align with the diverse needs and priorities of various departments (Marketing, IT, Programs) within a nonprofit structure.

• Resource Constraints: Navigating potential resource limitations common in nonprofit organizations while striving for high-quality digital solutions.

• Staying Current: Keeping pace with rapid advancements in headless CMS technology, front-end frameworks, and design trends while managing day-to-day responsibilities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• SitecoreAI Mastery: Opportunity to become a certified expert in SitecoreAI, a cutting-edge headless CMS platform, enhancing marketability and internal value.

• Advanced Front-End Development: Deepen expertise in Next.js, React, and modern JavaScript, potentially exploring related frameworks or libraries.

• Digital Strategy Exposure: Gain insights into broader digital marketing, content strategy, and CRM integration through cross-functional collaboration.

• Nonprofit Sector Expertise: Develop a nuanced understanding of the unique operational and communication challenges within the nonprofit industry.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Opportunities to mentor junior colleagues, refine leadership communication skills, and potentially influence the future direction of Unbound's digital presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a significant opportunity to be at the forefront of Unbound's digital transformation by leading a key platform migration. The challenges are substantial but come with significant potential for professional growth and impact.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to migrating a complex website from a traditional CMS (like self-hosted Sitecore) to a headless CMS (like SitecoreAI). What are the key considerations and potential pitfalls?"

  • Preparation: Outline a phased approach, focusing on content modeling, component architecture, API integrations, testing, and user training. Discuss risk mitigation strategies for data integrity and downtime.

• "How do you ensure a consistent brand experience and user interface across a headless CMS architecture where content editors have more autonomy?"

  • Preparation: Discuss the importance of a well-defined design system, reusable component libraries, clear authoring guidelines, and robust validation processes.

• "Walk us through a challenging UI design or front-end development project from your portfolio. What was the problem, your solution, and the outcome?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Unbound's mission, and how do you see your role contributing to it?"

  • Preparation: Research Unbound's mission, vision, and recent work. Connect your skills and passion for design/development to their goals of poverty alleviation.

• "How do you approach collaboration with non-technical stakeholders, such as marketing or program teams?"

  • Preparation: Emphasize active listening, clear communication (avoiding jargon), empathy for their goals, and a willingness to translate technical concepts into understandable terms.

• "Describe your experience working in a team environment. How do you handle differing opinions or feedback on your work?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or by demonstrating specific skills (e.g., Sitecore projects, responsive design examples, component development).

• Narrative: For each project, tell a story: the challenge, your process, the solution, and the results. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Technical Depth: Be prepared to discuss the technical stack, frameworks, and methodologies used in your projects, especially those related to Sitecore, Next.js, or React.

• SitecoreAI Focus: If you have SitecoreAI experience, lead with it. If not, highlight your ability to learn new platforms quickly and draw parallels to your existing CMS expertise.

• Accessibility & Responsiveness: Showcase examples that clearly demonstrate your commitment to WCAG standards and responsive design principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to articulate not just what you've done, but why and how. Your ability to connect your technical and design skills to Unbound's mission will be a significant factor.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UI Designer and Developer position:

• Submit your application through the provided ADP recruitment portal link.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your experience with Sitecore, SitecoreAI, headless CMS, Next.js, React, and UI/front-end development. Use keywords from the job description and emphasize achievements related to platform migrations, user experience improvements, and component development.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio prominently features relevant projects, especially those showcasing Sitecore experience, responsive design, accessibility compliance, and front-end development skills. Prepare a concise narrative for each project, detailing the problem, your solution, and the impact.

• Prepare for Technical Deep Dives: Be ready to discuss your technical approach to SitecoreAI migration, component architecture, and front-end development best practices during interviews. Practice explaining complex technical concepts clearly.

• Research Unbound: Understand Unbound's mission, values, and recent work. Consider how your skills and experience can directly contribute to their goals and how you would fit into their mission-driven culture.

⚠️ 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.