Senior UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer Company: Equitable Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada Job Type: Temporary Full-Time (Fifteen (15) Month Contract) Category: User Experience (UX) Design Date Posted: 2025-08-18 Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (3+ years) Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearheads the design and execution of intuitive digital experiences for advisors and clients, focusing on translating complex user needs into elegant and effective solutions.
• Drives user-centered design (UCD) methodologies throughout the product lifecycle, from initial concept and user research to prototyping, user testing, and final implementation.
• Collaborates closely with cross-functional teams, including product managers, developers, and marketing, to ensure digital solutions align with business objectives, technical feasibility, and brand strategy.
• Champions UX best practices and continuous improvement, staying abreast of emerging digital trends to elevate client and partner experiences within the financial services sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is for a Senior UX Designer, the input data does not explicitly state a Revenue Operations, Sales Operations, or GTM focus. However, the responsibilities of designing digital experiences for "advisors and clients" in the "Impact Areas" division of a financial services company (Equitable) strongly imply a connection to how the company engages its intermediaries and customer base. This can indirectly impact sales enablement, client onboarding, and overall customer relationship management (CRM) effectiveness. Therefore, the enhancements will lean into the operational aspects of UX design within a business context, focusing on user adoption, efficiency, and experience as drivers of business outcomes.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Translate intricate concepts and user interactions into clear, user-friendly designs, wireframes, user stories, and prototypes for both digital and omni-channel products.
• Conduct comprehensive user research, user testing, A/B testing, and heuristic analysis to identify design problems and validate proposed solutions, ensuring alignment with user needs and business goals.
• Develop and present detailed design deliverables, including wireframes, user journeys, mock-ups, and interactive prototypes, optimized for various devices and interfaces.
• Collaborate effectively with product management, engineering, and other stakeholders to define product vision and roadmap execution, ensuring design solutions are technically feasible and meet business requirements.
• Champion a user-centered design approach, iterating rapidly on designs based on feedback and user data to continuously improve the usability and accessibility of digital platforms.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to digital experiences to measure success and identify areas for further optimization and enhancement.
• Engage directly with external partners and clients to gather insights, understand their needs, and ensure their perspectives are integrated into the design process.
• Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in UX design, bringing innovative ideas to the team to enhance client and partner digital experiences.
• Work closely with agile development teams to ensure front-end digital experiences seamlessly align with and support back-office functions, contributing to end-to-end process efficiency.
• Ensure consistent and high-quality delivery of digital experiences across different divisions, such as Individual Insurance, Savings & Retirement, and Group Benefits.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed, particularly "translating complex concepts and interactions into simple, elegant, and coherent design," "defining and taking user journeys from concept through implementation," and "monitoring key performance indicators for our digital experiences," highlight the operational impact of UX design. These actions directly influence user adoption, efficiency in task completion, and overall satisfaction, which are critical for driving business outcomes and supporting GTM strategies by enabling smoother interactions for advisors and clients.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Interaction Design, Graphic Design, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior UX Designer role. Equivalent practical experience may be considered.

Experience:

• A minimum of three (3) years of dedicated experience in User Experience (UX) design, with a proven track record of successfully delivering user-centered digital products.
• Extensive experience in designing and conducting user research, usability testing, and A/B testing to inform design decisions and validate solutions.
• Demonstrated experience with client journey mapping and understanding complex user workflows within a business context.
• Deep experience working within Agile development methodologies, collaborating with cross-functional teams in iterative design and development cycles.

Required Skills:

• User-Centered Design (UCD): A profound understanding and practical application of UCD principles, methodologies, and best practices.
• UX Software Proficiency: Expertise in industry-standard UX design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, Axure, InVision, UXPin, Balsamiq, or Framer.
• Information Architecture & Wireframing: Ability to structure content logically and create detailed wireframes and user flows that effectively communicate design intent.
• Prototyping: Skill in creating interactive prototypes to test and demonstrate design concepts and user interactions.
• User Research & Testing: Proficiency in planning, conducting, and analyzing user research, usability testing, and heuristic evaluations.
• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design processes, ideas, and solutions clearly to diverse stakeholders.
• Agile Methodologies: Strong familiarity and experience working within Agile development frameworks.
• Problem-Solving: Aptitude for identifying design challenges and developing innovative, elegant solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Basic HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript skills to understand front-end development constraints and possibilities.
• Experience with Ceros design platform.
• Familiarity with accessibility standards (WCAG) and inclusive design principles.
• Knowledge of the financial services industry, specifically related to insurance and investment products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "strong grasp of user-centered design (UCD), planning and conducting user research, user testing, A/B testing, rapid prototyping, heuristic analysis, usability and accessibility concerns" is critical for operations roles as it directly impacts the efficiency and effectiveness of user interactions with digital tools, thereby influencing operational workflows and customer/advisor satisfaction. The mention of "Agile ways of working" is also a key operational skill, indicating a need for adaptability and iterative process improvement.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of UX design projects, demonstrating the ability to translate user needs into intuitive and effective digital solutions.
• Projects should highlight the end-to-end design process, including user research, journey mapping, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing.
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of how design decisions were made, supported by user data, research findings, and business objectives.
• Include examples of responsive design and mobile-first approaches, showcasing adaptability across different platforms and devices.
• Showcase the ability to iterate on designs based on feedback and performance data, illustrating a commitment to continuous improvement.

Process Documentation:

• Portfolio pieces should clearly articulate the design process followed for each project, including methodologies used (e.g., UCD, design thinking, agile UX).
• Provide evidence of how user feedback and data were incorporated into design iterations to improve usability and user satisfaction.
• Illustrate the collaboration process with stakeholders, developers, and other team members, demonstrating effective communication and integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations-focused roles, a portfolio is crucial not just for showcasing design skills, but also for demonstrating a structured, data-driven approach to problem-solving and process improvement. The emphasis on "user research," "usability testing," and "data-driven iteration" directly relates to optimizing operational efficiency and user experience, which are core to revenue and sales operations.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• For a Senior UX Designer in Waterloo, ON, with 3+ years of experience, the estimated salary range can be between CAD $75,000 to CAD $110,000 annually. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for UX design roles in major Canadian tech hubs and considers the seniority level and the nature of a temporary contract. Actual compensation may vary based on the candidate's specific skills, experience, and the final scope of the contract.

Benefits:

• Health and Wellness: Access to programs and initiatives focused on employee well-being and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, skill enhancement, and staying current with industry trends.
• Collaborative Environment: A supportive workplace culture that encourages open communication, idea sharing, and teamwork.
• Inclusive Culture: Participation in employee resource groups and initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion.
• Onsite Amenities: Access to a full-service cafeteria, providing convenience and variety for meals.
• Company Engagement: Involvement in "EQ Together" events designed to foster company-wide togetherness and collaboration.

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time, temporary position, typically expected to align with standard business hours (e.g., 37.5-40 hours per week). Specific daily schedules can be discussed during the interview process, with a focus on flexibility to support project needs and team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on data from reputable Canadian salary aggregators and industry reports for UX roles in the Waterloo region, adjusted for the "Senior" title and the temporary contract nature. Given the lack of specific benefits listed beyond general cultural points, standard benefits for a temporary full-time role in Canada would typically include vacation pay, statutory holiday pay, and potentially health benefits if provided for contract employees.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services, specifically focusing on insurance and investment products. This industry context implies a need for clear, trustworthy, and secure digital experiences, often dealing with complex financial information and regulatory requirements. Company Size: Equitable is a significant organization, indicated by its recognition as a "Waterloo Area's Top Employer for 2025" and "Southwestern Ontario's Top Employer for 2024." This suggests a structured environment with established processes and a diverse workforce. Founded: While the founding date isn't provided, Equitable has a history and reputation in the financial services sector, suggesting a stable and established company culture.

Team Structure:

• The Senior UX Designer reports to the AVP, Brand Impact & Creative Services, within the "Impact Areas" department. This suggests a team focused on enhancing the company's brand presence and creative output, with UX playing a critical role in shaping digital touchpoints.
• The role involves close collaboration with agile teams and stakeholders across different divisions (Individual Insurance, Savings & Retirement, Group Benefits), indicating a matrixed or project-based team structure where UX designers work cross-functionally.
• Expect a blend of direct UX team collaboration and close partnership with product managers, developers, and business analysts, requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Methodology:

• The team likely employs a user-centered design (UCD) methodology, emphasizing research, iteration, and data-driven decision-making to create impactful digital experiences.
• Given the mention of "Agile ways of working," the team operates within an agile framework, likely using Scrum or Kanban, requiring designers to be adaptable and responsive to changing requirements.
• Processes will involve translating business needs and user insights into tangible design solutions, with a focus on continuous improvement and stakeholder alignment.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's recognition as a "Top Employer" implies a positive work environment with a focus on employee growth and satisfaction. For a UX designer, this means opportunities to influence product direction and user experience within a supportive structure. The specific reporting line to "Brand Impact & Creative Services" suggests a strategic emphasis on how digital interfaces contribute to the overall brand perception and client engagement.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level UX Designer role, indicating a need for advanced skills, independent work, and the ability to mentor junior designers or contribute to design system improvements. The focus on "translating complex concepts" and "making strategic design and user-experience decisions" points to a significant level of responsibility and influence. Reporting Structure: The role reports to an AVP, indicating visibility and potential for direct interaction with senior leadership. Collaboration with various departments and agile teams means exposure to different business functions and project types. Operations Impact: The UX designer's work directly impacts how advisors and clients interact with Equitable's digital platforms. By creating intuitive and efficient user experiences, this role can influence:

• Advisor Adoption & Efficiency: Streamlining processes for advisors can lead to increased productivity and better client service.
• Client Engagement & Retention: Positive digital experiences can enhance client satisfaction, loyalty, and the likelihood of continued business.
• Digital Transformation: Contributing to the modernization of digital touchpoints supports the company's broader digital transformation goals.
• Brand Perception: Well-designed interfaces reinforce Equitable's brand image as professional, reliable, and customer-focused.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of UX, such as user research, interaction design, or accessibility.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain broader business acumen by working with different product teams and understanding their unique challenges.
• Leadership Potential: Develop mentoring skills by guiding junior designers or leading UX initiatives within projects.
• Industry Insight: Gain valuable experience in the financial services sector, a complex and regulated industry with unique UX challenges.
• Contract to Permanent: While this is a contract role, strong performance could lead to opportunities for permanent positions within Equitable.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operations Impact" section is crucial for framing this UX role within an operational context. By improving user journeys and task completion efficiency, the designer contributes to smoother business processes, reduced support costs, and enhanced customer/advisor satisfaction – all key operational metrics. The growth opportunities highlight how this role can serve as a stepping stone within operations-focused career paths.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Equitable offers a hybrid work model. This means a blend of remote work and in-office presence. The office environment is designed to foster collaboration and team connection. Office Location(s): The primary office location for this role is Waterloo, Ontario. This region is known for its strong technology and innovation ecosystem. Workspace Context:

• The hybrid model allows for focused work at home and collaborative sessions, brainstorming, and team meetings in the office.
• Expect a professional office setting designed to support employee engagement and productivity, likely equipped with modern technology and amenities.
• The emphasis on "EQ Together events" and "open, honest communication" suggests a workplace that values interpersonal connections and team cohesion.

Work Schedule:

• The role is full-time, implying a standard workweek. The hybrid arrangement requires a minimum of two assigned, consecutive days in the Waterloo office every other week, plus a fifth assigned day per month. Employees are welcome to utilize the office more frequently. This structured hybrid approach aims to balance flexibility with team synergy and operational needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model with specific in-office days is a key operational consideration. It requires effective time management and coordination to maximize collaboration during office days, which is essential for UX designers who often rely on in-person feedback and workshops.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely review applications and conduct a brief phone screen to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.
• Portfolio Review & Presentation: Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, showcasing their design process, problem-solving skills, and key projects. This is a critical step to evaluate practical UX capabilities.
• Technical/Skills Interview: Expect interviews focused on UX methodologies, design principles, specific tools, and experience with Agile and UCD. This may include scenario-based questions or problem-solving exercises.
• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with potential team members, product managers, or other stakeholders to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to integrate into the existing team dynamics.
• Final Interview: Potentially with the hiring manager or a senior leader to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and finalize the offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Structure your portfolio around compelling narratives for each project, clearly outlining the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the impact (quantifiable results are a plus).
• Process Focus: Emphasize your design process, highlighting how you used research, ideation, prototyping, and testing to arrive at your final designs. Show your thinking, not just the final screens.
• Showcase Variety: Include projects that demonstrate your ability to handle different types of challenges, user contexts, and design solutions.
• Tailor to the Role: If possible, highlight projects that align with financial services, advisor tools, or client-facing applications.
• Conciseness: Be prepared to walk through your portfolio efficiently, focusing on the most relevant and impactful aspects for this specific role.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for potential design challenges or case studies that simulate real-world problems Equitable might face.
• Focus on demonstrating your problem-solving approach, your ability to ask clarifying questions, and how you would apply UX principles to find a solution.
• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, as if presenting to stakeholders with varying levels of UX understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "portfolio review," "design process," and "problem-solving approach" is vital for operations roles. It allows hiring managers to assess a candidate's ability to systematically tackle challenges, optimize processes, and deliver measurable results, which are core competencies in operations.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX/UI Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, Axure, InVision, UXPin, Balsamiq, Framer. Proficiency in at least one of these is essential.
• User Research & Testing Platforms: Tools for conducting user interviews, surveys, and usability tests (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze).
• Collaboration & Project Management: Agile tools like Jira, Confluence, Trello, Asana, or similar platforms for managing workflows and team communication.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to understand user behavior and track performance metrics for digital experiences.
• Ability to interpret data from these tools to inform design decisions and measure the impact of UX enhancements.

CRM & Automation:

• While not explicitly mentioned as a primary tool for this UX role, an understanding of how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms function can be beneficial for designing integrated user experiences. Awareness of how digital touchpoints feed into broader customer relationship management processes is advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Highlighting proficiency in UX design tools like Figma and Sketch is standard. However, for an operations-oriented perspective, understanding how these tools integrate with analytics and CRM systems is key. This shows an awareness of the broader business process and how design impacts operational efficiency and data collection.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of advisors and clients through thoughtful design.
• Collaboration: Valuing teamwork, open communication, and constructive feedback to achieve shared goals.
• Curiosity & Continuous Learning: Encouraging exploration of new ideas, technologies, and methodologies to drive innovation and improvement.
• Empathy: Approaching design challenges with a genuine understanding and consideration for the user's perspective and experience.
• Impact-Driven: Focusing on creating meaningful outcomes that positively affect clients, partners, and the business.
• Efficiency: Striving for elegant solutions that simplify processes and enhance user productivity.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Working closely with product, engineering, marketing, and business stakeholders to ensure holistic product development.
• Agile Partnership: Seamless integration within agile teams, participating actively in ceremonies and providing design input throughout sprints.
• Feedback Loop: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback to foster a culture of continuous improvement and shared learning.
• Stakeholder Management: Effectively communicating design rationale and progress to various stakeholders, ensuring alignment and buy-in.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "user-centricity," "efficiency," and "impact-driven" directly aligns with core operations values. A UX designer who embodies these principles contributes significantly to operational excellence by creating tools and experiences that are both effective and efficient for users.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business & Technical Constraints: Navigating the complexities of delivering user-friendly designs within the practical limitations of business objectives and technical feasibility.
• Cross-Divisional Consistency: Ensuring a cohesive user experience across different product lines and departments (e.g., Individual Insurance, Group Benefits) requires strong alignment and communication.
• Adapting to Evolving Digital Trends: Staying ahead of the curve in a rapidly changing digital landscape and integrating new technologies and best practices effectively.
• Stakeholder Management: Effectively managing expectations and gaining buy-in from diverse stakeholders with varying priorities and perspectives.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Financial Services UX: Gaining specialized knowledge and experience in the unique UX challenges and opportunities within the financial services industry.
• Agile UX Practices: Deepening understanding and application of UX within agile frameworks, optimizing collaboration and delivery cycles.
• Design System Contribution: Potentially contributing to or expanding upon existing design systems, ensuring consistency and scalability across products.
• Mentorship: Opportunities to mentor junior designers or be mentored by senior members of the design or product teams.
• Industry Exposure: Learning about broader business strategies and how UX design contributes to Equitable's overall market position and client engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Challenges" section is particularly relevant for operations professionals, as it frames the role's complexities in terms of process optimization, stakeholder alignment, and adaptability – all critical operational skills. The growth opportunities highlight how this role can build a strong foundation for a career in operations-focused design or product management.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process & Problem Solving: "Describe a complex UX challenge you faced and how you approached it. What was your process, what tools did you use, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on demonstrating structured problem-solving, UCD, and iteration.)
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: "How do you collaborate with developers and product managers in an Agile environment? How do you handle disagreements or conflicting feedback from stakeholders?" (Highlight communication skills, empathy, and negotiation.)
• User Research & Data Utilization: "Tell me about a time you used user research or data to significantly change a design. How did you collect the data, and what was the impact?" (Showcase data-driven decision-making and impact measurement.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Understanding Equitable's Business: "What do you know about Equitable and the financial services industry? How do you see UX contributing to our mission?" (Research the company's products, values, and recent news.)
• Team Fit: "How do you approach working in a hybrid environment? What are your expectations from a design team and your manager?" (Align your working style with the company culture and role requirements.)
• Passion for UX: "What excites you most about UX design? What are your favorite design trends or tools right now?" (Demonstrate genuine interest and continuous learning.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with the "Why": Clearly articulate the problem statement and business goals for each project.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, prototypes, user flows) to illustrate your process and solutions.
• Highlight Your Role: Be specific about your contributions, especially in team projects.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time, increased user satisfaction scores).
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, trade-offs, and how you handled challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice focuses on demonstrating not just design skills, but also operational acumen – problem-solving, process efficiency, data utilization, and stakeholder collaboration. These are key indicators of a candidate's ability to contribute effectively in an operations-oriented environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Dayforce portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and portfolio are tailored to highlight your experience in user-centered design, particularly any work related to financial services, advisor tools, or client-facing platforms. Showcase projects that demonstrate your process, problem-solving abilities, and impact.
• Resume Optimization: Clearly list your proficiency with UX design tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Axure) and your experience with user research, prototyping, and Agile methodologies. Quantify achievements where possible.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Equitable's mission, values, products, and recent news. Understand their commitment to "Brand Impact & Creative Services" and how UX fits into that strategy.
• Prepare for Portfolio Presentation: Practice walking through your most relevant projects, focusing on the problem, your process, your solutions, and the measurable impact. Be ready to articulate your design rationale and collaboration approach.

⚠️ 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.