Senior UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer Company: MSCI Location: New York, NY, United States Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design Date Posted: 2025-10-06 Experience Level: 6+ Years Remote Status: Hybrid (Remote OK)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the complete product design lifecycle for innovative Generative AI features within MSCI's Private Assets business, focusing on user-centered design principles.
• Drive the creation of intuitive and forward-looking user experiences for AI-led product design and AI-assisted creation workflows.
• Collaborate closely with product management, engineering, and business stakeholders to translate complex requirements into elegant, user-friendly solutions.
• Champion user advocacy and contribute to the enhancement of MSCI's design system and product design standards.
• Deliver high-quality UI/UX assets, including dashboards, data visualizations, prototypes, user flows, and high-fidelity designs within an Agile development environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on the "GP Solutions" segment within MSCI's "Private Assets" business, with a significant emphasis on integrating Generative AI features. The "Senior" title implies a need for leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to mentor junior designers, alongside hands-on execution. The "Remote OK" status suggests a hybrid model, where some in-office collaboration is expected.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end product design lifecycle, from initial discovery and ideation through to final delivery and iterative improvements, ensuring a cohesive user experience across all Private Assets products.
• Design innovative and intuitive interaction models specifically for Generative AI features, prioritizing clarity, transparency, user control, and overall end-user satisfaction.
• Explore and design AI-assisted creation workflows that enhance user productivity and creativity.
• Partner with product managers, engineers, business leaders, and the broader UX design team to define product requirements, establish design priorities, and translate intricate business needs into elegant, functional design solutions.
• Manage and drive multiple design projects concurrently, effectively balancing project deadlines with the delivery of high-quality, impactful design outcomes.
• Produce polished UI and UX assets, including detailed dashboards, insightful data visualizations, interactive prototypes, comprehensive user flows, and high-fidelity mockups.
• Actively participate in Agile development sprints, providing detailed design specifications, user guidance, and on-going support to the engineering team during implementation.
• Serve as a strong advocate for the end-user, consistently championing the need for intuitive, accessible, and engaging product experiences.
• Contribute actively to the development and refinement of design standards, best practices, and guidelines to elevate the overall product design system and user experience quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership and hands-on execution, common in senior design roles. The focus on AI features and complex product design suggests a need for advanced problem-solving skills and a deep understanding of user interaction with data-intensive platforms.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of 6+ years of professional experience in UX design, with a strong emphasis on complex product design and the application of User-Centered Design (UCD) methodologies.
• Demonstrable experience designing for AI-related products or features is a significant advantage.
• Proven background working within Agile design and development environments.

Required Skills:

• User-Centered Design (UCD): Deep understanding and practical application of UCD principles and methodologies.
• Product Design Lifecycle: Proven ability to manage and execute design across all phases, from discovery to post-launch iteration.
• Generative AI Design: Experience or a strong aptitude for designing user experiences for generative AI applications and AI-assisted workflows.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Excellent ability to work effectively with product managers, engineers, business stakeholders, and other designers.
• Agile Methodology: Proficiency in working within Agile/Scrum frameworks, understanding sprint cycles and iterative development.
• UI Design Skills: Strong aesthetic sense and ability to create visually appealing and functional user interfaces.
• UX Design Skills: Expertise in crafting intuitive user flows, interaction models, and information architecture.
• Prototyping: Proficiency in creating interactive prototypes to communicate design concepts and test user flows.
• Data Visualization: Experience designing effective dashboards and data visualizations for complex datasets.
• Design Tools: High proficiency in industry-standard design tools such as Figma and Mural.
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to address complex design challenges.
• Design Standards: Ability to contribute to and maintain design systems and style guides.
• User Advocacy: A passion for representing the user's needs and ensuring their voice is heard in the design process.
• High-Fidelity Designs: Skill in producing detailed, production-ready design assets.
• Design Specifications: Ability to create clear and comprehensive design documentation for engineering teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience leveraging emerging AI tools within design workflows (e.g., Figma Make, Lovable).
• Experience with financial services or investment technology products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "complex product design" and "AI-related products" indicates a need for candidates who can handle intricate data, sophisticated user needs, and cutting-edge technology. Proficiency in Figma and Mural is explicitly stated, making these critical requirements.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A strong, well-curated portfolio is mandatory and should clearly showcase your design process, problem-solving capabilities, and a user-centered approach.
• Include case studies that detail your role, the challenges faced, your design solutions, and the outcomes achieved.
• Demonstrate experience with complex product design, ideally including examples related to data visualization, dashboards, or AI-driven features.
• Showcase your UI design skills through polished mockups and high-fidelity designs.
• Highlight your ability to create detailed user flows, interaction models, and prototypes.

Process Documentation:

• Portfolio pieces should illustrate your understanding and application of User-Centered Design methodologies.
• Demonstrate how you gather requirements, conduct research (user interviews, competitor analysis), and iterate on designs based on feedback.
• Show evidence of collaboration with engineering and product teams during the design and development process.
• Include examples of design specifications and how you support implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Designer role, especially one focusing on AI and complex products, the portfolio must go beyond just visual aesthetics. It needs to clearly articulate the candidate's thought process, problem-solving journey, and impact on user experience and business objectives. Case studies detailing AI feature design would be highly advantageous.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $130,000 - $186,000 per year. Bonus Eligibility: Eligible for an annual bonus.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Employee Benefits: Tailored to location, ensuring financial security, health, and overall well-being.
• Flexible Working Arrangements: Offering adaptability to personal needs and work styles.
• Learning Opportunities: Access to Learning@MSCI platform, LinkedIn Learning Pro, and tailored development programs.
• Career Growth: Multi-directional career paths, internal mobility, and opportunities for expanded roles.
• Advanced Technology: Access to modern tools and infrastructure.
• Collaborative Workspaces: Supportive environments designed for teamwork and innovation.
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): Including All Abilities, Asian Support Network, Black Leadership Network, Climate Action Network, Hola! MSCI, Pride & Allies, Women in Tech, and Women’s Leadership Forum, fostering inclusion and belonging.

Working Hours:

• The standard working hours are assumed to be 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time role, with flexibility offered.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is for the New York City area, which has a high cost of living. This range is competitive for a Senior UX Designer role in a major financial technology hub. The bonus eligibility and comprehensive benefits package further enhance the total compensation. The mention of ERGs highlights MSCI's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Data & Analytics / Investment Services. MSCI is a leading provider of critical decision support tools and services for the global investment community. Company Size: MSCI is a large, established global company with thousands of employees worldwide. This size provides ample resources, global reach, and structured career development opportunities. Founded: MSCI has over 50 years of expertise, indicating a deep history and established presence in its industry.

Team Structure:

• The Senior UX Designer will be part of the UX design team within MSCI's Private Assets business, specifically focusing on the GP Solutions segment.
• This role requires significant collaboration with product management, engineering teams, and business leaders, indicating a cross-functional and matrixed team environment.
• The UX team likely operates with a degree of autonomy while being integrated into Agile development sprints.

Methodology:

• MSCI emphasizes a culture of high performance and innovation, encouraging experimentation with new ideas and taking responsibility for results.
• The company champions a data-driven approach, leveraging research, data, and technology to power better investment decisions.
• User-centered design principles are a core part of their product development process, ensuring that client needs are at the forefront.
• Agile methodologies are utilized for efficient and iterative product development.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: MSCI's culture appears to be a blend of a large, established financial institution with a forward-thinking, innovative approach, particularly evident in their focus on technology and AI. The emphasis on "high performance," "innovation," and "taking responsibility for achieving results" suggests a demanding yet rewarding environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior UX Designer. This level signifies a seasoned professional expected to lead complex projects, mentor others, and contribute strategically to design direction. It's a critical individual contributor role with potential for future leadership or specialization.

Reporting Structure:

• The Senior UX Designer will likely report to a UX Design Manager or Director within the Private Assets business unit.
• They will work closely with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and Business Stakeholders, requiring strong influencing and communication skills across various levels and functions.

Operations Impact:

• The role has a direct impact on the usability and effectiveness of MSCI's Private Assets products, particularly those incorporating Generative AI.
• By designing intuitive and powerful user experiences, this role contributes to client satisfaction, adoption rates, and ultimately, the success of MSCI's investment decision support tools.
• The focus on AI features positions the role at the forefront of technological innovation within the financial services industry.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in AI-driven design, complex data visualization, and advanced UX methodologies.
• Leadership Development: Opportunity to mentor junior designers, lead design initiatives, and potentially move into a UX Lead or Managerial role.
• Specialization: Focus on specific areas within UX design, such as AI interaction design, information architecture for financial data, or design system management.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain deeper insights into product management, engineering, and business strategy within the financial technology sector.
• Internal Mobility: MSCI's global presence and diverse business units offer opportunities for movement into different product areas or geographies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" designation implies a significant level of autonomy and responsibility. Growth opportunities are geared towards deepening expertise, taking on more leadership, and potentially moving into management or specialized senior individual contributor roles within the product development lifecycle.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: MSCI offers flexible working arrangements, indicating a modern approach to work, likely supporting a hybrid model. This could involve a mix of on-site collaboration and remote work. Office Location(s): The primary office location is specified as 250 Greenwich Street, New York, NY. This is a prime business location in Manhattan, suggesting a professional and well-resourced office environment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaboration: The emphasis on collaboration with product, engineering, and business stakeholders suggests a dynamic and interactive work environment.
• Tools & Technology: Access to advanced technology and design tools (Figma, Mural, AI tools) is provided, supporting efficient and cutting-edge design work.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities to engage with a global network of talented colleagues, fostering knowledge sharing and professional development.

Work Schedule:

• A standard 40-hour work week is implied, with flexibility to accommodate project needs and personal work styles. This allows for effective management of design processes and data analysis tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Remote OK" status for a New York-based role suggests a hybrid work model. Candidates should expect to spend some days in the New York office for collaborative sessions, team meetings, and client interactions, while having the flexibility to work remotely for focused design tasks.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and relevant experience.
• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion about your background, experience, and fit with the team and role, focusing on your approach to complex product and AI design.
• Design Challenge/Portfolio Review: A deep dive into your portfolio, likely involving a presentation of 1-2 key projects. You may be asked to walk through your process, design decisions, and the impact of your work. A specific design challenge related to AI features or complex data interaction might be assigned.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with product managers, engineers, and potentially other designers to assess collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to work in an Agile environment.
• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase AI & Complex Design: Prioritize projects that demonstrate your ability to design for AI features or complex data-intensive products. Clearly articulate the challenges and your innovative solutions.
• Detail Your Process: Walk through your UCD methodology, research, ideation, prototyping, and iteration stages. Explain why you made specific design decisions.
• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved user engagement, task completion rates, efficiency gains).
• Highlight Collaboration: Show how you worked with cross-functional teams and incorporated feedback.
• Technical Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your proficiency with Figma, Mural, and any AI tools you've utilized.
• Storytelling: Frame your projects as compelling stories with a clear problem, your solution, and a measurable outcome.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a design challenge that may involve creating wireframes, user flows, or high-fidelity mockups for a hypothetical AI feature or a complex data interaction scenario.
• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely under time pressure.
• Focus on demonstrating your understanding of user needs, technical constraints, and business objectives.
• Consider how you would approach user research and validation for the proposed solution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is expected to be rigorous, with a strong emphasis on portfolio presentation and practical design skills, especially related to AI and complex data. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their design rationale and demonstrate problem-solving abilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Expect to create high-fidelity mockups, interactive prototypes, and contribute to design systems.
• Mural: Used for collaborative whiteboarding, brainstorming, journey mapping, and user flow creation.
• AI Tools: Proficiency or familiarity with AI tools in product design is a significant advantage (e.g., Figma Make, Lovable, or similar AI-assisted design platforms).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as a requirement for the designer, understanding how to design for data visualization and dashboards implies familiarity with data concepts. Experience with tools like Tableau, Power BI, or similar for data exploration can be beneficial for understanding the context of data-driven products.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the core UX design responsibilities, but awareness of how design integrates with product workflows is important.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and Mural is explicitly stated as a requirement. Experience with AI-powered design tools is a strong differentiator for this role, given the focus on Generative AI features. Understanding how user experience impacts data-driven products is also crucial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• High Performance & Innovation: A drive to achieve exceptional results and embrace new ideas and technologies.
• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of the user in all design decisions.
• Collaboration: A belief in the power of teamwork and cross-functional partnerships to deliver superior products.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizing research, data, and insights to inform design choices and measure impact.
• Responsibility & Ownership: Taking accountability for design outcomes and driving projects to completion.
• Inclusion & Belonging: Fostering a diverse and welcoming environment where all employees feel valued and connected.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with product management, engineering, and business stakeholders is expected, often within Agile frameworks.
• Open Communication: Encouraging transparent dialogue, constructive feedback, and knowledge sharing among team members.
• Design System Adherence & Contribution: Working within established design standards while also contributing to their evolution.
• Agile Partnership: Close partnership with development teams to ensure design intent is accurately translated into functional product features.

📝 Enhancement Note: MSCI's culture appears to value both individual accountability and strong teamwork. The emphasis on innovation, user-centricity, and data aligns well with modern UX design practices, particularly for a company operating in the complex financial technology sector.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Generative AI: Navigating the complexities and user expectations of new AI technologies, ensuring ethical, transparent, and controlled user experiences.
• Complex Financial Data: Translating intricate financial data and analytical concepts into intuitive and accessible user interfaces for sophisticated users.
• Balancing Innovation with Usability: Innovating with AI while ensuring core usability, accessibility, and performance standards are met.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Effectively managing diverse stakeholder expectations and ensuring design vision aligns with business and technical realities.
• Maintaining Design Standards: Ensuring consistency and quality across multiple products and features within a large organization.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Specialization: Gaining cutting-edge experience in designing for Generative AI, a rapidly evolving field.
• Financial Technology Domain Expertise: Deepening understanding of the investment management industry and its specific user needs.
• Advanced UX Techniques: Exploring and applying novel UX research and design methodologies.
• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from and mentor other designers, fostering leadership skills.
• Industry Conferences & Resources: Access to learning platforms and potentially industry events to stay abreast of the latest trends in UX and AI.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges revolve around the novel aspects of AI design and the inherent complexity of the financial data domain. Growth opportunities are strongly tied to mastering these areas and developing leadership capabilities within a leading financial technology firm.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• AI Design Strategy: "How would you approach designing a user experience for a Generative AI feature that suggests investment strategies? What are the key ethical considerations and user controls you would implement?" (Prepare to discuss AI ethics, transparency, user control, and iterative design for AI).
• Complex Data Visualization: "Describe a time you had to design a complex data visualization or dashboard. What was the challenge, how did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on user needs analysis, data interpretation, iterative design, and measurable results).
• User-Centered Process: "Walk me through your typical UX design process from problem definition to final delivery. How do you incorporate user feedback and stakeholder input at each stage?" (Be ready to detail your UCD methodology, research techniques, and collaboration touchpoints).

Company & Culture Questions:

• MSCI's Mission: "Why are you interested in MSCI and how do you see your UX design skills contributing to our mission of powering better investment decisions?" (Research MSCI's business, values, and recent innovations).
• Collaboration Style: "Describe your experience working with engineers and product managers in an Agile environment. How do you ensure effective communication and alignment on design goals?" (Highlight collaborative approaches and problem-solving in team settings).
• Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the success of your UX designs? What metrics do you typically track?" (Prepare to discuss qualitative and quantitative UX metrics, and ROI where applicable).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on AI & Complexity: Lead with your strongest case studies that showcase AI design or complex product challenges. Clearly state the problem, your role, your process, your solution, and the impact.
• Articulate Your 'Why': Be prepared to explain the rationale behind every design decision. Use your process to demonstrate your strategic thinking.
• Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your use of Figma, Mural, and any AI tools, and how they facilitated your work.
• Interactive Walkthrough: If possible, prepare an interactive prototype or a clear presentation of user flows and key screens.
• Conciseness and Clarity: Respect the interviewer's time by being focused and clear in your explanations. Aim for 10-15 minutes per case study presentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily focus on demonstrating expertise in AI design, handling complex data, and articulating a robust UCD process. Candidates should be ready to discuss their use of specific tools and their ability to collaborate effectively within an Agile framework.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the MSCI careers portal via the provided URL.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your most relevant work, specifically focusing on complex product design, data visualization, and any experience with AI or AI-assisted design tools. Ensure case studies clearly articulate your process and impact.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to prominently feature keywords such as "User-Centered Design," "Product Design," "Generative AI," "Figma," "Mural," "Agile," "UI/UX," and "Data Visualization." Quantify achievements wherever possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on articulating your design rationale, problem-solving approach, and the outcomes of your work. Prepare for questions related to AI design ethics, complex data handling, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research MSCI, its products (particularly Private Assets and GP Solutions), its mission, and its company culture. Understand their approach to innovation and technology.

⚠️ 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.