Senior UX Manager - US

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Manager - US

Company: Circle K

Location: Charlotte, NC, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Experience (UX) / Design Management

Date Posted: 2026-03-10T00:00:00

Experience Level: 11+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in establishing and driving a unified design vision and strategy for Circle K's digital products, ensuring alignment with global product and technology objectives.

• The Senior UX Manager will lead a team of UX Researchers, Service Designers, and UX Designers, fostering a collaborative and innovative design culture.

• Key responsibilities include integrating design principles throughout the product lifecycle, collaborating closely with product and engineering teams, and advocating for user-centric design at all organizational levels.

• The position requires a strategic mindset to support short-term product goals while ensuring long-term scalability and contributing to a major global enterprise's digital transformation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The raw job description focuses heavily on UX/UI design and leadership within a product context. While the provided input lacks explicit "Revenue Operations," "Sales Operations," or "GTM" keywords, the emphasis on "digital transformation," "customer experience," "product lifecycle integration," and "business objectives" indicates a strong connection to GTM strategies and the operational execution of user-facing digital initiatives. This role will indirectly impact revenue by improving customer engagement and conversion through superior digital experiences.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design Leadership & Strategy: Establish and drive a unified design vision and strategy that aligns with Global product and technology objectives, ensuring a cohesive and strategic design approach across all digital products within the Core Digital Experience domain.

• Process & Methodology Improvement: Drive continuous improvement in design processes and methodologies, ensuring the team works efficiently and effectively, and staying ahead of industry trends to integrate best practices.

• Team Leadership & Development: Co-mentor and guide a team of UX/UI designers, UX Researchers, and Service Designers, providing direction, feedback, and professional development opportunities to build a high-performing team.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate closely with group product managers, product managers, technical product owners, and front-end engineering teams to integrate design principles throughout the product lifecycle.

• User Advocacy & Stakeholder Management: Advocate for the user experience at all levels of the organization, promoting the value of design to senior leadership and ensuring design decisions are grounded in user research and data.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly outline a management role focused on strategic design direction, team enablement, and cross-functional integration. The emphasis on "global product and technology objectives," "scalability," and "business objectives" points to a need for operational alignment and strategic thinking beyond pure design execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 11+ years of experience in UX/UI design, with a strong track record in leading design initiatives and managing design processes.

Required Skills:

• Expert-level knowledge of UX/UI design principles and best practices: Essential for defining and maintaining high design standards.

• Portfolio demonstrating design skills and experience: A comprehensive portfolio is critical for showcasing expertise across a range of digital products.

• Proficiency in design tools (e.g., Figma): Demonstrates practical application of design skills in modern workflows.

• Deep understanding of research methodologies: Crucial for informing user-centric design decisions and validating strategies.

• Extensive experience with the development and maintenance of design systems: Vital for ensuring scalability, consistency, and efficiency across digital products.

• Strong leadership and mentoring abilities: To inspire, guide, and develop a team of designers.

• Excellent communication skills: Ability to articulate complex design concepts and strategies to diverse stakeholders, including senior leadership.

• Collaborative mindset: Thriving in cross-functional teams with product managers and engineers.

Preferred Skills:

• Solid knowledge of app and web design: Broad understanding of digital platforms.

• Strong understanding of codification of design components for scalability and consistency: Bridges the gap between design and development, crucial for operational efficiency.

• Innovative and forward-thinking: Driving advancement in design and user experience.

• Highly organized: Capable of managing multiple projects and priorities effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications strongly emphasize a blend of deep technical UX expertise and robust leadership/management capabilities. The mention of "codification of design components" suggests an appreciation for the operational aspects of design systems and their integration into development workflows, which is a key consideration for roles impacting product development efficiency.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate leadership in driving design strategy: Showcase instances where you defined and executed a unified design vision that aligned with broader business or product objectives.

• Highlight process improvement initiatives: Provide examples of how you've improved design processes, methodologies, or team workflows for greater efficiency and effectiveness.

• Showcase experience with design systems: Include case studies or examples of your involvement in developing, maintaining, or evolving design systems, emphasizing scalability and consistency.

• Illustrate cross-functional collaboration: Present projects where you worked closely with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders, demonstrating your ability to integrate design into the product lifecycle.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design and Optimization: Be prepared to discuss how you approach designing and optimizing user workflows, ensuring they are intuitive, efficient, and meet user needs.

• Implementation and Automation Methods: While not directly an operations role, understanding how design elements are implemented and potentially automated (e.g., through design system components) will be valuable.

• Measurement and Performance Analysis: Demonstrate how you use user research, data, and metrics to inform design decisions and measure the impact of design strategies on user behavior and business outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given this is a Senior UX Manager role, the portfolio should not just showcase design outputs but also the strategic thinking, leadership, and process management behind them. For operations professionals, understanding how to frame design system contributions in terms of efficiency, scalability, and reduced development overhead is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans designed to support employee well-being.

• Retirement Savings Plan: Likely includes a 401(k) with potential company match, crucial for long-term financial planning.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay to ensure work-life balance.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, conferences, and further education to enhance UX and leadership skills, aligning with the company's commitment to innovation.

• Potential for Bonuses/Incentives: Performance-based bonuses or incentives tied to team and company objectives.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work schedule, typically 40 hours per week, with the expectation of flexibility to meet project deadlines and team collaboration needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on general US market data for senior management roles in design and technology, adjusted for the location (Charlotte, NC) and experience level (11+ years). Benefits are typical for a large, established company like Circle K.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Retail (Convenience Stores & Fuel)

Company Size: Large Enterprise (Circle K is a global brand with thousands of locations and a significant employee base). This implies a structured environment with established processes but also opportunities for impact within a large organization undergoing digital transformation.

Founded: 1951 (Circle K has a long history, suggesting stability and a strong market presence, now focusing on evolving its digital customer experience).

Team Structure:

• Reporting: Reports to the Director of Global UX & Design, indicating a clear hierarchy within the design function.

• Collaboration: Works closely with Group Product Managers, Product Managers, and Engineering Teams, emphasizing a highly cross-functional and integrated approach to product development.

• Design Team: Will co-mentor and guide a team of UX/UI designers, UX Researchers, and Service Designers, suggesting a comprehensive UX function.

Methodology:

• User-Centric Design: The core methodology is centered around understanding and serving user needs, driven by research and data.

• Agile/Iterative Development: Implied through close collaboration with Product and Engineering teams, focusing on integrating design throughout the product lifecycle.

• Design Systems: A strong emphasis on design systems indicates a methodology focused on scalability, consistency, and efficient component-based development.

Company Website: https://www.circlek.com/ (The provided URL in the input was not functional, so a general search was used.)

📝 Enhancement Note: Circle K's positioning as a global convenience retailer undergoing digital transformation suggests a culture that values both established operational excellence and innovation in customer-facing technology. The UX team plays a critical role in bridging the gap between the physical retail experience and the digital touchpoints.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Management / Leadership within the Design function. This role is responsible for strategic direction, team development, and significant cross-functional influence, impacting the operational execution of digital product strategies.

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Director of Global UX & Design. Works closely with Product Management and Engineering leadership. This structure allows for strategic input and execution across key GTM functions.

Operations Impact: The UX Manager's impact is directly tied to improving customer engagement, conversion rates, and overall customer satisfaction through intuitive and effective digital experiences. This translates to increased customer loyalty, potential for higher transaction values, and a stronger competitive position in the digital retail space, all of which are critical GTM outcomes.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Design Leadership: Opportunity to shape the future of digital experiences for millions of customers globally, potentially leading to roles with broader scope or director-level positions within the UX/Design organization.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Deepen collaboration and understanding of product management and engineering, enhancing career mobility into product leadership or GTM strategy roles.

• Mentorship and Team Building: Develop strong leadership skills by guiding and growing a high-performing design team, preparing for larger team management responsibilities.

• International Exposure: Leverage opportunities within a global enterprise to gain international market insights and potentially lead projects with global impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth potential within the design and product space, with clear pathways to higher leadership. The operational impact is indirect but substantial, influencing customer acquisition, retention, and overall revenue through digital channels.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site role in Charlotte, NC. This suggests a traditional office environment where in-person collaboration is valued.

Office Location(s): Charlotte, NC, United States. This is a major business hub, offering potential for networking and professional engagement.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role explicitly mentions close collaboration with product and engineering teams, indicating an environment that values teamwork and shared problem-solving.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools (like Figma) and collaborative platforms is expected, supporting efficient design workflows.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with a dedicated design team, product managers, and engineers will be a core part of the daily work.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time, typically 40 hours per week. While on-site, there's an expectation of flexibility to manage projects and collaborate effectively across time zones or with global teams if applicable.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a preference for in-person collaboration, which can be beneficial for team cohesion and direct mentorship. For operations professionals, understanding the company's stance on hybrid vs. fully on-site work is crucial for evaluating work-life integration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion focused on leadership experience, design philosophy, strategic thinking, and team management approach.

• Portfolio Presentation & Case Study: Candidates will likely present a selection of their work, detailing their process, challenges, solutions, and the impact of their design decisions. This is a critical stage for demonstrating leadership and strategic contribution.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers and Engineering leads to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and understanding of the product development lifecycle.

• Final Interview: Potentially with the Director of Global UX & Design or another senior leader to gauge cultural fit and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Strategy and Impact: Beyond showcasing beautiful designs, emphasize the strategic thinking behind your work, the user problems you solved, and the business impact (e.g., increased engagement, conversion, efficiency).

• Detail Your Process: Clearly articulate your design process, including research methodologies, ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration.

• Highlight Leadership and Collaboration: Showcase instances where you led design initiatives, mentored designers, and collaborated effectively with cross-functional teams.

• Demonstrate Design System Expertise: If applicable, include examples of your work with design systems, focusing on their contribution to scalability, consistency, and development efficiency.

• Tailor to Circle K: Research Circle K's current digital presence and customer base, and be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their specific needs and challenges.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Strategy Scenario: Be ready to discuss how you would approach developing a design strategy for a specific product area or digital transformation initiative at Circle K.

• Team Management Scenario: Prepare to answer questions about how you mentor designers, handle underperformance, foster a collaborative environment, and develop talent.

• Cross-Functional Problem Solving: Think about common challenges when working with product and engineering teams and how you would address them from a design leadership perspective.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio presentation and potential case studies highlights the need for candidates to articulate not just what they did, but why and how it achieved specific outcomes, aligning with an operational mindset focused on results and efficiency.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Explicitly mentioned as a required proficiency for design execution, collaboration, and prototyping.

• Design System Tools: Experience with tools or platforms that support the creation, maintenance, and distribution of design systems (e.g., Zeroheight, Storybook for design documentation, or internal systems).

• Prototyping Tools: Likely includes Figma's prototyping capabilities, but familiarity with others like InVision, Adobe XD, or Axure may be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Mixpanel, or Amplitude to understand user behavior and measure design impact.

• A/B Testing Tools: Experience with platforms like Optimizely or VWO for testing design variations and optimizing user flows.

• Data Visualization Tools: Ability to interpret and present data using tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Looker to support design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct requirement, an understanding of how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms influence customer journeys and digital touchpoints would be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and a strong understanding of design systems are critical. For operations professionals, recognizing the importance of analytics and data-driven decision-making in UX is key. This role operates at the intersection of creative execution and operational efficiency through design.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer-Centricity: A fundamental value, driving all design decisions to enhance the customer experience.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on working effectively with product, engineering, and other stakeholders to achieve shared goals.

• Innovation: Encouraging forward-thinking approaches and staying ahead of industry trends to deliver cutting-edge digital solutions.

• Efficiency & Scalability: Valuing design systems and processes that ensure consistency, quality, and the ability to scale across a global enterprise.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Using research and analytics to inform design choices and measure impact.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Teamwork: Expect a highly integrated approach, where designers work hand-in-hand with product managers and engineers throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Open Communication: Encouraging open dialogue and feedback to iterate on designs and solve problems collectively.

• Strategic Alignment: Ensuring that design efforts are aligned with broader product and business objectives, fostering a shared understanding of goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture appears to value a balance between creative innovation and pragmatic, data-informed execution. Understanding how to translate design vision into scalable, implementable solutions is key.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Global Consistency with Local Needs: Ensuring a unified design experience while catering to diverse customer segments and regional requirements across Circle K's global operations.

• Driving Digital Transformation: Effectively leading design initiatives within a large, established retail company that is undergoing significant digital change.

• Influencing Senior Leadership: Consistently advocating for user-centric design and demonstrating its ROI to stakeholders who may have varying levels of design understanding.

• Managing a Distributed/Cross-functional Team: Effectively leading and mentoring designers who may be in different locations or working across various product teams.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership Development: Opportunity to hone skills in setting design vision, roadmap planning, and influencing organizational strategy.

• Industry Best Practices: Exposure to cutting-edge UX practices and technologies within a global retail context.

• Cross-Functional Skill Enhancement: Deepen understanding of product management, engineering workflows, and business operations within the retail sector.

• Mentorship Programs: Potential for formal or informal mentorship from senior leaders within Circle K's global design and product organizations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for senior roles in large organizations undergoing transformation, requiring strong strategic, interpersonal, and operational execution skills. Growth opportunities are geared towards expanding leadership scope and strategic influence.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to developing a unified design vision for a complex digital ecosystem like Circle K's." (Focus on strategy alignment, cross-functional input, and long-term vision for scalability).

• "How would you foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within a UX team?" (Discuss methods for encouraging experimentation, learning from failures, and adopting new best practices).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Circle K's digital transformation journey, and how do you see UX playing a role in its success?" (Research recent company news, investor reports, and digital initiatives).

• "How do you build strong collaborative relationships with Product Managers and Engineering teams?" (Discuss your approach to communication, understanding their perspectives, and finding common ground).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with an overview of your leadership philosophy and strategic approach. Then, present 2-3 key projects that best demonstrate your strategic impact, leadership, and process excellence.

• Content: For each project, clearly articulate the business problem, your role and responsibilities, the design process followed, key decisions made, challenges overcome, and the measurable outcomes achieved (e.g., user satisfaction, conversion rates, operational efficiency gains from design systems).

• Delivery: Be articulate, confident, and ready to answer in-depth questions about your decision-making process, your collaboration methods, and your understanding of business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, and a results-oriented approach, aligning design with business and operational goals.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Manager position:

• Submit your application through the Circle K careers portal, ensuring your resume and portfolio are up-to-date and readily accessible.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your experience in leading design strategy, managing teams, implementing design systems, and driving user-centric improvements within large organizations. Focus on projects that demonstrate impact on customer experience and operational efficiency.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 11+ years of UX/UI design leadership experience, emphasizing quantifiable achievements and skills relevant to this role, such as design system development, cross-functional collaboration, and strategic planning.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your leadership philosophy, design strategy, and problem-solving approaches using the STAR method for behavioral questions. Prepare to present your portfolio effectively, focusing on strategic impact and collaboration.

• Company Research: Gain a deep understanding of Circle K's business model, its current digital initiatives, and its target customer base. Consider how your UX leadership can contribute to their 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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