Senior UX/UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX/UI Designer

Company: StepStone Group

Location: Denver, Colorado, United States | Tampa, Florida, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience (UX) / User Interface (UI) Design, Product Design

Date Posted: May 07, 2026

Experience Level: Senior (5-10 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic analysis of user engagement data and behavioral analytics to inform intuitive, high-impact design solutions.

• Architect, maintain, and govern scalable design systems, ensuring consistency and reusability across all digital platforms.

• Champion UX/UI best practices, focusing on usability, accessibility (WCAG standards), and performance for all web properties.

• Foster strong partnerships between UX and development teams to ensure seamless design implementation and iteration.

• Drive innovation by staying current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and AI-assisted design tools to enhance design workflows and outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the primary location listed is Denver, another address in Tampa, Florida is also provided. This suggests the role may be open to candidates in either location, or that StepStone Group operates across multiple sites. Candidates should clarify their preferred location during the application process. The role emphasizes a strong analytical component, positioning the UX/UI Designer at the intersection of data and design, which is a critical function in modern product development and user experience optimization.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the analysis of user engagement data, behavioral analytics, and site performance metrics to inform strategic design decisions and overall UX strategy.

• Translate complex user insights and business requirements into intuitive, user-centered design solutions that significantly elevate the brand experience across digital touchpoints.

• Architect, maintain, and govern scalable design systems, including reusable components, style guides, and interaction patterns, to ensure consistency and efficiency across all digital properties.

• Establish and champion UX/UI best practices across all web properties, ensuring adherence to standards for usability, accessibility, performance, and overall user satisfaction.

• Serve as a key liaison between UX designers and development teams, ensuring clear communication of design intent, feasibility, and meticulous maintenance throughout the implementation lifecycle.

• Collaborate with project managers, developers, product owners, and other internal stakeholders to align design solutions with overarching business objectives and technical constraints.

• Conduct thorough UX audits and usability testing to validate design decisions, identify areas for improvement, and iterate based on user feedback and measurable outcomes.

• Create comprehensive site maps, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity designs to effectively communicate user flows, design intent, and interaction behaviors.

• Drive the adoption and integration of accessibility and inclusive design principles, ensuring all digital experiences meet WCAG standards and are usable by a diverse range of audiences.

• Proactively research and incorporate industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitive landscapes, including AI-assisted design and research tools, to continuously evolve design practices and improve outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a senior-level expectation for strategic thinking, leadership in design system governance, and a strong data-driven approach. The emphasis on AI-assisted design tools is a forward-looking requirement, indicating the company's commitment to leveraging emerging technologies in their design processes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a related field is preferred.

Experience: 5-8+ years of progressive experience in UX/UI design, product design, or closely related roles, with a proven track record of owning end-to-end design projects and at least 2 years operating at a senior or lead level.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in UX strategy, leveraging tools such as Google Analytics, heatmapping platforms, and user research methodologies to inform design decisions and measure impact.

• Expert-level proficiency in Figma, including mastery of auto-layout, components, prototyping, and team collaboration features.

• Demonstrated experience in architecting, maintaining, and governing component-based and modular design systems.

• Strong understanding of front-end development constraints, responsive design principles, and implementation best practices, enabling effective collaboration with development teams.

• Proven ability to leverage AI-powered tools to enhance design workflows, including research synthesis, ideation, prototyping, content exploration, or optimization, with sound judgment on where AI adds meaningful value.

• Excellent storytelling, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale, trade-offs, and user-centered thinking to diverse stakeholder groups.

• Solid understanding of global web accessibility standards (WCAG) and inclusive design principles, with experience in their practical application.

• Experience in creating detailed site maps, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity visual designs.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with the Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator) for supplementary design tasks.

• Experience conducting UX audits and usability testing to identify improvement opportunities.

• Familiarity with programmatic recruitment advertising technology and services.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of advanced design tool proficiency (Figma), strategic analytical skills (Google Analytics, behavioral analytics), and a strong grasp of technical implementation and accessibility standards. The explicit mention of AI-enabled design practices signifies a requirement for candidates to be at the forefront of technological advancements in the design field.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrations of end-to-end design ownership, showcasing the full project lifecycle from initial research and ideation to final implementation and iteration.

• Case studies detailing how user engagement data, behavioral analytics, and user research were used to inform strategic design decisions and drive measurable outcomes.

• Examples of architected and governed design systems, including reusable components, style guides, and clear documentation of their structure and usage principles.

• Prototypes and high-fidelity designs that clearly articulate complex user flows, interaction patterns, and visual design solutions.

• Evidence of collaboration with development teams, illustrating how design intent was communicated and maintained through the build and QA phases.

• Examples showcasing accessibility and inclusive design considerations within design solutions, ideally referencing WCAG standards.

Process Documentation:

• Documented examples of how design processes were established or optimized, particularly in relation to design system governance, workflow efficiency, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Case studies detailing the process of conducting UX audits, usability testing, and iterative design based on feedback and performance metrics.

• Examples of how design standards and best practices were championed and implemented across digital properties.

• Documentation of collaboration with stakeholders to align design with business goals and technical feasibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX/UI Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It should not only showcase visual design skills but also strategic thinking, data-driven decision-making, design system leadership, and collaborative capabilities. Emphasis should be placed on demonstrating impact and the ability to translate complex requirements into elegant, user-centric solutions.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

The estimated annual salary range for this Senior UX/UI Designer position is between $81,000 and $135,000 USD. This range is determined by factors including experience level, skills, location, and the specific demands of the role, aligning with industry benchmarks for senior-level design professionals in the US.

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation package, reflecting the experience and expertise of the role.

• Comprehensive benefits plan designed to support employee well-being and personal needs.

• Access to dedicated employee networks fostering community and professional development.

• Opportunities for community volunteering and giving back, aligned with company values.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work week is 40 hours.

• This is a Salaried Exempt position, meaning employees will earn their regular salary and not be entitled to overtime pay when working over 40 hours in a work week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is based on the raw job listing data. The benefits listed are extracted from the "Additional Information" section, highlighting the company's commitment to employee well-being and community engagement. The "Salaried Exempt" status clarifies overtime compensation expectations for this senior-level role.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Appcast, part of the Stepstone Group, operates within the Programmatic Recruitment Advertising Technology sector. This industry is characterized by its reliance on data, advanced technology, and sophisticated marketing strategies to connect employers with talent efficiently. As a leader in this space, Appcast leverages market data and technology to manage job advertising for enterprise clients.

Company Size: Appcast is part of the larger Stepstone Group. While Appcast's specific size isn't detailed, Stepstone Group is a significant player in the digital recruitment platform space, indicating a substantial organizational footprint. This size suggests access to resources, established processes, and opportunities for cross-functional collaboration within a larger corporate structure, while maintaining the agility of a specialized tech company.

Founded: Appcast is part of the Stepstone Group. The founding date of Stepstone Group is not explicitly stated in the provided data, but its established presence suggests a history of innovation and growth in the digital recruitment market.

Team Structure:

• The UX/UI Designer will likely be part of a Product or Design team within Appcast, which itself is part of the Stepstone Group.

• This team is expected to be comprised of professionals with diverse specializations in UX research, UI design, product management, and development.

• The reporting structure will likely involve a Design Lead or Head of Product, with the Senior UX/UI Designer taking a lead role in design strategy and execution.

Methodology:

• The company's methodology likely emphasizes a data-driven approach, using analytics and user insights to inform product development and design decisions.

• Workflow planning and optimization are critical, especially in managing design systems and ensuring efficient handoffs to development.

• Automation and efficiency practices are expected, particularly with the use of advanced technology in programmatic advertising and the integration of AI in design processes.

Company Website: https://www.appcast.io/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context emphasizes Appcast's leadership role in recruitment advertising technology, positioning the Senior UX/UI Designer within a dynamic and data-forward environment. The integration into the Stepstone Group suggests a robust organizational framework with significant resources and reach.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a Senior level, indicating significant autonomy, responsibility, and the expectation of leadership within design projects. A Senior UX/UI Designer is expected to not only execute design tasks but also to shape design strategy, mentor junior designers, and influence product direction. This level requires a deep understanding of user-centered design principles, experience with complex design systems, and the ability to drive impactful user experiences independently.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX/UI Designer will report to a Design Lead, Head of Product, or a similar managerial role. They will work collaboratively with product managers, developers, and other stakeholders across various departments, including engineering, marketing, and potentially client-facing teams.

Operations Impact: The Senior UX/UI Designer will have a direct impact on the usability, effectiveness, and adoption of Appcast's programmatic recruitment advertising technology platforms. By ensuring intuitive user experiences and data-informed design, this role will contribute to:

• Enhanced user engagement and satisfaction, leading to higher adoption rates of Appcast's services.

• Improved efficiency for clients using the platform to manage their recruitment advertising.

• Stronger brand perception and market positioning through superior digital product experiences.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Potential to move into Lead Designer, Design Manager, or Head of Design roles, overseeing design teams and strategy.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in areas like UX research leadership, design systems architecture, or AI-driven design innovation.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Potential to transition into Product Management roles by leveraging a strong understanding of user needs, business goals, and technical feasibility.

• Mentorship: Formal or informal opportunities to mentor junior designers, developing leadership and coaching skills.

• Industry Influence: Contributing to industry best practices through thought leadership, conference participation, or speaking engagements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Senior UX/UI Designer role at Appcast offers a clear path for career advancement, emphasizing leadership in design strategy and execution. The integration with AI and data analytics provides unique growth avenues within a specialized tech sector.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is specified as On-site, indicating a preference for in-office collaboration and engagement. This suggests a traditional office environment within the Stepstone Group or Appcast's facilities.

Office Location(s):

• Denver, Colorado, United States (3501 Wazee St, Denver, CO 80216)

Workspace Context:

• The on-site work environment likely promotes direct collaboration with team members, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas and rapid problem-solving.

• Access to standard office amenities and potentially specialized design resources or labs.

• Opportunities for spontaneous interactions with colleagues across different departments, facilitating a holistic understanding of business objectives and user needs.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week.

• As a Salaried Exempt employee, flexibility may be expected to meet project deadlines, but the core expectation is a full-time commitment within typical business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement signifies a company culture that values in-person collaboration and team cohesion, which can be beneficial for complex design discussions and rapid iteration cycles. The dual location options provide flexibility for candidates residing in either the Denver or Tampa metropolitan areas.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely review applications, focusing on resume relevance and portfolio quality.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, highlighting key projects that demonstrate their expertise in UX strategy, UI design, design systems, and data-informed decision-making. This stage will involve in-depth discussions about design rationale, challenges, and outcomes.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: This may involve a design challenge, a case study exercise, or specific questions to assess proficiency in Figma, understanding of development constraints, and application of accessibility standards.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with product managers, developers, or other team members to assess collaboration skills, communication style, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: Typically with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Product, VP of Design) to discuss strategic alignment, leadership potential, and overall fit within the organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 projects that best showcase your end-to-end design process, focusing on those where you had significant ownership and impact. Prioritize projects that align with the job description's emphasis on data analysis, design systems, and AI tools.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, key decisions made, challenges encountered, and the measurable outcomes achieved. Quantify impact whenever possible (e.g., "increased conversion rate by X%," "reduced task completion time by Y seconds").

• Showcase Design Systems: If you have experience building or contributing to design systems, dedicate specific slides or sections to demonstrate your understanding of components, guidelines, and governance.

• Highlight Data & Analytics: Explicitly show how you used tools like Google Analytics, heatmaps, or user research to inform your design decisions and measure success.

• Address AI Integration: Include examples where you've utilized AI tools in your design workflow, explaining the value they brought.

• Prepare for Questions: Be ready to discuss your design rationale, trade-offs you made, and how you collaborated with stakeholders and developers.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, thoroughly understand the problem statement, target audience, and business objectives.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate your systematic approach to problem-solving, from initial research and ideation to prototyping and refinement.

• Communicate Effectively: Clearly articulate your thought process, assumptions, and design decisions.

• Be Realistic: Aim for a well-reasoned solution that balances user needs, business goals, and technical feasibility.

• Accessibility First: Ensure accessibility is considered in your design recommendations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a Senior UX/UI Designer will heavily rely on the candidate's portfolio. Candidates should prepare to not only present their work but also to articulate their strategic thinking, problem-solving methodologies, and collaborative approach in detail.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Advanced proficiency is a core requirement for UI design, prototyping, and design system management.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Familiarity is preferred for supplementary design tasks (e.g., Photoshop for image editing, Illustrator for vector graphics).

• Prototyping Tools: Proficiency in Figma's prototyping capabilities is essential; experience with other tools like InVision, Axure, or Adobe XD may also be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Google Analytics: Essential for analyzing user behavior, site performance, and informing design decisions.

• Heatmapping Platforms: Tools like Hotjar or Crazy Egg for visualizing user interactions and identifying usability issues.

• User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting interviews, surveys, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, SurveyMonkey).

CRM & Automation:

Emerging Technologies:

• AI-Assisted Design Tools: Experience leveraging AI for tasks such as research synthesis, ideation, content generation, or design optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack emphasizes core design tools like Figma, analytical platforms like Google Analytics, and a forward-looking requirement for AI-assisted design tools. This indicates a modern, data-driven design environment.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: A strong emphasis on using analytics, user research, and behavioral data to guide design choices and measure impact.

• User-Centricity: A commitment to understanding and meeting user needs, ensuring intuitive and effective experiences for all users.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Fostering strong working relationships across design, development, product management, and other departments to achieve shared goals.

• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Encouraging exploration of new technologies, design approaches, and iterative refinement based on feedback and performance.

• Excellence & Quality: A dedication to high-quality design, usability, accessibility, and overall product performance.

• Inclusivity: Championing accessibility and inclusive design principles to ensure products are usable by a diverse global audience.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Close collaboration with product managers to define requirements and strategy, and with developers to ensure seamless implementation.

• Iterative Feedback Loops: Regular design reviews and feedback sessions with team members and stakeholders to refine solutions.

• Knowledge Sharing: Openness to sharing design principles, best practices, and learnings with colleagues to elevate the overall design capability.

• Agile Methodologies: Likely working within an agile framework, requiring adaptability and responsiveness to changing priorities and project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture values a blend of analytical rigor, user advocacy, and collaborative execution. The emphasis on innovation and inclusivity aligns with modern design best practices and the company's position in the tech industry.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Data with Intuition: Effectively integrating quantitative data with qualitative insights and user empathy to create designs that are both effective and delightful.

• Design System Governance: Maintaining consistency and scalability of the design system while allowing for flexibility and innovation, especially as the product evolves.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Navigating different stakeholder priorities and technical constraints to achieve optimal design solutions that meet business, user, and technical requirements.

• Rapid Technological Evolution: Staying ahead of emerging trends, particularly in AI-assisted design, and integrating them effectively and responsibly into existing workflows.

• Ensuring Accessibility at Scale: Implementing and maintaining accessibility standards across a complex and evolving digital product suite.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design System Training: Deepening expertise in design system architecture, implementation, and governance.

• AI in Design Workshops/Courses: Exploring and mastering new AI tools and methodologies for design research, ideation, and optimization.

• User Research Methodologies: Expanding knowledge of advanced user research techniques and data analysis.

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to take on more project leadership, mentor junior designers, and contribute to strategic design planning.

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Potential support for attending conferences or pursuing certifications relevant to UX/UI design, accessibility, or product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents opportunities to tackle complex design challenges at the intersection of data, technology, and user experience. Growth is facilitated through continuous learning, specialization, and leadership development within a forward-thinking organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you used user engagement data or behavioral analytics to significantly influence a design decision. What was the outcome?"

• "Walk me through your process for creating and maintaining a design system. How do you ensure its adoption and scalability?"

• "How do you balance user needs with business objectives and technical constraints when designing a new feature or product?"

• "Tell me about a complex UX problem you solved. What was your approach, and what did you learn?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Appcast and the recruitment advertising technology industry?"

• "How do you see AI impacting the future of UX/UI design, and how have you incorporated it into your work?"

• "Describe your ideal collaborative environment. How do you work with developers and product managers?"

• "What are your thoughts on Appcast's current digital presence (website, products) from a UX/UI perspective?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with Impact: Begin presentations with your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase strategic thinking and measurable results.

• Focus on Process, Not Just Pixels: Clearly articulate your problem-solving methodology, research, ideation, iteration, and collaboration.

• Quantify Achievements: Use metrics and data to demonstrate the impact of your design work.

• Explain Trade-offs: Be prepared to discuss difficult decisions and the rationale behind them.

• Showcase Design Systems Expertise: If applicable, dedicate time to explaining your approach to building and managing design systems.

• Address AI Integration: Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've used AI tools and the value they provided.

• Engage Your Audience: Make it a conversation, not a monologue. Be open to questions throughout the presentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, data literacy, design system expertise, and strong collaborative skills. Candidates should be ready to articulate their process and the impact of their work with concrete examples, especially those involving data analysis and AI tools.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX/UI Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the SmartRecruiters platform.

• Tailor your Resume: Highlight your 5-8+ years of UX/UI experience, specifically mentioning your senior-level contributions, expertise in Figma, design systems, data analytics tools (Google Analytics), and AI-assisted design. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate and Polish Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that demonstrate end-to-end design ownership, data-informed decision-making, design system contributions, and accessibility focus. Ensure case studies clearly articulate problems, solutions, and measurable outcomes. Prepare to present this portfolio effectively.

• Research Appcast and Stepstone Group: Understand their mission, products, target audience, and recent news. Familiarize yourself with their current digital presence to form informed opinions.

• Prepare for Behavioral and Situational Questions: Practice articulating your experience with data analysis, design system management, cross-functional collaboration, and problem-solving, using the STAR method where appropriate.

⚠️ 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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