Senior UX/UI Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX/UI Manager Company: Manulife Location: Hong Kong, China Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: User Experience (UX) / User Interface (UI) Design Management Date Posted: November 26, 2025 Experience Level: 5-10 Years Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in shaping and executing the regional UX/UI design strategy for Manulife's Asia segment, ensuring a cohesive and innovative user experience across all digital platforms.
• The Senior UX/UI Manager will lead the establishment and operationalization of a robust design operating model, including governance frameworks, design standards, and centralized delivery models via MITDC hubs.
• A key focus will be on stakeholder management and collaboration, fostering a user-centric culture and embedding design thinking across diverse markets and cross-functional teams.
• This position requires strategic leadership in design governance, resource management, and the continuous optimization of design processes and tooling to drive design excellence and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Senior UX/UI Manager," the detailed responsibilities heavily emphasize operations, governance, and process management within the design function. This suggests a role that bridges traditional design leadership with strong operational oversight, akin to a "Design Operations Manager" with strategic design responsibilities. The mention of "MITDC design hubs" and "centralized offshore delivery" points to a significant focus on scalable, efficient design delivery models.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and govern a scalable design governance framework to ensure adherence to global standards and original UI/UX requirements, conducting regular design reviews to uphold world-class output quality.
• Provide strategic guidance and advocacy for the regional adoption and effective usage of the global design system, contributing to Asia-specific component development and promoting consistent, scalable, and accessible design practices.
• Collaborate closely with global design system leadership and cross-functional teams (including product, engineering, and marketing) to deliver clear specifications, documentation, and strategic direction for Manulife’s design strategy and language.
• Champion high-quality, compelling, inclusive, and accessible customer experiences that align with platform standards and brand guidelines across all customer touchpoints within the Asia segment.
• Lead the transition of regional design resources to MITDC centers by defining scalable team structures and centralized delivery models, standardizing workflows, and enhancing efficiency, transparency, and collaboration across distributed teams.
• Oversee demand forecasting, resource allocation, and recruitment (permanent, contractor, vendor-sourced) for regional design resources, ensuring skill alignment and managing onshore/offshore balance.
• Evaluate and implement effective outsourcing models, including centralized vendor engagement, and enforce strict design system compliance in all deliverables.
• Co-develop and operationalize a new design operating model in partnership with the Experience Design team, defining process design, escalation protocols, and cadence planning across various Asian markets.
• Monitor, evaluate, and optimize design tooling, documentation, and collaboration platforms to streamline design delivery, improve cross-functional coordination, and enhance overall operational efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a strong operational component, including "Design Operations," "governance framework," "scalable team structures," "centralized delivery models," "demand forecasting," "resource allocation," and "outsourcing models." This goes beyond traditional UX/UI management into the realm of operationalizing design at scale for a large, regional organization.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a related design field (e.g., Graphic Design, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Digital Media).

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of overall professional experience in design-related roles.
• A minimum of 2 years specifically in User Experience Design or User Interface Design management, demonstrating progression and leadership capabilities.
• At least 2 years of experience directly leading design projects and managing designers and design teams, with a proven ability to mentor and develop talent.
• Demonstrated experience in managing design operations, including process optimization, resource allocation, and governance frameworks.

Required Skills:

• User Experience (UX) Design: Deep understanding of user-centered design principles, methodologies, and best practices for web and mobile applications.
• User Interface (UI) Design: Proficiency in creating intuitive, visually appealing, and consistent user interfaces across various platforms (web, iOS, Android).
• Design Strategy: Ability to define and articulate a clear design vision and strategy aligned with business objectives for a regional market.
• Design Governance: Experience establishing and maintaining design standards, frameworks, and review processes to ensure quality and consistency.
• Team Leadership & Management: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and manage a team of designers, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively engage with and influence diverse stakeholders across different markets and functions.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with product managers, engineers, marketing, and other teams to deliver integrated digital experiences.
• Visual Design: Strong aesthetic sense and proficiency in visual design principles, typography, color theory, and layout.

Preferred Skills:

• Design Operations: Experience in establishing and optimizing design operations, including workflow standardization, tooling, and resource management.
• Design Systems: Expertise in developing, maintaining, and driving adoption of design systems and component libraries.
• Accessibility Standards: Knowledge of WCAG and other accessibility guidelines to ensure inclusive design practices.
• Design Thinking: Ability to champion and facilitate design thinking workshops and methodologies.
• Recruitment & Onboarding: Experience in hiring and onboarding design talent, including understanding of vendor management and offshore/onshore team structures.
• Agile/Scrum Methodologies: Familiarity with agile development processes and how design integrates within them.
• Data Analysis: Ability to leverage user data and analytics to inform design decisions and measure impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Required Skills" section has been expanded to include broader operational and strategic capabilities beyond core UX/UI, reflecting the role's emphasis on management and process. "Design Operations" and "Design Systems" are highlighted as preferred skills due to their direct relevance to the enhanced description of responsibilities.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing leadership in UX/UI design, with a strong emphasis on strategic impact and operational execution.
• Demonstrate experience leading design initiatives for complex digital products or platforms, including web and mobile applications (iOS/Android).
• Include case studies that highlight your ability to establish and govern design standards, manage design systems, and optimize design processes for efficiency and quality.
• Showcase examples of successful stakeholder engagement, cross-functional collaboration, and team leadership within a design context.
• Portfolio pieces should illustrate your contribution to driving user-centricity and delivering measurable improvements in user experience and operational efficiency.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of creating and implementing standardized design workflows, from discovery and ideation to detailed design specifications and handoff.
• Examples of documentation for design governance frameworks, design system guidelines, and process escalation protocols.
• Demonstrate experience in documenting design operations models, including resource allocation strategies, demand forecasting, and vendor management processes.
• Showcase how you have documented and optimized design tooling and collaboration platforms to enhance team efficiency and cross-functional communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section has been tailored to reflect the operational and governance aspects inherent in the role, pushing beyond typical visual design portfolios to include evidence of process management, operational framework development, and strategic implementation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Range: HK$650,000 - HK$950,000 annually.
• Reasoning: This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for Senior UX/UI Manager roles in Hong Kong, considering the experience level (5+ years, with 2+ in management), the significant responsibilities for regional strategy and operations, and the financial services sector. Hong Kong has a high cost of living, and senior leadership roles in multinational corporations typically command competitive compensation. This range also accounts for the hybrid work arrangement and the company's status as a large, international financial institution.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Includes medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and eligible dependents, often extending to wellness programs.
• Retirement Savings Plan: Company-matched contributions to a retirement savings scheme (e.g., MPF in Hong Kong), supporting long-term financial security.
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid work model offering a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility, promoting work-life integration.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, including training programs, workshops, conferences, and support for further certifications relevant to UX/UI design, design operations, and leadership.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services for employees facing personal or work-related challenges.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Includes annual leave, public holidays, and compassionate leave, encouraging rest and personal time.
• Life Insurance: Basic life insurance coverage provided to employees.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours, typically around 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered through the hybrid work arrangement. Core business hours will likely align with Hong Kong time, with potential for some overlap with other Asian markets.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary has been estimated based on location (Hong Kong), role seniority, and industry. Benefits have been extrapolated based on standard offerings for large multinational financial institutions.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Insurance, Wealth Management, Banking). Manulife operates as a leading international financial services provider, offering a wide range of products and services to help individuals and businesses achieve their financial goals. The company is navigating a digital transformation, emphasizing innovation and customer-centricity. Company Size: Large Enterprise (Manulife is a global company with tens of thousands of employees worldwide). This scale implies robust processes, a structured environment, and opportunities for impact across a broad organization. Founded: 1887. Manulife has a long-standing history, suggesting a blend of established corporate values with a forward-looking approach to digital transformation and evolving customer needs.

Team Structure:

• The UX/UI Design team in Asia operates under the leadership of the Director, UX/UI Design Lead.
• This Senior Manager role will likely lead a distributed team, potentially including onshore designers and managing offshore resources within MITDC design hubs.
• The team collaborates closely with product management, engineering, marketing, and business stakeholders across various markets within the Asia segment.

Methodology:

• The company is focused on embedding "design thinking" into its product development lifecycle, advocating for user-centricity.
• There is a strong emphasis on establishing and adhering to "design governance" and "design standards" to ensure consistency and quality.
• The role involves operationalizing design through "centralized delivery models" and optimizing "workflows and practices" for efficiency and collaboration.
• Leveraging data and analytics to inform design decisions and measure impact is a key aspect of the company's approach to continuous improvement.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Company context has been enriched with industry specifics, size implications for operations, and historical context relevant to corporate culture. The methodology section highlights key operational and design thinking principles mentioned in the job description.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior management role, indicating an individual contributor or team lead who has moved into a managerial capacity. It sits at a strategic level, responsible for the operational health and strategic direction of UX/UI design within a significant regional segment. The role requires not only design expertise but also strong operational leadership, process definition, and team management skills.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX/UI Manager reports directly to the Director, UX/UI Design Lead, suggesting a clear hierarchy within the regional design function. This position is critical for translating the Director's vision into actionable design operations and team execution.

Operations Impact: The Senior UX/UI Manager has a direct impact on how Manulife's digital products are perceived and used by customers across Asia. By ensuring high-quality, consistent, and user-centered experiences, this role directly influences customer satisfaction, engagement, retention, and ultimately, business outcomes like conversion rates and revenue. Optimizing design operations also leads to significant cost efficiencies and faster time-to-market for new digital initiatives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to grow into a Director-level role, overseeing larger design functions or specializing in a particular area of design operations or strategy within Manulife globally.
• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape the future of digital experience design for a major financial institution across a key growth region (Asia).
• Operational Expertise: Develop deep expertise in scaling design functions, implementing advanced design operations, and managing distributed global teams, which are highly valuable skills in the tech and operations industries.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain broad exposure to various business units and functions within Manulife, enhancing business acumen and strategic thinking.
• Industry Recognition: Contributing to best-in-class design and operational practices can lead to industry recognition and thought leadership opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Career & Growth Analysis" focuses on the operational and strategic implications of the role, positioning it within the broader landscape of design leadership and organizational impact.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. This indicates a blend of working from a physical Manulife office location and working remotely. The exact split will depend on team policies and individual arrangements, but it prioritizes in-person collaboration while allowing for flexibility. Office Location(s): Hong Kong, Manulife Tower. This specific location in Hong Kong suggests a central, well-equipped office environment typical of a major financial institution.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment likely includes meeting rooms, project spaces, and open areas designed to facilitate collaboration among design teams, product managers, and other cross-functional partners.
• Technology & Tools: Access to necessary design software, hardware, and enterprise-level collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Confluence) will be standard. The role will involve managing and optimizing these tools for the design team.
• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for face-to-face interaction with direct reports, peers, and senior leadership, fostering team cohesion and strategic alignment. The hybrid model will require intentional efforts to ensure effective communication and engagement across both in-office and remote team members.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week) are expected. The hybrid arrangement offers flexibility in where work is performed, but core working hours will likely need to accommodate collaboration with teams in different time zones within Asia and potentially global headquarters.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Work Environment" section focuses on the practical implications of a hybrid setup and the specific office location for a senior management role in a large corporate setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and portfolios, focusing on leadership experience, strategic approach, and operational capabilities in design.
• Hiring Manager Interview: An in-depth discussion with the Director, UX/UI Design Lead to assess strategic vision, leadership style, and understanding of design operations and governance.
• Team/Peer Interviews: Interviews with other senior designers, product managers, or engineering leads to evaluate collaboration skills, technical understanding, and cultural fit. This may include a presentation of portfolio work.
• Design Challenge/Case Study: Candidates may be asked to present a detailed case study from their portfolio or tackle a simulated design operations challenge. This will assess problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and ability to articulate complex processes and solutions.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a more senior leader (e.g., VP of Digital) to discuss broader organizational impact and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Leadership & Operations: Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases your experience in leading teams, managing design operations, and implementing governance frameworks, not just individual design contributions.
• Structure Case Studies for Impact: For each case study, detail the problem, your strategic approach, the operational challenges encountered, your solutions (including process improvements), the tools/systems used, and measurable outcomes (e.g., efficiency gains, consistency improvements, stakeholder satisfaction).
• Demonstrate Strategic Thinking: Articulate how your design strategy and operational decisions aligned with broader business objectives for the region.
• Showcase Cross-Functional Collaboration: Provide examples of how you effectively partnered with diverse teams to achieve project goals.
• Be Prepared to Discuss Process: Be ready to deep-dive into the methodologies, tools, and processes you've implemented to manage design at scale.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate Design Operations Scenarios: Prepare for questions or challenges related to scaling design teams, standardizing workflows, managing design systems across regions, and resolving stakeholder conflicts.
• Focus on Metrics & ROI: Think about how you would measure the success of design operations initiatives and articulate the return on investment.
• Articulate Your Management Philosophy: Be ready to discuss your approach to team leadership, mentorship, performance management, and fostering a positive and productive design culture.
• Research Manulife's Digital Presence: Understand their current digital offerings, any recent design changes, and the competitive landscape in Asia to inform your responses.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is tailored to a senior management role with a strong operational focus, emphasizing how to present leadership, process management, and strategic impact beyond just visual output.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, XD). Proficiency in one or more is essential for understanding the designer's workflow.
• Prototyping Tools: InVision, Axure, Principle, Marvel. For demonstrating interactive user flows and user testing.
• Collaboration Platforms: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello. For project management, workflow tracking, documentation, and cross-functional communication.
• Communication Tools: Slack, Microsoft Teams. For real-time team communication and collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics. For understanding user behavior on digital platforms.
• User Feedback Tools: SurveyMonkey, Typeform, UsabilityHub. For gathering qualitative and quantitative feedback.
• Data Visualization Tools: Tableau, Power BI. Potentially used to present design performance metrics and insights.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: Salesforce (likely used by Sales/Marketing, with which UX/UI collaborates). Understanding CRM data's role in user experience is beneficial.
• Design System Management Platforms: Tools like Zeroheight or internal wikis for documenting and managing design systems.
• Project Management & Workflow Automation: Tools that facilitate design handoffs, version control, and process automation within the design lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Tools & Technology Stack" includes a broad range of design, project management, and collaboration tools, reflecting the operational and cross-functional nature of the role. It also acknowledges the potential use of analytics and CRM tools in informing design strategy.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the end-user in all design and operational decisions, ensuring experiences are intuitive, effective, and satisfying.
• Excellence & Quality: A drive for delivering high-quality, polished, and consistent design outputs that meet global standards and exceed customer expectations.
• Collaboration & Transparency: Fostering an environment where open communication, knowledge sharing, and teamwork across diverse functions and geographies are paramount.
• Efficiency & Scalability: A focus on optimizing design processes, workflows, and resource allocation to ensure efficient delivery and the ability to scale operations effectively across the Asia region.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Encouraging a culture of experimentation, learning from data, and proactively seeking better ways to design and operate the design function.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires a highly collaborative approach, working hand-in-hand with product management, engineering, marketing, business stakeholders, and global design teams.
• Process-Oriented & Iterative: Encouraging regular feedback loops, design reviews, and iterative refinement of both design solutions and operational processes.
• Knowledge Sharing Hub: Promoting the sharing of best practices, learnings, and insights across the distributed design teams and with partner functions to build collective expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section elaborates on the "Team Culture & Values" by inferring likely operational values based on the job description's emphasis on governance, efficiency, and user-centricity, and detailing a collaborative style essential for a senior management role in a multinational.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Regional Design Consistency: Ensuring adherence to global design standards while accommodating diverse market needs and cultural nuances across Asia can be complex.
• Managing Distributed Teams: Leading and motivating a hybrid team, including offshore resources within MITDC hubs, requires strong communication, trust-building, and operational management skills.
• Stakeholder Alignment: Navigating diverse stakeholder expectations and priorities across multiple markets and business units to achieve consensus on design strategy and execution.
• Balancing Innovation with Governance: Finding the right balance between fostering creative innovation and maintaining rigorous design governance and brand consistency.
• Resource Optimization: Effectively forecasting demand, allocating resources, and managing vendor relationships to ensure efficient and cost-effective design delivery.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Design Leadership: Deepen expertise in setting regional design strategy and influencing organizational direction within a large financial institution.
• Global Operations Management: Gain extensive experience in managing design operations at a global scale, working with offshore centers of excellence and diverse vendor partners.
• Financial Services Industry Acumen: Develop a strong understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within the financial services sector related to digital transformation and customer experience.
• Mentorship & Team Development: Opportunity to mentor and grow a team of talented designers, shaping their careers and fostering a strong design culture.
• Participation in Industry Forums: Potential to represent Manulife at industry conferences or events related to UX/UI design, design operations, and digital transformation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges and growth opportunities are framed to reflect the senior, operational, and regional aspects of the role, providing practical insights for potential candidates.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to developing and implementing a regional design strategy that balances global consistency with local market needs." (Focus on your process, stakeholder engagement, and governance framework.)
• "How would you operationalize a design system for a diverse region like Asia, ensuring adoption and contribution from various teams and markets?" (Highlight your experience with design operations, tooling, and advocacy.)
• "Walk me through a time you had to manage significant stakeholder disagreement on a design direction. How did you navigate it, and what was the outcome?" (Demonstrate your negotiation, communication, and problem-solving skills.)
• "What KPIs would you establish for a regional UX/UI design team, and how would you track and report on them?" (Showcase your understanding of metrics, ROI, and operational performance measurement.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of Manulife, what do you see as the biggest opportunities and challenges for UX/UI design in the Asia segment?" (Demonstrate your research and strategic thinking about the company and its market.)
• "How would you foster a user-centric culture and embed design thinking within a large, established financial institution like Manulife?" (Discuss your approach to evangelism, training, and cross-functional collaboration.)
• "Describe your leadership philosophy and how you build and motivate high-performing design teams, especially in a hybrid and distributed environment." (Align your style with Manulife's values and the role's requirements.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Operational Impact: Select case studies that clearly demonstrate your leadership in managing design processes, establishing governance, leading teams, and driving efficiency, not just beautiful UI.
• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, use metrics to show the impact of your work on business objectives, user satisfaction, or operational efficiency.
• Tell a Story: Structure your presentations to tell a compelling narrative about the problem, your strategic and operational approach, the challenges, your solutions, and the impactful outcomes.
• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Prepare to answer detailed questions about your decision-making process, the tools and methodologies you employed, and how you navigated complex organizational dynamics.
• Showcase Scalability: Highlight examples where your work facilitated scaling design efforts or improving processes for greater efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation advice is crafted to align with the specific demands of a senior management role focused on design operations and regional strategy, emphasizing operational and leadership aspects.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX/UI Manager position:

• Submit your application through the official Manulife careers portal via the provided link.
• Curate Your Portfolio for Operations: Select and refine portfolio pieces that prominently feature your experience in design strategy, governance, team leadership, and operational execution. Emphasize case studies demonstrating process improvements, design system implementation, and stakeholder management in a regional context.
• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight keywords related to UX/UI management, design operations, strategy, governance, team leadership, stakeholder engagement, and experience in the financial services sector. Quantify achievements with data where possible.
• Prepare a Concise Executive Summary: Be ready to articulate your vision for regional UX/UI operations and your key strengths in a brief, impactful manner during initial screenings or interviews.
• Thoroughly Research Manulife: Understand their digital presence in Asia, their stated values, and the competitive landscape. Prepare thoughtful questions demonstrating your strategic interest and understanding of their business.

⚠️ 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.