Senior Vice President, UX Studio Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Vice President, UX Studio Designer Company: BNY Mellon (BNY) Location: New York, New York, United States Job Type: Full time Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design Operations Date Posted: August 29, 2025 Experience Level: 10+ Years Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and provide expert guidance on complex user experience (UX) design initiatives within BNY's Design Hub, focusing on innovation and client-centric solutions.
• Drive the end-to-end design process, from user research and conceptualization to interactive and visual design, ensuring high-quality user interfaces and seamless user journeys.
• Foster a collaborative design environment, mentoring junior designers and advocating for user experience best practices across various business units.
• Leverage advanced technologies and a Studio-centric model to partner with diverse teams, tackling unique financial services industry challenges.
• Synthesize complex information and user needs to deliver impactful design solutions that align with business objectives and user expectations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role operates within a "Studio centric model" implying a project-based, agile approach where designers are embedded into specific business unit "Accelerator teams." The "Senior Vice President" title suggests a significant leadership and strategic impact, going beyond individual contribution to influence broader design strategy and team development. The focus on financial services industry experience is a key differentiator for success.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Provide strategic guidance and technical expertise across the full spectrum of UX activities, including user research, interactive design, and visual design.
• Lead the creation of comprehensive design artifacts such as user personas, information architecture, wireframes, storyboards, prototypes, and detailed design specifications.
• Review and validate research findings, ensuring they are effectively translated into actionable design insights for product and development teams.
• Actively participate in design critiques, providing constructive feedback to peers and junior designers to elevate the overall quality of design output.
• Champion the user experience by advocating for user needs and design principles in cross-functional discussions and strategic planning sessions.
• Build and maintain strong, effective relationships with immediate team members and stakeholders across various departments to facilitate collaboration and project success.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of design team processes, workflows, and organizational structure.
• Mentor and train junior UX designers, fostering their skill development and career growth within the organization.
• Synthesize complex business requirements and user needs into elegant, effective design solutions.
• Execute design tasks with a high degree of autonomy, exercising discretion and operating effectively under limited supervision.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on design execution and strategic leadership. The emphasis on "synthesizing situations and information across multiple factors" and "exercising discretion and execute under limited supervision" points to a senior-level individual contributor capable of independent problem-solving within a defined framework. The mention of "getting involved with team process and organization" indicates an expectation to contribute to the operational efficiency and maturity of the Design Hub.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, User Experience (UX), Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a closely related discipline.
• Equivalent practical work experience will be considered in lieu of a formal degree.
• Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in a relevant field is strongly preferred.

Experience:

• 10-12 years of progressive experience in User Experience (UX) Design, Product Design, or a similar role.
• Demonstrated experience in the securities or financial services industry is a significant advantage.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in user research methodologies, including planning, conducting, and analyzing user studies to inform design decisions.
• Mastery of interactive design principles and the ability to translate complex user flows into intuitive digital experiences.
• Strong visual design skills, with a keen eye for aesthetics, layout, typography, and brand consistency.
• Proficient in information architecture, creating logical and navigable structures for digital products.
• Skilled in wireframing, prototyping (low-fidelity to high-fidelity), and creating detailed user interface (UI) specifications.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships and collaborate successfully with cross-functional teams (product managers, engineers, researchers, business stakeholders).
• Experience providing constructive design feedback and mentoring junior team members.
• Strong problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to synthesize complex information from multiple sources.
• Adaptability to evolving project requirements and a proactive approach to identifying and resolving design challenges.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within an agile or accelerator team structure, delivering design solutions on a project basis.
• Familiarity with design systems and their application in creating consistent user experiences across platforms.
• Knowledge of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and their integration into the design process.
• Experience with user testing platforms and methodologies (e.g., usability testing, A/B testing).
• Familiarity with financial services products, workflows, and regulatory considerations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio is paramount. Candidates should prepare to showcase a diverse range of projects demonstrating their expertise in the listed skills, particularly highlighting projects within the financial services sector if applicable. The distinction between "required" and "preferred" skills should guide application focus, emphasizing core UX competencies while noting the advantage of industry-specific experience.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a breadth of UX design projects, demonstrating end-to-end design thinking and execution.
• Projects should highlight contributions to user research, information architecture, interactive design, visual design, and prototyping.
• Emphasis on case studies that detail the problem statement, design process, user-centric solutions, and measurable outcomes or impact.
• Examples should reflect the ability to synthesize complex requirements and deliver user-friendly interfaces for sophisticated applications.
• Showcase experience in designing for financial services, if applicable, demonstrating an understanding of industry-specific user needs and workflows.

Process Documentation:

• Ability to document design processes, decisions, and rationales clearly and concisely.
• Experience in creating and maintaining design specifications, style guides, or design system components.
• Evidence of contributing to or improving team design processes, workflows, or collaboration methods.
• Examples of how user research findings were translated into actionable design improvements or product enhancements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for a portfolio means applicants must curate their best work. For this level, the portfolio should not just show deliverables but articulate the strategic thinking, problem-solving approach, and impact of the design work. Demonstrating an understanding of how design processes integrate with broader product development and business goals is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The anticipated base salary range for this role is $112,000 to $190,000 USD per year.
• 📝 Enhancement Note: This range is an estimate based on the provided data for a Senior Vice President level in New York City. Actual compensation will be determined by individual experience, qualifications, and market location. BNY Mellon's compensation philosophy is performance-driven, and this base salary is only a component of the total compensation package.

Benefits:

• Highly competitive compensation structure.
• Comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee well-being.
• Access to flexible global resources and tools.
• Focus on employee health, personal resilience, and financial goal achievement.
• Generous paid leave policies, including paid volunteer time.
• Potential for discretionary bonuses, short-term, and long-term incentive packages depending on the position.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours, typically around 40 hours per week.
• 📝 Enhancement Note: While a standard work week is expected, the nature of a Senior Vice President role in a dynamic financial services environment may require flexibility and adaptability to meet project deadlines and business needs.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services, including banking, investment management, and capital markets. BNY Mellon is a significant player in the global financial system, influencing a substantial portion of investible assets. Company Size: Large, global financial services institution. This implies a structured environment with extensive resources, established processes, and a wide network of professionals. Founded: BNY Mellon was formed in 2007 through the merger of The Bank of New York (founded 1784) and Mellon Financial Corporation (founded 1869), signifying a deep history and extensive experience in the financial sector.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the "Design Hub," structured as "Accelerator teams." This model suggests a lean, agile unit designed to partner with business areas that may have less historical engagement with design.
• Designers will likely work on project-based assignments, embedded within these Accelerator teams, collaborating closely with business stakeholders, product managers, and engineers.
• The Design Hub likely operates with a mix of specialized UX roles, with this SVP position providing senior leadership and mentorship.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on leveraging "cutting-edge AI and breakthrough technologies" to drive transformative solutions.
• A culture that encourages innovation, collaboration, and the pursuit of "bold ideas."
• The "Studio centric model" suggests a focus on iterative design, rapid prototyping, and agile project delivery.
• Data-driven decision-making is implied through the use of AI and technology.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: BNY Mellon's heritage and scale in financial services are critical context. The "Accelerator" team structure within the Design Hub indicates a proactive effort to integrate design thinking into areas that may not traditionally prioritize it, suggesting a culture that values innovation and transformation, potentially bridging traditional financial services operations with modern design practices.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Vice President (SVP) implies a significant leadership position, typically overseeing a critical function or a substantial team, and contributing to strategic decision-making. In this context, it means leading UX design initiatives and influencing the design strategy for key projects. Reporting Structure: The role reports to a Lead Designer within the Studio model, indicating a mentorship and guidance relationship while also expecting independent execution. The SVP title suggests a high level of autonomy and responsibility within their assigned projects. Operations Impact: The UX Studio Designer's work directly impacts client satisfaction, product usability, and the adoption of new technologies and solutions across BNY Mellon. By improving user experiences, this role contributes to operational efficiency, client retention, and the overall success of financial products and services.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunity to lead design efforts for major initiatives, potentially managing project teams or influencing design strategy across multiple projects.
• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific UX disciplines (user research, interaction design, visual design) or gain experience in specialized areas like AI-driven design or financial technology (FinTech).
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain broad exposure to various business units within BNY Mellon, understanding diverse operational needs and client challenges.
• Mentorship & Training: Develop leadership and coaching skills by mentoring junior designers, contributing to the growth of the Design Hub's talent pool.
• Strategic Influence: Contribute to the overall design vision and methodology of the Design Hub, potentially influencing how design is integrated across the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The SVP title in a "Studio centric model" suggests a hybrid role: a high-level individual contributor with leadership and mentorship responsibilities. Growth would likely involve taking on larger, more complex projects, potentially leading design initiatives for entire product lines or business transformations, and advancing into more formal management or strategic design leadership roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site, in New York, NY. This suggests a traditional office environment designed for collaboration and focused work. Office Location(s): New York, New York, United States. As a major financial hub, this location offers access to industry networks and a vibrant professional community.

Workspace Context:

• The "Studio centric model" and "Accelerator teams" imply a dynamic, project-oriented workspace where collaboration is key.
• Designers will likely work closely with product managers, engineers, and business stakeholders, fostering a cross-functional and integrated work environment.
• Access to advanced tools and technologies is expected, given BNY Mellon's focus on AI and breakthrough technologies.
• The environment likely encourages sharing of ideas, constructive feedback, and a collective effort to solve complex problems.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week).
• 📝 Enhancement Note: Given the SVP level and the nature of financial services, flexibility may be required to meet project demands and client needs, though the core expectation is a structured work week.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and mandatory portfolio submission. Applications without a portfolio will not be considered.
• Skills Assessment/Technical Interview: Likely involves in-depth discussion of UX design principles, methodologies, and past project experiences. This may include a technical challenge or case study.
• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session to present and discuss selected projects from the portfolio, focusing on design process, problem-solving, and impact.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with potential collaborators (e.g., Product Managers, Engineers, Business Leads) to assess communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.
• Leadership/Cultural Fit Interview: Discussion with senior leadership to evaluate strategic thinking, leadership potential, cultural alignment with BNY's values, and ability to mentor junior designers.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 projects that best represent your skills in user research, interaction design, visual design, and problem-solving, ideally including financial services experience if possible.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role and process, the challenges faced, the solutions developed, and the impact or outcomes achieved (quantify where possible).
• Highlight Process: Emphasize your design thinking, research methodologies, iterative design approach, and how you incorporated user feedback.
• Showcase Leadership: If possible, include examples where you mentored junior designers, led design efforts, or influenced product strategy.
• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, how you handle feedback, and how you collaborate with non-designers.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a design challenge or case study that might involve analyzing a problem, proposing a UX solution, and presenting your approach.
• Focus on demonstrating your structured thinking, user-centric approach, and ability to deliver a clear, well-reasoned design proposal.
• Practice articulating your thought process and design rationale concisely and effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mandatory portfolio requirement means this is the most critical component of the application. Candidates should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, problem-solving, and measurable impact, not just polished deliverables. Understanding BNY Mellon's position in the financial sector and its focus on innovation will be key to tailoring portfolio presentations and interview responses.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), InVision, Axure RP, or similar industry-standard tools for wireframing, UI design, and interactive prototyping.
• User Research & Testing: Tools for user interviews, usability testing, surveys, and analytics (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, SurveyMonkey, Google Analytics).
• Collaboration & Project Management: Tools like Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Miro, or Mural for team communication, task management, and collaborative whiteboarding.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to understand user behavior and measure design effectiveness.
• Ability to interpret data and translate insights into design improvements.

CRM & Automation:

• While not primary for a UX Designer, understanding how UX design integrates with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and automation tools can be beneficial, especially in a financial services context where client data management is crucial.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tool proficiency isn't listed, a strong command of industry-standard UX design and prototyping tools is implicitly required. Experience with analytics and collaboration tools will enhance a candidate's ability to integrate into BNY's agile, data-informed design environment. Familiarity with financial services specific platforms would be a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Transformation: A drive to harness technology (AI, breakthrough tech) to redefine industries and create transformative solutions is central.
• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on working together across teams and with clients to achieve shared goals.
• Inclusion: A commitment to being a "champion of inclusion" and a "top destination for innovators."
• Excellence & Performance: A culture of high performance and achieving excellence, reflected in their awards and compensation philosophy.
• User Advocacy: A core responsibility to advocate for the user experience across the firm, ensuring user needs are prioritized.
• Continuous Improvement: Encouragement to seek expertise, apply company policies, and improve team processes.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to work closely with product managers, engineers, business stakeholders, and potentially data scientists.
• Studio-Centric Collaboration: Working within Accelerator teams means close, often co-located or highly interactive collaboration on specific projects.
• Feedback Culture: Comfortable giving and receiving design feedback, fostering a learning environment.
• Knowledge Sharing: Expected to share insights and mentor junior designers, promoting a culture of collective growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: BNY Mellon emphasizes a forward-thinking culture that blends traditional financial stability with a drive for innovation and technological advancement. For a UX designer, this means being adaptable, collaborative, and able to translate complex financial concepts into user-friendly experiences while positively influencing the design maturity of the organization.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Bridging Traditional Finance and Modern UX: Translating complex, often legacy, financial processes and products into intuitive, modern user experiences.
• Cross-Departmental Alignment: Gaining buy-in and effective collaboration from business units less familiar with design thinking or agile methodologies.
• Scalability of Design Solutions: Ensuring design solutions are scalable across a large, global financial institution with diverse product offerings.
• Navigating a Large Organization: Understanding and adapting to the operational structures, governance, and decision-making processes of a major financial services firm.
• Keeping Pace with Technology: Integrating cutting-edge technologies like AI into user-centered design processes effectively.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX Methodologies: Opportunities to explore and implement advanced user research techniques, service design, and behavioral economics in financial contexts.
• Industry-Specific Knowledge: Deepen understanding of financial markets, investment products, and regulatory landscapes, enhancing design relevance.
• Leadership and Mentorship: Develop formal leadership and coaching skills through mentoring junior designers and potentially leading project teams.
• Exposure to AI and Emerging Tech: Gain hands-on experience applying AI and other advanced technologies in design solutions within a real-world financial services environment.
• Strategic Design Influence: Contribute to shaping the design strategy and operational efficiency of the Design Hub and its impact across BNY Mellon.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to applying modern UX practices within a large, established financial institution. Success will depend on strong communication, adaptability, and a deep understanding of both user needs and business objectives. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering a chance to shape design practices at a leading global firm.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process & Problem Solving: "Describe a complex UX challenge you faced in a previous role, particularly in the financial services sector. Walk us through your design process from problem identification to solution implementation, highlighting key decisions and trade-offs." (Prepare with a specific, structured case study).
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: "How do you effectively collaborate with product managers, engineers, and business stakeholders who may have different priorities or levels of understanding regarding UX? Provide an example of a time you had to influence stakeholders to champion a user-centered approach."
• Mentorship & Leadership: "Describe your experience mentoring junior designers. What is your approach to providing constructive feedback and fostering their growth? How do you contribute to improving team processes and workflows?"
• Strategic Thinking: "How do you approach designing for complex financial products or services? What factors do you consider beyond user interface, such as business goals, technical constraints, and regulatory requirements?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• BNY's Innovation: "BNY emphasizes innovation and technology like AI. How would your UX design approach contribute to these strategic priorities in the financial services industry?"
• Design Hub Model: "Given the 'Accelerator team' and 'Studio centric model,' how do you see yourself fitting into this structure and contributing to its success?"
• User Advocacy: "How do you ensure the user's voice is heard and prioritized within a large organization like BNY Mellon?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: For each portfolio piece, clearly articulate the business problem, the user needs addressed, your specific contributions, the solutions you designed, and the measurable impact or outcomes.
• Demonstrate Process: Use visual aids (e.g., journey maps, wireframes, prototypes) to walk through your thought process and design iterations.
• Quantify Results: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time, increased user satisfaction scores).
• Tailor to BNY: Connect your experience and approach to BNY Mellon's mission, values, and the specific requirements of the SVP, UX Studio Designer role. Highlight any relevant financial services experience.
• Conciseness and Clarity: Be prepared to present your work within a set timeframe and answer questions clearly and thoughtfully.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skills, but also strategic thinking, leadership potential, and an understanding of the financial services industry. The ability to articulate the "why" behind design decisions and their business impact is crucial for an SVP-level role. Preparing specific examples that align with BNY's stated values and strategic priorities will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link, ensuring your resume and a comprehensive UX design portfolio are attached.
• 📝 Preparation Step 1 (Portfolio Customization): Curate your portfolio to highlight 3-5 of your strongest UX design projects. Prioritize case studies that demonstrate your ability to tackle complex problems, your entire design process (from research to final UI), and any relevant experience in the financial services industry. Ensure each case study clearly outlines the problem, your role, your process, the solutions, and the measurable impact.
• 📝 Preparation Step 2 (Resume Optimization): Tailor your resume to emphasize keywords related to UX design, user research, interaction design, visual design, prototyping, financial services, leadership, and mentorship. Quantify your achievements with specific metrics where possible to showcase your impact.
• 📝 Preparation Step 3 (Interview Practice): Practice articulating your design process and project outcomes clearly and concisely. Prepare to present your portfolio with a focus on storytelling, demonstrating your strategic thinking, problem-solving capabilities, and leadership potential. Anticipate questions about your experience, methodologies, and how you handle collaboration and feedback.
• 📝 Preparation Step 4 (Company Research): Thoroughly research BNY Mellon's business, its position in the financial services industry, its recent news, and its stated values. Understand the "Studio centric model" and "Accelerator teams" concept to align your understanding of the role with the company's operational approach.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.