Sr. Experience UX Lead

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. Experience UX Lead

Company: TIAA

Location: Illinois - Virtual, United States of America

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Experience (UX) Design & Strategy

Date Posted: 2026-04-10T00:00:00

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and champion user experience initiatives across product, development, and marketing teams to align with TIAA's strategic business objectives.

• Drive the execution of moderately complex business planning, support, and project-related duties with an exceptional standard of quality and accountability.

• Advocate for the end-user by integrating user-centered design principles into all stages of product development and enhancement.

• Collaborate with technology partners to ensure seamless integration of UX strategies with technical roadmaps and product delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is designated as a Non-Employee Contingent Worker, engaged through a third-party supplier. The engagement is anticipated to be for 7 months, with potential for extension based on business needs. The work arrangement is hybrid, requiring onsite presence at the listed location(s). The role is classified as a UX Lead I, Career Level 9IC, indicating a senior individual contributor position with significant responsibility and influence.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Strategic UX Leadership: Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Product, Development, Marketing, Technology) to define and execute user experience strategies that support TIAA's business goals.

• User Advocacy: Serve as the primary advocate for the user, ensuring their needs and behaviors are understood and addressed throughout the product lifecycle.

• Project Execution: Manage and execute moderately complex business planning, support, and project-related duties, maintaining a high standard of quality and accountability.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Foster strong working relationships with technology partners, product managers, developers, and marketing specialists to ensure cohesive and user-centric product development.

• Design Strategy & Innovation: Contribute to the development of innovative UX solutions, leveraging user research, data analysis, and industry best practices to enhance user engagement and satisfaction.

• Process Improvement: Identify opportunities for process optimization within the UX design and development workflow to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership, hands-on execution, and cross-functional collaboration. The emphasis on "moderately complex business planning, support, and project-related duties" suggests a need for strong organizational and project management skills in addition to UX expertise. The role requires advocating for the user experience while balancing it with business objectives and technology constraints.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Required: 5+ Years of progressive experience in User Experience (UX) design, research, or related fields.

• Preferred: 7+ Years of experience in UX design, with a focus on leading initiatives and collaborating across departments.

Required Skills:

• User Experience (UX) Design: Deep understanding of UX principles, methodologies, and best practices across various platforms.

• UX Research & Analysis: Ability to conduct user research, analyze findings, and translate insights into actionable design recommendations.

• Business Planning & Project Support: Proven ability to contribute to business planning efforts and provide support for complex projects.

• Stakeholder Collaboration: Experience working effectively with diverse stakeholders, including technology partners, product managers, and marketing teams.

• Product Strategy Integration: Understanding of how UX contributes to overall product strategy and business outcomes.

Preferred Skills:

• Financial Data Visualization: Prior experience designing effective visualizations for financial data.

• Personal Finance Tools: Familiarity with the design and user flows of personal finance applications.

• Financial Industry Knowledge: Understanding of financial products, services, and regulatory considerations.

• Agile/Scrum Methodologies: Experience working within agile development environments.

• Information Architecture (IA): Skill in organizing and structuring content for optimal usability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preference for financial data visualization and personal finance tool experience strongly indicates that this role will involve working with complex financial data and applications aimed at individual investors or financial planning. This suggests a need for a UX professional who can translate intricate financial concepts into intuitive and user-friendly interfaces. The "Career Level 9IC" designation implies a senior individual contributor role, expecting a high degree of autonomy and expertise.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: Showcase a minimum of 3-5 detailed case studies demonstrating your end-to-end UX process, problem-solving abilities, and impact on user outcomes.

• Problem Definition: Clearly articulate the user problem or business challenge addressed in each case study.

• Process Walkthrough: Detail your UX methodologies, including research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and iteration.

• Visual Design Examples: Include high-fidelity mockups, interactive prototypes, or final product screens to illustrate your design solutions.

• Metrics & Impact: Quantify the impact of your design solutions whenever possible (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time, increased user satisfaction scores).

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Demonstrate experience in designing and documenting user workflows and journey maps.

• System Integration Understanding: Show an ability to understand how UX designs integrate with underlying technology systems and platforms.

• Cross-Functional Process Alignment: Provide examples of how you've aligned UX processes with development, product management, and marketing workflows.

• User Feedback Integration: Illustrate how user feedback is systematically collected, analyzed, and integrated into iterative design processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the senior nature of the role and the industry (financial services), the hiring team will likely scrutinize the candidate's portfolio for evidence of structured problem-solving, robust UX methodologies, and a data-driven approach. The ability to clearly articulate the "why" behind design decisions and demonstrate measurable outcomes will be critical. Experience with financial data visualization implies a need for case studies that tackle complex data representation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $53.03/hr - $90.53/hr (Hourly Rate)

Benefits:

• This role is for a Non-Employee Contingent Worker. Benefits are typically provided by the third-party supplier employing the individual. Specific benefits will vary based on the supplier's offerings but may include:
  • Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • Paid Time Off (PTO) or Vacation time
  • Retirement Savings Plan (e.g., 401k through the supplier)
  • Life Insurance
  • Disability Insurance

Working Hours:

• Standard Full-Time hours, approximately 40 hours per week.

• This is a hybrid role, requiring a balance of remote work and onsite presence at the designated Illinois location. Specific onsite days/schedule will be determined by the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is an hourly rate for a contingent worker. It's crucial for candidates to understand that this rate typically covers base pay, and any additional benefits (health insurance, PTO, etc.) would be provided by the third-party staffing agency. The effective annual compensation can be estimated by multiplying the hourly rate by the standard working hours per year (e.g., 40 hours/week * 52 weeks/year). The "Travel Required: Yes" note, coupled with the hybrid arrangement, suggests occasional travel may be necessary, potentially impacting expenses and logistics.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services / Investment Management. TIAA is a leading provider of retirement, investment, and insurance solutions for educators and employees of non-profit and public-sector organizations.

Company Size: TIAA is a large, established financial institution. As of recent public data, it employs tens of thousands of individuals globally. This size implies a structured environment with established processes, significant resources, and opportunities for impact within a large-scale organization.

Founded: TIAA was founded in 1918. Its long history signifies stability, deep industry expertise, and a commitment to its mission.

Team Structure:

• UX Team: The UX Lead will likely be part of a dedicated User Experience team or a broader Digital Experience group within TIAA.

• Reporting: The role reports to a UX Manager or Director, overseeing UX initiatives.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: This role necessitates close collaboration with Product Management, Engineering/Development, Marketing, Data Analytics, and potentially Legal/Compliance teams to ensure user-centricity is embedded across all client-facing initiatives.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: TIAA likely employs a data-driven approach, using analytics, user research, and A/B testing to inform design decisions and measure impact.

• Agile Development: It's common for large financial institutions to utilize agile methodologies for product development, requiring flexibility and iterative design processes.

• User-Centric Focus: A strong emphasis on understanding and serving the needs of TIAA's diverse client base, particularly educators and non-profit employees.

Company Website: https://www.tiaa.org/

📝 Enhancement Note: TIAA's mission-driven nature in serving educators and non-profits often translates into a culture that values long-term impact, stability, and ethical practices. For a UX professional, this means understanding the unique needs and financial literacy levels of their target audience, and designing solutions that foster trust and long-term financial well-being. The "Contingent Worker" status means integration into the core culture may differ from full-time employees.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: UX Lead I (Career Level 9IC) represents a senior individual contributor role. This level typically involves leading significant UX projects, mentoring junior designers, and influencing product strategy. It's a crucial step for experienced UX professionals looking to deepen their expertise and leadership without necessarily moving into direct people management.

Reporting Structure: This role reports to a higher-level UX leader (e.g., UX Manager or Director). While not a direct management role, the "Lead" title implies responsibility for guiding project execution and potentially mentoring other UX team members or contributors on specific initiatives.

Operations Impact: The UX Lead's impact is measured by their ability to translate business goals into exceptional user experiences that drive engagement, satisfaction, and ultimately, the achievement of TIAA's financial objectives. This includes improving the usability of financial tools, increasing adoption of new features, and enhancing client retention through superior digital interactions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in financial data visualization, personal finance tools, or specific areas of UX research and strategy within the financial services sector.

• Project Leadership: Take on leadership of larger, more complex UX initiatives and potentially guide junior team members on these projects.

• Cross-Functional Influence: Expand influence across different business units and product lines within TIAA, becoming a go-to expert for UX matters.

• Potential for Full-Time Conversion: While this is a contingent role, successful performance and business need could potentially lead to opportunities for full-time employment within TIAA or its associated entities.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a contingent worker, formal career progression paths may differ. However, demonstrating strong performance and impact in this role can significantly enhance a UX professional's resume and lead to future opportunities, either within TIAA or elsewhere in the industry, particularly in specialized domains like FinTech or financial services UX. The "9IC" career level suggests a path towards Principal or Staff UX Designer roles in other organizations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment. This role requires a combination of remote work and onsite presence at TIAA's Illinois location(s). The specific balance will likely be determined by team needs and manager discretion.

Office Location(s): The posting specifies "Illinois - Virtual" and indicates the role will sit onsite, likely in a hybrid capacity, at the location(s) listed. Candidates should confirm the specific office address(es) in Illinois during the interview process.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: TIAA offices are likely to feature collaborative workspaces, meeting rooms equipped for hybrid meetings, and potentially quiet zones for focused work.

• Technology & Tools: Access to standard office technology, reliable internet, and potentially TIAA-specific collaboration and design software.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for in-person interaction with UX colleagues, product managers, and development teams, fostering a dynamic and collaborative work environment.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week).

• Flexibility may exist within the hybrid model, but core hours for team collaboration and meetings will need to be adhered to.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model implies a need for strong self-management and communication skills. Candidates should be prepared to articulate how they maintain productivity and collaboration in both remote and in-office settings. The "Travel Required: Yes" note indicates that occasional travel might be necessary, which could mean business trips to other TIAA offices or client sites, requiring flexibility and planning.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and interest.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, showcasing key case studies that demonstrate their UX process, problem-solving skills, and impact. Be prepared to discuss your role, methodologies used, and outcomes.

• Technical/UX Interviews: In-depth interviews focusing on UX principles, design thinking, user research techniques, and experience with financial data visualization. Expect scenario-based questions.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with potential collaborators (e.g., Product Managers, Developers, Marketing leads) to assess communication, collaboration style, and ability to integrate UX into broader business initiatives.

• Final Interview: May involve a senior leader to discuss strategic alignment and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select case studies that best align with the requirements, especially those involving financial data visualization, complex problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Tell a Story: Structure each case study as a narrative: the problem, your approach, the solution, and the results. Focus on your specific contributions.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your design solutions (e.g., "increased user completion rate by 15%").

• Highlight Process: Clearly explain your thought process, the methodologies you employed, and why you made specific design decisions.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your design choices, trade-offs made, and how you handled challenges.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercises: Be prepared for a hypothetical design challenge or a critique of an existing TIAA product/feature. Focus on your problem-solving approach and ability to articulate your rationale.

• Scenario-Based Questions: Practice answering questions like "How would you approach designing a new feature for X?" or "Describe a time you disagreed with a stakeholder about a design decision."

• Financial Data Context: If given a challenge, consider how you would approach visualizing complex financial information clearly and effectively for a target audience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "Contingent Worker" might mean the interview process is slightly more streamlined or focused on immediate project needs. However, for a senior role, a thorough assessment of skills and experience is still expected. Being prepared to discuss past project successes and failures, and demonstrating how you can quickly contribute to TIAA's goals, will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Design Software: Proficiency in tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD for wireframing, prototyping, and visual design.

• Prototyping Tools: Experience with tools such as InVision, Marvel, or built-in features of design software for creating interactive prototypes.

• User Research Platforms: Familiarity with tools for surveys, usability testing, and session recording (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, Qualtrics).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Understanding of tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics to interpret user behavior data.

• Data Visualization Tools: Experience with tools like Tableau, Power BI, or custom charting libraries for presenting data insights and creating dashboards, especially relevant for financial data.

CRM & Automation:

Specialized Tools:

• Financial Data Libraries/APIs: Understanding of how to work with or design for systems that consume financial data APIs.

• Accessibility Tools: Knowledge of WCAG guidelines and tools for checking accessibility compliance (e.g., WAVE, Axe).

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the financial industry context and the preference for financial data visualization, familiarity with tools and techniques for presenting complex data insights clearly and intuitively will be highly valued. This goes beyond standard UI design tools and may include an understanding of data visualization best practices and associated software.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of TIAA's clients, prioritizing their financial well-being and experience.

• Integrity & Trust: Upholding the highest ethical standards, crucial in the financial services industry, ensuring user data is handled responsibly and designs foster trust.

• Excellence & Accountability: Striving for high-quality outcomes in all aspects of work, taking ownership of responsibilities, and delivering on commitments.

• Collaboration: Working effectively across diverse teams and disciplines to achieve shared goals, valuing input from all stakeholders.

• Innovation: Continuously seeking new and better ways to solve user problems and enhance the digital experience, particularly within the complex financial landscape.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: The UX Lead is expected to be a proactive partner, working closely with Product, Engineering, and Marketing to co-create solutions.

• Data-Informed Dialogue: Discussions and decision-making should be grounded in user research, data analytics, and UX best practices.

• Constructive Feedback: A culture that encourages open and constructive feedback to drive continuous improvement in both the product and team processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of insights, learnings, and best practices across the UX team and broader organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a contingent worker, understanding TIAA's core values is important for cultural alignment, even if direct integration into the employee culture is limited. Demonstrating an ability to embody these values in your work and interactions will be key to success. The emphasis on integrity and trust is particularly paramount in a financial services context.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Financial Data: Translating intricate financial concepts and data into easily understandable and actionable user interfaces.

• Balancing User Needs with Business/Regulatory Constraints: Navigating the unique demands of the financial services industry, including compliance, security, and diverse user segments.

• Hybrid Work Management: Effectively collaborating and maintaining team cohesion in a hybrid work environment.

• Short Engagement Term: Adapting quickly and delivering high-impact results within the 7-month contract period.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Specialization: Gaining deeper expertise in UX for financial services, data visualization, and personal finance tools.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Learning about TIAA's broader business operations, product development cycles, and marketing strategies.

• Large-Scale Project Experience: Contributing to projects within a large, established financial institution, providing valuable experience for future roles.

• Networking: Building connections within TIAA and potentially with the third-party supplier for future opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be demonstrating significant impact and seamless integration within a relatively short contract period. Candidates should focus on how they can quickly understand TIAA's context and contribute meaningfully, leveraging their expertise in financial UX.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing a new feature for TIAA's retirement planning platform to increase user engagement?" (Focus on your process, user research, and iteration).

• "Describe a complex financial data visualization you designed. What was the challenge, your solution, and the outcome?" (Highlight problem-solving, technical skill, and impact).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about TIAA's mission and its client base?" (Demonstrate research and alignment with TIAA's purpose).

• "How do you contribute to a collaborative team environment, especially in a hybrid setting?" (Highlight communication and teamwork skills).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with a brief overview of your UX philosophy and career highlights. Then, dive into 2-3 key case studies.

• Focus on "Your" Role: Clearly articulate your specific contributions, even within team projects. Use "I" when describing your actions and decisions.

• Engage the Audience: Make it interactive. Ask clarifying questions and be prepared to discuss alternative approaches.

• Connect to TIAA: Whenever possible, draw parallels between your past work and the potential challenges or opportunities at TIAA.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss the "why" behind every design decision. For a senior role, the interviewers will be looking for strategic thinking, a deep understanding of UX principles, and the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly. Given the "Contingent Worker" status, emphasize your ability to hit the ground running and deliver value quickly.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on TIAA's careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and portfolio are tailored to highlight your experience in UX design, particularly any work related to financial services, data visualization, or complex applications. Emphasize your 5+ years of experience.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly list your relevant skills, including UX design software, research methodologies, and any preferred skills like financial data visualization or personal finance tools. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare for Portfolio Presentation: Practice walking through your case studies, focusing on your problem-solving process, design decisions, and quantifiable outcomes. Be ready to discuss your contributions in detail.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with TIAA's mission, values, target audience, and its position in the financial services industry. Understand the importance of user experience in this sector.

⚠️ 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.