UI Designer, Design Language (AVP)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Designer, Design Language (AVP) Company: Morgan Stanley Location: Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: UX/UI Design, Design Systems Date Posted: 2025-11-21 Experience Level: 2-5 Years Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on the evolution and refinement of a comprehensive design language and design system, ensuring consistency and quality across Morgan Stanley's digital platforms.
• The UI Designer will act as a critical bridge between design and engineering, fostering seamless implementation of design system components and promoting best practices.
• A strong emphasis is placed on inclusive design, accessibility (WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance), and leveraging client insights to drive value-driven design decisions aligned with business goals.
• The position requires a proactive, collaborative individual who can evangelize design thinking and contribute to a culture of innovation and accountability within a large, diverse organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the input job title is "UI Designer," the responsibilities heavily emphasize "Design Language" and "Design Systems," indicating a specialized role focused on the foundational elements of the user interface and experience, rather than solely screen-level UI design. The "AVP" title suggests a mid-to-senior level position within the organization. This role is pivotal for ensuring scalability and maintainability of the user experience across a global financial institution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Evolve and continuously refine the firm's design language to ensure it resonates with client needs and business objectives.
• Partner closely with UX leadership to establish and maintain design consistency and high-quality standards across all digital platforms.
• Foster strong, collaborative relationships with engineering teams to ensure frictionless and accurate implementation of the design system.
• Champion and promote inclusive design principles, ensuring all designs meet accessibility standards, specifically WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance.
• Implement and maintain efficient processes and tools that enable UX and engineering teams to effectively utilize the design system.
• Conduct thorough reviews of in-flight designs, providing constructive feedback to Product Designers to ensure holistic application of design solutions.
• Contribute to a culture of continuous creative improvement, innovation, excellence, and accountability through active participation and idea generation.
• Synthesize qualitative and quantitative data from research teams to inform value-driven design decisions that translate into clear, simple, and effective user interfaces.
• Design and deliver responsive and adaptive solutions optimized for both web and mobile interfaces, collaborating with engineers for successful product realization.
• Engage with the broader Wealth Management UX team to share design best practices, align on common patterns, and advocate for a design-centric culture within the firm.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strategic focus on design systems and governance, which is critical for large financial institutions. The emphasis on client needs, data synthesis, and cross-functional collaboration points to a role requiring not only design acumen but also strong analytical and communication skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Design (e.g., Graphic Design, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction) or a related field is required.
• A Master's degree in a relevant design discipline is considered a plus.

Experience:

• 2-5 years of professional experience as a UX/UI Designer, with a proven track record of working effectively within cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated experience in establishing or significantly contributing to design systems and design language development.

Required Skills:

• Outstanding Portfolio: An exceptional portfolio showcasing successful creation of user experiences that effectively address both business needs and user requirements is essential.
• Figma Proficiency: Advanced skills in Figma for UI design, prototyping, and design system management.
• Visual & Interaction Design: A refined aesthetic with strong capabilities in visual design, interaction design, and understanding of user-centered design principles.
• Responsive & Mobile Design: Fluent in designing responsive and adaptive solutions for web and mobile interfaces.
• Accessibility Standards: In-depth understanding and practical application of accessibility guidelines, specifically WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance.
• Collaboration & Communication: Ability to establish deep relationships across the Design department and practice active listening in group settings (brainstorms, audits, critiques, whiteboard sessions).
• Problem-Solving & Iteration: Proven ability to tackle complex projects with ambiguity, demonstrate resilience, and relentlessly validate assumptions through testing, learning, and iteration.
• Self-Starter Mentality: Highly motivated, driven, and proactive in seeking out opportunities and driving initiatives.

Preferred Skills:

• Basic HTML/CSS Understanding: Familiarity with the underlying technologies to facilitate communication with engineering teams.
• Advanced Web Components: Deep understanding of web components, their role in design systems, and interaction patterns.
• Industry Trends Awareness: Up-to-date knowledge of current UI/UX trends, interaction design patterns, and emerging technologies.
• Data Synthesis: Ability to effectively synthesize qualitative and quantitative research data to inform design decisions.
• Design Thinking Evangelism: Experience in promoting and evangelizing design thinking methodologies within a large organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a "strong portfolio" is paramount for this role. Candidates should prepare to showcase projects that specifically demonstrate their contributions to design systems, design language evolution, and their problem-solving approach to complex UI/UX challenges. The "AVP" title implies a need for leadership potential and the ability to influence design direction.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design System Contribution: Showcase specific projects where you contributed to the creation, refinement, or maintenance of a design system, including examples of component design, documentation, and governance.
• Design Language Evolution: Present case studies detailing how you evolved or applied a design language to achieve specific business and user goals, illustrating consistency and brand alignment.
• Accessibility Implementation: Include examples or case studies that demonstrate your commitment to and successful implementation of accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1 AA) in design solutions.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration Examples: Highlight projects where you effectively partnered with engineering, product management, and research teams, showcasing your ability to translate complex requirements into user-centric designs.
• Problem-Solving Case Studies: Detail projects where you faced significant design challenges, outlining your process for identifying the root cause, exploring solutions, and iterating based on feedback and data.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate an understanding of how to document design system components, guidelines, and best practices for broad team adoption.
• Be prepared to discuss processes for reviewing and approving design work to ensure adherence to the established design language and system.
• Showcase an ability to define and implement workflows that facilitate efficient collaboration between design, UX research, and engineering teams.
• Discuss methods for measuring the impact and adoption of design system components and design language principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on Design Language and Design Systems at an AVP level, the portfolio should not just show finished UIs, but the process behind creating and maintaining scalable design assets. Candidates should be ready to articulate their approach to design governance, componentization, and ensuring adoption across large teams.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for an Assistant Vice President (AVP) level UI Designer with 2-5 years of experience in financial services in Glasgow, UK, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between £60,000 and £85,000 per annum. This estimate considers the specialized nature of design systems, the AVP title, and the cost of living in Glasgow.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Retirement Savings Plan: Generous 401(k) or equivalent pension scheme with employer matching.
• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, sick leave, and public holidays.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, certifications, conferences, and continuous learning in design.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential support services for personal and professional well-being.
• Life and Disability Insurance: Financial protection for employees and their families.
• Flexible Work Options: Potential for flexible working arrangements, subject to team and business needs, as indicated in the job description.
• Commuter Benefits: Support for commuting costs to the office.

Working Hours:

• The standard working hours for this full-time role are approximately 40 hours per week. While the position is on-site, Morgan Stanley may offer flexible working arrangements, which can be discussed during the recruitment process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on typical AVP-level compensation for specialized design roles in major UK financial centers, adjusted for Glasgow's market. Specific benefits and working hour flexibility should be confirmed directly with the hiring team. Morgan Stanley is known for offering robust benefits packages to attract and retain talent.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Investment Banking, Wealth Management, Financial Technology). Morgan Stanley operates at the forefront of global finance, providing a wide range of financial services. This industry context means a strong emphasis on security, compliance, client trust, and data integrity. Company Size: Over 80,000 employees globally, with a presence in 1,200 offices across 42 countries. This signifies a large, complex, and matrixed organization where clear communication and adherence to established processes are vital. Founded: 1935. With a long history, Morgan Stanley has a deeply embedded culture and a legacy of client service. This longevity suggests a stable environment with established methodologies, but also a need for continuous innovation to remain competitive.

Team Structure:

• Operations Team Aspect 1: The UX/UI Design team is likely part of a larger Product or Technology division. The AVP role suggests a senior individual contributor or a team lead position within a specialized function like Design Systems or Design Language.
• Operations Team Aspect 2: Reporting structure would likely be to a Director or VP of UX Design, with dotted-line reporting or strong collaboration with Engineering leads and Product Management.
• Operations Team Aspect 3: Collaboration is expected to be extensive, involving Product Designers, UX Researchers, Front-end Engineers, Product Managers, and potentially stakeholders from Compliance and Legal departments.

Methodology:

• Operations Process 1: A data-driven approach is critical, leveraging both qualitative user research insights and quantitative metrics to inform design decisions and measure impact.
• Operations Process 2: Workflow planning and optimization will be key, particularly in ensuring efficient adoption and contribution to the design system by various teams.
• Operations Process 3: Expect a focus on automation where possible, especially within the design system implementation and maintenance, to drive efficiency and consistency.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Morgan Stanley's scale and industry require a disciplined approach to design. The "AVP" title indicates a level of responsibility where influencing strategic design decisions and driving adoption across a large organization is expected. The company culture values client focus, integrity, and diversity.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Assistant Vice President (AVP). This level signifies a mid-to-senior position within Morgan Stanley, often requiring specialized expertise and the ability to lead initiatives or mentor junior team members. It bridges the gap between individual contribution and managerial oversight. Reporting Structure: The UI Designer will likely report to a Director or VP of User Experience Design. They will work closely with engineering leads and Product Managers, requiring strong stakeholder management skills. Operations Impact: This role has a significant impact on the firm's client-facing platforms by ensuring a consistent, high-quality, accessible, and user-friendly experience. A well-defined design language and robust design system directly contribute to client satisfaction, operational efficiency, and brand reputation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization Deepening: Opportunity to become a leading expert in design systems, design language, and accessibility within the financial services industry.
• Leadership Track: Potential progression to senior design roles (VP, Executive Director) leading larger design initiatives or teams, or managing specific areas of the design system.
• Cross-Functional Mobility: Ability to move into related roles such as Senior UX Designer, Product Designer, or even UX leadership positions within different business units of Morgan Stanley.
• Skill Development: Continuous learning and development through internal training, external conferences, and hands-on experience with cutting-edge design tools and methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The AVP title suggests that candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience in influencing design strategy and driving adoption. Growth potential is significant within a firm like Morgan Stanley, especially for those who demonstrate leadership and expertise in critical areas like design systems.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Morgan Stanley operates with a hybrid work model, offering a blend of in-office and remote work. The specific arrangement for this role will be discussed during the interview process, but the job description states it is an "On-site" position, implying a primary expectation of being in the office, with potential for flexible arrangements. Office Location(s): The role is based in Glasgow, Scotland. Morgan Stanley has offices in major global financial hubs, and the Glasgow office serves as a significant operational and technology center.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role emphasizes working within a diverse, collaborative, and explorative environment, encouraging idea exchange and critical feedback.
• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma), collaboration platforms, and potentially internal tools specific to Morgan Stanley's technology stack.
• Operations Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with design, engineering, and product teams, fostering a culture of shared learning and collective problem-solving.

Work Schedule:

• The typical work schedule is around 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, the company expresses interest in providing flexible working opportunities where feasible, which can be explored during the interview stage.

📝 Enhancement Note: While listed as "On-site," the mention of exploring "flexible working opportunities" signifies that Morgan Stanley, like many large organizations, is adapting to modern work preferences. Candidates should inquire about the expected office presence and any flexibility arrangements.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application and portfolio by a recruiter to assess basic qualifications and alignment with the role.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation with the hiring manager to delve deeper into your experience, portfolio, and understanding of design systems and design language. Expect questions about your approach to problem-solving and collaboration.
• Design Exercise/Case Study: You may be asked to complete a design exercise or present a detailed case study from your portfolio. This is a critical stage to demonstrate your skills in Figma, responsive design, accessibility, and your process for tackling complex UI/UX challenges.
• Team/Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with other designers, engineers, and product managers to assess your cultural fit, collaboration style, and ability to work within a diverse team.
• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss your strategic thinking, leadership potential, and overall fit for the AVP level.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Design System Work: Prioritize projects that demonstrate your contributions to design systems, design language, and style guides. Explain your role, the challenges, and the impact.
• Detail Your Process: For each project, clearly articulate your design process, from research and ideation to iteration and final implementation. Use visuals to support your narrative.
• Highlight Problem-Solving: Demonstrate how you identify and solve complex design problems, especially those involving ambiguity or technical constraints.
• Emphasize Accessibility: Explicitly show how you incorporate accessibility best practices (WCAG 2.1 AA) into your designs and explain your rationale.
• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics or qualitative feedback to demonstrate the business value and user impact of your designs.
• Tailor to the Role: Ensure your portfolio presentation highlights skills and experience directly relevant to Morgan Stanley's needs – design systems, financial services context (if applicable), and a collaborative, client-focused approach.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design System Thinking: Be ready to discuss how you would approach creating, scaling, or governing a design system.
• Accessibility Scenarios: Prepare to discuss how you would address accessibility challenges in various UI components or workflows.
• Cross-Functional Communication: Practice explaining complex design decisions clearly and concisely to non-designers, such as engineers or business stakeholders.
• Morgan Stanley Values: Understand Morgan Stanley's core values (client first, doing the right thing, leading with exceptional ideas, diversity & inclusion, giving back) and how they might influence design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely be rigorous, given the AVP level and the nature of the firm. A strong, well-curated portfolio that directly addresses design systems and accessibility is non-negotiable.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for UI design, prototyping, and collaborative work. Proficiency is explicitly required.
• Design System Management Tools: While not explicitly named, candidates should be familiar with tools or platforms used for documenting, versioning, and distributing design system components.
• Prototyping Tools: Figma's built-in prototyping capabilities, or potentially other tools for more advanced interactions.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to understand user behavior data and inform design decisions.
• Experience with data visualization tools or dashboards to report on design impact and system adoption.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how UI design impacts user journeys within financial platforms is key. Familiarity with how design systems integrate with front-end development workflows and potentially low-code/no-code tools could be beneficial.
• Collaboration Tools: Proficiency with communication and project management tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Confluence, etc., is essential for cross-functional work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma is a strong signal of the required technical skillset. Candidates should also be ready to discuss their experience with tools that support design system governance and integration with development workflows.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Client First: A core value driving all decisions, ensuring that designs ultimately serve the needs and provide value to Morgan Stanley's clients.
• Doing the Right Thing: Emphasizes integrity, ethical conduct, and a commitment to high standards in all aspects of work, including design and accessibility.
• Leading with Exceptional Ideas: Encourages innovation, creative problem-solving, and pushing boundaries to deliver best-in-class design solutions.
• Diversity and Inclusion: A commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where diverse backgrounds, talents, and perspectives are valued and contribute to richer design outcomes.
• Giving Back: Reflects a company culture that encourages community involvement and social responsibility.

Collaboration Style:

• Relentless Collaborators: The company culture fosters strong teamwork, encouraging individuals to work together to achieve common goals.
• Creative Thinkers: A drive for innovative solutions and a willingness to explore new ideas.
• Receiving & Providing Feedback: Active listening and a comfort level with both giving and receiving constructive criticism are crucial for improving designs and maturing design thinking.
• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect to work closely with diverse teams (engineering, product, research), requiring clear communication and understanding of different perspectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be prepared to articulate how their personal values and collaboration style align with Morgan Stanley's stated principles, particularly in the context of design work and influencing stakeholders in a large financial institution.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling Design Systems: Ensuring a design system and language remain effective, scalable, and adoptable across a vast and diverse organization with evolving needs.
• Balancing Innovation with Compliance: Navigating the stringent regulatory and security requirements of the financial industry while still fostering creative and user-friendly design.
• Driving Adoption: Overcoming inertia and resistance to change to ensure widespread adoption of the design system and language by various product teams and designers.
• Ambiguity and Complexity: Tackling large-scale, complex projects with a high degree of ambiguity, requiring strong analytical and problem-solving skills to define clear paths forward.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen Design System Expertise: Become a recognized expert in design system architecture, governance, and implementation within the financial sector.
• Accessibility Leadership: Develop advanced skills and potentially lead initiatives related to digital accessibility in complex enterprise environments.
• Strategic Design Influence: Gain experience in influencing design strategy at a higher organizational level and contributing to the firm's overall digital transformation.
• Mentorship & Leadership: Opportunities to mentor junior designers and potentially take on leadership responsibilities within the design team.
• Industry Exposure: Access to internal and external training, conferences, and workshops focused on UX, design systems, and financial technology.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant opportunities for professional growth by tackling complex challenges inherent in a large financial institution. Candidates who are proactive in seeking solutions and driving change will find ample room to develop.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you significantly contributed to a design system. What was your role, what were the key challenges, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, collaboration, and impact.)
• "How do you ensure design consistency and quality across multiple products or platforms within a large organization?" (Discuss your approach to design language, style guides, and governance.)
• "Walk me through a complex UI challenge you encountered. How did you approach it, what solutions did you consider, and how did you iterate based on feedback or data?" (Highlight your problem-solving methodology and use of Figma/prototyping.)
• "How do you approach designing for accessibility (WCAG 2.1 AA)? Can you provide an example where you had to implement accessibility guidelines?" (Demonstrate practical knowledge and commitment.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do you align your design decisions with client needs and business goals, especially in a financial services context?" (Connect your design philosophy to Morgan Stanley's client-first value.)
• "How do you foster collaboration with engineering teams to ensure smooth design implementation?" (Discuss your communication style and experience working with developers.)
• "What are your thoughts on diversity and inclusion in design, and how do you practice it?" (Relate to Morgan Stanley's D&I commitment.)
• "How do you stay updated on the latest UI/UX trends and incorporate them into your work?" (Show your passion for continuous learning.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, your process, the solution, and the impact.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes, design system components) to illustrate your points effectively.
• Focus on Design Systems: Highlight projects directly related to design systems, style guides, or design language evolution.
• Explain Your Figma Workflow: Be prepared to discuss your proficiency in Figma, including any advanced techniques or collaborative features you utilize.
• Quantify Results: Use metrics (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced design debt, increased adoption rates) or qualitative feedback to demonstrate the value of your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss your portfolio with a focus on process, problem-solving, and impact. Emphasize your experience with design systems and accessibility, as these are key to this role. Demonstrating an understanding of Morgan Stanley's values will also be beneficial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UI Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Morgan Stanley careers portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating your expertise in design systems, design language, Figma proficiency, and accessibility (WCAG 2.1 AA). Ensure it showcases your problem-solving process and impact.
• Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your 2-5 years of UX/UI design experience, emphasizing your contributions to design systems and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords found in the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Practice discussing your portfolio case studies, focusing on your process, challenges, and outcomes. Prepare to answer questions about your approach to design systems, accessibility, and collaboration.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Morgan Stanley's values, mission, and recent work in digital innovation. Understand how your role contributes to their client-first 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.