US Tech - Specialized AI Design Manager at PwC

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: US Tech - Specialized AI Design Manager Company: PwC Location: Tampa, Florida, United States; Chicago, Illinois, United States; Charlotte, North Carolina, United States; Raleigh, North Carolina, United States; Cincinnati, Ohio, United States Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Design Operations / User Experience (UX) Operations Date Posted: 2025-07-29 Experience Level: Manager (Implied 4+ years) Remote Status: On-site (with up to 20% travel)

🚀 Role Summary

Lead the user experience (UX) strategy for AI-powered products, ensuring cohesive and adaptive design systems across various platforms.
Drive the design and enhancement of user experiences, with a strong emphasis on usability, trust, and ethical AI implementation.
Manage and mentor junior designers, fostering a collaborative environment and promoting continuous improvement in design practices.
Execute project management responsibilities to ensure timely delivery of design initiatives, balancing innovative design with agile product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title "AI Design Manager" and description focus on UX design, the emphasis on leading strategy, managing projects, and mentoring junior staff positions this role within an operational leadership capacity for design functions, aligning it with Design Operations principles. The core responsibilities revolve around the efficient and effective delivery of UX design services for AI products.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

Develop and implement comprehensive UX strategies for AI-powered products, ensuring alignment with business objectives and user needs.
Establish and maintain cohesive, adaptive design systems that ensure consistency and scalability across all product interfaces.
Lead collaborative workshops and design thinking sessions to translate complex requirements and ambiguity into actionable design plans and user flows.
Oversee project management for UX design initiatives, including scoping, resource allocation, timeline management, and stakeholder communication, ensuring on-time and within-budget delivery.
Conduct qualitative and quantitative user research, synthesizing findings to inform design decisions and validate user experience improvements.
Champion responsible design practices and ethical AI considerations throughout the product development lifecycle.
Ensure designs adhere to accessibility standards and promote inclusivity for all users.
Provide effective coaching and mentorship to junior and mid-level designers, fostering their professional growth and skill development in areas such as NLP and conversational UI design.
Collaborate closely with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders to integrate UX insights into the product development process.
Drive continuous improvement within the design team by promoting a culture of creativity, experimentation, and knowledge sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership, project execution, and team development. The focus on "cohesive and adaptive design systems," "project management," and "mentoring junior designers" points to an operational management function within the design domain, specifically geared towards ensuring the efficient and high-quality delivery of AI-focused UX.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

High School Diploma (Required)
Bachelor's Degree (Preferred) in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field.

Experience:

Minimum of 4 years of progressive experience in User Experience (UX) design.
Demonstrated experience in leading UX strategy for AI-powered products.
Proven track record of designing and implementing cohesive and adaptive design systems.
Experience in managing design projects from conception to completion, ensuring quality and timely delivery.
Experience conducting qualitative and quantitative user research and translating insights into actionable design recommendations.
A portfolio showcasing advanced adaptive design skills and AI-product design expertise is essential.

Required Skills:

UX Design: Comprehensive understanding of UX principles, methodologies, and best practices.
AI Product Design: Proven experience designing user experiences for artificial intelligence-powered products and features.
Design Systems: Expertise in creating, maintaining, and implementing cohesive and adaptive design systems.
Project Management: Ability to manage multiple design projects simultaneously, ensuring on-time and within-scope delivery.
User Research: Proficiency in conducting qualitative and quantitative user research, including methods like interviews, surveys, usability testing, and data analysis.

Preferred Skills:

Responsible Design & Ethical AI: Demonstrated understanding and application of responsible design principles and ethical AI practices.
Accessibility & Inclusivity: Expertise in designing for accessibility (WCAG standards) and ensuring inclusive user experiences.
Mentoring & Coaching: Proven ability to mentor, coach, and develop junior and mid-level design talent.
NLP & Conversational UI: Familiarity with Natural Language Processing (NLP) and conversational user interface (UI) design principles.
Agile Development: Experience working within agile product development environments.
Stakeholder Management: Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively manage relationships with diverse stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The 'Required Skills' are foundational to UX design leadership. The 'Preferred Skills' are crucial for this specific role, highlighting the need for specialization in AI, ethical considerations, and team development, indicating a candidate who can not only design but also operationalize design excellence within an AI context.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Demonstrate a clear progression of design work, from initial concept and research to final execution and iteration.
Showcase case studies of AI-powered product designs, detailing the problem, your role, the process, design decisions, and quantifiable outcomes or impact.
Highlight experience with adaptive design principles and how they were applied to create flexible and responsive user interfaces.
Include examples of design system components and guidelines, illustrating how you ensured consistency and scalability.
Present evidence of effective collaboration with cross-functional teams (e.g., product, engineering) and how you managed stakeholder expectations.
Detail your approach to user research, including methodologies used, participant recruitment, and how research insights directly influenced design solutions.
Provide examples of how you championed responsible design, ethical AI, accessibility, and inclusivity in your projects.

Process Documentation:

Illustrate experience in documenting design processes, including user journey mapping, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing protocols.
Showcase examples of how you have contributed to or managed the creation and maintenance of design system documentation.
Provide an overview of your approach to iterating on designs based on user feedback and performance metrics, demonstrating a cycle of continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Manager-level role in AI Design, a portfolio is critical. It needs to go beyond visual design to demonstrate strategic thinking, process management, research integration, and the ability to lead and mentor. The emphasis on AI, design systems, and ethical considerations sets a high bar for the depth and breadth of demonstrated experience.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $73,500 - $244,000 USD per year (for Maryland-based roles, with adjustments for other locations based on market data and applicable laws).

Actual compensation will be determined by individual skills, experience, qualifications, and geographic location.
In addition to base salary, individuals may be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus.

Benefits:

Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
Financial: 401(k) retirement savings plan.
Time Off: Generous holiday pay, vacation time, and personal/family sick leave.
Additional: Access to a wide range of other benefits detailed at https://pwc.to/benefits-at-a-glance.

Working Hours:

Standard full-time commitment, likely around 40 hours per week.
Flexibility may be available, but the role is primarily on-site, suggesting structured working hours to facilitate team collaboration and client engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is broad, reflecting the wide experience spectrum that can fall under a "Manager" title and the variation across PwC's US locations. The benefits package is typical for a large professional services firm and emphasizes comprehensive support for employees. The mention of a discretionary bonus is common for managerial roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Professional Services / Technology Consulting Company Size: Large Enterprise (PwC is one of the "Big Four" accounting and professional services firms, with over 300,000 employees globally). This size implies robust systems, extensive resources, and a structured corporate environment. Founded: 1998 (through a merger of Coopers & Lybrand and Price Waterhouse), with a long history of professional services.

Team Structure:

This role is within the "US Tech" team, specifically focusing on software and product innovation. The team likely comprises various specialists in software development, product management, UX/UI design, data science, and AI.
As a Manager, this individual will report to a Senior Manager or Director within the US Tech practice and will directly manage a team of junior UX designers.
Cross-functional collaboration is expected with client account teams, technology consultants, and business strategists across PwC's diverse service lines.

Methodology:

PwC emphasizes a client-centric approach, leveraging data-driven insights and innovative solutions to solve complex business problems.
The firm likely employs a blend of agile methodologies for product development and more structured project management frameworks for client engagements.
There's a strong emphasis on professional standards, ethical conduct, and continuous learning, encouraging a culture of excellence and expertise.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: PwC's reputation as a global professional services leader suggests a highly structured, client-focused, and results-oriented environment. For a design manager, this means balancing creative innovation with rigorous project execution, stakeholder management, and adherence to firm-wide methodologies and quality standards. The "US Tech" team likely acts as an internal innovation hub and external service provider for technology solutions.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Manager

This level signifies a transition from individual contributor to a leadership role, responsible for both direct contribution and team management. The focus shifts to operational efficiency, team development, and strategic project execution within the UX/AI design domain.

Reporting Structure:

The AI Design Manager will likely report to an Associate Director or Partner overseeing the US Tech digital and design practice.
They will directly manage a team of UX designers, potentially including UI designers, researchers, and content strategists, depending on team structure.

Operations Impact:

This role has a significant impact on the usability, adoption, and perceived trustworthiness of AI-powered products delivered by PwC to its clients. Effective UX design operations can lead to improved client satisfaction, increased efficiency in product development, and a stronger market reputation for PwC's technology offerings. By ensuring cohesive design systems and mentoring junior talent, the manager contributes to the scalability and quality of the firm's design services.

Growth Opportunities:

Operations Skill Advancement: Potential to move into Senior Manager or Director roles, overseeing larger design teams or entire digital/product innovation practices. This could involve greater strategic input, P&L responsibility, and business development.
Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI UX, ethical AI design, or advanced design systems management, becoming a recognized thought leader within PwC and the industry.
Leadership Development: Access to PwC's extensive leadership training programs, mentorship opportunities, and executive coaching to hone management and strategic planning skills.
Cross-Functional Exposure: Opportunities to work on diverse client projects across various industries, broadening business acumen and understanding of different market needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Manager level in a firm like PwC is a critical inflection point. It requires not just technical design skills but also the ability to manage people, processes, and client relationships effectively. Growth opportunities are tied to demonstrating leadership, strategic impact, and the ability to scale design operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Professional corporate office environment. Office Location(s): Tampa, FL; Chicago, IL; Charlotte, NC; Raleigh, NC; Cincinnati, OH. These are major metropolitan areas, suggesting modern office facilities with access to talent and business networks.

The "on-site" requirement indicates a need for physical presence in one of these offices, likely to foster team collaboration, client meetings, and access to firm resources.

Workspace Context:

Expect a collaborative workspace designed for teamwork, with meeting rooms, brainstorming areas, and individual workstations.
Access to robust technology infrastructure, including high-performance computing resources for design and AI work, and collaboration tools.
Opportunities for interaction with a diverse range of professionals across technology, consulting, and business functions within PwC.

Work Schedule:

The standard 40-hour work week is expected, but the nature of client-facing roles in professional services can sometimes require flexibility and extended hours to meet project deadlines or client needs. Travel up to 20% is also specified, indicating a need for adaptability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site expectation for this role emphasizes the importance of in-person collaboration, mentorship, and team cohesion, which are often vital for creative and strategic functions like UX design management.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, interest, and cultural fit.
Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion about experience, leadership style, approach to UX strategy, and team management. Focus on your past projects and how you've handled challenges.
Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you present your portfolio, walking through selected case studies. Expect to discuss your design process, decision-making, research methodologies, and the impact of your work. This is where you demonstrate your expertise in AI design, design systems, and ethical considerations.
Team/Peer Interviews: Meetings with potential team members and peers to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and how you might integrate into the existing team dynamic.
Case Study/Design Challenge: Potentially a take-home assignment or an in-person exercise to evaluate your problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and design approach on a relevant AI product scenario.
Final Interview: Often with a senior leader (Director/Partner) to discuss strategic alignment, leadership potential, and overall fit with PwC's values and business objectives.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Curate Selectively: Choose 2-3 strong case studies that best represent your experience in AI product design, design systems, and leadership.
Focus on Impact: Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., "improved user task completion by X%," "reduced design iteration time by Y%").
Tell a Story: Structure each case study with a clear narrative: problem statement, your role, your process, key decisions, challenges overcome, and outcomes.
Highlight AI & Systems: Specifically call out how you addressed AI-specific UX challenges and how you contributed to or managed design systems.
Showcase Leadership: Include examples of how you mentored, coached, or led design initiatives and teams.
Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design philosophy, how you handle feedback, conflict resolution, and your approach to ethical AI.

Challenge Preparation:

Understand AI Context: Research current trends in AI product design, ethical AI frameworks, and common UX challenges in AI interfaces (e.g., explainability, trust, bias).
Practice Design Thinking: Be ready to articulate your process for tackling ambiguous problems, from research and ideation to prototyping and testing.
System Thinking: Prepare to discuss how you approach designing for complex systems and maintaining consistency through design systems.
Communication: Practice explaining technical and design concepts clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a managerial role at PwC will be rigorous and multi-faceted. The portfolio and any design challenges are critical for demonstrating practical skills and strategic thinking, particularly in the specialized area of AI design. Emphasis will be placed on leadership, client-readiness, and alignment with PwC's professional standards.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

UX/UI Design Software: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision for wireframing, prototyping, and design handoff.
Design Systems: Familiarity with tools for creating and managing design system libraries (e.g., Figma's components, Zeroheight, Storybook).
User Research Tools: UserTesting.com, Optimal Workshop, Maze, Lookback for usability testing, card sorting, tree testing.
Project Management & Collaboration: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Microsoft Teams, Slack for workflow management, documentation, and team communication.
AI/ML Platforms (Familiarity): While not a direct technical role, awareness of how AI/ML models are integrated into products (e.g., understanding of APIs, data pipelines for training) would be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics for understanding user behavior on digital products.
Product Analytics: Mixpanel, Amplitude for in-depth user behavior analysis and funnel tracking.
Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI for creating dashboards and reporting on UX metrics.

CRM & Automation:

CRM: Salesforce (likely used by clients and potentially internally for account management).
Automation: Tools for automating design tasks or workflows, though this is less common for UX managers compared to developers.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in industry-standard design tools is a given. For this role, specific emphasis is placed on design system management tools and user research platforms. Familiarity with Product Analytics tools is also key for data-informed design decisions. While not explicitly required, an understanding of the AI/ML lifecycle and how UX integrates with it is a strong advantage.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

Client Focus: Delivering exceptional value and solutions to PwC's clients is paramount.
Excellence: Striving for the highest quality in all deliverables and professional interactions.
Integrity: Upholding ethical standards, honesty, and transparency in all dealings.
Collaboration: Working effectively across diverse teams and disciplines to achieve shared goals.
Innovation: Embracing new ideas, technologies, and approaches to solve complex problems.
People Development: Investing in the growth and success of team members through mentorship and learning.

Collaboration Style:

Expect a highly collaborative environment where cross-functional teams work together closely.
Managers are expected to lead by example, fostering open communication, constructive feedback, and shared ownership of project success.
The culture encourages proactive problem-solving and a willingness to engage in challenging discussions to ensure the best outcomes for clients and the firm.

📝 Enhancement Note: PwC's culture is deeply rooted in its professional services heritage, emphasizing trust, expertise, and client relationships. For a design manager, this means translating creative vision into tangible, high-quality solutions that meet rigorous client expectations and align with the firm's core values.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

Balancing Innovation and Practicality: Ensuring cutting-edge AI designs are also feasible, scalable, and meet client business needs within project constraints.
Navigating Ambiguity: AI product development often involves uncharted territory; translating vague requirements into concrete, user-centered solutions requires strong problem-solving skills.
Cross-Functional Alignment: Effectively communicating UX strategies and needs to technical and business stakeholders who may have different priorities or understanding of design principles.
Mentoring Diverse Talent: Guiding junior designers with varying skill sets and career aspirations within the complex domain of AI UX.
Staying Ahead of AI Trends: The rapid evolution of AI technology requires continuous learning and adaptation of UX approaches.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

PwC's Learning Platforms: Access to extensive internal training resources, workshops, and certifications covering leadership, technology, and specialized design skills.
Industry Conferences & Events: Opportunities to attend leading UX, AI, and design conferences to stay abreast of the latest trends and network with peers.
Formal Mentorship Programs: Participation in PwC's structured mentorship programs to gain guidance from senior leaders.
Specialized Training: Development opportunities in areas like advanced AI ethics, conversational design, or specific design system management methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to working at the forefront of AI and design. The growth opportunities are significant, leveraging PwC's extensive resources for professional development and career advancement within a global professional services firm.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

"Describe your process for developing a UX strategy for a new AI-powered product. What are the key considerations for trust and usability in AI interfaces?" (Focus on your structured approach, research integration, and understanding of AI-specific UX challenges.)
"How do you ensure a cohesive and adaptive design system is implemented effectively across multiple AI product features? Provide examples." (Highlight your experience with design systems, governance, and cross-team collaboration.)
"Walk me through a time you had to manage a complex design project with tight deadlines. How did you prioritize tasks, manage stakeholders, and ensure quality?" (Demonstrate your project management skills and ability to deliver under pressure.)
"How do you approach mentoring junior designers, particularly those working with emerging technologies like AI?" (Showcase your leadership style, coaching techniques, and commitment to team development.)
"Discuss a situation where you had to advocate for user needs or ethical AI practices against significant stakeholder pushback. What was your approach and the outcome?" (Emphasize your ability to influence, communicate value, and uphold principles.)

Company & Culture Questions:

"What do you know about PwC's approach to digital transformation and AI innovation?" (Research PwC's recent publications, case studies, and leadership statements on technology.)
"How do you align your design philosophy with a large, professional services firm's culture and client expectations?" (Discuss your understanding of client service, professionalism, and results-driven work.)
"How would you foster collaboration between your design team and other departments like engineering, product management, and business strategy?" (Provide examples of your cross-functional collaboration strategies.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Structure: Begin with an overview of your career and expertise, then dive into 2-3 detailed case studies. Conclude with how your skills align with the role and PwC's objectives.
Quantify Impact: For each case study, clearly state the problem, your specific contributions, the process followed, key decisions, and measurable outcomes.
Highlight AI & Systems: Explicitly call out your experience with AI product design and design systems. Discuss any ethical considerations or accessibility features you implemented.
Showcase Leadership: Integrate examples of how you led projects, mentored designers, or managed stakeholder relationships within your case studies.
Engage: Be interactive, ask clarifying questions, and be prepared to go deeper into specific aspects of your work.

Challenge Preparation:

AI Scenario: If given a design challenge, focus on understanding the AI component, the target user, and the business objective. Clearly articulate your research approach, key design decisions (especially around AI interaction), and how you'd ensure trust and usability.
Design System Thinking: Prepare to discuss how you would build or evolve a design system for an AI product, considering adaptability and scalability.
Problem Solving: Practice breaking down complex problems into manageable steps and communicating your thought process clearly.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of AI UX, a structured approach to design operations and project management, and proven leadership capabilities. Highlighting PwC's values and client-centricity throughout the interview is crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this AI Design Manager position at PwC:

Submit your application through the provided Workday portal link.
Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight AI product design, design systems experience, and leadership examples. Select case studies that best showcase your ability to manage projects and mentor teams.
Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 4+ years of UX design experience, specifically mentioning AI product design, UX strategy leadership, and any project or team management responsibilities. Use keywords from the job description.
LinkedIn Profile Update: Ensure your LinkedIn profile mirrors your resume and highlights your expertise in UX, AI, and design leadership.
Company Research: Familiarize yourself with PwC's US Tech practice, their approach to AI and digital innovation, and their core values. Understand their client success stories in technology.
Interview Practice: Prepare to discuss your portfolio in detail, practice answering strategy and behavioral questions, and be ready for potential design challenges or case studies. Focus on articulating your leadership, process, and impact.

⚠️ 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.

US Tech - Specialized AI Design Manager