User Experience (UX) Technology Product Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: User Experience (UX) Technology Product Manager
Company: Baird
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Job Type: Full-time
Category: Technology Product Management / User Experience
Date Posted: January 06, 2026
Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)
Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead foundational analysis, design research, and strategic development to unify and enhance the user experience across various Private Wealth Management (PWM) applications, aiming to reduce fragmentation.
• Collaborate closely with Technology Product Managers for WealthTech and Client Digital platforms to ensure a cohesive and integrated user journey for both associates and clients.
• Drive user feedback collection through diverse methods such as focus groups, surveys, interviews, and card sorting to inform product strategy and design decisions.
• Develop and maintain a deep understanding of industry platforms, competitive positioning, and branch associate needs to ensure long-term strategic focus and relevance of technology solutions.
• Contribute to the creation of essential training collateral and change campaign materials to support platform adoption, ongoing education, and efficient use of PWM technology.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a hybrid of UX/Product Management, with a strong emphasis on user-centric design research and strategic platform unification within the financial services sector. The "Best Practices" team context suggests a focus on process improvement and driving business value through technology, aligning it closely with GTM and Operations principles.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead foundational analysis, design research, and strategy formulation to create a cohesive user experience and decrease fragmentation across PWM applications.
• Partner with Technology Product Managers for WealthTech and Client Digital platforms to ensure seamless integration and a unified user journey.
• Actively gather user feedback through focus groups, surveys, interviews, card sorting, and other UX decision tools, collaborating with Financial Advisors (FA) and Client Specialists (CS).
• Identify opportunities, risks, user goals, and objectives across the entire WealthTech stack to build continuity and unify platforms through the associate experience.
• Contribute to change campaigns, training deliverables, and support collateral creation to ensure efficient ongoing use of PWM technology and drive platform adoption.
• Define project minimal viable products (MVPs) and bring solution ideas into sharp focus, working closely with delivery teams.
• Expand internal and external personas by creating customer journey maps to illustrate user experiences.
• Conduct high-level process mapping to ensure associate workflows are efficient and streamlined.
• Break down deliverables into manageable components that align with Agile principles and timelines.
• Leverage data-driven approaches for product design decisions where applicable.
• Maintain a strategic focus by staying familiar with industry platforms, assessing competitive positioning, understanding branch associate needs, and utilizing journey mapping.
• Organize and maintain style guides, branding images, content libraries, screen patterns, navigation principles, and other componentized UI elements.
• Create UI designs and wireframes, including first-run experiences, platform overviews, and feature walkthrough screens.
• Engage in vendor relationships, including leveraging third-party design agency expertise.
• Participate in user experience committees and roundtables to gather peer and industry insights.
• May be asked to assume additional technology product ownership of related platforms as project portfolio needs dictate.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities heavily emphasize user research, design conceptualization, and cross-functional collaboration, indicating a need for a candidate who can translate user needs into actionable product strategies within a regulated financial environment. The Agile and MVP focus points to a dynamic product development lifecycle.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Experience: 3-5 years of UX/UI experience required. Financial industry experience is preferred.

Required Skills:

• User Experience (UX) & User Interface (UI) Design: Demonstrated ability in applying UX/UI principles to create intuitive and engaging digital products.
• Product Strategy & Management: Proven experience in defining product vision, strategy, and roadmaps, with a focus on user needs and business objectives.
• Design Research Methodologies: Proficiency in gathering and analyzing user feedback through methods like interviews, surveys, focus groups, and card sorting.
• Agile Principles & Methodologies: Experience working within Agile frameworks, including breaking down deliverables and adhering to timelines.
• Customer Journey Mapping & Persona Development: Ability to create detailed customer journey maps and user personas to inform design and strategy.
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: Exceptional ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external partners, including Financial Advisors, Client Specialists, and technology teams.
• Problem-Solving: A strong aptitude for identifying issues, trends, and developing comprehensive, data-driven solutions.
• Technical Acumen: Advanced technical skill set with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for non-technical end-users.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional oral and written communication skills, with the ability to influence and interact effectively at all organizational levels.

Preferred Skills:

• Financial Industry Experience: Familiarity with the unique needs, regulations, and user behaviors within the financial services sector.
• Figma & Miro: Proficiency with industry-standard design and collaboration tools like Figma for UI design and Miro for whiteboarding and process mapping.
• Wireframing & Mock-up Creation: Skill in producing high-level sketches, wireframes, and mock-ups to visualize design concepts.
• Data-Driven Design: Experience using data analytics and metrics to inform product design decisions and measure success.
• Vendor Management: Comfort and experience in engaging with and managing third-party design agencies or technology vendors.
• Training & Change Management: Experience in developing training materials and supporting change initiatives for technology adoption.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preferred skills highlight a need for candidates who can hit the ground running within the financial services domain and are adept with modern UX tools. The emphasis on "superior customer service attributes" and "willingness to go 'above and beyond'" suggests a strong client-centric culture within the team.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• UX/UI Design Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating your process from initial problem identification through to final design solution and impact. Each case study should clearly outline the user problem, your research methodology, design iterations, and the final outcome.
• Process Optimization Examples: Include examples of how you have mapped and optimized user workflows or business processes to improve efficiency and user satisfaction, ideally within a financial or complex application environment.
• System Impact Demonstration: Provide evidence of how your UX/UI contributions have positively impacted system adoption, user engagement, or key performance indicators (KPIs) related to technology platforms.
• Collaboration & Tool Utilization: Highlight your ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams (e.g., Product Managers, Developers, Business Analysts) and showcase your proficiency with design and collaboration tools like Figma and Miro.

Process Documentation:

• User Research Documentation: Evidence of structured approaches to user research, including interview scripts, survey designs, and synthesized findings.
• Workflow & Journey Mapping: Examples of detailed process flows and customer journey maps that illustrate end-to-end user experiences and identify pain points.
• Design Specification Documentation: Showcase how you translate design concepts into actionable specifications for development teams, including wireframes, mock-ups, and potentially interactive prototypes.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Technology Product Manager role, the portfolio should not only display visual design skills but also demonstrate a strategic, research-driven, and process-oriented approach to product development. The ability to articulate the "why" behind design decisions and quantify their impact is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a User Experience (UX) Technology Product Manager with 3-5 years of experience in Milwaukee, WI, the estimated salary range is $90,000 - $125,000 annually. This range accounts for the specific experience level, the financial industry context, and the cost of living in the Milwaukee metropolitan area.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage options.
• Retirement Savings Plan: 401(k) plan with company matching contributions, a crucial benefit for long-term financial planning.
• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, conferences, and certifications to enhance skills in UX/UI, product management, and financial technology.
• Life and Disability Insurance: Protection for employees and their families.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential support services for personal and work-related challenges.
• Potential for Bonuses: Performance-based bonuses may be offered.
• Hybrid Work Flexibility: 1-2 days per week work-from-home flexibility, promoting work-life balance.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are typically 40 hours per week. While there is hybrid flexibility, core business hours for collaboration with teams in different time zones and consistent availability for project work are expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on common compensation data for similar roles in the specified location and experience level. Actual compensation may vary based on individual qualifications, performance, and the company's compensation structure. Baird is a reputable financial services firm, and their benefits package is expected to be competitive within the industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (specifically, Private Wealth Management - PWM). Baird operates in a highly regulated and client-focused industry where trust, integrity, and long-term relationships are paramount. This influences technology development to prioritize security, compliance, and a superior client/advisor experience. Company Size: Baird is a large, established financial services firm. With over 4,000 employees globally (as of recent public data), it offers the stability and resources of a major corporation while striving to maintain a collaborative and people-centric culture. Founded: Baird was founded in 1919, bringing over a century of experience and a deep-rooted history in financial services. This longevity suggests a stable, reputable organization with a commitment to its values and long-term growth.

Team Structure:

• PWM Technology Best Practices Team: This team is established within the Private Wealth Management division, indicating a dedicated focus on optimizing technology to support revenue growth, enhance associate and client experiences, and improve profitability.
• Reporting & Collaboration: The UX Technology Product Manager will likely report into a Product Management or Technology leadership role within PWM. Collaboration is expected with various Technology Product Managers (WealthTech, Client Digital), Financial Advisors, Client Specialists, and other corporate resource groups.
• Cross-functional Integration: The role necessitates close partnership with technology delivery teams (likely following Agile methodologies) and business stakeholders to ensure technology solutions meet both user needs and business objectives.

Methodology:

• User-Centric Design: A strong emphasis on gathering user feedback early and regularly to inform design and strategy.
• Agile Development: Work will be broken down into manageable deliverables within Agile principles and timelines.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizing data analytics to inform product design choices and measure impact.
• Process Optimization: Focus on mapping and improving associate workflows for increased efficiency.
• Strategic Alignment: Ensuring technology solutions align with PWM goals and regulatory requirements.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Baird's long history and focus on Private Wealth Management suggest a culture that values stability, expertise, and client relationships. The "Technology Best Practices" team implies an innovative yet pragmatic approach to leveraging technology to enhance these core values.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a Mid-Level, requiring 3-5 years of dedicated UX/UI experience. It serves as a crucial bridge between user experience design and technology product management within a specialized domain (WealthTech). The role involves significant responsibility for foundational analysis, strategy, and driving adoption of technology solutions.

Reporting Structure: The UX Technology Product Manager will likely report to a senior product manager or a director within the PWM Technology division. This position requires close collaboration with various Technology Product Managers, indicating a matrixed or highly integrated working environment rather than a strictly hierarchical one.

Operations Impact: The UX Technology Product Manager plays a direct role in enhancing the operational efficiency and effectiveness of Financial Advisors and Client Specialists by improving the usability and functionality of their technology tools. By reducing fragmentation and streamlining workflows, this role directly contributes to improved associate productivity, client satisfaction, and ultimately, revenue growth for the Private Wealth Management division.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior UX/Product Management Roles: Progression to Senior UX Technology Product Manager or Lead Product Manager roles, overseeing more complex platforms or larger product portfolios.
• Specialization in WealthTech: Deepening expertise within the WealthTech domain, becoming a subject matter expert on advisor and client digital experiences.
• Team Leadership: Potential to lead a team of UX designers or junior product managers as the organization's needs evolve.
• Cross-Functional Mobility: Opportunities to move into broader Product Management roles, Strategy, or Business Analysis within the financial services sector.
• Skill Development: Continuous learning opportunities in advanced UX research techniques, product strategy, Agile best practices, and emerging financial technology trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth within a specialized area of financial technology product management. The emphasis on collaboration and strategic impact suggests that successful candidates will be well-positioned for advancement within Baird's PWM technology group.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at Baird's global headquarters in Milwaukee, WI, and is described as Hybrid. This indicates a professional office environment designed for collaboration and focused work, with the added benefit of remote work flexibility.

Office Location(s): The primary location is Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at Baird's global headquarters. This location typically offers modern facilities, access to amenities, and a professional setting conducive to business operations.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment will likely feature a mix of open-plan workspaces, private offices, and meeting rooms equipped for team collaboration, brainstorming sessions, and client presentations.
• Technology & Tools: Access to robust IT infrastructure, including high-performance workstations, necessary software licenses (e.g., Figma, Miro, project management tools), and secure network access, will be provided to support the UX and product management functions.
• Team Interaction: The hybrid model allows for focused individual work at home and in-office days dedicated to team meetings, workshops, and building stronger interpersonal connections with colleagues.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time working hours (approximately 40 hours per week) are expected. The hybrid arrangement allows for 1-2 days per week of remote work, providing flexibility. However, core hours will be established for effective team collaboration and responsiveness to business needs, particularly when interacting with delivery teams working on Agile sprints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of this role suggests a modern work environment that balances in-office collaboration with the flexibility of remote work. This setup is typical for roles requiring both deep focus and strong team interaction.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and resumes to assess basic qualifications and fit.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A deeper dive into your experience, skills, and understanding of UX/Product Management principles, likely focusing on your approach to research, strategy, and collaboration.
• Portfolio Review & Presentation: You will be asked to present 1-2 key case studies from your portfolio. This is a critical step where you'll demonstrate your process, problem-solving abilities, design rationale, and the impact of your work. Expect to discuss your role, the challenges faced, and the outcomes achieved.
• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with other Product Managers, UX designers, or business stakeholders to assess your collaboration skills, cultural fit, and ability to integrate into the existing team dynamics.
• Final Round/Offer: A potential final interview with senior leadership, followed by an offer if successful.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your UX/UI process, problem-solving skills, and impact, ideally with relevance to financial services or complex platforms.
• Tell a Story: Structure each case study as a narrative: the problem, your approach (research, ideation, design), the solution, and the measurable results or impact. Clearly define your specific contributions.
• Highlight Process: Emphasize your research methodologies, design thinking, and how you incorporated user feedback and data. Tools like Figma and Miro should be showcased in action.
• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics and data to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased adoption, reduced error rates, improved efficiency).
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, how you handled disagreements, and how you would approach specific challenges at Baird.

Challenge Preparation:

• UX Challenge: You might be given a hypothetical problem or a simplified version of a real-world challenge faced by Baird's PWM division. Be ready to outline your approach to understanding the problem, identifying users, and proposing initial design concepts or research plans.
• Process Mapping/Journey Mapping: Practice creating high-level process flows or customer journey maps quickly under time constraints.
• Strategic Thinking: Prepare to discuss your understanding of the financial services industry, common challenges in WealthTech, and how UX can drive business value.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh your ability to articulate your UX process and demonstrate tangible impact. A well-prepared, focused portfolio presentation is essential for success in this role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: For UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaborative design workflows. Expect to create detailed mock-ups and interactive prototypes.
• Miro: For collaborative whiteboarding, brainstorming, process mapping, user journey mapping, and affinity diagramming.
• User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting surveys, interviews, and usability testing (e.g., SurveyMonkey, UserTesting.com, Lookback).
• Project Management Software: Tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for managing tasks, sprints, and project timelines within an Agile framework.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web/App Analytics Tools: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar platforms to understand user behavior and track key metrics.
• Business Intelligence (BI) Tools: Exposure to tools such as Tableau, Power BI, or Looker for data analysis and dashboard creation, helping to inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: While not a primary tool for this role, understanding how CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics) integrate with user-facing applications and impact user experience is beneficial.
• Collaboration Suites: Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and communication tools like Microsoft Teams or Slack is standard.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with core UX design and collaboration tools like Figma and Miro is non-negotiable. An understanding of how user-facing applications integrate with broader CRM and analytics systems will provide a significant advantage.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Client-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of both internal (Financial Advisors) and external (clients) users, ensuring technology enhances their experience and success.
• Integrity & Trust: Upholding the highest ethical standards, especially critical in the financial services industry, and ensuring all technology designs are secure and compliant.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and individuals work together effectively across departments to achieve common goals.
• Excellence & Continuous Improvement: Striving for high-quality outcomes, embracing feedback, and continuously seeking ways to optimize processes, user experiences, and technology solutions.
• Innovation with Pragmatism: Encouraging creative solutions while ensuring they are practical, feasible, and aligned with business objectives and regulatory requirements.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The team emphasizes working closely with Technology Product Managers, developers, business analysts, and business stakeholders to ensure alignment and shared understanding throughout the product lifecycle.
• Feedback-Driven Development: A culture that welcomes constructive feedback from peers, stakeholders, and users to refine designs and strategies.
• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, insights, and learnings across the team and broader organization to foster collective growth and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: Baird's culture is known for being client-focused, relationship-driven, and ethical. The "Best Practices" team context suggests a proactive and collaborative approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement within the technology function.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business/Regulatory Constraints: Navigating the complexities of the financial services industry, where user experience must align with strict regulatory requirements and established business processes.
• Reducing Application Fragmentation: Addressing the challenge of a potentially fragmented application landscape by creating a cohesive and unified user experience across diverse WealthTech platforms.
• Driving Adoption of New Technologies: Successfully implementing and encouraging the adoption of new UX/UI features and platforms among a user base that may vary in technical proficiency.
• Measuring UX Impact: Quantifying the direct impact of UX improvements on business outcomes like revenue, client satisfaction, and advisor efficiency, especially in a complex financial ecosystem.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX Research & Design Techniques: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas like behavioral economics, advanced usability testing, and emerging design patterns relevant to financial technology.
• Product Strategy & Roadmapping: Developing skills in strategic planning, market analysis, and long-term product vision setting within the WealthTech space.
• Financial Industry Specialization: Gaining in-depth knowledge of Private Wealth Management, financial advisory workflows, and client digital engagement strategies.
• Agile & Product Management Certifications: Pursuing certifications that enhance skills in Agile methodologies and product management best practices.
• Mentorship Programs: Access to experienced leaders within Baird's technology and product teams for guidance and career development.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents opportunities to tackle significant challenges in a dynamic industry, fostering professional growth through specialized learning and development. The ability to influence and drive change within a large organization is a key growth lever.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance competing user needs with business or technical constraints. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your problem-solving and negotiation skills.)
• "How would you approach unifying a fragmented suite of financial applications to create a cohesive user experience for advisors?" (Prepare to outline your research, strategy, and phased approach.)
• "Walk me through your process for gathering and incorporating user feedback into a product design. What methods do you find most effective and why?" (Emphasize your research rigor and iterative design process.)
• "How do you ensure user experience designs are not only visually appealing but also drive business value and efficiency?" (Connect your design work to measurable outcomes and business goals.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Baird's Private Wealth Management division and its technology needs?" (Research Baird's offerings, target clients, and any recent tech news.)
• "How do you see yourself fitting into a client-centric and relationship-driven culture like Baird's?" (Align your values and work style with Baird's known culture.)
• "Describe a situation where you had to collaborate with a difficult stakeholder. How did you manage the relationship and achieve your objectives?" (Highlight your communication and interpersonal skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with the 'Why': Clearly articulate the business problem or user need your project addressed.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, mock-ups, journey maps) to illustrate your process and solutions.
• Define Your Role: Be specific about your contributions, especially in team-based projects.
• Emphasize Impact: Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., "increased task completion by X%", "reduced errors by Y%").
• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, research methods, and how you would handle hypothetical scenarios.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to demonstrate not only your UX/UI skills but also your strategic thinking, problem-solving capabilities, and ability to collaborate effectively within a corporate financial environment. Your portfolio is your primary tool to showcase these attributes.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this User Experience (UX) Technology Product Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Baird's careers portal.
• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 3-5 years of UX/UI experience, specific achievements in product management, and any financial industry exposure. Use keywords from the job description such as "User Experience," "Product Management," "Design Research," "Agile," and "Financial Industry."
• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 strong case studies that demonstrate your end-to-end UX process, problem-solving skills, and measurable impact. Ensure it showcases your proficiency with tools like Figma and Miro, and your ability to map user journeys and processes.
• Research Baird: Familiarize yourself with Baird's Private Wealth Management division, its services, target audience, and any recent technology initiatives or news. Understand their company values and culture.
• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on clear storytelling, articulating your design rationale, and quantifying results. Prepare for potential UX design challenges or strategy questions.

⚠️ 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.

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