UX Analyst
📍 Job Overview
Job Title: UX Analyst Company: abrdn Location: Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Revenue Operations / Sales Operations / GTM Operations (Focus on Digital Solutions & Process Optimization) Date Posted: 2025-07-25T00:00:00 Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years implied) Remote Status: Hybrid
🚀 Role Summary
- This role is focused on enhancing client and colleague digital experiences through the application of User Experience (UX) principles and Design Thinking methodologies within the Client Tribe.
- The position involves a strong emphasis on process reengineering and the exploration of AI and automation opportunities to drive efficiency and improve business outcomes, aligning with GTM operations objectives.
- Key responsibilities include collaborating with stakeholders to define business needs, working with technical teams to deliver digital solutions, and acting as an advocate for agile practices and continuous improvement.
- The UX Analyst will play a crucial role in streamlining business processes, enhancing operational efficiency, and ensuring transparency through meticulous documentation of processes and automation logic.
📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "UX Analyst," the responsibilities and company context strongly indicate a role that blends UX/Design Thinking with Business Analysis and Process Engineering, particularly in the context of digital transformation and automation. This makes it highly relevant to operations professionals focused on improving Go-To-Market (GTM) processes and leveraging technology for efficiency. The focus on client platforms, CRM, marketing automation, and data platforms positions this within the broader GTM operations spectrum.
📈 Primary Responsibilities
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders (including Client Group and Marketing teams) to elicit, analyze, and document detailed business requirements for digital solutions, ensuring alignment with GTM strategies.
- Apply User Experience (UX) principles and Design Thinking methodologies to all digital solution designs, ensuring they are intuitive, user-friendly, and effectively meet the needs of both internal colleagues and external clients.
- Partner closely with data engineers, technical leads, product owners, and reporting teams to clearly define technical requirements, validate solution outputs, and ensure seamless integration with existing MarTech and SalesTech stacks.
- Champion and advocate for agile methodologies and Design Thinking approaches across the Client Tribe, actively mentoring colleagues in these skills to foster a culture of innovation and efficient problem-solving.
- Contribute to Proof of Concept (POC) development and the implementation of AI and automation solutions, with a focus on streamlining existing business processes, enhancing operational efficiency, and identifying new ways of working.
- Maintain comprehensive and transparent documentation for all processes, business rules, and automation logic, ensuring clear governance and facilitating ongoing maintenance and improvement efforts.
- Participate actively in agile ceremonies such as sprint planning, daily stand-ups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives, contributing to the continuous improvement of team processes and workflow efficiency.
- Identify opportunities to leverage existing system functionalities, simplify complex workflows, and utilize configuration-driven solutions to accelerate the delivery of impactful digital tools and processes.
📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of user-centric design, business analysis, and process improvement, which are core to effective Revenue Operations and Sales Operations. The emphasis on AI and automation opportunities directly relates to efficiency gains sought in GTM operations.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education:
- A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Administration, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related discipline is typically expected for roles involving system analysis and digital solution design.
Experience:
- Proven experience (5-10 years implied) in Business Analysis, Process Engineering, or a similar role within a large, complex institutional environment.
- Demonstrated experience in software development lifecycle (SDLC) and design principles, with a focus on digital product development.
- Substantial experience working within Agile development teams, utilizing project management and collaboration tools such as Jira, Confluence, or Azure DevOps for backlog management and workflow tracking.
- A strong track record of collaborating with cross-functional teams, including product management, engineering, marketing, and sales operations, to deliver integrated solutions.
Required Skills:
- UX Principles & Design Thinking: Deep understanding and practical application of UX principles, user journey mapping, wireframing, prototyping, and Design Thinking methodologies for problem-solving.
- Agile Methodologies: Proficiency in working within Agile frameworks (Scrum, Kanban), including experience with sprint planning, backlog grooming, and retrospectives.
- AI & Automation Technologies: Strong understanding of current AI and automation technologies, their potential applications in process streamlining, and experience with relevant tools or platforms.
- Stakeholder Management: Excellent ability to engage with, manage expectations of, and gather requirements from diverse internal stakeholders across different departments.
- Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Robust analytical mindset with the capacity to dissect complex business processes, identify inefficiencies, and propose data-driven solutions.
- Documentation: Skill in creating clear, concise, and comprehensive documentation for business processes, requirements, user stories, and automation logic.
- Communication Skills: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to articulate technical concepts to non-technical audiences and present findings effectively.
- Business Analysis: Proven ability to perform business analysis, gather and translate business needs into technical requirements.
- Process Reengineering: Experience in analyzing, redesigning, and optimizing business processes for efficiency and effectiveness.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in marketing, client service, or sales operations environments, providing context for digital solution needs.
- Familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics) and marketing automation platforms (e.g., Marketo, HubSpot, Pardot) and their operational impact.
- Knowledge of data analysis and reporting tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) for process performance measurement.
- Experience with user research methodologies and usability testing.
- Understanding of financial services industry operations and client data.
📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills are a strong indicator of a role that requires analytical rigor, process understanding, and user-centric design, all critical for enhancing GTM operations. The emphasis on AI and automation suggests a forward-thinking approach to operational efficiency.
📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
- Process Improvement Case Studies: Demonstrated ability to showcase past projects where you analyzed existing business processes, identified inefficiencies, and designed/implemented improved workflows, ideally involving digital solutions or automation.
- User-Centric Design Examples: Portfolio pieces that illustrate your application of UX principles, such as user journey maps, wireframes, prototypes, or user flow diagrams created for digital products or features.
- Requirements Documentation Samples: Examples of well-structured Business Requirements Documents (BRDs), User Stories, or functional specifications that clearly articulate business needs and technical requirements.
- AI/Automation Project Contributions: If possible, include examples of projects where you contributed to the identification, design, or implementation of AI or automation solutions, highlighting the impact on efficiency or user experience.
- Agile Workflow Contributions: Evidence of active participation in Agile ceremonies and contributions to backlog management or sprint planning within a team setting.
Process Documentation:
- Workflow Design & Optimization: Ability to create detailed process maps (e.g., using BPMN or similar notation) that clearly outline current state processes, identify bottlenecks, and propose optimized future state workflows.
- Implementation & Automation Methods: Documentation illustrating how processes were implemented or automated, including details on logic, rules, and system integrations.
- Measurement & Performance Analysis: Experience in documenting key performance indicators (KPIs) for processes and providing analysis of their performance post-implementation to demonstrate impact and identify areas for further optimization.
📝 Enhancement Note: For operations roles like this, a portfolio is crucial. It should not just list skills but demonstrate practical application, particularly in process analysis, workflow design, and the successful implementation of user-centric digital solutions. Quantifiable results are key.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range:
- Given the location (Edinburgh, UK), the experience level (Mid-Senior, 5-10 years), and the specialized nature of UX/Business Analysis with AI/automation focus, a competitive salary range for a UX Analyst in Edinburgh would typically fall between £45,000 and £65,000 per annum. This estimate is based on general market data for similar roles in the UK financial services sector and Edinburgh's cost of living. Actual compensation may vary based on specific skills, experience, and performance during the interview process.
Benefits:
- Generous Annual Leave: 40 days of annual leave, providing excellent work-life balance.
- Strong Pension Contribution: A significant 16% employer pension contribution, demonstrating a commitment to long-term financial well-being.
- Performance-Based Bonus: Eligibility for a discretionary performance-based bonus, rewarding individual and company success.
- Comprehensive Private Healthcare: Access to private healthcare for employees.
- Flexible Benefits Package: A suite of flexible benefits designed to cater to individual needs, including:
- Gym Discounts
- Season Ticket Loans (for commuting)
- Access to an Employee Discount Portal
- Professional Development: Opportunities for learning and skill enhancement, as implied by the company's strategic priority of strengthening talent.
Working Hours:
- The role likely adheres to standard full-time working hours, estimated at 40 hours per week, with a blended working approach combining office-based collaboration and remote flexibility.
📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits package is highly attractive, particularly the generous annual leave and pension contribution, which are significant advantages for attracting and retaining talent in operations roles. The mention of "blended working" indicates flexibility.
🎯 Team & Company Context
🏢 Company Culture
Industry: Financial Services (Wealth & Investments)
- abrdn is a major player in the UK's wealth and investment management sector, focusing on providing a range of financial solutions from direct-to-consumer investment platforms to specialist asset management. This industry context implies a need for precision, compliance, and a client-centric approach in all operations.
Company Size: Large (Implied by "UK's leading Wealth & Investments group" and extensive employee benefits)
- Working in a large organization like abrdn means opportunities for structured career paths, extensive resources, and exposure to diverse projects. For operations professionals, this can translate into working with established processes, large datasets, and collaborating with various specialized departments.
Founded: The company has a long history, with the current structure evolving through various mergers and acquisitions, indicating a stable and established organization with deep roots in the financial sector. This history suggests a culture that values experience and long-term strategy.
Team Structure:
- Client Tribe Focus: The role sits within the "Client Tribe," a dedicated unit focused on digital solutions for client and marketing teams. This suggests a relatively agile and product-focused team structure within the larger organization.
- Agile PODs: The Tribe operates using agile PODs (small, focused teams with autonomy), indicating a collaborative and empowered team environment focused on specific digital product development or enhancement areas.
- Cross-functional Collaboration: Expect close collaboration with Product Owners, data engineers, technical leads, reporting teams, and potentially marketing and sales operations specialists.
Methodology:
- Agile & Design Thinking: The team actively promotes and utilizes Agile and Design Thinking methodologies, emphasizing iterative development, user feedback, and collaborative problem-solving.
- AI & Automation Exploration: A new capability is being formed to explore AI and automation opportunities, indicating a forward-looking approach to operational efficiency and innovation.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: The emphasis on data engineers and reporting teams suggests that decisions and improvements are informed by data analysis and performance metrics.
Company Website: https://www.abrdn.com/
📝 Enhancement Note: The company's strategic focus on digital platforms and client experience, combined with its established presence in financial services, provides a solid foundation for operations professionals seeking to make an impact in a regulated yet innovative environment. The "Client Tribe" structure suggests a modern approach to digital product development within a traditional industry.
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Mid-Senior level. As a UX Analyst focusing on process reengineering and digital solutions, it offers a pathway into specialized roles within operations, product management, or digital transformation.
- Responsibility Scope: The role involves understanding business needs, applying design principles, collaborating with technical teams, and contributing to process improvement initiatives, indicating a significant level of responsibility and autonomy.
Reporting Structure:
- The UX Analyst will likely report into a Product Owner, Head of Digital Solutions, or a similar leadership role within the Client Tribe. The POD structure implies direct reporting lines within a small, cross-functional team, fostering close working relationships and direct feedback.
Operations Impact:
- This role has a direct impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of client-facing and internal marketing operations. By improving digital tools, streamlining processes, and exploring automation, the UX Analyst contributes to better client engagement, increased colleague productivity, and ultimately, improved business outcomes and revenue generation.
Growth Opportunities:
- Specialization: Potential to specialize further in UX research, AI/automation implementation, or specific digital platforms within the financial services sector.
- Leadership: Progression into roles like Senior UX Analyst, Product Owner, or Team Lead within the Client Tribe or other digital transformation initiatives.
- Cross-functional Moves: Opportunities to move into broader Business Analyst, Process Improvement Manager, or Operations Strategy roles within abrdn.
- Skill Development: Continuous learning in AI, automation, Agile practices, and Design Thinking, supported by the company's focus on talent development.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear trajectory for operations professionals interested in the intersection of user experience, technology, and business process optimization within a large financial institution. The emphasis on emerging technologies like AI and automation also positions the candidate for future-proof career growth.
🌐 Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid Working Model
- abrdn employs a "blended working" approach, combining the benefits of in-office collaboration with the flexibility of remote work. This suggests a modern and adaptable work environment.
Office Location(s):
- Primary location is Edinburgh, Scotland. The company may have other UK offices, but this role is specifically based in Edinburgh. Accessibility in a major city like Edinburgh is generally good, with various public transport options.
Workspace Context:
- Collaborative Spaces: The office environment likely includes collaborative spaces designed for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional work, supporting the agile and design thinking methodologies.
- Technology & Tools: Access to modern technology and collaboration tools (Jira, Confluence, etc.) will be provided to support efficient work, both in the office and remotely.
- Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with the Client Tribe POD, fostering knowledge sharing, mentorship, and a strong team dynamic. The blended model encourages intentional in-office time for key collaborative activities.
Work Schedule:
- While full-time, the blended working model offers flexibility. Specific in-office days may be determined by team needs and individual roles, but generally, there's an expectation of balancing remote and office work to maximize collaboration and productivity.
📝 Enhancement Note: The blended working model is a significant factor for work-life balance and collaboration. Operations professionals can expect a structured yet flexible environment that prioritizes both focused work and team interaction.
📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
- Initial Screening: Likely a recruiter or HR screening call to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.
- Hiring Manager Interview: A more in-depth discussion about your experience, skills, and understanding of UX, Agile, and process improvement, with a focus on how you'd approach the role's responsibilities.
- Technical/Team Interview: This stage may involve a technical assessment, case study, or a panel interview with team members (e.g., Product Owner, other analysts, developers) to evaluate your problem-solving abilities, collaboration style, and technical acumen.
- Portfolio Review: Expect to present relevant examples from your portfolio, discussing your process, challenges, and the impact of your work.
- Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader within the digital or operations function to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit.
Portfolio Review Tips:
- Curate Selectively: Choose 3-4 strong examples that best showcase your skills in UX, process analysis, requirements gathering, and ideally, AI/automation or digital solution implementation.
- Structure Your Case Studies: For each example, clearly outline:
- The Business Problem/Opportunity
- Your Role and Responsibilities
- The Process/Methodology Used (UX, Agile, etc.)
- Key Challenges Faced and How You Overcame Them
- The Solution/Outcome (Quantify impact with metrics if possible – e.g., efficiency gain, user satisfaction improvement).
- Highlight Process Optimization: Explicitly point out how your work led to process improvements, automation, or increased efficiency.
- Demonstrate UX Application: Clearly explain how UX principles were integrated and why specific design decisions were made.
- Prepare for Questions: Be ready to discuss your thought process, decision-making, and how you would apply your experience to abrdn's specific context.
Challenge Preparation:
- Process Mapping Exercise: You might be asked to map a given business process, identify pain points, and suggest improvements.
- Requirements Gathering Scenario: A hypothetical scenario where you need to elicit requirements from a stakeholder for a new digital feature.
- Design Thinking Challenge: A problem-solving exercise where you're expected to apply Design Thinking principles to a user-centric challenge.
- Agile Simulation: Questions or a short exercise related to participating in Agile ceremonies or managing a backlog.
📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation for this role should heavily emphasize practical examples of process analysis and user-centric design. Demonstrating how you've used data and collaboration to drive efficiency will be key.
🛠 Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
- Agile Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Azure DevOps (for task tracking, backlog management, documentation, collaboration).
- UX/Design Tools: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar for wireframing, prototyping, and user flow design.
- Business Analysis Tools: Microsoft Visio, Lucidchart, or similar for process mapping and diagramming.
Analytics & Reporting:
- CRM Platforms: While not explicitly stated as a primary tool for the analyst, familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) used by client and marketing teams is beneficial for understanding data flow and user needs.
- Marketing Automation Platforms: Familiarity with platforms like Marketo, HubSpot, or Pardot would be advantageous.
- Data Visualization Tools: Experience with tools like Tableau or Power BI may be useful for understanding and presenting performance data related to processes.
CRM & Automation:
- AI/Automation Platforms: Familiarity with specific AI/automation tools or platforms used for process automation (e.g., Robotic Process Automation - RPA tools like UiPath, Automation Anywhere, or intelligent automation platforms) would be a strong plus.
- Integration Tools: Understanding of how different systems (CRM, marketing automation, internal platforms) integrate is valuable for designing seamless digital solutions.
📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in UX design tools and Agile project management software is essential. Understanding the broader MarTech/SalesTech ecosystem, including CRM and marketing automation platforms, will significantly enhance a candidate's suitability for this role.
👥 Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
- Client-Centricity: A core value, meaning all digital solutions and process improvements should ultimately benefit the client experience.
- Collaboration: Strong emphasis on working together across teams and disciplines to achieve shared goals.
- Innovation & Efficiency: A drive to explore new technologies like AI and automation to continuously improve processes and deliver better outcomes.
- Data-Driven Approach: Using data and analytics to inform decisions, measure performance, and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Continuous Improvement: A commitment to learning, adapting, and refining processes and solutions over time.
Collaboration Style:
- Cross-functional Integration: Expect to work closely with diverse teams, requiring strong communication and relationship-building skills to ensure seamless integration of digital solutions and process changes.
- Agile & Iterative: The team embraces agile principles, meaning collaboration is continuous, iterative, and involves frequent feedback loops.
- Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages sharing insights, best practices, and learnings, particularly around new technologies and methodologies.
📝 Enhancement Note: The company values align well with modern operations practices, emphasizing data, efficiency, and collaboration. Candidates who can demonstrate these values in their work will be a strong fit.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
- Navigating a Large Organization: Adapting to the processes, stakeholders, and decision-making structures within a large financial institution.
- Balancing UX with Technical Constraints: Ensuring user-centric designs are feasible and implementable within technical limitations and existing system architectures.
- Driving Adoption of New Technologies: Effectively championing and facilitating the adoption of AI and automation solutions by end-users and stakeholders.
- Measuring ROI of UX/Process Improvements: Clearly demonstrating the tangible benefits and return on investment for UX enhancements and process reengineering efforts.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
- AI & Automation Specialization: Deepen expertise in applying AI and automation technologies to business processes and digital solutions.
- Advanced UX Techniques: Opportunities to refine skills in user research, usability testing, and advanced design methodologies.
- Financial Services Domain Knowledge: Gain in-depth understanding of the wealth and investment management industry, its regulations, and client needs.
- Agile Coaching/Mentoring: Potential to develop skills in coaching and mentoring other team members in Agile and Design Thinking practices.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant opportunities for professional growth, particularly in the rapidly evolving fields of AI, automation, and user experience design within a stable industry.
💡 Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
- Operations Strategy: "How would you approach identifying AI and automation opportunities within a client-facing digital platform to improve operational efficiency?" (Prepare to discuss your process for analysis, stakeholder engagement, and prioritization).
- Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: "Describe a time you had to manage conflicting requirements from different stakeholders for a digital project. How did you resolve it?" (Focus on communication, negotiation, and finding common ground).
- Problem-Solving & Efficiency: "Walk me through a complex business process you analyzed and redesigned. What were the key improvements, and how did you measure their success?" (Prepare a specific case study with quantifiable results).
Company & Culture Questions:
- Company Operations: "What do you know about abrdn's digital strategy, and how do you see this role contributing to it?" (Research the company's website, recent news, and investor reports).
- Team Dynamics: "How do you prefer to collaborate with developers, product owners, and business stakeholders in an Agile environment?" (Emphasize your proactive communication and teamwork skills).
- Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the success of UX design or process improvements, particularly in terms of business impact?" (Discuss metrics relevant to efficiency, user satisfaction, and business outcomes).
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
- Storytelling: Frame your portfolio examples as compelling stories, highlighting the problem, your solution, and the positive impact.
- Quantify Results: Whenever possible, use numbers and data to demonstrate the effectiveness of your work (e.g., "reduced process time by 20%", "increased user satisfaction scores by 15%").
- Showcase Process Thinking: Clearly articulate the steps you took, the tools you used, and the decisions you made throughout your projects.
- Engage Your Audience: Make it interactive. Pause for questions, solicit feedback, and tailor your presentation to the interviewer's interests.
📝 Enhancement Note: Focus on demonstrating a blend of analytical thinking, user empathy, and a practical understanding of how to implement solutions that drive efficiency and improve user experiences in a business context.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this operations position:
- Submit your application through the provided Workday link.
- Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight specific experiences in UX, business analysis, process improvement, and any involvement with AI/automation technologies. Select portfolio pieces that directly align with the responsibilities outlined.
- Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates achievements using action verbs and quantifies your impact. Use keywords from the job description such as "UX Principles," "Agile," "Design Thinking," "Process Reengineering," and "AI/Automation."
- Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your experience using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions. Prepare to discuss your portfolio in detail, focusing on process improvements and user-centric design outcomes.
- Company Research: Thoroughly research abrdn's business, its digital initiatives, and its stated values. Understand how your skills and experience can contribute to their goals, particularly within the Client Tribe and their focus on AI and automation.
⚠️ 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.
Application Requirements
Candidates should have proven experience in software development, marketing, or client service, along with a strong understanding of AI and automation technologies. Experience in Agile teams and excellent communication skills are also essential.