UX Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Design Manager

Company: 95 PERCENT GROUP LLC

Location: Remote, US

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design Management

Date Posted: 2026-03-30

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end design process for innovative digital learning products within an educational technology ecosystem, focusing on transforming educational outcomes.

• Champion and establish user-centered design (UCD) methodologies, driving a strong design culture and advocating for user needs across product development lifecycles.

• Collaborate strategically with cross-functional teams, including product management, engineering, and curriculum specialists, to ensure pedagogical soundness and technical feasibility.

• Conduct rigorous user research and usability testing with diverse stakeholders (students, educators, administrators) to inform design decisions and validate hypotheses.

• Translate learning science principles and efficacy research into intuitive, accessible (WCAG compliant), and impactful user experiences that demonstrably improve student learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a management-level UX Design position within the EdTech sector. The emphasis on "digital learning ecosystem," "transform educational outcomes," and "evidence-based learning experiences" clearly indicates a strategic focus on product impact and user efficacy, requiring a candidate with both strong design leadership and a deep understanding of educational principles. The "5-10 years" experience level suggests a need for established expertise and the ability to mentor others.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• UX Strategy and Product Design Leadership: Drive the comprehensive design lifecycle for instructional learning products, from initial conceptualization and user research through to prototyping, implementation, and iterative improvements.

• User-Centered Design Advocacy: Champion and embed user-centered design principles and best practices throughout the organization, ensuring that user needs are at the forefront of all product development efforts.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Influence: Partner effectively with Product Managers, Engineers, Instructional Designers, and Curriculum Specialists to align design vision with business objectives, technical constraints, and pedagogical goals.

• User Research and Validation: Plan, execute, and analyze user research studies, including interviews, surveys, and usability testing, with a diverse range of users such as K-12 students, educators, parents, and administrators.

• Design for Efficacy and Learning Science: Integrate learning science principles, pedagogical research, and efficacy data into product design to create experiences that are not only intuitive but also demonstrably effective in improving learning outcomes.

• Accessibility and Inclusive Design: Ensure all digital learning experiences adhere to accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG 2.1 AA) and are designed to be inclusive and equitable for all learners, including those with varying needs and abilities.

• Data-Driven Iteration and Optimization: Leverage user analytics, feedback mechanisms, A/B testing results, and efficacy research to continuously refine and enhance the user experience and measure the design's impact on learning outcomes.

• Complex System and Workflow Design: Design intuitive and efficient user interfaces for complex systems, including multi-role platforms, dashboards, and intricate workflow management tools essential for educational environments.

• Design Culture and Best Practices: Foster a robust design culture within the company by establishing, documenting, and advocating for design standards, processes, and best practices.

• Stakeholder Communication and Presentation: Clearly articulate design rationales, present trade-offs, and effectively communicate design recommendations and their potential impact to various stakeholders, including executive leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership, hands-on design execution, and a strong emphasis on educational efficacy and user impact. The inclusion of "Design for Efficacy" and "Iterate Based on Data" points to a need for UX professionals who can connect design decisions directly to measurable learning outcomes, a critical aspect in EdTech. The mention of "complex workflows, dashboards, or multi-role platforms" suggests experience with enterprise-level or educational administration tools.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Interaction Design, Graphic Design, Psychology, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of dedicated experience in User Experience (UX) design.

• At least 3 years of this experience must be specifically within the Educational Technology (EdTech) sector.

Required Skills:

• UX Strategy & Methodology: Deep expertise in user-centered design (UCD) methodologies, design thinking, and the full product development lifecycle.

• Design Tools Proficiency: Advanced proficiency with industry-standard design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, or similar platforms.

• User Research & Usability Testing: Demonstrated ability to plan, conduct, and analyze qualitative and quantitative user research, including usability testing, interviews, and surveys.

• Communication & Presentation: Exceptional verbal, written, and visual communication skills, with the ability to effectively present design rationale, research findings, and recommendations to diverse audiences, including senior leadership and non-design stakeholders.

• Accessibility Standards: Comprehensive knowledge of and experience applying accessibility guidelines, specifically Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA.

• EdTech User Group Experience: Proven experience designing for various user groups within the education sector, including K-12 students, teachers, school administrators, and potentially parents.

• Learning Science Application: Understanding of learning science principles and the ability to translate them into effective and intuitive product experiences.

Preferred Skills:

• Instructional Design Background: Prior experience or strong familiarity with instructional design principles, curriculum development, or educational pedagogy.

• Data-Driven Design: Experience utilizing A/B testing, product analytics (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude), and efficacy research to inform and validate design decisions.

• LMS/Assessment Platform Familiarity: Knowledge of or experience designing for Learning Management Systems (LMS), Student Information Systems (SIS), or educational assessment platforms.

• Educational Compliance: Understanding of educational data privacy regulations such as FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) and COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act).

• Classroom Technology Design: Experience designing user interfaces for digital tools specifically intended for use within a classroom setting.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a specialized blend of UX leadership, EdTech domain expertise, and a deep understanding of educational principles. The requirement for "at least 3 years in EdTech" is a strong indicator of the company's focus on candidates who understand the unique challenges and opportunities within educational technology. The preference for "learning science principles" and "efficacy research" suggests a data-driven and impact-oriented approach to design.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a minimum of 3-5 distinct projects that demonstrate end-to-end UX design expertise, ideally within the EdTech domain.

• Each project should clearly articulate the problem statement, user research conducted, design process, key design decisions, challenges faced, and the final solution.

• Evidence of leadership or mentorship within design projects, if applicable.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of how you have translated user research findings into actionable design improvements.

• Include case studies that detail the iterative design process, highlighting how feedback and data (analytics, efficacy research, usability testing) were incorporated to refine designs.

• Provide examples of how accessibility standards (WCAG) were integrated into your design process and final deliverables.

• Document how learning science principles or pedagogical approaches were considered and implemented in your designs.

• Demonstrate your ability to articulate design rationale and communicate trade-offs effectively, perhaps through presentation slides or design documentation excerpts.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Design Manager role, especially in a specialized field like EdTech, the portfolio is crucial. It needs to go beyond just visual design and showcase strategic thinking, user empathy, process adherence, and a focus on measurable outcomes. The emphasis on "efficacy research" and "learning science" implies that case studies should ideally demonstrate how designs contributed to educational impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $130,000 - $140,000 per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement savings plan with company match (e.g., 401k).

• Generous paid time off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Opportunities for professional development, including training, conferences, and certifications relevant to UX and EdTech.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or stock options.

• Remote work stipend or home office setup allowance.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work schedule, typically 40 hours per week.

• Flexibility in work hours is often provided to accommodate remote employees, with core collaboration hours expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range of $130,000 - $140,000 USD aligns with a UX Design Manager role in the US, particularly for a remote position with specialized EdTech experience. This range is competitive for experienced professionals leading design initiatives. The benefits listed are standard for full-time roles in the US tech sector and are tailored to support remote employees.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Educational Technology (EdTech) / K-12 Literacy Solutions.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the company description suggests a growing organization with a significant market presence, likely falling into the mid-size to large-size category within the EdTech sector. This implies a structure that balances established processes with opportunities for innovation.

Founded: 2005. This indicates a company with a solid history and proven track record in the literacy education space, now looking to enhance its digital offerings.

Team Structure:

• Product & Design Team: This role will likely be part of a Product Development team, collaborating closely with Product Managers who define product strategy and roadmaps, and Engineers who build the products.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The UX Design Manager will work across various departments, including Curriculum Development, Instructional Design, Sales, and Marketing, to ensure a cohesive and effective learning solution.

• Reporting Structure: The UX Design Manager will likely report to a Director or VP of Product, or a Head of Design, and may eventually lead a team of UX/UI designers as the company grows its digital footprint.

Methodology:

• Evidence-Based Approach: The company emphasizes data, efficacy research, and learning science, suggesting a methodology that prioritizes measurable impact and validated learning strategies.

• User-Centric Development: A strong commitment to understanding and serving the needs of students, educators, and administrators is central to their product development.

• Agile/Iterative Development: The focus on "iterating based on data" and "rapid iteration" suggests an agile or agile-like development process where continuous improvement is key.

Company Website: https://www.95percentgroup.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on literacy and its established presence since 2005, coupled with the drive for digital transformation, positions this UX Design Manager role as pivotal. The culture appears to be mission-driven, emphasizing impact on student learning, and likely values collaboration and evidence-based decision-making.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a management-level position within the UX Design function. It requires not only strong individual design skills but also the ability to lead design strategy, mentor designers, and influence product direction. Candidates are expected to have a solid foundation of experience (5+ years) and demonstrate leadership potential.

Reporting Structure: The UX Design Manager will likely report to a senior leader in product or design (e.g., Director of Product, VP of Product, Head of Design) and will collaborate extensively with Product Managers and Engineering Leads. This structure offers exposure to strategic decision-making and cross-functional leadership.

Operations Impact: The UX Design Manager will have a direct and significant impact on the company's mission to transform educational outcomes. By designing effective, intuitive, and engaging digital learning experiences, this role will influence student learning, teacher effectiveness, and ultimately, the company's market success and reputation in the EdTech space. The focus on "efficacy research" and "measurable impact on student learning" underscores the critical business value of this role.

Growth Opportunities:

• Team Leadership: Potential to build and lead a dedicated UX design team as the digital learning ecosystem expands.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape the product vision and strategy for key educational technology initiatives.

• Domain Expertise: Deepen expertise in learning science, literacy education, and the application of UX principles in a mission-critical sector.

• Cross-functional Leadership: Develop skills in managing stakeholder relationships and driving consensus across diverse teams.

• Career Advancement: Potential to move into senior leadership roles such as Director of Product Design, VP of Product, or Chief Product Officer within the EdTech industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for career growth, moving from an experienced individual contributor or lead to a management and strategic leadership position. The emphasis on impact within the education sector provides a unique and rewarding career trajectory for designers passionate about making a difference.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This role operates entirely remotely, offering flexibility and the ability to work from any location within the United States.

Office Location(s): Remote, US. While the company headquarters is in Lincolnshire, IL, this specific position is designated as remote and open to candidates across the United States.

Workspace Context:

• Flexibility and Autonomy: As a remote role, employees are expected to manage their own work environment and schedules, fostering autonomy and self-discipline.

• Digital Collaboration Tools: The team will rely heavily on digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom) for communication and project management.

• Design Tool Integration: Access to and proficiency with digital design and prototyping tools (Figma, Adobe XD) are essential for day-to-day work.

• Cross-functional Interaction: Opportunities to connect with colleagues from various departments through virtual meetings and collaborative platforms.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected, with flexibility in daily start and end times. However, candidates should be prepared to align with core business hours for team collaboration, meetings, and project synchronization, particularly with teams potentially spread across different US time zones (e.g., the mention of "America/Chicago" timezone derivation).

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature of this position requires strong self-management skills. The work environment will be digitally-driven, emphasizing asynchronous communication and effective use of collaboration tools to maintain team cohesion and productivity.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and resumes, focusing on relevant EdTech experience, UX leadership skills, and alignment with the company's mission.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, highlighting key projects that demonstrate their strategic thinking, design process, and impact. Be prepared to discuss your role, decision-making process, and the outcomes achieved.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A deeper dive into your experience, leadership style, UX philosophy, and how you approach user-centered design and cross-functional collaboration.

• Team/Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially Curriculum Specialists to assess collaboration skills, communication style, and understanding of the educational context.

• Design Challenge/Case Study (Potential): You might be given a hypothetical design problem or asked to critique an existing product to assess your problem-solving skills, design thinking, and ability to apply learning science principles.

• Final Round: Discussions with senior leadership to assess cultural fit, strategic alignment, and overall suitability for the role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Impact: Clearly articulate the business or educational impact of your designs. Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., increased user engagement, improved learning outcomes, reduced task completion time).

• Demonstrate Process: Walk through your design process for each case study, explaining the rationale behind your decisions and how you addressed user needs and business goals.

• Highlight Leadership: For this management role, emphasize instances where you led design initiatives, mentored junior designers, or influenced product strategy.

• Tailor to EdTech: Focus on projects that show an understanding of educational users, learning science, or digital learning environments.

• Accessibility & Efficacy: Explicitly discuss how you incorporated accessibility standards and considered learning efficacy in your design work.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the User: If given a design challenge, thoroughly research the target users (students, educators) and their specific needs and constraints within an educational context.

• Emphasize Process: Focus on your problem-solving approach, how you'd gather requirements, conduct research, and iterate on solutions, rather than just presenting a final design.

• Articulate Rationale: Be ready to defend your design choices with clear reasoning, referencing user research, learning science, or best practices.

• Consider Constraints: Think about potential technical limitations, budget, and timelines, which are common in real-world product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to evaluate not only design skills but also leadership capabilities and domain-specific knowledge. The portfolio review is a critical gate, and candidates should prepare to demonstrate their ability to connect design to educational impact and adhere to accessibility standards.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly preferred), Adobe XD, Sketch, InVision, Axure RP. Proficiency in at least one of these is essential for creating wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes.

• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides). Essential for remote team communication, documentation, and virtual meetings.

• Project Management: Jira, Asana, Trello, Monday.com. Used for tracking design tasks, project timelines, and collaborating with engineering and product teams.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel. For tracking user behavior, engagement metrics, and understanding product usage patterns.

• Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI, Looker. To create dashboards and reports that communicate design impact and user insights to stakeholders.

• A/B Testing Platforms: Optimizely, VWO (Visual Website Optimizer). For conducting experiments to validate design hypotheses and optimize user experiences based on data.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a UX tool, familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms can provide context on how user data flows and how educational institutions might interact with digital platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack reflects a modern, digitally-driven organization. Proficiency in Figma is often a strong indicator of a team's current design workflow. The emphasis on analytics and A/B testing tools highlights the company's commitment to data-driven design and measuring efficacy.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Passion for Education: A deep-seated commitment to improving student learning outcomes and closing achievement gaps through innovative technology.

• User Empathy & Curiosity: A proactive approach to understanding the needs, challenges, and aspirations of diverse educational users (students, teachers, administrators).

• Evidence-Based Decision Making: A reliance on learning science, efficacy research, and data analytics to validate design decisions and measure impact.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A belief in the power of cross-functional collaboration to achieve shared goals, fostering an environment of mutual respect and shared ownership.

• Growth Mindset & Adaptability: A commitment to continuous learning, embracing feedback, iterating rapidly, and adapting to new insights and technologies.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The team emphasizes working closely with product management, engineering, and curriculum development to ensure a unified approach to product creation.

• Open Communication: A culture that encourages open dialogue, constructive feedback, and knowledge sharing among team members.

• Agile & Iterative: Processes are likely designed to be flexible, allowing for rapid prototyping, testing, and iteration based on user feedback and performance data.

• Mission-Driven: All team members are united by a common goal: to make a significant, positive impact on education.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be a blend of a mission-driven non-profit ethos with the agile, data-focused approach of a tech company. This suggests an environment where individuals are passionate about the product's impact and are empowered to use data and collaboration to achieve that mission.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Bridging Learning Science and Design: Effectively translating complex learning science principles and pedagogical theories into intuitive and engaging user experiences can be challenging.

• Diverse User Needs: Designing for a wide spectrum of users (e.g., young students with varying literacy levels, busy educators, administrative staff) requires deep empathy and careful consideration of distinct needs and contexts.

• Measuring Efficacy: Quantifying the direct impact of design decisions on student learning outcomes requires robust data collection and analytical capabilities.

• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong team cohesion, efficient communication, and a shared understanding of design goals within a fully remote environment.

• Balancing Innovation with Standards: Innovating within the EdTech space while adhering to strict accessibility (WCAG) and privacy (FERPA, COPPA) regulations.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized EdTech Knowledge: Opportunities to deepen understanding of literacy instruction, educational policy, and the specific challenges faced by K-12 institutions.

• Advanced UX Leadership: Development in areas such as scaling design teams, strategic product visioning, and influencing executive-level decision-making.

• Data Analytics & Efficacy Measurement: Gaining expertise in utilizing advanced analytics tools and research methodologies to demonstrate product impact.

• Accessibility Mastery: Becoming a subject matter expert in accessibility standards and inclusive design practices within the educational technology context.

• Industry Engagement: Potential to attend EdTech conferences, workshops, and engage with a broader community of professionals focused on educational innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to high-impact roles in specialized industries. They also represent significant opportunities for professional growth and skill development, particularly in areas where UX intersects with education and data science.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to translating learning science principles into tangible UX features. Can you provide an example from your portfolio?" (Assesses understanding of EdTech domain and application of principles.)

• "How would you go about identifying and prioritizing user needs for a new digital learning platform aimed at K-8 students and their teachers?" (Evaluates research methodology and strategic thinking.)

• "Walk us through a complex design challenge you faced, detailing how you collaborated with product and engineering to arrive at a solution, and how you measured its success." (Tests problem-solving, collaboration, and impact measurement.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about 95 Percent Group's mission to improve literacy outcomes?" (Gauges passion for the company's purpose.)

• "How do you foster a strong design culture, especially in a remote or distributed team environment?" (Assesses leadership and culture-building skills.)

• "Describe a time you had to present design trade-offs to stakeholders with differing priorities. How did you navigate that situation?" (Evaluates communication and negotiation skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Flow: Structure your portfolio presentation as a story for each project: the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the impact.

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the results and improvements driven by your designs, especially in terms of user engagement or educational efficacy.

• Showcase Process: Be ready to explain why you made certain design decisions, referencing user research, data, or learning science principles.

• Highlight Leadership: For this manager role, emphasize any instances where you led a project, mentored others, or influenced strategic direction.

• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, challenges, and how you would adapt your approach to 95 Percent Group's specific context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a deep understanding of UX within the EdTech context, highlighting leadership capabilities, and showcasing a data-driven, user-centric approach that aligns with the company's mission and values.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided ADP portal link.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your strongest UX design projects, prioritizing those with a clear connection to educational technology, complex system design, or demonstrable user impact. Ensure each project clearly outlines the problem, your process, your role, and the outcomes achieved.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 5+ years of UX experience, specifically noting at least 3 years in EdTech. Emphasize leadership responsibilities, experience with user-centered design methodologies, proficiency in tools like Figma, and any experience with learning science or accessibility standards.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice delivering a clear and concise presentation of your portfolio, focusing on your strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and ability to drive measurable results. Be ready to articulate your design rationale and discuss how you would approach challenges specific to educational product design.

• Research 95 Percent Group: Familiarize yourself with the company's mission, products, and approach to literacy instruction. Understand their commitment to efficacy and learning science, and be prepared to articulate how your skills and passion align with their goals.

⚠️ 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.