UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer Company: Cengage Group Location: Ohio, United States Job Type: Full-Time Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design Date Posted: October 1, 2025 Experience Level: 5+ Years Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and develop exceptional user experiences that drive engagement and learning for students and educators.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product managers, engineers, and content specialists, to translate user needs into intuitive and effective digital solutions.
• Leverage and contribute to robust design systems, ensuring brand consistency and scalable design practices across various platforms.
• Conduct comprehensive user research and iterative testing to gather insights, validate design decisions, and continuously enhance product usability.
• Innovate and conceptualize new user interaction paradigms that align with Cengage Group's mission to redefine educational technology standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is categorized under User Experience (UX) Design given the explicit mention of "UX Designer" title and responsibilities focused on user experience, user research, and design systems. The company's focus on educational technology and digital solutions for learners positions this within the broader Product Design or UX Design function.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, wireframe, prototype, and design user interfaces for digital learning products and platforms, focusing on intuitive navigation and engaging user flows.
• Execute visual design and interaction design for new features and product enhancements, ensuring high standards of quality and aesthetic appeal.
• Lead and participate in user research activities, including interviews, surveys, usability testing, and persona development, to deeply understand user needs and behaviors.
• Translate user research findings and data analytics into actionable design recommendations and strategic product improvements.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive design documentation, including user flows, journey maps, wireframes, and high-fidelity mockups, to facilitate clear communication with stakeholders.
• Contribute to the evolution and governance of Cengage Group's design system, ensuring its adoption and effective use across product teams.
• Advocate for user-centered design principles and best practices throughout the product development lifecycle, fostering a design-thinking culture.
• Collaborate with content creators and subject matter experts to ensure that educational content is presented in an accessible and engaging manner through effective UX.
• Partner with engineering teams to ensure successful implementation of designs, providing detailed specifications and design support.
• Proactively identify opportunities for design innovation and process improvement to enhance user satisfaction and learning outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Responsibilities have been expanded to detail the typical UX design lifecycle, including conceptualization, research, design execution, and collaboration, aligning with the "Craft and develop outstanding user experiences" and "Collaborate with cross-functional teams" stated in the original description. Emphasis on educational products and design systems is retained and elaborated.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Minimum Associate's degree. Experience: 5+ years of professional experience in User Experience (UX) Design, Product Design, or a closely related field.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in User Experience (UX) Design and Product Design, with a strong portfolio demonstrating successful project outcomes.
• Expertise in working with and contributing to Design Systems, ensuring consistency and scalability of design solutions.
• Demonstrated proficiency in conducting User Research methodologies, including usability testing, user interviews, and persona development.
• Strong understanding of Accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and experience designing inclusive and accessible digital products.
• Excellent Collaboration and Communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and rationale effectively to diverse stakeholders.
• Proven ability to identify user needs and translate them into practical, impactful design solutions.
• Demonstrable experience in visual design and interaction design principles.
• A proactive and ambitious approach to problem-solving and driving design innovation.
• Experience with design thinking methodologies and iterative design processes.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the Education Technology (EdTech) sector, particularly in Higher Education or K-12 markets.
• Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), digital courseware, or similar educational platforms.
• Proficiency in using prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar.
• Experience with agile development methodologies and working within cross-functional product teams.
• A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, or a related field.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level has been inferred from "5+ years of experience" and the "Minimum Associate's degree" requirement. Key skills are expanded from the original list to include more specific UX competencies, such as prototyping tools and agile methodologies, which are standard for this role. The portfolio requirement is highlighted as a crucial element.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 3-5 significant UX design projects.
• Each project should clearly articulate the design problem, the user research conducted, the design process followed, and the final solution.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of Design Thinking, problem-solving approaches, and the rationale behind design decisions.
• Showcase expertise in visual and interaction design, with examples of wireframes, prototypes, and final UI designs.
• Highlight experience with Design Systems and how they were leveraged or contributed to.
• Include evidence of designing for accessibility and inclusive user experiences.
• Quantifiable results or impact where possible (e.g., improved conversion rates, increased user satisfaction scores, reduced task completion times).

Process Documentation:

• Ability to document user flows, journey maps, and information architecture clearly.
• Experience in creating detailed design specifications and style guides for development teams.
• Demonstrate a structured approach to iterative design, including user feedback integration and design refinement cycles.
• Familiarity with creating and managing design assets within a design system framework.

📝 Enhancement Note: Specific portfolio requirements are detailed, focusing on the "design thinking, problem-solving approach, and the process behind your decisions" mentioned in the original description. Emphasis is placed on demonstrating a structured and user-centered design process, which is critical for UX roles.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $67,000 - $105,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Total Rewards package designed to support and empower employees.
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance plans.
• Retirement Savings Plan (e.g., 401(k)) with company match.
• Paid Time Off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Life Insurance and Disability coverage.
• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives.

Working Hours: Typically 40 hours per week, with potential for occasional overtime during critical project phases. Flexibility may be available based on team needs and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is directly extracted from the provided text. Benefits are inferred based on standard offerings for a company of Cengage Group's size and industry, and the mention of a "comprehensive and rewarding Total Rewards package." Working hours are based on the "FULL_TIME" employment type and typical industry standards.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Education Technology (EdTech), Publishing, Digital Learning Solutions. Company Size: Large Enterprise (over 10,000 employees, based on LinkedIn data for Cengage Group). Founded: Cengage Group has a history spanning over 100 years, with its modern iteration evolving through mergers and acquisitions.

Team Structure:

• Likely part of a larger Product Development or Digital Solutions organization.
• The UX team is expected to be integrated within product pods, working closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and Content Specialists.
• Reporting structure will likely involve a UX Lead or Design Manager, who oversees multiple UX designers and advocates for user-centered design within the company.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a core tenet, with designers actively participating in agile ceremonies and product strategy discussions.

Methodology:

• Primarily Agile and Scrum methodologies for product development.
• Strong emphasis on User-Centered Design (UCD) principles and iterative development.
• Data-driven decision-making, utilizing user research, analytics, and A/B testing to inform design choices.
• Focus on building scalable and maintainable design systems to ensure consistency and efficiency.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Company context is derived from the provided description and general knowledge of Cengage Group's industry position. The emphasis on "inclusion, engagement, and discovery" and the dedicated link to their inclusion and belonging initiatives suggest a culture that values diverse perspectives and employee well-being.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level to Senior UX Designer. This role requires 5+ years of experience and the ability to contribute to design systems and conduct independent research, indicating a significant level of autonomy and expertise.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will likely report to a UX Manager or a Director of Product Design. They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads within specific product teams, fostering a collaborative, matrixed reporting environment.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on the effectiveness and adoption of Cengage Group's digital learning products. By creating intuitive, engaging, and accessible user experiences, the UX Designer contributes to student success, faculty adoption, and ultimately, the company's revenue and market position in the competitive EdTech landscape.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in specific UX areas such as interaction design, user research, accessibility, or design systems management.
• Leadership Potential: Progress into a Senior UX Designer role, Lead UX Designer, or UX Manager, mentoring junior designers and shaping design strategy.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain broader product development experience by working on different product lines or contributing to strategic initiatives.
• Industry Specialization: Become a recognized expert in UX for educational technology, a growing and impactful field.
• Formal Training: Access to internal and external training, workshops, and conferences focused on UX best practices and emerging technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career level is inferred from the experience requirement and scope of responsibilities. Growth opportunities are standard for mid-to-senior level UX roles, emphasizing specialization, leadership, and continuous learning within the EdTech domain.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is listed as "Virtual US OH" but with "On-site" as the derived work arrangement, suggesting a hybrid model or a requirement to be based in Ohio for occasional on-site collaboration, team meetings, or company events. The job description also mentions office locations implicitly through "Virtual US OH".

Office Location(s): Primarily focused on Ohio, USA, with potential for broader US-based remote work within specific regions if not strictly tied to an office. The "Virtual US OH" designation implies a focus on candidates residing in or willing to relocate to Ohio.

Workspace Context:

• A collaborative office environment designed to foster teamwork and idea sharing among design, product, and engineering teams.
• Access to modern design tools and technologies essential for UX design.
• Opportunities for informal and formal interactions with colleagues, promoting a strong sense of community and shared purpose.
• A focus on an inclusive and engaging workspace that supports diverse perspectives.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week) are expected. While the role is on-site/hybrid, Cengage Group's culture emphasizes engagement and employee well-being, suggesting a supportive approach to work-life balance within the framework of project deadlines and team needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Virtual US OH" location combined with "On-site" work arrangement suggests a hybrid model where the employee is expected to be based in Ohio and may be required to come into an office location periodically. This is a common setup for large companies with distributed teams.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Application Submission: Submit resume and a link to your UX portfolio.
2. Recruiter Screen: Initial conversation to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.
3. Hiring Manager Interview: Deeper dive into your experience, design philosophy, and approach to problem-solving. This may include discussing past projects in detail.
4. Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: A session where you present selected projects from your portfolio to the design team. This may be accompanied by a small design challenge or case study to assess your design thinking and execution skills.
5. Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders (e.g., Product Managers, Engineers) to evaluate collaboration skills and understanding of product development.
6. Final Interview/Offer: Discussion with senior leadership and offer extension.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best represent your skills in user research, problem-solving, interaction design, visual design, and accessibility. Prioritize projects that align with Cengage's focus on educational technology.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, the challenges you overcame, and the impact of your design. Use visuals effectively.
• Showcase Process: Emphasize your design thinking and how you arrived at your solutions, rather than just presenting final mockups. Include wireframes, user flows, research insights, and iteration examples.
• Highlight Collaboration: If possible, demonstrate how you collaborated with cross-functional teams and incorporated feedback.
• Accessibility Focus: Explicitly mention your approach to accessibility and any experience designing for diverse user needs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your design process in detail.
• Practice articulating your design decisions and rationale concisely.
• Understand Cengage Group's products and target audience (students, educators).
• Think about how you would approach a design problem within the EdTech space, considering user needs and business goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process and portfolio review tips are standard for UX Designer roles, tailored to emphasize the importance of process, problem-solving, and collaboration, as well as Cengage Group's specific industry context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design & Prototyping Tools:

• Figma: Likely the primary tool for wireframing, prototyping, and UI design, especially given its prevalence in collaborative design systems.
• Sketch: May be used, particularly if the company has an established design system built around it.
• Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop and Illustrator for asset creation and manipulation.
• Prototyping Tools: InVision, Axure RP, or similar tools for interactive prototypes and user testing.

User Research & Testing Tools:

• UserTesting.com / Lookback.io: For remote usability testing and video feedback.
• SurveyMonkey / Typeform / Google Forms: For user surveys and feedback collection.
• Miro / Mural: For collaborative whiteboarding, journey mapping, and affinity diagramming during research and ideation.

Collaboration & Project Management Tools:

• Jira / Confluence: For agile project management, bug tracking, and documentation.
• Slack / Microsoft Teams: For team communication and collaboration.
• Asana / Trello: Potentially used for task management and project workflows.

Design System Management:

• Tools and platforms supporting design system documentation and component libraries (e.g., Storybook, Zeroheight, or integrated within Figma/Sketch).

📝 Enhancement Note: The tool stack is inferred based on industry standards for UX Designers, especially those working with design systems and in collaborative environments. Figma is highlighted as a strong possibility due to its widespread adoption for design systems.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Inclusion & Belonging: Cengage Group emphasizes creating an inclusive workplace where all employees feel empowered to share their ideas and bring their authentic selves to work.
• Learning & Discovery: A core value tied to the company's mission, fostering a culture of continuous learning and exploration for both employees and users.
• Innovation: Driving new solutions and approaches in educational technology to meet evolving learner needs.
• Collaboration: Working together across teams and functions to achieve shared goals and deliver exceptional products.
• Excellence: A drive to compete at a world-class level, pushing boundaries and setting new industry standards.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to be active participants in product teams, working hand-in-hand with product managers, engineers, content specialists, and researchers.
• Design Reviews: Regular design critique sessions to provide and receive constructive feedback, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Open Communication: Encouragement of open dialogue and proactive communication to ensure alignment and address challenges effectively.
• User Advocacy: Designers act as champions for the user, ensuring their needs and perspectives are central to product development decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Values are directly extracted from the company description, with an added emphasis on how these values translate to the day-to-day work and collaboration style of a UX Designer.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Effectively translating user research and design needs into solutions that also meet business objectives and technical constraints.
• Designing for Diverse Learners: Creating inclusive and accessible experiences that cater to a wide range of students with different learning styles, abilities, and technical proficiencies.
• Keeping Pace with EdTech Innovation: Staying current with rapidly evolving educational technologies and user expectations in a dynamic market.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent understanding and buy-in for UX principles and design decisions across various departments and stakeholders.
• Scalability of Design Systems: Managing and evolving design systems to support a growing portfolio of digital products and features.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Access to workshops and courses on advanced UX methodologies, emerging design tools, and accessibility best practices.
• Conferences & Events: Opportunities to attend industry conferences (e.g., UXPA, AIGA, EdTech events) to learn from peers and industry leaders.
• Mentorship Programs: Potential for mentorship from senior designers or leaders within Cengage Group to guide career development.
• Internal Knowledge Sharing: Participation in design guilds, lunch-and-learns, and internal presentations to share best practices and learn from colleagues.
• Exposure to New Technologies: Working with cutting-edge digital learning platforms and technologies that are shaping the future of education.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are framed around common issues in the EdTech UX space, while growth opportunities are typical for a large enterprise focused on innovation and employee development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: "Walk me through a project from your portfolio where you faced significant user pain points. How did you approach understanding and solving them? What was your process from research to final design?" (Focus on Design Thinking, research, iteration)
• Collaboration: "Describe a time you had to work with challenging stakeholders or engineers who disagreed with your design. How did you navigate that situation to achieve a successful outcome?" (Focus on communication, negotiation, advocacy)
• Problem-Solving: "Imagine we are developing a new feature for [specific Cengage product, e.g., MindTap] to improve student engagement. How would you approach designing this feature, considering user needs and potential technical constraints?" (Focus on structured problem-solving, user empathy)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Cengage Group's mission to 'drive innovation that helps millions of learners improve their lives'?" (Focus on alignment with company values)
• "How do you contribute to an inclusive and collaborative team environment?" (Focus on teamwork, diversity and inclusion)
• "How do you ensure your designs are accessible and cater to a diverse range of users?" (Focus on user advocacy and inclusive design)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with a high-level overview of the project, followed by a deep dive into your specific contributions and process.
• Narrative: Tell a compelling story about the problem, your journey to the solution, and the impact. Use clear, concise language.
• Visuals: Ensure your slides or shared screen are clean, professional, and highlight key design elements (wireframes, user flows, mockups).
• Metrics: Quantify impact whenever possible. If not, articulate qualitative outcomes and learnings.
• Q&A Readiness: Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your decision-making, challenges, and trade-offs made during the project.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions are designed to assess core UX competencies, problem-solving skills, collaboration abilities, and cultural fit, with specific relevance to Cengage Group's mission and products.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Cengage Group careers portal via the provided URL.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your submitted portfolio is tailored to highlight projects demonstrating strong visual design, interaction design, user research, and problem-solving skills relevant to educational technology.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly showcase your 5+ years of UX experience, proficiency with design systems, accessibility design, and collaboration with cross-functional teams. Quantify achievements where possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and prepare to present 2-3 key portfolio projects that best demonstrate your capabilities. Research Cengage Group's products and recent news.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Cengage Group's mission, values, and its role in the EdTech industry. Understand their commitment to inclusion and the power of learning.

⚠️ 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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