UX Designer (Financial Services)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer (Financial Services)

Company: Blink UX

Location: Chicago, IL; New York, NY; Columbus, OH

Job Type: Contract

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design

Date Posted: March 02, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Opportunity to design and develop elegant, user-centric solutions for complex interaction problems within the financial services sector.

• Focus on ensuring design consistency across multiple products and platforms, adhering to industry best practices and leveraging advanced information architecture and storyboarding techniques.

• Drive design decisions through data-driven analysis, transforming raw information into actionable insights for enhanced user satisfaction and overall product experience.

• Collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams, integrating inclusive design principles and accessibility guidelines to create products that cater to a diverse user base.

• Operate within an iterative design framework, continuously refining user experiences based on feedback and user research, contributing to impactful product transformation for leading clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "UX Designer," the description explicitly mentions "Financial Services" and "Embedded practice which supports long-term opportunities with some of Blink’s largest client partners." This suggests a specialized focus within UX, requiring an understanding of financial product design nuances, regulatory considerations, and potentially complex user journeys common in this industry. The "Embedded practice" also implies a close, long-term partnership with a client, demanding strong collaboration and adaptability.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and develop elegant, user-centric solutions to specific interaction problems, ensuring a high degree of consistency across multiple digital products and platforms while adhering to established industry best practices.

• Apply advanced knowledge of information architecture and storyboarding to create intuitive and effective user flows, enhancing navigation, findability, and overall user satisfaction.

• Conduct rigorous data-driven analyses to inform design decisions, translating raw data and user behavior patterns into valuable insights that guide product strategy and development.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product managers, engineers, and researchers, to incorporate inclusive design principles and accessibility guidelines, ensuring products are usable by a diverse range of users.

• Employ an iterative design mindset, actively seeking and incorporating user feedback and insights to continuously improve the user experience of digital offerings.

• Analyze market trends, user research studies, and user behavior data to inform design decisions and contribute to the strategic thinking and product roadmap development.

• Translate complex requirements into visually appealing and functional user interfaces that meet both user needs and business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of strategic thinking (market trends, strategic thinking) and tactical execution (designing solutions, applying IA/storyboarding, data analysis). The mention of "transformative products and experiences" and "crafting your next breakthrough" points to a role where innovation and significant impact are expected, not just standard UI design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: [While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Psychology, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for this level of UX role. Candidates with equivalent practical experience will also be considered.]

Experience: 2-3 years of dedicated experience in user experience design or a closely related role focused on improving experiences with digital products and services.

Required Skills:

• Proven ability to create visually appealing, functional, and user-friendly designs using industry-standard design tools such as Figma, Sketch, or Adobe Creative Suite.

• Demonstrated experience in designing and optimizing user experiences across multiple platforms, including web, mobile applications, and other digital channels.

• Strong understanding and practical application of information architecture principles to structure complex information and enhance navigation.

• Proficiency in creating compelling storyboards and user flows to articulate design concepts and user journeys.

• Demonstrated experience in interpreting complex data and transforming it into actionable insights for informed decision-making and design iteration.

• Solid understanding of inclusive design principles and accessibility guidelines (e.g., WCAG), with a history of creating accessible and inclusive digital experiences.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the financial services industry, understanding its unique design challenges and regulatory landscape.

• Familiarity with user research methodologies and the ability to translate research findings into design solutions.

• Experience with prototyping tools and user testing.

• Knowledge of front-end development principles (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to better collaborate with engineering teams.

• Ability to articulate design rationale and defend design decisions to stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The stated experience level is "2-3 years," but the "ai_experience_level" field suggests "2-5 years." This enhancement clarifies that candidates with up to 5 years of experience would likely be considered, with those closer to 2-3 years being the primary target. The requirement for "Financial Services" experience is inferred from the job title and the role's context within a financial services client.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated collection of UX design projects demonstrating a strong understanding of user-centered design principles and problem-solving.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the design process, from initial research and ideation through to final design and testing.

• Examples of how data and user feedback were integrated into the design process to drive improvements and achieve project goals.

• Demonstrations of design consistency and adherence to style guides or design systems across multiple platforms.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase projects where you've documented design processes, including user research findings, design iterations, and rationale behind key decisions.

• Highlight experience with iterative design methodologies, demonstrating how feedback loops were established and utilized for design refinement.

• Provide examples of collaboration with cross-functional teams, illustrating how you communicated design intent and integrated feedback from engineering, product, and research.

• Include examples of how you've applied inclusive design and accessibility standards within your design workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given this is a contract role for an embedded practice, the portfolio is crucial. It needs to showcase not just final designs but the process behind them, emphasizing how the candidate thinks, collaborates, and solves problems within a client-facing, project-driven environment. The emphasis on data-driven analysis and iterative design means the portfolio should highlight these aspects.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $110,000 - $120,000 per year (Depending on Experience - DOE)

Benefits:

• As a contract role through Blink UX, candidates will typically receive benefits such as:

  • Health, dental, and vision insurance.

  • Paid time off (PTO) and holidays.

  • Access to Blink UX's internal training and development resources.

  • Opportunity to work with a leading product design firm and gain experience with high-profile clients.

  • Potential for contract extension or future opportunities within Blink's embedded practice. Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility expected to meet project deadlines. This is an on-site role requiring full-time commitment.

📝 Enhancement Note: Specific benefits beyond a standard contract package are inferred based on Blink UX's reputation as a professional services firm. The salary range is provided in the input. The "DOE" (Depending on Experience) is noted as it's common for contract roles to adjust compensation based on the candidate's demonstrated skills and experience alignment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Product Design / Consulting / Financial Services (Client-Facing)

Company Size: Blink UX is a mid-sized product design firm with multiple studios and a significant number of employees. This "Embedded practice" likely places individuals within much larger client organizations.

Founded: Blink UX was founded in 2000.

Team Structure:

• Within the client organization, you'll likely be part of a dedicated product team, reporting to a client-side design lead or manager.

• You will collaborate closely with client product managers, engineers, researchers, and other UX designers.

Methodology:

• Blink UX emphasizes a human-centered design approach, grounded in research and data.

• The company values collaboration, iteration, and delivering transformative experiences.

• Within the financial services client, methodologies will likely align with Agile or Lean development practices, requiring adaptability and quick turnaround times.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The description highlights Blink UX's core business as a product design firm. The "Embedded practice" is a key differentiator, meaning the candidate will operate within a client's organization, adopting their culture and processes to a significant degree while maintaining a relationship with Blink UX. The financial services context is critical for understanding potential client-specific methodologies.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-level UX Designer (equivalent to 2-5 years of experience). This role is focused on execution and contributing to design solutions under guidance, with increasing autonomy.

Reporting Structure: You will report directly to a client-side design lead or manager within the financial services organization. You will also have a dotted line or point of contact within Blink UX for contractor support and professional development.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on the usability, satisfaction, and adoption of digital products within the financial services sector. Successful designs can lead to increased customer engagement, efficiency, and ultimately, revenue for the client.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Deepening: Opportunity to become an expert in UX design for financial services, a specialized and in-demand field.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain in-depth experience working with diverse teams (engineering, product, marketing, compliance) within a large financial institution.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Build a strong portfolio with high-impact projects for a major client, showcasing your ability to deliver within a complex industry.

• Potential for Extension/Future Roles: Successful performance in this embedded role can lead to contract extensions or future opportunities at Blink UX or within their client network.

• Mentorship: Access to design leadership within the client organization and potential peer support from other Blink UX embedded designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Embedded practice" nature of this role means career growth is tied to both Blink UX and the client. Growth here is less about climbing a traditional corporate ladder and more about deepening specialized skills, proving value in a client setting, and expanding one's professional network.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site position, requiring 5 days a week at the client's office location in Columbus, OH, Chicago, IL, or New York, NY. The specific office environment will be dictated by the client's workspace setup.

Office Location(s): Columbus, OH; Chicago, IL; New York, NY. (Note: The description also mentions NJ and DE, implying potential flexibility or related client sites).

Workspace Context:

• You will be working within a professional office environment, likely a corporate setting typical of financial services firms.

• Expect a collaborative atmosphere where interaction with team members is frequent and encouraged.

• Access to standard office technology, design tools, and potentially client-specific software will be provided.

• The environment will demand professionalism, adherence to client protocols, and a focus on delivering project requirements.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is approximately 40 hours per week. While generally adhering to business hours, flexibility may be required to meet project deadlines and client needs, especially during critical development phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" requirement is emphasized, along with the "5 days/week" commitment. The note about NJ and DE suggests the client might have multiple relevant locations or that the role's scope could extend to those areas, but the primary listed locations are the focus.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and alignment with the role requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation & Interview: Expect a session where you will present selected case studies from your portfolio, discussing your design process, rationale, and impact. This will likely be followed by behavioral and situational questions.

• Client Interview: You may have one or more interviews with the hiring manager and key stakeholders within the financial services client organization to assess fit, collaboration style, and specific domain knowledge.

• Reference Checks: Standard background and reference checks.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your experience in interaction design, data-driven decision-making, and cross-platform consistency, ideally with a financial services or complex domain context if available.

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, design, testing), the solutions you developed, and the impact/outcomes.

• Highlight Data & Iteration: Emphasize how you used data and user feedback to inform your design choices and how you iterated on solutions.

• Showcase Tools & Skills: Demonstrate proficiency with relevant tools (Figma, Sketch, Adobe Suite) and your understanding of IA, storyboarding, inclusive design, and accessibility.

• Be Prepared for Technical Questions: Anticipate questions about specific design decisions, challenges faced, and how you collaborate with developers and product managers.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready for potential design exercises or challenges, which might involve critiquing an existing interface, solving a specific UX problem, or outlining a design approach for a given scenario.

• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, especially when under time pressure.

• Prepare to discuss how you would approach understanding a new financial product or user segment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily involve portfolio review, as is standard for UX roles. The "Embedded practice" aspect means the client interview will be critical, focusing on how you integrate into their team and culture.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, XD). Proficiency in at least one of these is essential.

• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides).

• Project Management: Jira, Asana, Trello (or similar tools used by the client).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel) to understand user behavior and inform design.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary focus for UX Design, understanding the client's CRM (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation tools may be beneficial for context, especially if designing customer-facing financial products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core tools are design-specific. The mention of financial services suggests that understanding data from various sources to inform design is critical, hence the emphasis on analytics and data interpretation.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving user needs is paramount.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with diverse teams to achieve shared goals.

• Excellence & Craftsmanship: Striving for high-quality, polished, and effective design solutions.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Using insights from data and research to guide design choices.

• Inclusivity & Accessibility: Designing for everyone, ensuring products are usable by all individuals.

• Adaptability: Being flexible and responsive to feedback and changing project requirements.

Collaboration Style:

• Expect a highly collaborative environment. You will work closely with product managers to understand requirements, engineers to ensure feasibility, researchers to gather insights, and other designers to maintain consistency.

• Open communication, constructive feedback, and a proactive approach to problem-solving are key.

• The ability to clearly articulate design rationale and actively listen to feedback from various stakeholders is crucial.

📝 Enhancement Note: These values are synthesized from Blink UX's general philosophy and the typical requirements of a UX role within a corporate client environment, especially in a regulated industry like financial services.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex Financial Products: Understanding and designing for intricate financial services products, regulations, and user needs can be challenging.

• Client Integration: Adapting to a specific client's culture, processes, and existing design systems while working as an external contractor.

• Balancing Design Vision with Constraints: Finding innovative solutions that meet user needs while adhering to technical, business, and regulatory constraints.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring all stakeholders are aligned on design direction and implementation.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Domain Knowledge: Deepen your expertise in UX design specifically for the financial services industry.

• Client-Side Experience: Gain valuable experience working within a large, established corporate structure.

• Exposure to Advanced Design Practices: Learn from experienced designers and teams within the client organization.

• Networking: Build professional relationships with individuals at a major financial institution and within Blink UX.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are specific to the financial services domain and the nature of an embedded contract role. The growth opportunities focus on specialized skill development and gaining experience in a high-value industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a complex, regulated industry. What were the key challenges and how did you address them?" (Focus on your process, understanding of constraints, and user-advocacy.)

• "Walk us through a project where you used data or user research to significantly change your design direction. What was the data and what was the outcome?" (Highlight your data-driven approach and iterative capabilities.)

• "How do you ensure consistency in design across multiple platforms and products, especially when working with existing design systems?" (Discuss your approach to design systems, component libraries, and collaboration.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you specifically about working within the financial services industry as a UX designer?" (Show genuine curiosity and research into the sector.)

• "How do you approach collaborating with engineers and product managers who may have different priorities or perspectives?" (Emphasize communication, compromise, and finding common ground.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Impactful Projects: Choose 2-3 projects that best align with the requirements of this role (data-driven, cross-platform, complex domain).

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem statement, your specific role and contributions, the design process, key decisions and rationale, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Visual Storytelling: Use clear, high-quality visuals (wireframes, mockups, user flows) to illustrate your points.

• Emphasize Process Over Polish: While polished final designs are good, focus on showcasing your thought process, problem-solving skills, and how you iterated based on feedback and data.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices and challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview questions are tailored to the specific requirements of this UX role, emphasizing financial services, data-driven design, and collaboration.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on Lever.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating experience with complex digital products, data-informed design decisions, and cross-platform consistency. Prioritize case studies that show your iterative process and problem-solving skills.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 2-3+ years of UX design experience, specific tool proficiency (Figma, Sketch, Adobe Suite), and any relevant experience in financial services or similar regulated industries. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process, key project contributions, and how you handle collaboration and feedback. Be ready to present your portfolio with confidence.

• Research Blink UX and the Financial Services Sector: Understand Blink UX's approach to product design and demonstrate an awareness of the unique challenges and opportunities within financial services UX.

⚠️ 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.