UX Designer, ISG Research

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer, ISG Research

Company: Morgan Stanley

Location: Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-01-08

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and develop intuitive user experiences for Morgan Stanley's ISG Research platform, impacting a global user base of analysts, internal business units, and institutional clients.

• Drive the end-to-end product design process, from user research and ideation to wireframing, prototyping, and final UI design, ensuring alignment with business goals and user needs.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Domain Leads, Product Owners, and Engineers, to deliver seamless and innovative digital products within a complex financial ecosystem.

• Champion user-centered design principles and advocate for accessibility standards (WCAG ADA compliance) throughout the design lifecycle, ensuring all users can effectively engage with the platform.

• Leverage qualitative and quantitative data to inform design decisions, measure the impact of changes, and foster a data-driven approach to product development and optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within Morgan Stanley's Wealth Management (WM) Platforms division, specifically focusing on the ISG Research business. The core function is to enhance the digital experience for users interacting with research content and authoring tools. The emphasis on "ISG Research" indicates a specialization in financial market analysis and insights, requiring a designer to understand complex data, content, and analytical tools. The hybrid work arrangement suggests a need for strong communication and collaboration skills, both in-person and remotely.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Partner with Domain Leads and Product Owners to conceptualize and execute cohesive user experiences across diverse research products, from content consumption to advanced data analysis tools.

• Conduct user research, including qualitative and quantitative data synthesis, to deeply understand the needs, motivations, and pain points of research content consumers and authors.

• Develop comprehensive design solutions for content-focused experiences, including research articles, reports, and the authoring tools used to create them, with a focus on both traditional and AI-enabled functionalities.

• Create and present a range of design deliverables such as user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups, effectively communicating design rationale and solutions to stakeholders.

• Design responsive and adaptive user interfaces optimized for web and mobile platforms, ensuring a consistent and accessible user experience across all devices.

• Collaborate closely with engineering teams to ensure accurate implementation of designs and to iterate based on technical feasibility and user feedback.

• Champion a data-driven decision-making process by defining metrics, conducting user testing, and measuring the impact of design changes on user engagement and business objectives.

• Contribute to the broader Wealth Management UX team by sharing best practices, aligning on design patterns, and promoting a cohesive design-centric culture firm-wide.

• Ensure all design deliverables meet or exceed WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance standards.

• Proactively identify opportunities for design innovation and process improvement within the ISG Research domain and the wider WM Platforms division.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer adept at handling complex information architecture and content-heavy applications within the financial services sector. The mention of "content authoring tools, data analysis tools, with and without AI enablement" indicates a requirement for designing sophisticated interfaces that support professional users in their analytical workflows. The expectation to "seek to learn about the business domain and users" emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and domain expertise development.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Design (e.g., Interaction Design, Graphic Design, Human-Computer Interaction), Computer Science, or a related field is preferred.

Experience:

• 3-5 years of professional experience as a UX Designer, with a proven track record of contributing to the successful launch of digital products.

Required Skills:

• Outstanding Portfolio: A robust portfolio showcasing end-to-end design process, demonstrating problem-solving skills, user-centered design methodologies, and successful product launches. Portfolios should be submitted via Figma link or PDF.

• Figma Proficiency: Excellent command of Figma for wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity design, including its collaboration and component features.

• User-Centered Design: Deep understanding and practical application of user-centered design principles, design thinking methodologies, and user research techniques.

• Interaction Design: Ability to translate complex user needs and business requirements into intuitive, efficient, and elegant user interfaces and workflows.

• Prototyping & Wireframing: Skilled in creating low-fidelity wireframes and high-fidelity interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts and validate user flows.

• Data Analysis & Synthesis: Ability to interpret qualitative and quantitative data from user research, analytics, and business metrics to inform design decisions.

• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present design solutions confidently and articulate design rationale to diverse audiences, including technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Responsive & Adaptive Design: Experience designing for multiple platforms and screen sizes (web, mobile), ensuring optimal user experiences across devices.

Preferred Skills:

• WCAG/ADA Compliance: Demonstrated understanding and experience in designing accessible interfaces according to established standards.

• Content Design: Experience designing for content-rich platforms and understanding the nuances of information architecture for research and analytical content.

• AI/ML Integration: Familiarity with designing user experiences for AI-enabled tools or features within a professional context.

• Agile Development: Experience working within Agile/Scrum development methodologies.

• Visual Design: Strong aesthetic sensibility and ability to create visually appealing and consistent user interfaces.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on an "outstanding portfolio" is critical for this role. Candidates should prepare to showcase projects that clearly articulate the problem, their design process, the solutions implemented, and the measurable impact of their work. The requirement for Figma proficiency is specific and essential. The mention of "complex projects with high levels of ambiguity" suggests that candidates who are comfortable navigating uncertainty and driving clarity will be highly valued.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• End-to-End Case Studies: Detailed presentations of 2-3 projects that illustrate the complete design lifecycle, from initial problem definition and user research to final design implementation and post-launch analysis.

• Problem-Solution Articulation: Clearly define the business problem and user needs addressed in each project, and articulate how your design solutions directly resolved these issues.

• Process Documentation: Showcase your design process, including user research methodologies (e.g., interviews, surveys, usability testing), ideation techniques (e.g., brainstorming, sketching), and iterative design methods (e.g., wireframing, prototyping, A/B testing).

• Metrics and Impact: Quantify the success of your designs whenever possible, using metrics related to user engagement, task completion rates, conversion improvements, or efficiency gains. Demonstrate how your designs contributed to business goals.

• Tool Proficiency Examples: Include examples of your work created in Figma, demonstrating your mastery of its features for creating interactive prototypes and high-fidelity designs.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Present examples of how you have mapped and optimized user workflows for complex applications, focusing on efficiency and intuitive navigation.

• System Integration Awareness: Where applicable, illustrate how your designs considered integration with existing systems or data sources, ensuring a cohesive user experience.

• Accessibility Standards: Provide evidence of how you have incorporated WCAG/ADA compliance into your design process and deliverables.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is explicitly stated as required. Candidates should select projects that best represent their ability to handle complex financial data and content, demonstrate their user-centered approach, and showcase their proficiency with Figma. The ability to articulate the "why" behind design decisions and the measurable impact of those decisions will be key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated annual salary range for a UX Designer with 3-5 years of experience in Glasgow, UK, falls between £45,000 and £65,000 GBP.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement Savings Plan: Access to a pension scheme with potential employer contributions.

• Generous Paid Time Off: Vacation days, sick leave, and public holidays.

• Life and Disability Insurance: Protection for employees and their families.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, conferences, and certifications to enhance skills.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services.

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Hybrid work model promoting work-life balance.

• Potential for Bonuses: Performance-based bonuses may be offered.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are typically 40 hours per week.

• Morgan Stanley offers a hybrid work arrangement, allowing for a blend of in-office and remote work, providing flexibility in managing work schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary ranges for UX Designers in Glasgow can vary based on specific skills, portfolio strength, and the exact nature of the financial products supported. The stated range is a benchmark; actual compensation will be determined by Morgan Stanley's internal compensation structure and the candidate's qualifications. The mention of "Certified Persons Regulatory Requirements" may indicate additional compliance or qualification needs for certain roles within the firm.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Investment Banking, Wealth Management, Research)

Company Size: Large (Over 10,000 employees)

Founded: 1935

Company Description: Morgan Stanley is a leading global financial services firm providing a wide range of investment banking, securities, wealth management, and investment management services. It operates through three main business segments: Institutional Securities, Wealth Management, and Investment Management.

Company Specialties: Investment Banking, Wealth Management, Financial Advisory, Equity Research, Fixed Income, Asset Management, Trading, Capital Markets.

Team Structure:

• The UX Design & Research team is part of the larger Wealth Management (WM) Platforms division.

• This division is structured into multiple sub-teams, including Field Experience & Platforms, Digital Client Experience & Platforms, Automation & Workflow Solutions, Digital Trading & Investing, UX Design & Research, Strategy & Execution, Business Control & Support, and the Chief Operating Office.

• The ISG Research UX team specifically supports the Morgan Stanley Research business, collaborating closely with analysts, economists, strategists, and product management.

Methodology:

• Design Thinking: The team employs design thinking methods and user-centered approaches to solve complex business problems.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Emphasis on leveraging both qualitative and quantitative data to inform design choices and measure impact.

• Holistic Design: Focus on creating integrated experiences within a large and complex product ecosystem.

• Agile Development: Likely to operate within an Agile framework, facilitating iterative development and collaboration with engineering.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Morgan Stanley's culture emphasizes excellence, client focus, and integrity. For a UX Designer, this translates to a demanding but rewarding environment where innovation is encouraged within a highly regulated industry. The scale of the company means designers must be adept at navigating complexity and collaborating across large, distributed teams.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level Individual Contributor (UX Designer)

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will likely report to a UX Lead or Director within the Wealth Management Platforms division. They will work closely with Product Owners and Domain Leads on specific projects.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on how clients, analysts, and internal users interact with Morgan Stanley's research content and tools. By creating intuitive and efficient user experiences, the designer contributes to:

• Client Satisfaction: Enhancing the experience for institutional clients who rely on research for investment decisions.

• Advisor Productivity: Providing tools that help financial advisors leverage research effectively for their clients.

• Internal Efficiency: Streamlining workflows for research analysts and internal business units.

• Revenue Generation: Driving adoption and engagement with research products, which can lead to increased client retention and acquisition.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in financial services UX, research platforms, AI-driven design, or accessibility.

• Leadership Development: Progress to Senior UX Designer, Lead UX Designer, or UX Manager roles, mentoring junior designers and leading larger initiatives.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Opportunity to move into Product Management, Design Strategy, or related roles within Wealth Management or other divisions of Morgan Stanley.

• Continuous Learning: Access to Morgan Stanley's extensive learning and development resources, industry conferences, and potential for certifications.

• Design System Contribution: Play a key role in evolving and maintaining the firm's design system, ensuring consistency and efficiency across products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth within a large, established financial institution. The emphasis on hybrid work and a large product ecosystem suggests opportunities to develop skills in remote collaboration and designing for complex, integrated systems.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Corporate office environment, with a hybrid work model.

Office Location(s): Primarily based in Glasgow, Scotland, with potential for occasional travel to other Morgan Stanley offices.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office is likely equipped with meeting rooms, brainstorming areas, and open-plan workspaces designed to foster collaboration among design, product, and engineering teams.

• Technology Stack: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma), collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams), and internal Morgan Stanley systems.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for in-person collaboration with local team members and remote interaction with global colleagues through video conferencing and digital collaboration platforms.

• Professional Atmosphere: Morgan Stanley maintains a professional and results-oriented work environment, with a focus on delivering high-quality solutions.

Work Schedule:

• Standard business hours with flexibility inherent in the hybrid model. Employees are expected to manage their time effectively to meet project deadlines and team needs, balancing remote and in-office days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role requires excellent self-management and communication skills. Candidates should be comfortable working both independently and as part of a distributed team, utilizing digital tools to stay connected and productive.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will review your application, focusing on your resume and portfolio link.

• Portfolio Review & Initial Interview: A hiring manager or senior designer will assess your portfolio for relevant experience, design process, and problem-solving skills. This will likely be followed by an initial interview to discuss your background and interest.

• Design Challenge/Case Study: You may be given a design challenge or asked to present a detailed case study from your portfolio, demonstrating your approach to a specific problem. This assesses your ability to think critically, articulate your process, and present solutions effectively.

• Team Interviews: Interviews with other UX designers, Product Owners, and potentially engineers or stakeholders to evaluate your technical skills, collaborative abilities, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: A discussion with senior leadership to finalize the decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 2-3 of your strongest projects that best showcase your skills relevant to financial research platforms and complex data/content design.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process (research, ideation, design, testing), the solution, and the measurable outcomes. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Figma Work: Ensure your portfolio prominently features examples of your work created in Figma, demonstrating your proficiency in creating interactive prototypes and detailed UI designs.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, include data and metrics that demonstrate the positive impact of your design solutions on users and business goals.

• Accessibility Focus: If possible, highlight projects where you actively considered and implemented accessibility standards (WCAG/ADA).

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Research Morgan Stanley, its ISG Research business, and the general landscape of financial research platforms. Understand the needs of analysts, advisors, and institutional clients.

• Practice Problem-Solving: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach ambiguous problems and tackle complex design challenges, particularly those involving data visualization, content organization, and professional tools.

• Articulate Your Process: Practice explaining your design process clearly and concisely, focusing on your decision-making rationale and how you incorporate user feedback and data.

• Stakeholder Communication: Prepare to discuss how you would communicate with and manage expectations of various stakeholders, including product managers, engineers, and business leaders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio and case study presentation is paramount. Candidates should treat this as a critical part of their application and interview preparation, ensuring they can clearly articulate their design thinking and its impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for all stages of design, including wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and collaboration. Candidates must demonstrate strong proficiency.

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator): May be used for asset creation or specific visual design tasks.

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, experience with tools like InVision, Sketch, or Axure might be beneficial for specific project needs.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Pendo, or similar platforms for tracking user behavior and measuring design impact.

• Data Visualization Tools: Experience with tools that help in understanding and presenting data, such as Tableau or Power BI, could be advantageous for analyzing user data or presenting research insights.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: While not a direct requirement for UX design, an understanding of how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) integrate with user-facing platforms can be helpful contextually.

• Project Management & Collaboration Tools: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Microsoft Teams, Slack for workflow management, documentation, and team communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is highlighted as a core requirement. Proficiency in this tool is non-negotiable. Familiarity with data analytics tools will be crucial for fulfilling the responsibility of measuring design impact.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Client First: A commitment to understanding and serving the needs of Morgan Stanley's clients, including institutional investors and financial advisors.

• Do the Right Thing: Upholding ethical standards and integrity in all design and business decisions.

• Lead with Exceptional Ideas: Encouraging innovation, creativity, and the pursuit of groundbreaking solutions.

• Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: Fostering an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued and contribute to better outcomes.

• Giving Back: Engaging with and contributing positively to the communities in which Morgan Stanley operates.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasizing the use of data to inform design choices, validate hypotheses, and measure success.

• Collaboration and Teamwork: Working effectively across different teams and disciplines to achieve shared goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The UX team works closely with Product Management, Engineering, Research Analysts, and Business Strategy teams.

• Design Critiques and Reviews: Regular participation in design critiques and feedback sessions to foster continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.

• Open Communication: Encouraging open dialogue and active listening to ensure all voices are heard and considered.

• Agile Collaboration: Working in an agile environment requires close, iterative collaboration with development teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Morgan Stanley's core values are deeply embedded in its culture. For a UX Designer, this translates to a responsibility to design ethically, prioritize client needs, and contribute to an inclusive and innovative environment. The collaborative style emphasizes cross-functional teamwork and open communication.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complexity: Designing for a large, established global financial institution with complex product ecosystems and legacy systems presents significant challenges in terms of integration and user experience consistency.

• Ambiguity and Evolving Needs: The financial markets and regulatory landscape are constantly changing, requiring designers to adapt quickly to new requirements and handle projects with high levels of ambiguity.

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Effectively translating diverse user needs (analysts, institutional clients, internal teams) into actionable design solutions that also meet stringent business objectives and regulatory requirements.

• AI Integration: Designing intuitive and trustworthy user experiences for emerging AI-enabled tools within a sensitive financial context.

• Remote Collaboration: Ensuring effective communication, collaboration, and design alignment within a hybrid work model across different time zones and teams.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Access to courses and workshops on financial markets, data visualization, advanced UX research methodologies, and AI in design.

• Industry Engagement: Opportunities to attend relevant industry conferences and events to stay abreast of UX trends and financial technology advancements.

• Mentorship Programs: Potential to be mentored by senior designers or leaders within Morgan Stanley, fostering career growth.

• Design System Contribution: Opportunities to contribute to and influence the firm's global design system, enhancing consistency and efficiency.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Gaining exposure to different facets of the financial services industry and various product domains.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical of large, complex organizations, particularly in regulated industries. The growth opportunities are significant, offering a path for deep specialization or broader career development within the firm.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a complex data set or content-heavy application. What was your process, and what were the key challenges?" (Focus on information architecture, data visualization, and content strategy.)

• "How would you approach designing a new feature for a research platform that incorporates AI-generated insights? What are the key considerations for user trust and adoption?" (Assess understanding of AI UX and ethical design.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Morgan Stanley and specifically the ISG Research UX team?" (Demonstrate research into the company and the role.)

• "How do you approach collaborating with product managers and engineers, especially in a hybrid work environment?" (Assess teamwork and communication skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the impact. Use a consistent structure.

• Showcase Figma Work: Be prepared to share your Figma files or interactive prototypes and explain your design choices within the tool.

• Quantify Results: Be ready to discuss metrics and demonstrate how your designs achieved specific business or user outcomes.

• Articulate Your 'Why': For every design decision, be able to explain the rationale behind it, referencing user research, best practices, or business objectives.

• Be Ready for Questions: Anticipate questions about your process, challenges faced, and alternative solutions you considered.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a strong understanding of the design process, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to articulate design decisions clearly. The emphasis on Figma and portfolio presentation means candidates should be thoroughly prepared in these areas.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Morgan Stanley careers portal.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most relevant projects showcasing end-to-end UX design, Figma proficiency, and ideally, experience with complex data or content. Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible via a link.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience in UX design, user research, wireframing, prototyping, Figma, and any relevant financial services or complex application design. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Case Study Presentation: Practice walking through your chosen portfolio projects, focusing on problem definition, your process, solutions, and measurable impact. Be ready to discuss your Figma work in detail.

• Research Morgan Stanley: Understand the company's values, its ISG Research business, and the broader Wealth Management division to articulate your interest and cultural fit.

⚠️ 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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