UX Designer, Research and marketing

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer, Research and Marketing

Company: Desjardins

Location: Montréal, Canada (Hybrid)

Job Type: Full-time, Temporary (18 months)

Category: User Experience (UX) / Product Design Operations

Date Posted: April 24, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-level (4+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (Specific days in office may vary, but telework is supported with equipment reimbursement)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is critical for enhancing the digital member and client experience across Desjardins' virtual platforms, focusing on user journeys and overall experience within the digital ecosystem.

• The UX Designer will translate organizational goals, user needs, and technological capabilities into intuitive and effective user interfaces and interactions, requiring strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Responsibilities include designing mock-ups, user personas, functional specifications, and information architecture, ensuring seamless integration with product management and IT development teams.

• The position involves continuous improvement through experimentation, testing digital client behaviors, and staying abreast of industry trends in digital and user-focused design.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title includes "Research and Marketing," the core responsibilities and provided description heavily lean into UX/UI design, product development collaboration, and user experience strategy. The "marketing" aspect appears to be in service of understanding user behavior and platform performance, rather than traditional marketing campaign execution. Therefore, this role is categorized under UX/Product Design Operations, with a strong emphasis on user-centric product development.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and enrich the user experience for members and clients across various digital platforms, aligning with organizational goals and user needs.

• Develop comprehensive user journeys, personas, and detailed information architecture to guide product development and enhance platform usability.

• Design functional specifications, mock-ups, and wireframes for new features and improvements, ensuring a cohesive and intuitive user interface (UI).

• Conduct experiments and usability testing to analyze digital client behaviors, gather insights, and drive data-informed improvements to platform performance and user satisfaction.

• Stay current with digital design trends, user-focused design principles, and emerging technologies to identify opportunities for innovation and recommend best practices.

• Collaborate closely with UI designers, product managers, and IT development teams to foster co-creation, ensure alignment with business objectives, and facilitate the smooth delivery of user-centric solutions.

• Assist in defining business objectives and validating user needs through research and analysis to identify opportunities for enhancing the member and client experience.

• Present and explain user experience concepts and design decisions to diverse stakeholders, including those in different business fields, to ensure understanding and buy-in.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities described align with a mid-level UX Designer role, emphasizing the entire design lifecycle from research and ideation to implementation support and continuous improvement. The mention of "marketing" in the title is interpreted as contributing to user acquisition and retention through excellent user experience, rather than direct marketing campaign creation.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• A minimum of four (4) years of relevant professional experience in UX/UI design, product design, or a closely related field.

• Experience working within a financial institution or a large, complex organization is highly desirable.

Required Skills:

• User Experience (UX) Design: Proven ability to design intuitive and engaging user experiences for digital products and platforms.

• User Interface (UI) Design: Skill in creating visually appealing and user-friendly interfaces, including mock-ups and wireframes.

• Information Architecture: Expertise in structuring and organizing digital content and navigation for optimal user flow.

• User Research & Analysis: Ability to conduct user research, analyze data, and translate findings into actionable design improvements.

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and rationale clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Proficiency in French: Mandatory knowledge of French for effective communication within the Quebec-based organization and its user base.

Preferred Skills:

• Prototyping Tools: Proficiency with industry-standard UX/UI design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision).

• Agile/Scrum Methodologies: Experience working in an Agile development environment.

• Stakeholder Management: Ability to effectively collaborate and manage expectations with cross-functional teams and business partners.

• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to address complex design challenges.

• Innovation & Adaptability: A proactive mindset towards identifying opportunities for improvement and adapting to evolving project requirements and technological advancements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "4 years of relevant experience" combined with a Bachelor's degree suggests a mid-level to senior-mid-level UX Designer role. The emphasis on French proficiency is a critical requirement for this Canadian-based role. The "Complexity, Innovation, Interpersonal Savvy, Situational Adaptability" listed at the end of the description are soft skills that should be integrated into the required/preferred skills section.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: A portfolio showcasing at least 3-4 detailed case studies demonstrating the UX design process from problem definition to solution implementation and impact.

• Process Visualization: Clear documentation of your design process, including user research methodologies, ideation techniques, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing.

• Problem-Solution Framing: Each case study should clearly articulate the problem being solved, the user needs identified, your specific role and contributions, the design solutions proposed, and the outcomes achieved.

• Metrics & Impact: Evidence of how your designs have positively impacted key metrics such as user engagement, conversion rates, task completion success, or client satisfaction. Quantifiable results are highly valued.

Process Documentation:

• User-Centric Workflow: Showcase experience in establishing and iterating on user-centric design workflows that integrate seamlessly with development cycles.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Demonstrate how you document and communicate design decisions, user flows, and specifications to product managers, developers, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment and efficient execution.

• Iterative Design: Provide examples of how you document and manage iterative design processes, including feedback integration and A/B testing results.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Designer role, a strong portfolio is paramount. The emphasis here is on demonstrating a structured, user-centric design process and the measurable impact of their work, which is a common expectation for mid-level to senior UX professionals.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Competitive Salary: A strong base salary commensurate with experience.

• Annual Bonus: Performance-based annual bonus, reflecting company and individual achievements.

• Flexible Vacation: Generous vacation package starting at 4 weeks annually, with flexibility in usage.

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan: A secure, predictable retirement income through Desjardins' established pension plan.

• Comprehensive Group Insurance: Includes health, dental, and vision coverage, with the added benefit of telemedicine services.

• Health & Wellness Reimbursement: Annual reimbursement for eligible health and wellness expenses.

• Telework Equipment Reimbursement: Support for setting up an effective home office environment.

Working Hours:

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

• The hybrid work arrangement offers flexibility, allowing for a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work. Specific in-office days may be determined by team needs and project requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical compensation for UX Designers in the Montréal area with 4+ years of experience, considering the financial services industry. The provided benefits are directly extracted from the job posting.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Cooperative)

Company Size: Large (Desjardins is one of Canada's largest financial institutions, employing tens of thousands of people). This size offers stability, extensive resources, and opportunities for large-scale impact.

Founded: 1900 (Founded by Alphonse Desjardins, emphasizing community, cooperation, and member-centricity). This long history imbues a strong sense of purpose and commitment to its members and communities.

Team Structure:

• Operations Integration: This UX Designer will likely be part of a broader Product Development, Digital Innovation, or Marketing department, working within cross-functional teams.

• Reporting: The role will report to a UX Lead, Product Manager, or a Director within a digital strategy or product development division.

• Collaboration: Expect close collaboration with UI designers, product managers, business analysts, IT developers, marketing specialists, and other subject matter experts across various business lines.

Methodology:

• User-Centric Design: A core methodology focused on understanding user needs and behaviors to inform design decisions.

• Agile Development: Likely to operate within Agile frameworks (Scrum/Kanban) to facilitate iterative development, rapid feedback, and continuous improvement.

• Data-Informed Decisions: Emphasis on using research, analytics, and A/B testing to validate design hypotheses and measure impact.

• Co-creation & Design Thinking: The description highlights co-creation with development teams, suggesting a collaborative approach that leverages design thinking principles.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Desjardins' cooperative model and long history suggest a culture that values member well-being, community impact, and long-term relationships, which can translate into a design philosophy prioritizing trust, accessibility, and member value.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a mid-level UX Designer position. It requires independent contribution and the ability to manage significant design tasks and projects, but also offers opportunities for mentorship from senior designers and leads.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will likely report to a Senior UX Designer, a UX Manager, or a Product Management lead, working within a team that bridges design, product, and technology.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on the member and client experience, influencing engagement, satisfaction, and potentially the adoption of digital services. This directly supports Desjardins' strategic goals in digital transformation and member retention.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior UX Designer / UX Lead: Progression to a senior individual contributor role with increased responsibility for complex projects, mentorship of junior designers, and strategic input.

• Specialization: Opportunity to specialize in areas like user research, interaction design, or accessibility.

• Product Management: A potential career path into product management, leveraging deep understanding of user needs and product development.

• Leadership (Management Track): With proven performance and further development, opportunities may arise to move into management roles overseeing UX teams.

• Continuous Learning: Access to internal training, industry conferences, and workshops to stay updated on UX trends and technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The temporary nature of the position (18 months) suggests it might be for a specific project or to cover a leave. However, for successful candidates, there's often potential for conversion to a permanent role or opportunities on other ongoing projects within Desjardins, given its size and continuous digital initiatives.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model. Desjardins offers a blend of in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility. The office in Montréal (450, boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest) is a modern professional environment.

Office Location(s): Primary location is Montréal, Quebec, Canada. Lévis, Quebec, is also listed as a potential location.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment likely includes collaborative spaces designed for team meetings, workshops, and brainstorming sessions, essential for co-creation in UX.

• Technology Access: Access to standard office technology and potentially specialized design software and hardware necessary for UX work.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with design, product, and development teams, fostering a shared understanding and efficient workflow.

Work Schedule:

• The standard 40-hour work week provides structure, while the hybrid arrangement offers flexibility to manage personal needs and optimize productivity by choosing work locations. This flexibility is crucial for deep work sessions and collaborative sprints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model aligns with modern work expectations and is particularly beneficial for UX roles that require both focused individual work (often better done remotely) and collaborative sessions (ideal in-office).

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and portfolios. Candidates with strong communication skills in French and relevant experience will be shortlisted.

• Technical Interview / Portfolio Review: Expect a session where you present your portfolio, detailing your design process, problem-solving approach, and project outcomes. Be prepared to discuss specific case studies in depth.

• Skills-Based Assessment: May include a design challenge or a hypothetical problem-solving exercise to assess your analytical and design thinking skills.

• Behavioral Interview: Questions will assess your fit with Desjardins' culture, teamwork, adaptability, and how you handle complex situations. Questions related to innovation and interpersonal savvy will be key.

• Final Interview: Likely with a senior leader or department head to discuss strategic alignment and confirm fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-4 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your end-to-end UX process.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process, the solutions, and the measurable impact. Use visuals (wireframes, mock-ups, user flows) to support your narrative.

• Highlight Collaboration: Emphasize how you collaborated with cross-functional teams (developers, PMs, researchers) and incorporated their feedback.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., "Increased conversion by X%", "Reduced task completion time by Y%").

• Tailor to Desjardins: If possible, frame your work in the context of financial services or large organizations, highlighting how your skills can benefit Desjardins' members.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, ensure you fully understand the problem statement, target audience, and business objectives.

• Process Over Perfection: Focus on demonstrating your thought process, research approach, and iterative design strategy, rather than delivering a perfectly polished final UI.

• Communicate Assumptions: Clearly state any assumptions you make and justify your design decisions based on them.

• Time Management: Be mindful of the time allotted and prioritize key aspects of the design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio review and potential design challenge is standard for UX roles. Candidates should prepare to articulate their process and demonstrate their problem-solving capabilities in detail.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable, industry standard), Sketch, Adobe XD.

• Wireframing Tools: Balsamiq, Miro, or integrated features within Figma/Sketch.

• Collaboration & Whiteboarding: Miro, Mural, Confluence.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics (or similar enterprise-level tools).

• User Feedback Tools: SurveyMonkey, Typeform, dedicated user feedback platforms.

• A/B Testing Platforms: Optimizely, VWO, or in-house A/B testing frameworks.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managed by UX, understanding of CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms can provide context for user journeys and data integration points.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in modern design and prototyping tools like Figma is almost certainly expected. Familiarity with analytics and A/B testing tools is crucial for demonstrating the impact of UX work.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Member-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of Desjardins' members and clients is paramount.

• Cooperation & Mutual Support: Reflecting the cooperative model, teamwork, mutual assistance, and shared success are likely core values.

• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Encouraging new ideas, embracing change, and constantly seeking ways to enhance user experiences and operational efficiency.

• Integrity & Responsibility: Upholding high ethical standards and taking ownership of design decisions and their impact.

• Diversity & Inclusion: Desjardins actively promotes a workplace that values diversity and inclusion, ensuring all voices are heard and respected.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Partnership: Expect a highly collaborative environment where UX designers work closely with product managers, developers, researchers, and marketing teams to achieve shared goals.

• Open Communication: A culture that encourages open feedback, constructive criticism, and transparent communication regarding design decisions and project progress.

• Agile Mindset: Embracing iterative development, flexibility, and a willingness to adapt designs based on feedback and evolving requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Desjardins' cooperative structure and commitment to diversity and inclusion suggest a workplace that prioritizes people, collaboration, and ethical practices, which should resonate with candidates looking for a purpose-driven role.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Objectives: Effectively translating diverse member needs and complex business requirements into cohesive and feasible design solutions.

• Navigating a Large Organization: Working within a large, established financial institution may involve navigating complex stakeholder landscapes, legacy systems, and established processes.

• Measuring Impact in a Temp Role: Demonstrating significant, measurable impact within an 18-month temporary contract requires focus and efficient execution.

• Staying Ahead of Digital Trends: Continuously adapting to rapidly evolving digital technologies and user expectations in the competitive financial services landscape.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX Techniques: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas such as advanced user research, accessibility design (WCAG compliance), or service design.

• Industry Exposure: Gain valuable experience within a leading Canadian financial cooperative, understanding the unique UX challenges and opportunities in this sector.

• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Enhance skills in product management, agile methodologies, and stakeholder communication through close collaboration.

• Potential for Permanent Role: Successful performance in this temporary role could lead to opportunities for permanent positions within Desjardins' extensive digital and product teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The temporary nature of the role presents both a challenge and an opportunity. It requires immediate impact and efficient work, but also offers a chance to gain significant experience and potentially secure a permanent role in a stable organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex UX problem you solved and your approach." Prepare a case study that details the problem, your user research, design iterations, and the final solution's impact. Focus on your thought process and how you navigated constraints.

• "How do you balance user needs with business goals and technical limitations?" Be ready to discuss trade-offs, prioritization strategies, and how you advocate for the user while respecting project constraints.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in Desjardins and the financial services industry?" Research Desjardins' mission, values, and recent initiatives. Connect your passion for UX with their member-centric approach.

• "How do you contribute to a diverse and inclusive team environment?" Be prepared to discuss your understanding of DEI and how you actively promote it in your work and collaborations.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with an overview of your design philosophy, then dive into 2-3 detailed case studies.

• Narrative: Frame each case study as a story: The Challenge -> Your Approach (Research, Ideation, Design) -> The Solution -> The Outcome/Impact.

• Visuals: Use high-quality visuals (user flows, wireframes, mockups, prototypes) to illustrate your points.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time; aim for clear, impactful explanations rather than exhaustive detail. Practice your delivery to be articulate and engaging.

• Q&A: Anticipate questions about your specific contributions, design decisions, and how you would approach similar problems at Desjardins.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing specific examples and practicing the articulation of your design process are crucial for success in UX interviews. Tailoring your answers to Desjardins' values and industry context will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Desjardins careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and portfolio are up-to-date and highlight your experience in user journeys, information architecture, mock-ups, and user research, with a focus on quantifiable results.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to include keywords from the job description such as "UX Designer," "User Experience," "Information Architecture," "Functional Specifications," "Digital Design," and "French proficiency."

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio with a clear narrative and be ready to discuss your design process, problem-solving skills, and collaborative approach. Prepare specific examples related to financial services or complex digital platforms if possible.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Desjardins' mission, values, cooperative model, and recent digital initiatives to demonstrate your genuine 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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