UX Lead Cenco Malls

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Lead Cenco Malls

Company: Cencosud

Location: Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience (UX) / Product Design Leadership

Date Posted: April 01, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategy and execution of user experience (UX) initiatives for Cenco Malls' digital products.

• Drive innovation through user-centered design, research, and experimentation to deliver impactful business solutions.

• Oversee the end-to-end design process, from discovery and validation to interface design and implementation.

• Manage and develop a UX team, fostering best practices and the effective use of design systems.

• Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure user needs are integrated into product development and business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a leadership position within the User Experience domain, specifically for Cenco Malls, a division of Cencosud. The emphasis is on strategic leadership, team management, and driving business impact through user-centric design and innovation in digital products. The role requires a blend of hands-on design expertise and strategic vision.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead qualitative and quantitative user research initiatives, translating findings into actionable insights for product development.

• Define and execute the overarching UX strategy for innovation projects and digital product roadmaps.

• Design and validate comprehensive end-to-end user experiences, including user flows, information architecture, and interface designs.

• Mentor, guide, and develop the UX team, promoting a culture of design excellence and efficient utilization of the design system.

• Foster strong collaborative relationships with Product, Technology, Commercial, Marketing, and Data teams to ensure aligned, data-driven decision-making.

• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure and continuously optimize user experience through ongoing experimentation.

• Integrate UX considerations early in the project lifecycle to mitigate risks and ensure feasibility and alignment with business goals.

• Promote a user-centric and data-driven culture across the organization, advocating for the user's perspective in all digital product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities highlight a strategic and leadership-oriented approach to UX. Emphasis is placed on research, strategy definition, end-to-end design ownership, team leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and performance measurement through KPIs and experimentation. The inclusion of "reducing uncertainty in innovation initiatives" points to a proactive and risk-mitigation aspect of the role, common in leading innovation teams.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Design, Psychology, Engineering, or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience in UX/UI design or digital product design.

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in a leadership capacity, managing UX teams or leading significant UX projects.

• Proven experience with user research methodologies, including user recruitment, qualitative testing, and quantitative validation.

Required Skills:

• User Experience (UX) Strategy: Ability to define and drive UX vision and strategy for digital products.

• User Research & Insights: Expertise in conducting and synthesizing qualitative and quantitative research to generate actionable user insights.

• End-to-End Design: Proficient in designing user flows, information architecture, wireframes, prototypes, and final UI designs.

• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Proven ability to lead, inspire, and develop a team of UX professionals.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Skill in working effectively with Product, Engineering, Marketing, and Business stakeholders.

• Design Thinking & Agile Methodologies: Deep understanding and practical application of these frameworks in product development.

• Figma & Miro: Advanced proficiency in industry-standard design and collaboration tools.

• Digital Analytics: Experience with tools and techniques for measuring digital product performance and user behavior.

• Innovation & Experimentation: Ability to drive innovation and leverage experimentation (e.g., A/B testing) to optimize user experience.

Preferred Skills:

• AI in Design: Experience utilizing Artificial Intelligence tools for design and research acceleration.

• Design Systems: Proficiency in creating, implementing, and managing design systems.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Strong ability to influence decisions with data and user insights.

• Product Management Acumen: Understanding of product management principles and how UX contributes to product success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a senior-level UX professional with strong leadership, strategic thinking, and hands-on design capabilities. The explicit mention of AI tools for design and research suggests a forward-thinking approach to the role. The combination of research, design, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration skills is critical for a UX Lead.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end UX design processes for at least 3-5 distinct digital products or significant feature implementations.

• Clearly articulate the user problem, research methodology, design solutions, iteration process, and final outcomes for each case study.

• Demonstrate proficiency in user research, including methods used for discovery, validation, and usability testing.

• Highlight experience in collaborating with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering) and stakeholders throughout the design lifecycle.

Process Documentation:

• Provide evidence of structured UX processes, including workflow diagrams, research plans, and design documentation.

• Showcase how Design Thinking, Lean UX, or Agile principles were applied to structure and execute design projects.

• Illustrate how design systems were leveraged for consistency and efficiency in design and development.

• Include examples of how user feedback loops were established and maintained for continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Lead role, the portfolio should not only demonstrate design skills but also strategic thinking, leadership, and process management. Candidates are expected to showcase their ability to guide a team through a structured design process and deliver measurable business outcomes. The emphasis on collaboration and data integration is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on industry benchmarks for a UX Lead role in Santiago, Chile, with 6+ years of experience and 2+ years in leadership, the estimated annual salary range is CLP $30,000,000 - CLP $55,000,000. This estimate considers the cost of living in Santiago, the company's industry (retail/shopping centers), and the seniority of the position.

Benefits:

• Indefinite Contract: Offers long-term job security and stability.

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical coverage for employees and potentially dependents.

• Life Insurance: Financial protection for employees and their families.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, certifications, and attendance at industry conferences relevant to UX, innovation, and leadership.

• Employee Discounts: Potential discounts on Cencosud products and services across its various business units.

• Performance Bonuses: Possible annual bonuses tied to individual and company performance.

• Transportation/Food Vouchers: Common benefits in Chile to offset commuting and meal expenses.

• Flexible Work Arrangements: While this role is on-site, there might be some flexibility in working hours or occasional remote work options depending on team policy.

Working Hours:

The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, typically from Monday to Friday, aligning with business needs and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on publicly available data for similar roles in the Chilean market and adjusted for the specified experience level and leadership responsibilities. Benefits are inferred based on common offerings for full-time positions in large Chilean corporations like Cencosud.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Retail, Shopping Centers, Financial Services, Home Improvement. Cencosud is a diversified multinational retail conglomerate operating across several sectors, with Cenco Malls being a significant part of its Shopping Centers division. This broad industry scope means the UX Lead will impact a wide range of customer interactions.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (Cencosud is a major multinational corporation). This implies a structured environment with established processes, but also potential for significant impact and scale.

Founded: 1978. With decades of history, Cencosud has a strong market presence and established brand recognition, providing a stable foundation for innovation.

Team Structure:

• The UX Lead will likely manage a team of UX/UI designers, researchers, and potentially UX writers within the Cenco Malls digital division.

• This team will report to a higher-level Product or Digital Innovation leader.

Methodology:

• The company emphasizes data-driven decision-making, integrating user research with analytics to inform product strategy.

• Agile and Lean UX methodologies are likely core to the product development process, requiring flexibility and iterative design approaches.

• A focus on innovation is evident, with the role tasked to drive new solutions and reduce uncertainty in new initiatives.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Cencosud's diversified nature offers a broad context for UX impact. The "Large Enterprise" classification suggests a formal organizational structure and a need for strong stakeholder management skills. The emphasis on data and agile methodologies aligns with modern digital product development practices.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior leadership position within the UX discipline, often referred to as a "Principal UX Designer," "UX Manager," or "UX Lead." It requires not only deep expertise in UX principles and practices but also the ability to strategically guide product direction and manage a team.

Reporting Structure: The UX Lead is expected to report to a Director or VP of Product, Digital Innovation, or a similar senior executive role within the Cenco Malls or broader Cencosud digital organization. They will lead a team of individual contributors.

Operations Impact: The UX Lead's impact is directly tied to improving customer experience across Cenco Malls' digital platforms, which can translate to increased customer engagement, loyalty, conversion rates, and ultimately, revenue. By integrating UX early and effectively, they help reduce development risks and ensure products meet genuine user needs, contributing to the overall success of Cencosud's digital transformation efforts.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership: Progress to a Head of UX/Product Design role, overseeing multiple business units or a larger digital portfolio.

• Specialization: Develop deep expertise in a specific area, such as UX research leadership, service design, or AI-driven UX.

• Cross-functional Advancement: Transition into Product Management or Digital Strategy roles by leveraging a strong understanding of user needs and business objectives.

• Global Opportunities: With Cencosud's multinational presence, opportunities may arise in other regions or business units.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis frames the UX Lead role as a significant step in a UX career, offering both vertical growth within UX leadership and horizontal opportunities into broader product and strategy roles. The multinational nature of Cencosud is highlighted as a potential avenue for diverse career experiences.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at Costanera Center in Santiago, a prominent commercial hub. This suggests a modern office environment with significant amenities.

Office Location(s): Costanera Center, Santiago, Chile. This location is a major business and retail center, offering excellent accessibility and a dynamic work atmosphere.

Workspace Context:

• The environment is likely to be collaborative, with designers, product managers, and engineers working in close proximity.

• Access to modern UX tools, collaboration platforms (Miro, Figma), and potentially dedicated research facilities or spaces.

Work Schedule:

The on-site nature of the role implies a standard 5-day work week. While specific hours may vary, the expectation is full-time presence, with potential for some flexibility in start/end times depending on team norms and project demands. The focus is on delivering results and participating actively in team collaborations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mention of Costanera Center implies a high-visibility, central location within Santiago, suggesting a professional and potentially vibrant office setting conducive to collaboration. The on-site requirement underscores the importance of in-person teamwork and mentorship.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

2. Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion with the hiring manager (likely a Director of Product/Digital) focusing on leadership experience, strategic thinking, past projects, and team management approach.

3. Portfolio Presentation & Case Study: A critical stage where the candidate presents 1-2 key projects from their portfolio. This will involve detailing the problem, their role, the process, solutions, outcomes, and lessons learned. Expect to discuss how they leveraged research, data, and collaboration.

4. Cross-functional Panel Interview: Interviews with key stakeholders from Product, Technology, Marketing, or Commercial teams to assess collaboration skills, strategic alignment, and understanding of business context.

5. Final Interview: Potentially with a senior executive to confirm strategic alignment and leadership potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Tell a Story: Structure each case study as a narrative. Start with the business/user problem, define your role and objectives, detail your process (research, ideation, design, testing, iteration), showcase your solutions with visuals, and clearly present the outcomes and impact (quantified where possible).

• Highlight Leadership: For this role, emphasize instances where you led initiatives, mentored team members, or influenced product strategy.

• Showcase Process: Clearly explain why you chose specific methodologies (Design Thinking, Lean UX, research methods) and how they contributed to the success of the project.

• Data & Metrics: Be prepared to discuss Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and how you measured success. If possible, quantify the impact of your design decisions (e.g., "increased conversion by X%", "reduced task completion time by Y%").

• Tool Proficiency: Briefly mention the tools used (Figma, Miro, analytics platforms) but focus more on the application of these tools to solve problems.

• Tailor to Cenco Malls: Research Cenco Malls' current digital presence and recent initiatives. If possible, subtly tailor your presentation to address potential challenges or opportunities relevant to their business.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready for a potential "take-home" design challenge or an in-interview whiteboard exercise focused on problem-solving, ideation, or defining a UX strategy for a given scenario relevant to Cenco Malls.

• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely. Focus on the how and why behind your decisions.

• Prepare to discuss how you would integrate UX into early-stage innovation projects and how you would foster a user-centric culture within a large organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical application of UX skills, leadership capabilities, and strategic thinking. The portfolio presentation is highlighted as a key differentiator, requiring candidates to demonstrate not just design execution but also strategic impact and collaborative leadership.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and collaborative workflows. Proficiency in advanced features like component libraries and auto-layout is expected.

• Miro: Crucial for collaborative brainstorming, journey mapping, user flow creation, and workshop facilitation.

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, familiarity with tools like InVision, Adobe XD, or similar for advanced prototyping and user testing.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Digital Analytics Platforms: Experience with tools such as Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar to track user behavior, measure KPIs, and identify areas for optimization.

• Data Visualization Tools: Familiarity with tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Looker for creating dashboards and presenting data insights to stakeholders.

• User Feedback Platforms: Experience with tools for collecting and analyzing user feedback (e.g., Hotjar, SurveyMonkey, UserTesting.com).

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how UX impacts customer journeys within CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, SAP) and marketing automation platforms is beneficial for a holistic view.

• AI Tools: Explicitly mentioned as a requirement, indicating potential use of AI for design assistance, content generation, user research analysis, or predictive modeling in UX.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack emphasizes industry-standard UX design and collaboration tools, alongside essential analytics platforms. The specific mention of AI tools suggests an interest in leveraging cutting-edge technology for UX innovation.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user's needs and perspectives in all product decisions.

• Data-Driven Innovation: Utilizing research, analytics, and experimentation to inform strategy, validate hypotheses, and drive measurable improvements.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Fostering open communication and strong partnerships across Product, Technology, Marketing, and Business units.

• Excellence & Continuous Improvement: Striving for high-quality design outcomes and a culture of learning, iteration, and process optimization.

• Impact & Value Creation: Focusing on delivering tangible business value and positive customer experiences through digital products.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively engaging with diverse teams to ensure UX is embedded from the outset of projects, not an afterthought.

• Iterative Feedback Loops: Establishing mechanisms for regular feedback exchange with stakeholders and users to refine designs and strategies.

• Knowledge Sharing: Promoting a culture where UX best practices, research findings, and design principles are shared openly within the team and across the organization.

• Agile Partnership: Working closely with Agile development teams to ensure seamless integration of design into sprints and rapid iteration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values likely emphasize a modern, agile, and data-informed approach to product development, with a strong focus on customer experience and cross-functional teamwork. These values are critical for a UX Lead to champion within their team and across the organization.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Integrating UX Early: Overcoming organizational inertia to embed UX considerations from the initial stages of innovation and product development projects.

• Balancing Innovation with Feasibility: Effectively managing the tension between ambitious, innovative user experiences and technical constraints, delivery timelines, and budget limitations.

• Cultivating a User-Centric Culture: Driving a broader organizational shift towards prioritizing user needs and data-informed decision-making, especially within a large, established company.

• Reducing Uncertainty in Innovation: Developing and implementing strategies to de-risk new digital initiatives and ensure they align with market needs and user expectations.

• Measuring UX Impact: Clearly defining and demonstrating the ROI and business value of UX initiatives to executive stakeholders.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX Leadership: Access to training and mentorship in strategic UX management, organizational design, and influencing senior leadership.

• Innovation Methodologies: Opportunities to deepen expertise in emerging innovation frameworks, design sprints, and rapid prototyping techniques.

• AI in Design: Exploring and applying cutting-edge AI tools and techniques to enhance UX research, design processes, and personalization.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gaining exposure to business strategy, product management, and technology development within a large conglomerate.

• Industry Engagement: Potential for participation in UX conferences, workshops, and professional networks to stay abreast of industry trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges identified are typical for senior UX leaders aiming to drive change within large organizations. The growth opportunities are geared towards expanding strategic influence and technical expertise, particularly in emerging areas like AI.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe how you would establish a UX strategy for a new digital initiative within Cenco Malls, considering our diverse customer base and business objectives." (Focus on your strategic framework, research approach, and stakeholder engagement.)

• "How would you foster a user-centric culture within a large organization like Cencosud, and what metrics would you use to track progress?" (Prepare to discuss change management, advocacy, and relevant KPIs.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Cencosud and Cenco Malls, and how do you see UX contributing to our business success?" (Research the company's mission, values, recent news, and digital presence.)

• "How would you integrate your UX team with Product, Technology, and Commercial teams to ensure alignment and effective collaboration?" (Discuss your approach to cross-functional partnerships and communication.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Use a clear narrative: Problem -> Your Role -> Process (Research, Ideation, Design, Testing) -> Solution -> Outcome (Quantified Impact) -> Learnings.

• Visuals Matter: Use high-fidelity mockups, prototypes, and key research artifacts. Ensure visuals are clean and professional.

• Focus on Leadership: For each project, highlight your leadership contributions, team collaboration, and strategic decision-making.

• Be Concise: Allocate specific time slots for each project and stick to them. Practice your delivery.

• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, trade-offs, challenges, and how you handled feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership, and a deep understanding of UX's impact on business goals. The portfolio presentation is the cornerstone, requiring candidates to articulate their process and results effectively.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Lead position:

• Visit the Cencosud careers portal via the provided URL and submit your application.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight leadership experience, strategic UX initiatives, team management, and quantifiable achievements relevant to digital product design and innovation. Integrate keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest case studies that best demonstrate your end-to-end UX process, leadership capabilities, and impact on business objectives. Ensure they are well-documented and visually compelling.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice delivering your portfolio case studies concisely and engagingly, focusing on storytelling, strategic rationale, and measurable outcomes. Be ready to discuss your leadership approach and collaborative methods.

• Research Cencosud & Cenco Malls: Understand their business, target audience, digital footprint, and any recent strategic announcements or challenges. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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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