UX Lead Specialist

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Lead Specialist

Company: TIAA

Location: North Carolina - Virtual, United States of America

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Experience (UX) Design & Strategy

Date Posted: 2026-02-10T00:00:00

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (with potential for on-site work)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and champion user experience initiatives to align with TIAA's strategic business objectives.

• Foster collaboration across technology, product, development, and marketing teams to ensure cohesive user journeys.

• Drive moderately complex business planning and project execution with a focus on user-centric outcomes.

• Maintain an exceptional standard of quality and accountability for delivering outstanding user experience results.

• Serve as a Non-Employee Contingent Worker, providing specialized UX expertise for a defined engagement period.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is specifically defined as a "Non-Employee Contingent Worker" through a third-party supplier, indicating a contract-based engagement rather than direct employment. The "Career Level 9IC" suggests a mid-to-senior level individual contributor role with significant responsibility and influence within their domain, often equivalent to a senior individual contributor or lead. The "Hybrid" work arrangement implies a mix of remote and on-site presence, requiring flexibility from the candidate.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with technology partners, product managers, and development teams to translate business goals into effective user experiences.

• Coordinate with marketing teams to ensure brand consistency and user-centric messaging across all touchpoints.

• Define and advocate for user experience best practices, standards, and methodologies throughout the project lifecycle.

• Conduct user research, usability testing, and gather feedback to inform design decisions and iterative improvements.

• Develop and present comprehensive UX strategies, wireframes, prototypes, and design specifications to stakeholders.

• Manage and oversee project-related duties, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery of UX deliverables.

• Contribute to business planning by providing insights into user needs, market trends, and competitive UX landscapes.

• Mentor and guide junior UX designers or team members, fostering a culture of design excellence.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "Lead" title and "Career Level 9IC," responsibilities will likely extend beyond individual design tasks to include strategic input, cross-functional coordination, and potentially influencing team direction. The emphasis on "collaboration and coordination" with multiple departments highlights the need for strong communication and interpersonal skills in a GTM (Go-To-Market) context, ensuring user experience supports broader business and product launches.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: University degree preferred (Bachelor's or higher in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or related field).

Experience: 5+ years of required experience in UX design, with 7+ years preferred. Experience as a UX Lead or in a similar senior UX role is highly desirable.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in User Experience (UX) design principles and methodologies.

• Demonstrated ability to lead UX initiatives and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams (product, engineering, marketing).

• Strong proficiency in UX research techniques, including user interviews, usability testing, and persona development.

• Experience creating wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity designs using industry-standard tools.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate complex design concepts to diverse audiences.

• Experience in business planning and managing project-related duties within a corporate environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the financial services or insurance industry.

• Familiarity with agile development methodologies.

• Knowledge of accessibility standards (WCAG) and inclusive design practices.

• Experience with A/B testing and data-driven design optimization.

• Portfolio showcasing a range of successful UX projects and problem-solving approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "5+ Years Required; 7+ Years Preferred" and "Career Level 9IC" indicate a need for seasoned professionals capable of independent work and leadership. The preference for a university degree suggests a formal educational foundation is valued, though extensive relevant experience can often substitute.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating a strong understanding of user-centered design principles and their application in real-world projects.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, key challenges, and measurable outcomes.

• Evidence of end-to-end UX process, from research and ideation to prototyping, testing, and implementation support.

• Examples of collaboration with development and product teams to ensure successful design implementation.

Process Documentation:

• Ability to document UX processes, workflows, and design decisions clearly and concisely.

• Experience in contributing to or defining UX best practices and design systems.

• Skills in creating process flows, journey maps, and other artifacts that illustrate user interactions and system logic.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Lead role, the portfolio is critical. It must not only showcase design skills but also strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, and the ability to drive projects to successful completion, aligning with business objectives. The emphasis on "moderately complex business planning, support, and project-related duties" means the portfolio should highlight project management aspects of UX leadership.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $53.03/hr - $90.53/hr (Hourly rate)

Benefits:

As a Non-Employee Contingent Worker, benefits are typically provided by the third-party supplier. These may include:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holidays

• Retirement Savings Plan (e.g., 401k)

• Life and Disability Insurance

• Professional Development opportunities

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, standard business hours (specific schedule to be discussed, likely hybrid).

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is an hourly rate, typical for contingent worker roles. The estimated annual equivalent at 40 hours/week for 52 weeks is approximately $110,200 - $188,300. Benefits are contingent on the third-party supplier, not TIAA directly. The role is designated as "FULL_TIME" but with a contract term, aligning with "CONTRACTOR" and "TEMPORARY" employment types.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services, Investment Management, Insurance. TIAA is a leading provider of retirement and investment solutions for the not-for-profit and public sectors.

Company Size: Large enterprise (TIAA is a Fortune 100 company with tens of thousands of employees).

Founded: 1937. TIAA has a long-standing history of serving its clients' financial needs.

Team Structure:

• This role will likely be part of a broader UX design team, potentially within a digital product or technology department.

• The UX Lead will report to a UX Manager or Director and collaborate extensively with Product Management, Engineering Leads, and Marketing stakeholders.

Methodology:

• TIAA likely employs a mix of Agile and potentially Waterfall methodologies depending on the project. UX processes will be integrated into these development cycles.

• A strong emphasis on data-driven decision-making, user research, and iterative design is expected.

• Focus on delivering secure, reliable, and user-friendly digital experiences for a diverse client base.

Company Website: https://www.tiaa.org/

📝 Enhancement Note: TIAA's focus on financial services means UX professionals must understand the complexities of financial products, regulatory requirements, and the importance of trust and security. The company's scale suggests established processes and a structured approach to product development and UX.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Career Level 9IC (Individual Contributor). This level typically signifies a senior-level professional who can operate independently, lead projects, and influence strategy within their domain. For UX, this means leading design efforts, mentoring others, and contributing to the overall UX vision.

Reporting Structure: The UX Lead Specialist will likely report to a senior UX leader (e.g., UX Manager, Director of UX) and will coordinate with various project teams. This structure allows for both specialized UX guidance and broad cross-functional integration.

Operations Impact: The UX Lead Specialist's impact is critical in shaping the digital client experience. By ensuring intuitive, efficient, and trustworthy interfaces, this role directly influences client satisfaction, adoption rates of digital tools, operational efficiency, and ultimately, TIAA's ability to meet its business and client service goals.

Growth Opportunities:

• Exposure to large-scale, complex digital transformation projects within the financial services industry.

• Opportunity to influence the UX strategy and design direction for key TIAA platforms and products.

• Potential for extended contract engagements or pathways to full-time employment if performance is exceptional and business needs align.

• Development of expertise in a highly regulated and specialized industry, enhancing marketability.

• Mentorship opportunities with senior UX leaders and product strategists.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a contingent worker, direct career pathing within TIAA might be less defined than for full-time employees. However, the experience gained in this senior role, particularly within a reputable firm like TIAA, offers significant professional development and can serve as a strong stepping stone for future roles, whether contract or permanent.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid (mix of remote and on-site). The role is listed as "North Carolina - Virtual," but the description notes it will "sit onsite, likely in a hybrid capacity." This suggests the candidate should be located in or willing to relocate to a commutable distance from a TIAA office in North Carolina.

Office Location(s): Specific office locations in North Carolina are not detailed but will be relevant for the hybrid component.

Workspace Context:

• The hybrid model allows for focused individual work remotely and collaborative sessions, team meetings, and strategic discussions in the office.

• Access to TIAA's internal collaboration tools, design software, and potentially UX lab facilities (if on-site).

• An environment that values collaboration, data-driven insights, and a commitment to client success.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week. Flexibility may be available within the hybrid structure, but core working hours for collaboration will be expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "North Carolina - Virtual" designation with the note about hybrid/on-site presence implies that while the role can be performed remotely, there's an expectation of physical presence at a TIAA facility in North Carolina for specific meetings, workshops, or team days. Candidates should clarify location expectations with the supplier.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely conducted by the third-party supplier to assess basic qualifications, experience, and fit for contingent work.

• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: A more in-depth interview with the TIAA hiring manager and potentially key team members. This will focus on UX skills, strategic thinking, collaboration abilities, and problem-solving approaches.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where candidates present their portfolio, walking through selected case studies to demonstrate their process, impact, and suitability for the UX Lead role.

• Final Interview: May involve higher-level stakeholders or HR to discuss terms, cultural fit, and finalize the offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent your UX leadership capabilities, problem-solving skills, and impact. Prioritize projects that align with financial services or complex digital product development.

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the business problem, user needs, your specific role and contributions, the design process undertaken, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and quantifiable results (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time, increased user satisfaction).

• Highlight Collaboration: Emphasize how you worked with cross-functional teams (product, engineering, marketing) to bring designs to life.

• Showcase Strategy: Demonstrate your ability to think strategically about user experience and how it supports broader business objectives.

• Be Prepared for Technical Questions: Expect questions about your preferred tools, design systems, research methodologies, and how you handle design critiques.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a potential design challenge or scenario-based questions that test your problem-solving skills, design process, and ability to think on your feet.

• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, as if presenting to stakeholders with varying levels of UX understanding.

• Research TIAA's current digital offerings and identify potential areas for UX improvement as a demonstration of your proactive thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for contingent workers can sometimes be faster-paced. A strong, well-prepared portfolio is paramount, as it serves as the primary evidence of your capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision, Axure RP. Proficiency in at least one major design tool is essential.

• User Research Platforms: UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey.

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack, Microsoft Teams.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a UX tool, understanding how CRMs (like Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms integrate with user-facing applications can be beneficial for context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with modern UX design and prototyping tools like Figma is highly expected. Familiarity with analytics tools is crucial for demonstrating the impact of UX initiatives and advocating for design decisions with data.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Client-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of TIAA's clients.

• Integrity and Trust: Upholding the highest ethical standards in all aspects of work, especially critical in financial services.

• Collaboration and Partnership: Working effectively across teams to achieve shared goals and deliver integrated solutions.

• Excellence and Accountability: Striving for high-quality outcomes and taking ownership of results.

• Innovation: Embracing new ideas and approaches to improve user experiences and business processes.

Collaboration Style:

• Expected to be highly collaborative, working closely with product managers, engineers, researchers, and marketing specialists.

• A proactive and communicative style is valued, with an emphasis on sharing insights and seeking feedback.

• Comfortable participating in design critiques, workshops, and cross-functional team meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: TIAA's culture likely emphasizes professionalism, a strong work ethic, and a client-first mentality, given its role in financial planning and retirement services.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating a Regulated Industry: Understanding and adhering to strict financial regulations while designing user-friendly experiences.

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Managing competing priorities and perspectives from various departments (e.g., product, legal, compliance, marketing).

• Driving Change in a Large Organization: Influencing design direction and adoption of UX best practices within a large, established company.

• Hybrid Work Logistics: Effectively collaborating and maintaining team cohesion in a hybrid work environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Gaining deep experience in UX design for the financial services sector.

• Opportunity to work on high-impact projects that affect a large client base.

• Potential to develop leadership skills through project leadership and collaboration.

• Exposure to TIAA's established processes and enterprise-level design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for resilience, strong negotiation skills, and a strategic approach to problem-solving. Success in these areas offers significant professional growth.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex UX problem you solved, detailing your process from understanding the problem to implementing the solution and measuring its success." (Focus on your role, methodologies, and quantifiable impact).

• "How do you balance user needs with business objectives and technical constraints in a project?" (Prepare examples demonstrating your strategic trade-off skills).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about TIAA and the financial services industry?" (Research TIAA's mission, values, and recent news).

• "How do you stay updated on the latest UX trends and technologies, especially within finance?" (Showcase continuous learning and industry awareness).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with a brief overview of your UX philosophy and approach. Then, dive into 2-3 detailed case studies. Conclude with a summary of your key skills and contributions.

• Visuals: Use clear, high-quality visuals (wireframes, mockups, user flows, charts) that tell the story of your work.

• Narrative: Focus on the "why" and "how" behind your design decisions, not just the "what." Emphasize your thought process and problem-solving methods.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the positive outcomes of your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss your experience with financial services, UX strategy, and leadership. Your portfolio presentation is your primary tool to showcase your capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in UX leadership, business planning, project coordination, and cross-functional collaboration, using keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, easily accessible (e.g., via a link), and features case studies that clearly demonstrate your UX process, problem-solving skills, and impact, particularly in complex environments.

• Research TIAA: Understand TIAA's mission, client base, and digital presence to articulate your interest and how your UX skills can contribute to their goals.

• Practice Your Pitch: Rehearse your portfolio presentation and be ready to articulate your experience and approach confidently, anticipating questions about your UX strategy and leadership capabilities.

⚠️ 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 or the third-party supplier before making application decisions. The role is for a Non-Employee Contingent Worker.