UX Product Designer (Content Specialist)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Product Designer (Content Specialist)
Company: Vanguard
Location: London, United Kingdom
Job Type: Contract (12 months)
Category: UX/Product Design & Content Strategy
Date Posted: January 08, 2026
Experience Level: 5-10 Years
Remote Status: Hybrid (Tues-Thurs in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is a unique blend of UX Product Design and Content Design, specifically focused on enhancing Vanguard's Public Website to attract, engage, and educate investors.
• You will be an integral part of a multi-disciplinary value stream team, including Product Managers, Content Designers, Data Analysts, UX Researchers, and Scrum Teams, to solve customer problems and design sensible digital experiences.
• The primary objective is to understand customer needs and translate them into intuitive, compelling, and effective digital solutions that drive positive client outcomes.
• This position requires a proactive and autonomous designer capable of leading design conversations from conceptualization through to workshop facilitation and stakeholder sign-off, within a regulated financial services environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job title "UX Product Designer (Content Specialist)" and the description emphasizing "writing for journeys, app, public website" clearly indicate a hybrid role requiring both visual design and strong content strategy/writing skills. The focus on the "Public Website" and its purpose to "attract, engage and educate investors" points towards a GTM (Go-To-Market) or customer acquisition-focused design function. The mention of "finance, asset management or other regulated industries" strongly suggests the need for an understanding of compliance and clear communication of complex financial information.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and develop intuitive user experiences for Vanguard's Public Website, focusing on investor attraction, engagement, and education.
• Craft compelling and clear content across various formats, including microcopy, conversational UI elements, product marketing copy, and instructional/help content, ensuring it aligns with Vanguard's tone of voice and brand guidelines.
• Lead design conversations, from initial conceptualization and ideation workshops to facilitating meetings with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and sourcing customer insights.
• Collaborate closely with Product Managers, UX Researchers, and Data Analysts to understand user needs, analyze behavior, and iterate on designs based on data and feedback.
• Drive the end-to-end design process, including user journey mapping, wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity visual design, leveraging Design Systems and tools like Figma.
• Ensure all designs and content adhere to WCAG accessibility standards and inclusive design principles.
• Manage stakeholder relationships across Product, business, Legal, and Compliance teams to gain buy-in and secure sign-off for design deliverables.
• Proactively identify opportunities for design and content improvement on the public website, taking ownership of projects from initiation to completion.
• Contribute to and maintain Vanguard's Design Systems, utilizing components from Storybook and Figma to build efficient and consistent prototypes and designs.
• Translate complex financial and investment concepts into simple, plain English language that is easily understood by a broad audience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "driving the design conversation," "leading meetings and workshops," and "working autonomously" suggests this role has a significant leadership and ownership component, beyond typical individual contributor responsibilities. The requirement to "lead the sign-off process with Product, business stakeholders, legal and compliance" highlights the need for strong negotiation and advocacy skills in a regulated environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in UX/Product Design and Content Design is paramount. Relevant formal education in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Communications, or a related field is beneficial.
Experience: 5-10 years of proven experience in UX Design and Content Design, with a significant focus on large-scale websites. Experience within the financial services, asset management, or other regulated industries is strongly recommended.

Required Skills:

• UX Product Design: Demonstrated experience in user-centered design principles, wireframing, prototyping, and visual design.
• Content Design & Strategy: Expertise in crafting clear, concise, and engaging content for digital products, including tone of voice, readability, and accessibility.
• Information Architecture (IA): Strong understanding of organizing and structuring content for optimal user navigation and findability on complex websites.
• Prototyping Tools: Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD.
• Design Systems: Experience working with and contributing to Design Systems (e.g., Storybook, Figma-based systems) for efficient design production and consistency.
• User Research & Usability Testing: Ability to conduct or collaborate on user research and usability testing to gather insights and validate design decisions.
• Accessibility Standards: Familiarity with and adherence to WCAG accessibility standards and inclusive design practices.
• Stakeholder Management: Excellent ability to communicate, influence, and manage expectations with diverse stakeholders, including business, legal, and compliance.
• Communication Skills: Superior verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and complex concepts clearly.

Preferred Skills:

• Financial/Investment Industry Experience: Prior experience designing for financial services, asset management, or similar regulated sectors.
• Content Management Systems (CMS): Familiarity with and ideally hands-on experience with AEM (Adobe Experience Manager) for content management.
• Diverse Content Types: Proven ability to produce various content formats (microcopy, conversational, product marketing, instructional/help) and adapt them to different mediums.
• Data Analysis Interpretation: Comfort in interpreting data from analytics and user research to inform design decisions.
• Autonomous Project Leadership: Demonstrated ability to take ownership of projects and drive them to completion with minimal supervision.

📝 Enhancement Note: The AI-generated experience level of "5-10 years" aligns well with the responsibilities described, which include leading design conversations and managing complex stakeholder sign-offs, typically requiring seasoned professionals. The emphasis on both UX and Content Design suggests a candidate who can bridge the gap between functional design and persuasive communication.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• UX/Content Design Case Studies: A curated selection of projects showcasing your end-to-end design process, from problem identification and user research to final design solutions and content strategy.
• Website Design Focus: Prioritize case studies that demonstrate experience with large-scale website design, information architecture, and content hierarchy.
• Financial Industry Relevance: If possible, include projects from the financial services, investment, or regulated industries to showcase domain understanding.
• Content Strategy Examples: Clearly articulate your content strategy approach, including examples of tone of voice, readability improvements, and adaptation of content across different mediums.
• System & Tool Proficiency: Highlight your experience with Design Systems and proficiency in tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD, demonstrating how you leverage them for efficiency and consistency.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Showcase how you map out user journeys and design complex workflows for websites, ensuring a seamless and intuitive experience.
• Content Creation Process: Detail your process for developing, refining, and approving content, especially for complex or regulated topics.
• User-Centric Iteration: Demonstrate how you incorporate user feedback, data insights, and usability testing into iterative design and content refinement cycles.
• Collaboration & Sign-off: Illustrate your process for collaborating with cross-functional teams and navigating the sign-off process with business, legal, and compliance stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role emphasizing both UX and Content Design, a portfolio should clearly delineate contributions to both visual/interaction design and content creation/strategy. Demonstrating the ability to translate complex financial information into simple language will be critical.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a UX Product Designer (Content Specialist) with 5-10 years of experience in London, UK, the estimated annual salary range is £55,000 - £75,000. This range considers the hybrid working model, the contract duration, and the specialized skill set required.

Benefits: As a 12-month contract role, benefits may differ from permanent positions. However, typical contract benefits often include:

• Competitive hourly or daily rate, reflecting the specialized skills and contract duration.
• Potential for paid time off (accrued holiday pay).
• Access to Vanguard's employee assistance program (EAP).
• Opportunities for professional development and exposure to large-scale financial projects.
• Contribution to a pension scheme, as mandated by UK regulations.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are expected, approximately 40 hours per week. The role requires a hybrid working model, with 3 days per week expected in the London office (Tues-Thurs) and 2 days remote. Flexibility may be available depending on project needs and team agreements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates for contract roles in London can vary significantly based on the agency or direct hiring model, and the specific day rate negotiated. The provided range is a general benchmark for a skilled professional in this field. The hybrid requirement of specific days in the office is a key detail for candidates to consider.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Asset Management, Investment). Vanguard is a globally recognized investment management company known for its client-centric approach and low-cost investment solutions.
Company Size: Vanguard is a very large, global organization, employing tens of thousands of individuals worldwide. This scale provides opportunities for significant impact and exposure to complex operational environments.
Founded: Vanguard was founded in 1975 in the United States, built on the revolutionary idea of managing funds solely in the interest of its clients. This founding philosophy of client advocacy and value continues to be a cornerstone of its culture.

Team Structure:

• Value Stream Focus: This role operates within a specific value stream, which is a focused group within the organization dedicated to a particular segment of the customer lifecycle or a key business capability.
• Multi-disciplinary Collaboration: The team is composed of diverse specialists including Product Managers, Content Designers, Data Analysts, UX Researchers, and Scrum Teams, fostering a collaborative and integrated approach to product development.
• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to work closely with various business units, including Product, Legal, and Compliance, ensuring that all digital experiences are not only user-friendly but also compliant and aligned with business objectives.

Methodology:

• Agile/Scrum Environment: The mention of "scrum teams" indicates that the team likely operates within an Agile framework, emphasizing iterative development, collaboration, and rapid feedback loops.
• Data-Driven Design: The inclusion of "Data Analysts" suggests a strong emphasis on using data and customer insights to inform design decisions and measure the success of digital experiences.
• Client-Centric Approach: Vanguard's core philosophy of "doing the right thing" for clients permeates its operations, meaning user needs and positive client outcomes are paramount in all decision-making.

Company Website: https://www.vanguard.co.uk/

📝 Enhancement Note: Vanguard's reputation for a strong ethical foundation and client advocacy is a significant cultural differentiator. For operations professionals, this means a focus on long-term client success, data integrity, and robust compliance processes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at an experienced individual contributor level, likely mid-to-senior in UX/Content Design. It requires a blend of strategic thinking, hands-on execution, and the ability to influence without direct authority. The focus on leading design conversations and managing sign-offs indicates a level of autonomy and project ownership typically seen in senior roles.
Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report into a Design Lead or Head of UX/Content within their specific value stream or department. They will work closely with a Product Manager and collaborate with a dedicated cross-functional scrum team.
Operations Impact: The impact of this role is directly tied to the effectiveness of Vanguard's Public Website in attracting, engaging, and educating potential investors. Successful designs and content will contribute to lead generation, customer acquisition, and overall brand perception, ultimately driving business growth and client success metrics.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialized Skill Development: Deepen expertise in both UX Product Design and Content Design, particularly within the complex domain of financial services.
• Cross-functional Leadership: Gain experience leading design initiatives within an Agile/Scrum environment and managing stakeholder relationships across various departments.
• Industry Exposure: Develop a nuanced understanding of the investment and asset management industry, including regulatory requirements and consumer behavior.
• Design System Contribution: Contribute to and gain deeper knowledge of large-scale Design Systems, enhancing efficiency and consistency across digital products.
• Potential for Future Opportunities: While a 12-month contract, successful performance can lead to opportunities for extension or consideration for permanent roles within Vanguard's extensive operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The contract nature of the role suggests it might be a strategic hire for a specific project or to fill a temporary need, but Vanguard's known culture of internal development and growth means that strong performers on contract often become candidates for permanent positions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Vanguard operates a hybrid working model, blending the benefits of remote work with in-person collaboration. The London office is designed to facilitate this, likely offering modern workspaces that encourage connection and teamwork.
Office Location(s): The role is based in London, United Kingdom. Specific office address details would be provided upon inquiry or during the application process, but it is expected to be a well-situated urban office accessible via public transport.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment is designed for collaboration, with meeting rooms, workshop spaces, and open areas conducive to team brainstorming and cross-functional interaction.
• Tools & Technology: Access to standard office technology and potentially specialized design software licenses, though candidates are expected to be proficient with their own preferred design tools.
• Team Interaction: The hybrid model mandates specific days (Tues-Thurs) in the office to foster stronger team bonds, facilitate spontaneous discussions, and enable effective in-person workshops and design critiques.

Work Schedule: The role adheres to a standard 40-hour work week. The hybrid arrangement requires attendance in the London office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, with remote work permitted on Mondays and Fridays. This structure aims to balance flexibility with the need for in-person collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specific requirement for Tuesday-Thursday in-office attendance is a crucial detail for candidates assessing work-life balance and commute considerations. This structured hybrid approach is common in large organizations aiming to retain some in-person synergy.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio by a recruiter to assess your alignment with the core requirements.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on your experience, design philosophy, and how you approach UX and Content Design challenges, particularly within regulated environments.
• Portfolio Review & Design Exercise: A session where you present your portfolio case studies, explaining your process, decisions, and outcomes. This may be accompanied by a practical design exercise or a discussion of a hypothetical scenario.
• Cross-functional Team Interview: An opportunity to meet with potential team members (e.g., Product Manager, other designers) to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and ability to work within an Agile team.
• Final Interview/Offer: A concluding discussion, potentially with senior leadership, followed by a formal offer if successful.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Hybrid Skills: Clearly present projects that demonstrate both your UX/Product Design capabilities and your Content Design/Strategy expertise.
• Focus on Process & Rationale: For each case study, articulate your thought process, the problems you solved, the constraints you worked within (especially regulatory), and the rationale behind your design and content decisions.
• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the impact of your work on user behavior, engagement, or business outcomes.
• Highlight Financial Domain Experience: If you have experience in finance or regulated industries, emphasize this through relevant case studies. If not, clearly explain how you would approach the unique challenges of this domain.
• Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Show how you effectively use tools like Figma and work with Design Systems to produce efficient and high-quality deliverables.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Public Website: Familiarize yourself with Vanguard's current public website, its target audience, and its stated goals.
• Anticipate Content Challenges: Prepare to discuss how you would approach writing for complex financial topics, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and compliance.
• Scenario-Based Questions: Be ready to discuss hypothetical design challenges related to investor education, engagement, or conversion on a financial services website.
• Agile & Collaboration: Prepare to discuss your experience working in Agile/Scrum teams and collaborating with diverse stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "leading the design conversation" and "sign-off process" suggests that interviewers will be looking for candidates who can not only design but also strategically manage the process and advocate for their solutions effectively.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly preferred), Sketch, Adobe XD.
• Design Systems: Experience with Figma-based Design Systems and potentially Storybook.
• Content Management: Familiarity with AEM (Adobe Experience Manager) is a strong plus.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Experience interpreting data from analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to inform design.
• Familiarity with A/B testing methodologies and tools.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how website interactions feed into CRM systems and marketing automation platforms is beneficial for context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and experience with Design Systems are critical for efficient workflow and consistency in a large organization like Vanguard. Familiarity with AEM is noted as a significant advantage for this specific role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Client-Centricity: A core value at Vanguard, meaning all design and content decisions must prioritize the investor's best interests and success.
• Integrity & Doing the Right Thing: Upholding high ethical standards, transparency, and compliance in all work, particularly crucial in financial services.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong emphasis on working together across disciplines and departments to achieve shared goals.
• Excellence & Continuous Improvement: A drive for high-quality output and a commitment to refining processes and user experiences.
• Curiosity & Learning: A culture that encourages asking questions, understanding underlying processes, and continuously developing skills.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with Product Managers, UX Researchers, Data Analysts, Developers, and Scrum Teams is expected.
• Open Communication: Proactive and frequent communication is key to building trust and ensuring alignment, especially within the hybrid work model.
• Workshop-Driven Ideation: Expect to participate in and lead design workshops for brainstorming, problem-solving, and co-creation.
• Feedback Exchange: A culture that values constructive feedback, both giving and receiving, to drive continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: Vanguard's stated values, particularly "Doing the right thing" and client-centricity, are not just buzzwords but deeply embedded principles. Operations professionals should demonstrate how their work aligns with these values, focusing on accuracy, transparency, and client outcomes.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing UX/Content and Regulation: Navigating the complexities of financial regulations while delivering user-friendly and engaging experiences.
• Translating Technical Jargon: Simplifying intricate investment concepts into plain, accessible language for a diverse audience.
• Hybrid Work Coordination: Effectively collaborating and maintaining strong team cohesion within a structured hybrid work model.
• Project Scope & Autonomy: Managing multiple projects and content-switching effectively while working autonomously and driving initiatives forward.
• Design System Adoption: Ensuring consistent application of Design Systems and contributing to their evolution.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Financial Domain Expertise: Gain in-depth knowledge of investment products, client journeys, and the regulatory landscape of the financial services industry.
• Advanced UX/Content Skills: Refine skills in user research, content strategy, information architecture, and accessibility within a large-scale, complex digital environment.
• Agile & Product Development: Deepen understanding and practical application of Agile methodologies and cross-functional product development processes.
• Stakeholder Influence: Develop advanced skills in managing senior stakeholders and influencing strategic decisions within a large corporate structure.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be marrying sophisticated financial product communication with intuitive UX design, all while adhering to strict compliance standards. Demonstrating an ability to learn quickly and adapt to this regulated domain will be crucial.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to simplify a complex financial concept for a non-expert audience. What was your process and what was the outcome?" (Focus on content strategy, clarity, and user understanding).
• "How would you approach designing a new feature for an investment platform, considering both user needs and regulatory compliance?" (Assess approach to regulated design, user-centricity, and risk mitigation).
• "Walk us through a challenging UX/Content design project in your portfolio. What were the key challenges, how did you address them, and what was the impact?" (Focus on problem-solving, process, and quantifiable results).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How does Vanguard's philosophy of 'doing the right thing' for investors align with your own design principles?" (Demonstrate understanding of company values and ability to apply them).
• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid environment. How do you ensure effective collaboration and communication with your team?" (Highlight adaptability and proactive communication strategies).
• "How do you stay updated on UX and Content Design best practices, especially within specialized industries like finance?" (Showcase commitment to continuous learning and industry awareness).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio to clearly distinguish between UX/Product Design work and Content Design/Strategy work. Use case studies that best represent the hybrid nature of this role.
• Tell the Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, the key decisions made (and why), and the measurable outcomes. Emphasize how you translated complex information for users.
• Highlight Regulatory Awareness: If applicable, discuss how you navigated compliance or legal constraints in your previous projects. If not, express your understanding of its importance and your willingness to learn.
• Demonstrate Tool & System Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your experience with Figma and Design Systems, showing how you leverage them for efficiency and consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a candidate who can demonstrate both strong creative and strategic thinking in design and content, coupled with a mature approach to stakeholder management and an understanding of the financial services landscape.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided Vanguard careers portal link.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating both UX/Product Design and Content Design expertise, with a preference for website design and any relevant financial industry experience.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to prominently feature keywords such as "UX Design," "Content Design," "Information Architecture," "Content Strategy," "Figma," "AEM," "WCAG," and "Financial Services." Quantify achievements with metrics where possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, specifically how you approach simplifying complex information and collaborating with cross-functional teams in a regulated environment. Prepare to present 2-3 key portfolio case studies.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Vanguard's mission, values, and its approach to client success. Understand the purpose and audience of its Public Website to better align your responses with the company's objectives.

⚠️ 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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