UX/UI Designer (Contractor)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX/UI Designer (Contractor)
Company: VANGUARD CHARITABLE ENDOWMENT PROGRAM
Location: Malvern, PA, US
Job Type: Contractor
Category: Design / User Experience
Date Posted: 2026-01-09T15:02:00
Experience Level: 5-10 Years
Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on enhancing complex donor journeys by designing seamless and intuitive digital experiences.
• The UX/UI Designer will work partially embedded within a Vanguard UX team, fostering close collaboration with designers, product owners, and developers.
• Key activities include prototyping new concepts, conducting user research, mapping shared experiences, and shaping the future of donor-facing digital touchpoints across multiple platforms and organizations.
• The position offers an opportunity to influence two trusted brands committed to customer-centric design and long-term impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is in a design capacity, the emphasis on "donor journeys," "cross-organizational experiences," and "long-term impact" suggests a strategic focus that can appeal to operations professionals interested in process optimization and user flow efficiency within a non-profit or financial services context. The collaboration with product owners and developers also highlights a need for clear communication of requirements and user needs, akin to how operations professionals bridge technical and business teams.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and develop UX/UI prototypes to explore, refine, and validate new product concepts for donor engagement.
• Conduct moderated and unmoderated usability tests, analyze user behaviors, identify pain points, and translate insights into actionable design improvements.
• Perform user research to uncover insights that inform strategic design decisions and enhance the overall user experience.
• Develop comprehensive journey maps that illustrate cross-organizational donor experiences, identifying key touchpoints and opportunities for optimization.
• Create detailed wireframes, user flows, and interaction models that clearly define system behavior across various donor touchpoints and platforms.
• Apply WCAG and accessibility best practices to all designs and workflows, ensuring inclusive experiences for all users.
• Produce and maintain clear documentation for flows, patterns, research findings, and recommendations to ensure continuity and consistency across multiple entities.
• Present research findings, design recommendations, and project progress to stakeholders and leadership teams.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to evolve and maintain design systems, ensuring consistency and scalability across digital platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities heavily lean into process mapping, user flow analysis, and documentation, which are core competencies for operations professionals. The emphasis on "usability tests," "pain points," and "actionable design improvements" directly translates to identifying inefficiencies and proposing solutions, a key aspect of operations roles. The need to "balance user needs with business goals" is also a critical operational consideration.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Design, Psychology, or a related field is often preferred for UX/UI roles. Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in UX/UI design, with a strong portfolio demonstrating user-centered design work and process optimization.

Required Skills:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in UX/UI design.
• Strong portfolio showcasing user-centered design work and process improvements.
• Proficiency in Figma for design and prototyping.
• Experience with Jira for project tracking and backlog management.
• Familiarity with Confluence for documentation and knowledge sharing.
• Ability to work within established design systems and adhere to brand guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to balance user needs with business goals using a strategic, system-thinking mindset.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with comfort presenting to stakeholders and leadership.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud suite.
• Experience conducting user research and usability testing (moderated and unmoderated).
• Experience in mapping complex user or donor journeys.
• Knowledge of WCAG and accessibility best practices.
• Experience working in a hybrid or cross-functional team environment.
• Understanding of financial services or non-profit sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma, Jira, and Confluence points to a need for candidates familiar with modern design and project management workflows. For operations professionals, these tools are often used for workflow management, documentation, and reporting, making the transition or application of skills relevant. The "system-thinking mindset" and "balancing user needs with business goals" are directly transferable operational skills.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio is essential and should clearly demonstrate a minimum of 5 years of UX/UI design experience.
• Showcase end-to-end design processes, from user research and ideation to wireframing, prototyping, and final UI design.
• Include case studies that highlight complex donor journeys or cross-organizational experiences, detailing the problem, your process, and the impact of your solutions.
• Demonstrate experience in applying user-centered design principles and accessibility standards (WCAG).
• Provide examples of how you have translated user insights and business goals into intuitive and effective digital solutions.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of creating clear and comprehensive documentation for design flows, interaction models, research findings, and recommendations.
• Examples of collaboration within a design system and how consistency and scalability were maintained across platforms.
• Documentation that supports continuity and shared understanding across different organizational entities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio and documentation aligns perfectly with the expectations for operations roles. Operations candidates are often asked to demonstrate their ability to document processes, map workflows, and present case studies of efficiency improvements. This section provides a clear guide on what to highlight in a portfolio.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As a contractor role with a minimum of 5 years of experience in a specialized field like UX/UI design in the Malvern, PA area, the estimated hourly rate would likely range from $50 to $85 per hour, translating to an annual equivalent of $104,000 to $176,800. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for contract UX/UI designers with mid-to-senior level experience in a major metropolitan area, considering the cost of living and demand for specialized tech talent.

Benefits: As a contractor position, standard employee benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans are typically not included. However, contractors may have access to:

• Flexible work arrangements (hybrid model).
• Opportunity to work on impactful projects for reputable organizations.
• Potential for contract extension based on performance and project needs.
• Professional development through exposure to complex design challenges and cross-functional teams.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are expected to be 40 hours per week, aligning with a full-time contractor engagement. The hybrid work arrangement allows for flexibility in balancing on-site and remote workdays.

📝 Enhancement Note: Based on standard practices for contract roles and the specified location (Malvern, PA), a salary range has been estimated. Benefits for contractors are generally different from full-time employees, and this section clarifies those expectations. The "working hours" section acknowledges the typical 40-hour week for contractors.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services / Non-profit Endowment Management. Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program is associated with Vanguard, a global investment management company known for its low-cost index funds and commitment to investor advocacy. The "charitable endowment" aspect suggests a focus on philanthropic services and client-centric financial solutions. Company Size: While the exact size of the Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program team isn't specified, Vanguard as a whole is a very large organization (tens of thousands of employees globally). This implies access to extensive resources and established corporate structures. Founded: Vanguard was founded in 1975. Vanguard Charitable was established later to provide donor-advised fund services. This history suggests a stable, established organization with a long-term perspective.

Team Structure:

• The UX/UI Designer will be partially embedded within an existing Vanguard UX team, indicating a structured design department.
• Collaboration will occur with designers, product owners, and developers, suggesting a cross-functional product development environment.
• The role requires interaction across "platforms and organizations," implying a need to navigate complex stakeholder landscapes.

Methodology:

• The team likely employs a user-centered design methodology, prioritizing user needs and feedback.
• Expect a data-driven approach to design, utilizing user research and usability testing to validate concepts.
• Collaboration and documentation are key, likely supported by tools like Jira and Confluence for workflow management and knowledge sharing.
• A focus on process optimization is implied through the emphasis on simplifying complex journeys and improving donor experiences.

Company Website: https://www.vanguard.com/ and https://www.vanguardcharitable.org/

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding the company's industry and scale is crucial for operations professionals. The "customer-centric design" and "long-term impact" motifs suggest a mission-driven culture that values efficiency and user satisfaction, aligning with operational goals. The cross-organizational aspect hints at potential complexities in processes and data integration.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is for an experienced UX/UI Designer, equivalent to a mid-to-senior level professional. The emphasis on "shaping the future," "influencing brands," and "strategic, system-thinking" points to a role with significant autonomy and impact, similar to a Senior Operations Analyst or Operations Specialist who drives process improvements. Reporting Structure: The designer will be "partially embedded within a Vanguard UX team." This suggests reporting to a UX Design Manager or Lead, with day-to-day collaboration with product owners and developers. For operations professionals, this structure implies working within a project team framework, reporting to a functional lead while collaborating across departments. Operations Impact: While this is a design role, its impact is directly tied to improving user (donor) experience, which in turn can drive engagement, retention, and operational efficiency for the charitable program. Streamlined donor journeys can lead to more efficient processing, reduced support queries, and increased donor satisfaction, all of which are key operational metrics.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in user research methodologies, interaction design, and accessibility standards.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain hands-on experience collaborating with product management, engineering, and potentially marketing teams.
• Strategic Influence: Contribute to the strategic direction of donor-facing digital touchpoints and influence product roadmaps.
• Portfolio Enhancement: Develop impactful case studies demonstrating significant improvements in user experience and operational efficiency through design.
• Contract Extension/Future Opportunities: Strong performance could lead to contract extensions or opportunities within Vanguard's broader UX or operations teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations candidates, translating the growth opportunities in design to their own field is key. The emphasis on "strategic influence," "process optimization," and "cross-functional collaboration" are directly applicable. The impact on "operational efficiency" is a vital point to highlight when framing this role within an operations context.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "Hybrid," indicating a blend of on-site work at the Malvern, PA office and remote work. This suggests a modern work environment that balances in-person collaboration with individual focused work. Office Location(s): The primary work location is Malvern, PA. This area is part of the Philadelphia metropolitan region, known for its robust financial services and technology sectors.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role involves being "partially embedded within a Vanguard UX team" and collaborating closely with designers, product owners, and developers. This points to an environment that values teamwork and open communication.
• Tools & Technology: Expect access to standard design and collaboration tools such as Figma, Jira, Confluence, and potentially other Adobe Creative Cloud applications. This setup facilitates efficient workflow and project management.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with team members through meetings, design reviews, and collaborative working sessions, both in person and virtually.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is likely 40 hours per week, with the hybrid arrangement offering flexibility in terms of where those hours are performed. This flexibility can be beneficial for operations professionals who may need to manage complex workflows or data analysis that requires focused, uninterrupted time.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the work environment is a significant factor for many professionals. For operations roles, this often means balancing strategic planning or deep analysis (potentially better done remotely) with team meetings, cross-functional alignment, and process walkthroughs (often more effective in person).

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess experience and alignment with the role's requirements.
• Portfolio Presentation: Likely a session where you present selected case studies from your portfolio, explaining your design process, problem-solving approach, and the impact of your work. Be prepared to discuss how you gather insights, iterate on designs, and collaborate with stakeholders.
• Technical/Skills Interview: May involve discussions about specific tools (Figma, Jira), design challenges, or scenario-based questions related to UX/UI principles and user research.
• Behavioral/Cultural Fit Interview: Conversations to assess your collaboration style, communication skills, ability to navigate complex environments, and alignment with Vanguard's customer-centric values.
• Final Round: Potentially with senior leadership or hiring managers to make a final decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your UX/UI skills, process, and impact, particularly those involving complex journeys or cross-organizational challenges.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process you followed (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), the challenges you faced, and the measurable outcomes or impact.
• Highlight Process: Emphasize your methodology, including user research, usability testing, and how you incorporated feedback into your designs. Detail your use of tools like Figma and Jira.
• Demonstrate Impact: Quantify results where possible (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time, increased user satisfaction scores). If direct metrics aren't available, articulate the projected benefits and business value.
• Accessibility Focus: Ensure you can speak to your experience with WCAG and designing inclusive experiences.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: You might be given a hypothetical problem or scenario to design a solution for within a limited timeframe. Focus on demonstrating your thought process, research approach, and ability to create a user-centered solution.
• Process Walkthrough: Be prepared to walk through a complex UX/UI process you've managed, highlighting how you ensured efficiency, clarity, and stakeholder alignment.
• Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your experience with Figma, Jira, and Confluence, and how you leverage them for efficient design workflows and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations professionals, the emphasis on portfolio presentation, process walkthroughs, and demonstrating impact through metrics is highly relevant. This section provides actionable advice on how to frame design projects in a way that appeals to an operations-minded interviewer, focusing on problem-solving, efficiency, and measurable outcomes.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and collaborative design workflows. Expect to use its features for creating wireframes, interactive prototypes, and design systems.
• Jira: Crucial for project management, task tracking, bug reporting, and agile workflow management. Understanding how to navigate and potentially contribute to Jira boards will be important.
• Confluence: Used for documentation, knowledge management, and team collaboration. Expect to create and access project documentation, research findings, and process guides here.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned, familiarity with analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Hotjar) to understand user behavior and gather insights for design improvements would be beneficial.
• Ability to interpret data and present findings to support design recommendations.

CRM & Automation:

• Understanding of CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms could be advantageous, especially in understanding donor management and communication workflows.
• Experience with tools that facilitate cross-platform integration and data synchronization would be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma, Jira, and Confluence is key. For operations professionals, these are often standard tools for workflow management, process documentation, and cross-functional project execution. Highlighting proficiency in these tools, even from an operations perspective, will be beneficial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer-Centricity: A strong focus on understanding and meeting user (donor) needs to create impactful and positive experiences.
• Collaboration: Emphasis on working effectively within cross-functional teams, fostering open communication and shared ownership.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizing user research, usability testing, and analytics to inform design choices and validate outcomes.
• Continuous Improvement: A commitment to iterating on designs, simplifying complex processes, and enhancing efficiency.
• Impact & Purpose: Contributing to meaningful work that supports charitable causes and long-term impact.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Teams: Working closely with designers, product owners, and developers in an embedded capacity.
• Cross-Functional: Engaging with various stakeholders across different platforms and potentially organizations.
• Communication-Focused: Regular presentations of findings and recommendations to stakeholders and leadership.
• Documentation-Oriented: Maintaining clear documentation to ensure shared understanding and continuity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "customer-centric" and "impact and purpose" values are particularly relevant for operations roles that aim to improve efficiency and user satisfaction for business goals and mission alignment. The collaborative and documentation-oriented style is also a hallmark of effective operations teams.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Simplifying complex donor journeys that span multiple platforms and organizations requires strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Effectively synthesizing diverse user needs, business goals, and technical constraints into cohesive design solutions.
• Cross-Organizational Consistency: Ensuring a unified and intuitive experience across different entities while respecting unique brand guidelines.
• Translating Insights to Action: Moving from user research findings to concrete, implementable design improvements that deliver measurable impact.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen UX Expertise: Advance skills in user research, interaction design, and accessibility standards.
• Strategic Design Thinking: Develop a more profound understanding of how design contributes to business objectives and operational efficiency.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Hone skills in working with diverse teams, including product management and engineering.
• Portfolio Building: Create compelling case studies that showcase significant contributions to user experience and project success.
• Industry Exposure: Gain experience within a large, reputable organization like Vanguard, understanding their operational structures and design philosophies.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations professionals, the challenges of "navigating ambiguity" and "balancing stakeholder needs" are familiar. The growth opportunities in "strategic design thinking" and "cross-functional collaboration" are directly transferable to operations career paths.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex donor journey you've mapped and how you simplified it." Focus on your process, the tools you used (e.g., journey mapping software, Figma), and the resulting improvements.
• "How do you balance user needs with business objectives in your design process?" Prepare to discuss your methodology for stakeholder alignment and prioritization.
• "Walk me through a project where you had to ensure design consistency across multiple platforms or organizations." Highlight your approach to documentation, collaboration, and design systems.
• "How do you incorporate WCAG and accessibility best practices into your designs?" Be ready to explain your understanding and application of these standards.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program and its mission?" Research their goals and how user experience contributes to them.
• "How would you approach collaborating with product owners and developers on a new feature?" Discuss your preferred communication methods and workflow integration.
• "Describe a time you presented design recommendations to leadership. How did you ensure your message was clear and persuasive?" Prepare to discuss your presentation style and how you handle feedback.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: For each case study, use a clear narrative: Problem -> Your Role -> Process (Research, Ideation, Design, Testing) -> Solution -> Impact/Results.
• Highlight Process Efficiency: Emphasize how your design process led to more efficient workflows or clearer communication, similar to operational improvements.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs. If direct metrics are unavailable, articulate the projected business value or operational benefits.
• Tool Proficiency Showcase: Naturally weave in how you used Figma, Jira, and Confluence to manage your work and collaborate effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice focuses on translating design thinking into operational terms – problem-solving, process efficiency, stakeholder management, and measurable impact. This approach will resonate with operations hiring managers.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX/UI Designer (Contractor) position:

• Submit your application through the provided ADP link.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating complex journey mapping, cross-organizational collaboration, and user-centered problem-solving. Emphasize your process and the measurable impact of your design solutions.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly lists your 5+ years of UX/UI experience and proficiency in Figma, Jira, and Confluence. Quantify achievements where possible, using terms that align with process efficiency and user satisfaction.
• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on your design process, problem-solving approach, and how your work aligns with business goals and user needs. Be ready to discuss your experience with collaboration and stakeholder communication.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program's mission, values, and the broader Vanguard organization. Understand their commitment to customer-centricity and long-term impact.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details, especially regarding compensation and specific benefits, should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.