Lead Product Designer, UX Design (Catalyst)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Product Designer, UX Design (Catalyst)

Company: OneMain Financial

Location: Baltimore, MD, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / UX Design

Date Posted: April 27, 2026

Experience Level: 7+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the design and delivery of end-to-end user experiences for complex operational workflows within the Catalyst platform, focusing on internal user journeys.

• Translate highly integrated, complex systems into intuitive, efficient, and scalable design solutions that enhance operational efficiency.

• Utilize data-informed design methodologies and iterative processes to achieve measurable outcomes and optimize user satisfaction.

• Act as a key collaborator, partnering with Product, Engineering, Risk, and Operations teams to influence strategic decisions and align on technical solutions.

• Ensure designs adhere to strict compliance and accessibility standards within a regulated financial services environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior individual contributor within the Digital team, with a specific focus on the "Catalyst" initiative. The emphasis on internal user experience for operational workflows, within a regulated financial services context, suggests a need for strong systems thinking, process optimization, and a deep understanding of user needs in complex environments. The AI-powered tools requirement highlights a forward-looking approach to design.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of comprehensive user experiences across intricate operational workflows, ensuring seamless integration and usability for internal stakeholders.

• Architect and simplify complex, multi-system platforms into user-friendly interfaces that drive efficiency and reduce cognitive load for loan origination and servicing teams.

• Implement and champion data-informed design practices, leveraging analytics and user feedback to iterate on designs and demonstrate tangible improvements in operational efficiency and user satisfaction.

• Foster strong collaborative relationships with Product Managers, Engineers, Risk Management, and Operations leaders to align on design strategies, influence product roadmaps, and ensure successful implementation of solutions.

• Navigate and adhere to regulatory requirements, balancing user experience needs with strict compliance mandates typical in the financial services industry.

• Contribute to, maintain, and extend existing design systems to ensure visual and functional consistency across all user touchpoints within the Catalyst platform and related applications.

• Uphold and integrate accessibility and inclusive design principles throughout the design process, ensuring all users can effectively interact with the platform regardless of ability or background.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic design leadership and hands-on execution. The emphasis on "complex operational workflows" and "highly integrated systems" points towards a need for deep understanding of business processes and the ability to visualize and optimize them. The mention of "measurable outcomes" and "data-informed design" indicates that success will be measured by the impact of the designs on operational efficiency and business metrics.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a closely related field; equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in Product Design, UX Design, Interaction Design, or a similar discipline, with a demonstrated track record of delivering impactful user experiences.

Required Skills:

• Systems Thinking & Problem Simplification: Proven ability to analyze complex, interconnected systems and translate them into clear, user-centric designs and workflows.

• End-to-End UX Design: Demonstrated experience in designing complete user journeys for complex applications or workflows, from initial concept to final implementation.

• Cross-functional Collaboration & Influence: Experience working effectively within Agile/Scrum teams and influencing decisions across Product, Engineering, Risk, and Operations departments.

• Data-Informed Design: Proficiency in using user research, analytics, and A/B testing to inform design decisions and measure impact.

• Design Systems: Experience contributing to and leveraging design systems to ensure consistency, scalability, and efficiency in design outputs.

• Communication & Stakeholder Management: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and build consensus with diverse stakeholders.

• Agile Delivery: Familiarity with Agile development methodologies and experience working within fast-paced, iterative delivery cycles.

• AI Tool Integration: Experience using AI-powered tools in design workflows and applying critical judgment to integrate them effectively for enhanced user experiences and team productivity.

Preferred Skills:

• Internal Tools/Operational Platforms: Prior experience designing user interfaces for internal business tools, operational platforms, or workflow-centric systems.

• Financial Services/Regulated Industries: Experience designing within the financial services sector or other highly regulated environments, understanding the unique constraints and requirements.

• Platform Design: Familiarity with designing within platform-based ecosystems and understanding how different components interact.

• Emerging Technologies: Exposure to or interest in emerging technologies, including AI applications beyond immediate design tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a strong foundation in core UX/Product Design principles, coupled with specific experience in complex, regulated environments. The "Systems Thinking" and "End-to-End" requirements are critical for this role, as is the ability to collaborate and influence. The explicit mention of "AI-powered tools" suggests a desire for designers who are forward-thinking and can leverage new technologies to improve processes and outcomes.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Complex Workflow Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating your ability to design end-to-end user experiences for complex operational or internal-facing systems.

• Problem Simplification Examples: Include examples that clearly illustrate how you broke down intricate problems and translated them into intuitive user interfaces and workflows.

• Data-Driven Impact: Present case studies that highlight how data (user research, analytics, A/B tests) informed your design decisions and led to measurable improvements (e.g., efficiency gains, error reduction, user satisfaction).

• Design System Contributions: If applicable, include examples of your contributions to or utilization of design systems, demonstrating an understanding of consistency and scalability.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Be prepared to discuss your process for mapping, analyzing, and optimizing complex user workflows, including any tools or methodologies used (e.g., BPMN, flowcharts).

• User Research & Testing: Detail your approach to conducting user research, usability testing, and incorporating feedback into iterative design cycles.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Outline how you collaborate with Product Managers, Engineers, and business stakeholders throughout the design lifecycle, from ideation to launch.

• Accessibility & Compliance Integration: Demonstrate your understanding of how to integrate accessibility standards (WCAG) and regulatory compliance requirements into the design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on complex operational workflows and internal systems within a regulated industry, a portfolio that clearly articulates problem-solving for intricate processes and demonstrates measurable impact will be highly valued. The ability to showcase systems thinking and collaboration within a cross-functional team is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The target base salary range for this hybrid role in Baltimore, MD is $150,000 to $165,000 annually. This range is determined by factors such as skills, experience, and performance.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health and wellbeing options, including medical, prescription, dental, vision, hearing, accident, hospital indemnity, and life insurance.

• Up to 4% matching contribution for the 401(k) retirement savings plan.

• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offering a 10% share discount.

• Tuition reimbursement to support continuous learning and professional development.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO): 15 days of vacation per year, prorated based on start date.

• Paid sick leave as determined by state or local ordinance, prorated based on start date.

• 11 Paid Holidays: Including 4 floating holidays, prorated based on start date.

• Paid Volunteer Time: 3 days per year, prorated based on start date, to support community engagement.

Working Hours: This is a full-time position, typically involving 40 hours per week. The hybrid work arrangement requires 3 days per week in the Baltimore, MD office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a Lead Product Designer role in a major metropolitan area like Baltimore, especially within the financial services industry. The benefits package is robust, offering a wide array of health and wellness options, retirement savings support, and professional development opportunities, which are attractive to senior-level operations and design professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services, specifically focused on non-prime consumer lending and credit solutions. OneMain Financial is a significant player, aiming to transform how customers interact with financial products.

Company Size: OneMain Financial is a large organization, indicated by its NYSE listing and its position as the largest non-bank lender in the U.S. This scale suggests a structured environment with opportunities for broad impact and potential for established processes.

Founded: OneMain Financial has a long history, dating back to 1912. This longevity implies stability and a deep understanding of the financial market, while the current digital transformation initiatives signal a commitment to innovation and modernization.

Team Structure:

• Digital Team Focus: The role is within the Digital team, which is central to the company's modernization efforts, particularly the "Catalyst" initiative.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The Lead Designer will work closely with Product Management, Engineering, Risk, and Operations, indicating a highly collaborative and integrated team environment.

• Reporting: As a "Lead" individual contributor, the role likely reports into a design manager or director within the Digital team, with significant autonomy in design execution.

Methodology:

• Agile Delivery: The team operates within Agile or similar delivery models, emphasizing iterative development and continuous feedback loops for rapid product evolution.

• Data-Informed Design: Design decisions are expected to be grounded in data, including user research, analytics, and performance metrics, to drive measurable outcomes.

• Digital Transformation: The overarching methodology is digital transformation, focusing on modernizing core platforms and enhancing both customer and team member experiences.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: OneMain Financial's culture appears to blend a strong, stable financial services foundation with a forward-thinking, digitally-focused approach to innovation. The "Catalyst" initiative is a key driver, suggesting an environment that values transformation, efficiency, and user-centric design, particularly for internal operational processes. The emphasis on "driven collaborators and innovators" and "customer-first energy" points to a dynamic work environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as a "Lead" Product Designer, indicating a senior individual contributor position. It demands a high level of autonomy, strategic input, and the ability to mentor or guide other designers. The scope involves complex, end-to-end workflows, suggesting significant responsibility for critical business processes.

Reporting Structure: The Lead Designer will report to a manager or director within the Digital team. They will work closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and business stakeholders across various departments (Risk, Operations). This matrixed reporting structure is typical for driving large initiatives like Catalyst.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts operational efficiency and effectiveness by simplifying complex systems and workflows. This translates to improved internal user productivity, reduced errors, enhanced compliance adherence, and ultimately, a more scalable and efficient business operation. The success of the "Catalyst" initiative is heavily dependent on the UX/UI design of these core platforms.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership & Mentorship: Potential to grow into a formal leadership role (e.g., Design Manager) or become a recognized subject matter expert in complex workflow design and operational UX.

• Specialization: Develop deep expertise in designing for regulated financial services, internal operational tools, and platform-based ecosystems.

• Strategic Influence: Gain significant experience influencing product strategy and technology roadmaps for major digital transformation initiatives.

• Skill Expansion: Opportunity to work with and learn about AI-powered tools and their application in design and operations, staying at the forefront of technological advancements.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a "Lead" role within a critical transformation initiative, this position offers substantial growth potential beyond individual contribution. The focus on complex systems and cross-functional influence provides a strong foundation for career advancement into management, specialized design leadership, or strategic product roles within the financial technology sector.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a Hybrid role, requiring 3 days per week in the OneMain Financial office located in Baltimore, MD. This setup aims to balance the benefits of in-person collaboration with the flexibility of remote work.

Office Location(s): The primary office location for this role is Baltimore, MD. Employees are expected to be within a commutable distance to this location to fulfill the hybrid work requirements.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment likely serves as a central hub for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and in-person collaboration with Product, Engineering, and business stakeholders.

• Technology & Tools: Access to OneMain's standard suite of design tools, collaboration platforms, and potentially specialized software for workflow analysis and AI integration will be available.

• Team Interaction: The 3-day in-office expectation facilitates direct interaction with colleagues, fostering team cohesion, knowledge sharing, and a shared understanding of project goals and challenges.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, typically 40 hours per week. The hybrid schedule allows for flexibility, with designated in-office days (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) and remote workdays. This structure supports focused individual work while enabling essential face-to-face collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model with specific in-office days is designed to foster a balanced work environment. It allows for deep work on remote days and intensive collaboration, ideation, and team building on office days. This structure is common for roles that require significant cross-functional interaction and strategic alignment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: Expect a dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, focusing on 2-3 key case studies that demonstrate your experience with complex systems, workflow design, and measurable impact. Be prepared to discuss your design process, rationale, and collaborative approach.

• Design Challenge/Exercise: You may be given a take-home design exercise or an in-person/virtual whiteboard challenge to assess your problem-solving skills, systems thinking, and ability to apply design principles to a specific scenario relevant to OneMain's operations.

• Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and potentially Operations or Risk stakeholders to evaluate your collaboration skills, ability to influence, and understanding of business needs within a regulated environment.

• Final Round: A final interview, potentially with senior leadership, to assess overall fit, strategic thinking, and alignment with OneMain's vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design solution, and most importantly, the measurable outcomes or impact achieved (e.g., improved efficiency, reduced errors, increased user adoption). Quantify results whenever possible.

• Showcase Systems Thinking: Highlight projects where you tackled complex, interconnected systems. Explain your approach to understanding the broader system and how your design addressed those complexities.

• Demonstrate Collaboration: Be ready to discuss how you partnered with different teams (Product, Engineering, Business) and how you navigated trade-offs or influenced decisions.

• Address AI Integration: If applicable, include a project that utilized AI tools and explain the value it added, demonstrating your forward-thinking approach.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects that align with designing internal tools, operational workflows, or working in regulated industries.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: Research OneMain Financial, its business model, and the "Catalyst" initiative. Consider the challenges of designing for a financial services company with internal operational needs.

• Practice Workflow Mapping: Be prepared to sketch out or discuss how you would approach understanding and designing a complex operational workflow.

• Articulate Trade-offs: Think about how you would balance usability, compliance, efficiency, and technical constraints in your design solutions.

• Prepare for AI Questions: Consider how AI can be applied to enhance design processes or user experiences in a financial context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess both design craft and the ability to operate effectively within a complex business environment. A strong portfolio showcasing relevant experience and the ability to articulate one's process and impact are critical. Preparing for a design challenge that requires systems thinking and an understanding of operational efficiency will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable for modern design teams), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop).

• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Confluence.

• User Research & Testing: UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, or internal tools.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis: Tableau, Power BI, or internal BI tools for analyzing user behavior and operational metrics.

• A/B Testing Platforms: Optimizely, Adobe Target, or internal experimentation frameworks.

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics (less likely for internal tools, but possible for customer-facing aspects).

CRM & Automation:

• CRM: While not directly a design tool, familiarity with how CRMs (like Salesforce, though not explicitly mentioned) feed into operational workflows is beneficial.

• Workflow Automation Tools: Understanding concepts behind workflow automation (e.g., RPA, business process management tools) can be advantageous.

• Design System Management: Tools or processes for managing and updating design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, modern UX/Product Design teams at large financial institutions typically leverage industry-standard software. Proficiency in leading design and prototyping tools like Figma is almost a given. Familiarity with project management tools like Jira and collaboration platforms like Slack is essential for cross-functional work. An understanding of how design integrates with analytics and data reporting is also crucial for demonstrating impact.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer-Centricity: A core value, extending to internal users by ensuring their workflows are as efficient and user-friendly as possible.

• Integrity & Compliance: Paramount in financial services, meaning designs must be robust, secure, and adhere to all regulatory requirements.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Emphasized by the cross-functional nature of the "Catalyst" initiative and the hybrid work model.

• Innovation & Transformation: Driven by the "Catalyst" project, signaling a culture that embraces change and new approaches to modernize operations.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: A commitment to using data to inform design choices and measure success, leading to continuous improvement.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Teams: Expect a highly integrated approach where designers, product managers, and engineers work closely together throughout the development lifecycle.

• Open Communication: The hybrid model encourages clear and frequent communication, both in-person and virtually, to keep everyone aligned.

• Feedback-Oriented: A culture that values constructive feedback, both giving and receiving, to refine designs and processes.

• Problem-Solving Focused: Teams are likely oriented towards tackling complex challenges together, with a shared goal of improving operational efficiency and user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values and the nature of the "Catalyst" project suggest a culture that is both stable and forward-looking. It values ethical conduct, user focus, and collaborative problem-solving, while also pushing for digital innovation and operational excellence.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Systems: Designing for highly integrated, legacy, or complex operational systems requires significant analytical skill and an ability to simplify without losing critical functionality.

• Navigating Regulation: Balancing innovative user experiences with stringent financial industry regulations and compliance requirements can be challenging.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Gaining consensus and influencing decisions among diverse stakeholders with potentially competing priorities (e.g., Risk vs. Operations vs. Engineering) requires strong communication and negotiation skills.

• Driving Adoption: Ensuring internal users adopt new, streamlined workflows requires not just good design but also effective change management and training considerations.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into FinTech: Gain extensive experience in the financial services technology sector, understanding its unique challenges and opportunities.

• AI in Design & Operations: Explore practical applications of AI tools to enhance design workflows and improve operational efficiency, positioning you at the cutting edge of innovation.

• Large-Scale Transformation: Participate in and contribute to a major, multi-year digital transformation initiative ("Catalyst"), offering invaluable experience in large-scale project management and execution.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Opportunities to mentor junior designers and potentially step into leadership roles as the team and initiative grow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges in this role are directly tied to its strategic importance and the complexity of the environment. Overcoming these challenges presents significant growth opportunities, particularly in specialized areas like regulated FinTech design and the application of emerging technologies like AI.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to simplify a highly complex system or workflow into an intuitive user experience. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on systems thinking, problem decomposition, and measurable impact.)

• "How do you balance user needs with strict regulatory compliance requirements in your designs? Can you provide an example?" (Demonstrate understanding of regulated industries and your approach to trade-offs.)

• "Walk us through a project where you collaborated with Product, Engineering, and business stakeholders. How did you manage differing opinions and influence decisions?" (Highlight collaboration, communication, and negotiation skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about OneMain Financial and the 'Catalyst' initiative specifically?" (Research the company's mission, values, and the goals of Catalyst.)

• "How do you approach working within a hybrid team environment? What are your strategies for effective collaboration?" (Showcase your ability to thrive in a hybrid setup.)

• "How do you ensure accessibility and inclusivity are integrated into your design process?" (Demonstrate commitment to inclusive design principles.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, the constraints, your process, the solution, and the quantifiable results. Use a STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method.

• Highlight Complexity: Choose case studies that best showcase your ability to handle complex systems and workflows, as this is a key requirement.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes, flow diagrams) to illustrate your design thinking and solutions.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, trade-offs, and how you validated your solutions.

• Connect to OneMain: Frame your experience and examples in a way that shows how you can directly contribute to OneMain's goals and the Catalyst initiative.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating core UX competencies through concrete examples, especially those involving complex systems, cross-functional collaboration, and data-driven decision-making. Understanding the company's context and the specific goals of the Catalyst initiative will be crucial for tailoring responses.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead Product Designer position:

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

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature 2-3 case studies that best exemplify your experience with complex operational workflows, systems thinking, and measurable impact in regulated environments. Ensure your contributions and the outcomes are clearly articulated.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to highlight keywords relevant to UX Design, Product Design, Systems Thinking, Workflow Design, Agile methodologies, stakeholder management, and any experience with financial services or internal tools. Quantify achievements whenever possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and collaborative approach. Prepare to discuss your portfolio case studies in detail and be ready for a potential design challenge that assesses your problem-solving skills in a relevant context.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research OneMain Financial, its mission, values, and the "Catalyst" initiative. Understand the company's position in the financial services market and its digital transformation goals.

⚠️ 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.