Lead UX Designer - 13 Month Term

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead UX Designer - 13 Month Term

Company: Scotiabank

Location: Toronto, ON, Canada

Job Type: Contractor, Temporary

Category: UX/Product Design

Date Posted: May 16, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design and delivery of high-quality UX and design solutions for complex digital self-service and assistance experiences within the banking sector.

• Drive design quality and outcomes across intricate problem spaces, focusing on enhancing client confidence and enabling digital problem-solving.

• Mentor and guide other designers, contributing to the overall strengthening and elevation of the design practice within the organization.

• Explore and integrate emerging technologies, particularly AI, to augment human-centered design processes while considering ethical, trust, and transparency implications.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a 13-month term contract, indicating a need for an experienced designer capable of quickly integrating into a project and delivering tangible results within a defined timeframe. The focus on "complex problem spaces" and "product or journey level" design suggests a strategic, rather than purely tactical, design role. The explicit mention of AI integration and ethical considerations in regulated environments like banking points to a forward-thinking and responsible approach to design.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Deliver and uphold exceptional UX and design solutions for intricate products, features, or client journeys, ensuring a cohesive and intuitive user experience.

• Champion and contribute to the development and evolution of design patterns, standards, and design systems, fostering alignment and cohesion across cross-functional teams and journeys.

• Demonstrate deep expertise in one or more design disciplines (e.g., UX research, accessibility, content strategy) while maintaining strong working knowledge across adjacent crafts.

• Proactively identify, reframe, and prioritize design opportunities that yield significant customer and business outcomes, aligning user needs with strategic objectives.

• Own the resolution of complex and ambiguous design challenges at the product or journey level, collaborating closely with product management, engineering, and business stakeholders.

• Manage project timelines, dependencies, and potential risks, escalating issues early to ensure continuous progress and on-time delivery.

• Present compelling design narratives that effectively articulate user needs, business objectives, and the strategic rationale behind design decisions.

• Represent and advocate for design excellence within the organization, actively contributing to the growth and maturity of the design community of practice.

• Investigate and explore the potential of AI and emerging technologies to enhance customer experiences, design craft, and operational workflows, with a focus on augmenting human capabilities.

• Ensure awareness and thoughtful consideration of ethical implications, trust, and transparency when designing AI-powered experiences, especially within the sensitive context of financial services.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize leadership in design quality, strategic problem-solving for complex journeys, and a proactive approach to identifying opportunities. The inclusion of AI and ethical considerations highlights a modern design practice within a regulated industry. The expectation to "own the solution" and "influence without authority" points to a senior individual contributor role with significant impact.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Psychology, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for a Lead UX Designer role. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered. Experience:

• Multiple years of progressive experience in product design, UX design, or digital design roles, with a significant portion dedicated to complex digital products or services.

• Proven track record of leading design initiatives at a product or comprehensive journey level, demonstrating the ability to move beyond isolated features.

• Experience in mentoring, coaching, or providing design guidance to junior or mid-level designers.

• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively and drive clarity in ambiguous or undefined environments. Required Skills:

• User Experience (UX) Design: Expertise in user-centered design principles, methodologies, and best practices for digital products.

• Product Design Strategy: Ability to define and execute design strategies that align with business goals and user needs for complex products.

• Digital Product Development: Deep understanding of the end-to-end digital product development lifecycle, from ideation to launch and iteration.

• Design Systems: Proficiency in creating, contributing to, and leveraging design systems for consistency and efficiency across platforms.

• Human-Centered Design: Strong commitment to user advocacy and applying human-centered methodologies throughout the design process.

• Communication & Storytelling: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives and influence stakeholders effectively.

• Problem-Solving: Proven ability to identify, analyze, and solve complex design problems in ambiguous situations.

• Mentorship: Experience guiding and developing other designers.

Preferred Skills:

• AI & Emerging Technologies: Curiosity and working knowledge of AI's impact on UX, design craft, and workflows, including ethical considerations.

• Accessibility Standards: Understanding and application of WCAG and other accessibility guidelines to ensure inclusive design.

• User Research Methodologies: Proficiency in various research techniques (e.g., interviews, usability testing, surveys) to gather user insights.

• Agile/Scrum Methodologies: Experience working within Agile development environments.

• Financial Services Industry: Familiarity with the unique challenges and opportunities within the banking or financial technology sector.

• Visual Design Principles: Strong aesthetic sensibility and understanding of visual design best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "complex digital products or services" and "leading design work at a product or journey level" suggests the need for a candidate who can handle strategic design challenges and not just execution. Mentorship experience is explicitly called out, indicating a desire for leadership within the design team. The inclusion of AI and ethical considerations points to a need for forward-thinking designers.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: Comprehensive case studies showcasing end-to-end design processes for complex digital products or journeys. These should clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, key decisions, and the resulting outcomes.

• Problem Framing: Evidence of your ability to identify, define, and reframe ambiguous design problems, demonstrating strategic thinking and an understanding of business objectives.

• Design Deliverables: Examples of high-fidelity prototypes, user flows, wireframes, and interaction designs that showcase your craft and attention to detail.

• System Contribution: Examples of contributions to or experience with design systems, demonstrating an understanding of reusable components, patterns, and design tokens.

• Impact Demonstration: Quantifiable results and metrics demonstrating the positive impact of your design solutions on user experience and business outcomes (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion times, increased user satisfaction).

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Showcase your process for mapping out complex user journeys and designing efficient, intuitive workflows.

• Collaboration & Iteration: Illustrate how you collaborate with cross-functional teams (product, engineering, research) and iterate on designs based on feedback and data.

• Design Rationale: Clearly articulate the reasoning behind your design choices, linking them back to user needs, business goals, and research findings.

• AI Integration Considerations: If applicable, include examples or thought processes related to designing with AI, highlighting awareness of ethical implications and user trust.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this Lead UX Designer role, the portfolio is crucial for demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership in design, and the ability to deliver impact on complex projects. The emphasis on "product or journey level" means case studies should go beyond single features and show a holistic approach. Demonstrating experience with design systems and an understanding of AI's role in UX are key differentiators.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• For a Lead UX Designer role in Toronto, Ontario, with 5-10 years of experience, the estimated salary range is CAD $95,000 - $130,000 annually. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior design roles in major Canadian financial hubs, considering the contract nature of the position which may influence the hourly rate or total compensation. Benefits:

• Bonus: Potential for a performance-based bonus.

• Flexible Vacation: Flexible vacation time to promote work-life balance.

• Personal Days: Dedicated personal days for individual needs.

• Sick Days: Paid sick leave to support employee well-being.

• Health Benefits: Comprehensive health and dental benefits package starting from day one.

• Upskilling Online Courses: Access to online courses for continuous learning and skill development.

• Cross-functional Development Opportunities: Chances to work on diverse projects and gain experience across different teams.

• Tuition Assistance: Support for further education and professional development.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, typically 40 hours per week. While on-site, flexibility may be offered depending on project needs and team agreements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate for this specific role and location, based on typical compensation for experienced Lead UX Designers in Toronto. The benefits listed are directly from the provided text, highlighting the comprehensive package offered by Scotiabank for contract employees. The 13-month term may mean benefits are structured differently than for permanent employees, but the listed items suggest a robust offering.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services / Banking. Scotiabank operates as a leading bank in the Americas, offering a wide array of financial products and services. This industry context means a strong emphasis on security, compliance, trust, and ethical practices, particularly relevant for digital and AI-driven experiences.

Company Size: Large enterprise, as indicated by its status as a major bank with a global presence. This implies structured processes, established hierarchies, and opportunities for impact within a significant organization.

Founded: Scotiabank was founded in 1832, signifying a long history and established reputation in the financial sector. This depth of history often translates to a culture that values stability and long-term vision, while also adapting to modern digital transformation.

Team Structure:

• Design Team: The role is within a design team focused on digital self-service and assistance experiences. This suggests a collaborative environment where designers work closely together.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role requires close partnership with Product Management, Engineering, and Business stakeholders, indicating a matrixed or agile team structure common in modern digital product development.

• Reporting: While not explicitly detailed, a Lead UX Designer often reports to a Design Manager or Director, with direct influence on product teams.

Methodology:

• Human-Centered Design: The team focuses on enabling clients to solve problems independently and improving digital banking experiences, reflecting a user-centric approach.

• Agile Development: Collaboration with engineering and product management implies working within agile or iterative development frameworks.

• AI Exploration: The team is actively exploring AI's impact on customer experience, suggesting an innovative and forward-looking methodology.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context of a large, established financial institution is critical. It means design decisions must balance innovation with stringent security, regulatory compliance, and the need to build and maintain customer trust. The team's focus on digital self-service and assistance highlights a strategic initiative to enhance client experience through technology.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is classified as a "Lead" role within UX Design. It signifies a senior individual contributor capable of driving design quality, mentoring others, and owning complex design challenges. It sits above mid-level designers and below a Design Manager or Director, focusing on execution excellence and strategic design thinking for specific products or journeys.

Reporting Structure: The Lead UX Designer will likely report to a Design Manager or Head of UX within the digital product development group. They will collaborate extensively with Product Managers and Engineering Leads on specific product teams.

Operations Impact: The Lead UX Designer has a direct impact on customer satisfaction, digital adoption rates, operational efficiency (through effective self-service), and ultimately, the bank's reputation and competitive standing in the digital financial services landscape. Their work influences how millions of clients interact with Scotiabank digitally.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas such as AI-driven UX, accessibility in financial services, or complex journey design.

• Leadership Development: Gain experience in mentoring and guiding design teams, potentially leading to future management or principal design roles.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Broaden understanding of product management, engineering processes, and business strategy within a large financial institution.

• Industry Exposure: Develop expertise in the unique challenges and innovations within the FinTech and digital banking sectors.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Build a strong portfolio with high-impact case studies from a reputable financial institution, valuable for future career advancements.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a 13-month term role, the growth is primarily focused on skill enhancement, portfolio building, and gaining specific industry experience within a leading financial institution. While direct long-term career progression within Scotiabank might depend on performance and available permanent roles, the learning and impact potential is significant.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site. This role is based in Toronto, indicating a requirement to work from a Scotiabank office location.

Office Location(s): Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Postal Code: M5A3X5). Specific office details would be provided upon engagement.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a dynamic workspace designed for collaboration, likely featuring open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and potentially dedicated design spaces.

• Tools & Technology: Access to standard office productivity software, design tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch), and potentially specialized banking or FinTech platforms.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular in-person interaction with design peers, product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders, fostering a strong sense of team and facilitating efficient communication.

Work Schedule:

• Typically a 40-hour work week. While on-site, there may be some flexibility in start/end times, but core business hours and project deadlines will dictate availability. The contract nature may imply a fixed schedule without the same level of flexibility sometimes seen in permanent roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Toronto suggests an environment that values in-person collaboration, ideation, and team cohesion, which is common in traditional financial institutions. The focus on "digital self-service and assistance experiences" implies working within a modern digital product development setting within the bank.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: You will likely be asked to present 1-2 key case studies from your portfolio, explaining your process, design decisions, and the impact of your work. Be prepared for in-depth questions about your role, challenges, and solutions.

• Behavioral & Situational Interviews: Questions designed to assess your leadership style, problem-solving approach, ability to work in ambiguous environments, collaboration skills, and experience mentoring designers. Expect questions related to ethical design and AI.

• Cross-functional Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, or other key partners to evaluate your ability to collaborate effectively and influence without authority.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior design leader or hiring manager to discuss overall fit and confirm suitability for the role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select case studies that best demonstrate your experience with complex digital products/journeys, your leadership in design, and your ability to drive outcomes. Prioritize quality over quantity.

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies around a clear narrative: the problem, your approach, your critical decisions, the solution, and the measurable results. Quantify impact wherever possible.

• Highlight Your Role: Clearly articulate your specific contributions, especially if working on a team. For a Lead role, emphasize strategic thinking, problem-solving, and mentorship.

• Showcase Process: Detail your design process, including research, ideation, iteration, and collaboration. Explain why you made certain choices.

• Address AI & Ethics: If you have relevant experience or thoughtful approaches to AI in design, be prepared to discuss them, especially regarding trust and ethical considerations.

• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design philosophy, how you handle feedback, your experience with ambiguity, and your approach to mentoring.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a potential design exercise or challenge, either take-home or during an interview. This could involve analyzing a problem space, proposing design solutions, or critiquing an existing experience.

• Focus on Process: Even if given limited time, demonstrating a structured design process is key. Think about user needs, business goals, and potential constraints.

• Communicate Clearly: Practice articulating your thoughts and design rationale concisely and effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily rely on your portfolio to showcase your capabilities. As a Lead role, expect questions that probe your strategic thinking, leadership potential, and ability to navigate complex organizational dynamics. Preparation around AI and ethical design is crucial given the job description.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping Software: Proficiency is expected in industry-standard tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision, or similar platforms for wireframing, prototyping, and creating high-fidelity designs.

• Collaboration Tools: Experience with tools like Jira, Confluence, Slack, Microsoft Teams for project management, communication, and documentation.

• Design System Tools: Familiarity with tools or platforms used for managing and implementing design systems (e.g., Zeroheight, Storybook, internal component libraries).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Understanding of tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar platforms to interpret user behavior data and inform design decisions.

• User Feedback Platforms: Experience with tools for collecting and analyzing user feedback (e.g., surveys, in-app feedback tools, NPS platforms).

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how UX designs integrate with and impact customer journeys managed by CRM systems (like Salesforce) can be beneficial. Familiarity with how user data flows and influences personalized experiences is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the core requirement is strong UX design skills, familiarity with the broader digital product development toolset, including collaboration and analytics tools, is essential for effective cross-functional work and data-informed design. The explicit mention of AI suggests that experience or a willingness to learn about AI integration tools and platforms would be advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of bank clients, ensuring digital experiences are intuitive, reliable, and valuable.

• Innovation & Adaptability: Embracing new technologies like AI and continuously seeking ways to improve digital offerings and user experiences.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively across diverse teams (product, engineering, business) to achieve shared goals and deliver cohesive solutions.

• Quality & Excellence: A dedication to delivering high-quality design work that meets rigorous standards for usability, accessibility, and aesthetic appeal.

• Integrity & Trust: Upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct, security, and transparency, especially critical in the financial services industry.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: Working closely with Product Managers to define product strategy and roadmaps, and with Engineers to ensure feasible and well-implemented designs.

• Data-Informed: Utilizing user research, analytics, and feedback to guide design decisions and measure impact.

• Iterative & Feedback-Driven: Embracing a culture of continuous improvement, actively seeking and incorporating feedback from stakeholders and users throughout the design process.

• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: A willingness to share expertise, mentor junior designers, and contribute to the collective growth of the design community within Scotiabank.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values, particularly integrity, trust, and customer centricity, are paramount in the banking sector. The collaborative style emphasizes cross-functional partnerships and a data-informed, iterative approach to design, which is standard for modern digital product teams.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Regulation: Designing cutting-edge experiences (especially with AI) while adhering to strict financial industry regulations, security protocols, and compliance requirements.

• Navigating Ambiguity: Tackling complex, ill-defined problems within a large corporate structure and translating them into clear design solutions.

• Influencing Stakeholders: Persuading diverse groups of stakeholders with varying priorities to adopt design recommendations and champion user-centered approaches.

• Mentoring and Leading: Effectively guiding and inspiring other designers while also managing personal design responsibilities on complex projects.

• AI Integration Nuances: Exploring and implementing AI features responsibly, ensuring they enhance rather than detract from the user experience and maintain trust.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI in Design: Gaining practical experience and insights into designing with AI, understanding its ethical implications and potential in financial services.

• Complex Digital Transformation: Contributing to significant digital initiatives within a major financial institution, offering exposure to large-scale change management.

• Financial Services UX: Developing specialized knowledge and expertise in the unique UX challenges and opportunities within the banking sector.

• Design Leadership: Enhancing leadership and mentorship skills through direct experience guiding design efforts and supporting team growth.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Deepening understanding of product management, agile development, and business strategy through close collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior design roles in regulated industries, requiring a blend of creativity, strategic thinking, and strong interpersonal skills. The growth opportunities highlight the unique value proposition of working on impactful projects within a leading financial institution.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex digital product or journey you led the design for. What were the key challenges, how did you approach them, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on problem framing, strategic decisions, and quantifiable results.)

• "How do you approach designing for ambiguity? Can you provide an example of a time you had to create clarity from an unclear brief?" (Highlight your process for discovery and problem definition.)

• "How would you integrate AI features into a banking application to enhance user experience while maintaining trust and transparency?" (Showcase your understanding of AI's potential, ethical considerations, and human-centered design principles.)

• "How do you ensure your designs are accessible and inclusive for all users, especially within a regulated environment like banking?" (Demonstrate knowledge of accessibility standards and their practical application.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Scotiabank and our mission to help customers achieve their financial goals?" (Research Scotiabank's purpose, values, and recent initiatives.)

• "How do you approach mentoring junior designers? What is your philosophy on fostering a strong design community?" (Prepare examples of your mentorship experience and approach.)

• "How do you balance user needs with business objectives and technical constraints?" (Illustrate your ability to find optimal solutions through compromise and strategic thinking.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Impactful Projects: Choose 1-2 case studies that best showcase your ability to lead design for complex issues and demonstrate significant outcomes.

• Structure Your Narrative: Clearly outline the problem, your specific role and responsibilities, your design process (research, ideation, iteration), key design decisions with rationale, and the measurable impact of your solutions.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your process, your rationale, challenges faced, and how you collaborated with teams.

• Articulate AI/Ethical Considerations: If your projects touch on AI or complex ethical scenarios, be ready to discuss your thought process and approach.

• Practice Your Delivery: Rehearse your presentation to ensure clarity, conciseness, and confidence. Time yourself to stay within any given limits.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation emphasizes demonstrating strategic leadership, problem-solving skills in complex and ambiguous situations, and a thoughtful approach to emerging technologies like AI, all within the context of a regulated financial institution. Your portfolio is your primary tool for illustrating these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the official Scotiabank careers portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Review your portfolio and select 1-2 key case studies that best align with the requirements of a Lead UX Designer role in financial services, emphasizing complex digital journeys, problem-solving, and tangible outcomes. Ensure your role and contributions are clearly defined.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your experience in product/UX/digital design, leadership, mentorship, complex problem-solving, and any relevant experience with AI or ethical design considerations. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, key decisions, and project outcomes. Prepare to discuss your approach to leadership, mentorship, and working within a regulated industry. Familiarize yourself with Scotiabank's purpose and values.

• Company Research: Gain a deeper understanding of Scotiabank's digital initiatives, their approach to customer experience, and their position in the financial services market.

⚠️ 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.