Lead UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead UX Designer

Company: Applied Systems Canada

Location: Remote (US and Canada)

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design Operations

Date Posted: September 15, 2026

Experience Level: 7+ Years (with 2+ years in leadership)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive strategic direction and product vision for complex, multi-step, high-volume B2B workflows within insurance technology.

• Lead and mentor a UX team, ensuring the delivery of exceptional user experiences that minimize time, friction, and errors for insurance agents.

• Define and implement scalable Information Architecture (IA) frameworks and interaction models that unify patterns across multiple products and systems.

• Champion user research, design systems, and accessibility best practices to elevate the overall quality and impact of the Ivans product suite.

• Collaborate closely with engineering, product management, and marketing to ensure seamless design delivery, brand coherence, and alignment with business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Lead UX Designer within the Ivans division of Applied Systems, focusing on complex B2B workflows for insurance agents. The emphasis on "removing time, friction, and errors" and "shaping strategic direction" indicates a high-impact role requiring strong leadership, strategic thinking, and deep expertise in enterprise-level UX design. The "Operations" aspect comes from the focus on optimizing complex, high-volume processes for end-users, which directly impacts operational efficiency for thousands of agencies.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and execute UX strategies and frameworks for complex, multi-team initiatives, ensuring alignment with product vision and user needs.

• Lead planning sessions to establish scope, timelines, and success metrics across UX, product, and engineering disciplines.

• Shape research agendas, integrating data from multiple sources to inform strategic design direction and drive cross-product decisions.

• Create scalable Information Architecture (IA) frameworks and models that span multiple workflows and systems, ensuring content structure and naming conventions are consistent.

• Design system-level interaction models that unify patterns and promote reusable experiences across products, with a focus on scalability, accessibility, and maintainability.

• Oversee design delivery and implementation planning across product teams, defining and enforcing standards for QA, design fidelity, and usability validation.

• Facilitate high-impact design workshops and cross-disciplinary planning sessions, navigating competing priorities and building consensus.

• Deliver compelling design narratives that articulate strategy, inspire action, and translate complex design concepts into clear, audience-specific communication.

• Ensure visual design consistency and brand coherence across complex experiences by shaping the evolution of visual standards within the design system.

• Mentor and coach peer designers, elevating team capabilities in complex problem-solving, design systems, and effective facilitation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed cover the full spectrum of a senior UX leadership role, from strategic planning and research to detailed interaction and visual design, and finally to deployment oversight and team mentorship. The emphasis on "multi-team initiatives," "scalable IA frameworks," and "system-level interaction models" suggests a focus on enterprise-level design operations and consistency across a large product suite, requiring a strong systems-thinking approach.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: 7+ years of experience in UX/product design, with a minimum of 2 years in a leadership or strategic role. Proven success leading large-scale design efforts with measurable business and user impact.

Required Skills:

• B2B complex interaction design experience, crafting multi-step, high-volume workflows.

• Strong portfolio demonstrating design leadership across complex, shipped digital products.

• Deep experience with user research methodologies, design systems, and interaction models.

• Expert-level proficiency in design and collaboration tools such as Figma and Miro.

• Mastery of UX design principles, systems thinking, and product strategy alignment.

• Exceptional facilitation and communication skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and guide decision-making.

• Deep understanding of research methodologies and their strategic application.

• Ability to coach designers through complex problem spaces and grow team capability.

• Experience working across multiple product domains or platforms.

• Knowledge of technical constraints and development workflows; effective collaboration with engineering teams.

• Comfort navigating ambiguity and leading in environments with shifting priorities. Preferred Skills:

• Visionary thinking with the ability to drive long-term design impact while delivering in the short term.

• Experience working across multiple product domains and stakeholder groups.

• Knowledge of accessibility standards and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills highlight a need for deep expertise in enterprise B2B UX, particularly in designing complex workflows. The emphasis on "systems thinking," "design systems," and "influencing senior stakeholders" points to a role that requires not just design execution but also strategic influence and operational process improvement within the design function.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is mandatory, showcasing at least 7+ years of UX/product design experience, with a significant focus on leadership and strategic contributions.

• Demonstrate experience in designing complex, multi-step, high-volume B2B workflows, highlighting how your designs improved efficiency, reduced errors, and enhanced user satisfaction.

• Include case studies that illustrate your ability to lead large-scale design efforts, detailing the strategic approach, research methodologies employed, and measurable business and user impact.

• Showcase your expertise in developing and utilizing design systems, scalable Information Architecture (IA) frameworks, and system-level interaction models across multiple products or platforms.

• Provide evidence of your proficiency with industry-standard design and collaboration tools like Figma and Miro, and how you leveraged them to drive design outcomes. Process Documentation:

• Case studies should clearly document the design process from problem definition through to deployment, including:

  • Strategic planning and alignment with product roadmaps.

  • User research methodologies and key insights derived.

  • IA and interaction design frameworks developed.

  • Visual design direction and system alignment.

  • Collaboration with engineering and QA for seamless delivery.

  • Metrics used to measure success and impact (e.g., reduction in task completion time, error rates, user satisfaction scores).

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Lead UX Designer role, the portfolio is critical for demonstrating not just design skills but also leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to manage complex, large-scale design operations. The emphasis on "measurable business and user impact" and "process documentation" indicates a need for candidates to articulate not just what they designed, but how they achieved results and why their approach was effective.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $140,000 - $190,000 CAD per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage.

• Generous Holiday and Vacation Time.

• Dedicated Health & Wellness Days.

• A special Bonus Day for your Birthday.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility expected for a remote role, particularly for cross-time zone collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range of $140,000 - $190,000 CAD per year for a Lead UX Designer in Canada is competitive and reflects the seniority and specialized skills required for this role. The benefits package is standard for a full-time position, with a few unique perks like a birthday bonus day. The explicit mention of flexibility for a remote role, especially concerning cross-time zone collaboration, is important for candidates to consider.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Insurance Technology (InsurTech), Cloud Software, AI-powered Solutions.

Company Size: Applied Systems is a significant player in the insurance technology sector, indicating a mid-to-large enterprise environment that fosters innovation and scalability.

Founded: Applied Systems has a history of over 40 years, suggesting a stable, established company with deep industry expertise and a proven track record.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the Ivans UX team, a division of Applied Systems focused on reinventing insurance technology.

• This team likely comprises UX designers, researchers, and potentially UX writers, working collaboratively on product initiatives.

• The Lead UX Designer will be expected to provide product vision and leadership, suggesting a hierarchical structure where mentorship and strategic guidance are key.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, with close ties to product management, engineering, and marketing teams. Methodology:

• The company leverages cloud software and AI-powered solutions, indicating a modern, data-driven approach to product development.

• Emphasis is placed on designing complex workflows that are efficient, error-free, and scalable, suggesting a focus on process optimization and user-centric design.

• The recruitment process mentions AI utilization for streamlining workflows, reflecting a forward-thinking approach to technology adoption.

Company Website: https://www.appliedsystems.com/ (and specific Ivans division information likely available on their site)

📝 Enhancement Note: Applied Systems' long history in InsurTech, combined with its focus on cloud and AI, positions it as a stable yet innovative company. The Ivans division specifically targets the reinvention of insurance technology, suggesting an environment where significant UX impact is possible. The "people-first culture built on trust, inclusion, and growth" indicates a supportive environment for professional development.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Lead UX Designer position, signifying a senior-level role with significant responsibility. It sits at the intersection of design execution and strategic leadership, requiring the ability to influence product direction and mentor junior designers. This role is crucial for driving operational efficiency within the product through superior user experience design.

Reporting Structure: The Lead UX Designer will report to a Director or VP of UX/Product Design within the Ivans division. They will be responsible for guiding a team of designers and collaborating closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads.

Operations Impact: The role's primary impact is on operational efficiency for thousands of insurance agencies and brokers worldwide. By designing complex workflows that are faster, more intuitive, and less error-prone, the Lead UX Designer directly contributes to increased productivity, reduced operational costs, and improved customer satisfaction for Applied Systems' clients. This role is central to the company's mission of reinventing insurance technology.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of enterprise UX, such as AI-driven design, complex workflow optimization, or accessibility for B2B platforms.

• Leadership Advancement: Progress to a Senior Lead UX Designer, Director of UX, or Head of Design role, managing larger teams and broader product portfolios.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Transition into Product Management or Strategy roles, leveraging deep user understanding and product vision.

• Skill Development: Access to industry conferences, training, and mentorship programs to continuously enhance design and leadership capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Lead UX Designer role is a pivotal point in a UX career, demanding both deep design craft and strategic leadership. The "operations" aspect is embodied in the role's mandate to streamline complex business processes for users, directly impacting client operational efficiency and thus the company's value proposition. Growth opportunities are clearly defined, aligning with typical career trajectories in senior design leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote, allowing candidates across the US and Canada to apply without relocation. This fosters a flexible work environment tailored to modern professional needs.

Office Location(s): While fully remote, the company operates within the US and Canada, suggesting adherence to local labor laws and business practices in both regions. The company has a significant presence in North America.

Workspace Context:

• The remote work setup emphasizes autonomy and self-management, requiring strong organizational skills.

• Collaboration will primarily occur through digital tools like Figma and Miro, necessitating effective virtual communication and teamwork.

• The company culture promotes trust and inclusion, suggesting a supportive remote team environment where contributions are valued.

• Access to modern design and collaboration tools is expected to facilitate efficient workflow and communication.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week) are expected. However, given the remote and international nature of the role, some flexibility may be required to accommodate meetings across different time zones (e.g., US and Canada).

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature of this role is a significant aspect of the work environment. It requires candidates to be self-motivated and proficient in virtual collaboration tools. The company's commitment to a "people-first culture" suggests that despite being remote, efforts are made to foster team cohesion and support.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess alignment with required experience and skills.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion focused on leadership experience, strategic thinking, and B2B design expertise. Candidates will be expected to articulate their approach to complex workflow design and team mentorship.

• Design Challenge/Workshop: A practical exercise, potentially a simulated design workshop or a case study presentation, to evaluate problem-solving skills, design process, and collaboration abilities in a realistic scenario. This may involve presenting portfolio work and discussing strategic decisions.

• Cross-functional Interview: Meeting with key stakeholders from Product Management and Engineering to assess collaboration skills, understanding of technical constraints, and ability to influence cross-functional teams.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss overall vision, cultural fit, and long-term impact.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Leadership: Clearly articulate your role and impact in leading design initiatives, mentoring teams, and shaping strategic direction.

• Showcase B2B Workflow Expertise: Dedicate specific case studies to complex, multi-step B2B workflows, detailing the problem, your process, the solution, and the measurable outcomes (e.g., efficiency gains, error reduction).

• Demonstrate Systems Thinking: Include examples of how you've designed or contributed to design systems, scalable IA, and consistent interaction models across multiple products.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the business and user impact of your designs.

• Explain Your Process: Be prepared to walk through your design process for each project, explaining your rationale for research methods, design decisions, and collaboration strategies.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize experience relevant to insurance technology or similar complex enterprise software if applicable.

Challenge Preparation:

• Prepare to discuss how you would approach designing a complex, multi-step workflow for insurance agents, focusing on efficiency and error reduction.

• Be ready to present a specific case study from your portfolio that best demonstrates your leadership and strategic design capabilities.

• Practice articulating your design philosophy, your approach to user research, and how you collaborate with engineering and product teams.

• Consider how you would foster a culture of design excellence and mentorship within a remote team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a Lead UX Designer role is rigorous, focusing heavily on demonstrated leadership, strategic impact, and the ability to manage complex design operations. The portfolio review is paramount, requiring candidates to meticulously showcase their experience in B2B workflow optimization and systems-level design.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (Expert-level proficiency required)

• Collaboration & Whiteboarding: Miro (Expert-level proficiency required)

• Design Systems: Experience in creating, maintaining, and scaling design systems.

• Prototyping Tools: May include Figma's prototyping features or other specialized tools for interactive prototypes.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to understand user behavior and inform design decisions.

• Experience with A/B testing and usability testing tools to validate design hypotheses and measure impact.

• Ability to interpret data and translate insights into actionable design improvements. CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how UX integrates with CRM and other business systems is beneficial for B2B workflow design.

• Knowledge of how automation tools can impact user workflows and efficiency.

• Experience working with engineering teams to understand integration points and technical constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and Miro as expert-level requirements highlights the company's reliance on these collaborative design tools. The emphasis on design systems, analytics, and understanding technical constraints points to a need for a Lead UX Designer who can operate strategically within a broader product development ecosystem, influencing and optimizing the operational aspects of design delivery.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of insurance agents, focusing on creating intuitive, efficient, and error-free experiences.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing user research, analytics, and performance metrics to inform design strategies and validate the impact of design solutions.

• Efficiency & Optimization: A drive to continuously improve workflows, reduce friction, and eliminate errors within complex B2B processes.

• Collaboration & Influence: Fostering strong partnerships across product, engineering, and marketing to achieve shared goals and drive cohesive product development.

• Innovation & Vision: Embracing new technologies (like AI) and forward-thinking design approaches to reinvent insurance technology and set industry standards.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively partnering with Product Management and Engineering to ensure designs are feasible, aligned with business goals, and effectively implemented.

• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: A culture of supporting fellow designers, sharing best practices, and fostering professional growth through constructive critique and guidance.

• Structured Facilitation: Utilizing workshops and structured discussions to build consensus, navigate complex challenges, and drive decision-making efficiently.

• Open Communication: Maintaining transparent and clear communication channels, especially in a remote setting, to ensure alignment and address potential roadblocks proactively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values and collaboration style align with best practices for modern, high-performing design teams, particularly those focused on enterprise software. The emphasis on "efficiency & optimization" and "data-driven decision making" directly relates to the operational impact of UX design in this role.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of B2B Workflows: Designing for intricate, multi-step processes used by professionals daily requires deep domain understanding and a rigorous approach to user research and simplification.

• Balancing Strategic Vision with Execution: Leading long-term design initiatives while ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality, actionable designs in the short term.

• Navigating Ambiguity and Shifting Priorities: Thriving in a dynamic environment where project scopes and priorities may evolve, requiring adaptability and strong strategic alignment.

• Driving Design Consistency Across Multiple Products: Ensuring a unified user experience and brand identity across a broad suite of insurance technology solutions.

• Mentoring and Developing a Remote Team: Effectively coaching and guiding designers in a distributed environment, fostering team cohesion and skill development.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX Strategy: Opportunities to refine and expand expertise in strategic UX planning, product visioning, and leading large-scale design transformations.

• InsurTech Domain Expertise: Deepen knowledge of the insurance industry and its technology landscape, becoming a subject matter expert.

• Leadership Development: Formal and informal training in team leadership, stakeholder management, and strategic influence.

• Industry Engagement: Potential to represent Applied Systems at industry conferences, contribute to thought leadership, and stay at the forefront of UX and InsurTech trends.

• Mentorship Programs: Access to senior leaders and peers for guidance on career progression, skill development, and navigating organizational dynamics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the demanding nature of a Lead UX role in a complex enterprise software environment. The growth opportunities are well-defined and cater to both the deepening of UX craft and the advancement of leadership skills, essential for a career in operations-focused design leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to defining UX strategies for large, multi-team initiatives. How do you ensure alignment with product roadmaps and business goals?" (Focus on strategic planning, cross-functional collaboration, and impact measurement.)

• "Walk us through a complex B2B workflow you designed. What were the key challenges, your process for simplification, and the measurable outcomes in terms of time, friction, and error reduction?" (Prepare a detailed case study from your portfolio.)

• "How do you approach leading and mentoring designers, especially in a remote environment? How do you foster design quality and consistency across different product areas?" (Highlight leadership style, mentorship techniques, and experience with design systems.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in Applied Systems and the Ivans division specifically? What excites you about the insurance technology industry?" (Research the company's mission, values, and recent innovations.)

• "How do you foster collaboration and build alignment with product and engineering teams when priorities may conflict?" (Discuss your communication and negotiation skills, and experience with structured facilitation.)

• "How do you measure the success and impact of your UX designs on business objectives and user satisfaction?" (Be prepared to discuss metrics, KPIs, and ROI related to UX initiatives.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role and responsibilities, your strategic approach, the design process, the solution, and the quantifiable results.

• Emphasize Leadership & Strategy: Highlight instances where you led design efforts, influenced product direction, or mentored other designers.

• Showcase Workflow Optimization: Dedicate significant time to demonstrating how you've tackled complex, high-volume workflows and achieved measurable improvements.

• Discuss Design Systems: Explain your experience with design systems and how you've leveraged them for consistency and scalability.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design decisions, research methodologies, and how you handled challenges.

• Interactive Elements: If possible, use interactive prototypes or mockups to bring your designs to life and facilitate discussion.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, proven leadership in complex design environments, and a deep understanding of user-centric operational efficiency. Candidates must be ready to articulate their process, quantify their impact, and showcase their ability to lead and mentor.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the official Applied Systems careers portal via the provided URL.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest B2B design case studies that specifically highlight your experience with complex, multi-step workflows, leadership, and measurable impact. Ensure these demonstrate your systems thinking and collaboration skills.

• Tailor Your Resume: Optimize your resume to clearly articulate your 7+ years of UX/product design experience, emphasizing your 2+ years in leadership roles and any experience relevant to enterprise software or insurance technology. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice walking through your portfolio case studies, focusing on your strategic approach, design process, and quantifiable outcomes. Be ready to discuss your leadership philosophy and how you mentor designers.

• Research Applied Systems: Familiarize yourself with Applied Systems, the Ivans division, their products, and their stated company values. Understand their position in the insurance technology market and their commitment to innovation.

⚠️ 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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