Lead UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead UX Designer

Company: Citi

Location: Tampa, Florida, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: Digital Design Engineering (Technology)

Date Posted: 2026-08-19

Experience Level: 10+ years overall, 7+ years in UX Design

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design and development of innovative digital products, driving user experience excellence across complex enterprise platforms.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with product management, engineering, and UX research to translate business needs and user insights into intuitive design solutions.

• Utilize industry-leading design tools, particularly Figma, and contribute to/leverage established Design Systems to ensure consistency and efficiency.

• Champion user advocacy by ensuring designs meet ADA/WCAG accessibility standards and are validated through user research and testing.

• Mentor and develop junior designers, fostering a collaborative and high-performing design team environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is titled "Lead UX Designer," the description and responsibilities indicate a strong emphasis on leading design initiatives, mentoring, and contributing to design standards, positioning it as a senior individual contributor or team lead role within the digital design engineering function. The inclusion of AI-enabled design tools highlights a forward-thinking approach to design processes.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity design of digital products, ensuring a user-centered approach from conception to delivery.

• Partner closely with UX Research, Product Managers, and Engineering teams to brainstorm, co-create, and refine design solutions that address user needs and business objectives.

• Ensure all design outputs adhere to established best practices, accessibility standards (ADA/WCAG), and contribute to the evolution of the company's Design System.

• Proactively challenge the status quo by identifying root causes of design issues and advocating for solutions that optimize the user experience and business outcomes.

• Provide clear, actionable guidance and high-quality design assets to engineering teams, conducting regular UX review checkpoints to ensure faithful implementation.

• Stay abreast of emerging UX trends, innovations, and tools, particularly in areas like generative design and AI-assisted prototyping, and integrate them responsibly into workflows.

• Manage design project timelines, identify potential risks, and escalate issues proactively to ensure on-time delivery of design deliverables.

• Lead by example in mentoring junior designers, offering constructive feedback, and supporting their professional development within the UX discipline.

• Actively participate in and contribute to the broader UX community, helping to define and uphold design standards and best practices across the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize leadership, strategic thinking, and hands-on design execution. The mention of "complex, enterprise-scale or consumer design projects" suggests that candidates should be prepared to discuss large-scale, impactful design challenges. The explicit requirement for AI-enabled design tool experience indicates a critical area for candidates to highlight.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience in a relevant field.

• Master’s degree preferred. Experience:

• 10+ years of overall professional experience.

• 7+ years of dedicated industry experience in UX Design, with a proven track record in complex, enterprise-scale or consumer design projects. Required Skills:

• Exceptional proficiency in professional design tools, with a strong emphasis on Figma.

• Extensive experience in creating wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity designs.

• Proven ability to work with, contribute to, and leverage established Design Systems.

• Deep understanding and practical application of accessibility best practices, including ADA/WCAG standards.

• Strong analytical skills, problem-solving capabilities, and meticulous attention to detail.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale effectively to diverse stakeholders.

• Demonstrated experience in leveraging AI-enabled design tools and workflows strategically, including generative design and AI-assisted prototyping, with the judgment to guide teams responsibly. Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the financial services industry, particularly in financial or complex applications and commercial banking.

• Familiarity and experience working within agile development methodologies.

• Experience in user research and usability testing to inform and validate design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required experience level (10+ years overall, 7+ in UX) signifies a senior leadership or principal-level role. The explicit mention of AI-enabled design tools is a critical differentiator, suggesting candidates should prepare specific examples of how they've used these technologies to enhance design processes or outcomes. Financial services experience is highly desirable, indicating the need to understand industry-specific user needs and regulatory constraints.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a range of complex design projects, demonstrating a deep understanding of the end-to-end UX design process from ideation through to implementation.

• Include detailed case studies that highlight your approach to problem-solving, user research integration, and the rationale behind design decisions.

• Present examples of wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups created using Figma.

• Demonstrate experience with established Design Systems, including contributions or how you've leveraged them effectively.

• Clearly articulate your role and impact in each project, quantifying achievements where possible (e.g., improvements in user satisfaction, task completion rates, reduction in support tickets). Process Documentation:

• Illustrate your ability to document design processes, including user flows, interaction models, and design specifications for engineering handoff.

• Provide examples of how you've used user feedback and data to iterate on designs and improve existing workflows.

• Showcase your understanding of accessibility standards and how you integrate them into your design and documentation process.

• Demonstrate experience with AI-enabled design workflows, detailing how these tools were integrated into your process and the resulting efficiencies or quality improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is paramount for this role. Candidates should prepare to present detailed case studies that not only showcase design execution but also strategic thinking, problem-solving methodologies, and measurable impact. The emphasis on Figma, Design Systems, and AI tools means these should be prominent features within the portfolio.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $153,600 - $230,400 annually.

Explanation: This range is provided based on the disclosed salary information for the Tampa, Florida location, reflecting a Lead UX Designer role with significant experience requirements (10+ years overall, 7+ in UX design) within a large, established financial institution like Citi. This aligns with industry benchmarks for senior design leadership roles in major metropolitan areas, accounting for the cost of living and the specialized skills required, including AI-enabled design tools.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• 401(k) retirement savings plan.

• Life, accident, and disability insurance.

• Wellness programs designed to support employee health and well-being.

• Generous paid time off package, including vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays.

• Potential for discretionary and formulaic incentive and retention awards (as noted by the company).

Working Hours: 40 hours per week. This is a standard full-time work schedule, with the expectation of hybrid work arrangements allowing for flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is based on the explicit data in the job posting for the specified location and experience level. The benefits listed are directly extracted from the job description, indicating a robust package typical of large corporations like Citi. The work hours are standard, but the hybrid arrangement implies flexibility in how those hours are managed.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services. Citi operates as a global leader in financial services, offering a wide range of financial products and services to consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions worldwide. This context means the digital products designed will likely deal with sensitive data, complex transactions, and stringent regulatory requirements.

Company Size: Citi is a very large, multinational corporation with tens of thousands of employees globally. This size implies a structured environment with established processes, but also opportunities for impact within specialized teams. For operations professionals, it means access to extensive resources, a wide network, and opportunities for diverse career paths.

Founded: Citi has a long history, tracing its roots back to 1812. This extensive legacy suggests a company with deep-rooted values, a stable operational framework, and a significant market presence. For operations roles, this history often translates to robust internal systems and a culture that values reliability and long-term strategy.

Team Structure: The Lead UX Designer will be part of the Digital Design Engineering team, which falls under the broader Technology job family group. This structure suggests a focus on innovation and technical execution within design. The team likely comprises other designers, researchers, and engineers, with potential collaboration across various product lines and business units within Citi. Reporting will likely be to a Design Director or Head of UX within the Digital organization.

Methodology: Citi's operations likely involve a blend of established, structured processes (given its size and industry) and a growing adoption of agile methodologies for digital product development. The emphasis on AI in design suggests a commitment to modernizing workflows and leveraging technology for efficiency and innovation.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Citi's scale and industry is crucial. The role operates within a highly regulated environment, demanding meticulous attention to detail and a strong understanding of compliance. The "Technology" and "Digital Design Engineering" families indicate a focus on innovation within a traditional financial institution.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a "Lead" UX Designer, indicating a senior individual contributor or a foundational leadership role within the UX discipline. It requires extensive experience (7+ years in UX) and the ability to not only execute high-quality design but also to guide others, influence strategy, and contribute to the evolution of design standards and practices.

Reporting Structure: The Lead UX Designer will report into a management or director-level position within the Digital Design Engineering team, likely within the broader Technology organization. This structure provides access to senior leadership and strategic decision-making processes, while also requiring effective collaboration with product and engineering counterparts at various levels.

Operations Impact: The Lead UX Designer directly impacts the user experience of Citi's digital products, which are critical for customer acquisition, retention, and satisfaction. By creating intuitive, accessible, and efficient interfaces, this role contributes significantly to customer engagement, operational efficiency (through reduced support needs and task completion), and ultimately, revenue generation and brand loyalty in the competitive financial services market. The integration of AI tools also points to an impact on design team productivity and innovation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Transition into a formal management role (e.g., UX Manager, Design Director) overseeing larger teams and strategic design initiatives.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas such as AI-driven design, accessibility, or complex financial product design, becoming a recognized subject matter expert.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Leverage design leadership experience to move into Product Management or related strategic roles within the technology or digital divisions.

• Mentorship & Training: Further develop leadership skills by formally mentoring junior designers, leading workshops, and contributing to internal training programs on UX best practices and emerging technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead" title suggests a path toward formal leadership or a principal-level individual contributor role. The emphasis on AI and financial services provides opportunities for specialized growth. Candidates should consider how their experience aligns with these growth trajectories within a large, matrixed organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Tampa, Florida, and is designated as Hybrid. This typically means a blend of working from the Citi office and remotely. The office environment at a large corporation like Citi is generally professional, structured, and equipped with modern amenities to support collaboration and productivity.

Office Location(s): 3800 CITIGROUP CENTER DRIVE BUILDING G TAMPA, Florida, United States. This location suggests a dedicated corporate office space designed for professional services, likely with meeting rooms, collaborative spaces, and individual workstations.

Workspace Context:

• Collaboration: Expect a collaborative environment where interaction with product managers, engineers, researchers, and other designers is frequent. The hybrid model necessitates effective remote collaboration tools and practices.

• Tools & Technology: Access to state-of-the-art design software (Figma), Design Systems, and potentially AI-powered design tools will be standard. Citi likely provides robust IT infrastructure to support these needs.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular team meetings, design critiques, knowledge-sharing sessions, and cross-functional project discussions will be integral to the role, whether in-person or virtual.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week. While hybrid, the expectation is that core working hours will be observed to facilitate team collaboration and responsiveness, with flexibility in managing remote workdays.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature requires candidates to be comfortable with both in-office and remote work, demonstrating strong self-management and communication skills. The Tampa location is a significant corporate hub for Citi, implying a substantial on-site presence and resources.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, focusing on key projects that demonstrate their expertise in UX design, problem-solving, Figma proficiency, Design System usage, and experience with AI-enabled design tools. Be prepared to discuss your process, rationale, and impact.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: This may involve a design challenge (individual or collaborative), a whiteboard exercise, or in-depth discussions about specific design principles, accessibility, and tool usage.

• Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with product managers, engineering leads, and potentially senior UX leaders to evaluate collaboration skills, strategic thinking, and ability to influence.

• Final Round: Likely includes interviews with senior leadership to assess overall fit, leadership potential, and strategic alignment with Citi's goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that highlight complexity, impact, and your specific contributions.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process (including research and ideation), the solutions (showcasing Figma and Design System usage), the outcomes (quantify impact), and lessons learned.

• Highlight AI & Accessibility: Explicitly showcase how you've used AI-enabled design tools and ensured ADA/WCAG compliance. Detail the specific tools and your strategic approach.

• Demonstrate Leadership: Include projects where you've mentored others or influenced design direction.

• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design philosophy, how you handle feedback, resolve design conflicts, and adapt to changing project requirements.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, ask clarifying questions about the target user, business goals, and constraints.

• Think Aloud: Articulate your thought process clearly, explaining your assumptions, design choices, and trade-offs.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate a structured approach to problem-solving, even if you don't reach a fully polished solution within the time limit.

• Showcase Tool Proficiency: Be ready to demonstrate familiarity with Figma or other relevant tools during the challenge.

• Consider AI and Accessibility: If applicable, think about how AI could enhance the solution or how accessibility would be integrated.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's portfolio, with a specific focus on Figma, Design Systems, AI integration, and accessibility. Candidates should prepare to articulate their strategic thinking and leadership capabilities, not just their design execution skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for wireframing, prototyping, high-fidelity design, and collaboration. Proficiency is a core requirement.

• Design Systems: Experience in contributing to or extensively utilizing established Design Systems is critical for maintaining consistency and efficiency across large-scale projects.

• AI-Enabled Design Tools: This is a key differentiator. Candidates should be prepared to discuss specific tools and workflows for generative design, AI-assisted prototyping, intelligent design systems, and other AI applications in the design process.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as a primary tool for the designer, an understanding of how analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Amplitude) are used to track user behavior and measure design impact would be beneficial.

• Familiarity with dashboarding tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) for understanding performance metrics could also be advantageous. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly within the scope of UX design responsibilities, but an awareness of how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms integrate with user-facing applications can provide valuable context for enterprise-scale projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma and Design Systems are non-negotiable. The emphasis on "AI-enabled design tools and workflows" suggests that candidates should be ready to discuss specific platforms or approaches they have used, showcasing practical application rather than just theoretical knowledge.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user, ensuring that all designs prioritize usability, accessibility, and positive experiences. This translates to a process of continuous user research and feedback integration.

• Excellence & Quality: Striving for high standards in all aspects of design, from concept to final delivery, with meticulous attention to detail and a focus on producing polished, functional, and aesthetically pleasing interfaces.

• Innovation & Continuous Learning: Embracing new technologies and methodologies, particularly AI in design, to push boundaries, improve processes, and stay ahead of industry trends. This fosters a culture of experimentation and professional development.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Working effectively with cross-functional teams (product, engineering, research) in an open and communicative manner, sharing insights, providing constructive feedback, and collectively problem-solving.

• Integrity & Responsibility: Upholding ethical design practices, ensuring compliance with regulations (especially ADA/WCAG), and acting with a sense of responsibility for the impact of designs on users and the business.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Partnership: Proactive and integrated collaboration with Product Management for strategic alignment, Engineering for feasibility and implementation, and Research for user insights. This involves regular sync-ups, joint workshops, and shared ownership of product vision.

• Constructive Feedback Culture: An environment where feedback is actively sought, given, and received constructively, aiming to improve designs and foster professional growth among team members.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, learnings from projects, and insights into new tools or techniques (especially AI in design) through presentations, documentation, or informal discussions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Citi, as a financial institution, likely emphasizes integrity, responsibility, and a structured approach to collaboration. The "Lead" role implies a responsibility to foster a positive and productive team culture, championing these values through their own actions and mentorship.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex Systems: Designing for large-scale, enterprise financial platforms requires understanding intricate business rules, legacy systems, and diverse user needs, demanding robust analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Effectively managing and prioritizing input from various stakeholders (product, engineering, business units, legal, compliance) while maintaining a coherent and user-centered design vision.

• Integrating Emerging Technologies: Strategically adopting and integrating AI-enabled design tools into established workflows, ensuring responsible use, ethical considerations, and demonstrable ROI, without disrupting existing processes or quality.

• Driving Design Maturity: Championing UX best practices and advocating for user-centered design principles within a large, potentially traditional organizational structure.

• Mentoring and Leadership: Effectively guiding and developing junior designers while managing personal design responsibilities, requiring strong interpersonal and leadership skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI in Design Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-driven design tools, generative design, and AI-assisted workflows, becoming a go-to resource for the organization in this rapidly evolving field.

• Financial Services UX Mastery: Gain in-depth knowledge of the nuances of UX design within the financial services sector, including regulatory compliance, security considerations, and specific user behaviors.

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to hone leadership skills through formal training, mentorship programs, and leading cross-functional design initiatives.

• Industry Exposure: Potential to attend industry conferences, workshops, or pursue certifications related to UX, design thinking, or emerging technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for adaptability, strategic thinking, and strong interpersonal skills. The growth opportunities are directly tied to the role's requirements for AI integration and leadership within a specialized industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex enterprise-scale design project you led. What were the key challenges, your approach, and the outcome?" (Focus on your process, Figma/Design System use, AI integration if applicable, and measurable results).

• "How do you leverage user research and testing to inform your design decisions, especially in a fast-paced environment?" (Provide specific examples of how insights led to design changes).

• "How would you approach integrating AI-enabled design tools into an existing design workflow at a company like Citi? What are the potential benefits and risks?" (Demonstrate strategic thinking about AI adoption).

• "Walk me through your process for ensuring ADA/WCAG compliance in your designs." (Showcase your understanding and practical application of accessibility standards). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Citi's digital strategy and how do you see UX contributing to it?" (Research Citi's recent digital initiatives and articulate your vision).

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or conflicting feedback from stakeholders?" (Illustrate your collaboration and conflict resolution skills).

• "How do you stay current with the latest UX trends and technologies, particularly AI in design?" (Showcase your commitment to continuous learning).

• "Describe a time you mentored a junior designer. What was your approach and the outcome?" (Highlight your leadership and mentorship capabilities). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with the 'Why': Clearly articulate the problem and business context for each project.

• Showcase Your Process: Detail your steps, from research and ideation to wireframing, prototyping (Figma), and final high-fidelity design, emphasizing your decision-making rationale.

• Highlight AI and Design Systems: Explicitly point out where and how you used AI tools and the Design System, explaining the benefits.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., conversion rates, task completion, user satisfaction scores).

• Tell a Story: Structure your presentation as a narrative that guides the interviewer through your problem-solving journey and the impact of your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on articulating how the candidate's experience directly addresses the key requirements: Figma, Design Systems, AI integration, accessibility, leadership, and experience in complex projects, ideally within financial services. The portfolio presentation is critical.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead UX Designer position:

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

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature your most relevant projects, specifically highlighting your expertise in Figma, Design Systems, ADA/WCAG compliance, and any experience with AI-enabled design tools. Prepare detailed case studies that showcase your end-to-end design process and quantifiable impact.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 10+ years of overall experience and 7+ years of dedicated UX design experience. Integrate keywords such as "Lead UX Designer," "Figma," "Design Systems," "AI-enabled Design," "Accessibility," "Wireframing," "Prototyping," and "Financial Services" naturally throughout your experience descriptions.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design philosophy, detailing your problem-solving approach, and preparing specific examples for behavioral questions. Rehearse your portfolio presentation to ensure a clear, concise, and impactful walkthrough of your key projects.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Citi's digital products, recent news, and stated values. Understand their position in the financial services industry and how UX design contributes to their business objectives, particularly in areas related to innovation and customer experience.

⚠️ 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.