Lead UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead UX Designer

Company: HR Acuity LLC

Location: Remote (US-based)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / User Experience Operations

Date Posted: August 28, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years (as indicated by AI analysis of 8+ years UX/Product Design + 2+ years leadership)

Remote Status: Remote Solely

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the UX design strategy and vision for HR Acuity's product suite, ensuring alignment with overarching company objectives and product roadmap.

• Drive the evolution and adoption of HR Acuity's Design System, collaborating closely with engineering to maintain components, patterns, tokens, guidelines, and documentation.

• Lead, mentor, and foster the professional development of a team of three UX Designers and one UX Researcher, establishing clear performance expectations and providing constructive feedback.

• Maintain hands-on involvement in designing wireframes, mockups, interaction specifications, and functional prototypes for critical and complex product initiatives.

• Translate deep customer understanding of ER professionals, managers, and employees into intuitive and user-centric design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is explicitly for a "Lead UX Designer" with significant leadership and hands-on design responsibilities. The "Operations" aspect is interpreted through the lens of designing and optimizing the user experience of B2B SaaS products, which directly impacts user workflows and operational efficiency for HR professionals. The emphasis on Design Systems and cross-functional collaboration with Engineering and Product Management aligns with GTM (Go-To-Market) operational efficiency.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define, articulate, and champion the comprehensive UX design strategy for the product portfolio, ensuring seamless integration with the company's strategic vision and product development roadmap.

• Actively manage and evolve the HR Acuity Design System, working in close partnership with the engineering team to ensure its integrity and drive widespread adoption across design and development workflows.

• Provide direct leadership, mentorship, and career development support to a team of UX Designers and Researchers, setting clear objectives, delivering actionable feedback, and nurturing individual growth.

• Remain actively engaged in the design process, personally creating wireframes, mockups, detailed interaction specifications, and functional prototypes for high-impact and technically complex features.

• Cultivate a profound understanding of end-user needs (ER professionals, managers, employees) and translate these insights into effective, user-friendly product designs that enhance operational workflows.

• Collaborate with the UX Researcher to strategically plan and execute concept validation and usability testing, effectively converting user feedback into actionable design improvements.

• Establish, maintain, and enforce high UX design standards, conducting thorough reviews of team deliverables to ensure consistent quality and adherence to best practices across all product offerings.

• Foster strong, collaborative partnerships with Product Management and Engineering teams throughout the entire product development lifecycle, from initial concept ideation through to final delivery.

• Skillfully present design concepts, rationale, and outcomes to diverse stakeholder groups and leadership, employing compelling narratives and "day-in-the-life" scenarios to illustrate user experiences.

• Strategically balance the implementation of immediate design improvements with the pursuit of a long-term, cohesive design vision, making pragmatic decisions without compromising the strategic roadmap.

• Champion accessibility and inclusive design principles throughout the product development process, managing the relationship with the designated accessibility vendor to ensure compliance and best practices.

• Continuously monitor competitor offerings, emerging design tools, and industry trends, with a specific focus on integrating advancements in AI-assisted design capabilities into the team's workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed are a detailed expansion of the provided "What You'll Do" section, framed within an operations context. The focus on Design Systems, user-centricity for B2B SaaS, and collaboration with Product/Engineering directly supports operational efficiency and product adoption, which are key GTM (Go-To-Market) and Revenue Operations concerns.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Design, Psychology, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for a Lead UX Designer role.

Experience: 8+ years of progressive experience in UX or Product Design, with a minimum of 2 years in a formal leadership, mentoring, or management capacity, preferably within a B2B SaaS platform environment.

Required Skills:

• UX/Product Design Expertise: 8+ years of hands-on experience in user experience and product design, demonstrating a strong portfolio of successful B2B SaaS products.

• Design System Leadership: Proven track record of building, implementing, and scaling design systems, along with a demonstrated ability to drive adoption across cross-functional teams (Design, Engineering, Product).

• Figma Proficiency: Expert-level command of Figma, including practical experience with its AI-enhanced features and a well-defined perspective on leveraging AI to optimize design workflows.

• B2B SaaS Design: Extensive experience designing complex workflows for B2B or B2C SaaS applications, encompassing web, native, and mobile-first design considerations.

• User-Centric Design Strategy: Strong command of user-centric design principles, interaction design patterns, usability methodologies, and UX best practices.

• Research Collaboration: Experience partnering effectively with UX Researchers or independently conducting user research to inform and validate design decisions.

• Agile Design Direction: Demonstrated ability to set design direction and standards within an agile, fast-paced development environment.

• Communication & Storytelling: Exceptional skills in communication, storytelling, and data presentation, with a proven ability to influence stakeholders at all organizational levels.

• Detail Orientation & Pragmatism: Keen attention to detail balanced with the strategic judgment to prioritize speed and pragmatism when necessary.

• Collaborative Leadership: A humble, collaborative leadership style focused on empowering and uplifting team members.

• Adaptability: Comfort and effectiveness in a fast-paced, dynamic, and highly collaborative work environment.

• Problem-Solving & Execution: Creative problem-solving aptitude with a clear point of view and a strong bias towards shipping high-quality products.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with accessibility compliance standards (e.g., WCAG) and inclusive design practices.

• Familiarity with employee relations case management software or HR technology.

• Experience with AI-assisted design tools beyond Figma.

• Understanding of product analytics and how to use data to drive design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "AI experience level: 10+" is derived from combining the explicit "8+ years" requirement with the "2+ years leading/mentoring" requirement, suggesting a candidate with substantial overall experience. The emphasis on B2B SaaS, Design Systems, and Figma AI tools is crucial for operations roles aiming to streamline product development and adoption.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design System Case Study: A comprehensive case study showcasing your experience in building, maintaining, and driving adoption of a design system at scale. Highlight the impact on design consistency, development efficiency, and team collaboration.

• Complex Workflow Design: Examples of designing intricate workflows for B2B SaaS products, demonstrating your ability to simplify complexity and improve user efficiency. Focus on problem definition, user journey mapping, and final design solutions.

• Leadership & Mentorship Examples: Evidence of your leadership capabilities, including how you've mentored designers, set team standards, and fostered a collaborative design environment.

• Figma & AI Tool Integration: Demonstrations of your proficiency in Figma, with specific examples of how you've leveraged its features, including AI tools, to enhance design processes and outcomes.

• User-Centric Design Process: Showcase your end-to-end design process, from user research and concept validation to detailed interaction design and prototyping, emphasizing how user needs informed your decisions.

Process Documentation:

• Design System Documentation: Examples of well-documented design system guidelines, component libraries, and adoption strategies.

• Workflow Optimization Documentation: Case studies or documentation illustrating how your designs have optimized user workflows and improved operational efficiency for end-users.

• Usability Testing & Research Synthesis: Documentation of your approach to planning and conducting usability tests, and how research findings were synthesized and translated into design improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Lead UX Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. This section emphasizes demonstrating not just design output but also the process, leadership, and strategic thinking behind it, particularly concerning design systems and workflow optimization—key elements for operational efficiency in product delivery.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $136,200 - $240,740 USD per year.

• Base Pay: $136,200 - $179,000 USD per year.

• On-Target Earnings (OTE): $154,000 - $199,000 USD per year (includes discretionary annual bonus).

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is directly from the job description. The wide range reflects potential variations based on location within the US, specific experience, and negotiation. For a Lead UX Designer in a remote US-based role, this range is competitive, particularly towards the higher end for candidates with extensive leadership and specialized skills (e.g., AI in design, scaling design systems). The OTE calculation suggests a performance-based bonus component.

Benefits:

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.

• Savings & Retirement: 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) or Health Savings Accounts (HSA) options.

• Paid Time Off: Unlimited PTO policy, company-paid holidays, dedicated birthday day off, closure during the week of July 4th and December holidays.

• Work-Life Balance: Half-day Summer Fridays and half-day First Fridays, 8 hours of paid volunteer time annually.

• Equity: "#Allin Shares Program" offering company stock.

• Leave: Paid leave for sickness, disability, or parental needs.

• Employee Support: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for professional and personal support.

• Referral Program: Earn bonuses for referring qualified candidates.

Working Hours: Standard 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered through unlimited PTO and half-day Fridays. The remote work environment allows for autonomy in managing work hours to meet project deadlines and personal needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits package is robust, offering a mix of traditional health and retirement benefits, generous paid time off, equity, and perks designed to support work-life balance and employee well-being, which are key considerations for attracting and retaining talent in the operations and design fields.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: HR Technology / Employee Relations Software (B2B SaaS). HR Acuity® specializes in employee relations case management and investigation software, focusing on building trusted, inclusive cultures.

Company Size: The job description doesn't specify, but LinkedIn data for HR Acuity LLC shows a range of 51-200 employees. This indicates a growing mid-sized company with established processes but still agile enough for significant impact.

Founded: Founded by a female founder and CEO, indicating a strong emphasis on leadership diversity and potentially a culture that values innovation and personal drive.

Team Structure:

• Design Team: A dedicated team of three UX Designers and one UX Researcher, led by this role.

• Product Organization: Close collaboration with Product Management and Engineering leadership.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Expected to be high, involving Product, Engineering, and potentially Marketing and Sales for GTM alignment.

• Reporting: The Lead UX Designer will likely report to a Director or VP of Product or Design.

Methodology:

• Agile Development: The environment is described as "agile, fast-moving," implying iterative development cycles.

• User-Centricity: A strong emphasis on understanding customer needs and translating them into design decisions.

• Data-Driven Design: Research findings and user feedback are expected to shape product decisions.

• Design System Adoption: A strategic focus on building and leveraging a design system for efficiency and consistency.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is highlighted as "#BeBold," "#WorkSmarter," and "#BetterTogether," emphasizing innovation, efficiency, and teamwork. The "All-In Zone" mentality suggests a high-energy, dedicated workforce. The commitment to diversity and inclusion is also a significant cultural pillar. For operations roles, this implies a results-oriented environment with a focus on collaborative problem-solving and continuous improvement.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior leadership position within the Product Design function, bridging individual contribution with team management and strategic influence. It's a critical role for driving product excellence and operational efficiency in design delivery.

Reporting Structure: The Lead UX Designer will manage a small team and likely report into a higher-level product or design executive, positioning them as a key player in product strategy.

Operations Impact: The UX designs directly influence how HR professionals manage complex workplace issues, impacting the efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance of their operations. A strong design system and user-centric approach reduce friction, speed up adoption, and improve the overall user experience, contributing to customer satisfaction and retention.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunity to grow management and leadership skills by leading and scaling a design team.

• Strategic Influence: A seat at the table to shape product strategy, influencing the company's direction and product roadmap.

• Design System Ownership: Real ownership and the opportunity to significantly impact how design and engineering collaborate, potentially becoming a recognized expert in this area.

• Industry Impact: Contributing to tools that help organizations build safer, more inclusive workplaces offers significant professional fulfillment.

• Skill Expansion: Potential to deepen expertise in AI-assisted design and accessibility through hands-on work and vendor relationships.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a blend of strategic leadership and hands-on design, providing a strong platform for career advancement within product design or potentially into broader product management roles, especially within the B2B SaaS space. The focus on operational efficiency through design is a key growth trajectory.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote (US-based). This provides maximum flexibility for employees to choose their work environment.

Office Location(s): N/A - Fully Remote.

Workspace Context:

• Collaboration: While remote, the culture emphasizes being "#BetterTogether," suggesting strong virtual collaboration tools and practices will be in place. Expect frequent video calls, Slack/Teams communication, and collaborative design sessions.

• Tools & Technology: Access to modern design tooling, including Figma with AI capabilities, and potentially other project management and communication software.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with design team members, product managers, engineers, and leadership through virtual meetings, brainstorming sessions, and asynchronous communication channels.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is implied, the unlimited PTO and half-day Fridays, combined with the remote nature, suggest a high degree of autonomy and flexibility in managing one's schedule to achieve objectives and maintain work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-first nature of the role requires strong self-discipline, excellent communication skills, and proactive engagement. The company's culture aims to foster connection and collaboration despite the physical distance.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and salary expectations.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the hiring manager (likely Director/VP of Product/Design) focusing on leadership experience, strategic thinking, and team management approach.

• Portfolio Presentation & Design Challenge: A critical stage where candidates present their portfolio, showcasing key projects, design process, and leadership examples. This may include a live design exercise or a take-home challenge focused on problem-solving, design system thinking, or workflow optimization.

• Team/Peer Interviews: Meetings with other designers, researchers, product managers, and engineers to assess collaboration style, technical skills, and team fit.

• Executive Interview: Final interview with senior leadership to discuss strategic vision and overall alignment with company goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Impact: Select 3-5 of your most impactful projects that demonstrate leadership, design system expertise, complex B2B SaaS problem-solving, and AI tool utilization.

• Tell the Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process (research, ideation, design, testing), key decisions, challenges faced, and the measurable outcomes/impact. Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., "reduced task completion time by X%", "increased adoption by Y%").

• Highlight Design System Work: Dedicate a significant portion to your design system experience, detailing its components, governance, and adoption strategy.

• Showcase Leadership: Include examples of how you've mentored designers, influenced product strategy, and fostered team growth.

• Prepare for AI Discussion: Be ready to discuss your perspective on AI in design and how you've applied it or plan to.

• Practice Presentation: Rehearse your presentation to ensure a smooth, concise, and engaging delivery within the allocated time.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Business: Research HR Acuity's product, target audience (ER professionals, managers, employees), and the competitive landscape in HR tech.

• Focus on Process & Efficiency: If given a design challenge, prioritize a clear, user-centric process. Think about how your solution will improve operational efficiency for the end-user and how it could integrate with or extend the existing design system.

• Articulate Rationale: Be prepared to clearly explain the "why" behind every design decision, linking it back to user needs, business goals, and design principles.

• Consider Scalability & Accessibility: Think about how your proposed solution scales and incorporates accessibility best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice tailored to a Lead UX role, emphasizing the importance of a strong portfolio that demonstrates leadership, design system expertise, and strategic thinking, all crucial for operationalizing design within a product organization.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Expert-level proficiency required, including advanced features and AI tools for wireframing, mockups, prototyping, and design system management.

• Design System Tools: Experience with tools or methodologies for managing design system components, tokens, and documentation (likely integrated within Figma or a complementary platform).

• Prototyping Tools: Proficiency in creating interactive prototypes within Figma or other relevant tools (e.g., InVision, Axure).

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Research Platforms: Experience with tools for conducting usability testing, surveys, and user interviews (e.g., UserTesting.com, SurveyMonkey, Lookback).

• Analytics Tools (Indirect): While not directly designing them, understanding how to interpret data from product analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) to inform design decisions is beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Software: Familiarity with agile project management tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for tracking design tasks and collaborating with engineering.

• Communication Platforms: Proficiency with Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar for daily team communication and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for Figma and its AI tools, along with the focus on Design Systems, highlights the company's investment in modern, efficient design workflows. Understanding how design impacts user adoption and operational efficiency is key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• #BeBold: Embracing innovation, taking calculated risks, and driving change within the product design process.

• #WorkSmarter: Focusing on efficiency, leveraging tools like design systems and AI to optimize workflows, and delivering high-quality outcomes.

• #BetterTogether: Fostering strong cross-functional collaboration, open communication, and mutual support within the design team and with partner teams.

• User-Centricity: A core value of deeply understanding and prioritizing the needs of ER professionals, managers, and employees in all design decisions.

• Inclusivity & Diversity: Commitment to creating an environment where diverse perspectives are valued and authentic selves are welcomed, extending to accessible and inclusive design practices.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive & Cross-functional: Engaging early and often with Product Management and Engineering to ensure design is integrated into strategic planning and execution.

• Data-Informed: Using research and user feedback to guide design decisions, rather than relying solely on intuition.

• Mentorship & Empowerment: A leadership style focused on enabling the team to do their best work, fostering growth, and encouraging shared ownership.

• Transparent Communication: Openly sharing design rationale, challenges, and progress with stakeholders at all levels.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values directly translate into operational expectations for a lead role: drive innovation (#BeBold), optimize processes (#WorkSmarter), and collaborate effectively (#BetterTogether). This culture supports a high-performing operations team focused on delivering value.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling Design Systems: Ensuring a rapidly evolving design system remains robust, accessible, and adopted across a growing product suite and team.

• Balancing Leadership & Hands-on Design: Effectively managing a team while staying deeply involved in high-impact design work.

• Remote Team Management: Fostering strong team cohesion, communication, and productivity in a fully remote environment.

• Integrating AI: Strategically incorporating AI-assisted design tools to enhance efficiency without compromising quality or creativity.

• Influencing Product Strategy: Effectively advocating for UX best practices and user needs at the strategic planning level.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Leadership: Opportunities to refine leadership and team-building skills through practical experience and potential company-provided training.

• AI in Design Specialization: Deepening expertise in leveraging AI tools for design, workflow automation, and potentially predictive design.

• Product Strategy Contribution: Gaining significant experience in shaping product roadmaps and influencing business strategy.

• Industry Best Practices: Staying at the forefront of UX, design systems, and HR tech innovation through continuous learning and application.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to mentor junior designers and potentially be mentored by senior leaders within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a lead role in a growing tech company, offering significant opportunities for professional development and impact. Addressing these challenges effectively will be key to success.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your philosophy on leading and mentoring UX designers. How do you foster growth and high performance within a remote team?" (Focus on team building, feedback mechanisms, and remote collaboration strategies).

• "Walk us through your experience building and scaling a design system. What were the biggest challenges, and how did you drive adoption across engineering and product?" (Highlight process, governance, communication, and adoption metrics).

• "How do you approach translating complex user needs into intuitive and efficient product designs, particularly in a B2B SaaS context like HR Tech?" (Emphasize user research, journey mapping, and problem-solving methodologies).

• "What is your point of view on the role of AI in UX design? How have you experimented with or implemented AI tools in your workflow?" (Prepare specific examples of tools and their impact on efficiency or outcomes).

• "Describe a time you had to balance short-term design fixes with a long-term strategic vision. How did you make trade-offs?" (Showcase strategic thinking and pragmatic decision-making). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about HR Acuity's mission and products? How do you see UX contributing to building trusted, inclusive cultures?" (Research the company's mission and values thoroughly).

• "How do you champion accessibility and inclusive design? What's your experience working with accessibility vendors?" (Demonstrate commitment and practical experience).

• "Our culture emphasizes #BeBold, #WorkSmarter, #BetterTogether. How do these values align with your leadership and design approach?" (Connect your experiences to the company's stated values). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically: Introduction > Project 1 (Problem, Role, Process, Solution, Impact) > Project 2... > Design System Deep Dive > Leadership Examples > Q&A.

• Visuals: Use high-fidelity mockups, interactive prototypes, and clear diagrams. Avoid overwhelming slides with text.

• Storytelling: Frame each project as a narrative. Focus on the "why" and the "how," not just the "what."

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

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Practice to deliver your key messages effectively within the allotted duration.

• Engage: Be prepared for follow-up questions and engage in a discussion about your work.

Challenge Preparation:

• Problem Framing: If given a challenge, spend time understanding the problem space and defining the core user needs and business objectives.

• Process Demonstration: Clearly articulate your step-by-step approach, showing how you'd gather information, ideate, design, and validate solutions.

• System Thinking: Consider how your solution fits within an existing design system and contributes to overall product consistency and efficiency.

• Rationale: Be ready to defend your design choices with clear reasoning.

📝 Enhancement Note: This preparation guide focuses on the specific requirements of a Lead UX role, emphasizing strategic thinking, leadership, and the practical application of design systems and AI, all within the context of a B2B SaaS product company.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided career portal link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your strongest examples of design system leadership, complex B2B SaaS design, and experience with Figma's AI features. Ensure it clearly demonstrates your leadership capabilities and impact.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to prominently feature keywords related to UX Design, Product Design, Design Systems, Figma, B2B SaaS, Leadership, Mentorship, and AI-assisted design. Quantify achievements and responsibilities where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly review the interview preparation tips above. Practice articulating your design process, leadership philosophy, and experience with specific examples. Prepare questions to ask the interviewers about the team, culture, and strategic direction.

• Company Research: Deeply research HR Acuity, its products, target audience, and company values. Understand their mission and how UX design contributes to their goals of building trusted, inclusive cultures.

⚠️ 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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