Lead UX Designer, Medical Products

McGraw Hill LLC.
Full-timeβ€’United States

πŸ“ Job Overview

Job Title: Lead UX Designer, Medical Products

Company: McGraw Hill LLC.

Location: United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: UX/Product Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-05-14T01:46:00

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Remote OK

πŸš€ Role Summary

  • Drive UX strategy and design frameworks for a suite of digital medical products, ensuring alignment with user needs and business objectives.

  • Create and iterate on user-centered designs, from low-fidelity wireframes to high-fidelity prototypes, utilizing industry-standard tools.

  • Champion accessibility and universal design principles, adhering to WCAG 2.2 AA guidelines for inclusive digital experiences.

  • Contribute to and maintain scalable design systems, ensuring consistency and efficiency across multiple product platforms.

  • Leverage analytics, A/B testing, and user feedback to continuously optimize and enhance product usability and learning outcomes.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: While the raw job description focuses on UX Design, this enhanced version frames the role within an "Operations" context by emphasizing the strategic, systematic, and data-driven aspects of UX design that directly impact product development efficiency and Go-To-Market success for educational technology products. This caters to professionals looking for roles with operational oversight and process improvement focus within the design discipline.

πŸ“ˆ Primary Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement comprehensive UX strategies and design frameworks that bridge user needs with overarching business goals for medical education products.

  • Translate user research findings, analytics data, and A/B testing results into actionable design improvements and innovative product features.

  • Craft detailed wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and polished visual designs to effectively communicate complex design concepts and solutions.

  • Actively participate in and contribute to user research initiatives, including usability testing, interviews, and surveys, to gather critical insights for design iteration.

  • Maintain and evolve the company's design system, ensuring adherence to brand guidelines, accessibility standards, and cross-product consistency.

  • Collaborate closely with Product Management, Engineering, Content, and Marketing teams to ensure seamless integration of UX designs into the product development lifecycle and Go-To-Market strategies.

  • Advocate for user-centered design principles and accessibility best practices throughout the organization, influencing product roadmaps and team decision-making.

  • Provide expert design guidance on new programs and initiatives, helping teams navigate complex design challenges and foster product innovation within the medical education space.

  • Support the continuous improvement of product interfaces and user journeys by analyzing usage data and user feedback to identify areas for optimization.

  • Present design strategies, concepts, and outcomes clearly and persuasively to stakeholders at all levels, securing buy-in and driving consensus.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The responsibilities have been expanded to emphasize the strategic and collaborative aspects of a Lead UX Designer's role, particularly in relation to product development operations and Go-To-Market strategy. This includes highlighting data-driven decision-making (analytics, A/B testing), cross-functional collaboration, and stakeholder influence, which are critical in operations-centric roles.

πŸŽ“ Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in UX Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Digital Design, Psychology, or a closely related field. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: 5-7 years of progressive experience in User Experience (UX) design, with a strong preference for experience within the professional or educational technology sectors, particularly in digital learning platforms. Minimum of 3 years of experience working within Agile Scrum development environments.

Required Skills:

  • Expertise in developing UX strategies and design frameworks that align user needs with business objectives.

  • Proficient in creating comprehensive user flows, wireframes, and high-fidelity prototypes using industry-standard tools.

  • Deep understanding and practical application of accessibility standards, including WCAG 2.2 AA compliance.

  • Experience in designing and maintaining scalable design systems to ensure product consistency and efficiency.

  • Ability to leverage analytics, A/B testing, and user feedback to drive design optimization.

  • Strong user research skills, with the ability to translate insights into actionable design decisions.

  • Excellent communication, collaboration, and presentation skills, with a proven ability to influence stakeholders.

  • Familiarity with responsive design principles and their application across various devices and platforms.

Preferred Skills:

  • Familiarity with front-end technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to better inform design feasibility and collaboration with engineering.

  • Experience in the medical, osteopathic, or allied health education technology landscape.

  • Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, demonstrating strong organizational and time-management skills.

  • Experience with user journey mapping and service design principles.

  • A strong understanding of product management principles and how UX design integrates with product roadmapping.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The skills section has been enhanced to incorporate operations-relevant keywords such as "design frameworks," "scalable design systems," "efficiency," "optimization," and "Agile Scrum." The preferred skills also include elements like "product management principles" and "product roadmapping" to align with a broader GTM operations perspective.

πŸ“Š Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • A robust portfolio showcasing a minimum of 3-5 significant UX design projects, demonstrating a user-centered design process from concept to completion.

  • Projects should highlight strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and the ability to translate complex requirements into intuitive user interfaces.

  • Evidence of designing for accessibility (e.g., WCAG compliance) and responsive design principles should be clearly presented.

  • Include case studies detailing the design process, user research methodologies employed, key design decisions, and measurable outcomes or impact.

Process Documentation:

  • Demonstrate experience in documenting design processes, including user journey maps, personas, wireframes, and usability testing reports.

  • Provide examples of how design systems have been implemented and maintained, including style guides and component libraries.

  • Showcase how user feedback and data analytics have been integrated into iterative design processes for continuous improvement.

  • Illustrate collaboration processes with engineering and product teams, including handoff documentation and design specifications.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This section specifically calls out the need for a portfolio that highlights process documentation and system implementation, aligning with the operational rigor expected in GTM and RevOps roles. It emphasizes demonstrating a systematic approach to design, including research, iteration, and collaboration.

πŸ’΅ Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $74,100 - $130,000 annually.

Explanation of Range: This salary range is based on the provided information and industry benchmarks for a Lead UX Designer role with 5-7 years of experience in the United States. Factors such as specific location within the US (though remote, regional cost of living and market demand play a role), the candidate's precise experience level, and interview performance will influence the final offer. McGraw Hill's stated preference for candidates in Eastern or Central Time Zones may also subtly influence localized market data.

Benefits:

  • Comprehensive Medical Insurance plans.

  • Annual Bonus Plan, providing potential for performance-based financial rewards.

  • [Other standard benefits may include dental and vision insurance, 401(k) matching, paid time off, life insurance, disability insurance, and professional development opportunities.]

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week. While the role is remote, flexibility is expected, especially during critical project phases or in coordination with cross-functional teams in different time zones. The preference for Eastern or Central Time Zone candidates suggests alignment with standard US business hours in those regions.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The salary range provided in the raw data has been presented clearly. An explanation for the range has been added, referencing industry benchmarks and factors influencing the final offer. The benefits have been listed, with a placeholder for other potential, standard benefits that are common in the industry for such roles. Working hours are clarified with considerations for remote flexibility.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏒 Company Culture

Industry: Education Technology (EdTech) and Professional Publishing. McGraw Hill operates at the intersection of education and technology, providing digital and print resources for learners from K-12 through graduate studies and professional development. This industry context implies a focus on learning outcomes, content accuracy, and the integration of pedagogical principles with technological solutions.

Company Size: McGraw Hill is a large, established organization, likely employing thousands of individuals globally. This size suggests a structured environment with established processes, opportunities for specialization, and potential for career advancement within various departments. For operations roles, this often means working within defined frameworks and contributing to scalable solutions.

Founded: McGraw Hill was founded in 1899, indicating a long history and deep expertise in educational content and publishing. This heritage suggests a commitment to quality, innovation, and adapting to evolving educational needs and technological advancements over decades.

Team Structure:

  • The Global Professional business unit likely comprises specialized teams for Product Management, Engineering, UX/UI Design, Content Development, Marketing, and Sales.

  • The UX Design team will likely have a Lead Designer overseeing a small to medium-sized group of UX/UI designers, potentially with specialists in research, interaction design, and visual design.

Methodology:

  • Agile Scrum methodology is explicitly mentioned, indicating a fast-paced, iterative development process.

  • Emphasis on user-centered design and data-driven decision-making suggests a systematic approach to product development, integrating user feedback and performance metrics.

  • Collaboration is key, with cross-functional teams working together to achieve product goals.

Company Website: https://careers.mheducation.com

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This section provides context on McGraw Hill's industry, size, and history, framing them through the lens of operations. The team structure and methodology are described to give operations professionals insight into the working environment and how UX design contributes to the broader product development and Go-To-Market operations.

πŸ“ˆ Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is classified as a "Lead" role, signifying a senior individual contributor with significant design expertise and the responsibility for guiding design strategy and execution for specific product lines. It requires not only strong design skills but also leadership qualities in influencing product direction and mentoring junior team members.

Reporting Structure: The Lead UX Designer will report to a Director or Senior Manager of Product Design or Product Management within the Global Professional business unit. They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads, acting as a key design voice in cross-functional product teams.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's work directly impacts the success of McGraw Hill's medical products by ensuring they are intuitive, effective, and accessible. This leads to improved student learning outcomes, higher engagement rates, increased adoption, and ultimately, stronger revenue generation and market position for the Global Professional segment. Effective UX design is a critical component of the product's Go-To-Market strategy.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Specialization: Deepen expertise in medical education UX, accessibility standards, or design system leadership.

  • Leadership: Transition into a formal management role (e.g., UX Design Manager) or become a principal UX designer with broader strategic influence.

  • Cross-Functional: Develop a deeper understanding of Product Management or Engineering processes, potentially leading to hybrid roles or career shifts.

  • Skill Development: Continuous learning opportunities through industry conferences, workshops, and internal training programs focused on emerging UX trends, tools, and methodologies.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This analysis focuses on how the Lead UX Designer role fits into the broader organizational structure and its impact on business operations and Go-To-Market success. Growth opportunities are framed in terms of specialization, leadership, and cross-functional development, relevant to career-minded operations professionals.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a remote position, offering flexibility in work location within the United States. While remote, the company expresses a preference for candidates located in the Eastern or Central Time Zones, suggesting a desire for better alignment with core business hours and team synchronization.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, McGraw Hill has a significant presence with headquarters in New York, NY, and other operational offices across the US and internationally. For this specific role, candidates are expected to be authorized to work anywhere in the United States.

Workspace Context:

  • Collaboration: The remote nature necessitates strong digital collaboration tools and practices. Expect regular video calls, asynchronous communication via platforms like Slack or Teams, and collaborative design sessions using shared digital whiteboards and design tools.

  • Tools & Technology: Access to leading design and prototyping software (Figma, Sketch, Axure, Adobe Creative Suite) will be provided or expected. Integration with Agile project management tools (e.g., Jira) is standard.

  • Team Interaction: While not in a physical office, opportunities for team interaction will occur through virtual stand-ups, design critiques, sprint reviews, and dedicated team meetings. Building rapport and effective communication remotely will be key.

Work Schedule: The primary work schedule is expected to align with a standard 40-hour work week. However, flexibility may be required to accommodate cross-time zone collaboration and project deadlines. The preference for Eastern/Central Time Zones indicates an expectation for significant overlap with standard US business hours.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The work environment description emphasizes the operational aspects of remote work, including the tools, communication strategies, and time zone considerations that are crucial for effective team collaboration and productivity in a distributed setting.

πŸ“„ Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: A recruiter will review applications and portfolios to assess basic qualifications and alignment with the role requirements.

  • Hiring Manager/Team Interview: This stage typically involves a discussion about the candidate's experience, approach to UX design, and understanding of user-centered principles.

  • Portfolio Review & Presentation: Candidates will present selected projects from their portfolio, detailing their process, problem-solving, design decisions, and outcomes. This is a critical stage for assessing strategic thinking and communication skills.

  • Design Challenge (Potential): A practical exercise or case study may be assigned to evaluate problem-solving skills, design thinking, and ability to work within constraints.

  • Cross-Functional Team Interview: Interviews with Product Managers and Engineering Leads to assess collaboration style, technical understanding, and cultural fit.

  • Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss overall strategic alignment and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 projects that best showcase your end-to-end UX process, problem-solving skills, and impact, particularly those relevant to educational technology or complex digital products.

  • Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process (research, ideation, iteration, testing), key decisions, and the measurable results or impact achieved. Quantify outcomes whenever possible.

  • Highlight Operations Alignment: Emphasize how your UX process contributes to efficiency, scalability, and business objectives. Showcase your ability to work within Agile frameworks and collaborate effectively with development teams.

  • Showcase Accessibility: Clearly demonstrate your understanding and application of WCAG 2.2 AA standards and responsive design principles.

  • Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design philosophy, how you handle feedback, your collaboration style, and your experience with specific tools and methodologies.

Challenge Preparation:

  • If a design challenge is given, focus on understanding the core problem and user needs quickly.

  • Outline your approach clearly, including research, ideation, and solution development steps.

  • Prioritize and make reasoned design decisions, articulating the trade-offs.

  • Be prepared to present your solution concisely and defend your choices.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This section provides detailed, actionable advice for candidates applying for this specific role, focusing on how to present their UX skills in an operations-friendly manner. It emphasizes demonstrating process, impact, and collaboration, which are key considerations for operations-focused roles.

πŸ›  Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly likely), Sketch, Axure RP, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop). Proficiency in at least one of these is essential.

  • Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace. Experience with Agile/Scrum tools is crucial for team integration.

  • User Research & Analytics: Tools for usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com), survey platforms (e.g., SurveyMonkey), and analytics dashboards (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel) are beneficial for data-driven design.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • While not a direct analytics role, understanding how to interpret data from analytics platforms to inform design decisions is key. Familiarity with tools used for tracking user engagement, conversion rates, and product performance is advantageous.

CRM & Automation:

  • While not directly managing CRM systems, understanding how user data from CRM and marketing automation platforms can inform UX design and personalization is a plus.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This section details the specific tools and technologies relevant to a UX Designer, with an emphasis on those that support operational efficiency, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making. Keywords like "Agile/Scrum tools," "analytics dashboards," and "A/B testing platforms" are integrated to align with an operations focus.

πŸ‘₯ Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user's needs, ensuring products are intuitive, effective, and accessible.

  • Data-Driven Decision-Making: Utilizing analytics, user research, and A/B testing to inform design choices and measure impact, ensuring that design efforts are aligned with business goals.

  • Collaboration & Transparency: Working effectively with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, Content) with open communication and a shared goal of delivering high-quality products.

  • Efficiency & Scalability: Designing solutions that are not only user-friendly but also maintainable, scalable, and contribute to the operational efficiency of the product development lifecycle.

  • Continuous Improvement: A proactive approach to identifying opportunities for enhancing user experience and product features through iterative design and learning.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-Functional Integration: Expect to work closely with Product Managers to define requirements and strategy, and with Engineering teams to ensure feasibility and successful implementation of designs. Regular participation in sprint planning, reviews, and retrospectives is standard.

  • Feedback-Rich Environment: A culture that encourages constructive feedback on designs through critiques and reviews, fostering a collaborative approach to problem-solving.

  • Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement of sharing best practices, design patterns, and learnings across the design team and with other departments to promote consistency and elevate overall product quality.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The team culture and values are described to highlight how operations principles like data-driven decision-making, efficiency, scalability, and continuous improvement are embedded within the design team's ethos. This helps candidates understand how their work contributes to the broader operational success of the company.

⚑ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing User Needs with Business Constraints: Effectively advocating for user experience while navigating technical limitations, budget constraints, and aggressive product roadmaps.

  • Designing for Diverse Audiences: Creating a unified UX strategy that caters to the varied needs of medical students, educators, and professionals across different learning stages and technical proficiencies.

  • Maintaining Consistency Across a Product Suite: Ensuring a cohesive and predictable user experience across multiple digital medical products, often developed by different teams or with varying technical stacks.

  • Adapting to Evolving Educational Technologies: Staying abreast of new pedagogical approaches, digital learning trends, and technological advancements to ensure McGraw Hill's products remain competitive and effective.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Specialized Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas like advanced accessibility, instructional design principles for digital learning, or specific UX research methodologies.

  • Industry Engagement: Support for attending relevant UX conferences, EdTech events, or professional development workshops to stay current with industry best practices and network with peers.

  • Mentorship: Potential for mentorship from senior design or product leaders, offering guidance on career progression and strategic development.

  • Exposure to New Technologies: Working with cutting-edge design tools and collaborating with engineering teams on implementing innovative features.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This section identifies potential challenges within the role and company context, framing them as opportunities for growth and skill development. This provides a realistic outlook and highlights how the role can contribute to an operations professional's continuous learning journey.

πŸ’‘ Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe your process for developing a UX strategy for a new digital product or feature, particularly within an educational context." (Prepare to discuss user research, competitive analysis, defining user personas, and aligning with business goals.)

  • "How do you approach balancing user needs with technical constraints or business requirements when designing a complex feature?" (Focus on your negotiation skills, ability to find creative solutions, and how you communicate trade-offs.)

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What do you know about McGraw Hill's mission and its products in the medical education space?" (Research their current offerings, target audience, and company values.)

  • "How do you envision contributing to a remote, cross-functional team environment like ours?" (Highlight your communication skills, proactivity, and experience with collaboration tools.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure: Clearly define the problem, your role, the process (research, ideation, iteration, testing), the solution, and the outcomes/impact for each case study.

  • Visuals: Use clear, high-quality visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes) to illustrate your design decisions. Annotate key elements and explain your rationale.

  • Metrics: Quantify success whenever possible. Discuss conversion rates, engagement metrics, task completion times, or user satisfaction scores influenced by your design.

  • Storytelling: Frame your projects as narratives that highlight your problem-solving journey and your ability to drive positive change through design.

  • Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Practice your presentation to be clear, impactful, and within the allotted timeframe.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This section provides tailored interview preparation advice, including specific strategy questions and portfolio presentation tips that align with the expectations for a Lead UX Designer in an operations-focused environment. It emphasizes demonstrating process, data utilization, and cross-functional collaboration.

πŸ“Œ Application Steps

To apply for this operations-aligned UX Design position:

  • Submit your application through the McGraw Hill careers portal.

  • Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in UX strategy, user-centered design, accessibility (WCAG 2.2 AA), design systems, and collaboration within Agile Scrum teams. Quantify achievements with metrics where possible.

  • Prepare Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 strong projects that demonstrate your end-to-end UX process, problem-solving skills, and impact. Ensure case studies clearly articulate the problem, your role, process, solution, and measurable outcomes.

  • Practice Your Portfolio Presentation: Rehearse presenting your selected projects, focusing on clear storytelling, explaining your design rationale, and showcasing your understanding of user needs and business objectives. Be ready to discuss your experience with design tools and accessibility standards.

  • Research McGraw Hill: Understand the company's mission, its position in the EdTech and professional publishing market, and specific details about its medical products. Consider how your UX approach can support their business goals and educational impact.

⚠️ 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.

Application Requirements

Requires a Bachelor's degree in UX Design or a related field with 5-7 years of UX experience and 3+ years in Agile environments. Must demonstrate proficiency in design tools like Figma and a deep understanding of WCAG accessibility standards.