Lead UX Designer:in (d/m/w) - Federation Finance & Banking

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead UX Designer (d/m/w) - Federation Finance & Banking

Company: Haufe Group

Location: Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Job Type: Vollzeit (Full-Time)

Category: UX/Product Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-05-28

Experience Level: 10+ Years Professional Experience

Remote Status: Hybrid (1 day/week in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Strategic UX Leadership: Drive UX coherence and strategic design direction for the Finance & Banking Federation, ensuring a unified and high-quality user experience across all touchpoints.

• End-to-End User Journey Ownership: Design, shape, and continuously evolve comprehensive E2E user journeys, guaranteeing seamless integration with the broader Lexware product ecosystem.

• Mentorship & Team Enablement: Elevate the UX maturity of design and development teams through active mentorship, guidance, and fostering a collaborative design culture.

• Discovery & Research Facilitation: Lead and support discovery and research initiatives at the Federation level, empowering teams to gain deep user insights and inform design decisions.

• Design System Advocacy: Champion the adoption and advancement of design systems, promoting consistent pattern utilization and visual identity across the entire product.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within the "Federation Finance & Banking" division, indicating a focus on a specific, potentially complex, business domain. The "Lead" title and emphasis on mentorship suggest a senior individual contributor role with significant strategic influence and team enablement responsibilities, rather than direct people management. The hybrid model with a mandatory weekly office presence in Freiburg emphasizes collaboration and team cohesion.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Ensure UX coherence and drive the strategic evolution of UX design within the Federation Finance & Banking domain, collaborating closely with the Product Lead and fellow UX Designers.

• Define, design, and continuously refine E2E user journeys for the Federation, ensuring consistency and seamless integration with the overall Lexware product.

• Support teams through organizational changes and splits, temporarily stepping into UI/UX roles in newly formed teams until dedicated resources are in place.

• Spearhead discovery and research activities at the Federation level, while also providing support and guidance for research initiatives within individual teams.

• Leverage a strong understanding of design systems to promote consistent pattern usage and contribute to their ongoing development and application across the product suite.

• Represent the Federation in cross-functional committees to ensure overarching UX quality, making binding decisions on global patterns and consistency matters.

• Translate complex functional and organizational contexts into viable UX solutions, demonstrating strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Critically evaluate and strategically integrate AI tools as sparring partners within the UX workflow, staying abreast of current AI-driven product patterns.

• Actively foster and promote excellent communication and feedback exchange, both within the team and across Federations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic oversight, hands-on design execution, and team leadership. The emphasis on "Federation-level" activities suggests a need for a candidate who can operate at a higher strategic plane while also diving into team-specific needs. The mention of supporting new teams indicates a need for adaptability and hands-on problem-solving in dynamic environments.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio and demonstrable experience in UX design are paramount. A background in Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Design, or a related field is beneficial.

Experience: Minimum of 10 years of robust professional experience in UX design, with a significant emphasis on interaction design and information architecture.

Required Skills:

• Interaction Design: Deep expertise in crafting intuitive and efficient user interactions.

• Information Architecture: Proven ability to structure complex information and user flows logically.

• User Journey Mapping: Proficiency in defining and optimizing end-to-end user experiences across various touchpoints.

• Design Systems: Strong understanding and practical experience with the creation, utilization, and governance of design systems.

• Mixed-Methods Research: Competence in employing a blend of qualitative and quantitative research techniques to gather user insights.

• Data-Driven Design: Ability to leverage data and analytics to inform design decisions and measure impact.

• Agile Workflows: Experience working effectively within agile development environments, adapting to iterative processes.

• Visual Design Acumen: Capability to create compelling visual artifacts and ensure design consistency.

• Communication & Feedback: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a proactive approach to giving and receiving feedback.

• Problem-Solving: Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity, self-initiate problem-solving, and propose actionable next steps.

• Contextual Understanding: Aptitude for quickly grasping complex technical and organizational contexts and translating them into user-centered solutions.

• German Language Proficiency: Near-native fluency (C2 level) in German is essential for effective communication and collaboration.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI integration in UX workflows and understanding of AI UI patterns.

• Familiarity with financial and banking software/processes.

• Mentoring or team leadership experience.

• Proficiency in creating visual design assets.

• Experience working in large, complex organizations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 10+ years of experience and C2 German proficiency indicates a senior, non-junior role where strategic thinking and independent execution are critical. The emphasis on navigating ambiguity and self-starting suggests that candidates should be comfortable with less structured environments and proactive in defining their approach.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: Showcase at least 3-5 detailed case studies demonstrating your UX process from problem definition to solution implementation and impact. Focus on projects involving complex information architecture or intricate user flows.

• Interaction Design Examples: Include interactive prototypes or detailed descriptions of interaction patterns you've designed, highlighting your approach to usability and efficiency.

• Information Architecture Artifacts: Present examples of site maps, user flow diagrams, or wireframes that illustrate your ability to structure complex information effectively.

• Design System Contributions: If applicable, showcase contributions to or extensive use of design systems, detailing how you ensured consistency and scalability.

• Research & Validation: Provide examples of research methodologies used, data collected, and how insights were translated into design decisions. Quantify impact where possible (e.g., conversion rates, task completion times).

Process Documentation:

• Design Process Clarity: Clearly articulate your typical UX design process, emphasizing how you integrate discovery, research, ideation, prototyping, and testing.

• Agile Integration: Demonstrate how your UX processes align with agile development sprints and team ceremonies.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Illustrate how you collaborate with product managers, developers, and other stakeholders throughout the design lifecycle.

• AI Integration Strategy: Outline your approach to leveraging AI tools within your design process, including critical evaluation and ethical considerations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the senior nature of this role and the emphasis on Federation-level strategy, the portfolio should not only showcase individual design skills but also strategic thinking, process maturity, and the ability to influence design direction. Demonstrating how you've driven consistency and scaled design solutions through design systems and research will be crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Lead UX Designers with 10+ years of experience in Germany, particularly in a tech-focused role within a finance/banking sector, the estimated annual gross salary range is €75,000 - €100,000. This estimate considers the "Vollzeit" employment type, the specific location (Freiburg im Breisgau, which has a moderate cost of living compared to major hubs like Munich or Berlin), and the seniority implied by the "Lead" title and extensive experience requirement.

Benefits:

• Hybrid Work Model: Flexibility to combine remote work with office presence, fostering work-life balance.

• Flexible Working Hours: Options for adaptable work schedules to accommodate personal needs and team collaboration.

• Continuing Education and Development: Access to various training programs, workshops, and resources to support professional growth and skill enhancement.

• Great Place to Work® Certification: Recognition of a positive and supportive work environment.

• Team-Oriented Recruiting: Direct involvement of the team in the hiring process, fostering a sense of belonging from the outset.

• Professional Development: Opportunities to mentor teams, drive strategic design initiatives, and contribute to elevating UX maturity.

• Modern Technology: Access to contemporary tools and technologies, including AI sparring partners for UX workflows.

Working Hours: The role is full-time ("Vollzeit"), typically aligning with a standard 40-hour work week. The emphasis on flexible working hours allows for some adaptation within this framework.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on publicly available data for similar roles in Germany and factored in the specific location and experience level. The benefits listed are directly extracted from the provided text, highlighting the company's commitment to employee well-being and development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software Development, specifically focusing on business software solutions for freelancers, small businesses, and mid-sized companies. The "Federation Finance & Banking" division operates within the critical financial technology (FinTech) space, enabling millions of Euros in transactions and revenue retrieval for clients.

Company Size: Haufe Group is a well-established organization with a significant employee base, indicated by the mention of a "Federation" and multiple teams. While exact figures aren't provided, it suggests a medium to large enterprise environment conducive to specialized roles like this.

Founded: The Haufe Group has a long history, with Lexware being a prominent brand under its umbrella, implying a stable and experienced organization with a deep understanding of its market.

Team Structure:

• Federation-based: The role operates within the "Federation Finance & Banking" unit, suggesting a divisional structure where specialized teams focus on specific product areas or customer segments.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The Lead UX Designer works closely with Product Leads, fellow UX Designers within teams, Scrum Masters, and potentially development teams.

• Mentorship Focus: The role involves mentoring UX designers within the teams, indicating a hierarchical or guidance-based relationship within the UX function.

• Committee Participation: Involvement in a committee for overarching UX quality suggests collaboration with other leaders or senior designers across different Federations.

Methodology:

• Agile & Iterative: The mention of Scrum Masters and team splits points to an agile development methodology being in place.

• Data-Driven Design: The requirement for mixed-methods research and data-informed decision-making highlights a commitment to evidence-based UX practices.

• Design System Centric: Emphasis on design systems indicates a structured approach to maintaining consistency and scalability in product design.

• User-Centricity: The core of the role revolves around understanding and improving user journeys and overall customer satisfaction.

Company Website: https://www.haufegroup.com/ (Derived from organization name)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context suggests a large, established organization with a strong market presence in business software. The specific division ("Federation Finance & Banking") indicates a focus on specialized, high-impact financial solutions, requiring a deep understanding of user needs in this domain. The culture appears to value collaboration, continuous improvement, and employee development.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior-level position within the UX Design discipline, specifically a "Lead" individual contributor. It signifies a transition from designer to strategist and mentor, focusing on influencing design direction, ensuring quality across multiple teams, and elevating the overall UX maturity of a significant product area. The scope extends beyond individual feature design to encompass the strategic coherence of an entire "Federation."

Reporting Structure: The Lead UX Designer collaborates closely with a Product Lead and fellow UX Designers within the Federation. While direct people management isn't explicitly stated, the mentorship aspect implies a leadership role within the UX function, potentially reporting to a Head of UX or similar senior design leader outside the immediate Federation. The involvement in a cross-Federation committee suggests reporting or accountability to a broader UX leadership body for strategic design decisions.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is significant, directly influencing the usability and effectiveness of financial transaction software used by thousands of businesses. By ensuring intuitive user journeys and consistent design, the Lead UX Designer contributes to:

• Increased Customer Adoption & Retention: Improved user experience leads to higher customer satisfaction and reduced churn.

• Operational Efficiency for Clients: Streamlining complex financial processes helps businesses save time and reduce errors.

• Revenue Growth: Enhanced product usability and features can drive upsells and attract new customers.

• Brand Reputation: A high-quality, consistent user experience strengthens the Lexware brand as a market leader.

• Design Team Scalability: Mentoring junior designers and promoting design systems enables the UX function to scale effectively alongside business growth.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Design Leadership: Potential to move into Head of UX or Director of Product Design roles, overseeing larger design teams and broader product portfolios.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in FinTech UX, AI-driven design, or complex enterprise software design.

• Cross-Federation Influence: Expand influence to impact design strategies across multiple Federations within Haufe Group.

• Process Improvement: Lead initiatives to further refine and optimize UX processes and methodologies within the organization.

• Mentorship Development: Enhance leadership and coaching skills through formal and informal mentorship opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path for a Lead UX Designer in this context is one of increasing strategic scope and influence. It's a pivotal role for those looking to shape product direction and mentor others, rather than solely focusing on individual design execution. The impact is measured not just in design quality but in tangible business outcomes for both the company and its clients.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The work environment is explicitly described as hybrid, combining remote work with mandatory in-office collaboration. The company emphasizes valuing personal interactions.

Office Location(s): The primary office location for this role is Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany, specifically at Munzinger Straße 9. The company also notes that it's a "Great Place to Work®," suggesting a positive and well-structured office environment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The weekly office presence in Freiburg is designed for team exchange, collaboration, and fostering a shared sense of purpose, particularly for the "Federation Finance & Banking" team.

• Resourceful Setting: As part of the Haufe Group, employees likely have access to modern office facilities, necessary tools, and technology to support both in-office and remote work.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid model allows for focused remote work while ensuring regular face-to-face interaction with colleagues like Emily (Federation Lead), Katrin & Denis (UX Designers), Lydia (Scrum Master), and Laura & Thomas (UX strategists), fostering strong working relationships.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time (40 hours/week) with an emphasis on flexible working hours. This allows for a degree of autonomy in structuring the workday, balancing personal needs with team synchronization and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model with a specific weekly office day is a key aspect, indicating the company’s belief in the value of in-person collaboration for strategic design work and team cohesion, while still offering the flexibility of remote work. Candidates should be prepared for regular travel to the Freiburg office.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process: The company highlights a "Team-Recruiting" approach, meaning the team members themselves conduct the interviews. This suggests a highly collaborative and transparent interview process.

• Initial Contact/Screening: Likely a brief call with HR or a recruiter to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• Team Interviews (Multiple Rounds):

  • Federation Lead Interview (Emily): Focus on strategic vision, understanding of the Finance & Banking domain, leadership capabilities, and alignment with Federation goals.
  • UX Team Interview (Katrin & Denis): Deep dive into UX skills, interaction design, information architecture, and collaboration style. Expect discussions around specific design challenges and how you approach them.
  • Scrum Master Interview (Lydia): Assessment of agile methodology understanding, collaboration within cross-functional teams, and problem-solving approach.
  • Strategic UX Interview (Laura & Thomas): Discussion on design systems, overarching UX quality, and strategic UX thinking across Federations.

• Portfolio Review Session: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, walking through case studies and explaining your process, decisions, and impact. This is likely integrated into one or more of the team interviews.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a higher-level manager or decision-maker to confirm fit and finalize the offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Structure your portfolio presentations around compelling narratives. Clearly define the problem, your role, the process you followed, the solutions you designed, and the measurable outcomes.

• Process Demonstration: For each case study, clearly articulate your UX process. Highlight how you navigated complexity, utilized research (especially mixed-methods), and applied design systems or established patterns.

• Strategic Thinking: Emphasize your ability to think beyond individual screens—show how your designs align with business objectives and user needs at a Federation level.

• Collaboration & Mentorship: Include examples of how you’ve collaborated with developers, product managers, and other designers. If possible, showcase instances where you mentored or guided others.

• Quantifiable Impact: Wherever possible, use data to demonstrate the success of your designs. This could include metrics on conversion rates, task completion times, user satisfaction scores, or efficiency gains.

• German Context: Be prepared to discuss your work in German and how it applies to the German market, especially within the finance/banking sector.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: You may be given a take-home design challenge or a live whiteboard exercise focused on a problem relevant to the Finance & Banking domain. Prepare to articulate your thought process, assumptions, and potential solutions.

• Process Explanation: Be ready to explain your design process in detail, particularly how you handle ambiguity and leverage data and research.

• Stakeholder Management: Prepare to discuss how you would manage expectations and communicate with various stakeholders (Product Leads, Developers, Management) regarding UX decisions and timelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Team-Recruiting" approach is a significant indicator of company culture—expect interviews to be more conversational and focused on genuine team fit. The portfolio review is paramount; it's where you'll demonstrate your expertise and strategic thinking. Be ready to present in German.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools: While not explicitly listed, typical tools for a Lead UX Designer in such a role would include:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision

• User Research & Testing: UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, Hotjar, SurveyMonkey

• Information Architecture: Miro, Lucidchart, Whimsical

• Design System Management: Storybook, Zeroheight, or internal platforms

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics

• Product Analytics: Mixpanel, Amplitude, Pendo

• Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI (for understanding data insights, not necessarily direct creation)

CRM & Automation: (Less direct for UX, but understanding is beneficial)

• CRM: Salesforce, HubSpot (to understand user segmentation and customer journeys)

• Project Management/Collaboration: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack

Emerging Tools:

• AI Tools: Candidates are expected to use AI as a sparring partner. This could involve AI-powered research tools, content generation aids (e.g., for copy), or design concept generators. Proficiency in evaluating and critically using these tools is key.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of using AI as a sparring partner is noteworthy. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience and approach to integrating AI tools into their UX workflow, emphasizing critical evaluation and ethical considerations. Familiarity with tools that support design systems and complex information architecture will be highly valued.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of clients, particularly businesses navigating complex financial processes.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Emphasis on working together across teams and Federations, as evidenced by the "Team-Recruiting" model and cross-functional committee participation.

• Continuous Improvement: A drive to constantly refine processes, enhance user experiences, and elevate the overall UX maturity of the organization.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Valuing evidence-based approaches through mixed-methods research and analytics to inform design choices.

• Innovation & Adaptability: Embracing new technologies like AI and navigating organizational changes effectively.

• Quality & Consistency: A strong focus on delivering high-quality design solutions and maintaining consistency across the product through design systems.

Collaboration Style:

• Open Communication: Encouraging active dialogue, feedback exchange, and transparency in design processes.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Working closely with Product Management, Engineering, and other stakeholders to ensure aligned product development.

• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: A culture where senior members guide and develop junior talent, and knowledge is shared freely across teams.

• Agile & Iterative: A flexible and responsive approach to design and development, adapting to feedback and changing requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be a blend of established corporate practices (Haufe Group's history) and modern agile/tech-forward approaches (AI integration, hybrid work). The emphasis on teamwork and continuous improvement, particularly within a domain like finance, suggests a professional yet dynamic environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complexity: The "Federation Finance & Banking" domain involves intricate financial processes and regulations, requiring a deep understanding and ability to simplify complex user interactions.

• Ensuring Federation-Wide Coherence: Maintaining UX consistency and strategic alignment across multiple teams and potentially evolving organizational structures within the Federation.

• Balancing Strategic Vision with Team Needs: Effectively leading UX strategy while also supporting individual teams with their specific design challenges and research needs.

• Integrating Emerging Technologies (AI): Strategically and critically incorporating AI into UX workflows, ensuring it enhances rather than detracts from user experience and design integrity.

• Driving UX Maturity: Continuously working to elevate the understanding and application of UX principles and best practices across development teams.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX Strategy: Opportunities to deepen expertise in strategic product design, user research, and design leadership within a complex B2B software context.

• FinTech Specialization: Gaining in-depth knowledge of user needs and design challenges specific to the financial services industry.

• AI in Design: Developing practical skills and strategic insights into leveraging AI for design efficiency and innovation.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Honing skills in mentoring junior designers, leading design initiatives, and influencing cross-functional teams.

• Industry Exposure: Potential for participation in industry conferences, workshops, and continuous learning on best practices in UX and FinTech.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents opportunities to tackle challenging, high-impact problems in a critical industry. The challenges are framed as growth opportunities, aligning with the company's stated commitment to employee development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Federation UX Strategy: "How would you approach developing and implementing a UX strategy for the Finance & Banking Federation, considering its current state and future goals?" (Preparation: Think about vision setting, key UX pillars, alignment with business objectives, and a phased approach.)

• Cross-Federation Consistency: "Describe a time you had to ensure UX consistency across multiple product teams or organizational units. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?" (Preparation: Use a STAR method example, highlighting your negotiation, communication, and design system skills.)

• AI Integration in UX: "How do you see AI impacting the role of a UX designer, and how would you strategically integrate AI tools into your own workflow and team's practices?" (Preparation: Be ready to discuss specific AI tools, ethical considerations, and how to maintain critical oversight.)

• Problem Solving in Ambiguity: "Tell me about a situation where you had to deliver UX solutions with significant ambiguity or incomplete information. How did you proceed?" (Preparation: Focus on your ability to self-start, define problems, conduct targeted research, and make informed decisions.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Team Collaboration: "How do you typically collaborate with Product Leads and development teams in an agile environment?" (Preparation: Highlight your communication style, proactive engagement, and understanding of agile ceremonies.)

• Mentorship Approach: "What is your philosophy on mentoring junior UX designers, and how would you foster UX maturity within the Federation?" (Preparation: Discuss your approach to feedback, skill development, and building a strong design culture.)

• Haufe Group Values: "The Haufe Group values collaboration and continuous improvement. How do these values resonate with your own work style and professional aspirations?" (Preparation: Research Haufe Group's stated values and connect them to your experience and how you embody them.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Structure each case study as a story with a clear beginning (problem/goal), middle (your process, decisions, challenges), and end (solution, impact, learnings).

• Visual Clarity: Use high-quality visuals for wireframes, mockups, and prototypes. Ensure readability and highlight key design decisions.

• Process Transparency: Clearly articulate why you made certain design choices, referencing research, user feedback, or business requirements.

• Quantifiable Results: Whenever possible, present metrics that demonstrate the positive impact of your work. If direct metrics aren't available, discuss anticipated outcomes or qualitative feedback.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Focus on the most critical aspects of each case study and be prepared for follow-up questions. Practice your presentation beforehand.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation emphasizes strategic thinking, problem-solving in complex environments, and a clear understanding of how UX contributes to business goals. Given the Team-Recruiting structure, expect a thorough assessment of your ability to integrate into the existing team dynamics.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead UX Designer position:

• Submit your application: Complete the application form through the provided link on jobs.smartrecruiters.com.

• Tailor your Resume/CV: Highlight your 10+ years of UX experience, focusing on your strengths in interaction design, information architecture, design systems, and mixed-methods research. Ensure your German language proficiency (C2) is clearly stated. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Curate your Portfolio: Select 3-5 strong case studies that best represent your ability to handle complex problems, drive strategic UX, mentor teams, and work within agile frameworks. Ensure it's well-organized, visually appealing, and clearly outlines your process and impact. Be prepared to present key case studies in German.

• Prepare for Team Interviews: Research Haufe Group and Lexware. Understand their product offerings and target audience. Prepare thoughtful questions for Emily, Katrin, Denis, Lydia, Laura, and Thomas, reflecting your interest in their specific roles and the Federation's work.

• Practice Presentation Skills: Rehearse presenting your portfolio, focusing on clear storytelling, articulating your design process, and demonstrating strategic thinking. Be ready to discuss your approach to AI in UX and navigating ambiguity.

⚠️ 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.