Senior Director of UX Operations & Accessibility

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Director of UX Operations & Accessibility

Company: Remitly

Location: London, England, United Kingdom (On-site)

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: UX Operations & Accessibility Leadership

Date Posted: 2026-04-10

Experience Level: 10+ Years

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the global strategy, governance, and operational excellence for User Experience (UX) across Elsevier’s extensive product ecosystem, driving consistency and impact through standardized processes and advanced tooling.

• Spearhead enterprise-level accessibility maturity, ensuring all platforms adhere to global standards (WCAG, ADA, EN 301 549) and foster inclusive, research-informed user experiences for a diverse user base.

• Drive the adoption and governance of enterprise design systems, ensuring cross-platform consistency and efficient implementation of design principles across distributed global UX teams.

• Develop and implement robust UX metrics, KPIs, and dashboards to measure operational effectiveness, user satisfaction, and alignment with critical product and business outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior leadership opportunity focusing on the strategic and operational aspects of UX, with a significant emphasis on accessibility and enterprise-wide governance. The scope implies a need for strong process engineering, change management, and cross-functional collaboration skills across a large, global organization.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and execute a comprehensive global UX Operations strategy, ensuring alignment and adoption across diverse business units and product lines within Elsevier.

• Establish standardized UX processes encompassing research intake, design workflows, tooling selection and implementation, and robust governance frameworks to enhance efficiency and quality.

• Drive the adoption and ongoing governance of enterprise design systems, promoting cross-platform consistency and brand integrity across all digital touchpoints.

• Lead UX resource planning, strategic vendor management, and detailed budget oversight to optimize operational expenditures and team productivity.

• Develop, track, and report on key UX metrics, dashboards, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that directly correlate with product success and overall business objectives.

• Champion UX operational maturity across geographically dispersed and multidisciplinary global UX teams, fostering best practices and continuous improvement.

• Own and advance the enterprise accessibility strategy, ensuring full compliance with global standards including WCAG, ADA, and EN 301 549.

• Direct accessibility audits, manage remediation initiatives, and implement ongoing compliance monitoring processes to maintain high accessibility standards.

• Build and scale UX research operations, optimizing participant management, tool utilization, and the creation of centralized insights repositories for wider organizational benefit.

• Act as an executive advocate for user-centered, inclusive, and ethical design principles throughout the organization, influencing product development and strategic decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership and hands-on operational management. The emphasis on "scaling UX operations," "enterprise accessibility maturity," and "global product ecosystem" suggests a need for experience in managing complex, distributed teams and implementing standardized processes across a large organization.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field such as Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), UX Design, Information Science, Computer Science, or a related discipline is typically expected for a Senior Director level role.

Experience: 12+ years in UX, Design Operations, or Digital Experience leadership, with a minimum of 5 years managing global, multidisciplinary UX teams. Experience within enterprise SaaS, digital publishing, health tech, or data-driven environments is crucial for understanding the business context.

Required Skills:

• Proven track record in building and scaling comprehensive UX Operations functions from the ground up or through significant transformation.

• Deep expertise in accessibility standards (WCAG, ADA, EN 301 549) and understanding of regulatory requirements for digital products.

• Strong command of design systems principles, implementation, and governance models for ensuring cross-platform consistency and efficiency.

• Demonstrated ability to define, track, and align UX metrics and KPIs with tangible product and business outcomes.

• Executive-level communication, presentation, and influencing skills, with a capacity to effectively engage and persuade senior stakeholders across various departments.

• Robust knowledge of a wide range of UX research methodologies, experimentation frameworks, and user-centered design principles.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with vendor management, contract negotiation, and budget oversight for UX-related services and tools.

• Familiarity with agile development methodologies and how UX operations integrate within them.

• Proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools to derive actionable insights from UX metrics.

• Experience in developing and managing global UX research panels or participant recruitment strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirements are substantial, indicating a need for a seasoned leader with a proven history of impact at scale. The emphasis on "enterprise SaaS, digital publishing, health tech, or data driven environments" suggests that candidates with experience in knowledge-based industries or complex B2B/B2C platforms will be highly valued.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate successful implementation of standardized UX processes, including intake, workflow, and governance, showcasing improvements in efficiency, quality, or consistency.

• Provide case studies highlighting the development and scaling of UX Operations functions, including team structure, tooling, and operational metrics.

• Showcase examples of designing, implementing, and governing enterprise-level design systems, emphasizing cross-platform consistency and adoption.

• Present evidence of strategic resource planning, vendor management, and budget oversight within a UX context, ideally demonstrating cost savings or improved ROI.

Process Documentation:

• Detailed documentation of established UX research intake processes, from request submission to project initiation, including SLAs and prioritization frameworks.

• Workflow diagrams and process maps illustrating standardized design workflows, from ideation to final handoff, highlighting automation opportunities or efficiency gains.

• Documentation of accessibility compliance processes, including audit methodologies, remediation tracking, and ongoing monitoring procedures.

• Examples of operational dashboards or reports used for tracking UX metrics, research operations, and overall design system health.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role of this seniority, a portfolio is crucial. It should not only showcase past work but also demonstrate strategic thinking and the ability to implement scalable, data-driven operational frameworks. Candidates should be prepared to articulate the "how" and "why" behind their process designs and operational improvements, focusing on measurable impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The U.S. National Base Pay Range is $118,300 - $219,800 USD per year. For London, UK, given the seniority and location, a competitive salary within a similar or potentially higher range, adjusted for the UK market, is anticipated. Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Director roles in London within technology and information services, a typical range could be £100,000 - £170,000+ GBP per annum, with potential for bonuses and equity.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive country-specific benefits package, which may include:

  • Health insurance (medical, dental, vision) with robust coverage.

  • Generous paid time off (vacation, sick leave, public holidays).

  • Retirement savings plan (e.g., pension scheme) with employer contributions.

  • Life insurance and disability coverage.

  • Professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and certifications.

  • Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) for personal and professional support.

  • Potential for performance-based bonuses and stock options/grants. Working Hours: The role is listed with an implied 40-hour work week. Given the senior leadership nature and global scope, flexibility may be required to accommodate different time zones and critical project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided U.S. salary range serves as a benchmark. A specific UK salary will be determined by local market conditions, candidate experience, and regional cost of living. The emphasis on "country specific benefits" means candidates should seek detailed information relevant to their location.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Information & Analytics, specifically within scientific and healthcare information services. Elsevier is a global leader in providing data, analytics, and technology solutions that help researchers and healthcare professionals advance science and improve health outcomes.

Company Size: Elsevier is part of RELX, a global provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers. RELX is a large, publicly traded company, indicating a significant global presence and established corporate structure. This implies a need for robust operational processes and adherence to corporate governance.

Founded: Elsevier has a long history, with roots tracing back to 1880. This legacy suggests a company with established processes, a deep understanding of its markets, and a commitment to long-term innovation.

Team Structure:

• The Global UX team is described as diverse and multidisciplinary, including designers, researchers, and content specialists, indicating a collaborative environment focused on creating user-centric experiences.

• This role reports to a senior leadership position within the UX function and will likely interface with product VPs, engineering leads, and business unit heads, highlighting a strategic position within the organization.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on data analysis and evidence-based design to inform decisions and drive impact.

• Focus on developing and optimizing workflows to ensure efficiency and scalability across global operations.

• Commitment to continuous improvement and raising the quality and consistency of user experiences across Elsevier's diverse portfolio.

Company Website: https://www.elsevier.com/ (Note: The provided URL in the raw data was for RELX, but the job description clearly pertains to Elsevier, a subsidiary).

📝 Enhancement Note: As a subsidiary of RELX, Elsevier operates within a large corporate framework. This means candidates should anticipate structured processes, a focus on compliance, and opportunities for significant impact within a well-established industry leader. The company's mission to "advance science and healthcare to advance human progress" provides strong context for the UX team's strategic importance.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Director role, signifying a high-level leadership position responsible for strategic direction, operational oversight, and team management on a global scale. It requires extensive experience in UX Operations and Accessibility, with a focus on driving enterprise-wide change and establishing best practices.

Reporting Structure: The role will likely report into a VP or SVP of UX, Design, or Product. It will manage a team of UX Operations and Accessibility professionals and collaborate extensively with peer directors and senior leaders across Product, Engineering, and Business Units.

Operations Impact: The Senior Director of UX Operations & Accessibility has a pivotal role in shaping how millions of users globally interact with Elsevier's knowledge and data products. Their work directly influences user experience quality, product adoption, regulatory compliance, and ultimately, the company's ability to achieve its mission of advancing science and healthcare.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership: Opportunity to define and execute the long-term vision for UX Operations and Accessibility at an enterprise level, influencing product strategy and company-wide operational standards.

• Skill Development: Deepen expertise in global accessibility regulations, advanced UX operational frameworks, and managing distributed, multidisciplinary teams. Potential for exposure to broader product strategy and information governance.

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into VP-level roles overseeing larger functions or broader areas of product development and user experience within RELX. This role provides a strong platform for demonstrating executive leadership capabilities in a complex, global organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a significant step up for experienced UX leaders. The scope of responsibility—global UX operations, enterprise accessibility, and cross-functional influence—offers substantial growth potential. Candidates should highlight their ability to manage complexity, drive strategic initiatives, and deliver measurable business impact.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The primary listed location is London, England, indicating an on-site or hybrid work arrangement within a corporate office environment. Given the global nature of the role and the mention of multiple international locations (Amsterdam, Raleigh, Philadelphia), a hybrid model that balances in-office collaboration with remote flexibility is highly probable for this leadership position.

Office Location(s): London, England, United Kingdom is explicitly mentioned as a primary location. However, other locations derived from the data include Raleigh, NC, USA; Philadelphia, PA, USA; and Amsterdam, Netherlands, suggesting a global operational footprint for the company and potential for interaction with teams in these regions.

Workspace Context:

• The role demands a highly collaborative environment, necessitating effective communication and coordination with global teams, product managers, engineers, and business stakeholders, likely facilitated by modern collaboration tools.

• Access to a robust technology stack for UX research, design, operations management, and accessibility testing will be essential for the team's productivity.

• Opportunities for frequent interaction with a diverse, multidisciplinary UX team and senior leadership will be key for strategic alignment and decision-making.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is implied, the senior leadership position and global responsibilities may require flexibility to attend meetings across different time zones, manage urgent operational issues, and support global project timelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should expect a dynamic, global work environment. While based in London, the role's success will depend on the ability to effectively manage and collaborate with teams across multiple continents, requiring strong remote collaboration skills and an understanding of different cultural work styles.

📄 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 career aspirations, focusing on leadership experience in UX Operations and Accessibility.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A deeper dive into your experience, leadership style, strategic thinking, and understanding of UX Operations and accessibility challenges. Expect questions about building and scaling functions, managing global teams, and driving change.

• Panel Interviews: Likely to involve interviews with peers (e.g., Director of Product Management, Director of Engineering) and potentially direct reports or key stakeholders. These will assess cross-functional collaboration, technical depth, and cultural fit.

• Executive Presentation/Case Study: A common step for senior roles. You may be asked to present a strategic plan for UX Operations/Accessibility at Elsevier, or to walk through a complex portfolio case study demonstrating your impact and approach. This is where your portfolio will be heavily utilized.

• Final Round: Possibly with a senior executive (e.g., VP of Product, Chief Design Officer) to finalize the decision and discuss long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Strategic Focus: Highlight case studies that demonstrate your ability to define and implement strategic UX Operations frameworks, scale functions, and drive enterprise-wide accessibility initiatives.

• Process & Governance: Showcase examples of standardized workflows, design system governance, and operational metrics that improved efficiency, consistency, and impact. Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Accessibility Expertise: Include specific examples of how you've led accessibility audits, implemented remediation strategies, and ensured compliance with standards like WCAG.

• Impact & ROI: Clearly articulate the business impact of your initiatives. Use metrics to demonstrate improvements in user satisfaction, product adoption, operational efficiency, or risk reduction related to compliance.

• Global & Cross-Functional: If possible, present examples of managing global teams or collaborating effectively across different departments and regions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss how you would approach defining a UX Operations strategy for Elsevier, considering its global scale and diverse product portfolio.

• Anticipate questions about how to foster a culture of accessibility and operational excellence within a large, matrixed organization.

• Practice articulating your leadership philosophy and how you motivate and develop teams, particularly in a remote or hybrid setting.

• Review recent trends in UX Operations, accessibility compliance, and the information/analytics industry to demonstrate forward-thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize strategic thinking, operational execution capabilities, and leadership potential. A well-curated portfolio that clearly articulates process improvements, accessibility achievements, and quantifiable business impact will be critical for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Research Platforms: Tools for participant recruitment, management, and scheduling (e.g., UserTesting, Dovetail, Maze, UserZoom).

• Design & Prototyping Tools: Standard industry tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, InVision for design and collaboration.

• Design System Management: Platforms for hosting, documenting, and managing design systems (e.g., Zeroheight, Storybook, internal tools).

• Project Management & Workflow: Tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, Monday.com for managing design sprints, research intake, and operational tasks.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics for tracking user behavior on digital platforms.

• BI & Dashboarding Tools: Tableau, Power BI, Looker for creating operational dashboards and visualizing UX/accessibility metrics.

• User Feedback Tools: Survey platforms (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics) and in-app feedback tools.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how UX operations integrate with CRM data for user segmentation and personalization might be relevant.

• Automation Tools: Potential use of workflow automation tools (e.g., Zapier, Workato) to streamline UX research intake or reporting processes.

• Accessibility Testing Tools: Automated checkers (e.g., axe, WAVE), screen readers (e.g., JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver), and manual testing methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a broad understanding of the UX technology landscape, with a specific emphasis on tools that support scaled operations, governance, and accessibility compliance. Proficiency in integrating these tools and leveraging data for operational improvements is key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A fundamental commitment to understanding and meeting user needs, ensuring all operations and accessibility efforts serve the end-user effectively.

• Inclusion & Equity: A deep dedication to accessibility and inclusive design, ensuring products are usable and beneficial for everyone, regardless of ability.

• Operational Excellence: A drive for efficiency, standardization, and continuous improvement in all UX processes and operational functions.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Reliance on metrics, research, and analytics to inform strategies, measure impact, and justify operational investments.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Fostering an environment where teams work together openly, share knowledge, and provide constructive feedback to achieve common goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Proactive engagement with Product Management, Engineering, Data Science, Marketing, and Legal teams to ensure seamless integration of UX operations and accessibility requirements into the product lifecycle.

• Process Iteration: A culture of reviewing and refining operational processes based on feedback, performance data, and evolving industry best practices.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the dissemination of best practices, insights, and learnings across global UX teams and the wider organization to build collective expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission to "advance science and healthcare" likely shapes its values, emphasizing impact, rigor, and ethical considerations. The UX Operations and Accessibility function will be a critical enabler of these values by ensuring products are both effective and accessible to a global audience.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling Global Operations: Standardizing UX processes and design systems across diverse business units, product lines, and geographic regions presents a significant challenge in terms of adoption and consistency.

• Driving Enterprise Accessibility Maturity: Moving an organization from basic compliance to a truly inclusive design culture requires sustained effort, executive buy-in, and effective change management.

• Measuring Operational Impact: Quantifying the ROI of UX Operations and accessibility initiatives can be complex, requiring sophisticated metrics and compelling storytelling to demonstrate value to the business.

• Navigating Complex Matrixed Structures: Influencing stakeholders and driving change without direct authority in a large, global organization requires strong negotiation, communication, and strategic partnership skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Operations Leadership: Developing expertise in enterprise-level operations strategy, governance, and scaling functions within a large, established company.

• Industry Trends: Staying at the forefront of UX operations best practices, accessibility standards, and emerging technologies relevant to the information and analytics sector.

• Executive Influence: Honing skills in executive communication, stakeholder management, and influencing strategic decisions at the highest levels of the organization.

• Mentorship: Potential to mentor and develop a team of UX operations and accessibility professionals, fostering future leaders within the field.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is designed to challenge a seasoned leader. The ability to navigate complexity, drive strategic initiatives, and foster a culture of continuous improvement will be key to overcoming these challenges and realizing the significant growth opportunities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach developing a global UX Operations strategy for Elsevier, considering our diverse product portfolio and user base?" (Preparation: Focus on phased implementation, stakeholder alignment, and key success metrics.)

• "Describe your experience in scaling enterprise accessibility programs. What are the biggest hurdles, and how have you overcome them?" (Preparation: Highlight experience with WCAG, ADA, EN 301 549, and strategies for embedding accessibility into the product lifecycle.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of Elsevier and the information/analytics industry, what do you see as the biggest UX challenges and opportunities for us?" (Preparation: Research Elsevier's products, market position, and recent industry trends.)

• "How would you foster a culture of user-centricity and accessibility within a large, global organization like ours?" (Preparation: Discuss change management strategies, training programs, and cross-functional collaboration.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Structure your presentation around key themes: strategic vision, operational implementation, accessibility integration, and measurable impact.

• Quantifiable Results: For each case study, clearly state the problem, your solution, and the quantifiable outcomes (e.g., % improvement in efficiency, % reduction in accessibility defects, user satisfaction scores).

• Process Focus: Detail the specific processes you designed or optimized, emphasizing scalability, governance, and efficiency.

• Accessibility Deep Dive: Dedicate a segment to showcasing your accessibility expertise, including your approach to compliance, audits, and remediation.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your most impactful work efficiently, focusing on relevance to the Senior Director role at Elsevier.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic leadership, deep operational expertise, and a clear understanding of how UX Operations and Accessibility drive business value. Your portfolio is your primary tool for showcasing this expertise.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Director of UX Operations & Accessibility position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday portal link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience in scaling UX Operations, leading global teams, and driving enterprise accessibility initiatives, using keywords from the job description.

• Portfolio Preparation: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, well-organized, and ready to be shared, featuring case studies that demonstrate strategic thinking, process implementation, accessibility achievements, and quantifiable business impact.

• Interview Practice: Prepare for behavioral and situational questions using the STAR method, and practice presenting your portfolio and strategic approach, focusing on how you would address Elsevier's specific challenges and opportunities.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Elsevier, its products, its mission, and the broader RELX organization to articulate informed perspectives on their UX and accessibility landscape during interviews.

⚠️ 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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