Senior Manager, User Experience (UX) Design

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Manager, User Experience (UX) Design

Company: Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design Leadership

Date Posted: 2026-09-09

Experience Level: 7+ years

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in-office, 1 day remote)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic design and execution of intuitive, engaging digital experiences for financial advisors, clients, and prospects across web and mobile platforms.

• Champion human-centered design principles and methodologies throughout the product development lifecycle, ensuring user needs are at the forefront.

• Manage and mentor a team of UX designers, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and design excellence within Agile environments.

• Drive UX research initiatives, translating complex user and business requirements into impactful, scalable digital solutions that align with Ameriprise's brand and strategic objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Manager, indicating a strong emphasis on leadership, strategic thinking, and team management within the UX design discipline, specifically within the financial services sector. The hybrid work model with a significant in-office component suggests a preference for collaborative, in-person team dynamics.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead design efforts from concept to completion, including the development of wireframes, mock-ups, and other project deliverables to effectively illustrate intended user experiences.

• Ensure accurate documentation of design requirements and user stories for Agile development teams, and define test plans or acceptance criteria for post-development acceptance testing.

• Present design concepts, solutions, and rationale based on customer research and industry best practices to product development teams and key stakeholders.

• Effectively manage team workload, facilitate knowledge sharing, and ensure cross-training of team members to support business objectives and execute team/function deliverables.

• Develop and maintain a high-performing UX design team through effective hiring, coaching, performance management, and professional development.

• Function as a design and brand champion on all assigned programs, actively participating in and leading peer design reviews and critiques, providing and receiving constructive feedback.

• Conduct comprehensive UX research, including competitive analysis, heuristic reviews, surveys, click studies, card sorting, and usability testing, authoring and presenting detailed research reports.

• Actively contribute to the strategy phase of projects, leading design concepting and defining the overall user experience approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on design leadership, team management, strategic input, and rigorous research. This indicates a need for a candidate who can both guide design execution and influence product strategy. The emphasis on Agile and user story documentation points to a need for strong collaboration with engineering and product management.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent (4 years) in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Computer Science, or a related field.

Experience: 7+ years of professional experience in User Experience (UX) Design, with a proven track record in leading design initiatives and managing design teams.

Required Skills:

• Proficient knowledge of the human-centered design process, web best practices, and relevant disciplines including information architecture, interaction design, and visual design.

• Proficiency with industry-standard design tools such as Figma, Sketch, InVision, and the Adobe Creative Suite.

• Demonstrated expertise in design thinking, systems thinking, and Agile development methodologies.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate creative concepts, design rationale, and user research findings to diverse audiences.

• Working knowledge of design fundamentals including color theory, composition, branding, typography, and web design standards. Preferred Skills:

• A robust portfolio showcasing professional UX design experience for digital products and services, particularly within the financial services industry.

• Experience with user-centered principles and techniques such as design sprints, co-creation methods, behavioral design and research, and service design.

• Experience designing complex transactional or interactive experiences for consumer and/or B2B platforms.

• Experience designing for complex application ecosystems and understanding system interdependencies.

• Ability to interpret product requirements documents from a user-centered perspective and translate them into actionable design specifications.

• Working knowledge of usability testing and various other qualitative and quantitative research methods.

• Fundamental understanding of project management and business process management concepts.

• Working knowledge of basic HTML/CSS and experience inspecting and validating QA/test environments.

• Experience working with industry-standard data visualization tools and software, including Tableau, High Charts, or Power BI.

• Experience adhering to ADA/WCAG standards for accessibility in design.

• Ability to work effectively in both waterfall and Agile project processes.

• Proficient prototyping and mockup skills to convey ideas and concepts effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preferred qualifications emphasize a strong understanding of the financial services landscape and experience with complex digital ecosystems. The inclusion of data visualization tools and accessibility standards indicates a need for a designer who can create sophisticated, compliant, and data-informed user experiences.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a clear understanding and application of the human-centered design process, from initial research and ideation through to final design and iteration.

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 significant projects that highlight your ability to solve complex user problems and deliver measurable business impact.

• Include examples of wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and final visual designs, clearly articulating your role and contributions in each project.

• Provide evidence of how your designs have been informed by user research, usability testing, and data analysis, demonstrating an ability to iterate based on feedback and insights. Process Documentation:

• Exhibit examples of how you have documented design requirements, user stories, and acceptance criteria for development teams, particularly within an Agile framework.

• Present case studies detailing your approach to conducting and synthesizing UX research, including usability testing, competitive analysis, and heuristic evaluations.

• Include documentation that illustrates your strategy for ensuring design consistency and scalability across multiple products or platforms, potentially referencing design systems or style guides you have contributed to.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Manager role, the portfolio should go beyond just showcasing final designs. It needs to demonstrate strategic thinking, leadership in process adoption, and the ability to mentor others in best practices for UX research and documentation within a structured development environment.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The estimated base salary for this role is $131,000 - $180,100 USD per year.

• This range is based on Ameriprise Financial's pay-for-performance compensation philosophy and will vary based on factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and geographical work location. Benefits:

• Variable Pay: Eligibility for variable pay in the form of bonus, commissions, and/or long-term incentives, depending on the specific role.

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive benefits program supporting all aspects of health and well-being, including health insurance, dental insurance, and life insurance.

• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with company contributions.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation time and sick time allowances.

• Other: Potential for long-term incentives (as noted in Variable Pay).

Working Hours: Standard full-time work hours are expected, typically around 40 hours per week. The role operates within an Exempt status, indicating that the employee is not eligible for overtime pay and is expected to fulfill duties as required to meet business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a Senior Manager-level UX Design role in a major metropolitan area like Minneapolis, especially within the financial services industry. The benefits package is robust, offering standard but comprehensive coverage. The "Exempt" status is typical for management roles and implies an expectation of dedication beyond standard hourly limits.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Diversified Financial Services, including financial planning, asset management, and insurance. Ameriprise Financial operates in a highly regulated and client-trust-dependent sector, emphasizing stability, expertise, and long-term client relationships.

Company Size: Over 22,000 employees across 19 countries, managing and advising on over $1.5 trillion in assets. This indicates a large, established, and global organization with significant resources and market presence.

Founded: Ameriprise Financial has a long history, implied by its established leadership and scale. This suggests a company with a deep-rooted culture and established operational processes, while also aiming for innovation.

Team Structure:

• The UX Design team is likely part of a larger Marketing, Product Management, or Technology department, working in close collaboration with Agile product development teams.

• As a Senior Manager, this role will have direct reports and likely report to a Director or VP of UX Design, Product Management, or Digital Experience.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, involving Product Managers, Developers, Researchers, Business Analysts, and business leaders to transform user and business needs into digital solutions. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasizes the use of customer research, user data, and analytics to inform design decisions and strategy.

• Agile Development: Operates within Agile frameworks, requiring iterative design processes, close collaboration with development teams, and adaptability to changing requirements.

• Human-Centered Design: A core philosophy that places the user at the center of the design process, ensuring products are intuitive, efficient, and meet user needs.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Working within a financial services firm like Ameriprise Financial means the UX Design team must balance user needs with stringent regulatory requirements, security protocols, and the need for clear, trustworthy communication of complex financial products and services. The company's size and history suggest a stable yet evolving environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Manager, UX Design. This level signifies a transition from individual contribution to a significant leadership role. It involves managing a team, influencing product strategy, and contributing to the overall design vision and operational excellence of the UX function within the company. The focus is on strategic impact, team development, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, user-centric digital experiences.

Reporting Structure: The role likely reports to a Director or VP of UX, Product, or Digital Experience. The Senior Manager will have direct reports (UX Designers) and will collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and other business stakeholders.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on the user experience of key stakeholders (advisors, clients, prospects), which in turn influences client satisfaction, advisor adoption rates, operational efficiency, and ultimately, revenue generation and brand loyalty for Ameriprise Financial. Effective UX design can reduce support costs, increase conversion rates, and enhance client retention.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to advance into Director-level or VP-level positions within UX Design, Product Management, or broader Digital Strategy roles.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape the long-term digital experience strategy for Ameriprise Financial, influencing product roadmaps and innovation initiatives.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Develop deeper expertise in financial services, digital product development, and cross-functional team leadership through extensive collaboration.

• Mentorship & Development: Enhance leadership and coaching skills by mentoring a team of designers, fostering their professional growth and development within the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "operations" aspect in this context refers to the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the UX design department and its contribution to the company's overall business operations. Growth opportunities are geared towards increasing strategic influence and leadership scope within the organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Ameriprise Financial emphasizes an in-office, collaborative work environment. The role is hybrid, requiring a significant presence at the Minneapolis headquarters.

Office Location(s): Minneapolis Headquarters, Minnesota, United States. Specific details about office amenities, accessibility, and the immediate work area would be provided during the interview process.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to foster face-to-face collaboration, idea sharing, and productivity. Expect a dynamic environment where team members work closely together.

• Access to standard office technology, design software, and collaboration tools will be provided. This includes industry-standard design and visualization software.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with design team members, product managers, developers, and business leaders are frequent, encouraging a fluid exchange of ideas and problem-solving.

Work Schedule: The typical work schedule is full-time, Monday through Friday, with an expectation of 40 hours per week. The hybrid model allows for one day of remote work flexibility, while the other four days are dedicated to in-office collaboration. This structure supports both focused individual work and team-based activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a 4-day in-office presence is a key aspect of the work environment, signaling a strong preference for in-person collaboration and team cohesion, which is common in established financial institutions that value relationship-building and direct communication.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a recruiter screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion with the hiring manager focusing on leadership experience, strategic thinking, team management approach, and understanding of UX principles within financial services.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where the candidate presents their portfolio, showcasing key projects, design process, research methodologies, and impact. This is a critical step to evaluate design skills, communication abilities, and problem-solving approach. Expect to discuss your role, challenges, solutions, and outcomes.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with potential peers, direct reports, and key cross-functional stakeholders (e.g., Product Managers, Engineering Leads) to assess collaboration style, technical understanding, and ability to integrate into the existing team dynamic.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss overall strategic alignment and long-term vision for the UX function.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 projects that best represent your leadership capabilities, strategic thinking, and impact in solving complex UX challenges within digital products. Prioritize projects relevant to financial services, B2B, or complex transactional systems.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your specific role and responsibilities, the design process you followed (research, ideation, prototyping, testing, iteration), the solutions you implemented, and the measurable outcomes or business impact achieved.

• Highlight Leadership: Emphasize instances where you led design efforts, mentored junior designers, collaborated with stakeholders, or influenced product strategy.

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

• Prepare for Questions: Be ready to discuss your design philosophy, your approach to handling design critiques, your experience with Agile methodologies, and how you stay current with UX trends.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for potential case study exercises or design challenges that may be presented during the interview process, focusing on problem-solving, strategic thinking, and articulating your approach to a given UX problem relevant to financial services.

• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, especially when discussing complex design decisions or trade-offs.

• Familiarize yourself with Ameriprise Financial's products, services, and target audience to better contextualize your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to thoroughly assess both the candidate's technical UX design skills and their leadership capabilities. The portfolio review is central, requiring candidates to demonstrate not just design execution but also strategic thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to articulate impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, InVision (proficient use expected).

• Creative Suite: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.) for visual design tasks.

• Collaboration: Tools for team collaboration, project management, and communication (e.g., Jira, Confluence, Slack, Microsoft Teams).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Visualization: Tableau, High Charts, Power BI (working knowledge preferred).

• Web Analytics: Tools like Google Analytics or similar platforms for understanding user behavior and website performance.

• User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting usability testing, surveys, and collecting user feedback.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: Familiarity with CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce) as they relate to user journeys and data integration for design context.

• Workflow Automation: Understanding of how design impacts automated workflows and user journeys within digital platforms.

• Accessibility Tools: Knowledge of tools and standards for ensuring ADA/WCAG compliance in digital design.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with industry-standard UX design and prototyping tools is a baseline requirement. The inclusion of data visualization tools and familiarity with CRM systems suggests that the role requires designers to be data-informed and understand how their designs interact with broader business systems and processes.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Client-Centricity: A core value driving all decisions, ensuring that the needs and experiences of clients and advisors are paramount.

• Integrity & Trust: Essential in financial services, emphasizing ethical conduct, transparency, and building long-term relationships.

• Collaboration: Working together effectively across teams and departments to achieve shared goals and deliver integrated solutions.

• Excellence & Innovation: Striving for high-quality outcomes and continuously seeking innovative ways to improve products, processes, and client experiences.

• Accountability: Taking ownership of responsibilities, delivering on commitments, and driving results.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The UX team works closely with Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, and Business stakeholders, requiring strong communication and partnership skills.

• Agile Cadence: Collaboration follows Agile methodologies, with regular stand-ups, sprint reviews, and planning sessions to ensure alignment and iterative progress.

• Constructive Feedback Culture: An environment where design reviews and critiques are encouraged to foster continuous improvement and elevate the quality of design work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture at Ameriprise Financial likely mirrors the broader company values, emphasizing professionalism, client focus, and a commitment to quality and integrity. The hybrid work model suggests a culture that values in-person interaction for fostering stronger team bonds and more dynamic collaboration.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business/Regulatory Constraints: Navigating the complexities of financial services to create user-friendly experiences that also meet stringent compliance and business objectives.

• Driving Design Adoption in a Large Organization: Championing human-centered design principles and ensuring consistent application across a broad range of digital products and platforms within a large enterprise.

• Managing and Mentoring a Diverse Design Team: Developing and leading a team of designers with varying skill sets and experience levels, fostering their growth while meeting project demands.

• Adapting to Evolving Technology and User Expectations: Staying ahead of digital trends and integrating new technologies and design approaches to maintain a competitive edge in the financial services market.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Opportunities for advanced training in UX research methodologies, design strategy, leadership development, and emerging design technologies.

• Industry Exposure: Engagement with industry conferences, workshops, and professional networks to stay abreast of best practices and innovations in UX and financial services.

• Mentorship Programs: Access to mentorship from senior leaders within Ameriprise Financial, offering guidance on career progression and leadership development.

• Cross-Functional Projects: Involvement in strategic initiatives that provide exposure to different business units and deepen understanding of the broader financial services ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents opportunities to tackle complex challenges within a stable industry, offering significant potential for professional growth and impact. The challenges are typical for senior design leaders in regulated industries, requiring strategic problem-solving and strong interpersonal skills.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led a significant UX design initiative from concept to launch. What was your strategy, what challenges did you face, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your leadership, strategic approach, and ability to articulate impact).

• "How do you balance user needs with business objectives and regulatory requirements in the financial services industry?" (Demonstrate your understanding of the industry's unique constraints and your problem-solving approach).

• "How do you approach mentoring and developing a team of UX designers? Provide an example of how you've helped a team member grow." (Highlight your leadership style, coaching philosophy, and commitment to team development). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Ameriprise Financial and our role in the financial services industry?" (Research the company's mission, values, recent news, and strategic direction).

• "How would you foster a strong collaborative relationship between your UX team and cross-functional partners like Product Management and Engineering?" (Discuss your communication and partnership strategies).

• "How do you measure the success of a UX design strategy or a specific feature? What KPIs do you typically focus on?" (Showcase your data-driven approach and understanding of impact metrics). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly outline the Problem, Your Role, Process, Solution, and Results (PPRSR).

• Emphasize Strategy and Impact: Go beyond just showing screens; explain the strategic thinking behind your design decisions and quantify the business or user impact whenever possible.

• Showcase Leadership: Highlight instances where you led design efforts, mentored others, or influenced product direction.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your process, the trade-offs you made, and how you handled feedback or challenges. Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to discuss their leadership experience, strategic thinking, and understanding of the financial services domain. The portfolio presentation is crucial and should clearly articulate not just design execution but also the strategic rationale and measurable impact of their work.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Manager, User Experience (UX) Design position:

• Submit your application through the Ameriprise Financial careers portal at https://ameriprise.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Ameriprise/job/Minneapolis-Minnesota/Senior-Manager--User-Experience--UX--Design_R26_3471.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight leadership experience, team management accomplishments, and specific UX design expertise relevant to financial services and digital product development. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare your portfolio: Curate a selection of 3-5 impactful projects that showcase your strategic thinking, design process, leadership, and measurable outcomes. Ensure it aligns with the requirements for this role.

• Research Ameriprise Financial: Understand the company's mission, values, products, target audience, and recent initiatives. Familiarize yourself with their existing digital presence and any known UX challenges or opportunities.

• Practice your presentation: Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough, focusing on clearly articulating your strategy, process, and impact for each project. Be ready to answer behavioral and situational questions related to leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving.

⚠️ 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.