Senior UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer

Company: 50,000Feet, LLC

Location: Chicago, IL, US

Job Type: Full-Time

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

Date Posted: 2026-06-02T22:05:00

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategy, vision, and execution of innovative digital and AI-enabled products and experiences for a global design consultancy.

• Champion human-centered design principles across all project phases, from ideation to production-ready delivery.

• Partner closely with cross-functional teams and client stakeholders to define and deliver next-generation digital solutions.

• Hands-on UX craft, interaction design, and experience execution, with a forward-looking perspective on AI-driven experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior UX Designer within a design consultancy, emphasizing strategic leadership alongside hands-on design execution. The inclusion of "AI-enabled products" and "emerging technology" highlights a focus on future-forward design solutions. The "On-site" remote status indicates a preference for in-office collaboration, crucial for a consultancy environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design intuitive interactions across responsive digital experiences for mobile and desktop platforms, ensuring scalability and user-friendliness.

• Champion human-centered design principles throughout the entire project lifecycle, from initial concept to final implementation.

• Ideate, validate, and iterate on design concepts by synthesizing client input, user research findings, and established UX best practices.

• Partner effectively with cross-functional client teams (marketing, creative, project management) to navigate complex business and technical requirements.

• Contribute to experience strategy by defining priorities, user value, and interaction approaches across digital products and platforms.

• Identify opportunities for user experience improvement, complexity simplification, and more effective digital interactions.

• Visualize product vision through storyboards, sitemaps, and process flows, progressing to high-fidelity UI mockups and functional prototypes.

• Align clients and cross-functional teams around experience goals, user needs, and interaction approaches through clear communication and facilitation.

• Develop detailed design specifications and prototypes in close coordination with product leads and engineering teams.

• Communicate strategic design decisions clearly and effectively to clients and internal stakeholders, articulating rationale and impact.

• Present and articulate design decisions to clients with clarity, strategic thinking, and meticulous attention to detail.

• Partner with project, product, and engineering teams to support implementation quality and ensure experience consistency through launch.

• Facilitate collaborative working sessions with clients and internal teams to clarify goals, gather input, and advance experience design solutions.

• Advocate for accessibility, usability, and inclusive design standards across all digital experiences to ensure broad user reach and engagement.

• Contribute to and evolve scalable design systems and interaction frameworks to ensure consistency and efficiency across projects.

• Maintain awareness of emerging UX patterns, technologies, and digital trends to inform thoughtful and innovative experience design decisions.

• Uphold a strict commitment to maintaining the confidentiality of client and agency data.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic thinking, client-facing communication, and hands-on design execution, typical of a senior role in a consultancy. Emphasis on "AI-enabled products," "experience strategy," and "design systems" points to advanced UX capabilities.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in a design-related discipline or significant equivalent industry experience.

Experience: A minimum of 5+ years of professional experience leading UX initiatives across complex digital products and experiences.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in industry-standard design tools, specifically Figma, for high-fidelity prototyping.

• Exceptional collaborative skills, with the ability to lead and contribute within both virtual and in-person teams.

• Proactive self-starter capable of managing complex workstreams with minimal oversight.

• A strategic problem-solver who approaches design challenges with research-backed solutions and critical thinking.

• Proven ability to prioritize multiple projects in fast-moving environments, meeting deadlines while maintaining focus on quality and detail.

• Organized, analytical, and adept at mastering new technologies and methodologies.

• Collaborative mindset with a strong point of view and a commitment to thoughtful iteration and refinement.

• Strong understanding of human-centered design principles and their application across the entire design process.

• Experience in user research methodologies, synthesizing findings into actionable design insights.

• Proficiency in creating wireframes, user flows, sitemaps, and interactive prototypes.

• Ability to translate complex business requirements into intuitive and scalable user experiences.

• Strong presentation and communication skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale to diverse audiences.

• Familiarity with accessibility and inclusive design standards. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI-driven product design and understanding of AI interaction patterns.

• Knowledge of design systems and experience in contributing to or evolving them.

• Familiarity with agile development methodologies and cross-functional team collaboration in an agile environment.

• Experience in a design consultancy or agency setting, working with a variety of clients and industries.

• Understanding of information architecture principles.

• Experience with UX testing and validation methods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize hands-on proficiency with Figma, strategic problem-solving, and client-facing capabilities, reflecting the consultancy environment. The "5+ years" experience benchmark aligns with a senior-level position. Preferred skills touch upon emerging areas like AI in UX and design systems.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a strong command of UX strategy and process, showcasing how you approach complex problems from discovery to solution.

• Present case studies that highlight your ability to translate user needs and business objectives into intuitive and effective digital experiences.

• Include examples of high-fidelity prototypes created in Figma, illustrating interaction design proficiency and attention to detail.

• Showcase your experience with ideation, validation, and iteration, demonstrating how you use research and feedback to refine designs.

• Provide evidence of your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and manage stakeholder expectations effectively. Process Documentation:

• Detail your approach to user research, including methods used, participant recruitment, and how insights were synthesized and applied to design decisions.

• Illustrate your workflow for creating sitemaps, user flows, and process diagrams to map out user journeys and system interactions.

• Document your process for developing and refining design systems, including component creation, documentation, and governance.

• Explain how you ensure accessibility and inclusive design principles are integrated into your design process and final deliverables.

• Showcase your method for presenting design concepts and strategic rationale to clients and internal teams, including how you handle feedback and iteration.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for a Senior UX Designer role in a consultancy. The emphasis is on showcasing a structured, user-centered design process, strategic thinking, and demonstrable impact through case studies, with a specific mention of Figma proficiency.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $120,000 - $150,000 per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) and holiday schedule.

• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match.

• Professional development opportunities, including training and conference attendance.

• Opportunities to work on diverse and challenging client projects.

• Collaborative and creative work environment.

• Potential for growth within a respected global design consultancy.

Working Hours: Full-time position, typically 40 hours per week, with potential for flexibility based on project needs and client demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is a strong baseline for a Senior UX Designer in a major metropolitan area like Chicago or NYC. Benefits are standard for a full-time role, with a particular emphasis on professional development, which is highly valued in a consultancy setting.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Design Consultancy / Brand Strategy / Digital Experiences.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the mention of "global design consultancy" suggests a medium to large-sized organization with multiple offices and a significant client base. This implies a structured yet dynamic work environment.

Founded: The company was founded on principles of building "timeless brands for discerning audiences," indicating a focus on enduring quality, strategic thinking, and a commitment to client success.

Team Structure:

• The UX Design team likely operates within project-based pods, collaborating closely with strategists, brand designers, technologists, and project managers.

• Senior UX Designers are expected to lead initiatives, mentor junior designers, and act as a key point of contact for clients on design-related matters.

• Cross-functional collaboration is central, requiring strong communication and integration with creative, strategy, and technology disciplines. Methodology:

• A strong emphasis on human-centered design, integrating user research, business strategy, and technological feasibility.

• Iterative design processes, involving concept development, prototyping, testing, and refinement.

• Data-driven decision-making, using insights from user behavior and business metrics to inform design choices.

• A commitment to building scalable design systems and ensuring consistency across digital products and platforms.

Company Website: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=0632936c-78c5-4af2-932a-c1954024b992

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's positioning as an "independent global design consultancy" suggests a client-focused, project-driven environment where collaboration and strategic thinking are paramount. The emphasis on "timeless brands" implies a dedication to quality and long-term impact.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior UX Designer. This level signifies a highly experienced professional capable of leading complex projects, influencing client strategy, and mentoring junior team members. It involves significant autonomy and responsibility for design outcomes.

Reporting Structure: Senior UX Designers typically report to a Design Director, Head of UX, or a similar leadership role within the design practice. They will also work directly with Project Managers and Client Leads on a day-to-day basis.

Operations Impact: The Senior UX Designer plays a critical role in shaping client brands and digital products, directly impacting user engagement, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, client business objectives. Their work influences brand perception, product adoption, and market competitiveness.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Transition into a Design Lead, Associate Director, or Director role, managing teams and client relationships.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas such as AI-driven UX, design systems, accessibility, or user research methodologies.

• Client Strategy: Take on more strategic advisory roles, guiding clients on their overall digital transformation and experience strategy.

• Mentorship: Guide and develop junior designers, fostering a culture of learning and excellence within the team.

• Business Development: Contribute to proposals, client pitches, and thought leadership within the consultancy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Senior UX Designer role offers a clear path for career progression within a consultancy, moving from individual contribution to leadership and strategic client advisory. The consultancy model provides diverse project exposure, accelerating skill development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job is listed as "On-site," suggesting a physical office presence is required. This is typical for design consultancies to foster collaboration, client interaction, and a strong team culture. The mention of "Chicago / NYC" indicates potential for hybrid options or offices in both locations.

Office Location(s): Chicago, IL, US, and potentially New York City. These are major urban centers offering vibrant professional environments and easy accessibility for employees.

Workspace Context:

• Expect a collaborative studio environment where designers, strategists, and technologists work closely together.

• Access to state-of-the-art design tools and technology, including Figma, will be standard.

• Opportunities for informal brainstorming, critique sessions, and cross-pollination of ideas will be frequent.

• Client meetings and workshops may occur both at the office and at client sites.

Work Schedule: This is a full-time role, likely with standard business hours (e.g., 9 AM to 5 PM), but consultancies often require flexibility to meet client deadlines and project demands. This may involve occasional extended hours or weekend work, balanced by flexibility in other areas.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" requirement for a consultancy underscores the importance of in-person collaboration, client engagement, and fostering a strong team dynamic. The Chicago/NYC locations suggest a firm with a significant national presence.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• Portfolio Review & Initial Interview: A deeper dive into your portfolio with a hiring manager or senior team member. Focus on understanding your design process, strategic thinking, and problem-solving abilities. Be prepared to walk through 2-3 key case studies.

• Skills Assessment/Workshop: Potentially a design exercise or collaborative workshop, either live or as a take-home assignment, to evaluate your hands-on skills, approach to problem-solving, and ability to work within constraints.

• Team/Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with other designers, strategists, or project leads to assess collaboration style and team fit.

• Final Interview: A discussion with senior leadership to assess strategic alignment, leadership potential, and overall fit with the company culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your end-to-end UX process, strategic thinking, and impact. Prioritize projects that align with the consultancy's work (digital products, AI-enabled experiences, brand integration).

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, design, testing), the challenges you faced, your solutions, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Highlight Figma Proficiency: Explicitly demonstrate your skills in Figma, showcasing complex prototypes, design system components, or interactive elements.

• Emphasize Strategy: Clearly explain the strategic thinking behind your design decisions. How did your UX approach address business goals and user needs holistically?

• Be Ready to Discuss AI: Given the role's focus on AI-enabled products, be prepared to discuss your understanding of AI's impact on UX and any experience you have designing for AI-powered features or interfaces.

• Showcase Collaboration: Where possible, illustrate how you worked with other disciplines and stakeholders.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Consultancy Context: Anticipate challenges that require balancing client needs, technical constraints, and user experience best practices.

• Practice Articulating Your Process: Be ready to explain your design process concisely and effectively, emphasizing your strategic rationale at each step.

• Prepare for Ambiguity: Design challenges often involve incomplete information. Practice asking clarifying questions and making reasoned assumptions.

• Focus on User-Centricity and Business Impact: Ensure your solutions are grounded in user needs and demonstrate a clear understanding of how they will drive business value for the client.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not only design skills but also strategic thinking, client management capabilities, and collaboration fit, which are crucial for a senior role in a consultancy. Portfolio presentation is key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Explicitly stated as a requirement for high-fidelity prototyping. Expertise in its advanced features, collaboration tools, and prototyping capabilities is essential.

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, familiarity with other prototyping tools may be beneficial for diverse project needs.

• Design Systems Tools: Experience with tools for creating, managing, and documenting design systems.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed, familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel) is advantageous for understanding user behavior and measuring design impact.

• Experience with tools for user research and usability testing. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core UX design function, but understanding how digital products integrate with backend systems and CRM platforms can be beneficial for holistic design.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the core tool mentioned. Given the consultancy nature, adaptability to various client-specific tools and platforms is likely expected, even if not explicitly listed.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Craft: A commitment to high-quality design, attention to detail, and delivering impactful user experiences.

• Strategic Thinking: Approaching design challenges with a deep understanding of business objectives, user needs, and market context.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Working effectively with internal teams and clients, fostering a spirit of mutual respect and shared goals.

• Curiosity & Innovation: Staying abreast of emerging technologies, UX trends, and best practices to drive innovative solutions.

• User Advocacy: Championing the user's perspective and ensuring their needs are at the forefront of design decisions.

• Confidentiality & Professionalism: Upholding the highest standards of discretion and integrity when handling client information.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, with a strong emphasis on cross-disciplinary teamwork and client engagement.

• Open communication and constructive feedback are encouraged to foster continuous improvement.

• A balance of independent work and active participation in team sessions, workshops, and critiques.

• Respect for diverse perspectives and a shared commitment to achieving project success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values likely reflect a blend of creative excellence, strategic rigor, client-centricity, and a collaborative spirit, essential for success in a design consultancy.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Client Demands with UX Best Practices: Navigating client expectations, budget constraints, and timelines while advocating for user-centered design principles.

• Designing for Emerging Technologies: Staying ahead of the curve with AI and other new technologies, understanding their implications for user experience, and applying them thoughtfully.

• Managing Complex Stakeholder Landscapes: Effectively communicating and aligning diverse client stakeholders with varying priorities and levels of technical understanding.

• Driving Adoption of New Designs: Ensuring new digital experiences are well-received by users and achieve desired business outcomes post-launch.

• Maintaining Design Consistency Across Diverse Projects: Applying design systems and best practices consistently across a portfolio of different clients and projects.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI in Design Workshops: Opportunities to explore and learn about the latest trends and applications of AI in UX design.

• Advanced Figma Training: Deep dives into complex features, automation, and best practices within Figma.

• Design System Development: Involvement in the creation and evolution of scalable design systems.

• Client Strategy Workshops: Developing skills in strategic advisory and client leadership.

• Industry Conferences & Events: Participation in leading UX and design conferences to stay current with industry trends and network with peers.

• Mentorship Programs: Formal or informal mentorship opportunities with senior leaders within the consultancy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a senior role in a consultancy, requiring strong problem-solving and communication skills. The growth opportunities are geared towards advancing expertise in relevant areas and moving into leadership roles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex digital product you designed from strategy to launch. What was the core business problem, how did you approach the UX strategy, and what was the ultimate impact?" (Focus on demonstrating end-to-end process, strategic rationale, and measurable outcomes.)

• "How would you approach designing an AI-powered feature that needs to be both intuitive and provide significant user value? Walk us through your process." (Prepare to articulate your understanding of AI UX principles and your design methodology for such products.)

• "Imagine a client has conflicting requirements from different departments. How would you facilitate a discussion to align them on a unified user experience strategy?" (Showcase strong facilitation, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.)

• "How do you ensure accessibility and inclusive design are integrated into your UX process, rather than being an afterthought?" (Demonstrate practical application of these principles.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to working for a design consultancy like 50,000Feet, as opposed to an in-house product team?" (Highlight your understanding of the consultancy model, client-facing work, and diverse project exposure.)

• "Describe a time you had to push back on a client's design request. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?" (Assess your ability to balance client satisfaction with professional expertise and advocacy for good design.)

• "How do you stay updated on emerging technologies and UX trends, particularly in areas like AI?" (Showcase your commitment to continuous learning and forward-thinking.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Prioritize Impact: For each case study, start with the "So What?" – the business impact and user value.

• Visualize Your Process: Use diagrams, flowcharts, and screenshots to clearly illustrate your methodology and key design artifacts.

• Highlight Your Role: Be specific about your contributions, especially in collaborative projects. Use "I" for your individual work and "We" for team efforts.

• Demonstrate Figma Mastery: Show interactive prototypes and discuss specific Figma features you leveraged for efficiency or to achieve design goals.

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

• Be Prepared for Probing Questions: Anticipate questions about your decisions, challenges faced, and alternative approaches considered.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, a robust UX process, client-facing skills, and specific experience with AI and Figma, aligning with the job description's core requirements.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided ADP link.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your 5+ years of experience in UX design, specific achievements in leading initiatives, and proficiency with Figma and AI-enabled product design. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest case studies that showcase your end-to-end UX process, strategic thinking, and measurable impact, with a particular emphasis on complex digital products and any experience with AI. Ensure your Figma work is prominently featured.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process, strategic rationale, and project outcomes clearly and concisely. Be ready to discuss your experience with client collaboration and AI-driven design.

• Research 50,000Feet: Understand the company's portfolio, client base, and design philosophy to articulate why you are a good fit for their consultancy environment.

⚠️ 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.