Senior UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer

Company: findhelp

Location: Madison, WI / Austin, TX

Job Type: Full-time, Salaried

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: May 07, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the design and iteration of products within the social service ecosystem, ensuring seamless user experiences for seekers, helpers, and agencies.

• Collaborate closely with User Research, Design, Engineering, Product, and key stakeholders to define, validate, and deliver impactful product solutions.

• Leverage qualitative and quantitative data to inform design strategies, measure success, and foster continuous improvement of user interfaces and systems.

• Champion and maintain design systems and best practices across the organization, ensuring consistency, usability, and accessibility in all product offerings.

• Translate complex user needs and business goals into intuitive and feasible design solutions for both web and mobile platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on User Experience (UX) Design within the social impact sector, emphasizing a deep understanding of the social service ecosystem. The "Senior" title suggests a need for leadership in design strategy and the establishment of best practices.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including user research teams, to meticulously define product features, user journeys, and overarching goals.

• Champion and prioritize design initiatives that deliver significant value to both end-users and the business objectives of findhelp.

• Analyze product usage data and synthesize user feedback to gain a deep understanding of user experiences and identify areas for enhancement.

• Communicate research findings and design rationale effectively through various artifacts such as conceptual models, flowcharts, personas, storyboards, and scenarios to drive informed product decisions.

• Design new products, interfaces, and user experiences for web and mobile applications by creating detailed wireframes, mockups, and comprehensive design specifications.

• Work closely with engineering and delivery teams to ensure design specifications are thorough, technically feasible, meet user goals, and are implemented accurately.

• Foster cross-functional alignment around product directions and proactively anticipate the impact of new designs and features on existing company processes and overall output.

• Drive the quality and consistency of product design by defining and instituting standard design practices and patterns for application across the entire system, adhering to usability and accessibility best practices.

• Define broad implementation strategies for design systems and best practices, mentor team members in their adoption, and hold delivery teams accountable for maintaining these standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic design leadership (defining systems, driving quality) and hands-on execution (wireframing, prototyping). The emphasis on data analysis and stakeholder collaboration is crucial for success in a senior role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor Degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Information Design, Graphic Design, or a related design or behavioral science discipline is a plus, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 5 - 8 years of experience designing and launching software products with seamless customer experiences in complex, fast-paced environments requiring critical thinking.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in User Experience (UX) Design principles and methodologies.

• Proven ability to design and launch software products with seamless customer experiences.

• Strong experience in building concepts and presenting ideas to stakeholders for feedback and acceptance.

• Deep understanding of measuring product and customer success through design, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data.

• Demonstrated experience in developing and maintaining Design Systems.

• Outstanding communication, presentation, and problem-solving skills.

• Proven ability to effectively collaborate with partners across disciplines including Product Management, Engineering, and Marketing.

• Proficiency in creating wireframes, mockups, and detailed design specifications.

• Experience with conceptual modeling, flowcharts, personas, storyboards, and scenarios.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with the social safety net and previous experience designing solutions for this space.

• Experience designing for both web and mobile platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement (5-8 years) clearly positions this as a senior-level role, demanding not just execution but also strategic input and the ability to establish design standards. The "nice to have" about the social safety net is a key differentiator for candidates.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 5-8 years of product design experience, with a strong emphasis on software products and seamless customer experiences.

• Present case studies demonstrating your ability to define product features and goals through collaboration with stakeholders and user research.

• Include examples of how you have used qualitative and quantitative data to inform design decisions, iterate on solutions, and measure success.

• Highlight your experience in developing and maintaining Design Systems, showcasing consistency, reusability, and scalability.

• Provide evidence of your ability to create detailed design specifications, including wireframes and mockups, for web and mobile applications.

Process Documentation:

• Detail your approach to user research synthesis and how it informs your design process.

• Illustrate your workflow for translating user feedback and product data into actionable design improvements.

• Explain your methodology for collaborating with engineering and product teams to ensure technical feasibility and accurate implementation of designs.

• Showcase how you have driven the definition and adoption of design systems and best practices within a team or organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: A robust portfolio is critical for this role. It should not only display design artifacts but also articulate the candidate's process, data-driven approach, and ability to influence product direction through design. The emphasis on Design Systems and social service sector experience should be prominent.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Senior UX Designer with 5-8 years of experience in Madison, WI and Austin, TX, the estimated annual salary range is $110,000 - $150,000. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• 401k with company match (implied by "401k")

• Equity grants

• Free food and onsite gym at Austin HQ

• Paid parental leave

• Competitive Paid Time Off (PTO)

• 10 paid holidays

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance with 100% company-paid coverage for employee-only coverage

• 24/7 access to telemedicine and counseling services

• Book Purchasing Program

• Paid Volunteering Time

• Leadership Development Training

Working Hours: Standard full-time work week, likely around 40 hours, with flexibility expected for project deadlines and team collaboration. The role is on-site, implying typical office working hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on data for Senior UX Designers in comparable tech hubs in the US. Benefits are comprehensive and reflect a company that values employee well-being and professional development. The "100% company-paid coverage for employee only" is a significant perk.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / Social Services / Non-profit Technology. findhelp operates at the intersection of technology and social services, aiming to connect individuals with essential resources. This unique industry context requires designers to be empathetic, data-informed, and mission-driven.

Company Size: The company size is not explicitly stated in the provided data, but the existence of multiple locations (Madison, WI; Austin, TX) and a comprehensive benefits package suggests a mid-sized to growing organization.

Founded: findhelp was founded in 2015, indicating a company with established operations but likely still in a growth and innovation phase, offering opportunities to shape processes and products.

Team Structure:

• The Senior UX Designer will likely be part of a Product or Design team.

• Collaboration is expected across User Research, Engineering, Product Management, and potentially Marketing teams.

• The role involves working with a "core team" and fostering "alignment across company teams."

Methodology:

• Data-driven design approach, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data for decision-making and iteration.

• Emphasis on empathy for users navigating the social service ecosystem.

• Collaborative development process involving cross-functional teams.

• Focus on defining and implementing robust Design Systems and best practices.

• Iterative product development, with continuous improvement cycles.

Company Website: findhelp.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission to connect people with help is central to its culture and will likely influence design decisions. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they approach mission-driven design and user empathy.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior UX Designer role, indicating a mid-to-senior level position. It requires significant autonomy, the ability to lead design initiatives, and contribute to design strategy and standards, rather than just executing tasks. It implies a level of expertise and a proven track record in delivering successful user experiences.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Designer will likely report to a Design Lead, Head of Product, or a similar senior leadership role within the product development function. They are expected to collaborate closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads on their respective product areas.

Operations Impact: The Senior UX Designer's impact is directly tied to the usability, accessibility, and effectiveness of findhelp's platform. By designing intuitive and efficient solutions, they will directly contribute to:

• Increased user adoption and engagement with the platform.

• Improved success rates for users seeking and receiving services.

• Enhanced operational efficiency for agencies and helpers using the platform.

• Strengthened brand reputation and trust within the social service community.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Opportunity to evolve into a Design Manager or Lead role, managing a team of designers and setting the overall design vision.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like accessibility, inclusive design, or complex data visualization within the social impact domain.

• Cross-functional Impact: Transition into Product Management or a similar strategic role by leveraging deep product understanding gained from a design perspective.

• Mentorship: Formalize mentorship of junior designers and contribute to the growth of the design team and the broader engineering organization.

• Process Improvement: Lead initiatives to refine and optimize design processes, collaboration workflows, and the adoption of design systems company-wide.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies significant scope for leadership and influence. Growth opportunities are likely focused on deepening design expertise, taking on management responsibilities, or broadening impact across product strategy.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is listed as "On-site," with specific locations in Madison, WI, and Austin, TX. This suggests a traditional office environment where in-person collaboration is valued. The Austin HQ specifically mentions "Free food and onsite gym" and a "Dog-friendly office," indicating a potentially vibrant and amenity-rich workspace.

Office Location(s): Madison, WI and Austin, TX. Candidates will likely be expected to work from one of these offices.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The emphasis on cross-functional collaboration suggests an open or semi-open office layout designed to facilitate easy communication between Design, Product, and Engineering teams.

• Tools and Technology: Access to standard design software (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite), prototyping tools, and collaboration platforms will be provided.

• Team Interaction: Regular team meetings, design critiques, and cross-functional syncs are expected, fostering a dynamic and interactive work environment.

Work Schedule: Primarily standard business hours, likely Monday through Friday. However, given the nature of product development and the "fast-paced environments" mentioned, occasional flexibility may be required to meet project deadlines or critical launch dates. The on-site nature suggests a structured daily routine within the office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement, especially with the perks mentioned for the Austin HQ, suggests a company that values in-person collaboration and a strong office culture. Candidates should be prepared for a traditional office-based work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will conduct an initial call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, showcasing 2-3 key projects that demonstrate their design process, problem-solving skills, and impact. This is a critical stage where design rationale, collaboration, and data usage will be evaluated.

• Design Exercise/Case Study: A take-home or live design challenge may be given to assess practical design skills, problem-solving abilities, and approach to a specific UX problem relevant to findhelp's domain.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially User Researchers to evaluate collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to work within a team.

• Final Interview: A discussion with senior leadership (e.g., Head of Product, VP of Engineering) focusing on strategic thinking, leadership potential, and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Effectively: Select 3-4 projects that best represent your skills and experience, particularly those demonstrating your ability to solve complex problems and drive measurable results.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, design, testing), the decisions you made, and the outcomes achieved (quantifiable metrics are key).

• Highlight Collaboration: Showcase how you partnered with stakeholders, engineers, and researchers, and how you navigated feedback and disagreements.

• Emphasize Data: Clearly explain how you used qualitative and quantitative data to inform your design choices and measure success.

• Showcase Design Systems: If you have experience with design systems, dedicate a section or project to demonstrating your contributions and understanding.

• Tailor to findhelp: If possible, include projects that touch upon social impact, complex systems, or web/mobile applications that align with findhelp’s mission and product.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Research findhelp's mission, target users (seekers, helpers, agencies), and the challenges within the social service ecosystem.

• Practice Problem-Solving: Be prepared to tackle design challenges related to user onboarding, information architecture, accessibility, or feature definition within this domain.

• Articulate Your Process: Be ready to walk through your thought process, design decisions, and potential solutions clearly and concisely, even under time pressure.

• Focus on User Needs: Always ground your solutions in user empathy and the specific needs of the findhelp user base.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio presentation is a cornerstone of the UX hiring process. Candidates must be prepared to articulate their process and impact, not just present polished visuals. Understanding findhelp's mission is crucial for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable, industry standard), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator).

• User Research & Analysis: Tools for conducting user interviews, surveys, and analyzing user behavior data (e.g., UserTesting.com, Hotjar, Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude).

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Google Analytics for web traffic and user behavior analysis.

• Product analytics platforms like Mixpanel or Amplitude for in-depth user engagement tracking.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a UX tool, understanding how CRM data (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) or platform usage data feeds into product decisions may be beneficial.

• Familiarity with accessibility testing tools and guidelines (WCAG).

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, proficiency in industry-standard UX design and prototyping tools like Figma is almost certainly expected. Experience with analytics platforms is crucial for a data-informed approach.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Empathy: A core value, given the mission to serve vulnerable populations. Designers must deeply understand and advocate for the needs of seekers, helpers, and agencies.

• Data-Driven: Decisions are informed by user research and product analytics, ensuring solutions are effective and impactful.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on working effectively across diverse teams (Product, Engineering, Research, Marketing) to achieve shared goals.

• Impact-Oriented: Focus on creating tangible positive outcomes for users and the social service ecosystem.

• Usability & Accessibility: Commitment to creating inclusive and accessible products for all users, regardless of ability or background.

• Iterative Improvement: A culture that embraces continuous learning, feedback, and refinement of products.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to be integral members of product teams, working closely with PMs and Engineers from concept to launch.

• Open Communication: Encouragement of open feedback loops, design critiques, and transparent discussion of design rationale.

• Shared Ownership: Fostering a sense of collective responsibility for product success, where design, product, and engineering are aligned on objectives.

• Mentorship and Knowledge Sharing: A supportive environment where experienced designers mentor others and best practices are shared across the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission to connect people with help is likely the driving force behind its culture. Candidates who align with this mission and demonstrate strong collaborative and empathetic qualities will be a good fit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Diverse Needs: The social service ecosystem involves users with varied technical literacy, accessibility needs, and urgent requirements. Designing solutions that cater effectively to this broad spectrum is a significant challenge.

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Effectively integrating the needs of seekers, helpers, and agencies with findhelp's business objectives requires strategic design thinking and strong negotiation skills.

• Navigating Complex Systems: The social service landscape is often fragmented and complex. Translating this complexity into intuitive digital experiences is a demanding task.

• Driving Adoption of Design Systems: Ensuring consistent adoption and adherence to design systems across a growing organization requires persistent effort, clear communication, and strong advocacy.

• Measuring Impact in Social Services: Quantifying the success of design interventions in the social impact sector can be more nuanced than in purely commercial products, requiring thoughtful metric definition.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen Social Impact Design Expertise: Gain specialized knowledge in designing for social good, accessibility, and inclusive practices within a mission-driven organization.

• Design Leadership Development: Opportunities to take on more strategic design responsibilities, mentor junior designers, and potentially lead design initiatives or teams.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Exposure to the intricacies of the social service sector, product management strategies, and engineering challenges.

• Industry Conferences & Training: Potential for company support for attending relevant UX conferences, workshops, or pursuing certifications in areas like accessibility or specific design methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers the chance to tackle complex, mission-critical design challenges with significant social impact. Growth opportunities are geared towards both deepening design expertise and expanding leadership influence.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting user needs and business requirements. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, data, and negotiation skills.)

• "How do you approach designing for accessibility and inclusivity, especially for users with diverse needs?" (Highlight your understanding of WCAG, empathy, and specific design considerations.)

• "Walk me through your process for defining and implementing a design system. What were the challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Emphasize your strategic thinking, collaboration, and quality assurance.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about findhelp's mission and the social service sector?" (Research the company's mission and demonstrate genuine interest.)

• "How do you collaborate with product managers and engineers? Describe a situation where you had a disagreement and how you resolved it." (Focus on your communication, teamwork, and problem-solving in a cross-functional context.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: For each project, present a clear narrative: Problem Statement -> Your Role -> Research & Discovery -> Ideation & Design -> Testing & Iteration -> Final Solution & Impact.

• Quantify Impact: 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).

• Showcase Your Process: Don't just show final screens; explain why you made certain design decisions, referencing research, data, or user feedback.

• Highlight Collaboration: Mention how you worked with other teams and incorporated their feedback.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, technical constraints, or alternative approaches you considered.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on articulating your design process, demonstrating empathy for users in the social service sector, and showcasing your ability to drive impact through data-informed, collaborative design.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on rippling.com.

• Tailor your Resume: Highlight keywords and experiences directly relevant to UX design, design systems, user research, and cross-functional collaboration. Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-4 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your expertise in complex problem-solving, data-driven design, and launching successful software products. Ensure your portfolio clearly articulates your process and impact.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio projects, focusing on storytelling, design rationale, and quantifiable outcomes. Be ready to discuss your experience with design systems and working in fast-paced environments.

• Research findhelp: Understand their mission, target audience (seekers, helpers, agencies), and current product offerings to articulate your interest and how your skills align with their goals.

⚠️ 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.