Senior UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer

Company: Medpace, Inc.

Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-08-18

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the design and strategic direction for user experience (UX) projects within Medpace's software innovation team, focusing on clinical research software.

• Translate complex clinical workflows and stringent regulatory requirements into intuitive and user-friendly interfaces (UI) for web and mobile applications.

• Own the end-to-end design process, from initial concept generation and user research to final delivery and ongoing performance measurement.

• Drive UX strategy through data-driven insights, user feedback, and iterative experimentation in collaboration with cross-functional teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior UX Designer, indicating a need for leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to handle complex, ambiguous problems. The emphasis on "modernizing internally built software tools" and "clinical research" suggests a B2B SaaS environment with a focus on compliance and efficiency. The "Hybrid" work arrangement implies a need for strong remote collaboration skills alongside in-office presence.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and influence company-wide discussions regarding current UX projects and the future strategy of design and user experience.

• Rapidly and iteratively create comprehensive user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups, complete with detailed and scalable visual design specifications for both web and mobile interfaces.

• Conduct user research, usability testing, and competitive analysis to gather insights and inform design decisions.

• Evaluate emerging design trends, technologies, and market advancements to ensure Medpace's software remains at the forefront of user experience.

• Independently manage and deliver design solutions for problems of significant scope and complexity, demonstrating adaptability and a proactive approach to stakeholder needs.

• Mentor junior UX designers, fostering a culture of design excellence and continuous improvement within the team.

• Collaborate closely with product managers, engineers, and subject matter experts to ensure seamless integration of design solutions into the product development lifecycle.

• Define, develop, and document UX design and interaction requirements for new features and product enhancements.

• Utilize analytics and user engagement data to measure the success of design initiatives and identify opportunities for ongoing optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a senior-level individual contributor role with significant autonomy and strategic influence. The mention of "regulatory requirements" in clinical research is a critical context that implies a need for meticulous design, clear documentation, and a strong understanding of compliance. The requirement to "mentor other user experience professionals" further solidifies the senior nature of this position.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Visual Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Industrial Design, or a closely related field; alternatively, a relevant professional certification or equivalent practical work experience. Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in product or service design, with 8+ years being preferred.

• Demonstrated experience in defining, developing, and documenting User Experience (UX) design and interaction requirements.

• Proven track record of leading and influencing projects from initial concept through to delivery and continuous improvement.

• Experience mentoring other UX professionals is highly desirable. Required Skills:

• UX/UI Design Expertise: Deep understanding and practical application of user-centered design principles, interaction design, information architecture, and visual design.

• Prototyping & Wireframing: Proficiency in creating user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts.

• Design Tools Proficiency: Advanced skill with industry-standard design and prototyping tools such as Sketch, InVision, Adobe Creative Suite (CS), and Figma.

• User Research & Analysis: Ability to conduct user research, usability testing, and analyze qualitative and quantitative data to inform design decisions.

• Communication & Presentation: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to present design concepts clearly and persuasively to diverse stakeholders.

• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and complex challenges.

Preferred Skills:

• Clinical Research Domain Knowledge: Familiarity with the clinical research industry, its workflows, and regulatory landscape (e.g., FDA, EMA).

• Web & Mobile Design: Experience designing for both web and mobile interfaces, understanding responsive design principles.

• Data Analytics & Attribution: Strong understanding of analytics, target measurement, and online/offline channel engagement attribution models.

• Agile/Scrum Methodologies: Experience working within Agile development environments.

• Mentorship Experience: Formal experience in mentoring junior designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "advanced skill with design tools" and specific examples like Sketch, InVision, Adobe CS, and Figma indicates a need for candidates who are not only conceptual but also highly proficient in the practical application of these tools. The mention of "analytics, target measurement and online/offline channel engagement attribution models" suggests an expectation for designers to think about the business impact and performance metrics of their designs.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Case Studies: A portfolio showcasing detailed case studies that clearly articulate the design process, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and the impact of your design work.

• Process Documentation: Evidence of your ability to define, document, and articulate UX design processes, interaction requirements, and design specifications.

• Deliverable Examples: A diverse collection of deliverables including user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups for both web and mobile interfaces.

• Problem-Solving Demonstrations: Examples that highlight your approach to tackling complex problems and working through ambiguity to deliver effective user experiences.

• Impact & Metrics: Demonstrations of how your design solutions have led to measurable improvements in user satisfaction, efficiency, or business outcomes.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Showcase your ability to map out complex user workflows and identify opportunities for simplification and efficiency improvements.

• User-Centered Design Methodology: Detail your approach to user research, persona development, journey mapping, and usability testing.

• Design System Contribution: If applicable, provide examples of contributions to or experience with design systems, ensuring consistency and scalability.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Designer role, the portfolio is critical. It should not just be a gallery of final designs but a testament to the candidate's strategic thinking, problem-solving methodology, and ability to articulate their design process. For this specific role, showcasing how designs address complex workflows and regulatory constraints will be highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Range: $110,000 - $150,000 per year.

• Methodology: This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for Senior UX Designers in the Cincinnati, Ohio area, considering the experience level (5-8+ years), the hybrid work arrangement, and the specialized nature of the role within the clinical research sector. Factors such as company size and the strategic importance of this role within Medpace's software modernization efforts have been taken into account.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Wellness Programs: Initiatives and resources to support employee physical and mental well-being.

• Retirement Benefits: Competitive 401(k) plan with potential company matching.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay.

• On-site Fitness Facilities: Access to a 24-7 fitness center at the Cincinnati headquarters.

• On-site Dining Options: Multiple convenient food choices available on campus.

• Free On-site Parking: Ample free parking at the Cincinnati headquarters.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, training, and career advancement.

• Company-Sponsored Events: Social gatherings and intramural sports to foster team camaraderie.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, typically 40 hours per week. While the role is hybrid, specific in-office days and flexibility will be discussed during the interview process. The nature of UX design may require occasional work outside standard hours to meet project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate. The provided benefits list is directly extracted from the job description's "Why Medpace?" section and highlights attractive perks for employees based at the Cincinnati campus. The "occasional WFH that provides flexibility for eligible positions after training" suggests a structured approach to hybrid work, starting with a period of on-site adaptation.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Clinical Contract Research Organization (CRO) - Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, and Medical Device industries.

Company Size: Over 6,000 employees globally, with a significant presence in 40+ countries.

Founded: Medpace was founded to provide comprehensive clinical development services. (Specific founding year not provided, but context suggests a well-established organization).

Team Structure:

• The UX Designer will join the "software innovation team," suggesting a dedicated group focused on developing and improving Medpace's internal software tools.

• This team likely operates within a larger technology or product development department, fostering collaboration with product managers, software engineers, and potentially data analysts.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a key theme, with the UX designer expected to work closely with various departments to understand complex workflows and regulatory needs. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on using analytics, user insights, and performance metrics to guide design decisions and measure success.

• Iterative Development: The role involves iterative creation of designs, suggesting an Agile or Lean UX approach.

• User-Centricity: A core principle of translating complex requirements into intuitive user experiences.

• Strategic Planning: The role requires leading strategic phases of projects and proactively pitching new UX ideas.

Company Website: https://careers.medpace.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Medpace operates in a highly regulated industry (clinical research), which will heavily influence the design process. User experience must prioritize accuracy, compliance, and efficiency, alongside usability. The company's global reach suggests a need for designs that can accommodate diverse user needs and potentially different regulatory environments.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor. This role requires a high degree of autonomy, strategic input, and the ability to lead projects and mentor others. It's a step beyond a mid-level designer, demanding leadership in design thinking and execution.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, a Senior UX Designer typically reports to a UX Lead, Design Manager, Director of Product, or Head of Technology. They will work closely with product managers and engineering leads.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's work directly impacts the efficiency and effectiveness of clinical research operations, which in turn accelerates the development of medical therapeutics. By making software tools more intuitive and efficient, the designer contributes to faster drug development, improved data integrity, and ultimately, better patient outcomes.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Track: Potential to grow into a Lead UX Designer, UX Manager, or Director of Design role, managing a team and setting design strategy for larger initiatives.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in UX for regulated industries, complex enterprise software, or specific therapeutic areas within Medpace.

• Cross-Functional Advancement: Potential to move into Product Management or other strategic roles within the technology organization by leveraging a deep understanding of user needs and product development.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning opportunities, industry training, and exposure to cutting-edge design challenges within the Medpace ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title and responsibilities like "leading and influencing business-wide discussions" and "mentoring" strongly suggest a path towards leadership or principal-level individual contributor roles. The company's emphasis on "continuous learning" and "defined career paths" points to a structured environment for professional growth.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, with a significant presence expected at the Cincinnati headquarters. The company emphasizes its modern corporate campus designed for collaboration and productivity.

Office Location(s):

• Primary: 5375 Medpace Way, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45227, United States.

• The company also has a global presence in 40+ countries, but this role is based in Cincinnati. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Campus: The Cincinnati headquarters features a modern campus with on-site dining, fitness facilities, and ample parking, designed to support productivity and employee well-being.

• Technology Integration: Expect access to state-of-the-art design tools and technologies required for UX/UI design and development.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid model necessitates strong virtual collaboration tools and practices, balanced with in-person interaction for brainstorming, feedback sessions, and team building.

Work Schedule:

• Standard 40-hour work week. Flexibility is mentioned, but the initial training period and hybrid nature suggest a structured schedule, with potential for occasional work outside standard hours to meet project demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of the Cincinnati headquarters ("modern corporate campus," "on-site dining," "fitness facilities," "free parking") paints a picture of a well-resourced and employee-focused work environment. The hybrid arrangement implies a need for strong communication and self-management skills.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application and resume by a Medpace team member to assess initial fit with the role's requirements.

• Portfolio Review: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, showcasing their design process, problem-solving skills, and impact. This is a critical stage for a Senior UX Designer.

• Technical/Skills Interview: An interview focusing on UX/UI principles, design methodologies, tool proficiency, and potentially a design exercise or case study walkthrough.

• Behavioral & Team Fit Interview: Discussions to assess communication skills, leadership potential, mentorship capabilities, and how you would integrate into the company culture and cross-functional teams.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Frame your case studies as narratives – introduce the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the outcomes.

• Process Focus: Emphasize how you arrived at your solutions, not just the final designs. Detail your research, ideation, testing, and iteration phases.

• Impact Metrics: Quantify the success of your designs whenever possible (e.g., improved task completion time, reduced error rates, increased user satisfaction scores).

• Complexity & Ambiguity: Highlight projects where you navigated complex requirements or unclear objectives, showcasing your ability to bring clarity.

• Tailor to Medpace: If possible, subtly weave in how your skills and experience align with Medpace's mission in accelerating medical therapeutics and working within regulated environments.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for potential design challenges that might involve a hypothetical problem related to clinical research software or a complex workflow.

• Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely, especially under time constraints.

• Be ready to discuss your approach to user research, stakeholder management, and design trade-offs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company states they "are unable to respond to every applicant," so a strong, tailored application and portfolio are essential to stand out. The emphasis on "design planning and strategic phases" and "large scope and complexity" in the responsibilities suggests interviewers will probe deeply into strategic thinking and project leadership.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Advanced proficiency required in:

  • Sketch
  • InVision
  • Adobe Creative Suite (CS)
  • Figma

• User Research Tools: Experience with tools for usability testing, surveys, and user interviews (specific tools not listed, but common ones include UserTesting.com, SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics, Maze).

• Collaboration Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Confluence, Slack, Microsoft Teams for cross-functional communication and project management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Understanding of how to interpret data from web analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to inform design decisions.

• Data Visualization Tools: Experience with tools that can present design-related metrics effectively (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, or built-in platform dashboards).

CRM & Automation:

• While not core to UX design, an understanding of how CRM systems and automation tools impact user workflows and data collection could be beneficial, especially in a B2B SaaS context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of specific design tools (Sketch, InVision, Adobe CS, Figma) is crucial. Candidates must be proficient in at least one, and ideally multiple, of these. The mention of "analytics, target measurement and online/offline channel engagement attribution models" suggests that familiarity with data analysis tools and concepts is highly valued for understanding design impact.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Scientific Excellence: A commitment to rigorous, data-driven approaches in all aspects of work, reflecting the scientific nature of clinical research.

• Integrity & Compliance: Upholding high ethical standards and adhering to regulatory requirements, paramount in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.

• Collaboration: Fostering an interactive team environment where open communication, mutual trust, and cross-functional teamwork are encouraged.

• Continuous Learning & Improvement: A dedication to ongoing professional development, skill enhancement, and adapting to new methodologies and technologies.

• Innovation: Driving forward Medpace's software tools and mission through creative thinking and proactive problem-solving.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role demands seamless collaboration with product managers, engineers, and subject matter experts across different departments.

• Data-Informed Decision Making: Discussions and decisions are expected to be backed by user data, research findings, and performance metrics.

• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: A culture where senior members are expected to guide and develop junior colleagues, and where knowledge is shared freely.

• Proactive Communication: Encouragement to pitch new ideas and articulate rationale clearly, ensuring all stakeholders are informed and aligned.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's emphasis on "Purpose-Driven Work," "Collaborative Culture," and "Continuous Growth & Development" directly informs the expected team culture. For a UX Designer, this means being part of a mission-oriented team that values user impact and professional growth, with strong emphasis on collaboration and data-informed decision-making.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Regulatory Complexity: Designing for a regulated industry (clinical research) requires a deep understanding of compliance, data integrity, and stringent approval processes, which can add constraints to design freedom.

• Modernizing Legacy Systems: Transitioning from internally built, potentially older software tools to modern, user-friendly interfaces requires careful planning, change management, and balancing user needs with technical debt.

• Balancing User Needs with Business Requirements: Ensuring that software is not only intuitive for users but also meets complex business objectives and regulatory mandates.

• Driving Adoption of New Designs: Effectively communicating the value of new UX/UI designs to a user base accustomed to existing systems and potentially resistant to change.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Expertise: Deepen knowledge of the clinical research industry, its unique workflows, and regulatory landscape.

• Advanced UX Techniques: Opportunities to explore and implement cutting-edge UX methodologies, tools, and research techniques.

• Leadership Skills: Develop mentorship abilities, strategic thinking, and project leadership through senior-level responsibilities.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain a comprehensive understanding of product development, engineering, and the broader business operations within a leading CRO.

• Certification & Training: Access to industry-renowned onboarding, ongoing training, and potentially support for relevant certifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Challenges" section directly addresses the inherent complexities of working in a regulated industry and modernizing existing software. The "Growth Opportunities" are framed to align with the company's stated commitment to "Continuous Growth & Development" and offer a clear path for career advancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led the design planning and strategic phases of a project. How did you ensure alignment with business goals and user needs?"

• "How do you approach translating complex regulatory requirements into intuitive user interfaces? Can you provide an example from your portfolio?"

• "Walk us through a challenging UX problem you encountered, how you used data and user research to solve it, and the outcome."

• "How would you mentor a junior UX designer on your team, particularly in the context of our industry?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Medpace and our mission in accelerating medical therapeutics?"

• "How do you see your design philosophy aligning with our emphasis on scientific excellence and collaboration?"

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid environment and how you maintain productivity and team connection."

• "What are your thoughts on the balance between user delight and the strict requirements of enterprise software in a regulated field?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically: Introduction of the company/problem, your role, the design process (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), the final solution, and quantifiable results/impact.

• Focus on Process: Dedicate significant time to explaining how you solved problems, the decisions you made, and the rationale behind them. Use visuals like user flows, wireframes, and early iterations.

• Highlight Seniority: Emphasize your strategic contributions, leadership in design discussions, and ability to handle ambiguity and complexity. Showcase mentorship examples if available.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present metrics that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., "reduced task completion time by 15%," "increased user satisfaction scores by 20%").

• Q&A Readiness: Be prepared to answer in-depth questions about your design choices, trade-offs, and how you might approach future challenges at Medpace.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "Senior" title and the emphasis on strategic leadership and handling complexity, interviewers will be looking for candidates who can demonstrate not just design skill, but also strategic thinking, strong communication, and the ability to influence. The portfolio presentation is a key opportunity to showcase this.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Medpace careers portal at https://careers.medpace.com (or the provided job link).

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature case studies that demonstrate your experience with complex workflows, enterprise software, and ideally, regulated environments. Highlight your process, problem-solving, and quantifiable impact.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords from the job description, such as "UX design," "user research," "wireframing," "prototyping," "Figma," "Sketch," "regulatory requirements," and "mentoring." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, strategic thinking, and leadership experience. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions and be ready to present your portfolio effectively. Research Medpace's mission and values.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Medpace's role as a CRO, their therapeutic areas, and their commitment to accelerating medical therapeutics. Understand the implications of working in a highly regulated industry.

⚠️ 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.