Senior UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer

Company: South China Morning Post

Location: Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: UX/Product Design

Date Posted: August 28, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the user experience (UX) strategy and execution for critical reader-facing product areas, focusing on the reading experience, information architecture, and subscription journeys.

• Drive end-to-end UX design, including user research, wireframing, flow mapping, and interaction logic, ensuring decisions are grounded in data and user insights rather than assumptions.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and Product Designers to deliver intuitive and effective user experiences, contributing to SCMP's design system.

• Build and champion the user research practice within the organization, planning and conducting usability tests, interviews, and surveys to inform design decisions.

• Ensure a balance between conversion goals for paywall and subscription flows and a positive, non-frustrating reader experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role emphasizes a strong research-driven approach, requiring the candidate to not only design but also to build and lead user research initiatives, a key differentiator for this Senior UX Designer position at SCMP.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Reading Experience Ownership: Define and optimize the UX for core reading experiences, including article layouts, multimedia integration, story formats, and navigation between related content, ensuring alignment with user behavior.

• Information Architecture Leadership: Strategize and implement intuitive content organization, labeling, and navigation across SCMP's website and app, enhancing discoverability through menus, categories, search, and content hierarchies.

• Subscription & Paywall UX: Spearhead the UX design for paywall prompts, subscription offer flows, and account/billing management, balancing conversion objectives with user satisfaction and trust.

• User Research Practice Development: Plan, conduct, and analyze user research studies (usability tests, interviews, surveys) to uncover user needs and pain points, translating findings into actionable design recommendations.

• UX & Interaction Design Execution: Develop comprehensive user flows, wireframes, and detailed interaction logic for assigned product areas, ensuring clear and functional user journeys.

• Design System Contribution: Utilize and contribute to SCMP's design system, identifying and flagging inconsistencies or gaps to maintain a cohesive user experience across platforms.

• Evidence-Based Design Advocacy: Champion the use of user research, funnel data, subscription metrics, and usability testing results to inform and justify all design decisions.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as the primary UX lead for product areas, partnering effectively with product managers and engineers, providing clear handoff specifications and fostering strong working relationships.

• Mentorship and Support: Provide guidance, feedback, and support to junior and mid-level designers, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented design environment.

• Accessibility Integration: Ensure all designs adhere to WCAG 2.1 AA standards, championing the creation of accessible experiences for a global audience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a "build the practice" aspect for user research and a strong emphasis on owning specific product areas end-to-end, indicating a significant level of autonomy and strategic input expected from the Senior UX Designer.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Design, Psychology, Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred for roles of this nature. Equivalent practical experience will also be strongly considered.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in UX design, product design, or a closely related field.

• Demonstrated experience in digital media, publishing, subscription products, or content-driven platforms is highly desirable. Required Skills:

• UX Design: Proven expertise in user-centered design principles, user journey mapping, and interaction design.

• User Research: Proficiency in planning and conducting various research methodologies, including usability testing, user interviews, and surveys.

• Information Architecture: Strong ability to structure complex content, define navigation systems, and develop taxonomies for intuitive content discovery.

• Figma Proficiency: Advanced skills in Figma for wireframing, flow diagrams, prototyping, and collaboration.

• Wireframing & Prototyping: Expertise in creating low-fidelity wireframes and interactive prototypes to communicate design concepts effectively.

• Systems Thinking: Ability to understand and design within complex systems, considering the interconnectedness of various product features and user flows.

• Accessibility Standards: Familiarity and practical application of WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines in design solutions.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Ability to leverage quantitative data (funnel metrics, subscription data) and qualitative insights to inform design choices.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with subscription or e-commerce conversion funnels.

• Familiarity with working within and contributing to established design systems.

• Experience in digital publishing or news media environments.

• Basic understanding of front-end development principles (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to inform design feasibility.

• Mentorship experience for junior designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on building the user research practice implies that candidates with experience in establishing research processes or working with limited research support will be highly valued. The need for strong Figma skills and design system usage is critical for efficient collaboration and execution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is mandatory, showcasing a strong foundation in UX design principles.

• Emphasis should be placed on research-driven decision-making, clear articulation of user flows, and evidence of systems thinking.

• Visual/UI polish is secondary; the portfolio must highlight the process and rationale behind design solutions.

• Include case studies demonstrating ownership of product areas from problem definition to solution.

• Showcase examples of how user research directly informed design outcomes and iterative improvements. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate a structured approach to UX problem-solving, detailing the steps taken from understanding the user problem to delivering a final design solution.

• Provide examples of how you have translated user needs and business goals into functional wireframes, user flows, and interaction specifications.

• Showcase experience in planning and executing user research, including research questions, methodologies, and analysis of findings.

• Illustrate how you have collaborated with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering) throughout the design process, including handoff procedures.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements strongly suggest a need to showcase the candidate's ability to operate autonomously, particularly in user research. Candidates should prepare case studies that explicitly detail their research process, the insights gained, and how those insights shaped the final design and its impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on industry benchmarks for Senior UX Designers with 5-10 years of experience in major Asian financial hubs like Hong Kong, and considering SCMP's established reputation, a competitive salary range is estimated between HKD 45,000 - HKD 70,000 per month. This range accounts for the seniority of the role, the expected level of autonomy, and the specific responsibilities, including building a research practice.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and potentially dependents.

• Retirement Savings Plan: Contributions to a Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) or similar retirement savings scheme.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, public holidays, and sick leave.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, conferences, and access to design resources to foster continuous learning and skill enhancement.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services.

• Subsidized Meals/Canteen: On-site dining facilities or meal allowances.

• Potential for Performance Bonuses: Based on individual and company performance.

Working Hours:

The standard working hours are expected to be around 40 hours per week, typically Monday to Friday, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with a one-hour break. Flexibility may be offered, but the role is based on-site.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on available market data for similar roles in Hong Kong, considering the specified experience level and the advanced responsibilities. Benefits are standard for a reputable media organization of SCMP's stature.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Media & Publishing, with a strong focus on news and subscription-based content for a global audience. SCMP is a leading voice in Asian journalism, aiming to provide in-depth coverage and analysis.

Company Size: SCMP is a well-established organization, likely employing several hundred to over a thousand employees, indicating a structured environment with opportunities for cross-functional collaboration and career progression.

Founded: The South China Morning Post was founded in 1903, giving it a long history and deep roots in journalism. This legacy suggests a culture that values tradition and quality while adapting to the digital age.

Team Structure:

• The UX team likely operates within a broader Product and Technology department.

• The Senior UX Designer will report to a Head of Design, UX Lead, or Product Lead.

• Close collaboration is expected with Product Managers, Product Designers, User Researchers, and Software Engineers.

• The role may also involve mentoring junior designers, indicating a tiered structure within the design team. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Decisions are expected to be grounded in user research, A/B testing, analytics, and subscription metrics.

• Agile Development: The product development process likely follows agile methodologies, requiring close partnership and iterative design cycles with engineering teams.

• Design System Adoption: A commitment to utilizing and evolving a design system for consistency and efficiency across products.

• User-Centricity: A core focus on understanding and serving the needs of the global reader.

Company Website: https://scmp.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: SCMP's long history suggests a company that values journalistic integrity and quality, which likely translates into a design culture that prioritizes user trust, clarity, and accuracy, especially within news consumption and subscription contexts.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior UX Designer role, indicating a mid-to-senior level position. It requires independent contribution, strategic thinking, and the ability to mentor others. The role is pivotal for shaping reader experiences and subscription models.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Designer will likely report to a Design Lead, Head of Product, or a similar senior management position within the product and technology division. They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineers on specific product initiatives.

Operations Impact: The Senior UX Designer's work directly impacts key business objectives, including reader engagement, subscription acquisition and retention rates, and overall user satisfaction. By optimizing the reading experience and subscription journey, they contribute significantly to SCMP's revenue and market position.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in Research: Opportunity to build and lead the user research function, establishing best practices and growing the team.

• Product Ownership: Deepen ownership of significant product areas, leading to potential advancement into a Lead UX Designer or UX Manager role.

• Specialization: Develop expertise in specific areas like subscription optimization, content UX, or cross-platform design.

• Mentorship and Team Development: Grow leadership skills by mentoring junior designers and contributing to the design team's overall capabilities.

• Cross-Functional Influence: Increase influence across product strategy and business decisions through impactful design leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The opportunity to establish and grow the user research practice is a significant career growth avenue within this role, offering a unique path for a UX designer interested in research leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based on-site at the SCMP's Causeway Bay office, suggesting a traditional office environment conducive to in-person collaboration and team synergy.

Office Location(s): Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. This is a central business district, offering good accessibility via public transport and proximity to amenities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office likely provides various meeting rooms, project spaces, and common areas designed to foster teamwork and idea exchange.

• Tools and Technology: Access to necessary design software (Figma), hardware, and other digital tools required for UX design and research.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for daily interaction with product managers, engineers, and fellow designers, promoting a dynamic and integrated workflow.

• Newsroom Atmosphere: Being part of a major news organization may offer a stimulating environment with a connection to current events and content creation.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM, with a one-hour break. While on-site, there may be some flexibility in daily start/end times, but the expectation is consistent presence in the office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement for this role suggests that SCMP values in-person collaboration, spontaneous discussions, and team cohesion, which are often beneficial for complex design challenges and building strong working relationships.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio by the HR team and/or hiring manager to assess qualifications and fit.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A dedicated session where you will walk through selected case studies from your portfolio, explaining your process, research, design decisions, and outcomes. This is a critical step to evaluate your UX thinking and research-driven approach.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A deeper dive into your experience, leadership potential, and how you approach problem-solving, collaboration, and building research practices.

• Team Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, and fellow designers to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit.

• Potential Design Challenge: You might be given a small take-home design exercise or a live problem-solving session to evaluate your practical skills and thought process.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 strong case studies that best showcase your research capabilities, problem-solving process, and impact on user experience and business goals. Prioritize projects where you led research or significantly influenced design decisions based on research.

• Tell a Story: Structure each case study as a narrative: the problem, your role, the process (research, ideation, design, testing), the solution, and the results (quantifiable impact where possible).

• Highlight Research: Clearly articulate your user research process, methods used, key insights derived, and how those insights directly led to design iterations and improvements. If you built research processes, emphasize this.

• Showcase Systems Thinking: Demonstrate how you approach complex problems and design solutions that integrate well within a larger product ecosystem.

• Prepare for Questions: Be ready to discuss your design rationale, defend your decisions with evidence, and explain how you handle stakeholder feedback and differing opinions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, ensure you fully grasp the problem statement, target users, and business objectives.

• Focus on Process: For any challenge, emphasize your thought process, research approach (even if hypothetical), and how you would arrive at a solution, rather than just delivering a polished final design.

• Communicate Clearly: Practice articulating your ideas and design choices concisely and effectively, as if presenting to product stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on research in the interview process means candidates should be prepared to deep-dive into their research methodologies, findings, and how those insights directly translated into design solutions and business impact. Demonstrating the ability to "build the practice" will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for wireframing, user flows, prototyping, and design system collaboration. Proficiency is a core requirement.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma offers robust prototyping, familiarity with other tools like InVision or Adobe XD may be beneficial.

• User Research Platforms: Experience with tools for usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback), survey creation (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform), and interview recording.

• Collaboration Tools: Proficiency in tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, and Confluence for team communication and project management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics or Adobe Analytics to understand user behavior, track funnel performance, and measure conversion rates.

• Data Visualization Tools: Exposure to tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Looker for interpreting data and creating reports that inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managing CRM/automation, understanding how UX design impacts subscription management, paywall interactions, and user onboarding flows is crucial. Familiarity with the principles of CRM and marketing automation can help in designing effective user journeys.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is explicitly mentioned as a required tool. Candidates should be ready to showcase their proficiency and workflow within Figma, including its collaboration features and design system integration capabilities.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Reader-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of the global news reader, ensuring trust and value in every interaction.

• Data-Informed Decision Making: Utilizing evidence from user research, analytics, and business metrics to guide design choices and strategy.

• Collaboration and Communication: Fostering open dialogue, constructive feedback, and strong partnerships across product, engineering, and design teams.

• Continuous Improvement: A proactive approach to identifying opportunities for enhancement, iteration, and optimization of user experiences and internal processes.

• Integrity and Quality: Upholding high standards in journalism and design, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and a trustworthy user experience.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Working closely and collaboratively with product managers to define product strategy and roadmaps, and with engineers to ensure feasible and high-quality implementation.

• Design System Focus: Actively participating in the design system community, contributing components, and advocating for its consistent use to ensure a unified brand experience.

• Constructive Feedback Culture: Engaging in peer reviews and design critiques to share knowledge, improve designs, and foster a learning environment.

• Proactive Communication: Regularly sharing progress, insights, and potential challenges with stakeholders to maintain alignment and manage expectations.

📝 Enhancement Note: SCMP's foundation in journalism likely instills values of integrity, accuracy, and trustworthiness, which should be reflected in the UX design approach, particularly concerning news consumption and subscription services.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Building Research Practice: Establishing and scaling a robust user research function within an organization that may have previously relied less on formal research. This involves defining processes, advocating for research, and demonstrating its value.

• Balancing Conversion and User Experience: Optimizing paywall and subscription flows to meet business targets without alienating or frustrating users, requiring a delicate balance and data-driven iteration.

• Global Audience Nuances: Designing for a diverse, global audience with varying cultural contexts, language needs, and digital literacy levels.

• Legacy Systems & Processes: Navigating existing product architectures, design systems, or organizational processes that may require adaptation or influence.

• Fast-Paced Media Environment: Adapting to the rapid news cycle and evolving digital media landscape while maintaining design quality and user focus.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Research Leadership: Opportunity to develop strategic leadership skills by building and growing the user research function.

• Subscription Product Expertise: Deepen knowledge in subscription models, conversion optimization, and customer lifecycle management through product-specific projects.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gain insights into journalism, content strategy, and the business of digital media by working within SCMP.

• Design System Evolution: Contribute to the growth and maturity of SCMP's design system, potentially influencing its future direction.

• Mentorship & Skill Development: Receive mentorship from senior leaders and opportunities to mentor junior designers, enhancing leadership and communication skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge and growth opportunity lie in the mandate to build and scale the user research practice, offering a unique career trajectory for a UX designer passionate about establishing research as a core component of the design process.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your experience in establishing or significantly contributing to a user research practice. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?" (Prepare to discuss building processes, advocating for research, and demonstrating ROI).

• "How would you approach designing a subscription flow that maximizes conversion while ensuring a positive user experience? Walk us through your process." (Focus on user journey mapping, data analysis, A/B testing rationale, and balancing business/user needs).

• "Imagine we need to reorganize our article page navigation. How would you approach understanding user needs and designing a new information architecture for this?" (Detail your IA process, research methods, and how you'd validate solutions). Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in working for a news organization like SCMP, and what excites you about our mission?" (Research SCMP's recent work, journalistic values, and digital strategy).

• "How do you ensure your designs are accessible and inclusive for a global audience?" (Discuss your understanding of WCAG and how you incorporate accessibility into your workflow).

• "Describe a time you had to push back on a stakeholder's opinion with data or research. How did you handle it?" (Highlight your ability to use evidence-based arguments and maintain professional relationships). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Lead with Research: For each case study, start by outlining the problem and the research you conducted to understand it. Clearly present your findings and how they shaped your design direction.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, flows, prototypes) effectively, but always accompany them with explanations of your design decisions and the rationale behind them.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, present metrics that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased conversion rates, improved task completion times, higher user satisfaction scores).

• Discuss Collaboration: Explain how you worked with product managers, engineers, and other designers, highlighting your communication and teamwork skills.

• Be Prepared for Whiteboarding: Have a strategy for how you would approach a quick design challenge or whiteboard exercise, focusing on demonstrating your thought process and collaborative approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not just their design skills but also their ability to strategically build and lead user research initiatives, their understanding of subscription models, and their capacity for evidence-based decision-making in a fast-paced media environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the SCMP careers portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience in UX design, user research, information architecture, and working with subscription-based products. Quantify achievements with metrics where possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 robust case studies that clearly demonstrate your research process, problem-solving methodology, and the impact of your designs. Ensure these showcase your ability to own product areas and build research practices.

• Prepare Your Portfolio Presentation: Practice walking through your case studies, focusing on your research insights, design rationale, and collaborative process. Be ready to discuss your approach to building user research functions.

• Research SCMP: Familiarize yourself with SCMP's digital products, recent news coverage, and their approach to subscription models to better understand their context and challenges.

⚠️ 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.