Senior UX Designer, Digital Program

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer, Digital Program

Company: Ascensus

Location: Remote, Pennsylvania, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Digital Product Design / User Experience Operations

Date Posted: 2026-05-12

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and deliver intuitive user experiences for complex web and mobile applications that empower millions of users to achieve their financial goals.

• Champion design thinking methodologies and foster strong cross-functional collaboration across business, design, analytics, and development teams to drive product innovation and user satisfaction.

• Serve as a subject-matter expert in User Experience (UX) discipline, guiding projects from initial concept through to final implementation with a focus on both user needs and business objectives.

• Leverage qualitative and quantitative analysis to inform design decisions, ensuring that digital solutions are not only aesthetically pleasing but also effective in achieving intended business outcomes and user engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Senior UX Designer, Digital Program," the responsibilities and required skills strongly indicate a role focused on operationalizing UX within digital product development. This involves not just design but also process, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making, aligning it with a broader "User Experience Operations" or "Digital Product Operations" function, particularly given Ascensus's role as a technology platform provider for savings plans.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive user experience solutions for new products, services, features, and enhancements, utilizing journey maps, detailed designs, and a deep understanding of user needs and the competitive landscape.

• Translate complex problems into clear, user-friendly web and mobile interfaces by applying a diverse skill set including user research, interaction design, visual design, and information architecture.

• Build and maintain robust, collaborative relationships with stakeholders across design, business units, engineering, and analytics to ensure alignment and successful project execution.

• Employ qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques to validate design hypotheses, measure the impact of UX initiatives, and iterate on solutions for continuous improvement.

• Proactively identify opportunities for UX enhancements and process improvements within the digital product development lifecycle.

• Manage user expectations and effectively communicate design rationale and project progress to internal teams and external clients.

• Contribute to the overall Ascensus brand experience through consistent and high-quality design outputs across all digital touchpoints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of strategic design leadership and operational execution. The mention of "prototyping and scaling UX solutions" and using "qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques to inform design decisions" highlights the operational aspect of ensuring designs are both effective and scalable within a large organization.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience in a creative or technical field (e.g., Human-Computer Interaction, Graphic Design, Computer Science, Psychology).

Experience: Minimum 5 – 10 years of progressive experience in UX design, with a proven track record of successfully delivering complex web and mobile experiences on large-scale projects.

Required Skills:

• User Research: Ability to conduct user interviews, surveys, usability testing, and competitive analysis to gather actionable insights.

• Interaction Design: Proficiency in designing intuitive and efficient user flows, navigation systems, and interactive elements.

• Visual Design: Strong aesthetic sense and ability to create visually appealing, on-brand interfaces that adhere to design principles.

• Information Architecture: Skill in organizing content and structuring information logically for optimal user comprehension and navigation.

• Prototyping: Expertise in creating low-fidelity wireframes and high-fidelity interactive prototypes using industry-standard tools.

• Design Thinking: Demonstrated experience applying design thinking principles to solve complex user and business problems.

• Agile/Lean Methodologies: Familiarity and practical experience working within Agile or Lean development frameworks.

• Collaboration: Exceptional ability to build consensus, manage expectations, and work effectively with diverse teams.

• Communication & Storytelling: Excellent verbal, written, and visual communication skills, adept at presenting design rationale and data-driven insights to stakeholders.

• Problem-Solving: Creative and analytical skills to resolve disparate user and business needs and drive clarity and alignment.

• Feedback Interpretation: Ability to actively give and receive constructive criticism to enhance project outcomes.

Preferred Skills:

• UX Strategy: Experience developing and executing UX strategies that align with business goals.

• Data Analysis: Familiarity with using analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) to interpret user behavior and inform design.

• HTML/CSS Knowledge: Basic understanding of front-end development principles to facilitate collaboration with engineers.

• Accessibility Standards: Knowledge of WCAG guidelines and experience designing for accessibility.

• Financial Services Industry: Experience designing for financial technology (FinTech) or wealth management platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "5-10 years" experience level for a "Senior" role suggests a need for demonstrated leadership and independent project management. The emphasis on "resolving disparate user and business needs" and "driving clarity and alignment" points to a candidate who can navigate complex stakeholder environments, a crucial skill in operations-adjacent roles.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing expertise in solving complex UX problems across both web and mobile platforms.

• Case studies demonstrating a strong understanding of the end-to-end design process, from initial research and ideation to detailed design and implementation.

• Examples of large-scale projects where UX significantly contributed to user adoption, satisfaction, or business objectives.

• Inclusion of work that highlights your ability to translate complex financial concepts into simple, intuitive user experiences.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of experience with Design Thinking, Agile, and Lean methodologies within project lifecycles.

• Examples of how you've used qualitative and quantitative analysis to inform and validate design decisions.

• Documentation or descriptions of how you've collaborated with business, development, and analytics teams to bring UX solutions to fruition.

• Case studies that detail how you've managed stakeholder expectations and communicated design rationale effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Designer role, especially one with "Program" in its title, the portfolio should not just display aesthetics but also strategic thinking, process adherence, and measurable impact. The emphasis on "scaling UX solutions" and "qualitative and quantitative analysis" suggests a need to demonstrate operational effectiveness and data-driven validation of design choices.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior UX Designers with 5-10 years of experience in a fully remote capacity in the United States, a competitive salary range is estimated between $110,000 - $150,000 annually. This range can vary based on specific candidate qualifications, experience, and location within the US.

Benefits:

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning and skill enhancement.

• In-house Training: Access to internal training programs and workshops.

• Tuition Reimbursement: Support for further education and certifications.

• Reward Programs: Recognition programs for outstanding performance.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday policies.

• Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health coverage options.

• Dental Insurance: Dental care benefits.

• Vision Insurance: Vision care benefits.

• Health Savings Account (HSA): Pre-tax savings for healthcare expenses.

• 401(k) Match: Employer matching contributions to retirement savings.

• 529 College Savings Match: Employer matching for education savings plans.

• Volunteer Programs: Opportunities to engage in community service.

• Charitable-giving Programs: Company support for employee charitable contributions.

Working Hours: Standard full-time position, likely around 40 hours per week. Given the fully remote nature and the emphasis on collaboration across teams, flexibility may be expected to accommodate different time zones and project needs, with core business hours likely defined.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on aggregated data from various job boards and salary aggregators for Senior UX Designer roles in the US, adjusted for a fully remote position and the specified experience level. The benefits listed are derived directly from the provided AI data and represent a strong package often found in established technology and service firms.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services Technology / Savings and Investment Platforms. Ascensus operates as a critical technology and service provider for savings plans, impacting millions of individuals. This industry context implies a need for high reliability, security, and a user-centric approach to financial management tools.

Company Size: Ascensus is a significant player in its market, likely employing several thousand individuals. This size suggests established processes, a structured organizational hierarchy, and opportunities for specialized roles within larger departments. For operations professionals, this means working within a framework that values efficiency, compliance, and scalability.

Founded: Ascensus has a history of growth and consolidation, with a foundation that allows it to leverage experience while innovating. This history suggests a company that is stable but also adaptable, likely having gone through various technological and organizational evolutions, which is beneficial for roles focused on process improvement and digital transformation.

Team Structure:

• The UX team likely operates within a product development or digital innovation department, possibly structured by product line or customer segment.

• Reporting structure is likely hierarchical, with Senior UX Designers reporting to a UX Manager or Director, and potentially leading smaller project teams or mentoring junior designers.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: Emphasis on using user research, analytics, and A/B testing to drive design decisions and measure impact.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: Application of design thinking and Agile/Lean methodologies to streamline the product development process and enhance user experiences.

• Automation & Efficiency: Exploration of tools and processes to automate repetitive design tasks or improve the efficiency of the design workflow.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Ascensus's focus on "powering savings plans" and serving "millions of people" underscores the importance of user experience in driving adoption and trust. This industry requires a high degree of user empathy, and the company's size implies a need for robust operational processes to support its scale.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a "Senior Individual Contributor" level within the UX and digital product domain. It signifies a high degree of autonomy, specialized expertise, and the ability to influence design direction and process. A Senior UX Designer is expected to lead complex projects, mentor others, and contribute to the strategic vision of the UX discipline within the organization.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Designer will likely report to a UX Lead, Manager, or Director of Digital Product Design. They will collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and potentially Directors of relevant business units. This structure allows for strategic alignment while maintaining operational execution.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is directly tied to the success of Ascensus's digital products. By designing user-centric experiences, this role influences user adoption, engagement, satisfaction, and ultimately, the retention and growth of Ascensus's client base. Effective UX design contributes to operational efficiency by reducing support inquiries and increasing self-service capabilities.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in UX strategy, user research methodologies, and advanced prototyping techniques. Potential to lead UX initiatives for major product launches or redesigns.

• Leadership Development: Potential to transition into a UX Lead role, managing a small team of designers, or a UX Manager position overseeing a larger function. This could involve strategic planning and people management.

• Specialization: Opportunity to specialize in specific areas such as accessibility, UX research, interaction design, or product strategy within the financial services domain.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Digital Program" aspect suggests that growth might also involve managing or influencing broader digital initiatives rather than just individual design tasks, leaning into a more program management or strategic operations perspective within the UX function.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This indicates a work environment that prioritizes flexibility and allows employees to work from their chosen location within the United States, specifically with a connection to Pennsylvania as noted in the location.

Office Location(s): While the role is fully remote, the mention of "Remote, Pennsylvania" suggests that candidates may need to reside in or be willing to relocate to Pennsylvania, or that the company has a significant operational presence or legal nexus there. Ascensus may have physical offices in Pennsylvania, but this role is not tied to a specific office location.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a highly collaborative digital environment. Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and shared project management platforms (e.g., Jira, Asana) will be essential for communication and team interaction.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design and prototyping software (Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, InVision), as well as tools for user research, analytics, and project management.

• Team Interaction: Regular participation in virtual team meetings, design critiques, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional project reviews.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected. While remote, maintaining consistent availability during core business hours for key team members and stakeholders in the US Eastern Time Zone (given the Pennsylvania location) will likely be important for effective collaboration and timely project delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Remote, Pennsylvania" designation is a key detail. While fully remote, some companies tie remote roles to a specific state for tax or employment law reasons. Candidates should clarify if there are any residency requirements or preferred locations within Pennsylvania.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or HR representative will likely review applications and conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation with the hiring manager (likely a UX Manager or Director) to delve deeper into experience, technical skills, and project examples.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A dedicated session where the candidate presents their portfolio, walking through 2-3 key case studies. This is a critical step to assess design thinking, problem-solving skills, and communication abilities.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with key collaborators, such as Product Managers, Lead Engineers, or Business Analysts, to evaluate teamwork and cross-functional communication skills.

• Design Challenge (Potential): Some companies may present a take-home design challenge or an in-person/virtual whiteboard exercise to assess practical design skills and problem-solving approach under timed conditions.

• Final Interview: Possibly with a senior leader or department head for final approval.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your senior-level capabilities, problem-solving approach, and impact on business/user outcomes. Prioritize projects relevant to complex web/mobile applications, ideally in financial services or similar regulated industries.

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

• Highlight Operations: Emphasize how you applied methodologies like Design Thinking, Agile, or Lean, and how you used data (qualitative and quantitative) to inform decisions. Demonstrate your ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your presentation is visually clean, well-organized, and easy to follow. Use mockups, wireframes, prototypes, and relevant data visualizations effectively.

• Prepare for Q&A: Be ready to answer in-depth questions about your design choices, trade-offs, and how you would handle specific scenarios or feedback.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Scope: If a design challenge is given, clarify the objectives, constraints, and expected deliverables.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate your thought process, not just the final output. Explain your assumptions, research methods, and decision-making criteria.

• Time Management: Allocate your time effectively across research, ideation, design, and presentation preparation.

• Articulate Strategy: Be prepared to explain how your proposed solution aligns with business goals and user needs, and how you would measure its success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Digital Program" aspect suggests that interviewers will be looking for strategic thinking and the ability to manage complex, multi-faceted projects, not just individual design tasks. Portfolio presentations should reflect this broader scope.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, XD), Sketch, InVision, Figma. Proficiency in at least one of these is essential.

• User Research & Testing: Tools for conducting usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback), surveys (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform), and user interviews.

• Wireframing & Flow Mapping: Balsamiq, Miro, Lucidchart, or similar tools for creating conceptual diagrams and user flows.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web/Mobile Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Mixpanel, or similar platforms to understand user behavior and track key performance indicators (KPIs).

• Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI, or advanced Excel skills for presenting data insights to stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management: Jira, Asana, Trello, or similar tools for managing design tasks, sprints, and project timelines.

• Collaboration Platforms: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Confluence for communication and documentation.

• Basic Front-End Understanding: Familiarity with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is beneficial for effective communication with development teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in a range of design and prototyping tools is expected. The emphasis on analytics and project management tools suggests that the role requires not only creative design but also an understanding of how designs integrate into broader development processes and are measured for impact.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user in all design decisions.

• Quality First: A dedication to delivering high-quality, polished, and effective user experiences that meet Ascensus's standards.

• Integrity Always®: Upholding ethical standards in design, data handling, and communication, particularly crucial in the financial services sector.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Valuing collective intelligence and working synergistically with cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: A preference for using insights from research and analytics to guide design choices, rather than relying solely on intuition.

• Continuous Improvement: An ethos of always seeking ways to enhance processes, tools, and user experiences.

Collaboration Style:

• Open Communication: Encouraging transparent and frequent communication across teams, utilizing digital tools to bridge geographical gaps.

• Constructive Feedback Culture: Fostering an environment where feedback is welcomed, shared respectfully, and used for mutual growth and project improvement.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamlessly integrating UX design into the broader product development lifecycle, working hand-in-hand with product management, engineering, and business stakeholders from conception through launch and iteration.

• Knowledge Sharing: Proactively sharing learnings, best practices, and design patterns across the UX team and with other departments to elevate the overall design maturity of the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Ascensus's stated Core Values (People Matter, Quality First, Integrity Always®) are directly applicable to the UX role and should be reflected in how candidates approach their work and interactions. The emphasis on "digital program" suggests a need for strong collaborative skills to manage complex, cross-functional initiatives.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Navigating complex requirements from various stakeholders to create solutions that satisfy users while driving business objectives.

• Designing for Complex Financial Products: Translating intricate financial concepts and regulations into simple, accessible, and trustworthy user experiences.

• Scaling Designs Across Platforms: Ensuring consistency and a cohesive user experience across multiple web and mobile applications and devices.

• Adopting New Technologies & Methodologies: Staying current with evolving UX best practices, tools, and industry trends, particularly within the fast-paced FinTech landscape.

• Remote Collaboration Management: Effectively collaborating and maintaining strong relationships with distributed teams across different time zones and work styles.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in areas like UX research, service design, design systems, or accessibility through specialized training and project work.

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Opportunities to attend relevant UX conferences (e.g., UXPA, An Event Apart) or pursue certifications in Agile, Lean, or specialized UX domains.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Access to mentorship programs within Ascensus, and the potential to develop leadership skills by mentoring junior designers or leading project teams.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Opportunities to learn about other aspects of the business, such as product management, engineering, or marketing, to gain a holistic understanding of product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Challenges" section highlights areas where candidates can demonstrate resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving skills, which are crucial for senior operations-focused roles. The growth opportunities are framed to align with career progression in UX and related operational functions.

💡 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, stakeholder management, and decision-making rationale.)

• "Walk me through a complex web or mobile application you designed. What was the problem, your specific contribution, the methodologies you used (e.g., Design Thinking, Agile), and the measurable impact?" (Prepare a detailed case study presentation.)

• "How do you ensure your designs are accessible and inclusive for all users, especially considering the diverse user base of financial services?" (Demonstrate knowledge of accessibility standards and your practical application.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your research, what do you see as the biggest UX challenges or opportunities for Ascensus in the digital savings and investment space?" (Show you've researched the company and industry.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with engineering and product management teams, especially in a remote setting?" (Highlight your communication and teamwork strategies.)

• "Ascensus values 'Quality First' and 'Integrity Always®'. How do these values influence your approach to UX design?" (Connect your personal values and professional practices to the company's ethos.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Organize your presentation logically: Introduction (your role, project context), Problem Statement, Your Process (research, ideation, design iterations), Solution (key screens, interactive elements), Results (metrics, user feedback, impact), and Learnings.

• Focus on "Why": Don't just show what you did; explain why you made specific design choices. Link your decisions back to user research, data, or business objectives.

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

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your process, technical constraints you faced, trade-offs you made, and how you handled feedback or criticism.

• Engage Your Audience: Make it a conversation, not a lecture. Ask clarifying questions and be open to feedback during the presentation if appropriate.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation emphasizes demonstrating not only design skills but also strategic thinking, operational process understanding, and the ability to collaborate effectively in a remote, cross-functional environment. The "Digital Program" aspect means interviewers will be looking for candidates who can think holistically about product development and its impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer position:

• Submit Your Application: Navigate to the Ascensus careers page or the provided job link and complete the online application form.

• Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume to highlight experience in UX design for web and mobile applications, specifically mentioning your years of experience, proficiency in relevant software, and experience with Design Thinking, Agile, and Lean methodologies. Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest case studies that demonstrate complex problem-solving, your end-to-end design process, and measurable impact, ideally within financial services or similar regulated industries. Ensure it is easily accessible (e.g., a personal website, PDF, or dedicated portfolio platform).

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your selected portfolio case studies. Focus on clearly communicating the problem, your process, your solutions, and the outcomes. Be ready to articulate your design rationale and demonstrate how you leverage data and collaborate with teams.

• Research Ascensus: Familiarize yourself with Ascensus's mission, products, and core values. Understand their position in the market and the importance of user experience in their service offerings.

⚠️ 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.