Senior UX/UI Designer - Direct Contract

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX/UI Designer - Direct Contract

Company: Cro Metrics

Location: Remote (U.S.)

Job Type: Contract (long-term fractional, with potential for full-time conversion)

Category: Design Operations / GTM Design Enablement

Date Posted: 2026-05-11

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Remote Solely

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic concepting and execution of UX/UI deliverables across website redesigns, CRO experiments, and multi-channel marketing campaigns.

• Architect scalable design systems and integrate AI-powered tools into the design workflow to improve efficiency and innovation.

• Drive client-facing design presentations, articulating rationale and building trust as a strategic design partner.

• Collaborate deeply with strategists and engineers, ensuring design intent is preserved through understanding front-end constraints and accessibility standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "Senior UX/UI Designer" but carries significant strategic and client-facing responsibilities, along with a mandate to advance AI design capabilities. This suggests a hybrid role that blends hands-on design execution with strategic input, akin to a Design Operations or GTM Design Enablement function within a growth marketing agency context. The emphasis on AI integration and client partnership elevates it beyond a standard individual contributor design role.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptualization, design, and execution of client engagements including website redesigns, landing pages, product flow improvements, CRO experiments, paid media creative, and lifecycle campaigns (email/SMS).

• Contribute to design strategy by applying a strong UX perspective, identifying opportunities, and recommending approaches, complementing the hypothesis development and journey mapping owned by strategists.

• Own client-facing design presentations, effectively articulating design rationale, guiding stakeholders through concepts, and establishing trust as a strategic design partner.

• Produce end-to-end design deliverables, from initial concepts and wireframes to high-fidelity mockups, interactive prototypes, and production-ready assets.

• Architect and evolve design systems for both client projects and internal use, defining component libraries, design tokens, patterns, and documentation for scalability.

• Bridge design and engineering by demonstrating a solid understanding of front-end development constraints (HTML/CSS/JS), responsive behavior, accessibility standards (WCAG), and platform capabilities to ensure designs are both ambitious and buildable.

• Collaborate closely with strategists and engineers to ensure design intent is accurately translated into implementation, actively troubleshooting handoff issues and refining specifications as needed.

• Evaluate and recommend design tooling and processes that enhance team efficiency, maintain consistency, and elevate overall output quality.

• Explore, evaluate, and integrate emerging AI-powered design tools and workflows (e.g., generative design, AI-assisted prototyping, prompt-to-design, AI asset generation) into Cro Metrics' design processes.

• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in AI and Design, tracking emerging tools, techniques, and best practices, and disseminating this knowledge to the team in actionable formats.

• Conduct comprehensive accessibility and UX/UI audits for client websites and experiences, assessing against WCAG standards, UX best practices, and conversion optimization principles, providing actionable findings and design recommendations.

• Proactively identify opportunities for design-led improvements, new experiment ideas, and service innovations that align with client goals and agency offerings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a blend of strategic design thinking, hands-on execution, system design, and a forward-looking mandate for AI integration. This level of ownership and cross-functional collaboration is typical of senior roles aiming to drive operational efficiency and strategic impact within a design function.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Not specified, but a Bachelor's degree in Design, HCI, or a related field is often preferred for senior roles.

Experience: 5-8+ years of experience in UX/UI design, product design, or a senior design role that distinctly blended strategic thinking with hands-on craft.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in UX/UI design principles and best practices.

• A strong portfolio showcasing strategic depth, including research insights, strategic framing, multiple design explorations, rationale, and documented outcomes.

• Proven experience leading design on complex, multi-stakeholder projects such as website redesigns, product strategy initiatives, or multi-channel experience design.

• Advanced proficiency in Figma, including expert use of components, variables, auto-layout, prototyping features, and design tokens.

• Strong technical design fluency, encompassing an understanding of front-end development constraints (HTML/CSS/JS), responsive design principles, and accessibility standards (WCAG).

• Client-facing confidence, with the ability to present concepts effectively, articulate design rationale clearly, manage feedback gracefully, and build trust with senior stakeholders.

• Experience with data-informed design, comfortable utilizing analytics, experiment results, and user research to guide design decisions.

• Demonstrated practical experience with AI-powered design tools and workflows, with a clear point of view on their application and evolution.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience at a CRO, experimentation, or growth marketing agency.

• Experience designing for A/B testing and personalization platforms (e.g., Optimizely, VWO, Dynamic Yield).

• Background in eCommerce, SaaS, or subscription-based product design.

• Experience with lifecycle marketing design (email/SMS) for platforms like Klaviyo, Braze, or Iterable.

• Experience with paid media creative strategy and design for platforms such as Meta, Google, and LinkedIn.

• Contributions to design thought leadership, such as writing articles, speaking at events, or active community involvement.

• Experience architecting and maintaining scalable design systems.

• Familiarity with front-end development concepts and collaboration with engineering teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "AI is a hard requirement" statement is critical. Candidates must be prepared to demonstrate concrete use cases of AI tools in their design process during interviews. This distinguishes the role significantly from standard UX/UI positions. The "Must Haves" further refine the ideal candidate profile towards agency and specific platform experience.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase strategic depth, detailing the "why" behind design decisions with clear research insights, strategic framing, multiple design explorations, and documented outcomes.

• Present end-to-end project lifecycles, demonstrating ownership from initial concept and wireframing through high-fidelity mockups, prototypes, and production-ready deliverables.

• Include examples of complex, multi-stakeholder projects such as website redesigns, product strategy initiatives, or multi-channel experience design.

• Highlight experience architecting, scaling, or significantly contributing to design systems, showcasing component libraries, design tokens, and pattern documentation.

• Demonstrate technical design fluency by illustrating how front-end constraints, responsive behavior, and accessibility standards (WCAG) were considered and integrated into designs.

• Feature client-facing presentations, illustrating how design rationale was articulated and how trust was built with senior stakeholders.

• Include examples of data-informed design, showing how analytics, experiment results, and user research influenced design decisions.

Process Documentation:

• Detail your process for concepting and executing UX/UI deliverables across diverse client projects (website redesigns, CRO experiments, paid media, lifecycle campaigns).

• Illustrate your approach to architecting and evolving design systems, including defining component libraries, tokens, patterns, and documentation.

• Explain how you bridge design and engineering, detailing collaboration with developers on front-end constraints, responsive behavior, accessibility, and platform capabilities.

• Describe your methodology for conducting UX/UI audits against WCAG standards, UX best practices, and conversion optimization principles.

• Outline your approach to exploring, evaluating, and integrating AI-powered design tools and workflows into your daily practice.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are heavily weighted towards strategic thinking, end-to-end ownership, and a mandatory demonstration of AI integration. This indicates the company values a holistic approach to design that drives measurable business outcomes and leverages cutting-edge technology.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a contract role with potential for full-time conversion, compensation will likely be structured hourly or on a project basis. For a Senior UX/UI Designer with 5-8+ years of experience, particularly with specialized AI and agency experience in the U.S. remote market, hourly rates can range from $70 - $120+, depending on specific skills, client budget, and negotiation. A long-term fractional contract suggests a stable hourly engagement.

• Methodology: This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior UX/UI designers in the U.S. remote market, factoring in the specialized AI and agency experience required. Rates can vary significantly by location within the U.S. and the specific client's budget and perceived value of the skills.

Benefits:

• Contractor Benefits: As a contractor, benefits typically differ from full-time employees. This may include:

  • Flexible working hours and location (fully remote).
  • Opportunity for long-term engagement and potential full-time conversion.
  • Exposure to a variety of clients and industries (eCommerce, fintech, nonprofit, hospitality).
  • Work on cutting-edge AI-driven design initiatives.
  • Opportunity to contribute to a growing, experiment-led growth marketing agency.

• Potential Full-Time Benefits (if conversion occurs):

  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.

  • Paid time off (PTO) and holidays.

  • 401(k) with company match.

  • Professional development opportunities and training budgets.

  • Parental leave. Working Hours: The role is described as a "long-term fractional contractor role," suggesting a part-time commitment initially, likely ranging from 20-30 hours per week, with the potential to scale. The standard expectation for a full-time role would be 40 hours per week. The remote nature offers flexibility in scheduling, provided client needs and team collaboration are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: Explicitly stating the contractor nature and associated benefit differences is crucial. The salary estimation is provided as a benchmark for contractor rates, acknowledging that full-time conversion would bring a different benefits package.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Marketing & Advertising, Technology (specifically an experiment-led growth marketing agency). Cro Metrics operates at the intersection of marketing technology, data analytics, and creative design.

Company Size: The description implies a growing agency, likely in the 50-200 employee range, with a dedicated Design team expanding to meet demand. This size offers a balance between established processes and the agility for significant individual impact.

Founded: Cro Metrics was founded to redefine growth for organizations through digital experiences. The company emphasizes an "experiment-led" approach, suggesting a culture that values data, iteration, and continuous improvement.

Team Structure:

• The Design team is expanding and will include this Senior UX/UI Designer, reporting to the Director of Design.

• This role will collaborate deeply with strategists, engineers, analysts, and clients, indicating a highly cross-functional and client-centric operational model.

Methodology:

• Experiment-Led Growth: Core to the agency's philosophy, driving decisions through A/B testing and data analysis.

• Data-Driven Design: Designs are informed by analytics, user research, and experiment results, aiming for measurable impact.

• AI-Powered Innovation: Actively integrating AI tools into design workflows to enhance efficiency, predict outcomes, and identify opportunities.

• Integrated Services: A holistic approach combining CRO, website design, lifecycle marketing, and paid media for comprehensive client growth strategies.

• Collaborative Environment: Emphasis on teamwork and knowledge sharing across disciplines.

Company Website: https://crometrics.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is built around data-driven experimentation, innovation (especially with AI), and client success. The structure supports cross-functional collaboration, essential for an agency environment that delivers integrated growth marketing services.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level individual contributor role with significant strategic influence. It's designed for experienced professionals who can operate autonomously, lead projects, and contribute to the development of new capabilities (like AI design). The role requires a blend of strategic thinking and hands-on execution, making it a key position for driving design quality and innovation.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Director of Design, indicating a clear line of management and mentorship within the design department. This structure allows for direct feedback and strategic alignment.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is measured by the quality and effectiveness of design deliverables that drive client success (e.g., increased conversion rates, improved user engagement, enhanced brand perception). By integrating AI and sophisticated design systems, this role directly contributes to the agency's efficiency, innovation, and competitive positioning. The success of client projects, which translates to agency revenue and reputation, is a key outcome.

Growth Opportunities:

• Full-Time Conversion: The contract is designed with the potential for conversion to a full-time employee, offering long-term career stability and access to a more comprehensive benefits package.

• Leadership in AI Design: Opportunity to become a subject matter expert and leader in AI-powered design within the agency, shaping future strategies and workflows.

• Skill Expansion: Exposure to a wide range of client challenges across eCommerce, fintech, and other sectors, fostering broad experience in CRO, lifecycle marketing, and paid media design.

• Mentorship & Strategic Influence: Working closely with the Director of Design and other senior leaders provides opportunities for mentorship and the chance to influence the agency's design direction and methodologies.

• Professional Development: Potential for access to training, conferences, and certifications to stay at the forefront of UX/UI design and AI technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path emphasizes both stability (full-time conversion) and specialization (AI leadership), catering to ambitious senior designers looking to deepen their expertise and influence.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully remote, allowing for a flexible work environment from anywhere within the United States.

Office Location(s): Remote (U.S.). This means no physical office requirement, offering maximum flexibility.

Workspace Context:

• Autonomy & Flexibility: The remote nature promotes work-life balance and the ability to structure the workday around personal productivity peaks, while still meeting collaboration needs.

• Technology & Tools: Access to and utilization of industry-standard design software (Figma) and potentially integrated AI tools, along with collaboration platforms necessary for remote teams.

• Team Interaction: Collaboration will primarily occur through digital channels (video conferencing, chat, project management tools), requiring strong communication skills and proactive engagement to foster team connection.

Work Schedule: As a "long-term fractional contractor," the initial schedule is likely part-time (e.g., 20-30 hours/week), with flexibility. While specific hours are not mandated, consistent availability for key meetings, client presentations, and collaborative sessions is expected. The work schedule should accommodate efficient project delivery and team interaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote, fractional nature of the contract provides significant flexibility but also requires strong self-discipline, proactive communication, and the ability to collaborate effectively in a virtual setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess experience, skill alignment, and AI integration evidence.

• Portfolio Review & Practical Exercise: A deep dive into the candidate's portfolio, focusing on strategic thinking, process, and AI tool usage. This may involve a practical design exercise or a detailed case study presentation.

• Technical & Strategic Interview: Discussion with the Director of Design and potentially other senior team members to evaluate UX/UI expertise, design systems knowledge, technical fluency, and strategic approach.

• Client-Facing Simulation: Candidates may be asked to present a design concept or rationale, simulating a client interaction to assess communication and presentation skills.

• AI Workflow Demonstration: Direct questioning and demonstration requests regarding practical application of AI tools in their design workflow.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a hiring manager or senior leadership to discuss cultural fit, long-term potential, and role expectations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight AI Integration: Dedicate a significant portion of your portfolio to showcasing how you've used AI tools in your design process. Provide specific examples of prompts, tools used, and the impact on your output or efficiency.

• Strategic Rationale: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your strategic approach, the user research or data that informed your decisions, your design explorations, the final solution, and the measurable outcomes.

• End-to-End Process: Show the full journey from discovery and wireframing through high-fidelity design, prototyping, and any collaboration with engineering.

• Design Systems: Include examples of design systems you've built or contributed to, detailing components, patterns, and documentation principles.

• Client Presentation Skills: If possible, include examples or descriptions of client presentations where you successfully articulated design rationale and built trust.

• Conciseness & Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically and ensure each case study is easy to digest, focusing on the most impactful and relevant work.

Challenge Preparation:

• AI Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss specific AI tools (e.g., Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, ChatGPT for design ideation, AI-assisted wireframing tools) and demonstrate how you've integrated them into your workflow. Prepare concrete examples of prompts and results.

• Design Systems Thinking: Be prepared to discuss the principles of scalable design systems and how you've applied them.

• Client Communication: Practice articulating design decisions and rationale under pressure, simulating how you would handle client feedback or challenging questions.

• CRO & Experimentation Context: Understand the principles of CRO and A/B testing, as this is central to Cro Metrics' service offering. Be ready to discuss how design supports experimentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is rigorous, with a pronounced emphasis on practical AI tool application and strategic client engagement. Candidates must tailor their portfolio and preparation to directly address these core requirements.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and design system management. Advanced proficiency with components, variables, auto-layout, and design tokens is required.

• AI Design Tools: A mandatory requirement. This could include generative design tools (e.g., Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, Adobe Firefly), AI-assisted prototyping tools, prompt-to-design tools, AI image/asset generators, and AI for workflow automation.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma offers advanced prototyping, familiarity with other tools might be beneficial.

• Design System Management Tools: Tools or methodologies for documenting and disseminating design systems.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data-Informed Design: Understanding and utilizing data from analytics platforms to inform design decisions. Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Amplitude, or similar is beneficial.

• A/B Testing & Personalization Platforms: Experience with platforms such as Optimizely, VWO, Dynamic Yield, or similar is a strong plus.

CRM & Automation:

• Lifecycle Marketing Platforms: Experience with email/SMS marketing platforms like Klaviyo, Braze, Iterable is preferred.

• Paid Media Platforms: Familiarity with creative design for Meta Ads, Google Ads, LinkedIn Ads.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack highlights Figma as the primary design tool, with a critical emphasis on AI-powered design tools. Familiarity with client-side platforms (CRO, CRM, Paid Media) is also a key differentiator.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Experimentation & Data-Driven Decisions: A core value is the relentless pursuit of growth through data and iterative testing. Designs are expected to be hypothesis-driven and measurable.

• Innovation & Forward-Thinking: A strong emphasis on staying at the cutting edge, particularly with AI integration, pushing boundaries in design and marketing.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Working closely with strategists, engineers, analysts, and clients to achieve shared goals. This fosters a supportive and team-oriented environment.

• Client Focus & Impact: Dedication to delivering tangible results and measurable impact for clients, positioning design as a strategic driver of business success.

• Autonomy & Ownership: Empowering individuals to take initiative, own their work, and contribute meaningfully to the agency's growth and client outcomes.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Design is not siloed; it's deeply integrated with strategy, engineering, and analytics to create cohesive, high-impact campaigns and experiences.

• Proactive Communication: Given the remote, fractional nature, clear, concise, and proactive communication via digital channels is paramount.

• Feedback-Rich Environment: Openness to giving and receiving constructive feedback to continuously improve designs, processes, and team dynamics.

• Shared Learning: A culture that encourages sharing knowledge, especially regarding new tools and techniques like AI in design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture values innovation, data, collaboration, and client results. The remote, fractional setup necessitates a high degree of proactive communication and self-management within this collaborative framework.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Strategy and Execution: Effectively balancing strategic design thinking with hands-on execution, especially in a fractional capacity, requires strong time management and prioritization skills.

• Integrating AI Seamlessly: Ensuring AI tools are not just experimented with but are meaningfully integrated into workflows to provide genuine value and efficiency, rather than becoming a novelty.

• Client Management in a Fractional Role: Building and maintaining strong client relationships and trust when working on a part-time, contractual basis.

• Cross-Discipline Collaboration: Navigating communication and ensuring design intent is understood and maintained across diverse teams (strategy, engineering, paid media, lifecycle) in a remote setting.

• Staying Ahead of AI Advancements: The rapid evolution of AI tools requires continuous learning and adaptation to remain at the forefront of AI x Design.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-powered design tools and methodologies, potentially becoming a recognized authority within the agency and industry.

• Cross-Channel Design Mastery: Gain extensive experience designing across CRO, website development, paid media, and lifecycle marketing, broadening skill sets significantly.

• Design Systems Leadership: Take on more responsibility in architecting and scaling design systems, contributing to the agency's foundational design assets.

• Client Strategy Contribution: Evolve from execution to having a more significant impact on client growth strategies through design-led insights and recommendations.

• Potential Full-Time Path: Opportunity to transition into a permanent role with expanded responsibilities and benefits.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are representative of senior roles in dynamic agency environments, particularly those embracing new technologies like AI. The growth opportunities are substantial for individuals seeking to specialize and advance their careers in cutting-edge design practices.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex client project where you led both the strategic concepting and hands-on UI/UX execution. What was your process, and what was the measurable outcome?" (Focus on end-to-end ownership and impact.)

• "How have you integrated AI-powered design tools into your daily workflow to improve efficiency or innovation? Provide specific examples of tools, prompts, and results." (Demonstrate practical AI application.)

• "Walk us through your process for architecting or evolving a design system. What are the key components, and how do you ensure scalability and adoption?" (Showcase systems thinking.)

• "Describe a time you had to present a design rationale to a difficult stakeholder. How did you build trust and gain buy-in?" (Assess client-facing and communication skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of Cro Metrics, how do you see AI transforming the future of growth marketing design?" (Assess industry awareness and strategic alignment.)

• "How would you approach integrating your design work with our core services like CRO experimentation and lifecycle marketing?" (Understand cross-functional thinking.)

• "What are your expectations for collaboration in a remote, fractional contract role, and how do you ensure effective communication?" (Evaluate remote work readiness and communication style.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with Impact: Begin by highlighting projects that best demonstrate your AI integration, strategic thinking, and client-facing capabilities.

• Tell a Story: For each case study, frame it as a narrative: the problem, your strategic approach, the explorations, the solution, and the measurable impact.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals effectively, but always accompany them with clear explanations of your process and rationale.

• Highlight AI Workflows: Dedicate specific slides or sections to showcasing your AI tool usage. Be prepared to discuss the "before and after" of using AI for specific tasks.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design decisions, technical considerations, and how you collaborated with cross-functional teams.

• Practice Your Pitch: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it's concise, engaging, and hits all the key requirements of the role.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation must heavily emphasize showcasing practical AI use, strategic thinking, and client-facing skills, directly addressing the core requirements of the role and the agency's methodology.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX/UI Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Cro Metrics careers page.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight experience relevant to agency work, CRO, AI design tools, and client-facing roles. Quantify achievements with metrics where possible.

• Curate your portfolio: Ensure it prominently features case studies demonstrating strategic depth, end-to-end execution, design systems expertise, and crucially, practical, demonstrated use of AI-powered design tools and workflows. Prepare to walk through these case studies in detail.

• Prepare for AI demonstration: Be ready to discuss specific AI tools you use, provide examples of prompts and outputs, and articulate how AI has improved your design process.

• Research Cro Metrics: Understand their experiment-led growth methodology, client industries, and their stated mission to innovate with AI. This will help tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

• Practice your presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio, especially your AI integration examples, ensuring clarity, conciseness, and confidence.

⚠️ 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.