Sr. Director, UX

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. Director, UX

Company: Ibotta

Location: Denver, CO, United States (Hybrid)

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Experience (UX) Leadership / Product Design

Date Posted: May 13, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in-office required)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic vision, standards, and operating model for User Experience (UX), encompassing Product Design, UX Research, and Content Design disciplines.

• Drive a user-centered approach across Ibotta's consumer (D2C) and B2B product lines, ensuring exceptional user experiences that align with business objectives.

• Partner with executive leadership (CTO, VPs/SVPs of Product, Engineering, Analytics) to integrate UX insights into broader product and technology strategy, with a specific focus on evolving AI's impact.

• Champion research-informed decision-making and foster a culture of continuous learning and ownership within the UX team.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Sr. Director, UX," the responsibilities clearly indicate a senior leadership role focused on operations within the UX domain. This includes defining operating models, quality standards, and cross-functional integration, directly aligning with revenue operations and GTM principles by ensuring product development is user-centric and efficient. The role requires strategic oversight of UX processes and team structure, rather than hands-on design execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the UX vision, strategy, and quality standards across Ibotta’s consumer and B2B product lines, ensuring these are embedded in product planning, development, and measurement.

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing 14-person team, including two Directors, across Product Design, UX Research, and Content Design.

• Establish and defend clear norms for UX involvement throughout the product development lifecycle, from problem discovery to delivery.

• Act as a strategic partner to Product, Engineering, and Analytics leaders, ensuring user-centered thinking is integral to product strategy, not an afterthought.

• Shape Ibotta’s approach to product development in the context of evolving AI capabilities, including adapting the UX team’s operating model, tools, and integration points.

• Champion research-informed decision-making at the leadership level and create an environment that prioritizes discovery, even under pressure for speed.

• Drive investment in design systems, content standards, and research infrastructure to enable scalable quality without proportional headcount growth.

• Represent UX in senior and executive leadership forums, contributing to company strategy with a perspective grounded in user insight and experience quality.

• Build essential cross-functional relationships and organizational credibility to influence product direction at the highest levels.

• Foster a team culture characterized by ownership, craft, candor, and continuous learning, aligning with Ibotta’s Core Values.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize strategic leadership in defining and operationalizing UX processes. This includes establishing operating models, quality standards, and cross-functional integration points, which are core functions of a senior operations leader in a product-centric organization. The focus on AI integration and scaling quality through infrastructure highlights a forward-thinking operational approach.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, or a related field is required.

Experience:

• A minimum of 10+ years of progressive experience in UX, product design, or a closely related discipline.

• At least 5 years of experience specifically leading multi-discipline UX teams, including Product Design, UX Research, and/or Content Design.

Required Skills:

• UX Strategy & Vision: Ability to define and articulate a compelling UX vision and strategy that aligns with business goals.

• Team Leadership & Development: Experience leading, coaching, and mentoring multi-disciplinary UX teams, including managing other managers.

• Operating Model Design: Proven ability to establish and refine UX operating models and processes for efficient product development.

• Cross-functional Partnership: Demonstrated success in partnering with Product, Engineering, and Analytics leaders to drive user-centered product development.

• AI & Future of UX: Active engagement with and a clear perspective on how AI is transforming UX practice, workflows, and methodologies.

• Stakeholder Management & Influence: Exceptional ability to influence senior stakeholders, advocate for user needs, and drive consensus in complex environments.

• Research Operations: Championing research-informed decision-making and establishing organizational conditions that protect discovery efforts.

• Scalability & Efficiency: Driving investment in design systems and research infrastructure to enable scalable quality and efficiency.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience across both direct-to-consumer (D2C) and B2B product contexts, or a strong ability to adapt approaches across diverse audiences and business models.

• Experience in adtech or performance marketing environments.

• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguity, balancing long-term strategic thinking with the pragmatism needed in a fast-paced, post-IPO environment.

• Exceptional communication skills, making complex UX concepts accessible to non-design audiences and influencing through evidence-based framing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience and skills required highlight a strategic operational leader. The emphasis on "building and maturing UX organizations," "defining quality standards, operating models," and "evolving them as the business and industry changed" points directly to the operational responsibilities of this role, far beyond typical individual contributor or junior management duties. The AI and D2C/B2B experience are critical for shaping future-state operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Strategic Impact Case Studies: Showcase examples of how your leadership and strategic direction have significantly improved user experience, product adoption, or business outcomes for both consumer and B2B products.

• Operating Model Evolution: Present evidence of how you have designed, implemented, or matured UX operating models, including defining team structures, workflows, and cross-functional integration points.

• Scalability Initiatives: Highlight projects where you've driven investment in or implementation of design systems, content standards, or research infrastructure to improve efficiency and quality at scale.

• AI Integration Strategy: Demonstrate your thinking and approach to integrating AI into UX workflows, demonstrating an understanding of its potential impact on design, research, and product development processes.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Provide examples of how you've established or optimized product development lifecycles to ensure effective upstream involvement of UX, from problem discovery to delivery.

• Quality Standards & Frameworks: Detail frameworks or standards you've implemented to ensure consistent UX quality across diverse product lines and teams.

• Cross-functional Collaboration Frameworks: Showcase how you've built processes to foster seamless collaboration between UX, Product, Engineering, and Analytics teams.

• Research Operations Frameworks: Evidence of establishing processes that champion research-informed decision-making and protect discovery phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is inferred based on the senior leadership nature of the role and the emphasis on operationalizing UX. A candidate at this level would be expected to demonstrate their ability to structure and optimize processes, not just execute them. The portfolio should reflect strategic leadership in building and scaling UX operations.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Base Compensation: $225,000 - $265,000 USD per year.

• Total Compensation: This role also includes a variable component (e.g., bonus) in addition to base salary, and equity is a part of the overall compensation package.

• Note: This range is specific to the United States labor market and may be adjusted based on actual experience.

Benefits:

• Competitive pay, including base salary, variable compensation, and equity.

• Medical Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Flexible Time Off

• Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP)

• 401k with Employer Match

• Relocation Bonus offered for candidates moving to Denver.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are assumed to be 40 hours per week, though the nature of a senior leadership role may require flexibility to meet business needs. The hybrid arrangement requires 3 days in the Denver office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range and detailed benefits are explicitly provided in the job description. The "working hours" section is an inference based on the "FULL_TIME" employment type and the typical expectations for senior leadership roles, balanced with adherence to standard work weeks. The hybrid nature and specific office days are also factored in.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Performance Marketing Platform / Adtech / E-commerce Technology. Ibotta operates at the intersection of retail, technology, and advertising, providing a performance marketing platform for brands to reach consumers through a network of publishers.

Company Size: Ibotta is a publicly traded company (NYSE: IBTA) with a significant employee base, indicating a mature and established organization with established processes and potential for further operational scaling.

Founded: Founded in 2012, Ibotta has a history of innovation and growth, culminating in one of the largest tech IPOs from Colorado. This implies a dynamic environment that values both established strategies and continuous evolution.

Team Structure:

• The Sr. Director, UX reports directly to the CTO.

• They will be a peer leader alongside VPs and SVPs in Product, Engineering, and Analytics, emphasizing a highly collaborative and integrated product development environment.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Product Development: Strong emphasis on research-informed decision-making and user insight to guide product strategy.

• User-Centricity: Core to the company's mission is making every purchase rewarding for shoppers, underscoring the importance of user experience.

• Agile & Iterative: As a fast-paced, post-IPO tech company, Ibotta likely employs agile methodologies, requiring UX to integrate effectively into iterative development cycles.

• AI Integration: A strategic focus on how emerging AI technologies can reshape product development and user experiences.

Company Website: https://www.ibotta.com/ (URL inferred from company name and context)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context is derived from the provided description and general knowledge of Ibotta's market position. The "performance marketing platform" and "adtech" aspects are crucial for understanding the B2B product context. The description of Ibotta as a "post-IPO" company suggests a need for operational maturity and scalability, which is directly relevant to the UX Director's role in defining operating models.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Director / Executive Leadership. This role is positioned at a senior leadership level, reporting to the CTO and operating as a peer to other C-suite and VP-level executives. The focus is on strategic oversight, organizational development, and influencing company-level decisions.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Manages two Directors who, in turn, lead teams within Product Design, UX Research, and Content Design.

Operations Impact: The UX Director has a significant impact on revenue and business decisions by ensuring product strategies are deeply rooted in user needs and experience quality. By shaping the user experience for both consumers and B2B clients, this role directly influences customer acquisition, retention, and overall platform value, thereby impacting revenue streams. The strategic integration of AI also positions the role to drive future growth and efficiency.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership Expansion: Potential to expand influence into broader product strategy, technology roadmap planning, and company-level decision-making forums.

• Organizational Development: Opportunity to further mature and scale the UX function, potentially growing the team and its capabilities in response to business needs and technological advancements (e.g., AI).

• Industry Influence: As a leader in a prominent tech company, opportunities may arise for industry speaking engagements, thought leadership contributions, and networking.

• Cross-functional Expertise: Deepen expertise by working closely with leaders in Product Management, Engineering, and Analytics, fostering a holistic understanding of technology business operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis is based on the role's seniority, reporting structure, and stated responsibilities. The "Operations Impact" section highlights how UX leadership directly influences business outcomes, a key aspect of revenue operations and GTM strategy. Growth opportunities are framed around expanding strategic influence and organizational development, typical for senior operational leaders.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model. Requires 3 mandatory days in the Denver office per week, with flexibility on the remaining days. This indicates a blend of collaborative in-office work and remote flexibility.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is Denver, Colorado. A relocation bonus is offered for candidates not currently based in Denver, underscoring the company's commitment to attracting talent to this location.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and peer leadership structure suggest an environment that values face-to-face collaboration for strategic discussions, ideation, and team building on designated office days.

• Tools & Technology: While specific tools aren't detailed, a Sr. Director level role in a tech company implies access to industry-standard design, research, collaboration, and productivity software. The role's focus on AI also suggests an environment open to adopting new technologies.

• Team Interaction: Designated office days provide opportunities for direct interaction with UX team members, cross-functional peers, and executive leadership, fostering stronger working relationships and team cohesion.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is implied by the "FULL_TIME" designation, senior leadership roles often require flexibility to manage strategic initiatives, team needs, and executive engagements. The hybrid schedule provides structure for in-office collaboration while allowing for some personal flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment description is based on the explicit "Hybrid" work arrangement, the Denver location, and the implications of a senior leadership role in a tech company. The focus is on how this environment supports both operational efficiency and collaborative strategic work.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely includes a review of your resume and application, focusing on leadership experience, organizational development track record, and strategic UX vision.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation with the CTO or another senior leader to assess strategic alignment, leadership philosophy, and high-level operational approach.

• Peer Interviews: Meetings with VPs/SVPs from Product, Engineering, and Analytics to evaluate cross-functional collaboration capabilities, strategic partnership potential, and understanding of the broader product development ecosystem.

• Team/Director Interviews: Discussions with the Directors reporting into this role and potentially key team members to assess leadership style, team development approach, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review & Case Study Presentation: A critical stage where candidates present their strategic work, demonstrate impact through case studies, and articulate their approach to UX operations, AI integration, and team scaling.

• Executive/Final Interview: Final assessment with senior executives to confirm strategic fit, leadership vision, and alignment with company objectives.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Strategic Leadership: Showcase how you've driven organizational change, defined operating models, and scaled UX functions. Quantify impact on business metrics (e.g., efficiency gains, improved product metrics, revenue impact).

• Demonstrate Process Maturity: Present examples of how you've operationalized UX, established quality standards, and integrated UX seamlessly into the product development lifecycle. Use diagrams or frameworks to illustrate your approach.

• Highlight AI & Future Thinking: Articulate your perspective on AI's impact on UX and how you would adapt the team's strategy and operations accordingly.

• Showcase Cross-functional Collaboration: Use case studies that illustrate successful partnerships with Product, Engineering, and Analytics, detailing how you navigated competing priorities and influenced outcomes.

• Present a Clear Narrative: Structure your portfolio presentation logically, telling a story about your leadership journey, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and measurable results achieved.

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic Scenario: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach a specific challenge, such as scaling UX in a rapidly growing company, integrating AI into existing workflows, or improving cross-functional collaboration under pressure.

• Operating Model Design: Be ready to articulate your philosophy on designing effective UX operating models and how you would assess and adapt Ibotta's current model.

• Leadership Philosophy: Prepare to discuss your approach to developing talent, fostering team culture, managing performance, and promoting diversity and inclusion within a UX organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is inferred based on standard hiring practices for senior leadership roles in technology companies, especially those with a strong emphasis on product and operations. The advice is tailored to a UX Director focusing on organizational strategy, process, and impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools (Inferred):

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (for design leadership oversight).

• UX Research Platforms: UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey (for overseeing research operations and infrastructure).

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack, Microsoft Teams (for operationalizing workflows and cross-functional communication).

• Design Systems Tools: Zeroheight, Storybook, or internal documentation platforms.

• AI/ML Tools: Awareness of tools and platforms relevant to AI-assisted design, content generation, or research analysis.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics (for understanding user behavior and measuring UX impact).

• Business Intelligence Tools: Tableau, Power BI, Looker (for data visualization and reporting to stakeholders).

• Data Warehousing/Databases: SQL (for understanding data structures and collaborating with analytics teams).

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: Salesforce, HubSpot (understanding how UX integrates with sales and marketing operations).

• Workflow Automation: Tools and strategies for automating repetitive tasks within the UX process or product development lifecycle.

• Integration Platforms: Awareness of how different systems connect to ensure seamless data flow impacting user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools listed are standard for a senior UX leadership role in a tech company. The emphasis is on the oversight and strategic application of these tools to optimize UX operations, rather than hands-on execution. The inclusion of AI-related tools and BI tools reflects the modern demands of such a position.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Integrity: Upholding ethical standards in user research, data handling, and decision-making.

• Boldness: Encouraging innovative solutions, taking calculated risks, and challenging the status quo in UX and product development.

• Ownership: Fostering a culture where team members take responsibility for their work, its impact, and continuous improvement.

• Teamwork: Promoting strong collaboration within the UX team and across product, engineering, and analytics functions.

• Transparency: Open communication regarding UX strategy, research findings, and operational processes.

• A Good Idea Can Come from Anywhere: Cultivating an inclusive environment where all team members feel empowered to contribute ideas that can shape products and processes.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Emphasizes embedding UX as a strategic partner within product development teams, not an isolated function.

• Evidence-Based Argumentation: Decisions and recommendations are expected to be grounded in user research, data analysis, and strategic reasoning.

• Constructive Candor: Open and honest feedback is encouraged to drive continuous improvement and ensure high-quality outcomes.

• Agile & Iterative: Collaboration occurs within fast-paced, iterative cycles, requiring adaptability and efficient communication.

• Empowerment & Autonomy: While strategic direction is set, the culture likely empowers team members to own their work and find effective solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core values are directly taken from the job description. The collaboration style is inferred from the description of peer leadership, cross-functional partnerships, and the need for speed and agility in a post-IPO tech environment. This highlights how operational collaboration is fostered.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Maturing UX at Scale: Evolving the UX operating model and processes to effectively support rapid company growth and increasing product complexity.

• Balancing Speed and Quality: Navigating the inherent tension between delivering quickly in a fast-paced environment and ensuring high-quality, user-centered experiences.

• Integrating AI Strategically: Defining and implementing a forward-thinking strategy for leveraging AI in UX workflows and product development, without compromising user trust or experience quality.

• Influencing Without Direct Authority: Effectively driving user-centricity and UX standards across departments where UX may not have direct reporting lines.

• Organizational Change Management: Leading the UX team and influencing stakeholders through evolving methodologies, tools, and strategic priorities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Leadership Skills: Opportunities to refine executive presence, strategic negotiation, and organizational development skills.

• AI in UX Specialization: Deepen expertise in the application of AI to design, research, content creation, and product development workflows.

• Cross-Functional Strategic Acumen: Broaden understanding of product management, engineering, and business operations through close collaboration with peer leaders.

• Industry Best Practices: Stay abreast of evolving UX methodologies, design systems, and research techniques through conferences, publications, and internal knowledge sharing.

• Mentorship & Leadership Development: Potential for mentorship from senior executives and opportunities to mentor emerging leaders within the UX team.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are identified based on the seniority of the role, the company's stage (post-IPO, growing), and the explicit mention of AI's impact. Growth opportunities are framed around expanding strategic influence and operational expertise, typical for senior leadership roles aiming for further career progression.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach defining and evolving the UX operating model at Ibotta to ensure scalability and efficiency as we continue to grow?"

• "Describe your strategy for integrating AI into our UX workflows and product development process. What are the key opportunities and risks?"

• "How do you ensure user-centered decision-making is prioritized at the executive level, especially when faced with competing business priorities or tight deadlines?"

• "Outline your approach to building and developing a high-performing, multi-discipline UX team, including managing other directors."

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How would you foster a culture of ownership, candor, and continuous learning within the UX team, aligning with Ibotta's core values?"

• "Describe your experience collaborating with Product, Engineering, and Analytics leaders. How do you build strong peer relationships and influence outcomes?"

• "How do you see the UX function contributing to Ibotta's overall business strategy and revenue growth?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with a high-level overview of your strategic vision and operational philosophy. Then, dive into 2-3 key case studies that demonstrate your ability to lead organizational change, scale operations, and drive measurable results.

• Quantify Everything: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your strategic solution (including operational changes), the actions taken, and the quantifiable outcomes (e.g., X% increase in efficiency, Y% reduction in design debt, Z% improvement in user satisfaction).

• Showcase Process & Systems: Visually represent your approach to operating models, quality standards, and cross-functional integration. Use diagrams or flowcharts to illustrate complex processes.

• Address AI Proactively: Be ready to discuss your perspective on AI's role in UX and how you would leverage it strategically within your team's operations.

• Engage and Be Prepared for Q&A: Practice your presentation to be concise and engaging. Anticipate questions about challenges, trade-offs, and specific operational details.

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview questions and preparation tips are crafted to align with the strategic, operational, and leadership aspects of the Sr. Director, UX role. They focus on the candidate's ability to build, scale, and strategically guide a UX organization, emphasizing operational excellence and business impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Sr. Director, UX position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ibotta's Workday careers portal.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your experience in building and maturing UX organizations, defining operating models, leading multi-discipline teams, and driving strategic UX initiatives. Emphasize quantifiable achievements and leadership impact.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a portfolio that showcases your strategic leadership in UX operations. Focus on case studies demonstrating organizational development, process optimization, scalability initiatives, and cross-functional collaboration. Quantify results wherever possible.

• Research Ibotta: Deeply understand Ibotta's business model (performance marketing, D2C/B2B), its market position, recent IPO, and its stated core values. Consider how your leadership style and UX strategy would align with and enhance these aspects.

• Practice Your Narrative: Prepare to articulate your UX vision, leadership philosophy, and approach to operationalizing UX excellence. Be ready to discuss your perspective on AI's impact and how you would lead through change.

⚠️ 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.