Sr UX Designer I

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr UX Designer I

Company: Elsevier

Location: Mexico City, Mexico

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: UX/Product Design

Date Posted: May 25, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (4-8 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design of complex workflows and user journeys, translating user insights into intuitive and effective product solutions.

• Drive the end-to-end design process, from problem framing and user research to detailed UI execution and engineering handoff.

• Collaborate closely with product management, engineering, and other stakeholders to deliver high-quality, accessible, and user-centered experiences within an agile framework.

• Contribute to and maintain shared design system patterns, ensuring consistency and efficiency across product offerings.

• Champion user needs and design best practices within a global, cross-functional team environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Sr UX Designer I," the description emphasizes a blend of discovery (research, problem framing) and delivery (execution, engineering handoff), suggesting a role with significant autonomy and impact on product outcomes, aligning with a mid-to-senior level UX professional. The focus on complex workflows and B2B SaaS environments points towards a need for strategic thinking and a deep understanding of enterprise user needs.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive user research, analyze user data and analytics, and synthesize findings to identify key user needs and pain points within complex workflows.

• Translate user insights and business requirements into clear, intuitive, and high-fidelity user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes using tools like Figma.

• Design practical, accessible, and visually appealing product experiences, ensuring adherence to design principles and accessibility standards (WCAG).

• Account for all critical design elements, including edge cases, permissions, loading states, error handling, and various user scenarios to ensure robust and reliable user interfaces.

• Facilitate effective communication and collaboration with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment on design vision and successful implementation.

• Contribute to the evolution and adoption of the company's design system, ensuring consistency and scalability of design patterns across the product portfolio.

• Prepare and deliver clear, concise design specifications and assets for engineering teams, supporting a smooth and efficient development handoff process.

• Mentor junior designers and peers, sharing expertise and best practices in UX design, interaction design, and user research methodologies.

• Actively participate in agile ceremonies, providing design input and adapting designs based on feedback and evolving project requirements.

• Explore and evaluate new design tools, technologies, and methodologies to continuously improve the design process and product outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "problem framing and product execution," "understanding complex user journeys," and "designing clear solutions" indicates a responsibility that extends beyond basic UI design to strategic problem-solving and influencing product direction. The requirement to "account for edge cases, permissions, loading states, errors" highlights the need for meticulous attention to detail and a systems-thinking approach critical in enterprise software design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A degree in UX, HCI, Design, Psychology, Communication, Computer Science, or a related field is welcome; equivalent experience is equally valued.

Experience: 4–8 years of experience in UX, product design, interaction design, or a related field.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in UX design and product design, with a strong portfolio showcasing the design of complex products or workflows informed by user insights.

• Proficiency in interaction design principles and best practices, with a solid understanding of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG).

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with engineering teams, understanding technical constraints and facilitating smooth design handoffs.

• Experience conducting user research, discovery activities, or other UX investigation methods to gather and interpret user feedback.

• Familiarity with agile or iterative product development methodologies and experience working within cross-functional product teams.

• Strong skills in using design and prototyping tools, with a specific mention of Figma as a primary tool.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in B2B SaaS, enterprise tools, healthcare, editorial workflows, publishing, or similar professional environments.

• Experience with user journey mapping and information architecture.

• Ability to contribute to and leverage shared design system patterns.

• Experience with analytics tools for understanding user behavior and informing design decisions.

• A proactive and hands-on approach to problem-solving, with the ability to balance systemic thinking with detailed execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "4-8 years of experience" coupled with "Sr UX Designer I" suggests a candidate who has moved beyond junior roles and can independently manage significant design challenges. The requirement for a portfolio demonstrating "complex products or workflows" is a key differentiator, indicating a need for experience in intricate, multi-faceted systems rather than simple applications. The preference for B2B SaaS, healthcare, or publishing environments points to a need for domain understanding or a demonstrated ability to quickly grasp complex industry-specific user needs.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A portfolio that clearly demonstrates experience designing complex products or workflows, with a focus on how user insights informed the design process and outcomes.

• Case studies should highlight the problem statement, your role and contributions, the design process, key decisions made, and the resulting impact on user experience or business goals.

• Showcase a range of design artifacts, including user flows, wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes, demonstrating your proficiency in tools like Figma.

• Evidence of understanding and applying accessibility principles within your designs.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase your ability to document design processes, including user research methodologies, ideation techniques, and iteration cycles.

• Provide examples of how you've contributed to or utilized design systems to maintain consistency and efficiency.

• Demonstrate your approach to problem-solving complex user challenges, detailing the steps taken from discovery to solution.

• Include examples of how you have measured the success of your designs, whether through user feedback, analytics, or other relevant metrics.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond just showcasing aesthetic design; it must articulate a strategic approach to problem-solving. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their process in detail, emphasizing how they leveraged research, tackled complexity, and collaborated to achieve tangible results. The expectation is for a comprehensive narrative for each case study, not just a collection of final screens.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Senior UX Designer in Mexico City with 4-8 years of experience, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between MXN 45,000 to MXN 75,000 per month. This range can vary based on specific skills, qualifications, and the candidate's negotiation.

Benefits:

• Private Medical Plan: Comprehensive health coverage for the employee.

• Private Dental Plan: Specialized dental care benefits.

• Savings Fund: A company-supported savings program.

• Life Insurance: Financial protection for beneficiaries.

• Meal Voucher: For use at participating establishments.

• Grocery Voucher: For purchasing groceries.

• Shared Parental Leave: Paid leave for new parents.

• Study Assistance: Support for professional development and continued education.

• Sabbaticals: Opportunities for extended leave for personal or professional growth.

• Flexible Hybrid Work Model: Combines in-person collaboration with remote flexibility.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with a flexible hybrid work model allowing for a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is an estimate based on general market data for senior UX Design roles in Mexico City. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate's experience, specific skill set, and Elsevier's internal compensation structure. The benefits listed are directly from the job description, highlighting a strong package designed to support employee well-being and professional growth. The hybrid model is explicitly detailed, indicating expectations for in-office presence for team rituals and collaboration.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Information and Analytics, Healthcare, Science, and Education. Elsevier is a global leader in providing essential information and analytical tools that support researchers, clinicians, and students worldwide.

Company Size: Elsevier is part of RELX, a global provider of information and analytics for professionals and businesses. RELX is a large, publicly traded company (FTSE 100) with tens of thousands of employees globally, indicating a very large organization.

Founded: Elsevier has a long history, tracing its roots back to 1880, with a strong legacy in publishing that has evolved into a data and analytics powerhouse.

Team Structure:

• The UX design team operates within product groups focused on specific areas like health providers, medical students, or clinical insights.

• Designers typically report to a UX Design Manager or Lead, working closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and Researchers.

• Collaboration is key, with a strong emphasis on cross-functional partnerships to drive product development from concept to launch.

Methodology:

• The design team leverages a hybrid approach, combining agile development practices with a user-centered design methodology.

• Emphasis is placed on data-driven decision-making, utilizing user research, analytics, and stakeholder input to inform design strategies.

• Design systems are used to ensure consistency, efficiency, and scalability across a broad portfolio of products.

• Continuous improvement is encouraged, with opportunities to explore new tools, technologies, and design approaches.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Elsevier's position as a global leader in information and analytics for science and healthcare means the UX team works on products with significant real-world impact. The company's large size and global presence suggest a structured environment with established processes, but also opportunities for influence within specialized product teams. The hybrid work model reflects modern workplace trends, balancing flexibility with the need for in-person collaboration.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as a Senior UX Designer I, indicating a professional who has moved beyond entry-level or intermediate positions. They are expected to work with a high degree of autonomy, tackle complex design challenges, and contribute to strategic design decisions. This level often involves mentoring junior team members and influencing design direction within their product area.

Reporting Structure: Senior UX Designers typically report to a UX Design Manager or Lead, and work in close alignment with Product Managers and Engineering Leads within specific product teams. This structure facilitates close collaboration and ensures design efforts are integrated with product strategy and development cycles.

Operations Impact: UX Designers at Elsevier directly influence the usability, efficiency, and effectiveness of critical tools used by healthcare professionals, researchers, and students. Their work impacts patient outcomes, scientific discovery, and educational success by making complex information and workflows more accessible and actionable. The role is central to driving user adoption and satisfaction, which in turn impacts the success and market position of Elsevier's products.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific domains like healthcare UX, scientific research tools, or educational technology.

• Leadership: Progress to Senior UX Designer II, Lead UX Designer, or UX Design Manager roles, taking on more strategic responsibilities and managing teams.

• Skill Development: Opportunities to expand skills in areas such as user research methodologies, information architecture, service design, and design operations.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Potential to move into related roles within Product Management, User Research, or Design Operations.

• Mentorship: Gain experience mentoring junior designers and contributing to the growth of the design community within Elsevier.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Sr UX Designer I" title implies a solid foundation and the potential for further growth. The emphasis on "complex workflows" and "B2B SaaS" suggests that career progression might involve tackling increasingly intricate systems and potentially leading design initiatives for major product areas. The connection to healthcare and science means that impact can be measured not just in user satisfaction but in tangible improvements to professional practice and research outcomes.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Elsevier operates a hybrid work model, meaning employees will split their time between working remotely and in a physical office location. This model is designed to foster both flexibility and in-person collaboration.

Office Location(s): The role is based in Mexico City, Mexico. Specific office details, amenities, and accessibility for the Mexico City location would need to be confirmed directly with the hiring team, but large organizations like Elsevier typically provide well-equipped office spaces.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model encourages in-person collaboration for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and crucial engineering rituals, fostering a connected team dynamic.

• Tools and Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools such as Figma, along with other relevant software for research, prototyping, and communication.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities to interact with a diverse, global team of designers, product managers, and engineers, promoting knowledge sharing and diverse perspectives.

• Focus on User Experience: The environment is geared towards creating impactful user experiences, with a strong emphasis on user research and data-driven design decisions.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected, with flexibility provided through the hybrid work arrangement. Team-specific cadences for in-office days and meetings will be communicated by the team lead.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of this role is a key aspect of the work environment. Candidates should anticipate a balance of remote autonomy and in-office collaboration. The "regular team meetings and engineering rituals" suggest a structured approach to hybrid work, where specific times are designated for team synchronization and collaborative activities.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion about your background, experience, and fit for the role, often focusing on your design philosophy and approach to complex problems.

• Design Challenge/Portfolio Review: A deep dive into your portfolio, potentially including a presentation of a case study. You may also be given a design exercise to assess your problem-solving skills, design process, and ability to articulate your decisions.

• Team/Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with potential colleagues (Product Managers, Engineers, other Designers) to evaluate collaboration skills and cultural fit.

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

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your experience with complex workflows, B2B SaaS, or similar environments.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role and contributions, the process you followed (research, ideation, iteration), key design decisions and their rationale, and the impact of your work (quantifiable if possible).

• Highlight Complexity: Emphasize how you approached intricate user journeys, handled edge cases, and ensured accessibility.

• Showcase Process: Include wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and research findings, not just final polished screens.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, how you handled feedback, and how you collaborate with others.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, thoroughly understand the problem statement, target users, and business goals.

• Structure Your Approach: Outline your process for tackling the challenge, including how you would gather information, brainstorm solutions, and iterate.

• Articulate Your Rationale: Be ready to explain why you made specific design decisions, referencing UX principles, user needs, and business objectives.

• Consider Edge Cases: Demonstrate your ability to think through potential issues, error states, and different user scenarios.

• Practice Presentation: Rehearse presenting your work and explaining your process concisely and clearly, especially if it's a timed exercise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "complex products or workflows" in the requirements means the portfolio review will likely focus heavily on how the candidate navigates and solves intricate design problems, rather than just aesthetic execution. Candidates should be prepared to discuss trade-offs, constraints, and how they balanced user needs with business objectives in challenging scenarios.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Explicitly mentioned as the primary tool for designing practical, accessible, high-quality product experiences. Proficiency is expected for wireframing, prototyping, and creating high-fidelity mockups.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma is primary, familiarity with other prototyping tools is often beneficial for demonstrating diverse skills.

• Design System Tools: Experience working with and contributing to design systems, which often involves understanding component libraries and style guides.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics Platforms: Experience using tools to review user analytics (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Pendo, Mixpanel) to inform design decisions and measure impact.

• Data Visualization Tools: While not explicitly mentioned, the ability to interpret data visualizations and potentially create them can be advantageous.

CRM & Automation:

• Agile Project Management Tools: Familiarity with tools used in agile development cycles, such as Jira, Confluence, or similar platforms for tracking tasks, sprints, and design documentation.

• Collaboration Platforms: Proficiency in tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar for daily communication and team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the cornerstone tool for this role. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their expertise in Figma, including its advanced features for collaboration, prototyping, and design system integration. While other tools are not explicitly listed, a strong understanding of the broader UX design toolchain, including research, analytics, and project management software, is expected for a senior-level position.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for user needs, ensuring that design decisions are always grounded in user insights and empathy.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on working effectively with cross-functional teams, fostering open communication, and valuing diverse perspectives to achieve shared goals.

• Excellence & Quality: A dedication to delivering high-quality, polished, and accessible design solutions that meet both user needs and business objectives.

• Curiosity & Continuous Learning: An ongoing drive to explore new ideas, technologies, and methodologies, staying abreast of industry trends and seeking opportunities for personal and professional growth.

• Impact-Driven: A focus on designing solutions that deliver tangible value to users and contribute significantly to the success of Elsevier's products and mission.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to work seamlessly with Product Managers, Engineers, Researchers, and other stakeholders, actively participating in team discussions and decision-making processes.

• Evidence-Based Communication: Design decisions are communicated and justified using data from user research, analytics, and stakeholder input, fostering a culture of informed discussion.

• Iterative Feedback: An open approach to receiving and giving constructive feedback, utilizing it to refine designs and improve the overall product development process.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages sharing best practices, learnings, and insights across the design team and broader organization to elevate collective expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission to "advance science and healthcare to advance human progress" suggests a culture that values purpose-driven work. For a UX Designer, this translates into a deep sense of responsibility for the impact of their designs on critical professional workflows. The emphasis on "curiosity, thoughtful, collaborative, and hands-on" individuals reinforces a culture that values initiative, teamwork, and practical problem-solving.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Complexity: Navigating and simplifying highly complex user workflows and data-rich environments common in scientific and healthcare industries.

• Global Stakeholder Alignment: Effectively collaborating with and aligning stakeholders across different time zones, cultures, and with potentially differing perspectives.

• Balancing Discovery and Delivery: Efficiently managing the demands of both in-depth user research and rapid product execution within agile cycles.

• Evolving Technology Landscape: Staying current with rapid advancements in UX design tools, methodologies, and user expectations in the digital space.

• Integrating Design Systems: Ensuring consistent and effective adoption of design systems across a diverse and evolving product portfolio.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Domain Expertise: Deepen knowledge in specific Elsevier domains such as healthcare informatics, scientific publishing, or educational technology through project work and internal resources.

• Advanced UX Skills: Opportunities to hone skills in areas like service design, complex data visualization, advanced user research techniques, and ethical design.

• Leadership Development: Pathways to take on lead roles on projects, mentor junior designers, and contribute to strategic design initiatives.

• Industry Engagement: Potential to attend industry conferences, workshops, and training sessions to stay at the forefront of UX design.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Exposure to the work of researchers, data scientists, and product managers, broadening understanding of the entire product lifecycle and business strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges in this role stem from the inherent complexity of Elsevier's products and user bases. Success will require not only strong design skills but also adaptability, excellent communication, and a proactive approach to learning and problem-solving. The growth opportunities are tied to developing deeper domain expertise and taking on more strategic and leadership responsibilities within the UX function.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a highly complex user workflow. What was your process, and what were the key challenges and outcomes?" (Focus on problem framing, user research, iterative design, and impact measurement.)

• "How do you balance the needs of different stakeholders (e.g., users, product managers, engineers) when making design decisions?" (Highlight collaboration, negotiation, and evidence-based rationale.)

• "Walk me through a project from your portfolio where you identified a significant user need through research and how your design addressed it." (Emphasize your research methodology, design process, and the resulting user benefit.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working at Elsevier and specifically on our health/science products?" (Research Elsevier's mission, recent news, and specific product areas that resonate with you.)

• "How do you approach working within a hybrid team environment and collaborating with global colleagues?" (Discuss your strategies for effective communication and engagement.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, the process, key decisions, and outcomes. Aim for a compelling story that showcases your thinking.

• Focus on Process, Not Just Pixels: Demonstrate your problem-solving approach, research methods, and iterative design process. Show your wireframes, user flows, and prototypes.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use data or metrics to illustrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved task completion rates, increased user satisfaction, reduced error rates).

• Be Prepared for the 'Why': Be ready to deeply explain the rationale behind your design choices and how they align with user needs and business goals.

• Engage Your Audience: Make it a conversation. Ask clarifying questions and be open to discussion and feedback on your presented work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely be rigorous, focusing on both design craft and strategic thinking. Candidates should prepare to articulate their design process in detail, demonstrate problem-solving skills through case studies, and show an understanding of the impact their work has on users and the business. Deep research into Elsevier's industry and mission will be crucial for demonstrating cultural fit.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Elsevier Careers portal.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight experience relevant to complex workflows, B2B SaaS, UX/Product Design, user research, and proficiency with tools like Figma. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Select your most impactful projects that showcase your ability to handle complex design challenges. Structure your case studies to clearly articulate the problem, process, your role, and outcomes. Be ready to present and discuss your work in detail.

• Research Elsevier: Understand Elsevier's mission, target industries (healthcare, science, education), and recent product developments. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

• Practice Your Narrative: Rehearse explaining your design process, key decisions, and project outcomes. Be ready to answer behavioral questions and discuss your approach to collaboration and problem-solving in a hybrid work environment.

⚠️ 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.