UX Design - Manager- Commercial Technology & Innovation

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Design - Manager, Commercial Technology & Innovation

Company: PwC

Location: New York, NY; Dallas, TX; Tampa, FL; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Washington, DC, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: Commercial Technology & Innovation (Design)

Date Posted: 2026-08-17

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead innovative user experience (UX) design initiatives for commercial technology software products and solutions within PwC's Advisory practice.

• Drive product innovation by combining technical expertise with creative thinking to meet evolving client needs.

• Motivate, develop, and inspire a team to deliver high-quality outcomes, leveraging individual strengths to exceed client expectations.

• Own projects from planning and budgeting through execution and completion, ensuring professional and technical standards are met.

• Foster a culture of integrity, authenticity, and innovation, embracing technology to enhance delivery and encourage team growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within PwC's Advisory practice, indicating a strong focus on client-facing work and the application of UX design principles to solve business challenges. The "Commercial Technology & Innovation" specialization suggests a mandate to develop and implement cutting-edge solutions that drive business value for clients. The emphasis on "leading teams" and "owning projects" signifies a management-level responsibility with a blend of strategic oversight and hands-on execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead user experience (UX) design initiatives to significantly enhance product interaction, user satisfaction, and overall client value.

• Guide UX design teams through the strategic planning, budgeting, and execution phases of user-centered design projects, ensuring alignment with business objectives.

• Apply analytical thinking and creative design methodologies to develop innovative software solutions that address complex client challenges.

• Conduct comprehensive user research and rigorous usability testing to gather actionable insights that inform design decisions and optimize user journeys.

• Develop detailed user personas and robust customer experience (CX) strategies that align with client needs and market opportunities.

• Oversee the creation and iteration of user interface (UI) prototypes and design specifications, with a strong focus on usability and accessibility.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including product managers, engineers, and business analysts, to integrate human-computer interaction (HCI) principles into the product development lifecycle.

• Mentor and coach team members, fostering their professional growth and expanding their skills in UX design, research, and metrics analysis.

• Proactively address and resolve conflicts or issues with clients and internal stakeholders, engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain strong relationships and uphold standards.

• Uphold and champion professional and technical standards in all design and development activities, ensuring the delivery of best-in-class UX solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership, team management, and hands-on design execution. The emphasis on "analytical thinking," "creative design," "user research," and "usability testing" points to a data-driven approach to UX. The requirement to "collaborate with cross-functional teams" and "integrate HCI principles" underscores the importance of cross-disciplinary teamwork. The explicit mention of "mentoring" and "resolving conflicts" indicates a significant people management component.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, Psychology, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in UX design, with a significant portion in a leadership or management capacity.

• Proven track record of successfully leading and delivering complex UX design projects from conception to launch. Required Skills:

• User Experience (UX) Design: Deep expertise in UX principles, methodologies, and best practices for digital products and services.

• Product Innovation: Demonstrated ability to drive innovation through user-centered design and the development of novel solutions.

• Strategic Planning: Proficiency in developing strategic roadmaps for UX initiatives that align with broader business and product goals.

• Analytical Thinking: Strong ability to analyze user data, identify patterns, and translate insights into effective design solutions.

• Creative Design: Exceptional creativity and problem-solving skills applied to visual design, interaction design, and overall user journeys.

• User Research: Extensive experience planning and conducting various user research methods (e.g., interviews, surveys, contextual inquiry).

• Usability Testing: Proficiency in designing and executing usability tests to identify and resolve user friction points.

• Human-Centered Design (HCD): Deep understanding and practical application of HCD principles throughout the design process.

• Team Leadership: Proven ability to lead, motivate, and manage design teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.

• Mentoring: Experience in coaching and developing junior designers, guiding their skill progression.

Preferred Skills:

• User Interface (UI) Prototyping: Advanced skills in creating interactive prototypes using tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar.

• Customer Experience (CX) Strategy: Experience in developing and implementing comprehensive CX strategies.

• User Personas: Ability to create detailed and actionable user personas based on research.

• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI): Strong theoretical and practical understanding of HCI principles.

• Project Management: Experience in managing project timelines, budgets, and resources effectively.

• Stakeholder Management: Skill in communicating design vision and rationale to diverse stakeholders, including senior leadership.

• Metrics Analysis: Ability to define, track, and interpret UX metrics to measure success and drive continuous improvement.

• Survey Research: Experience designing and analyzing survey data for user insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "What Sets You Apart" section in the original description has been integrated into the "Preferred Skills" to provide a more structured view of desired qualifications. The emphasis on both foundational UX skills and leadership capabilities is crucial for this managerial role. The inclusion of specific research and strategy skills like "customer experience strategies" and "user personas" indicates a strategic rather than purely execution-focused UX function.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies Demonstrating Impact: Showcase 3-5 detailed case studies that illustrate your leadership in UX design projects, highlighting the problem statement, your role, the process followed, key decisions made, and quantifiable outcomes.

• Process Optimization Examples: Include examples of how you have identified and implemented improvements to UX design processes, workflows, or methodologies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

• System Implementation Standards: Present projects where you have influenced or guided the implementation of UX designs within technology systems, demonstrating an understanding of technical constraints and integration.

• Return on Investment (ROI) Demonstration: For key projects, clearly articulate the business impact and ROI achieved through your UX design leadership, using data and metrics to support your claims.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design and Optimization: Demonstrate experience in designing and documenting user-centered design workflows, from initial concept and research through to final implementation and iteration.

• Implementation and Automation: Showcase projects where you have contributed to the effective implementation of designs within development pipelines, potentially leveraging automation tools or techniques where applicable.

• Measurement and Performance Analysis: Detail your approach to measuring the success of UX designs post-launch, including the collection and analysis of performance data, user feedback, and key performance indicators (KPIs).

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Design Manager role, a portfolio is critical. The requirements focus on demonstrating leadership, strategic thinking, and tangible results. The emphasis on "process optimization" and "ROI demonstration" aligns with the revenue operations and GTM focus of this enhancement, suggesting that UX impact is expected to be directly tied to business outcomes. Documenting design workflows and performance analysis is key for a management role.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $99,000 - $232,000 USD per year.

• Note on Range: This salary range is provided by PwC and reflects their assessment of the role's scope, required experience, and market competitiveness. The final compensation for an individual candidate will be determined by factors such as their specific skills, qualifications, years of experience, and geographic location, in compliance with applicable employment laws.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans.

• Retirement Savings: 401k plan with potential employer contributions.

• Paid Time Off: Generous Holiday pay, Vacation days, and Personal/Family Sick Leave.

• Professional Development: Access to learning resources and opportunities for skill enhancement.

• Discretionary Bonus: Eligibility for an annual discretionary bonus, tied to individual and firm performance.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time engagement is typically 40 hours per week.

• Travel: Up to 20% travel may be required for client engagements or team meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is quite broad, common for managerial roles that can encompass a wide spectrum of experience and location-based pay adjustments. The benefits package is standard for a large professional services firm like PwC, emphasizing comprehensive health and retirement support, along with robust paid time off. The explicit mention of travel underscores the client-facing nature of the role.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Professional Services / Consulting (Technology & Innovation focus within Advisory)

Company Size: Large enterprise (PwC is one of the "Big Four" accounting firms, employing over 300,000 people globally).

Founded: 1849 (as Price Waterhouse and Coopers & Lybrand, later merged to form PwC). PwC has a long-standing reputation for professional integrity and client service.

Team Structure:

• Operations Team: This role sits within the Commercial Technology & Innovation group, which is part of the broader Advisory practice. The UX Design Manager will likely lead a team of UX designers and potentially collaborate closely with product managers, innovation strategists, and technology consultants.

• Reporting Structure: Typically, a Manager reports to a Senior Manager or Director within their practice area. The team structure will involve direct reports who are UX designers, researchers, and potentially UI specialists.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Expect extensive collaboration with client teams, internal PwC technology specialists, strategy consultants, and other advisory service lines to deliver integrated solutions.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: PwC emphasizes a data-driven approach, leveraging analytics and user research to inform design decisions and measure impact.

• Agile & Iterative Development: Projects likely follow agile methodologies, with an iterative approach to design, development, and deployment.

• Client-Centric Solutions: A core focus on understanding and addressing client business challenges through innovative technology and design solutions.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: PwC's culture is generally characterized by professionalism, collaboration, client focus, and a commitment to continuous learning and development. For a role in Commercial Technology & Innovation, the culture is likely to be more dynamic and forward-thinking, encouraging experimentation and the adoption of new technologies and design approaches. The scale of PwC means that operations professionals will benefit from structured processes and extensive resources, while also needing to navigate a large organizational structure.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Manager (Mid-to-Senior Level Management)

This role represents a significant step into leadership within the UX design discipline. As a Manager, you are expected to not only execute but also to strategically guide teams, manage client relationships, and contribute to the growth of the practice. This level demands a balance of deep technical expertise in UX and strong people and project management skills.

Reporting Structure:

You will report to a Senior Manager or Director within the Advisory practice, likely focused on technology and digital transformation. You will directly manage a team of UX Designers, potentially including UI Designers and UX Researchers, depending on the team's specialization.

Operations Impact:

Your impact will be measured by the successful design and implementation of innovative technology solutions that drive tangible business value for PwC's clients. This includes improving client satisfaction, enhancing operational efficiency, enabling new revenue streams, and strengthening PwC's reputation as a leader in digital transformation and UX design. Your leadership will directly influence team performance, project success, and client outcomes.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advancement to Senior Manager/Director: A clear path exists to progress into more senior leadership roles, taking on larger teams, more complex client engagements, and greater strategic responsibility within the Advisory practice.

• Specialization and Expertise: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas of UX, such as AI-driven design, accessibility, or emerging technologies, and become a recognized subject matter expert.

• Leadership Development Programs: PwC offers extensive leadership training and development programs designed to hone management, strategic thinking, and client relationship skills.

• Cross-Practice Collaboration: The chance to work on diverse projects across various industries and service lines, broadening your experience and network within the firm.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a significant growth trajectory within a large, reputable professional services firm. The emphasis is on developing both technical UX leadership and broader business acumen, preparing individuals for senior management positions. The scale of PwC provides ample opportunities for specialization and cross-functional development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, requiring regular presence in one of PwC's major office locations. The environment is typically professional, collaborative, and geared towards client service and project work.

Office Location(s): The role is available in multiple locations: New York, NY; Dallas, TX; Tampa, FL; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; and Washington, DC. Candidates will be expected to work from their assigned office location.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hubs: Offices are designed with a mix of individual workspaces, team collaboration areas, meeting rooms, and client presentation spaces.

• Technology Enabled: Access to PwC's robust technology infrastructure, including high-speed internet, advanced collaboration tools, and necessary hardware/software for design work.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for daily interaction with your direct reports, peers, and senior leadership, fostering a strong team dynamic and knowledge sharing.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is full-time, approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility often available depending on project demands and team needs.

• Travel: Expect up to 20% travel, which may include client sites, industry events, or other PwC offices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is typical for client-facing roles in consulting, emphasizing in-person collaboration and client engagement. The availability across multiple major cities provides flexibility for candidates. The workspace context suggests a modern office environment designed to support both focused work and team collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: A recruiter will review your application and resume, focusing on alignment with the core requirements and experience level.

2. Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the Hiring Manager to assess your leadership experience, UX philosophy, team management approach, and understanding of PwC's Advisory practice. This may include behavioral questions.

3. Portfolio Review & Case Study: A dedicated session where you will present selected case studies from your portfolio. Be prepared to walk through your process, design decisions, challenges faced, and quantifiable outcomes. This is a critical stage to demonstrate your UX expertise and leadership.

4. Team/Peer Interviews: You may meet with other UX professionals, potential direct reports, or cross-functional team members to evaluate your collaboration style, technical skills, and cultural fit.

5. Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader (e.g., Director) to discuss your strategic vision, leadership potential, and overall fit for the firm.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your UX leadership, problem-solving skills, and impact. Prioritize projects relevant to commercial technology, innovation, or client-facing solutions.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly articulate: The Business Problem, Your Role & Responsibilities, The UX Process (Research, Ideation, Design, Testing), Key Design Decisions & Rationale, Challenges & Solutions, and Quantifiable Results/Impact (e.g., increased conversion, reduced support tickets, improved user satisfaction scores).

• Highlight Leadership: Emphasize your role in guiding teams, mentoring junior members, and influencing stakeholders. Use "we" when referring to team efforts but clearly delineate your specific contributions.

• Showcase Process, Not Just Pixels: Demonstrate your understanding of the entire UX lifecycle, not just final visual designs. Explain your research methods, testing protocols, and how you translated insights into design.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design philosophy, how you handle conflict, your approach to managing underperforming team members, and how you measure UX success.

Challenge Preparation:

• Scenario-Based Questions: Be ready to discuss how you would approach a hypothetical UX challenge within a commercial technology context. Think about how you would gather requirements, conduct research, and develop a solution.

• Leadership Scenarios: Prepare examples of how you have managed difficult team dynamics, resolved client issues, or driven consensus among stakeholders.

• PwC's Business: Research PwC's Advisory services, their focus on technology and innovation, and current industry trends. Understand how UX design contributes to their client offerings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a UX Manager role at a firm like PwC will be rigorous, focusing heavily on leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to demonstrate impact through a well-curated portfolio. The emphasis on "quantifiable results" and "ROI" suggests that UX is viewed as a driver of business value, not just an aesthetic function.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), InVision, Axure RP.

• User Research & Testing: UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, Optimal Workshop, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey.

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Miro, Mural.

• Presentation: Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics.

• Product Analytics: Mixpanel, Amplitude.

• Dashboarding: Tableau, Power BI, Looker.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM: Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics 365 (understanding how UX impacts CRM adoption and effectiveness).

• Automation Tools: While not directly a UX tool, understanding how UX integrates with automation platforms (e.g., workflow automation, marketing automation) can be beneficial.

• Integration Tools: Familiarity with APIs and how user interfaces interact with backend systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: This list represents a comprehensive stack for UX professionals. A Manager is expected to be proficient in core design and research tools and have a strong understanding of how UX integrates with analytics, project management, and CRM systems. Familiarity with data visualization tools is also a plus for demonstrating impact.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence & Quality: A commitment to delivering high-quality, impactful UX designs and solutions that exceed client expectations.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and team members work together effectively to achieve common goals.

• Innovation & Curiosity: Encouraging exploration of new ideas, technologies, and design approaches to drive continuous improvement and stay ahead of industry trends.

• Integrity & Professionalism: Upholding the highest ethical standards in all interactions, client engagements, and design practices.

• Client Focus: Deeply understanding client needs and delivering solutions that provide tangible business value and enhance user satisfaction.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively engaging with product management, engineering, marketing, and client stakeholders to ensure a unified approach to product development and user experience.

• Open Feedback Culture: Promoting a safe space for constructive feedback exchange among team members and with stakeholders to refine designs and processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, learnings, and insights across the UX team and wider PwC network to foster collective growth and expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: PwC's core values of Excellence, Integrity, and Teamwork are foundational. Within the Commercial Technology & Innovation group, these are likely augmented by a strong emphasis on innovation, client-centricity, and a dynamic, problem-solving approach. The collaboration style will be key to navigating a large, matrixed organization.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Client Needs: The challenge of pushing creative boundaries and adopting new technologies while ensuring solutions are practical, meet client business objectives, and fit within project constraints.

• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Expectations: Navigating the needs and priorities of various clients and internal stakeholders, ensuring alignment and effective communication throughout the design process.

• Driving Adoption of UX Best Practices: Championing user-centered design principles within projects and across teams, potentially overcoming resistance to change or established workflows.

• Measuring and Articulating UX ROI: Quantifying the business impact of UX design in a way that resonates with business leaders and demonstrates clear value and return on investment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX Specializations: Opportunities to gain expertise in emerging areas like AI-powered UX, ethical design, accessibility standards (WCAG), or immersive technologies.

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Support for attending leading UX conferences (e.g., UXPA, CHI) and pursuing relevant certifications to enhance professional knowledge and network.

• Leadership Mentorship: Access to mentorship from senior leaders within PwC's Advisory practice, providing guidance on career progression, strategic thinking, and executive presence.

• Cross-Disciplinary Training: Opportunities to learn about other areas of consulting, technology, and business strategy, broadening your understanding of client challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a senior UX leader in a consulting environment, emphasizing strategic thinking, influence, and value demonstration. The growth opportunities are robust, reflecting PwC's commitment to employee development and career advancement within specialized and leadership tracks.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led a UX design team through a complex product innovation project. What was your strategy for ensuring successful outcomes, and how did you measure success?" (Focus on strategic planning, team leadership, and metrics.)

• "How do you balance the need for cutting-edge design with the practical constraints of client budgets, timelines, and technical feasibility?" (Prepare to discuss your approach to trade-offs and prioritization.)

• "Walk us through your process for developing a customer experience strategy for a new commercial technology offering. What key elements would you include, and how would you gain buy-in from stakeholders?" (Focus on strategic thinking, research, and stakeholder management.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about PwC's Commercial Technology & Innovation practice, and how do you see UX design contributing to our clients' success?" (Research PwC's offerings in this space.)

• "How would you foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within your UX design team at PwC?" (Discuss your leadership philosophy and team-building strategies.)

• "Describe a situation where you had to influence senior leadership or a client on a UX-related decision. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Prepare to demonstrate your communication and persuasion skills.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Lead with Impact: Start each case study by clearly stating the business problem and the quantifiable results achieved.

• Narrate Your Journey: Walk through the why behind your design decisions, detailing your research, ideation, prototyping, and testing phases. Explain the challenges you encountered and how you overcame them.

• Emphasize Leadership: Clearly articulate your role in guiding the team, mentoring individuals, and managing project scope and stakeholders.

• Connect to PwC's Business: Where possible, draw parallels between your past projects and the types of challenges PwC addresses for its clients.

• Be Concise and Engaging: Aim for approximately 5-7 minutes per case study, allowing ample time for Q&A. Use clear visuals and avoid jargon where possible.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just UX expertise, but also strategic leadership, business acumen, and the ability to articulate value. The questions are designed to assess how you think, lead, and solve problems within a consulting context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the PwC careers portal via the provided URL.

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your UX leadership experience, project management capabilities, and achievements in driving product innovation and client satisfaction. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a compelling portfolio with 3-5 detailed case studies that showcase your leadership, process, and measurable impact. Practice presenting these case studies concisely and effectively, focusing on business outcomes.

• Research PwC: Understand PwC's Advisory practice, their focus on Commercial Technology & Innovation, and their approach to client service. Familiarize yourself with their values and culture.

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare for behavioral and situational questions, focusing on your leadership experience, problem-solving skills, and how you drive UX impact. Rehearse your portfolio presentation.

⚠️ 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.