UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer

Company: Ascend Learning, LLC

Location: Leawood, KS; Remote (US)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience (UX) Design

Date Posted: 2026-06-15

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3+ years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote (US-based)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on creating intuitive, user-centered digital experiences for Ascend Learning's product portfolio, emphasizing the integration of AI tools within the UX design process.

• The UX Designer will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product management, engineering, and stakeholders, to translate user needs and business objectives into effective design solutions.

• A key aspect of this position involves leveraging AI-powered design tools to accelerate ideation, concept generation, and iteration, thereby enhancing design velocity and quality.

• The role requires a strong foundation in UX design principles, user research, usability testing, and the ability to contribute to and maintain a robust design system.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job description highlights a significant emphasis on AI integration within the UX design workflow. This suggests that candidates should not only possess strong traditional UX skills but also demonstrate a proactive and experimental approach to adopting and utilizing AI tools for design exploration and efficiency. The role is positioned within a technology company serving healthcare and education sectors, implying a need for understanding complex user needs and regulatory environments.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• AI-Augmented Design: Utilize AI tools (e.g., Claude, generative design platforms) to rapidly conceptualize solutions, explore diverse design directions, and accelerate the iteration process, ensuring quality and rigor are maintained.

• End-to-End UX Design: Develop comprehensive user flows, wireframes, and high-fidelity prototypes that effectively balance user needs with defined business outcomes for digital products.

• User Research & Validation: Plan, execute, and analyze user research studies and usability testing sessions to gather actionable insights and validate design decisions with empirical evidence.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Engage actively with product managers, engineers, and business stakeholders to present, discuss, and refine design solutions throughout the entire product lifecycle.

• Design System Contribution: Contribute to the development, maintenance, and evolution of the company's design system to ensure consistency, scalability, and adherence to best practices across all products and platforms.

• Design Excellence Champion: Advocate for and apply best practices in interaction design, user interface (UI) design, web accessibility (WCAG standards), and established design patterns.

• Design-to-Development Handoff: Facilitate seamless transitions of design specifications to front-end developers, ensuring accurate implementation and providing ongoing support during the development phase.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a dual focus: core UX design competencies and the innovative application of AI. This indicates that Ascend Learning is looking for a designer who can adapt to emergent technologies and integrate them into established design processes to drive efficiency and creativity. The mention of "end-to-end UX design" and "design systems" suggests a need for a holistic understanding of product development and a commitment to scalable design solutions.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a closely related field. Experience:

• A minimum of 3 years of professional experience in UX design or product design roles, with a proven track record of delivering user-centered digital products. Required Skills:

• Figma Proficiency: Expert-level command of Figma for wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity design.

• AI Design Tools: Demonstrated experience or strong aptitude for using AI-powered design and ideation tools (e.g., Claude, generative design platforms, or similar emerging technologies) to enhance creative workflows.

• User Research & Usability Testing: Proven ability to plan, conduct, and analyze user research and usability testing to inform design decisions.

• Wireframing & Prototyping: Skill in creating detailed user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes to communicate design concepts effectively.

• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and defend design decisions to technical and non-technical audiences.

• Critical Thinking: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the capacity to navigate ambiguity and drive projects forward independently.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience contributing to or managing design systems.

• Familiarity with accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG).

• Experience working with front-end developers and understanding the design-to-development handoff process.

• A portfolio that showcases a diverse range of UX/product design projects, highlighting the design process, problem-solving approaches, and quantifiable impact on user and business outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for proficiency in Figma is standard, but the strong preference for AI design tools indicates a forward-looking company culture. The "3+ years" experience level aligns with a mid-level designer who can work independently but also benefit from collaboration. The portfolio requirement is particularly crucial, as it needs to demonstrate not just aesthetic skills but also the candidate's process, problem-solving ability, and understanding of business impact, especially in the context of AI-augmented workflows.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated Design Process: Showcase a clear and repeatable design process, from initial research and ideation through to high-fidelity design and validation, with a specific emphasis on how AI tools were integrated.

• Case Study Depth: Include detailed case studies that illustrate problem definition, user research findings, design challenges, proposed solutions (including AI-assisted explorations), iteration cycles, and final outcomes.

• Impact Metrics: Quantify the impact of your designs on user behavior, business goals, or key performance indicators (KPIs) where possible, demonstrating a data-driven approach.

• AI Integration Examples: Provide specific examples within case studies or a dedicated section that clearly articulate how AI tools were utilized to accelerate design, explore novel concepts, or improve efficiency, and the resulting benefits.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Document the creation and optimization of user workflows, showcasing how user journeys were mapped and improved for intuitive navigation and task completion.

• Iterative Design: Illustrate the iterative nature of your design process, detailing how feedback from research, testing, and stakeholders was incorporated, particularly when leveraging AI for rapid prototyping.

• System Contribution: If applicable, provide examples of contributions to design systems, including component design, pattern definition, and documentation for consistent application.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Designer role, particularly one emphasizing AI, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond just showcasing polished UIs. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their thought process, decision-making, and the tangible results of their work. The expectation to demonstrate AI integration suggests that portfolios should actively highlight projects where AI was a key component of the design strategy or execution, detailing the specific tools used and the value they added.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Range: $85,000 - $115,000 annually.

• Methodology: This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for mid-level UX Designers in remote US positions, considering the specified experience level (3+ years) and the specialized skills required (AI design tools, Figma proficiency). Salary ranges can vary based on specific location within the US, candidate experience, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Flexible and generous paid time off (PTO) for work-life balance.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Life insurance coverage.

• 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer matching program.

• Paid parental leave to support new parents.

• Access to wellness resources and programs.

• Charitable matching program to support community involvement.

• On-site workout facilities available at Leawood, Gilbert, and Burlington offices (for hybrid/in-office staff).

• Opportunities for community outreach and engagement.

• Tuition reimbursement for continued education and professional development. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time commitment, typically around 40 hours per week.

• The role's remote nature offers flexibility in structuring the workday, accommodating different time zones within the US, while ensuring collaboration and availability during core business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation for a mid-level UX Designer in the US market, factoring in the specific skills and the remote work aspect. Ascend Learning offers a robust benefits package that goes beyond standard offerings, including wellness resources, charitable matching, and tuition reimbursement, which can be attractive to professionals focused on holistic well-being and continuous learning.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare and Learning Technology. Ascend Learning is a prominent provider of outcomes-based, data-driven solutions for students, educators, and employers, covering testing, certification, and professional development across various sectors including healthcare, finance, and skilled trades. Their focus on technology within these critical fields implies a dynamic and evolving work environment.

Company Size: Ascend Learning is a significant organization, likely falling into the "Large" category (500+ employees, based on typical industry classifications for companies of this scope). This size suggests established processes, a wide range of projects, and opportunities for specialization and advancement, while also maintaining a culture that values people and purpose.

Founded: While the founding date isn't explicitly stated, the company's established presence and portfolio of brands indicate a history of growth and strategic acquisitions. This suggests a company that is both stable and forward-thinking, adapting to market demands and technological advancements.

Team Structure:

• The UX design team likely operates within or closely with product development departments. Designers would typically report to a Design Lead or Director of Product Design.

• The structure encourages close collaboration between UX designers, UI designers, product managers, researchers, and front-end engineers.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, requiring designers to work with marketing, content, and subject matter experts to ensure comprehensive understanding and alignment on product strategy and execution. Methodology:

• Ascend Learning appears to embrace a data-driven approach to product development, evidenced by their focus on "outcomes-based" solutions. This translates to design practices that are informed by user research, A/B testing, and performance analytics.

• The emphasis on AI tools suggests a proactive adoption of new technologies to optimize workflows and enhance creative output, indicating a culture that values innovation and efficiency.

• User-centered design principles are core, with a commitment to understanding and meeting user needs through research and iterative design, further supported by AI-assisted ideation.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Ascend Learning's mission in healthcare and education technology positions it as a company with a significant social impact. The emphasis on "people-first culture" and "fostering a sense of belonging" suggests a focus on employee well-being and inclusion, which is increasingly important for talent attraction and retention in the tech sector. The company's size implies a structured environment with clear career pathways, but the integration of AI points to a progressive and adaptive approach to design.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level UX Designer, typically requiring 3-5 years of experience. This level signifies an individual who can independently manage design tasks, contribute meaningfully to projects, and begin to mentor junior designers. They are expected to translate strategic goals into actionable design solutions and possess a strong understanding of the end-to-end design process.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will likely report to a Design Manager, Lead UX Designer, or Director of Product Design. This individual will be part of a broader product or technology team, collaborating closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's work directly influences user engagement, product adoption, and ultimately, the success of Ascend Learning's digital products in the competitive healthcare and education technology markets. By creating intuitive and effective user experiences, they contribute to improved learning outcomes, professional certifications, and client satisfaction, which are key business drivers for Ascend.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas such as AI-augmented design, user research methodologies, accessibility, or design system management.

• Leadership: Potential to move into senior UX Designer roles, UX Lead positions, or even management roles (e.g., Design Manager) with demonstrated leadership and strategic impact.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning is encouraged, with opportunities to explore emerging design technologies, attend industry conferences, and potentially pursue certifications relevant to UX, AI, or specific design domains. Ascend Learning's tuition reimbursement program further supports this.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "UX Designer" title at this level implies a solid foundation and the capacity for independent contribution. The company's focus on AI suggests a unique growth path for designers willing to embrace and master these new tools. The career progression from mid-level to senior or lead roles, supported by company-provided learning opportunities, offers a clear trajectory for ambitious designers.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Ascend Learning offers a hybrid work model, allowing for flexibility. Employees can choose to work from their Leawood, KS or Burlington, MA offices, or work remotely from within the United States. This hybrid approach aims to balance in-person collaboration with the benefits of remote work.

Office Location(s): Key office locations mentioned or implied include Leawood, KS; Burlington, MA; and Gilbert, AZ (for on-site workout facilities). Remote employees are expected to be based within the United States.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Office environments likely feature collaborative workspaces designed to foster teamwork, brainstorming, and knowledge sharing among design, product, and engineering teams.

• Technology Access: Remote and hybrid employees will have access to the necessary digital tools and platforms to perform their roles effectively, including Figma, AI design tools, and collaboration software.

• Team Interaction: Regular virtual or in-person meetings, stand-ups, and design reviews are integral to the workflow, ensuring continuous communication and alignment across distributed teams.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work week is approximately 40 hours.

• As a remote-friendly role, there's an expectation of flexibility in daily scheduling, provided that core business hours and meeting availability are maintained to facilitate collaboration with colleagues across different time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid and remote-first approach for US-based employees indicates a modern work environment that values flexibility and employee autonomy. The mention of on-site workout facilities at specific locations suggests a commitment to employee well-being for those who choose to work from an office. The company's structure supports distributed collaboration, which is critical for a role that leverages AI tools, often requiring independent work and asynchronous communication.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will likely conduct a brief phone screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, focusing on 1-2 key projects that best demonstrate their UX process, problem-solving skills, and particularly their experience with AI-assisted design. Expect to discuss your role, the challenges, your approach, and the outcomes.

• Technical/Design Interview: This may involve a design exercise (e.g., a take-home challenge or a live whiteboarding session) to evaluate problem-solving skills, design thinking, and conceptualization abilities, possibly including how you'd approach using AI for a specific task.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with product managers, engineers, and potentially other designers to assess collaboration style, communication effectiveness, and alignment with team dynamics.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A final discussion with the hiring manager to delve deeper into career aspirations, motivation, and overall fit for the role and company culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight AI Integration: Clearly articulate how and why you used AI tools in your projects. Showcase the specific benefits (speed, exploration, novel ideas) and the impact on your design process and outcomes.

• Focus on Process: Walk through your design thinking—problem definition, user research, ideation (especially AI-assisted), iteration, and validation. Explain your rationale at each step.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs. Connect your work directly to user needs and business objectives.

• Tailor Your Presentation: Select projects that are most relevant to Ascend Learning's industry (healthcare/education technology) and the role's requirements, especially those involving complex user flows or AI-driven innovation.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your collaboration style, how you handle feedback, your experience with design systems, and your approach to accessibility.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a take-home challenge, thoroughly research Ascend Learning's products and target users to inform your approach.

• Structure Your Response: For live exercises, clearly outline your understanding of the problem, your proposed design process, and your potential solutions.

• Embrace AI (If Applicable): If the challenge allows, consider how AI tools could be part of your hypothetical solution or process to demonstrate your forward-thinking approach.

• Communicate Clearly: Articulate your thought process verbally and visually. Explain trade-offs and rationale.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely structured to evaluate both core UX competencies and the candidate's innovative use of AI. Candidates should prepare to not only showcase their design skills but also their strategic thinking regarding AI integration, demonstrating how it enhances their workflow and design outcomes. The portfolio is a critical component, serving as the primary vehicle for demonstrating these capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for all aspects of UX/UI design, including wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity mockups. Proficiency is a strict requirement.

• AI-Powered Design & Ideation Tools: Experience with tools like Claude, generative design platforms (e.g., Midjourney for concept art, or specific AI assistants for ideation/content generation), or emerging AI platforms is strongly preferred. Candidates should be ready to discuss specific tools and their application.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma has robust prototyping capabilities, familiarity with other tools like InVision or Adobe XD might be beneficial.

• User Research Platforms: Tools such as UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, or similar platforms for conducting remote usability testing and gathering user feedback.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to understand user behavior and product performance.

• Experience with A/B testing tools and methodologies to validate design hypotheses.

• Dashboarding tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) may be used by product teams, so an understanding of data visualization principles is helpful. CRM & Automation:

• While not primary UX tools, understanding how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms impact user journeys and data collection can provide valuable context for product design.

• Familiarity with project management and collaboration tools like Jira, Confluence, Asana, or Trello for managing design tasks and workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack emphasizes Figma as the core design tool. The significant mention of AI tools indicates that Ascend Learning is investing in cutting-edge design methodologies. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with these AI tools, not just as novelties, but as integral parts of their design workflow, demonstrating how they leverage them for tangible benefits in speed, exploration, and quality.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Purpose-Driven: A strong emphasis on impacting lives through meaningful work in healthcare and education technology. Designers are expected to connect their work to this broader mission.

• People First: Ascend Learning cultivates a culture that values its employees, promoting well-being, belonging, and authenticity. This translates to a supportive and inclusive team environment.

• Innovation & AI Integration: A forward-thinking approach that embraces new technologies like AI as creative multipliers, encouraging experimentation and efficiency.

• Data-Driven & Outcomes-Focused: Decisions are informed by data, user research, and a focus on achieving measurable outcomes for users and the business.

• Collaboration: A strong belief in working together across disciplines to achieve shared goals, fostering open communication and mutual respect.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers work closely with product managers, engineers, researchers, and stakeholders, requiring strong interpersonal skills and the ability to translate complex ideas across different expertise areas.

• Feedback-Rich Environment: The culture likely encourages constructive feedback loops, where design critiques and user insights are openly shared and acted upon to improve products.

• Agile & Iterative: The product development process is likely agile, requiring designers to be adaptable, responsive, and comfortable with iterative improvements based on ongoing learning and testing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values emphasize impact, people, innovation (especially AI), data, and collaboration. A candidate's ability to align with these values, particularly the progressive stance on AI and the people-first culture, will be critical for success and integration into the team. The collaborative style suggests a dynamic, communicative, and team-oriented environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Integrating AI Effectively: The primary challenge will be to master and strategically integrate AI tools into the existing design workflow without compromising quality, ethical considerations, or user trust. This requires continuous learning and experimentation.

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: As with any design role, there will be an ongoing challenge in synthesizing diverse stakeholder requirements, user needs, and business objectives into cohesive and effective design solutions.

• Navigating Ambiguity: In a rapidly evolving technology landscape and within a large organization, designers often face ambiguity. The ability to define problems, drive clarity, and move forward independently is crucial.

• Scalability and Consistency: Ensuring that designs are scalable across a portfolio of products and maintain consistency, especially as the design system evolves, presents a continuous challenge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Exploration: Significant opportunities to become an expert in AI-assisted design workflows, exploring cutting-edge tools and techniques.

• Domain Expertise: Deepen understanding of the healthcare and education technology sectors, gaining insight into user needs and regulatory environments specific to these industries.

• Design System Advancement: Contribute to the growth and sophistication of Ascend Learning's design system, potentially leading to specialization in design operations or system architecture.

• Cross-Functional Skill Building: Develop stronger collaboration and communication skills by working closely with product management and engineering on complex product initiatives.

• Professional Development: Access to tuition reimbursement, industry conferences, and internal training programs to foster continuous learning and career advancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are tied to the innovative nature of the role, particularly the AI integration aspect. Growth opportunities are framed around developing specialized skills in AI, domain knowledge, and design systems, aligning with the company's strategic focus and the evolution of the UX field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you used AI tools to accelerate your design process. What was the outcome, and what did you learn?" (Focus on specific tools, your role, and quantifiable results).

• "How do you balance user needs with technical constraints and business objectives when designing a new feature?" (Demonstrate your problem-solving framework and trade-off analysis).

• "Walk us through your process for conducting user research and translating insights into design solutions, particularly when exploring multiple concepts rapidly." (Emphasize methodology, data synthesis, and iterative refinement).

• "How would you approach designing for [specific Ascend Learning product/user type] if you were given limited initial research data and asked to explore concepts quickly using AI?" (Assess your ability to handle ambiguity and leverage AI for initial exploration). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Ascend Learning's mission in healthcare and education technology?" (Show genuine interest and alignment with the company's purpose).

• "How do you contribute to a 'people-first' or inclusive team culture?" (Provide specific examples of your collaborative and supportive behaviors).

• "How do you stay current with emerging design trends and technologies, especially in AI?" (Highlight your proactive learning habits and passion for innovation).

• "Describe a situation where you had to influence stakeholders to adopt a particular design direction." (Demonstrate your communication and persuasion skills). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your role, the goals, your process (highlighting AI use), the solutions, and the impact/outcomes.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, prototypes, user flows) effectively. Explain your design decisions and the rationale behind them.

• Quantify Where Possible: Present metrics on user satisfaction, task completion rates, conversion improvements, or efficiency gains.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, challenges encountered, and alternative approaches you considered.

• Demonstrate AI Value: Ensure your AI integration is clearly communicated—what problem did it solve, how did it help, and what was the tangible benefit?

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on articulating the intersection of core UX skills with proficiency and strategic thinking around AI tools. Candidates should be ready to discuss their process, demonstrate problem-solving abilities, and showcase how they can contribute to Ascend Learning's mission and innovative culture. The portfolio presentation is the key opportunity to prove these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Ascend Learning careers portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your experience with Figma, AI-powered design tools, user research, and end-to-end UX design processes. Select 1-2 case studies that best demonstrate your ability to leverage AI for rapid ideation and problem-solving, and clearly articulate the impact.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 3+ years of experience, specific UX/product design achievements, and any relevant technical skills, especially those related to AI design tools and user research methodologies. Use keywords from the job description naturally.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, your approach to AI integration, and how you connect design decisions to user and business outcomes. Prepare to present your portfolio confidently and answer behavioral and situational questions. Research Ascend Learning's products and mission to demonstrate genuine interest.

• Company Research: Understand Ascend Learning's position in the healthcare and education technology markets, their commitment to a "people-first" culture, and their innovative use of technology. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate cultural fit.

⚠️ 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.