UX Designer II

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer II

Company: Elsevier

Location: UK - London (London Wall), United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: UX/UI Design, Product Design

Date Posted: May 05, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Partner with cross-functional teams to deliver user-centered solutions for complex product challenges within the ScienceDirect platform and related Elsevier products.

• Own the end-to-end design process, from initial ideation and concept development through prototyping, user testing, and final design deliverables for production.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and UX Researchers to define product roadmaps, backlogs, and ensure strategic alignment and effective workflow processes.

• Leverage user research, usability testing, and data insights to inform design decisions and ensure products meet user needs, business goals, and technical feasibility.

• Contribute to a centralized UX team of 70+ professionals, driving consistency through the enterprise design system and sharing best practices across the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role of UX Designer II at Elsevier, specifically within the ScienceDirect product suite, focuses on transforming complex scientific information into intuitive user experiences. This position requires a blend of individual contribution within a squad and collaborative engagement with a broader UX community, emphasizing the integration of AI and new ways of working.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Product Managers and Engineers to define and prioritize roadmaps and backlogs, ensuring strategic alignment and efficient workflow processes within Agile squads.

• Support UX Researchers in conducting user research and usability testing, synthesizing findings to inform design decisions and validate concepts.

• Rapidly ideate, prototype, and produce high-fidelity designs and detailed design deliverables for seamless integration into production.

• Ensure designed solutions meet user needs, align with business objectives, are technically feasible, and adhere to the established enterprise design system.

• Foster collaboration with fellow designers across ScienceDirect and other portfolio products to ensure consistent and cohesive user experiences.

• Actively participate in improving design team practices, provide support to other designers, and engage in knowledge sharing within the broader Elsevier UX community.

• Contribute to the evolution of Elsevier's products by experimenting with new tools and technologies, particularly in the context of AI integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a hands-on approach to design within an Agile framework, with a strong focus on end-to-end ownership and cross-functional collaboration. The role requires not only design execution but also strategic input into product direction and a commitment to continuous improvement of design processes and team practices.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred for mid-level UX roles. Equivalent practical experience will be considered.

Experience: Demonstrated experience as a UX/UI or Product Designer, typically 2-5 years, with a proven track record of delivering user-centered design solutions.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in UX/UI or product design, evidenced by a strong portfolio.

• Proficiency in creating detailed UX flows, design concepts, high-fidelity designs, and interactive prototypes.

• Strong ability to collaborate effectively with designers, product managers, and developers.

• Persuasive communication skills to influence design decisions and stakeholder buy-in.

• Experience working within an Agile development environment and embedded in cross-functional squads.

• Demonstrated attention to detail in design execution and documentation.

• Enthusiasm for tackling complex problem spaces and a willingness to experiment with new tools and technologies.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with content-heavy products, particularly those involving search, browse, and deep reading experiences.

• Familiarity with complex content ecosystems, information science, or library science domains.

• Experience working with enterprise-level design systems.

• Exposure to UX analytics and data-driven design decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications highlight a need for practical design skills, a collaborative mindset, and adaptability. The "nice to have" skills suggest a preference for candidates who can navigate complex information architectures and contribute to a mature design system, indicating a focus on scalability and consistency in design.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is mandatory, showcasing a range of work including User Experience (UX) design, User Interface (UI) design, and ideally User Research methodologies and/or UX analytics.

• Projects should demonstrate the candidate's ability to translate complex user needs and business requirements into intuitive and effective design solutions.

• Include case studies that detail the problem, your role, the design process, key decisions, challenges faced, and the measurable impact of your solutions.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates are expected to articulate their design process clearly, demonstrating how they move from discovery and ideation to detailed design and implementation.

• The portfolio should implicitly or explicitly showcase experience with Agile methodologies, including iterative design, collaboration with development teams, and responsiveness to feedback.

• Evidence of using design systems to ensure consistency and efficiency in design deliverables is highly valued.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirement is central to this role, serving as the primary evidence of a candidate's design capabilities and process. Emphasis is placed on demonstrating end-to-end ownership and the ability to deliver user-centered solutions within a structured product development lifecycle.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a UX Designer II in London, with 2-5 years of experience, a competitive salary range is estimated between £45,000 and £65,000 per annum. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for mid-level UX/UI designers in the London tech market, considering the company's industry and the specific responsibilities of the role.

Benefits:

• Country-specific benefits package, which may include:

  • Comprehensive health insurance.
  • Pension scheme contributions.
  • Generous paid time off (holiday, sick leave).
  • Professional development opportunities (training, conferences).
  • Employee assistance programs.
  • Potential for performance-based bonuses.

• Access to Elsevier's global UX community for networking and knowledge sharing.

• Opportunities to work with cutting-edge technologies, including AI integration in product development.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are approximately 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, there may be some flexibility offered regarding start and end times, subject to team and business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on industry data for London. Actual compensation will be determined by the candidate's specific experience, skills, and the company's internal compensation structure. The benefit details are generalized and require direct verification with Elsevier.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Information Services, Scientific Publishing, Technology. Elsevier operates at the intersection of these industries, providing critical information and tools for the global research and healthcare communities.

Company Size: Large enterprise (Elsevier is part of RELX, a global provider of information and analytics). This scale implies robust processes, a wide range of career opportunities, and a structured approach to design and development.

Founded: Elsevier has a long history, with roots tracing back to 1880. This longevity suggests stability, deep industry expertise, and a continuous evolution of its products and services.

Team Structure:

• The ScienceDirect UX team comprises 1 UX Researcher, 3 UX Designers, and 1 UX Manager, forming a core unit.

• Designers operate within cross-functional squads, working alongside Product Managers, Engineers, and QA.

• Collaboration extends to the broader ScienceDirect, Scopus, Engineering Village, and Knovel product teams, as well as a centralized Design System team.

Methodology:

• Agile methodology is central to the cross-functional squads, enabling iterative development and rapid response to user feedback and market needs.

• Data-driven decision-making is encouraged, with collaboration with analysts and data scientists to leverage insights.

• A strong emphasis is placed on user-centered design principles, ensuring that user needs are at the forefront of product development.

• The integration of AI is a growing focus, requiring UX to play a key role in shaping new ways of working and product innovation.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Elsevier's culture appears to be a blend of large-company structure and a more agile, collaborative approach within its product teams. The emphasis on a large UX community suggests a strong commitment to design excellence and professional development.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as UX Designer II, indicating a mid-level position. It requires a solid foundation in UX/UI principles and practices, the ability to work autonomously within a squad, and the capacity to mentor or guide more junior designers. The scope of work includes end-to-end design ownership for specific product features or areas.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer II reports to a UX Manager within the ScienceDirect UX team. They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads within their assigned cross-functional squad.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer II has a direct impact on the user experience of ScienceDirect, a critical Elsevier product used by millions of researchers and professionals globally. Their work influences user engagement, information discovery, research efficiency, and ultimately, the perceived value and success of Elsevier's scientific content platform. By ensuring intuitive and effective design, they contribute to the company's mission of advancing science and health.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like content-heavy design, search UX, or AI-driven product features.

• Leadership Potential: Progress to Senior UX Designer roles, taking on more complex projects, mentoring junior designers, and influencing design strategy.

• Cross-Product Experience: Opportunities to contribute to other Elsevier products (Scopus, Knovel, etc.) to broaden design experience across different user bases and content types.

• Design System Contribution: Become a key contributor or owner of aspects of the enterprise design system.

• Managerial Track: Potential to move into UX Management roles by demonstrating leadership, strategic thinking, and team-building capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mid-level designation suggests a role that offers substantial autonomy and impact, with clear pathways for career advancement within a large organization that values UX. The emphasis on AI integration also presents a unique growth opportunity for designers interested in shaping the future of scientific information discovery.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as on-site, indicating a traditional office-based work environment. This setup facilitates close collaboration, spontaneous discussions, and team cohesion.

Office Location(s): London Wall, London, United Kingdom. This is a prime business district location in London, likely offering excellent transport links and proximity to amenities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role is embedded within cross-functional squads and a broader UX community, suggesting a highly collaborative workspace where teamwork and shared problem-solving are encouraged.

• Tools and Technology: Access to standard UX design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite), as well as potentially specialized tools for user research and analytics. The company is also exploring AI integration, suggesting access to emerging technologies.

• Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with Product Managers, Engineers, Researchers, and fellow Designers is expected, fostering a dynamic and interactive work environment.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is approximately 40 hours per week, aligned with full-time employment. While on-site, there might be some flexibility in daily hours, subject to team agreements and operational requirements. The emphasis on Agile implies a dynamic pace that can sometimes require adjustments to meet project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in a major city like London suggests a vibrant work environment with ample opportunities for in-person collaboration and professional networking within the company and the local tech/design scene.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A dedicated session where candidates present their portfolio, discussing specific case studies, design process, user research insights, and problem-solving approaches. This is a critical stage to assess design thinking and communication skills.

• Cross-functional Team Interview: Interviews with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other designers. These interviews will likely assess collaboration skills, understanding of Agile, and ability to work within a team dynamic.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A final interview with the UX Manager focusing on cultural fit, career aspirations, and deeper dives into design philosophy and leadership potential.

• Skills Assessment/Challenge (Potential): A design exercise or case study might be given to assess practical design skills, problem-solving abilities, and approach to a specific challenge.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase your strongest work that best aligns with the role's requirements (UX, UI, research, complex problems, content-heavy products).

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your specific role and contributions, the process you followed, key decisions made, challenges overcome, and the outcomes or impact. Use visuals effectively.

• Demonstrate Process: Explain how you arrived at your solutions, not just what the solutions are. Highlight your research methods, ideation techniques, and iteration cycles.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics or data that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time, increased user satisfaction).

• Highlight Collaboration: Showcase instances where you worked effectively with cross-functional teams or stakeholders.

• Tailor to Elsevier: If possible, subtly incorporate insights into Elsevier's domain (scientific publishing, information services) or demonstrate an understanding of their user base.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Familiarize yourself with Elsevier's products (ScienceDirect, Scopus) and the general landscape of scientific publishing and information access.

• Practice Design Exercises: Be ready to tackle a design problem related to information architecture, content discovery, or user workflows for researchers.

• Think Aloud: During a potential design challenge, articulate your thought process clearly, explaining your assumptions, research questions, and design rationale.

• Focus on User Needs: Always anchor your solutions in user needs and business goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process heavily emphasizes portfolio demonstration and collaborative skills. Candidates should prepare detailed case studies that highlight their end-to-end design thinking and ability to integrate into existing team structures.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Proficiency in industry-standard tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar. Figma is increasingly becoming a dominant tool for collaborative design and prototyping.

• Prototyping Tools: InVision, Axure, or advanced features within Figma for creating interactive prototypes.

• Collaboration Platforms: Jira, Confluence for Agile project management and documentation. Slack or Microsoft Teams for team communication.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar platforms for understanding user behavior and product performance.

• User Feedback Tools: SurveyMonkey, Typeform, UserTesting.com, or internal tools for gathering qualitative feedback.

• Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI, or similar tools, potentially used by analysts to share insights with the design team.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a UX tool, understanding how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation tools might influence user journeys or data collection could be beneficial, especially when collaborating with Product and Marketing teams.

• Design System Tools: Familiarity with tools used to manage and document design systems (e.g., Storybook, Zeroheight, or custom solutions).

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is typical for a mid-level UX role in a large tech-focused organization. The emphasis on collaboration tools and potential exposure to analytics platforms underscores the data-informed and team-oriented nature of the role. Familiarity with enterprise design systems is a key differentiator.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A core value that drives all design decisions, ensuring that user needs and experiences are paramount.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on teamwork, cross-functional partnerships, and knowledge sharing within squads and the broader UX community.

• Data-Driven Innovation: Utilizing data and insights to inform design, validate hypotheses, and measure impact, while also being open to experimentation and new technologies like AI.

• Excellence & Quality: Commitment to delivering high-quality, consistent, and effective design solutions that meet both user and business objectives.

• Continuous Improvement: Encouraging a mindset of learning, experimentation, and refinement of design practices and product offerings.

Collaboration Style:

• Agile Squad Integration: Designers are fully integrated into cross-functional Agile squads, working closely with Product, Engineering, and QA on a daily basis.

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Proactive collaboration with various departments, including Product Management, Engineering, Research, Marketing, and Sales, to ensure holistic product development.

• Design System Advocates: Working within and contributing to the enterprise design system to ensure consistency and efficiency across all products, fostering a shared design language.

• Open Feedback Culture: Encouraging constructive feedback loops within the design team and with other departments to foster growth and improve design outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to strongly value collaboration, user advocacy, and a data-informed approach. The integration into Agile squads means daily interaction and shared responsibility with development teams, fostering a cohesive product development environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complexity: The scientific publishing domain is inherently complex; translating intricate information and research workflows into simple, usable interfaces requires significant problem-solving skills.

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Effectively managing the diverse needs of researchers, institutions, and Elsevier's business objectives requires strong negotiation and communication.

• Adhering to Design Systems: While beneficial, maintaining consistency with a large enterprise design system requires careful application and understanding of its constraints and flexibility.

• Integrating New Technologies: Successfully incorporating emerging technologies like AI into established products requires careful research, strategic design, and a willingness to experiment and learn.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX/UI Skills: Opportunities to hone skills in areas like interaction design, information architecture, and visual design for complex data sets.

• Domain Expertise: Develop deep knowledge in information science, scientific research workflows, and the specific needs of academic and professional users.

• AI and Emerging Tech: Gain hands-on experience in designing with AI, contributing to innovative product features and new ways of working.

• Cross-Product Exposure: Work on diverse products within Elsevier's portfolio to gain a broader understanding of different user segments and content types.

• Mentorship and Leadership: Potential for mentorship from senior designers and managers, and opportunities to develop leadership skills for future career progression.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a role in a large, established company operating in a specialized domain. The growth opportunities are substantial, particularly for those interested in emerging technologies and specialized knowledge areas within scientific information.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a complex, content-heavy product. What were the key challenges, and how did you approach them?" (Focus on information architecture, content organization, and user comprehension.)

• "How do you incorporate user research and data into your design process, especially when working in an Agile environment?" (Highlight your methods for synthesis, validation, and iterative design.)

• "Walk us through a project from your portfolio where you collaborated closely with product managers and engineers. What was your role, and how did you ensure alignment and successful delivery?" (Demonstrate your teamwork and communication skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Elsevier and the ScienceDirect platform specifically?" (Research Elsevier's mission, products, and recent news. Understand the importance of scientific publishing.)

• "How do you see UX contributing to the integration of AI in product development?" (Showcase your forward-thinking perspective and understanding of AI's potential impact on user experience.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically, ideally starting with an overview of your journey, then diving into 2-3 key case studies.

• Narrative: Frame each case study as a story with a clear beginning (problem), middle (process, solutions), and end (outcome/impact).

• Visuals: Use high-quality visuals of your designs, prototypes, and any research artifacts. Keep slides clean and focused.

• Interaction: Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your design choices, trade-offs, and learnings. Engage with the interviewers.

• Conciseness: Respect the allocated time; practice your presentation to ensure it fits within the given timeframe.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on understanding Elsevier's domain, articulating a strong design process, demonstrating collaborative capabilities, and effectively showcasing portfolio projects with a focus on impact and user-centricity.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer II position:

• Apply Online: Submit your application directly through the Elsevier careers portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and highlights projects relevant to complex information products, user-centered design, and Agile development. Tailor your presentation to showcase your best work that aligns with the role's requirements.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to reflect your years of experience, specific UX/UI skills, experience in Agile environments, and any relevant domain knowledge. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly prepare for each stage of the interview process, including practicing your portfolio presentation, anticipating strategy and behavioral questions, and researching Elsevier and its products.

• Company Research: Gain a deep understanding of Elsevier's mission, its role in scientific publishing, and the ScienceDirect platform. Familiarize yourself with their design system and any recent product developments or strategic initiatives, especially concerning AI.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details, especially regarding salary and specific benefits, should be verified directly with Elsevier before making application decisions.