UX Designer II

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer II

Company: Remitly

Location: London, United Kingdom (On-site) / Amsterdam (On-site)

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design

Date Posted: May 5, 2026

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive user-centered design solutions for complex digital products, focusing on content-heavy platforms like ScienceDirect.

• Collaborate within cross-functional squads (Product, Engineering, QA) to deliver end-to-end design ownership.

• Leverage a robust design system to ensure consistency and efficiency across multiple products within the Elsevier portfolio.

• Contribute to evolving design practices, integrating AI and new ways of working within a large UX community.

• Partner with researchers, analysts, and customer-facing teams to inform design decisions with data and user insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is described as "UX Designer II," which typically indicates a mid-level position requiring 2-5 years of experience. The emphasis on "complex problem spaces," "end-to-end design ownership," and collaboration with senior stakeholders suggests a need for a candidate who can operate with a degree of autonomy and strategic thinking. The company's stated goal of "turning complexity into elegant, user-centered journeys" and the mention of 50 million monthly users highlight the significant impact and scale of this role.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Partner with Product Managers and Engineers to define product roadmaps, backlogs, and ensure strategic alignment through effective working processes.

• Support User Researchers in conducting user research and usability tests, translating findings into actionable design improvements.

• Rapidly ideate, prototype, and produce detailed design deliverables (UX flows, high-fidelity designs) for production deployment.

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

• Foster collaboration with fellow designers across ScienceDirect and other portfolio products to ensure a cohesive and integrated user experience.

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

• Contribute to the integration of AI within design processes and explore new collaborative methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of individual contribution and collaborative effort. The phrase "own the design work within your team end-to-end" signifies accountability for the full design lifecycle, from ideation to implementation support. The need to "collaborate with analysts, data scientists, and customer-facing teams" indicates a data-informed design approach, requiring the candidate to be comfortable synthesizing various data sources.

🎓 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 UX/UI roles. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: Demonstrated experience as a UX/UI or Product Designer, with a minimum of 2-5 years of professional experience in a similar role. Experience working within Agile environments and cross-functional product teams is essential.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience as a UX/UI or Product Designer.

• A strong portfolio showcasing a range of work in User Experience (UX) design, User Interface (UI) design, and ideally User Research or UX Analytics.

• High level of attention to detail in producing UX flows, design concepts, high-fidelity designs, and interactive prototypes.

• Excellent collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with designers, product managers, and developers.

• Strong persuasive communication skills to influence design decisions and stakeholder alignment.

• Hands-on experience delivering products within a cross-functional squad structure in an Agile development environment.

• Demonstrable enthusiasm for tackling complex problem spaces and a proactive approach to learning and experimentation.

Preferred Skills:

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

• Experience working within complex content ecosystems, information science, or library science domains.

• Familiarity with or experience working with enterprise-level design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Nice to have" qualifications strongly suggest that candidates with experience in scholarly publishing, scientific information platforms, or large-scale digital content management systems will have a significant advantage. The emphasis on "complex content ecosystems" and "deep reading experiences" points towards a specialized domain within UX.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is mandatory, showcasing a breadth of your design capabilities.

• Include detailed case studies demonstrating your process for UX, UI, and ideally User Research or UX Analytics projects.

• Highlight your ability to translate complex user needs and business goals into elegant, functional design solutions.

• Showcase your proficiency in creating UX flows, wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of your involvement in the end-to-end design process, from user research and ideation through to prototyping and implementation support.

• Examples of how you have collaborated within Agile squads, defining roadmaps and backlogs with product and engineering.

• Documentation of your approach to user testing and how user feedback has informed your design iterations.

• Examples of how you have ensured designs are user-centered, business-aligned, and technically feasible.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role. Candidates should prepare case studies that clearly articulate the problem, their role, the design process, the solutions, and the impact (quantified where possible). Given the product's nature, demonstrating an understanding of information architecture, navigation for large datasets, and search/discovery functionalities will be highly beneficial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on industry benchmarks for a UX Designer II role in London, UK, with 2-5 years of experience, the estimated salary range is £50,000 - £70,000 per annum. For Amsterdam, the estimated range is €55,000 - €75,000 per annum. These ranges are estimates and may vary based on the candidate's specific experience, qualifications, and the final negotiation.

Benefits:

• Country-specific benefits package (details available via provided link).

• Potential for participation in an employee stock purchase plan or equity options (common in tech companies like Remitly, though not explicitly stated).

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance (standard for international tech roles).

• Generous paid time off (PTO) and public holidays.

• Professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and access to learning resources.

Working Hours:

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided job description links to "country specific benefits." Given the locations (London and Amsterdam), candidates should expect a competitive benefits package typical for major European tech hubs, likely including robust health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. The salary estimation is based on aggregated data for similar UX Designer II roles in London and Amsterdam, considering the company's industry and the experience level implied.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / Fintech / Publishing (Elsevier is a major publisher of scientific and medical information, and Remitly is a fintech company, suggesting a potential acquisition or a broader umbrella organization). Given the job description focus on ScienceDirect, the context leans towards Elsevier's publishing arm.

Company Size: Remitly is a large organization. Elsevier (part of RELX) is a global leader in information and analytics. This implies a large enterprise environment with established processes and a significant UX community (70+ designers mentioned).

Founded: Elsevier was founded in 1880, indicating a long-standing organization with deep roots in information dissemination. Remitly was founded in 2011, a more recent fintech player. The specific team operates within the ScienceDirect product, which is part of Elsevier.

Team Structure:

• The ScienceDirect UX team comprises 1 UX Researcher, 3 UX Designers, and 1 UX Manager.

• Designers work within cross-functional squads, collaborating closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and QA.

• They also collaborate with other product teams (Scopus, Engineering Village, Knovel) and a central Design System team.

Methodology:

• Agile development methodology is standard for the cross-functional squads.

• Data-driven decision-making, utilizing insights from user research, usability testing, and UX analytics.

• Emphasis on user-centered design principles throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Integration of AI into cross-disciplinary teams and exploration of new working methods.

• Adherence to and contribution to a centralized Design System for consistency.

Company Website: https://www.remitly.com/ / https://www.elsevier.com/ (Focus on ScienceDirect: https://www.sciencedirect.com/)

📝 Enhancement Note: The dual mention of Remitly and Elsevier can be confusing. The job description clearly focuses on the ScienceDirect product, which is part of Elsevier (a RELX company). Therefore, the "Company Culture" and "About the business" sections are tailored to Elsevier's scientific publishing context. The mention of "Remitly" might be an error in the job posting source or indicate a broader organizational structure.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This UX Designer II role is positioned at a mid-level, requiring demonstrated experience and the ability to work autonomously within a squad. It involves end-to-end design ownership for specific product features or areas.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer reports to the UX Manager within the ScienceDirect UX team. They work in cross-functional squads, reporting functionally to the UX Manager and operationally to the squad's needs.

Operations Impact: Designers significantly influence the usability and effectiveness of ScienceDirect, impacting millions of researchers and professionals globally. Their work directly affects user satisfaction, research discovery efficiency, and the overall adoption and perception of Elsevier's scientific content platform.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in designing for complex content ecosystems, search, and information retrieval.

• Leadership: Transition to a Senior UX Designer role, mentoring junior designers and leading larger design initiatives.

• Cross-Product Experience: Gain exposure to other Elsevier products (Scopus, Knovel) and contribute to their UX strategy through the design system.

• Skill Development: Enhance skills in UX analytics, AI integration in design, and advanced prototyping tools.

• Community Contribution: Become a recognized contributor within the large Elsevier UX community, potentially leading practice groups or workshops.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mention of a "broader Elsevier UX community of 70+ researchers and designers" signifies a strong internal network for learning, collaboration, and career advancement. The opportunity to work on a platform used by 50 million users monthly provides a significant scope for impact and professional growth.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "On-site," indicating a preference for in-office work. This suggests a collaborative environment with opportunities for in-person interaction with team members and stakeholders.

Office Location(s): London, United Kingdom and Amsterdam. Candidates can choose their preferred location.

Workspace Context:

• A collaborative workspace designed to foster interaction within cross-functional squads and the broader UX team.

• Access to modern design tools and technologies, including prototyping software and potentially advanced analytics platforms.

• Opportunities for regular engagement with product managers, engineers, researchers, and fellow designers, facilitating knowledge sharing and problem-solving.

• An environment that encourages experimentation and learning, particularly with the integration of AI and new design methodologies.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week) are expected. While on-site, there may be some flexibility in daily start/end times, subject to team coordination and operational needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a preference for synchronous collaboration and team cohesion. Candidates should be prepared for a structured work environment within established office locations in major European cities.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where the candidate presents their portfolio, discussing specific case studies, design process, and problem-solving approaches. This is a critical stage.

• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion with the UX Manager, focusing on role-specific experience, design philosophy, and team collaboration.

• Cross-Functional Team Interview: Conversation with Product Managers and Engineers from the squad to assess collaboration skills, understanding of Agile, and ability to integrate into the team.

• Design Challenge (Potential): A take-home assignment or a live design exercise to evaluate problem-solving skills, design thinking, and ability to articulate solutions.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership or additional team members for final assessment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically. For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role, the process, key decisions, solutions, and measurable outcomes.

• Storytelling: Narrate your design journey. Explain why you made certain decisions and how you navigated challenges.

• Impact: Quantify the impact of your designs whenever possible (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time, increased user satisfaction scores).

• Process Diversity: Showcase a range of skills: user research, information architecture, wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and collaboration with development.

• Design System Awareness: If applicable, demonstrate how you've used or contributed to design systems.

• Tailoring: Highlight projects most relevant to content-heavy platforms, search, or complex information discovery.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a take-home challenge, thoroughly research ScienceDirect and its user base to inform your approach.

• Process Focus: Be ready to articulate your design process and justify your decisions, even for a hypothetical scenario.

• Time Management: Practice completing design exercises within a given timeframe.

• Presentation: Prepare a clear and concise presentation of your challenge solution, focusing on user needs and business goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount. Candidates should prepare to walk through 2-3 in-depth case studies that highlight their UX process, problem-solving abilities, and impact. Emphasis on collaboration and working within Agile teams will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

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

• User Research & Testing: UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, Hotjar, Google Analytics (for UX insights).

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

Analytics & Reporting:

• Google Analytics

• Adobe Analytics

• Tableau, Power BI, or similar for data visualization and dashboard creation.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how user data flows from various sources (potentially CRM, product analytics) into design decisions is valuable.

• Familiarity with marketing automation platforms might be a plus if the role touches on user onboarding or engagement campaigns.

• Understanding of API integrations and how they impact user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, a strong command of industry-standard UX/UI design and prototyping software like Figma or Sketch is expected. Proficiency with Agile project management tools like Jira and Confluence is also highly probable. Experience with analytics platforms to derive user insights is a significant advantage.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving user needs through elegant and effective design solutions.

• Collaboration: Fostering strong partnerships within cross-functional teams and the broader UX community to achieve collective goals.

• Data-Driven Approach: Utilizing research, analytics, and user feedback to inform design decisions and measure impact.

• Continuous Improvement: Actively seeking ways to enhance design practices, product usability, and team processes.

• Innovation & Experimentation: Embracing new technologies (like AI) and methodologies to push the boundaries of user experience.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Working seamlessly within Agile squads, ensuring design is an integral part of the product development lifecycle.

• Open Communication: Encouraging transparent feedback and constructive dialogue among team members and stakeholders.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in design critiques, workshops, and community forums to share learnings and best practices.

• Proactive Partnership: Engaging with product, engineering, and research teams early and often to ensure alignment and co-create solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a large UX community and cross-functional squads suggests a culture that values both specialized expertise and collaborative problem-solving. The integration of AI points to a forward-thinking environment willing to adapt to technological advancements.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Content: Designing intuitive navigation and search for vast, complex scientific information requires sophisticated information architecture and UX thinking.

• Diverse User Base: Catering to the needs of researchers, healthcare professionals, educators, and students with varying technical proficiencies and goals.

• Legacy Systems & Integration: Potentially working with or alongside older systems while integrating new features and design patterns, requiring careful balance.

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Ensuring designs effectively serve users while also meeting the strategic objectives of Elsevier and ScienceDirect.

• Evolving Technology: Keeping pace with advancements in AI, data science, and web technologies to enhance the user experience.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized UX: Gaining deep expertise in information science, scholarly publishing UX, and designing for scientific discovery.

• AI in Design: Opportunities to explore and implement AI-driven features and design tools.

• Cross-Product Exposure: Learning about the UX challenges and solutions across other Elsevier products.

• Mentorship: Access to experienced UX leaders and peers within a large design community.

• Conferences & Training: Potential support for attending relevant industry conferences and professional development courses.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly tied to the nature of the ScienceDirect platform – its scale, complexity, and specialized user base. Growth opportunities are framed around deepening domain expertise and embracing new technologies.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a complex information architecture. What was your process, and what were the outcomes?" (Focus on IA, research, and iterative design).

• "How do you balance user needs with business objectives and technical constraints? Provide an example." (Highlight problem-solving, trade-offs, and communication).

• "Walk me through your process for designing a new feature for a content-heavy platform like ScienceDirect." (Emphasize research, ideation, prototyping, and collaboration).

• "How do you ensure consistency across a product suite, especially when working with a design system?" (Discuss design system principles, components, and collaboration).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about designing for scientific knowledge and research?" (Demonstrate understanding of the domain and user impact).

• "How do you see AI impacting the future of UX design, and how would you approach integrating it into your work?" (Show forward-thinking and willingness to experiment).

• "What are your thoughts on the importance of a strong design system?" (Align with the company's emphasis on consistency).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Wisely: Choose 2-3 case studies that best represent your skills and are most relevant to the role (content-heavy, complex data, research platforms).

• Tell a Story: Structure each case study as a narrative: problem, your role, process, solution, challenges, and results.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes, user flows) effectively.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, present data that demonstrates the success of your designs.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your decision-making process, trade-offs, and alternative solutions.

• Highlight Collaboration: Explain how you worked with product managers, engineers, and researchers.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on showcasing a strong understanding of the user research and design process for complex digital products, particularly those involving substantial content and information retrieval. The ability to articulate design decisions and demonstrate collaborative skills within an Agile framework will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on the Workday portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight experience relevant to content-heavy platforms, search interfaces, and scientific/research domains. Ensure your portfolio is accessible and clearly showcases your best UX, UI, and research work.

• Resume Optimization: Integrate keywords from the job description such as "UX Design," "UI Design," "Product Design," "Agile," "Design Systems," "User Research," and "Prototyping." Quantify achievements with metrics where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on your process, problem-solving, and impact. Prepare to discuss your experience working in cross-functional teams and Agile environments.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Elsevier, ScienceDirect, and its user base. Understand their mission, the types of content they host, and the challenges their users face. Familiarize yourself with their design system principles if publicly available.

⚠️ 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.