UX Director

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Director

Company: SecurityScorecard

Location: Austin, TX (Hybrid)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design & Research Leadership

Date Posted: 2026-09-14

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead a fundamental shift in design operations towards an AI-native, codebase-anchored approach, directly impacting product development velocity and quality.

• Drive the strategic vision for Product Design and Research, influencing executive-level product direction and investment decisions.

• Rebuild the design team's operating model, transitioning from a centralized system to decentralized pods embedded within product-line teams for enhanced continuity and customer focus.

• Champion the adoption of AI tools and methodologies for designers, enabling them to work directly against the codebase (GitHub) to produce implementation-accurate prototypes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a transformative leadership opportunity, focusing on rebuilding and modernizing a design function rather than incremental improvements. The emphasis on AI-native workflows and codebase integration signifies a significant departure from traditional design processes, requiring a leader comfortable with radical change and technological innovation.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and execute a multi-quarter design vision and strategy for the platform and AI-powered product lines, advocating for design's strategic importance at the executive level.

• Restructure the design organization from a centralized ticket queue to decentralized pods aligned with product and engineering structures, ensuring close proximity to customer needs.

• Empower designers to become "AI builders," not just users, by facilitating direct work against the codebase (GitHub) to create interactive, system-grounded prototypes.

• Foster cross-functional speed and collaboration by enabling designers and Product Managers to leverage AI effectively for rapid iteration and customer-centric solutions.

• Govern the design system as critical infrastructure, with measurable objectives to accelerate design and engineering velocity across all product surfaces.

• Drive B2B design excellence for complex, data-dense, multi-persona enterprise workflows, ensuring WCAG 2.2 accessibility as a default standard.

• Integrate research and data analytics (e.g., FullStory, Pendo) into the design process to inform roadmap decisions and validate user experiences.

• Recruit, hire, and develop a high-performing team of designers who are at the forefront of AI-enabled design practices.

• Cultivate a team culture characterized by direct, kind, and elevating feedback, fostering strong, opinionated points of view.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a proactive approach to organizational change management and a deep understanding of modern product development methodologies, particularly those involving AI and agile, embedded team structures. The emphasis on "rebuilding" and "AI builders" suggests a need for a leader who can not only strategize but also execute hands-on transformation.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, HCI, or a related field; equivalent experience will be considered.

Experience: 10+ years of UX or Product Design experience with a proven track record as an influential design leader driving organizational change.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated experience setting and executing organizational-level design strategy, including hiring and developing senior design talent.

• Strong background in B2B SaaS product design, understanding the nuances of enterprise buying cycles and complex user research needs.

• Hands-on fluency in AI-augmented design workflows, with specific examples of tools, processes, and actual implementations.

• A proactive approach to staying current with AI-enabled design trends and technologies, evidenced through continuous learning and engagement with peer networks.

• A clear point of view on resolving design/Product Management overlap in an AI-driven workflow, emphasizing shared ownership.

• Proven experience building, governing, and scaling design systems as essential cross-team infrastructure.

• Strong command of WCAG 2.2 accessibility standards and their practical application in enterprise products.

• Executive-level communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills. Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the cybersecurity industry or a related regulated/enterprise-trust sector.

• Experience scaling a design organization during a growth phase or significant product expansion.

• Experience formalizing agile, pod-based design operating models.

• Demonstrated history of building design leadership pipelines within an organization.

• Comfort and experience engaging directly with customers, including facilitating live, collaborative design sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of strategic leadership, hands-on technical proficiency with AI design tools, and a deep understanding of B2B SaaS environments. The "AI builders" requirement is a critical differentiator, moving beyond theoretical knowledge to practical application and codebase integration.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase of strategic leadership in transforming design operations, including examples of organizational restructuring and process re-engineering.

• Demonstrations of AI-augmented design workflows, with specific examples of tools used (e.g., GitHub integration, AI prototyping tools) and their impact on efficiency and output quality.

• Case studies detailing the design and implementation of robust design systems, emphasizing their role as infrastructure and their measurable impact on velocity and consistency.

• Evidence of driving B2B enterprise design excellence, with examples of complex, data-dense user interfaces and multi-persona workflows.

• Documentation of how research and behavioral analytics (e.g., FullStory, Pendo) were integrated into the design process to inform critical roadmap decisions. Process Documentation:

• Detailed examples of how design strategy was translated into actionable roadmaps and executed within cross-functional teams.

• Documentation of the transition from centralized design queues to decentralized, pod-based embedded teams, highlighting process changes and their outcomes.

• Examples of how AI was leveraged to accelerate prototyping, iteration, and collaboration, including specific workflow examples.

• Evidence of the governance and evolution of design systems, including processes for contribution, adoption, and measurement of impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates will be expected to present a portfolio that not only demonstrates design craft but also strategic thinking, organizational leadership, and hands-on experience with modern, AI-driven product development processes. The emphasis on "codebase-anchored" design and "AI builders" means portfolios should highlight practical, implementation-focused work.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The estimated total compensation range for this position is $280,000 - $330,000 USD per year (base plus bonus). Actual compensation will be determined based on factors including affordability, skills, qualifications, and experience.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentive compensation.

• Stock options.

• Comprehensive health benefits.

• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO).

• Generous parental leave.

• Tuition reimbursements.

• Other company benefits as applicable.

Working Hours: A standard 40-hour work week is typical for this role, with flexibility expected to meet project demands and cross-functional collaboration needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific to the US market and reflects a senior leadership position in a high-demand field. The benefits package is comprehensive, aiming to attract and retain top talent in the competitive tech industry. The note about "affordability" in compensation determination is standard legal language but should not deter qualified candidates from applying.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Cybersecurity Ratings & Risk Management. SecurityScorecard operates in the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape, providing critical insights into the security posture of companies and their third-party vendors. This industry context means a focus on data integrity, trust, and sophisticated threat intelligence is paramount.

Company Size: SecurityScorecard is a growth-stage company with over 200 employees globally, indicating a dynamic environment with established processes but still room for rapid evolution and individual impact. This size allows for significant influence without being lost in a massive bureaucracy.

Founded: Founded in 2013, SecurityScorecard has a mature product and market presence, backed by significant funding. This history suggests a stable foundation with a clear mission, while its recent recognitions for innovation and workplace culture point to an environment that values forward-thinking and employee engagement.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design & Research organization will be rebuilt under this role, moving from a centralized model to decentralized pods embedded within product-line teams, mirroring Product and Engineering structures.

• This role reports directly to the Chief Product Officer (CPO), placing it at the executive level with direct influence over product strategy.

• Collaboration will be highly cross-functional, involving close partnerships with Product Management, Engineering (including direct codebase access via GitHub), and potentially other GTM teams. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is core, utilizing usability testing and behavioral analytics (FullStory, Pendo) to inform product direction.

• Agile methodologies will be central to the embedded pod structure, enabling rapid iteration and continuous delivery.

• A strong emphasis on AI-native workflows and codebase integration signifies a commitment to cutting-edge product development practices.

• Design system governance will be treated as infrastructure, aiming for measurable acceleration of design and engineering velocity.

Company Website: https://securityscorecard.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: SecurityScorecard's culture appears to be a blend of innovative startup energy with the rigor of a mature enterprise SaaS company in a critical industry. The focus on "AI-native" and "codebase-anchored" design suggests a forward-looking approach to product development, appealing to leaders who want to drive technological advancement.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Director-level position, signifying senior leadership responsibility for a critical function (Product Design & Research). It's a strategic role focused on organizational transformation, team building, and executive influence, not just execution.

Reporting Structure: The UX Director reports directly to the Chief Product Officer (CPO), placing them at a high level within the product organization. This direct line of reporting provides significant visibility and direct access to executive decision-making.

Operations Impact: The UX Director will have a profound impact on SecurityScorecard's product direction and development velocity. By rebuilding the design function around AI-native and codebase-anchored principles, they will directly influence the efficiency, quality, and innovation of the company's B2B SaaS offerings, ultimately affecting customer satisfaction and market competitiveness.

Growth Opportunities:

• Organizational Leadership: Opportunity to lead and shape a newly structured design organization, defining its processes, culture, and strategic impact.

• Technological Innovation: Be at the forefront of integrating AI into design workflows, establishing best practices and pioneering new methods in a growing field.

• Strategic Influence: Direct involvement in executive-level product strategy discussions and decision-making, influencing the company's overall product roadmap and vision.

• Career Advancement: Potential to grow into VP-level roles or expand the scope of responsibilities within the product organization, particularly as the company scales and innovates.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning and development in AI-driven design, B2B SaaS product strategy, and executive leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity for a design leader to architect a modern, AI-centric design function from the ground up within a well-funded, innovative cybersecurity company. The direct reporting to the CPO and the mandate for significant change are key indicators of high impact and growth potential.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, with a primary office location in Austin, TX. This suggests a blend of in-office collaboration and remote flexibility.

Office Location(s): Austin, TX, United States. This location is a major tech hub, offering access to a vibrant talent pool and a supportive ecosystem for innovation.

Workspace Context:

• The role involves embedding designers into product-line teams, fostering close-knit, collaborative environments within those pods.

• Direct access to the codebase (GitHub) indicates a highly integrated and technical workspace, blurring the lines between design and engineering.

• The company utilizes tools like FullStory and Pendo for behavioral analytics, suggesting a data-rich environment where user behavior is actively monitored and analyzed to inform design decisions.

• Opportunities for direct customer engagement and collaborative sessions are expected, contributing to a user-centric workspace.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is typical, the nature of a leadership role and the dynamic environment may require flexibility. The hybrid model allows for adaptation to personal needs while maintaining team cohesion and in-person collaboration when necessary.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model in a tech hub like Austin, combined with direct codebase access and data-driven tools, points to a modern, agile, and collaborative work environment. The emphasis on embedded teams means the workspace experience will be deeply integrated with specific product development cycles.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio, focusing on leadership experience, B2B SaaS background, and demonstrable experience with AI-augmented design.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the CPO to assess strategic vision, leadership philosophy, and alignment with the company's transformation goals.

• Team & Peer Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineering leads, and potentially other senior designers to evaluate collaboration style, technical acumen, and ability to integrate into embedded pods.

• Portfolio Presentation & Case Study: A deep dive into your portfolio, likely including a presentation of a significant transformation initiative, an AI-driven design project, or a design system implementation. Expect to discuss your specific role, challenges, and measurable outcomes.

• Executive Discussion: Final discussions to confirm cultural fit, executive communication skills, and overall suitability for a Director-level role driving significant change.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Transformation: Showcase projects where you led significant change, rebuilt teams, or fundamentally altered design processes. Quantify the impact wherever possible.

• Demonstrate AI Proficiency: Include specific examples of how you've used AI tools in your design workflow, detailing the tools, the process, and the tangible benefits (e.g., increased speed, improved fidelity, enhanced collaboration). Direct codebase integration examples are a strong plus.

• Design System Expertise: Present case studies of design systems you've built or significantly evolved, focusing on their role as infrastructure, governance, and their measurable impact on efficiency.

• B2B Enterprise Focus: Ensure examples clearly reflect experience with complex, data-dense enterprise applications and multi-persona user needs.

• Storytelling: Frame your portfolio pieces as compelling narratives. Clearly articulate the problem, your strategic approach, your specific contributions, the challenges faced, and the measurable results.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your vision for an "AI-native, codebase-anchored" design organization.

• Anticipate questions about how you would manage the transition from a centralized to a decentralized model, including potential resistance and mitigation strategies.

• Prepare specific examples of how you would foster collaboration between design, product, and engineering in an AI-driven environment.

• Think about how you would measure the success of design initiatives and the design system's impact on velocity and quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not just design skills but also transformational leadership, strategic thinking, and hands-on technical aptitude with modern tools and methodologies. The portfolio presentation is a critical component, requiring candidates to articulate their impact and vision clearly and convincingly.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Expect proficiency with industry-standard tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch) and a strong understanding of how to integrate AI-powered design assistants and plugins.

• Codebase Interaction: Direct experience or strong aptitude for working with code repositories like GitHub will be essential for designers to produce implementation-accurate prototypes.

• AI Design Tools: Familiarity with emerging AI tools for design generation, content creation, and workflow automation will be highly valued.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Behavior Analytics: Proficiency with tools like FullStory and Pendo for understanding user interactions, identifying pain points, and informing design decisions.

• Data Visualization & Reporting: Ability to leverage data to build compelling narratives and present insights to executive stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• While not the primary focus for UX, an understanding of how design impacts the user journey within a CRM context (e.g., Salesforce) and how automation influences user experience is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack emphasizes a forward-thinking approach, integrating traditional design tools with cutting-edge AI and robust analytics platforms. The direct interaction with GitHub for designers is a significant differentiator, requiring a unique skill set and mindset.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Forward-Thinking: A strong emphasis on embracing new technologies (especially AI) and driving innovation in design processes and product development.

• Collaboration & Cross-Functionality: Fostering seamless partnerships between Design, Product Management, and Engineering, with a focus on shared ownership and collective success.

• Data-Driven & Customer-Centric: Decisions are informed by user research and behavioral analytics, ensuring that the design output directly addresses customer needs and improves their experience.

• Excellence & Quality: A commitment to high standards in design craft, accessibility (WCAG 2.2), and the overall user experience for complex B2B enterprise products.

• Direct & Kind Feedback: Cultivating an environment where constructive, opinionated feedback is given and received openly to foster growth and continuous improvement.

Collaboration Style:

• Embedded Pods: Designers will work closely within cross-functional pods, ensuring continuous communication and alignment with Product and Engineering throughout the development lifecycle.

• Codebase Integration: Collaboration extends directly into the codebase, with designers working alongside engineers to ensure fidelity and feasibility.

• Executive Engagement: Regular interaction with executive leadership (CPO, potentially others) to present strategy, gain alignment, and report on progress.

• Open Communication: Encouraging direct, transparent communication to resolve ambiguities and drive faster decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture values innovation, data-driven decision-making, and strong cross-functional collaboration. The emphasis on direct communication and constructive feedback suggests a high-performance environment where team members are empowered to contribute meaningfully.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Organizational Transformation: Leading a fundamental rebuild of the design operating model from a centralized system to decentralized, AI-native pods requires significant change management and buy-in.

• AI Adoption & Integration: Guiding designers to become "AI builders" and effectively leverage AI in their daily workflows, including direct codebase interaction, presents a unique technical and methodological challenge.

• B2B Enterprise Complexity: Driving design excellence for data-dense, multi-persona enterprise workflows demands sophisticated problem-solving and a deep understanding of user needs in complex environments.

• Balancing Speed & Quality: Ensuring that the push for AI-driven speed does not compromise design quality, accessibility, and user experience.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Leadership: Becoming a recognized leader in AI-augmented design practices and potentially shaping industry standards.

• Strategic Product Development: Gaining deep experience in shaping product strategy at the executive level within a high-growth cybersecurity company.

• Team Building & Mentorship: Recruiting, developing, and mentoring a team of cutting-edge designers, fostering their growth and expertise.

• Industry Exposure: Deepening understanding of the cybersecurity landscape and its unique design challenges.

• Formal Training & Conferences: Opportunities for professional development through industry conferences, specialized training, and certifications related to AI, UX, and leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is ideal for a leader who thrives on transformation and is passionate about leveraging emerging technologies like AI to redefine product development processes. The challenges are significant but come with substantial opportunities for impact and professional growth.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your vision for an AI-native, codebase-anchored design organization. How would you implement this at SecurityScorecard?" (Prepare to discuss specific tools, workflows, and team structure.)

• "How would you transition a design team from a centralized model to decentralized pods embedded within product lines? What are the key challenges and how would you address them?" (Focus on change management, communication, and maintaining team cohesion.)

• "Explain your approach to fostering collaboration between Design, Product Management, and Engineering, especially when designers have direct access to the codebase. How do you resolve potential overlaps or conflicts?" (Emphasize shared ownership and Agile principles.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "How does your leadership style align with a culture that values direct, kind feedback and strong, opinionated points of view?" (Provide examples of how you foster this environment.)

• "What is your understanding of the cybersecurity ratings industry, and how would you ensure design excellence in this complex B2B SaaS context?" (Research SecurityScorecard's mission and market position.)

• "How have you leveraged data and user research (e.g., usability testing, behavioral analytics) to influence product roadmaps and design decisions in previous roles?" (Prepare case studies showcasing data-informed design.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure your presentation: Clearly define the problem, your strategic approach, your specific contributions, the AI/codebase integration aspects, the challenges, and the measurable outcomes.

• Quantify impact: Use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your initiatives (e.g., increased velocity, improved user satisfaction, reduced design debt).

• Focus on transformation: Highlight projects where you led significant organizational or process change, especially related to adopting new technologies like AI.

• Be ready for deep dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design decisions, team management, and how you navigated complex stakeholder relationships.

• Showcase AI-native work: Specifically highlight examples where designers worked directly with code or leveraged AI tools to create implementation-accurate prototypes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a blend of visionary leadership, practical execution of modern design methodologies (especially AI and codebase integration), and strong change management skills. Your portfolio presentation is your primary tool to showcase these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Director position:

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

• Customize your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your 10+ years of leadership experience, B2B SaaS background, and specific achievements in transforming design organizations and implementing AI-driven workflows. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 key projects that best demonstrate your ability to lead design strategy, rebuild operating models, and implement AI-native, codebase-anchored design. Ensure these projects clearly articulate challenges, your strategic approach, and measurable results.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on your leadership role, the transformation aspects, and how you leveraged AI and integrated with engineering. Be ready to discuss your vision for the role and team.

• Research SecurityScorecard: Understand their mission, product, market position, and recent innovations. Familiarize yourself with their culture and values to articulate your alignment.

⚠️ 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.