UX Project Lead

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Project Lead

Company: Derex Technologies Inc

Location: Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: UX/Product Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-04-15

Experience Level: 10+ Years Professional Experience

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic redesign and implementation of digital services, focusing on the user experience for government hiring systems.

• Drive innovation and digital transformation initiatives across multiple government departments by co-creating solutions.

• Conduct in-depth user research and data synthesis to identify pain points and inform design decisions for improved service delivery.

• Facilitate cross-departmental workshops and stakeholder engagements to map processes and align technology capabilities with user needs.

• Oversee the entire UX/UI design lifecycle, from conceptualization and wireframing to prototyping, testing, and final implementation within a government framework.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role operates at the intersection of UX design, project leadership, and government digital transformation. The emphasis on "Innovation Team" and "in-house consultants" suggests a strategic, advisory capacity focused on large-scale impact and process improvement within a public sector context. The mention of PeopleSoft indicates a need to work within existing enterprise systems, requiring adaptability and strong integration skills.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the transformation of digital service delivery, particularly focusing on the government's hiring system.

• Champion critical thinking and encourage innovative approaches to solve complex challenges within government departments.

• Utilize and gather research data to inform the redesign of the digital hiring system, ensuring it meets both applicant and staff needs.

• Facilitate workshops to map business processes, integrate user research findings, and align with city technology capabilities.

• Conduct usability testing to identify and address pain points for job applicants and hiring staff.

• Develop site maps, flow diagrams, storyboards, and wireframes to visualize interaction flows and information architecture improvements.

• Collaborate with PeopleSoft experts to prioritize and implement system changes based on user research and defined project objectives.

• Design and implement a seamless and efficient hiring process for both front-end users (applicants) and back-end users (hiring staff).

• Apply a UI style guide to create visual designs for website pages within the PeopleSoft system, supporting testing and implementation.

• Lead the implementation of UX and UI changes in collaboration with the Office of Chief Technology Office (OCTO) and the Department of Human Resources.

• Monitor performance metrics, help set targets for impact, and course-correct strategies to achieve defined objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership, hands-on design execution, and complex stakeholder management within a government setting. The requirement to "Help set and achieve defined targets of impact by monitoring performance and helping course correct when needed" points to a strong focus on measurable outcomes and operational efficiency.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree or equivalent practical experience in user experience, human-centered design, collaborative solution creation, visual communication, and implementation skill sets.

Experience: 10+ years of professional-level experience in a relevant field, with a strong emphasis on managing complex digital design and implementation projects.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in human-centered design innovation, UX design, and visual design.

• Demonstrated ability in design research, data synthesis, co-creation, prototyping, testing, iteration, and implementation.

• Proven experience managing complex digital design and implementation projects, preferably within a government environment.

• Strong ability to conduct user research and translate raw data into actionable insights.

• Skill in presenting large amounts of information in simple, easy-to-understand formats.

• Ability to work independently and cooperatively within a team, leveraging the strengths of other team members.

• Excellent interpersonal skills for building relationships with teammates, city staff, and diverse community stakeholders.

• Experience facilitating workshops and meetings with senior-level stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ability to summarize and explain complex situations both in writing and verbally.

• Strong project management background with a proven ability to establish targets and deliver measurable results on time and within budget.

• Superior organizational skills with the ability to set priorities and adapt quickly to changing priorities.

• Familiarity with HTML.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with PeopleSoft.

📝 Enhancement Note: The extensive experience requirement (10+ years) combined with the need for expertise across the entire UX/UI lifecycle (research, design, testing, implementation) suggests a senior-level role requiring significant autonomy and strategic influence. The emphasis on government environment experience and stakeholder management is crucial.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A digital portfolio or visual sample of work is mandatory, with a link acceptable.

• Portfolios should clearly demonstrate professional and/or conceptual project/thinking processes.

• Showcase examples of informational graphics, displays, and user journey maps.

• Include case studies detailing the end-to-end design process for digital products or services.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate process mapping of business workflows and their relation to user research and technology capabilities.

• Illustrate the application of user research methodologies and data synthesis in informing design decisions.

• Provide examples of iterative design processes, including prototyping, usability testing, and design refinement.

• Showcase experience in implementing UX/UI changes within enterprise systems and collaborating with technical teams.

• Detail methods for setting, monitoring, and achieving defined impact targets and measurable results.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirement is central to this role, emphasizing not just final designs but the thought process, research, and collaboration behind them. For a government context, demonstrating an ability to navigate complex systems and stakeholder landscapes is as important as design skills.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the 10+ years of experience requirement, the senior nature of the role, and the Washington D.C. location, a competitive salary range for a UX Project Lead is estimated between $120,000 - $170,000 annually. This estimate is derived from industry benchmarks for senior UX roles in major metropolitan areas, considering the specialized nature of government project leadership and the demand for expertise in digital transformation.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Retirement savings plan (e.g., 401k) with potential company match.

• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Opportunities for professional development, training, and conference attendance.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives.

• Employee assistance program (EAP).

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, typically Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM. Occasional before/after-hours work may be required for specific research opportunities or project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on general market data for senior UX roles in a high-cost-of-living area like Washington D.C. The specific benefits package would need to be confirmed with Derex Technologies Inc. The hybrid work model with a strong emphasis on in-office collaboration (4 days/week) is typical for roles requiring significant team interaction and stakeholder engagement.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: IT Consulting, Staffing Solutions, and Software Services. Derex Technologies Inc. serves a diverse range of industries including Systems Integration, Banking and Finance, Telecommunications, Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences, Energy, Healthcare, Technology, Transportation, and local and federal Government agencies.

Company Size: Information not explicitly provided, but the description suggests a company with established operations and a global client base, likely mid-to-large size.

Founded: 1996, with headquarters in Harrison, New Jersey. This indicates a company with significant experience and stability in the IT services market.

Team Structure:

• The UX Project Lead will report to the "Innovation Team," which functions as in-house consultants for the District Government.

• This team likely comprises individuals with diverse expertise in digital transformation, design thinking, and public sector service improvement.

Methodology:

• Focus on human-centered design, collaborative solution creation, and digital-era tools/approaches.

• Emphasis on using data-driven insights from user research to inform strategy and design.

• Iterative processes involving prototyping, testing, and refinement.

• Project management methodologies to ensure timely and budget-conscious delivery of measurable results.

Company Website: www.derextech.com (implied by domain_derived: derextech.com)

📝 Enhancement Note: Derex Technologies Inc. presents itself as an experienced IT solutions provider with a broad industry reach. The role’s placement within an "Innovation Team" for the District Government highlights a focus on public service improvement through technology and design, suggesting a mission-driven and collaborative environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior-level UX Project Lead position, requiring extensive experience (10+ years) and a high degree of autonomy. It sits at the intersection of design leadership, project management, and strategic consulting within a public sector context. The role is responsible for driving significant digital transformation initiatives.

Reporting Structure: The UX Project Lead reports to the Innovation Team, which acts as an internal consultancy for the District Government. This structure implies a collaborative environment where insights and recommendations are presented to various government stakeholders.

Operations Impact: The role's primary impact is to significantly improve digital service delivery for the District Government, specifically enhancing the hiring process. Success will be measured by improved efficiency, user satisfaction, and the successful implementation of transformative digital solutions. This directly contributes to the operational effectiveness and citizen service quality of the government.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in government digital transformation, public sector UX, or specific enterprise systems like PeopleSoft.

• Leadership: Advance into program management or leadership roles within the Innovation Team or other government digital initiatives.

• Skill Development: Gain extensive experience managing large-scale, multi-stakeholder projects in a unique public sector environment.

• Cross-functional Expertise: Develop robust skills in stakeholder management, process optimization, and change management within a government framework.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity for a seasoned UX professional to make a tangible impact on public services. The growth potential lies in deepening expertise within the government sector and taking on larger, more complex transformation projects, or moving into broader program management roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in a government office environment, requiring a professional and collaborative atmosphere. The work is "Onsite" with a hybrid model.

Office Location(s): 200 I St. SE, Washington, DC 20003. This location is within Washington D.C., likely offering good accessibility via public transportation.

Workspace Context:

• Collaboration: The role demands significant collaboration with government staff, city departments, OCTO, HR, and potentially external stakeholders. The office environment will support this through shared workspaces and meeting facilities.

• Tools & Technology: Access to standard office productivity software (MS Office Suite), design tools (Figma, Miro, Adobe Sketch), and potentially specific government systems (PeopleSoft).

• Team Interaction: Daily interaction with the Innovation Team and frequent engagement with various departmental representatives to drive projects forward.

Work Schedule: Primarily Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM (40 hours/week). Flexibility may be needed for occasional before/after-hours work to capture specific research opportunities, which is common in project-based environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The government office setting implies a structured and potentially bureaucratic environment, requiring adaptability and strong communication skills to navigate. The hybrid model balances in-office collaboration with some flexibility.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely involves a review of the resume and mandatory portfolio submission.

• In-Person Interview: The job description explicitly states "Interview: In Person." This will likely involve multiple rounds.

• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will be expected to present and walk through their digital portfolio, explaining their process, design decisions, and project outcomes.

• Case Study/Challenge: Be prepared for a potential design challenge or case study, possibly related to improving a government service or solving a specific UX problem within a government context.

• Stakeholder/Team Interviews: Interviews with members of the Innovation Team, potentially with representatives from departments or OCTO, to assess collaboration, problem-solving, and cultural fit.

• Final Evaluation: Focus on project management capabilities, ability to drive transformation, and strategic thinking.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your expertise in human-centered design, complex project management, and digital transformation, ideally with examples relevant to government or large organizations.

• Process Over Polish: While polished visuals are good, emphasize your thinking process, research methodologies, data synthesis, iterative design, and how you overcame challenges. Explain why you made certain design decisions.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics demonstrating the impact of your work (e.g., improved efficiency, user satisfaction scores, adoption rates). For government roles, focus on service improvement and operational effectiveness.

• Tailor to Government: If possible, include projects that demonstrate experience working with complex systems, diverse user groups, or in regulated environments. Highlight your ability to manage stakeholder expectations.

• Clear Navigation: Ensure your digital portfolio is easy to navigate and that links are functional.

Challenge Preparation:

• Government Context: Research common challenges in government digital service delivery and innovation. Understand user needs for public services.

• Problem-Solving Framework: Be ready to apply a structured approach to problem-solving, similar to design thinking or agile methodologies.

• Process Mapping & Wireframing: Practice quickly mapping out user flows, information architecture, and creating wireframes to visualize solutions.

• Stakeholder Communication: Prepare to articulate your design rationale and project plans clearly and concisely, as if presenting to a diverse group of stakeholders with varying technical understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "In Person" interviews and the explicit request for a portfolio with "professional and/or conceptual project/thinking processes" highlights the importance of demonstrating not just design skill but also strategic thinking and communication abilities. Prepare to articulate your process and impact clearly.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Miro, Adobe Sketch (or equivalent). Proficiency in these is mandatory.

• Collaboration & Documentation: MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook.

• Wireframing & Information Architecture: Tools for creating site maps, flow diagrams, storyboards, and wireframes.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• PeopleSoft: Familiarity is preferred but not mandatory. This indicates the need to work within or integrate with an existing enterprise resource planning system, common in large organizations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required proficiency in Figma, Miro, and Adobe Sketch is a core technical requirement. Familiarity with PeopleSoft is a significant plus, suggesting that experience with large enterprise systems is highly valued.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: A drive to explore new digital-era tools and approaches to solve city challenges.

• Collaboration: Working cooperatively within the Innovation Team and across diverse government departments and stakeholders.

• User-Centricity: A strong focus on understanding and improving the experience for citizens and government employees.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing research and data synthesis to inform design and strategy.

• Impact Orientation: Commitment to achieving defined targets and delivering measurable results for the government and its constituents.

• Resilience & Patience: Ability to work effectively with individuals at varying levels of engagement with digital service redesign.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Seamlessly works with various government departments, OCTO, and HR.

• Workshop Facilitation: Actively leads and facilitates meetings and workshops with diverse groups, including senior stakeholders.

• Knowledge Sharing: Shares insights from user research and design processes to inform broader government initiatives.

• Proactive Communication: Maintains clear and consistent communication with all parties involved in complex, multi-stakeholder projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes a proactive, collaborative, and impact-driven approach to improving public services through design and technology. Adaptability and strong interpersonal skills are key to navigating the government environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Government Bureaucracy: Navigating the complexities, processes, and diverse stakeholder interests inherent in government projects.

• Legacy Systems: Working with and potentially integrating with existing systems like PeopleSoft, which may have limitations.

• Change Management: Driving adoption of new digital services and processes among staff and citizens who may be resistant to change.

• Resource Constraints: Potentially managing projects with defined budgets and timelines within public sector constraints.

• Defining Measurable Impact: Establishing clear, quantifiable metrics for success in public service improvement.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Public Sector UX Expertise: Become a specialist in designing user experiences for government services.

• Large-Scale Project Leadership: Gain invaluable experience managing complex, multi-agency digital transformation initiatives.

• Stakeholder Relationship Building: Develop advanced skills in managing relationships with diverse government officials and community stakeholders.

• Industry Conferences: Opportunities to attend conferences focused on government technology, civic innovation, and UX.

• Continuous Learning: Staying abreast of emerging UX trends, design tools, and digital transformation strategies applicable to the public sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges related to the unique environment of government work, but these challenges are also the source of substantial growth and learning opportunities for a dedicated professional.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex digital transformation project you led in a large organization or government setting. What were the key challenges, your approach, and the measurable outcomes?" (Focus on process, stakeholder management, and impact.)

• "How would you approach redesigning a government hiring system to improve both applicant and hiring manager experience, given potential legacy system constraints?" (Demonstrate user research, ideation, and implementation strategy.)

• "Walk us through your process for synthesizing user research data into actionable design recommendations. Provide an example." (Highlight data analysis and translation into design.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working in the public sector and specifically for the District Government?" (Demonstrate alignment with public service mission.)

• "How do you approach working within a hybrid environment and collaborating with team members you may not see daily?" (Assess adaptability and team player qualities.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with the "Why": Clearly articulate the problem you were solving and the goals of the project.

• Show Your Process: Dedicate significant time to explaining your research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and testing phases. Use visuals to support your narrative.

• Highlight Collaboration: Explain how you worked with stakeholders, subject matter experts, and development teams.

• Quantify Results: Present any metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrate the success and impact of your work. If direct metrics are unavailable, explain the intended impact and how you would measure it.

• Concise Storytelling: Keep your explanations focused and engaging. Aim for a clear narrative arc for each project.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to demonstrate not only your design skills but also your strategic thinking, project management capabilities, and ability to navigate the complexities of government operations. Your portfolio is your primary tool for showcasing this.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Project Lead position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on jobs.smartrecruiters.com.

• Customize Your Resume: Highlight your 10+ years of experience, emphasizing project leadership, human-centered design, complex project management, and any experience with government or large enterprise systems. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your digital portfolio is polished, easily navigable, and clearly showcases your end-to-end design process, research insights, and project outcomes with a focus on impact. Include a link in your application.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse walking through your portfolio projects, focusing on explaining your strategic thinking, design decisions, and collaboration efforts. Be ready to articulate the impact of your work.

• Research Derex Technologies Inc. and District Government Initiatives: Understand the company's background and the government's focus on digital transformation to tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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.