UX Sr Manager - TS/SCI w/Poly

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Sr Manager - TS/SCI w/Poly

Company: General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT)

Location: Annapolis Junction, MD, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Experience (UX) / Design Operations Management

Date Posted: June 10, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and mentor a team of UX Designers, Researchers, and Writers to deliver exceptional user experiences across digital products, ensuring the user perspective is central to all product decisions.

• Define and enforce comprehensive UX standards, design guidelines, and best practices to ensure consistency and quality across the product portfolio.

• Drive UX strategy across multiple products and platforms, aligning user-centered design efforts with overarching business objectives and technical roadmaps.

• Prioritize UX initiatives, effectively allocate resources, and manage project timelines within an Agile or Scrum product development environment.

• Advocate for user needs and champion best-in-class UX principles at all organizational levels, fostering a user-centric culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "UX Sr Manager," the core responsibilities and required skills align with a leadership role in UX design and strategy within a technology-focused organization. The emphasis on leading a team, defining standards, and driving strategy suggests a significant operational component to the UX function, bridging design execution with business objectives. The TS/SCI w/Poly clearance indicates a role supporting sensitive government or defense projects, which often involves rigorous process adherence and security protocols. This role is not a traditional "Revenue Operations" or "Sales Operations" role but requires a strong operational mindset for managing design processes and teams.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of UX professionals, including Designers, Researchers, and Writers, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.

• Establish and maintain UX standards, design guidelines, and comprehensive best practices to ensure consistency, usability, and quality across all digital products and platforms.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers, stakeholders, and clients to define product vision, align UX efforts with business goals, and integrate user needs into the product development lifecycle.

• Drive the overarching UX strategy for multiple products or platforms, ensuring a cohesive and user-centric approach to digital transformation.

• Prioritize UX initiatives, manage project backlogs, and allocate team resources effectively to meet strategic objectives and deliver impactful user experiences within defined timelines.

• Act as a primary advocate for the user, championing user needs and perspectives across all levels of the organization, from executive leadership to development teams.

• Conduct thorough reviews of design deliverables (wireframes, prototypes, user flows, research findings) to ensure adherence to quality standards, consistency, and optimal usability.

• Measure, analyze, and report on the impact of UX initiatives, utilizing key usability metrics, engagement data, and customer satisfaction scores to demonstrate ROI and inform future design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed emphasize strategic leadership, team management, and operational oversight of UX processes. This goes beyond individual contributor design tasks, requiring the candidate to manage the "operations" of the UX function itself, including resource allocation, process definition, and performance measurement.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science degree in a relevant field such as Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Computer Science, Psychology, or a related discipline.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in User Experience (UX) design, with a significant portion dedicated to leading and managing UX teams and initiatives.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience successfully leading, mentoring, and growing a team of UX Designers, UX Researchers, and UX Writers.

• Deep understanding of User-Centered Design (UCD) principles, user experience (UX) design methodologies, and established usability best practices.

• Proficiency with industry-standard design and prototyping tools, such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision, or equivalent, for creating and presenting design deliverables.

• Exceptional communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to articulate complex design concepts and strategic visions to diverse audiences.

• Demonstrated experience working effectively within Agile or Scrum product development environments, understanding iterative design cycles and cross-functional team collaboration.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities to address complex user challenges and translate them into effective design solutions.

• Active Top Secret SCI clearance with a Polygraph (TS/SCI w/Poly) is mandatory for this role.

• US Citizenship is a requirement for this position due to the nature of the clearance and client work. Preferred Skills:

• Experience implementing and managing accessibility standards, such as Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), to ensure inclusive design for all users.

• Familiarity with developing and maintaining design systems, UX governance frameworks, and style guides to promote consistency and efficiency.

• Experience leveraging analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Mixpanel) to track user behavior, measure UX performance, and derive actionable insights.

• Background in IT, software development, or Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) product environments, providing context for technical constraints and opportunities.

• Experience with user research methodologies, including qualitative and quantitative techniques, to inform design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "5+ years of related experience" is interpreted as a mid-to-senior level management role, requiring not just design expertise but also leadership and strategic planning capabilities. The explicit mention of TS/SCI w/Poly clearance and US Citizenship are critical, non-negotiable requirements that significantly narrow the candidate pool and imply work on sensitive government projects.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase of leadership and team management in UX, demonstrating your ability to guide and develop UX professionals.

• Examples of UX strategy development and execution across multiple products or platforms, highlighting impact on business objectives.

• Case studies detailing the process of defining and enforcing UX standards, design guidelines, and best practices.

• Demonstrations of collaboration with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, Stakeholders) to integrate user needs into product roadmaps.

• Documentation of how you've leveraged user research and usability testing to inform design decisions and improve product outcomes. Process Documentation:

• Detail your approach to establishing and maintaining UX design systems and governance frameworks.

• Provide examples of how you've implemented and managed accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) within design processes.

• Showcase methods for measuring and reporting on UX impact, including the use of usability metrics, engagement data, and customer satisfaction scores.

• Illustrate your experience working within Agile/Scrum methodologies, including how UX integrates into sprint planning, execution, and retrospectives.

• Document your experience with user-centered design methodologies and how they are applied in practice to solve complex problems.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the senior management and strategic nature of the role, a portfolio is crucial. It should not only highlight individual design achievements but, more importantly, demonstrate leadership, strategic thinking, and the operational management of UX processes and teams. This aligns with the expectations for a manager who oversees the "how" of UX delivery.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The provided salary range is $165,750 - $224,250 USD per year. This range reflects the seniority of the role, the specialized skills required, and the critical TS/SCI w/Poly clearance. Compensation will be determined based on the candidate's experience, qualifications, and adherence to contractual requirements.

Benefits:

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical plan options (some with Health Savings Accounts), dental plan options, and a vision plan.

• Retirement: A 401(k) plan with a company match, allowing pre and post-tax contributions up to IRS annual limits.

• Paid Time Off: Generous paid time off plans, including vacation, sick and personal time, and company holidays.

• Leave Programs: Paid parental leave, military leave, bereavement leave, and jury duty leave.

• Insurance: Short-term disability benefits, long-term disability benefits, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, personal accident insurance, critical illness insurance, and business travel and accident insurance.

• Career Development: AI-powered career tool to identify steps and learning opportunities, and an internal mobility team dedicated to career goal achievement.

• Work-Life Balance: Full flex work weeks where possible, promoting a healthy balance.

Working Hours: The standard working hours for this position are 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time role. While the role is on-site, the company promotes full flex work weeks where possible, suggesting some flexibility within the standard schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific and indicates a high level of compensation commensurate with the seniority, specialized clearance, and leadership responsibilities. The benefits package is extensive, covering health, financial security, and work-life balance, which are key considerations for senior professionals. The "Total Rewards" section of the original description provides significant detail on the breadth of benefits. The working hours are standard, but the mention of "full flex work weeks where possible" suggests a degree of flexibility within the on-site requirement.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Information Technology and Services, Government and Defense Contracting. GDIT operates within a highly regulated and mission-critical sector, providing technology and professional services to major U.S. government agencies, including defense and intelligence communities. This context implies a culture that values security, reliability, precision, and adherence to strict protocols.

Company Size: GDIT is a large enterprise, employing approximately 26,000 experts globally. This scale means extensive resources, established processes, and a wide array of potential career paths, but also requires individuals to navigate larger organizational structures and potentially more formalized decision-making processes.

Founded: While the founding date isn't explicitly stated for GDIT in the provided data, its long history as a major government contractor suggests deep experience and established relationships within its market. The company's description highlights its role in digital modernization, AI/ML, Cloud, Cyber, and application development, indicating a forward-looking approach within a traditional sector.

Team Structure:

• The UX team is likely integrated within larger project teams or product development units, working closely with Product Managers, Software Engineers, and potentially Security personnel due to the clearance requirements.

• The reporting structure for a Sr. Manager typically involves reporting to a Director or VP of UX, Product, or Engineering, with direct reports consisting of UX Designers, Researchers, and Writers.

• Cross-functional collaboration is paramount, requiring effective communication and partnership with engineering teams, product owners, business analysts, and client stakeholders to ensure user needs are translated into effective technical solutions. Methodology:

• Data analysis and insights are critical for demonstrating UX impact, informing design iterations, and justifying resource allocation. This involves utilizing user behavior analytics, performance metrics, and feedback mechanisms.

• Workflow planning and optimization strategies are essential for managing the UX process efficiently, ensuring timely delivery of design assets and research findings within Agile development cycles.

• Automation and efficiency practices may be employed in design workflows, prototyping, or reporting to streamline operations and enhance team productivity.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: GDIT's focus on government and defense implies a culture that prioritizes security, compliance, and mission success. The large company size suggests a structured environment where established operational frameworks are important. The UX team's role will be critical in translating complex mission requirements into user-friendly interfaces, a significant challenge that requires strong operational management of the design process.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a Senior Management position within the User Experience discipline. It is positioned at a strategic level, overseeing a team and influencing product direction. The responsibilities extend beyond individual design contributions to encompass team leadership, process definition, resource management, and strategic alignment with business objectives. This is a critical role for professionals looking to lead and scale UX functions within a large, complex organization.

Reporting Structure: As a Sr. Manager, this role will likely report to a Director or VP level executive within Product Management, Engineering, or a dedicated UX/Design organization. The direct reports will be individual UX contributors (Designers, Researchers, Writers). The candidate will need to effectively manage upwards by providing strategic insights and performance updates, and manage downwards by mentoring, guiding, and supporting their team.

Operations Impact: The UX Sr. Manager's impact is measured by their ability to enhance user satisfaction, improve product usability, increase user engagement, and ultimately contribute to the successful adoption and effectiveness of GDIT's digital products, particularly those serving critical government and defense missions. By ensuring user-centered design, this role directly influences client success, operational efficiency for end-users, and the overall quality and perceived value of GDIT's offerings in a competitive market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to advance into Director or VP-level roles, overseeing larger UX departments, multiple product lines, or expanding into broader product strategy leadership.

• Specialization & Expansion: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific UX domains (e.g., AI/ML UX, cybersecurity UX, complex data visualization) or expand into related areas like Product Management or Program Management for highly technical initiatives.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Given GDIT's broad service offerings, there are opportunities to transition into roles managing UX for different types of government contracts or to leverage UX leadership skills in other operational or strategic functions within the company.

• Continuous Learning: Access to GDIT's AI-powered career tool and internal mobility support encourages ongoing skill development and exploration of new career paths within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career trajectory for a Sr. UX Manager in a company like GDIT is typically towards broader leadership or specialized strategic roles. The emphasis on "operations" here refers to the systematic management of the UX function, which is a critical growth path for experienced UX professionals looking to move beyond individual contribution into strategic leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This position is on-site in Annapolis Junction, MD. As a large government contractor, GDIT offices are typically professional, secure, and equipped with the necessary IT infrastructure to support classified work. The environment will likely be structured, with clear security protocols and a focus on mission delivery.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is 2711 Technology Dr, Annapolis Junction, MD. This area is a hub for technology and government contracting, offering accessibility for professionals in the region.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will be designed to facilitate collaboration among team members and with cross-functional partners, likely including dedicated meeting rooms, whiteboarding areas, and potentially specialized UX labs for user research.

• Access to industry-standard design tools (Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD), prototyping software, and potentially user research platforms will be provided. The IT infrastructure will be robust to support complex design and development workflows, including secure access to classified systems if required.

• Opportunities for interaction with UX team members, Product Managers, Engineers, and other stakeholders will be frequent, fostering a collaborative problem-solving atmosphere essential for delivering integrated solutions.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week. The company promotes "full flex work weeks where possible," which suggests that while the role is on-site, there might be some flexibility in daily start and end times, as long as the 40-hour commitment is met and operational needs/security requirements are satisfied.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "on-site" requirement, coupled with the TS/SCI w/Poly clearance, strongly indicates a need for physical presence within a secure facility. The "full flex work weeks" offer a potential mitigating factor for work-life balance within the constraints of on-site work and security protocols.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or HR representative will likely conduct an initial screening call to assess basic qualifications, clearance status, and general fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: This will focus on your leadership experience, team management approach, strategic thinking, and understanding of UX principles. Be prepared to discuss your past successes and challenges in leading UX teams.

• Team/Peer Interviews: You may meet with other UX professionals, Product Managers, or Engineering leads. These interviews will assess your technical UX knowledge, collaboration style, and ability to integrate into existing team dynamics.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A key part of the process will involve presenting your portfolio, focusing on leadership examples, strategic initiatives, and how you've driven UX impact. Be ready to discuss your decision-making process, team management strategies, and how you've overcome challenges.

• Executive Interview: For senior roles, a final interview with a senior leader (Director/VP) is common to assess strategic alignment, cultural fit, and overall leadership potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Leadership: Showcase examples where you led a team, mentored designers, or managed UX projects from conception to launch. Highlight your role in strategic decision-making.

• Strategic Impact: Present case studies that demonstrate how your UX strategy led to measurable improvements in user satisfaction, engagement, or achievement of business/mission objectives. Quantify results whenever possible.

• Process & Methodology: Clearly articulate your approach to defining UX standards, implementing design systems, and managing UX workflows within Agile environments. Explain how you ensure consistency and quality.

• Stakeholder Management: Include examples of how you effectively communicated UX vision, managed expectations, and collaborated with diverse stakeholders, including technical teams and non-design audiences.

• Adaptability: Be prepared to discuss how you've adapted UX strategies or processes to meet the unique requirements of government/defense projects, including security considerations and complex user groups.

Challenge Preparation:

• UX Strategy Case Study: You might be asked to outline a strategy for a new product or feature, considering user needs, business goals, and technical constraints. Focus on your process and rationale.

• Team Management Scenario: Be ready to discuss how you would handle common team challenges, such as performance issues, resource conflicts, or motivating a team.

• Process Improvement: Prepare to discuss how you would assess and improve existing UX processes within GDIT, focusing on efficiency, quality, and integration with development cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a senior role with a security clearance will be rigorous. The portfolio review is critical, and candidates should emphasize their leadership and operational management capabilities in UX, not just individual design skills. The ability to articulate strategy and process is paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD (proficiency required for team oversight and review; individual team members will use these extensively).

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello (essential for working within Agile/Scrum environments and managing UX team workflows).

• Design Systems: Tools for creating, managing, and versioning design systems (e.g., Storybook, Zeroheight, or internal platforms).

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Behavior Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Mixpanel, Pendo, or similar platforms for tracking user interactions, conversion rates, and engagement metrics.

• BI & Dashboarding Tools: Tableau, Power BI, Looker, or internal GDIT tools for visualizing UX performance data and creating reports for stakeholders.

• User Feedback Platforms: Tools for collecting and analyzing user feedback (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform, specialized UX feedback tools).

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how UX integrates with CRM data (e.g., Salesforce) or customer data platforms (CDPs) for personalization and insights can be beneficial.

• Automation tools relevant to design workflows, such as automated testing or integration with CI/CD pipelines for design handoff, may be utilized.

• Integration Tools: Understanding how different platforms connect and share data is valuable for a holistic UX strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack emphasizes tools for design, collaboration, analytics, and potentially design systems. As a Sr. Manager, the candidate needs to be familiar with these tools not necessarily for hands-on day-to-day use, but for strategic oversight, team enablement, and understanding how they integrate into the broader product development ecosystem. Proficiency in tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD is expected at a leadership level for review and guidance.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission Focus: A deep commitment to supporting the mission of government and defense clients, understanding that UX directly impacts operational effectiveness and national security.

• Integrity & Security: Upholding the highest standards of honesty, ethical conduct, and strict adherence to security protocols and confidentiality requirements.

• Collaboration: Fostering a team environment where open communication, mutual respect, and shared problem-solving are paramount, especially in cross-functional settings.

• Excellence & Precision: Striving for high-quality deliverables, meticulous attention to detail in design and research, and a relentless pursuit of user-centered solutions that are robust and reliable.

• Innovation within Constraints: Embracing creative problem-solving and technological advancements while operating within the unique constraints and requirements of government contracting and sensitive environments.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Proactive engagement with Product Management, Engineering, Cybersecurity, and client representatives to ensure a unified approach to product development.

• Process Review Culture: Encouraging a culture of continuous improvement where UX processes are regularly reviewed, discussed, and refined based on feedback and performance data.

• Knowledge Sharing: Promoting an environment where team members share insights, best practices, and lessons learned, fostering collective growth and expertise within the UX discipline.

📝 Enhancement Note: GDIT's culture is shaped by its mission-critical work for government clients. The values will heavily emphasize security, reliability, and mission success. The UX team's collaboration style must be robust, ensuring that design efforts are tightly integrated with technical and security requirements.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Security/Compliance: Navigating the inherent tension between creating intuitive, user-friendly experiences and adhering to stringent security protocols, regulatory requirements, and often complex government interfaces.

• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Expectations: Effectively aligning the needs and priorities of various stakeholders, including government clients, internal product teams, and different levels of leadership, each with unique perspectives and demands.

• Driving Innovation in a Regulated Environment: Fostering a culture of innovation and adopting new UX methodologies or technologies while operating within the established processes and potential limitations of government contracting.

• Resource Allocation & Prioritization: Making difficult decisions about resource allocation and prioritizing UX initiatives across multiple projects or platforms to maximize impact within budget and timeline constraints.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX Leadership: Opportunities to attend leadership development programs, advanced UX strategy workshops, and conferences focused on UX management and innovation.

• Specialized Domain Expertise: Deepening knowledge in UX for specific domains such as AI/ML, cybersecurity, intelligence analysis tools, or complex data visualization, which are critical for GDIT's client base.

• Mentorship & Coaching: Access to senior leaders within GDIT for mentorship, and the opportunity to mentor junior UX professionals, honing coaching and leadership skills.

• Industry Certifications: Pursuing certifications relevant to project management, Agile methodologies, or cybersecurity that can enhance professional credibility and operational understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges will stem from the unique operating environment of a government contractor, requiring a strategic approach to balancing user needs with security and compliance. Growth opportunities are tied to advancing within GDIT's extensive structure and specializing in high-demand areas.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your philosophy for leading and developing a UX team. How do you foster growth and maintain high performance?" (Focus on mentorship, performance management, and team building).

• "How do you approach defining and enforcing UX standards and design guidelines across a portfolio of products, especially in a complex organization like GDIT?" (Highlight process, documentation, and communication strategies).

• "Walk me through a time you had to champion a user-centered design initiative against significant business or technical resistance. How did you build consensus and achieve your objective?" (Prepare a STAR method story emphasizing influence and strategic communication).

• "How do you measure the impact of UX on product success and business objectives? What key metrics do you prioritize, and how do you report on them to senior leadership?" (Focus on data-driven approaches and ROI demonstration). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about GDIT's mission and its role in supporting government and defense clients? How do you see UX contributing to that mission?" (Research GDIT's recent projects, values, and strategic initiatives).

• "How do you adapt UX best practices to meet the unique requirements of government projects, including security, compliance, and specific user groups?" (Demonstrate awareness of the challenges and your strategic approach).

• "Describe your experience working in an Agile/Scrum environment. How do you ensure UX is effectively integrated into sprint cycles and product roadmaps?" (Explain your process for UX within Agile). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically, perhaps by project type or by demonstrating key leadership competencies. Start with a strategic overview of your role and impact.

• Highlight Leadership: For each project, emphasize your role as a leader, manager, or strategist, rather than just a designer. Detail how you guided your team, made decisions, and managed processes.

• Quantify Impact: Use metrics and data to demonstrate the success of your UX initiatives. Show how your work contributed to tangible outcomes (e.g., increased user adoption, reduced error rates, improved efficiency).

• Process & Problem-Solving: Explain the "why" behind your design decisions and team management approaches. Discuss challenges you faced and how you overcame them through process or strategic thinking.

• Tailor to GDIT: Briefly touch on how your experience and approach align with GDIT's mission and the specific requirements of this role, particularly regarding security clearances and government clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating leadership, strategic thinking, operational management of UX processes, and an understanding of the unique context of government contracting. The portfolio is a critical tool for showcasing these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Sr Manager position at GDIT:

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

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight leadership experience, team management, UX strategy development, process definition, and experience with government/defense projects. Use keywords from the job description and ensure your accomplishments are quantified.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a portfolio that emphasizes your leadership in UX, strategic contributions, process management, and measurable impact. Be ready to present case studies that showcase your ability to lead teams and drive exceptional user experiences in complex environments.

• Research GDIT: Thoroughly research GDIT's mission, values, recent projects, and its role in the government contracting sector. Understand how UX contributes to their overall objectives and client success.

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare for behavioral and situational questions using the STAR method, focusing on your leadership, problem-solving, and strategic planning skills. Rehearse your portfolio presentation to ensure it is clear, concise, and impactful.

⚠️ 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.