UX Strategist

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Strategist

Company: Ascensus

Location: Remote, Pennsylvania, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience (UX) Strategy & Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-25

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the long-term user experience vision for complex, program-level initiatives across web, mobile, and AI-driven platforms, focusing on enhancing client financial goal achievement.

• Drive the UX discipline by fostering a user-centered design culture, implementing process improvements, and championing innovation across business, product, design, analytics, and technology domains.

• Translate intricate business strategies, client insights, and market trends into actionable UX direction and north-star experiences for product teams, ensuring alignment with business objectives and user needs.

• Leverage creative and technical problem-solving skills to guide strategic UX direction, evaluate emerging technologies, and ensure the delivery of high-quality, outcome-focused solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a senior individual contributor position with significant strategic influence, focusing on high-level UX vision and cross-functional leadership within a remote environment. The emphasis on "program-level initiatives" and "north-star experiences" indicates a need for strategic foresight and comprehensive ownership of the user journey.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and articulate the long-term user experience vision for intricate, program-level initiatives, encompassing web, mobile, and AI interfaces, with a clear objective to empower millions in achieving their financial goals.

• Present the overarching experience vision, strategic direction, and actionable recommendations to senior leadership and key stakeholders to influence decision-making and secure buy-in for UX initiatives.

• Collaborate closely with leadership across Product, IT, and Analytics to gain a deep understanding of core business objectives and user needs, identifying new opportunities for experience enhancement and ensuring alignment for outcome-focused solution development.

• Partner with UX Research teams to guide discovery efforts, synthesize research findings, develop comprehensive journey maps, and frame service design opportunities that inform strategic UX direction.

• Provide strategic guidance and quality oversight to design teams through experience and design reviews, ensuring alignment with the established experience vision, standards, and best practices, including accessibility.

• Evaluate emerging technologies, industry trends, and the competitive landscape to inform and evolve the UX strategy, ensuring Ascensus remains at the forefront of digital experience innovation.

• Drive the adoption of a user-centered design culture, foster innovation, and lead process improvements within the UX discipline and across the broader organization.

• Cultivate and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with cross-functional teams, including design, business units, development, and analytics, effectively managing expectations and ensuring seamless project execution.

• Utilize qualitative and quantitative data to inform and validate design decisions, ensuring that implemented solutions achieve the intended business and user impact.

• Contribute to assigned tasks and projects, demonstrating flexibility and a commitment to achieving organizational goals.

• Uphold Ascensus' commitment to protecting, securing, and properly handling all confidential data, adhering strictly to policies against unauthorized access, improper transmission, and unapproved disclosure.

• Actively embody and promote Ascensus' Core Values: People Matter, Quality First, and Integrity Always®, demonstrating respect for colleagues and clients in all actions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strategic leadership component within the UX function, emphasizing influence over direct management. The role requires a strong ability to translate business needs into user-centric solutions and to drive cultural change within a large organization.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience in a creative or technical field.

• Graduate degree preferred, demonstrating advanced academic achievement in a relevant discipline. Experience:

• Minimum of 10 to 15 years of progressive experience in User Experience (UX) strategy, design, and execution, or an equivalent combination of relevant professional experience and education. Required Skills:

• UX Strategy: Proven ability to define and drive long-term UX vision and strategy for complex, program-level initiatives.

• Design Thinking: Expert proficiency in applying Design Thinking methodologies to solve intricate user and business problems.

• Figma Proficiency: Highly proficient in utilizing Figma for design, prototyping, and collaboration, demonstrating advanced feature utilization.

• AI UX Patterns: Deep knowledge of AI enablement for UX, including understanding AI-driven UX patterns and their application.

• Agile & Lean Methodologies: Expert understanding and practical application of Agile and Lean principles in software development and UX processes.

• Journey Mapping & Service Design: Experience in creating comprehensive user journey maps and applying service design principles to map and optimize user experiences.

• Prototyping: Advanced skills in creating interactive prototypes to visualize and test UX concepts.

• HTML/CSS Knowledge: Foundational understanding of HTML and CSS to inform design decisions and facilitate collaboration with development teams.

• User Research: Experience partnering with UX research to synthesize qualitative and quantitative data for informed design decisions.

• Stakeholder Management: Exceptional ability to manage expectations and build strong relationships with senior leadership and cross-functional teams.

• Storytelling: Stellar communication skills, particularly in storytelling, to effectively present UX visions and gain support for initiatives.

• Data Visualization: Proficiency in using qualitative and quantitative data to drive design decisions and demonstrate impact, often through visualization.

• Accessibility Standards: Demonstrated understanding and integration of accessibility best practices into UX design.

• Collaboration: Exceptional collaboration skills, fostering strong partnerships across diverse teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the financial services industry, understanding its unique user needs and regulatory landscape.

• Experience with other design and prototyping software beyond Figma.

• Familiarity with AI/ML integration in user-facing applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 10-15 years of experience with a portfolio showcasing complex problem-solving for large-scale clients clearly positions this as a senior, strategic role. Proficiency in Figma and knowledge of AI UX patterns are highlighted as critical technical skills.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating extensive experience in solving the most complex UX problems for large-scale clients, showcasing strategic thinking and impactful design solutions.

• Case studies that illustrate the application of Design Thinking, Agile, and Lean methodologies to drive successful UX outcomes.

• Examples of UX strategy development, including the creation of north-star experiences and long-term vision articulation.

• Demonstrations of proficiency in Figma, including complex prototyping and collaborative workflows.

• Evidence of utilizing qualitative and quantitative data to inform design decisions and measure impact.

• Projects that highlight strong collaboration with cross-functional teams (Product, IT, Analytics, Research). Process Documentation:

• Examples of how you have driven user-centered design culture and process improvements within an organization.

• Documentation or case studies showcasing journey mapping and service design initiatives and their outcomes.

• Evidence of evaluating emerging technologies and trends to inform strategic UX direction.

• Demonstrations of leading experience and design reviews, providing strategic direction and actionable feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are heavily focused on demonstrating strategic impact, complex problem-solving, and cross-functional leadership in UX, rather than purely aesthetic design work. This aligns with the senior strategist title.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Given the senior level (10-15 years of experience), strategic responsibilities, and fully remote nature within the US, the estimated salary range for a UX Strategist in Pennsylvania, United States, is typically between $150,000 and $200,000 annually. This range can vary based on specific qualifications, negotiation, and the exact cost of living within the candidate's remote location in Pennsylvania. Benefits:

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning and skill enhancement.

• In-house Training: Access to internal training programs to foster skill growth.

• Tuition Reimbursement: Support for employees pursuing further education relevant to their career.

• Reward Programs: Recognition and rewards for outstanding performance and contributions.

• Paid Time Off: Generous paid time off to support work-life balance.

• Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance coverage.

• Dental Insurance: Dental care benefits.

• Vision Insurance: Vision care benefits.

• Health Savings Account (HSA): A tax-advantaged savings account for healthcare expenses.

• 401(k) Match: Employer matching contributions to retirement savings plans.

• 529 College Savings Match: Employer matching contributions for college savings plans.

• Volunteer and Charitable-giving Programs: Opportunities to engage in community service and receive company support for charitable contributions.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are expected, estimated at 40 hours per week. The role is fully remote, offering flexibility in how work hours are structured, provided business needs and collaboration with teams across different time zones are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on industry benchmarks for senior UX Strategist roles in the US, specifically considering the Pennsylvania location and the fully remote work arrangement. The provided benefits list is comprehensive and suggests a strong employee support package.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (specifically retirement, payroll, and benefits solutions). Ascensus is a leading provider of technology-driven solutions that help businesses of all sizes provide their employees with retirement, payroll, and benefits programs. This industry context implies a need for user experiences that are trustworthy, secure, and compliant, while also being intuitive for users managing complex financial matters.

Company Size: Ascensus is a large organization, indicated by the typical range of employees for such a company. This size suggests a structured environment with established processes but also opportunities for significant impact and visibility for senior individual contributors. Large companies often have dedicated UX teams and resources.

Founded: Ascensus was founded in 1999. This history indicates a mature company with established market presence and experience in navigating the evolving landscape of financial services technology. It suggests a stable organization with a long-term vision.

Team Structure:

• The UX Strategist reports to the SVP, UX, indicating a high-level position within the UX department. This structure suggests a dedicated UX team that likely includes UX Designers, UX Researchers, and potentially UX Writers, all working collaboratively.

• The role necessitates close partnership with leadership across Product, IT, and Analytics, highlighting a highly cross-functional operating model.

• The team's focus will be on driving user-centered design, innovation, and process improvements across the organization, impacting product development lifecycles. Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: The role explicitly requires using qualitative and quantitative data to drive design decisions and ensure intended impact, suggesting a strong data-informed approach.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: Key responsibilities involve translating business strategy into actionable UX direction and improving UX processes across the organization.

• Automation & Efficiency: While not explicitly stated as a primary focus for this UX role, understanding AI enablement and driving efficiency in UX processes implies an interest in leveraging technology for better outcomes.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Ascensus operates in the critical financial services sector, demanding a high degree of user trust and operational excellence. The company's established history and size suggest a stable environment with potential for significant influence for a senior UX Strategist. The reporting structure to SVP, UX confirms the strategic importance of this role.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is clearly defined as a senior individual contributor role, operating at a strategic level within the UX discipline. It requires 10-15 years of experience, indicating a career path that has progressed through various design and strategy roles. The scope of influence extends to program-level initiatives and cross-functional leadership, positioning it as a pivotal role for driving UX excellence.

Reporting Structure: The role reports directly to the SVP, UX. This direct line of reporting signifies high visibility and direct access to senior leadership, allowing for significant influence on the company's UX strategy. It also implies a level of autonomy and responsibility in shaping the direction of the UX practice.

Operations Impact: The UX Strategist's impact is measured by their ability to shape the "long-term user experience vision" for critical platforms like web, mobile, and AI. This influence is designed to "help millions of people achieve their financial goals," directly linking UX strategy to core business outcomes and client success. By translating business strategy into actionable UX direction, the role ensures that product development is aligned with both user needs and business objectives, ultimately driving client engagement, satisfaction, and retention.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership Expansion: Potential to take on ownership of broader strategic initiatives, mentor junior UX professionals, or lead specific UX domains within the company.

• Industry Expertise Deepening: Opportunities to become a recognized expert in UX for financial services, AI-driven experiences, or complex platform design, potentially leading to speaking engagements or thought leadership.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Further development in leading cross-functional teams and influencing product roadmaps at a higher organizational level, potentially moving into senior management or director roles within UX or Product.

• Continuous Learning: Access to Ascensus's professional development, in-house training, and tuition reimbursement programs to stay abreast of emerging UX trends, technologies (like AI), and methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth potential, not through traditional management titles, but through expanded strategic influence, specialization, and cross-functional leadership within a well-established company in a critical industry sector.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This arrangement offers significant flexibility and autonomy for the UX Strategist, allowing them to work from their preferred location within Pennsylvania. The company emphasizes the need for an uninterrupted workspace and reliable internet speed (25 Mbps or better) to ensure productivity and seamless collaboration.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, it is specified for candidates located in Pennsylvania, United States. This suggests that while physical office presence is not required, the company may have operational centers or a significant presence within Pennsylvania, potentially facilitating occasional in-person meetings or team gatherings if deemed necessary by leadership, though the description emphasizes remote work.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Despite being remote, the role emphasizes strong collaboration with business, product, design, analytics, and technology teams. This requires leveraging digital collaboration tools effectively to maintain team cohesion and facilitate idea exchange.

• Tools and Technology: High proficiency in design and prototyping software like Figma is required. Access to robust digital collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Confluence) is assumed for effective remote teamwork.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for interaction will primarily be through virtual meetings, design critiques, brainstorming sessions, and digital communication channels. The emphasis on "storytelling" and "enlisting support" suggests that communication skills are paramount in this remote setting.

Work Schedule: The role is Full-Time, with an estimated 40 working hours per week. While remote, adherence to business hours for collaboration and meeting attendance is expected. The flexibility of remote work may allow for some adjustment in daily scheduling, but responsiveness during core business hours is crucial for effective teamwork.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature of this role requires a high degree of self-discipline, proactive communication, and proficiency with digital collaboration tools. The Pennsylvania location requirement suggests potential for regional team cohesion or compliance with state-specific employment regulations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess alignment with the 10-15 years of experience, strategic UX skills, and specific tool proficiencies (Figma, Design Thinking, etc.).

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Candidates will likely present a curated selection of their work, focusing on complex program-level initiatives, strategic vision development, and measurable impact. Expect in-depth questions about your process, decision-making, and collaboration methodologies.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders from Product, IT, and Analytics teams to evaluate collaboration skills, understanding of business objectives, and ability to translate user needs into integrated solutions.

• Leadership Interview: A final interview with the SVP, UX, to assess strategic thinking, cultural fit, and alignment with Ascensus's vision and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your most impactful projects that demonstrate your ability to define and drive long-term UX strategy for complex, large-scale initiatives. Prioritize projects showcasing problem-solving, innovation, and measurable business/user outcomes.

• Showcase Process, Not Just Pixels: For each project, clearly articulate the business problem, your strategic approach, the user research and insights gathered, your design process (including Design Thinking, Agile/Lean), the specific challenges encountered, and the tangible results achieved (quantified where possible).

• Highlight Collaboration: Emphasize how you partnered with Product, IT, Analytics, and Research teams. Provide examples of how you influenced stakeholders and fostered alignment.

• Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Explicitly mention and, if possible, show examples of your work in Figma, including complex prototypes and collaborative workflows.

• Address AI & Emerging Tech: If applicable, include projects that demonstrate your understanding of AI enablement for UX or your evaluation of emerging technologies.

• Tell a Compelling Story: Frame your presentations as narratives that highlight your strategic thinking, problem-solving capabilities, and ability to drive impactful change.

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic Scenario: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach developing a UX strategy for a new financial product or feature, considering business goals, user needs, and emerging technologies.

• Problem-Solving Exercise: You might be presented with a complex UX challenge within the financial services domain and asked to outline your approach, key considerations, and potential solutions.

• Process Improvement: Expect questions about how you would drive UX culture and process improvements within a large organization, drawing on your experience with Agile, Lean, and Design Thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess strategic thinking, leadership potential, and practical application of UX principles in a complex, enterprise environment. A strong, results-oriented portfolio is crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The primary required tool for design and prototyping. Proficiency is expected to be "highly proficient," implying advanced use of features for collaboration, complex design systems, and interactive prototyping.

• Prototyping Software: While Figma is specified, familiarity with other advanced prototyping tools may be beneficial.

• Design Systems: Experience with or ability to contribute to design systems for maintaining consistency across large-scale platforms.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Qualitative & Quantitative Data Tools: While specific tools aren't named, the role requires using data to drive decisions. This implies familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics), user feedback tools, and data visualization software (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) may be advantageous.

• User Research Platforms: Experience with tools used for user interviews, surveys, and usability testing.

CRM & Automation:

• AI Enablement: Knowledge of AI enablement for UX, suggesting an understanding of how AI can be integrated into user experiences or used to augment the design process.

• Collaboration Platforms: Proficiency with tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Confluence, and Jira for remote collaboration, project management, and documentation is essential.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma as the primary tool is a key technical requirement. Knowledge of AI enablement for UX is also a specific, forward-looking skill. While specific analytics and CRM tools are not listed, a general understanding of how these systems support UX strategy is implied.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• People Matter: This value suggests a culture that prioritizes employee well-being, collaboration, and respect. For a UX Strategist, this translates to advocating for user needs, fostering positive team dynamics, and creating inclusive experiences.

• Quality First: This core value emphasizes a commitment to high standards in all aspects of work, from strategic planning to design execution. It implies a rigorous approach to UX, focusing on detail, user satisfaction, and business impact.

• Integrity Always®: This value underscores the importance of ethical conduct, transparency, and trustworthiness, particularly critical in the financial services industry. It means ensuring that UX designs are honest, secure, and protect user data.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role demands a highly collaborative approach, working seamlessly with Product, IT, Analytics, and UX Research teams. This involves active listening, clear communication, and a willingness to find common ground to achieve shared goals.

• Process Review & Feedback: A culture that encourages open feedback and continuous improvement of UX processes. The UX Strategist is expected to provide strategic direction and constructive critique while also being receptive to feedback from peers and stakeholders.

• Knowledge Sharing: An environment that promotes sharing insights, best practices, and learnings across teams to elevate the collective UX capability within the organization. This could involve presentations, documentation, or informal knowledge exchange sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's core values heavily influence the expected work style, emphasizing a human-centric, quality-driven, and ethical approach to UX strategy and execution. Collaboration is not just encouraged but is a fundamental requirement for success in this role.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Strategic Vision with Execution: A primary challenge will be translating the high-level UX vision into actionable steps for product teams while ensuring alignment with immediate business priorities and technical constraints.

• Driving Organizational Change: Leading and fostering a user-centered design culture across a large organization requires persistent effort, strong advocacy, and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.

• Navigating Complex Financial Systems: Understanding and designing for the intricacies of financial services, including regulatory requirements and diverse user needs (e.g., novice vs. expert users), presents a unique challenge.

• Adapting to Evolving Technologies: Staying ahead of rapid advancements in AI and other technologies and determining their strategic application for UX requires continuous learning and strategic foresight.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in areas like AI-driven UX, service design for complex ecosystems, and advanced user research methodologies.

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Opportunities to attend industry events (e.g., UXPA, Nielsen Norman Group) and pursue relevant certifications to stay current with UX best practices and emerging trends.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Potential for mentorship from senior leaders within Ascensus and opportunities to develop leadership skills through guiding cross-functional initiatives and potentially mentoring junior team members. The reporting structure to SVP, UX offers a direct path to understanding high-level strategic leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a senior strategic role in a large, established company, requiring strong influence, adaptability, and continuous learning. The growth opportunities focus on expanding strategic impact and specialization within the UX field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you developed a long-term UX vision for a complex product or program. What was your process, how did you gain buy-in, and what was the ultimate impact?" (Focus on strategic thinking, stakeholder management, and ROI demonstration).

• "How would you approach integrating AI capabilities into a user experience to enhance financial goal achievement for our clients? What are the key considerations and potential pitfalls?" (Assess understanding of AI UX, strategic application, and risk assessment).

• "Imagine you need to drive a user-centered design culture shift in a department resistant to change. What steps would you take, and how would you measure success?" (Evaluate change management, process improvement, and advocacy skills). Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of Ascensus and the financial services industry, what do you see as the biggest UX opportunities and challenges for our company?" (Demonstrate research, industry awareness, and strategic perspective).

• "How do you foster collaboration and build strong relationships with Product Managers, Engineers, and Analysts who may have different priorities?" (Assess cross-functional collaboration and communication skills).

• "Can you share an example of how you used qualitative and quantitative data to influence a significant design decision or strategic direction?" (Highlight data-driven decision-making and impact measurement). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: For each project, clearly define the problem statement, your strategic role, the user/business goals, your process (emphasizing Design Thinking, research, and Figma usage), key decisions made, challenges overcome, and the quantifiable outcomes.

• Visual Storytelling: Use compelling visuals from your Figma work to illustrate your design process and solutions. Ensure prototypes are functional and demonstrate key interactions.

• Focus on Strategy, Not Just Design: Emphasize why you made certain strategic choices and how they aligned with business objectives and user needs, rather than just showcasing the final aesthetics.

• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your decision-making rationale, alternative approaches considered, and how you handled stakeholder feedback or disagreements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic leadership, a deep understanding of UX methodologies, proficiency with key tools like Figma, and the ability to drive impact in a complex, cross-functional environment. Case studies should highlight your ability to think big and deliver measurable results.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Strategist position:

• Submit Your Application: Navigate to the Ascensus careers portal via the provided URL and complete the online application form.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your most impactful projects that showcase your strategic UX vision, complex problem-solving for large-scale initiatives, and proficiency with Figma. Prioritize case studies demonstrating measurable business and user outcomes.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 10-15 years of experience, specific expertise in UX strategy, Design Thinking, Agile/Lean methodologies, and proficiency with Figma. Quantify your achievements and responsibilities whenever possible, aligning them with the job description's core responsibilities.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio presentation, focusing on clear storytelling, articulating your strategic process, and demonstrating how you drove positive impact. Be ready to discuss your approach to AI enablement for UX and cross-functional collaboration.

• Research Ascensus: Familiarize yourself with Ascensus's products, services, company values (People Matter, Quality First, Integrity Always®), and recent news to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural alignment during interviews. Understand the financial services industry context.

⚠️ 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.