UX UI Lead Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX UI Lead Designer

Company: Cardiovascular Research Foundation

Location: New York, NY, US

Job Type: Full Time

Category: UX/UI Design, Digital Experience Design, Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-07-24T19:19:00

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid (Minimum 1-2 days per week in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic vision and execution of user-centered, accessible, and visually compelling digital experiences across the Cardiovascular Research Foundation's (CRF) web properties, applications, and digital communications.

• Serve as the primary subject matter expert for UX/UI design, establishing and advancing design standards, reusable design systems, and best practices for digital accessibility (WCAG 2.1/2.2 AA).

• Drive the end-to-end design process, from discovery and information architecture to wireframing, prototyping, visual design, and quality assurance, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and brand identity.

• Champion inclusive design principles and ensure that accessibility is integrated into every stage of the design and development lifecycle, fostering a culture of digital inclusion.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior individual contributor, requiring deep expertise in UX/UI design principles, with a significant emphasis on digital accessibility. The "Lead" title indicates a responsibility for setting standards and guiding design direction across various digital initiatives, rather than direct people management. The hybrid work arrangement suggests a need for strong communication and collaboration skills, both in-person and remotely.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define, maintain, and evolve a scalable design system and component library, ensuring consistency, reusability, and adherence to accessibility standards across all digital touchpoints.

• Lead the UX/UI design for complex and high-priority digital initiatives, including stakeholder discovery sessions, user journey mapping, information architecture definition, wireframing, interactive prototyping, and high-fidelity visual design.

• Champion digital accessibility by embedding WCAG 2.1/2.2 Level AA requirements into design systems, specifications, prototypes, and quality assurance processes, including considerations for color contrast, typography, keyboard navigation, and screen reader compatibility.

• Collaborate closely with Digital Leads, AD of Creative Services, and cross-functional marketing stakeholders to translate business objectives, audience needs, and content requirements into effective, high-quality digital solutions.

• Conduct or coordinate accessibility reviews, document findings, and partner with development teams to ensure remediation and validate accessible implementation through various testing methods.

• Provide strategic design direction, constructive critique, and subject-matter guidance to internal teams, contractors, and external agencies to uphold design quality and consistency.

• Utilize qualitative and quantitative data, including user feedback, usability findings, web analytics, and accessibility audits, to identify opportunities for iterative experience improvements.

• Define and promote efficient design workflows, review processes, and quality-control practices to enhance consistency, scalability, and on-time delivery of digital projects.

• Partner with the AD of Creative Services to ensure the consistent application and evolution of CRF brand standards across all digital platforms, including websites, email communications, and digital products.

• Ensure that all digital experiences are designed with inclusivity and user-centered principles at the forefront, aligning with ADA-related digital accessibility standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on hands-on design execution and strategic leadership in establishing design standards, particularly around accessibility. The role requires a thorough understanding of the entire product development lifecycle from a design perspective, with an emphasis on translating complex requirements into user-friendly and compliant digital assets.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in UX/UI Design, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Graphic Design, Digital Media, Web Design, Computer Science, or a related field. An equivalent combination of education, relevant professional experience, and a strong portfolio may be considered. Experience:

• 4-6 years of progressive professional experience in UX/UI design, product design, web design, digital experience design, or interaction design.

• Demonstrated experience leading end-to-end UX/UI design work for responsive websites, mobile experiences, landing pages, web applications, digital products, and/or HTML email campaigns.

• Proven experience establishing, contributing to, or governing a design system, component library, or reusable UI pattern library.

• Experience working in a collaborative, cross-functional environment with developers, marketing, editorial, project managers, business stakeholders, and external agencies.

• Experience in healthcare, medical education, scientific publishing, nonprofit, association, conference/event, or another regulated industry is preferred. Required Skills:

• Expert proficiency in Figma, including component libraries, variants, auto layout, prototyping, developer handoff, and design system management.

• Advanced command of user-centered design, interaction design, information architecture, responsive and mobile-first design, visual design, usability evaluation, and iterative product/design development.

• Demonstrated professional expertise in digital accessibility, including the application of WCAG 2.1/2.2 Level AA standards, ADA-related digital accessibility practices, and inclusive-design principles.

• Practical experience conducting or supporting accessibility audits and remediation using tools such as axe DevTools, WAVE, Lighthouse, browser accessibility inspectors, keyboard-only testing, and basic screen-reader testing.

• Strong working knowledge of HTML and CSS, with sufficient technical fluency to collaborate effectively with developers and understand implementation constraints.

• Demonstrated ability to create clear developer-ready documentation, including design specifications, annotations, interaction details, responsive behavior, component states, assets, and accessibility acceptance criteria.

• Proven ability to establish design standards, manage multiple concurrent initiatives, facilitate design reviews, articulate design rationale, and influence stakeholders.

• Excellent written, verbal, visual, presentation, organization, and project-management skills, with strong attention to quality, consistency, brand stewardship, and detail. Preferred Skills:

• Expertise with Adobe Creative Cloud or similar visual design tools.

• Accessibility certification or formal training (e.g., IAAP CPACC, WAS, CPWA, Trusted Tester).

• Experience contributing to or maintaining a design system in Figma or a comparable environment.

• Experience working with content-management systems (CMS) like WordPress, Drupal, or similar platforms.

• Familiarity with JavaScript, front-end frameworks, and CMS platforms.

• Experience collaborating with front-end development teams using tools such as Jira, Monday.com, Asana, Slack, or GitHub.

• Familiarity with SEO, web performance, conversion-rate optimization, and digital analytics best practices.

• Knowledge of medical, scientific, or healthcare content and familiarity with privacy-conscious digital experiences.

• Experience acting as a design lead responsible for UX/UI quality across multiple digital properties.

• Experience partnering with creative-services and brand teams to establish and enforce digital brand standards.

• Familiarity with digital analytics, CRO, SEO, email marketing platforms, and cross-client HTML email testing tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize advanced proficiency in Figma and a deep, practical understanding of digital accessibility standards and their implementation. The preference for healthcare industry experience indicates a need to understand the specific nuances and sensitivities of that sector.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A current online portfolio is mandatory for application submission, showcasing a range of relevant UX/UI design work.

• Portfolio case studies must clearly articulate the candidate's individual role and contributions to each project.

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of the problem definition, user flows, information architecture, and journey mapping for complex digital initiatives.

• Include examples of wireframes, interactive prototypes, high-fidelity visual/interface design, and responsive design implementation.

• Showcase experience with design systems, component-based work, or reusable UI pattern libraries, highlighting their creation or contribution.

• Clearly document accessibility considerations, inclusive design principles, and how WCAG standards were met or exceeded in delivered or implemented experiences. Process Documentation:

• Detail the UX/UI design process, from initial discovery and research through to final developer handoff and post-launch analysis.

• Illustrate how design decisions were informed by user research, data analytics, and usability testing.

• Provide examples of design specifications, annotations, interaction details, and acceptance criteria developed for development teams.

• Showcase experience in defining and promoting effective design workflows, review processes, and quality-control practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirement is critical and must explicitly demonstrate hands-on experience with accessibility standards and design systems. Candidates should prepare to discuss their specific contributions and the rationale behind their design decisions for each case study.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $95,000 - $115,000 per year. The final salary will be determined based on the candidate's relevant knowledge, education, skills, and experience.

Benefits:

• Choice of health plans including medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Company-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance.

• Company-paid life insurance.

• Health and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs).

• Pre-tax commuter benefits through the TransitChek program.

• 401(k) retirement savings plan.

• Generous paid time off (PTO).

• Fourteen paid holidays annually.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week. The hybrid arrangement allows for flexibility in work location on designated days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a Lead UX/UI Designer role in New York City, considering the experience level and specialized skills in digital accessibility. The comprehensive benefits package reflects a commitment to employee well-being and financial security.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare, Medical Education, Scientific Research, Non-profit. The Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) is dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of cardiovascular disease through research, education, and innovation.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the context of multiple divisions, cross-functional marketing teams, and the need for a dedicated UX/UI Lead suggests a mid-to-large sized organization with established digital operations.

Founded: Information not provided, but the organization's focus on research and education implies a history of scientific contribution and a mission-driven culture.

Team Structure:

• The UX/UI Lead Designer will report into a Digital Team, likely within a broader Marketing or Creative Services department.

• They will collaborate closely with Digital Leads (Online News & Editorial, Business Development, Digital Development, Digital Marketing), the AD of Creative Services, and other marketing stakeholders across various CRF divisions.

• This role is a senior individual contributor, expected to provide expertise and guidance rather than manage a team directly. Methodology:

• CRF likely employs a project-based methodology, with the UX/UI Lead Designer involved from the initial strategy and discovery phases through to launch and iterative improvements.

• Emphasis will be placed on data-driven design decisions, user-centered approaches, and adherence to established brand and accessibility standards.

• Collaboration will be key, involving close partnerships with development teams, content creators, and business stakeholders to ensure successful digital product delivery.

Company Website: https://www.crf.org/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission in cardiovascular research suggests a professional, data-driven, and impact-oriented culture. The UX/UI Lead will need to balance creative design with the stringent requirements of a regulated and scientifically focused industry.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Lead-level individual contributor role, signifying a high degree of autonomy and expertise. It's a crucial position for shaping the digital experience strategy and ensuring its technical and ethical compliance.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to a Digital Lead or AD of Creative Services, indicating a direct line of influence on digital product development and brand representation.

Operations Impact: The UX/UI Lead Designer's work directly impacts how CRF communicates its research, educates professionals, engages its audience, and potentially drives fundraising or partnership opportunities. By ensuring intuitive, accessible, and visually appealing digital experiences, this role contributes significantly to CRF's mission and brand perception.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in digital accessibility, design systems, or specific areas of healthcare UX.

• Strategic Influence: Grow into a more senior strategic role, influencing broader digital transformation initiatives or shaping the overall digital product roadmap.

• Cross-functional Leadership: Potentially lead design initiatives that span multiple departments or major organizational projects.

• Mentorship: As a lead, there's an implicit opportunity to mentor junior designers or guide cross-functional teams on design best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth potential for a designer passionate about accessibility and impactful digital experiences in a mission-driven organization. It provides a platform to become a recognized expert in a critical, specialized field.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role requires a hybrid work arrangement, indicating a blend of in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility. The office is located in mid-town New York City.

Office Location(s): New York, NY, US (Mid-town). Specific address details would be provided upon inquiry or during the interview process.

Workspace Context:

• The mid-town office setting likely provides a professional and collaborative environment conducive to focused work and team interaction.

• Expect access to standard office technology and potentially specialized design software licenses.

• Opportunities for in-person collaboration with Digital Leads, Creative Services, and other marketing stakeholders will be a key aspect of the hybrid model.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is typical for full-time roles. The hybrid nature allows for flexibility, requiring 1-2 pre-determined days in the office, providing structure for team collaboration while offering remote work benefits.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model suggests a modern work environment that values both in-person collaboration and employee flexibility. Candidates should be comfortable with structured hybrid arrangements and adept at managing their work effectively across different locations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Resume and portfolio review to assess qualifications, experience, and design capabilities, with a specific focus on accessibility and design system work.

• Design Challenge/Case Study Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present a portfolio case study or complete a design exercise that demonstrates their problem-solving skills, UX/UI methodology, and understanding of accessibility.

• Interviews with Stakeholders: Meetings with hiring managers, Digital Leads, and potentially members of the development or marketing teams to evaluate technical skills, collaboration style, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: May involve a discussion with senior leadership to confirm strategic alignment and overall suitability for the role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Accessibility Focus: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects where digital accessibility (WCAG 2.1/2.2 AA) was a key consideration. Clearly articulate your role in implementing accessible design patterns and solutions.

• Design System Experience: Showcase your involvement in creating, contributing to, or governing design systems or component libraries. Detail the components, their purpose, and how they ensure consistency and efficiency.

• Problem-Solution Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your approach (research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping), your specific contributions, the final design solution, and its impact or outcomes.

• Visual Clarity & Craft: Present your work with high-quality visuals, clear annotations, and well-structured documentation that demonstrates attention to detail and design craft.

• Figma Proficiency: Be prepared to discuss your advanced Figma skills, including component usage, auto layout, prototyping features, and collaboration tools.

Challenge Preparation:

• Review common UX/UI design challenges, focusing on areas relevant to CRF's mission (e.g., designing for educational platforms, complex data visualization, user onboarding for scientific tools).

• Practice articulating your design process, decision rationale, and how you incorporate user feedback and accessibility requirements.

• Prepare to discuss your experience with HTML/CSS and how you collaborate with developers to ensure design fidelity and accessibility compliance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's portfolio for demonstrable expertise in digital accessibility and design systems. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their process and rationale with clarity and confidence.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Expert proficiency required for wireframing, prototyping, visual design, design system management, component libraries, variants, auto layout, and developer handoff.

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Proficiency preferred for visual design tasks.

• Design System Platforms: Experience with tools or methodologies for managing design tokens, reusable components, and design governance.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Tools: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar for understanding user behavior and conversion data.

• Accessibility Audit Tools: Practical experience with axe DevTools, WAVE, Lighthouse, browser accessibility inspectors.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with Jira, Monday.com, Asana, Slack, or GitHub for collaboration and workflow management.

• CMS Platforms: Experience with WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, or similar is preferred.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is highlighted as the core design tool, underscoring its importance. Proficiency in accessibility audit tools and familiarity with development collaboration platforms are also key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong commitment to CRF's mission of advancing cardiovascular health through research and education will be paramount.

• Excellence & Precision: A dedication to high-quality design, meticulous attention to detail, and adherence to scientific and medical standards.

• Collaboration: A willingness to work closely with diverse teams, share knowledge, and contribute to a collective goal.

• Inclusivity & Accessibility: A deep-seated belief in the importance of equitable access to digital information and experiences for all users.

• Continuous Improvement: An openness to iterative design processes, learning from data, and staying current with best practices in UX/UI and accessibility.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role requires seamless collaboration with digital development, marketing, editorial, and creative services teams, bridging the gap between design and implementation.

• Proactive Communication: Regular updates, clear articulation of design rationale, and active participation in team meetings and reviews are essential.

• Feedback Cultivation: An ability to both provide and receive constructive feedback to enhance design quality and team effectiveness.

• Stakeholder Management: Skill in managing expectations, understanding diverse needs, and influencing decision-making across various levels of the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely emphasizes a blend of scientific rigor, collaborative spirit, and a strong ethical compass, particularly concerning accessibility and patient well-being.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Design Excellence with Accessibility Mandates: Ensuring that innovative and visually appealing designs also meet stringent WCAG 2.1/2.2 AA standards requires a nuanced approach.

• Cross-functional Alignment: Gaining buy-in and ensuring consistent implementation of design standards and accessibility requirements across diverse teams with varying technical and design understanding.

• Design System Adoption & Governance: Establishing and maintaining a robust design system that evolves with user needs and business objectives, while ensuring its consistent adoption.

• Navigating a Regulated Industry: Designing for a healthcare/medical context may involve unique considerations around data privacy, scientific accuracy, and user trust.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Accessibility Training: Opportunities for formal certifications (IAAP CPACC, WAS) or specialized workshops to deepen expertise in digital accessibility.

• Design System Leadership: Taking a leading role in shaping the future of CRF's design system, potentially influencing its architecture and integration.

• Industry Conferences: Attending relevant UX, UI, and accessibility conferences to stay abreast of emerging trends and best practices.

• Mentorship: Gaining experience in guiding and mentoring other designers or project team members on design principles and accessibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents an excellent opportunity to become a recognized expert in digital accessibility within the healthcare sector, tackling complex design challenges that have a direct impact on user experience and organizational mission.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for designing a complex web application from initial concept to final delivery, emphasizing how you incorporate user research and accessibility from the outset."

• "How would you approach building or evolving a design system for an organization like CRF? What are the key components, governance considerations, and how do you ensure adoption?"

• "Walk us through a project where you had to advocate for or implement significant accessibility improvements. What were the challenges, your role, and the outcome?"

• "How do you balance brand consistency with user experience and accessibility requirements across different digital platforms (website, mobile app, email)?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of CRF's mission, what do you see as the biggest UX/UI challenges or opportunities for its digital properties?"

• "How do you approach collaboration with development teams, content strategists, and marketing stakeholders to ensure a cohesive digital experience?"

• "Describe a time you had to influence stakeholders with differing opinions on a design decision. What was your approach and the result?"

• "How do you ensure your design work aligns with the ethical considerations and specific needs of a healthcare or scientific organization?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Strongest Case Studies: Choose 2-3 projects that best showcase your expertise in complex UX/UI design, design systems, and digital accessibility.

• Focus on Your Role: Clearly delineate your individual contributions, especially if it was a team project.

• Tell a Story: Frame each case study as a narrative: Problem -> Your Approach -> Solution -> Impact/Outcome.

• Highlight Accessibility: Dedicate specific slides or sections to how accessibility was integrated, showing examples of accessible components, contrast ratios, keyboard navigation considerations, etc.

• Demonstrate Figma Mastery: Be ready to discuss your Figma workflows, component usage, and how you facilitate developer handoff.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced error rates, positive user feedback).

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to speak extensively about digital accessibility, design systems, and their hands-on experience with Figma. Demonstrating an understanding of CRF's mission and the healthcare context will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX UI Lead Designer position:

• Submit your resume and a link to your online portfolio through the ADP application portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects demonstrating expertise in UX/UI design, design systems, and digital accessibility (WCAG 2.1/2.2 AA). Prepare to discuss your specific contributions and the design rationale behind your work.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords from the job description, such as "UX/UI Design," "Digital Accessibility," "WCAG," "Figma," "Design Systems," "Information Architecture," and "Responsive Design." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving approach, and experience with Figma and accessibility standards. Be ready to present a portfolio case study effectively.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with the Cardiovascular Research Foundation's mission, current digital initiatives (if discoverable online), and its role in the healthcare/medical education sector. Understand their commitment to research and patient impact.

⚠️ 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.