VP of Design, Wealth Services (Hybrid)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: VP of Design, Wealth Services (Hybrid) Company: State Street Location: Boston, Massachusetts, United States Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Design Operations / Product Design Leadership Date Posted: May 18, 2026 Experience Level: 10+ years Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic design vision and execution for State Street's expanding wealth services offering, focusing on consumer-grade applications for institutional clients.
• Drive the design of zero-to-one product initiatives, including AI-enabled experiences and dynamic dashboards, from initial concept through iterative launch and enhancement.
• Foster a user-centered design approach within a regulated, risk-aware banking environment, ensuring high craft and execution standards.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Business, Engineering, and fellow Designers, to define product direction and deliver impactful user solutions.
• Shape the interaction models and critical flows for a portfolio of wealth planning applications catering to diverse user personas and needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior leadership position within the design function, with significant influence over new product development in the wealth services sector. The "VP of Design" title, coupled with "zero-to-one product portfolio" and "AI-enabled experiences," indicates a strategic leadership role focused on innovation and foundational product strategy rather than just execution. The emphasis on a regulated banking environment suggests a need for strong risk awareness and compliance integration into design processes.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the end-to-end design process for multiple wealth planning applications, encompassing user journeys, support experiences, and AI-driven querying interfaces.
• Define interaction patterns for adaptive, dynamic dashboards that personalize user experiences based on roles, preferences, and behavioral data.
• Translate ambiguous business problems into clear product requirements and Minimum Viable Product (MVP) definitions, balancing user value with strategic business objectives.
• Collaborate with Engineering and external partners to ensure design feasibility, technical accuracy, and seamless implementation.
• Champion user-centered design principles and best practices, advocating for user needs within the complex landscape of financial services regulations.
• Produce high-fidelity designs, user flows, and interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts and solutions to stakeholders.
• Conduct and leverage user research, including product validation and usability testing, to inform design decisions and iterate on product offerings.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of scalable design systems to ensure consistency and efficiency across the wealth services product suite.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic product definition, hands-on design execution, and cross-functional leadership critical for a VP-level design role in a rapidly evolving financial services product area. The focus on "zero-to-one" product development and "AI-enabled querying experiences" suggests a need for innovative problem-solving and the ability to define new interaction paradigms.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Design (Interaction, Graphic, Product), Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a related field is a plus.

Experience:

• 10+ years of progressive experience in product design, with a proven track record of leading complex, data-rich products from concept to successful launch.
• Demonstrated experience designing for enterprise tools, financial technology (fintech) sectors, or other highly regulated environments.
• Experience in leading workshops and facilitating discussions with diverse groups of business, design, and engineering stakeholders.

Required Skills:

• Deep expertise in interaction design principles, applicable to both enterprise and consumer-facing products.
• Proficiency in modern design and prototyping tools such as Figma, and familiarity with prototyping libraries and experimentation platforms.
• Strong command of user research methodologies, from initial product and feature validation to comprehensive usability testing.
• Ability to translate ambiguous problem spaces into well-defined product strategies and clear design directions.
• Skill in moving fluidly between strategic vision setting and detailed pixel-level design execution.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and influencing skills to effectively collaborate with and guide cross-functional partners.
• Experience in defining Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) and balancing user needs with business goals.

Preferred Skills:

• Specific experience designing wealth management or financial planning applications.
• Prior experience collaborating with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) teams on production systems.
• Knowledge of accessibility standards and best practices for user interfaces and data visualization.
• Experience in developing and managing scalable design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "10+ years of experience leading complex, data-rich products" and the "deep understanding of interaction design for both enterprise tools and consumer-facing products" underscores the seniority and breadth of experience expected. The preference for fintech/regulated environment experience and AI/ML collaboration highlights the specialized nature of this role within State Street's wealth services.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive design portfolio showcasing a minimum of 10 years of professional experience, with a strong emphasis on complex, data-rich product design.
• Detailed case studies demonstrating leadership in designing for enterprise, fintech, or regulated environments, highlighting problem definition, design process, and measurable outcomes.
• Examples of experience translating ambiguous problems into clear product direction and strategic design solutions.
• Visualizations of user journeys, interaction models for dynamic dashboards, and AI-enabled querying experiences.
• Evidence of collaboration with engineering and business stakeholders, showcasing the ability to balance user value with business goals and technical feasibility.

Process Documentation:

• Case studies should clearly articulate the design process followed, including problem framing, ideation, prototyping, user research (validation, usability testing), and iteration.
• Documentation of how design decisions were informed by user needs, business objectives, and technical constraints within a regulated banking context.
• Examples of how design systems were leveraged or developed to ensure consistency and efficiency across product suites.
• Demonstration of how accessibility standards and data visualization best practices were integrated into the design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are tailored to a senior design leadership role, emphasizing not just design output but the strategic thinking, process rigor, and cross-functional collaboration that underpin successful product design in a complex financial services setting. The focus on "zero-to-one" products and AI experiences necessitates a portfolio that demonstrates innovation and the ability to define new product categories.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• $155,000 - $230,000 Annual. This range is applicable for the primary location (Boston, Massachusetts). The actual salary may vary based on the candidate's ultimate work location and other factors.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive State Street benefits program includes:
  • Retirement savings plan (401K) with company match.
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance coverage.
  • Basic Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Insurance.
  • Optional additional insurance coverages.
  • Paid-Time Off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, short-term disability, and leave for family care responsibilities.
  • Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
  • Incentive compensation, including eligibility for annual performance-based awards.
  • Eligibility for certain tax-advantaged savings plans.
• Full benefits overview available at: https://hrportal.ehr.com/statestreet/Home

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours (likely 40 hours per week), with a hybrid work arrangement allowing for a balance between remote work and office presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is a standard industry benchmark for a VP-level design role in a major financial hub like Boston. The benefits package is typical for a large, established financial institution, offering robust support for employees' financial, health, and personal well-being. The hybrid nature of the role suggests flexibility, but likely with expectations for regular in-office collaboration.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Banking, Investment Management, Custody & Clearing) Company Size: Large Enterprise (State Street is a global financial services provider with a significant employee base, typically in the tens of thousands). Founded: State Street Corporation was founded in 1792, indicating a long-standing history and deep institutional knowledge within the financial sector.

Team Structure:

• The design team likely operates within or closely aligned with the Wealth Services division, a rapidly expanding area for the company.
• This role reports to a senior leader within Wealth Services or a broader Head of Design/Product function, with direct management of design projects and potentially a small team of designers.
• Close collaboration is expected with Product Management, Engineering, Business Development, Legal, Compliance, and Risk Management teams, reflecting the cross-functional nature of product development in finance.

Methodology:

• Design processes are expected to be rigorous, data-driven, and user-focused, while adhering strictly to regulatory and risk management protocols.
• Emphasis on strategic problem-solving, translating complex financial concepts into intuitive user experiences.
• Adoption of modern design tools and methodologies (e.g., Agile development, design thinking workshops) within a structured, enterprise framework.
• A strong focus on ROI and measurable business impact for all design initiatives.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: State Street's long history and large enterprise status imply a structured, process-oriented culture with a strong emphasis on stability, security, and compliance. The expansion into "consumer-grade applications for institutional clients" suggests an ongoing effort to modernize and innovate, creating an environment where design leadership can drive significant change, albeit within established corporate governance.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level:

• This is a senior leadership role (VP level) within the design function, overseeing critical product development for a strategic business unit (Wealth Services). It requires a blend of strategic vision, design expertise, and the ability to influence and lead within a large, complex organization. The scope involves shaping new product portfolios and driving innovation in AI-enabled financial services.

Reporting Structure:

• The VP of Design will likely report to a senior executive within the Wealth Services division, such as a Chief Product Officer, Head of Wealth Services, or a similar senior management role.
• They will be responsible for guiding design strategy and execution, potentially managing a team of designers and UX researchers.

Operations Impact:

• The role has a direct impact on State Street's ability to expand its wealth services offering, attract and retain institutional clients, and drive revenue growth through innovative, user-friendly digital products. Success in this role will be measured by the adoption and effectiveness of the designed applications, user satisfaction, and contribution to business objectives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership: Potential to grow into broader design leadership roles across State Street, overseeing larger product portfolios or entire business lines.
• Innovation Leadership: Opportunity to define and lead the design strategy for emerging technologies like AI in financial services, building expertise and a reputation in this cutting-edge field.
• Product Portfolio Expansion: Influence the direction and growth of State Street's wealth services product suite, contributing significantly to the company's strategic priorities.
• Mentorship and Team Development: Opportunity to build and mentor a high-performing design team, fostering talent and establishing best practices within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth potential within a large financial institution, moving beyond pure design execution to strategic product shaping and leadership. The focus on new product development and AI positions the individual at the forefront of innovation within State Street's wealth services.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type:

• Hybrid work model, balancing remote work with in-office presence. This suggests a modern approach to work flexibility within a large corporate structure.

Office Location(s):

• Primarily based in Boston, Massachusetts, a major financial and innovation hub. State Street has a significant presence in this location.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely be in a corporate office environment, emphasizing collaboration and access to company resources.
• Expect a professional, structured atmosphere common in large financial institutions, with opportunities for interaction with diverse teams.
• Access to necessary design tools, technology infrastructure, and collaborative spaces is expected.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time, likely adhering to standard business hours (e.g., 9 AM to 5 PM EST), but with the flexibility offered by the hybrid arrangement. The hybrid model implies dedicated days for in-office collaboration, strategic planning, and team meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid environment in Boston indicates