Senior UX Research and Design Manager

Compensation Range:

Position Summary

The Sr. UX Research and Design Manager will lead user-centered research and design within the Performance Marketing team, reporting to the Director Performance User Experience. This role will be key in improving digital experiences for prospective and current students through advanced research methodologies and UX design expertise. The Sr. UX Research and Design Manager works closely with cross-functional teams to create data-driven, user-focused solutions that align with the university’s digital marketing strategy. Additionally, the role involves managing an external UX design agency to ensure effective and seamless execution of design initiatives.

Essential Functions:

User Research & Testing

• Conduct comprehensive qualitative and quantitative user research (e.g., interviews, usability testing, surveys) to understand student needs and behaviors across digital platforms.
• Develop and refine user personas and journey maps to inform and guide design decisions.
• Analyze research findings to uncover key insights and provide actionable recommendations that drive user-centric solutions.
• Regularly present research insights to stakeholders to inform decision-making and prioritize design work.

User Experience Design Management

• Oversee the design of user-centered solutions for web and digital platforms, including wireframes, prototypes, user flows, and high-fidelity designs.
• Monitor the design system and create frameworks to ensure consistency across all digital experiences, ensuring a seamless user journey from first touch to conversion.
• Collaborate with internal Performance Marketing teams (including Web Development, CRO, SEO, and Paid Media) and the external UX design agency to ensure the accurate and effective implementation of designs.
• Ensure that design efforts are aligned with performance marketing objectives, focusing on KPIs such as conversion rates, ROI, and user engagement.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Partner with cross-functional teams (including SEO, paid media, web development, CRO, etc.) to identify and prioritize UX improvements that will directly impact business goals.
• Co-create executive-level reports that translate user research and design concepts into strategic recommendations.
• Present and communicate design concepts and research findings to various stakeholders, ensuring designs align with the university’s goals and marketing objectives.
• Advocate for student-centered design principles across all projects to ensure user experience remains a core focus.

Performance & Data-Driven Design

• Leverage data platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Hotjar, Adobe Analytics) and performance metrics to assess the impact of UX initiatives and guide future design decisions.
• Identify optimization opportunities through continuous analysis of A/B testing, web analytics, and behavioral data to drive improved user outcomes.
• Work closely with Performance Marketing teams to iterate on designs based on data and campaign results.

Process & Innovation

• Stay current with UX design best practices, emerging technologies, and trends in digital marketing to continuously enhance UX practices.
• Explore new tools, methods, and methodologies to continuously elevate the design process and deliver exceptional results.
• Ensure that processes are efficient, scalable, and adaptable to meet the dynamic needs of the Performance Marketing team.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Supervise up to four employees including
• Screens applications, interviews candidates, and make final determination on individuals for hiring.
• Trains in all aspects of the position.
• Delegates tasks and provides effective direction to team members to produce substantial business results.
• Independently provides weekly, quarterly, and annual performance feedback to include performance evaluations.
• Makes recommendations for salary and merit increases, promotions, and reclassifications.
• Determines corrective action as needed for direct and indirect reports.

Requirements

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in UX Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Digital Marketing, or a related field; master’s degree highly preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in UX research and design, with a strong focus on performance-driven design in a marketing or digital optimization context leveraging qualitative and quantitative insights to optimize design solutions.
• 5+ years of proven experience managing external vendors or agencies and building relationships to ensure successful execution of UX design projects.
• 5+ years of demonstrated experience in digital marketing and performance-driven environments, balancing user-centered design principles with business and marketing goals.
• 5+ years of experience leading and managing multiple UX research and design projects simultaneously, from inception to completion, ensuring alignment with business objectives, user needs, and technical feasibility.
• 5 years’ experience with industry standard UX tools such as User Testing, Content Square, Hotjar, Optimal Workshop and Maze.
• 5+ years’ Experience applying methodologies such as A/B testing, User testing, Journey research, Heuristic studies etc. to drive innovation and user satisfaction.
• 2+ years’ experience with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to facilitate collaboration with developers and understand technical constraints preferred.
• 5+ years’ experience using tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Hotjar, Mixpanel) to analyze user behavior and optimize digital experiences preferred.

Competencies/Technical Skills:

• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking abilities, with experience applying these skills to optimize user experience in digital marketing campaigns.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage and influence cross-functional stakeholders at various levels, including senior leadership.
• UX Design Tools: Proficiency in design tools such as Figma, Adobe XD, and Sketch to create wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity designs.
• UX Research Methods: Strong knowledge of both qualitative and quantitative research methods such as user interviews, usability testing, surveys, and A/B testing.
• Analytics & Data Platforms: Familiarity with web analytics tools like Google Analytics, Hotjar, and Adobe Analytics to track user behavior and evaluate design performance.
• CRO Tools & Testing Platforms: Knowledge of conversion rate optimization (CRO) tools (e.g., Optimizely, VWO) and A/B testing methodologies to continuously improve UX and drive key metrics.
• Design System & Frameworks: Ability to create and manage design systems to ensure consistency and scalability across multiple digital assets.
• Collaboration & Workflow Tools: Proficiency in collaboration tools such as Trello, Jira, or Asana to manage workflows and align design processes with cross-functional teams.
• Agile Methodologies: Experience working within Agile frameworks, with the ability to adapt and iterate quickly based on ongoing feedback and data.
• Performance Marketing Knowledge: Understanding of the relationship between user experience and performance marketing metrics (e.g., conversion rates, ROI, customer acquisition cost) and how UX design directly impacts these metrics.

Candidates will be asked to present a UX design and research case study as part of the interview process.

Travel: Travel seldom required

Location: Remote

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Candidate receiving offers will be offered a salary/pay rate commensurate with experience that vary based on a candidate’s qualifications, skills, and competencies.  Absent exceptional circumstances, candidates will be offered a salary within this range for this position. The minimum salary will be offered based on the minimum exemption threshold based on state of residency. Base pay is one component of National University’s total rewards package, as we are dedicated to supporting the needs of the “whole you” with our holistic approach to employee benefits by offering comprehensive well-being benefits for you and your family.  For full details about our benefit plan offerings, please visit benefits.nu.edu. For Part-time benefits, please click here.

National University is committed to maintaining a high-quality, diverse workforce representative of the populations we serve. National University employs more than 5,000 faculty and staff and serves over 41,000 students. We are united in our mission to meet the global education demands of the 21st Century and are dedicated to creating a supportive academic and work environment that allows students, faculty and staff to develop their interests and talents while experiencing a sense of community and a commitment to diversity. With programs available both online and at our many campus locations, National University is a leader in creating innovative solutions to education and meeting the needs of our diverse student population, including adult learners and working professionals.

National University offers an opportunity to work in an innovative environment that supports diversity.

National University (NU) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant per applicable federal, state and local laws. At NU, a diverse mix of highly talented, innovative and creative people come together to make the impact of a lifetime for each of our student learners. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment, education, and admission at National University. We are focused on equality and believe deeply in diversity of race, color, ancestry, age, family care status, veteran status, marital status, creed, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, and other legally protected group status.