Manager User Experience

Ascend Learning, LLC•Leawood, OR

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Ascend Learning is seeking an experienced and strategic UX Manager to lead designers in delivering intuitive, user-centered experiences across our digital product portfolio. This role sits at the intersection of people leadership and UX strategy. You’ll mentor high-performing designers while serving as a key voice in shaping how UX influences product direction across the organization. You’ll partner closely with product managers, engineers, and senior stakeholders to align design work to business goals, advocate for the user at every stage of the product lifecycle, and drive cross-functional ways of working that elevate design’s impact. We’re also looking for a manager who is fluent in modern AI-powered workflows and who can model and encourage responsible, high-leverage use of these tools within the team.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in design, HCI, or a related field.
6+ years of experience in UX design, with demonstrated growth into a leadership role.
Proficiency in Figma; experience with AI-powered design and ideation tools (Claude, generative tools, or similar) strongly preferred.
Experience working closely with front-end developers.
Strong proficiency in UX methodologies, usability principles, and iterative design processes.
Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.
An ability to think critically, solve complex problems, and deliver innovative design solutions.
Portfolio showcasing a range of UX design projects and demonstrating your design process.

Nice To Haves

Experience with AI-powered design and ideation tools (Claude, generative tools, or similar) strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage, mentor, and grow a team of UX designers, providing consistent coaching, actionable feedback, and formal performance evaluations that support each designer’s development and career growth.
Set clear expectations, delegate work aligned to individual skill levels and stretch opportunities, and ensure the team operates with focus, accountability, and momentum.
Model and champion responsible, high-leverage use of AI tools, including Claude, generative design platforms, and emerging workflows across the team.
Establish team norms and best practices for AI-assisted design, helping designers use these tools to accelerate iteration and concept work without sacrificing rigor or craft quality.
Stay hands-on as a practitioner, contributing directly to user flows, wireframes, high-fidelity prototypes, and research activities alongside your team.
Oversee the end-to-end UX design process across a defined product category from discovery and concept development through prototyping, usability testing, and handoff.
Manage and prioritize the team’s workload across multiple concurrent projects, balancing quality, scope, and delivery timelines.
Ensure all UX work meets a high bar for quality, accessibility, and user value, delivering experiences that are intuitive, consistent, and grounded in real user needs.
Partner closely with Product Management, Engineering, and stakeholders to align UX efforts with roadmap priorities and business objectives.
Facilitate design reviews, critiques, and workshops to drive alignment and maintain shared understanding across teams.