UI/UX Lead Designer

Overview

Catalyst:Ed is seeking a hands-on and experienced UI/UX Lead Designer to join our team in the development of a new platform being built from scratch. In this role, you will be responsible for crafting both the user experience and the detailed user interface designs that will guide the platform’s development. You will create wireframes, low- and high-fidelity prototypes, and pixel-perfect UI screens while ensuring all design work is consistent with our brand and meets user needs. You will also collaborate closely with product managers, engineers, and stakeholders throughout the design and development process.

This position reports to the VP of Product and Technology.

Who We Are

Catalyst:Ed is a national nonprofit that catalyzes equity, innovation, and improvement by connecting education and nonprofit leaders to critical expertise, hands-on support, and resources. Our mission is to improve outcomes for America’s children and youth by strengthening the schools and nonprofits that serve them.

We’re on an exciting growth trajectory, building a new technology platform from the ground up, designed to scale from supporting hundreds to thousands of organizations. This platform will empower nonprofits and education agencies by providing the technical capacity they need to become more effective, innovative, and equitable in their work.

About This Role

As the UI/UX Lead Designer, you will be responsible for both the user experience and the detailed visual design of the platform, ensuring that it is intuitive, user-friendly, and meets the highest standards of usability. You will produce detailed UI screens that the engineering team will use for implementation and collaborate closely with various teams to ensure that designs align with business goals.

UI Design and Prototyping (~50%)

• Design detailed UI screens and interactive prototypes that clearly convey how the platform will look and function.
• Create wireframes, low-fidelity prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups that guide the development process from concept to completion.
• Define and design visual elements, including menus, buttons, widgets, and navigation structures, ensuring an intuitive and engaging user interface.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive design library to ensure brand and design consistency across all assets.

User Research and Experience Design (~30%)

• Conduct user research through methods like interviews, surveys, and usability testing to gather insights into user needs, behaviors, and pain points.
• Develop personas, user journeys, and user stories to inform UI/UX design decisions.
• Create user-centric designs that ensure accessibility, adhering to standards for a diverse range of users.
• Implement usability testing and gather feedback to iterate on designs.

Collaboration and Validation (~20%)

• Work closely with the product and engineering teams to gather requirements and ensure the technical feasibility of designs.
• Validate the final product after development to ensure that the implementation aligns with design specifications.
• Collaborate in an agile environment, iterating on designs based on user feedback, testing results, and stakeholder input.

Skills and Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in UI/UX design, with a strong portfolio showcasing both user interface and user experience design work.
• Proficiency in design tools such as Sketch, Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and other relevant software for creating wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mock-ups.
• Strong understanding of user research methodologies and an analytical mindset, including experience with user engagement analytics and A/B testing to inform design decisions.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with a proven ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including product managers, engineers, and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated user empathy, with the ability to advocate for the user throughout the design process and ensure designs meet user needs.
• Experience in maintaining brand consistency across design assets and ensuring accessibility standards are met.
• Familiarity with agile development processes and experience working closely with engineering teams to ensure accurate implementation of designs.

Good to Know

• Compensation: The salary range for this role is $90,000 – $120,000, based on experience. Benefits include medical and dental insurance, 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer match, and generous vacation time.
• Location: Remote, with the flexibility to work from anywhere in the U.S.
• Travel: Occasional travel may be required for team meetings and user research sessions.
• Start Date: January 2025
• Physical Demands and Working Environment: The bullet points below are representative of the physical demands and working environment that must be met by a team member to successfully perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
  • Standard/remote office setting; proximity to office equipment that includes electronic devices.
  • Multiple people-facing meetings and interactions a day using Zoom or other video call software
  • Must remain at a workstation for at least 50% of the time; will need to use equipment that includes electronic devices.
  • Perceive and interact with text, media, and people.
  • Communicate and accurately exchange information with text, media, and people.
  • Additional Note: This is a people-facing position, and to be successful, you will need to have comfort interfacing regularly with team members and external stakeholders as well as dealing with a range of personalities across multiple domains.

Catalyst:Ed has a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply, particularly folks who identify as people of color, first generation, low income, or LGBTQIA+.