UI/UX Designer – Innovation Programs

The UI/UX Designer - Innovation Programs will lead the design of experimental features, specialized product initiatives, and early-stage concepts that support the strategic innovation agenda of our platform. This role operates within an incubator-style environment, focusing on rapid exploration, prototyping, and validating new ideas that inform future product direction. Ideal candidates excel in fast-paced, ambiguous spaces and are energized by turning visionary concepts into user-centered, testable digital experiences.

What You’ll Do

1. Innovation Research & Concept Development

• Conduct exploratory user research, competitive studies, and trend analysis to identify opportunities for new solutions within HR tech, payroll automation, and AI-driven workflows.
• Develop UI/UX strategies tailored for innovation initiatives, pilot programs, and new concept exploration.
• Produce high-fidelity design artifacts, wireframes, prototypes, journey maps, user flows, and interactive demos to support rapid experimentation.
• Translate insights from innovation sprints into actionable design recommendations for future product direction.

1. Prototyping, Design & Usability Testing

• Design intuitive UI components and seamless interactions for experimental features and automation-driven workflows.
• Build rapid prototypes to support iterative testing with stakeholders, early evaluators, and research participants.
• Test and refine layouts, flows, CTAs, navigation patterns, and micro-interactions to validate feasibility and desirability.
• Incorporate user testing insights and data-driven feedback into continuous design improvements.

1. Collaboration with Leadership-Aligned Initiative Teams

• Work closely with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, AI/ML, Strategy) to shape early-stage concepts aligned with company-level innovation goals.
• Partner with internal and external designers to explore creative concepts while maintaining alignment with brand and design system standards.
• Provide strategic input on UX research methodologies and experimentation frameworks to evaluate new product ideas.
• Support leadership innovation priorities by delivering design work for high-impact, future-focused initiatives without functioning as an executive support role.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree and 5-10 years of UI/UX design experience in SaaS, digital innovation, or product design.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating design for web and mobile, including prototypes, conceptual explorations, and complex workflows.
• Expertise in design tools such as Figma, Sketch, InVision, and Adobe Creative Suite; familiarity with HTML, CSS (SCSS), iOS/Android patterns, and design systems.
• Experience working on innovation programs, incubator projects, R&D initiatives, or early-stage concepts.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present design approaches clearly to diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, navigate ambiguity, and operate independently within fast-moving innovation cycles.
• Experience with Asana, HubSpot, or similar collaboration tools is preferred.
• PMP or other relevant certifications are a plus.