Manager User Experience

We Impact Lives Through Purpose-Driven Work in A People First Culture

Ascend Learning, a leading healthcare and learning technology company, is the connection between a powerful portfolio of brands serving students, educators, and employers with outcomes-based, data-driven solutions across the lifecycle of learning. From testing to certification, Ascend Learning products are used by physicians, emergency medical professionals, nurses, allied health professionals, certified personal trainers, financial advisors, skilled trades professionals and insurance brokers.

Headquartered in Burlington, MA, with additional office locations and hybrid and remote workers in cities across the U.S., Ascend Learning was recognized by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group as one of America's 2025 Greatest Workplaces as well as America's Best Places to work for Mental Well-Being for 2025.

Were always looking for talented, passionate professionals to join us in our mission to help change lives. If this sounds like an environment where youd thrive, read on to learn more.

WHAT YOULL DO

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.

WHERE YOU'LL WORK

• This position can work hybrid from one of our office locations in Burlington, MA or Leawood, KS, or fully remote

HOW YOU'LL SPEND YOUR TIME

People Leadership

• 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.

AI-Augmented Leadership

• 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.

Design Delivery & Execution

• 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.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• 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.

WHAT YOULL NEED

• 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.

BENEFITS

• Flexible and generous paid time off
• Competitive medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• 401(k) employer matching program
• Parental leave
• Wellness resources
• Charitable matching program
• On-site workout facilities (Leawood, Gilbert, Burlington)
• Community outreach groups
• Tuition reimbursement

Fostering A Sense of Belonging

Our values-driven culture unifies our teams and inspires a mindset of action, innovation, and collaboration, with a relentless focus on customers. We seek out and celebrate all people and perspectives and cultivate an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued, and be authentic. Our culture is firmly rooted in the belief that by embracing our differences and drawing on diverse perspectives, we are a stronger, more innovative, and more successful organization where employees experience a sense of belonging.

Ascend Learning, LLC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer (M/F/Vets/Disabled). No agency or search firm submissions will be accepted. Applications for U.S.-based positions with Ascend Learning, LLC must be legally authorized to work in the United States, and verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.