I don’t ever remember seeing something like this for UX. It’s a map of levels and what you would expect from a UX Designer. I don’t think it’s perfect and if someone has something better, I’d love to see it. This is geared towards people in the UX department of a software company.
Use this to know if you are in the right title and what a promotion entails. Also use this in recruiting to put someone at the right level when they join.
I hope this is helpful to someone. If it is, please like/comment/tweet/hoot/whatever.
| Level |
Levels and Expectations |
| 4 |
Associate UX Designer
- Personally contributes towards design goals and deliverables.
- Has virtually no experience as a professional designer.
- Has basic skills in general design.
- Can follow instructions and collaborate with engineers and product managers.
- Has a good work ethic and attitude.
- Gets along well with others.
|
| 5 |
UX Designer –
- Everything in Associate Designer AND has 2-3 years of professional design experience.
- Has intermediate skills in several facets of UX design including information architecture and interaction design.
- Can lead small projects and is reliable.
|
| 6 |
UX Designer II –
- Everything in UX Designer AND demonstrates team leadership and an interest in learning management skills.
- Has 3-4 years of professional design experience.
- Solid design skills in most facets of UX.
- Influences others outside his/her own project.
- Can lead medium-sized projects.
|
| 7 |
Sr. UX Designer –
- Everything in UX Designer II AND actively seeks to be a resource outside of immediate project/team/local scope.
- People will come and ask them for input. Demonstrates team leadership.
- Above average design skillz.
- Has 4-8 years of professional design experience.
- Can lead large projects and mentor 1-2 junior designers.
|
| 8 |
UX Director –
- Everything in Sr. UX Designer AND can do detailed design critiques as well as mentor/manage designers on a daily basis.
- Executes on longer range plans.
- Able to identify, plan, and execute career development for employees.
- Able to teach team on his/her own initiative.
- Influences architecture beyond his/her own project.
- Looks across the organization.
- Mastery of design craft.
- Has 6+ years of professional design experience.
- Is part of the recruiting process on an active basis.
|
| 9 |
Sr. UX Director –
- Everything in UX Director AND Can fill in for the VP of UX or even the VP of PM if needed.
- Can do conceptual design and has strong knowledge of the complete ecosystem.
- Recognized as an influential leader.
- Manages budget performance on a daily basis.
- Executes on long range plans.
- Works effectively to hire and retain talent.
- Effectively manages employee performance.
- Influences architecture beyond his/her own project.
- Looks across the organization.
|
| 10 |
VP, UX –
- Everything in Sr. UX Director AND is recognized as the leader of the user experience of the product.
- Works consistently with other leaders in the organization.
- Builds effective process and standards for the UX organization.
- Regularly influences/designs the conceptual basis for the products.
- Is one of the key visionaries of the product direction.
- Pays for lunch.
|
| 11 |
Chief Design Officer – I’ll have to think about that one. 😉 |
Notice, I didn’t include UX Research or Testing. I believe that is a different department that probably should be a part of the QA (Quality Assurance) team. But that is a topic for another day.
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