A User Experience Manager reports into a User Experience Lead. Depending on the size of the UX team, a User Experience Manager may have a small team of junior UX staff underneath them including a UX Designer and/or a UX Researcher.
User Experience Manager / UX Manager
A User Experience Manager / UX Manager position is often the next move up from more junior UI or UX roles. As this is a management role, the successful candidate will need to display good people management skills in addition to the hands-on side of UX. If you would like to find out how to become a UX Manager, what skills you need, and what salaries are on offer, you will find a complete guide below.
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What is a UX Manager?
A UX Manager is responsible for overseeing and managing the user experience design of a product, website, or application. They work closely with various departments, including product, design, engineering, and marketing, to ensure the user experience meets or exceeds user expectations.
The role of a UX Manager involves several responsibilities, including understanding user needs, designing user interfaces, and managing the design team. The UX Manager is also responsible for conducting user research, identifying pain points, and developing solutions to improve the user experience. They need to have a deep understanding of the product, its features, and how users interact with it. This requires a thorough understanding of the business, its goals, and its target audience.
What is the role of a UX Manager?
The UX Manager also plays a critical role in managing the UX design team. They are responsible for setting design standards, developing design processes and workflows, and ensuring that the team delivers high-quality designs that meet or exceed user expectations. They are also responsible for coaching and mentoring team members, providing feedback on their work, and identifying areas for improvement.
The UX Manager must be an excellent communicator, able to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, and effectively communicate design ideas and concepts to stakeholders. They should also be adept at managing expectations, negotiating priorities, and balancing user needs with business goals. The UX Manager must be able to work well under pressure, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and meet tight deadlines.
Read our guide to UX Design principles, process and tools
UX Manager salary
A salary of £60,000 to £75,000 is reasonable salary expectation at the UX Manager level.
This salary should be complimented with a good benefits package, including a combination of comprehensive health and wellness benefits, professional development opportunities and work-life balance initiatives.
Some particular benefits to think about are:
Performance bonuses: Implement a performance-based bonus structure tied to individual and team achievements. This incentivizes UX Managers to deliver exceptional results and meet organisational goals.
Stock options or equity: Offering this may be the competitive edge in securing the candidate in the first place. It also means the candidate has a vested interest in the success of the business.
Example UX Manager job description
A typical User Experience Manager / UX Manager job description will read something like the below:
We are looking for a UX Manager responsible for the development and improvement of client-centric journeys across our product portfolio. The key aim of this role is to ensure all customer experiences are optimised for delivery and meet the business KPIs.
The User Experience Manager’s main responsibilities:
- Utilise existing consumer research to progress a programme of continuous improvement
- Lead all UX projects including usability testing, wireframing, and prototyping stages
- Design and implement additional research methods and iterative prototyping
- Use data to recommend best practise approaches of user experience. Develop A/B test plans to design and optimise features
- Design experiences which are brand-consistent and continuity across sketch, design and implementation phases
- Design reporting and dashboard through lean methods: sketch, iterate, prototype and feedback
- Stay on top of the latest trends in user experience principles across the industry to recommend any changes required for the business. This may include gathering opinions from industry experts from time to time.
To be successful in this User Experience Manager role, you will:
- Be able to evaluate and analyse user flows, journeys and digital experiences to apply learnings
- Possess significant experience across UX tools and techniques including competitor analysis and running design workshops
- Be the voice of the customer and be able to feedback on customer experiences
- Be able to build rapport quickly with both internal and external stakeholders to deliver business objectives
- Be well versed in agile methodologies
- Provide expert knowledge of JavaScript, CSS, HTML, and mobile optimisation
- Experience in mobile platforms (iOS and Android) and responsive design
- Proficient in Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook
UX Interview questions
View our guide to User Experience interview questions, with 47 example questions that employers normally ask at interview.
What UX Manager skills are employers looking for?
A UX Manager needs to have a broad range of skills and expertise to succeed in their role. They must be proficient in UX design principles and practices, including user research, wireframing, prototyping, and testing. They should also be familiar with design tools such as Sketch, Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and InVision. Additionally, they should have a solid understanding of web and mobile technologies, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
A successful UX Manager must stay up to date with the latest trends and best practices in UX design. They should be proactive in seeking out new ideas and techniques to improve the user experience and be willing to experiment and try new approaches.
Standout UX Managers
Recommendations: Recommendations from colleagues, clients, or industry leaders can reinforce a UX Manager’s credibility and differentiate them in the candidate market. LinkedIn recommendations or testimonials from previous employers can provide valuable social proof.
Personal brand: Establishing a strong personal brand in the UX community through speaking engagements, writing articles or blog posts, or participating in industry events can help a UX Manager stand out. Being recognised as a thought leader or contributing to the community can attract attention from potential employers.
Cultivate soft skills: In addition to technical expertise, UX Managers should emphasise their soft skills, including leadership, communication, empathy, and the ability to influence and inspire teams. Demonstrating emotional intelligence and the ability to connect with stakeholders at all levels can make a significant impact.
User Experience Manager FAQs
- What is a User Experience Manager?
- A User Experience Manager or UX Manager is responsible for the development and improvement of client-centric journeys across the product portfolio. The key aim of this role is to ensure all customer experiences are optimised for metrics such as retention, loyalty and churn.
- How do I become a UX Designer Manager?
- A relevant degree such as Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Design, Computer Science, Psychology, Education, Human-Computer Interaction, Engineering or Interaction Design would help in becoming a UX Manager.
- UX Manager v UX Lead. What is the difference in roles?
- A UX Manager and UX Lead roles are similar in terms of tasks and output that is measured. They differ in terms of their seniority. A UX lead will often manage a UX Manager or a team of UX Manager depending on the size of a business and their hierarchy / internal reporting structure.
