User Experience Lead

Sidley Austin LLP; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 161,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligibility

Comprehensive benefits program

Job summary

Sidley Austin LLP in Chicago is seeking a User Experience Lead to oversee and drive the product vision and strategy across various products. This role emphasizes hands-on UX design, user-centered principles, and an AI-first mindset.

The ideal candidate will collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative user experiences, mentor UX designers, and define best practices in UX design. Qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree, 3 years of leadership experience, and a strong design portfolio.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years in a leadership role, driving user experience vision.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in user research and design.
• Experience with AI-driven prototyping tools.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the UX vision and strategy.
• Lead the design process from concept to execution.
• Conduct user research and usability testing.

Skills

User research

UX/UI design

Prototyping

Interaction design

Strong communication

Accessibility standards

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Design, HCI, or Psychology

Tools

AI-driven design platforms

Google Analytics

Job description

The User Experience Lead (UX Lead) will oversee and drive the product vision and strategy across a suite of products and platforms, ensuring they align with both user needs and business goals. This role requires a strategic thinker with hands‑on UX design skills, a deep understanding of user‑centered design principles and an AI‑first mindset. The incumbent will work collaboratively with cross‑functional teams, balancing business needs, creative direction with practical implementation to deliver seamless, accessible and innovative user experiences. The UX Lead will guide best practices and foster a collaborative, feedback‑driven environment.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Define, communicate, and execute the UX vision and strategy across multiple products and platforms, aligning with business goals and user needs.
• Lead the design process from concept to execution, including user research, wireframing, prototyping, and final visual design.
• Incorporate AI‑assisted design and research tools (e.g., generative prototyping, automated user journey mapping, AI‑powered analytics) to accelerate and enhance the UX design process.
• Conduct and oversee user research, usability testing, and other validation methods to inform design decisions and prioritize features.
• Collaborate closely with product managers, developers and other stakeholders to define product requirements and ensure design consistency.
• Create and maintain UX design standards, guidelines and patterns to promote a cohesive and scalable design system.
• Provide hands‑on design leadership, balancing high‑level strategic thinking with the ability to execute detailed design tasks.
• Act as a user advocate, championing accessibility, usability and best practices in user experience design across the organization.
• Mentor and support a team of UX designers, providing guidance and feedback.
• Monitor and report on key UX metrics, using data to continually refine design practices and inform future design decisions.
• Stay up‑to‑date on industry trends, new tools and UX methodologies to ensure design practices evolve with the market.
• Present design solutions and advocate for UX improvements to senior leadership and stakeholders, effectively communicating the impact on business goals.
• Lead collaborative design sessions and workshops to foster alignment and generate innovative ideas within cross‑functional teams.
• Ensure the integration of accessibility and inclusivity best practices into the UX process to reach diverse audiences and meet regulatory standards.
• Stay current on the intersection of UX and AI innovation, bringing forward new ideas on how AI can improve both internal workflows and external‑facing user experiences.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Design, Human‑Computer Interaction, Psychology or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• A minimum of 3 years in a leadership role, driving user experience vision.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in user research, UX/UI design, prototyping and interaction design across web and mobile applications.
• Demonstrated willingness and ability to use AI to produce design work—including hands‑on experience with, or genuine eagerness to learn, AI‑and‑code based prototyping tools such as Claude, or similar.
• Solid understanding of front‑end technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to collaborate effectively with development teams.
• Demonstrated experience with accessibility standards (WCAG) and incorporating inclusive design principles.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts to non‑design audiences.
• Proven track record of managing multiple projects with competing deadlines, adapting to evolving priorities and shifting timelines.
• Knowledge of AI‑driven design and research platforms.

Preferred

• Experience in the professional services industry (e.g., legal, financial, accounting, consulting).
• Certification in UX design or design thinking methodologies.
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies and experience working in a Scrum environment.
• Knowledge of user behavior analytics and UX metrics tools like Google Analytics, Hotjar or similar.

Other Skills and Abilities

The following will also be required of the successful candidate:

• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Good judgment.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Strong analytical skills and a proactive approach to problem‑solving.
• Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others.
• Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion in all interactions.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship, now or in the future.

Salary and Benefits

The Target Salary Range For This Role Is $120,000 - $161,000 if located in Illinois or Texas. Salaries vary by location and are based on numerous factors, including, but not limited to, the relevant market, skills, experience, and education of the selected candidate. Our compensation package also includes bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits program. Benefits information can be found at Sidley.com/Benefits.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the duties and responsibilities above satisfactorily and meet the requirements. The requirements listed above are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. If you need such an accommodation, please email [e-mail] (current employees should contact Human Resources).

Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.