BCT – UX/UI Digital Design Lead – Head Start IT-AMS Platform

About the position

The UX/UI Digital Design Lead plays a central role in shaping user-centered digital solutions for the Office of Head Start’s IT-Aligned Management System (AMS) platform. This position is responsible for leading the visual, interaction, and service design strategies that inform the platform’s tools, workflows, and dashboards used by federal staff, reviewers, and grantees. The Digital Design Lead collaborates closely with engineers, product owners, data analysts, and end users to ensure that digital services are intuitive, accessible, inclusive, and aligned with both user needs and federal guidelines. This role is critical in advancing OHS’s goal to deliver transparent, efficient, and effective digital monitoring systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design strategy across all digital components of the IT-AMS platform, including user flows, interaction models, visual systems, and content structure.
• Translate complex monitoring processes and data workflows into intuitive, user-friendly interfaces and tools.
• Conduct or oversee user research, usability testing, and feedback analysis to inform design decisions.
• Develop and maintain system-wide design standards, style guides, and reusable components that align with the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS).
• Ensure all platform interfaces are accessible and compliant with Section 508 and WCAG 2.1 standards.
• Collaborate closely with product owners, front-end developers, data teams, and customer support to deliver features that solve user problems.
• Support dashboard, reporting tool, and risk indicator interface development.
• Champion human-centered design thinking within a cross-functional agile delivery team.
• Perform these and other reasonable tasks as assigned by management in support of BCT’s goals and objectives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in User Experience Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Visual Design, Web Design, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience designing user interfaces for digital services or web applications.
• 2 years of experience in leading teams, including both direct and indirect reports, with a track record of fostering collaboration and ensuring compliance with established guidelines and approaches.
• Proven experience applying human-centered design practices in agile environments.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating responsive, accessible designs for web and mobile platforms.
• Familiarity with the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS) and federal digital accessibility requirements.
• Proficiency in design tools such as Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, or similar.
• Experience conducting or incorporating results from usability testing and user research.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, especially in cross-functional or federal teams.
• Proven ability to effectively communicate to various audiences when speaking and in writing.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working with government clients, early childhood education programs, or data-heavy platforms.
• Understanding of front-end technologies (HTML, CSS, React) is a plus.
• Certification in UX Design, Service Design, or Accessibility (e.g., CPACC) is preferred.
• Proficiency with computer, Internet, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint); experience with SharePoint and Monday.com desirable.
• Experience with video meetings/conferencing (e.g., Skype, Zoom, Adobe, MS Teams).
• Ability to adapt quickly to new applications.

Benefits

• Base salary between $115,000 and $150,000.
• Heavily subsidized medical, dental and vision coverage.
• Fully vested 401k plan with company match.
• Company paid life and disability insurance plans.
• Paid family leave.
• Generous paid time off policy.