Description The Lead Designer – UX will drive design excellence and strategic vision on Customer UX team, leading cross-functional design initiatives and mentoring design talent while elevating the quality of digital experiences across the travel journey. This role is responsible for setting design direction, leading complex design projects, managing stakeholder relationships, and fostering a culture of design excellence while contributing to design system and organizational design maturity. We’re looking for an experienced design leader who combines strategic thinking with hands-on craft excellence, demonstrates strong leadership and mentoring capabilities, and can drive design decisions that balance user needs with business objectives in a complex, fast-paced environment. Key Responsibilities: • Lead design strategy and vision: Define and communicate design strategy for complex, multi-platform initiatives, ensuring alignment with business goals and user needs across the travel ecosystem. • Mentor and develop design talent: Provide guidance, feedback, and career development support to junior and mid-level designers, fostering growth and maintaining high design standards across the team. • Drive cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management: Lead design discussions with senior stakeholders, product managers, and engineering leaders, advocating for user-centered design decisions and managing competing priorities. • Oversee complex, omnichannel experience design: Lead the design of sophisticated user journeys that span multiple touchpoints, ensuring consistency and excellence across platforms, devices, and channels. • Establish design standards and governance: Define interaction patterns, design principles, and quality standards that guide team decisions and ensure scalable, maintainable design solutions. • Lead prototyping and validation initiatives: Direct the creation of high-fidelity prototypes and design validation studies, working with research teams to inform design decisions through user insights. • Champion design system evolution: Partner with the Atmos team to drive design system strategy, contributing advanced patterns and establishing governance that promotes consistency and craft excellence. Qualifications • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (Human-Computer Interaction, Information Design, Communications, Computer Systems, Visual Design or related disciplines) • 6-10+ years of experience in UI/UX design with 3+ years in a lead or senior design role • Proven experience leading design teams and mentoring designers • Portfolio demonstrating leadership in complex design projects, strategic thinking, and measurable business impact • Experience presenting design work and strategy to senior leadership and executive stakeholders • Deep expertise in emerging UI trends, tools, and technologies with ability to evaluate and implement new approaches • Advanced proficiency in digital design and prototyping tools (Figma, Adobe Creative Cloud, etc.) • Expert-level experience applying WCAG accessibility standards and advocating for inclusive design practices • Proven track record leading cross-functional initiatives with business analysts, researchers, developers, and product owners • Experience with design strategy, roadmap planning, and resource allocation • Extensive design experience for web, mobile, and emerging platforms • Demonstrated ability to balance user advocacy with business constraints and technical • Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with ability to influence and align stakeholders • Strong leadership presence with ability to drive consensus and manage conflict • Experience managing multiple complex projects and teams while maintaining high attention to detail • Strategic problem-solving abilities with focus on scalable solutions • Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship What will help you propel from the pack (Preferred Qualifications): • Airline or complex enterprise experience • Advanced degree in design, HCI, or related field • Deep expertise in design principles, visual systems, and best practices, including advanced layout, typography, and color theory • Experience with design research methodologies and user testing • Familiarity with front-end technologies and development patterns across iOS, Android, and web platforms Additional Skills & Qualifications - not assigned to a specific project, will flex for projects within the Commercial UX team (external customer facing) 1. Project Name: The 4 roles will support initiatives for all the areas of the Customer UX team 2. What is the length of the assignment? 6-month contract, option to renew 3. Will there be possibilities to extend -if less than 1 yr assignment? Yes 4. Will this contractor report to you or another manager? Although they will report to me, they will work with all senior managers and the director at times depending on the project need Work Schedule: Remote, Hybrid, Onsite: - Role is hybrid. If in Chicago or Houston, we go to the office one a week on Wednesdays or as needed. Job Type & Location This is a Contract position based out of Chicago, IL. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $70.00 - $80.00/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a fully remote position. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Dec 19, 2025. h4>About TEKsystems: We're partners in transformation. We help clients activate ideas and solutions to take advantage of a new world of opportunity. We are a team of 80,000 strong, working with over 6,000 clients, including 80% of the Fortune 500, across North America, Europe and Asia. As an industry leader in Full-Stack Technology Services, Talent Services, and real-world application, we work with progressive leaders to drive change. That's the power of true partnership. TEKsystems is an Allegis Group company. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. About TEKsystems and TEKsystems Global Services We’re a leading provider of business and technology services. We accelerate business transformation for our customers. Our expertise in strategy, design, execution and operations unlocks business value through a range of solutions. We’re a team of 80,000 strong, working with over 6,000 customers, including 80% of the Fortune 500 across North America, Europe and Asia, who partner with us for our scale, full-stack capabilities and speed. We’re strategic thinkers, hands-on collaborators, helping customers capitalize on change and master the momentum of technology. We’re building tomorrow by delivering business outcomes and making positive impacts in our global communities. TEKsystems and TEKsystems Global Services are Allegis Group companies. Learn more at TEKsystems.com. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.