Senior UI Designer and Developer

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

The Senior UI Designer & Developer is responsible for leading the design, development, and ongoing evolution of Unbound’s web properties, with a primary focus on maximizing Unbound’s transition to SitecoreAI from its existing self-hosted Sitecore environment. This individual serves as the organization’s internal subject matter expert on SitecoreAI, guiding architecture decisions, component development, and content management workflows to unlock the full capabilities of the platform.

Beyond the platform migration, this role is responsible for designing and producing assets for Unbound’s website while implementing industry best practices and emerging technologies. The Senior UI Designer & Developer will play a leading role in developing solutions and resolving challenges related to the website user experience and front-end functionality, ensuring the effectiveness, quality, and consistency of the organization’s online presence while adhering to established Unbound brand standards and guidelines.

This is a senior individual contributor role requiring the ability to operate independently, lead cross-functional web initiatives, mentor colleagues, and translate complex technical requirements into elegant, user-centered design and development solutions.

Who We Are

Unbound is an international nonprofit based in Kansas City, Kansas, and founded by lay Catholics grounded in the Gospel call to put the needs of the marginalized and vulnerable first.

Our mission is to support families and communities worldwide on their self-directed paths out of poverty.

Our vision is to build a world free from poverty where all people have access to resources, community support and the ability to make decisions that improve their lives and uphold human dignity.

Unbound offers a practical way for sponsors, donors and volunteers to make a personal and direct impact as partners in our global community. Through walking with a child and family, youth, elder or community on their path out of poverty, our supporters have an opportunity to expand their worldviews and be part of creative solutions to poverty.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

SitecoreAI Platform Leadership

• Serve as Unbound’s internal subject matter expert on SitecoreAI, leading the migration from the organization’s existing self-hosted Sitecore instance and driving adoption of SitecoreAI capabilities across marketing and technology teams.
• Architect and develop reusable, scalable component libraries within SitecoreAI using Sitecore’s headless CMS framework, Next.js, and the Sitecore JavaScript Rendering SDK (JSS).
• Configure and manage SitecoreAI environments including tenant setup, site definitions, deployment pipelines, and integration with Sitecore Experience Edge for content delivery.
• Build and maintain Sitecore data templates, rendering items, layout definitions, and personalization rules to support acquisition, engagement, and retention goals across channel teams.
• Partner with the Technology Services web development team to integrate SitecoreAI with Unbound’s existing back-end systems, CRM, and third-party marketing tools via APIs and connectors.
• Develop and document authoring guidelines and training materials to empower content editors and stakeholders to self-serve within the SitecoreAI environment.
• Monitor platform performance, conduct regular audits, and proactively identify opportunities to improve site speed, reliability, and content delivery efficiency within SitecoreAI.
• Stay current with Sitecore product roadmap updates, SitecoreAI releases, and headless CMS best practices, serving as an advocate for platform investment and continuous improvement.

UI Design & Front-End Development

• Design and implement user interfaces for Unbound’s website and other digital applications, including creating wireframes, mockups, and prototypes to visualize and validate design direction.
• Develop and code front-end solutions referencing wireframes, requirements documentation, and visual design templates using HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, and React/Next.js.
• Create visually appealing and intuitive interfaces focusing on typography, color, iconography, spacing, and overall layout to guide users effectively toward sponsorship and engagement goals.
• Design and develop interactive components such as navigation menus, calls-to-action, forms, and conversion-focused landing page elements.
• Create responsive layouts optimized for all screen sizes and devices, ensuring cross-browser and cross-platform compatibility.
• Contribute to Unbound’s brand guidelines with an online design system that ensures brand consistency across all digital and offline platforms.
• Develop and maintain a component library for the CMS, enabling content editors and stakeholders to easily reference and deploy approved design patterns.
• Document design decisions, components, and maintain an updated knowledge base for the broader team.

Digital Asset & Content Operations

• Ensure that website design is aligned with the acquisition and engagement goals of channel teams, incorporating user feedback and stakeholder input to continuously refine the experience.
• Optimize images and media assets for web and mobile performance; utilize the organization’s digital asset manager to source and manage photos and videos.
• Maintain the photo library to manage usage rights and expiration of assets across the website.
• Provide ongoing monitoring, maintenance, and support of Unbound’s web properties, including time-sensitive content updates, landing page creation and modification, and proactive identification of site issues.
• Ensure adherence to Unbound’s web change management process, quality review workflow, and accessibility and web standards compliance.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Leadership

• Work with cross-functional teams to successfully plan and execute site initiatives and launches within specified timelines and budgets.
• Partner closely with the Marketing & Communications Project Manager and Technology Services Lead System Analyst to manage priorities, timelines, and deadlines.
• Collaborate with the Technology Services back-end development team to define requirements, confirm design solutions, and manage testing and implementation of improvements.
• Mentor and provide guidance to junior team members or stakeholders on web design best practices, CMS authoring, and front-end standards.
• This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities.

Supervisory Responsibilities

No direct reports. Serves as the subject matter expert (SME) in processes and procedures. In absence of manager answers questions and directs team members. May be involved in selection and/or training of team members.

Personal Characteristics & Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies and skills.

• Demonstrate diversity by recognizing the dignity of each person reflected in the structure and activities of Unbound, which include relationships of mutual respect, teamwork, and commitment to Unbound’s core values.
• Develops and delivers creative solutions; translates concepts and information into web design; applies design principles; uses feedback to modify designs; adheres to Unbound’s graphic identity and brand guidelines; demonstrates attention to detail and thoroughly proofreads work.
• Adapts readily to changing work demands and works cooperatively with a wide variety of people; shifts focus smoothly and quickly among competing activities; maintains composure under pressure and tight deadlines.
• Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; applies feedback to improve performance.
• Ability to build trusting, collaborative relationships with all departments across the organization.
• Professional appearance and attitude, self-motivated and goal driven; follows through on commitments and meets project deadlines.
• Ability to demonstrate poise, tact, and diplomacy; strong teamwork aptitude required.
• Strong interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships and the ability to model Unbound’s core values.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate about technical matters in accessible terms and clearly articulate design vision and direction to non-technical stakeholders.
• Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; shares expertise with others; proactively follows the Sitecore product roadmap and headless CMS industry trends.

Qualifications and Experience

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor’s degree in Web Design, Computer Science, Interactive Media, Marketing, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Minimum of 5+ years of professional experience in UI design and front-end web development, including demonstrated growth in scope and complexity of work.
• Hands-on experience with Sitecore CMS, AEM, or other CMSs required; direct experience with SitecoreAI (SaaS headless CMS) strongly preferred. Candidates with deep Sitecore experience and demonstrated ability to learn SitecoreAI will be considered.
• Experience with headless CMS architecture, including familiarity with Next.js, React, and REST or GraphQL APIs for content delivery.
• Proficiency with the Sitecore JavaScript Rendering SDK (JSS) or comparable headless rendering frameworks is a strong plus.
• Familiarity with UI toolkits like Bootstrap, Tailwind, and similar.
• Solid portfolio of design and development work demonstrating both visual design quality and front-end technical ability.
• Front-end language proficiency required: HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript (ES6+), and jQuery.
• Thorough knowledge of visual design principles including graphic design, layout, typography, color theory, and branding.
• Knowledge of responsive design, cross-browser development, and web accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1).
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and deployment workflows in a cloud-hosted web environment.
• Moderate to advanced proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Dreamweaver; familiarity with Figma or comparable prototyping tools preferred.
• Strong organizational and multi-tasking skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and consistently meet deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills with the ability to work independently or within a cross-functional team, including back-end developers, designers, and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience in the nonprofit sector or with mission-driven organizations is a plus.
• Bilingual in Spanish/English or other relevant languages is a plus but not required.

Physical Abilities

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• Frequently required to sit or stand.
• Use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms.
• Required to talk and hear consistently.
• Specific vision abilities required by the role include the ability to distinguish the nature of objects by using the eye.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry computer equipment.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.