User Experience Strategist, University of Arizona Libraries

Posting Number req27002

Department UA Library Administration ADM

Department Website Link https://lib.arizona.edu/about/organization

Location Tucson Campus

Address Tucson, AZ USA

Position Highlights

The University of Arizona Libraries are enterprising partners in advancing the University’s priorities by promoting inquiry, creative endeavor, scholarly communication, and lifelong learning. Serving as an intellectual crossroads of the University, the Libraries support innovative interdisciplinary research and scholarship while providing resources and services that enrich both the Arizona community and a global academic audience.

The University of Arizona Libraries welcomes applications for the position of User Experience Strategist. The User Experience (UX) Strategist is a University Staff position that directs the vision, strategy, and oversight for the improvement and expansion of the user experience at the University of Arizona Libraries across all touchpoints.

In this role, you will champion a user-centered, design thinking culture and support it through consultation, training, and providing resources to facilitate organizational focus on improving the user experience. You will contribute to both organizational and departmental strategic prioritization, service development, and project implementation based on outcomes from user research and other assessment methods. You will consult with Libraries departments to improve the experience of their services and products and empower individuals across the Libraries to make improvements with users in mind. You will educate employees across the organization about best practices for accessibility and user experience. You will lead the User Experience team, which includes one FTE staff member and up to 0.75 FTE student assistants, and will report to the Vice Dean.

This position is based on-site at the UA Campus Main Library located in Tucson, Arizona, and is eligible for flexible scheduling.

The first review of applications will begin on September 18, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs.

Duties & Responsibilities

Management, Leadership, and Strategy:
Lead and support the work of the UX team, including the Digital Content Strategist, student employees, and interns.

Manage and participate in strategic projects that impact the user experience, including projects related to both the digital and physical experience.

Consult with library leadership on prioritization, strategic planning, and communication strategies for Libraries-wide, UX-related initiatives.

Ensure that user-centered insights are integrated into organizational strategy.

Provide resources to staff across the Libraries and campus who want to improve the user experience (e.g., trainings, templates, guidelines, recruitment support, and competitive analysis).

Continually improve upon the tools, workflows, and practices used for UX design and research practices library-wide.

Support campus UX initiatives by connecting campus partners on UX-related projects and facilitating access to UX expertise campus-wide.

The UA Libraries support the UA’s strategic initiatives designed to create a welcoming environment for all faculty, staff, and students.

The candidate is expected to support related strategic efforts in the department and Libraries.

Other duties as assigned.

Oversight of User Research and Qualitative Assessment:
Supervise user research efforts, employing such qualitative assessment tools as user interviews, surveys, and usability testing to gather feedback on current and new library products and services.

Work with the Assessment and Analytics Librarian, department heads, Libraries administration, and all relevant stakeholders to recommend, prioritize, and implement improvements to library services and products based on user research findings.

Work with the Assessment and Analytics Librarian and relevant stakeholders to build and sustain a research repository for managing and accessing past user research data, improving user-centered, data-informed decision-making, while reducing redundancy across the Libraries.

Consultation:
Lead the Web Strategy Group and serve on other cross-departmental groups where UX expertise is required.

Consult with departments to identify knowledge gaps that can be addressed by user research, design appropriate research methodologies using user research tools, and provide recommendations to improve the user experience of their products and services.

Consult on user experience best practices for accessibility in alignment with University policies and all other required guidelines.

Work with Marketing Communications to inform content and design efforts, including branding, messaging, and workflows.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
Knowledge of UX research and design principles, including designing and conducting UX research methodologies, such as user interviews and usability testing.

Knowledge of design thinking practices and principles, including building empathy, designing human-centered systems, accessibility standards, and iterating on solutions.

Knowledge of ResearchOps and DesignOps practices to scale impact and improve the efficiency of UX processes, such as research repositories, participant pools, and playbooks.

Proficiency in web communications best practices and analytics tools such as Google Analytics, Plausible, and Siteimprove.

Proficiency in prototyping tools such as Figma and Adobe XD.

Proficiency in collaborative project management tools such as Notion, Trello, and Monday.com.

Proficiency in collaborative document management tools such as OneDrive, Box, and Google Drive.

Knowledge of library software and tools, such as ALMA/ Primo, LibGuides, LibChat, LibAnswers, and LibInsight.

Knowledge of the role of academic libraries in supporting student success, research productivity, and community engagement.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.

Ability to work in a highly collaborative environment, one that values and leverages the benefits of a variety of perspectives.

Ability to demonstrate a positive attitude and strong demonstration of UA Libraries’ Values.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s degree required.

5 years of related work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree or higher advanced degree in user experience, human-computer interaction, design, library and information science, psychology, anthropology, communications, or a related field.

Experience in leading or supervising cross-functional teams, with an emphasis on UX and/or web design practitioners.

Experience in synthesizing and communicating research findings to a broad audience, including making recommendations based on evidence, and advocating for change.

Experience in consulting, training, and delivering workshops.

FLSA Exempt

Full Time/Part Time Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week 40

Job FTE 1.0

Work Calendar Fiscal

Job Category Libraries

Benefits Eligible Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay $75,540 - $98,201

Compensation Type salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Grade 10

Compensation Guidance The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.

The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.

Career Stream and Level PC3

Job Family Library Services

Job Function Libraries

Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies 1

Target Hire Date 12/7/2026

Expected End Date

Contact Information for Candidates Harriett Green

Vice Dean, University Libraries

greenhar@arizona.edu

Open Date 9/4/2026

Open Until Filled Yes

Documents Needed to Apply Resume and Cover Letter

Special Instructions to Applicant

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University’s campuses. These reports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.

Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.