Our Process
Get the job done on time and on budget
Determine the scope
Our expert UX recruiting team collaborates with you on project scope, required resources, and skill needs. We will develop a proposal which will include timing and expectations of our sourcing plan. Our staffing services have no upfront costs to conduct a search.
We thoroughly vet our talent
Our philosophy is quality over quantity. We filter a large pool of talent so you don’t have to and only present the highest quality. Every candidate we present is vetted through a rigorous, multi-step interview process.
Find the perfect fit, fast
We begin our search by checking the availability and interest of our existing vetted database of talent. It typically takes between 1-3 weeks to present all candidates. You can expect to be presented 3-5 candidates depending on the role.
How we find the best UX talent in Austin
Discover our approach to hiring Austin's top 5% freelance UX talent, including Product Designers, Product Managers, UX Researchers, UX Designers, Strategists, and Design Ops Managers
Our Network
Talent at your fingertips
Talent
5000+
We have a network of over 5,000+ talented global resources across the UX disciplines in product design, UX UI design, UX strategy, UX research, UX writing, design ops and product management. Our network is always growing.
Service Areas
Worldwide
We work with talent across the US and the globe. We're committed to delivering flexible top quality talent that can work on your timezone.
People
Diversity
As the first touch point in a person’s journey toward a new career opportunity, we have a unique responsibility of ensuring the most qualified and diverse talent are sourced for our clients. See our approach to helping our clients find a diverse workforce.
Benefits
Talent management, made easy
Flexibility
We provide dynamic teams or individuals on demand, so you can create a bench of talent to pull from as project needs arise. Whether you need a freelancer, temp-to-perm or a full-time member of your team.
Top Tier Talent
We use the same talent vetting process that powers companies like Google, Airbnb and Meta. Our methods ensure that we find talent who not only have the skills you need, but are also a good match for your culture.
Employer of Record
Talent at Academy are W-2 employees, reducing worker misclassification concerns. They receive benefits even for part-time or short-term assignments, including paid sick leave, and unemployment insurance.
Invoicing & Payroll
You focus on the project, we focus on getting everyone paid. Working with us means you won’t need sign a million contracts or process a million payrolls. One invoice, one point of contact.
Case Studies
Rate Card
We believe in transparency so our pricing is clear
Our rate card gives an example of rates based on position and experience. We strive to match industry averages and are always open to negotiating to help achieve your goals.
Levels
Rates
Mid-level
$150/hr+
Senior
$185/hr+
Leadership
$225/hr+
Executive
Varies
Roles
Motion Designer
Chief of Staff
Game Designer
AR/VR Designer
Webflow Designer
AI Prompt Engineer
Are you looking for a job in UX?
We offer freelance and full-time roles in the UX disciplines.
Testimonials
Meeta Patel
Under Armour, Vice President Consumer Experience
Working with Academy has been critical for the growth of our team. As practitioners themselves, I feel comfortable getting into the nitty-gritty details of a project and asking their consultation on what we might need. In our partnership, they have been transparent and professional and we feel incredibly lucky to have them as a partner.
Jan Sundar
Wish, Former VP of Design
I have worked with Academy for about a year and I can say without any hesitation that I can trust their team to bring us great talent. If I start a company - I will reach out to them first - because they are not only professional but also patient, humble, open to feedback, gave me amazing advice, inspired my designers and my managers within a short time. Lastly, even if there is a hiccup, the Academy team always has a solution and is extremely flexible. This is essential for any team to have a plan a, b or c when you work with an agency to get you the right talent. And Academy always does!
Greg Hoch
BASIC/DEPT®, Former Director of Operations
Academy has been an invaluable partner to us. Any talent we’ve worked with has shown a deep understanding of digital experiences. They’re able to seamlessly integrate with our team and meet the level of craft that we hold ourselves accountable to. We’re set up to meet our budgets and timelines while exceeding expectations.
Dustin Low
Output, VP of People
Output has worked with the Academy team for a number of years. As a small but quickly growing company, we needed a partner embedded in the design community, whose reach was vast, and someone who could quickly assess our team needs and know where to turn for talent. Academy has been that partner to us. A good portion of our Design team at Output is a result of the work that Academy did sourcing, screening and presenting us with viable candidates. We now have a successful design team that we are proud of and know that we wouldn't have them if it weren't for Adam and the Academy team.
Alex Beckham
Twill (Fomerly Happify), Business Operations & Strategy Senior Manager
Academy has made the otherwise stressful and time-consuming task of staffing so easy. They're always extremely quick to respond to our (often last minute) needs and we can always be confident knowing they provide high-quality talent every time.
Are you looking for a job in UX?
We offer freelance and full-time roles in the UX disciplines.
FAQ
How long does it take to find a UX staffing candidate?
The typical timeframe to identify the right candidate is 1 to 3 weeks where we will deliver 3-5 highly qualified candidates. Our process involves tapping into our vetted network and possibly extending the search externally, if necessary. We meticulously match candidates based on the specific opportunity, presenting them to clients with a succinct rationale that underscores their suitability for the project, all while coordinating interviews to ensure a seamless hiring process.
How does your UX staffing business model work?
Our staffing division operates under a no-upfront-cost structure, generating revenue through the margins between what we charge our clients and what we pay our talented contractors. This approach creates a symbiotic relationship, where we are able to provide skilled professionals without any initial costs, charging only upon the successful placement of a candidate in a role.We offer a rich network of highly skilled contractors, with the hourly rate being contingent upon various factors including the position, seniority, experience, and geographical location of the individual. This model ensures flexibility and a customized approach to cater to the unique demands of each role. To delve deeper into our strategy and for guidance on selecting the right recruiting model for your UX team, we invite you to read our informative article titled: "How to Choose the Right Recruiting Model for Your UX Team".
What happens if it’s not working out with a candidate?
We recognize that not every placement may align perfectly with expectations. If an issue arises with a candidate, we actively step in to mediate and find a resolution. In cases where it becomes necessary to part ways with a candidate, we are prepared to facilitate this with the utmost professionalism and consideration for all parties involved.We generally request a two-week notice as a professional courtesy to allow for a smooth transition, except in instances where there has been a breach of company policy, unlawful activities, or unethical behavior, which will necessitate immediate dismissal. Our goal is to manage these situations responsibly, ensuring minimal disruption and maintaining the integrity of your work environment.
Does it cost me anything to engage you in a search for freelancers?
No, our staffing division operates under a no-upfront-cost structure.
Do you employ your talent as W2?
Yes, we serve as a responsible Employer of Record for many professionals in our network. Predominantly, the talent at Academy are brought on board as W-2 employees, minimizing risks associated with worker misclassification while also offering a range of benefits such as paid sick leave, retirement plan contributions, and unemployment insurance, even for those in part-time or short-term assignments. However, we also collaborate with international contractors who may not be classified as W-2 employees and therefore do not have access to the same range of benefits. This allows us to maintain a flexible and diverse talent pool to cater to a wide variety of client needs. Importantly, we always engage in thorough discussions with our clients before initiating any partnership, to ascertain and agree upon the employment model that best suits their specific business requirements and objectives.
Where is your talent located?
Our talent is predominately located in the United States, however we work with talent all over the world. So long as they can reasonably work on our clients timezone. This typically limits our talent to Europe, South America, and the Middle East. Unfortunately, in only special cases are we able to work with talent in Asia or Australia as the timezone difference would create an unreasonable work schedule for people.
How do you ensure a diverse talent pool?
Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is a defining pillar of our operations, serving as a beacon in the journey toward fostering a richly diverse talent pool. Our multifaceted approach begins with a globally diverse team of recruiters adept at bypassing biases to focus on the inherent value of each candidate, often seeing beyond polished resumes to identify untapped potential. This commitment extends to active community engagement, where we not only participate in key industry dialogues through platforms such as ADPList, Design Leadership Forum, Design Ops Assemble and more but also offer vital resources for career growth and development. Equally important is our role in shaping inclusive job listings, where we work tirelessly to ensure our partners adopt language that underscores a deep commitment to diversity and inclusion. Our sourcing strategy is expansive, giving precedence to candidates from marginalized groups and leveraging a vast international talent pool, facilitated by our remote-first approach. Furthermore, we champion the cause of pay transparency and equity, nurturing an equitable compensation structure upheld through regular audits that consider factors like ethnicity and gender. Stay tuned for further updates as we continually refine our strategies to nurture a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive industry.
What types of roles can your agency help to fill?
We specialize in UX recruitment, expertly connecting mid to executive-level professionals with suitable positions in the industry. Our focus lies in placing top-notch Product Designers, UX Designers, UI Designers, UX Researchers, and Product Managers. Additionally, we facilitate roles for DesignOps, Strategists, and UX Writers. Our network also extends to skilled individuals in fields such as illustration, game design, motion graphics, Webflow design, AR/VR, interaction, and service design, making us your one-stop solution for all UX recruitment needs.
What is your screening process for potential candidates?
At Academy, we pride ourselves on a robust and supportive screening process for potential candidates. Initially, every application undergoes a meticulous review, followed by progressive stages of phone and portfolio interviews. If a candidate progresses to the client interview stage but isn't selected, we ensure to offer constructive feedback based on client insights. Throughout each step, we maintain a transparent communication line, providing candidates with detailed feedback and resources to foster their growth. This process, rooted in a strong foundation of evaluating execution strategies and behavioral traits, ensures that we find the perfect fit for our clients while assisting candidates in honing their skills. To get an in-depth view of our process, refer to our article, "A Guide to Interviewing for Your Next UX Role".
We are always up for a chat, just send us a message here and we will get back to you.