UX Strategy and Design Manager

TL;DR

We're looking for a UX Strategist. Multiple apps built from scratch (zero to one) experience is non-negotiable. Work consists of 60% hands-on UX and 40% management. Southeast US or nearshore location preferred.

About us

We're not your average app and experience design firm. We're a dynamic force that loves shaking things up! With our infectious energy and culture, we create incredible mobile, web, and immersive experiences. As a team member, you're just as important as our clients. We hire the best to deliver our best! If you're a strategic thinker seeking a company that values your skills, offers a fun and inclusive culture, and lets you spread your wings, keep reading and apply!

The UX Strategy and Design Manager's role is essential for ensuring that our digital experiences are intuitive, engaging, and tailored to users' needs. For the UX Strategy and Design Manager to truly stand out, they need to combine their deep expertise in design of technology experiences across a customer journey with exceptional leadership skills, a strategic mindset, and the ability to communicate the value of UX to both internal teams and clients assertively and in a way that inspires.

Your MISSION as User Experience and UX Manager:

Lead a team of Product Designers and Strategists that create sustainable competitive differentiation by developing unique product features, innovative solutions, and superior user experiences that set the company apart from competitors.

Outcomes and Objectives:

• Set departmental objectives and performance goals that align with organizational goals using our Development and Feedback Program.

• Improve overall customer satisfaction metrics by delivering products that consistently meet and exceed customer expectations, leading to higher customer retention rates.

• Develop and grow a team of Product Designers and Strategists through effective recruitment, career development, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Foster a culture of excellence, innovation, collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning and improvement by staying abreast of the latest trends and technologies in the digital space, to bring innovative ideas and solutions to clients.

• Enable and support your team as they are involved through the entirety of the SDLC from end-to-end, with an emphasis on the user experience and design.

• Be a true team player and positively contribute to our culture and work environment.

• Thrill clients with your and your team’s quality of work and capabilities.

Responsibilities:

• Craft and execute bespoke product strategies, articulating a clear vision, for clients, ensuring alignment with their business objectives, market positioning, and user needs.

• Conduct thorough market research and client analysis to identify opportunities, trends, and potential challenges, tailoring strategies to the unique context of each client.

• Collaborate closely and seamlessly with Executives, Senior Management, and cross-functional teams (including Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, Design, Sales, and Finance) to ensure alignment and support for strategic initiatives and ensure cohesive and effective product development and delivery.

• Drive creative problem solving.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, acting as a trusted advisor and the primary strategic point of contact.

• Develop tailored product roadmaps and solutions that address specific client challenges and opportunities, leveraging the agency’s expertise in digital innovation.

• Champion the importance of user-centered design and user experience, ensuring products are not only viable and feasible but also desirable from a user perspective.

• Utilize data and analytics to inform strategy and decision-making, presenting clients with evidence-based recommendations.

• Define, monitor, and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success and effectiveness of product strategies. Use data-driven insights to optimize product performance and user experience. Ensure Strategy and Design Teams align with, execute on, and achieve these.

• Lead a team of product designers and strategists, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.

• Enable and support your team as they are involved through the entirety of the SDLC from end-to-end, with an emphasis on the user experience and design.

• Communicate effectively with both clients and internal teams, providing clear updates on strategy development and performance metrics.

• Stay abreast of the latest trends and technologies in the digital space, bringing innovative ideas and solutions to clients.

• Identify potential risks in client product strategies and proactively develop solutions or contingency plans. Anticipate market changes, technological advancements, and competitive threats. Proactively manage risks and adapt strategies to maintain a competitive edge and relevance.

• Identify and prioritize growth opportunities.

• Oversee the budget and resources (people) dedicated to Product Strategy & Design, ensuring effective use for optimal client benefit.

Competencies and Experience:

• An academic background that sets the stage for the creative journey; a Bachelor’s or Master’s in UX Design, HCI, Design, or a related field.

• A seasoned creative ready for new challenges, show us you have 10+ years in UX design, with at least 5 years leading projects for Fortune 500 companies.

• A track record of delivering successful UX projects and strategies with a proven track record of measuring success (i.e. Tell us how you measured success beyond aesthetics).

• A diverse portfolio showcasing a variety of digital products and platforms. You thrive in different environments and adapt easily.

• A guru in creating intuitive and engaging user experiences, looking for someone who has mastery of user-centered design principles, methodologies, and tools and can pull this out of a team.

• Skilled at crafting and executing strategic product roadmaps that align with client business goals.

• You have a long history of leveraging data-driven insights to optimize product features, user experience, and business outcomes.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, able to articulate the value of UX to both internal teams and clients effectively.

• Proven ability to build and maintain strong, lasting client relationships, acting as a trusted advisor and partner.

• Always on the cutting edge of the latest trends and technologies in the digital space, bringing fresh, innovative ideas to the table.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.

• Strategic thinker with a long track record of developing and implementing successful product strategies that drive business growth.

• Experience with Agile methodologies, SDLC management, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities effectively.

• Passionate about leading a team, growing a UX practice, and fostering a culture of creativity, excellence, and continuous improvement.

Interview process

• Brief recruiter call (15-30min)

• Phone screen with a senior hiring team member (1 hour)

• Call with VP of Ops and CEO (1-1.5 hours)

• Group interview with delivery, design, and engineering managers (meet & greet)

• Potential final call with CTO (15-30 mins)

Compensation and benefits

• Up to $180k annual salary

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage

• a strong and engaging Wellness Program and EAP

• generous amount of PTO plus Winter Break

• Paid Parental Leave

• 401k match

• HSA contribution

• Continuing Education Program

• Lunch and Learns, as well as entertaining team activities and gatherings.