Description
We are a newly formed holding entity that provides executive and strategic support for two subsidiary companies. This is a ground floor opportunity to join the executive team and help drive the vision and execution of all three companies.
The
Web Design and User Experience Director will hire and manage our web and experience design team and understands how to conceive, structure, and develop user experience strategies and specifications for online and cross-channel marketing programs. In doing so, the Web Design and User Experience Director provides strategic leadership in the application and advocacy of user-centered design methodologies to ensure relevancy (i.e. use) and usability of websites.
The Web Design and User Experience Director is responsible for the overall day-to-day operations and execution of the User Experience department including managing the group’s product, performance, people, and process, along with establishing and communicating the usability best practices of the company.
Primary Responsibilities:
Responsible for supporting and managing the user experience execution in the following areas of the business:
Stakeholder interviews to determine business/site objectives
User interviews to assess needs and analyze task flows
Heuristic site evaluations and competitive site audits; usability research lead (leads and/or coordinates moderations)
Overall design and information development of wireframes, and navigation flows for web sites
Leads and/or coordinates use and usability testing
Information architecture documents including content matrices and taxonomies, user personas, experience scenarios/maps, site maps, wireframes, flow diagrams and functional specifications
Design optimization recommendations based on user research, segmentation insights, information architecture principles and program data and analysis
Design and execute with Chief Technology Officer (CTO) mobile phone/smart phone apps (IPhone and Android) for web sites
Assists technical team with cloud architecture design elements and user interfaces
Responsible for the overall performance management and career mentoring of user experience staff including developing accountabilities, promotion criteria and training curricula as well as conducting annual reviews and recommending hiring/firing, reward/compensation and growth/development plans.
Responsible for maintaining and improving the user experience process from strategy through implementation. This includes driving the experience strategy and deliverables, standard deliverable templates and best practices as well as ensuring integration with other key departments. Key capabilities include:
- Provide key insights into consumer needs relative to the online channel and usage (in tandem with the segmentation research) that inform our program, experience and information architectures
- Work closely with Account Leads, Strategic Consulting, and Technology personnel to architect and validate the appropriate brand and relationship experience using key brand, marketplace and customer insights
- Oversee use and usability deliverable review and overall quality assurance and ensure that the department (including self) and all associated staff deliver exceptional client service
- Represents user experience expertise on New Business pitches and in annual Account Planning cycles
The Web Design and User Experience Director is an important strategic, tactical and managerial role on the team. As such, the Director should be fluent in integrated experiential principles and how they relate, leverage and inform the overall Marketing Strategy, Creative, Content, and Technology approaches. The Web Design and User Experience Director should be highly competent in integrating the user experience strategies and deliverables with those from the above disciplines both internally and for our clients. Moreover, the Web Design and User Experience Director will work closely with specific internal Technology management and staff to implement web site wireframes, work with Account leaders to facilitate the servicing and growth of our accounts and business partners. As the primary representative of this department and external face to our partners and clients, he/she must be able to conduct these duties with comfort, authority, professionalism and strong leadership.
Required Skills and Experience:
The Web Design and User Experience Director should have greater than six (6) years’ experience in user-centered web design and professional services (i.e. agency or similar work). They have developed their skills over their career in Usability and Architecture, in increasing roles of responsibility and management including Information Architect, Experience Architect or Program Architect.
He/she should have three (3) or more years in managing user experience resources and department operations
Strong portfolio of user-centered design best practices and knowledge that led to an end-product that directly fulfilled the customers’ and client’s goals
Education services, financial services, consumer products & retail, and digital media experience a plus, but not required.
Education/Training Requirements:
Macintosh and PC platforms, industry standard design and development tools skills required including but not limited to Microsoft Visio or Adobe Creative Suite.
Bachelor’s degree in Information Design, Information Architecture, Human Factors, Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Psychology, or related field. Advanced degree a plus.
Mastery of user interface design concepts, UI standards and web-conventions with minimum of six (6) years of experience in web design.
Strong experience with task analysis, workshop facilitation, and usability testing.
Facility with prototyping tools (i.e., Visio) and picture editors.
Basic to strong knowledge of HTML, JavaScript, and platform/browser constraints.
