Manager, Experience Design

NextGen Federal Systems

About The Position

The Product Design manager is responsible for the creation and execution of a vision for the user experience leading teams of product designers, they find elegant yet practical solutions to design and workflow challenges. Use design thinking methodology, service design strategy to increase product teams' understanding of the factors that influence behavior, drive engagement. Bring passion, empathy and expertise to every engagement, the design manager drives innovation through discovery, design and optimization of factors that increase efficiency and satisfaction for our end users. Responsible for putting together key design personnel to form, not just a department, but a team. Ensure that key individuals are highly engaged in design department activities and develops professional individual as well as team development goals and plans. Responsible for the delegation of responsibilities appropriately to the design team while still maintaining the ultimate liability and accountability for the execution of each of those responsibilities. In a leadership capacity, the incumbent will also mentor, encourage, foster, and support intelligent innovation and risk taking in order to create and deliver business models that improve the consumer interaction and experience with the product. Work with product & engineering during the development process, focus on design consistency ensuring the integrity of the features and functionality. Define and evolve the product design team's process. Lead internal reviews for features and interaction design, art direction and other UX/UI responsibilities. Present concepts and ideas to senior leaders throughout the company. Design a roadmap for multi-channel experiences for developers, consumers and internal users. Lead a team of UI designers/artists to the delivery of a world-class user interface, contributing leadership and outstanding individual work to the effort. Perform other duties that support the overall objective of the position.

Requirements

Bachelors degree in Business
Solid foundation of enterprise level software development
Process/Project management experience at a leadership level
Or, any combination of education and experience which would provide the required qualifications for the position
7+ years of Project Management at least 3 of which is at the leadership level
5+ years of Resource Management at least 3 of which has included management of managers
7+ years of department level management
Operating knowledge of current best in class SW design toolsets (Mural, Figma, Sketch, Userzoom, etc)
Department level experience in financial planning and budgeting
Enterprise level software development experience including design phase gates throughout the product lifecycle
Passion for Good Design -- as part of the Design Team Leadership you are always passionate about design lead product development and are an obvious ambassador for user research and Design Thinking methodology
Excellent Communicator -- this role will need to communicate in all directions. Communications up to the executive team about projects and progress, communication and collaboration with peers on department needs and objectives, and communication with the design team about department goals, career opportunities, and processes that are to be used
A process addict -- if you think all the worlds problems can be solved with proper project management then this is your role! Process development and implementation is foundational to the success of this role
Financial Acumen -- must be able to prepare, communicate and implement project and department level budgets. Opening an excel workbook needs to bring a smile to your face
Leadership/Mentor -- the right person for this role should always be looking for opportunities to provide leadership and mentoring for team members and peers. This should be more than just part of the job, this should be something that provides great satisfaction

Responsibilities

Creation and execution of a vision for the user experience
Lead teams of product designers
Find elegant yet practical solutions to design and workflow challenges
Use design thinking methodology, service design strategy to increase product teams' understanding of the factors that influence behavior, drive engagement
Drive innovation through discovery, design and optimization of factors that increase efficiency and satisfaction for our end users
Put together key design personnel to form, not just a department, but a team
Ensure that key individuals are highly engaged in design department activities and develops professional individual as well as team development goals and plans
Responsible for the delegation of responsibilities appropriately to the design team while still maintaining the ultimate liability and accountability for the execution of each of those responsibilities
Mentor, encourage, foster, and support intelligent innovation and risk taking
Work with product & engineering during the development process, focus on design consistency ensuring the integrity of the features and functionality
Define and evolve the product design team's process
Lead internal reviews for features and interaction design, art direction and other UX/UI responsibilities
Present concepts and ideas to senior leaders throughout the company
Design a roadmap for multi-channel experiences for developers, consumers and internal users
Lead a team of UI designers/artists to the delivery of a world-class user interface, contributing leadership and outstanding individual work to the effort
Perform other duties that support the overall objective of the position