Director, Product Design

Position Summary:

This is a visionary and experienced Product Design Director who will lead our Follett Software Design team in the creation of innovative and customer centric, user friendly products and their continuous enhancement. This position not only ensures that our product offerings are functional and engaging for users, but also provides a strategic oversight with hands-on leadership to our design team and builds relationships with the executive leadership and works closely with Product and Engineering stakeholders to align UX strategies with company goals.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership:  

• Set and develop a clear vision, and communicate the design vision to the Design Team, aligning it with the company’s goals, driving the overall product strategy and fostering a user-centric culture. 
• Manage the resources across the product team to optimize project outcomes, balancing cost, time and scope effectively.  
• Champion change within the product line, promoting practices that support agile and innovative product development. 

Design System Implementation: 

• Establish and maintain a cohesive design system that enhances usability and ensures consistency across all product lines.
• Define and implement effective interaction design and information architecture and use strategies to conduct regular user discoveries, implement usability strategies. Demonstrate awareness of the market and competitive landscape. 

User Research & Insights: 

• Facilitate discovery, champion user research initiatives to gather insights and inform design decisions, ensuring that products meet user needs and market demands.  

Cross-Functional Collaboration: 

• Collaborate closely with Product Management, engineering, and marketing teams to ensure alignment on product goals and to drive design excellence throughout the development process. 

Innovation & Trends: 

• Stay abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies, integrating innovative design solutions that set our products apart in the marketplace. 

Leadership Responsibilities:  

• Act as a mentor and coach, guiding a diverse team of product designers in their professional growth, and providing continuous feedback and conducting regular one-on-one meetings to discuss goals, challenges, and achievements.
• Lead by setting a positive example, prioritizing the needs of the team, removing obstacles that hinder their success, and empowering team members by providing the tools, resources, and support they need to excel in their roles.
• Identify and nurture individual varying strengths and specialized abilities to foster career development and job satisfaction.
• Create and maintain a positive, inclusive, and collaborative work environment, promoting open communication and a sense of belonging within the team.
• Set clear expectations and performance goals aligned with the broader organizational strategy, ensuring everyone understands their role in achieving company objectives.
• Ensure regular, clear, and transparent communication with the team about organizational updates, changes, and expectations, facilitating open dialogue and encouraging feedback from all team members.
• Partner with recruiting in driving recruitment processes to attract top talent, and develop strategies to retain high-performing team members by recognizing achievements and creating opportunities for advancement. 

To be considered for and to perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  

Qualifications include: 

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, product design, or related design field preferred
• 10+ years of Product Design experience
• 3+ years in a leadership role, influencing, coaching, inspiring small design teams
• Must possess a strong strategic mindset, with the ability to balance high-level goals with hands-on design 
• Deep understanding of user-centered design principles and a passion for building and maintaining effective design systems 
• Able to work collaboratively and maintain strategic alliance with product stakeholders, thrive in cross functional environments, and can develop talent and foster continuous improvement with the team 
• Demonstrated ability to align and cultivate a culture within the product team that values creativity and innovation.