WHY WE LOVE WORKING AT XO GROUP INC:

Every year, millions of brides, newlyweds, and first-time parents visit The Knot, The Nest, and The Bump for guidance and advice during some of the most important moments in their lives. Here at XO Group, we strive to give our customers a best in class user experience to make these moments even more special. We are highly focused on building a user-centric, content rich, mobile first organization with a refreshing, fun and entrepreneurial work culture. Connect yourself to work that matters!

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT DESIGN ROLE AND OUR TEAM:

Reporting to the VP of UX and Design, the Director of Product Design will lead and mentor a talented team of 3-4 Product Designers that work in a cross-functional squad model. You will also work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads to guide the creation of compelling user experiences that connect engaged couples with a dynamic marketplace comprised of premier wedding professionals.

You are an influential team leader with a true design background and has a strong visual point of view that is complimented by a deep understanding of UX fundamentals and standard methodologies. You are a vocal advocate for our customers and users and have a strong understanding of how data and qualitative research contribute to building a great product. In addition, you are willing to become an active participant with our product squads when needed.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design Leadership: You’ll be a key player in developing The Knot’s user-centered design vision and applying standards across products to ensure a consistent, compelling user experience.
• Mentorship and Career Development: You’ll help grow and mentor design skills, as well as develop a tailored career path for a team of passionate and talented product design professionals.
• Help product squads break down complex problems and utilize shown design methods like design studios, design sprints, customer journey mapping, and user story mapping to deliver value to our customers and users.
• Apply a deep understanding of our couples and vendor marketplace to support their needs and experiences with our suite of wedding-planning tools and marketplace products.
• Design premier and visionary digital products that couples will love, including responsive web and native mobile applications for iOS and Android.
• Oversee and provide actionable design feedback on product design solutions, prototypes, A/B test results, and compiled qualitative research findings.
• Promote overall awareness and competence in design thinking and mentoring not only your own design team but all those who contribute to the user experience of our products.
• Evangelize the importance of a design-focused culture to product and engineering partners and stakeholders within the company.
• Support our existing program of User science that includes usability testing, A/B testing, rapid prototyping, and qualitative research efforts to ensure that all projects are motivated by user needs and business outcomes.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

• 8+ years of relevant work experience in product design, UX, and visual design
• At least 5 years of design team leadership and management experience
• Verbal and written communication: the ability to lead productive meetings, create effective and useful product design documentation, and maintain alignment across a complex suite of products
• Experience working in a product organization, driving design from planning to release, and supporting continued design iteration
• Expertise across all facets of human-centered design and user experience, spanning visual design, UX strategy, experience/interaction design, user research/assessment, and prototyping
• Experience designing for marketplace and commerce products / platforms is strongly desired
• Understanding of leadership and development techniques as they relate to leading design teams, hiring processes, and developing team talent

BENEFITS & PERKS:

Things you’ll like a lot!

• Health benefits, 401k, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, free drinks and snacks, guest speakers and learning events, volunteering opportunities, and a mentor program.

Things you’ll love!

• Amazing coworkers, Unlimited vacation (you need time, take it!), weekly happy hours,, transparent and approachable executives