Design Manager

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead and manage a cross-functional design team of product designers, UX writers, UX researcher and other required design specialists as needed. Be able toeffectively manage people and drive multiple related product areas.
• Develop processes and approaches for tackling design problems, using best-in-class methods and anticipating challenges.
• Collaborate with peer leaders and upper management to create operational infrastructure to stand up a high-performing design team within aproduct operating modelthat delivers industry-leading experiences and drives enterprise priorities.
• Realize the power of problem-framing, establishing new starting points that lead to quality solutions. Lead the solution of undefined problem spaces, taking a holistic product experience point of view.
• Communicate design rationale effectively using storytelling techniques, building trust with partners and stakeholders. Comfortably communicate at all levels of the organization, demonstrating confidence.
• Free resources to drive change by systematically cutting low-return activities. Use understanding of impact and success metrics to focus and reprioritize efforts.
• Collaborate with cross-functional peers, both downward and across the organization, ensuring alignment and fostering long-term relationships.
• Recruits, develops, and sustains a high-performing team while promoting a culture of shared accountability, operational excellence, and partnership across the organization.
• Supports and/or develops an environment in which Thrivent employees and colleagues are focused on continuous improvement, exceptional employee engagement, and an unwavering commitment to our clients.  Shapes and/or supports a culture that represents the Thrivent purpose, promise and values, ensuring that Thrivent’s trust and reputation remain strong with its clients.  

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:  

 Required:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Interaction Design, UI/UX Design, Web Product Design, Web Development or any combination of education and experience which would provide an equivalent background

• 8+ years of experience in a related field, with at least 5 years of experience in user experience, interaction design, product design and research in a product development team required and with at least 3 years with managerial experience. 

• Proven experience in navigating and collaborating with different areas of the enterprise, including Engineering, Product and Business owners, to help prioritize work and identify high impact opportunities for the experience

• Ability to motivate, inspire and organize a team of 5-8 designers and researcher to deliver goals outlined for the portfolio of products the manager oversees.

• Manage a team like a business owner making tradeoff and prioritization decisions around how to allocate team members (skill sets and quantity) to meet the goals of the portfolio and products within.

• Excellent communication and persuasion skills, with the ability to build trust and establish long-term relationships.

• Understanding of impact and success metrics for any given product to focus and reprioritize design efforts to ensure the greatest impact possible.

• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional peers and drive change within the organization.

• Experience in talent management; including experience in recruiting, hiring, and professional development.

• Strategic mindset with the ability to develop processes and approaches for tackling design problems.

• Experience working with design systems and agile practices within a product team model.

Preferred: