Senior Director, Product Design

The Senior Director, Product Design at AffiniPay will lead the development of innovative Product Design strategies, oversee the execution of design projects, guide large-scale redesign initiatives, and ensure alignment with business objectives. Their responsibilities include fostering a user-centered approach, managing design systems, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance the overall user experience across our fintech products.

Candidates should possess a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field like Human-Computer Interaction, Design, or Computer Science, alongside 10+ years of product design experience. Additionally, proven leadership in managing complex design projects and a strong background in user-centered design practices are essential for the Senior Director, Product Design position at AffiniPay.

In the Senior Director, Product Design role at AffiniPay, this individual will play a significant part in growing the team by hiring, onboarding, and nurturing talent. They will focus on developing team members' skills, promoting career advancement, and cultivating a culture of design excellence that aligns with evolving business needs.

The Senior Director, Product Design at AffiniPay will emphasize best practices surrounding user-centered design, scalable design systems, and cross-platform consistency. They will advocate for integrating design thinking within agile processes, leading workshops while collaborating closely with engineering teams to ensure high-quality design outcomes.

AffiniPay boasts a people-first culture that prioritizes happiness, health, and productivity among its employees. The work environment is collaborative and inclusive, focusing on diversity, equity, and innovation. As a Senior Director, Product Design, you'll have the opportunity to shape and promote this culture while driving significant design initiatives.

Begin by understanding the company's long-term business goals and user needs. Analyze current design trends and gather insights from user research to create a comprehensive and forward-thinking Product Design vision that aligns with AffiniPay's objectives. Collaborate with stakeholders to refine this vision and ensure it addresses market demands.

Discuss a specific project where you successfully led a product design refresh. Highlight your strategic planning, how you managed team dynamics, the tools utilized, and the outcomes achieved. Emphasize collaboration with cross-functional teams and iteration based on user feedback to illustrate your hands-on approach.

Talk about utilizing various user research techniques, such as interviews, surveys, and usability testing. Emphasize the importance of gathering user feedback at each design stage and integrating insights to inform design decisions, ensuring the final product aligns with user needs and expectations.

Outline metrics you utilize to evaluate product design success, such as user satisfaction scores, usability testing results, conversion rates, and engagement analytics. Discuss the importance of aligning these metrics with overall business objectives to demonstrate the impact of design on company performance.

Share specific examples of how you have engaged with cross-functional teams, including product management and engineering. Describe the tools and methods you use for collaboration, such as design sprints, joint brainstorming sessions, or stakeholder workshops, to ensure a cohesive approach to product design.

Explain your commitment to professional development, whether through attending conferences, participating in online courses, or following industry leaders in design. Emphasize the importance of continuous learning to incorporate the latest trends and technologies into your design work.

Discuss your approach to mentoring, including regular performance reviews, goal-setting sessions, and providing constructive feedback. Highlight the significance of creating individual development plans to nurture talent, encourage growth, and promote a culture of learning within the design team.

Detail a specific challenging project, focusing on the obstacles faced, your problem-solving approach, and how you navigated complexity. Include how you worked with your team to achieve a successful outcome, ensuring to tie back the importance of collaboration in overcoming challenges.

Talk about your experience in developing and implementing design systems that establish consistent design patterns across all products. Highlight collaboration with teams to maintain standards and conduct regular design audits to ensure ongoing adherence to established guidelines across the company's portfolio.

Emphasize the importance of feedback throughout the design process, from initial concept development to post-launch analysis. Discuss how you actively solicit feedback from users, stakeholders, and team members to refine designs, as well as how you create a culture where feedback is valued and encouraged.