Head of Design - job 1 of 2

The Head of Design at Commure + Athelas is responsible for defining and articulating a design vision that aligns with our overall mission and business goals. This role involves leading the design organization, overseeing the end-to-end design process, and collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to integrate design into our product strategy. Additionally, the Head of Design cultivates a user-centered design culture and is tasked with mentoring a diverse and high-performing design team to achieve excellence in user experiences.

To qualify for the Head of Design position at Commure + Athelas, candidates should have over 7 years of proven experience in design leadership roles, particularly in healthcare, technology, or SaaS environments. A strong portfolio showcasing expertise in product design, UX/UI, and branding is essential. Additionally, exceptional leadership skills, a deep understanding of user-centered design principles, and a passion for solving complex healthcare problems are critical for success in this role.

The Head of Design plays a vital role in product development at Commure + Athelas by ensuring that design is integrated into every stage of the product strategy and development process. By collaborating with product, engineering, and marketing teams, the Head of Design helps create intuitive and innovative products that meet user needs. This collaborative approach helps drive consistency and excellence across product design, branding, and marketing materials.

The Head of Design at Commure + Athelas has a significant impact on the user experience by advocating for the voice of the user in executive discussions and decision-making. By overseeing the entire design process and fostering a user-centered culture, the Head of Design ensures that our solutions resonate with both healthcare providers and patients, ultimately transforming how healthcare is experienced.

At Commure + Athelas, we pride ourselves on fostering a highly collaborative, creative, and inclusive team culture. As the Head of Design, you will lead a diverse team that encourages continuous improvement and innovation. We believe that different perspectives contribute to better solutions, and your role will be critical in nurturing this environment, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued.

My design philosophy revolves around user-centered design, focusing on empathy, clarity, and simplicity. In the context of healthcare, it's essential to understand the unique challenges that both patients and providers face. My approach involves conducting thorough user research to ensure that our solutions are intuitive and genuinely address the needs of users, fostering better interaction and engagement.

I prioritize user feedback by implementing a structured approach that includes usability testing, surveys, and interviews throughout the design process. This feedback allows my team to iterate and refine our designs, ensuring that they meet user needs effectively and evolve based on direct input from those who will use the product.

Certainly! In a previous role, I led the redesign of an electronic health records (EHR) system to improve usability for both clinicians and patients. We faced challenges like legacy constraints, but by collaborating closely with stakeholders and conducting user testing, we delivered a more streamlined, accessible platform that significantly reduced workflow inefficiencies for healthcare providers.

Fostering creativity in my design team involves creating an open environment where ideas can flow freely. I encourage brainstorming sessions, cross-disciplinary collaborations, and regular workshops that challenge the team to think outside the box. Celebrating innovative solutions and recognizing individual contributions fosters a culture of creativity and inspiration.

I rely on a blend of qualitative and quantitative metrics to measure a design project's success. User satisfaction scores, task completion rates, and engagement metrics provide valuable data, while user feedback and interviews give insights into how well the design resonates with users and meets their needs. This combination helps guide future design iterations.

Managing competing priorities is about clear communication and organization. I ensure that we align on project goals early on and regularly check in with stakeholders to balance demands. Utilizing tools like Agile project management allows for flexibility, so the design team can pivot as needed while maintaining focus on critical objectives.

Collaboration with engineers and product managers has been a cornerstone of my work. I prioritize establishing strong communication channels, involving them early in the design process to gain their insights and ensure feasibility. Regular meetings and design sprints help keep everyone aligned on goals and timelines, leading to successful outcomes and smoother handoffs.

Several trends are shaping healthcare design, especially regarding the integration of AI and personalized experiences. The focus is shifting towards creating seamless digital interactions that promote patient engagement. Additionally, there's a growing emphasis on data privacy and accessibility, ensuring that all users can benefit from technology without barriers.

Inclusivity is integral to my design process. I advocate for diverse user testing groups to gain insights from a broad spectrum of demographics, addressing various needs and preferences. Additionally, we incorporate accessibility guidelines into our designs, ensuring that our products are usable for people with different abilities.

I'm thrilled at the opportunity to work at Commure + Athelas because of our mission to transform healthcare through innovative technology. The chance to lead design initiatives that can radically improve patient care and provider experiences is incredibly motivating. I look forward to collaborating with a talented team and leveraging design as a strategic differentiator in this essential sector.