Design & Operations Specialist (1 year contract)

As a Design & Operations Specialist at KAYAK, your primary responsibilities include designing and building custom landing pages using our WordPress-based system. You'll collaborate with the internal creative studio to create integrated media campaigns, optimize workflows for efficient page creation, ensure quality and compliance with design standards, and support the development of a design asset catalog. Your role will be pivotal in delivering high-quality, engaging pages that elevate the user experience.

To apply for the Design & Operations Specialist position at KAYAK, you should have at least 3 years of experience in digital design, with a strong focus on WordPress page creation. Proficiency in design tools such as Figma, an excellent understanding of UX/UI principles, and effective communication skills are essential. Familiarity with basic HTML/CSS is also advantageous, along with a proven ability to create clear documentation for non-technical audiences.

A Design & Operations Specialist at KAYAK plays a crucial role in fostering team collaboration by working closely with various departments including design, engineering, and the creative studio. Your job involves communicating design decisions effectively, providing feedback on page builds, and ensuring that workflows are clearly documented and shared. This collaborative environment not only enhances project outcomes but also promotes collective problem-solving, making your contributions invaluable.

In the Design & Operations Specialist role at KAYAK, you will primarily use WordPress for landing page creation, especially utilizing its Gutenberg editor. Additionally, tools like Figma will be essential for design mock-ups and asset creation. Being familiar with basic HTML and CSS can also enhance your workflow and improve the quality of your designs, ensuring that the landing pages meet user experience standards and branding guidelines.

As a Design & Operations Specialist at KAYAK, you can look forward to a variety of benefits including flexible work-from-home options, a focus on mental health through company-paid therapy sessions and wellness programs, generous vacation policies, and professional development opportunities. KAYAK also provides a supportive work environment with initiatives geared towards work-life balance, ensuring you have the resources needed to thrive in your role.

When discussing your experience with WordPress in the interview, highlight specific projects where you've successfully designed and built landing pages. Mention any familiarity with the Gutenberg editor and how you've utilized WordPress themes and plugins to enhance functionality and user engagement. Highlight the importance of user experience in your design approach, ensuring that your landing pages effectively meet the needs of both clients and end-users.

In your response, emphasize your organization and time-management skills. Discuss the tools and methods you use to track project deadlines, such as task management software or calendars, and share any prioritization techniques that guide your workflow. Provide examples of how you've successfully balanced competing deadlines while maintaining high-quality output and resulting in satisfied clients or stakeholders.

When answering this question, explain your process for quality assurance in your designs. Mention your approach to reviewing your work against design guidelines and standards, obtaining feedback from team members, and conducting user testing before final implementation. Highlight your attention to detail and commitment to continuous improvement based on feedback and analytics, ensuring your designs are effective and resonate with target audiences.

Provide a specific example of a design challenge you faced, detailing the context, the problem, your approach to solving it, and the outcome. Highlight your problem-solving skills, creativity, and how you collaborated with others. This will demonstrate your ability to overcome obstacles while still delivering high-quality designs, showcasing your capacity to work under pressure effectively.

Discuss your approach to gathering and incorporating user feedback into your design process. Explain any methods you use, such as user testing, surveys, or direct client feedback. Share how you've adapted designs based on feedback in the past, demonstrating your commitment to user-centered design principles and your ability to create effective solutions that meet user needs.

Mention the design tools you are proficient in, such as Figma and any other relevant software, explaining how they contribute to your workflow efficiency. Discuss any specific features of these tools that you find beneficial for collaboration, design iteration, or prototyping. This showcases your technical skills and your ability to effectively leverage technology in your design process.

Explain how you keep yourself informed about the latest design trends and industry best practices. Mention resources like design blogs, online courses, webinars, and professional networks. Highlight your commitment to continuous learning and how it enhances your ability to create innovative, impactful designs that align with current user expectations and market needs.

Discuss your experience with creating clear, structured documentation for design systems. Explain how you organize information for non-technical audiences and provide examples of training sessions you've conducted. Emphasize the importance of empowering others with the necessary knowledge to utilize design systems effectively, ensuring consistent quality in landing page creation across the team.

In your answer, share techniques you've implemented to enhance landing page conversion rates. Discuss the significance of A/B testing elements like headlines, images, and call-to-action buttons. Explain how you analyze user behavior and utilize analytics tools to gather insights that guide your design decisions, ultimately leading to higher conversion rates and better user engagement.

Convey your enthusiasm for KAYAK's mission and culture. Explain how the role aligns with your career goals and your passion for travel and design. Highlight specific aspects of KAYAK's innovative approach to the travel industry and how you see your skills contributing to the team. This shows your genuine interest in the position and the company, making a positive impression on your interviewers.