Senior Manager - Product Design

As a Senior Manager, Product Design at Leonardo, you will take on a variety of responsibilities, including leading and mentoring a team of product designers across UX/UI and user research. You will build a culture of trust and feedback, collaborate on design strategy with the Strategic Product & Design Manager, and ensure that user needs are central to your design process. Additionally, you will be expected to foster relationships across teams, influence product strategies, and maintain evolving design systems that streamline processes and enhance collaboration.

The Senior Manager, Product Design role at Leonardo requires significant experience in product design, along with direct experience in leadership roles, particularly managing and scaling design teams. Strong knowledge of design systems, proficiency with modern design tools like Figma, and a solid background in user-centered design practices are essential. Additionally, candidates should possess exceptional communication skills and a proven track record of successful cross-functional collaboration to effectively influence stakeholders.

In the role of Senior Manager, Product Design at Leonardo, you will play a crucial part in shaping a strong design culture by empowering team members, fostering an environment of creativity and feedback, and advocating for user-centered design principles. Your leadership will drive the integration of design throughout the product lifecycle, ensuring that design is not just an afterthought but a vital component that informs product strategy and development. By mentoring your team and reinforcing a collaborative approach, you'll contribute to a culture that values innovation and inclusivity.

The team dynamics for the Senior Manager, Product Design at Leonardo focus on collaboration, support, and innovation. You’ll be working with a diverse group of talented designers, product managers, and cross-functional teams, fostering an environment where everyone feels empowered to share ideas and contribute. The emphasis on continuous learning means that every team member is encouraged to develop their skills and provide constructive feedback, resulting in a high-performing team that continuously strives for excellence.

As a Senior Manager, Product Design at Leonardo, there are ample growth opportunities available. You will be pivotal in influencing product direction and strategic initiatives and leading a talented design team. The role also involves significant input into cross-functional collaboration, which enhances your influence within the organization. Additionally, with a commitment to professional development, you will have access to resources and support that can help you further your career in design leadership, making a significant impact on the company and its offerings.

When mentoring designers, I focus on a collaborative approach where I help identify their individual strengths and areas for growth. I set up regular one-on-one check-ins to provide constructive feedback while encouraging open communication and a culture of trust. By fostering an environment of continuous learning, I ensure that team members feel empowered to experiment, ask questions, and develop their skills.

In a recent project, I led the redesign of a B2C application aimed at improving user engagement. The success of this project came from emphasizing user research. We conducted extensive usability testing to understand user pain points and iterated on designs based on feedback. By involving cross-functional teams early in the process, we ensured alignment and a shared vision, which ultimately led to a delightful user experience and increased engagement metrics.

To cultivate a strong design culture, I prioritize building relationships and open communication within the team. I organize regular design critiques and brainstorming sessions, encouraging collaboration and shared ownership. It's also critical to advocate for user-centered design principles across the organization, ensuring that everyone understands the value and impact of design on our products.

To ensure design aligns with business goals, I maintain close communication with stakeholders and continually assess the organization's objectives. I use design metrics to measure the impact of our work and present findings to demonstrate how design can drive key business outcomes. Additionally, I work closely with product management to ensure that design priorities are in sync with the company’s strategic direction.

In a previous role, I received mixed feedback from stakeholders regarding a new feature design. I addressed the concerns by organizing a meeting to discuss the feedback in detail. By actively listening to their insights and explaining my design rationale, we found common ground that allowed us to iterate on the design collaboratively. This approach not only improved the design but also strengthened the relationship with stakeholders.

I prefer using Figma for its collaborative features, which allow real-time feedback and design iteration with team members. Additionally, I find tools like Sketch and InVision to be valuable for prototyping and user testing. These tools enhance efficiency in the design process, making it easier for teams to stay aligned and produce high-quality work.

I actively participate in design conferences and workshops, follow industry leaders on social media, and subscribe to design journals and newsletters. Networking with other design professionals also provides valuable insights into emerging trends and best practices, enabling me to bring fresh ideas to my team and influence our design strategies.

To advocate for inclusive design, I ensure that the design team incorporates diverse perspectives during brainstorming and testing phases. We conduct user research with a broad audience to identify accessibility challenges. By advocating for usability standards and accessibility guidelines, I facilitate discussions to ensure our products cater to the needs of all users, enhancing overall product experience.

When disagreements arise within the team, I promote open discussions to address differing viewpoints. It's important to create an environment where all voices are heard. I often suggest a design critique framework, where we can present our viewpoints and back them with data or usability insights. This approach helps focus on user needs and promotes collaborative decision-making.

One of the biggest challenges for a Senior Manager, Product Design is balancing creative vision with business objectives. It requires constant alignment between design, product goals, and stakeholder expectations. To overcome this, I believe in strong communication and collaborative planning with cross-functional teams, ensuring that design initiatives contribute to overall business success while maintaining high design quality.