Director, Product Design & UX Research

As the Director, Product Design & UX Research at Zip, your chief responsibilities include leading the design function for our consumer and merchant products, managing a dedicated team, and developing innovative UX research strategies. You'll collaborate with other product leaders across engineering, marketing, and operations, ensuring that our design process drives optimal customer experiences and aligns with our strategic vision.

To apply for the Director, Product Design & UX Research position at Zip, candidates should have at least 10 years of experience in product design within technology, payments, or financial services. Proven leadership in building high-performing teams, along with experience implementing design strategies that ensure exceptional customer experiences, is essential. Additionally, strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative mindset are highly valued.

While experience in the financial services sector is highly beneficial for the Director, Product Design & UX Research position at Zip, we also consider applicants with extensive product design experience from technology or payments industries. A strong focus on customer-centric design and the ability to navigate complex business environments will add great value to your application.

At Zip, we pride ourselves on a values-led culture promoting collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity. The Director, Product Design & UX Research will thrive in an environment that values creativity and teamwork, where our four values - Customer First, Own It, Stronger Together, and Change the Game - guide our everyday actions and decisions within the company.

The Director, Product Design & UX Research role at Zip offers a flexible hybrid working arrangement, requiring a minimum of two days in the Sydney CBD office each week. This blend of in-office collaboration and remote work allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds, fostering team connections while maintaining a work-life balance conducive to productivity.

In responding to this question, highlight specific design methodologies you've employed, such as User-Centered Design, Design Thinking, or Agile UX. Explain how you choose methodologies based on project needs and user feedback, illustrating your flexibility and strategic approach to successful product design.

When answering this question, share a detailed story that showcases your leadership skills. Describe the challenge, your approach to guiding the team, the strategies you implemented, and the successful outcome. Use this opportunity to emphasize collaboration and maintaining team morale under pressure.

Discuss how you integrate user research into your design process. Emphasize the importance of gathering insights early and often, using various methods like surveys, interviews, or usability tests. Explain how these insights influence design decisions and improve customer experiences.

Highlight your belief in the power of collaboration. Talk about how you involve cross-functional teams throughout the design process, ensuring that engineering, marketing, and product management teams collaborate to create comprehensive and cohesive product offerings.

Illustrate your ability to communicate effectively by sharing a time when you had to persuade stakeholders about a design decision. Explain how you articulated the rationale behind the approach and engaged with stakeholders, making it a collaborative decision-making process.

Talk about the importance of a positive culture within your design team. Share specific strategies you use, like regular check-ins, feedback sessions, and opportunities for professional development, to keep your team engaged and eager to produce their best work.

Mention how you regularly follow design blogs, attend conferences, and participate in professional networks to remain informed about industry trends. This can include discussing how you share these insights with your team to improve practices at Zip.

In your response, identify characteristics that define your leadership style, such as being supportive, inclusive, and hands-on. Provide specific examples of how your style has helped cultivate successful team dynamics and produced high-impact designs.

Share your views on the attributes essential for a successful product designer, such as creativity, empathy, adaptability, and the ability to collaborate. Back your points with examples of how you've seen these traits show up in your team or other successful designers.

Express your enthusiasm for the opportunity at Zip by linking your personal values to those of the company. Explain how Zip's mission to create customer-centric financial products resonates with you and how your expertise aligns with their objectives.