Senior People Manager for Design Projects
We are seeking a skilled people manager who can effectively lead design projects. A senior designer transitioning into a leadership role is ideal.
This critical position is essential for the successful delivery of key strategic initiatives for our partners. Responsibilities include assisting team members, leading design projects, handling senior stakeholders, and representing design with external partners. The successful candidate will also contribute to the development of our design team by building career development plans, supporting recruitment drives, and conducting regular 1:1s with direct reports. This role requires balancing design and leadership responsibilities.
Main Accountabilities and Key Tasks:
* Lead a team of Product Designers, providing guidance and support as needed.
* Contribute strategically to the development of the Product Design function at CarTrawler.
* Input project scope, discovery plans, and creative direction.
* Influence the strategic direction and shape of our products.
* Delegate tasks to other designers, coordinating efforts and providing constructive feedback.
* Motivate and inspire team members to achieve their best work.
* Design with scale in mind, anticipating potential challenges and opportunities.
* Collaborate with others to solve problems and drive results.
* Communicate effectively, selling ideas through compelling stories and presentations.
Critical Interfaces:
* Collaborate closely with the Head of Product Design to develop the design function.
* Work with senior product and engineering leaders to understand objectives, outcomes, and requirements.
* Support the development of our design system, unifying products across the organization.
* Work with product managers and designers to understand user needs through research and testing.
* Collaborate with engineers to ensure technical feasibility and brainstorm solutions.
* Partner with stakeholders across the business to address design challenges and opportunities.
Knowledge and Experience:
* 5+ years of experience in a design-related role, including 2+ years of management experience.
* Proven track record of leading design projects and delegating tasks to team members.
* Experience mentoring or coaching other designers, managing senior stakeholders, and facilitating workshops.
* Passionate about design and committed to Design Thinking principles.
* Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage teams and stakeholders at all levels.
* Proficiency in industry-standard tools, such as Figma and Adobe Creative Suite.
* Able to switch between analytical and creative thinking, with a focus on data-driven decision making.
* Detailed-oriented, with the ability to capture requirements and scenarios, and address edge cases.
* Strong time management and prioritization skills, with the ability to multitask and manage competing demands.