Head of Design

Symphony has attracted the world’s top financial institutions with a $66 million investment to develop a scalable, cloud-based and highly secure collaboration and communication platform that will address the enterprise and compliance requirements for the financial services industry.

The Head of Design is responsible for leading the operation and execution of Symphony’s Design & User Experience team, which includes UX designers, visual designers, and writers. This team works collaboratively with Symphony’s Product Development and Marketing teams to generate compelling, insight-driven user experiences. As Symphony's Head of Design you will lead team operations and work with various cross-functional teams to develop a meaningful user experience through user-centered design. You will unite the design team to deliver a clear and coherent vision for Symphony’s Product and Brand narratives and partner with Product, Engineering, and Marketing teams to develop a plan to realize that vision. This is a growing role, with responsibilities that will expand as the design team matures.

* Develop and enact roadmap priorities (campaigns) for the design team * Drive a design-centered approach to problem solving, acting as a champion for the central role of design to our overall organizational goals * Manage resources and capacity of the design team, including budget and hiring pipeline * Influence leads in Product, Engineering, and Marketing to develop a viable strategic plan for design deliverables * Own strategic planning of design initiatives and early adoption of design practices across the software development and marketing production life cycles, including: * Improving design through customer insight * Optimizing content delivery in 2016 and beyond * Advise internal stakeholders and external partners to establish guiding principles and hone the design process to facilitate efficient movement through UX, copy, visual, and production pipelines * Maintain a fun team culture rooted in mutual respect, passion, and helpfulness * Act as steward of the Symphony visual identity and brand * Mentor project leads, working together to ensure successful execution of design team goals * Grow professional skills and manage career development for design team members * Manage a team of 10-13 designers

* 10+ years in design/UX * 8+ years in a leadership role * Experience managing or working closely with a global brand team * Significant design experience on B2C products required; experience designing B2B products preferred * Must have experience doing design on both Mobile and Web-based products * Demonstrated ability to bridge consumer and business brands * Proven track record driving, protecting, and executing brand strategy * Global connections within the design industry * Strong foundation in user-centered design processes * Entrepreneurial spirit; thrives in a rapid growth environment * Experience starting a new group within a large company and scaling it, or experience at an early state startup * Familiarity with analytics and market-driven decision making to ensure user acquisition * Ability to build relationships quickly and authentically across the company as well as with external partners, clients, and customers * Personable and organized with a good sense of humor; motivated to sustain relationships in a diverse and collaborative environment * Online portfolio required **Desired skills and experience:** * Degree in design or HCI/relevant field