Director of Product Design

The Position: We are looking for an experienced and dynamic leader who will guide, teach, and maximize the talents of our existing designers in the pursuit of advancing our digital experiences and driving growth for APFM.  We are seeking an experienced and visionary UX/UI Design Lead who thrives in a dynamic environment and is passionate about user-centered design. This role is ideal for a creative leader who can balance strategic oversight with hands-on work, inspire a team, and foster cross-functional collaboration across stakeholders and product lines. You’ll manage and oversee design efforts across our full range of products, leading a team of 2-3 designers, providing growth opportunities for each, and managing relationships with external creative agencies as needed. This leader will report to the Chief Product Officer (CPO) and partner with product leads to formulate a long-term product strategy and vision that aligns with our business priorities and goals.Who you are:The ideal candidate for this role is a visionary design leader with a strong user-centered mindset who thrives in a dynamic, collaborative environment. You are skilled at balancing high-level strategy with hands-on work, and you bring both creativity and analytical skills to solve complex design challenges. With exceptional communication and project management skills, you’re comfortable overseeing design projects across multiple product lines and aligning cross-functional teams around a cohesive design vision. Your leadership style is centered on empowering and mentoring others, creating growth opportunities for team members, and fostering a supportive, innovative design culture. If you’re excited about driving impactful user experiences, managing creative agencies, and shaping long-term product strategy, this role is for you.What you will do:Lead UX/UI Strategy and Vision Across Product Lines:  Define the overarching design vision and strategy for our full suite of products. Establish a high-level direction for UX and UI elements that fosters a cohesive user experience across platformsDesign System Creation and Management:  Develop and maintain a scalable design system to ensure consistency across all touchpoints. Work closely with engineers, product teams and marketing to implement and refine system components that support product goalsProject Management Across All Product Lines:  Oversee and manage design projects across the full product range, ensuring each meets quality standards and aligns with the strategic vision. Balance high-level design thinking with the ability to dive into project specifics as neededUser Research and Testing:  Oversee and conduct research to understand user needs, motivations, and behaviors across product lines. Use insights to inform design and continuously improve the user experience. Facilitate user testing, gather feedback, and iterate on designs to meet both business and user goalsCross-Functional Collaboration:  Work closely with product managers, engineers, marketing, and other stakeholders to ensure design requirements align with technical and business constraints. Advocate for the user at every stage, balancing user needs with strategic objectivesPrototype Development:  Guide the team in creating wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups. Take a hands-on approach in key projects to develop prototypes that capture complex interactionsMentorship and Team Development:  Lead a team of 2-3 designers, providing guidance, mentorship, and growth opportunities for each team member. Foster a collaborative and supportive design culture where team members can develop professionallyCreative Agency Management:  Manage relationships with external creative and design agencies (where appropriate) to support the CPO and product leads in developing a long-term product strategy and visionQuality Control:  Maintain high standards for design quality and oversee final implementation to ensure a polished and consistent user experience. Conduct regular reviews and provide feedback to ensure deliverables meet quality benchmarksStakeholder Communication and Advocacy:  Present design concepts and articulate design rationale to executive stakeholders, securing alignment and support for the design vision. Act as an advocate for design within the organization, emphasizing the importance of user-centered designTrend Awareness and Innovation:  Stay updated on emerging trends, tools, and standards in UX and UI design. Bring fresh ideas and an innovative approach to the team, ensuring our design practices and solutions remain competitive