Lead UX Designer

      
SCOPE OF  SERVICES 
The UX Design  Lead is a strategic leader who advocates for user-driven and data-based  digital experiences.  
The UX Design  Lead will leverage interaction design and front-end development skills to  create prototypes for user testing and implement design solutions that meet  the needs of parents and childcare providers, ensuring the hub serves as a  comprehensive resource for information, referrals, and services related to  childcare in New York.  
The project  is in process, and this position will be responsible for final design  adjustments leading up to launch, as well as beginning to develop and test  new feature prototypes for a version 2.0. After launch, the position will be  responsible for tracking and analyzing performance metrics, refining the  design, and building out and integrating new features for version 2.0.          
TASKS: 

 
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including  product managers, UX researcher, content strategist, and developers, to  translate user needs into design solutions
 
• Develop prototypes and high-fidelity designs for the  childcare hub website
 
• Conduct prototype testing for new features, analyze  findings, and develop design recommendations accordingly
 
• Collaborate with a content strategist to develop the  overall content design strategy and enhance user experience
 

 
       
MANDATORY SKILLS/EXPERIENCE   
Note: Candidates who do not have the mandatory skills will not be considered  

 
• At least 8 years of proven  experience in user experience design, with a strong portfolio showcasing  successful user-friendly consumer facing solutions.
 
• Candidate’s resume MUST  include a link to portfolio.
 
• Strong sense of visual  design and styling including typography, spacing and use of layout
 
• Proficiency in Figma with  demonstrated experience in independently creating end-to-end design  solutions
 
• Strong understanding of  user-centered design processes, including the ability to map users’  digital journeys, mock-up low to high-fidelity, and create testable  prototypes that enhance usability and accessibility
 
• Ability to synthesize user  research and data insights into design hypotheses and solutions
 
• Ability to receive and  synthesize teammates’ feedback to improve designs
 
• Experience working with  product and content strategists to translate outlines and requirements  into design solutions
 
• Experience working with  developers to test out prototypes and conduct visual quality assurance to  ensure that digital products were built the way they were intended
 

  
Strong communication skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts and strategies clearly to partners and cross-functional teams in non-technical language  
        
DESIRABLE SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:           
The successful candidate is expected,  but not required to possess the following:  

 
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (e.g., Design or UX  Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science)
 
• Experience working in cross-disciplinary teams,  collaborating with product managers, engineers, and content strategists  to deliver user-centered products and services
 
• Experience working in public sector or alongside  government partners
 
• Strong ability to drive design projects from concept to  implementation, with a comprehensive knowledge of design and design  research methodologies
 
• Experience conducting usability testing or assisting in  its implementation, with strong analytical skills to interpret user data  and translate research insights into actionable design recommendations
 
• Familiarity working within limited design systems,  adapting and extending existing components to meet user needs while  considering technical feasibility
 
• Understanding of accessibility standards and best  practices in design to ensure inclusivity for all users
 
• Exemplifies diversity, equity and inclusion work in  design practice and past projects, with ability to work with a wide  range of stakeholders across the city