Director - Design

Support Center - Irving

The Director - Design role is responsible for directing the creation of user-centered experiences to support Michael’s digital touchpoints for our makers and our associates (including but not limited to online, mobile, tablet, apps, and in-store experiences / solutions).

Through an expert understanding of user-centered design principles and digital best practices, this role will effectively communicate solutions to both technical and non-technical audiences.

This impactful role will work closely with cross-functional teams in advocating for the needs of the Design Team.

If you want to know about the requirements for this role, read on for all the relevant information.

As a Director - Design you will utilize your leadership skills and organizational skill to mentor and coordinate the work of Designers on the team.

You will also work cross-functionally with customers (internal and external), stakeholders, business leaders, and leadership to support the overall digital vision.

As the team grows, you will be responsible for building, growing, and leading your team.

We are looking for a Director - Design who has a mastery of design methodologies and principles, demonstrates leadership qualities, and is enthusiastic to lead a team of designers to push Michaels Technology forward.

Major Activities

• Team Management & Leadership : Manage and mentor Designers to ensure a consistent and holistic site experience, assigning work and holding team accountable for delivering high quality work, on (or ahead of) time.
• Strategic Leadership : Provide strategic direction for the end-to-end consumer experience. Champion human-centered design and UI / UX practices using methodologies including discovery, exploration, analysis, collaborative work session design and facilitation, ideation, rapid prototyping, and creating frameworks to define ideal experiences.
• Day-to-Day Management : Scope level of effort of assignments and creation of end-to-end design plans. Review and partner with other Designers to ensure design decisions are holistic.

Partner with Product and Program Managers to ensure transparency in timing, reviews, tickets, etc. Partner with Research to create test plans, synthesize, and share findings.

Support team members in their professional development.

Team Standards and Processes : Provide strategic leadership in establishing Standards and Processes for Design Team. Creation and documentation of Standards.

Ongoing optimization of team processes to drive efficiencies. Contribute to internal team standards and processes : design system, prototyping toolkits, templates, process development, team metrics.

UX and UI Design : Conduct discovery and research activities to inform the design approach. Iteratively create designs that align with business objectives.

Create prototypes using the MIK Design System to showcase multiple design concepts quickly, with an understanding of customer needs, business challenges, and proposed solutions.

Contribute to MIK Design System. Partner with Product and Development partners to ensure successful delivery and implementation of work.

Support the design team with various projects, presentations, and initiatives.

Minimum Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Minimum Education : Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum Special Certifications or Technical Skills : Proficiency in current design and collaboration tools, i.e., Figma, Miro, Adobe Creative Suite.

Experience working with Design systems and brand guidelines / style guides. Advanced experience executing responsive design across digital channels.

Minimum Type of Experience the Job Requires : 10+ years of digitally focused design experience. Leadership experience.

5+ years of progressive leadership roles. Management experience. Ability to scope requests, develop and communicate work required, plan work in a team environment, adjust quickly to changes or new information, and escalate when necessary.

Digital portfolio demonstrating a strong understanding of design including : end-to-end project execution from start to finish including how it was informed by user feedback and data.

Understanding of design systems and style guides. Understanding of designing for responsive designs across digital channels (web / mobile).

Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Confidence and advocacy for designs.

Team player who is open to feedback from all levels of business. Ability to deliver information in a clear, concise way, ensuring the organization makes rapid and informed decisions.

Ability to prioritize and manage workload for self and others. Strong teamwork and people skills. Experience with customer-facing initiatives like user interviews and user testing.

Basic understanding of various user research methodologies.

Other : Ability to take work from problem statement to concept to low fidelity to high fidelity. Excellent visual design skills with sensitivity to user-system interaction.

Up to date with the latest trends, techniques, and best practices. Workshop planning and facilitation and ideation. Executing in-store applications.

Advanced experience with Atlassian tools, Confluence, and Jira or equivalent tools. Advanced understanding of the Agile / Scrum development process.

Able to share discoveries, gather and integrate feedback, influence, and create energy for an idea and or initiative visually and verbally.

Basic knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript capabilities with the ability to work closely with engineers to implement designs.

Applicants in the U.S. must satisfy federal, state, and local legal requirements of the job.

For nearly 50 years, Michaels has been the destination where Makers get inspired, learn, shop, and create. We strive to cultivate an inclusive shopping environment for all Makers and work environment for all Team Members, providing a place of belonging and empowering everyone to bring their creative dreams to life.

At Michaels, every Team Member is encouraged to hone their craft with opportunities for personal and professional growth.

From our Stores and Distribution Centers to Artistree and our Support Center, our best-in-class team is passionate about leaving the world a better, more creative place by contributing to every make .

Michaels is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are here for all Team Members and all Makers to create, innovate and be better together.

Michaels is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with this commitment, Michaels will assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.

Accordingly, if a reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the job, and / or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Customer Care at 1-800-642-4235 (1800-MICHAEL).

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