Design Studio Manager

Design Studio Manager 

At Horizontal Digital, we hold ourselves to one key belief: You’re only as good as your worst customer experience. This mantra is what drives our digital consultancy to think beyond the easy answers and instead create websites, apps, portals and other experiences that solve customer needs for Fortune 500 companies in intuitive and empathetic ways. And we make this lofty standard a reality by fusing strategy, data, design and technology together to arrive at solutions that set the bar higher for everyone. 

We use these values to fuel superior results: 
 

Lock arms 
We forge relationships that make our impact 1,000x stronger. This means working across departments and engaging both our clients and our communities to deliver the greatest good. 

Show hustle 
We’re not ones to sit on our hands and wait. Instead, we anticipate opportunities, collectively roll up our sleeves and find ways to execute the exceptional. 

Embrace change 
From new technologies to workplace philosophies, we welcome the unexpected and constantly anticipate what’s next. 

Elevate empathy 
We listen before we take action. This means understanding a variety of perspectives and holding ourselves to a higher standard of accountability. 

Never settle 
We motivate each other to push past the easy answers and collectively arrive at bigger, more inspiring ideas. 

 
But enough about us. Let’s talk about you.

We are looking for a highly skilled and experienced Design Studio Manager to lead our design team and support our expanding UX and UI demands. 

The Design Studio Manager will oversee the design studio's operations, ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of high-quality design projects. This role requires a strong foundation in user experience (UX) design and user interface (UI) basics, along with excellent team management and resource allocation skills. The ideal candidate will have a passion for design, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to drive creative solutions that align with our strategic goals. 

 What you’ll do:

• Support the business to create design solutions that cater to client needs and help achieve their business goals.

• Lead and manage the design studio team, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment. 

• Oversee the development and execution of UX and UI design projects, ensuring they meet quality standards and project deadlines. 

• Collaborate with the Digital Strategy Director to align design initiatives with the company's strategic objectives. 

• Allocate and manage resources effectively, balancing workload and capacity within the team. 

• Provide mentorship and professional development opportunities for team members, helping them to grow and excel in their roles. 

• Stay up to date with industry trends and best practices in UX and UI design, incorporating new ideas and technologies into the design process. 

• Ensure that all design work is user-centered, accessible, and adheres to brand guidelines. 

• Facilitate regular design reviews and feedback sessions to ensure continuous improvement and innovation. 

• Manage external design vendors and freelancers as needed to supplement internal capabilities and support with additional hiring needs.

Who you are:

• Bold – you understand how to be bold and innovative to push the boundaries of digital 

• Passionate – You are passionate about understanding and improving the end-to-end digital experience. Your passion and positivity about the work makes everyone around you better 

• Courageous – You aren’t afraid to fail and are open to feedback 

• Curious – You have a desire to learn all the things you don’t know and enjoy the research

• Collaborative – You seek out collaboration and want to grow by being pushed each day to stretch your capabilities 

• Proficient – You have a strong portfolio that demonstrates your thoughtful approach to the entire UX process and UI development

• Connected – You’re plugged into the local design community and are an active seeker of inspiration

What you bring:

• Bachelor's degree in design, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field. 

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in UX and UI design, with at least 2 years in a management or leadership role. 

• Strong portfolio showcasing expertise in UX and UI design across various platforms. 

• Proficiency in design tools such as Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite and Figma,

• Excellent understanding of user-centered design principles and best practices. 

• Proven experience in managing and resourcing design teams, with a track record of delivering successful design projects. 

• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills. 

• Ability to think strategically and translate business goals into effective design solutions. 

• Experience working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with multiple stakeholders. 

A great portfolio of customer experiences examples and storytelling, encompassing both user research and user interface design 

Proven experience “owning” projects from start to finish 

Proven experience in design recruitment and resourcing that will support our business and departmental growth ambitions

Benefits: 

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses. 

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance. 

• Professional development and training opportunities. 

• Flexible working hours and remote work options. 

• Collaborative and supportive work environment.