User Experience and Design Director

: The User Experience & Design Director is responsible for overseeing the design and usability of the e-commerce site. This role will ensure that all elements of the online user experience are optimized for improved usability. As a senior designer, you have extensive knowledge of UX design tools and methodologies, including user research, information architecture, interaction design, and usability testing. As a senior leader, you manage cross-functional partnerships, build and maintain collaborative relationships, and influence and clearly present to broad audiences. This role is for someone excited by prospect of solving complex problems and a passion for designing products that exceed both user and business needs. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES: User Experience & Design Responsible for driving the vision of the end-to-end user experience on Helzberg.com. Develop wireframes, prototypes, and user flows to effectively communicate and iterate on design concepts, ensuring seamless and user-friendly experiences. Direct UI/UX designers, including internal associates, contractors, and agencies, drive the UI/UX process from concept through design documentation and execution. Conduct comprehensive user research to gather valuable insights, best practices, and a deep understanding of user needs, goals, and behaviors. Analyze web data to monitor website performance and identify areas of opportunity. Identify A/B testing opportunities within UI/UX to support overarching e-commerce test and learn environment. Deliver against target KPIs through continuous innovation, testing, and scaling of winning experiments. Ensure quality experience on digital products by participating in the user acceptance testing process as needed. Identify future opportunities by keeping up to date with design trends, societal shifts, and new technology. Be a thought partner providing recommendations on UX and UI enhancements with mobile-first design approach. Leadership Leads with a user-centric mindset. Champion user-centered design principles and best practices, ensuring the final product delivers a delightful and cohesive user experience while also meeting our business objectives. Strong stakeholder management skills and flexibility to thrive in a fast-paced environment. Have superior communication and interpersonal skills, including facilitation, presentation, storytelling. QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's degree in graphic design or a related field, providing a solid foundation for creative design principles. Minimum 10 years relevant experience in UX/product design, preferably in a retail environment. Strong portfolio that showcases UX and interaction design, visual design aesthetic, and user-centered thinking. Knowledge of web and ecommerce analytics, including Google Analytics and other industry-standard web analytics platforms, Monetate, Syte, Tangiblee, A/B Tasty, Content Square etc. Superior Design and PowerPoint skills. Proven ability to translate complex design challenges into clear, user-friendly experience. Comfortable with multiple qualitative and quantitative research methods, like surveys, usability testing, multivariate testing, A/B testing, etc. Can balance user, business, and technical needs. Comfortable with a culture of feedback and regular opportunities to critique and be critiqued. Doesn't see obstacles, only opportunity. Values data or insight over opinion, by basing decisions on metrics, segment data, and user research findings and insights. Ability to understand and help gather business reporting requirements that meet business needs. Organized, reliable self-starter with strong creative thinking, analytical, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. Ability to work independently and collaboratively, with strong attention to detail. Hybrid schedule with predictable onsite attendance required three or more days per week to perform essential functions involving interactive behaviors with co-workers and managers, operation, or manipulation of equipment and/or materials located only on site, and direct interaction with internal and/or external customers.