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Head of Product Design

  • Job
    Full-time
    Expert Level
  • Design
  • New York
  • Quick Apply

AI generated summary

  • You need 15+ years in digital design, 10+ in leading consumer product design, experience with user research, team building, and strong skills in cross-functional collaboration, especially in media.
  • You will lead design initiatives, drive user experience excellence, foster collaboration across teams, mentor designers, and champion design thinking to enhance products and reinforce brand trust.

Requirements

  • 15+ years of experience in digital design and user experience with a demonstrated understanding of contemporary best practices
  • 10+ years of experience leading design for consumer product experiences or premium subscription products, particularly content-rich platforms with surfaces on web and mobile, directly impacting business objectives like acquisition, conversion, and engagement
  • Proven ability to develop long-term product vision that serves as a 'north star' for product teams
  • Experience establishing and maintaining clear product design standards and practices that serve both as a quality benchmark and cross-functional communication tool
  • Experience incorporating User Research as part of the Design process, making judgments about both quantitative and qualitative research insights to inform design direction and vision
  • Experience building and leading large product design teams at scale, with proven ability to recruit, foster, and retain design talent at scale
  • Experience navigating complex organizations and building relationships with key stakeholders across all levels and layers of an organization
  • Proven success in cross-functional collaboration with product management, engineering, editorial, and marketing teams
  • Experience collaborating with operational teams including HR, IT, and Finance to secure necessary team resources and support
  • Media and/or editorial product design experience with a deep understanding of editorial processes
  • Background working with premium brands and elevating their presence through sophisticated product design
  • Exceptional taste and proven ability to serve as a design tastemaker and industry influencer

Responsibilities

  • The Head of Product Design’s leadership touches every corner of The Times, from our newsroom to our business operations. The role's influence and impact span the entire organization.
  • Creative Leadership
  • Demonstrate exceptional taste and craft in design execution, setting a high bar that inspires across the organization.
  • Partner with newsroom leadership and cross-functional peers to develop and execute a compelling vision for The Times' end-to-end experience.
  • Drive excellence in user experience across the organization, leveraging customer obsession as a core value and competitive advantage.
  • Strengthen The Times' distinctive brand through Product Design decisions that increase user trust and reinforce the unique value we provide.
  • Champion design thinking methodology and a prototyping culture that leads teams to create experiences that can be effectively tested.
  • Executive Leadership
  • Active participation in The Times’ cross-functional product development leadership team, helping to set the strategy for the product and leading Design’s role in execution.
  • Exercise strong design judgment while building consensus, incorporating diverse perspectives into a cohesive vision that inspires teams and drives results.
  • Position Design as an equal partner to Product, Engineering, Data, and Marketing, cultivating relationships and establishing collaborative processes that drive innovation and excellence across our digital experiences.
  • Advocate for Design not just as a function, but as a way of thinking that elevates how we work across The Times - showcasing the power of Design to deliver clarity and delight, drive business outcomes, spark invention, innovation and strategic thinking.
  • Serve as a leader on the NYT Design Council pushing creative boundaries across the organization with leaders from News Design, Brand Design, T-Brand Studio, and other internal design functions.
  • Demonstrate support and understanding of our value of journalistic independence and a strong commitment to our mission to seek the truth and help people understand the world.
  • Functional & Operational Leadership
  • Build and lead a world-class Product Design team through strategic hiring and retention in a highly competitive market.
  • Establish and maintain high standards for design quality across interaction design, user interface design, information architecture, service design and strategic design.
  • Create and refine scalable design processes and systems that improve team efficiency and drive craftsmanship, innovation, and design excellence.
  • Guide our design evolution with a focus on the future and emerging technologies like AI.
  • Coordinate and cohere Product Design efforts with other internal design teams: News Design, Brand and Identity Design.

FAQs

What is the main mission of The New York Times?

The mission of The New York Times is to seek the truth and help people understand the world, focusing on independent journalism at the heart of everything the company does.

What type of experience is required for the Head of Product Design position?

The position requires 15+ years of experience in digital design and user experience, with at least 10 years of experience leading design for consumer product experiences or premium subscription products.

What are the primary responsibilities of the Head of Product Design?

The primary responsibilities include demonstrating creative and executive leadership, building and leading a high-quality Product Design team, and establishing design standards and processes that drive innovation and excellence across the organization.

Who does the Head of Product Design report to?

The Head of Product Design reports to the Chief Product Officer and Deputy Managing Editor.

What skills are essential for a candidate applying for this role?

Essential skills include strong design judgment, the ability to develop a long-term product vision, experience in cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to advocate for design as a critical function in the organization.

Is industry experience a requirement for this position?

Yes, candidates should have media and/or editorial product design experience, as well as a background in working with premium brands.

What is the salary range for this role?

The annual base pay range for the Head of Product Design role is between $300,000 and $350,000 USD.

How does The New York Times approach diversity and inclusion?

The New York Times is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the global community, and they strongly encourage candidates from various backgrounds to apply.

What benefits do employees receive regarding accommodation during the hiring process?

The New York Times provides reasonable accommodations as required by applicable laws for individuals seeking support during the application or interview process.

What should applicants be aware of regarding fraudulent job postings?

Applicants should be cautious of fraudulent job postings and offers; legitimate job opportunities will only be accessible through The New York Times careers site, and the company will not ask for financial information.

Entertainment & Media
Industry
1001-5000
Employees
1851
Founded Year

Mission & Purpose

The New York Times is powered by the idea that independent, deeply reported journalism fuels a healthy and engaged society. Our reporters, columnists, editors, engineers, designers, data analysts, developers and marketers breathe life into the most important topics of our time and tell stories that might otherwise go untold. Whether bringing new truths to light with our reporting, building innovative products that deliver a best-in-class digital experience, or analyzing data to understand how we can best serve our readers, our people power the world’s top destination for journalism. Working at The Times means envisioning and developing the future of journalism. Bring your passion, perspective and experience and join us as we seek the truth and help people understand the world.