Job description

Taxwell helps everyday Americans get every tax advantage they deserve by finding credits and deductions they never even knew existed. Our tax preparation software offers easy guidance and ensures your maximum tax refund. We strive to build a team of like-minded experts in both tax and technology who align with our brand purpose, are advocates for our customers and have a fresh, non-traditional approach to the tax industry. Taxwell is seeking an experienced, visionary Director, Product Design to lead and grow our multi-disciplinary Design and Research team within the Product & Design organization. This role will be essential in defining and executing the user experience strategy across all digital products, ensuring that Taxwell delivers intuitive, accessible, and engaging experiences for our customers. Reporting directly to the VP of Product Management, the Director, Product Design will be responsible for building and leading a best-in class team of designers, researchers, and creative technologists, driving a culture of innovation, collaboration, and high-impact design. This leader will bring strategic oversight and hands-on guidance to the UX function, overseeing user research, concept development, and design execution to ensure we consistently meet and exceed user expectations. This role requires a balance of visionary leadership, operational expertise, and the ability to foster cross-functional partnerships across product, engineering, and executive teams. Essential Duties & Responsibilities Leadership & Vision Define and implement a clear vision for a high-performing, best-in-class Product Design and UX Research team, continuously elevating team standards and practices. Drive a user-first mindset across the organization, ensuring the team is empowered to innovate and push creative boundaries while aligning with business goals. Provide hands-on guidance and mentorship to designers and researchers, fostering growth, creativity, and professional development within the team. Team Management & Development Lead and manage a multi-disciplinary team of UX designers, researchers, and creative technologists in a fast-paced, agile environment. Manage team resources, project priorities, and budgets, balancing strategic direction with efficient execution to meet business objectives. Establish a culture of feedback, accountability, and continuous improvement, encouraging team members to take ownership of their work and develop their careers. User Research & Insights Oversee a structured research program that gathers critical insights into customer needs, behaviors, and pain points, translating these findings into actionable design strategies. Champion data-driven design, working closely with product and engineering teams to incorporate user feedback throughout the product lifecycle. Promote continuous learning within the team by staying informed on UX research trends, tools, and best practices. Cross-functional Collaboration Act as a liaison between UX and leadership, ensuring alignment with business priorities and fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. Partner with cross-functional leaders to define product visions, influence strategies, and set design quality standards that support scalable growth and efficiency. Align team goals with broader company objectives, working closely with Product, Engineering, and Marketing to deliver seamless, impactful product experiences. Design Quality & Execution Set a high bar for design thinking and fast execution, guiding the team in delivering user-centered, accessible, and intuitive interfaces across our product. Oversee concept development, from ideation to execution, ensuring consistency with established design principles and adapting to evolving user needs. Advocate for a rigorous design process, balancing user insights, technical capabilities, and business goals to deliver outstanding products. Education & Experience Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in UX Design, Interaction Design, HCI, or a related field. 10 years of design experience, with 7 years in a leadership role managing multidisciplinary UX teams (e.g., UX design, user research). Proven track record of leading UX teams in fast-paced, high-growth environments, preferably within consumer or software technology. Demonstrated experience managing design and research projects from concept to launch, with a history of balancing competing priorities and managing project risks. Experience building influential relationships at all levels of an organization, presenting to senior leaders, and advocating for UX. Skills & Qualities Strategic thinker with a balance of visionary leadership and operational expertise, comfortable with ambiguity and skilled at pivoting as business needs evolve. Expert in design methodologies, user-centered design principles, and usability best practices, with a passion for driving excellent design. Strong presentation and communication skills, with an ability to simplify complex concepts and inspire teams and stakeholders alike. Proficient in design tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, as well as analytics tools like Tableau. Outcome-oriented leader who drives a culture of fast pace and innovation, empowering the team to deliver creative, high-impact results. At Taxwell, we believe our work benefits from the diverse perspectives of our employees. As such, Taxwell welcomes and celebrates diversity and inclusion and is committed to equal opportunity employment. At Taxwell, you can expect a supportive, open, and inclusive atmosphere and a team that values your contributions. Taxwell is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, and any other status protected under applicable law. Taxwell considers information gathered in the hiring process, including information on this application, confidential, and only shares it on a need-to-know basis or as required by law. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at HR Taxwell.com or by calling 828-349-5887 to speak with a member of the HR Talent Acquisition team.

Requirements

Must-haves

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Leadership & Vision
Define and implement a clear vision for a high-performing, best-in-class Product Design and UX Research team, continuously elevating team standards and practices.
Drive a user-first mindset across the organization, ensuring the team is empowered to innovate and push creative boundaries while aligning with business goals.
Provide hands-on guidance and mentorship to designers and researchers, fostering growth, creativity, and professional development within the team.
Team Management & Development
Lead and manage a multi-disciplinary team of UX designers, researchers, and creative technologists in a fast-paced, agile environment.
Manage team resources, project priorities, and budgets, balancing strategic direction with efficient execution to meet business objectives.
Establish a culture of feedback, accountability, and continuous improvement, encouraging team members to take ownership of their work and develop their careers.
User Research & Insights
Oversee a structured research program that gathers critical insights into customer needs, behaviors, and pain points, translating these findings into actionable design strategies.
Champion data-driven design, working closely with product and engineering teams to incorporate user feedback throughout the product lifecycle.
Promote continuous learning within the team by staying informed on UX research trends, tools, and best practices.
Cross-functional Collaboration
Act as a liaison between UX and leadership, ensuring alignment with business priorities and fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.
Partner with cross-functional leaders to define product visions, influence strategies, and set design quality standards that support scalable growth and efficiency.
Align team goals with broader company objectives, working closely with Product, Engineering, and Marketing to deliver seamless, impactful product experiences.
Design Quality & Execution
Set a high bar for design thinking and fast execution, guiding the team in delivering user-centered, accessible, and intuitive interfaces across our product.
Oversee concept development, from ideation to execution, ensuring consistency with established design principles and adapting to evolving user needs.
Advocate for a rigorous design process, balancing user insights, technical capabilities, and business goals to deliver outstanding products.
Education & Experience
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in UX Design, Interaction Design, HCI, or a related field.
10 years of design experience, with 7 years in a leadership role managing multidisciplinary UX teams (e.g., UX design, user research).

Nice-to-haves

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Keywords to mirror

agilefigmasketch

Platform: workday
Effort: long

Benefits

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Vision

Professional Development