Overview
CDK Global is a leading provider of cloud-based software to dealerships and Original Equipment Manufacturers ("OEMs") across automotive and related industries. The company’s SaaS platform enables dealerships to manage end-to-end business operations including acquisition, sale, financing, insuring, repair, and maintenance of vehicles, helping dealers sell and service more vehicles with streamlined workflows and improved financial and operational performance.
The Role
We are seeking a dynamic and visionary Sr Director (UX) with a unique combination of product management and UX leadership to lead our UX team and drive the design and optimization of user interfaces across our product portfolio. This role requires someone who has evolved from product management into UX leadership, bringing a holistic understanding of both product strategy and user experience design. The ideal leader will provide exceptional customer experience while unifying the product experience across all CDK offerings, with a focus on integrating AI capabilities to streamline workflows, eliminate unnecessary steps, and provide intelligent insights. This individual will shape the overall UX vision, lead a team of UX professionals, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure our software products are user-friendly, AI-enhanced, and meet evolving client needs.
Responsibilities And Essential Functions
- Strategic Leadership & Vision
- UX Strategy with Product Management Perspective: Develop and maintain a comprehensive UX strategy that aligns with the company goals, leveraging product management principles to ensure market-driven design decisions. Continuously refine the strategy based on market trends and user feedback.
- AI Integration Strategy: Lead the integration of AI capabilities across the user experience, focusing on workflow optimization, step elimination, and intelligent insights delivery. Define how AI can enhance productivity and decision-making.
- Holistic Enterprise View: Ensure consistency and synergy across all CDK products while identifying opportunities for AI-driven improvements.
- Team Leadership & Development
- Coach and mentor a team of UX designers, researchers, and other professionals, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence. Manage MSP team members and drive accountability to goals and KPIs.
- AI-UX Capability Building: Develop team expertise in AI-enhanced UX design and stay current with AI/ML capabilities.
- Research & User-Centered Design
- User Research: Oversee user research initiatives to understand customer needs and inform product design and strategic roadmap, with attention to AI opportunities.
- User-Centered Design with AI Enhancement: Promote user-centered design with AI-driven improvements to create unified experiences that anticipate user needs.
- Workflow Optimization: Identify and eliminate unnecessary steps through intelligent AI integration.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Product-Engineering Collaboration: Translate user requirements into features, bridging strategic and tactical execution, and integrating UX and AI capabilities.
- AI Implementation Partnership: Work with data science and AI/ML teams to identify opportunities for intelligent automation and predictive insights.
- Measurement & Optimization
- Metrics and Measurement: Establish KPIs for UX initiatives and analyze data to inform design decisions, including AI effectiveness metrics.
- AI Insights Integration: Use AI to gather and analyze user behavior data for continuous UX improvements.
- Design & Development Excellence
- Prototyping and Testing: Create prototypes and conduct usability tests, including AI-enhanced features.
- UX Guidelines and Standards: Establish design guidelines for consistency and AI integration.
- User Engagement and Feedback Loops: Gather user feedback and integrate customer insights into product improvements and AI opportunities.
- Inclusive Design & Operations
- Accessibility and Inclusivity: Design products to be accessible to all users, including AI-driven accessibility features.
- Budget and Resource Management: Manage UX budget and resources aligned with priorities and timelines.
- Continuous Improvement: Stay at the forefront of UX design and AI integration with a culture of improvement.
Qualifications And Skills
Education & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Human-Computer Interaction, UX Design, Psychology, Design, Product Management, Business)
- 12-15 years of related experience, with significant background in product management that evolved into UX leadership
- 8-10 years of managerial experience, with demonstrated success transitioning from product management to UX leadership roles
- Must be willing to travel as required
Core Competencies
- Product Management Foundation: Deep understanding of product strategy, roadmap development, and market-driven decisions
- Enterprise-Wide UX Leadership: Experience delivering UX across complex product portfolios
- AI Integration Expertise: Experience with AI/ML in UX, including workflow automation and predictive insights
- Strong leadership and team management skills
Technical & Design Skills
- Proficiency in UX design tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD) or similar
- Understanding of AI/ML capabilities and their application to UX
- Knowledge of user research methodologies and usability testing
- Experience with data analytics and AI-driven insights platforms
- Familiarity with web and mobile development processes
Collaboration & Communication
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills
- Experience working with AI/ML teams and data scientists to integrate intelligent capabilities
- Experience in cross-functional environments with product management and development teams
- Holistic, enterprise-wide product thinking and execution
Preferred Qualifications And Attributes
- Masters or advanced degree in UX, Product Management, or related field
- Pragmatic Institute or similar product management certification
- Experience with AI/ML platforms and workflow automation tools
- Background in enterprise software and complex product ecosystems
- Experience leading digital transformation initiatives
Base Salary
$220,000 - $250,000
CDK Global is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. Compensation packages are based on skills, experience, certifications, and work location. The total package may include annual performance bonus, benefits, and other applicable incentive plans.
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- 401K Matching Program
- Tution Reimbursement
CDK is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to an inclusive workforce. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, or any other protected status. Applicants in the US must be authorized to work in the US. Visa sponsorship may be offered where applicable.
Location
Austin, TX
Note: This description reflects the current role and does not include other posting fragments or irrelevant job listings.