Whirlpool is hiring: Director, User Experience Design (70672) in Seattle
Whirlpool, Seattle, WA, US
Requisition ID: 70672
About Whirlpool Corporation
Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading home appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. As the only major U.S.-based manufacturer of kitchen and laundry appliances, the company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2024, the company reported approximately $17 billion in annual sales - close to 90% of which were in the Americas - 44,000 employees, and 40 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.
This role in summary
We are seeking a highly skilled and visionary Director of UX Design to lead our product and product-connected software applications design teams in support of our digital experience transformation, inclusive of strategy and go-to-market delivery. The ideal candidate will have extensive knowledge in crafting exceptional user experiences, possess a deep understanding of product design principles focused on digital and physical integrated experiences, and have a proven track record of successfully building and leading world-class UX teams through the entire product development lifecycle.
Your responsibilities will include
Leadership and Strategy:Define and drive the overall UX Design strategy across a global portfolio of brands and products, aligning design initiatives with business goals.
Provide visionary leadership to the UX design team in every region, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and innovation.
Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product management, engineering, and marketing, to ensure a unified approach to product design.
Oversee the creation of front-end and advanced user-centered design solutions that meet and exceed customer needs.
Set high standards for user interface and interaction design, ensuring a consistent and delightful user experience across all products and applications.
Manage overall design work in each region and provide constructive feedback to the design team to foster continuous improvement. Work with leaders to develop staffing plans, supervise performance and calibrate talent across regional teams.
Train and develop UX regional leads through a performance management process and provide ongoing coaching/mentoring opportunities for growth.
Lead user research initiatives to gather valuable insights and integrate user feedback into the design process.
Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitor products to inform design decisions and maintain a competitive edge.
Work closely with product managers and engineers to ensure seamless integration of design concepts into the development process.
Collaborate with marketing teams to create compelling product narratives and ensure brand consistency.
Drive, influence and advocate for best-in-class user experiences by demonstrating value and potential business impact.
Promote Whirlpool UX Product Design externally through presentations, publications and design competitions.
Model Whirlpool core values of respect, integrity, diversity and teamwork.
Minimum requirements
10+ years of experience in UX design, with a focus on product and product-connected applications, with at least 3-5 years of experience leading and mentoring design teams in a fast-paced, global environment.
5+ years of experience leading presentations to technical and non-technical audiences, as well as senior leadership.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts and influence stakeholders, from other designers to executive management.
Strong portfolio of design work demonstrating a track record of creating great user-centered product solutions in a similar environment.
Preferred skills and experiences
Masters Degree, MBA, or equivalent work experience in Design, Software Product Design, HCI, or related discipline.
Deep understanding of design thinking methodologies and Human Centered Design principles, specifically, a thorough understanding of current and nascent digital & hardware technologies and their meaningful application to appliance experiences.
Strong project planning skills, including proposals, work breakdown schedules, resource planning, and project reviews.
Experience planning and executing interactive product design work in accordance with accepted product development processes, e.g., phases and gates.
Demonstrated experience working with teams to prototype user interaction designs at different levels of fidelity, and test these prototypes using a variety of usability tools and methods.
Demonstrated experience collaborating with marketing, engineering and procurement organizations to achieve experience design goals of the project.
What we offer
Generous benefits package, Whirlpool employee discount, fitness & educational reimbursement programs, kitchenettes, and more! Saint Joseph/Benton Harbor locations: Beautiful, recently renovated office space, free coffee, biking/walking trails, and access to The Eddy - Early Childhood Center (depending upon availability - additional costs required).
Additional information
Whirlpool’s Ways of Working
Our goal is to provide an environment that helps you bring your best to Whirlpool every day. While employees in this role work in-person Monday through Friday. We offer flexibility and industry leading time-off benefits that will help you balance what’s important at work and at home, including:
Always On Flexibility - You will have the autonomy to manage personal, family, and outside-of-work commitments as needed.
Two-Week Work from Anywhere - Minimum of one-week increments for a total of two weeks per year.
Sabbatical - Four weeks paid leave after every five years of service.
#LI-JW1
Connect with us and learn more about Whirlpool Corporation
See what it's like to work at Whirlpool by visiting Whirlpool Careers. Additional information about the company can be found on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
Whirlpool Corporation is committed to equal employment opportunity and prohibits any discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable law.