Director Design (UX/UI and Digital Products)

Company Description: Crown Equipment Corporation is one of the world's largest material handling companies, with a reputation for award-winning product design, advanced engineering and technology, and superior after-sale service. Crown produces a broad range of forklifts, batteries, chargers, automation and fleet management technologies that are revolutionizing the material-handling industry. More than 85 percent of Fortune 500 companies use Crown forklifts. With over 19,000 employees, 24 manufacturing facilities, and 500 retail locations across 84 countries, Crown has a vast global presence. Crown's global headquarters is in New Bremen, Ohio USA, with regional headquarters in Australia, China, Germany and Singapore.

Job Responsibilities: Crown is looking for a Director of Software Design to oversee design and delivery for Crown's suite of digital products. This is a strategic leadership role that handles complex global projects with a high degree of cross-functional collaboration. The incumbent requires a passion for user-centered design, a track record of scaling UX practices, a strong ability to collaborate cross-functionally and experience shaping product strategy. This position reports to the Vice President - Design.

Portfolio & Product Strategy

• Partner with cross-functional peers to achieve alignment and shape strategy and product direction for our suite of software products.
• Establish, communicate and maintain a compelling multi-year vision for our software suite that advances Crown business goals, including how the suite creates value in concert with other Crown offerings.
• Drive evidence-informed prioritization of new products, features, and feature enhancements, including cross-product area dependencies.
• Ensure design coherence across the Crown connected product and service ecosystem, with consideration for both physical and digital experiences.
• Oversee the roadmap for digital products Design System, ensuring appropriate alignment with display interfaces and on-product graphic communication.

Research & Design Execution

• Ensure Design project priorities are understood, resourced, and aligned to product strategy and prioritization; remove barriers to execution and escalate issues as needed.
• Oversee Design's responsibilities across the Product Journey Process and Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC); conduct design reviews, define and drive key milestones, and ensure process discipline and deliverable quality.
• Define and track metrics on UX/UI team effectiveness and results.
• Monitor project and team budgets, address risks and concerns (ex: underutilization or over allocation).
• Collaborate with Design Research team and other Design Directors to ensure all projects have the necessary oversight and resourcing.
• Stay on top of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in UX Product Design.

Talent Management & Organizational Leadership

• Steward a positive team culture, inspiring high employee engagement and developing a world-class team, while fostering a culture of collaboration and design excellence.
• Set clear performance expectations and provide timely coaching and career guidance for Managers, Group Leaders, and Senior Designers; ensure that the full team is getting the right feedback and assignments to develop professionally.
• Create/revise job descriptions, conduct Talent Development discussion sessions, and complete annual wage reviews.

Location: This position is based in our New Bremen, Ohio USA global headquarters.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree (Design or related field) Non-degree considered if 12+ years of related experience along with a high school diploma or GED
• 8-15 years related experience at various levels of responsibility, including 5 years of project management and supervisory experience
• Ability to frequently travel with overnight stays (6-20%)
• Valid passport
• Reliable transportation to travel locally between company locations during scheduled workday

Preferred Qualifications:

• Exceptional written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated experience shaping vision and achieving cross-functional alignment to drive results
• 3+ years in an equivalent leadership role

Work Authorization:

Crown will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States. This is not a position for which sponsorship will be provided. Individuals with temporary visas or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire.

No agency calls please.

Compensation and Benefits:

Crown offers an excellent wage and benefits package for full-time employees including Health/Dental/Vision/Prescription Drug Plan, Flexible Benefits Plan, 401K Retirement Savings Plan, Life and Disability Benefits, Paid Parental Leave, Paid Holidays, Paid Vacation, Tuition Reimbursement, and much more.

EOE Veterans/Disabilities