Mobile Product Design Manager

Digital Product Design at Ford is committed to envisioning and creating simple, thoughtful, enjoyable, and compelling product experiences that our customers need and love. We work in close partnership with product and engineering to deliver best-in-class interactions experiences that meet the needs of people today, and in the future. Our team is comprised of a dynamic group of product designers, researchers, visual designers, industrial designers, modelers, and project managers. 

The Ford mobile app represents a crucial companion for our customers, one that seamlessly integrates into their daily lives and adventures. As an ever-present tool in the pockets of our owners and drivers, the mobile app provides essential command, status, and control of their Ford vehicle. It must deliver confidence at every step and empower Ford customers to explore, take adventures, and accomplish their tasks with ease and enjoyment. 

We are seeking a visionary and experienced Product Design Manager to help lead a key pillar within our Mobile App Team. This role requires an exceptionally gifted UI/UX product design professional who is obsessed with exploring, and advancing, the latest mobile app design trends, hardware capabilities, technologies and overall user experience. In this role, you will be responsible for driving the design and user experience of our mobile application, which are integral to our Ford software ecosystem. You will lead a key aspect or set of features within the mobile app by collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to create intuitive, engaging, and innovative experiences that enhance the functionality and appeal of our vehicles.  

What you'll do…

The ideal candidate will work under experienced Advanced Mobile team leadership and support the Mobile App center of excellence within Digital Product Design by:

• Leading the design of features and improvements for our products ensuring they align with business objectives and user needs. 
• Lead and mentor a team of talented designers, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Balance UX and UI design. Our product design teams operate as hybrid designers that can take things from wireframe through to highly polished and compelling visual user interface.
• Using Figma to develop mobile app features and compelling user experiences. 
• Managing design work within a Jira-based backlog by crafting and communicating epics and story status of daily work.
• Taking ownership of independent tracks of design work and manage timelines and deliverables. 
• Developing and iterating on user flows, mock-ups and prototypes to effectively communicate design ideas. 
• Applying data driven insights to inform design decisions and measure the impact of design changes. 
• Expressing our brand vision through user interface design for mobile app experiences. 
• Executing designs with a keen sensibility to layout, color, typography and interactive behavior. 
• Exhibiting a passion for emerging hardware and software technologies, new interaction models, product design, and excellence in visual design. 
• Collaborating closely with Product Management, Engineering and Feature Teams to ensure a seamless transition from concept to implementation. 
• Employing a systematic approach to solving large, complex design challenges with command of and collaboration with the Design System team. 
• Presenting creative work early and often to key stakeholders in design reviews. 
• Create wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups to effectively communicate design ideas and interactions.
• Exhibiting a passion for emerging hardware and software technologies, new interaction models, product design, and excellence in visual design.

What you'll have…

• Bachelor’s Degree, or educational /experience equivalent or in Product design, Graphic design, or interaction design. 
• 5+ years of experience in UX/UI product design
• High performing proficiency in Figma
• 3+ years managing a team of designers 
• Strong portfolio showcasing a range of mobile app design projects, demonstrating a deep understanding of user experience principles and design processes.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and inspire team members and stakeholders.

 

Even better you have…

• Exceptional visual and UX design skills
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies 
• Familiarity with Design System implementation 
• Proficiency in human-centered design approaches, techniques and philosophy 
• Automotive UI/HMI experience is a plus
• Background in digital product design solutio