VP, UX Creative Director

Role Summary/Purpose: 

Synchrony’s User Experience Group empowers both customers and clients to meet their goals and aspirations with innovative product experiences. We leverage our expertise, methodologies and customer data to create simple and delightful experiences that fulfill user-centered journeys. We are powered by our supportive and collaborative UX team culture and enabled by Synchrony’s commitment to investing in user experience and creating engaging digital experiences. Our designers are given the guidance and autonomy they need to do the best work of their careers.  

As UX Creative Director, you will be responsible for shaping and executing a holistic visual and brand strategy that aligns with company goals and user needs across all digital products. You will direct the visual and brand design process, oversee the ongoing development and adoption of Synchrony’s Digital Design System, and ensure rigorous adherence to brand standards through quality reviews and comprehensive documentation. You will participate in executive strategic planning, champion innovation, and advocate for accessibility and inclusive design. Your success in this role will depend on your ability to collaborate with executives, senior leadership, and cross-functional teams to ensure a unified enterprise approach, while providing ongoing mentorship to the UI design team to support talent development and deliver outstanding design quality.

Essential Responsibilities: 

Creative Strategy Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead the creation of a holistic UX visual and brand strategy and vision that aligns with company’s goals across many digital channels

• Foster cross-functional collaboration by partnering closely with brand, consumer engagement, product and development to ensure a cohesive and integrated approach to enterprise design

• Present to and persuade senior executives and leaders to adopt UX strategies and recommendations

• Educate business stakeholders on best practices and standards as well as push the boundaries of user experience design 

Creative Design Management & Execution

• Direct the visual and brand design of many digital channels, guaranteeing that they meet UX and SYF brand and design standards

• Develop, manage and ensure adoption of Synchrony’s Digital Design System, overseeing the creation and ongoing refinement of the design system

• Maintain and update comprehensive documentation for design standards, guidelines, and system components

• Conduct quality reviews to ensure UI designers adherence to brand standards

• Collaborate closely with UX leadership on the refinement and execution of consistent user-centered design processes across the enterprise

• Champion innovation in visual and interaction design by staying informed on and educating the team on industry trends, new technologies, and emerging best practices

• Advocate for accessibility and inclusive design throughout all digital products and experiences

Team Performance

• Act as people manager for a creative team designer(s), including hiring, onboarding, retaining and developing talent

• Accountable for creative team’s timely delivery, quality of work and professionalism

• Act as dotted-line manager to a large group of UI designers, providing guidance and feedback to foster professional growth and ensuring high-quality design outputs

Culture & Leadership

• Assist in driving team culture to keep high GPTW scores

• Deliver on UX department strategic priorities and special projects

• Mentor junior level designers, interns and/or BLPs

• Bring a strong positive attitude to UX teams and projects

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or associate’s degree in UI/UX, HCI, graphic design, psychology, marketing, information technology, or similar area, or related certifications

• 12+ years of experience in UI or Visual Design experience or in lieu of degree 14+ years of experience 

• 4+ years of experience working on brands, brand development, brand identity

• 2+ years of UX leadership/managerial experience

• Strong understanding of color, photography, typography, iconography, and animation usage in digital experiences 

• Strong understanding of user centered design, design thinking and related methodologies

• Strong communication and collaboration skills

• Strong time management and organizational skills

• Strong executive presence and