@tinkadoic Designing designers’ time WAQ19
Title
Product Design
Assistant
Associate Product
Designer
Product Designer Product Design Manager
Senior Product Design
Manager
Director, Product Design
Senior Director, Product
Design
VP, Product Design
Functional
Knowledge
/ Scope
Helping others to execute
and assisting with whatever is
needed for the team to thrive.
They demonstrate an excellent
capacity to learn quickly and
model after the best people and
practices around them.
Learns to use good judgement
in visual hierarchy, layout and
information architecture to inform
their work. They are learning to
use Zendesk’
s design system and
previous product design work
to build on Zendesk products.
They are familiar with sketching,
flow diagrams, interface design
tools and prototyping tools and
use these regularly in their work.
They work very closely with their
manager to solve problems.
Shows an understanding of visual
hierarchy, layout and information
architecture. They are comfortable
using Zendesk’
s design system and
previous product design work to
build on Zendesk products. They
consider the holistic user experience
in their work and have a strong
understanding of the vision and key
objectives for their product area,
taking cues from their manager as
well as their product and engineering
leads. Some working knowledge
of user reserch process and
methodoligies.
Manages a single geographic team or
product area.
Works in a close partnership with prodcut
and engineering leaders for their given
product areas and delegates the resourcess
of their team
Works closely with other Design Managers
around the company to align on consistency
of ux patterns and design process
Responsible for their own local recruiting
Hosts and organizes design-centric events
with the local design community in order to
raise awareness of the Zendesk design team
brand
Demonstrates an ambition to learn
and improve constantly as a people
manager. Proactively seeks out training
and mentorship from more experienced
managers and other training resources.
At this level the role should remain >50%
hands-on design/creative.
May manage multiple geographies and/or
multiple product areas
Owns and facilitates key processes and
communication that supports the sharing of
work and better communication practices
across the entire department.
Involved in developing, modifying and
immediate operations and may also have
as well as for other roles throughout the
department
Displays an expert level grasp of
management practices and tools.
Recognized as a mentor by not only their
direct reports, but by designers outside of
their immeidate management as well.
At this level the role should remain >15%
hands-on design/creative or less
May manage multiple geographic teams and/
or product areas
Budgetary control over areas of the
department
Manages and coaches other design
managers
Consistenly demonstrates their deep
commitment to adherence and investment
in the Design System (Garden) and other
nascent areas of Design Ops
Maintains a growing reputation within the
design community by way of blogging, public
speaking, etc.
Organizes training and events for the entire
department.
Regularly owns critical, all-department
communication
These designers demonstrate a deep
dedication to our customers by investing
signifcant time observing them work, and
validating ideas with them.
These designers demonstrate a deep
dedication to better using data to make
decisions. They invest their resources in
measuring their design work and the work of
others, and using those learnings to improve
our team as a whole.
Proven track record of excellent
communication and presentation skills and
demonstrated ability to show leadership
levels of change in terms of how design
functions with its peers in product and
engineering.
Posseses a visionary capacity and is able
to motivate teams both inside and out the
department to follow and invest in their
ideas.
These designers embody excellence in
product design at all levels. Can represent
the department at the highest levels
within the company.
Consistenly demonstrates their deep
commitment to adherence and investment
in the Design System (Garden) and other
nascent areas of Design Ops
These designers demonstrate a deep
dedication to our customers by investing
signifcant time observing them work, and
validating ideas with them.
These designers demonstrate a deep
dedication to better using data to make
decisions. They invest their resources in
measuring their design work and the work
of others, and using those learnings to
improve our team as a whole.
Recognized as an influential leader
both within and outside of the Creative
department.
Design executive responsible for multiple
functions, departments, and/or geographic design
studios. Acts as key delegate between the Design
and the rest of the business. Regularly intefaces
Manages and coaches other design managers
globally.
Avid writer/blogger and public speaker at design
industry events.
Sets vision and direction through resource
allocation decisions for a significant organization
or business unit.
Extensive and detailed hands-on financial
responsibility for the team budget
Heavy responsibilty for recruiting top talent and
managing the community facing brand of the
design organization
Works closely with Brand Team leadership to align
the groups and find opportunities for partnership
Develops and implements strategic plans and
objectives for the organization in alignment with
corporate strategy; oversees the direction and
approves tactical administrative or operational
policies and resource allocation decisions to
ensure achievement of objectives.
Job
Complexity
Executes on a variety of tasks of
minimal scope and complexity.
Works on problems of moderate
scope where analysis of situations
or data requires a review of a
variety of factors. Exercises
judgment within defined
procedures and practices to
determine appropriate action.
Builds productive internal/external
working relationships.
Works on problems of diverse scope
where analysis of data requires an
evaluation of identifiable factors.
Demonstrates good judgment in
selecting methods and techniques
for obtaining solutions. Networks
with senior internal and external
personnel in own area of expertise.
Works on issues of diverse scope where
analysis of situation or data requires an
evaluation of a variety of factors, including
an understanding of current business trends.
Follows processes and operational policies
in selecting methods and techniques for
obtaining solutions. Acts as advisor to
subordinate(s) to meet schedules and/
or resolve technical problems. Develops
and administers schedules, performance
requirements; may have budget
responsibilities.
Works on issues where analysis of situations
or data requires an in-depth knowledge
of organizational objectives. Implements
strategic policies when selecting methods,
techniques, and evaluation criteria for
obtaining results. Establishes and assures
adherence to budgets, schedules, work
plans, and performance requirements.
Works on complex issues where analysis
of situations or data requires an in-depth
knowledge of the company. Participates
in corporate development of methods,
techniques and evaluation criteria for
projects, programs, and people. Ensures
budgets and schedules meet corporate
requirements.
Consistently works with abstract ideas
or situations across functional areas
of the business. Through assessment
of intangible variables, identifies and
evaluates fundamental issues, providing
strategy and direction for major functional
areas. Requires in-depth knowledge of
the functional area, business strategies,
and the company’
s goals.
Develops strategic plans to ensure successful
implementation of action plans and objectives
where analysis of situations or data requires an
in-depth knowledge of the company, competitive
environment, technology and economic or social
implications of organization activities. Participates
in the development of corporate methods,
techniques and evaluation criteria for projects,
programs, and people. Approves budgets and
schedules to meet corporate requirements.
Problem
Solving/
Discretion
Relies heavily on their manager to
solve problems.
Solves problems in straightforward
situations; analyzes possible
solutions using technical
experience and judgment and
precedents.
Solves complex problems; takes
a new perspective on existing
solutions; exercises judgment based
on the analysis of multiple sources of
information.
Assignments are defined in terms of
activities and objectives. Work is reviewed
upon completion for adequacy in meeting
objectives.
Assignments are objective oriented.
Work is reviewed in terms of meeting the
organization’
s objectives and timelines.
Broad function-wide objectives are
established under the general direction of
senior management and guided by approved
operating plans.
Objectives largely tied to company-
wide performance and guided by broad
company policies and strategic plans.
Erroneous decisions will have a serious impact
on the overall success of long-term company
operations.
Impact
Has limited impact on own
work. Contributes towards the
completion of routine technical/
functional tasks. Works within
standard procedures and
practices.
Impacts quality of own work and
the work of others on the team.
Works within guidelines and
policies.
Impacts a range of customer,
operational, project or service
activities within own team and other
related teams; works within broad
guidelines and policies.
Decisions have an impact on work processes
and outcomes. Erroneous decisions or
failure to achieve results will add to costs,
result in serious delays, and may impact the
short-term goals of the organization.
Decisions have an extended impact on
work processes and outcomes. Erroneous
decisions will result in critical delay(s) in
schedules and/or unit operations and
considerable expenditure of additional time,
human resources, and funds.
Decisions and recommendations will have
a serious impact on the overall success of
functional, division, or company operations.
Erroneous decisions or recommendations
may cause critical delays or modifications
to company projects or operations causing
substantial increases in costs.
Decisions will have major and measurable
long-term impact on the company’
s
success, failure, profitability, and growth
of the division/group and/or company.
Objectives directly tied to the overall performance
of the company. Makes final decisions, guided by
only the broadest policies and strategies.
Supervision
Normally receives detailed
instructions on all work.
Normally receives general
instructions on routine work,
detailed instructions on new
projects or assignments.
Normally receives little instruction on
day-to-day work, general instructions
on new assignments.
Frequently interacts with subordinate
supervisors, customers, and/or functional
peer group managers, normally involving
matters between functional areas, other
Regularly interacts with senior management
or executive levels on matters concerning
several functional areas, divisions, and/or
customers. Requires the ability to change
Regularly interacts with executives and/
or major customers. Interactions frequently
involve special skills, such as negotiating
with customers or management or
Interacts internally and externally with
executive level management, requiring
negotiation of extremely critical matters.
Influences policymaking.
Regularly interacts with executives and/or major
customers. Interactions frequently involve highly
visible activities such as speaking to or negotiating
with customers, influencing other executives and/
Zendesk Product Design Career Paths (Management)