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)