Director of Product Design, UX Foundations
#JR4643
#JR4643
What’s the role?
As Etsy's marketplace continues to evolve, we need a cohesive design vision that elevates our user experience across all touchpoints. The Senior Director of Design for User Experience Foundations will play a pivotal role in defining and elevating the Etsy marketplace experience, establishing quality standards, and fostering a culture of design excellence.
The Director of Design, User Experience Foundations will lead our design systems team and foundation designers who collectively define the Etsy marketplace experience. Reporting to the VP of Design, this role will be responsible for upleveling the quality bar across the entire design organization while ensuring a consistent, intuitive, and delightful user experience.
You'll oversee the development and evolution of our design system, establish design quality standards, and build a foundation that enables all product teams to create cohesive experiences aligned with Etsy's brand and values.
What’s this team like at Etsy?
As the Director of Design for User Experience Foundations, you'll shape how millions of buyers and sellers experience Etsy. Your work will establish the design foundation that enables our marketplace to grow while maintaining the unique, human-centered experience that defines Etsy. You'll build and nurture a team of exceptional designers who create the systems and components that power our platform's user experience, directly contributing to Etsy's mission of keeping commerce human.
What does the day-to-day look like?
Help us define the vision of the look, feel and voice of Etsy’s marketplace
Partner with product, engineering, and marketing leadership to align on a unified vision for the Etsy marketplace experience
Lead and mentor a team of designers focused on design systems and foundational user experience components
Define and champion Etsy's design quality standards across the organization
Drive the strategic direction for Etsy's design system, ensuring it supports both immediate needs and long-term vision
Foster a culture of design excellence, craftsmanship, and innovation
Establish processes and workflows that enhance cross-functional collaboration and design efficiency
Advocate for user-centered design methodologies and accessibility best practices
Represent design in executive-level discussions, articulating the value and impact of design decisions
Build and nurture a diverse team of design talent through thoughtful hiring, development, and retention strategies
Of course, this is just a sample of the kinds of work this role will require! You should assume that your role will encompass other tasks, too, and that your job duties and responsibilities may change from time to time at Etsy's discretion, or otherwise applicable with local law.
Qualities that will help you thrive in this role are:
12+ years of experience in product design, with a strong portfolio showcasing high crafted experiences
5+ years of experience in a leadership role, managing and mentoring designers
Proven track record of building and scaling design systems for complex digital products
Experience leading design teams at a marketplace, e-commerce, or consumer technology company
Strong understanding of user-centered design principles, methodologies, and best practices
Demonstrated ability to balance business goals with user needs and technical constraints
Experience partnering effectively with product, engineering, and marketing teams
History of successful strategic leadership and organizational influence
Exceptional communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and their impact