We are seeking an accomplished and indispensable individual contributor to help lead teams in framing and solving complex problems that drive innovation and create new value through visionary design experiences. With your breadth of expertise, mentorship abilities, and thought leadership, you will elevate our company's reputation as an industry leader in design. Your strategic vision, storytelling prowess, and executive partnership will be instrumental in shaping the future of our organization and driving real change in how we approach our business.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead teams in framing and solving hard problems, using human-centered design practices, that drive innovative efforts that uncover new value through visionary design experiences. Champion design internally and externally, positioning our company as an industry leader.
- Lead across multiple workstreams and develop new practices that drive increased value and appreciation of design both internally and externally. Develop and articulate a compelling vision for the team, influencing at all levels of the organization.
- Direct cross-functional teams and establish executive partnerships, using storytelling and persuasion to connect strategy and vision with day-to-day practicality. Drive meetings and actions that reflect holistic, integrated understanding of organizational context and LOB-level strategy.
- Communicate effectively at all levels of the organization, demonstrating confidence, charisma, and clarity in design discussions. Direct and mentor design teams. Work with partners and stakeholders to make real change in how the company approaches its business.
- Utilize strong design facilitation skills to foster collaboration within cross-functional teams, and storytelling to build trust and establish long-term relationships.
- Run research activities and leverage insights to drive innovation, focusing on entire user experiences or leading special/innovation projects to push boundaries and uncover new possibilities.
- Mentor and collaborate with junior team members, providing guidance and support in best practices and methodologies.
- Integrate new design patterns and practices, enriching the design methodology toolkit.
- Models Thrivent’s leadership competencies – Model the Way, Rally the Team, and Deliver Outcomes.
- Supports and/or develops an environment in which Thrivent employees and colleagues are focused on continuous improvement, exceptional employee engagement, and an unwavering commitment to our clients. Shapes and/or supports a culture that represents the Thrivent purpose, promise and values, ensuring that Thrivent’s trust and reputation remain strong with its clients.
The Principal Designer will interact with the following:
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Fellow design and product team (collaboration)
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Product Designers, Associate Product Designers (mentorship)
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Product, Design, and Engineering Managers (working sessions, collaboration)
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Product, Design, and Engineering Directors (presentations)
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Product, Design, and Engineering VPs (presentations)
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Executive Leadership Team (presentations)
QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:
Required:
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Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Interaction Design, UI/UX Design, Web Product Design, Design Strategy, Communication Design, or any combination of education and experience which would provide an equivalent background.
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12+ years of experience in a related field, with 5-8 years of experience in user experience, product innovation and research, design strategy, or entrepreneurship required.
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Proven experience in design leadership with a track record of driving innovation and creating new value through the release of visionary design experiences.
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Demonstrated experience working across multiple workstreams and developing new practices that drive increased value.
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Expert communication skills, with demonstrated proficiency engaging with executive stakeholders and creating a clarifying vision of experience.
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Proven application of human-centered design methodologies to complex user and business problems and deep understanding of business and technical constraints and their impact on digital experience.
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Strong leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to guide and mentor contributors and leaders both within and outside of design.
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Able to run user research and identify when to leverage it, with a good understanding of contemporary research theories, methodologies (especially user-centered design processes), and human factors.
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Extensive knowledge of how to leverage a design system and how to push the boundaries of the design system to achieve product and user goals.
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Thrives in dynamic environments and embraces ambiguity as an opportunity for innovation and growth
Preferred:
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Exceptional communication skills, including advanced storytelling and persuasion techniques within a design context.
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Strategic design thinking and the ability to contribute to the overall design strategy of the organization.
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Knowledge and experience working in diversified financial service.
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Familiarity with advanced design research methodologies and leveraging insights for design decision-making.
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Relevant Agile experience
Pay Transparency
Thrivent’s long-term growth depends on attracting, rewarding, and retaining people who are committed to helping others thrive with purpose. We accomplish this by offering a wide variety of market competitive compensation programs to attract, reward, and retain top talent. The applicable salary or hourly wage range for this full-time role is $150,735.00 - $203,936.00 per year, which factors in various geographic regions. The base pay actually offered will be determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to, location, relevant experience, skills, and knowledge, business needs, market demand, and other factors Thrivent deems important.
Thrivent is unique in our commitment to helping people to be wise with money and live balanced and generous lives. That extends to our benefits.
The following benefits may be offered: various bonuses (including, for example, annual or long-term incentives); medical, dental, and vision insurance; health savings account; flexible spending account; 401k; pension; life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance; disability insurance; supplemental protection insurance; 20 days of Paid Time Off each year; Sick and Safe Time; 10 paid company holidays; Volunteer Time Off; paid parental leave; EAP; well-being benefits, and other employee benefits. Eligibility for receipt of these benefits is subject to the applicable plan/policy documents. Thrivent’s plans/policies are subject to change at any time at Thrivent’s discretion.
Thrivent provides Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, marital status, citizenship status, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable local, state, or federal law. This policy applies to all employees and job applicants.
Thrivent is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please let us know by sending an email to [email protected] or call 800-847-4836 and request Human Resources.
Top Skills
What We Do
At Thrivent, we do work that matters—and we're reimagining financial services in ways that help individuals and communities thrive.
With the belief that money is a tool, not a goal, we help over 2 million clients make the most of all they’ve been given through financial advice, insurance, investments, banking and generosity programs.
As a Fortune 500 company with a 100-year legacy, Thrivent is committed to helping people build their financial futures and live more generous lives in their communities and beyond.
For more information, visit thrivent.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. See our social media privacy policy and page guidelines at thrivent.com/privacyandsocial.
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