Product Design Director
Remote - based in New York or Denver CO.
TROOP is a group meeting planning and travel management platform that helps companies bring teams together for in-person meetings. The experience starts with TROOP’s award-winning Intelligent Destination Recommendations, which use advanced algorithms to help meeting planners pinpoint the perfect meeting destination, considering travel time, climate impact, budget, lodging availability, and safety factors for all attendees.
Using TROOP, companies have saved millions in travel costs, employee time, and carbon emissions, making it possible for people to meet and build stronger relationships with their colleagues, clients, and partners, even in times of tightening budgets and travel restrictions.
Why TROOP?
TROOP believes in the power of shared experiences and the unifying impact of in-person meetings. We are on a mission to bring people together by transforming the meeting planning process. At TROOP, we have ambitious goals to be the leading provider of end-to-end meeting planning tools. We started by inventing a completely new way for people to decide where to meet, but for us, the destination is just the beginning. We’re developing more innovative solutions that make it easier than ever to organize and host successful group meeting experiences.
TROOP's Culture?
TROOP is an international, remote-first company. Our colleagues are spread across the globe, with entities in Spain, South Africa, the UK, and the United States. Our culture is rooted in an African philosophy called "Ubuntu," which means "I am because we are." It refers to an environment of interdependence through trust. We call ourselves TROOPers, and we are people who seek adventure, challenge the status quo, enjoy innovating, and want to be part of something special. We are doers who roll up our sleeves and get into the details; we own the problem and only stop once it is solved.
As the Design Director at TROOP, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the user experience and visual identity of our innovative planning and travel management platform. TROOP is on a mission to revolutionize the way users plan and manage in-person meetings/events by prioritizing a customer-first approach and leveraging cutting-edge technology. In this role, you will lead the design team and collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to create user-centric, visually compelling designs that align with our mission.
What you’ll be doing:
Design Leadership:
- Define and drive the overall design vision and strategy across our product suite, ensuring a consistent and high-quality user experience.
- Advocate for user-centered design principles, ensuring that our products meet the needs of our users and stand out in the market.
- Develop and implement wireframes and rapid prototypes to visualize and test design concepts quickly.
- Stay up-to-date with industry trends and incorporate best practices into design processes
Hands-On Design:
- Take ownership of key design projects, from concept to execution, ensuring alignment with business goals and user needs.
- Collaborate closely with Product Management, Engineering, and Marketing teams to translate product requirements into intuitive and engaging designs.
- Conduct user research, usability testing, and iterate on designs based on feedback to continuously improve the user experience.
Team Leadership & Mentorship:
- Provide guidance, feedback, and professional development opportunities to your design team, helping them grow in their careers.
- Set clear goals and expectations for the design team, ensuring that projects are delivered on time and meet the highest standards of quality.
- Promote a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the team.
Collaboration & Communication:
- Work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that design decisions are aligned with overall product and business strategies.
- Present design concepts and rationale to stakeholders, effectively communicating the value of design in achieving business objectives.
- Foster strong working relationships across departments to facilitate smooth collaboration and project execution.
- 10+ years of experience in Product Design, working within Product/SaaS startups or scaleups, with a solid understanding of the challenges and opportunities in fast-paced environments.
- 6+ years of leadership experience with direct reports under your guidance.
- Operational Expertise: Experience implementing design systems, standards, and workflows for efficient, high-quality creative output.
- Deep understanding of user-centered design principles, including experience with user research, wireframing and rapid prototyping, with a focus on quick iteration and user feedback.
- Proficiency in design tools such as Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, with a keen eye for detail.
- Experience with leading design projects across multiple platforms (web/mobile), ensuring a cohesive and responsive user experience.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and build consensus among stakeholders.
- Ability to work independently in a remote environment, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and meet tight deadlines.
- Experience within Business-Travel/Events/Meetings will be strongly preferred.
💻 Remote-first within our hubs: TROOP operates remotely with frequent in-person engagements, focusing on scaling within our legal entities in Spain, South Africa, the US, and the UK.
🚀Join the Pioneering Team: As part of the initial team at TROOP, you'll be at the forefront of an extraordinary adventure. Picture yourself shaping the future of a fast-growing technology company where your ideas and contributions truly make a difference.
🎨 Discover an Incredible, Supportive Team and Diverse Culture: Prepare to be amazed by the exceptional individuals who form TROOP's team. Collaborate with brilliant, multicultural minds, where diverse backgrounds unite for unparalleled collaboration.
📈 Supported by Top Investors: TROOP's remarkable journey is backed by prestigious investors, such as the Madrona Group. Join forces with a company that has garnered the trust and support of the best in the industry. Read more about TROOP's Executive Chairman Steve Singh (Co-founder of Concur).
⏰ Paid Time Off: We provide a generous PTO policy of 23 days per year, allowing you ample opportunity to relax, recharge, and have some well-deserved fun.
🩺 Healthcare Insurance: Healthcare insurance is provided and administered via DEEL/Aetna. We offer 3 plans and provide anywhere from 70-80% coverage monthly.
🦷 Dental + Vision Insurance: Dental and Vision insurance is provided and administered via DEEL/Guardian(VSP), we offer one plan for each and provide 90% coverage monthly.
🪂 Life Insurance: Life Insurance is provided and administered through DEEL/Guardian and we cover 100% of the cost.
💜 Access to TalkLife: We offer access to “Talk Life” as a 100% free, anonymous platform where employees connect with others at any time for peer-to-peer support, offering and receiving advice, empathy, and encouragement regarding any situation on their mind. It is a complement to professional help and is available 24/7.
💚 Mental Health Budget: Yearly budget assistance for mental health support for all our employees.
☀️Unforgettable Adventures: At TROOP, we cherish the bonds we create and the time we spend together. Each year, we embark on an incredible offsite to a surprise location, courtesy of TROOP. You'll have the opportunity to explore new cultures, create lasting memories, and bond with your colleagues in a unique and exciting way.
💵 Compensation: Salary range is between $150,000 - $180,000. The final salary offer will depend on various factors unique to each candidate. These factors include educational background, specific skills, and professional experience. Additionally, the scope of the role and the candidate's geographic location will also be considered. All of these elements will be thoroughly evaluated during the selection process.
