About the position
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.
Responsibilities
- Help 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
Requirements
- 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
Benefits
- Equity package
- Annual performance bonus
- Competitive benefits that support you and your family
