Director, Product Design

About the role

The Director of Product Design will lead the design of next-generation news experiences across Hearst's newspaper portfolio. Reporting to the VP of Product, this role collaborates with Product Managers, Engineers, and other cross-functional partners to deliver high-quality, user-centered products.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with newsrooms, revenue teams, and other strategic functions to develop product concepts.
• Partner with Product and Engineering to shape AI-powered product experiences, applying sound UX principles around transparency, trust, human oversight, and responsible use of AI.
• Execute detailed design work with precision and a high degree of craft and rigor.
• Leverage user research and market insights to inform design strategies.
• Identify opportunities for leveling up the design of our current products, initiating and driving new design-led workstreams to completion.
• Work within an established design system, while actively contributing to and improving that system.
• Mentor and provide feedback for junior designers, while cultivating a sense of professional community.

Requirements

Proven track record leading complex digital product design, with experience working as part of a cross-functional product development team. Solid understanding of contemporary UX design principles and best practices. Experience driving “0 to 1” product work. Strong portfolio showcasing a range of design projects and problem-solving skills.

Qualifications

• Comfortable working across modern design and front-end workflows, including Figma, design systems, Storybook, HTML/CSS, Git, and AI-assisted development environments.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with engineers working in production code.
• Familiarity with emerging AI tooling and frameworks for design.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Skills

• Passion for building products with a strong sense of social mission.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality work.
• Ability to adapt to evolving design trends and technologies.
• Familiarity with frameworks and tools such as design thinking/design sprints and human-centered design.
• Proactive mindset with a willingness to take ownership of projects.
• Experience applying GenAI (Generative Artificial Intelligence) to innovative product design solutions.

Benefits

At Hearst Newspapers, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support our employees’ physical, financial, and emotional wellbeing. These benefits include:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage.
• A competitive retirement plan with matching program.
• Generous Paid Time Off.
• Paid Parental Leave.
• Monthly Child & Dependent Care Reimbursement.
• Mental wellness benefits.
• LGBTQ+ & Inclusive Health Services.
• Fertility Coverage & Menopause Support.
• Pet Wellness Reimbursement & Rover Credits.