Principal Design Manager

At Microsoft, we believe in the transformational power of design. Innovation only happens when we make things simple and fluid, and the UX disappears behind the achievements of our customers. That’s where you come in. We’re looking for a senior designer, who’s driven by empathy for customers, to help us build the next generation of experiences that will simplify how millions of our customers live and work digitally. Within the Windows and Devices UX team at studio+91, we create and ship engaging Windows experiences that become a natural part of people's whole lives to profoundly and positively impact the way they work, live and learn.  

Designers delve into solving problems ranging from translating end user needs, architecting new features, creating universal design toolkits to exploring opportunities for new user segments. We are looking for a designer with a keen sense of craftsmanship, exposure in user – customer centric and data informed design for scale and ability to leverage & contribute to design systems. A designer who is inclusive and can collaborate independently with key stakeholders and enrich the triad (PM, Eng., UX) partnership. Having an ability to validate solutions by creating and driving usability studies and conducting user interviews is a plus. If simplifying complexity, pixel perfection and exploring new interaction paradigms excites you, then we can’t wait to hear from you. Together we will define how millions of people use and experience Windows in their work and life. Apply today! 

Come be a meaningful part of a growing team that values diversity of thought and recognizes everyone for their personal strengths and desires to learn and grow.  We believe designing in the open empowers us all to move fast and build inclusive experiences without seams. 

• • A portfolio demonstrating strong interaction + visual design and prototyping skills.  
  • Proficiency in translating research insights into intuitive product experiences.  
  • Strong command of all aspects and levels of interaction/UX design from information architecture to systems and workflows to micro-interactions.  
  • A minimum of 12+ years of professional experience in product and/or interaction design  
  • 3+ years people management experience, leading large scale product design teams and coaching/mentoring design leads. 
  • A proven track record of creatively solving hard problems, driving complex design issues across multidisciplinary groups such as engineering, product management, research and marketing; and shipping relevant experiences within deadlines.  
  • Ability to seamlessly switch between strategic and tactical altitudes of design.  
  • Experience in balancing user goals, business requirements and technical constraints to deliver delightful and meaningful product experiences.  
  • User-centric approach to design and an understanding of how to apply research insights into design and development of product experiences. Experience in data driven decision-making. 
  • Outstanding storytelling ability to generate empathy, using written and verbal communication, presentation, and organizational skills.  
  • Mastery in modern design and prototyping tools. (Figma, Sketch, Adobe CC) and a willingness to adopt new tools, processes and workflows.  
  • Experience working within and contributing to a structured design system.  
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with fellow designers and partners in Research, Product Management and Engineering.  
  • Experience in crafting a product vision and enrolling key stakeholders and leaders.  
  • Highly organized, self-motivated, and have a keen attention to detail.  
  • Ability to multi-task and prioritize between multiple projects. 
     

• • Lead a group of designers in delivering world-class interaction designs from initial concept through to shipping.  
  • You will create and manage long-term partnerships with Microsoft product teams to create shared goals to deliver on this business impact. 
  • Work proactively through the ambiguity of new product definition, the application of new and emerging technologies and ensure the resulting experiences are human, beautifully crafted and delightful to customers.  
  • Develop deep understanding of our customers, their needs and problems. Ensure the experience vision is driven by a well-defined nucleus of user needs, tasks, marketing and business requirements.  
  • As a design manager, you will build a healthy and inclusive design culture, ensure manageable workloads and empower team members to deliver their best work. 
  • You will inform and facilitate the adoption of good design practices and processes across the team. 
  • Through active coaching, you will model empathy and humility resulting in a highly engaged team and a culture of management excellence as evidenced by your employee collective feedback.