PRODUCT LEADERSHIP | DESIGN DIRECTION | UX/UI DESIGN | UXR | A11Y
REUTERS
As an integral part of the product leadership team at Reuters, I oversaw the design and research teams that work across five unique products, and facilitated close collaboration with our engineering, editorial, marketing, product and project management teams. I was the voice of design across the broader Reuters leadership team, and advocated for accessibility and UX best practices and our customers on a daily basis. I’m a very hands-on Design Director with most of my day consisting of creative innovation, strategic planning and delivery of UX strategy, design and quality control of all our digital output.
In my time in my role at Reuters, my team grew from 1 FTE UXD to 15 folks that span UXD, UI, UXE and UXR and have collectively delivered 3 new B2B products, a brand new Mobile App and over 60 product improvements and features across reuters.com, our B2B platform Reuters Connect and our multi-faceted editorial technology tools that power our news agency business as well as bespoke products for our clients, working our way towards improving product experiences for our all of our users.
My remit was broad, as was the team I looked after, but I worked hard to ensure that my team felt they belong to a tight-knit design community where we shared inspiration and creativity, and they were able to collectively problem solve and learn together. I believe that the only way to get folks to bring their whole selves to their work, and work their hardest is if they feel appreciated and well-looked after in a collaborative environment with good culture from the bottom up and the top down, so I invested a lot of time and effort into fostering an inclusive space for everyone to grow and thrive in.
If you’d like to find out more about my design processes, my leadership style or a more traditional example of some of the projects that I have led my team through, I would be happy to share more information and details in person.
Something I find quite difficult sometimes is to shout out about my own accomplishments. I also believe that the best people to tell you whether someone is a good manager and collaborator are not the people that manage them, but the people that are managed by them. So, I wanted to share this very candid feedback that I received from a departing team member, as I think their words do a great job of describing the essence of what I strive to accomplish with my team on a day-to-day basis:
“I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation for your exceptional leadership and unwavering support throughout the past two years.
Working with you has been an incredible journey, marked by valuable interactions, insightful feedback sessions, and collaborative efforts that have enriched both my professional growth and the success of our project. Your leadership style is truly inspiring – your ability to motivate and guide the team while fostering an inclusive and supportive environment is a rare and remarkable trait.
Your approach to communication and collaboration is truly commendable. Despite your extensive experience and expertise, you always communicate as an equal, fostering an environment where every voice is valued. Your willingness to share your skills and insights with all team members, regardless of their experience level, has made a significant impact on our project’s development and the growth of each team member.
It’s not just your role as a design manager that stands out, but the genuine connection and camaraderie you’ve built. You’ve gone beyond the professional sphere, becoming a true friend and confidant to many of us. Your kindness, approachability, and warmth have not only made the work environment enjoyable but have also created a strong sense of unity within the team.
Your expertise and involvement have been instrumental in elevating our design process and nurturing a trusting relationship with the client. The collaborative space you’ve fostered, including the engaging design critique sessions, has facilitated meaningful discussions and driven our creative solutions to new heights.
I can’t thank you enough for being a constant source of support and guidance.”
*This has been taken verbatim from an email that they sent me on their last day. You can also see additional feedback from both my team members and colleagues alike on my linked in page