Sr Director, UX

About Us
CDK Global is a leading provider of cloud-based software to dealerships and Original Equipment Manufacturers (“OEMs”) across automotive and related industries. The Company’s cloud-based, software as a service (“SaaS”) platform enables dealerships to manage their end-to-end business operations including the acquisition, sale, financing, insuring, repair, and maintenance of vehicles. By automating and streamlining critical workflows, the integrated platform of modern solutions enables dealers to sell and service more vehicles by creating simple and convenient experiences for customers and improves their financial and operational performance.
The Role: Sr Dir, UX (US-REMOTE)

We are seeking a strategic, business-minded UX leader to serve as our Sr Director, UX, bringing a unique blend of product strategy, UX leadership, and enterprise thinking to elevate the user experience across CDK’s comprehensive suite of products and solutions.

This role is ideal for someone who has evolved from product into UX leadership, and who understands how to drive business outcomes through design. The successful candidate will be a visionary leader who can unify the product experience, integrate AI capabilities to streamline workflows, and deliver intelligent, customer-centric solutions that support CDK’s broader business strategy.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Business-Aligned UX Strategy: Develop and maintain a UX strategy that directly supports CDK’s business goals, leveraging product management principles to ensure market-driven, outcome-oriented design decisions.
• AI Integration Strategy: Lead the integration of AI across the user experience to optimize workflows, eliminate friction, and deliver actionable insights that enhance customer productivity.
• Enterprise-Wide Impact: Drive consistency and synergy across all CDK products, identifying opportunities for UX to influence business performance and customer satisfaction.

Team Leadership & Development

• Leadership & Coaching: Inspire and mentor a high-performing UX team, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and excellence. Manage outsourced managed service provider team members and align team goals with business KPIs.
• Capability Building: Advance the team’s expertise in AI-enhanced UX design and ensure alignment with emerging technologies and business needs.

Research & User-Centered Design

• Customer Insight-Driven Design: Oversee user research to uncover customer needs and translate insights into strategic design decisions that support business growth.
• AI-Enhanced User Experience: Champion user-centered design principles, integrating AI to anticipate needs, streamline interactions, and solve real business challenges.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Product & Engineering Partnership: Collaborate with product and engineering leaders to translate user insights into features that drive business value. Use your product management background to bridge strategic vision and execution.
• AI Implementation: Partner with data science and AI/ML leader and teams to embed intelligent automation and predictive capabilities into the product experience.

Measurement & Optimization

• Performance Metrics: Define and track KPIs that measure UX impact on business outcomes, customer satisfaction, and AI effectiveness.
• Continuous Improvement: Use data and feedback loops to refine UX strategies and ensure ongoing alignment with business priorities.

Design & Development Excellence

• Prototyping & Testing: Lead iterative design processes, including usability testing and validation of AI-enhanced features.
• Design Standards: Establish UX guidelines that promote consistency, accessibility, and intelligent user assistance across the portfolio.

Inclusive Design & Operations

• Accessibility & Inclusion: Ensure products are inclusive and accessible, including AI-driven features that support diverse user needs.
• Resource Management: Manage UX budgets and resources efficiently, aligning with strategic priorities and timelines.

Qualifications and Skills:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Human-Computer Interaction, UX Design, Psychology, Design, Product Management, Business)
• 12-15 years of related experience, with significant background in product management that evolved into UX leadership
• 8-10 years of managerial experience, with demonstrated success transitioning from product management to UX leadership roles
• Must be willing to travel as required

Leadership & Strategic Impact

• Proven background in product management with deep understanding of product strategy, roadmap development, and market-driven decision making
• Experience in Enterprise-Wide, Product Lead UX design and strategy, with a proven track record of delivering successful user experiences across complex product portfolios
• Experience with AI/ML integration, from the user experience lens, including workflow automation, intelligent insights, and predictive user assistance
• Must demonstrate the ability to drive accountability and high engagement

Technical & Design Skills

• Proficiency in UX design tools, such as Adobe XD, Sketch, Figma, or similar
• Understanding of AI/ML capabilities and their application to user experience design
• In-depth knowledge of user research methodologies and usability testing
• Experience with data analytics and AI-driven insights platforms
• Familiarity with web and mobile application development processes

Collaboration & Communication

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Proven ability to work with data science, AI/ML leader and teams to integrate intelligent capabilities into user experiences
• Experience working in cross-functional teams and collaborating with product management and development teams
• Demonstrated success in holistic, enterprise-wide product thinking and execution

Attributes That Elevate – Differentiators

• Masters or advanced degree in UX, Business, Product Management, or related field
• Pragmatic Institute Experience or similar product management certification
• Demonstrated success in leading digital transformation initiatives

Base Salary: $220,000 - $250,000

CDK Global is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. Compensation packages are based on several factors, including but not limited to skills, experience, certifications, and work location.  The total compensation package for this position may also include annual performance bonus, benefits and/or other applicable incentive compensation plans.We offer Medical, dental, and vision benefits in addition to:

• Paid Time Off (PTO)

• 401K Matching Program

• Tuition Reimbursement

At CDK, we believe inclusion and diversity are essential in inspiring meaningful connections to our people, customers and communities. We are open, curious and encourage different views, so that everyone can be their best selves and make an impact.

CDK is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an inclusive workforce where everyone is valued. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, creed or religion, age, disability (including pregnancy), results of genetic testing, service in the military, veteran status or any other category protected by law.

Applicants for employment in the US must be authorized to work in the US.  CDK may offer employer visa sponsorship to applicants.