VP, UX Creative Director

Role Summary/Purpose: 

Synchrony’s User Experience Group empowers both customers and clients to meet their goals and aspirations with innovative product experiences. We leverage our expertise, methodologies and customer data to create simple and delightful experiences that fulfill user-centered journeys. We are powered by our supportive and collaborative UX team culture and enabled by Synchrony’s commitment to investing in user experience and creating engaging digital experiences. Our designers are given the guidance and autonomy they need to do the best work of their careers.  

As UX Creative Director, you will be responsible for shaping and executing a holistic visual and brand strategy that aligns with company goals and user needs across all digital products. You will direct the visual and brand design process, oversee the ongoing development and adoption of Synchrony’s Digital Design System, and ensure rigorous adherence to brand standards through quality reviews and comprehensive documentation. You will participate in executive strategic planning, champion innovation, and advocate for accessibility and inclusive design. Your success in this role will depend on your ability to collaborate with executives, senior leadership, and cross-functional teams to ensure a unified enterprise approach, while providing ongoing mentorship to the UI design team to support talent development and deliver outstanding design quality.

Essential Responsibilities: 

Creative Strategy Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead the creation of a holistic UX visual and brand strategy and vision that aligns with company’s goals across many digital channels

• Foster cross-functional collaboration by partnering closely with brand, consumer engagement, product and development to ensure a cohesive and integrated approach to enterprise design

• Present to and persuade senior executives and leaders to adopt UX strategies and recommendations

• Educate business stakeholders on best practices and standards as well as push the boundaries of user experience design 

Creative Design Management & Execution

• Direct the visual and brand design of many digital channels, guaranteeing that they meet UX and SYF brand and design standards

• Develop, manage and ensure adoption of Synchrony’s Digital Design System, overseeing the creation and ongoing refinement of the design system

• Maintain and update comprehensive documentation for design standards, guidelines, and system components

• Conduct quality reviews to ensure UI designers adherence to brand standards

• Collaborate closely with UX leadership on the refinement and execution of consistent user-centered design processes across the enterprise

• Champion innovation in visual and interaction design by staying informed on and educating the team on industry trends, new technologies, and emerging best practices

• Advocate for accessibility and inclusive design throughout all digital products and experiences

Team Performance

• Act as people manager for a creative team designer(s), including hiring, onboarding, retaining and developing talent

• Accountable for creative team’s timely delivery, quality of work and professionalism

• Act as dotted-line manager to a large group of UI designers, providing guidance and feedback to foster professional growth and ensuring high-quality design outputs

Culture & Leadership

• Assist in driving team culture to keep high GPTW scores

• Deliver on UX department strategic priorities and special projects

• Mentor junior level designers, interns and/or BLPs

• Bring a strong positive attitude to UX teams and projects

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or associate’s degree in UI/UX, HCI, graphic design, psychology, marketing, information technology, or similar area, or related certifications

• 12+ years of experience in UI or Visual Design experience or in lieu of degree 14+ years of experience 

• 4+ years of experience working on brands, brand development, brand identity

• 2+ years of UX leadership/managerial experience

• Strong understanding of color, photography, typography, iconography, and animation usage in digital experiences 

• Strong understanding of user centered design, design thinking and related methodologies

• Strong communication and collaboration skills

• Strong time management and organizational skills

• Strong executive presence and professionalism

• Expertise in modern design tools and methodologies

• Ability and flexibility to travel for business as required

Desired Characteristics:

• Experience working on agile teams 

• Experience working in eCommerce and/or Financial Industry  

• Experience identifying and conducting user research and user testing  

• Ability to work in low or high fidelity as needed 

• Expertise with industry standard design tools (e.g., Illustrator, Sketch, Figma, Principle). 

• Familiarity with asset creation: icons, illustrations, UI components 

• Familiarity with motion design using tools such as After Effects, Principle, Lottie or similar 

• Expertise building and maintaining Style Guides, Design Libraries/Design Systems 

• Ability to ensure designs are ADA Compliant across all projects / platforms 

• Understanding of today's creative landscape and trends within the design industry 

Grade/Level: 14

The salary range for this position is 150,000.00 - 250,000.00 USD Annual and is eligible for an annual bonus based on individual and company performance.

Actual compensation offered within the posted salary range will be based upon work experience, skill level or knowledge.

Salaries are adjusted according to market in CA, NY Metro and Seattle.

Our Way of Working:

We’re proud to offer you flexibility. At Synchrony, our way of working allows you to have the option to work from home near one of our Hubs or come into one of our offices. You will be required to commute to your nearest Hub (either virtual or physical) for in-person engagement activities such as regular business or team meetings, training and culture events. 

*Field Sales and some Commercial team roles may have varied location requirements based upon partner obligations or preferences.

Eligibility Requirements:

• You must be 18 years or older

• You must have a high school diploma or equivalent

• You must be willing to take a drug test, submit to a background investigation and submit fingerprints as part of the onboarding process

• You must be able to satisfy the requirements of Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.

• New hires (Level 4-7) must have 9 months of continuous service with the company before they are eligible to post on other roles.  Once this new hire time in position requirement is met, the associate will have a minimum 6 months’ time in position before they can post for future non-exempt roles.  Employees, level 8 or greater, must have at least 18 months’ time in position before they can post.  All internal employees must consistently meet performance expectations and have approval from your manager to post (or the approval of your manager and HR if you don’t meet the time in position or performance expectations).

Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required.  We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. 

Our Commitment:

When you join us, you’ll be part of an inclusive culture where your individual skills, experience, and voice are not only heard – but valued. Together, we’re building a future where we can all belong, connect, and turn ideals into action. More than 50% of our workforce is engaged in our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), where community and passion intersect to offer a safe space to learn and grow.

This starts when you choose to apply for a role at Synchrony. We ensure all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. We’re proud to have an award-winning culture for all. 

Reasonable Accommodation Notice:

• Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

• If you need special accommodations, please call our Career Support Line so that we can discuss your specific situation. We can be reached at 1-866-301-5627.   Representatives are available from 8am – 5pm Monday to Friday, Central Standard Time

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