Director of Design

Foundant Technologies, Inc.; Toronto; Remote; CAD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative firm is seeking a talented Product and Customer Experience Designer to lead design strategies that enhance user experiences across various products. This role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with brand objectives while utilizing design thinking to drive innovation. The position offers the flexibility of a remote-first workplace, fostering a dynamic environment for creativity and professional growth. Join a passionate team dedicated to making a positive impact through technology and design, where your contributions will help shape the future of client experiences.

Benefits

Flexible PTO

Tuition reimbursement

Lifestyle reimbursements

Mindfulness and fitness initiatives

Employee recognition programs

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in product design with a focus on brand and customer experience.
• Deep knowledge of design thinking and user-centric design methods.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead product and customer experience design strategy.
• Champion end-to-end experiences and deliver value to users across products.

Skills

Design Thinking

User-Centric Design

Strategic Thinking

Collaboration

Change Management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Product or Graphic Design

Tools

Design Software

Job description

At SmartSimple and Foundant Technologies, we empower mission-driven organizations to manage their data, workflows, and impact with our comprehensive software solutions. From grant management and community foundations to process automation and data collaboration, our combined expertise supports a diverse range of organizations - from nonprofits and charitable entities to corporations and governments.

With the recent merger of SmartSimple and Foundant Technologies, we’ve created a powerhouse of solutions designed to meet the unique needs of organizations striving to make a difference. Together, we’re setting new standards in innovation, flexibility, and impact management by helping organizations achieve their missions more efficiently and effectively.

Where You’ll Work:

1. As a remote-first workplace, we believe in offering flexibility and the freedom to work where it suits you best, while staying connected through technology. Our global network of talent is supported by physical office hubs and virtual collaboration, fostering a dynamic environment where innovation and growth thrive.
2. With headquarters in Bozeman, Montana (Foundant), Toronto, Canada (SmartSimple), and our EMEA office in Dublin, Ireland, you’ll be part of a globally connected team. Whether you’re working remotely or from one of our office locations, you’ll be contributing to a vibrant, collaborative culture focused on driving meaningful impact across the world.

What You’ll Do:

1. Develop and lead the product and customer experience design strategy, optimizing and improving the customer experience across our products, the buying cycle and respective brand assets and public facing materials to create a world class, compelling, intuitive, and seamless experience.
2. Champion end-to-end, compelling experiences. Deliver value quickly and meaningfully to a broad set of users across products and audiences. Set the standard for design craft through final implementation, regardless of organizational structure.
3. Partner with Product, Engineering, and Marketing to develop and implement strategies to ensure teams are delivering against established objectives and key results.
4. Identify and prioritize opportunities in partnership with Product Management, Engineering, Client Delivery, Client Success and Marketing; build alignment and clarity across teams.
5. Channel the voice of the client through design. Establish user research best practices and ensure our product and brand experiences reflect a rich understanding of client behavior.
6. Inspire team members through clearly communicating design direction, intent, and methods.
7. Lead design projects of significant end-to-end scope, complexity, and responsibility in creative vision, strategy and execution.
8. Work closely with other teams, ensuring world class design quality end to end, across all design competencies.
9. Represent Foundant and SmartSimple’s design culture and customer driven methods inside and outside of Foundant and SmartSimple.
10. Other duties as assigned.

What You’ll Need:

1. A Bachelor’s degree in Product or Graphic Design or equivalent training & experience
2. 8+ years’ experience in product design, with 3+ years of experience in connecting product design to the overall brand and customer experience
3. 3+ years of experience in a matrixed organization
4. Deep knowledge of design thinking and user centric design methods of innovation and ideation
5. Must be legally eligible to work in the US or Canada

What You’ll Bring to our Team Dynamics:

1. Strategic Thinking: Design thinking mindset and approach to problem solving that is human-centered and drives innovation in our client experiences. Ability to connect design solutions to how we achieve our North Star and ideal metrics profile.
2. Performance Advancement: Strong collaborator with Product Management, Engineering, and Marketing. Ability to empower others to take well-informed risks based on alignment to overall department and company KPIs.
3. Decision-Making: Data driven mindset and strong understanding of all tools and technologies that deliver, manage, measure, and improve client experience.
4. Collaboration and Learning: Exceptional at nurturing great relationships internally and externally. Exhibits a growth mindset.
5. Change Management: Exceptional ability to drive change through influence. Actively and empathetically engages with cross-functional partners to drive necessary change in order to deliver on a unified brand experience for our clients.
6. Staff Development: Passion for mentoring others, regardless of reporting structure or hierarchy.

Why You’ll Love Working at SmartSimple + Foundant:

1. At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to innovation and making a positive impact. Whether you’re working on projects that empower not-for-profits, community foundations, or corporations, your contributions will help drive real-world change.
2. We offer competitive salary and benefits, including tuition, and lifestyle reimbursements, and bespoke mindfulness and fitness initiatives.
3. With our Flexible PTO policy, you’ll have the freedom to manage your time in a way that supports your personal well-being and professional success.
4. We’re committed to your professional and personal development. With our merger, you'll have the chance to collaborate across teams at both SmartSimple and Foundant, giving you exposure to diverse ideas, expertise, and projects that span multiple industries.
5. As part of a larger organization, you’ll have even more opportunities to grow your career. Whether it’s exploring new roles, leadership opportunities, or shifting to a different department, we support internal mobility to help you achieve your career goals.
6. You’ll enjoy autonomy and responsibility, empowering you to approach your work creatively and independently, fostering innovation and independent thought.
7. Employee recognition is a core part of our culture. When you do a great job, we make sure everyone knows about it!

SmartSimple and Foundant are equal opportunity employers, committed to building a diverse workforce that represents the communities we serve. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified candidates, and will consider all applicants without regard to race, color, citizenship, religion, sex, marital/family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, Indigenous status, age, disability, or individuals who may require accommodation.

In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and other applicable legislation, SmartSimple and Foundant are also committed to providing accommodations throughout the interview and employment process. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates participating in all aspects of the selection process. If you have accessibility requirements during the recruitment process and require accommodation, please contact [e-mail].