Design System Lead (UX/UI & Contentful Migration) (809987)

Smartcloudsolution; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Smartcloudsolution in Columbus, OH is seeking a Design System Lead to drive UX system operations and oversee the migration of all websites to Contentful.

You will lead design meetings, define patterns and documentation, and collaborate with design, engineering, and leadership to shape the Ohio Design System. This contractor role emphasizes accessibility, governance, and a clear product roadmap to improve usability across products.

Qualifications

• 4 years of experience as a Design System Lead, Product Manager, or similar role.
• Deep understanding of design systems, component-based architecture, and design tokens.
• Experience collaborating effectively with design and engineering teams.
• Strong communication and cross-functional leadership skills; ability to influence without authority.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and driving clarity in complex, fast-moving environments.
• Track record of shipping products and learning from user feedback.

Responsibilities

• Lead and evolve the design system by managing Design Operations meetings and the product roadmap.
• Establish, document, and communicate design guidelines, patterns, and standards, and develop and maintain comprehensive documentation.
• Manage stakeholders by collaborating with designers, developers, and executives to understand needs and drive alignment.
• Build community by fostering a healthy design system environment through feedback loops and regular communication.
• Ensure accessibility and inclusivity by advocating for inclusive design practices and ensuring the system adheres to accessibility standards and meets the needs of diverse users.
• Govern and ensure quality by developing processes for component reviews, documentation standards, and quality assurance to maintain system reliability.

Skills

Design systems

Design tokens

Cross-functional leadership

Stakeholder management

Accessibility awareness

Communication

Tools

Figma

Storybook

Job description

Job Title: Design System Lead (UX/UI & Contentful Migration)
Location: Columbus, Ohio

Role Overview

The client is seeking a contractor to serve as the Design System Lead for their UX team. This pivotal role is essential for the success of the Ohio Design System and the migration of all organizational websites to Contentful. The contractor will report to leadership and manage day-to-day design system operations, including design meetings and product roadmap priorities, directly impacting website usability.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and evolve the design system by managing Design Operations meetings and processes to oversee the structured addition and enhancement of the design system, and manage the product roadmap.
• Establish, document, and communicate design guidelines, patterns, and standards, and develop and maintain comprehensive documentation.
• Manage stakeholders by collaborating with designers, developers, and executives to understand needs and drive alignment.
• Build community by fostering a healthy design system environment through feedback loops and regular communication.
• Ensure accessibility and inclusivity by advocating for inclusive design practices and ensuring the system adheres to accessibility standards and meets the needs of diverse users.
• Govern and ensure quality by developing processes for component reviews, documentation standards, and quality assurance to maintain system reliability.

Required Skills

• 4 years of experience as a Design System Lead, Product Manager, or similar role
• Deep understanding of design systems, component-based architecture, and design tokens
• Experience collaborating effectively with design and engineering teams
• Strong communication and cross-functional leadership skills; ability to influence without authority
• Comfortable with ambiguity and driving clarity in complex, fast-moving environments
• Track record of shipping products and learning from user feedback

Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with design system tools (Figma, Storybook)
• Background in UX/UI design, frontend engineering, or design leadership
• Experience scaling design systems across multiple product teams

Years of Experience: 4 years

Additional Notes

• This role is critical to the success of the Ohio Design System and the migration of all organizational websites to Contentful.