AI Key Account Manager - Service Designer
π Job Overview
Job Title: AI Key Account Manager - Service Designer
Company: Oxy
Location: Houston, Texas, United States
Job Type: FULL_TIME
Category: Revenue Operations / GTM Operations (with a focus on AI integration and service design)
Date Posted: May 12, 2026
Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (2-5 years)
Remote Status: Hybrid
π Role Summary
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This role is critical for bridging the gap between cutting-edge AI capabilities and complex enterprise workflows within the energy sector, focusing on practical application and user adoption.
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You will be instrumental in identifying, designing, and facilitating the integration of AI solutions, ensuring they are user-centric, trustworthy, and deliver tangible business value.
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This position requires a blend of deep user research, service design expertise, and strong facilitation skills to translate ambiguous business challenges into actionable AI-driven solutions.
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The role operates within Oxy's AI Center of Excellence, collaborating across diverse teams to drive innovation and operational efficiency through AI augmentation.
π Enhancement Note: While the title is "AI Key Account Manager," the core responsibilities and qualifications strongly indicate a Service Designer or UX Researcher role focused on AI solutions within an enterprise context. The "Key Account Manager" aspect likely refers to managing relationships with internal business units as "clients" for AI services. This role is less about traditional sales account management and more about consultative service design for internal stakeholders.
π Primary Responsibilities
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Conduct in-depth user research, including ethnographic studies, interviews, and contextual inquiries, to deeply understand current end-to-end enterprise workflows and user behaviors.
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Map complex business processes (e.g., rig scheduling, reserves management, technical assurance reviews) to pinpoint strategic opportunities for AI augmentation and value creation.
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Design and develop visual artifacts such as mockups, wireframes, interactive prototypes, service blueprints, and journey maps to illustrate proposed AI solutions and future-state experiences.
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Facilitate and lead cross-functional workshops involving account managers, data scientists, engineers, product owners, and business stakeholders to define problems and co-create AI-driven solutions.
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Translate complex process findings and technical concepts into clear, compelling visual diagrams, flows, and storyboards to drive stakeholder alignment and accelerate decision-making.
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Develop user-facing training materials, onboarding guides, and comprehensive documentation to support change management and successful adoption of deployed AI solutions.
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Collaborate closely with engineering and data science teams to ensure design feasibility, maintain design integrity throughout the implementation lifecycle, and validate solution effectiveness.
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Support the AI Lead Key Account Manager in managing relationships with internal business units, acting as a consultative partner to understand their operational challenges and AI needs.
π Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on process analysis and design thinking, crucial for ensuring AI solutions are not only technologically sound but also practical and adopted by end-users. The "AI augmentation" aspect suggests a focus on enhancing existing human workflows rather than full automation.
π Skills & Qualifications
Education:
Experience:
- A minimum of 3 years of dedicated experience in User Experience (UX) Design, Service Design, or UX Research within an enterprise or industrial environment.
Required Skills:
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Service Design: Proven ability to design end-to-end user experiences and service ecosystems, including service blueprints and journey maps.
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UX Research & Ethnography: Expertise in qualitative research methods like user interviews, contextual inquiry, and ethnographic studies to uncover deep user needs and pain points.
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Process Mapping & Workflow Analysis: Ability to dissect and visualize complex enterprise workflows, identifying bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement.
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Prototyping & Wireframing: Proficiency with tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar for creating interactive prototypes and detailed wireframes.
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Workshop Facilitation: Strong skills in designing and leading workshops with diverse stakeholder groups to gather insights and co-create solutions.
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Information Architecture: Understanding of how to organize and structure information for clarity and usability within complex systems.
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Stakeholder Management: Ability to effectively communicate with and influence various levels of stakeholders across different departments.
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Data Synthesis: Capability to synthesize large volumes of qualitative and quantitative data into clear, actionable insights and design recommendations.
Preferred Skills:
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Experience within the energy, oil and gas, or broader industrial enterprise sectors.
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Familiarity with AI/ML concepts and an understanding of how AI can augment enterprise workflows.
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Experience with process mining tools, workflow analysis software, or operational excellence methodologies.
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Experience designing for highly technical or data-intensive user audiences.
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Knowledge of change management principles and strategies for driving user adoption of new technologies.
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Proficiency with collaborative whiteboarding tools such as Miro, Mural, or similar.
π Enhancement Note: The required experience level suggests this role is for an individual contributor who can operate independently but also collaborate effectively within a team. The emphasis on a portfolio showcasing end-to-end design thinking is critical for demonstrating practical application of these skills in complex environments.
π Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
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A comprehensive portfolio is mandatory, showcasing end-to-end design thinking from initial research and discovery phases through to prototyping, validation, and implementation support.
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Include case studies that detail complex enterprise contexts, clearly outlining the business problem, your design process, the methodologies employed (e.g., user research, service mapping, prototyping), and the resulting impact or proposed solution.
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Demonstrate your ability to translate ambiguous business challenges into clear, user-centric AI solutions, highlighting your role and contributions within cross-functional teams.
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Showcase examples of visual artifacts created, such as detailed process maps, service blueprints, journey maps, wireframes, and interactive prototypes.
Process Documentation:
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Provide examples of how you document complex workflows and user journeys, ensuring clarity and accessibility for both technical and non-technical audiences.
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Demonstrate your approach to documenting design decisions, including the rationale behind choices made, user research findings, and stakeholder feedback incorporated.
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Include examples of how you would structure documentation for AI solutions, considering user guides, training materials, and implementation support documentation.
π Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on AI integration into existing enterprise workflows, the portfolio should strongly emphasize the ability to understand, map, and redesign complex processes. It should also highlight how user feedback and data were used to iterate on designs for AI-driven features.
π΅ Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range:
Benefits:
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Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Covering medical, vision, and dental needs for employees and eligible dependents.
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Retirement Savings Plan: Including a 401(k) with company match, designed to support long-term financial security.
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Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays to ensure work-life balance.
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Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, including training, certifications, and attendance at industry conferences related to AI, UX, and Service Design.
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Hybrid Work Arrangement: Flexibility to balance in-office collaboration with remote work.
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Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services for personal and work-related challenges.
Working Hours:
- Standard full-time work hours are typically 40 hours per week. The hybrid nature of the role allows for flexibility, with an expectation of regular collaboration with teams and stakeholders, likely requiring a mix of in-office and remote work days.
π Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on general market data for similar roles in Houston and may vary based on specific experience, qualifications, and Oxy's internal compensation structure. The benefits listed are common for large corporations in this sector.
π― Team & Company Context
π’ Company Culture
Industry: Oil & Gas / Energy Sector. Oxy is a global leader in producing, marketing, and transporting oil and natural gas, with a significant focus on advancing lower-carbon technologies and carbon management.
Company Size: Large enterprise (likely 10,000+ employees, based on typical energy sector companies of Oxy's scale and global presence). This size implies structured processes, significant resources, and opportunities for cross-functional collaboration.
Founded: Occidental Petroleum Corporation was founded in 1920. This long history suggests a stable, established organization with deep industry expertise and a culture that values long-term strategy and operational excellence.
Team Structure:
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This role is part of the "AI Center of Excellence" group, reporting to the "AI Lead Key Account Manager."
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The AI Center of Excellence likely comprises data scientists, AI engineers, product managers, and operations specialists focused on developing and deploying AI solutions across the organization.
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The "Key Account Manager" aspect of the reporting line suggests a consultative approach, where the team acts as internal service providers to various business units.
Methodology:
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The team likely employs agile or hybrid methodologies for AI development and deployment, emphasizing iterative design, user feedback loops, and data-driven decision-making.
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A strong focus on understanding complex enterprise workflows and translating them into practical AI applications is key.
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The methodology will involve a blend of design thinking, user research, service design principles, and data analysis to ensure AI solutions are effective and user-friendly.
Company Website: https://www.oxy.com/
π Enhancement Note: The company's commitment to carbon management indicates a forward-thinking approach, suggesting that AI integration will likely be tied to efficiency, sustainability, and innovation goals. The large enterprise structure means processes can be complex, making the service designer's role in clarifying and optimizing workflows particularly vital.
π Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This is a mid-level to senior individual contributor role. It requires a solid foundation in UX/Service Design principles and practical experience applying them in complex environments. The role offers the opportunity to specialize in AI-driven service design and gain deep expertise in the energy sector's operational challenges.
Reporting Structure: The role reports to the AI Lead Key Account Manager, indicating a direct line of guidance within the AI Center of Excellence. This structure suggests a focus on supporting internal client engagements and strategic AI initiatives.
Operations Impact: This role has a significant potential to impact operations by:
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Improving the efficiency and effectiveness of critical business processes through AI augmentation.
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Enhancing user experience and adoption of new AI technologies, leading to increased productivity and reduced errors.
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Driving innovation by identifying novel applications of AI to solve complex operational challenges within the energy sector.
Growth Opportunities:
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Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI service design, human-AI interaction, and design for complex industrial environments.
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Leadership: Potential to lead design initiatives for specific AI projects, mentor junior designers, or evolve into a lead service designer role.
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Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain broad exposure to various business units and operational areas within Oxy, understanding diverse challenges and opportunities.
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Industry Expertise: Develop specialized knowledge in applying design and AI within the energy sector, a valuable niche.
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Advanced Roles: Transition into Product Management for AI solutions, UX Research Lead, or AI Strategy roles.
π Enhancement Note: The growth path suggests that success in this role could lead to more strategic or leadership positions within the AI Center of Excellence or broader product/engineering organizations at Oxy.
π Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid. This role is based in Houston, TX, with a hybrid work arrangement, meaning a combination of working from the office and remotely.
Office Location(s): Houston, Texas, United States. Specific office details would be provided upon hire, but Houston is a major hub for the energy industry, offering access to industry events and a rich talent pool.
Workspace Context:
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Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and team structure encourage collaboration through scheduled in-office days for workshops, team meetings, and brainstorming sessions. Remote days allow for focused design and research work.
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Tools & Technology: Access to standard enterprise software, design tools (Figma, Miro, Mural), and potentially specialized AI/ML platforms will be provided.
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Operations Team Interaction: Regular interaction with the AI Center of Excellence team, business unit stakeholders, engineers, and data scientists will be a core part of the daily work.
Work Schedule:
- A standard 40-hour work week is expected. The hybrid arrangement provides some flexibility, but attending workshops and collaborating with teams will dictate specific in-office requirements. The nature of design and research may also involve periods of intense focus.
π Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature is typical for modern roles, balancing in-person collaboration essential for design workshops with the focused work required for individual design tasks.
π Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
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Initial Screening: A recruiter will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, interest, and cultural fit.
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Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, focusing on case studies that demonstrate their service design, UX research, and process mapping skills, particularly in complex enterprise contexts. This will likely be a video call with the hiring manager and potentially other team members.
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Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with AI engineers, data scientists, and business stakeholders to assess collaboration skills, understanding of AI concepts, and ability to translate user needs into technical requirements.
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Problem-Solving/Case Study: A potential exercise or case study simulating a real-world challenge, requiring candidates to outline their approach to understanding a problem, designing a solution, and presenting it.
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Final Interview: A discussion with senior leadership or the AI Lead Key Account Manager to finalize the decision, focusing on strategic thinking and long-term fit.
Portfolio Review Tips:
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Structure: Organize your portfolio with clear case studies that follow a logical flow: Problem Statement -> Research & Discovery -> Design Process (Ideation, Prototyping, Testing) -> Solution -> Impact/Outcomes.
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Highlight AI Relevance: For this role, emphasize any projects where you've considered or integrated new technologies, process automation, or data-driven insights. If you have specific AI-related projects, showcase them prominently.
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Process Mapping Focus: Clearly articulate your process mapping methodology and how you use these maps to identify pain points and design improvements.
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Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, quantify the results of your work (e.g., "reduced process time by X%", "improved user satisfaction by Y%", "identified Z number of opportunities for AI integration").
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Tell a Story: Use storytelling to explain your role, the challenges faced, your decision-making process, and the impact of your contributions. Be prepared to discuss your specific role in team projects.
Challenge Preparation:
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Understand Oxy's Business: Research Oxy's operations, its position in the energy market, and its stated goals regarding innovation and sustainability. Understand the types of complex workflows common in the oil and gas industry.
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AI Concepts: Brush up on fundamental AI/ML concepts and how they are applied in enterprise settings. Think about common AI use cases in operations and logistics.
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Service Design Frameworks: Be ready to discuss and apply frameworks like Service Design Blueprinting, Customer Journey Mapping, and Design Thinking.
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Problem Decomposition: Practice breaking down ambiguous, large-scale problems into smaller, manageable components.
π Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio and case studies is paramount. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their design process in detail and articulate their thought process, especially concerning how they would approach identifying and designing AI solutions for complex operational workflows.
π Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
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UX/UI Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision. Proficiency in at least one is essential.
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Collaborative Whiteboarding: Miro, Mural. Crucial for remote and hybrid workshop facilitation and ideation.
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Process Mapping & Diagramming: Visio, Lucidchart, or similar tools for creating service blueprints, flowcharts, and workflow diagrams.
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User Research Platforms: Tools for surveys, interviews, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey).
Analytics & Reporting:
CRM & Automation:
- Experience with enterprise CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) or workflow automation platforms might be advantageous for understanding system integrations and user interactions within business processes.
π Enhancement Note: Proficiency in collaborative tools like Miro/Mural and design tools like Figma is highly expected for this role, given the emphasis on remote/hybrid work and workshop facilitation.
π₯ Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
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Innovation & Efficiency: A drive to leverage new technologies like AI to optimize operations and create more efficient workflows.
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Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing research, data, and user feedback to inform design choices and validate solutions.
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Collaboration & Partnership: Working effectively across diverse teams (engineering, business, data science) to achieve common goals.
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User-Centricity: A commitment to understanding and advocating for the end-user experience in the design of AI solutions.
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Trust & Reliability: Ensuring AI solutions are designed to be dependable, understandable, and trustworthy by users.
Collaboration Style:
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Cross-Functional Integration: The role thrives on collaboration, requiring strong communication and empathy to work effectively with technical teams and business stakeholders.
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Consultative Approach: Acting as an internal consultant to business units, understanding their needs and co-creating solutions.
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Feedback-Oriented: An open culture for giving and receiving constructive feedback on designs and processes to drive continuous improvement.
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Agile & Iterative: Embracing iterative design processes, where continuous feedback and adaptation are key to refining solutions.
π Enhancement Note: The values suggest a culture that is both technologically forward-thinking and deeply rooted in practical application and user needs, common in large enterprises seeking to adopt AI.
β‘ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
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Complexity of Enterprise Workflows: Navigating and mapping highly intricate, often undocumented, legacy workflows within a large industrial organization.
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Ambiguity in AI Adoption: Translating abstract AI capabilities into concrete, user-friendly solutions that address specific business problems and gain user trust.
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Cross-Disciplinary Communication: Effectively bridging the communication gap between technical AI/engineering teams and non-technical business stakeholders.
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Change Management: Designing solutions that not only function well but are also effectively adopted by users, requiring careful consideration of training and support.
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Balancing Design Ideals with Technical Constraints: Ensuring innovative designs are feasible within existing technical architectures and AI capabilities.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
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AI & ML Fundamentals: Opportunities to deepen understanding of AI/ML technologies and their practical applications in an industrial setting.
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Advanced Service Design: Further development in complex service design methodologies, enterprise architecture, and strategic design.
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Industry Specialization: Gaining deep, domain-specific knowledge within the energy sector's operational challenges and opportunities for AI.
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Leadership Skills: Opportunities to lead design initiatives, mentor junior team members, and present to senior leadership.
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Certification & Training: Access to industry conferences, workshops, and certifications relevant to UX, Service Design, and AI.
π Enhancement Note: The challenges presented offer significant opportunities for professional growth, particularly for individuals looking to specialize in the intersection of AI, service design, and complex enterprise operations.
π‘ Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
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"Describe a complex enterprise workflow you've mapped. What were the key challenges, and how did your mapping facilitate a solution, particularly one involving technology integration?"
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"Walk us through a project where you used ethnographic research or user interviews to uncover unmet needs. How did these insights translate into a design proposal, and what was the outcome?"
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"How would you approach designing an AI solution for a process where user trust is a major concern? What steps would you take to ensure users feel comfortable and empowered?"
Company & Culture Questions:
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"What interests you specifically about applying AI and Service Design within the energy sector, and at Oxy?"
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"How do you approach collaboration with engineers and data scientists who may have different priorities or communication styles?"
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"How do you ensure your design decisions are backed by user research and business objectives, rather than just personal preference?"
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
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Focus on Process: For each case study, clearly articulate your role, the problem, your research methods, design iterations, and the final outcome. Emphasize the "why" behind your decisions.
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Visual Clarity: Use clear, concise visuals. Ensure process maps, journey maps, and prototypes are easy to understand.
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Quantify Impact: Be ready to discuss metrics and how you measured success or potential impact. If direct impact data isn't available, discuss how you would measure it.
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AI Integration Narrative: If applicable, highlight how you considered or integrated AI/automation concepts into your designs, even if the project wasn't purely AI-focused.
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Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about trade-offs, alternative solutions, and challenges encountered.
π Enhancement Note: Prepare to discuss your experience with complex systems and your ability to translate technical possibilities into tangible user benefits. Emphasizing your role in bridging gaps between technology and user needs will be crucial.
π Application Steps
To apply for this AI Key Account Manager - Service Designer position:
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Submit your application through the provided link on the Oxy careers portal.
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Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in UX Design, Service Design, Process Mapping, User Research, and any exposure to AI or complex enterprise systems. Use keywords from the job description.
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Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest case studies that best demonstrate your end-to-end design process, especially those involving complex workflows, user research, and problem-solving in enterprise settings. Ensure it's easily accessible (e.g., a personal website or PDF).
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Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio case studies, focusing on clear communication, your specific contributions, and the outcomes. Be ready to discuss your design thinking and methodology in detail.
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Research Oxy: Understand Oxy's business, its AI initiatives (if publicly available), and its position in the energy sector. This will help you tailor your answers and demonstrate genuine interest.
β οΈ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.
Application Requirements
Requires a Bachelor's degree in UX Design, Service Design, or a related field with at least 3 years of experience in an enterprise or industrial environment. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in design thinking, prototyping tools like Figma or Miro, and the ability to synthesize qualitative data.