Lead UX Product Designer - Guest UX

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead UX Product Designer - Guest UX

Company: Target

Location: Minneapolis, MN, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: April 08, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (Flex for Your Day)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design strategy and execution for AI-powered campaign workflows within Target's ad tech platform, Roundel.

• Drive end-to-end user experience (UX) for critical ad-tech features, from campaign planning and forecasting to optimization and reporting.

• Collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams including Product Management, Engineering, and Marketing to deliver user-centered digital experiences.

• Mentor and guide junior designers, fostering a culture of design excellence, accessibility, and strategic thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is focused on the ad technology and digital advertising space, specifically within a large retail organization. The "Guest UX" and "Roundel" designations indicate a focus on internal tools and platforms that support advertising operations and media experiences, rather than direct guest-facing e-commerce UX. The emphasis on "AI-powered" tools and "campaign workflows" highlights a need for designers comfortable with complex systems and data-driven insights.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and create UX patterns that clearly articulate campaign performance, ad delivery mechanisms, and optimization signals for advertisers and internal teams.

• Translate high-level product visions into detailed workflow models and user journey maps for complex ad tech functionalities.

• Develop and own the UX north stars and experience blueprints for critical user journeys across campaign setup, optimization, and insights generation.

• Lead the end-to-end UX design process for ad-tech features, encompassing campaign planning, forecasting, targeting, bidding, creative approvals, and reporting.

• Translate complex decisioning logic, such as ML ranking, relevance models, and budget optimization algorithms, into intuitive and explainable UI surfaces.

• Represent intricate mechanics like auction behavior, pacing, and spend forecasts through clear insights, notifications, and visualizations accessible to marketers.

• Champion user-centric outcomes and advocate for best-in-class design practices within product experiences and across cross-functional teams.

• Partner closely with engineering teams to map technical dependencies, including logging, ML-driven optimization surfaces, and inventory systems.

• Proactively identify UX risks within campaign management and measurement areas, proposing innovative design solutions and alternative paths.

• Mentor and guide junior designers, nurturing their growth in design craft, critical thinking, and end-to-end ownership.

• Conduct user research using both qualitative and quantitative methods to inform design decisions and validate solutions.

• Set a high standard for design craft, ensuring excellence in accessibility, usability, information architecture, interaction design, and visual execution.

• Promote and advance a culture of human-centered design across UX, Product, and Engineering departments.

• Build strong relationships across the organization to enable the vision for enterprise experiences and tools that benefit Target.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of strategic thinking, complex problem-solving within an ad tech context, and hands-on design execution. The "explainable UI surfaces" and "marketer can understand" points highlight the need for clarity and simplification of technical concepts. Mentorship and cross-functional collaboration are key components of a Lead role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Design, Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred for Lead UX roles in tech-focused organizations.

Experience: 7+ years of experience as a Product Designer, with a demonstrable track record in ad tech or complex enterprise software design.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in UX and product design, including end-to-end ownership of the design process.

• Strong portfolio showcasing successful product design and ad tech expertise, with a focus on complex workflows and data-driven solutions.

• Advanced proficiency in modern design and prototyping tools, with Figma being a primary requirement.

• Advanced strategic problem-solving and systems thinking capabilities.

• Proven ability to effectively leverage data and user insights to drive design direction and communicate strategies.

• Skilled at balancing near-term delivery requirements with long-term strategic vision.

• Expertise in articulating how design connects to, serves, and improves business outcomes.

• Comfort and curiosity in exploring and using emerging AI-powered tools to enhance the design process.

• Demonstrated ability to mentor and guide junior designers.

• Strong collaboration skills and experience working effectively with product, engineering, and marketing partners.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with campaign management, advertising platforms, or media measurement tools.

• Familiarity with machine learning concepts and their application in user interfaces.

• Knowledge of accessibility standards (WCAG) and best practices.

• Experience with information architecture and interaction design for complex systems.

• A growth mindset and passion for evolving personal design practice and the broader UX discipline.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "ad tech expertise" and "complex workflows" suggests that candidates with experience in B2B SaaS, enterprise software, or specifically advertising technology platforms will be highly competitive. The requirement for AI tool exploration indicates a forward-thinking approach to design technology.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate end-to-end ownership of complex design projects, particularly within ad tech or similar enterprise software domains.

• Showcase a strong understanding of systems thinking and how individual design decisions impact broader workflows and business objectives.

• Include case studies that highlight your process for translating complex technical concepts (e.g., ML algorithms, auction mechanics) into user-friendly interfaces.

• Present examples of how you've used data and user research to inform design decisions and measure success.

Process Documentation:

• Clearly articulate your design process, from problem definition and research through to ideation, prototyping, testing, and implementation.

• Provide examples of how you've documented user flows, wireframes, and interaction specifications for engineering handoff.

• Showcase instances where you've facilitated cross-functional design reviews and incorporated feedback effectively.

• Detail your approach to creating and maintaining design systems or pattern libraries for scalable solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Lead role, the portfolio should not only showcase design output but also the strategic thinking, process rigor, and leadership demonstrated throughout complex projects. The ad tech context means showcasing how abstract concepts like bidding strategies or ML models are made tangible for users.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $128,000.00 - $231,000.00 per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health benefits: Medical, Vision, and Dental insurance.

• Life Insurance coverage.

• Retirement savings plan: 401(k).

• Employee Discount program.

• Disability coverage: Short-term and Long-term disability.

• Paid Time Off: Paid sick leave, paid national holidays, and paid vacation.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered through Target's "Flex for Your Day" hybrid work arrangement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a Lead UX Product Designer role in a major metropolitan area like Minneapolis, especially within a large enterprise like Target. The benefits package is robust, typical of large corporations and includes comprehensive health, retirement, and paid time off. The "Flex for Your Day" arrangement indicates a hybrid model with flexibility.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Retail. Target is a leading multi-channel retailer, known for its strong brand presence and commitment to guest experience.

Company Size: Enterprise-level, with tens of thousands of employees globally. This scale implies complex organizational structures, significant resources, and a wide range of internal systems and processes.

Founded: 1902. Target has a long history, indicating a stable and established corporate environment with a deep understanding of its market and operational needs.

Team Structure:

• The UX team at Target is a dedicated group of design, content, research, and accessibility practitioners focused on improving digital experiences for guests, team members, and partners.

• This specific role is within the Guest UX (GUX) team, focusing on ad tech and media experiences powered by "Roundel," Target's internal advertising and monetization platform.

Methodology:

• A strong emphasis on human-centered design principles and data-driven decision-making.

• Focus on creating tangible, inspiring, and impactful solutions that serve business objectives and enhance user experience.

• Likely utilizes agile methodologies for product development and design sprints for rapid ideation and iteration.

• Commitment to accessibility and inclusive design practices across all digital touchpoints.

Company Website: https://corporate.target.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Target's culture is generally perceived as valuing innovation within a structured retail environment. The ad tech focus within GUX suggests a specialized team that bridges retail and digital advertising technologies, requiring a unique blend of UX expertise and business acumen.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Lead UX Product Designer. This level signifies a senior individual contributor role with significant responsibility for driving design strategy, mentoring junior team members, and owning complex product areas. It requires a strong command of design craft, strategic thinking, and leadership presence.

Reporting Structure: The Lead UX Designer will likely report to a Director or Senior Manager of UX within the Guest UX or Ad Tech organization. They will collaborate closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads for their assigned product areas.

Operations Impact: This role directly impacts Target's ability to effectively manage and optimize its advertising and monetization efforts through the Roundel platform. By improving campaign workflows, ad targeting, and measurement insights, the UX team contributes significantly to revenue generation, partner satisfaction, and the overall digital media strategy of the company.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in ad tech UX, AI-driven design tools, or specific areas of campaign management and measurement.

• Leadership: Progress into a UX Manager or Director role, leading larger teams and broader product portfolios.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Transition into Product Management or Strategy roles leveraging deep understanding of ad tech ecosystems.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning through internal workshops, external conferences, and advanced training in emerging design technologies and methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: A "Lead" title at Target typically implies a path towards further leadership or deep specialization. The growth opportunities are geared towards advancing within the UX discipline or leveraging UX expertise in related product or strategy functions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Target operates a hybrid work model, referred to internally as "Flex for Your Day." This means team members can work remotely or on-site at a Target location depending on the needs of the day, tasks, and team.

Office Location(s): The primary location listed is Minneapolis, MN, at the corporate headquarters (1000 Nicollet Mall). Target also has various office locations and has adopted remote work policies.

Workspace Context:

• The work environment is expected to be collaborative, with opportunities to interact with diverse teams across Product, Engineering, and Marketing.

• Access to modern design tools and technology, including advanced prototyping software (Figma) and potentially AI-assisted design tools.

• A culture that encourages human-centered design practices and data-informed decision-making.

• The Minneapolis HQ offers a dynamic urban workspace with amenities, while remote work provides flexibility.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (40 hours/week) are expected, with flexibility provided through the hybrid work arrangement. This allows for balancing project delivery with personal needs, particularly beneficial for complex design tasks requiring focused work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Flex for Your Day" hybrid model indicates a need for self-discipline and strong communication skills to manage work effectively across different locations and collaborate seamlessly with colleagues who may be remote, hybrid, or on-site.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will likely review applications and conduct an initial screening call to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Presentation/Design Challenge: Candidates will typically present their portfolio, showcasing key projects that demonstrate their expertise in UX design, ad tech, and strategic thinking. This may be combined with or followed by a design challenge, either take-home or live, to assess problem-solving skills and design process.

• Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with hiring managers, Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and potentially other UX designers to evaluate technical skills, collaboration style, and leadership potential.

• Final Interview: A final discussion, potentially with senior leadership, to confirm fit and discuss the role in detail.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Relevance: Select 3-4 projects that best showcase your ad tech, enterprise software, or complex workflow design experience. Highlight projects demonstrating AI tool usage and strategic impact.

• Process Over Polish: Clearly articulate your design process for each project. Explain the problem, your approach, the challenges faced, your decision-making rationale, and the outcomes. Use diagrams and flowcharts to illustrate complex systems.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the impact of your design solutions. This could include improvements in efficiency, conversion rates, user satisfaction, or adoption.

• Tell a Story: Frame your projects as narratives. Explain the "why" behind your work and how it aligned with business goals and user needs.

• Prepare for Questions: Be ready to discuss your design choices, how you handled trade-offs, your collaboration style, and how you mentor others.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Familiarize yourself with ad tech concepts, campaign management workflows, and common challenges in digital advertising platforms.

• Practice Systems Thinking: Be prepared to analyze complex systems and propose solutions that consider various interconnected components.

• Focus on User Needs: Even for internal tools, understand the user (advertiser, operator, analyst) and their primary goals and pain points.

• Communicate Clearly: Practice articulating your thought process, design rationale, and proposed solutions concisely and effectively, as if presenting to product and engineering partners.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio and interview process will heavily emphasize the ability to handle complexity, demonstrate strategic impact, and mentor others. Ad tech domain knowledge is crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (required, advanced proficiency), potentially Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite.

• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace.

• Project Management: Jira, Asana, Trello.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) for understanding user behavior.

• Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) or libraries for presenting insights.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how CRM data might inform ad targeting or personalization could be beneficial.

• Experience with workflow automation tools or understanding of how to design for automated processes is highly relevant given the "campaign workflows" focus.

• Familiarity with APIs and system integrations may be helpful for understanding technical dependencies.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is a non-negotiable requirement. Experience with tools that facilitate complex workflow design, data analysis, and cross-functional collaboration will be highly valued. Understanding the interplay between design, data, and AI is key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Guest Obsession: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of Target's guests, whether they are external shoppers or internal users of Target's platforms.

• Data-Driven: Decisions are informed by data and insights, fostering a culture of measurement and continuous improvement.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on teamwork, cross-functional partnerships, and open communication to achieve shared goals.

• Innovation: Encouraging new ideas and approaches to solve complex problems and drive business growth.

• Inclusivity & Accessibility: Designing for all users, ensuring digital products are usable and enjoyable for everyone.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to work seamlessly with Product Managers, Engineers, Researchers, and Marketing teams.

• Design Critiques: Regular participation in design critiques and feedback sessions to refine work and share knowledge.

• Transparent Communication: Open and honest communication regarding project status, challenges, and design decisions.

• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: A culture where senior members actively guide and support junior team members, and knowledge is shared freely across the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: Target's core values of "Expect Better," "Serve Guests," "Win Together," and "Live Values" likely permeate the UX team's culture, emphasizing quality, customer focus, teamwork, and ethical conduct.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Ad Tech: Navigating and designing for the intricate, often opaque, world of ad technology and media buying requires significant learning and strategic thinking.

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Ensuring that complex internal tools are both efficient for users and effectively drive Target's advertising revenue and monetization strategies.

• AI Integration: Designing intuitive interfaces for AI-powered features, making complex algorithms understandable and actionable for users.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Managing diverse stakeholder expectations and ensuring alignment across Product, Engineering, and Marketing on design vision and execution.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Ad Tech Specialization: Opportunity to become a subject matter expert in a critical, high-growth area of digital advertising.

• AI Design Exploration: Hands-on experience with cutting-edge AI tools and their application in product design.

• Leadership Development: Formal and informal mentorship programs to hone leadership and team management skills.

• Industry Exposure: Potential to attend industry conferences (e.g., advertising technology, UX design) to stay abreast of trends and best practices.

• Internal Mobility: Opportunities to explore other design domains within Target's vast digital ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents a significant opportunity to tackle complex, high-impact challenges at the intersection of retail, technology, and advertising. The growth potential is strong for those who excel in this environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate a complex technical system (e.g., an algorithm, data pipeline) into an intuitive user interface. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, problem-solving, and ability to simplify complexity.)

• "How do you approach defining experience strategy for a new product area, especially one with significant AI components?" (Highlight your strategic thinking, user research methods, and vision-setting capabilities.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about designing for Target's ad tech platform, specifically Roundel?" (Showcase your research into Target's business, ad tech, and the role's specific context.)

• "How do you ensure your designs are inclusive and accessible, particularly for enterprise tools?" (Connect to Target's values and your personal commitment to accessibility.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each case study, clearly outline the Problem, Your Role, The Process, The Solution, and The Results.

• Visuals: Use high-fidelity mockups, prototypes, user flows, and wireframes. Include journey maps or system diagrams where relevant to showcase complexity.

• Narrative: Tell a compelling story about each project. Explain your thought process, the rationale behind your design decisions, and the impact achieved.

• Data Focus: Integrate data and metrics throughout your presentation to support your design choices and demonstrate ROI.

• Ad Tech Angle: For this role, emphasize projects that demonstrate your understanding of business objectives, complex systems, and how design can drive measurable outcomes in a commercial context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a strategic thinker, a skilled craftsperson, a strong collaborator, and a potential mentor. Demonstrating an understanding of the ad tech landscape and Target's business goals will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead UX Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.

• Curate your portfolio to prominently feature 3-4 projects demonstrating your expertise in ad tech, complex enterprise workflows, and strategic product design. Prioritize case studies that highlight your process, problem-solving, and quantifiable impact.

• Optimize your resume to align with the keywords and responsibilities outlined in this description, emphasizing your experience with Figma, systems thinking, AI tools, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Prepare your portfolio presentation thoroughly, practicing your narrative, design rationale, and ability to articulate the business impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your approach to mentoring junior designers.

• Research Target's ad tech business (Roundel) and the broader retail media landscape to demonstrate your understanding of the domain and the strategic importance of this role.

⚠️ 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.

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