User Experience Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: User Experience Design Manager Company: Hudl Location: Remote - Phoenix, Arizona, United States Job Type: Full-Time Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design Operations Date Posted: September 17, 2025 Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years implied) Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic direction and execution of user experience (UX) design for Hudl's core sports technology products, focusing on high school coaches, athletes, and organizations.
• Manage, mentor, and develop a team of UX designers, fostering a culture of design excellence, innovation, and continuous learning within a collaborative environment.
• Drive user-centered design processes from research and ideation through to high-fidelity prototyping and final implementation, ensuring alignment with business objectives and user needs.
• Champion user advocacy, accessibility, and design best practices across product development lifecycle, translating complex user needs and market expectations into intuitive and impactful digital experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "User Experience Design Manager," the responsibilities and required skills strongly align with a leadership role within product operations, specifically focusing on the user-centric aspects of product development and delivery. The operational aspect comes from managing design processes, cross-functional collaboration, and ensuring the efficient delivery of high-quality user experiences that support business goals.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Shape and lead user research initiatives, translating qualitative and quantitative findings into actionable insights that inform product strategy and design decisions, focusing on understanding the "why" behind user behavior.
• Coach and manage a team of direct-report UX designers, providing guidance on skill development, career growth, and project execution, fostering an environment of growth and high performance.
• Develop and communicate compelling design concepts and strategies, acting as a visual and verbal storyteller to articulate forward-facing, differentiated solutions that meet customer and business needs.
• Add clarity to ambiguous problem spaces by defining user characteristics, environments, and market expectations to support the creation of prioritized and intuitive user experiences.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Management, Engineering, Scrum Masters, and Quality Assurance, to define requirements and deliver clear, focused digital user experiences.
• Advocate for design process, quality, and efficient delivery, championing tactility, accessibility, customer needs, and overall design excellence throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Own the results of delivered solutions, measuring their effectiveness against design and product needs post-release, and iterating based on performance data and user feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of strategic design leadership and operational execution. Key operational functions include managing a team, driving process adherence (user research, iterative design), facilitating cross-functional collaboration, and measuring outcomes, all critical for efficient product delivery.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Graphic Design, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a related field is typically expected for a manager-level design role. Experience: 5-10 years of progressive experience in User Experience (UX) design, with at least 2-3 years in a leadership or management capacity directly managing designers. This includes experience in shaping product strategy and leading design initiatives from concept to launch.

Required Skills:

• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and influence stakeholders across various departments.
• Demonstrated management and mentorship experience, having directly led at least one designer, with proven ability to foster professional development and career growth.
• Proficiency in iterative prototyping and wireframing techniques using modern design tools (e.g., Figma, Adobe Creative Suite) and collaborative platforms (e.g., Miro).
• Strong problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to approach complex design challenges critically and holistically, considering technical, business, and user constraints.
• Excellent organizational skills, enabling assessment of appropriate design and research efforts needed to achieve project goals and deliver high-quality outcomes.
• Technical proficiency in component-based design software and collaborative tools essential for remote team alignment and workflow management.
• A robust portfolio showcasing a range of UX design projects, including user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and final design solutions, demonstrating a strong understanding of user-centered design principles.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience planning and conducting qualitative and quantitative user research, with the ability to translate insights into actionable product and design outcomes.
• Proficiency in various research methodologies to optimize end-user experiences and validate design solutions.
• A passion for sports and an understanding of the sports technology industry, its unique challenges, and opportunities.
• A growth mindset, committed to continuous learning, staying updated on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in UX design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements highlight a blend of "soft skills" critical for operations leadership (communication, mentorship, collaboration) and hard skills in design execution and research. The emphasis on a "robust portfolio" and "iterative prototyping skills" points to the need for demonstrable process proficiency.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a diverse range of UX design projects with clear problem statements, user research methodologies, design processes, and achieved outcomes.
• Include examples of user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes (low and high fidelity), and final design solutions, demonstrating a comprehensive design journey.
• Highlight contributions to product strategy and how design decisions were informed by user needs, business goals, and technical constraints.
• Present case studies that clearly articulate the impact of your design work, ideally with measurable results or qualitative feedback on user satisfaction and task completion.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate experience in establishing and refining design processes, including user research frameworks, iterative design cycles, and collaboration workflows with engineering and product teams.
• Provide examples of how you've documented and communicated design decisions, user insights, and project progress to cross-functional stakeholders.
• Showcase an understanding of agile development methodologies and how design integrates into sprint planning, execution, and retrospectives to ensure efficient delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Design Manager role with operational responsibilities, the portfolio is expected to not only showcase design output but also the candidate's ability to manage and optimize the design process itself, including team coordination and stakeholder management. This aligns with the broader operations focus on efficiency and effective execution.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $107,000 - $179,000 USD per year.

• The base salary range indicates a competitive offering for a UX Design Manager role with significant leadership responsibilities in the tech industry.
• Starting salaries are expected to be near the middle of this range, with final compensation determined by factors such as candidate experience, skills, and education, aligned with internal pay equity practices.

Benefits:

• Work-Life Harmony: Flexible vacation time, company-wide holidays, dedicated "timeout" (meeting-free) days, and remote work options.
• Professional Growth: Autonomy and agency in work, encouragement of professional development with ample resources and opportunities, and support for lifelong learning.
• Well-being & Health: Comprehensive support for mental and physical health through an Employee Assistance Program, employee resource groups, and a fitness partner (Peerfit).
• Medical Coverage: Multiple medical insurance plan options, including vision, dental, fertility healthcare, and family-forming benefits.
• Financial Security: 401(K) plan with a company match of up to 4% of employee contributions.
• Incentives: Eligibility for long-term incentive (LTI) awards and discretionary bonuses based on individual and company performance.

Working Hours: While not explicitly stated as 40 hours, the role is generally considered full-time. Hudl emphasizes work-life harmony and flexibility, suggesting a focus on output and results rather than strict adherence to hourly requirements, though a standard workweek is implied for effective team collaboration and project delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is explicitly provided, reflecting transparency. The benefits package is extensive, highlighting Hudl's commitment to employee well-being and growth, which are key differentiators for attracting and retaining talent in operations-focused roles. The mention of LTI and bonuses indicates performance-driven compensation structures common in leadership positions.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Sports Technology. Hudl is a leading provider of performance analysis tools and video solutions for sports teams at all levels, from high school to professional. Company Size: Hudl is a significant player in its niche, with a large employee base (not explicitly stated in the input, but implied by the range of benefits and global reach). This size suggests a structured environment with established processes but also opportunities for impact. Founded: Hudl was founded in 2006, indicating a mature company with a proven track record and established market presence.

Team Structure:

• The UX Design Manager will likely lead a small, dedicated team of UX designers focused on specific product areas or user segments within the broader product organization.
• The reporting structure will likely involve reporting to a Director or VP of Product Design or Product Management, with close collaboration with Engineering Managers, Product Managers, and Scrum teams.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a core tenet, with designers working in tight-knit partnerships with counterparts in Engineering, Product, and Quality Assurance to ensure cohesive product development.

Methodology:

• Hudl emphasizes a data-driven approach to product development, leveraging user research and analytics to inform design and strategy.
• Workflow planning and optimization are crucial, particularly in managing the design process for multiple product initiatives and ensuring efficient delivery cycles.
• Automation and efficiency practices are likely integrated into design workflows, potentially through the use of design systems, component libraries, and efficient prototyping tools.

Company Website: https://www.hudl.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Hudl's position in the sports tech industry provides context for the types of user problems and design challenges the team will address. The company's emphasis on "building great teams" and fostering a supportive culture suggests an environment that values collaboration and personal growth, which are important considerations for operations professionals.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a significant step into management within the product design/operations sphere. It involves leading a team, influencing product strategy, and managing the operational aspects of the design process. It bridges the gap between individual contribution and strategic leadership. Reporting Structure: The UX Design Manager will report into a senior leadership position within the product or design organization (e.g., Director of Design, VP of Product). They will have direct reports (UX Designers) and will work closely with peer managers in Product Management and Engineering. Operations Impact: The UX Design Manager's impact extends beyond the aesthetic quality of the product; it directly influences user adoption, customer satisfaction, product efficiency, and ultimately, the business's ability to retain and grow its user base in the competitive sports technology market. Effective UX operations directly contribute to revenue and market position.

Growth Opportunities:

• Team Expansion & Specialization: Opportunity to grow the design team, potentially specializing in different product areas or user research functions.
• Strategic Influence: Increased involvement in product strategy, roadmap planning, and cross-departmental initiatives.
• Leadership Development: Opportunities for further leadership training, mentorship from senior executives, and potential progression to Director-level roles overseeing larger design functions or product portfolios.
• Industry Expertise: Deepen knowledge within the sports technology sector, becoming a subject matter expert in user needs and market dynamics.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear career path into senior operational leadership within a product-focused organization. The emphasis on mentorship and growth aligns with the operational goal of developing talent and building high-performing teams.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: While this role is remote, Hudl has physical offices in locations like Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska, suggesting a hybrid-friendly culture that supports remote work. The company has invested in creating "incredible spaces with our employees in mind," indicating a commitment to a positive and productive work environment, even for remote employees who might occasionally interact with office-based colleagues. Office Location(s): The role is open to candidates in Kansas City, Chicago, Austin, Dallas, or Phoenix, in addition to Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska. This broad remote hiring footprint suggests a distributed team structure.

Workspace Context:

• The remote nature of the role requires a self-disciplined approach to managing one's workspace and workflow to maintain productivity and collaboration.
• Hudl provides the necessary "tech stack and hardware to do your best work," ensuring remote employees have the tools needed for seamless collaboration and execution.
• Opportunities for team interaction will primarily be through digital collaboration tools, video conferencing, and potentially occasional in-person meetups or offsites, depending on company policy.

Work Schedule: The emphasis on work-life harmony and flexible vacation time suggests a culture that respects employees' personal lives. While a standard workweek is implied for operational efficiency, the company likely offers flexibility in how and when work is accomplished, provided deliverables are met and collaboration is maintained.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's commitment to providing necessary tech and hardware, coupled with a focus on work-life harmony, is crucial for a remote operations role. It signals an understanding of the needs of a distributed workforce and the importance of enabling productivity regardless of physical location.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a recruiter screen to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and understanding of the role's operational scope.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A deeper dive into experience, management style, leadership philosophy, and how the candidate handles team dynamics and project delivery. Expect questions about managing designers and collaborating with cross-functional teams.
• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A critical stage where candidates present their portfolio, showcasing specific projects that demonstrate their UX design expertise, problem-solving skills, and leadership approach. This will likely include an explanation of their design process and impact.
• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with peers from Product Management, Engineering, and potentially other designers to assess collaboration, communication, and technical understanding.
• Executive/Senior Leadership Interview: A final interview to gauge strategic thinking, cultural alignment, and overall fit within Hudl's leadership team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure for Operations: Organize your portfolio around key operational themes: problem identification, process execution, collaboration, and impact measurement.
• Showcase Process, Not Just Polish: Detail your design process, research methodologies, and how you navigated challenges. Highlight your role in managing the workflow and driving outcomes.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your projects. For a management role, this includes team performance and project delivery efficiency.
• Tell a Story: Frame your case studies as narratives, clearly articulating the problem, your approach, the solutions, and the results, emphasizing your leadership in driving these outcomes.
• Tailor to Hudl: Research Hudl's products and target users. Be prepared to discuss how your experience and approach align with their mission and the sports technology domain.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready for a design challenge or case study that requires you to assess a problem space, propose a solution, and articulate your approach, potentially including team management considerations.
• Practice presenting your work concisely and effectively, focusing on key decision points and outcomes.
• Prepare to discuss how you would manage a team of designers, handle feedback, and collaborate with engineering and product teams to ensure successful product launches.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview and portfolio review process is heavily weighted towards demonstrating not just design skill but also leadership, process management, and cross-functional collaboration capabilities, which are core to an operations-focused role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (explicitly mentioned), Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.), potentially Sketch. Modern AI-powered prototyping platforms are also noted as a plus.
• Collaboration & Ideation: Miro (explicitly mentioned) for remote whiteboarding, brainstorming, and workshop facilitation. Tools like Slack and Zoom for communication.
• Project Management/Workflow: Likely integration with Agile tools such as Jira, Confluence, or similar platforms to manage design sprints and tasks within the development lifecycle.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not specific tools, the role requires an understanding of how to leverage analytics to inform design. This could involve tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, or internal analytics platforms to track user behavior and measure the impact of design changes.
• Familiarity with creating or interpreting dashboards (e.g., Tableau, Looker) might be beneficial for understanding product performance.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managing CRM systems, understanding how user data is managed and how CRM insights might inform product design could be valuable. Experience with platforms like Salesforce or HubSpot might provide context.
• Familiarity with automation within design workflows, such as design systems or component libraries, is implied.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in industry-standard design tools like Figma and Miro is essential. The implied need for analytics and collaboration tools underscores the operational aspect of managing design projects efficiently and effectively within a technology company.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of high school coaches and athletes, ensuring their experience with Hudl products is exceptional.
• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on working effectively with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, QA) to achieve shared goals and deliver cohesive products.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizing user research, analytics, and feedback to inform design choices and measure impact, promoting an objective approach to problem-solving.
• Continuous Improvement: A drive to constantly refine processes, enhance skills, and innovate on product solutions, reflecting a growth mindset.
• Ownership & Accountability: Taking responsibility for outcomes, from initial concept through to product release and post-launch performance, demonstrating a results-oriented mindset.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: Designers are expected to form close partnerships with counterparts in Engineering and Product, fostering mutual respect and shared ownership of product success.
• Open Communication: An environment that encourages open, honest, and respectful feedback exchange, essential for effective team dynamics and process refinement.
• Process-Centric: A focus on structured collaboration, utilizing tools and methodologies to ensure clarity, alignment, and efficient progress on design initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The described values and collaboration style are highly aligned with operational excellence, emphasizing teamwork, data-informed decision-making, and a commitment to continuous improvement – all critical for a well-functioning operations team.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business/Technical Constraints: Effectively integrating diverse user needs with product roadmaps, technical limitations, and business objectives to create optimal solutions.
• Managing Remote Team Dynamics: Ensuring effective communication, collaboration, and team cohesion within a distributed design team, fostering a strong sense of connection and shared purpose.
• Driving Design Excellence in a Fast-Paced Environment: Maintaining high standards for UX quality and user advocacy while meeting aggressive product development timelines.
• Measuring Design Impact: Developing robust methods to quantify the success of design initiatives and demonstrate their contribution to business outcomes and user satisfaction.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX Methodologies: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specialized areas of UX research, interaction design, or design strategy.
• Leadership Training: Formal and informal training programs focused on management, mentorship, and strategic leadership skills.
• Industry Engagement: Potential to attend industry conferences, workshops, and engage with the broader design and sports technology communities.
• Mentorship: Access to senior leaders and peers for guidance and development in career progression and leadership capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a leadership role in a fast-paced tech environment, requiring strong operational skills in process management, team coordination, and impact measurement. The growth opportunities highlight a commitment to professional development, a key aspect of talent management in operations.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance competing priorities from product, engineering, and user needs. How did you manage these and arrive at a solution?" (Focus on operational prioritization and stakeholder management.)
• "How do you approach coaching and developing designers on your team, particularly in a remote setting?" (Assess leadership and team management skills.)
• "Walk me through a complex design problem you solved. What was your process, what tools did you use, and what was the outcome?" (Demonstrate UX process, tool proficiency, and impact articulation.)
• "How do you ensure accessibility and customer needs are championed throughout the product development lifecycle?" (Focus on process integration and user advocacy.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Hudl and our mission? How does your design philosophy align with our focus on sports technology?" (Research company and cultural fit.)
• "How would you foster collaboration and a strong team culture within a remote UX design team?" (Assess understanding of remote team dynamics and operational best practices.)
• "How do you measure the success of your design work and the performance of your team?" (Focus on metrics, KPIs, and impact assessment.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your role, the process you followed, key decisions made, and the measurable results.
• Highlight Leadership: Emphasize your contributions as a manager and leader – how you guided the team, facilitated collaboration, and drove the project forward.
• Demonstrate Process Mastery: Show your proficiency with design tools and methodologies. Explain why you chose certain approaches.
• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your decision-making, how you handle feedback, and your strategic thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only design expertise but also strong operational leadership, process management, and an understanding of how to build and manage high-performing, collaborative teams, especially in a remote context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this User Experience Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on Greenhouse.
• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature leadership examples, team management, cross-functional collaboration, and process optimization within UX design projects. Select case studies that clearly articulate challenges, your strategic approach, and measurable outcomes.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight management experience, team leadership, proficiency in key design tools (Figma, Miro), and experience in user research and iterative design. Quantify achievements wherever possible, especially those related to process efficiency or team development.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, leadership philosophy, and problem-solving skills. Prepare specific examples for common interview questions related to team management, collaboration, and driving design impact. Rehearse your portfolio presentation to be clear, concise, and impactful.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Hudl's mission, products, company culture, and recent news. Understand their position in the sports technology market and how your UX leadership can contribute to their success. Pay attention to their emphasis on "building great teams" and fostering a supportive environment.

⚠️ 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.