UX Product Director

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Product Director Company: Pfizer Location: La Jolla, CA, United States (Hybrid) Job Type: Full-Time Category: UX/Product Management & Design Operations Date Posted: December 19, 2025 Experience Level: 8+ Years (with emphasis on 10+ years of leadership) Remote Status: Hybrid (2-3 days onsite/week)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic vision and execution of Pfizer's marketing design systems to ensure a unified and cohesive user experience across all digital products.
• Drive program leadership and operational excellence in the creation, deployment, and evolution of design systems, focusing on consistency, scalability, and content reuse.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration among UX, brand, product, development, legal, and marketing teams to align design system strategy with business objectives.
• Champion organizational adoption through effective enablement, training, and change management, clearly communicating the value and impact of design systems to stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Director-level position with significant strategic responsibilities, focusing on design operations and the critical function of a centralized design system for a global brand. The emphasis on "program leadership" and "strategic oversight" suggests a senior individual contributor or a leader managing a program rather than a large team, aligning with the "Senior Director, Head of Marketing UX" reporting structure.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define, champion, and evolve a strategic vision for Pfizer's design systems, ensuring alignment with brand guidelines and business objectives across digital experiences.
• Lead the governance, adoption, and continuous improvement of the marketing design system, ensuring it meets the needs of internal teams and external partners while driving efficiency and consistency.
• Partner closely with marketing, UX, product, digital, legal, and brand teams to integrate design systems seamlessly into digital workflows and support business goals.
• Develop and implement operational excellence frameworks and processes that enable efficient brand implementation in design execution, minimizing redundancy and optimizing resource allocation.
• Drive organizational adoption through comprehensive training programs, enablement resources, and change management initiatives, ensuring teams understand and effectively leverage the design systems.
• Monitor design system effectiveness, adoption rates, and usage patterns, identifying key metrics and opportunities for ongoing improvement, innovation, and alignment with industry trends.
• Manage the roadmap for design system evolution, prioritizing enhancements based on business impact, user needs, and technical feasibility.
• Communicate the value and ROI of design systems to a wide range of stakeholders, including executive leadership, thereby securing buy-in and support.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic vision-setting, program management, cross-functional leadership, and operational execution, all centered around the critical function of a design system. The emphasis on "operational excellence" and "performance & optimization" indicates a need for data-driven decision-making and a focus on measurable impact.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, UX, Marketing, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for this level. A Master's degree or relevant certifications would be advantageous.

Experience:

• Minimum of 8+ years in product management, program management, UX strategy, or digital transformation, with a significant focus on design systems or customer experience platforms.
• Demonstrated experience in planning, executing, and optimizing a design system for a large, multinational brand.
• Proven track record of leading cross-functional programs and influencing diverse teams without direct authority.
• Deep understanding of design operations, UX best practices, and digital ecosystem management.
• Experience in management consulting and/or advertising/marketing agencies, with a focus on strategy, execution, and brand experience.
• Familiarity with agile development environments and leveraging data-driven metrics for roadmap and requirement planning.

Required Skills:

• Strategic Vision & Leadership: Ability to define and champion a long-term vision for design systems and influence organizational direction.
• Design System Expertise: Deep knowledge of design system principles, governance, and best practices for implementation and evolution.
• Program Management: Skilled in planning, executing, and optimizing complex, cross-functional programs with a focus on design systems.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven ability to partner effectively with diverse teams (UX, Brand, Product, Development, Legal, Marketing) to achieve shared goals.
• UX/UI Principles: Strong understanding of UI and UX design principles and their application in scalable design systems.
• Agile Methodologies: Experience working within agile development frameworks and adapting processes accordingly.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Ability to leverage data and metrics to inform requirements, roadmap planning, and performance optimization.
• Communication & Enablement: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to train, influence, and manage change across an organization.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the pharmaceuticals, healthcare, or other highly regulated industries.
• Familiarity with front-end development workflows, content management systems (CMS), and digital marketing platforms.
• Track record of driving enterprise-wide transformation initiatives related to design, branding, or digital customer engagement.
• Proficiency with design system tools and software, such as Figma.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "8+ years" combined with the "Director" title and the "breadth of diverse leadership experiences" requirement strongly implies a need for significant leadership and strategic impact, often aligning with 10+ years of progressive experience in related fields. The emphasis on influencing without authority is a key indicator of senior-level expectations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design System Case Studies: Showcase experience in developing, implementing, or significantly evolving a design system, detailing its scope, components, and impact.
• Process Optimization Examples: Present evidence of improving workflows, increasing efficiency, or reducing redundancy through design system adoption or related initiatives.
• Cross-Functional Project Examples: Illustrate successful collaboration with diverse teams (e.g., UX, Brand, Engineering, Marketing) to deliver cohesive digital experiences.
• Metrics & ROI Demonstration: Provide examples of how design system adoption or UX initiatives have been measured, demonstrating impact on key business metrics (e.g., time-to-market, consistency, user satisfaction).

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate experience in creating and maintaining comprehensive design system documentation, including component libraries, usage guidelines, and best practices.
• Showcase the ability to develop frameworks for design system governance, adoption, and ongoing evolution.
• Provide examples of process improvements implemented within a design or product development context, highlighting efficiency gains or standardization efforts.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Director-level role focused on design systems, a portfolio is crucial. It needs to go beyond visual design and demonstrate strategic thinking, program management capabilities, and the ability to drive organizational change. The focus should be on the impact and process of implementing and managing design systems, not just the final outputs.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $156,600 - $261,000 annually.

Benefits:

• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions and an additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution.
• Paid Time Off: Generous paid vacation, holiday, and personal days.
• Leave Programs: Paid caregiver leave, parental leave, and medical leave.
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage.
• Performance Incentives: Eligible for Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 20.0% of base salary.
• Long-Term Incentives: Eligibility to participate in the company's share-based long-term incentive program.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours (typically 40 hours per week), with hybrid flexibility allowing for 2-3 days onsite.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is for the US market, excluding specific locations like Tampa, FL. The bonus target and long-term incentive eligibility indicate a significant total compensation package for this senior role. The benefits package is comprehensive, aligning with typical large pharmaceutical company offerings.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology. Pfizer is a global leader in healthcare, dedicated to discovering, developing, manufacturing, and marketing innovative medicines and vaccines. This industry context implies a strong emphasis on compliance, data integrity, and rigorous processes.

Company Size: Pfizer is a very large, multinational corporation, indicated by its extensive global presence and employee base. This scale means that design systems and operational processes must be robust, scalable, and capable of supporting diverse business units and geographical regions.

Founded: Pfizer was founded in 1849. Its long history signifies stability, extensive experience, and a deep understanding of the healthcare landscape, which influences its approach to digital transformation and brand consistency.

Team Structure:

• The UX Product Director reports to the Senior Director, Head of Marketing UX, indicating a dedicated UX leadership structure within the marketing function.
• The role requires close partnership with various departments including UX, Brand, Product Management, Digital, Legal, and Development teams, emphasizing a highly collaborative and integrated operating model.
• While not explicitly stated, the position likely involves managing stakeholders across different levels and functions, and potentially guiding the work of external agencies (AORs) or internal contributors without direct reporting lines.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Approach: The role emphasizes leveraging data-driven metrics for requirement and roadmap planning, indicating a commitment to evidence-based decision-making.
• Agile Development: Experience in agile environments is required, suggesting that design system development and implementation will follow agile principles (iterative development, continuous feedback, flexibility).
• Process Optimization: A core focus is on developing processes and frameworks to ensure operational excellence, efficiency, and scalability in design execution.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Pfizer's status as a large, established pharmaceutical company means that operations and process-driven roles are critical. The company culture likely values rigor, compliance, and a structured approach to problem-solving, which will be reflected in how design systems are implemented and managed.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Director, UX Product Management & Design Operations. This is a senior individual contributor or program leadership role, focused on driving strategic initiatives and operational efficiency within the UX and marketing domains. It sits at a level where significant influence and strategic input are expected.

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Senior Director, Head of Marketing UX. This indicates a clear hierarchy within the UX and Marketing functions, with opportunities to influence senior leadership and contribute to broader marketing strategy.

Operations Impact: The role's primary impact is on enhancing the consistency, scalability, and efficiency of Pfizer's digital brand presence. By owning and evolving the design system, the UX Product Director directly influences the customer engagement ecosystem, enabling faster product development, better brand adherence, and ultimately, improved customer experiences and business outcomes.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership Expansion: Potential to expand influence over broader digital product strategy or lead larger transformation initiatives within the organization.
• Specialization: Deepen expertise in design operations, enterprise-level design systems, and digital transformation within the highly specialized pharmaceutical industry.
• Leadership Development: Opportunities to mentor other UX professionals, agency partners, and drive adoption across a global organization, honing leadership and change management skills.
• Industry Influence: Contribute to industry best practices in design systems and UX operations, potentially through external speaking or publications.

📝 Enhancement Note: A Director-level role in a company like Pfizer offers substantial growth potential, not just within the immediate function but also in broader digital strategy and leadership. The experience gained in managing enterprise-wide design systems within a regulated industry is highly valuable.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, requiring 2-3 days per week in the office. This suggests a balance between in-person collaboration and remote flexibility.

Office Location(s): La Jolla, CA, or any US Commercial Pfizer Site. This provides flexibility for candidates located near other Pfizer US commercial offices. The La Jolla location implies proximity to a vibrant biotech and pharmaceutical hub.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and emphasis on cross-functional collaboration suggest an environment where teamwork and open communication are prioritized. Expect opportunities to engage with diverse teams in person and virtually.
• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design and collaboration tools (e.g., Figma, project management software) will be essential. Pfizer likely invests in robust technology infrastructure to support its global operations.
• Operations Focus: The role requires a structured approach to work, with an emphasis on process, documentation, and efficient execution, reflecting Pfizer's operational rigor.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time, 40-hour work week. While hybrid, the demands of a Director-level role in a global organization may require flexibility to accommodate different time zones and critical project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role, combined with the requirement for significant cross-functional interaction, indicates an environment that values both independent work and collaborative problem-solving. The La Jolla location places the role within a significant life sciences cluster.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will likely assess basic qualifications and interest.
• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the Senior Director, Head of Marketing UX to evaluate strategic thinking, leadership experience, and fit for the role.
• Panel Interviews: Potential interviews with key stakeholders from UX, Brand, Product, and Development teams to assess collaboration skills and domain expertise.
• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session to present and discuss past work, focusing on design system strategy, implementation, and impact. This is a critical stage for this role.
• Executive Interview: Final interview with senior leadership to assess strategic alignment and overall contribution to Pfizer's goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Design Systems: Present 2-3 comprehensive case studies specifically detailing your experience with design systems. Highlight the problem, your strategic approach, the process of development and implementation, the tools used, and the measurable outcomes.
• Quantify Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the business value and user impact. Use data and metrics (e.g., reduction in design/development time, increase in brand consistency scores, user satisfaction improvements) wherever possible.
• Demonstrate Leadership: Showcase how you influenced stakeholders, managed cross-functional teams, and drove adoption of design systems. Emphasize your ability to communicate complex ideas effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Showcase Process: Explain your methodologies for governance, documentation, and continuous improvement of design systems. This demonstrates your understanding of operational excellence.
• Tailor to Pfizer: Research Pfizer's brand, digital presence, and product portfolio. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their specific needs and challenges.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design System Strategy Exercise: You might be asked to outline a strategy for evolving Pfizer's design system or address a specific challenge related to its adoption. Prepare to think critically about scalability, governance, and stakeholder buy-in.
• Process Improvement Scenario: Be ready to propose solutions for optimizing design workflows or improving cross-functional collaboration based on a given scenario.
• Stakeholder Management: Practice articulating the value of design systems and UX operations to different stakeholder groups, anticipating their concerns and tailoring your message.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount for this role. Candidates should prepare to articulate their strategic vision for design systems and demonstrate tangible results and leadership in driving adoption and operational efficiency.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design System Software: Figma is explicitly mentioned as a tool experience. Proficiency in other leading design tools (e.g., Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite) may also be beneficial.
• Project Management: Tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, or Monday.com for managing roadmaps, tasks, and cross-functional workflows.
• Collaboration Platforms: Microsoft Teams, Slack, Google Workspace for day-to-day communication and collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics for understanding user behavior on digital platforms.
• UX Research Tools: Tools for user testing, surveys, and feedback collection (e.g., UserTesting.com, SurveyMonkey).
• Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI, or similar for creating dashboards and reporting on design system adoption and impact.

CRM & Automation: While not directly the focus, familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms would be advantageous, as design systems often integrate with these. Understanding of Content Management Systems (CMS) is also preferred.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is a direct requirement. The role also necessitates comfort with project management and collaboration tools common in large, agile organizations. An understanding of how design systems integrate with broader digital marketing and content platforms is a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer-Centricity: A strong focus on delivering exceptional user experiences that align with customer needs and business objectives.
• Collaboration & Partnership: Emphasis on working effectively across diverse teams to achieve common goals and foster a unified brand presence.
• Efficiency & Scalability: Commitment to optimizing processes and building robust systems that enable efficient and scalable design implementation across a global organization.
• Data-Driven Innovation: Utilizing data and insights to inform decisions, drive improvements, and foster continuous innovation in design and UX operations.
• Accountability & Ownership: Taking responsibility for the strategic vision and operational success of Pfizer's design systems.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively engaging with and influencing marketing, UX, product, development, and legal teams to ensure design systems are adopted and integrated effectively.
• Process-Oriented Communication: Clear, concise, and data-backed communication to articulate the value, requirements, and impact of design systems.
• Feedback & Iteration: A culture that embraces feedback loops for continuous improvement of both the design system and the processes surrounding it.

📝 Enhancement Note: Pfizer's culture, especially in a regulated industry, likely emphasizes rigor, collaboration, and a commitment to quality. The operations values for this role will center on driving efficiency, consistency, and strategic impact through well-managed design systems.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Driving Enterprise-Wide Adoption: Overcoming resistance to change and ensuring consistent adoption of the design system across numerous teams and regions within a large, complex organization.
• Balancing Standardization and Flexibility: Maintaining brand consistency and efficiency through the design system while allowing for necessary product innovation and team autonomy.
• Keeping Pace with Evolving Technology & Trends: Continuously updating the design system to incorporate new UI/UX patterns, emerging technologies, and evolving user expectations.
• Measuring and Communicating ROI: Quantifying the tangible business benefits of design systems to secure ongoing investment and stakeholder buy-in.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Regulated Industries: Gaining specialized knowledge of UX and design operations within the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.
• Enterprise-Scale Design Systems: Mastering the complexities of managing design systems for a global brand with diverse product lines.
• Leadership & Influence: Developing advanced skills in stakeholder management, change leadership, and strategic program execution.
• Industry Best Practices: Staying abreast of the latest trends in UX, design operations, and digital product development through conferences, training, and internal knowledge sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges for this role are typical of enterprise-level design system initiatives, requiring strong leadership, strategic thinking, and excellent change management skills. The growth opportunities are significant, offering deep specialization and broad leadership development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you define the strategic vision for Pfizer's marketing design system over the next 2-3 years, considering our diverse digital products and global reach?" (Focus on long-term impact, scalability, and alignment with business goals.)
• "Describe your approach to governing and evolving a design system for a large, enterprise-level organization. What are the key components of a successful governance model?" (Highlight processes, roles, feedback loops, and documentation.)
• "How do you measure the success and ROI of a design system? What key metrics would you track and report to senior leadership at Pfizer?" (Prepare to discuss quantitative and qualitative measures, e.g., efficiency gains, consistency scores, user satisfaction.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Pfizer operates in a highly regulated industry. How would you ensure our design system adheres to compliance and brand integrity requirements while remaining user-friendly?" (Demonstrate understanding of industry constraints and ability to balance them with UX principles.)
• "How do you foster collaboration and drive adoption of a design system among diverse teams with potentially competing priorities?" (Provide examples of your change management and communication strategies.)
• "What do you see as the biggest opportunities and challenges for UX and design operations at a company like Pfizer?" (Show research into Pfizer's digital landscape and industry trends.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation around 2-3 key design system projects. For each, clearly state the objective, your role, the challenge, your strategic solution, the process you followed, the tools used, and the measurable outcomes.
• Focus on Impact: Emphasize the "so what?" – how did your work drive business value, improve user experience, or increase operational efficiency for previous organizations? Use data and visuals effectively.
• Demonstrate Leadership: Highlight instances where you influenced stakeholders, managed complex projects, or led cross-functional teams.
• Address Pfizer's Context: Be prepared to connect your experience directly to Pfizer's potential needs. How can your expertise help them achieve their goals?

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily emphasize strategic thinking, program management, and the ability to articulate the value and operational aspects of design systems. The portfolio presentation is a key component, so candidates should practice their storytelling and data visualization skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Product Director position:

• Submit your application through the Pfizer careers portal via the provided Workday link.
• Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume to highlight experience in design systems, UX strategy, program management, cross-functional leadership, and agile methodologies. Use keywords from the job description, such as "design system," "UX strategy," "program leadership," "cross-functional collaboration," and "Figma." Quantify achievements with metrics wherever possible.
• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 strong case studies focusing on design system implementation, evolution, and impact. Ensure these clearly demonstrate your strategic thinking, process, and ability to drive results. Be ready to present these powerfully.
• Research Pfizer: Understand Pfizer's mission, values, product portfolio, and recent digital initiatives. Consider how your experience aligns with their strategic objectives, especially within the healthcare industry context.
• Practice Interview Questions: Prepare for behavioral and situational questions, focusing on your leadership style, problem-solving approach, and experience managing complex projects and stakeholders. Practice articulating your design system strategy and its benefits.

⚠️ 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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