UX Designer (Lead) for CHILD CARE HUB

Position Title: UX Designer (Lead) for CHILD CARE HUB

Location: Brooklyn New York

Job Type: Contract

Duration: 12 Months

Work Schedule: Hybrid: 3 days per week on site and 2 days Remote

Pay Rate: $100 to $110 per hour

Job Description/Justification:

The goal of this project is to create a single digital hub for families to learn about their childcare options and find childcare for their children aged 5 and below. The hub will also support childcare providers by sharing information on how to begin and continue providing childcare services to New Yorkers. The hub will include relevant content and features that could include a detailed screening process for parents, referrals section, information about available childcare services, and/or a unified map/provider services locator of childcare providers.

The UX Design Lead, working with internal and external stakeholders, will lead the UX strategy and interaction design, as well as contribute to the front-end development for the childcare hub website. .

SCOPE OF SERVICES

The UX Design Lead is a strategic leader who advocates for user-driven and data-based digital experiences for New Yorkers.

This position will report to OTI Digital Service and work closely with the Innovation Team in the Mayor’s Office to improve the digital experience of childcare access for New Yorkers. The UX Design Lead will leverage interaction design and front-end development skills to create prototypes for user testing and implement design solutions that meet the needs of parents and childcare providers, ensuring the hub serves as a comprehensive resource for information, referrals, and services related to childcare in New York.

The Hub is nearing launch, so the position will be responsible for final design adjustments leading up to launch, as well as beginning to develop and test new feature prototypes for a version 2.0. After launch, the position will be responsible for tracking and analyzing performance metrics, refining the design, and building out and integrating new features for version 2.0.

TASKS:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product managers, UX researcher, content strategist, and developers, to translate user needs into design solutions
• Develop prototypes and high-fidelity designs for the childcare hub website
• Conduct prototype testing for new features, analyze findings, and develop design recommendations accordingly
• Collaborate with a content strategist to develop the overall content design strategy and enhance user experience

MANDATORY SKILLS/EXPERIENCE
Note: Candidates who do not have the mandatory skills will not be considered

• At least 8 years of proven experience in user experience and interaction design, with a strong portfolio showcasing successful consumer facing projects
• Proficiency in Figma with demonstrated experience in independently creating end-to-end design solutions
• Strong understanding of user-centered design processes, including the ability to create wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity designs that enhance usability and accessibility
• Ability to analyze and synthesize user research, feedback, and web analytics into design recommendations to improve the user experience
• Testing new features to improve a digital product
• Experience working with a content strategist to develop the overall content design strategy
• Experience working with both front-end and back-end developers to ensure seamless integration of design and functionality across digital products
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts and strategies clearly to partners and cross-functional teams

• • Ability to support stakeholder relationships in design process

DESIRABLE SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:

The successful candidate is expected, but not required to possess the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (e.g., Design or UX Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science).
• Experience working in cross-disciplinary teams, collaborating with product managers, engineers, and content strategists to deliver user-centered products and services
• Experience working in public sector or alongside government partners
• Strong ability to drive design projects from concept to implementation, with a comprehensive knowledge of design and design research methodologies
• Experience conducting usability testing or assisting in its implementation, with strong analytical skills to interpret user data and translate research insights into actionable design recommendations
• Familiarity working within limited design systems, adapting and extending existing components to meet user needs while considering technical feasibility
• Understanding of accessibility standards and best practices in design to ensure inclusivity for all users
• Exemplifies diversity, equity and inclusion work in design practice and past projects, with ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders across the city