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User Experience Manager, ProQuest Information and Learning
Jun 15 05
Source: Direct Submission
User Experience Manager
ProQuest Information and Learning (headquartered in Ann Arbor, MI) is the acknowledged leader in bringing web-based research tools to libraries and educators around the world. Explore our exciting, challenging positions - an opportunity to be an integral contributor in the creative development of information transformation, allowing users to search 12 terabytes of data.
Join our stimulating work environment, based on mutual respect, creating award-winning products and rewarding career opportunities. Experience a dynamic, innovative work environment where your contribution will have a high impact on our success.
JOB DESCRIPTION
This position has two areas of responsibility:
80% - interface design for various product development projects, and
20% - managing a small team of interface designers in doing the same.
User Experience Designer:
Design and manage interfaces to help people use Internet-based research database applications easily and effectively. As a member of a product development team, this position entails contextual user research including in-depth customer interviews, knowledge and application of usability analysis and design, rendering interface design prototyping, working closely with internal publishing staff to satisfy their product and business objectives, and working closely with software and content development staffs to convey requirements, understand and work within technical constraints, and optimize the efficiency of design implementations.
Group Manager:
Work with colleagues in other functional groups to ensure product development projects and sustaining activities have appropriately allocated support from the interface design group. Assign projects to interface designers and monitor progress as necessary to ensure progress against deliverables on schedule. Set annual goals for and conduct annual performance reviews with each group member. Coach individual direct-reports as necessary to improve performance and continuously increase design capabilities.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Following are the primary responsibilities of this position:
Research and analyze
• Interview internal publishing, marketing and sales staff to develop an understanding of product concepts and business objectives.
• Perform contextual user research and in-depth customer interviews.
• Monitor customer and user feedback as well as market and technology trends to continually identify opportunities for improvement.
• Analyze diverse user, customer and business needs to define product requirements.
Design and iterate
• Create interface design concepts of product applications, features and enhancements.
• Develop design renderings/wireframes defining the user interface form, function, navigation, interaction, and basic screen design.
• Perform usability analysis and design to ensure ease-of-use for target user populations and accessibility per ADA Section 508 requirements and W3C WAI guidelines.
Prototype and test
• Create HTML prototypes which approximate a functional product interface for the purposes of evaluation, customer review and usability testing.
• Design usability tests, draft test scripts, and work with independent test facilitator to arrange for and perform usability testing with target user groups.
Implementation
• Consult with software and content developers to understand and accommodate technical constraints.
• Write detailed functional requirements documentation to convey design elements and interactions to the product development team.
• Consult with project team including marketing, technical writing, and customer support staffs throughout development and rollout to ensure designs are understood, implemented and communicated appropriately.
Staff Management
• Coordinate with functional and project managers to allocate design resource to active projects.
• Assign projects to staff members and ensure quality and timeliness of deliverables.
• Conduct annual performance reviews and establish annual goals and objectives for staff members.
EXPERIENCE / SKILLS / EDUCATION:
• Knowledge and experience in usability analysis, design and test methods with a focus on human-computer interface design.
• Experience working with end-users, customers, marketing, product management and developers. Demonstrated capability to work effectively in a multifunctional team.
• Experience with web technologies including HTML and JavaScript, and a solid grasp of software product development tools and processes.
• Proficiency in online searching, reference, and information access tools.
• Familiarity with public and academic libraries, the library market, or library science.
• 2-3 years experience in managing a staff including responsibility for assigning projects, setting goals and objectives, coaching and conducting performance reviews.
• 2-3 years industry experience in libraries, information architecture, usability design, information technology, or a closely related field.
• Strong communication skills including technical writing and speaking to small groups.
• Must be self-motivated, able to work independently and thrive in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment while maintaining excellent working relationships with people in a wide variety of functional areas.
• Ability to travel overnight, estimated 10%.
• Bachelors degree minimum, Masters degree desired in Library Science, Computer-Human Interface, Computer Science, Cognitive Psychology, or related field.
For the right individual, this is an opportunity to contribute significantly to the development of products that facilitate research in academic, public and government libraries. No relocation funds are available for this position.
Interested individuals should contact John Law 734-975-6213 / john.law@il.proquest.com