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Creative Lead_Chicago, IL

Photon Career Site
Full-time
On-site
United States
๐ŸŒ Digital Marketing

๐Ÿ“Œ Core Information

๐Ÿ”น Job Title: Creative Lead

๐Ÿ”น Company: Photon

๐Ÿ”น Location: Chicago, IL

๐Ÿ”น Job Type: Full time

๐Ÿ”น Category: Design

๐Ÿ”น Date Posted: 2025-06-21

๐Ÿ”น Experience Level: 5-10 years

๐Ÿ”น Remote Status: On-site

๐Ÿš€ Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

  • Leading UX design for a suite of products and collaborating with a team of designers
  • Integrating the work of fellow designers to create a seamless and unified user experience
  • Strong focus on ecommerce, retail experience, and mobile design
  • Working in a truly agile environment and collaborating with product management and engineering

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of design leadership and experience in ecommerce and retail design, with a strong focus on mobile. The candidate should be comfortable working in an agile environment and collaborating with various teams.

๐Ÿ“‹ Key Responsibilities

โœ… Lead UX design for a suite of products, working across a team of designers

โœ… Integrate the work of fellow designers to create a seamless and unified user experience

โœ… Experience working in ecommerce, retail experience, and very strong with mobile design

โœ… Work collaboratively inside a cross-functional team, providing design leadership inside a truly agile environment

โœ… Work closely with product management and engineering, providing your design perspective to help ensure a unified and cohesive experience

โœ… Conduct user needs assessment, task analysis, and develop user profiles; identify key tasks for user research, competitive analysis, user testing, and develop usability plans

โœ… Rapidly iterate theoretical task scenarios, navigation map, flow, and state-transition diagrams to document design decisions

โœ… Participate in documentation development processes such as user experience specifications, testing and evaluation

โœ… Create end-to-end detailed design deliverables as a series of Information architecture, wireframes, flowcharts, and interactive prototypes

ASSUMPTION: The role involves a wide range of design responsibilities, from user research and analysis to creating detailed design deliverables. The candidate should be comfortable with all aspects of the UX design process.

๐ŸŽฏ Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field

Experience: 5-10 years of experience in UX design, with a focus on ecommerce and retail design

Required Skills:

  • Proven experience leading a team of designers
  • Strong proficiency in Sketch, Adobe XD, Illustrator, and Photoshop
  • Experience with prototyping tools such as InVision, Axure, Framer, Principle, and Figma
  • Familiarity with collaboration tools such as Abstract
  • Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams
  • Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make data-driven design decisions

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience with AI and machine learning technologies
  • Familiarity with agile development methodologies

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong background in UX design, with a focus on ecommerce and retail design. Experience leading a team of designers and proficiency in relevant design tools are essential for this role.

๐Ÿ’ฐ Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: USD 56,000 - USD 196,000 per year. This range is based on industry standards for a UX design role with 5-10 years of experience in Chicago, IL.

Benefits:

  • Medical, vision, and dental benefits
  • 401k retirement plan
  • Variable pay/incentives
  • Paid time off and paid holidays

Working Hours: Full-time position with standard business hours. The role may require occasional overtime to meet project deadlines.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications. The benefits package is competitive and designed to attract and retain top talent in the UX design field.

๐Ÿ“Œ Applicant Insights

๐Ÿ” Company Context

Industry: Photon is a global leader in AI and digital solutions, helping clients accelerate AI adoption and embrace DigitalHyper-expansionยฎ to โ€˜make tomorrow happen todayโ€™. They work with 40% of the Fortune 100, enabling them to stay agile and future-ready in an era of converging digital and AI boundaries.

Company Size: Photon employs several thousand people across dozens of countries, making it a large organization with ample opportunities for career growth and development.

Founded: Photon was founded in 2007 and has since grown to become a global leader in its industry.

Company Description:

  • Photon combines AI management, digital innovation, product design thinking, and engineering excellence to drive lasting transformation for F500 clients

  • The company powers billions of touchpoints a day, working with clients to stay agile and future-ready in an ever-changing digital landscape
  • Photon's team of experts helps clients accelerate AI adoption and embrace DigitalHyper-expansionยฎ to achieve their business goals

Company Specialties:

  • Internet of Things
  • API management
  • Mobile
  • Big Data & Analytics
  • Chatbots
  • Website development
  • Creative agency
  • Digital strategy
  • Systems integrator
  • Digital agency
  • MarTech
  • Data Tech
  • Cloud Technologies
  • Supply Chain
  • Payment Technologies
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Machine Learning
  • Generative AI
  • Managed Sevices
  • AI Management
  • Digital Product Engineering
  • Digital Innovation

Company Website: photon.com

ASSUMPTION: Working at Photon offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects with a global impact. The company's large size and diverse range of specialties provide ample opportunities for career growth and development.

๐Ÿ“Š Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is suitable for an experienced UX designer looking to take the next step in their career and lead a team of designers. The ideal candidate will have 5-10 years of experience in UX design, with a focus on ecommerce and retail design.

Reporting Structure: The Creative Lead will report directly to the Head of Design and will be responsible for leading a team of UX designers.

Work Arrangement: This is an on-site position, requiring the candidate to work from Photon's office in Chicago, IL. However, the company may consider a hybrid or remote work arrangement for the right candidate.

Growth Opportunities:

  • As the Creative Lead, the candidate will have the opportunity to grow and develop their leadership skills, as well as their technical skills in UX design
  • The role offers the chance to work on a wide range of projects and collaborate with diverse teams, providing ample opportunities for learning and growth
  • Photon's large size and diverse range of specialties provide ample opportunities for career progression within the organization

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, both in terms of leadership development and technical skill-building. Photon's large size and diverse range of specialties provide ample opportunities for career progression within the organization.

๐ŸŒ Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Photon's office in Chicago, IL is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster creativity and innovation.

Office Location(s): 11 East Adams Street Suite 1100, Chicago, IL 60603

Geographic Context:

  • Chicago is a major city in the United States, known for its vibrant culture, diverse neighborhoods, and rich history
  • The city is home to a thriving tech industry, with numerous startups and established companies calling it home
  • Chicago offers a high quality of life, with excellent dining, entertainment, and cultural attractions

Work Schedule: The work schedule for this role is Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with a one-hour lunch break. The role may require occasional overtime to meet project deadlines.

ASSUMPTION: Working at Photon's Chicago office offers a modern, collaborative work environment with ample opportunities for growth and development. The city of Chicago provides a high quality of life, with excellent dining, entertainment, and cultural attractions.

๐Ÿ’ผ Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

  • Online application and resume submission
  • Phone or video screen with the HR team
  • On-site interview with the hiring manager and team members
  • Portfolio review and design challenge
  • Final interview with the Head of Design

Key Assessment Areas:

  • Design skills and portfolio
  • Leadership and team management skills
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking skills
  • Communication and collaboration skills
  • Cultural fit and alignment with Photon's values

Application Tips:

  • Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
  • Include a portfolio of your design work, showcasing your process and results
  • Prepare for the design challenge by researching Photon's design system and style guide
  • Be ready to discuss your design process and decision-making in detail
  • Research Photon's company culture and values, and be prepared to discuss how you align with them

ATS Keywords: UX design, ecommerce, retail experience, mobile design, user research, usability testing, information architecture, wireframing, prototyping, agile environment, cross-functional collaboration, team leadership, design tools, prototyping tools, collaboration tools, communication platform

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is designed to assess the candidate's design skills, leadership potential, and cultural fit. Applicants should be prepared to showcase their design process and decision-making, as well as their alignment with Photon's values.

๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Tools & Technologies

  • Sketch
  • Adobe XD
  • Illustrator
  • Photoshop
  • InVision
  • Axure
  • Framer
  • Principle
  • Figma
  • Abstract
  • Microsoft Teams

ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies listed are commonly used in UX design and are relevant to this role. The candidate should be proficient in these tools and technologies, with a willingness to learn and adapt to new tools as needed.

๐Ÿ‘” Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

  • Innovation
  • Collaboration
  • Customer-centricity
  • Integrity
  • Accountability
  • Agility

Work Style:

  • Photon values a collaborative and inclusive work environment, where everyone's ideas are heard and valued
  • The company encourages a growth mindset and continuous learning
  • Photon fosters a culture of innovation and experimentation, where employees are encouraged to take risks and learn from failure

Self-Assessment Questions:

  • Do you thrive in a collaborative and inclusive work environment?
  • Are you comfortable taking risks and learning from failure?
  • Do you have a growth mindset and a passion for continuous learning?

ASSUMPTION: Photon values a collaborative and inclusive work environment, where everyone's ideas are heard and valued. The company encourages a growth mindset and continuous learning, fostering a culture of innovation and experimentation. Candidates should assess their fit with these values and work styles before applying.

โš ๏ธ Potential Challenges

  • The role requires leading a team of designers, which may present challenges in terms of delegation, communication, and conflict resolution
  • Photon's large size and diverse range of specialties may present challenges in terms of navigating the organization and finding relevant resources
  • The role may require occasional overtime to meet project deadlines, which may present challenges in terms of work-life balance
  • Chicago's cold winters and hot summers may present challenges for some candidates

ASSUMPTION: The role presents several potential challenges, including leading a team of designers, navigating a large organization, maintaining work-life balance, and adapting to Chicago's climate. Candidates should be aware of these challenges and prepared to address them.

๐Ÿ“ˆ Similar Roles Comparison

  • This role is similar to a Senior UX Designer role, but with additional leadership responsibilities
  • Unlike some UX design roles, this role requires experience in ecommerce and retail design, with a strong focus on mobile
  • This role offers significant growth opportunities, both in terms of leadership development and technical skill-building

ASSUMPTION: This role is similar to a Senior UX Designer role, but with additional leadership responsibilities. Unlike some UX design roles, this role requires experience in ecommerce and retail design, with a strong focus on mobile. The role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate.

๐Ÿ“ Sample Projects

  • Redesigning the checkout process for an ecommerce platform to improve conversion rates
  • Developing a mobile app for a retail store, allowing customers to browse products, make purchases, and manage their accounts
  • Conducting user research and usability testing to inform the design of a new product feature

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are relevant to the role's responsibilities and provide a sense of the types of projects the candidate may work on. The candidate should be prepared to discuss their experience with similar projects and how they approached them.

โ“ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

  • Can you describe the team I will be leading and their current level of experience and skill?
  • How does Photon support the professional development of its designers?
  • Can you describe the design process and how it is implemented at Photon?
  • How does Photon measure the success of its design projects?
  • What is the typical work-life balance like for a Creative Lead at Photon?

ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to help the candidate understand the role's responsibilities, the team they will be leading, and the company's design process and culture. The candidate should be prepared to ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate their interest in the role and the company.

๐Ÿ“Œ Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

  • Submit your application through this link
  • Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
  • Include a portfolio of your design work, showcasing your process and results
  • Prepare for the design challenge by researching Photon's design system and style guide
  • Be ready to discuss your design process and decision-making in detail
  • Research Photon's company culture and values, and be prepared to discuss how you align with them
  • Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role

โš ๏ธ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.