Director of User Experience, Foundations

About the RoleAs a Director of User Experience, Foundations at Gap, Inc., you will be a visionary leader, shaping the future of retail by crafting exceptional and seamless digital experiences for millions of customers across our iconic house of brands. Leading and inspiring 3-5 teams of UX professionals, you will be a manager of managers, a mentor and a champion for customer obsession and high-quality design. Collaborating closely with cross-functional partners, you will drive user-centric strategies that not only fuel business growth but also redefine how customers connect with our brands. You'll be the driving force behind the evolution and implementation of our digital design system, Fabric. In this crucial role, you'll ensure a seamless and exceptional user experience across all Gap, Inc. digital products. By managing the development, maintenance, and distribution of Fabric, you'll guarantee it scales effectively and meets the diverse needs of our users. This position demands a strong leader with deep expertise in design systems, component libraries, and cross-functional collaboration.What You'll Do

• Strategic Planning and Alignment:

  • Develop and execute a strategic roadmap for user experience initiatives.

  • Create and maintain a user-centered design process aligned with business goals.

• Domain Knowledge:

  • Leverage expertise across the end-to-end retail experience, including in-store, e-commerce, inventory management, media, trends, and emerging technologies.

  • Stay informed about customer insights to drive innovation.

• Navigating The Org / Influence:

  • Build strong relationships and collaborate effectively across departments.

  • Influence decision-makers by communicating the value of user-centric design solutions.

• Cross-functional Partnership:

  • Foster collaboration between UX, data, product, engineering, and brand partners.

  • Ensure alignment on user experience goals, priorities, and measures of success.

• Leadership, Strategy, and Vision:

  • Provide visionary leadership to the UX team and the organization, setting clear goals and expectations.

  • Establish a culture of continuous improvement and innovation in UX practices.

• Problem Framing and Scoping:

  • Define complex business problems and translate them into actionable UX strategies.

  • Collaborate with stakeholders to prioritize and scope UX projects effectively.

• Problem Mitigation and Solving:

  • Lead the resolution of UX-related issues and challenges.

  • Foster a problem-solving mindset within the UX team.

• Organization-Wide Planning, Structure, & Utilization:

  • Establish a UX organization that supports user-centricity at all levels.

  • Optimize the utilization of UX resources and budgets.

• Developing Great Talent:

  • Mentor and coach across the org, fostering their growth and development.

  • Identify skill gaps and implement training programs to enhance the team's capabilities.

  • Provide constructive feedback to team members to drive continuous improvement.

Who You Are

• 12+ years of experience in UX design, with at least 2+ years leading, hiring, and managing other managers

• Extensive experience leading and scaling design systems across large, complex organizations, ensuring consistency and efficiency in digital product development.

• Proven track record of managing and optimizing Content Management Systems (CMS), including implementation, integration, and governance strategies.

• Proven experience in UX leadership roles, preferably in e-commerce or enterprise environments.

• Strong case studies showcasing successful UX leadership and solutions.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to balance strategic thinking with pragmatic decision-making.