Manager, Digital Product Design

Role Overview

We are seeking a strategic Digital Product Designer for a 12-month contract to lead key digital transformation initiatives within our Global Asset Management (GAM) division. This role is pivotal in bridging the gap between user needs and business strategy. You will drive the design thinking process, navigating ambiguity to define problem spaces and create high-impact strategic artefacts that guide product development.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Discovery: Lead discovery initiatives to align cross-functional teams on problem definition and strategic direction, ensuring user-centricity at every stage.
• User Research & Synthesis: Conduct qualitative research (interviews, contextual inquiry, competitive analysis) and synthesise findings into journey maps, personas, and ecosystem maps.
• Workshop Facilitation: Design and lead collaborative ideation sessions and workshops for both virtual and in-person environments to drive innovation.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Present complex strategic insights and research findings to stakeholders at all levels, including executive leadership, to influence decision-making.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with business, operations, technology, and development teams to ensure design feasibility and strategic alignment.

What program/technology/software knowledge is essential for this role? Describe in what capacity the selected candidate will be using it:

• Qualitative research tools: For conducting user interviews, contextual inquiry, synthesis (e.g., Mural, Notes)
• Workshop facilitation tools: Virtual and in-person collaboration platforms (e.g., Mural)
• Design and visualization software: Creating journey maps, personas, ecosystem maps (e.g., Figma, Mural, PPT)
• Digital analytics tools: Understanding metrics and impact reporting for data-driven decision making (nice-to-have)

 

Must-have Skills/Experiences and/or Education, certifications, qualifications, designations:

Education:

·        Undergraduate or Graduate degree in Sociology, Anthropology, History, Psychology, Strategic Foresight, Humanities, Cultural Studies, Political Science, Business, or equivalent work experience

Experience:

·        3-7 years of experience in product strategy, design, consulting, and/or research

Skills:

·        Strong qualitative research skills including methodology selection, user recruitment, research guide development, and insight synthesis

·        Deep understanding of design thinking methodologies, tools, and research methods

·        Strong facilitation skills; comfortable planning and leading collaborative virtual and in-person workshops

·        Ability to synthesize complex information and present insights in simplified, visually appealing ways to stakeholders at all levels

·        Ability to collect diverse stakeholder feedback and iterate on outputs

·        Big picture thinking and strategic mindset

·        Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal skills

·        Ability to navigate ambiguity in fast-paced environments

**** 

Nice-to-have Skills/Experience and/or Education, certifications, qualifications, designations:

·        Experience in the financial services sector or corporate setting

·        Awareness of AI/ML capabilities and how they can solve business problems

·        Experience with digital analytics tools, metrics and impact reporting, and enabling data-driven decision making

·        Experience working in large, matrixed organizations

·        Knowledge of wealth management or asset management products/services

Soft skills:

·        Curiosity and empathy

·        Strategic thinking

·        Collaborative mindset

·        Adaptability and comfort with ambiguity

·        Strong stakeholder management

·        Influence and persuasion

·        Problem-solving orientation

·        Active listening

·        Executive presence

·        Facilitation and workshop leadership