Director of Design at Versant in Carlsbad, CA

Job description

Summary/Objective Full Swing's product design process runs through a defined set of stage gates, from initial concept and architecture alignment through multiple rounds of design review to final UI/UX sign-off, spanning our simulator software, companion apps, and web platforms. That process currently has no single design leader accountable for it end to end. This is an opportunity to build and lead a new Design Center of Excellence: establish design as a strategic, well-run function with its own standards, systems, and career path, rather than a set of individual contributors assembled reactively around whatever ships next. You will own the design vision and standards for the company, build and lead the team that executes on them, and be the design voice in cross-functional planning alongside engineering, product, and program leadership. You are measured on whether design work reaches a consistent, high bar across every product line, and on whether design is a strategic partner in planning. Primary Functions Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The design vision and standards for Full Swing's products, ensuring consistency in brand, UX, and interaction design across every active product line. A formal design review process, from concept and architecture alignment through final UI/UX sign-off, so design decisions are made deliberately and on a predictable cadence rather than ad hoc. Hiring, mentorship, and career growth for the design organization, including leveling, growth paths, and performance standards for an already existing and high performing small team. A shared design system, pattern library, and style guide used consistently across the company's software and web products. Design capacity planning across concurrent product lines, including making the case for additional headcount grounded in real workload data and product roadmaps. Direct partnership with engineering, product, QA, platform, and program management leadership to ensure design is engaged at the requirements and architecture stage. Design representation in executive and cross-functional planning, presenting strategy, trade-offs, and resourcing needs directly to senior leadership. Partnership with QA and Release Management so design sign-off functions as a genuine readiness gate. The craft bar for the organization: running critique, giving direct feedback, and holding the team to a consistent standard of execution. Required Education, Experience & Skills 10+ years of UX/UI or product design experience, including substantial experience leading and managing a design team. A track record of building or significantly scaling a design organization or practice, including establishing standards, systems, and review processes where they didn't previously exist. Experience partnering directly with engineering, product, and program leadership on cross-functional roadmaps and delivery, including presenting design strategy and trade-offs to senior or executive stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to allocate a design team's capacity across multiple concurrent product lines and defend resourcing decisions with evidence. Experience establishing or maintaining a design system, pattern library, or style guide at an organizational level. A strong portfolio demonstrating both individual design craft and the outcomes of teams you've led. Excellent written and verbal communication, comfortable setting a bar and holding the team and stakeholders to it. Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field, or equivalent hands-on experience. Preferred Education, Experience & Skills Experience leading design for a games, simulation, consumer hardware, or interactive entertainment product. Experience designing across both consumer-facing apps and internal/admin tooling (e.g., admin consoles, back-office utilities) at the same time. Experience running design across multiple