Viget Labs - We Build Web Business

Design Director

Viget Labs is a full-service web consulting firm based in Falls Church, VA.  We've been a new kind of web shop for 8 years now.  Part design studio, part software development shop, part strategy firm, and part marketing company, we exist to build highly-effective web sites for online start-ups, non-profits, and traditional businesses. Our exceptional work has earned us a national reputation that attracts some exciting clients.  And, we're just getting started.

We have a growing staff of 30 in two offices (Falls Church, VA is our HQ, and Durham, NC is our first remote office, now with 5 folks).  Our design team consists of 6 very talented, motivated designers.  We're seeking an exceptional Design Director to join the HQ team.  She/He might be a senior designer looking to take that next big step, or an already-Director level pro looking for a new set of challenges.  Specific experience isn't as important as passion -- for web standards, UX design, mentoring others, working with start-ups, growing professionally, and leading a team that does some of the best design work in the world.

For the right person, we humbly believe that this is a dream opportunity to plug into a small company that has a ton of talent and momentum and to really have an impact.

THE JOB

Lead the Design Team

• Work in partnership with Peyton Crump, our Durham, NC-based Design Director
• Mentor/manage our 5 web & Flash designers in our Falls Church, VA headquarters
• Facilitate internal design reviews, team meetings, and weekly individual check-in meetings
• Complete annual performance and salary reviews
• Identify learning/training opportunities for the design team

Do Great Work

• Oversee all design work and provide senior input across multiple projects, including working with each major client
• Participate in early stages of projects to set the creative direction
• Roll up your sleeves and do web design work on key clients (approximately 50% of your time)
• Continue to push the team to improve and raise our already high design standards
• Work with Project Managers to provide time estimates, allocate resources, and maximize designer time utilization
• Work within our cross-functional team structure (developers, marketers, strategists, etc.) to create complete solutions

Help Sell

• Work with Viget's CEO and other team members to help win new client work
• Help identify and close opportunities to expand work with existing clients

Direct the Company

• Work with senior management to set the strategic direction for the company
• Work with directors of other groups (e.g., development) to ensure processes are integrated effectively and our ability to work closely is upheld
• Proactively suggest ways to improve the Viget design process

Raise the Profile

• Blog actively on Viget's blog(s) to help share knowledge (and Viget's reputation) within the design community
• Attend local community events
• Identify conferences we should attend and attend them (or send someone)
• When possible, speak at said conferences

Grow the Design Team

• Brainstorm creative ways to identify and connect with new designers
• Help recruit, interview, and hire them

YOUR SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

You must:

• Be a "web" person with a design background (please submit a portfolio with a description of what work you completed and what you directed)
• Have a passion for interface, information, and experience design (not just the graphics)
• Have a strong knowledge of:
• UI design principles
• Interaction design guidelines
• Information architecture
• Usability
• Web standards
• Industry standards and best practices
• Typography
• Have experience leading collaboration & creative brainstorming sessions
• Have excellent client presentation and communication skills
• Have knowledge of the production process (HTML, CSS, JavaScript a plus)
• Possess solid business acumen, and an ability to participate in strategic planning workshops
• Have a proven ability to lead creative professionals
• Have a BFA, MFA, or equivalent work experience
• Have 8-10 years professional experience

For our latest insight on web design and to get to know some of the people you would be working with here, check out www.teamviget.com and the design category on the Four Labs blog.

How To Apply

To apply, send your resume, salary requirements, and web-based portfolio with details of your responsibilities for each sample to jobs.va@viget.com.  We’ll be in touch quickly if your resume and portfolio match what’s above. 

Compensation is commensurate with experience. EOE.