Hi, I'm Jayse ;]
Seasoned Product Designer and UX Researcher located in Brooklyn, NY with a proven track record of establishing and leading departments, fostering user-centered design, and driving business growth for high-profile clients and mission-driven small businesses. Seeking a strategic leadership role where I can leverage my deep expertise in design, research, and cross-functional collaboration to create impactful, data-driven solutions that enhance user experiences and support business objectives.
EXPERIENCE
Product Design & UX Research
Freelance Consultant - Remote
Feb 2020 - Present
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Strategically applying my product and UX expertise to support select small businesses of color that are making a significant impact in their communities.
Implementing user-centered design and research methods, enabling data-driven, iterative product development and scaling through impactful digital solutions.
Partnering with business owners and teams to deliver insights that drive customer engagement, improve service offerings, and expand business growth.
UX Mentor & Career Coach
Designlab - Remote
Jul 2023 - Present
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Mentoring aspiring UX/UI designers in 1:1 sessions, providing personalized instruction on design principles and feedback on assignments, fostering growth in both design principles and hands-on design skills.
Coach UX Academy graduates in 1:1 sessions, providing guidance on resumes, portfolios, cover letters, job search strategies, interviewing, whiteboard challenges, take-home challenges, negotiating offers, and networking, leading to successful job placements at top companies.
Head of Product Research
Onna Technologies, Inc. - Remote
Oct 2020 - Jun 2022
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Created the UX research department from the ground up at a Series B tech startup. Initially focused on delivering data-driven insights within the company's innovative sector, I successfully expanded the role of UX research to scale across Onna's core product, collaborating cross-functionally and aligning with stakeholders’ goals.
Directed research for Onna’s 0-to-1 product, establishing the foundational direction through comprehensive qualitative and quantitative market and user research, product design, and usability testing. Collaborated closely with the CPDO, design team, and engineering team to make data-driven decisions from ideation to launch.
Launched 15 studies across 6 teams and developed both integrated and standalone research processes with guides and templates, enabling teams to conduct efficient, lightweight research and make data-driven decisions swiftly.
Head of Product Design
Alice Financial - Brooklyn, NY
Feb 2019 - Nov 2019
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Ran a design department of 7 inside a series A fintech startup, building a design system, conducting research and testing, growing branding, and delivering designs for 5 product arms.
Overhauled and launched a new acquisition funnel for Open Enrollment, solving 60+ use cases, which led to an increased acquisition of new users and retention of current users.
Achieved a 25% increase in product enablement, 7% in customer support efficiencies, and 50% design efficiencies, increasing operational efficiencies and streamlining internal processes.
UX Design Immersive Lead Instructor
General Assembly - New York, NY
Jun 2018 - Nov 2018
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Led an instructional team of 7 and taught 40+ students across 2 cohorts, from the foundations of UX design to the UX job market, resulting in successful job placements at leading companies.
Redesigned the UX curriculum by updating and refining lessons to align with current job market trends, enhancing course relevance and maximizing students' employability.
Established GA’s first alumni program, connecting recent graduates with new students. This initiative provided new students with additional resources and allowed recent grads to refine their design skills while job hunting.
Created projects, lecture decks, team building activities, rubrics, knowledge checks, and feedback forms; taught lessons, graded assignments, gave 1:1 mentorship, facilitated workshops, and sourced clients and guest speakers.
Head of UX
Firstborn - New York, NY
Feb 2014 - Jun 2016
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Founded the agency’s first UX department, scaling a research lab and securing $1.2M in new business.
Directed end-to-end UX projects from pitch to delivery for key clients including PepsiCo, HBO, and Sony, conducting user research, defining requirements, and creating wireframes, site maps, user flows, and prototypes, while collaborating with clients and cross-functional teams to ensure seamless design handoffs and successful product launches.
Recruited, mentored, and led a team of 10+ UX designers, boosting the company’s capabilities and driving product success through improved acquisition, engagement, and retention.
UX Director
Rokkan - New York, NY
Jan 2012 - Jan 2014
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Developed UX processes and templates that increased operational efficiency by $250K and directly contributed to securing $7M in new business.
Led end-to-end UX projects from pitch to delivery for major clients including Chipotle, AmEx, and PwC, producing user research, requirements, storyboards, wireframes, site maps, user flows, content flows, and prototypes while collaborating with clients and cross-functional teams to ensure seamless design handoffs and successful product launches.
Strengthened the UX department’s capabilities by delivering presentations, facilitating workshops, and providing ongoing mentorship to foster professional growth and skill development.
Lead Experience Architect
Freelance Consultant - New York, NY
Oct 2009 - Dec 2011
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Directed experience architecture for prominent clients including Cathay Pacific, MSNBC, and Proctor & Gamble, crafting comprehensive requirements, site maps, user flows, and wireframes while collaborating with clients and cross-functional teams to ensure seamless design handoffs and successful product launches.
Senior Information Architect
SapientRazorfish - New York, NY
Jun 2006 - May 2010
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Led the information architecture for high-profile clients including Associated Press, T. Rowe Price, and HGTV, delivering detailed requirements, site maps, user flows, and wireframes while collaborating with clients, project managers, business analysts, visual designers, and engineers to ensure successful design handoffs and project launches.
Webmaster
Freelance Consultant - Philadelphia, PA & Washington DC
Jul 2003 - May 2006
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Implemented an internal database for The World Bank, streamlining data access by removing redundancies, optimizing data cleanliness, and improving information retrieval efficiency.
Designed over 100 print graphics for The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers’ annual fundraiser event, enhancing visual branding of the event’s marketing materials.
Served as the primary technical problem solver for the Institute for the Arts in Education, managing all technology-related tasks including web design.
SKILLS
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Product Management: Feature Prioritization, User Stories, Cross-Functional Leadership, Sprint Planning, Iterative Design, Requirements, User-Centered Design, Storytelling
Product & UX Design: Wireframing, Prototyping, Interaction Design, User Flows, Use Cases, Journey Mapping, Information Architecture, Content Strategy, Communication Strategy
UX Research: Qualitative & Quantitative Methods, Moderated & Unmoderated Tests, Usability Testing, Interviews, Surveys, A/B Testing, Card Sorting, Tree Tests, Persona Development, Competitive Analysis, Market Research
Tools: Figma, Miro, FullStory, UserZoom, Adobe XD, Adobe Creative Suite, SurveyMonkey, Asana, Jiro, Trello, Pendo
Mentorship: Coaching, Instruction, Team Building, Growth and Performance
AWARDS
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Red Dot Interface + Information: Pepsi Spire 2.0
Gold A’ Design Interface + Interaction: Pepsi Spire 2.0
Silver A’ Design Interface + Interaction: Pepsi Spire 5.0
Merit Graphis Design User Interface: Pepsi Spire 5.0
Finalist Edison Award: Pepsi Spire 5.0
Gold & Silver Creativity International 45tth Media & Interactive Design: Pepsi Spire 5.0
One Show Interactive Bronze Pencil: Chipotle Ordering App
Webby Award Mobile Honoree: Chipotle Ordering App
FWA July 23 Mobile of the Day: Chipotle Ordering App
Digiday Mobi Award Finalist: Chipotle Ordering App
Winner SXSW Hive Awards UX & IA: Food.com Beta & HGTV
MEDIA
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Women in STEM: Panelist
How Social Media is Changing TV: Rokkan Blog
The Evolution of the Online Dating Experience, UX Magazine
VOLUNTEER
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ADPList: 2024 - Present, Remote
Fireside Project: 2022 - Present, Remote
North Brooklyn Angels: 2020, Brooklyn, NY
APA NPC17 Data Jam: 2017, New York, NY
Barrel + Barc Website: 2010, New York, NY
EDUCATION
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Psychedelic Practitioner Core Training Certificate: Synthesis Institute
Customer Analytics Certificate: Wharton UPenn
Social Psychology Certificate: Wesleyan University
Web Design Certificate: University of the Arts
B.A., Computer Science: George Washington University