CV
SUMMARY
Experienced design leader known for expert collaboration, strategic thinking, and building strong design teams. Proven track record in streamlining processes, delivering human-centered design, and achieving high ROI.
Expert and thoughtful communicator who enhances cooperation between product, design, and engineering teams, fostering trust among team members at all levels.
Solutions-focused strategic partner, expert in guiding projects from concept to implementation, aligning with business goals, and balancing objectives with customer value.
Inclusive team leader and mentor who fosters mission-driven enthusiasm and promotes a growth mindset for all experience levels.
KEY SKILLS
User-Centered Design
Cross-Functional Collaboration
UX Strategy and Roadmapping
Team Leadership and Mentoring
Research and Design Process
Data-Driven Design
Stakeholder Alignment
Project Planning and Scoping
Agile Development Environments
Prototyping and Wireframing
Mobile UX
Content UX
EXPERIENCE
Principal, Human-Centered Design
National Grid
Waltham, MA, Remote, 2023 – Present
Leading Customer Group design at NG, applying holistic UX practices to drive efficient, high-impact digital transformation. Creating next-gen mobile apps and web experiences for residential customers.
Reduced mobile app delivery time and cost risks by implementing new cross-functional UX practices, using customer research and UX best practices to align and prioritize effectively.
Transitioned from contractors to internal team by onboarding new full-time design staff and promoting a collaborative cross-functional environment.
Led design for the launch of first-ever internally-built MVP mobile app, establishing foundational architecture and agile processes for future releases.
Leading a diverse team of product designers, writers, and researchers, fostering career growth and managing partner relations and stakeholder engagements.
Sr. Director, Content
Hatch
Palo Alto, CA, Remote from Boston, MA, 2022
Group leadership and design direction for subscription audio products promoting relaxation and sleep for adults and children, through connected app and device experiences.
Defined content product vision and strategy, and mobilized production capabilities for an audio subscription service and multi-device ecosystem catering to over 2 million members.
Launched over 700 original audio experiences for customers, leading to consistent monthly increases in subscription and retention.
Streamlined operations by enhancing cross-functional processes and project planning.
Managed multidisciplinary internal content team, onboarded over 20 new creator partners and subject matter experts.
Product Owner, Content Experience
Bose Corporation
Framingham, MA, 2018-2022
Joined through the Sync Project acquisition (see next entry) and swiftly appointed as Product Owner for Content. Responsible for developing and delivering content at-scale for Bose Sleepbuds, recognized with Best in Sleep Awards from health.com, techradar.com, Men's Health, and others.
Launched two generations of the acclaimed Bose Sleepbuds and multiple in-app content updates, enhancing sleep for Bose's global audience in over 15 languages.
Created credible marketing claims through structured quantitative and qualitative research for audio content, mobile app, and hardware UX testing.
Boosted cross-functional capability and productivity using data-driven design and research for personalized audio content interventions and mobile apps experiences.
Led teams, individuals, and contract partners in research, engineering, and design to develop and produce innovative audio technologies and intellectual property (IP).
Design Director
Sync Project
Boston, MA, 2016-2018
Acquired by Bose in 2018, providing brand and UX leadership for an innovative health and wellness technology startup. Led end-to-end planning, UX, and design for personalized therapeutic mobile and web products, and supporting technology IP.
Led from startup to acquisition by developing novel IP, generative audio content, and mobile/web experiences, and overseeing marketing.
Launched world's first therapeutic audio chatbot in Slack, delivering functional audio to hundreds of thousands of engaged users.
Launched Unwind mobile experience globally, using biometric data to deliver personalized, therapeutic audio experiences.
Developed visual identity, multimedia, and branded content for omnichannel release, promoting company and products to global audiences and investors.
Creative Director
JM Creative
Boston, MA, 2011 -2016
Creative and UX consultancy focused on branded experience design, native mobile apps, adaptive websites, and diverse digital content. Achieved award-winning results for agencies and clients throughout New England, with notable clients and outcomes highlighted below.
CASE Gold Award and Circle of Excellence winner for the Phillips Exeter Academy website designed for iFactory. Led creative direction, UX design, and copywriting.
Increased online business by 400X for Foodler, Boston's leading online food ordering service, contributing to its acquisition by GrubHub. Directed creative and UX for Android and iOS apps, as well as omnichannel campaigns.
Developed innovative iOS and Android educational apps for Jones and Bartlett, Pluralsight, and others in collaboration with MadPow and Intrepid Pursuits (now part of Accenture).
VP, Creative Director
Highlights from agency and startup roles and experiences in the Boston area.
VP, Creative Director at Hill Holliday. Managed the digital team and led strategic UX and media initiatives for Liberty Mutual, Bank of America, and Novartis. Received the Hatch Award for multimedia work with Liberty Mutual.
VP, Creative Director for Digital Influence Group. Built and managed design team, established UX best practices, and delivered innovative social media solutions for Sony, IBM, Harvard Pilgrim, Hood, and more.
VP, Creative Director for Digitas. Senior leader of a large-scale multidisciplinary product design group. Developed scalable UX practices and oversaw branded experiences for clients including AT&T, P&G, Duracell, Olay, and GM among others.
ENDORSEMENTS
Jeff not only brought and drove the creative vision, he was also willing and able to perform the hard, interdisciplinary, hands on work necessary to achieve it.
– Rob Haslinger, Manager, Data Science & Analytics
My experience with Jeff as a creative leader in the wellness digital space helped shape my own design mantra when problem solving. His depth in experience for UX and mindfulness was demonstrated countless times while working together. I highly recommend Jeff as a fantastic asset to any digital team.
– Virginia Wood, Sr Product Designer
Jeff excels at fostering cooperation between business stakeholders, product owners, design, and engineering teams. He ensures that projects align with business goals while maintaining a strong focus on customer value. As a mentor, Jeff promotes enthusiasm and a growth mindset within the team.
Jeff is dedicated to quality and patiently communicates complex aspects of the underlying architecture that drive seamless customer engagement. His expertise, teaching ability, and skill in stakeholder engagement make him an invaluable asset to any team.
– Tim Moyer, Sr Product Designer
Jeff is a one-in-a-thousand creative professional. A gifted communicator, designer and consultant, he has an uncanny ability to dive into the heart of a user experience problem, simplify complexity, and then strategically align solutions to organizational brand needs. At iFactory, we had come to struggle on an account involving a top tier/#1 ranked educational institution. Jeff was able to jump in with minimal prep and background to help us clear our thoughts and to dramatically improve our strategic counsel. If I were starting a company, or trying to bring my team to another level, he's be at the top of my hiring list.
– Alen Yen, iFactory President, Creative Director
Jeff is the perfect balance of manager, creative thinker and technology guru.
Every time Jeff and I worked together, I knew he would "save the day,” coming up with the best solutions possible for our clients and delivering outstanding work on time. Jeff is also a reliable calm in the storm, definitely someone you want on your team! Jeff is the perfect balance of manager, creative thinker and technology guru.
– Jennifer Donovan, Business Operations and Delivery Leader
Jeff can work side by side with technical contributors to deliver technically complex products. Despite our wildly different skill sets…we had an extremely effective collaboration.
– Rob Haslinger, Manager, Data Science & Analytics
Jeff is one of the few people I can trust equally as a partner in a recording studio, design studio or meeting room.
I recommend Jeff, without hesitation, for any design or UX opportunity, as well as any compositional and musical opportunity, especially when they relate to digital media, commercial applications and the web.
– Chuck Pukmel, Senior Product Manager