Experience Design Manager

Summary: At Great Wolf Lodge, we're transforming the way guests discover, book, and experience our resorts. As the Experience Design Manager, you'll lead the research, design, and execution of digital experiences across greatwolf.com, apps, and other responsive digital mediums. This position combines UX/UI leadership, team leadership, and strong relationships with stakeholders to create seamless, high-performing, guest-centered experiences that drive conversion, engagement, and business growth.

Responsibilities:

1. User Research

• Plan, lead, and synthesize customer research, including but not limited to usability testing, interviews, and surveys.
• Own existing customer feedback touchpoints and tools, and evangelize findings and themes.
• Advocate for appropriate qualitative and quantitative feedback to drive customer behavior to find ways of reducing friction throughout the customer journey.

2. Design Excellence & User Experience

• Lead the UX/UI strategy to deliver intuitive, engaging, and visually compelling experiences.
• Establish design frameworks, principles, and best practices that drive consistency and quality.
• Champion a customer-first mindset across the organization through research, usability testing, and rapid iteration.

3. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Product, Engineering, Marketing, Data Science, and Revenue Management teams to align priorities and deliver impactful solutions.
• Build relationships across the organization to drive adoption of guest-focused innovations.

4. Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a multidisciplinary team of designers and researchers.
• Recruit and retain top talent, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Champion professional growth by providing guidance, coaching, and visibility into career pathways.

Qualifications:

• 7+ years of experience in UX/UI/Visual design management with a strong record of shipping user-facing products.
• Bachelor's degree in Design, Human Centered Interactions, or related field.
• Strong design sensibility and experience leading UX/design teams focused on hospitality, ecommerce, and/or direct-to-consumer digital experiences.
• Background in delivering customer research and insights that have a direct impact on the success of a product.
• Experience managing both contractors and full-time direct employees.
• Demonstrated team leadership, stakeholder management, and ability to resolve and diffuse conflicts.
• Excellent communication, storytelling, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in UX and design tools (e.g., Figma, Miro, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.).
• Familiarity with agile development methodologies.
• Ability to work from our Chicago Corporate Headquarters on a hybrid-remote work schedule (M/F optional work from home and T/W/TH in-office).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in hospitality
• MBA or advanced degree preferred

Estimated Salary Range:

$140,000 - $175,000 annual base salary

An employee's pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors, including but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, travel requirements, revenue-based metrics, any contractual agreements, and business or organizational needs. The range listed is just one component of Great Wolf's total compensation package. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, a Paid Time Off policy, and other perks.

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and for inquiring about, discussing or disclosing compensation. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.