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Hanson is seeking a UX / Functional Architect to support our strategy, creative, and production teams in defining and implementing custom digital solutions. This position requires strong team collaboration, a passion for the details, and great problem-solving skills. UX / Functional Architects must demonstrate an understanding of both marketing and technology as this role is critical in “bridging the gap” between the marketing objectives, strategic and creative vision, and the development of the technical architectures and software solutions needed to bring it to life.

Position reports to Managing Director, Design & Development

Responsibilities & Expectations

• Plays a key role in the early stages of a project by eliciting and clearly documenting requirements and assumptions to gain alignment from key client stakeholders and internal project teams.
• Works with strategic planners and creative leads to understand the vision of a project and evolve project requirements accordingly.
• Partners with front-end development and engineering project leads to analyze the documented requirements and lead collaborative conversations about the software solutions that will fulfill the requirements and the dependencies needed to support them.
• Researches software platforms and solutions as needed to facilitate the functional design of a project, prepares fit/gap analyses and recommendations for the build team and clients.
• Has complete understanding of project requirements, assumptions, and dependencies and presents requirements to key client stakeholders and internal project teams as the project transitions from strategy to build.
• Supports the production team during build by translating and communicating functionality, and creating documentation needed to bring clarity (wireframes, functional specifications, content inventories, data schemas, entity/relationship diagrams, etc.)
• Effectively transitions project details to assigned project manager and acts as support as needed for the duration of the project build.
• Conducts usability tests to ensure that interfaces are usable and enjoyable.
• Creates documentation to ensure good SEO and works with development teams to define and implement metrics

Core Functional Skills

• Demonstrates proficiency in critical business applications (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Keynote, Google Drive), diagramming/technical drawing software (e.g. Visio, OmniGraffle)
• Demonstrates proficiency in data modeling and workflows and experience with digital (web/mobile/interactive) projects
• Demonstrates proficiency in Hanson-specific applications (e.g., Clients & Profits, Hanson Intranet, Hanson Dashboard, JIRA, etc.)
• Works with Client Services and Project Management to generate the functional definition content needed for proposals and SOWs
• Demonstrates ability to clearly and effectively document all project requirements and scope details in the Hanson Scope Documentation tool. Effectively manages process through strategic planning and design phases to build
• Uses appropriate tools and methods to manage time effectively and prioritize tasks for delivery of quality outputs on deadline

Collaboration & Contribution

• Provides value across all agency departments in the effective documentation of requirements and scope
• Supports production team in understanding requirements and needs as it relates to assigned tasks during projects such as fit-gaps on software solutions, data and content documentation, metrics implementation, etc.
• Actively participates in group sessions to bring value and advance projects
• Shares best practices readily with agency for betterment of other projects/accounts

Communication

• Effectively “bridges the gap” between strategic planning and build processes with consistent, timely communication
• Appropriately uses all channels of communication (e.g., in-person, phone, email, IM, etc.) to drive progress and clarity
• Communicates proactively vs. reactively in order to maximize problem-solving options
• Provides effective, productive feedback in the moment

Problem Solving

• Responds to changes in direction and other client and internal dynamics with flexibility and resourcefulness
• Elevates issues early and recommends plans of action/contingency to maximize options
• Manages timing of projects, balancing client need with internal capacity
• Appropriately manages conflict resolution and drives team to collaborative solutions — especially during experience design phase.

Ideal Experience & Qualifications

• 2-3 years of experience in UX architecture, design, or digital strategy.
• We are a digital agency, as such you’ll need to have experience in understanding and documenting requirements for digital solutions including website development and mobile app development.
• Skills we look for include a clear understanding of web strategy and the technology necessary to work with marketing and IS/IT client contacts. Proficiency with a scientific calculator not required, however we have lots of conversations about PHP, .net, HTML5, Java and other platforms.

Intangibles/Cultural Fit

• Qualities we look for include passion, confidence, integrity, judgment and a strong work ethic. Check the ego at the door.
• In our experience, there isn’t a single “style” that works. We’ll need you to be a diplomat, strategist, psychologist, salesperson, coach and mentor to our clients and our internal team.
• We value intellectual curiosity and promote it wherever possible. Tell us how you like to learn and grow yourself as it relates to the world of marketing, technology and creative.
• We take our values seriously. Do these sound like things you’re interested in? Be Yourself, Own the Adventure, Stay Curious, Get Emotional, Embrace Family

Hanson offers competitive compensation with an excellent benefits package that includes healthcare, flexible spending, 401K, and paid time-off for your birthday, holidays, and the days we are closed between Christmas and New Year’s. Work/life balance is important to us, and our collaborative environment is flexible, fun, and fueled. (Coffee, snacks, flavored waters, pop, and beer Fridays are very important to us!)

To start the conversation. contact us at FA-careers@hansoninc.com