[Sigia-l] Job Opportunity: Information Architect, Staples Inc., Framingham, MA

[adamya ashk]

My apologies for cross posting. We have an opening in our usability
group. Details are below.

Please direct all correspondence regarding this position to Jason
Dietz at jason.dietz at staples.com.

Thanks and best of luck,

-Adamya Ashk

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Information Architect

(Position is located in Framingham, MA which is about 25 minutes west of Boston)

You've heard our company tagline: "That was easy." Now come join one
of the key teams that are making that statement a reality.

About Our Team
The Staples Usability team continues to be one of the thought leaders
in usability and is growing to meet company demand for our services.
We are comprised of researchers, information architects and analytics
experts. Our mission is to cut costs and increase sales by using
science to analyze behavior and optimize design. No easy task, but one
that is achievable with a focused, all-star team of experts driving to
the same goal.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Information Architect at the project manager level on Staples
ecommerce sites and emails.
Special focus on implementing the Usability-IA strategy for new
business initiatives.

As the ideal candidate for this position you must have a thorough
grounding in online interaction design. You must be able to produce
and refine brilliant ideas that work with existing solutions and be
able to communicate these ideas easily. You must be comfortable
working in diverse teams while facilitating the development of design
solutions.

Above all, you must have a clear understanding of how to balance user
needs and business drivers.

In this capacity you will:

-Identify key user-interaction requirements by participating in JAD
sessions and other business requirement forums.

-Facilitate user interface definition sessions by leading teams
through white boarding exercises and discussions.

-Pin-point important issues that may require further discovery
research by collaborating with usability resources.

-Architect user interaction solutions/schema based on sound usability
principles, research and technical feasibility.

-Express these solutions through design documents. These documents
include site-maps, process/page flows and thumbnail flows.

-Partner with Usability Manager on research plans and integrate
findings into design through an iterative process.

-Manage contractors as needed.

-Perform expert reviews on concepts and wire frames and integrate this
into the design process on an iterative basis by presenting the
findings and suggesting changes where necessary.

-Create and maintain a centralized repository of IA documentation.

-Provide IA support for ongoing site production and bug fixes.


Requirements

Minimum of an MS degree in Interaction Design, Cognitive Psychology,
MIS, Industrial Design or related discipline required (Please do not
apply if you do not have an MS degree).

At least 4 years of information architecture/interaction design
experience in a corporate or consulting environment required. Strong
background in e-commerce a definite plus.

Must be able to translate business strategies into conceptual
diagrams, task flows, and site maps. Expertise in using Visio
preferred.

Must be a strong presenter and communicator with excellent interpersonal skills.

Ability to lead high-level, cross-functional definition meetings that
map out the user experience of new projects.

Understanding of ecommerce usability testing practices and theory required.

Experience managing information architecture or interaction design on
large-scale projects required. Managing internal and contract
employees essential.

Background in system development methodology including the Software
Development Life Cycle and techniques for contextual inquiry, task
analysis and interaction design required.

Strong technical skills and versed in coding languages such as HTML,
JavaScript. Strong understanding of computer platforms and browsers
and the effects those variables have on the design of a system and
ensuing impact to the user. Knowledge of DHTML and AJAX a plus.

Approximately 10% travel required.

Please direct all correspondence regarding this position to Jason
Dietz at jason.dietz at staples.com.