[Sigia-l] Job openings

[Young Gee, Lisa]

Positions are 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. 
 
About the Roles
 
We are currently seeking 2 Information Architects and a Usability Project
Manager to join our tight-knit team. While both IA roles may include support
for e-commerce, one will be a dedicated resource to support the Retail side
of the business. 
 
1. Information Architect on Staples Websites and internal information
systems.
 
Projects might include updating the flow for user interactions on
Staples.com, or creating the user flow for a microsite.
 
2. Information Architect on Staples Websites, internal information systems
and Retail and Associate facing interfaces
 
Retail projects might include mapping out the user flow for kiosks that
customers use in the store, or interfaces that store associates might
interact with to create a custom print order.
 
 
Primary Duties and Responsibilities: 
 
As the ideal candidate for this position you must have a thorough grounding
in information architecture and 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 architecture-maps, system process 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 application production and bug
fixes.
 

Requirements
Minimum of a Masters degree in Interaction Design, Cognitive Psychology,
MIS, Industrial Design or related discipline required.
 
At least 4 years of information architecture/interaction design experience
in a corporate or consulting environment required. Some 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.
 
Strong understanding of computer platforms like AS400, client server, non
web applications and related usability issues. 
 
Understanding of usability testing practices and theory required. 
 
Experience managing information architecture or interaction design on
large-scale projects required. Some experience managing internal and
contract employees.
 
Background in system development methodology including the Software
Development Life Cycle and techniques for contextual inquiry, task analysis
and interaction design required.
 
Some technical skills in putting together click-through prototypes and
versed in HTML, JavaScript. 
 
Approximately 10% travel required. 
 
Usability Project Manager - Staples Retail Information Systems


Primary Duties and Responsibilities: 
 
Project Management:
Usability project manager on Staples Retail IS customer and associate-facing
systems.  You will:
* Act as usability lead on various small, medium and large-sized systems
projects.
* Organize and implement comprehensive research initiatives. 
* Partner with business analysts to produce requirements documents and
deliverables for projects. 
* Organize research findings to serve as inputs for designs and task flows. 
* Partner with information architects to develop & review system screen
flows.
* Review vendor applications to determine usability level; make
recommendations on as needed.
* Manage contractor resources as required by projects.

Research Execution:
Perform data collection activities in accordance with research strategies.
Activities may include competitive reviews, focus groups, heuristic reviews,
field studies, usability tests, surveys, cognitive walkthroughs, in-store
customer observations and intercepts, and other means. 

Requirements
Minimum of a Master’s degree in Human Factors, Cognitive Psychology or
related discipline required 
 
Minimum of 4-6 years of usability experience in a corporate or consulting
environment required. Experience in a retail environment a huge plus.
 
Experience managing all aspects of usability involvement in major software
projects, including management of business and systems partner
relationships.
 
Experience in usability testing practices and theory around non-web
applications required. 
 
Must be a strong presenter with excellent interpersonal skills.
 
Ability to handle multiple projects for multiple clients at once. 
 
Must be able to work effectively in a cross-functional team environment. 
 
Basic understanding of HTML required. Working knowledge of using Macromedia
Dreamweaver & Adobe Photoshop for basic image editing and image mapping (for
prototyping) a plus.
 
Basic understanding of statistical methodologies and working knowledge of
statistical packages like SAS, SPSS, etc. a plus.
 
Understanding of information architecture principles.
 
To apply please e-mail Joseph Carey at joseph.carey at staples.com and mention
the position you are applying for in the subject.
 
 
Lisa Young Gee
Manager, Information Architecture | Staples Usability 
p: 508.253.2801  | x32801