User Experience Architect
Premier Farnell plc
Leeds, UK

Development of specifications and designs for web/application interfaces that enhance web sales conversion and increase customer satisfaction within Premier Farnell Web Platforms
To help define the user model and user interface for new and existing Premier Farnell websites with a special focus on our community proposition
To drive enhancements to tools and recommend programs that influence key business drivers, and work with multiple internal groups on execution of these community enhancements and business.
To work to develop the online community and customer-facing social content programs by interacting with customers, monitoring site analytics, industry best practices and financial results.

Developing high level and/or detailed mock-ups, prototypes, and information architecture models to effectively communicate interaction and design ideas.
Gauging the usability of new and existing Premier Farnell websites and make constructive suggestions for change.
Create UI specifications and provide support for the creation of use cases.
Lead the discovery and development of community building and customer research initiatives; report and analyze result of programs designed to enhance the influence of Premier Farnell properties through emerging interactive behaviours.
Develop and nurture online community
To work with regional eCommerce teams on every stage of design from development of concept to completion
Define site architecture and navigation that serves as a blueprint of the site upon which other aspects are built.
To shape best practise design, accessibility and usability within all the Groups websites
To work in tandem with the innovation lab to introduce new innovative solutions
Manage and cross functionally collaborate on the future strategy for Blogs, discussion forums, product ratings, integration with other supplier communities, etc.
To maintain the roadmap for social community
Preparing, and facilitating different UCD methodologies
To make strong recommendations based on usability data, business needs, and technical feasibility
Creation and maintenance of UI Standards and Guidelines and Design Pattern library for Premier Farnell brands

Liaison with EDE proposition team and Regional eCommerce, Marketing, Publishing teams to gain alignment around UI best practise, standards and guidelines
Working with other external communities to develop integration strategies with our community.
To balance needs of various Regional stakeholders to develop single best practice design
To ensure cross-functional teams are fully involved in the development and testing of new functionality
Keeping up-to-date with latest cutting edge web technologies, interaction patterns and community trends
Ensuring that Requirements Engineering best practice is followed whenever major functional enhancements or UI design changes are involved

5-7 years eCommerce design, interactive, sales or marketing industry.
Excellent communicator at all levels
B.F.A. in Design or a BA/BS in HCI, Cognitive Science, or related.
Knowledge/experience using iRise v. 5+, Axure RP Pro 4 or similar prototyping tool
Some understanding of the technical limitations and advantages of Ajax, JavaScript, .Net, DHTML and CSS
Familiarity with implementing W3C and section 508 standards.
Familiarity with Content Management Systems
Deep familiarity with social networking, consumer generated content, social media, blogs, viral marketing, podcasting.
Excellent understanding of Visual Design Patterns and concepts
Experience quantitatively and qualitatively measuring designs pre and post implementation.

Received: 06-Aug-08

User Experience ArchitectPremier Farnell plcLeeds, UK