Alex Stone
Director
| alex.stone@orbisconsultants.com | +1 917 341 2036 |
| LinkedIn Profile |
Originally from Southend-on-Sea and with a background in the fitness world, I moved into recruitment back in 2011, moving up through the ranks from a Graduate to Managing Consultant.
In October 2013, I was a founding member of Orbis Consultants, helping to plug the computers in and embark on our journey to where we are today.
I have specialized in UX recruitment for most of my recruitment career. Heading up the Global Digital team, we’ve built a reputation as the ‘go to’ specialist UX agency, within the financial domain. I’ve recently been working hard to develop our brand in the US and made the move State-side in December 2017.
A keen foodie living in NYC, you can find me running around trying out new quirky experiences, surfing the coast somewhere in the world, or hunting down my next adrenaline ridden adventure.
The first box is for the title ('what they say'), the second box is for the testimonial. You need to select a full block of text as 'block quote' (the symbol with the quotes in the edit menu) to make it an independent testimonial. Bold text is used to write the name of the author of the quote.
'What are the chances of a recruiter finding a random UX designer on LinkedIn that lives overseas and places them at a top tier company?
For most it would be impossible, but not Alex. He did this for me and knowing how he works, he could do it again. Alex placed me at Bloomberg in the UX department. Here's how he made it happen: He took the time to review my work and have a detailed discussion with me about the role and my skills. He arranged appointments immediately, worked to accommodate all schedules. Alex, informed me of all the details that helped me calibrate my approach and succeed in the process. He kept me informed of every step as it happened. He negotiated well on my behalf And he kept in contact and continues to now that I am settled. Alex understands both the company and the candidate and treats them with the utmost respect, humanity and consideration. After working with him, it does not surprise me that things worked out so well.'
Senior Interaction Designer, Bloomberg LP
Alex's Live Roles
Principal UX Researcher
New York , United States
Principal UX Researcher New York, New York As a part of the User Experience Research (UXR) & Insights team within Enterprise Digital & Analytics, you’ll be responsible for uncovering and translating user needs that drive customer-centered design solutions. That right candidate will have a deep knowledge of user research, Design Thinking, and a proven track record of successfully consulting and partnering with Product Owners, Designers, and wider stakeholders. Primary responsibilities: Transform ideas, business opportunities, and creative vision into desirable outcomes for our users – establishing user needs and goals. Consult with Product Owners and Designers to determine their insight needs, make appropriate recommendations - and craft research plans that align with the product road map. End-to-end responsibility for leading a portfolio of research projects. From identifying the appropriate methods to get the data; to establishing timelines and dependencies; to conducting the research itself, and delivering the results in a compelling way. Leading both generative and evaluative research - from rapid iterative usability testing, to a combination of more in-depth methods, to drive product development and improvement. Working in a hybrid model, where research may be undertaken directly by the UXR team, in partnership with a vendor, or delivered by a 3rd party, but lead by you. Synthesize learning across projects, integrate with other functions (e.g. Analytics) and lead socialisation of findings. Drive (and contribute to) the continuous improvement of the UXR practice and research techniques, as we build the maturity of our function, mentoring both peers and junior colleagues Work across multiple markets to identify global solutions, across all stages of the customer life cycle. May involve line management or contractor management responsibility. Qualifications Undergraduate or Master’s Degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Science, Psychology, Interaction Design, Computer/Information Science, or similar; or equivalent practical experience 7+ years of UX Research / Digital Interaction experience with consumer facing digital products, websites and mobile experiences is highly desired Proven experience in identifying research needs, matching those needs to research methods, and aligning approach with overall business strategy
Senior UX Designer
London, United Kingdom E14 5FA, United States
The Role / Responsibilities: The User Experience Architect is a highly skilled practitioner responsible for the design and delivery of exceptional end user experiences. This individual exhibits a strong grasp of the user-centered design methodology to provide innovative solutions that meet business goals and support customer needs. The User Experience Architect collaborates closely with user experience team members, product strategists and stakeholders to understand business goals and translate those goals into compelling experiences. The User Experience Architect works in a diverse, multi-disciplinary environment on user experience design activities throughout the product development lifecycle, often with numerous design initiatives occurring concurrently. This individual is exposed to a range of opportunities and responsibilities. Designs the overall look and feel of visual and interactive user interfaces for multi-featured strategic product initiatives Contributes to collaboration with product strategists and stakeholders to determine and document detailed requirements Guides other user experience team members by delegating clearly communicated tasks and providing constructive feedback Leads the creation of wireframes, visual designs, flow charts, site-maps and detailed specifications Leads the creation of prototypes to validate design concepts with stakeholders and customers Contributes to the creation of a pattern library Participates in the definition of overall design process Offers new ideas advancing user-friendliness, efficiency, and design Skills: Strong passion for innovative designs that optimize customer efficiency and engagement Ability to multi-task and efficiently manage time Self-accountability for meeting a high standard of excellence Ability to confidently present design solutions and to accept or provide constructive feedback Excellent oral, written and presentation skills Detail-oriented self-starter with ability to work independently and as part of a team Qualifications: Bachelor of Fine Arts degree or similar required, advanced degree preferred 10+ years of experience as a User Experience Designer of web and mobile user interfaces Skilled practitioner with expertise in the design, production and presentation of user interface designs that supports the needs of the customer Ability to communicate abstract concepts to audiences that are not skilled in a UX discipline In-depth knowledge of user-centered design patterns and methodologies Comfort with ambiguity, complexity and passion for challenges Expert knowledge of design tools such as Adobe CS, Axure, HTML, CSS * Experience in financial environment preferred!
Lead UX Researcher
30-31 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4EX, United Kingdom
As a part of the User Experience Research (UXR) & Insights team within Enterprise Digital & Analytics, you’ll be responsible for uncovering and translating user needs that drive customer-centered design solutions. That right candidate will have a deep knowledge of user research, Design Thinking, and a proven track record of successfully consulting and partnering with Product Owners, Designers, and wider stakeholders. Primary responsibilities: Transform ideas, business opportunities, and creative vision into desirable outcomes for our users – establishing user needs and goals Consult with Product Owners and Designers to determine their insight needs, make appropriate recommendations - and craft research plans that align with the product roadmap End-to-end responsibility for a portfolio of research projects. From identifying the appropriate methods to get the data; to establishing timelines and dependencies; to conducting the research itself, and delivering the results in a compelling way Delivering both generative and evaluative research - from rapid iterative usability testing, to a combination of more in-depth methods, to drive product development and improvement Working in a hybrid model, where research may be undertaken directly by the UXR team, in partnership with a vendor, or delivered by a 3rd party, but managed by you Synthesize learnings across projects, integrate with other functions (e.g. Analytics) and lead socialization of findings Contribute to continuous improvement of UXR practice and research techniques, as we build the maturity of our function Work across multiple markets to identify global solutions, across all stages of the customer lifecycle Qualifications Required skills: Degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Science, Psychology, Interaction Design, Computer/Information Science, or similar; or equivalent practical experience Significant UX Research / Digital Interaction experience with consumer facing digital products, websites and mobile experiences Proven experience in identifying research needs, matching those needs to research methods, and aligning approach with overall business strategy Experience conducting research using of a range of qualitative methods and related tools, from usability testing and contextual inquiry; to remote testing (with UserZoom or Qualtrics); to focus groups, card sorting, participatory design, ethnography, etc. Track record of delivering Usability testing: moderating (1 on 1), screener creation, test plan creation, debriefing, facilitation, and presentation of results and recommendations Experience facilitating workshops on topics such as design thinking, rapid prototyping, and empathy + journey mapping Ability to synthesize multiple insights to arrive at recommendations that deliver customer-focused outcomes for the organization, and communicate them effectively to Product Owners and Designers Ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional partners to drive multiple research projects at pace and scale Strong communication, presentation, influencing and relationship-building skills Comfortable working independently, and as part of a larger specialist team, being managed virtually/remotely across multiple locations and time zones. Can demonstrate experience adapting to change, and be able to hit the ground running
Senior UX Researcher
New York , United States
Senior User Experience Researcher - Global Information and technology company! The UX Research team answers the driving questions posed by our designers and product teams. We evaluate early stage concepts to help establish direction and assess the effectiveness of products as they are being adopted. As practice experts, we mentor UX designers in their research efforts. We evangelize the value of UX research and thoughtful design through session observations, presentations and lab tours, and outreach to the larger UX community. Our mission is to make the complex, simple. The role: UX Researchers are responsible for leading qualitative user research initiatives that inform critical decisions for current and future products. They work closely with cross-product teams to design and execute exploratory field studies with users and subject-matter experts. They plan, recruit for, and conduct usability analyses in our state-of-the-art usability lab, in the field, or using remote tools. They draw upon years of experience conducting user research and their knowledge of design principles to conduct various types of usability inspections -- identifying key issues that are likely to arise within and across our products. Desired: Work collaboratively with project stakeholders (product managers, interaction and visual designers, engineers, sales) to define research goals and create research plans Conduct client-site, lab-based, guerilla-style, or remote interviews Conduct usability inspection methods (heuristic evaluations, cognitive walkthroughs, etc.) on various products Conduct online research (surveys, card sorts, tree tests, remote usability tests, etc.) Review usage statistics to inform qualitative research Required: Demonstrated ability to design and execute exploratory field studies, usability inspections, and lab studies 5+ years of experience in user experience research in an business setting Superior verbal and written presentation skills to communicate clear, concise findings and actionable recommendations to designers, engineers, project managers, and executives. Working knowledge of recording / logging tools such as Ovo Studios, Morae, Camtasia, etc. B.S. in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors, Interaction Design, Cognitive Psychology, Cognitive Science, or related field is preferred; M.S. or Ph.D. is highly desired. Flexibility to travel (10%), including internationally Portfolio: Please note that our application requires a portfolio submission. Make sure to provide us with a link to your portfolio or a pdf when you apply. Your portfolio should include deliverables that display your mastery of methodologies. Ideally you would have something to show how you helped conceive a product or service (Persona, User Journey, Workflow Diagram, etc.) and something to show how you conducted an evaluation (Usability report, Heuristic Review, etc.). We are as interested in seeing details about your process (ex: research plan, discussion guide) as we are in seeing the quality of your reporting. Additional value: Experience with statistical analysis, including large scale usability studies Familiarity working in financial domains Experience evaluating platform-level functionality (such as operating system features and user interface toolkits) is a plus Knowledge of eye-tracking methods
Senior Interaction Designer
New York , United States
Senior Interaction Designer - Global Information and technology company! They transform complex data and work processes into products that are indispensable to our users. Their UX, Product and Technology teams are committed to creating valuable and meaningful user experiences for our customers They are currently looking for a Senior Interaction Designer with experience designing complex transactional systems into intuitive and valuable products. The role: This position requires a strong foundation in user centered design methods and the ability to communicate design decisions effectively to senior stakeholders and team members alike. Designers are involved in all aspects of the design process from context-based research to story-boarding and presenting to internal clients. Success depends on close collaboration and partnerships with end-users and subject matter experts, as well as product and technology counterparts. This position will take ownership of a domain to envision and craft conceptual frameworks, interaction design and the overall user experience of new products and major enhancements. Interaction Designers form a core team that is responsible for the highest impact business and platform products. This position is for a thoughtful designer with a passion for making complex data and workflow problems simpler. This individual thrives in a highly collaborative and cross-disciplinary team environment. We offer the unique opportunity to help shape the most ubiquitous and influential software product in the financial space. Qualifications: Undergraduate or Graduate Degree in HCI, Interaction Design, Information Architecture, Visual Communication, or any design-related field. 5 + years of experience designing transactional or highly interactive user interfaces. Experience in several of the following: designing complex user workflows, decision-support systems, large data set visualisations and framework-level interactions, information architecture, graphic/visual design, usability research/analysis. Track record of applying common User-Centred Design practices and tools to solve tough design problems. Knowledge of the software development lifecycle and its varying methodologies Experience in project management a plus. Experience on institutional finance projects involving transactional interfaces is a huge plus. Portfolio advice: Your representative projects may include, but should not be limited to: research, personas, sketches, site maps, task flows, wireframes, storyboards, etc. We are, however, most interested in seeing detailed wireframes (preferably a deck) illustrating a step-by-step user workflow for complex transactional interfaces. An ideal project to showcase for us would have an intricate user interface that you can use to explain your detailed design decisions. Please include two (2) projects where you can give us a "deep-dive" into your design process. If you are feel you posses the right skills and abilities, please apply to this advert and get introduced to the role by having a discussion with one of our digital consultants. Please also provide us with a link and include it in your application.
UI Developer - NYC
United Kingdom
This is an opportunity to work on one of the largest financial software platforms in the world. Working within an established UX team, constantly striving to understand their customers' needs and improve their experience. Keeping everything going smoothly is a dream team of UX skillsets - from interaction design to prototyping, visual design to usability analysis. Much like the user experiences we shape, the team works together seamlessly, collaborating on projects senior management deems crucial for the customers. What's in it for you: A flat structure offers meaningful access to senior management, and fuels interaction across the entire organization. The global headquarters in New York City reflects this decidedly un-corporate culture with a stylish, open and dynamic workspace - an inspiring user experience of its own. You will: Work closely with UX Designers to increase the fidelity of conceptual designs/artifacts, such as paper sketches or wire-frames, into interactive prototypes Help various cross-product teams ensure that the design concepts are technologically feasible as part of an iterative design life-cycle Interact with visual designers, interaction designers, usability specialists, product managers, and front-end and back-end technologists You need to have: B.S. or M.S. in Computer Science, Engineering, Design or related field Meticulous attention to visual detail and a natural eye for design Solid experience developing complex user interfaces within HTML 5 Development and JavaScript Extensive experience with Javascript frameworks, such as AngularJS and Node.js Deep understanding of UI application, framework development, and UI/UX principles Familiarity with design tools such as Visio, Omnigraffle, Photoshop and Illustrator We'd love to see: We are interested in seeing your portfolio for this position. Ideally we would like to see a broad sample of visually interactive, transactional UI applications that you have developed.
AD Java Developer
London, United Kingdom
£80k
React Native Developer - Fully Remote
30-31 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4EX, United States
Mobile/React Native Engineer (Fully Remote) We’re looking for iOS/Android engineers to join an established mobile team to build thoughtful, polished, and impactful experiences for our current and future customers. If you’re an engineer who is well-versed in native and React Native development, and passionate about building great products with technical craftsmanship, then we think you would be a great fit for our team. Mobile is quickly becoming the preferred means for people to connect, and we’re looking to build the premiere mobile application to support people in their everyday journeys. What are some examples of the work the team has done? We’ve built an internationalized mobile app for over a dozen international markets. Overhauled the UX of the app to be best-in-class among our peers Moved to a Swift-first, Kotlin-first approach for mobile development Integrated React Native Brownfield into the mobile app for select features We actively support the open source community by giving conference talks, hosting meetups, and releasing OS projects of our own. The following experience would be relevant for this role: Experience shipping one or more Android/iOS/React Native apps (ideally in App/Play Store and at-scale) Deep understanding of the underlying architecture of React Native on both the JS and native realms Projects and code that shows a high aptitude for engineering knowledge, and practices Provided thought leadership around software development processes, architectural design, code delivery, and/or testing in a team environment General engineering experience (i.e. SDLC, designing/interfacing with API’s, CI, GIT) Some of the tools that our team use: Slack for communication JIRA for ticket tracking Confluence for wiki GIT/Bitbucket for source control Hexo for engineering documentation Jenkins for CI/CDer
Senior Product Designer - mobile
30-31 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4EX, United States
Lead Product Designer - Multinational Financial Institute! Don’t just have a great idea, build it. Overview: A multinational financial institution is looking for a talented and passionate individual to join our team in London within their mobile team. The successful candidate will work with product owners & engineers in the ideation and development of mobile products and services. The Global Mobile team is responsible for the product strategy, UX/UI and delivery of mobile apps for card members globally. This includes the Mobile app available on iOS and Android in over 20 markets. Our team is a combination of high-performing design & product teams who are responsible for the definition and delivery of features in the App – used by millions of Cardmembers around the world. As a Lead Product Designer on the Mobile team, you will be responsible for running a growing team of Product Designers in our London office. In this role you will primarily lead the creative thought process and management of the pod structure and light operations. You will also be responsible for delivering user-based outcomes around a single theme in our product portfolio as well as the personal and career development of Product Designers. Core Responsibilities of a Lead Designer: Oversees day-to-day of 1 Product Designer Leads Design Pod stand-ups with Design Manager Leads collaborative work sessions with Product Owners, Engineers, Business, Legal/Compliance, and other stakeholders Provides mentorship and guidance to direct reports Works with Product Director and Product Owners to refine outcomes for new projects Works with Design Manager to establish roadmaps and milestones for all new projects Works with Design Director to define strategic goals for all projects, and ensure projects are tracking towards team goals Works with other Lead Designers and Creative Director to review quality and consistency of team’s designs Skills: Mastery in one, excellence in at least one and competency in the remaining: Service Design / Design Thinking UX / Interaction Design UI / Visual Design Leadership / Management Communication and Collaboration with Product, Engineering, Business peers and other Stakeholders Proven track record of success in several shipped products as measured by Design Team Goals (as opposed to Product Goals) Please get intouch if you are interested in hearing more.
Visual Designer
New York, United States
Senior Visual Designer - Global Information and technology company! The company's visual brand breaks ranks with traditional financial services companies; by being smart, bold, dynamic, and unapologetic; and by making complex user workflows a clear and engaging experience. The company’s Financial Products UX team is hiring a senior Visual Designer to help drive the strategic design direction for current and future desktop application products. The role: The Visual Design team is all-hands-on-deck, flexibly flipping between working on very granular UI details to large-scale application design. You will iterate on out-of-the-box solutions and tackle complex hierarchical problems in the financial arena that involve large data sets and intricate workflows. Projects range widely from establishing iconography to designing applications, widgets, or UI framework elements. You will collaborate closely with a multi-disciplinary team of visual designers, interaction designers, product owners, and engineers to push new functionality to clients. Required: 5+ years of experience designing and implementing desktop application UIs, or rich web-based application UIs A proven understanding of visual design and UCD principles via a portfolio A proven track record in producing exciting, innovative visuals for modern desktop software applications or web based products BFA/MFA or BA/MA in Communication Design, Graphic Design, Information Design, Interaction Design, Interactive or Multimedia Design or professional experience is strongly preferred Demonstrated fluency with the Adobe Creative suite with a concentration in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign Familiarity with Sketch, OmniGraffle, HTML 5/CSS3/JavaScript, and Jira Desired: As the ideal candidate, you should have excellent analytical skills, the ability to understand constraints, pride in pixel precision, and concrete typographic skills. In addition to visual design principles, you should be familiar with UCD and agile methodologies. If you are feel you posses the right skills and abilities, please apply to this advert and get introduced to the role by having a discussion with one of our digital consultants.