Strategic Product Design
Cross-Functional Collaboration Expert
Experience Design Innovator
Team Performance Catalyst
Jesse M Kates
Innovative product and UX leader with 20+ years of experience building high-performing teams and driving strategic initiatives.
Expert at simplifying complex problems, guiding cross-functional collaboration, and delivering impactful user experiences.
Proven track record of establishing enterprise systems, lifting team productivity, and creating scalable processes.
Passionate about developing talent while delivering results.
Strengths
Strategic UX Leadership
I direct UX for whole companies or product portfolios, creating cohesive experiences that satisfy customers and deliver business value.Team Performance Catalyst
I transform teams through mentorship and by inventing and continuously refining fast, flexible, modular processes.Cross-Functional Conductor
I ignite coordinated action across Product, Engineering, Architecture, and Sales, instigating and driving programs to achieve scalable results.Product Power Through Data
I measure and lift experience and product quality by creating research programs that transform complex findings into clear calls to action.Product Experience Transformation
I lead teams to create, redesign or iteratively enhance SaaS products through an artful balance of strategic vision and tactical execution.User Discovery Champion
I ensure product team success by implementing systems to rapidly and continuously unearth customer needs, from the macro to the micro.Experience
April 2022 - March 2025
Cox AutomotiveDirector of User Experience
April 2009 – April 2022
Walsworth YearbooksManager of Innovation
December 2001 – April 2009
SprintSenior Manager, User-Centered Design
Testimonials
Jesse is the total package and one of the strongest UX leaders I have ever worked with. His team members respect him and love working for him, and his peers and leadership hold him in high regard.
Jesse was instrumental in defining an overall UX strategy and vision for our retail solutions. He has a keen eye for detail and an unwavering commitment to creating exceptional user experiences. His leadership is an asset to any team and organization.
Jesse is a phenomenal product guru with deep knowledge of interaction design and human psychology who develops and leads high-performing teams to build beautiful products.
Jesse is in the top 5% of creative problem solvers that I have ever worked with over a 20 year career.
Jesse is one of the most talented people I have encountered in my 20+ year career. He is an exceptional analytic and creative thinker which makes him an excellent problem solver.
Case Studies
Education
M.S., Human-Computer Interaction