Design-Centered Product Leader
Product Design
Product Management
User Research
Leadership
Jesse M Kates
Accomplished product design, research and product management leader with over 20 years of experience. I led product at a $300M company and led a major design team at an $8B enterprise.
I lead teams to solve complicated problems end-to-end, the hairier the better. I learn relentlessly and I’m highly adaptable. I’ve succeeded at every scale, in unrelated industries.
I coach people up and help them grow through continuous incremental challenges. I seek to leverage my blend of product design, product management, research and leadership expertise to deliver unmistakable value.
I help companies maximize product adoption and usage through the art and science of delivering exceptional experiences.
Education
M.S., Human-Computer Interaction
B.S., Technical Writing with an Additional Major in Creative Writing
Experience
April 2022 - March 2025
Cox AutomotiveDirector of User Experience (Product Design & Research Leader)
April 2009 – April 2022
Walsworth YearbooksManager of Innovation (Design-Centered Product Leader)
December 2001 – April 2009
SprintSenior Manager, User-Centered Design
Strengths
Product Design Leadership
I direct design 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.Case Studies
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.