Bert van der Zaag

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT BERT VAN DER ZAAG

A Head of Design with over 15 years of experience and a proven record of driving design excellence, I bring a deep commitment to human-centered design and a strong advocacy for customers, grounded in a Master’s degree in design.Passionate about product and design quality, my work experience ranges from design agencies to startups and global Fortune 500 technology companies, where I have developed extensive expertise in consumer and enterprise product design.A natural systems thinker, I excel at integrating research, data insights, and peer feedback into a cohesive human-centered design process. From concept to execution, I cover the full design journey, bringing strategic and hands-on experience that aligns design with business goals. I am known for taking ownership of challenges, proactively advancing my skills, and serving as a positive influence within any organization.STRATEGIC VISIONARY My curiosity and innovation-driven approach have guided the creation of product and design strategies that align user experiences with customer and business needs. Comfortable with ambiguity, I tackle complex systems problems and establish a clear vision that drives impactful solutions.STRONG COLLABORATORAn experienced collaborator, I build strong relationships across product management, development, and strategy teams, working together to set vision, define strategy, and establish metrics and goals. Skilled in alignment, conflict management, and negotiation, I thrive in fast-paced, dynamic environments.ENGAGING STORYTELLERAn effective communicator and storyteller, I use narratives to simplify complex systems, making them accessible for senior leaders and stakeholders, and driving shared understanding and engagement.SERVANT TEAM LEADERWith 7 years of team leadership experience, I have built, inspired, and coached multi-disciplinary teams of all sizes. My focus on fostering creativity, collaboration, and continuous learning has led to highly engaged and productive teams. By innovating design processes, I have enhanced engagement, communication, design excellence, and productivity across teams. My diverse experience and strategic mindset allow me to adapt seamlessly to new challenges, continually delivering meaningful and impactful design solutions.Skills- User Research, UX metrics, Data Visualizations, Design Thinking- Product strategy, design strategy, innovation- Product, service, user experience (UX/UI) design, AI, Design for Motivation, Design Systems- SaaS, B2B, B2C, E-Commerce, physical & digital.