Building and Managing UX Teams: 6 Years of Strategic Staffing
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As staffing led for Google's data center software teams, I built and managed contract teams of UX designers, researchers, and front-end engineers who redesigned the core data center software experience across 30 global sites. Over six years, I was responsible for recruiting, hiring, and managing contractor resources that could deeply understand a highly technical environment.
Problem
Google's data center operations relied on software systems that had evolved organically over years, resulting in fragmented experiences, inconsistent workflows, and limited scalability across a global infrastructure. With 30 data center sites worldwide and thousands of operations staff depending on these tools daily, the existing systems created inefficiencies that compounded across the organization. The challenge wasn't just improving individual interfaces—it required orchestrating a comprehensive redesign that could scale globally while maintaining operational continuity at facilities that couldn't afford downtime or disruption.
Solution
The solution required deep understanding of Google's specific needs and rigorous talent vetting. I invested time upfront to comprehend the assignment's complexity, technical needs, and collaborative skills required. By truly understanding Google's operational constraints, team dynamics, and evolving requirements, I built contract teams with the right combination of enterprise experience, technical fluency, and cross-functional collaboration skills to contribute meaningfully while Google's internal leads maintained operational continuity.
I was responsible for recruiting, hiring, and managing contract resources for Google's data center operations redesign. This meant identifying talent with the right combination of enterprise experience, technical fluency, and collaborative skills, then managing all aspects of contractor employment including timekeeping, payment, and performance issues. With contractors working on systems across 30 global data center sites, I recruited talent who could understand diverse operational contexts and constraints.
While Google's internal team leads handled day-to-day project direction, I maintained regular communication with them regarding contractor capabilities and performance. I partnered with Google's leadership to understand the research, design, and development challenges their teams faced, ensuring alignment between contractor work and project goals. When issues emerged—whether performance concerns, skill gaps, or team dynamics—I resolved them quickly through coaching, role adjustments, or personnel changes. This partnership ensured the contract teams I built integrated effectively with Google's internal structure and evolved to meet changing project needs.
The Impact
Successfully built and managed contract teams of UX designers, researchers, and front-end engineers who redesigned core data center software used across 30 global data centers.
Recruited and hired talent with the right combination of enterprise experience, technical fluency, and collaborative skills to meet Google's evolving project needs.
Managed all contractor employment aspects including recruiting, timekeeping, payment, and performance issues.
Partnered with Google's team leads on team strategy, providing regular communication about contractor performance and intervening when issues arose.
Placed contractors who established human-centered workflows and design systems that improved scalability, usability, and consistency.
Maintained long-term client relationship through responsive staffing and effective management.
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