Hilary Zalon

hilaryzalon@gmail.com

Passionate and proactive user advocate, committed to creating easy and enjoyable user interfaces. Enjoys working both creatively and strategically, balancing the needs of both the user and the company.

Particularly particular. Team player. Open minded. Research geek. Word Nerd. User advocate. Team Oxford Comma.

Curious. Objective. Team Oxford Comma.

 

Strengths

 

• Writing & Editing

• Project Management

• Can work cross-functionally

• Detail-Oriented

• Adaptable

• Thrives in fast-paced environments

 

Relevant Skills

 

• Figma

• Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator

• Survey Software (Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, etc.)

• Microsoft Office / G Suite

• Basic Skills in Tableau

 

Relevant Certifications

 

Certificate in UX Writing  |  UX Writers Collective  

CUA Certified Usability Analyst  |  Human Factors International • Seattle, WA 

CXA Certified User Experience Analyst  |   Human Factors International • San Francisco, CA

Education

 

MBA, UCLA Anderson School of Management • Los Angeles, CA

BA, English, Lafayette College • Easton, PA

 

Relevant Work Experience

 

Small Business Consultant | Hilary Zalon Projects | 2003 – Present

Working with small businesses and entrepreneurs to help them better understand and represent their company and brand.

  • Lead content and SEO audits to identify opportunities for efficiency, consistency, and growth

  • Deliver insights on competitive landscapes, new verticals, and intellectual property.

  • Design and launch websites (using Squarespace with customized CSS and additional code).

  • Create logos, brand boards, and marketing materials.

  • Craft clear and effective PowerPoint/Keynote decks for conferences and pitch meetings.

Director, Special Projects | Belly Bandit | 2017 – 18

Managed multiple projects in this fast-paced maternity apparel company. Relevant projects included:

  • Initiated & led project to establish content database (see details), collaborating across multiple teams to ensure a unified brand presence with accurate information for users.

  • Streamlined presentation decks and program documentation for both clarity and effectiveness, helping secure new programs at Target and launching affiliate programs.

  • Established new product copy workflow to prevent unnecessary reprinting costs for preventable errors.

  • Partnered with industry consultants, along with internal and external teams to develop new brand extensions. Participated in feedback sessions, analyzed survey results, and reviewed proposed copy and packaging to ensure consistency in brand voice and tone.

  • Ensured current and accurate records of intellectual property by working with IP attorneys, systematizing the company’s IP records, restoring lost trademarks, and assisting in filing trademark, registration, and patent applications.

Associate | Plus Capital |  2014 – 2016 

Supported daily activities of stakeholders in this venture fund and advisor group.

  • Performed due diligence on industries, companies, and trends, contributing to the decision-making process.

  • Wrote reports to present to stakeholders.

  • Met with entrepreneurs to assess fit for fund, providing valuable feedback to executive staff. 

Founder | The Cradle | 2006 – 10 (Sold)
Founded this award-winning online destination for expectant and new parents, building the company from idea to launch, growth, and eventual sale.

  • Developed and delivered a clear, consistent user experience by establishing and maintaining the brand’s voice and tone, ensuring a standard of quality, recognizing users’ needs, and implementing insights gained from continual iterations and focus groups.

  • Managed multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced workplace, including hiring and managing an experienced and dedicated team, fostering a collaborative environment across design, marketing, sales, and technology teams, and continually optimizing and improving our offerings.

  • Led larger initiatives with development team, external legal and PR teams, and partnerships (including Pregnancy magazine and Chronicle Books), while performing daily tasks that included managing the site’s CMS, writing and editing articles, and creating the content templates for articles, features, and emails.

  • Operated company and drove overall growth, quickly ramping up to 100,000 monthly visits and 1mm+ monthly page views, and earning multiple online and industry awards.

 

Director of Production | Radio Free Virgin | 2000 – 03

Oversaw all online production for this Internet radio company funded by Richard Branson: Managed production department (graphic designer, front-end developer) produced online content, ensured brand consistency, and took on additional roles as needed.

  • Collaborated across departments as well as the larger Virgin Entertainment Group to successfully promote the radio player online, resulting in more than 3 million downloads.

  • Developed and nurtured relationships with clients, which included various brands, record labels, and experts.

  • Programmed over a dozen radio stations after adapting to additional responsibilities due to post-9/11 downsizing.

  • Fought plagiarism while producing an online blues museum feature and delivered a project that was featured in Billboard magazine.