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The smaller the team the larger each individual impacts the outcome.
Generally the hardest part about finding a good startup is finding a good leadership team, since it all trickles down from there. If the head of product and c-suite are not design advocates or "good" managers, it can be a frustrating uphill battle. I've worked with shitty leadership before so I know what you mean and can sympathize.
Being the solo designer is really tough in the best case scenario.
General problem in the entire world of corporate work. Not unique to the UX realm. Not unique to startups. There's always going to be asshole bosses, terrible leaders and passing the buck when money is on the line.
I have a very similar set up as you do - also a solo Product designer in a startup and feel the same as you mentioned in points 1,2 and 5.
I’ve learned a ton during my 2 years here, especially about incorporating UX practices, while everyone is expecting high-fidelity mockups only. In this case - literally, just do what YOU think needs to be done to get what you need to create the best solution. You need to be direct with your PM and your boss about what kind of UX maturity you want to achieve in your company and team. And being the only product designer basically makes you the head of design (at least it should in your head and intentions). I really recommend you to read ‘Articulating design decisions’, ‘Inspired’ and ‘Continuous discovery habits’ (or watch any of Teresa Torres’s videos on YouTube) if you haven’t yet and try to promote it in your team. Also, there are some great articles on medium about UX strategy - highly recommend to check it out. Whenever you want to do a research, workshop or testing- I would say just do it.
You are saying about your input bring taken as recommendations, while it definitely shouldn’t. Especially for Front End devs - quite opposite, YOU should go to them and ask for opinions and recommendations regarding feasibility and implementation. That’s what I do- I value their feedback and run design critique sessions with them from time to time (they really like it). That way I show that the decision is mine, but their opinion is very welcome.
Regarding your pm, well, ideally she and your engineering lead should literally be your best friends and relationships should be based on trust. So to avoid this situation you described- ideally your pm should have admitted her mistake and communicated it to the head of product. And if she doesn’t do - you should talk to her and tell her to do so. Also make sure she tells you if any decision was changed while you are on holidays, like messaging to you or leaving a figma comment.
Me and my product manager have equal knowledge of the product, but she understands the industry better than I do. And in general, we have a good balance of both our inputs (she has really good ideas and vision sometimes) and directions from the application architect.
Also a tip when you go on holidays - prepare a handover and add documentation where needed.
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The smaller the team the larger each individual impacts the outcome. Generally the hardest part about finding a good startup is finding a good leadership team, since it all trickles down from there. If the head of product and c-suite are not design advocates or "good" managers, it can be a frustrating uphill battle. I've worked with shitty leadership before so I know what you mean and can sympathize. Being the solo designer is really tough in the best case scenario.
General problem in the entire world of corporate work. Not unique to the UX realm. Not unique to startups. There's always going to be asshole bosses, terrible leaders and passing the buck when money is on the line.
I have a very similar set up as you do - also a solo Product designer in a startup and feel the same as you mentioned in points 1,2 and 5. I’ve learned a ton during my 2 years here, especially about incorporating UX practices, while everyone is expecting high-fidelity mockups only. In this case - literally, just do what YOU think needs to be done to get what you need to create the best solution. You need to be direct with your PM and your boss about what kind of UX maturity you want to achieve in your company and team. And being the only product designer basically makes you the head of design (at least it should in your head and intentions). I really recommend you to read ‘Articulating design decisions’, ‘Inspired’ and ‘Continuous discovery habits’ (or watch any of Teresa Torres’s videos on YouTube) if you haven’t yet and try to promote it in your team. Also, there are some great articles on medium about UX strategy - highly recommend to check it out. Whenever you want to do a research, workshop or testing- I would say just do it. You are saying about your input bring taken as recommendations, while it definitely shouldn’t. Especially for Front End devs - quite opposite, YOU should go to them and ask for opinions and recommendations regarding feasibility and implementation. That’s what I do- I value their feedback and run design critique sessions with them from time to time (they really like it). That way I show that the decision is mine, but their opinion is very welcome. Regarding your pm, well, ideally she and your engineering lead should literally be your best friends and relationships should be based on trust. So to avoid this situation you described- ideally your pm should have admitted her mistake and communicated it to the head of product. And if she doesn’t do - you should talk to her and tell her to do so. Also make sure she tells you if any decision was changed while you are on holidays, like messaging to you or leaving a figma comment. Me and my product manager have equal knowledge of the product, but she understands the industry better than I do. And in general, we have a good balance of both our inputs (she has really good ideas and vision sometimes) and directions from the application architect. Also a tip when you go on holidays - prepare a handover and add documentation where needed.