Valerie E. Oyiki

Available for contract work

Creative consultant experienced in business, product and brand strategy.

With 7 years experience in product and 10+ years working with successful businesses across strategy and creative design, I can find smart solutions for your business' problems, get the right people and systems in the right place to turbocharge growth and bring clarity to your vision. I have fintech and digital healthcare experience but open to new industries. Available for writing and speaking engagements.

Recent projects

2024

'the apothecary network' - UX Strategy

Leading the UX strategy and design of The Upsetters 'the apothecary network' project as part of Watershed Bristol's More Than AI Sandbox exploring the connections between natural, plant intelligence and artificial intelligence and the impacts on climate change, community sentiments and access to green space.

  • Facilitated community workshops to gather feedback on AI technologies and inform strategic decisions.

  • Expanded brand elements to assist production of a physical companion to the web app, collaborating with cross-functional teams (illustrator, product designer, AI technologist, developer) for a seamless collaborator (user) experience.

  • UI design of web app powered by a solar power web-server.

Role

UX Strategist

Deliverables

Screen Design, Workshops, User Interviews, Artificial Intelligence, Component Library

Company

The Upsetters

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The Upsetters

2024

Brand Strategy and Identity

  • Leading workshops to explore and establish brand direction and define brand strategy.

  • Exploring market and competition analysis to identify chosen brand positioning.

  • Creating brand identity and all visual assets including logo, colours, typography,
    illustration.

  • Designing including journey mapping, wireframing and development of website and product.

  • Leading operations to establish automated processes to reduce time and friction for all
    business processes, increasing productivity and satisfaction for both founders and team members.

  • Testing our MVP leading to sign up of 18 new club members in two weeks.

  • Awarded the NDRC Feasibility study grant to continue development of our technology.

Role

Co-Founder, Product Lead

Deliverables

Web Design, Brand Design, Pitching, Brand Strategy and Identity, Workshops, Product Development

Company

Jolt Club

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Jolt Club

2024

Credit Club Redesign

Owning and leading redesign of group brand MoneySavingExpert's Credit Club product as they moved from Experian to Transunion as their credit score partner; collaborating with product managers and visual designers, the editorial team and the founder directly. Initiative now live.

Winner of Moneysupermarket Group's 'Innovate to Deliver' Product and Tech award for “doing what you promise, putting customers and users first and embracing constant change” for work on Credit Club using Build Measure Learn framework.

Advocating for the user and prioritising a user-centred approach for product solutions, initiating communication with tech teams to understand limitations and dependencies.

Leading design of new product card solution resulting in increased comprehension of information for the end user, increased ease of use for the editorial team as its secondary user, while meeting the business' goals.

Voluntary work representing the group at a secondary school career fair to encourage girls to explore STEM paths as part of their collaboration with InnovateHer.

Role

Product Strategy, Product Designer

Deliverables

Product Designer, Brand Strategy, Product Strategy, Product Discovery, Product Launch, User Journeys, User Experience Testing, Stakeholder Management

Company

Moneysupermarket Group

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Moneysupermarket Group

2022

Internal Transformation at Black Girls in Tech

Researching and interviewing team members past and present, facilitating workshops to identify points of pressure in the business and creating new systems and artefacts that would establish a solid foundation for the organisations' continued growth.

This project did not get to implementation stage.

Role

Project Manager

Deliverables

Org Chart, Interviews, Workshops, Research

Company

Black Girls in Tech

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Black Girls in Tech

What others have to say

  • Hi Valerie, I wanted to send you a note to say really well done on the session this morning. You are an incredibly skilled facilitator and pulled together everyones thoughts and ideas neatly, helping us make sense of it all. Thank you again!

    Kelly McCabe

    CEO @ Perci Health

  • Hi Valerie, I wanted to express a massive THANK YOU for being an amazing panellist. It was so refreshing to hear your story. I caught up with the team and they expressed how much they loved your perspective.

    Eden Lunghy

    Programme Manager @ Motivez

  • Valerie is a talented and thoughtful UX/UI designer who consistently delivers fresh ideas whatever the project. Valerie is really open in her approach and whilst we worked together I found it easy to discuss approaches and work together to answer any brief.

    Hannah Craik

    Project Manager @ Perci Health

  • Valerie is a very talented UX designer and a great person to work with. Her research is thorough and concise and I particularly enjoyed the highly productive workshops she facilitated. She is very collaborative and possesses the qualities necessary for good leadership.

    Freelance Senior Designer @ Perci Health

  • Designs were really clearly thought out, well considered, intuitive. Really well organised, you presented your work and thinking really clearly. Quite a senior audience and a very "hot" topic, I think your designs and scenarios really brought it to life.

    Lizzie Hedges

    Senior Product Designer @ MSE

  • "You've really changed how I approach business. The strategy workshop was perfect for getting us on the same page and getting our branding right for us. We make a great team!"

    Jennifer Osemeke

    Founder @ Jolt Club

About

I’m Valerie - an entrepreneur and consultant experienced in business, product and creative strategy.

I'm deeply invested in people, our relationships and the wider community. I channel my curiosity into writing, entrepreneurship and exploring current and future uses of technology which you can read more about on Taking Shape.

As a business strategist from a product design background, I find the path that connects user needs to business objectives. This is evidenced by receiving Moneysupermarket Group's 'Innovate to Deliver' Product and Tech award for “doing what you promise, putting customers and users first and embracing constant change” for my work leading the redesign of MoneySavingExpert's Credit Club (now live).

I pride myself most on being a lover of a good time, a friendly face and a listening ear, championing positive mental health initiatives, increased awareness of neurodivergence in underrepresented communities and equity for marginalised groups.

Work Experience

Strategy Consultant

Koie Solutions

2024

Co-Founder and Product Lead

Jolt Club

2024

Product Designer

Moneysupermarket Group

2022

-

2024

Founder and Head of Community Growth

Black Girls in Tech

2020

-

2023

UX/UI Designer

Perci Health

2021

-

2022

Skills

I have a wide range of technical and soft skills across business, creative, strategy, technology and product.

Product Discovery

Workshops

Management

Product Strategy

Stakeholder Management

Strategic Partnerships

Brand Strategy

Product Development

Data-driven Decision Making

Customer Experience

Creative Direction