Design Team Lead

Job Description

The Role: Great products come to life when collaboration is intentional and expertise is unmatched Design Leads play a pivotal role in making that happen They drive projects forward by overseeing the day-to-day work, managing client expectations, and diving into the details themselves Their focus isnt just on delivering high-quality designs but on ensuring meaningful outcomes. As a Design Lead, your role extends beyond executionyoure invested in helping other designers find their stride Since product design is our core, having a deep understanding of what it takes to bring digital products to market is essential Youre someone others naturally look up to, and you recognize the responsibility that comes with that While youll still work hands-on with design, your impact is amplified through leadership, guidance, and fostering a collaborative environment where every voice is valued. Responsibilities: Lead the design process across the entire project lifecycle. Own client presentations and guide discussions around your teams work. Challenge norms thoughtfully, encouraging clients and colleagues to explore fresh perspectives. Build strong client relationships and influence key stakeholders. Collaborate with Project Managers and Client Partners to define project scope and requirements. Cultivate a positive and inclusive team culture. Mentor Product Designers by providing thoughtful feedback, career guidance, and support for growth. Encourage autonomy while ensuring a structured and effective workflow. Technical Experience: User Experience Design Craft seamless and engaging digital experiences using UX best practices and innovative problem-solving From conceptualizing features to prototyping, you consider how your work integrates into a broader ecosystem You assess your teams UX strengths and distribute responsibilities strategically Your guidance ensures UX methodologies are applied effectively, enabling teams to unblock challenges and push boundaries. Visual Design You create polished, cohesive designswhether building on an existing visual system or pioneering new directions You design with an awareness of constraints, ensuring accessibility and scalability Your ability to develop multiple visual directions and justify design choices is key to producing work that stands the test of time. Product Strategy You integrate strategic thinking into design, shaping features and roadmaps that align with business goals By leveraging research and data, you guide prioritization, define product vision, and establish measurable success metrics. Critique & Collaboration Active participation in design critiques and collaborative sessions is second nature to you You welcome feedback, discern what to act on, and articulate your decisions clearly You contribute to a culture of continuous improvement by offering constructive, actionable insights. Research Partnering with UX researchers, you translate qualitative and quantitative data into actionable design decisions You recognise the value of user insights in refining and validating design choices. Content Design You understand the power of words in shaping user experience You incorporate content strategy into your process, considering taxonomy, naming conventions, and tone of voice to create clear and impactful communication. Communicating Design You confidently present your work, weaving compelling narratives that align with business objectives You advocate for design decisions with clarity and conviction, ensuring stakeholders grasp the value behind every choice. Vision & Creative Direction You contribute to defining a products creative direction, UX approach, and feature set Your ability to translate vision into tangible design concepts and iterate based on complex feedback ensures alignment with business and user needs. Systems Design You establish scalable design systems, balancing consistency and flexibility Your work considers usability, maintainability, and adoption, ensuring teams can build efficiently without compromising quality. Brand Strategy You contribute to brand discussions, identifying creative opportunities and sourcing relevant visual inspiration Your understanding of brand principles ensures that product design aligns with larger storytelling goals. Qualifications: 6+ years of product design experience, including some in a digital agency or consultancy Strong foundation in UX/UI principles, best practices, and industry-standard design tools (especially Figma) Bonus points for interaction design expertise (After Effects, Principle, Framer, or Origami). A portfolio that demonstrates strength in both UX and visual design. A natural inclination for leadership, guiding teams toward thoughtful and impactful work. Ability to translate business goals, research, and user flows into intuitive UI solutions. Deep understanding of evolving trends in web, mobile, and iOS design. Excellent communication skills, capable of delivering persuasive design rationales in both client and internal settings. Comfortable navigating ambiguity and solving complex design challenges. Open to feedback and motivated by growthboth personally and within your team.