At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a global design team to create impactful experiences for diners and restaurants.
- Company: Join OpenTable, a leader in the restaurant tech industry with a passion for hospitality.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible work, mental health support, generous vacation, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a focus on inclusion and collaboration.
- Why this job: Shape the future of dining experiences while leading a talented design team.
- Qualifications: Proven design leadership and strong portfolio in product design required.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 120000 £ per year.
With millions of diners, 60,000+ restaurant partners and 25+ years of experience, OpenTable, part of Booking Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), is an industry leader with a passion for helping restaurants thrive. Our world-class technology empowers restaurants to focus on what matters most – their team, their guests, and their bottom line – while enabling diners to discover and book the perfect restaurant for every occasion.
Every employee at OpenTable has a tangible impact on what we do and how we do it. You’ll also be part of a global team and its portfolio of metasearch brands. Hospitality is all about taking care of others, and it defines our culture.
We’re looking for a Director of Product Design to lead design across our Diner Platform teams. This is a senior leadership role with great scope: you’ll manage a global team of 9 (with 2 direct reports), and work in close partnership with Product, Engineering, Research, Data Science, Design Systems, and Brand to deliver experiences that meaningfully move the needle for restaurants and diners worldwide.
You’ll be a key voice within our UX leadership team — shaping how we work, raising the quality bar, creating space for innovation, and investing in the growth of your team. This role reports directly to the Vice President of Product Design & Research.
What you’ll do
- Lead and grow a high-performing design team — manage, mentor, and develop designers and design managers, helping them do their best work and advance their careers.
- Set and drive design quality — own the standard for what great looks like across your product area, from early concept through shipping.
- Partner cross-functionally — collaborate with Product, Engineering, and Research to align on direction, build consensus, and deliver outcomes that serve users and the business.
- Create and communicate vision — define a compelling design direction for your teams and make it legible to stakeholders through clear storytelling and strong presentations.
- Improve how we work — identify friction in our processes and actively partner with UX and product development leadership to fix it.
- Use data to drive decisions — bring a rigorous, evidence-informed approach to design choices at every level.
What we need
- Design craft and leadership: Hands-on product design experience with a strong portfolio demonstrating impact at scale. Deep expertise in both native apps and web experiences — you understand the nuances of each platform. Exceptional visual design skills and strong systems thinking.
- Strategic and communication skills: Skilled at stakeholder management and building alignment across multiple teams and levels. A strong storyteller — you can develop and deliver compelling presentations to executive audiences. A critical thinker who can hold their own in a debate while remaining open, curious, and kind. Experience in B2B design or other complex, ambiguous product spaces.
- People leadership: A proven track record of growing designers and design managers — you know how to motivate people, unlock their potential, and support their career goals. Collaborative by nature; you give and receive feedback well and build trust across disciplines.
- Growth mindset: Data-driven and intellectually honest. Committed to continuous improvement — for yourself, your team, and our products.
Bonus points
- Experience in or genuine passion for the restaurant industry and food culture.
- Experience designing dual-sided or marketplace products.
Benefits and Perks
- Work from (almost) anywhere for up to 20 days per year.
- Focus on mental health and well-being: Company-paid therapy sessions through SpringHealth, Company-paid subscription to Headspace, Annual company-wide week off a year - the whole team fully recharges (and returns without a pile-up of work!), Paid parental leave, Generous paid vacation + time off for your birthday, Paid volunteer time.
- Focus on your career growth: Development Dollars, Leadership development, Access to thousands of on-demand e-learnings, Travel Discounts, Employee Resource Groups.
- 5 weeks paid vacation, Private health & dental insurance, Income protection and life assurance, Employee Assistance Program - including 24/7 GP & free legal advice, Pension plan contributions, Discounted gym membership, Bike2Work, Season ticket loan, Social events & Thursday happy hours, Free lunch 2 days per week.
Work Environment & Flexibility
At OpenTable, we pride ourselves on fostering a global and dynamic work environment. As a team member with us, you will benefit from a schedule tailored to accommodate a global workforce operating across multiple time zones. While the majority of your responsibilities may align with conventional business hours, there will be instances where you are expected to manage communications - via calls, Slack messages, or emails - outside of regular working hours to effectively collaborate with international colleagues, respond to restaurant partners, and/or address urgent matters. OpenTable will always abide by and consider local laws and regulations.
Inclusion
We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels they belong and can thrive. We know the best ideas come when we bring different voices to the table, so we’re building a team as dynamic as the diners and restaurants we serve—and fostering a culture where everyone feels welcome to be themselves. If you need accommodations during the application or interview process, or on the job, we’re here to support you. Please reach out to your recruiter to request any accommodations.
Director, Product Design - Diner employer: Dormont Manufacturing Co
OpenTable is an exceptional employer that champions a culture of innovation and collaboration, empowering employees to make a meaningful impact in the restaurant industry. With a strong focus on employee well-being, generous benefits including company-paid therapy sessions, and ample opportunities for professional growth, OpenTable fosters an inclusive environment where diverse voices are valued. Located in a dynamic global setting, team members enjoy flexible work arrangements and a commitment to work-life balance, making it an ideal place for those seeking rewarding careers in product design.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Product Design - Diner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, especially those at OpenTable. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your design chops! Prepare a portfolio that not only highlights your best work but also tells a story about your design journey and impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills. When you get that interview, be ready to present your ideas clearly and compellingly – think of it as a design pitch!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step.
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Product Design - Diner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Portfolio:Make sure to include a strong portfolio that showcases your design work. We want to see how you've made an impact in your previous roles, so pick projects that highlight your skills in both native apps and web experiences.
Tailor Your Application:When applying, tailor your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Director, Product Design role. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate that you understand what we're looking for and how you fit into our vision.
Be a Storyteller:In your written application, don’t just list your skills—tell us a story! Share how you've led teams, tackled challenges, and driven design quality. We love a good narrative that shows your strategic thinking and people leadership.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get all the updates about your application status directly from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dormont Manufacturing Co
✨Showcase Your Design Portfolio
Make sure to bring a strong portfolio that highlights your hands-on product design experience. Focus on projects that demonstrate your impact at scale, especially in both native apps and web experiences. Be ready to discuss the nuances of each platform and how your designs have improved user experiences.
✨Prepare for Cross-Functional Collaboration
Since this role involves partnering with Product, Engineering, and Research teams, think about examples where you've successfully collaborated across disciplines. Be prepared to share how you build consensus and align on design direction, as well as how you communicate your vision clearly to stakeholders.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Director, you'll need to show your ability to grow and mentor a high-performing design team. Prepare to discuss your leadership style, how you've motivated designers in the past, and specific instances where you've helped team members advance their careers. Highlight your approach to giving and receiving feedback.
✨Emphasise a Data-Driven Approach
OpenTable values a rigorous, evidence-informed approach to design. Be ready to talk about how you've used data to drive design decisions in previous roles. Share examples of how you've identified friction in processes and worked to improve them, showcasing your commitment to continuous improvement.
