At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead UX/UI design and shape the brand identity across all platforms.
- Company: Join Happl, a top UK startup revolutionising employee benefits with AI.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity, flexible working, and wellbeing budget.
- Other info: Dynamic role with ownership and growth opportunities in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on employee benefits while showcasing your design skills.
- Qualifications: 4+ years in UX/UI and brand design, with a strong portfolio.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We’re building the next generation of employee benefits infrastructure. We help global teams design, manage, and scale benefits that actually work for their people by using AI, across flex allowances, benefits, insurance, recognition, and wellbeing, all in one intelligent platform. Happl is backed by leading investors such as YCombinator, 6Degrees Capital, and more, known for backing leading companies such as Deel, Rippling, Airbnb, Coinbase, Dropbox, and most recently was awarded a place in the UK’s top 100 startups for 2026.
About the Role
As a Design Lead at Happl, your mission is to define and shape how Happl looks, feels, and is remembered. This goes beyond our platform; you'll be owning anything design across the company, including social, website, platform, app and more. As the first member in our design team, you’ll obsess over craft and detail, building a distinctive, recognisable brand that resonates with HR leaders, People teams, and senior stakeholders. You’ll sit at the intersection of design, product, and technology, using AI and modern tools to prototype fast, ship often, and continuously raise the bar on quality. You’ll work closely with Product and Engineering to deeply understand customer needs and reimagine how users interact with our platform, while owning everything beyond the product too: website, socials, campaigns, events, and brand moments that make Happl stand out. This is a high-impact, high-ownership role for someone who thrives on challenge, brings bold ideas, moves quickly, and cares deeply about how things are made, not just that they ship.
What you’ll be doing:
- Owning UX/UI across the Happl product, from concept to shipped experience
- Prototyping and shipping ideas quickly using modern tools and AI-assisted workflows
- Working closely with Product to deeply understand customer problems and turn them into elegant, intuitive solutions
- Shaping and evolving Happl’s visual identity to be instantly recognisable to HR leaders and senior stakeholders
- Designing and building our website, landing pages, and marketing surfaces
- Creating assets for socials, campaigns, launches, and events
- Designing and shipping prototypes to test new ideas, flows, and interactions
- Maintaining and evolving design systems, patterns, and standards across product and brand
- Bringing new ideas, tools, and approaches to how we design, build, and ship
- Raising the overall quality bar
What we’re looking for:
- A strong design craft with taste, range, and attention to detail
- 4+ Experience working across UX/UI, brand, and digital experiences
- Comfort operating in product teams and collaborating closely with engineers
- A bias toward shipping — you like getting things live, not just perfect
- Experience using modern prototyping tools and AI to move faster and explore more
- Someone who enjoys ownership, ambiguity, and being challenged
- Strong opinions, loosely held, you care deeply but stay flexible
- Ability to think in systems while still sweating the small details
- A portfolio that shows shipped work across product, brand, or both
If you don’t tick every box but this role excites you, we’d still love to hear from you.
Why join Happl:
- Help shape the future of employee benefits
- Competitive base salary and commission
- Meaningful equity in an early stage growing business
- Flexible hybrid working from day one
- Access to your own Happl benefits platform
- Optional enrolment in Private Health Insurance
- Optional enrolment in Dental insurance, including family cover
- A flexible Wellbeing budget to spend on whatever wellbeing means to you
- Learning & Development (L&D) allowance
- Work From Home (WFH) setup allowance (for remote roles)
- Home office setup budget
- Pension scheme from day one
Design Lead - UX/UI, Brand & Growth (Hybrid) employer: Happl
Happl is an innovative employer that empowers its employees to shape the future of employee benefits through a dynamic and collaborative work environment. With a strong focus on design and technology, team members enjoy flexible hybrid working arrangements, competitive salaries, and meaningful equity in a rapidly growing startup. The company fosters a culture of creativity and ownership, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and a supportive atmosphere that values well-being and continuous learning.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Lead - UX/UI, Brand & Growth (Hybrid)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those at Happl or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your work! Make sure your portfolio is up-to-date and highlights your best UX/UI projects. Tailor it to reflect how your style aligns with Happl's mission of creating intuitive and engaging experiences.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by understanding Happl’s products and their design philosophy. Think about how you can contribute to their vision and be ready to share your ideas on elevating their brand identity.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Happl team and its exciting journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Lead - UX/UI, Brand & Growth (Hybrid)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:Make sure your portfolio is front and centre! We want to see your best work that showcases your UX/UI prowess. Highlight projects that demonstrate your ability to create intuitive and elegant solutions, especially those that resonate with HR leaders and senior stakeholders.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect how your experience aligns with our mission at Happl. Mention specific projects or experiences that relate to the role and show us why you’re the perfect fit for our design team.
Be Bold and Authentic:We love bold ideas and authenticity! Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in your application. Share your design philosophy and what drives you as a designer. We’re looking for someone who cares deeply about their craft and isn’t afraid to express their opinions.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures it gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Happl!
How to prepare for a job interview at Happl
✨Know Your Design Craft
Make sure you can talk confidently about your design process and the tools you use. Be ready to showcase your portfolio, highlighting projects that demonstrate your UX/UI skills and how you've tackled challenges in previous roles.
✨Understand the Company’s Vision
Research Happl and its mission to revolutionise employee benefits. Familiarise yourself with their platform and think about how your design philosophy aligns with their goals. This will show your genuine interest and help you articulate how you can contribute.
✨Prepare for Collaboration Questions
Since this role involves working closely with product and engineering teams, be prepared to discuss your experience collaborating across disciplines. Think of examples where you’ve successfully navigated differing opinions and how you’ve contributed to a team environment.
✨Showcase Your Prototyping Skills
Happl values quick prototyping and shipping ideas. Be ready to discuss your experience with modern prototyping tools and AI-assisted workflows. Share specific instances where you’ve used these tools to iterate on designs rapidly and improve user experiences.
