At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and grow a global design team while driving design quality and collaborating cross-functionally.
- Company: OpenTable is a leader in the restaurant reservation industry, focusing on enhancing dining experiences.
- Benefits: Enjoy 5 weeks paid vacation, company-paid therapy sessions, and annual company-wide week off.
- Other info: This senior role reports directly to the Vice President of Product Design & Research.
- Why this job: Shape the future of product design for a global platform impacting restaurants and diners worldwide.
- Qualifications: Hands-on product design experience with a strong portfolio and proven people leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
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 – 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 in London employer: Job Search Place Limited
OpenTable offers a dynamic work environment with flexible schedules tailored for a global workforce. Employees enjoy generous benefits like private health insurance and development opportunities, fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Product Design - Diner in London
✨Join Product Management Meetups
Get involved in local product management meetups or workshops. These events are perfect for meeting industry folks, sharing ideas, and staying updated on trends. Plus, you never know who might be hiring—it's a fantastic way to make connections that could lead to a job at places like Job Search Place Limited!
✨Show Off Your Product Sense
Create case studies or mini-projects showcasing your product management skills, and share them on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn. This not only puts your skills on display but also boosts your visibility in the product community. Imagine how impressed the hiring team at Job Search Place Limited would be by your initiative!
✨Utilise Online Communities
Dive into online product management communities like Product Coalition or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your insights. These platforms are goldmines for networking and finding hidden job opportunities—many companies often scout talent from within these circles.
✨Leverage Your University Network
If you’ve recently graduated or are still in uni, tap into your alumni network for connections in product management. Many universities have their own job boards and affinity resources to help graduates land roles. Don't forget to keep an eye out for job openings at Job Search Place Limited through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Product Design - Diner in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Director, Product Design - Diner, let your passion for developing products shine through in your cover letter. Share specific examples of products you've managed, how you solved user needs, and any successful outcomes you've achieved. This is your chance to showcase your understanding of the product lifecycle!
Highlight Your Cross-Functional Skills:Product management isn't just about understanding the product; it’s about collaborating with different teams! Make sure to emphasise your experience working with developers, designers, and marketers. Use your CV to showcase your ability to bridge gaps between these areas, and include relevant experiences that demonstrate your communication and leadership skills!
Include Your Metrics and Achievements:In a full-time product management application, data speaks volumes! Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you increase user retention by a certain percentage? Launch a product ahead of schedule? Include these metrics in your CV to paint a picture of your impact and effectiveness in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Make sure your CV is tailored for the Director, Product Design - Diner position at Job Search Place Limited. Use keywords from the job description and ensure your relevant experiences are front and centre. Highlight any certifications or relevant training you’ve completed that will make you stand out as a strong candidate for the role. And remember, we’re excited to see your application on our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Job Search Place Limited
✨Understand the Product Life Cycle
As a product management candidate, we need to get our head around the complete product life cycle. Be prepared to discuss real-world examples of how you’ve managed product development from ideation to launch. Bring specific insights on tools like JIRA or Trello that can help streamline these processes.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills
Product management is all about collaboration. We should be ready to highlight how we’ve worked across teams—think marketing, engineering, and design. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you had to mediate differing opinions and how you got everyone on board with a shared vision.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In a full-time role, we can expect to encounter case study questions during our interviews. Practise solving hypothetical product problems on the spot, such as prioritising features for a new app or improving user engagement metrics. This will show our analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
✨Know Your Metrics
Let’s face it, numbers are our best friends in product management. We should prepare to discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) and how we've used analytics to inform product decisions. Dive into examples where data has driven our strategy for improvements or justified product changes.