Head of Design Operations in Leeds

Head of Design Operations in Leeds

Leeds Full-Time 124653 - 146650 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead design operations to enhance customer experiences and drive design quality.
  • Company: Lloyds Banking Group, a leader in financial services with a focus on inclusivity.
  • Benefits: Generous pension, performance bonuses, flexible benefits, 30 days holiday, and wellbeing initiatives.
  • Other info: Join a diverse team committed to innovation and continuous improvement.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of design in a dynamic environment and make a real impact.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in design operations leadership and experience in agile environments.

The predicted salary is between 124653 - 146650 £ per year.

Join to apply for the Head of Design Operations role at Lloyds Banking Group.

Location: Edinburgh / Leeds / Halifax / Manchester / Bristol / London

Salary: London £124,653 – £146,650 / Non‑London £104,992 – £123,520

Hours: Full‑Time

Working Pattern: Hybrid: at least two days per week or 40% of time in the office.

About this opportunity:

The services we design are integral to our customers’ lives, and this role focuses on their entire experience—at every stage, across all touchpoints. Design Operations is the central function within Experience Design that enables our Design Directors and platform‑embedded squads to work effectively. Its mission: improve design quality, increase productivity, grow design capability, and maximise design’s impact. As Head of Design Operations, you’ll champion design thinking and a design‑led culture, blending creativity with programme disciplines such as strategy, standards, continuous improvement, business architecture, and technology. This is a leadership role that requires deep design expertise and the ability to influence investment in customer‑centric design.

What you’ll do:

  • Establish and evolve a centre of design delivery, creating cohesive ways of working across design disciplines and embedding them into delivery.
  • Drive leadership understanding and organisational capability in customer‑centric design.
  • Build a world‑class design practice and environment within the Group, growing a great culture and attracting and retaining market‑leading talent.
  • Ensure effective reuse of design assets that are fit for purpose, consistent, and aligned with design standards across all divisions.
  • Keep the team at the forefront of design methodology, principles, and technology—deploying advanced tools and methods to deliver cutting‑edge capabilities.
  • Collaborate with business stakeholders and directors to resolve design and delivery challenges quickly, protecting design quality while enabling rapid delivery.
  • Develop strong relationships across Group businesses, strategy, risk, and Brands Marketing & Experience to influence future design direction.

Key skills and experience:

  • Leadership: Proven ability to lead teams solving complex problems and translate strategic intent into scaled solutions.
  • Design Delivery Expertise: Track record of establishing and driving effective Design Management practices.
  • Design Systems: Experience of managing and scaling effective design systems.
  • Measurement: Employ approaches that ensure design teams can evidence their impact.
  • Credibility: Experience in complex markets and organisations.
  • Drive: Resilience, self‑awareness, and passion for exceeding expectations while inspiring your team.
  • Problem‑solving: Strategic and innovative mindset with the ability to influence across design disciplines.
  • Influence: Strong presence in executive forums and ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
  • Digital & Tech: Understanding of digital and financial services, with a vision for where the industry is heading.

We’re looking for someone who:

  • Has 5+ years of scaled design operations leadership experience.
  • Can navigate large organisations’ platforms, channels, and codebases to shape sustainable strategies.
  • Advocates for accessibility and inclusivity in design and code.
  • Has a continuous improvement mindset.
  • Can manage multiple deliveries simultaneously.
  • Has experience building and leading multi‑disciplinary teams in an agile environment.
  • Inspires confidence, creates the right conditions for collaboration, and builds strong networks across the organisation.

About Working For Us:

We focus on ensuring we’re inclusive every day, building an organisation that reflects modern society and celebrates diversity in all its forms. We welcome applications from under‑represented groups. We’re disability confident. If you’d like reasonable adjustments to be made to our recruitment processes, just let us know.

Benefits:

  • A generous pension contribution of up to 15%.
  • An annual performance‑related bonus.
  • Share schemes including free shares.
  • Benefits you can adapt to your lifestyle, such as discounted shopping.
  • 30 days’ holiday, with bank holidays on top.
  • A range of wellbeing initiatives and generous parental leave policies.

Ready to start growing with purpose? Apply today and let’s create something extraordinary together!

Head of Design Operations in Leeds employer: LLOYDS BANKING GROUP

Lloyds Banking Group is an exceptional employer that prioritises inclusivity and diversity, fostering a vibrant work culture where creativity meets strategic discipline. With a strong focus on employee growth, the Head of Design Operations role offers opportunities to lead innovative design practices while enjoying generous benefits such as a substantial pension contribution, performance-related bonuses, and a flexible working environment across major UK cities. Join us in shaping customer experiences and making a meaningful impact in the financial services industry.

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Contact Details:

LLOYDS BANKING GROUP Recruitment Team

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Design Operations in Leeds

Leadership
Design Delivery Expertise
Design Systems Management
Measurement of Design Impact
Credibility in Complex Markets
Problem-Solving
Influence and Communication