At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of an innovative AI-powered financial advice product.
- Company: Join Marloo, a forward-thinking startup backed by Blackbird Ventures.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and relocation support available.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team in central London with exciting growth potential.
- Why this job: Shape the future of design in a groundbreaking financial tool.
- Qualifications: 5+ years of experience in designing user-centric products.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
About Marloo
Financial advisers carry an extraordinary responsibility. They guide people through the most important financial decisions of their lives. For too long the tools available to them have been unworthy of that responsibility. We are building the AI partner that changes that. Not a notetaker, but the infrastructure the profession has always needed and never had. Backed by Blackbird Ventures, the first and largest investor in Canva, we have onboarded 650+ firms across six countries with almost zero churn in under a year. We are at the beginning of something significant and the momentum speaks for itself.
The role
Financial advice software has been clunky for decades. Windows 95 era thinking in a world that has moved on. We are building something that feels like a pleasure to use, and that is as much a design challenge as a product one. You will design the future of Marloo alongside Hardy and Shak (co‑founders) and the engineering team. As our first full‑time designer, you will own the full spectrum from product UX to brand. You are not inheriting a process. You are creating one, and you will shape how design is embedded in our culture and our decisions.
Product is the primary focus: crafting an experience that makes advisers feel like they have a brilliant partner in their corner. Brand and marketing sit alongside, and you will have the judgement to know when to go deep yourself, when to bring in external help, and what is not worth doing at all.
What You’ll Do
- Product and UX
- Lead the design of our AI‑powered product. Make something genuinely complex feel intuitive, elegant, and useful.
- Work shoulder to shoulder with engineers and the founders to ship features that are beautiful and functional.
- Build design systems that scale across Mac, iOS, and web.
- Spend real time with users (advisers, paraplanners, support staff) to investigate use cases, test features, and build your own sense of what to build next.
- Move between explore mode (wild ideas, fast prototypes in Figma, Cursor, v0) and exploit mode (nailing interaction, typography, motion on the features that earn it).
- Brand and Visual Identity
- Establish a cohesive brand identity: trustworthy, intelligent, beautifully human.
- Design the key brand assets: website, marketing, visual guidelines.
- Hold the line on consistency across every touchpoint.
- Know when to bring in agencies or freelancers while owning the quality bar.
This could be a good fit if
- You have 5+ years shipping beautifully designed products to real users. Senior or staff level.
- You are a systems thinker who has worked on open‑ended tools. Architecting a flexible system is as much the challenge as any individual screen.
- You are a natural prototyper. "Let’s try it and see how it feels" is one of your most used phrases.
- You are comfortable across web, Mac, and mobile, and you understand what good looks like on each.
- You measure your work on what shipped, not on the Figma file.
- You are drawn to the bleeding edge of AI tooling and pull it into your workflow.
As a person, you
- Are first and foremost a builder.
- Are excited to be in the office most of the time.
- Love the zero‑to‑one phase of a startup.
- Value working with people who are kind, ambitious, and pragmatic.
Why this role is special
- You define Marloo’s design DNA. No playbook to follow. You write it.
- A founding team that gets design and will back you to push for great work.
- We are at the start of the most exciting era for tool builders in a generation.
Compensation and Benefits
£80,000 to £100,000 base. Equity. Office first in central London. Relocation support available for the right person.
Salary Range
£80-£100k depending on experience. Exceptions on a case‑by‑case basis and determined relative to open compensation standards. Happy to discuss what that would look like for you specifically during our interview process.
Design Lead, London employer: Marloo
Marloo is an exceptional employer that empowers its employees to shape the future of financial advice through innovative design. With a strong focus on collaboration and creativity, the company fosters a vibrant work culture in central London, offering competitive compensation, equity options, and relocation support for the right candidates. As a Design Lead, you will have the unique opportunity to define the design DNA of a pioneering AI product, working alongside a passionate founding team dedicated to pushing boundaries and creating meaningful tools for financial advisers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Lead, London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Marloo's mission, values, and products. This way, when you chat with them, you can show off your knowledge and passion for what they do.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to a referral, which is golden in the job hunt.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common design challenges. Think about how you'd tackle real-world problems they might face at Marloo. Show them your thought process and creativity!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to 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 Marloo team.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Lead, London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Design:When you're writing your application, let your love for design shine through! Talk about what excites you about creating user-friendly products and how you envision shaping Marloo's design DNA. We want to see your enthusiasm for building something beautiful and functional.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in product and UX design. Share specific examples of projects where you've made complex ideas feel intuitive. We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate their ability to ship beautifully designed products, so don’t hold back!
Be Authentic:We value authenticity, so be yourself in your application. Share your unique approach to design and how you collaborate with teams. Let us know what makes you tick as a designer and how you plan to contribute to our culture at Marloo.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows that you’re serious about joining our team and being part of this exciting journey.
How to prepare for a job interview at Marloo
✨Know Your Design Philosophy
Before the interview, take some time to reflect on your design philosophy and how it aligns with Marloo's vision. Be ready to discuss your approach to creating intuitive and elegant user experiences, especially in the context of AI-powered products.
✨Showcase Your Prototyping Skills
Bring examples of your prototyping work to the interview. Whether it's through Figma or other tools, demonstrate how you move from wild ideas to polished features. This will show that you're not just a thinker but also a doer who can bring concepts to life.
✨Understand Their Users
Research the financial advisers and support staff who will be using the product. Understanding their pain points and needs will help you articulate how your designs can genuinely improve their experience. Be prepared to discuss how you would gather user feedback and iterate on designs.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Marloo values teamwork, so highlight your experience working closely with engineers and founders. Share specific examples of how you've collaborated in the past to ship beautiful and functional products, and express your excitement about building a design culture from the ground up.