At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and grow a high-performing design team to create impactful user experiences.
- Company: Join OpenTable, a leader in the restaurant tech industry with a passion for hospitality.
- Benefits: Work remotely, enjoy mental health support, generous vacation, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values diverse voices and offers flexible working arrangements.
- Why this job: Shape the future of dining experiences while leading a dynamic global team.
- Qualifications: Proven design leadership, strong portfolio, and experience in B2B or complex product spaces.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ 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.
- Experience in or genuine passion for the restaurant industry and food culture.
- Experience designing dual‑sided or marketplace products.
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.
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.
- Focus on your career growth: Access to thousands of on‑demand e‑learnings.
- Travel Discounts.
- Employee Resource Groups.
- 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.
Director, Product Design - Diner employer: OpenTable
OpenTable is an exceptional employer that champions a dynamic and inclusive work culture, empowering employees to make a meaningful impact in the restaurant industry. With a strong focus on mental health and well-being, generous benefits, and ample opportunities for professional growth, team members enjoy a supportive environment that values diverse perspectives. The flexibility to work from almost anywhere and the commitment to fostering a sense of belonging make OpenTable an attractive choice for those seeking a rewarding career 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 go a long way in getting your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your design chops! Prepare a killer portfolio that highlights your best work and how it made an impact. Tailor it to showcase your experience with dual-sided or marketplace products.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills. When you get that interview, be ready to present your ideas clearly and compellingly. Remember, it's all about making your vision resonate with the team!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the OpenTable family.
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Product Design - Diner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:Make sure your portfolio is top-notch! Highlight projects that showcase your hands-on product design experience and the impact you've made. We want to see your exceptional visual design skills and how you tackle both native apps and web experiences.
Craft a Compelling Story:When writing your application, think of it as storytelling. Clearly communicate your vision and how you can lead a high-performing design team. Use strong examples to illustrate your strategic thinking and stakeholder management skills.
Be Data-Driven:We love a good data-driven approach! In your application, mention how you've used data to inform your design decisions in the past. This shows us you're committed to continuous improvement and can bring a rigorous mindset to our team.
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, we’re excited to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at OpenTable
✨Know Your Design Impact
Make sure to showcase your portfolio effectively. Highlight specific projects where your design decisions led to measurable outcomes, especially in B2B or marketplace products. This will demonstrate your ability to drive results and align with the company's focus on meaningful experiences.
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
Prepare to communicate your design vision clearly. Use storytelling techniques to present your ideas compellingly, making them relatable to stakeholders. Practising this will help you convey complex concepts simply, which is crucial for a leadership role.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
Be ready to discuss how you've successfully partnered with cross-functional teams in the past. Share examples of how you’ve built consensus and navigated challenges, as this role requires strong collaboration with Product, Engineering, and Research teams.
✨Show Your Growth Mindset
Demonstrate your commitment to continuous improvement by discussing how you've used data to inform your design choices. Be prepared to share instances where you've identified friction in processes and how you actively worked to resolve them, showcasing your proactive approach.