At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a talented design team and shape user experience strategy across the organisation.
- Company: Join Pennylane, a forward-thinking company that values creativity and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 paid vacation days, competitive pay, and access to fitness spaces across Europe.
- Other info: Remote work options and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving design excellence and fostering an inclusive culture.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in leading design teams and a strong eye for creative direction.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Pennylane seeks a Product Design Manager who will lead a team of designers, partner with cross‑functional leaders, and shape user experience strategy across the organization.
Key Responsibilities
- Scale and grow the product design team of five designers, hiring, developing, and retaining top talent aligned with company growth.
- Identify strategic UX opportunities that increase productivity and deliver business value, collaborating with product and engineering peers at the track level.
- Orchestrate user research with product leads and the design team to surface insights and translate them into actionable priorities.
- Measure the impact of design on key business metrics and drive continuous improvement.
- Contribute findings and best practices back to the broader organization, providing insight and thought leadership.
- Balance speed, quality, and consistency across deliverables while focusing on business goals.
- Develop and enforce design processes and standards to maximize efficiency and impact.
- Partner closely with design operations to optimize resources and workflow.
Qualifications
- Fluency in French and proficiency in English.
- Strong track record of leading product design teams, preferably in B2B organisations.
- Excellent eye for design and ability to provide creative direction.
- Ability to align team decisions with vision, JTBD, and design guidelines.
- Data‑driven problem solving and experience turning insights into design solutions.
- Experience fostering an inclusive, open, and engaged design culture.
- Comfortable communicating future design directions to senior stakeholders, including founders.
- Collaborative mindset, working closely with Designers, Engineers, and Product Managers.
- Significant experience collaborating with senior executives (C‑level and committees).
- Skill in simplifying, synthesising, and translating complex issues for non‑expert audiences.
- Strong presentation and advocacy skills for design decisions.
- Ability to manage meeting dynamics, knowing when to lead, listen, and adapt.
Benefits
- 25 paid vacation days.
- Competitive compensation and company shares.
- Workspace budget and monthly coworking allowance.
- Access to 8,000 fitness spaces in Europe via Gymlib.
- Busuu language learning credits.
- Latest Apple equipment.
- Remote work eligibility within two hours of CET time zone.
- Company events such as Tech Days and annual seminars.
- For France: French contract, 6–12 RTT, 5 weeks paid time off, lunch credits (Swile), Alan Blue health care and regular in‑city events.
Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity
We fully embrace diversity, equity and inclusion and are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment. We provide equal employment opportunity regardless of gender, sexual orientation, origin, disability or any other personal trait.
Product Design Manager employer: Pennylane
At Pennylane, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, particularly for our Product Design Manager role. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, we offer competitive compensation, generous vacation days, and access to resources that promote both professional development and personal well-being. Our collaborative environment encourages innovation and creativity, making it an ideal place for talented individuals to thrive and make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Design Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the design world, especially those who might know someone at Pennylane. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to a referral, which is golden when it comes to landing that interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Make sure it’s up-to-date and highlights your best work. When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, be ready to discuss how your designs have made an impact in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by researching Pennylane’s design philosophy and recent projects. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to their user experience strategy.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Product Design Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Product Design Manager role. Highlight your experience in leading design teams and any relevant B2B projects. We want to see how your skills align with our vision!
Showcase Your Design Process:When applying, give us a peek into your design process. Share examples of how you've turned insights into actionable design solutions. We love seeing how you measure impact and drive continuous improvement!
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application! We value an inclusive and open design culture, so don’t hesitate to share your unique perspective and experiences that contribute to that environment.
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 you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pennylane
✨Know Your Design Principles
Before the interview, brush up on your design principles and methodologies. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past projects, especially in a B2B context. This will show that you not only understand design but can also lead a team effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led design teams in the past. Highlight your approach to hiring, developing talent, and fostering an inclusive culture. This is crucial for a role that involves scaling a team and aligning decisions with company vision.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since the role requires measuring design impact on business metrics, come equipped with examples of how you've used data to inform design decisions. Discuss specific insights you've gathered from user research and how they translated into actionable design solutions.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice articulating your design vision and future directions clearly. You’ll need to communicate effectively with senior stakeholders, so be prepared to simplify complex issues and advocate for your design decisions confidently.
