Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design process and mentor a talented team to create user-centric digital products.
- Company: Join Rareloop, an award-winning B Corp certified Digital Product Studio in Southampton.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, 25 days holiday, and a supportive work/life balance.
- Why this job: Shape impactful digital experiences while growing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 5 years of design experience with a strong portfolio and leadership skills.
- Other info: No application deadline; we value personality and passion over perfection.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are looking for an experienced and visionary Design Lead to shape the future of our digital product delivery. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who can drive the end-to-end design process, from discovery and strategy to execution and delivery, while mentoring a talented team of product designers. This role requires a strong strategic mind, deep expertise in UX/UI design, and a passion for creating impactful, user-centric experiences.
About Rareloop
Rareloop is a well-established, B Corp certified, award-winning Digital Product Studio based in Southampton. We help ambitious businesses and charities to design and build best of breed websites, apps and bespoke web software. We use human-centred design, automation and AI to solve real problems for organisations, helping them to cut costs and accelerate growth.
Roles And Responsibilities
- Digital Product Design: Designing beautiful interfaces (UI) and intuitive experiences (UX).
- Leading Discovery workshops: Helping clients understand their underlying problems and creating viable solutions in the form of wireframes, diagrams and interactive prototypes.
- Collaboration: Liaising with project managers, developers and other team members to deliver complex digital projects.
- Managing and mentoring the design team: Directly manage, mentor, and coach a team of Product Designers, fostering a culture of continuous learning, growth, and high performance.
- Process & Methodology: Define, refine, and enforce best practices for the entire design process, including research, wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and final visual design (UX/UI).
- Quality control: Ensuring visual accuracy and that design intents are followed through into development.
- Marketing and brand assets: Work with the Marketing Manager to provide visual asset support to Rareloop's own marketing efforts.
Requirements
- Creative problem solver with a passion for using technology to solve problems.
- Strong critical thinking skills.
- High attention to detail.
- Excellent communication skills, capable of translating complex ideas to non-technical stakeholders.
- Ability to multitask.
- Organised and thorough, taking ownership of outcomes.
- Desire for constant improvement.
- Ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
- Confident presenter.
- Someone who thrives in an SME with a flat structure and empowered team members.
- Commuting distance from Southampton for meetings/workshops.
- Must have the right to work in the UK.
Required experience
- 5 years commercial design experience working in similar roles.
- Strong portfolio showcasing product design process and outcomes.
- Agency or consultancy experience.
- Demonstrated ability to lead Discovery workshops.
- Demonstrated experience working on non-trivial projects.
- Expertise in UX principles, interaction design, and accessibility.
- Aligns with our values.
Desirable experience
- Line management experience.
- Deep Figma knowledge.
- Design system experience.
- Broader visual design experience.
If you are excited by this role but don’t feel you meet every requirement then we’d still encourage you to apply. We are looking for a passionate individual who aligns with our values and can grow with the business.
Benefits
- 25 days holiday.
- Sick pay package.
- Flexible working hours.
- Flexible working location (Southampton or remote).
- A great work/life balance.
- Contributory Pension (after 3 months).
- An opportunity to develop & grow your skills within an expert team.
- Continuing Personal Development (CPD).
- Yearly training budget.
- Free coffee/tea and soft drinks.
- Regular free lunches to celebrate team wins.
- Group Life Assurance.
- Private Medical Insurance.
- Dental cover.
- Optical cover.
- Central Southampton office location with free parking after successful completion of probation.
How To Apply
We would like to understand who you are, why you are interested in this role and how your experience matches what we are looking for so don’t be afraid to include some personality in your application. We reserve the right to reject without response any application that appears to have been generated with AI. There is no deadline for applicants, we are keen to hire the right person and willing to take our time to find them. No recruiters/agencies please! We know where you are if we need you.
Design Lead in Southampton employer: Rareloop | B Corp
Contact Detail:
Rareloop | B Corp Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Lead in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Get your portfolio in tip-top shape! Make sure it showcases your best work and highlights your design process. We want to see how you think, not just the final product.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend design meetups, or join online forums. You never know who might have a lead on your dream job at Rareloop!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising your storytelling skills. Be ready to discuss your design journey, the challenges you've faced, and how you’ve led teams. We love hearing about your experiences!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re keen to find someone who aligns with our values, so don’t hold back on showing your personality!
We think you need these skills to ace Design Lead in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Personality: We want to know who you are beyond your CV! Don’t be shy to sprinkle in some of your personality in your application. It helps us see if you’re a good fit for our team culture.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to align your experience with the role of Design Lead. Highlight your hands-on leadership skills and any relevant projects that showcase your UX/UI expertise. We love seeing how you can drive design processes!
Be Clear and Concise: While we appreciate creativity, clarity is key! Make sure your application is easy to read and gets straight to the point. We want to understand your journey and how it relates to what we do at Rareloop.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Rareloop | B Corp
✨Showcase Your Design Process
Make sure to prepare a portfolio that not only highlights your best work but also illustrates your design process. Be ready to discuss how you approached each project, the challenges you faced, and how you solved them. This will demonstrate your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
✨Prepare for Discovery Workshops
Since leading Discovery workshops is a key part of the role, brush up on your facilitation skills. Think of examples where you've successfully led similar sessions, and be prepared to share your approach to helping clients uncover their underlying problems and create viable solutions.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
Collaboration is crucial in this role, so come equipped with examples of how you've worked effectively with project managers, developers, and other team members. Highlight your communication skills and how you translate complex ideas to non-technical stakeholders.
✨Demonstrate Your Mentorship Experience
As a Design Lead, you'll be managing and mentoring a team. Share your experiences in coaching and developing designers, fostering a culture of continuous learning, and how you've contributed to a high-performance environment. This will show that you're not just a great designer, but also a great leader.
