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- 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 hours, competitive salary, 25 days holiday, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Shape impactful digital experiences while growing your skills in a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: 5 years of design experience with a strong portfolio and leadership skills.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of continuous learning and enjoy regular team celebrations.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
We’re 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.
Key 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.
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.
Person specification
- 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’re excited by this role but don’t feel you meet every requirement then we’d still encourage you to apply. We’re looking for a passionate individual who aligns with our values and can grow with the business.
As a valued part of our team you’ll get:
- A competitive salary.
- 25 days holiday.
- Sick pay package.
- Flexible working hours.
- Flexible working location.
- 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.
Location: Southampton / hybrid
Hours: 37.5 hours a week (1.0 FTE)
Salary: £50-60,000 FTE (DOE)
Design Lead in Eastleigh employer: Rareloop
Contact Detail:
Rareloop Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Lead in Eastleigh
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the design world and let them know you're on the hunt for a Design Lead role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Make sure it’s up-to-date and highlights your best work, especially projects that showcase your UX/UI skills. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, use your portfolio as a conversation starter to demonstrate your design process.
✨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 through the design process. This will help you connect with interviewers and show them your leadership style.
✨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 our team at Rareloop.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Lead in Eastleigh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Design Process: When applying, make sure to highlight your design process in your portfolio. We want to see how you tackle projects from start to finish, so include wireframes, prototypes, and the final product to give us a clear picture of your skills.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific requirements of the Design Lead role. We love seeing candidates who understand our values and can articulate how they align with them.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who’s not only skilled but also passionate about design. Share your thoughts on user-centric experiences and what drives you in your work!
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 don’t miss out on any important updates regarding the hiring process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Rareloop
✨Showcase Your Design Process
Make sure to bring a strong portfolio that highlights your design process, not just the final outcomes. Be ready to discuss how you approach each stage, from discovery workshops to prototyping and user testing. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience and strategic thinking.
✨Prepare for Collaboration Questions
Since this role involves liaising with project managers and developers, think of examples where you've successfully collaborated on complex projects. Be prepared to explain how you communicate design ideas to non-technical stakeholders and ensure everyone is on the same page.
✨Emphasise Your Mentoring Skills
As a Design Lead, mentoring is key. Prepare to discuss your experience in managing and coaching design teams. Share specific instances where you've fostered a culture of learning and high performance, as this aligns with what they’re looking for.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for User-Centric Design
Rareloop values impactful, user-centric experiences. Be ready to talk about your passion for UX/UI design and how you've applied human-centred design principles in your previous roles. Show them that you understand the importance of creating solutions that truly meet user needs.
