At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and build the Experience Design function, embedding AI into innovative design processes.
- Company: Join a tech consultancy transforming businesses with AI-powered digital experiences.
- Benefits: Competitive salary of £110,000 plus benefits; hybrid work model with 3 days in Manchester office.
- Why this job: Shape the future of design, lead a talented team, and make a real impact in the industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading design teams, strong interest in AI, and ability to inspire and mentor others.
- Other info: Engage in a two-stage interview process with the founder and team.
The predicted salary is between 66000 - 88000 £ per year.
Building a design capability from the ground up isn’t for everyone. But for the right person, it’s a rare opportunity to truly make your mark. This is a chance to shape products, services, ways of working, and a growing team while also defining and embedding AI-powered experience design into everything this studio does.
We’re looking for a strategic, hands-on leader who thrives in ambiguity, loves to build, and is ready to take ownership of a transformative design function within a fast-growing agency. This is more than an agency leadership role. It’s a chance to lead in AI-driven experience design, win exciting new clients, and carve out your own space in the industry.
About the client: They are a technology and transformation consultancy that helps businesses rethink, innovate, and grow. They partner with clients to build AI-powered digital experiences, craft new business models, and develop cutting-edge products and services. As they continue to expand, they’re looking for someone to establish and grow their Experience Design capability, embedding AI, human-centered design, and future-forward thinking into everything they do.
About the role: As Experience Design Director, you’ll build and lead the design practice from the ground up. You’ll define how design drives innovation, work with clients to shape new digital experiences, and develop a high-performing team. You’ll be at the forefront of AI-driven design, embedding intelligent experiences across their work and helping businesses unlock the full potential of emerging technology. This is a role for someone who wants to shape, not inherit. You’ll create new ways of working, set the vision for design, and play a key role in winning and delivering major client engagements.
Key Responsibilities:
- Build and lead the Experience Design function, setting the vision and strategy for design.
- Embed AI and emerging technology into design processes to create innovative, intelligent experiences.
- Develop and scale a high-performing team, hiring and mentoring exceptional design talent.
- Define and implement new ways of working, ensuring design is at the heart of how they build products and services.
- Partner with clients to shape digital experiences that drive business growth.
- Work closely with leadership to position as a leader in AI-driven design.
- Play a key role in winning new business, shaping proposals and pitches to demonstrate the value of experience design.
Is This You?
We’re looking for someone who:
- Has built and led design teams in an agency or consultancy setting.
- Is comfortable operating at both strategic and hands-on levels.
- Has a strong interest in AI and its role in experience design.
- Can win the trust of clients and shape large-scale design engagements.
- Is a natural leader, mentor, and coach who can inspire and grow a team.
- Has experience working across product, service, and digital experience design.
- Thrives in ambiguity and sees the unknown as an opportunity, not a problem.
What you’ll want to know:
Salary circa £110,000 + Benefits. Office based in Manchester (ideally 3 Days/week on-site).
Interview process:
- Stage 1: Meet the Founder – A conversation to understand your vision for Experience Design and theirs for the studio and whether they align.
- Stage 2: Meet the Team – An opportunity to discuss ways of working, collaboration, dive deeper on design expertise and your approach to leadership.
Interested in learning more? Hit Apply Now!
Locations
Experience Design Director employer: Raven
Contact Detail:
Raven Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Experience Design Director
✨Tip Number 1
Research the latest trends in AI-driven experience design. Familiarise yourself with case studies and successful projects that showcase innovative uses of AI in design. This knowledge will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've built high-performing teams in the past. Be ready to share specific examples of mentoring and developing talent, as this role requires strong team-building skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Think about how you can demonstrate your strategic thinking. Prepare to articulate your vision for embedding AI into design processes and how you would approach shaping new digital experiences for clients.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with professionals in the experience design and AI fields. Attend relevant events or webinars to connect with others in the industry, which could provide insights and potentially lead to referrals for the position.
We think you need these skills to ace Experience Design Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, take time to thoroughly understand the Experience Design Director role. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities and expectations outlined in the job description, especially around AI-driven design and team leadership.
Tailor Your CV: Craft your CV to highlight relevant experience in building and leading design teams, particularly in agency or consultancy settings. Emphasise your strategic thinking and hands-on capabilities, as well as any experience with AI in design.
Write a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should reflect your passion for experience design and your vision for embedding AI into design processes. Use specific examples from your past work to demonstrate how you can shape and lead a design function effectively.
Prepare for Interviews: Anticipate questions about your leadership style, experience with AI, and how you handle ambiguity. Be ready to discuss your approach to building high-performing teams and shaping client engagements, as these are key aspects of the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Raven
✨Showcase Your Vision
During your first meeting with the Founder, clearly articulate your vision for Experience Design. Discuss how you plan to embed AI and innovative practices into the design process, demonstrating your strategic thinking and alignment with the studio's goals.
✨Demonstrate Hands-On Leadership
In the second stage of the interview, focus on your hands-on leadership style. Share specific examples of how you've built and led design teams in the past, highlighting your ability to mentor and inspire others while driving successful projects.
✨Embrace Ambiguity
Be prepared to discuss how you thrive in uncertain situations. Provide examples of how you've turned ambiguity into opportunity in previous roles, showcasing your adaptability and problem-solving skills, which are crucial for this position.
✨Engage with AI Insights
Since the role heavily involves AI-driven design, come equipped with insights on current trends and future possibilities in AI and experience design. This will not only demonstrate your passion but also your readiness to lead in this transformative area.