Head of Design

Head of Design

London Full-Time 66000 - 77000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a team to redefine digital travel experiences for millions globally.
  • Company: Join a top global travel brand with a legacy and ambitious future.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonuses, flexible work, and health perks.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in transforming travel experiences and shaping the future.
  • Qualifications: Experience in leading design teams and transforming complex digital ecosystems required.
  • Other info: Opportunity to influence C-suite stakeholders and drive significant change.

The predicted salary is between 66000 - 77000 ÂŁ per year.

You don’t just lead design. You shape direction. You turn complexity into clarity, and ambition into action.

If you’ve been waiting for a role where you can make a real impact - not just incrementally improve what exists, but completely reimagine it - this could be the opportunity you’ve been looking for.

Our client is one of the most recognisable names in global travel. With a strong legacy, a global presence, and millions of customers each year, they’ve long been a leader in how people explore the world. But now they’re setting their sights on something bigger. This is a business at a pivotal moment of transformation, consolidating multiple market-specific websites into one unified global platform, and putting digital experience at the heart of how they grow. Not just to keep pace with evolving customer expectations, but to lead the industry into what comes next.

This isn’t about redesigning for the sake of it. It’s about creating something truly world-class: a seamless, intuitive, and empowering experience that connects customers across borders and touch points; before, during, and after their trip.

They’re looking for a Head of Design for Web who can bring vision, leadership, and craft to a challenge of real scale and complexity. Someone who can inspire a 45+ strong team of Designers and Researchers, navigate a matrixed global environment, and help define what “great” looks like for millions of users around the world.

About the organisation:

  • You’ll be joining one of the most recognisable travel brands in the world—a company with deep customer trust, decades of heritage, and bold plans for the future.
  • Global scale: Millions of customers are served every year, across diverse markets.
  • Digital transformation underway: A complete redesign and unification of multiple platforms into one global ecosystem.
  • Customer-first ambition: Their mission is to deliver a consistent, empowering digital experience at every stage of the journey—from dreaming and booking to returning home.

With strong backing from the business and a clear appetite for change, this is a rare opportunity to shape something with real global impact.

What you’ll be doing:

  • Set the vision – Define what a world-class digital experience looks and feels like across all markets and customer journeys.
  • Lead the team – Inspire, mentor, and grow a high-performing team of over 45 designers and researchers.
  • Drive unification – Oversee the design of the unified Platform, bringing consistency and cohesion to a global digital estate.
  • Make it local – Ensure global experiences are adapted with cultural sensitivity and regional relevance.
  • Embed design deeply – Champion a culture of user-centred design, insight-led iteration, and continuous improvement.
  • Collaborate at scale – Work hand-in-hand with Product, Technology, Ecommerce, Analytics, and local market teams.
  • Influence up and across – Present and advocate to senior leaders, including Group Directors and C-level stakeholders (CMO, CIO, CDO).
  • Own the roadmap – Lead 12–18 month planning, balancing long-term ambition with short-term delivery.
  • Raise the bar – Continuously evolve design culture, process, and practice to drive greater impact.

What we’re looking for:

You don’t need to tick every box. What matters most is your mindset, leadership, and ability to drive outcomes. You might be someone who:

  • Has previous experience leading design teams in large-scale, digital-first environments.
  • Has led the transformation of complex, multi-market ecosystems.
  • Is both strategic and hands-on - you know when to zoom out and when to get in the detail.
  • Brings deep understanding of design systems, agile methods, and UX research.
  • Builds and nurtures high-performing, inclusive teams.
  • Has presented to and influenced C-suite stakeholders in global organisations.
  • Thinks globally, acts locally, with the ability to scale experiences across diverse regions.

What’s in it for you?

The Package: Salary: Up to ÂŁ110,000 DOE Bonus: Up to 40% Car allowance: ÂŁ5,600 Enhanced Maternity / Paternity Private Medical (Family plan) Health Insurance And much more...

You’ll also get the rare opportunity to:

  • Lead a digital transformation that impacts millions of users worldwide.
  • Shape the future of travel experiences at one of the world’s best-known brands.
  • Collaborate with a smart, ambitious team that’s hungry to raise the bar.
  • Drive both strategy and execution in a role with clear ownership.
  • Enjoy a flexible working model and a culture that supports growth, experimentation, and bold ideas.

The Interview process:

  • Intro call – 30 minutes with a peer to explore a fit.
  • Vision task & Presentation – Share your approach and early thinking on the opportunity.
  • Final session – Present your ideas to senior stakeholders (C-level).

If this sounds like your kind of challenge, we’d love to hear from you. Not 100% sure but curious to know more? That’s fine too. We’re open to conversations, not just applications.

Hit APPLY now.

Head of Design employer: Raven

Join a globally recognised travel brand that is at the forefront of digital transformation, where your leadership as Head of Design will shape the future of travel experiences for millions. With a strong commitment to employee growth, a collaborative culture, and a flexible working model, you will have the unique opportunity to inspire a talented team while driving impactful change in a dynamic environment. Enjoy competitive benefits, including a generous bonus structure and enhanced family support, all while making a meaningful difference in how the world travels.
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Contact Detail:

Raven Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Design

✨Tip Number 1

Research the company’s current digital platforms and identify areas for improvement. Understanding their existing design challenges will help you articulate your vision during the interview process.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare to discuss your experience with leading large design teams. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've inspired and mentored designers, as this role requires strong leadership skills.

✨Tip Number 3

Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in user experience and digital transformation within the travel industry. This knowledge will enable you to present innovative ideas that align with the company's goals.

✨Tip Number 4

Practice your presentation skills, especially when it comes to influencing senior stakeholders. Being able to clearly communicate your design vision and strategy will be crucial during the final interview session.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Design

Leadership Skills
Strategic Thinking
User-Centred Design
Design Systems Knowledge
Agile Methodologies
UX Research Expertise
Team Building and Mentoring
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Presentation Skills
Stakeholder Management
Cultural Sensitivity
Digital Transformation Experience
Project Management
Creative Problem-Solving
Adaptability to Change

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and expectations of the Head of Design position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with their vision for a world-class digital experience.

Showcase Leadership Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your previous leadership roles, particularly in large-scale, digital-first environments. Provide specific examples of how you've inspired and grown design teams, as this is crucial for this role.

Demonstrate Strategic Thinking: Highlight your ability to think strategically while also being hands-on. Discuss instances where you've successfully balanced long-term goals with short-term execution, especially in complex, multi-market ecosystems.

Prepare for the Interview Process: Be ready to discuss your vision for the role during the interview process. Prepare a presentation that outlines your approach to leading design transformation and how you would advocate for user-centred design within the organisation.

How to prepare for a job interview at Raven

✨Showcase Your Vision

Prepare to articulate your vision for a world-class digital experience. Think about how you would approach the redesign and be ready to discuss specific strategies that align with the company's goals.

✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills

Be prepared to share examples of how you've inspired and led design teams in the past. Highlight your ability to mentor and grow talent, as this role requires managing a large team of designers and researchers.

✨Understand Cultural Sensitivity

Since the role involves creating a unified platform for diverse markets, demonstrate your understanding of cultural nuances. Discuss how you would adapt global experiences to ensure regional relevance.

✨Engage with Stakeholders

Practice presenting your ideas clearly and confidently, as you'll need to influence C-suite stakeholders. Prepare to discuss how you've successfully communicated with senior leaders in previous roles.

Head of Design
Raven
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  • Head of Design

    London
    Full-Time
    66000 - 77000 ÂŁ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-04-23

  • R

    Raven

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