At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a design team while shaping user experiences for runners.
- Company: Join Runna, a dynamic company focused on enhancing the running experience.
- Benefits: Generous stock options, 25 vacation days, and paid time to run.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on product design and culture from the ground up.
- Qualifications: Proven design leadership and hands-on experience in consumer products.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Runna’s product design team has grown quickly, and we’re adding a senior design leader to help it scale. As Senior Manager, Product Design, you’ll own the craft, quality, and direction of design across several of Runna’s core user journeys, leading a small team of designers while staying hands-on in the work yourself. Reporting to our Director of Product Design, you’ll be a close partner to Product and Engineering, and help shape what design at Runna becomes as we grow within Strava Group.
You’ll join Runna’s product design team, a group of around 10 designers building the experiences that help runners train, improve, and stay motivated. It’s a team that cares deeply about craft and about the runners we serve, and this is a rare moment to help shape its culture and standards as the function scales. You’ll work closely with our new Director of Product Design and with Product and Engineering leaders across the business.
- Own the design quality and direction for several of Runna’s core user journeys, setting a clear point of view on where the experience should go.
- Lead and develop a small team of designers (with the potential to manage a manager as the team grows) through consistent coaching, feedback, and 1:1s.
- Stay hands-on in the craft, giving precise, substantive feedback and setting the standard through your own taste and judgment.
- Run design reviews and drive alignment on design direction across your journeys.
- Partner closely with Product and Engineering leaders to shape strategy and ship work at a high bar.
- Raise the craft bar across the team, establishing standards and a culture where quality is expected and named.
- Contribute to Runna’s broader design system, design culture, and design leadership team.
Benefits
- Own a part of Runna: We want you to own a part of the company you’re building. Everyone who joins Runna receives a generous stock options package.
- Grow with us: As one of our early hires, you’ll have a unique opportunity to shape and influence Runna’s product and culture from the beginning.
- Learn and develop: We work with all of the latest tools and technologies so you can learn at the cutting edge of product development.
- Team socials: We’re a friendly bunch and like to make work-like fun, whether that’s lunches and dinners or our bi-weekly team run.
- Paid vacation: We want people to take time off to rest and rejuvenate. Runna offers 25 vacation days + bank holidays.
- Tools: You’ll receive all new equipment including a laptop, running watch of your choice, and anything else you need to do your best work.
- Get paid to Run(na): We have a dedicated hour block each week where you’ll get paid to run! Whether you want to build up to your first 5k or do that tough intervals sessions it’s up to you!
- Enhanced family care: 3 months fully paid when you welcome a new Runna into the family, as well as fertility support & a host of other benefits.
Qualifications
- Experience with health, fitness, sport, or community-driven consumer products, subscription apps, or AI-powered features (like Runna’s coaching) is a plus.
- Genuine hands-on design ability: a player/coach who sets the craft standard through your own taste and judgment, not management alone.
- A track record of raising craft across a team, setting standards and building a culture where quality is expected and named.
- Substantial experience managing and developing product designers, and owning design direction across a multi-product or multi-journey portfolio.
- Experience designing consumer products at scale (an app or platform with a significant user base).
- The ability to set and articulate a clear design vision, and bring others along with it.
- You’re based in London, or ready to relocate here.
- Experience managing other managers is a plus, as this role may grow into a manager-of-managers remit.
- Strong senior partnership with Product and Engineering, including the ability to influence without authority.
Senior Manager of Product Design in London employer: Runna
Runna is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises flexibility and collaboration in our Vauxhall office. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide ample opportunities for professional development, alongside generous benefits such as private health insurance, wellness programmes, and a supportive environment for innovation. Joining us means being part of a passionate team dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the running community, especially during this exciting phase following our acquisition by Strava.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Manager of Product Design in London
✨Join Product Management Meetups
Get involved in local product management meetups or workshops. These events are perfect for meeting industry folks, sharing ideas, and staying updated on trends. Plus, you never know who might be hiring—it's a fantastic way to make connections that could lead to a job at places like Runna!
✨Show Off Your Product Sense
Create case studies or mini-projects showcasing your product management skills, and share them on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn. This not only puts your skills on display but also boosts your visibility in the product community. Imagine how impressed the hiring team at Runna would be by your initiative!
✨Utilise Online Communities
Dive into online product management communities like Product Coalition or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your insights. These platforms are goldmines for networking and finding hidden job opportunities—many companies often scout talent from within these circles.
✨Leverage Your University Network
If you’ve recently graduated or are still in uni, tap into your alumni network for connections in product management. Many universities have their own job boards and affinity resources to help graduates land roles. Don't forget to keep an eye out for job openings at Runna through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Manager of Product Design in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Senior Manager of Product Design, let your passion for developing products shine through in your cover letter. Share specific examples of products you've managed, how you solved user needs, and any successful outcomes you've achieved. This is your chance to showcase your understanding of the product lifecycle!
Highlight Your Cross-Functional Skills:Product management isn't just about understanding the product; it’s about collaborating with different teams! Make sure to emphasise your experience working with developers, designers, and marketers. Use your CV to showcase your ability to bridge gaps between these areas, and include relevant experiences that demonstrate your communication and leadership skills!
Include Your Metrics and Achievements:In a full-time product management application, data speaks volumes! Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you increase user retention by a certain percentage? Launch a product ahead of schedule? Include these metrics in your CV to paint a picture of your impact and effectiveness in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Make sure your CV is tailored for the Senior Manager of Product Design position at Runna. Use keywords from the job description and ensure your relevant experiences are front and centre. Highlight any certifications or relevant training you’ve completed that will make you stand out as a strong candidate for the role. And remember, we’re excited to see your application on our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Runna
✨Understand the Product Life Cycle
As a product management candidate, we need to get our head around the complete product life cycle. Be prepared to discuss real-world examples of how you’ve managed product development from ideation to launch. Bring specific insights on tools like JIRA or Trello that can help streamline these processes.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills
Product management is all about collaboration. We should be ready to highlight how we’ve worked across teams—think marketing, engineering, and design. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you had to mediate differing opinions and how you got everyone on board with a shared vision.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In a full-time role, we can expect to encounter case study questions during our interviews. Practise solving hypothetical product problems on the spot, such as prioritising features for a new app or improving user engagement metrics. This will show our analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
✨Know Your Metrics
Let’s face it, numbers are our best friends in product management. We should prepare to discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) and how we've used analytics to inform product decisions. Dive into examples where data has driven our strategy for improvements or justified product changes.
