At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design for a core product, manage a growing team, and drive user research.
- Company: Fast-growing tech company at the forefront of a new market.
- Benefits: £110k salary, 15% bonus, equity, and remote work flexibility.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology and grow in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Shape user experiences for a global audience while developing your design team.
- Qualifications: Strong product design background and experience managing designers.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We are partnering with a fast-growing technology business operating at the forefront of a genuinely new market. They run a scaled platform connecting a large global user base with the organisations that rely on them, and the quality of that user experience sits at the heart of their product strategy. They are growing their design function and looking for a Lead Designer to help define what comes next.
This is a player-coach position in the truest sense. You will take design ownership of a core product area, shaping the experience for a large and varied global audience, while building and developing a small team of designers around you. You will start with 2 to 3 direct reports, with the team set to grow to 5 or 6. You will report to the VP of Product and work day-to-day alongside engineers, researchers, and data specialists. This is not a role for someone who has left hands-on design behind. If you still open Figma every week, care about the quality of what ships, and want to grow a team around your craft, read on.
What you will do:
- Own end-to-end design across a core product area serving a large, diverse, global audience
- Design for both consumer-facing products and internal tooling
- Manage and develop a team of 2 to 3 designers, with room to grow
- Lead your own user research and use data and insight to drive design decisions
- Co-own shared design standards, the Design System, and accessibility with other senior designers
- Partner closely with product, engineering, and data teams
What we are looking for:
- A strong in-house product design background with a clear record of shipping work alongside PMs and engineers. Purely agency backgrounds are unlikely to be a fit.
- Genuine player-coach experience: you have managed or mentored other designers and kept designing throughout
- Comfort with modern prototyping and AI-assisted design tools
- Experience designing for large or diverse audiences, with a feel for where trust, clarity, and transparency matter most
- The ability to bring structure and simplicity to complex systems
Bonus points:
- You have worked through a period of rapid growth at a startup and want that again
- Background or strong interest in data, research, or emerging technology
- You have run your own user research, formally or informally
- You contribute to the wider design or product community
Interested? Get in touch with a CV and portfolio link.
Lead Product Designer in High Wycombe employer: Salt
Join a forward-thinking investment management platform in London, where innovation meets opportunity. As a Senior Business Analyst, you'll thrive in a collaborative work culture that values your expertise and encourages professional growth through continuous learning and development. Enjoy the flexibility of a hybrid working model while contributing to cutting-edge AI-driven investment solutions that make a real impact in the financial services sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Product Designer in High Wycombe
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
In the world of UX/UI design, your portfolio speaks volumes! Make sure it's packed with your best work and showcases your process, not just the final product. We want to see how you tackle design challenges, so consider adding case studies that reflect your thought process and user-centric approach.
✨Get Involved in Design Communities
Jump into local or online design meetups and workshops! Places like UXPA or local design events can be goldmines for networking and learning. Plus, mingling with fellow designers can introduce you to potential job openings that might not be listed elsewhere.
✨Tailor Your Applications
When you find a role that excites you, like the one at Salt for a Lead Product Designer, make your application count! Highlight specific projects and skills that directly relate to the job description. Hiring managers are looking for candidates who fit into their specific team, so show them you’re the one!
✨Leverage Social Media
Don't underestimate the power of social media in finding a UX/UI design job! Follow design leaders on platforms like Twitter or Instagram, share your work, and engage in conversations. It’s a great way to get noticed by recruiters and even catch wind of openings at companies like Salt before they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Product Designer in High Wycombe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Design Process:When you're applying for a UX/UI Design role like Lead Product Designer at Salt, make sure to include examples that clearly highlight your design process. We want to see not just the final product but also the journey that led you there—wireframes, user personas, and iterations demonstrate your thought process and user-centric approach!
Tailor Your Portfolio:A tailor-made portfolio is crucial for a full-time design role! Curate your best projects that align with the kind of work Salt does. We suggest including 3-5 case studies that showcase a variety of skills such as wireframing, prototyping, and user testing to really make your application pop.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should not just be a summary of your CV. Use it to express why you’re excited about UX/UI Design and what draws you specifically to Salt. Mention any relevant experience, tools you’re proficient in (like Sketch or Figma), and how you can contribute to their projects.
Highlight Collaboration Skills:In the world of UX/UI Design, teamwork is crucial. Make sure to highlight any past experiences where you worked in cross-functional teams. Illustrate how you communicated design decisions and listened to feedback, as this will resonate well with the culture at Salt.
How to prepare for a job interview at Salt
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
When you're gunning for a full-time UX/UI design role, your portfolio is your best friend! Make sure you've got a solid selection of your work, showcasing not just the final designs, but the process behind them—think wireframes, user flows, and any user research you've conducted. During the interview with Salt, be prepared to discuss your design decisions and how they solve specific user problems.
✨Prepare for Design Challenges
Expect to face some practical design tasks during your interview. Salt might ask you to tackle a quick design challenge or critique an existing interface. Brush up on your problem-solving skills and try to articulate your thought process as you work through these scenarios. Showing how you approach a design problem is just as important as the final output!
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with the tools commonly used in the industry—figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch should be second nature to you. Be ready to discuss your preferred tools during the interview and how they've shaped your design process at previous positions. This knowledge could give you an edge at Salt!
✨Show Passion for User Experience
In a full-time UX/UI design role, having a genuine passion for improving user interactions can set you apart. Be prepared to share instances when you went above and beyond to ensure a great user experience in your previous projects. This will demonstrate that you’re not just a designer, but a user advocate, which is exactly what Salt is looking for.
