At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design for a core product area and manage a growing team of designers.
- Company: Fast-growing tech company at the forefront of a new market.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, equity, and occasional travel to London.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology and contribute to a dynamic design community.
- Why this job: Shape user experiences for a diverse global audience while mentoring fellow designers.
- Qualifications: Strong product design background with experience in managing or mentoring designers.
The predicted salary is between 110000 - 126500 € 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 Slough employer: Salt
Join a dynamic and innovative technology company that prioritises user experience and fosters a collaborative work culture. As a Lead Product Designer, you will not only shape the design of impactful products but also have the opportunity to mentor and grow a talented team in a supportive environment. With competitive compensation, equity options, and the flexibility of remote work, this role offers a unique chance to make a significant impact while enjoying a balanced work-life integration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Product Designer in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the design community, attend meetups, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that not only showcases your best work but also tells the story behind each project. Highlight your player-coach experience and how you've shaped teams and products.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common design challenges and case studies. Be ready to discuss your design process, how you handle feedback, and your approach to user research. We want to see your thought process!
✨Tip Number 4
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 and contributing to our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Product Designer in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:Make sure your portfolio is up to date and showcases your best work. Highlight projects where you've taken ownership and led design efforts, especially those that involved mentoring other designers. We want to see your hands-on experience!
Tailor Your CV:Don’t just send the same CV to everyone! Tailor it to reflect the skills and experiences that align with our Lead Product Designer role. Use keywords from the job description to make it clear you’re a perfect fit for us.
Be Authentic:When writing your cover letter, let your personality shine through. We love genuine passion for design and innovation, so share why you’re excited about this opportunity and how you can contribute to our team.
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. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Salt
✨Know Your Design Process
Make sure you can clearly articulate your design process from start to finish. Be ready to discuss how you approach user research, prototyping, and testing. This will show that you not only have the skills but also a structured way of thinking about design.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves managing a team, be prepared to share examples of how you've mentored or led other designers in the past. Highlight specific instances where your leadership made a difference in a project or team dynamic.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Their Product
Before the interview, take some time to explore the company's product. Understand its strengths and weaknesses, and think about how you would improve the user experience. This shows genuine interest and gives you a chance to present your ideas during the discussion.
✨Prepare for Collaboration Questions
Expect questions about how you work with cross-functional teams, especially with product managers and engineers. Have examples ready that demonstrate your ability to collaborate effectively and drive design decisions based on data and insights.
