At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design projects, mentor designers, and create innovative digital experiences using AI.
- Company: Join Tangent, a dynamic digital agency with a focus on AI and user experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy remote work options, enhanced holidays, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with global social events and career growth potential.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of AI-powered design and make a real impact on client projects.
- Qualifications: Strong UX and product design skills, with a passion for AI and digital platforms.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We’re Tangent, a digital agency helping clients design, build and improve digital products, services and platforms. Our design team works across strategy, UX, UI, prototyping and design systems, with a growing focus on AI-powered products, digital experience platforms and new ways of working. We work closely with engineers, strategists and client teams to turn complex problems into clear, useful digital experiences.
Following our acquisition by Exadel, we now combine Tangent’s experience design, strategy and digital product capability with the scale of a global AI and digital engineering business. Exadel brings 25+ years of enterprise software experience, 2,000+ engineers worldwide and relationships with more than 100 enterprise clients. For our design team, this creates a bigger platform: more complex client challenges, deeper technical capability and more opportunity to take ideas from strategy and prototype through to delivery and optimisation.
We’re looking for a Design Lead, AI & Digital Experience to help lead design within one of our delivery pods and support modern digital experience work for Tangent and Exadel clients. This is a hands‑on, client‑facing role for someone with strong UX and product design craft, good judgement and the confidence to start taking on more leadership responsibility. You may already be operating as a Design Lead, or you may be a strong Senior Designer ready to step up. You’ll be supported by the Chief Design Officer and another Design Lead, but you’ll also be expected to take ownership where it matters: leading client‑facing design work, turning research and workshops into prototypes, championing AI‑enabled ways of working, supporting other designers and helping us deliver value quickly.
We’re building the next stage of our design capability around AI, digital experience and platform‑led delivery. That means the role will be hands‑on from day one, with more opportunity for pod leadership, line management and client ownership as the team grows.
What you’ll be doing
- Lead design work within a delivery pod, working closely with the Chief Design Officer.
- Stay hands‑on across discovery, UX, UI, prototyping and delivery.
- Support and mentor designers, helping them grow their craft, confidence and client‑facing skills.
- Line manage designers as the pod grows.
- Review work regularly, giving clear feedback that improves quality and helps the team move forward.
- Help plan design capacity across current and upcoming projects.
Product definition and prototyping
- Lead discovery activities that help clients understand customer needs, business goals and digital opportunities.
- Translate research, workshops, stakeholder input and product canvas outputs into clear product direction, journeys, prototypes and requirements.
- Connect user needs, business value, content, data, technology and delivery constraints.
- Help clients prioritise what should be tested, designed or delivered next.
- Create prototypes that help clients see, test and understand ideas before committing to delivery.
AI‑enabled ways of working
- Use AI‑assisted tools to support synthesis, concepting, prototyping and design iteration.
- Help the team move faster from research and workshop outputs into useful prototypes.
- Explore practical ways of working across AI‑assisted design, no‑code tools, conversational prototyping, front‑end‑aware design and vibe‑driven build workflows.
- Work with designers and engineers to understand where AI can improve speed, quality and decision‑making.
- Share useful prompts, methods, templates and examples with the wider team.
AI, platforms and delivery readiness
- Design digital experiences that use AI where it adds genuine value.
- Explore how AI, automation, personalisation, conversational interfaces and adaptive experiences can improve customer journeys.
- Understand how CMS, DXP, CRM, analytics, experimentation, personalisation, APIs and integrations support joined‑up digital experiences.
- Work with clients and technical teams to understand platform constraints and opportunities, including environments such as Optimizely, Adobe and similar enterprise platforms.
- Consider how content, data, design systems, components, governance and accessibility need to work together.
- Collaborate with engineering, data, AI and platform teams to make sure ideas are useful, feasible and deliverable.
Client consulting and commercial support
- Bring a clear design and experience perspective to Tangent and Exadel client conversations.
- Help clients understand how digital experience, AI and platform thinking can support customer, operational and commercial goals.
- Support proposals, scopes and early‑stage opportunities by helping define where design can create value.
- Present work clearly to stakeholders, connecting design decisions to customer insight, business value and delivery realities.
- Think practically about effort, value, risk and prioritisation.
- Spot opportunities to improve or extend work where there is a clear client need.
Practice growth
- Help Tangent continue to evolve its design practice, methods and point of view.
- Contribute to reusable frameworks, templates and ways of working.
- Share knowledge across the design team and wider business.
- Stay close to emerging tools and patterns across AI, design systems, prototyping and digital delivery.
What we are looking for
- We’re looking for a strong, adaptable designer with solid digital experience foundations, confident client‑facing skills and an interest in how AI, platforms and product thinking are changing customer experience.
- Strong experience across UX, product design and digital experience design.
- Confidence leading design workstreams, workshops, client conversations or stakeholder reviews.
- Experience turning research, workshops, product canvas outputs or business requirements into prototypes, journeys, features and delivery‑ready design.
- The ability to stay hands‑on while supporting other designers.
- A practical, adaptable mindset and the ability to make progress through ambiguity.
- Curiosity and practical experience with AI‑assisted design workflows.
- An understanding of AI‑powered experiences, conversational UX, personalisation, automation or emerging interface patterns.
- Awareness of modern digital platforms, including CMS, DXP, CRM, analytics, experimentation, personalisation, APIs and integrations.
- Familiarity with platforms such as Optimizely, Adobe or similar would be useful, but is not essential.
- The ability to connect user needs, business goals, technical constraints and commercial outcomes.
- Comfort working with engineering, data, AI, strategy, project management and platform teams.
- Design systems literacy, including components, patterns, content structure and scalable design foundations.
- Strong prototyping and storytelling skills.
- Commercial awareness, with an understanding of value, effort, risk and prioritisation.
- A clear, thoughtful communication style.
- Curiosity, flexibility and a desire to help shape the future of design at Tangent.
- Experience with no‑code tools, conversational prototyping, prompt design, front‑end‑aware prototyping or platform‑led digital transformation would be a bonus.
What we offer
- Work remotely or hybrid depending on your location and role, with the support and opportunity of a wider global business.
- Global socials.
- Regular socials and events, with opportunities to connect across Tangent and the wider Exadel business.
- Enhanced holiday: Earn additional days with length of service, up to three extra days per year.
- Growth and training: Ongoing development through training, events and learning opportunities, especially as our AI and digital experience practice evolves.
- Private medical insurance for eligible employees after one year of service.
At Tangent our aim is to create a working environment where every single member of the team has the opportunity to be themselves. We are an equal opportunities employer and will welcome and consider all applications regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion, sex and sexual orientation.
Design Lead - AI & Digital Experience employer: Tangent
At Tangent, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Our design team thrives in a supportive environment where creativity is encouraged, and employees have ample opportunities for growth and development, particularly in the exciting fields of AI and digital experience. With flexible working arrangements, enhanced holiday benefits, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, Tangent offers a rewarding career path for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the digital landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Lead - AI & Digital Experience
✨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 Tangent for a Design Lead - AI & Digital Experience, 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 Tangent before they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Design Lead - AI & Digital Experience
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Design Process:When you're applying for a UX/UI Design role like Design Lead - AI & Digital Experience at Tangent, 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 Tangent 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 Tangent. 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 Tangent.
How to prepare for a job interview at Tangent
✨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 Tangent, 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. Tangent 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 Tangent!
✨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 Tangent is looking for.
