At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead creative teams to shape innovative design solutions in Banking & Financial Services.
- Company: Join TCS Interactive, a leader in digital customer experiences with a human-first approach.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, opportunities for growth, and a collaborative culture.
- Other info: Foster a culture of excellence and continuous learning while driving innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by guiding multidisciplinary teams and shaping the future of digital experiences.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in design, with expertise in Banking & Financial Services and a strong network.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
As an Executive Design Director, you will join an established leadership team alongside two existing Executive Design Directors, collectively shaping the vision, growth, and creative excellence of the studio. While collaborating across disciplines and sectors, you will bring deep expertise in the Banking & Financial Services (BFSI) domain, acting as a recognised design leader and trusted advisor for both clients and internal teams.
You will have executive oversight to our complex digital product design and innovation engagements, helping clients define and deliver next-generation products, services, and AI-enabled experiences. As one of the studio's most senior creative leaders, you will guide multidisciplinary teams across Product Design, UX/UI, Motion Design, Service Design, and Research, ensuring exceptional outcomes across strategy, design, and delivery.
Through a combination of design excellence, product thinking, and emerging technology expertise, including AI, you will help organisations solve complex customer and business challenges while shaping the future of digital experiences.
We are specifically seeking an experienced design leader with a strong track record in Banking & Financial Services, who can bring valuable industry insight, market perspective, and domain expertise to our growing client portfolio. You will help clients navigate digital transformation, evolving customer expectations, regulatory complexity, and emerging technologies, translating these opportunities into impactful and customer-centred experiences.
You will also play a key role in growing the studio through existing client relationships and new business opportunities, contributing industry expertise during strategic pursuits and executive conversations. Through exceptional communication, thought leadership, and storytelling, you will inspire clients, colleagues, and the wider design community both internally and externally.
Our practice is formed around 3 core pillars: Clients, Craft and Culture.
As Executive Design Director, you will contribute to our studio by:
- Client: Leverage Banking & Financial Services expertise to shape client strategies, identify opportunities, and deliver customer-centric solutions. Act as a trusted advisor to senior client stakeholders, helping them navigate digital transformation, customer experience evolution, and emerging industry trends. Contribute industry insight during business development activities, pitches, and strategic pursuits. Translate complex financial services challenges into compelling design opportunities and innovative customer experiences. Build credibility with client teams through a strong understanding of banking, payments, wealth management, insurance, or fintech ecosystems. Act as a trusted advisor, helping clients navigate the opportunities and challenges presented by Generative AI, intelligent automation, and data-driven experiences.
- Craft: Apply deep Banking & Financial Services knowledge to inform experience design, service design, and product innovation. Ensure design solutions balance customer needs, business goals, operational realities, and regulatory considerations. Champion best practices for designing experiences within complex, highly regulated environments. Share industry insights and thought leadership internally and externally to elevate the studio's reputation within the Financial Services sector. Establish and implement modern ways of working that combine design excellence, product thinking, and AI-driven innovation.
- Culture: Foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning across the design organisation. Bring Banking & Financial Services expertise into the studio, helping teams better understand client challenges, customer needs, and industry trends. Coach and mentor designers, strategists, and leaders on navigating complex, highly regulated environments while maintaining customer-centricity and design quality. Encourage the sharing of industry knowledge, emerging technologies, and best practices to strengthen the studio's capabilities and thought leadership. Create an environment where multidisciplinary teams can innovate confidently while balancing business, customer, and regulatory considerations. Contribute to building a high-performing, inclusive, and growth-oriented culture that attracts and develops exceptional talent. Inspire teams through thought leadership, storytelling, and real-world examples drawn from experience across banking, payments, wealth management, insurance, and fintech engagements.
Key Responsibilities:
- Run and manage the entire creative team across geography or sector specific.
- Define the benchmark of quality across the business.
- Ensure successful delivery by project teams.
- Oversee materials for BD and marketing.
- Contribute to new business strategies.
- Create growth and expand the studio into new sectors or existing sectors.
- Implement operational best practices.
- Hire, nurture and grow the design team.
Qualifications:
- 15+ Years’ experience within the design industry either within an agency of product design business.
- Experience overseeing the running of a design agency/business as ED.
- A background winning new business and have an extensive network within the BFSI and design industry.
- Experience liaising with senior internal stakeholders.
About Us: TCS Interactive is a leader in the digital customer experience space. With a human-first approach, we apply design, engineering, business strategy and subject matter expertise to deliver award-winning iconic design and digital experiences for our customers. We pride ourselves in our ability to influence products at the highest level by delivering strategic ideas from inception to launch. We help our clients understand the context of their products, create a compelling vision for them and make these experiences a reality. We believe that together we’re stronger, that inspiration can come from anywhere and great ideas from anyone. The difference in our work comes from the diversity of perspectives, skills and backgrounds of our team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Design Director in Slough
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Tata Consultancy Services. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Design Director in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Tata Consultancy Services.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Tata Consultancy Services's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Tata Consultancy Services
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Tata Consultancy Services.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Tata Consultancy Services will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Tata Consultancy Services employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
