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- Tasks: Lead a design pod while contributing creatively and managing workflow.
- Company: Join Vanguard, a leader in creating intuitive digital experiences for UK investors.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid working model, flexibility, and a focus on diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Shape the future of design while making a real impact in finance.
- Qualifications: Proven design experience, mentoring skills, and ability to simplify complex concepts.
- Other info: Collaborate with diverse teams and enjoy excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview
role where you\’ll still need to work as a contributor as well as guiding your Design pod and managing the workflow. This will include some lightweight project management to support the Pod. While you won\’t line manage Designers (all Designers report to the Head of Design) you\’ll operate as a key person in the Design leadership team. Helping shape ways of working, strategic thinking and the future direction of the team.
Responsibilities
- Lead a multi-disciplinary design pod and execute design work with a blend of Content Design and Product Design skills.
- Partner with stakeholders (Product Manager, Content Designer, Data Analysts, UX Researchers, scrum teams) to understand client needs and design compelling experiences.
- Drive the end-to-end design process from framing through exploration, insights, hypotheses testing, and delivery.
- Utilise AI to drive design efficiency within the workflow, without being an AI-only designer.
- Act as a player-coach: contribute as a designer while guiding the pod and managing workflow and lightweight project management.
- Engage with immediate stakeholders (PM, Marketing, Designers, Developers) and other SMEs (legal, compliance, business strategy, customer services, etc).
- Lead production of design work and sign-off with Product, business stakeholders, legal and compliance.
- Facilitate workshops, design critiques and co-creation sessions to tell stories and engage audiences.
- Partner with Tech, Compliance, Marketing and other key stakeholders to ensure alignment and consistency in ways of working.
- Think strategically about products to deliver coherent, simple experiences for clients.
- Work with design systems (Storybook & Figma) and build prototypes and designs from these building blocks; proficient in Figma as the primary workspace.
Qualifications & Experience
- Proven experience in the design space (e.g., writing for journeys, apps, public websites, dashboards, etc.).
- Experience in finance, asset management or other regulated industries is essential.
- Experience as a Senior Designer or Design Lead is preferred.
- Experience with mentoring and/or coaching others is a must.
- Ability to translate complex financial/investment concepts into plain English.
- Familiarity with gov.uk content guidelines and content best practices; expert at accessibility.
- Ability to translate and operate within a design process from framing to delivery; comfortable with vague briefs and creating clear design definitions.
- Strong collaboration and communication with stakeholders and leadership; capable of giving clear, valuable feedback and coaching.
- Demonstrated servant leadership and empowering the design team and practice.
- Proactive engagement with stakeholders and subject matter experts across functions.
- Ability to manage multiple initiatives with a balanced project management approach.
About Vanguard & Working Model
- At Vanguard, we’re passionate about giving UK investors the best chance of success and creating intuitive digital experiences.
- Hybrid working model designed to balance flexibility with in-person collaboration and learning.
- We value diversity and inclusion; decisions are guided by the principle of doing the right thing and building effective, diverse teams.
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Design Lead (12 months) employer: Vanguard
Contact Detail:
Vanguard Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Lead (12 months)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the design field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have a lead or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work, especially projects that demonstrate your ability to blend Content Design and Product Design. Make sure it’s easy to navigate and visually appealing.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common design questions and scenarios. Think about how you would lead a design pod or manage workflow, and be ready to share examples from your experience.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to 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.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Lead (12 months)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills: Make sure to highlight your design experience in your application. We want to see how you've tackled projects in the past, especially in areas like content and product design. Don’t forget to mention any tools you’re proficient in, like Figma!
Tailor Your Application: Take a moment to customise your application for this role. We love seeing candidates who understand our needs and can connect their experience with what we’re looking for. Use the job description as a guide to showcase your relevant skills and experiences.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! We appreciate straightforward language that gets to the point. Avoid jargon unless it’s necessary, and make sure your passion for design shines through without overwhelming us with too much info.
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’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Vanguard
✨Know Your Design Process
Make sure you can clearly articulate your design process from start to finish. Be ready to discuss how you frame problems, explore solutions, and deliver results. This will show that you understand the end-to-end design process and can lead a team effectively.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully partnered with stakeholders in the past. Highlight your experience working with Product Managers, UX Researchers, and other team members. This will demonstrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively, which is crucial for this role.
✨Emphasise Your Mentoring Experience
Since this role involves guiding a design pod, be ready to share your mentoring experiences. Talk about how you've coached others and helped them grow in their roles. This will illustrate your servant leadership style and your commitment to empowering your team.
✨Familiarity with Tools and Guidelines
Brush up on your knowledge of design systems like Storybook and Figma, as well as gov.uk content guidelines. Being able to discuss these tools and best practices will show that you're not only technically proficient but also aware of industry standards.
