Head of Design

Head of Design

City of London Full-Time 48000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead design projects, mentor a team, and run client workshops.
  • Company: Join a dynamic design studio focused on innovative products for enterprise clients and scale-ups.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 32 days holiday, remote work options, health budget, and quarterly bonuses.
  • Why this job: Be part of a creative environment with real influence on design culture and output.
  • Qualifications: Strong product design background with UX-UI skills; leadership experience preferred.
  • Other info: This is a unique opportunity to shape a growing design team in London.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 £ per year.

Job Description

Head of Design needed by a design-led product studio that’s entering an exciting new growth stage. Their work spansenterprise clients and scale-ups, with projects covering everything from intuitive SaaS products to brand, web, and GTM design. They build their own products, so have an engineering team too!

They’re now looking for a Head of Design: someone who can lead discovery workshops with clients, drive the concept work, and oversee a small design team (currently 4, with scope to grow).

Based in London, staff do 3 days in the office per week. Anchor day for everyone is Wednesday. Leadership team come in on Monday and Thursdays.

20 people in the business.

Benefits include: 32 days holiday, 8-week “work from anywhere” allowance, health & wellbeing budget, quarterly bonuses, hardware budget, and a genuinely supportive, creative environment.

They also do things like employee engagement surveys twice a year to improve the employee experience of working there. 😊

Sponsorship is not available.

THE ROLE

As Head of Design, you’ll split your time between hands-on design (60%) and leadership (40%).

About 75% of your work will be product design, with 25% across brand, web, video, and GTM projects. You’ll lead discovery workshops with clients, direct concepts, mentor a team of designers and ensure projects run smoothly from idea to launch.

You’ll collaborate closely with strategy, product, and tech, balancing creativity with commercial awareness – from pitches and scoping to QA and delivery.

You’ll also…

  • Lead & mentor a design team of 4–5, building culture & processes as we scale
  • Shape concepts, craft interfaces, and guide projects from discovery to launch
  • Oversee both product and brand work, ensuring quality and consistency
  • Run client workshops, present confidently, and manage expectations
  • Support pitches, identify opportunities for growth, and ensure profitability

THE CANDIDATE

  • Strong background in product design with thorough, end-to-end, UX-UI skills, as well as an eye for brand
  • Studio/agency experience, with exposure to enterprise SaaS and B2C products
  • Confident leading workshops, presenting work, and managing client expectations
  • Commercially aware: comfortable with pitching, scoping, and ensuring profitability
  • Collaborative, humble, and keen to grow a diverse, high-performing team
  • Open to existing Heads of Design or perhaps a Lead-level Product Designer with management experience, ready to take the next step up.

This is a rare chance to join a business at a pivotal point, with genuine influence on both their creative output and the culture of the design team.

If this sound like you, then please apply with your CV AND PORTFOLIO asap, to stand the best chance of getting an interview!

Head of Design employer: Zebra People | B Corp™

Join a dynamic design-led product studio in London, where creativity meets collaboration. As the Head of Design, you'll thrive in a supportive environment that values employee well-being with 32 days of holiday, an 8-week 'work from anywhere' allowance, and a health budget. With opportunities for professional growth and a chance to shape the culture of a small but ambitious team, this role offers a unique platform to influence both design excellence and team dynamics.
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Contact Detail:

Zebra People | B Corp™ Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Design

Tip Number 1

Network with professionals in the design industry, especially those who have experience in leading design teams. Attend design meetups or workshops in London to connect with potential colleagues and gain insights into the company culture.

Tip Number 2

Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in product design and UX-UI best practices. Being well-versed in current methodologies will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to staying ahead in the field.

Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you’ve successfully mentored design teams in the past. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've driven projects from concept to launch while maintaining quality and consistency.

Tip Number 4

Research the company’s previous projects and clients to understand their design philosophy and approach. This knowledge will allow you to tailor your discussions during interviews and showcase how your vision aligns with theirs.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Design

Product Design
UX-UI Design
Leadership Skills
Workshop Facilitation
Client Management
Team Mentoring
Commercial Awareness
Presentation Skills
Collaboration
Creativity
Project Management
Brand Development
Process Improvement
Problem-Solving Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your strong background in product design, UX-UI skills, and any relevant studio or agency experience. Emphasise your leadership capabilities and any experience managing a design team.

Showcase Your Portfolio: Include a portfolio that demonstrates your end-to-end design process. Highlight projects that showcase your ability to lead workshops, manage client expectations, and deliver high-quality work across product and brand design.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for design and your understanding of the company's needs. Mention specific experiences that align with the role, such as leading teams or working on enterprise SaaS products.

Prepare for Interviews: Be ready to discuss your design philosophy, how you approach client workshops, and your strategies for mentoring a team. Prepare examples of how you've balanced creativity with commercial awareness in past projects.

How to prepare for a job interview at Zebra People | B Corp™

Showcase Your Design Process

Be prepared to discuss your design process in detail. Highlight how you approach projects from discovery to launch, and be ready to share specific examples from your portfolio that demonstrate your end-to-end UX-UI skills.

Prepare for Client Workshops

Since leading discovery workshops is a key part of the role, practice how you would facilitate these sessions. Think about how to engage clients, manage expectations, and extract valuable insights during the workshops.

Demonstrate Leadership Skills

As a Head of Design, you'll need to mentor a team. Be ready to discuss your leadership style, how you build culture within a team, and any experiences you've had in managing or mentoring designers.

Balance Creativity with Commercial Awareness

Understand the business side of design. Be prepared to talk about how you ensure profitability in your projects, and how you balance creative ideas with commercial objectives when pitching or scoping work.

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