At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a creative team to develop and evolve Zopa’s design system.
- Company: Join Zopa, a diverse and innovative company focused on collaboration.
- Benefits: Flexible working arrangements, including remote options and international work opportunities.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and inclusion in a workplace that values unique perspectives.
- Why this job: Shape the future of design systems while making a real impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading design systems and collaborating with engineering teams.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
A day in the life:
- Lead and develop a team consisting of a Design Systems Designer and a Motion Designer.
- Define and evolve the governance, processes and operating model for Zopa’s design system.
- Partner closely with Mobile Engineering to ensure design and code systems remain aligned.
- Collaborate with Product, Design and Brand stakeholders on system adoption and evolution.
- Review and prioritise requests for new patterns, components and system enhancements.
- Define and track measures of system health, adoption, consistency and impact.
- Help product teams move faster by creating scalable, reusable foundations.
- Balance hands‑on design systems work with strategic leadership and organisational influence.
- Shape how AI‑enabled workflows can leverage the design system to improve delivery speed and quality.
- Drive consistency across customer experiences while making thoughtful trade‑offs where needed.
About you:
- You’ve led a design system or platform design capability within a product organisation.
- You bring strong systems thinking across tokens, components, patterns, documentation and governance.
- You have experience partnering closely with Engineering and understand how design systems translate into code.
- You’re comfortable working across native mobile experiences.
- You’ve managed and developed designers and enjoy building high‑performing teams.
- You use evidence and measurable outcomes to guide prioritisation and decision making.
- You’re confident setting boundaries, making trade‑offs and influencing senior stakeholders.
- You can balance technical depth with strong communication and stakeholder management.
- You’re able to bring clarity and direction in environments that contain ambiguity.
- You combine strategic thinking with a pragmatic, delivery‑focused mindset.
Added bonus:
- Familiarity with design‑to‑code pipelines and token architecture.
- Experience embedding accessibility standards within design systems.
- Practical experience using AI or automation to improve design workflows.
- Experience with tools such as Figma, MCP, Claude or ChatGPT.
- Experience in scaling organisations that have grown through multiple stages of maturity.
Working arrangements:
We value flexible ways of working. This hybrid role requires you to come to our London office 2‑3 days a week. You'll also have the option of working from abroad for up to 120 days a year, subject to having the right to work in the country of choice.
Diversity Statement:
Zopa is proud to offer a workplace free from discrimination. Diversity of experience, perspectives and backgrounds leads to better products for our customers and a unique company culture for our people. We are made up of nearly 50 nationalities, have a DE & I forum, and we encourage everyone to bring their full selves to work. Our hiring process reflects our commitment to diversity and inclusion; please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments.
Design System Lead employer: Zopa
Zopa is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture, where creativity and innovation thrive. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to lead a talented team while working in a flexible hybrid environment in London, allowing for a healthy work-life balance. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion ensures that every voice is heard, making Zopa a truly rewarding place to build your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design System Lead
✨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 Zopa for a Design System Lead, 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 Zopa before they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Design System Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Design Process:When you're applying for a UX/UI Design role like Design System Lead at Zopa, 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 Zopa 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 Zopa. 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 Zopa.
How to prepare for a job interview at Zopa
✨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 Zopa, 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. Zopa 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 Zopa!
✨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 Zopa is looking for.
