Design Director

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Director

Company: Accenture (Work & Co, part of Accenture Song)

Location: São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

Job Type: Full time

Category: Design & Technology Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-15

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: Hybrid (Remote OK within Brazil)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end design and development of impactful digital products, focusing on both form and function to create superior user experiences.

• Drive creative concepting and detailed design execution within a highly collaborative, iterative, and hands-on team environment.

• Mentor and develop design talent, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth within the design discipline.

• Strategize and execute product roadmaps, integrating user behavior insights, market trends, and business objectives to deliver innovative digital solutions.

• Act as a key collaborator with Product Managers, Strategists, and Developers, ensuring seamless integration of design across all product development phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within Work & Co, a design and technology firm acquired by Accenture Song, indicating a strong emphasis on hands-on execution, strategic design thinking, and direct client impact. The "Design Director" title, coupled with the "10+ years" experience requirement, suggests a senior leadership role focused on both execution and people management within a specialized design context. The "Remote OK within Brazil" and "Full time" employment type are crucial for understanding the work arrangement.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the creation of exceptional digital products by maintaining a 100% focus on user experience and functional excellence.

• Lead iterative design processes, from initial concepts and user research to detailed prototypes and final visual designs, ensuring alignment with user needs and market trends.

• Actively participate in all product lifecycle stages, including strategy definition, launch, and ongoing optimization, contributing hands-on expertise beyond just early-stage ideation.

• Translate complex business truths and user behaviors into actionable product strategies and elegant design solutions.

• Synthesize and effectively present design concepts, research findings, and project outcomes to internal teams and external stakeholders.

• Cultivate a collaborative design environment where daily work-sharing and constructive feedback are integral to the process.

• Guide and develop junior and mid-level designers, providing mentorship on creative problem-solving, technical execution, and strategic thinking.

• Partner closely with Product Managers, Strategists, and Software Developers to ensure cohesive product development and successful delivery of digital solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on individual contribution to product creation and leadership in mentoring design teams. The emphasis on "hands-on" participation throughout the product lifecycle, from strategy to optimization, is a key differentiator for this role, requiring deep engagement rather than just oversight.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a strong portfolio demonstrating extensive experience in digital product design is paramount. A background in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field is often beneficial.

Experience: A minimum of 10+ years of progressive experience in digital product design, with a significant portion in leadership or senior design roles. Proven track record of successfully delivering complex digital products from concept to launch.

Required Skills:

• Proven ability to generate and execute creative concepts from initial ideation through detailed design.

• Expertise in solving complex UX challenges and applying product strategy principles to create high-level visual designs.

• Demonstrated skill in identifying and leveraging business insights and user behaviors to define superior products.

• Strong presentation skills, with the ability to synthesize and articulate design work effectively.

• Experience thriving in highly iterative, collaborative environments with daily work-sharing practices.

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Proficiency with prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision).

• Deep understanding of user research methodologies and their application in product development. Preferred Skills:

• Experience within a consulting environment or agency setting, working with diverse clients and industries.

• Familiarity with agile development methodologies and cross-functional team collaboration.

• Understanding of front-end development principles and their impact on design execution.

• Experience mentoring and managing design teams, including performance feedback and career development.

• Knowledge of accessibility standards and best practices in digital design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level (10+) and the nature of the responsibilities suggest a need for strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, and a robust portfolio that showcases end-to-end product ownership and creative problem-solving. The emphasis on "hands-on" work implies that candidates should be comfortable with detailed design execution, not just high-level strategy.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a minimum of 3-5 complex digital product design projects, demonstrating end-to-end ownership from strategy to launch.

• Projects should highlight creative concepting, problem-solving, user research integration, iterative design processes, detailed visual design, and measurable outcomes.

• Include case studies that clearly articulate the problem statement, your role, the design process, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and the impact of the final product.

• For each project, clearly define your specific contributions, especially in collaborative team settings. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of iterative design methodologies, including user research, wireframing, prototyping, usability testing, and design iteration cycles.

• Showcase experience with design systems or the ability to contribute to their development and maintenance.

• Provide examples of how you have translated business goals and user needs into effective design strategies and product features.

• Illustrate your approach to collaborating with cross-functional teams (Product Management, Engineering) throughout the product development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design Director role at a firm like Work & Co, the portfolio is critical. It needs to go beyond aesthetics and demonstrate strategic thinking, problem-solving rigor, and the ability to lead and execute complex digital product initiatives. The expectation is for a deep dive into the candidate's process and impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Design Director role with 10+ years of experience in São Paulo, Brazil, the estimated salary range is typically between BRL 25,000 to BRL 40,000 per month. This range can vary significantly based on the candidate's specific experience, the complexity of projects managed, and the negotiation process.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance: 100% subsidized by the company for the employee and dependents.

• Dental Insurance.

• Meal or Food Vouchers: No deduction from salary.

• Life Insurance.

• Private Pension Plan.

• Wellhub: Access to fitness and wellness programs.

• Stock Purchase Plan: Option to buy company shares at a discount.

• Pharmacy Discount.

• Childcare Assistance.

• Partnership with Language School.

• Extended Maternity and Paternity Leave.

• Profit Sharing (PPR - Participação nos Lucros e Resultados).

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility often afforded to senior roles, especially given the hybrid/remote work options.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on current market data for senior design leadership roles in São Paulo, considering the reputation and acquisition scale of Accenture/Work & Co. The benefits package is comprehensive and reflects typical offerings from large multinational corporations in Brazil, with a strong emphasis on employee well-being and financial security.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Design & Technology Consulting, Digital Transformation, Software & Product Development. Accenture Song is focused on customer experience, marketing, and commerce, while Work & Co brings deep expertise in product design and technology.

Company Size: Accenture is a global leader with approximately 791,000 employees worldwide. Work & Co, as part of Accenture Song, maintains its distinct agile and hands-on culture, likely operating with smaller, focused teams within the larger organization. This offers the stability of a large corporation with the agility of a specialized design studio.

Founded: Accenture was founded in 1957. Work & Co was founded in 2013, and acquired by Accenture in 2021. This history blends established corporate structure with the innovative spirit of a newer, design-centric firm.

Team Structure:

• The Design Director will likely lead a team of designers, potentially including UX Designers, UI Designers, and Product Designers, within the Work & Co framework.

• The team operates with a flat hierarchy and a high degree of autonomy, emphasizing direct collaboration with Product Managers, Strategists, and Developers.

• Reporting is likely to a senior design leader or partner within Accenture Song/Work & Co, with minimal management layers to ensure speed and direct impact. Methodology:

• Emphasizes an agile, iterative, and collaborative approach to product development, integrating strategy, design, and technology from the outset.

• Focuses on hands-on creation, rapid prototyping, and continuous user feedback to drive product excellence.

• Values a data-informed approach, using user research and business metrics to guide design decisions.

Company Website: www.accenture.com, www.work.co

📝 Enhancement Note: The blend of Accenture's global scale and Work & Co's specialized, agile design culture is a key aspect. Candidates should understand they are joining a high-performing, client-focused environment that values deep expertise and direct contribution.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior leadership position within the design discipline, equivalent to a Director or Principal Designer. It requires a blend of strong individual technical/design skills, strategic thinking, and people leadership capabilities. The role is expected to manage significant projects, guide design strategy, and mentor other designers.

Reporting Structure: The Design Director will likely report to a Partner or Managing Director within Accenture Song/Work & Co, who oversees the design and technology practice in the region or for specific client accounts. They will manage a team of designers and collaborate extensively with Product Managers and Engineers.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on client success by leading the creation of digital products that drive business outcomes, enhance customer experiences, and generate tangible value. Success is measured by the quality of products delivered, client satisfaction, and the growth of the design team.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advancement to Senior Director or Partner roles within Accenture Song, leading larger teams and more significant client engagements.

• Opportunity to specialize in specific industries or product types, becoming a recognized expert.

• Development of leadership and management skills through mentorship programs and exposure to senior Accenture leadership.

• Potential to contribute to the strategic direction of Work & Co's design practice and methodology.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path emphasizes growth within a specialized design and technology consulting framework, moving from leading individual projects to overseeing broader practice areas and client relationships. The "hands-on" culture suggests that continuous skill development in cutting-edge design and technology is also a key aspect of growth.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment. While the role is based in São Paulo, the "Remote OK" status indicates flexibility. This likely means a mix of in-office collaboration and remote work, with opportunities to work from home within Brazil. The office itself is likely designed to foster collaboration and innovation.

Office Location(s): São Paulo, Brazil (Torre Paineira is mentioned as a specific location). This is a major business hub, offering access to clients and talent.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative: Expect an open, dynamic workspace designed for teamwork, brainstorming, and co-creation.

• Tool-Rich: Access to industry-standard design and prototyping software, as well as collaboration platforms.

• Client-Centric: The environment is geared towards delivering high-impact solutions for clients, often involving fast-paced project cycles.

• Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with diverse teams of designers, strategists, product managers, and engineers.

Work Schedule: Full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. While core hours will exist, there's likely flexibility, especially for remote or hybrid arrangements, to accommodate project deadlines and client needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature, combined with a strong emphasis on collaboration, suggests a need for individuals who can thrive both independently and as part of a close-knit team. The São Paulo location places the role in a vibrant economic center.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation: A detailed presentation of selected projects from the portfolio, focusing on design process, problem-solving, strategic thinking, and outcomes. Be prepared to discuss your role, challenges, and learnings.

• Skills-Based Interviews: Technical interviews assessing UX/UI expertise, product strategy understanding, and familiarity with design tools and methodologies.

• Behavioral/Situational Interviews: Questions designed to evaluate collaboration, leadership potential, problem-solving approach, and cultural fit within the Work & Co/Accenture Song environment.

• Case Study/Design Challenge: Potential for a practical design exercise, either take-home or live, to assess real-time problem-solving and design thinking.

• Final Interview: Discussion with senior leadership to finalize fit and discuss role expectations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate your portfolio to showcase your strongest, most relevant work for a Design Director role. Focus on projects with significant scope and impact.

• For each project, clearly articulate the business problem, user needs, your specific role and contributions, the design process undertaken, key decisions made, and the measurable results.

• Be prepared to walk through your thought process and justify your design choices. Emphasize how you integrated strategy and user insights.

• Highlight instances of collaboration, mentorship, and leadership within your project examples.

• Ensure your portfolio is polished, easy to navigate, and visually compelling. Challenge Preparation:

• If a design challenge is presented, focus on understanding the core problem and user needs quickly.

• Outline your approach clearly, including research, ideation, and iteration steps.

• Be ready to present your solution concisely and justify your decisions, even if the solution is incomplete due to time constraints.

• Demonstrate your ability to think strategically and consider business objectives alongside user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes a deep dive into the candidate's practical experience and strategic thinking through portfolio review and potential design challenges. Candidates should prepare to articulate their process and impact in detail.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, XD), InVision, ProtoPie. Proficiency in at least one major platform (Figma/Sketch) is essential.

• User Research & Testing: Tools like UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, Qualtrics, or internal research platforms.

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Miro, Mural.

• Presentation: PowerPoint, Keynote, Google Slides.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with analytics platforms such as Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Mixpanel, or Amplitude is beneficial for understanding user behavior post-launch.

• Ability to interpret data to inform design decisions. CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how designs integrate with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms can be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with modern design and prototyping tools is a baseline requirement. The ability to leverage user research tools and understand analytics to drive design decisions will be highly valued. Familiarity with collaborative tools is also crucial for this team-oriented role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence & Craftsmanship: A relentless pursuit of high-quality design and functional execution in all digital products.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong belief in shared ownership, open communication, and collective problem-solving.

• User-Centricity: Placing the user at the heart of all design decisions, driven by research and empathy.

• Impact & Tangibility: Focusing on creating real, measurable value for clients and users.

• Innovation & Iteration: Embracing experimentation, learning from failures, and continuously refining solutions.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative and communicative, with a strong emphasis on "show, don't just tell."

• Daily work-sharing and critique sessions are common, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

• Cross-functional teams work closely together, breaking down silos between design, product, and engineering.

• Openness to feedback and constructive criticism is essential for growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is characterized by a high-performance, results-oriented environment that values both individual expertise and seamless team integration. The "hands-on" and iterative nature means that collaboration is not just a buzzword but a core operational practice.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Speed and Quality: Navigating fast-paced project timelines while maintaining a high standard of design excellence and strategic depth.

• Managing Diverse Stakeholders: Effectively communicating and aligning design vision with various client and internal stakeholders who may have different priorities.

• Leading Through Ambiguity: Driving product definition and design direction in early-stage projects where requirements may be fluid.

• Mentoring and Developing Talent: Guiding the growth of designers while also contributing to high-impact client work.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Access to Accenture's extensive learning platforms and resources for skill development in design, technology, and leadership.

• Opportunities to work on diverse projects across various industries, expanding your portfolio and expertise.

• Mentorship from senior leaders and partners within Accenture Song and Work & Co.

• Participation in industry conferences, workshops, and potential for certifications.

• Exposure to cutting-edge technologies and design trends through client engagements.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant opportunities for professional growth by tackling complex challenges in a dynamic consulting environment. The blend of hands-on design leadership and people development is a key aspect of the growth trajectory.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to define the product strategy for a new digital product. What was your process, and what were the key outcomes?" (Preparation: Focus on how you synthesized business goals, user needs, and market opportunities.)

• "How do you approach balancing user needs with business objectives in your design process?" (Preparation: Use examples of trade-offs and how you navigated them to achieve optimal results.)

• "Walk me through a complex UX problem you solved. What was the problem, your approach, and the solution's impact?" (Preparation: Prepare a detailed case study from your portfolio.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Work & Co and Accenture Song, and why are you interested in joining us?" (Preparation: Research their recent projects, clients, and company values.)

• "How do you contribute to a collaborative, iterative design culture?" (Preparation: Highlight experiences with daily critiques, team problem-solving, and knowledge sharing.)

• "How do you measure the success of your design work?" (Preparation: Discuss key metrics, KPIs, and how you link design to business impact.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure your presentation around clear case studies. Start with the problem, your role, your process, key decisions, and end with the results and learnings.

• Be prepared to dive deep into specific design choices and the rationale behind them.

• Clearly articulate your individual contributions, especially if projects involved large teams.

• Practice your presentation to ensure it flows well, stays within the allotted time, and is engaging.

• Be ready to answer detailed questions about your work and process.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, strong problem-solving skills, and a deep understanding of the design process, all while highlighting your ability to collaborate and lead. Your portfolio is your primary tool for showcasing these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Director position:

• Submit your application through the Accenture careers portal via the provided URL.

• Curate your portfolio: Select 3-5 of your most impactful digital product design projects that best demonstrate your strategic thinking, hands-on execution, and leadership capabilities. Ensure each project clearly outlines the problem, your role, process, and outcomes.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight experience that aligns with senior design leadership, product strategy, UX problem-solving, and team mentorship. Use keywords from the job description naturally.

• Prepare your portfolio presentation: Practice walking through your selected projects, focusing on your thought process, design rationale, and measurable impact. Be ready to discuss your collaboration style and leadership approach.

• Research Accenture Song and Work & Co: Understand their client roster, recent work, and company culture to articulate your interest and cultural fit effectively.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.