Design Director

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Director

Company: Mentimeter

Location: Stockholm, Stockholm County, Sweden

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design Leadership / GTM Operations (Design Strategy)

Date Posted: August 17, 2026

Experience Level: 8+ years (with mid-to-senior management experience)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design vision and architecture for core engagement product areas, ensuring a coherent and impactful user experience.

• Drive product-market fit for new AI-powered features by navigating ambiguity and translating user needs into innovative design solutions.

• Connect design decisions directly to key business metrics such as activation, engagement, retention, and expansion, demonstrating tangible ROI.

• Operate as a strategic peer to Product and Engineering Directors, shaping area strategy and roadmaps with a strong user and experience-centric perspective.

• Foster a culture of design excellence by recruiting, coaching, and developing Product Designers, primarily through hands-on work and mentorship.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within Product Design Leadership, with significant overlap into GTM Strategy through its focus on user engagement, retention, and expansion metrics. The emphasis on AI-powered products and navigating ambiguity suggests a high degree of strategic involvement in product development and market positioning, aligning it with GTM operational considerations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and communicate a clear experience vision and architecture for designated product areas, maintaining a high-quality design standard.

• Lead the design process for new AI-powered products, from initial exploration and prototyping to delivery, ensuring product-market fit.

• Own the direct link between design strategies and measurable product outcomes, utilizing data to inform and validate design decisions.

• Collaborate closely with Product and Engineering Directors to shape area strategy, roadmaps, and key initiatives, embedding user and experience considerations.

• Ensure a cohesive and unified user experience across the entire Engagement Suite by managing design coherence at the boundaries of adjacent product areas.

• Recruit, coach, and mentor Product Designers, fostering their growth and calibrating performance through hands-on work and constructive feedback.

• Collaborate with fellow design leaders to uphold shared experience principles and quality standards across the design organization.

• Drive the evolution of design practices by integrating AI into exploration, prototyping, and delivery workflows, enhancing speed and quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a "player-coach" model, requiring hands-on design capability alongside leadership. The focus on AI integration and navigating ambiguity in new product development is a key strategic element. The emphasis on connecting design to business metrics (activation, engagement, retention, expansion) is critical for GTM alignment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not strictly required, a background in design, HCI, or a related field is implied by the experience level and responsibilities. The company actively encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds, and a college degree is not a prerequisite.

Experience: 8+ years in design, including mid-to-senior management experience leading designers in fast-moving, product-led organizations.

Required Skills:

• Design Leadership & Management: Proven experience leading design teams in fast-paced, product-led environments, with a track record of developing designers through direct work and coaching.

• Product Strategy & Vision: Ability to define a clear experience vision and architecture for product areas, and to translate this into actionable design roadmaps.

• Hands-on Design Craft: High personal design capability, demonstrated through a portfolio showcasing craft judgment, range, and the ability to shape and critique design work.

• AI in Design: Practical experience applying AI to design exploration, prototyping, and delivery workflows to increase speed and quality.

• Business Acumen & Outcome Orientation: Strong understanding of business objectives and the ability to connect design decisions to measurable product outcomes (activation, engagement, retention, expansion).

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Ability to operate as a peer to Product and Engineering Directors, driving user and experience thinking into strategic decisions.

• Communication & Alignment: Exceptional communication skills to align teams and stakeholders around a clear design direction and vision.

• Coherence & System Thinking: Responsibility for experience quality at product boundaries, ensuring seamless user journeys across the Engagement Suite.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in SaaS product design, particularly in engagement or collaboration tools.

• Familiarity with A/B testing and data analysis to inform design iterations.

• Experience in scaling design teams and processes within a growing organization.

• Understanding of user research methodologies to inform product strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of strategic leadership and hands-on design capability. The "player-coach" aspect is crucial, meaning candidates must be able to both guide and execute. Practical AI application in design is a key differentiator.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated Impact: Showcase a portfolio that clearly articulates measurable customer and business impact resulting from your design leadership and strategic direction. Include specific metrics related to activation, engagement, retention, or expansion where applicable.

• Craft Judgment & Range: Present a diverse range of projects demonstrating strong aesthetic sensibility, deep understanding of user-centered design principles, and the ability to tackle complex design challenges across different product areas.

• Strategic Vision & Architecture: Include examples of how you've defined experience vision and architecture for product areas, illustrating your ability to create coherent and scalable design systems.

• AI Integration Examples: Feature case studies or examples of how you've practically applied AI in the design process, such as for exploration, prototyping, or enhancing efficiency, and what the outcomes were.

• Player-Coach Evidence: Provide evidence of your ability to lead and develop designers, perhaps through examples of mentorship, design critique sessions, or collaborative problem-solving.

Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly stated as a submission requirement, the role implies a need to document and evolve design processes. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they would:

  • Define and implement experience vision and architecture.

  • Integrate AI into design workflows for exploration, prototyping, and delivery.

  • Establish and maintain quality standards and coherence across product areas.

  • Coach and develop product designers through their work.

  • Collaborate with Product and Engineering to shape strategy and roadmaps.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this role, serving as tangible proof of "leading through the work." The emphasis is on demonstrating impact, strategic thinking, and hands-on capability, especially concerning AI integration and team development.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: SEK 88,000 - SEK 102,000 per month.

Explanation of Range: This broad range is intended to accommodate varying levels of experience and demonstrated skills within the role. Placement within the range will be determined by factors such as relevant experience, proven abilities, and alignment with the specific requirements of the Design Director position.

Benefits:

• Pension contributions

• Comprehensive leadership program, including an external personal coach.

• Ongoing professional development opportunities and relevant education.

• Access to state-of-the-art innovation and product building practices.

• Meaningful impact on a beloved product used by over 300 million people.

• Healthy work-life balance.

• Stock options (implied by company culture and growth focus, though not explicitly listed in the provided benefits snippet, it's a common perk for leadership roles in tech).

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with a focus on a healthy work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a senior leadership role in Stockholm. The benefits package emphasizes professional growth and work-life balance, which are attractive to experienced professionals. The inclusion of a leadership program and personal coach signifies a commitment to developing talent at this level.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: SaaS (Software as a Service), EdTech/Collaboration Tools. Mentimeter operates in the rapidly evolving space of digital engagement and presentation tools.

Company Size: The provided data doesn't specify exact size but mentions a growing company with "lots of career opportunities" and over 50 nationalities, suggesting a mid-to-large size company with a significant international presence.

Founded: The founding date is not provided, but the company's evolution into an "integrated Engagement Suite" and its product's widespread use imply a mature and growing organization.

Team Structure:

• Product Area Leadership: The Design Director operates within a triad structure alongside a Product Director and Engineering Director, jointly shaping the strategy and roadmap for a specific product area.

• Design Leadership Team: Partners with the Chief Design Officer and fellow Design Leaders to set overall design direction, principles, and quality standards across the company.

• Product Design Team: Recruits, coaches, and leads a team of Product Designers, focusing on their development through hands-on work and mentorship.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Works closely with Product Management and Engineering teams on a daily basis, as well as with other design leaders and stakeholders across the organization.

Methodology:

• Product-Led Growth (PLG): The company operates in a product-led environment, meaning the product itself is a primary driver of customer acquisition, expansion, and retention. Design plays a crucial role in optimizing these PLG motions.

• Data-Driven Design: Decisions are informed by metrics related to user activation, engagement, retention, and expansion, emphasizing the impact of design on business outcomes.

• Collaborative Development: Emphasis on "doing things together" and fostering a curious, collaborative mindset across all teams.

• AI Integration: Actively exploring and integrating AI to enhance design processes, speed, and quality, while maintaining human-centric decision-making.

Company Website: https://www.mentimeter.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Mentimeter fosters a collaborative, international, and product-led culture. The Design Director will be a key player in shaping the user experience of a widely-used product, with a strong emphasis on measurable impact and cross-functional partnership. The integration of AI is a forward-looking aspect of their methodology.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior leadership position within the design function, specifically focused on product experience strategy and execution. It's a critical role in driving the evolution of Mentimeter's Engagement Suite.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Chief Design Officer, indicating a high level of visibility and strategic input. Collaborates closely with Product and Engineering Directors within their assigned product area.

Operations Impact: The Design Director's work directly influences user engagement, product adoption, customer retention, and expansion revenue. By shaping the core experience and leading the design of new AI-powered features, they have a significant impact on both customer satisfaction and the company's commercial success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape the future direction of Mentimeter's Engagement Suite and influence product strategy at the highest level.

• Leadership Development: Access to a leadership program, including an external personal coach, to further develop management and strategic leadership skills.

• Skill Expansion: Opportunity to deepen expertise in AI integration within design, product-led growth strategies, and managing complex, cross-functional product areas.

• Career Progression: Potential to grow into broader design leadership roles, such as Head of Design, VP of Design, or Chief Design Officer, depending on individual growth and company trajectory.

• Impactful Work: Contribute to a product used by millions globally, directly impacting how people learn, work, and collaborate.

📝 Enhancement Note: This is a high-impact leadership role offering significant opportunities for strategic influence, personal development, and career advancement within a growing tech company. The focus on AI and product-led growth positions the role at the forefront of modern product development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is specified as "On-site" within Stockholm, indicating a physical office presence is expected. Mentimeter emphasizes a collaborative and diverse work environment.

Office Location(s): Stockholm, Sweden. Specific office details (e.g., amenities, accessibility) are not provided but can be expected from a company of Mentimeter's scale.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment is designed to foster collaboration, with teams working closely together in a product-led setting.

• Tools & Technology: Access to modern design tools and technologies, with an increasing integration of AI to support design workflows.

• Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with Product Designers, Product Managers, Engineering Directors, and other design leaders, creating a dynamic and interactive workspace.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is implied, Mentimeter promotes a healthy work-life balance, suggesting flexibility and a focus on outcomes rather than rigid hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Stockholm suggests an environment conducive to in-person collaboration, which is often valued for leadership roles requiring close team management and strategic alignment. The company's international diversity is likely reflected in the office environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of application and portfolio by a hiring team member, likely focusing on alignment with core requirements and demonstrated impact.

• Portfolio Deep Dive: A dedicated session to walk through your portfolio, discussing specific projects, your role, design decisions, challenges, and measurable outcomes. Be prepared to articulate your strategic thinking and leadership approach.

• Leadership & Strategy Interviews: Discussions with the Chief Design Officer and potentially other design or product leaders, focusing on your experience in setting direction, managing teams, driving product impact, and your vision for AI in design.

• Cross-functional Collaboration Interview: Conversations with Product and Engineering Directors to assess your ability to operate as a peer, collaborate effectively, and contribute to area strategy.

• Team Fit & Culture Interview: Assessment of cultural alignment, leadership style (player-coach), and ability to contribute to Mentimeter's collaborative and inclusive environment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the business and user impact of your work. Quantify results using metrics like activation, engagement, retention, and expansion where possible.

• Showcase Strategic Thinking: Explain the "why" behind your design decisions. Demonstrate how you set vision, defined architecture, and navigated ambiguity.

• Highlight Leadership & Coaching: Include examples of how you've led, mentored, and developed designers. Show your "player-coach" approach in action.

• Demonstrate AI Proficiency: Present specific examples of how you've integrated AI into your design process and the benefits achieved.

• Tell a Story: Structure your portfolio presentations to tell a compelling narrative about the problem, your solution, your role, and the outcome.

• Tailor to Mentimeter: Understand Mentimeter's product and mission, and frame your experience in a way that aligns with their goals of turning presentations into conversations and fostering engagement.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Strategy Exercise: Be prepared for a potential exercise or discussion focused on defining a design strategy for a new feature or product area, possibly involving AI.

• Critique & Feedback: Practice articulating constructive design critique and receiving feedback, as this is integral to the role and Mentimeter's collaborative approach.

• Stakeholder Alignment Scenarios: Think through how you would align diverse stakeholders (Product, Engineering, Marketing, Sales) around a design direction, especially in complex or ambiguous situations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess both strategic leadership and hands-on design capability. A well-curated portfolio that clearly demonstrates impact, strategic thinking, and AI integration is paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping Software: Proficiency with industry-standard tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), and prototyping tools (e.g., InVision, Principle, ProtoPie).

• AI Design Tools: Practical experience with AI-powered design tools and platforms that assist in exploration, ideation, content generation, or workflow automation. This could include AI assistants for image generation, text summarization, or code generation for prototypes.

• Collaboration Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Slack, Jira, Confluence, and project management software to facilitate cross-functional communication and workflow management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics Tools: Experience with platforms like Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics, or similar tools to track user behavior, engagement metrics, and product performance.

• Data Visualization Tools: Ability to interpret and present data effectively, potentially using tools like Tableau or Looker (though not explicitly mentioned, common in data-driven product environments).

CRM & Automation:

• While this role is design-focused, an understanding of how design impacts customer journeys managed through CRM systems (like Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms is beneficial for connecting design to business outcomes like expansion and retention.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role requires a strong command of modern design tools, with a specific emphasis on practical application of AI in the design process. Familiarity with product analytics is key for measuring design impact.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Collaboration & Curiosity: A strong belief in doing things together and approaching challenges with a curious and open mindset. This translates to a collaborative design process and a willingness to explore new ideas.

• Impact-Driven: A focus on achieving measurable customer and business impact through design. Decisions are guided by data and the desire to improve user outcomes and business metrics.

• Quality & Craftsmanship: A commitment to high standards in design execution, user experience, and overall product quality.

• Inclusivity & Diversity: A value placed on diversity of thought, background, and experience, aiming to create a safe and inclusive environment where everyone has a voice. This extends to encouraging applicants from underrepresented groups.

• Continuous Learning & Growth: An emphasis on ongoing professional development, skill advancement, and staying at the forefront of industry trends, including AI.

Collaboration Style:

• Peer-to-Peer Partnership: Works as an equal with Product and Engineering Directors, fostering a shared sense of ownership and responsibility for product area success.

• Hands-on Mentorship: Leads by example, actively participating in design work, providing constructive critique, and coaching designers directly through the work itself.

• Cross-functional Integration: Integrates design thinking seamlessly into product development cycles, ensuring alignment and shared understanding across teams.

• Open Communication: Encourages open dialogue, honest feedback, and active listening to ensure all voices are heard and considered.

📝 Enhancement Note: Mentimeter's culture is built around collaboration, impact, and inclusivity. The Design Director is expected to embody these values, fostering a supportive team environment while driving towards ambitious product and business goals.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Leading design for new AI-powered products where product-market fit is not yet established requires comfort with uncertainty and the ability to iterate rapidly based on learnings.

• Maintaining Coherence: Ensuring a seamless and unified user experience across an evolving "Engagement Suite" with multiple product areas can be complex, requiring strong system thinking and cross-team alignment.

• Balancing Strategy & Execution: Effectively balancing high-level strategic vision setting with hands-on design leadership and quality control demands significant time and energy management.

• Integrating AI Effectively: Successfully embedding AI into design workflows requires continuous learning, experimentation, and careful consideration of ethical implications and user impact.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI in Design Specialization: Deepen expertise in leveraging AI tools and methodologies for innovative design exploration, rapid prototyping, and enhanced workflow efficiency.

• Product Strategy & Leadership: Further develop strategic thinking and leadership capabilities through direct involvement in shaping product roadmaps and collaborating with senior leadership.

• Cross-functional Management: Gain deeper insights into product management and engineering processes, enhancing your ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives.

• Mentorship & Coaching: Benefit from dedicated mentorship and coaching through Mentimeter's leadership program, focusing on personal and professional growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges related to innovation, complexity, and integration, which are also the source of substantial growth opportunities for an ambitious design leader.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you define the experience vision and architecture for a new AI-powered engagement feature, and what would be your initial steps to validate product-market fit?" (Focus on your process, research methods, and iterative approach.)

• "Describe a time you had to ensure design coherence across multiple product areas or teams. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?" (Highlight your system thinking, communication, and stakeholder management skills.)

• "How do you balance setting a strategic experience direction with the need to get into the details of a design flow that isn't meeting quality standards?" (Demonstrate your "player-coach" approach and ability to prioritize.)

• "Can you share an example of how you've practically applied AI in the design process to improve speed or quality? What was the outcome?" (Be specific about tools, methods, and measurable results.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Mentimeter's mission and product, and how do you see design contributing to turning presentations into conversations?" (Show genuine interest and understanding of their value proposition.)

• "How would you approach coaching and developing Product Designers, particularly in a fast-moving, product-led environment?" (Discuss your leadership philosophy and methods.)

• "Describe your ideal collaboration model with Product and Engineering Directors. How do you ensure alignment and drive user-centric decisions?" (Focus on partnership, communication, and shared goals.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with a high-level summary of the project and its key business/user outcomes. Then, dive into the problem, your role, the process, key decisions, challenges, and solutions. Conclude by reiterating the impact and learnings.

• Quantify Everything Possible: For each project, try to include metrics that demonstrate the impact of your design work (e.g., % increase in activation, % improvement in task completion time, % reduction in support tickets).

• Showcase Your Leadership: Clearly differentiate your individual contributions from those of your team. Highlight instances where you guided, mentored, or influenced design decisions.

• Illustrate AI Application: If applicable, dedicate a section or specific slides to showcasing how AI was used and the tangible benefits derived.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your process, rationale, and the specific trade-offs you made. Be prepared to defend your decisions with data and user insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to discuss your leadership philosophy, strategic approach to design, and practical experience with AI. Your portfolio should be the central piece of evidence, so practice presenting it concisely and effectively, emphasizing impact and your role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Director position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on greenhouse.io.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most impactful projects that best demonstrate your leadership, strategic thinking, hands-on design craft, and experience with AI integration. Ensure each project clearly articulates the problem, your solution, your specific role, the process, and measurable outcomes.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 8+ years of design experience, focusing on mid-to-senior management roles in product-led organizations. Emphasize achievements related to setting experience direction, driving product impact (activation, engagement, retention), leading teams, and applying AI in design.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your leadership style, strategic vision, and how you connect design decisions to business metrics. Be ready to discuss your experience with cross-functional collaboration and your approach to coaching designers.

• Research Mentimeter: Familiarize yourself with Mentimeter's product, mission, culture, and recent developments (e.g., their move towards an Engagement Suite and AI integration). Understand their user base and competitive landscape.

⚠️ 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.