Design Manager, Interaction Design Lead - LEGO® DESiGN

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager, Interaction Design Lead - LEGO® DESiGN

Company: The LEGO Group

Location: Billund, Denmark

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Design Operations / Product Development Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-09

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design vision and execution for interactive play experiences, bridging the digital and physical realms to create innovative products.

• Drive the end-to-end design lifecycle for connected experiences, from initial ideation through to market launch, ensuring high-quality deliverables and adherence to project timelines.

• Foster strong cross-functional partnerships with product leadership and development teams to ensure seamless integration and successful product realization.

• Proactively identify and mitigate critical risks and roadblocks within the design and development process, implementing effective action plans to ensure project success.

• Act as a champion for Interaction Design within the organization, elevating the understanding of interactive play principles, design culture, and core LEGO® values across teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Design Manager with a specific focus on Interaction Design Lead within LEGO® DESiGN. While not a traditional Revenue or Sales Operations role, it heavily involves operational aspects of product development, project management, process adherence, and cross-functional collaboration, aligning with the operational rigor expected in GTM and product development functions. The emphasis on process, lifecycle management, risk mitigation, and team leadership makes it relevant to operations professionals who manage complex product development workflows.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Translate high-level design briefs and strategic directives into actionable objectives, detailed plans, and clear tasks for design teams and stakeholders.

• Guide and mentor internal and external design members, providing expert Interaction Design direction to achieve ambitious project goals and maintain design integrity.

• Establish and nurture robust, collaborative relationships with project leadership, engineering, marketing, and other product development stakeholders to ensure alignment and shared success.

• Proactively identify potential design and development challenges, assess critical risks, and develop comprehensive mitigation strategies and contingency plans.

• Advocate for user-centered design principles and the unique LEGO® play experience, ensuring that all interactive products resonate with children's creativity and imagination.

• Serve as a leadership role model within a creative and dynamic environment, demonstrating bravery, focus, and curiosity in leading complex design initiatives.

• Oversee the entire design lifecycle, ensuring quality, consistency, and timely delivery of all interactive play experiences from concept to market release.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities highlight a significant operational component in managing the product development lifecycle for interactive products. This includes translating strategic intent into operational plans, managing cross-functional teams, risk assessment, and process adherence, which are key functions in operations roles. The emphasis on "bringing interactive products to market" and "managing the entire design life cycle" directly relates to operational execution and project management.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Educational background in Interaction Design, Industrial Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), UX Design, Game Design, Computer Science, Architecture, or a closely related field is envisioned. A Bachelor's degree is considered a minimum requirement. Experience:

• Significant professional experience in interaction design, UX design, or a similar discipline is essential.

• Demonstrable experience in designing and launching interactive products or experiences, particularly those that integrate both digital and physical components.

• Proven track record in developing scalable or systemic design solutions within complex organizational structures and product ecosystems.

• Experience in leading and mentoring design teams, preferably within multidisciplinary and agile product development environments. Required Skills:

• Interaction Design Expertise: Deep understanding of interaction design principles, user flows, and creating intuitive digital interfaces.

• Prototyping & User-Centered Design: Strong skills in rapid prototyping, wireframing, and applying user-centered design methodologies to validate concepts.

• Systems Thinking: Ability to comprehend and design for complex, interconnected product ecosystems and organizational structures.

• Leadership & Mentoring: Proven experience in leading design teams, guiding creative processes, and mentoring junior designers.

• Agile Product Development: Familiarity with agile methodologies and experience working within cross-functional agile teams.

• Stakeholder Management: Excellent ability to build relationships, communicate effectively, and manage expectations with diverse stakeholders.

• Product Lifecycle Management: Experience overseeing products from ideation through to launch and iteration.

Preferred Skills:

• Connected Play Experience: Specific experience designing for products that blend physical toys with digital interactive elements.

• Game Design Principles: Understanding of game mechanics, engagement loops, and player motivation.

• Digital/Physical Integration: Expertise in bridging the gap between physical products and digital software/apps.

• Cross-Functional Team Leadership: Experience leading diverse teams including engineers, artists, and product managers.

• Strategic Design Planning: Ability to contribute to and execute on long-term design strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of creative design skills and operational project leadership. The mention of "systems thinking" and "complex organizational and product ecosystems" points towards the need for operational structure and process understanding. The requirement for experience in "multidisciplinary and agile product development environments" directly aligns with modern GTM and product operations practices.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Interactive Experience Showcase: Must include examples of interactive products or digital experiences designed, demonstrating a clear understanding of user journeys and interaction flows.

• Digital-Physical Integration Examples: Showcase projects where digital and physical elements were successfully combined to create a cohesive user experience.

• Systems Design Thinking: Present case studies that illustrate your approach to designing for complex systems, scalability, and interconnectedness.

• Process & Methodology Documentation: Detail the design process followed for key projects, including user research, ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration phases.

• Impact & Outcome Demonstration: Clearly articulate the goals of each project and the measurable outcomes achieved, focusing on user adoption, engagement, or business impact.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Ability to document and visualize complex design workflows, identifying bottlenecks and proposing optimization strategies for efficiency.

• User Research & Validation: Showcase how user research is integrated into the design process and how findings are documented and used to inform design decisions.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration Protocols: Provide examples of how design processes are documented to facilitate seamless collaboration with engineering, product management, and marketing teams.

• Agile Design Integration: Demonstrate how design processes are adapted and integrated within agile sprints and development cycles, including documentation of sprint reviews and feedback loops.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on leading interaction design for physical-digital products, a portfolio is critical. The requirements emphasize not just the final output but also the process behind it, including how systems are architected, how users are engaged, and how cross-functional teams collaborate. This aligns with operations expectations for clear process documentation, efficiency, and measurable impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for Design Managers with 5-10 years of experience in Denmark, particularly in the tech/toy industry, the estimated annual salary range is DKK 600,000 - DKK 850,000 (approximately $86,000 - $122,000 USD, subject to exchange rates). This estimate considers the specialized nature of interaction design, leadership responsibilities, and the cost of living in Billund, Denmark. Benefits:

• Family Care Leave: Enhanced paid leave options for significant life events, supporting work-life balance.

• Insurances: Comprehensive life and disability insurance coverage for employee protection and peace of mind.

• Wellbeing Resources: Access to resources and benefits focused on nurturing physical and mental wellbeing, fostering community, and inspiring creativity.

• Colleague Discount: A generous discount on LEGO® products, available from day one of employment.

• Bonus Scheme: Eligibility for a bonus based on company and individual performance when goals are achieved.

• Hybrid Work Policy: An average of 3 days per week in the office, offering flexibility while maintaining in-person collaboration.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are expected, typically around 40 hours per week. The hybrid work policy allows for flexibility in structuring the work week, with an average of 3 days spent in the office.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates for Denmark are based on average compensation data for similar roles in tech and design leadership in the region, adjusted for experience level and industry. Benefits are directly extracted from the provided text. The working hours and hybrid policy are also directly stated.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Toy Manufacturing / Entertainment / Digital Experiences. The LEGO Group operates in a unique intersection of physical product manufacturing, digital content creation, and children's entertainment, with a strong emphasis on play-based learning and creativity. This industry context means a focus on innovation, child safety, and imaginative product development.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (The LEGO Group is a global corporation with thousands of employees). This size indicates structured processes, established hierarchies, and a wide range of cross-functional teams, requiring strong operational coordination.

Founded: 1932. With a long history, the company has a deep-rooted culture and established brand values that influence its operational approach and product development ethos.

Team Structure:

• LEGO® Design: A large department comprising over 700 designers across various disciplines, serving as the creative hub for the company.

• Interaction Design Team: A specialized unit within LEGO® Design focused on the convergence of digital and physical play experiences.

• Reporting Structure: Likely a hierarchical structure within LEGO® Design, with the Design Manager reporting to a Director or VP of Design, and managing a team of Interaction Designers and potentially external partners.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Design teams work closely with product management, engineering, marketing, R&D, and manufacturing to bring products to life.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While creativity is paramount, decisions are increasingly informed by user research, playtesting data, and market insights.

• Agile Development: Product development cycles often employ agile methodologies, requiring adaptive design processes and close integration with engineering sprints.

• Systems Approach: A focus on creating cohesive product ecosystems rather than isolated experiences, demanding strategic planning and robust operational frameworks.

• Playful Innovation: A culture that encourages experimentation, learning from failure, and pushing creative boundaries within defined operational parameters.

Company Website: LEGO.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture and team structure are inferred from the provided company description and the nature of a global brand like LEGO. The emphasis on "play," "creativity," and "children" strongly influences the operational approach towards innovation, user-centricity, and safety.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a mid-to-senior level management position within a design-centric organization. It requires a blend of individual contributor design expertise and team leadership responsibilities, focusing on the operational execution of design strategy for interactive products. The scope includes managing projects, mentoring designers, and influencing product direction.

Reporting Structure: The Design Manager will likely report to a Director or VP of Design within LEGO® Design. They will lead a team of Interaction Designers and collaborate extensively with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and other key stakeholders across the product development lifecycle.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is significant, directly influencing the quality, playability, and market success of LEGO®'s interactive products. By effectively managing the design process and team, this role contributes to revenue generation, brand loyalty, and the company's strategic goal of inspiring children through play. The operational efficiency of the design process directly impacts time-to-market and product quality.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into Director-level roles within LEGO® Design or related product development functions, overseeing larger teams or broader product portfolios.

• Specialization Deepening: Opportunity to become a recognized expert in specific areas of interactive play, digital-physical integration, or advanced UX methodologies.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Potential to move into broader Product Management or Development leadership roles, leveraging design expertise to drive overall product strategy and execution.

• Operational Process Improvement: Contribute to refining and optimizing the design and product development operational frameworks within The LEGO Group.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career progression is analyzed based on the "Design Manager" title and the operational responsibilities associated with leading a team and managing product lifecycles within a large organization. The focus on "operational impact" highlights how design execution translates into business results.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid Work Environment. Employees are expected to work an average of 3 days per week in the office, with the primary location being Billund Innovation House. This model balances the benefits of in-person collaboration and team cohesion with the flexibility of remote work.

Office Location(s): Billund, Denmark. This is the global headquarters and a major innovation hub for The LEGO Group, offering a vibrant and creative work setting.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The Billund Innovation House likely features open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and dedicated project spaces designed to foster collaboration among designers, engineers, and product teams.

• Creative Tools & Technology: Access to state-of-the-art design software, hardware, prototyping labs, and potentially AR/VR development tools relevant to interactive play.

• Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities for informal and formal interaction with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, promoting a rich exchange of ideas and fostering a strong team culture.

• Playful Atmosphere: The work environment is expected to reflect LEGO's brand – creative, engaging, and focused on inspiring imagination.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is full-time (approximately 40 hours/week), with flexibility offered through the hybrid model. This allows operations professionals to manage their workflows effectively, balancing focused individual work with collaborative team sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment details are derived from the hybrid work policy and the description of Billund as an "Innovation House," implying a modern, collaborative workspace designed for creative and product development teams.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application & Screening: Submit CV, motivational letter, and portfolio. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis.

• Recruiter Screen: A preliminary conversation to assess basic qualifications, experience alignment, and understanding of the role.

• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion about your experience, leadership style, design philosophy, and approach to managing interactive product development.

• Portfolio Presentation & Case Study: A session where candidates present selected projects from their portfolio, detailing their process, challenges, solutions, and impact. This is a critical step to assess design thinking and operational execution.

• Team/Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with potential peers, direct reports, and key cross-functional partners (e.g., product managers, engineering leads) to evaluate collaboration skills, cultural fit, and strategic alignment.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to confirm overall fit and strategic contribution.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-4 of your strongest projects that best represent your experience in interaction design, digital-physical integration, and leadership.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (emphasizing operational steps and decision-making), the challenges faced, the solutions implemented, and the measurable outcomes.

• Highlight Process: Explicitly detail your design methodology, user research, prototyping techniques, and how you managed the project lifecycle and collaborated with others.

• Demonstrate Impact: Quantify results wherever possible (e.g., user engagement metrics, adoption rates, efficiency improvements).

• Tailor to LEGO: Connect your experience and projects to LEGO's mission, values, and specific focus on interactive play.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Thinking Exercise: Be prepared for a hypothetical design challenge related to interactive play, requiring you to outline your approach from ideation to potential implementation.

• Systems Design Scenario: You might be asked to discuss how you would design a scalable interactive experience across multiple LEGO product lines.

• Leadership & Collaboration Scenarios: Prepare to discuss how you would manage team conflicts, motivate designers, and collaborate with non-design stakeholders to achieve project goals under tight deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview and portfolio review process is detailed based on standard practices for design leadership roles in large, innovative companies, with specific emphasis on the requirements for this interaction design position. The "operational" aspect is highlighted in how process and collaboration will be assessed.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping Software: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), Principle, ProtoPie, InVision. Proficiency in one or more of these is essential for creating wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes.

• User Research & Testing Platforms: Tools for conducting user interviews, surveys, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback).

• Project Management & Collaboration Tools: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello. These are crucial for managing project timelines, tracking tasks, and facilitating communication within agile development teams.

• 3D Modeling/Design Tools (Potentially): Depending on the specific projects, familiarity with tools like Blender or SolidWorks could be beneficial for visualizing physical product integration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics Platforms: Tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Google Analytics for tracking user behavior within digital experiences.

• Data Visualization Tools: Tableau, Power BI, or similar for creating dashboards and reporting on key performance indicators (KPIs).

CRM & Automation:

• While not primary for this design role, understanding how design outputs integrate with CRM systems (like Salesforce) or marketing automation platforms is beneficial for understanding the broader business context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tool stack is inferred based on industry standards for interaction design, UX leadership, and product development in technology-driven companies. The inclusion of project management and analytics tools reflects the operational requirements of managing product lifecycles.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Playfulness & Creativity: A core value that permeates all aspects of work, encouraging innovative solutions and imaginative product design.

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving children's needs and desires, ensuring that play experiences are engaging, educational, and enjoyable.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Strong emphasis on working together across disciplines and departments to achieve common goals, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.

• Quality & Craftsmanship: A dedication to producing high-quality products that meet rigorous standards for safety, durability, and play value.

• Integrity & Responsibility: Upholding ethical standards and a commitment to child wellbeing and safety in all product development and business practices.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Design teams work seamlessly with product management, engineering, marketing, and research to ensure a holistic approach to product development.

• Open Communication: Encouraging candid feedback, active listening, and transparent dialogue to resolve challenges and drive innovation.

• Agile & Iterative: Embracing flexibility and continuous improvement, with a willingness to adapt designs based on feedback and evolving project requirements.

• Shared Ownership: Fostering a sense of collective responsibility for the success of products, where all team members contribute to problem-solving and decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture and values are derived from The LEGO Group's established brand identity and mission, translated into how they would manifest operationally within a design team.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Digital & Physical: Seamlessly integrating digital interactions with physical play experiences presents complex design and technical challenges.

• Global Audience Needs: Designing for a diverse global audience of children requires sensitivity to cultural nuances and varying developmental stages.

• Rapid Technological Evolution: Staying ahead of emerging technologies and trends in interactive media and toy innovation requires continuous learning and adaptation.

• Cross-Disciplinary Alignment: Ensuring consistent vision and execution across diverse teams (design, engineering, marketing) can be operationally demanding.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Interaction Design: Opportunities to explore cutting-edge UX methodologies, AR/VR design, and AI-driven interactive experiences.

• Leadership Training: Access to internal leadership development programs focused on managing teams, strategic planning, and executive communication.

• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Participation in leading design and technology events to stay abreast of industry trends and network with peers.

• Mentorship Programs: Opportunities to be mentored by senior leaders within The LEGO Group or to mentor emerging talent, fostering personal and professional growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are framed within the context of the role's specific focus on interactive play and the broader industry. Growth opportunities are aligned with career progression in design leadership and operations.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex interactive product you led from concept to launch. What were the key operational challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on process, risk management, team coordination).

• "How would you approach designing a new interactive play experience that seamlessly blends a physical LEGO set with a digital companion app?" (Assess systems thinking, user journey mapping, and cross-platform considerations).

• "Imagine a critical design flaw was discovered just before a product launch. How would you operationalize the response, communicate with stakeholders, and mitigate the impact?" (Evaluate problem-solving, crisis management, and communication skills). Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do you ensure a design team embodies LEGO's values of playfulness and creativity while adhering to project timelines and quality standards?" (Assess cultural fit and ability to balance creativity with operational rigor).

• "What is your philosophy on user-centered design for children, and how would you ensure this is a priority within a multidisciplinary team?" (Understand your approach to user research and advocacy).

• "How do you foster a collaborative environment where designers feel empowered to innovate while also contributing to efficient product development cycles?" (Gauge leadership and team-building capabilities). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem statement, your specific role and contributions, the design process, key decisions made, challenges, solutions, and quantifiable results.

• Emphasize Operational Steps: Highlight how you managed the project lifecycle, collaborated with other functions, handled feedback, and ensured timely delivery.

• Showcase Systems Thinking: If applicable, explain how your design fits into a larger ecosystem or product line.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices, the tools you used, and the rationale behind your decisions.

• Connect to LEGO: Clearly articulate why your experience and approach are a strong fit for The LEGO Group and this specific role.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions are tailored to assess both the core design competencies and the operational management skills required for this leadership role, with a focus on practical application and problem-solving.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link, ensuring all required documents (CV, motivational letter, portfolio) are uploaded.

• Customize Your Portfolio: Select projects that best demonstrate your experience in interaction design, digital-physical integration, leadership, and system thinking. Clearly articulate the operational processes you followed, challenges you overcame, and measurable outcomes you achieved.

• Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords such as "Interaction Design," "UX Design," "Systems Thinking," "Product Lifecycle Management," "Agile," and "Leadership." Quantify achievements and responsibilities where possible.

• Prepare for Portfolio Presentation: Practice presenting your selected case studies, focusing on storytelling, clarity of process, and demonstrating your strategic and operational capabilities. Be ready to discuss your design decisions and their impact.

• Research The LEGO Group: Familiarize yourself with LEGO's mission, values, current product lines (especially interactive ones), and their approach to innovation and design. Understand their commitment to children's rights and wellbeing.

⚠️ 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.