Director UX/UI Design (m/w/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Director UX/UI Design (m/w/d)

Company: Miele

Location: Gütersloh (GTZ), Germany

Job Type: Full time

Category: User Experience (UX) / User Interface (UI) Design Leadership

Date Posted: September 3, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the long-term vision and strategic direction for Miele's digital products and connected services, ensuring a seamless premium user experience across all physical and digital touchpoints.

• Establish and maintain a scalable UX architecture and a comprehensive Design System, ensuring consistency in user flows, interaction patterns, navigation, and UI standards across the entire product portfolio.

• Drive the creation and enforcement of clear UX/UI guidelines, documentation, and standardized design processes to guarantee consistent quality, enable scalable solutions, and foster efficient collaboration among diverse teams and products.

• Proactively manage UX/UI quality, prioritize initiatives, allocate resources, and monitor timelines, with a keen ability to identify risks and dependencies early on while balancing user needs, technical feasibility, and business objectives.

• Lead and mentor an experienced UX/UI team, providing clear direction, regular constructive feedback, and ongoing coaching to foster professional growth and build a shared understanding of experience quality across all relevant disciplines.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role focuses on high-level strategic leadership within UX/UI Design, emphasizing the creation of a cohesive, premium digital experience for a global brand. The responsibilities clearly indicate a senior management position requiring not only design expertise but also strong leadership, process development, and cross-functional collaboration skills. The integration of "Smart Home" and "Connected Services" suggests a forward-thinking approach to product development within the appliance industry.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Translate user insights, emerging technologies, and market trends into actionable UX strategies that define the future of Miele’s digital offerings.

• Develop and implement a robust, scalable UX architecture and a comprehensive Design System that underpins consistent user journeys and visual identity across all digital platforms and products.

• Define and document clear UX/UI guidelines, interaction patterns, and UI standards to ensure a high-quality, unified user experience and facilitate efficient team collaboration.

• Oversee the UX/UI design process from conception to implementation, ensuring alignment with product roadmaps, business goals, and technical constraints.

• Champion user-centered design principles and best practices throughout the organization, fostering a culture that prioritizes user needs and premium experiences.

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of UX/UI designers, fostering their professional growth and ensuring high performance and team cohesion.

• Collaborate closely with Product Design, Engineering, Marketing, and other stakeholders to ensure seamless integration of UX/UI strategy into overall product development.

• Manage design priorities, resources, and timelines, proactively identifying and mitigating risks to ensure successful project delivery.

• Continuously evaluate and iterate on the user experience based on user feedback, analytics, and market analysis to maintain Miele's premium brand perception.

• Act as a key advocate for the user, ensuring their needs are central to all design decisions and product development initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic vision setting, process establishment, team leadership, and cross-functional collaboration. The emphasis on "seamless premium experience" and "physical and digital touchpoints" indicates a holistic approach to design that spans the entire customer journey, typical of senior roles in established consumer brands.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A degree in Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), User Experience Design, Communication Design, Media Informatics, or a comparable relevant discipline is required. Experience:

• Extensive professional experience in a senior UX/UI Design, Experience Design, or equivalent leadership role within a complex, international product environment.

• Proven track record of defining and implementing successful UX strategies, UX architectures, and Design Systems across diverse digital and physical touchpoints.

• Demonstrated experience in leading and developing multidisciplinary Experience Design teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.

• Experience in navigating complex organizational structures and managing senior stakeholder relationships effectively. Required Skills:

• UX Strategy Development: Ability to define long-term UX vision and translate business goals and user needs into actionable design strategies.

• Design System Leadership: Expertise in creating, implementing, and evolving comprehensive Design Systems for scalable and consistent user experiences.

• UX Architecture Design: Proficiency in designing scalable and intuitive UX architectures that support complex product ecosystems.

• Team Leadership & Coaching: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop design teams, fostering individual and collective growth.

• Stakeholder Management: Excellent skills in communicating with, influencing, and managing expectations of senior stakeholders across various departments.

• User-Centered Design Principles: Deep understanding and application of user research methodologies, usability testing, and iterative design processes.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with product management, engineering, marketing, and other cross-functional teams.

• Strategic Thinking: Capacity to think holistically about user needs, business objectives, and technical feasibility to drive impactful design decisions.

• Communication Skills: Exceptional verbal and written communication abilities in both German and English, essential for international collaboration.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the consumer electronics or home appliance industry.

• Familiarity with Agile/Scrum methodologies in a product development context.

• Experience with user research tools and methods for gathering qualitative and quantitative data.

• A strong portfolio showcasing successful UX/UI design leadership and impactful product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of strategic design thinking, practical execution, and strong leadership capabilities. The requirement for experience in a "complex, international product environment" and strong German/English language skills points to the global nature of Miele's operations and the need for effective communication across diverse teams. The "hands-on mindset" alongside strategic vision indicates a role that requires active involvement in design direction.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Strategic Vision: Showcase examples of how your UX strategy has directly influenced product direction and user experience outcomes.

• Design System Implementation: Present case studies detailing the creation or significant enhancement of Design Systems, highlighting their impact on consistency, scalability, and team efficiency.

• UX Architecture Examples: Provide visualizations and explanations of complex UX architectures you have designed, demonstrating how they addressed user needs and business goals.

• Leadership Impact: Include examples of how you have led design teams through challenging projects, demonstrating improved team performance, skill development, and successful product launches.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Illustrate instances where you have effectively collaborated with engineering, product management, and marketing to achieve cohesive product experiences.

Process Documentation:

• Design Process Frameworks: Detail your experience in defining and implementing standardized design processes, including user research, ideation, prototyping, testing, and handoff.

• Quality Assurance & Governance: Demonstrate how you establish frameworks for ensuring consistent design quality and adherence to UX/UI guidelines and brand standards across a portfolio.

• Scalability & Efficiency: Provide examples of how you have designed processes and systems that promote scalability and efficiency within design teams and across product development cycles.

• Documentation Standards: Outline your approach to creating clear, comprehensive design documentation, including style guides, pattern libraries, and user flow diagrams, to facilitate collaboration and knowledge transfer.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Director-level UX/UI role, a portfolio is crucial. It should not just showcase visual design but critically, the strategic thinking, process development, and leadership that drove successful outcomes. Evidence of building and scaling design systems, architecting complex user experiences, and leading teams through the entire product lifecycle will be key. The emphasis should be on demonstrating impact and strategic influence.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for Director-level UX/UI Design roles in Germany, with significant experience and leadership responsibilities in a global company like Miele, the estimated annual gross salary range is €90,000 - €130,000. This range can vary based on specific experience, qualifications, and negotiation. Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Access to excellent health, dental, and vision coverage.

• Retirement Savings Plan: Generous company contributions to a pension or retirement savings scheme.

• Generous Paid Time Off: Ample vacation days, public holidays, and potential for additional leave.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, training, certifications, and attending industry conferences.

• Employee Discounts: Special pricing on Miele products.

• Hybrid Work Model: Flexibility to balance on-site collaboration with remote work.

• Work-Life Balance Initiatives: Programs and policies designed to support employee well-being.

• Company Events & Social Activities: Opportunities to connect with colleagues and build team camaraderie.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid work model offers flexibility in structuring these hours, balancing core collaboration times with personal needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary for a Director-level position in Germany, especially for a well-established brand like Miele and in a specialized field like UX/UI design leadership, will be competitive. The provided range reflects senior leadership expectations. Benefits are also typically robust for such roles in Germany, focusing on long-term security and professional growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Home Appliances & Consumer Electronics. Miele is renowned for its premium quality, durability, and sophisticated design in household appliances and commercial technology. The company operates in a highly competitive market where innovation, brand reputation, and user experience are critical differentiators.

Company Size: Miele is a large, established international corporation with a significant global presence. This implies a structured environment with established processes, but also opportunities for impact within a well-resourced organization.

Founded: Founded in 1899, Miele has a long history of innovation and a strong heritage, which influences its brand identity and commitment to quality and longevity. This historical context often translates into a culture that values tradition alongside forward-thinking development.

Team Structure:

• The UX/UI Design team likely operates within a broader Product Development or Digital Innovation division.

• It is expected to be a multidisciplinary team, comprising UX researchers, UX designers, UI designers, and potentially UX writers or information architects.

• This team will collaborate closely with product managers, software engineers, hardware engineers, marketing, and brand teams.

• The Director will lead this team, reporting to a senior executive (e.g., Head of Digital, Chief Product Officer, or similar). Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasis on using user insights, analytics, and market research to inform design decisions.

• Agile Development Integration: Likely working within or alongside Agile development teams, requiring iterative design processes and close collaboration with engineering.

• Holistic Experience Design: Focus on creating cohesive experiences that span across physical products, digital interfaces, and connected services, reflecting Miele's premium brand positioning.

• Design System Adoption: A strong focus on building and maintaining a Design System to ensure consistency, efficiency, and scalability across the product portfolio.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Miele's reputation for premium quality and longevity suggests a company culture that values excellence, attention to detail, and long-term vision. For a UX/UI Director, this means a focus on crafting sophisticated, intuitive, and reliable digital experiences that align with the brand's established prestige. The "Smart Home" and "Connected Services" aspect indicates a commitment to modernizing and integrating technology into their product ecosystem.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Director-level position, signifying a senior leadership role responsible for a significant function within the organization. It involves strategic oversight, team management, and accountability for the overall quality and effectiveness of UX/UI design across Miele's digital products.

Reporting Structure: The Director will likely report to a VP or C-level executive overseeing Product, Digital, or Technology. They will manage a team of UX/UI professionals, including potentially team leads or individual contributors.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct and substantial impact on the user experience of Miele’s digital products and connected services. This directly influences customer satisfaction, brand perception, product adoption, and ultimately, revenue and market competitiveness. Effective UX/UI design can differentiate Miele in the premium appliance market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape the future digital product strategy of a globally recognized premium brand.

• Leadership Development: Further development of leadership skills through managing a team, influencing cross-functional stakeholders, and contributing to executive-level decision-making.

• Portfolio Expansion: Potential to expand responsibilities to oversee a broader scope of digital product experience or innovation initiatives.

• Industry Recognition: Leading design for a prestigious brand can enhance professional reputation and open doors to further high-level opportunities within the tech and design industries.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor and develop emerging talent in the UX/UI field, contributing to the growth of the design community.

📝 Enhancement Note: A Director role at Miele offers a significant opportunity for career advancement, moving beyond tactical design execution to strategic business impact. The growth potential is tied to successfully elevating the digital experience of a heritage brand and potentially leading larger or more diverse teams in the future.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Miele’s headquarters in Gütersloh is a modern corporate campus. The work environment is likely a blend of open-plan collaborative spaces and private offices, designed to support both focused work and team interaction.

Office Location(s): The primary location for this role is Gütersloh (GTZ), Germany. This is Miele's headquarters, suggesting access to key decision-makers and resources.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Access to meeting rooms, brainstorming areas, and informal gathering spots designed for team collaboration and cross-functional discussions.

• Technology & Tools: The workspace will be equipped with modern design software, hardware, and infrastructure to support advanced UX/UI design and development processes.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular face-to-face interaction with the UX/UI team, product managers, engineers, and other key stakeholders, facilitated by the hybrid work model.

Work Schedule: The hybrid work arrangement allows for flexibility. While core hours will likely be established for team collaboration and meetings, there's flexibility in how the remaining hours are structured, accommodating individual work preferences and the demands of complex design projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role at Miele's headquarters suggests a structured yet flexible work environment. It’s designed to foster collaboration essential for UX/UI design while allowing for focused individual work, aligning with the needs of a Director-level position.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or HR representative will conduct an initial call to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and salary expectations.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation with the direct hiring manager (likely a senior leader in Product or Digital) to delve deeper into your experience, leadership style, and strategic vision.

• Team/Peer Interviews: Meetings with key members of the UX/UI team and cross-functional partners (e.g., Product Management, Engineering Leads) to evaluate collaboration skills and technical expertise.

• Portfolio Presentation & Case Study: A crucial stage where you will present your portfolio, likely focusing on 1-3 key projects that demonstrate your strategic thinking, design process, leadership, and impact. You may be asked to prepare a specific case study related to Miele's challenges.

• Executive Interview: A final interview with a senior executive (e.g., CPO, Head of Digital) to assess strategic alignment, leadership potential, and overall fit with Miele's long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Strategic Narrative: Frame your portfolio around your strategic contributions and leadership. Don't just show designs; explain the "why" behind them, the problems you solved, and the impact you achieved.

• Design System Focus: If you have experience building or scaling Design Systems, highlight this prominently, as it aligns with the job description's requirements.

• Leadership Examples: Include specific examples of how you have mentored teams, resolved design conflicts, and driven consensus among stakeholders.

• Premium Experience: Showcase projects that demonstrate your ability to create sophisticated, high-quality user experiences that align with a premium brand identity.

• Quantifiable Results: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the impact of your work (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced support tickets, increased user satisfaction).

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your most impactful work efficiently. Tailor your presentation to the specific requirements of the Director role at Miele.

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic Design Challenge: Be prepared for a hypothetical challenge related to Miele's digital products or services. This might involve outlining a UX strategy for a new feature, addressing a specific user pain point, or proposing improvements to existing digital touchpoints.

• Process Improvement Scenario: You might be asked to outline how you would improve Miele’s design process, implement a new Design System, or foster better collaboration between design and engineering.

• Leadership Scenario: Prepare to discuss how you would handle team conflicts, motivate designers, or manage competing priorities within a complex project portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a Director role will be rigorous, focusing heavily on strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, and the ability to articulate impact. A well-prepared portfolio presentation is paramount, demonstrating not just design talent but also business acumen and leadership effectiveness.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping Software: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), InVision, Axure RP. Expertise in at least one leading platform (e.g., Figma) is expected.

• User Research & Testing Platforms: UserTesting.com, Maze, Hotjar, Lookback.io, Qualtrics for surveys and feedback collection.

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Monday.com for workflow management and team coordination.

• Design System Management Tools: Zeroheight, Storybook, or internal documentation platforms for managing design system components and guidelines.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics for understanding user behavior on digital platforms.

• Product Analytics: Mixpanel, Amplitude for in-depth product usage analysis.

• Data Visualization Tools: Tableau, Power BI, Looker for creating dashboards and reporting on UX metrics and KPIs.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managed by UX/UI, understanding CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms can provide context for user journeys and customer data.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with industry-standard design and prototyping tools is a given. However, for a Director role, understanding and potentially implementing tools for design system management, user research, analytics, and cross-functional collaboration is critical. The ability to leverage data to inform design decisions is paramount.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user's needs and experience in all product decisions.

• Excellence & Quality: A drive for high standards in design, execution, and product longevity, reflecting Miele's brand promise.

• Collaboration: A belief in the power of teamwork and cross-functional partnerships to achieve shared goals and create integrated experiences.

• Innovation: A forward-thinking mindset, embracing new technologies and approaches to enhance user experiences and product offerings.

• Data-Informed Decisions: Utilizing data and insights to guide design strategies and measure impact effectively.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively fostering strong working relationships with Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, and other departments to ensure a unified approach to product development.

• Open Communication: Encouraging transparent and constructive dialogue, feedback, and knowledge sharing within the design team and across disciplines.

• Iterative Improvement: Embracing a culture of continuous learning and refinement, where feedback is welcomed and used to enhance designs and processes.

• Empowerment & Accountability: Fostering an environment where team members are empowered to take ownership of their work while being accountable for delivering high-quality results.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at Miele, combined with the nature of a Director-level UX/UI role, suggests a value system that prioritizes quality, user focus, and collaborative innovation. The ideal candidate will align with these principles and be adept at fostering them within their team.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Premium Experience with Scalability: Ensuring that Miele's high-end brand promise is consistently delivered across a diverse and potentially growing portfolio of digital products and services, while maintaining design efficiency and scalability.

• Integrating Physical and Digital Touchpoints: Seamlessly connecting the user experience of physical appliances with their digital counterparts and connected services, creating a unified and intuitive customer journey.

• Navigating Complex Stakeholder Landscapes: Managing diverse expectations and priorities from various internal departments and senior leadership to drive cohesive design strategies.

• Keeping Pace with Technological Advancements: Staying ahead of emerging technologies and trends in UX/UI design, smart home technology, and connected services to ensure Miele's digital offerings remain competitive and innovative.

• Leading a Global Team: Effectively leading and motivating a multidisciplinary team, potentially with members in different locations, fostering a strong team culture and ensuring consistent quality standards.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership Training: Opportunities to refine leadership and strategic planning skills in a corporate setting.

• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Access to leading UX/UI and digital product development events to stay abreast of industry best practices and innovations.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gaining deeper insights into other business functions (e.g., product management, engineering, marketing) to foster a more holistic understanding of product development.

• Mentorship Programs: Potential to be mentored by senior executives or to mentor emerging talent within the organization.

• Specialization in Connected Products: Deepening expertise in the growing field of IoT, smart home technology, and connected services within the appliance sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are characteristic of a senior role in a large, established company operating in a dynamic tech landscape. Overcoming these requires strategic thinking, strong leadership, and a commitment to continuous learning and adaptation.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to developing a long-term UX strategy for a premium brand like Miele, considering both digital and physical touchpoints." (Prepare to discuss user research, market analysis, competitive benchmarking, and alignment with business goals.)

• "How would you establish and govern a Design System to ensure consistency and scalability across Miele's diverse product portfolio?" (Focus on governance models, component libraries, adoption strategies, and tooling.)

• "Walk us through a time you had to balance competing business priorities with user needs. How did you arrive at a decision, and what was the outcome?" (Use the STAR method, emphasizing your strategic thinking and negotiation skills.)

• "How do you measure the success of UX/UI design initiatives, and what KPIs do you prioritize for a Director-level role?" (Discuss metrics like user satisfaction, task completion rates, adoption rates, brand perception, and ROI.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Miele as a brand, and how do you see your role contributing to its premium positioning?" (Research Miele's history, values, and recent product innovations.)

• "Describe your leadership philosophy and how you foster a high-performing and collaborative design team." (Highlight your coaching, feedback, and team-building approaches.)

• "How do you ensure effective collaboration between design, product management, and engineering teams in a hybrid work environment?" (Discuss communication strategies, shared understanding of goals, and process integration.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your strategic approach, your specific contributions as a leader, the solutions implemented, and the measurable impact.

• Showcase Leadership: Demonstrate how you guided teams, made critical decisions, and managed projects to successful completion.

• Highlight Design Systems: If applicable, dedicate a section to your experience with Design Systems, showcasing their architecture, adoption, and benefits.

• Premium Brand Alignment: Ensure your examples reflect an understanding of premium user experiences and sophisticated design aesthetics.

• Concise Storytelling: Be prepared to present your key projects within a defined timeframe, focusing on the most relevant aspects for a Director role.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing for this interview requires not only showcasing design expertise but also demonstrating strategic leadership, business acumen, and the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly. Tailoring your portfolio and responses to Miele's brand and the specific requirements of the Director role will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Director UX/UI Design position at Miele:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link: https://miele.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/miele-jobs/job/Gtersloh/Director-UX-UI-Design--m-w-d-_R3946

• Tailor Your Resume: Emphasize leadership experience, strategic UX vision, Design System development, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most impactful projects that best showcase your strategic leadership, design process, and ability to deliver premium user experiences. Prepare to discuss the business impact and your role as a leader.

• Research Miele: Understand Miele's brand, its product portfolio (especially connected services), its market position, and its commitment to quality and design.

• Prepare for Case Studies: Anticipate potential design or leadership challenges and prepare thoughtful, strategic responses, focusing on process, collaboration, and measurable outcomes.

⚠️ 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.