Head of Design

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Head of Design

Company: Aru Labs

Location: Netherlands (Remote)

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Design Leadership / GTM Operations

Date Posted: September 23, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior to Senior

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic vision and execution of all design initiatives, encompassing brand identity, marketing collateral, web presence, and product interfaces.

• Drive the creation and maintenance of robust design systems and comprehensive brand guidelines to ensure consistent visual communication across all touchpoints.

• Act as a hands-on design leader, capable of translating high-level concepts into exceptional visual work and guiding the evolution of the company's aesthetic.

• Foster a collaborative environment, working closely with founders, marketing, content, and growth teams to align design efforts with business objectives.

• Build and scale a high-performing design function, potentially managing a team or network of external designers as Aru Labs grows.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Head of Design," the responsibilities heavily lean into Go-To-Market (GTM) design strategy and execution, impacting brand perception and customer acquisition. This role requires a blend of strategic leadership and hands-on creative execution, aligning design with business growth objectives. The emphasis on turning ideas into high-quality visual work and collaborating with marketing and growth teams suggests a strong GTM operational component.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and own the overarching design direction and visual identity of Aru Labs, ensuring it resonates with target audiences and reflects the company's mission.

• Spearhead the design of brand assets, marketing campaigns, social media content, website user experience, and product interfaces, maintaining a cohesive visual narrative.

• Develop, implement, and evolve comprehensive design systems and brand guidelines to empower consistent and high-quality design output across all platforms and teams.

• Transform abstract ideas and strategic concepts into compelling and high-fidelity visual designs, from initial sketches to final execution.

• Collaborate intimately with founders, marketing, content, and growth teams to ensure design strategies are tightly integrated with product development, marketing initiatives, and customer acquisition efforts.

• Set the creative vision and provide art direction for major marketing campaigns, product launches, and brand initiatives to maximize impact.

• Continuously review, refine, and elevate design quality across all channels, ensuring brand consistency and adherence to established standards.

• Strategically build and manage a network of freelance designers or an in-house design team as the company scales, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.

• Proactively research and integrate emerging design trends, tools, and creative formats to keep Aru Labs at the forefront of visual communication.

• Ensure seamless consistency and brand integrity across all digital touchpoints (website, social media, digital ads, product UI) and offline brand experiences (e.g., presentations, potential print materials).

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on strategic GTM design leadership and operational execution. The mention of "marketing, content, and growth teams" and "campaigns and major launches" strongly indicates a GTM focus. The requirement to "build and manage a network or team of designers" points to operational management of design resources.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Fine Arts, or a related field is often preferred for leadership roles in design. Equivalent professional experience and a strong portfolio can substitute for formal education.

Experience: 4-8+ years of progressive experience in graphic design, branding, and visual communication, with a significant portion of that time in leadership or senior individual contributor roles. Experience specifically within a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, or startup environment is highly valued.

Required Skills:

• Proven ability to develop and execute a compelling visual identity and overall design direction.

• Deep expertise in branding principles, typography, layout design, and the creation of sophisticated visual systems.

• Demonstrated strategic thinking capabilities, with the ability to align design outcomes with business objectives and market positioning.

• Exceptional visual taste, keen eye for detail, and a strong understanding of aesthetic principles.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts clearly to diverse stakeholders.

• Proficient in end-to-end project management, from conceptualization and ideation through to final execution and delivery.

• Strong aptitude for independent work and self-management in a dynamic, fast-moving environment.

• Experience in leading creative projects, mentoring junior designers, or managing design teams.

• Mastery of modern design tools, particularly Figma, and proficiency with other industry-standard design software. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with motion graphics (e.g., After Effects), video production, or 3D design software (e.g., Blender, Cinema 4D).

• Familiarity with UI/UX design principles and their application in product development.

• Experience in building and scaling design systems from the ground up.

• Understanding of marketing analytics and how design performance is measured.

• Experience in a remote-first or distributed team environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience range (4-8+ years) coupled with "leading designers or creative projects" suggests a role that requires both significant individual contribution and emergent leadership. The emphasis on "fast-moving environment" and "working independently" points to a need for self-starters.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a breadth of high-quality design work across branding, marketing collateral, web design, and potentially product interfaces.

• Demonstrated ability to translate strategic objectives into impactful visual solutions, with clear explanations of the design process and rationale behind key decisions.

• Case studies highlighting the creation and implementation of design systems or brand guidelines, emphasizing their impact on consistency and efficiency.

• Examples of turning abstract concepts or ideas into tangible, high-fidelity visual outputs, showcasing the full project lifecycle.

• Evidence of successful collaboration with cross-functional teams (marketing, product, growth) and how design contributed to team goals. Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of how design projects are typically initiated, planned, and executed, including scope definition and stakeholder alignment.

• Illustrate methods for maintaining design quality and consistency, such as through design reviews, style guides, and feedback loops.

• Demonstrate understanding of how design processes integrate with broader GTM workflows, marketing campaign planning, and product development cycles.

• Provide insights into how design impact is measured and reported, linking visual execution to business outcomes like engagement, conversion, or brand perception.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is crucial for this role. It needs to demonstrate not just aesthetic skill but also strategic thinking, process adherence, and the ability to manage projects from concept to completion, especially in a GTM context. The emphasis on "design systems and brand guidelines" suggests a need for process-oriented thinking.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Head of Design role in the Netherlands, with 4-8+ years of experience and a fully remote setup, a competitive annual salary range would typically fall between €70,000 and €100,000. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior design leadership roles in Western Europe, considering the cost of living in the Netherlands and the company's remote-first approach.

Benefits:

• Fully remote work arrangement, offering flexibility and work-life balance.

• High degree of ownership and creative freedom to shape the company's visual direction.

• Direct and close collaboration with the founding team, providing significant influence and visibility.

• Opportunity to build and lead the design function from its early stages, with potential for team growth.

• Exposure to a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment that encourages innovation and rapid iteration.

• Potential for equity or stock options in a growing startup.

• Professional development opportunities, including access to industry conferences, training, and learning resources.

Working Hours: Full-time employment, typically standard Dutch working hours (around 36-40 hours per week). Given the remote nature and entrepreneurial environment, there may be an expectation for flexibility and occasional work outside standard hours to meet project deadlines or accommodate global team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on general market data for senior design roles in the Netherlands. The specific range can vary based on Aru Labs' funding stage, profitability, and the candidate's specific experience and negotiation. The benefits highlight key motivators for senior design talent in startups.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / SaaS (implied by "Aru Labs" and the nature of design roles in tech startups). The company likely operates in a B2B or B2C software space, requiring strong visual branding and user-centric design.

Company Size: Small to Medium-sized Startup (implied by "founders," "fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment," and the need to "build and manage a network or team"). This size suggests a dynamic, agile, and potentially flat organizational structure where individuals have significant impact.

Founded: The founding date is not specified, but the description suggests a company that is past the initial seed stage and is focused on scaling its GTM efforts and product development, requiring a dedicated design leader.

Team Structure:

• The design function is likely nascent or being formalized, with the Head of Design expected to establish its structure and processes.

• Close collaboration with founders is a key aspect, indicating a direct reporting line or frequent interaction with executive leadership.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, particularly with marketing, content, and growth teams, highlighting the strategic importance of design to GTM success.

• The team is likely distributed globally due to the remote-first nature of the company. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is implied, with an expectation for design to support and be informed by marketing and growth metrics.

• Agile and iterative development processes are likely in place, requiring design to be adaptable and responsive to feedback.

• Emphasis on building scalable systems (design systems) points to a focus on long-term efficiency and maintainability.

• Creative exploration and innovation are encouraged, as evidenced by the call to "explore new design trends, tools, and creative formats."

Company Website: https://arulabs.site

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context suggests a typical early-stage tech startup environment where the Head of Design will have substantial influence but also face the challenges of rapid growth and resource constraints. Understanding this context is key for candidates.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a significant step into Design Leadership. It's a "Head of" position, implying strategic oversight, team management (or the potential to build one), and direct responsibility for the company's entire visual output. It bridges the gap between individual contribution and executive-level strategic input.

Reporting Structure: The Head of Design will likely report directly to one of the founders (e.g., CEO, CPO, or CMO), given the emphasis on close collaboration with the founding team and the strategic importance of design to the company's GTM.

Operations Impact: The Head of Design will have a profound impact on Aru Labs' brand perception, customer acquisition, and overall market positioning. Through strategic visual identity, compelling marketing campaigns, and user-friendly product interfaces, this role directly influences customer engagement, conversion rates, and brand loyalty, thereby contributing significantly to revenue growth and business success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership & Team Building: Opportunity to define the design philosophy, establish best practices, and build/manage a high-performing design team.

• Strategic Influence: Direct involvement in shaping company strategy, product direction, and brand narrative alongside the founding team.

• Skill Expansion: Potential to broaden expertise into product strategy, marketing strategy, and leadership development, especially with the inclusion of motion, video, or 3D design as a plus.

• Entrepreneurial Experience: Gaining invaluable experience in a fast-paced startup environment, contributing to rapid growth and scaling initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for career advancement from senior designer to a leadership position with significant strategic impact. The opportunity to build a design function from the ground up is a major draw for ambitious design professionals.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This means there is no central physical office space for day-to-day work. The company operates as a distributed team.

Office Location(s): While the primary job posting indicates "Netherlands (Remote)," the "location_requirements_raw" list includes a vast number of countries, suggesting the company is open to hiring remotely across many regions globally. However, the specific mention of "Netherlands" for derived location and "Europe/Amsterdam" timezone might imply a preference or existing operational base there, or simply a placeholder. The global list implies flexibility.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Design work will be highly collaborative, requiring active participation in virtual meetings, design critiques, and cross-functional workshops using digital collaboration tools.

• Tools & Technology: Access to modern design software (Figma is specified), project management tools, and communication platforms (e.g., Slack, Zoom) will be essential. The company will likely provide necessary software licenses.

• Team Interaction: Daily interactions will be digital, relying on asynchronous communication and scheduled video calls. Building rapport and fostering a strong team culture in a remote setting will be a key aspect of the role.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approx. 36-40 per week), with flexibility inherent in a remote role. However, candidates should be prepared for potential overlap with founders' and team members' working hours, especially for critical meetings and collaborative sessions. The company is based in Europe (Netherlands timezone implied), so candidates in other time zones may need to adjust their schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Remote Solely" work arrangement and the extensive list of eligible countries suggest a truly global remote team. Candidates should be aware of potential timezone challenges and the importance of strong asynchronous communication skills.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A dedicated session where the candidate presents their portfolio, walking through key projects, design process, strategic thinking, and impact. This is a critical stage for demonstrating hands-on skills and leadership potential.

• Founder/Leadership Interviews: Discussions with founders or senior leadership to assess strategic alignment, cultural fit, vision for the design function, and ability to collaborate effectively.

• Cross-functional Collaboration Exercise (Potentially): A case study or practical exercise involving collaboration with marketing or growth team members to simulate real-world work scenarios and assess problem-solving abilities.

• Final Round: May involve a deeper dive into team building, operational aspects of running a design function, and final negotiation.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling is Key: Don't just show pretty pictures. For each project, explain the problem, your role, the strategic objectives, your design process, key decisions, challenges faced, and the quantifiable results or impact achieved.

• Highlight GTM Relevance: Emphasize projects that demonstrate your ability to drive business outcomes through design, such as increasing engagement, improving conversion rates, or strengthening brand perception.

• Showcase System Thinking: Clearly illustrate your approach to creating and managing design systems, brand guidelines, and ensuring consistency.

• Demonstrate Leadership: Include examples of projects where you led initiatives, mentored others, or influenced strategic direction.

• Tailor to Aru Labs: Research Aru Labs' current brand and product. If possible, subtly tailor your presentation to address potential areas for improvement or opportunities you see.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss how you would approach building a design function from scratch.

• Prepare to outline your strategy for developing and evolving a design system for a growing tech company.

• Think about how you would measure the success and impact of design initiatives.

• Anticipate questions about managing remote teams, fostering creativity, and collaborating with non-design stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is central to this application. Candidates must be prepared to not only showcase their work but also articulate the strategic "why" and the tangible "what" of their design contributions.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Mandatory proficiency for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Expected to be the core tool for interface and system design.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Proficiency in Photoshop and Illustrator is standard for graphic design, branding, and marketing collateral.

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, familiarity with other prototyping tools may be beneficial for specific use cases (e.g., Principle, ProtoPie).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Google Analytics / Similar: Understanding how to interpret website and campaign performance data to inform design decisions.

• Design Analytics Tools: Familiarity with tools that track user interaction, A/B testing results, or heatmaps to measure design effectiveness.

• Data Visualization Tools: Ability to work with or interpret data presented in dashboards (e.g., Tableau, Looker Studio) to understand design impact.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM/automation role, understanding how design integrates with marketing automation platforms (e.g., HubSpot, Marketo) and CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) for campaign execution and lead generation is advantageous. Preferred Tools/Skills:

• Motion Graphics Software: Adobe After Effects, Apple Motion.

• 3D Design Software: Blender, Cinema 4D, Autodesk Maya.

• Video Editing Software: Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro.

• Project Management Tools: Asana, Trello, Jira (for tracking design tasks and sprints).

• Collaboration Tools: Slack, Zoom, Miro.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is explicitly mentioned as a requirement, making it a critical skill. The "plus" for motion, video, or 3D indicates a desire for advanced visual capabilities that can enhance marketing and branding efforts.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence & Quality: A commitment to producing high-caliber, polished work that reflects positively on the brand.

• Collaboration & Communication: Openness to feedback, proactive communication, and a willingness to work closely with diverse teams.

• Innovation & Creativity: Encouragement to explore new ideas, experiment with design trends, and push creative boundaries.

• Efficiency & Scalability: Focus on creating sustainable design solutions, such as robust design systems, that support rapid growth.

• Impact-Driven: A results-oriented approach where design efforts are aligned with and contribute to measurable business objectives.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Design is seen as a core partner to marketing, content, and growth, not an isolated function. Regular syncs and integrated planning sessions are expected.

• Feedback Culture: An environment where constructive feedback is welcomed and provided to continuously improve designs and processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement to share learnings, best practices, and new insights within the design community and across teams.

• Agile & Iterative: A willingness to adapt designs based on feedback, data, and evolving project requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes a proactive, collaborative, and results-oriented approach to design within a startup context. The values align with typical startup environments that prioritize speed, impact, and innovation.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Building from Scratch: Establishing the design function, processes, and team culture in a growing startup environment.

• Balancing Strategic Leadership with Hands-on Execution: Managing high-level vision while also producing quality creative work.

• Remote Team Management: Effectively leading and motivating designers in a distributed setting, fostering strong communication and collaboration.

• Rapid Iteration & Shifting Priorities: Adapting to the fast-paced nature of startups, where requirements and priorities can change quickly.

• Defining and Measuring Design Impact: Quantifying the ROI of design initiatives in a way that resonates with business stakeholders.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Gaining hands-on experience in managing and mentoring a design team, developing leadership skills.

• Strategic GTM Involvement: Deepening understanding of marketing, content, and growth strategies, and how design contributes to them.

• Broader Creative Skillset: Opportunity to explore and integrate motion graphics, video, or 3D design into the company's visual strategy.

• Industry Exposure: Potential to attend industry conferences, workshops, and engage with the broader design community.

• Entrepreneurial Acumen: Developing a strong understanding of startup operations, business strategy, and scaling a company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a "Head of" role in a startup, offering significant growth potential for candidates who thrive in dynamic environments.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach building a design system for Aru Labs, considering our current stage and growth trajectory?" (Focus on process, scalability, and collaboration.)

• "Describe your process for developing a visual identity for a new brand or a major campaign. What are the key stages and considerations?" (Highlight strategic thinking, ideation, and execution.)

• "How do you ensure design quality and consistency across a distributed team and various marketing channels?" (Discuss quality control, brand guidelines, and communication.)

• "How would you measure the success and impact of your design work on Aru Labs' business objectives, such as user acquisition or brand awareness?" (Emphasize data-driven approaches and ROI.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Aru Labs and the opportunity to shape our visual identity?" (Show your research and genuine interest.)

• "How do you envision collaborating with our founders, marketing, and growth teams?" (Demonstrate your understanding of cross-functional partnership.)

• "Describe your ideal design team culture, especially in a remote setting." (Align with company values and operational needs.)

• "How do you stay updated on design trends and incorporate them into your work?" (Showcase continuous learning and innovation.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with an overview of Aru Labs and your understanding of its needs. Then, present 3-4 key projects, dedicating ample time to each. Conclude with your vision for design at Aru

Labs.

• Project Deep Dives: For each project, clearly articulate:

  • The Challenge: What problem were you solving?
  • Your Role: What was your specific contribution?
  • The Strategy: What was the goal, and how did design achieve it?
  • The Process: Your methodology, tools used, and key decisions made.
  • The Outcome: Quantifiable results, impact, and key learnings.

• Visuals: Use high-fidelity mockups, prototypes, and clear explanations. Ensure your presentation is visually appealing and on-brand (even if it's your own personal brand).

• Engagement: Be prepared for questions throughout and encourage interaction.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: You might be given a brief to design a specific marketing asset, a landing page concept, or a component for a design system. Focus on demonstrating your process, strategic thinking, and ability to deliver a polished output within a given timeframe.

• Case Study: You may be asked to elaborate on a past project in more detail or present a hypothetical scenario. Practice articulating your thought process and the business impact of your design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily rely on the portfolio. Candidates must be ready to present their work strategically, highlighting their GTM impact and leadership potential.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Head of Design position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on jobs.polymer.co.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest projects that best showcase your strategic design thinking, GTM impact, brand development, and system design capabilities. Ensure each case study clearly articulates the problem, your process, and the measurable results.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience in design leadership, brand strategy, GTM design execution, and proficiency with key tools like Figma. Quantify achievements wherever possible, focusing on impact.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio with a clear narrative. Be ready to discuss your strategic approach, leadership philosophy, and vision for design at Aru Labs.

• Research Aru Labs: Understand their current product, market positioning, and any publicly available brand assets. Prepare thoughtful questions about their vision, challenges, and how design fits into their growth strategy.

⚠️ 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.

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