Head of Design

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Head of Design

Company: Blackboard

Location: Remote - United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Design Leadership / User Experience

Date Posted: 2026-11-02

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and evolve the global User Experience and Design (UXD) organization, encompassing product design, research, documentation, and accessibility.

• Define and execute a forward-thinking design strategy that anticipates shifts in teaching and learning, driving measurable business and customer outcomes.

• Champion the strategic integration of design throughout the product lifecycle, from discovery to delivery, in close partnership with Product Management and Product Development.

• Spearhead the adoption and responsible use of generative AI and LLM-based technologies within the design practice to enhance ideation, prototyping, and efficiency.

• Foster an inclusive, agile, and high-performing design culture across diverse, geographically distributed teams operating in multiple countries and time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a senior leadership position focused on establishing and executing a comprehensive design vision for a global EdTech company. The emphasis on "AI-first" and specific AI tools (Figma Make, Claude Design/Code) indicates a need for a leader who is not only a strategic thinker but also hands-on with emerging technologies, integrating them into daily design workflows. The role requires significant experience in managing large, distributed teams and a proven ability to connect design initiatives to tangible business results, positioning design as a strategic driver for Blackboard's product suite.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Refine and advance the overarching design vision and strategy for Blackboard's product portfolio, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives, product roadmaps, and desired business outcomes.

• Cultivate, mentor, and inspire a high-performing, diverse UXD team of over 10 professionals across various disciplines (Product Design, Research, Documentation, Accessibility) and geographies.

• Collaborate closely with Product Management and Product Development leaders to ensure design is a foundational element in product planning, prioritization, and execution processes.

• Advocate for the user throughout the entire product development lifecycle by championing user research, customer feedback mechanisms, and usability testing to inform decision-making and validate solutions.

• Drive the integration of generative AI and LLM-based tools (e.g., Figma Make, Claude Design/Code) into the daily work of the design team, establishing best practices for responsible and effective utilization.

• Oversee and optimize design operations, including the management of design systems, tooling, workflows, and quality assurance standards to ensure consistent, accessible, and scalable user experiences.

• Mandate and uphold accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) as a core requirement for all product experiences.

• Cultivate an agile design culture that promotes rapid iteration, continuous learning, and data-informed refinement of solutions through cross-functional collaboration.

• Establish clear definitions of roles, responsibilities, and collaborative frameworks between design, product management, and engineering teams.

• Articulate design strategy, research findings, and proposed solutions effectively to executive leadership, customers, and industry stakeholders, clearly demonstrating the value of design.

• Manage the design team's budget, allocate resources strategically, and prioritize initiatives to ensure timely delivery of projects aligned with organizational goals.

• Demonstrate flexibility by adjusting working hours to accommodate business needs and facilitate collaboration with global team members across different time zones.

• Undertake up to 20% travel to support teams, engage with customers, and attend company events.

📝 Enhancement Note: The breadth of responsibilities, from strategic vision setting and team leadership to operational oversight of design systems and AI adoption, indicates a senior executive role. The emphasis on partnering with Product Management and Development, alongside direct executive presentation, highlights the strategic importance of this position in influencing product direction and business outcomes. The requirement to manage a distributed team across multiple time zones necessitates strong remote leadership and communication skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical work experience.

Experience: A minimum of 15 years in user experience, product design, or a closely related field, with a substantial portion dedicated to leading design leaders and individual contributors.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in building and scaling design organizations of 10+ professionals, encompassing diverse disciplines like Product Design, UX Research, Technical Documentation, and Accessibility.

• Demonstrated success in leading and managing diverse, geographically distributed teams across multiple countries, regions, and time zones, fostering a cohesive and productive remote environment.

• A strong track record of defining, refining, and articulating design strategy at an executive level, effectively linking design initiatives to measurable user and business outcomes.

• Hands-on, daily proficiency with generative AI design technologies such as Figma Make, Claude Design, Claude Code, and other LLM-based tools, coupled with a well-defined perspective on AI's impact on design practices.

• Deep expertise in modern design tools, including Figma, advanced prototyping techniques, and comprehensive knowledge of design systems.

• Working knowledge of web standards such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and a strong understanding of usability principles and accessibility guidelines.

• Proven ability to engage effectively with customers and users through robust design research methodologies, iterative testing, and feedback loops.

• A history of delivering elegant and simplified solutions to complex problems within highly agile development environments.

• Exceptional leadership capabilities, with a demonstrated ability to cultivate a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture.

• Demonstrated flexibility to work outside standard business hours to effectively collaborate with global colleagues, partners, and customers across time zones.

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills, with the capacity to distill complex design concepts into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

• Comprehensive experience with accessibility standards, including but not limited to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

• Fluency in written and spoken English. Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience within the Education Technology (EdTech) sector or with enterprise Software as a Service (SaaS) products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The extensive experience requirement (15+ years) and the emphasis on leading multiple design disciplines and distributed teams indicate a very senior, strategic role. The explicit mention of generative AI tools and the expectation of daily hands-on use suggests a need for a candidate who is not just aware of AI but actively integrating it into their leadership and team's workflow. This also implies a strong foundation in modern design tooling and accessibility, critical for enterprise SaaS products in the education sector.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a portfolio demonstrating leadership in defining and executing design strategy for complex product suites, ideally within an enterprise SaaS or EdTech context.

• Include case studies that highlight the process of scaling a design organization, managing distributed teams, and fostering cross-functional collaboration.

• Present examples of how design research and user feedback loops were integrated into product development to drive measurable improvements in user satisfaction and business outcomes.

• Demonstrate experience with establishing and evolving design systems, tooling, and workflows to ensure consistency, efficiency, and scalability across multiple products.

• Provide evidence of thought leadership in the adoption of new technologies, particularly generative AI, and their practical application within design processes. Process Documentation:

• Detail methodologies for establishing design vision and strategy, including alignment with business goals and product roadmaps.

• Outline approaches for managing and growing a diverse, global UXD team, including talent development, performance management, and fostering an inclusive culture.

• Describe frameworks for effective collaboration and integration between design, product management, and engineering teams, emphasizing agile methodologies.

• Illustrate processes for conducting user research, usability testing, and incorporating feedback into iterative design cycles.

• Document strategies for implementing and maintaining design systems, ensuring their adoption and evolution across product teams.

• Showcase experience in ensuring accessibility compliance (WCAG) across all design outputs.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Head of Design role, the portfolio should emphasize strategic impact and leadership rather than just individual design execution. The focus will be on how the candidate has shaped design organizations, influenced product strategy, and driven tangible business results through design. Evidence of managing complexity, distributed teams, and emerging technologies like AI will be crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £143,862 - £215,792 GBP per annum.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health and wellness programs.

• Generous paid time off and holiday schedule.

• Retirement savings plan with company match.

• Professional development opportunities, including training and conferences.

• Flexible working hours and remote work arrangements to support work-life balance.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses and equity.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility required to accommodate global team collaboration across different time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is based on the raw data's ai_salary_value for GBP, reflecting a senior leadership position in the UK market for a Head of Design. This range is competitive for a remote, high-level role within a well-established SaaS company like Blackboard, considering the extensive experience required and the strategic scope of the position. The benefits package is inferred based on typical offerings for such senior roles in the UK tech sector, focusing on well-being, professional growth, and work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Education Technology (EdTech) / Software as a Service (SaaS). Blackboard is a significant player in the EdTech space, providing digital learning environments and tools to educational institutions globally. This industry context implies a focus on user-centric design that supports pedagogical goals and enhances learning outcomes.

Company Size: Blackboard is a substantial organization, part of Anthology, which indicates a large employee base with established processes and a global reach. This size offers opportunities for significant impact and exposure to complex organizational structures, but also requires navigating larger corporate environments.

Founded: Blackboard has a long history in the EdTech sector, being founded in 1997. This longevity suggests a mature product suite and established customer base, but also the need for continuous innovation to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving educational landscape.

Team Structure:

• The UXD organization is global, with team members spread across multiple countries and time zones (UK, US, Colombia, Europe). This necessitates a strong emphasis on remote leadership, asynchronous communication, and inclusive practices to ensure equitable participation.

• The Head of Design will operate as a peer leader to heads of Product Management and Product Development, indicating a highly collaborative and integrated approach to product strategy and execution.

• The team is multidisciplinary, comprising design, research, documentation, and accessibility specialists, requiring a leader who can foster synergy and leverage diverse skill sets. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on user research, customer feedback sessions, and usability testing to inform design decisions and validate solutions.

• Agile Iteration: Cultivating a culture of rapid iteration and continuous learning, adapting solutions based on data, user insights, and cross-functional feedback.

• Strategic Integration: Embedding design into the early stages of product discovery and ensuring its integral role throughout the development lifecycle.

• AI-First Approach: Actively incorporating generative AI and LLM-based technologies into design workflows for enhanced ideation, prototyping, and efficiency.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's position as a leading EdTech SaaS provider shapes the design challenges and opportunities. The focus is on creating intuitive, effective, and accessible digital learning environments. The integration of AI is a significant strategic direction. The global distribution of the design team is a key operational consideration for the Head of Design, requiring strong remote leadership and cross-cultural communication skills.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior executive or Director-level position within the User Experience and Design (UXD) function. It is a strategic leadership role responsible for a global, multidisciplinary team and for defining the design vision and strategy across a significant product portfolio. The scope of responsibility extends to influencing company-wide product direction and leveraging emerging technologies like AI to drive innovation.

Reporting Structure: The Head of Design will report to a senior executive (likely a C-suite member such as the Chief Product Officer or Chief Technology Officer) and will work as a peer to leaders in Product Management and Product Development. This structure emphasizes a collaborative, cross-functional approach to product strategy.

Operations Impact: The Head of Design's impact is critical to Blackboard's success. By shaping user experiences, ensuring product usability, accessibility, and driving innovation through AI, this role directly influences customer satisfaction, adoption rates, competitive positioning, and ultimately, revenue and business growth. The design strategy will be a key driver in how Blackboard's products are perceived and utilized in the competitive EdTech market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to significantly shape the future of educational technology through innovative design and AI integration, impacting millions of users globally.

• Leadership Development: Advance leadership skills by managing a large, diverse, and globally distributed team, developing design leaders, and refining executive communication and strategic planning capabilities.

• Technology Innovation: Be at the forefront of integrating generative AI into design processes, establishing best practices and potentially influencing industry standards for AI-assisted design in EdTech.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Deepen collaboration and strategic partnership with Product Management and Product Development, gaining broader insights into business operations and product strategy.

• Industry Recognition: Opportunity to represent Blackboard at industry events, share insights on design strategy and AI in education, enhancing personal and company brand.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a significant opportunity for a seasoned design leader to make a substantial impact on a global scale within the EdTech industry. The emphasis on AI integration presents a unique growth path for those interested in emerging technologies. The leadership responsibilities are substantial, requiring a blend of strategic vision, operational excellence, and people management.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position, meaning employees work from their own home offices. This arrangement offers maximum flexibility and autonomy.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, it is specifically designated for individuals legally authorized to work in the United Kingdom. This implies that while the employee can work from anywhere within the UK, they must be based there and meet legal employment requirements.

Workspace Context:

• Flexibility & Autonomy: The remote nature of the role allows for significant control over the work environment and schedule, within the bounds of business needs and team collaboration.

• Global Collaboration Tools: Expect to utilize a suite of digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Miro, Figma) to connect with a geographically dispersed team.

• Asynchronous Communication: Proficiency in asynchronous communication is essential due to the distributed nature of the team, requiring clear documentation and communication practices.

• Focus on Outcomes: Success will be measured by the impact and quality of work delivered, rather than hours spent in an office.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are 40 per week. However, the role requires flexibility to adjust working hours as needed to collaborate effectively with colleagues, partners, and customers located in different time zones, particularly across the UK, US, Colombia, and Europe.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature of this role, combined with the specific requirement for the candidate to be based in the UK, offers a balance of flexibility and geographic focus. The need for flexible working hours to accommodate global teams is a critical aspect of the work environment, emphasizing the importance of asynchronous communication and efficient time management.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation with the hiring manager (likely a senior executive) to delve deeper into strategic thinking, leadership experience, and alignment with the role's vision.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with peers (e.g., Head of Product Management, Head of Product Development) and potentially direct reports or other design leaders to evaluate collaboration style, functional expertise, and team leadership approach.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A dedicated session where candidates present their portfolio, showcasing key projects, leadership examples, and strategic thinking. This may involve a prepared presentation and Q&A.

• Executive Interview: A final interview with a C-level executive to confirm strategic alignment and overall suitability for the leadership position.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Strategic Storytelling: Focus on telling a narrative that highlights your strategic approach to design leadership, team building, and problem-solving, rather than just showcasing individual design artifacts.

• Quantifiable Impact: For each project or initiative presented, clearly articulate the problem, your strategic solution, the process followed, and the measurable outcomes (user engagement, business metrics, efficiency gains).

• AI Integration Examples: Showcase how you have leveraged or plan to leverage generative AI and LLM-based tools in design strategy, team workflows, or product innovation.

• Leadership & Team Management: Include examples of how you have led, mentored, and developed design teams, especially in distributed and diverse environments.

• Accessibility & Inclusivity: Demonstrate a strong commitment to accessibility and inclusive design principles through specific examples in your portfolio.

• Conciseness and Clarity: Be prepared to present your portfolio efficiently, focusing on the most impactful and relevant examples for this specific Head of Design role.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Strategy Case Study: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach developing a design strategy for Blackboard's product suite, considering AI integration, competitive landscape, and user needs.

• Team Leadership Scenario: Anticipate questions about managing a global, distributed team, fostering collaboration, and resolving conflicts.

• AI Adoption Strategy: Prepare to articulate your vision and strategy for integrating generative AI into a large design organization, including potential challenges and mitigation plans.

• Stakeholder Management: Think about how you would communicate design vision and value to executive stakeholders, product teams, and customers.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the seniority of this role, the interview process will be rigorous and focused on strategic leadership, team management, and forward-thinking vision. The portfolio review is a critical component, requiring candidates to demonstrate not just design expertise but also the ability to lead and impact business outcomes through design strategy and AI adoption.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI/UX design, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency with advanced features and potentially Figma's AI capabilities (Figma Make) is expected.

• Generative AI & LLM Tools: Hands-on, daily fluency required with tools like Figma Make, Claude Design, Claude Code, and other large language model-based technologies.

• Prototyping Tools: Expertise in various prototyping tools beyond Figma for creating interactive user experiences.

• Design Systems: Experience with creating, managing, and scaling design systems.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics Platforms: Tools like Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel for tracking user behavior and product adoption.

• A/B Testing Tools: Platforms for conducting experiments to optimize designs and features.

• Data Visualization Tools: Such as Tableau, Power BI, or similar for presenting insights to stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary focus for a Design Head, familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms can provide context for user journeys and customer lifecycle.

• Project Management Software: Tools like Jira, Asana, Trello for managing design workflows and team tasks.

• Collaboration Platforms: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom for communication and virtual meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma Make, Claude Design, and Claude Code as tools for daily use by the Head of Design is a strong indicator of Blackboard's commitment to AI integration. A candidate must demonstrate not only familiarity but also a strategic and hands-on approach to these technologies within the design context. Proficiency in core design tools and design systems is foundational.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of educators and learners, ensuring products are intuitive, effective, and empowering.

• Innovation & Agility: Embracing new technologies, particularly AI, and fostering a culture of rapid iteration, experimentation, and continuous learning to stay ahead in the EdTech market.

• Inclusivity & Accessibility: Championing design that is accessible to all users, adhering to WCAG standards and promoting diverse perspectives within the design team and product offerings.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Encouraging open communication, shared ownership, and strong partnerships across design, product, and engineering teams, especially within a global, remote setting.

• Impact & Accountability: Focusing on delivering measurable value to customers and the business, taking ownership of design outcomes, and demonstrating the strategic impact of design.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnership: A highly collaborative approach, working closely with Product Management and Product Development as peers to co-create product strategy and roadmaps.

• Remote & Asynchronous Communication: Emphasis on clear, concise communication that supports asynchronous workflows across different time zones, leveraging digital tools effectively.

• Feedback-Driven Culture: Encouraging a culture where constructive feedback is regularly exchanged, leading to continuous improvement of designs and processes.

• Empowerment & Autonomy: Fostering an environment where team members are empowered to take ownership of their work, make decisions, and contribute to the overall design vision.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on education implies a mission-driven culture. The emphasis on AI and agile methodologies suggests a forward-looking, adaptive environment. For a Head of Design, understanding and embodying these values will be key to successfully leading the global team and influencing product strategy.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Leading a Global, Distributed Team: Effectively managing and inspiring a diverse team spread across multiple countries and time zones, ensuring alignment, engagement, and equitable contribution.

• Integrating Generative AI: Guiding the design team in the thoughtful and responsible adoption of generative AI tools, balancing innovation with quality, ethical considerations, and potential disruption to existing workflows.

• Balancing Innovation with Legacy: Evolving the design strategy for a mature product suite (LMS, Ally) while incorporating new technologies and user expectations, ensuring a cohesive and modern user experience.

• Driving Design's Strategic Value: Continuously demonstrating and articulating the tangible business and user impact of design to executive stakeholders, product teams, and the broader organization.

• Navigating EdTech Landscape: Staying ahead of rapid technological advancements and evolving pedagogical needs within the competitive education technology market.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI in Design Leadership: Deepen expertise in applying AI to design strategy, team management, and product innovation, potentially becoming a thought leader in this emerging area.

• Executive Strategy: Further develop skills in executive-level strategic planning, budget management, and cross-functional leadership within a large SaaS organization.

• Global Team Management: Hone skills in leading diverse, remote teams, focusing on cross-cultural communication, inclusive practices, and fostering a strong remote culture.

• Industry Influence: Opportunities to represent Blackboard at industry events, contribute to thought leadership in EdTech design, and mentor emerging design talent.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges for this role are typical of senior leadership positions in global tech companies, with a particular focus on the strategic integration of cutting-edge technology like generative AI into a well-established product. The growth opportunities are significant, offering a chance to shape the future of educational technology and advance in executive leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing and evolving a design strategy for a complex product portfolio like Blackboard's. How would you incorporate AI into this strategy?"

• "How do you foster a culture of innovation and continuous learning within a global, remote design team? Provide specific examples."

• "Walk us through a time you had to champion the value of design to executive leadership or key stakeholders. What was the outcome?"

• "What is your philosophy on leading design in an AI-first era? How do you ensure responsible and effective adoption of AI tools like LLMs within a design practice?"

• "How would you approach establishing and scaling a design system and design operations for a company like Blackboard?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of Blackboard and the EdTech industry, what do you see as the biggest design challenges and opportunities for our products?"

• "How do you ensure accessibility and inclusive design are prioritized across all product experiences, especially in a distributed team environment?"

• "Describe your experience working with Product Management and Product Development. How do you ensure seamless collaboration and shared goals?"

• "What are your expectations regarding working hours and flexibility when managing a global team?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation thematically around your leadership philosophy, strategic impact, team building, and AI integration.

• Case Studies: Select 3-4 of your most impactful projects. For each, clearly articulate:

  • The Business/User Problem
  • Your Strategic Approach/Vision
  • The Design Process (including research, AI use, iteration)
  • The Team/Collaboration involved
  • The Measurable Outcomes (quantify impact whenever possible)

• AI Focus: Dedicate a section or weave throughout your case studies how you've leveraged or envision leveraging generative AI and LLMs to enhance design outcomes, efficiency, or innovation.

• Leadership Examples: Include specific examples of how you have mentored, developed, and led design teams, particularly in remote or distributed settings.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Focus on high-level strategy and impact, being prepared for deeper dives during Q&A.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership acumen, and a forward-looking approach to design, particularly concerning AI integration and managing global teams. Candidates should be ready to articulate their vision for design at Blackboard and how they will drive measurable business outcomes.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Head of Design position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Blackboard careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience in leading global design teams, defining design strategy, and your hands-on experience with generative AI tools relevant to the role's requirements.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly showcases your 15+ years of experience, leadership accomplishments, and specific examples of scaling design organizations and driving user/business outcomes. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design strategy, leadership approach, and vision for AI integration in design. Prepare specific examples from your portfolio that demonstrate your impact and fit for this senior role.

• Company Research: Deeply research Blackboard, its products (LMS, Ally, etc.), its position in the EdTech market, and recent company news. Understand their mission and values to articulate how you align with them.

⚠️ 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.