Head of Design

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Head of Design

Company: Dataiku

Location: New York, United States / Remote

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Design / Marketing Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-26

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and evolve the global Design team to shape Dataiku's enterprise AI brand identity across all marketing and corporate communications touchpoints.

• Drive creative direction and hands-on design execution for campaigns, digital experiences, events, and brand systems, ensuring a cohesive and modern brand expression.

• Foster a high-performing, collaborative design culture, optimizing creative workflows and project intake for a fast-moving global business.

• Partner closely with Brand, Communications, Product Marketing, and Growth Marketing to develop impactful creative assets supporting the entire customer journey.

• Explore and champion the thoughtful adoption of AI-powered creative tools to enhance design efficiency and innovation within the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior leadership position within the Design function, reporting to the VP of Brand & Corporate Marketing. The emphasis on "enterprise AI company" and "Platform for AI Success" indicates a need for sophisticated, B2B-focused design expertise, particularly in corporate branding and marketing collateral. The remote aspect with a requirement to be based on the East Coast of the US suggests a hybrid approach to remote work, potentially requiring occasional in-person collaboration or regional team leadership.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee the strategic application and evolution of Dataiku's recently refreshed global brand identity across all marketing and corporate collateral.

• Maintain and expand the comprehensive design system, ensuring visual consistency and quality across digital platforms, campaigns, presentations, and event materials.

• Manage and mentor a multidisciplinary, global team of designers, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous learning.

• Collaborate with Brand, Communications, Product Marketing, and Growth Marketing teams to conceptualize and execute creative strategies for product launches, campaigns, digital advertising, and ABM initiatives.

• Partner with Events and Brand teams to design memorable brand experiences for key company events (e.g., Dataiku Succeed, industry conferences) and customer/partner engagements.

• Drive creative direction for video and motion graphics content, including customer stories, thought leadership, and social media assets, managing internal and external production resources.

• Evaluate and champion the adoption of AI-powered creative tools and emerging technologies to improve design workflows and efficiency.

• Manage relationships with external creative agencies, production partners, and freelancers to augment internal capabilities and ensure high-quality project execution.

• Develop and implement improved creative workflows and project intake processes to streamline operations within the design team.

• Support the development of branded merchandise collections, company store experiences, and environmental branding initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic brand leadership and operational management of a design team. The emphasis on "AI as a Creative Advantage" suggests a forward-thinking approach to design tools and workflows, which is a key differentiator for this role. The need to manage both internal and external creative resources indicates strong project management and vendor management skills are crucial.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is typically expected for this level of role.

Experience: 10+ years of professional design experience, with a minimum of 3-5 years in a leadership capacity managing creative teams of at least five designers.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in corporate brand identity development and management.

• Expertise in applying and evolving design systems across diverse marketing and communication channels.

• Strong portfolio showcasing exceptional corporate brand work, digital design, web design, campaign creative, and event branding.

• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor multidisciplinary design teams, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, with experience partnering with senior leadership.

• Proficiency in managing creative workflows, project intake, and balancing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Experience in B2B enterprise software or technology sector.

• Expertise across digital, web, campaigns, events, presentations, and brand systems.

• Located on the East Coast of the US. Preferred Skills:

• Experience supporting high-growth organizations and scaling design functions.

• Experience partnering with Growth Marketing and Product Marketing teams.

• Familiarity with motion design, video production workflows, and AI-powered creative tools.

• Experience managing creative agencies and freelance partners effectively.

• Understanding of AI's impact on creative workflows and a proactive approach to exploring new technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for candidates to be based on the East Coast of the US, combined with the remote option, suggests that while remote work is supported, there might be an expectation for occasional in-person meetings or team gatherings within that region. The emphasis on a "strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional corporate brand work" is critical and should highlight strategic brand thinking, not just aesthetic execution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of corporate brand strategy and its application across multiple touchpoints.

• Showcase successful examples of evolving or maintaining a global brand identity, including design system components.

• Provide case studies detailing the management of multidisciplinary design projects from concept to execution, highlighting leadership and problem-solving.

• Illustrate experience with digital design, web experiences, marketing campaigns, event branding, and presentation design, emphasizing strategic impact.

• Include examples of how you have managed creative workflows, improved processes, or scaled design operations. Process Documentation:

• Evidence of creating and implementing design systems, including style guides, component libraries, and usage guidelines.

• Examples of process optimization within a design team, such as improved project intake, workflow efficiency, or feedback loops.

• Documentation of collaboration with cross-functional teams (e.g., marketing, product, events) to achieve shared creative objectives.

• Demonstrations of how you have managed external creative resources (agencies, freelancers) and ensured quality control.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio should not only display creative output but also the candidate's strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, and operational acumen in managing design processes and teams. For this role, showcasing the ability to balance strategic brand vision with efficient operational execution is paramount.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $168,000 - $220,000 USD per year. This range is provided for national US-based roles and will be finalized based on the candidate's specific location, experience, and qualifications during the interview process.

Benefits:

• Stock options

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans

• Flexible spending accounts

• Pre-tax commuter benefits

• 401k company match

• Generous paid vacation and sick leave

• Paid parental leave

• Employer-paid disability coverage

• Additional health and wellbeing perks and benefits

Working Hours: A standard 40-hour work week is implied, with flexibility expected given the remote nature and global team management. Occasional work outside of standard hours may be required for global team coordination or critical project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is a national average for the US. Candidates located in higher cost-of-living areas within the East Coast might be at the higher end of this range or potentially exceed it, depending on Dataiku's specific compensation bands for those locations. The benefits package is robust, reflecting a competitive offering for a senior leadership role in the tech industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Enterprise AI Platform / Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). Dataiku operates in the rapidly growing AI and Machine Learning operationalization market, providing a platform that enables organizations to build, deploy, and govern AI initiatives.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated in the raw data, Dataiku is a well-established player in the enterprise AI space, generally considered a mid-to-large-sized tech company with a global presence, likely employing several hundred to over a thousand employees.

Founded: Dataiku was founded in 2013. Its history reflects a journey from a nascent AI startup to a leading enterprise AI platform, characterized by significant growth, funding rounds, and market expansion.

Team Structure:

• The Design team is global, with members in the US and Europe.

• The Head of Design reports to the VP of Brand & Corporate Marketing.

• This role will collaborate closely with cross-functional leaders in Brand, Communications, Product Marketing, Growth Marketing, Events, Product, Sales, and Customer Success. Methodology:

• Dataiku emphasizes an "AI for Everything" approach, integrating AI and ML into its platform and its own operational processes.

• The company culture likely values innovation, collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and a strong customer focus.

• Design operations are crucial for ensuring consistent brand experience and supporting marketing initiatives at scale.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Dataiku's position as a leader in enterprise AI suggests a culture that is both technically sophisticated and customer-centric. The design team's role is critical in translating complex technology into understandable and compelling brand narratives and user experiences. The global nature of the team and the company necessitates strong cross-cultural communication and collaboration skills.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Head of Design is a senior leadership role, typically equivalent to Director or VP level within a specialized function. It involves strategic oversight, team management, and significant influence on company-wide branding and marketing efforts.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to the VP of Brand & Corporate Marketing, indicating a direct line into senior marketing leadership and strategic brand direction. This position is key in executing the company's overarching brand strategy.

Operations Impact: The Head of Design has a direct and substantial impact on Dataiku's market perception, customer acquisition, brand loyalty, and overall business growth. Effective branding and design are crucial for differentiation in the competitive enterprise AI market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Opportunity to further build out and scale the global Design organization, potentially expanding into new specialized areas.

• Strategic Influence: Play a key role in shaping the company's brand narrative and visual identity, influencing executive-level decisions.

• Industry Recognition: Contribute to a leading AI platform, gaining visibility and experience in a high-growth, cutting-edge industry.

• Skill Development: Explore and integrate emerging technologies like AI into creative workflows, becoming a thought leader in design innovation.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Develop deeper partnerships across marketing, product, and sales, broadening strategic impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant career advancement potential within Dataiku or the broader tech industry, particularly for those looking to lead design functions in rapidly evolving technology sectors like AI. The opportunity to shape a refreshed brand and integrate new technologies provides a strong foundation for future leadership roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is advertised as "Remote OK" with a requirement to be based on the East Coast of the US. This implies a predominantly remote work environment, with potential for occasional in-person meetings, team offsites, or visits to company offices, likely within the East Coast region.

Office Location(s): While remote, Dataiku has offices in major tech hubs globally, including locations in the US (e.g., New York, San Francisco) and Europe. The East Coast requirement suggests proximity to a major East Coast hub would be beneficial for potential in-person interactions.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Flexibility: Offers the autonomy and flexibility associated with remote work, allowing for personalized work environments.

• Digital Collaboration: Relies heavily on digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Zoom, project management software) for communication and team interaction.

• Global Team Interaction: Provides opportunities to collaborate with a diverse, international team, fostering a global perspective.

• Access to Technology: As a tech company, expect access to modern software, hardware, and cloud-based tools necessary for design execution and team management.

Work Schedule: The standard 40-hour work week is typical, but the global nature of the team and the demands of a leadership role may require flexibility. Effective time management and asynchronous communication strategies will be key to success in this role, especially when collaborating with teams across different time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-first approach, coupled with the East Coast requirement, suggests a company that embraces modern work structures. Candidates should be comfortable with distributed team dynamics and proficient in digital collaboration tools.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will likely conduct an initial call to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and alignment with the role's core responsibilities.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation with the VP of Brand & Corporate Marketing to delve deeper into strategic thinking, leadership experience, and alignment with Dataiku's brand vision.

• Team/Peer Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Brand, Marketing, and potentially Product teams to evaluate collaboration style and cross-functional partnership capabilities.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where candidates present their portfolio, focusing on key case studies that demonstrate corporate branding, design system management, team leadership, and strategic impact. Be prepared to discuss challenges, solutions, and outcomes.

• Executive Interview: A final conversation with senior leadership to assess overall strategic fit and long-term vision for the design function.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that directly align with the requirements: corporate branding, brand systems, campaign design, and team leadership.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the challenge, your strategic approach, your role (especially as a leader), the solutions implemented, and the measurable business impact or outcomes.

• Highlight Leadership: Showcase examples of how you've mentored designers, improved processes, managed teams, and collaborated with stakeholders.

• Demonstrate Brand Expertise: Emphasize your understanding of brand strategy, visual identity evolution, and maintaining consistency across touchpoints.

• Prepare for Design System Discussion: Be ready to discuss your experience creating, maintaining, and evolving design systems.

• Address AI Integration: If you have experience or strong ideas about integrating AI into creative workflows, be prepared to discuss them.

Challenge Preparation:

• While not explicitly mentioned, be prepared for potential case study discussions or a design challenge, possibly focusing on evolving a specific aspect of Dataiku's brand or a hypothetical campaign.

• Practice articulating your design philosophy, leadership style, and how you would approach building and managing a global design team.

• Research Dataiku's current brand, product, and market position thoroughly to inform your responses.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is a critical component. Candidates should prepare a presentation that not only showcases their design talent but also their strategic leadership, operational capabilities, and ability to drive business results through design. Focusing on the "why" behind design decisions and their impact on business objectives will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), Figma (highly probable for modern design systems and collaboration).

• Prototyping/UX Tools: Figma, Sketch, InVision, Adobe XD.

• Project Management: Asana, Jira, Monday.com, Trello, or similar for workflow and task management.

• Collaboration Tools: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom for real-time communication and virtual meetings.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly a design tool, understanding of analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics) and how design impacts user behavior and conversion rates is beneficial.

• Ability to interpret performance data to inform design decisions. CRM & Automation:

• Familiarity with marketing automation platforms (e.g., HubSpot, Marketo) and CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) from a branding and asset integration perspective. Emerging Technologies:

• Keen interest and potential familiarity with AI-powered creative tools (e.g., Midjourney, DALL-E, Adobe Firefly, generative AI platforms for copywriting/content) for workflow enhancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with industry-standard design tools is a given. The emphasis on "AI as a Creative Advantage" suggests that candidates who are already exploring or experimenting with AI-driven design tools will have a distinct advantage. Experience with collaborative design platforms like Figma is highly relevant for managing a global, distributed team.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: Embracing new technologies and creative approaches, particularly AI, to push design boundaries.

• Collaboration: Working seamlessly across global teams and with diverse stakeholders to achieve unified brand messaging.

• Excellence & Craft: Maintaining a high standard of quality and detail in all design outputs.

• Data-Driven: Using insights and analytics to inform design decisions and measure impact.

• Efficiency: Optimizing workflows and processes to deliver high-quality creative work effectively.

• Curiosity: A continuous drive to learn, explore new trends, and understand the evolving AI landscape.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Actively engaging with marketing, product, sales, and executive teams to ensure design aligns with business objectives.

• Feedback-Oriented: Fostering an environment where constructive feedback is shared and acted upon to improve creative outcomes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, new tools, and insights across the design team and broader organization.

• Proactive Communication: Maintaining open and transparent communication channels, especially in a remote and global setting.

📝 Enhancement Note: Dataiku's culture likely reflects the dynamism of the AI industry, valuing both technical prowess and creative innovation. The Head of Design will need to embody these values and foster them within their team, ensuring design is seen as a strategic partner in the company's growth.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Global Consistency with Local Nuance: Ensuring a unified brand identity across diverse markets and cultural contexts while managing a global team.

• Scaling Design Operations: Adapting design processes and team structure to support Dataiku's rapid growth and evolving business needs.

• Integrating AI Effectively: Championing the adoption of AI tools in a way that enhances creativity and efficiency without compromising design quality or ethical considerations.

• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Aligning design efforts with the varied priorities of different departments (marketing, product, sales, executive).

• Maintaining High Creative Output: Continuously inspiring and motivating a global team to produce exceptional creative work in a demanding environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI & Creative Technology: Deepen expertise in AI applications for design, becoming an internal thought leader on creative innovation.

• Strategic Brand Leadership: Develop advanced skills in brand strategy, storytelling, and executive communication within the enterprise AI sector.

• Global Team Management: Enhance capabilities in leading and developing distributed, multicultural design teams.

• Industry Trends: Stay at the forefront of design, marketing, and AI trends, applying insights to Dataiku's brand strategy.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior designers and contribute to the growth of emerging talent within the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be to leverage design as a strategic asset for Dataiku's growth, especially in the context of AI. Successfully navigating the integration of new technologies and managing a global team will be key opportunities for professional development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach evolving Dataiku's brand identity to further solidify its position as a leader in enterprise AI, considering our recent refresh?" (Focus on strategic thinking, brand architecture, and market positioning.)

• "Describe your process for managing a global design team. What strategies do you employ to ensure collaboration, consistency, and high performance across different time zones and cultures?" (Focus on leadership, operational management, and cross-cultural communication.)

• "How do you see AI impacting the future of enterprise B2B design, and how would you advocate for its thoughtful adoption within a company like Dataiku?" (Focus on innovation, strategic foresight, and practical implementation.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about Dataiku's mission and its role in the AI landscape?" (Demonstrate research and genuine interest.)

• "How would you foster a culture of design excellence and continuous learning within your team, aligning with Dataiku's values?" (Focus on team dynamics, values alignment, and leadership philosophy.)

• "Describe a time you had to influence senior stakeholders to adopt a new design direction or strategy. What was your approach and the outcome?" (Focus on communication, persuasion, and stakeholder management.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with an overview of your leadership philosophy and design approach. Then, dive into 2-3 detailed case studies, prioritizing those that best showcase corporate branding, brand system evolution, and team leadership.

• Quantify Results: For each case study, clearly articulate the business objectives, your strategic contribution, the design solutions, and the measurable impact (e.g., increased engagement, improved brand perception, efficiency gains).

• Highlight Process & Collaboration: Explain your role in the process, how you collaborated with stakeholders, and how you managed your team or external partners.

• Address AI Integration: Be ready to discuss your thoughts on AI in design, perhaps showcasing any experimental projects or your strategic vision for its use at Dataiku.

• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your management style, how you handle creative disagreements, your approach to design systems, and your vision for the future of design at Dataiku.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a blend of strategic vision, strong leadership capabilities, operational excellence, and a deep understanding of corporate branding within the B2B tech/AI space. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience leading teams, driving brand strategy, and embracing innovation.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Head of Design position at Dataiku:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Dataiku's careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your strongest corporate branding, brand system management, and team leadership experience. Prioritize case studies that demonstrate strategic thinking and measurable business impact.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 10+ years of design experience and 3-5+ years of leadership experience, using keywords relevant to corporate branding, design systems, AI, and team management. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design philosophy, leadership style, and strategic vision for Dataiku's brand. Prepare detailed examples for behavioral questions and have your portfolio presentation polished.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Dataiku's current brand, product offerings, market position, and recent news to demonstrate a strong understanding of their business and strategic goals. Pay attention to their AI focus and recent brand refresh.

⚠️ 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.