Head of Design, Global Expansion

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Head of Design, Global Expansion

Company: Nubank

Location: Miami, Florida, United States (Remote/Hybrid with East Coast U.S./Canada or Brazil Eastern Timezone preference)

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Design Leadership / Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-08-30

Experience Level: 10+ Years

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design function for Nubank's most ambitious global expansion initiative, focusing on a new global account product.

• Maintain an exceptionally high bar for design craft, benchmarking against leading global fintech and consumer product companies.

• Drive innovation by pushing the boundaries of the company's design system, introducing new components and patterns.

• Foster a collaborative environment, influencing and integrating with the central design organization to ensure cohesive product development.

• Act as a player-coach, managing a team while remaining deeply hands-on with design execution, prototyping, and quality assurance.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is for a highly senior design leader responsible for a critical, high-visibility global product launch. The emphasis on "craft first" and setting a "global standard" suggests a need for exceptional design execution skills alongside leadership capabilities. The "player-coach" aspect indicates a hands-on approach is expected, not just strategic direction.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the design strategy and execution for a novel global account product, targeting simultaneous launch in over 40 countries.

• Define and uphold design quality standards that rival top-tier global financial technology and consumer product experiences.

• Actively participate in the design process, including prototyping and refining user interfaces and interactions to ensure a magical and effortless customer experience.

• Contribute to and advance the evolution of Nubank's global design system by introducing and integrating new components and patterns derived from this project.

• Navigate complex organizational dynamics to earn autonomy and influence, building strong partnerships with central design teams rather than operating in isolation.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including engineering, product management, and other design disciplines, to ensure successful product delivery.

• Drive user-centric design thinking, ensuring the product meets the diverse needs of customers with cross-border lives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on strategic leadership and hands-on design execution. The emphasis on influencing the central design system and collaborating with other teams suggests a need for strong communication and stakeholder management skills, crucial for managing a complex, multi-market rollout.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong educational foundation in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is typically expected for such a senior role. A Bachelor's or Master's degree is common.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10+ years of progressive experience in product design, with a significant portion focused on leadership roles.

• Proven track record of leading design for complex, consumer-facing digital products, preferably within fintech, payments, banking, digital assets, or consumer finance.

• Demonstrated experience in managing and mentoring design teams. Required Skills:

• World-Class Product Design Craft: Exceptional attention to detail, a deep understanding of UI/UX principles, and a portfolio showcasing design excellence comparable to industry leaders like Apple, Revolut, or Wise.

• Hands-On Design Execution: Proficiency in design tools, prototyping, and user flow development, with a demonstrated ability to stay actively involved in the design process.

• Design System Leadership: Experience in contributing to, influencing, and advancing mature design systems, understanding how to leverage and evolve them.

• Fintech/Financial Product Acumen: Direct experience with financial products (payments, banking, digital assets) or a strong ability to make complex financial products feel simple and intuitive.

• Global Product Experience: Understanding of the complexities and nuances of designing for diverse international markets and user bases.

• Team Leadership & Management: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and inspire a team of designers.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Strong skills in partnering effectively with engineering, product management, and other stakeholders.

• Strategic Thinking & Influence: Ability to think strategically, influence organizational direction, and earn autonomy through persuasion and collaboration.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with multi-currency accounts, digital asset diversification, or stablecoin-based financial services.

• Familiarity with designing for users with cross-border work and family connections.

• Experience in rapid, multi-market product launches.

• Familiarity with AI-enabled tools in the recruitment or product development process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "craft first" and a portfolio that stands up against global leaders is paramount. The requirement for "fintech-adjacent domain experience" suggests a preference for candidates who understand the financial landscape, but exceptional design skills from other complex product domains can also be considered.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio that clearly demonstrates world-class product design execution, with a focus on user experience, visual design, and interaction design.

• Case studies highlighting experience with complex financial products, payments, or digital assets, showcasing problem-solving skills and design impact.

• Examples of contributions to or leadership of design systems, demonstrating an understanding of scalability, consistency, and evolution.

• Evidence of hands-on design work, including prototypes and detailed interaction flows that illustrate attention to craft and detail.

• Demonstrations of designing for global audiences, showcasing an understanding of localization and diverse user needs. Process Documentation:

• Case studies should articulate the design process clearly, from initial research and ideation through to prototyping, user testing, and final implementation.

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they have influenced and collaborated with central design organizations to evolve design systems and standards.

• Examples of how they have managed design initiatives to achieve specific business and user outcomes, with measurable results.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role, serving as the primary evaluation tool. It needs to go beyond just showcasing aesthetics; it must demonstrate a deep understanding of process, impact, and the ability to elevate a product and its underlying design system to a global standard.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Head of Design role with 10+ years of experience in a major tech hub like Miami, and considering the leadership scope and impact, a competitive salary range would likely fall between $180,000 - $250,000 USD annually. This estimation is based on industry benchmarks for senior design leadership roles in major US cities, factoring in the high-demand nature of fintech and global expansion initiatives.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) and holidays.

• Stock options or equity in a rapidly growing fintech company.

• Retirement savings plan (e.g., 401k) with company match.

• Professional development budget for conferences, courses, and learning resources.

• Relocation assistance if applicable and necessary.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses.

• Flexible work arrangements (hybrid model). Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week), with flexibility to accommodate the Eastern Timezone preference for Europe compatibility.

• Occasional evening or early morning work may be required to collaborate with teams in different time zones (e.g., Brazil).

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on general market data for senior design leadership in major US tech hubs and the fintech industry. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate's specific experience, qualifications, and negotiation. Benefits are standard for large, competitive tech organizations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Fintech / Digital Banking / Financial Services. Nubank is a leader in transforming the financial industry through technology and data, focusing on customer empowerment and financial inclusion.

Company Size: Nubank is a large, publicly traded company with over 135 million customers. Its employee count is significant, indicating a structured yet dynamic environment. This size implies robust processes and resources, but also the need for clear communication and influence to drive change.

Founded: Nubank was founded in 2013, making it a relatively young but rapidly established player in the fintech space. This history suggests a culture that values innovation, agility, and continuous growth.

Team Structure:

• The design team is likely structured with central design leadership (CDO, Ethan Eismann), and specialized product design teams. This role leads the design for a specific, high-priority global expansion product.

• This Head of Design will manage a dedicated team of designers for the global account initiative.

• Close collaboration is expected with product management, engineering leads, and potentially other design functions (e.g., UX research, content design).

• The role requires navigating a "maturing, centralized design organization," implying a need to balance autonomy with organizational standards and contributions. Methodology:

• Nubank emphasizes a data-driven approach, leveraging technology and proprietary systems to innovate and serve customers efficiently.

• Design processes likely involve agile methodologies, rapid iteration, and a strong focus on user feedback and testing.

• The company's mission to "fight complexity and empower people" guides its product development and design philosophy.

Company Website: https://nubank.com.br/

📝 Enhancement Note: Nubank's culture is characterized by rapid growth, innovation, and a strong customer-centric mission. The global expansion initiative suggests an ambitious and fast-paced environment. The emphasis on influencing a "maturing, centralized design organization" is a key cultural aspect to understand for this role.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at the pinnacle of individual contributor and management within the design function, specifically for a critical product initiative. It's a senior leadership position, often referred to as Principal Designer, Director of Design, or Head of Design for a specific product vertical. The scope of responsibility is significant, overseeing design for a global launch impacting millions of users.

Reporting Structure: The Head of Design will report to senior design leadership, likely the Chief Design Officer (CDO), Ethan Eismann, and work closely with hiring managers Thomaz Fortes and Thais Burin. They will also manage a team of designers.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct and substantial impact on Nubank's global growth strategy and revenue. The success of the new global account product, driven by exceptional design, will be a key differentiator in competitive international markets. The design innovations pioneered here can also set new standards for Nubank's broader product ecosystem.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to grow into a broader leadership role overseeing multiple product lines or a larger segment of the design organization as the company expands.

• Systemic Influence: Opportunity to significantly shape and evolve Nubank's global design system, influencing design practices across the entire company.

• Product Innovation: Lead the design for groundbreaking financial products that redefine user experience in global fintech.

• Mentorship & Development: Build and nurture a high-performing design team, fostering the next generation of design talent within Nubank.

• Strategic Contribution: Play a key role in defining the strategic direction of product design for global markets.

📝 Enhancement Note: This position offers a unique opportunity to shape a flagship global product from its inception and significantly influence Nubank's design direction. The "player-coach" model allows for both hands-on creative contribution and strategic leadership, offering a well-rounded growth path.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "TELECOMMUTE" but with a preference for the East Coast of U.S./Canada or Brazil (Eastern timezone). This suggests a hybrid or remote-first approach where proximity to specific time zones is more important than a mandatory physical office presence. The preference for Eastern Time suggests a need for collaboration with European teams, implying some overlap in working hours.

Office Location(s): While remote, the geographical preference points to individuals based in or willing to align with the Eastern Time Zone in North America (e.g., Miami, New York, Toronto) or within Brazil (which observes similar time zones).

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Despite the remote or hybrid nature, the role demands strong collaboration. Expect frequent virtual meetings, design critiques, and cross-functional syncs.

• Tools & Technology: Access to best-in-class design software, collaboration tools, and potentially robust prototyping environments.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with a dedicated design team, product managers, engineers, and senior leadership. The emphasis on influencing central teams suggests a need for proactive engagement across departments.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours are expected, with flexibility to accommodate international collaboration. This might involve occasional early morning or late evening calls to align with teams in different regions. The focus is on output and impact rather than strict adherence to a 9-to-5 schedule, especially given the global nature of the product.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "telecommute" designation with specific timezone requirements indicates a flexible but coordinated work environment. Candidates should be comfortable with remote collaboration and managing their schedule to facilitate cross-time zone interactions.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Async Portfolio Review: Initial screening by the Chief Design Officer (CDO), Ethan Eismann. This stage focuses on assessing the overall quality, scope, and impact of your design work against Nubank's high standards.

2. Live Portfolio Presentation (1 hour): A detailed walkthrough of your best work with the broader design leadership team. This is an opportunity to showcase your design process, problem-solving skills, and how you achieve world-class results. Expect to discuss case studies in depth.

3. Hiring Manager Interview (45-60 min): Conversation with hiring managers Thomaz Fortes and Thais Burin. This interview will likely delve into your leadership style, team management experience, strategic thinking, and how you navigate organizational dynamics.

4. Final Conversation: A potential final discussion with Ethan Eismann if further alignment is needed.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant case studies. Prioritize projects that demonstrate world-class craft, leadership, and experience with complex products or financial services.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, key decisions made, challenges overcome, and the measurable impact of your work. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Leadership & Collaboration: Explicitly detail your experience leading teams, influencing stakeholders, and collaborating with engineering and product. Showcase how you've contributed to or evolved design systems.

• Benchmark Your Work: Be prepared to discuss how your work compares to global leaders like Revolut, Wise, or Apple, as requested in the job description.

• Demonstrate Hands-On Skill: Include examples that show your direct involvement in prototyping and design execution, not just high-level strategy.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design System Thinking: Be ready to discuss how you approach building and scaling design systems, and how you balance consistency with innovation.

• Global Design Nuances: Prepare to talk about the challenges and opportunities of designing for diverse international markets.

• Stakeholder Management: Anticipate questions about how you influence and persuade senior stakeholders and cross-functional partners, especially within a large organization.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Think through hypothetical scenarios related to launching a complex product in multiple markets and how you would approach design challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is heavily weighted towards portfolio review. Candidates must be prepared to articulate their design process, leadership philosophy, and ability to meet extremely high craft standards, backed by concrete examples. The focus on "earning autonomy by influencing" is a key theme to address.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable given industry trends), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects for motion design).

• Prototyping Tools: Principle, ProtoPie, InVision, or advanced Figma prototyping capabilities.

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Asana, Trello, Slack, Notion, Miro for whiteboarding and ideation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics: Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics.

• A/B Testing Platforms: Optimizely, VWO.

• Data Visualization: Tableau, Looker (for understanding product performance and user behavior).

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a design tool, familiarity with how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms impact user journeys and data can be beneficial for understanding the broader product ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools like Figma is essential. Familiarity with analytics platforms will help in understanding user behavior and making data-informed design decisions, which is crucial for a data-driven company like Nubank.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Obsession: A deep commitment to understanding and serving customer needs, especially those with complex cross-border financial lives.

• Innovation & Agility: A drive to push boundaries, experiment with new technologies, and iterate quickly to deliver cutting-edge products.

• Excellence & Craftsmanship: A relentless pursuit of high quality in every aspect of the product, from user experience to visual design.

• Collaboration & Transparency: A culture of open communication, constructive feedback, and strong partnerships across teams.

• Impact & Ownership: A focus on delivering measurable results and taking responsibility for the success of initiatives.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect to work closely with Product, Engineering, and Data teams, fostering a shared sense of ownership for the product's success.

• Systemic Collaboration: A proactive approach to engaging with central design teams, contributing to and leveraging the global design system, and influencing broader design standards.

• Feedback-Rich Environment: A culture that values constructive critique and continuous improvement, encouraging designers to share their work and provide feedback to others.

• Empowerment & Autonomy: While working within a structured organization, there's an emphasis on empowering individuals to take initiative and drive outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Nubank's values likely align with its mission of empowering people and fighting complexity. For this role, the ability to collaborate effectively, influence others, and maintain a high standard of design excellence within a growing, global organization will be paramount.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Autonomy and Centralization: Navigating the tension between creative freedom for the global expansion product and adherence to/influence over Nubank's global design system and standards.

• Global Market Complexity: Designing for diverse user needs, regulatory environments, and cultural nuances across 40+ markets simultaneously.

• High-Performance Bar: Meeting and exceeding the extremely high design craft standards set by Nubank and its global competitors.

• Rapid Iteration & Launch: Managing the design process for a high-stakes, fast-paced product launch.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Design Leadership: Deepen expertise in leading design for large-scale global product initiatives and influencing organizational design strategy.

• Design System Evolution: Contribute significantly to the growth and direction of a major company's design system.

• Fintech Innovation: Gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge financial technologies like stablecoins and digital assets.

• Cross-Cultural Design: Develop a nuanced understanding of designing for a wide array of international markets.

• Mentorship: Grow leadership skills by developing and mentoring a team of talented designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge lies in balancing ambitious product goals with organizational integration. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering a chance to shape a globally impactful product and advance significantly in design leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to influence a central design system or team to adopt your team's patterns or components. How did you approach it?" (Focus on collaboration, persuasion, and systemic thinking.)

• "How do you define and maintain a 'world-class' design standard for a product, especially when benchmarking against global leaders like Apple or Revolut?" (Focus on craft, detail, and competitive analysis.)

• "Walk us through your process for designing a complex financial product for multiple international markets. What are the key considerations?" (Focus on process, user research, and global strategy.)

• "How do you balance being a hands-on designer with managing a team? Provide an example of a project where you successfully did both." (Focus on player-coach model and time management.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Nubank's mission and its approach to financial services?" (Research Nubank's mission, values, and recent achievements.)

• "How do you see yourself contributing to and evolving Nubank's global design system?" (Demonstrate understanding of design systems and your potential impact.)

• "Describe your ideal collaboration style with engineering and product management teams." (Highlight partnership, communication, and shared goals.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your specific role and contributions, the design process, key decisions, and the measurable outcomes.

• Highlight Impact: Quantify success whenever possible. Use metrics to demonstrate how your design work achieved business goals or improved user experience.

• Showcase Craftsmanship: Be prepared to zoom in on details, explain your rationale for specific UI choices, and discuss interaction design patterns.

• Address the "Player-Coach" Aspect: Ensure your presentation demonstrates both your strategic leadership and your hands-on design capabilities.

• Tailor to Nubank: Connect your experience and approach to Nubank's mission, values, and the specific challenges of this global expansion role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess both your design leadership capabilities and your hands-on design execution. Emphasize your ability to set and maintain a high standard of craft, influence within an organization, and lead a team to deliver exceptional global products.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Head of Design position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Curate a compelling portfolio: Focus on 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant case studies that highlight world-class product design, leadership, and experience with complex financial products or global initiatives.

• Tailor your resume: Emphasize your leadership experience, hands-on design skills, experience with design systems, and any relevant fintech or global product background. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare your portfolio presentation: Practice walking through your case studies, clearly articulating your process, impact, and how your work aligns with Nubank's standards and the role's requirements. Be ready to discuss your approach to leadership and collaboration.

• Research Nubank: Understand their mission, values, product offerings, and recent global expansion efforts. Prepare to articulate why you are a good fit for their culture and this specific initiative.

⚠️ 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.