Head of UX (m/w/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Head of UX Design (m/f/d)

Company: DEPT®

Location: Hamburg, Berlin, Germany

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Experience Design & Technology Operations

Date Posted: May 05, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years (Leadership)

Remote Status: Hybrid (1-2 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and scale the User Experience (UX) design practice across the DACH region, encompassing the full value chain from foundational research to final delivery.

• Drive innovation and strategic impact for key accounts and new business initiatives, ensuring user-centricity and measurable business growth.

• Maintain and enhance operational health, client satisfaction, and team morale within the Experience & Engineering team.

• Foster strong cross-functional and international collaboration, particularly with EMEA UX leadership and other disciplines like Strategy, Visual Design, Content, and Technology.

• Champion thought leadership internally and externally, positioning DEPT® as a leader in growth invention and digital experience innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a senior leadership position within DEPT®'s Experience & Engineering team in the DACH region. The focus is on leading a UX practice, which involves strategic direction, operational management, people leadership, and hands-on contribution to client projects. The "Growth Invention" and "intersection of technology and marketing" aspects highlight a need for operations professionals who can bridge creative design with tangible business outcomes and technological advancements.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Strategic UX Practice Development: Define and execute the strategic vision for the DACH UX discipline, ensuring alignment with DEPT®'s global growth objectives and industry best practices.

• Delivery Excellence & Quality Assurance: Oversee the quality and effectiveness of UX deliverables across all projects, implementing robust processes for design, research, and testing to ensure strategic business impact.

• Operational Management & Client Satisfaction: Proactively manage departmental operations, including resource allocation, project timelines, and budget adherence, while cultivating strong client relationships and ensuring high levels of satisfaction.

• Cross-Functional & International Collaboration: Lead and facilitate seamless collaboration between local DACH UX teams and international counterparts within the EMEA region, as well as with Strategy, Visual Design, Content, and Technology teams to ensure integrated project delivery.

• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Manage, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of UX Leads, Principals, and Associate Directors, fostering a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and operational excellence.

• Innovation & Technology Adoption: Stay abreast of emerging digital trends, AI advancements, and new technologies, championing their integration into UX strategies and client solutions to drive competitive advantage.

• New Business & Key Account Leadership: Act as a primary UX point of contact for new business pitches and key client accounts, developing persuasive pitches and demonstrating the value of user-centered design to senior stakeholders.

• Thought Leadership & Brand Advocacy: Represent DEPT® as a thought leader in the UX and digital innovation space through speaking engagements, industry contributions, and knowledge sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of strategic leadership, operational oversight, and hands-on expertise. The role requires not just managing a team but actively shaping the discipline's future, driving client success, and fostering an integrated, innovative environment. The emphasis on "delivery excellence," "operational health," and "cross-functional alignment" points to a need for strong process management and collaboration skills within an operations framework.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong academic background in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Computer Science, or a related field is highly advantageous.

Experience:

• Over 15 years of comprehensive experience in UX and product design, with a deep understanding of complex digital ecosystems.

• Proven experience working within fast-paced agency environments, managing large, international brands and navigating complex stakeholder landscapes.

Required Skills:

• UX & Product Design Mastery: Extensive experience across the entire UX value chain, including user research, strategic planning, concept development, wireframing, prototyping, and iterative testing.

• People Leadership & Team Development: Demonstrated ability to build, lead, mentor, and inspire high-performing design teams, fostering a positive and productive work environment.

• Strategic Thinking & Planning: Capacity to develop and implement long-term UX strategies that align with business objectives and drive measurable growth.

• Client Relationship Management & Influence: Proven ability to build trust, communicate complex ideas persuasively, and influence senior stakeholders to secure buy-in for UX initiatives.

• Operational & Project Management: Strong skills in managing departmental operations, ensuring project delivery excellence, and maintaining client satisfaction in a demanding agency setting.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Expertise in fostering effective partnerships with diverse teams (Strategy, Visual Design, Content, Technology, Engineering) and international colleagues.

• Communication Proficiency: Full professional proficiency in both German and English (C1 level) for effective communication with local and international teams and clients.

Preferred Skills:

• E-commerce Expertise: In-depth experience in UX design for e-commerce platforms and digital retail environments.

• Digital Ecosystems & Complex Stakeholders: Extensive background in navigating and designing for intricate digital ecosystems with multiple stakeholders.

• AI & Emerging Technologies: Curiosity and practical experience in leveraging AI and new digital trends within UX design.

• Business Acumen: Understanding of business metrics, ROI, and how UX design directly contributes to business growth and conversion optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirements are substantial, indicating a senior leadership role. The emphasis on "complex digital ecosystems," "fast-paced agency environments," and "complex stakeholder environments" suggests a need for candidates who can manage ambiguity and high pressure. The explicit mention of "e-commerce" as an advantage, coupled with the core responsibilities, points to a focus on driving measurable business outcomes through design.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• End-to-End UX Process Demonstration: Showcase a comprehensive understanding of the UX lifecycle, from initial user research and discovery through to strategic planning, concept development, detailed design, prototyping, user testing, and iterative refinement.

• Impactful Case Studies: Present detailed case studies that highlight specific UX challenges, the methodologies employed, and the measurable business outcomes achieved (e.g., increased conversion rates, improved user satisfaction scores, reduced churn, enhanced engagement).

• Strategic Rationale: Clearly articulate the strategic thinking behind design decisions, demonstrating how UX solutions were aligned with client business goals and user needs.

• Stakeholder Management Examples: Include examples of how complex stakeholder environments were navigated and how persuasive communication was used to gain buy-in for UX strategies.

• Leadership Impact: For senior candidates, demonstrate how leadership has influenced team performance, process improvements, and the overall quality of UX work within an organization.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Evidence of designing, implementing, and optimizing UX workflows within an agency or large organizational context to enhance efficiency, quality, and collaboration.

• Research Methodologies: Documented use of diverse user research techniques (e.g., interviews, surveys, usability testing, ethnographic studies) and how insights were translated into actionable design strategies.

• Agile & Iterative Processes: Experience with Agile development methodologies and iterative design processes, including how UX integrates with engineering and product management cycles.

• Cross-functional Process Integration: Examples of how UX processes have been integrated with other disciplines (e.g., strategy, visual design, content, development) to ensure cohesive product and experience delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are critical for this senior role. Candidates must demonstrate not only design craft but also strategic thinking, process management, and the ability to deliver measurable business results. The emphasis on end-to-end process, impact, and leadership is key for evaluation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Head of UX roles in major German cities (Hamburg, Berlin) with 15+ years of experience and 10+ years of leadership, the estimated annual salary range is €100,000 - €140,000. This range considers the seniority, extensive experience requirements, and the competitive landscape for leadership positions in the German digital agency sector.

Benefits:

• Flexible Hybrid Working Policy: Enjoy a flexible work arrangement with 1-2 days per week spent in the office, balancing collaboration with personal flexibility.

• Company Pension Scheme: Secure your future with a company-sponsored pension plan.

• On-Site Amenities: Benefit from occasional breakfast/lunch provided at the office and regular "Smoothie Tuesdays" for a refreshing break.

• Health & Wellbeing Support: Access mental health and wellbeing resources through the OpenUp platform, with a contribution towards your health.

• Lifestyle Allowance: Receive a €50 monthly allowance via dedicated benefits apps, usable for daily expenses and lifestyle perks.

• Exclusive Product Deals: Gain access to "Future Bens" for attractive deals on sustainable and healthy products.

• Social Engagement: Participate in regular social events, team-building activities, and company celebrations to foster connections.

• Professional Development: Access extensive training, development programs, and certifications to enhance your skills and advance your career.

• Charitable Involvement: Engage in the annual "DEPT® Cares Month," contributing your skills to support local charities.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered through the hybrid working policy to accommodate work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on typical compensation for senior UX leadership roles in Germany, considering the extensive experience and leadership requirements. The benefits package is comprehensive, focusing on employee wellbeing, professional growth, and work-life balance, which are attractive to experienced professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology & Marketing Services / Digital Agency. DEPT® operates at the intersection of technology and marketing, positioning itself as a "Growth Invention" company. This implies a culture focused on innovation, speed, and driving tangible business outcomes for clients.

Company Size: 4,000+ specialists globally. This large, international presence suggests a well-established organization with diverse capabilities, offering opportunities for global collaboration and exposure to a wide range of projects and clients.

Founded: DEPT® has a history of growth and integration, having achieved B Corp certification in 2021. Being a certified B Corp and Climate Neutral since 2021 indicates a strong commitment to sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical business practices.

Team Structure:

• Experience & Engineering Team (DACH): This role is part of a dedicated team focused on creating digital experiences and communication that drive perception change and new behaviors.

• Cross-functional Integration: The role explicitly requires fostering close collaboration with international teams across EMEA and with other crafts such as Strategy, Visual Design, Content, and Technology. This suggests a matrixed or highly collaborative structure where individual disciplines work in concert.

• Leadership Hierarchy: The role involves leading Leads, Principals, and Associate Directors, indicating a clear leadership hierarchy within the UX practice.

Methodology:

• Growth Invention: The core philosophy of helping ambitious brands grow faster through innovative solutions.

• Technology & Marketing Intersection: A dual focus that requires integrating technological capabilities with marketing strategies.

• Data-Driven & User-Centric: Implied by the need for research, testing, and delivering measurable growth, ensuring that user needs are at the forefront of all initiatives.

• Agile & Iterative: Common in agency environments, suggesting a dynamic approach to project execution and problem-solving.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: DEPT®'s culture is characterized by its focus on innovation ("Growth Invention"), a blend of technology and marketing expertise, and a commitment to sustainability and social responsibility (B Corp). The large, international scale combined with specialized teams creates a dynamic environment for operations professionals.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior leadership position, a "Head of" role, signifying significant responsibility for a practice area within a specific region (DACH). It's a strategic role focused on shaping the discipline, managing P&L aspects (operational health), and leading senior talent.

Reporting Structure: The Head of UX Design will likely report to a regional or global leader within the Experience & Engineering division or a CTO/CCO. They will, in turn, manage a team of senior UX professionals (Leads, Principals, Associate Directors).

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on revenue generation through leading client engagements and driving successful project outcomes that deliver measurable business growth for clients. Operational efficiency, team performance, and the quality of UX deliverables all contribute to the company's profitability and reputation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Regional Leadership Expansion: Potential to expand leadership scope beyond DACH to other regions within EMEA or to oversee broader experience design functions.

• Global Strategy Contribution: Opportunity to influence global UX strategy and best practices within DEPT®.

• Specialization & Innovation: Deepen expertise in emerging areas like AI in UX, sustainable design, or specific industry verticals, becoming a go-to expert.

• Mentorship & Executive Development: Opportunities to mentor future leaders and develop executive-level strategic thinking and business management skills.

• Cross-Disciplinary Advancement: Potential to move into broader leadership roles encompassing multiple facets of digital transformation or client services.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role represents a significant career advancement, moving from senior individual contributor or team lead to a strategic practice leader. Growth opportunities are focused on expanding scope, influence, and strategic impact within a large, global organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, with 1-2 days per week expected in the office. This suggests a blend of remote flexibility and in-person collaboration, typical for modern agency environments.

Office Location(s): The role is based in Hamburg and Berlin, Germany, offering candidates the choice of these vibrant tech and creative hubs. The hybrid policy implies that while remote work is supported, some physical presence in one of these offices will be required.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hubs: Office spaces are likely designed to facilitate collaboration, team meetings, client presentations, and brainstorming sessions.

• Technology-Enabled: Access to modern design tools, collaboration software, and potentially advanced hardware necessary for UX design and research.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for spontaneous interaction, knowledge sharing, and building rapport with colleagues from various disciplines within the Experience & Engineering team and beyond.

• Client-Facing Opportunities: The role involves significant client interaction, suggesting that office environments may also be equipped for client meetings and workshops.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is implied, with the flexibility of a hybrid model. The nature of agency work, especially in leadership roles, often requires adaptability to meet client deadlines and project demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model in Hamburg or Berlin offers a balance of flexibility and in-person collaboration. The emphasis on cross-functional work suggests an environment designed for interaction and shared problem-solving.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a conversation with an HR representative or recruiter to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and alignment with the role's seniority.

• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion with the hiring manager (likely a senior leader within Experience & Engineering) focusing on leadership experience, strategic thinking, operational management, and team development.

• Portfolio Presentation & Case Study: A critical stage where candidates present their portfolio, detailing 2-3 key projects. This will involve explaining their role, process, strategic rationale, challenges faced, and measurable outcomes. Expect deep dives into their leadership impact and how they drove results.

• Cross-Functional/Team Interviews: Meetings with potential peers, direct reports (Leads/Principals), and leaders from other disciplines (Strategy, Tech) to assess collaboration style, technical understanding, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview/Executive Conversation: Potentially a meeting with a more senior executive to finalize the decision, focusing on strategic alignment and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your end-to-end UX process, leadership impact, and ability to drive measurable business results. Prioritize complexity and scale.

• Structure for Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the client's business challenge, your specific role and responsibilities, the UX methodology employed, key decisions made (and why), challenges overcome, and quantifiable outcomes.

• Highlight Leadership: Demonstrate how you led teams, mentored individuals, influenced stakeholders, and improved processes within the context of these projects.

• Metric-Driven Storytelling: Focus on the "so what?" – how did your UX work translate into tangible business growth, ROI, or improved user metrics? Be prepared to discuss the data and analytics behind your claims.

• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your decision-making process, how you handle difficult stakeholders, your approach to innovation, and your vision for the UX practice.

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic Vision Exercise: Be ready to discuss your vision for evolving a UX practice in an agency setting, including how you'd foster innovation, ensure quality, and drive growth.

• Operational Challenge Scenario: Prepare to discuss how you would handle common agency operational challenges like resource conflicts, scope creep, or client escalations.

• Cross-functional Collaboration Discussion: Be prepared to explain how you would integrate UX seamlessly with strategy, tech, and other disciplines to deliver cohesive client solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process heavily emphasizes leadership, strategic thinking, operational acumen, and the ability to demonstrate tangible business impact through UX. The portfolio review is a cornerstone, requiring candidates to present compelling case studies that highlight their end-to-end process and leadership effectiveness.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Design & Prototyping Software: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision (for wireframing, prototyping, and collaborative design).

• User Research Platforms: UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Qualtrics (for usability testing, surveys, and remote research).

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello (for workflow management, documentation, and team coordination).

• Design Systems Tools: Storybook, Zeroheight (for managing and scaling design systems).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics (for understanding user behavior and performance metrics).

• BI & Dashboarding Tools: Tableau, Power BI, Looker (for visualizing data and reporting on UX impact).

• A/B Testing Tools: Optimizely, VWO (for experimental design and conversion rate optimization).

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: Salesforce, HubSpot (understanding how UX impacts CRM strategies and user journeys).

• Marketing Automation Platforms: Marketo, Pardot (awareness of how UX integrates with marketing automation).

• Integration Platforms: Zapier, Make (understanding how different tools connect to create seamless user experiences).

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with industry-standard UX design and research tools is essential. Additionally, understanding how UX integrates with analytics, CRM, and marketing automation platforms is crucial for a role focused on driving measurable business growth.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Better Together: Emphasizes collaboration, mutual support, and shared success across teams and internationally. For operations, this means seamless integration and transparent communication.

• Relentlessly Curious: Fosters a culture of continuous learning, exploration of new technologies (like AI), and a proactive approach to innovation and problem-solving. Operations professionals are expected to seek out efficiencies and new approaches.

• Get Sh*t Done: A value driving execution, accountability, and a results-oriented mindset. Operations plays a key role in ensuring efficient processes and timely delivery to meet this value.

• Growth Invention: The overarching company philosophy, meaning operations should support and enable the creation of innovative solutions that drive client growth.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: A strong emphasis on working closely with diverse teams (Strategy, Visual Design, Content, Technology) to create holistic solutions, requiring strong communication and process alignment.

• International Alignment: Active collaboration with EMEA teams to ensure consistency and leverage global expertise, demanding effective cross-cultural communication and coordination.

• Feedback Culture: Encourages open feedback loops for continuous improvement of processes, deliverables, and team dynamics.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that values sharing insights, best practices, and learnings across the organization to elevate collective capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values—Better Together, Relentlessly Curious, Get Sh*t Done—directly influence how operations professionals should approach their work: collaborative problem-solving, continuous improvement, and a focus on execution and results.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling a UX Practice: Effectively growing and standardizing UX processes across a multi-city DACH region while maintaining high quality and fostering a cohesive team culture.

• Balancing Craft and Operations: Ensuring the UX team delivers exceptional creative work while also managing the operational demands of client projects, resource allocation, and profitability.

• Integrating Emerging Technologies: Staying ahead of rapid advancements in AI and other digital technologies and integrating them meaningfully into UX strategies and client solutions.

• Managing Complex Stakeholder Environments: Navigating diverse client structures, political landscapes, and competing priorities to ensure successful UX project outcomes.

• Driving Measurable Impact: Consistently demonstrating the quantifiable business value of UX design to senior stakeholders and securing continued investment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership Training: Access to programs focused on executive leadership, financial management, and strategic planning within a global agency context.

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Opportunities to attend leading UX, design, and digital transformation conferences, as well as pursue relevant certifications.

• Mentorship Programs: Benefit from or provide mentorship within DEPT®'s network, fostering leadership development and knowledge transfer.

• Exposure to Diverse Clients & Industries: Work with a wide array of clients across various sectors, broadening expertise and understanding of different market dynamics.

• Innovation Labs & R&D: Participate in or lead initiatives exploring new technologies and innovative approaches to digital experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a senior leadership role in a growing agency, focusing on scaling, operational efficiency, innovation, and stakeholder management. Growth opportunities are geared towards expanding leadership capabilities and strategic influence.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your vision for a world-class UX practice within a growth invention agency like DEPT®. How would you operationalize this vision across the DACH region?" (Focus on strategic planning, operational rollout, and team structure.)

• "How do you balance the demands of delivering cutting-edge UX craft with the operational realities of project timelines, budgets, and client expectations in a fast-paced agency environment?" (Prepare to discuss process management, prioritization, and resource allocation.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on DEPT®'s values (Better Together, Relentlessly Curious, Get Sh*t Done), how would you ensure your UX team embodies these principles in their daily work and client interactions?" (Connect personal leadership style and team management to company values.)

• "How would you approach building strong, collaborative relationships with our international EMEA UX leadership and other craft teams (Strategy, Tech, Visual Design) to ensure cohesive client delivery?" (Emphasize communication, process integration, and partnership.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• The 'Why' Behind the 'What': For each case study, clearly articulate the strategic business problem you were solving, not just the design task.

• Quantify Everything: Wherever possible, present metrics demonstrating impact (e.g., % increase in conversion, % decrease in support tickets, improvement in NPS/CSAT). Be prepared to discuss how these metrics were tracked and validated.

• Showcase Leadership: Highlight instances where you influenced stakeholders, led cross-functional teams, mentored junior staff, or improved processes.

• Process Agility: Demonstrate flexibility in your methodology – how you adapted to project changes, client feedback, or new learnings.

• Conciseness and Clarity: Present your work logically and efficiently, respecting the interviewer's time. Be ready to dive deeper into specific aspects if asked.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, operational leadership, a deep understanding of the UX lifecycle, and the ability to drive measurable business outcomes. The portfolio presentation is crucial for substantiating claims with concrete examples and data.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Head of UX Design position:

• Submit your Application: Apply directly through the provided link on the DEPT® careers page.

• Tailor Your CV: Ensure your resume highlights your extensive UX/product design experience (15+ years), people leadership (10+ years), and any experience with complex digital ecosystems, agency environments, and international brands. Use keywords like "UX Strategy," "Product Design," "User Research," "Team Leadership," "Operational Management," and "Stakeholder Management."

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 high-impact case studies that showcase your end-to-end UX process, leadership contributions, and measurable business results. Be ready to articulate your strategic rationale and the "why" behind your design decisions.

• Practice Your Pitch: Rehearse your portfolio presentation, focusing on clear storytelling, data-driven outcomes, and demonstrating your leadership capabilities. Prepare concise answers to potential strategy, leadership, and operational questions.

• Research DEPT®: Familiarize yourself with DEPT®'s "Growth Invention" philosophy, their B Corp status, client portfolio, and company values. Understand how your leadership style and approach align with their culture.

⚠️ 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.