Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager

Company: dunnhumby

Location: Gurgaon, Haryana, India

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design Management / User Experience

Date Posted: March 06, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and mentor a team of product designers to deliver high-quality, user-centered product experiences within an agile, global product team.

• Define and drive the product design vision, ensuring alignment with overarching product and business objectives, with a focus on customer data science and retail/AdTech domains.

• Oversee the end-to-end product design lifecycle, maintaining rigorous standards for craft, consistency, and adherence to the design system.

• Champion continuous discovery and user research methodologies to inform design decisions and measure impact through key product KPIs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior leadership opportunity within dunnhumby's product development function. The emphasis on "Customer Data Science," "Retail," and "AdTech" suggests a focus on data-driven product innovation and a need for designers who can translate complex data insights into intuitive user experiences, particularly within the loyalty and marketing technology sectors.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of product designers, fostering a high-performance culture and providing clear direction for impactful design outcomes.

• Establish and champion the design vision and strategy, ensuring it is seamlessly integrated with product roadmaps and broader business goals.

• Govern the entire user experience (UX) process from concept to launch, guaranteeing exceptional quality, consistency, and adherence to established design principles and standards.

• Integrate continuous discovery practices and robust user research into the design workflow, ensuring user needs and market insights are central to product development.

• Define, maintain, and evolve design standards, patterns, and systems, with a strong emphasis on accessibility, compliance, and usability across all product touchpoints.

• Collaborate with product managers and engineering leads to define and track key product KPIs, using data to measure design impact and inform iterative improvements.

• Cultivate an environment of creativity, innovation, and cross-functional collaboration within the design team and with other departments.

• Streamline and optimize design processes to ensure efficient, agile delivery of high-quality design solutions.

• Evaluate and recommend the adoption of new tools, technologies, and methodologies that can enhance design quality, team productivity, and workflow efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of people management, strategic vision setting, and hands-on design oversight. The emphasis on "service outcomes" and "service-level KPIs" suggests a need for the candidate to think holistically about the customer journey and the business impact of design beyond just UI elements.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in UX/Product Design, Human-Centered Design, Graphic/Communication Design, or a related field is preferred.

Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in User Experience (UX) design.

• Demonstrated success in leading and managing design activities through the entire product lifecycle, from conception to shipment.

Required Skills:

• Deep expertise in user-centered design principles and methodologies.

• Exceptional storytelling and communication skills, with the ability to articulate and advocate for design decisions effectively to diverse stakeholders.

• Hands-on experience conducting user research, usability testing, and translating insights into actionable design improvements.

• Proven ability to connect design outcomes directly to business goals, product strategy, and key performance indicators.

• Proficiency in agile, iterative design processes and demonstrated success in cross-functional collaboration with product management, engineering, and marketing.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the Retail or AdTech (Advertising Technology) industries.

• Familiarity with Customer Data Science platforms and applications.

• Experience defining and managing design systems and style guides.

• Knowledge of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and experience incorporating them into design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 10+ years of experience and a "strong portfolio of shipped product work" indicates this is a senior leadership role. The preference for Retail or AdTech experience suggests that candidates with domain expertise in these areas will have a significant advantage, as they can leverage existing knowledge of customer behavior, loyalty programs, and advertising platforms.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 10 years of UX design work, with a strong emphasis on shipped products and demonstrable impact.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the design challenge, your role, the process followed, design decisions made, and the measurable outcomes achieved.

• Examples demonstrating end-to-end product design leadership, including strategy, research, ideation, prototyping, testing, and implementation oversight.

• Evidence of experience in defining and maintaining design systems, ensuring consistency and scalability across product portfolios.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience in designing, documenting, and optimizing design workflows within agile environments.

• Examples of how you have improved design processes for efficiency, scalability, and quality will be highly valued.

• Demonstrate a structured approach to continuous discovery, user research, and the application of findings to iterative design improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design Manager role with 10+ years of experience, the portfolio is critical. It needs to go beyond just showcasing visual design skills; it must demonstrate strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, process improvement initiatives, and a clear understanding of how design contributes to business objectives and customer satisfaction within complex domains like customer data science.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Flexible working hours, offering adaptability for managing personal commitments alongside professional responsibilities.

• Birthday off as a paid holiday, providing a dedicated day for personal celebration.

• Comprehensive rewards package expected from a leading technology company.

• Thoughtful perks designed to enhance employee well-being and work-life balance.

• Investment in cutting-edge technology and professional development opportunities.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are expected, with flexibility offered through "flexible working hours" as stated in the benefits. The specific daily schedule can likely be discussed and agreed upon with the hiring manager, aligning with agile team needs and personal requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on research for Senior Design Manager roles in India's technology sector, specifically in major hubs like Gurgaon, considering the experience level and industry (Customer Data Science/Tech). The benefits highlight dunnhumby's commitment to employee well-being and work-life balance, which are key differentiators for attracting senior talent.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Customer Data Science, Retail Technology, Loyalty Programs, Marketing Technology, AdTech. dunnhumby is a global leader in leveraging customer data to drive personalized marketing and business strategies for major retailers and brands.

Company Size: dunnhumby employs nearly 2,500 experts globally, indicating a significant, established organization with a substantial market presence. This size suggests a structured environment with opportunities for career advancement but also potentially more formalized processes.

Founded: While the founding date isn't explicitly stated, dunnhumby has a long history, having originated in the UK in the 1980s. This longevity implies stability, deep industry expertise, and a well-established approach to data science and customer loyalty.

Team Structure:

• The Design Manager will be part of a global, agile product team, suggesting a matrixed reporting structure where the manager leads the design function within a specific product area or squad.

• The role involves leading and developing a team of product designers, implying direct line management responsibilities.

Methodology:

• Agile and iterative design processes are central to the team's methodology, emphasizing flexibility and rapid response to user feedback and business needs.

• A strong focus on continuous discovery and user research ensures that product development is deeply rooted in customer understanding.

• Data-driven decision-making is paramount, with an emphasis on tracking and utilizing KPIs to measure design's impact on customer satisfaction and business performance.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: dunnhumby's focus on Customer Data Science means this role operates at the intersection of technology, data, and consumer behavior. The culture likely values analytical rigor, strategic thinking, and a customer-centric approach. The global nature of the teams means cross-cultural collaboration and communication skills will be essential.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior leadership position within the design function, specifically managing a team of product designers. It sits at the intersection of individual contributor expertise (10+ years of UX design) and people management, requiring strategic vision, process ownership, and team development.

Reporting Structure: The Design Manager will likely report to a Director or VP of Product/Design within the product organization. They will directly manage a team of Product Designers, who may be embedded within specific agile squads.

Operations Impact: The Design Manager's impact is critical in shaping the user experience of dunnhumby's products, directly influencing customer satisfaction, adoption rates, and ultimately, the business performance of their clients (retailers and brands). By setting design vision and standards, they ensure that the company's data science capabilities are translated into user-friendly and valuable solutions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into Director-level roles overseeing larger design teams or broader product portfolios.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape the overall product strategy and design philosophy of dunnhumby, particularly within its core domains of retail and AdTech.

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in Customer Data Science applications, advanced UX research methodologies, or design system architecture.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Opportunities to lead cross-functional initiatives that bridge design, product, engineering, and data science.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a significant step for a seasoned UX professional looking to transition into or solidify a management position. The growth path is clearly defined towards higher leadership responsibilities within a data science-focused technology company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Gurgaon, India, implying an on-site or hybrid work arrangement within a professional office environment. The description mentions "nimble, small-business feel that gives you the freedom to play, experiment and learn" within a global company, suggesting a dynamic and collaborative workspace.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is Gurgaon, a major business hub in India. Specific details about the office amenities and accessibility would typically be available during the interview process.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to foster creativity, innovation, and collaboration, with an emphasis on cross-functional interaction.

• Employees will have access to cutting-edge technology and tools necessary for high-quality design work.

• Opportunities for interaction with a diverse and global team, including designers, product managers, data scientists, and engineers.

Work Schedule: While standard full-time hours are expected, the company emphasizes flexible working hours and a work-life balance, allowing for adaptability in daily schedules to accommodate personal commitments and productivity peaks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mention of "flexible working hours" and a "nimble, small-business feel" within a large organization suggests a culture that balances structure with autonomy, which can be very appealing for senior professionals seeking both impact and flexibility.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess experience, leadership capabilities, and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on your experience leading design teams, strategic vision, process improvements, and your approach to user-centered design and data-driven decision-making.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, walking through key case studies that demonstrate your leadership, problem-solving skills, and impact on product success. Expect questions about your design philosophy, decision-making rationale, and how you've handled complex challenges.

• Team/Peer Interviews: Meetings with potential peers (e.g., Product Managers, Engineering Leads, other Designers) to assess collaboration style, technical understanding, and cultural fit.

• Senior Leadership Interview: A final interview with senior management to evaluate strategic alignment, leadership potential, and overall fit with dunnhumby's vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest case studies that best represent your leadership, end-to-end design process, and impact, particularly highlighting any retail, AdTech, or data-driven projects.

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the methodology used, key decisions, challenges faced, and the measurable business and user outcomes. Quantify impact wherever possible.

• Showcase Leadership: Highlight instances where you led a team, mentored designers, influenced product strategy, or drove process improvements.

• Address the "Why": Be prepared to discuss why you made specific design decisions, linking them back to user needs, business goals, and data insights.

• Demonstrate Process: Show your iterative process, including research, testing, and how you incorporated feedback.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss how you would approach designing for complex data sets or customer loyalty programs.

• Prepare to talk about how you would balance user needs with business objectives and technical constraints.

• Consider how you would foster innovation and continuous improvement within a design team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to thoroughly assess not just design skills but also leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to drive impact in a data-centric environment. A strong, well-articulated portfolio is non-negotiable for this role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Industry-standard tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, XD), InVision, or similar. Proficiency in at least one advanced prototyping tool is expected.

• User Research & Testing: Tools for conducting user interviews, surveys, usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics).

• Collaboration & Project Management: Platforms like Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Miro, or Mural for agile workflow management, documentation, and collaborative brainstorming.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with web analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to understand user behavior and product performance.

• Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) or the ability to interpret data presented by analytics teams to inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM/automation role, an understanding of how CRM systems and marketing automation platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Marketo) interact with customer data and influence user journeys would be beneficial, especially in an AdTech/Retail context.

• Experience with data platforms and understanding how design integrates with customer data science outputs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role requires a strong command of modern design tools and a solid understanding of how design integrates with data analytics and agile development processes. Familiarity with tools used in data science environments or for interpreting complex data will be a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer-Centricity: A deep-seated commitment to understanding and serving the customer, driven by data and insights.

• Innovation & Curiosity: Encouraging exploration, experimentation, and a continuous learning mindset to stay ahead in the dynamic fields of data science and retail technology.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Fostering an environment where teams work together openly, share knowledge, and support each other to achieve common goals.

• Data-Driven Excellence: Emphasizing the importance of data in informing decisions, measuring impact, and driving continuous improvement in products and processes.

• Impact & Accountability: A focus on delivering tangible results that drive customer satisfaction and business growth, with a clear sense of ownership and responsibility.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers work closely with Product Managers, Engineers, Data Scientists, and Commercial teams, acting as a bridge between user needs and business/technical realities.

• Agile & Iterative: Embraces agile methodologies, encouraging frequent feedback loops, rapid iteration, and adaptability.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that promotes sharing best practices, design learnings, and insights across teams and geographies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values suggest a culture that blends analytical rigor with creative problem-solving. A Design Manager will need to embody these values, leading by example and fostering them within their team.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Data Complexity with User Simplicity: Translating complex customer data science outputs into intuitive and actionable user experiences for both internal users and external clients.

• Global Consistency vs. Local Nuance: Ensuring a consistent and high-quality design system across diverse global markets while allowing for necessary localization.

• Driving Adoption of New Design Methodologies: Championing and embedding advanced UX research and design thinking practices within a traditionally data-science-heavy organization.

• Measuring Design's ROI: Clearly articulating and quantifying the business impact and return on investment of design initiatives to stakeholders.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Data Science Applications: Gaining deeper exposure to customer data science principles and how they are applied in real-world retail and AdTech scenarios.

• Leadership Development Programs: Access to internal and external training focused on people management, strategic leadership, and executive communication.

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Opportunities to attend leading UX, design, and data science conferences, and pursue relevant certifications.

• Mentorship: Potential to be mentored by senior leaders within dunnhumby or to mentor junior designers, fostering continuous skill development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents significant opportunities for growth by tackling complex, data-driven design challenges within a leading global company. The ability to navigate these challenges will be key to career progression.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led a design team through a significant product redesign. What was your strategy, how did you manage the team, and what were the key outcomes?" (Focus on leadership, process, and measurable impact.)

• "How do you balance the need for a consistent design system with the flexibility required for agile product development and innovation?" (Highlight your understanding of design systems and agile workflows.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about dunnhumby's role in Customer Data Science, and how do you see design contributing to that mission?" (Research dunnhumby's business and articulate design's strategic role.)

• "How would you foster a culture of innovation and continuous discovery within your design team, especially in a company that values data science?" (Showcase your understanding of balancing data with creative exploration.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Organize your presentation logically, typically starting with an overview of your role and the project's objectives, followed by the problem, your process, key decisions, and finally, the impactful results.

• Quantify Everything: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your projects. This is crucial for a data-driven company like dunnhumby.

• Highlight Leadership: Clearly articulate your leadership contributions – how you guided the team, mentored individuals, influenced stakeholders, or improved processes.

• Be Ready to Defend Decisions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, trade-offs made, and how you handled challenges or conflicting feedback.

• Showcase Process Iteration: Demonstrate your iterative approach, including how you incorporated user feedback and data insights to refine designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing for these questions will require a deep understanding of dunnhumby's business, a strong articulation of your leadership philosophy, and the ability to connect your past work to the company's strategic priorities in Customer Data Science and retail technology.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on the greenhouse job board.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight at least 2-3 projects that best demonstrate your experience in product design leadership, user-centered design, and ideally, any work related to retail, AdTech, or data-driven products. Ensure case studies clearly articulate challenges, your process, and quantifiable outcomes.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to emphasize your 10+ years of UX design experience, leadership roles, team management achievements, and proficiency in agile methodologies and user research. Use keywords from the job description such as "Product Design," "UX Design," "Leadership," "Design System," "User Research," and "Agile."

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on storytelling, highlighting your strategic thinking, and quantifying the impact of your work. Prepare to discuss your leadership style, process improvements, and how you approach balancing user needs with business goals.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research dunnhumby, its mission in Customer Data Science, its clients, and its company culture. Understand its position in the market and how design contributes to its success.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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