Design Manager (x,f,m) - Business Banking

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager (x,f,m) - Business Banking

Company: DKB Code Factory

Location: Berlin, Germany

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Design Leadership / Product Design Operations

Date Posted: April 20, 2026

Experience Level: 7+ Years (with 2+ years in leadership)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and scale a compact, high-craft design team focused on building a digital-native Business Banking experience across web and mobile platforms.

• Define, own, and evolve the design vision and principles for Business Banking, ensuring consistent execution across product and engineering.

• Drive team development, including hiring, onboarding, performance management, and career progression for designers.

• Facilitate design strategy, workshops, and sprints to guide product teams toward high-quality, research-driven solutions.

• Champion design maturity, influence stakeholders, and make design's value visible across Product, Business, and Engineering.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Design Manager, which often bridges the gap between individual contributor craft excellence and operational leadership. The focus on "scaling a compact team" and "establishing strong design processes" indicates a significant operations component, similar to a Design Operations Lead or Head of Design role in smaller organizations, with a strong emphasis on process refinement and team enablement.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define, document, and socialize the Business Banking design vision and principles to ensure consistent execution across Product and Engineering.

• Lead and scale a small, embedded design team (up to 5-6 designers) distributed across multiple product teams, establishing ways of working from an early stage.

• Own the development, performance, and career growth of designers through structured feedback, goal setting, and career progression frameworks.

• Partner closely with research teams to ensure continuous insight generation and integration into product and design decisions.

• Actively advocate for design, influencing stakeholders and making its value visible across Product, Business, and Engineering departments.

• Facilitate workshops, design sprints, and alignment sessions to guide product teams toward high-quality, user-centered solutions.

• Drive and ensure experimentation to improve key product KPIs, communicating insights and impact to senior stakeholders.

• Raise overall design maturity and craft standards across the team and collaborating departments.

• Ensure a healthy, engaged team environment and sustainable ways of working, promoting work-life balance.

• Foster strong cross-location collaboration between Berlin and Valencia, including regular in-person touchpoints, to build a cohesive design culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic design leadership and operational management. "Own the development, performance, and growth of designers" and "establishing ways of working from an early stage" are core operational functions within a design team, focusing on process, enablement, and team health.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Not explicitly specified, but a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, HCI, or a related field is typically expected for this level.

Experience: 7+ years of product design experience, with at least 2 years in a people leadership or management role (or equivalent combination of leadership and craft expertise).

Required Skills:

• Proven experience building and scaling design teams, ideally in ambiguous or early-stage environments.

• Experience leading design across multi-platform products (web + mobile), with a preference for fintech or banking contexts.

• Strong portfolio showcasing research-driven design decisions and measurable product impact (demonstrating ROI).

• Demonstrated success in people management, coaching, and building high-performing teams.

• Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders across departments.

• Experience working closely with research and data teams, and utilizing insights to inform strategic decisions.

• Deep expertise with Figma (including FigJam, Figma Make) and working with design systems and component-driven implementation.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience using AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Codex) productively within design workflows.

• Basic understanding of frontend component libraries and development workflows.

• Experience in facilitating design sprints and workshops effectively.

• Familiarity with A/B testing and experimentation frameworks for product optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "strong portfolio showing research driven design decisions and measurable product impact" is crucial for operations roles. Candidates should be prepared to showcase how their design leadership and process improvements have directly led to quantifiable business outcomes and efficiency gains.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a track record of leading design initiatives that resulted in measurable product improvements and business impact.

• Showcase examples of how you've scaled design teams and established efficient design processes.

• Include case studies detailing your approach to defining design vision, stakeholder management, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Highlight experience with design systems, component-driven implementation, and ensuring design consistency across platforms.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates are expected to articulate their methodologies for defining and evolving design visions, principles, and standards.

• Demonstrate an understanding of how to document and socialize these processes across Product and Engineering teams.

• Be prepared to discuss how you would establish and refine workflows for a growing, distributed design team, including feedback loops and performance management.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a leadership role with an operational focus, the portfolio should not just showcase design output but also the process of achieving that output. This includes team management, process implementation, and driving efficiency. The ability to articulate "how" results were achieved is as important as "what" was achieved.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Design Managers with 7+ years of experience in Berlin, Germany, a competitive salary range would typically be between €75,000 - €100,000 annually, depending on specific experience and qualifications. This range reflects the leadership responsibilities, technical expertise, and the cost of living in Berlin.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary package.

• Opportunities for professional development and training.

• Support for personal development and career progression.

• Participation in regular team events and after-work social activities.

• Collaborative and supportive work environment fostering team spirit.

• Contribution to building a digital-native Business Banking experience.

• Potential for hybrid work arrangements.

Working Hours: The role likely involves a standard full-time work week, estimated at 40 hours, with the flexibility expected in a hybrid work environment. This allows for focused work on specific projects and team activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on market data for similar Design Manager roles in Berlin, considering the specified experience level and the tech/finance industry context. The listed benefits are derived from the job description's "what we offer" section and general industry standards for such roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / Financial Services (Fintech/Digital Banking)

Company Size: The DKB Code Factory is described as a "compact" team, but part of the larger DKB group. The "scaling a compact, high-craft design team" suggests the immediate team is small (growing to ~5-6 designers), but the overall organization is likely larger, providing stability and resources.

Founded: DKB Code Factory was established to drive digital innovation within DKB, which was founded in 1996. This indicates a company that values both established financial services and agile, modern tech development.

Team Structure:

• The design team is embedded within multiple product teams, indicating a matrixed structure common in agile environments.

• The Design Manager will report into a higher-level product or technology leadership role, with direct reports being individual product designers.

Methodology:

• The team operates with a focus on user-centered design, driven by research and data insights.

• Agile methodologies such as design sprints and iterative development are likely employed.

• Emphasis on building and maintaining robust design systems and component-driven implementation for scalability and consistency.

• A culture of continuous learning, feedback exchange, and experimentation to improve product KPIs.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes a blend of innovation ("digital-native") and established practice ("Business Banking," part of DKB). The "a_place_to_stay_yourself" and "a_place_to_stay_curious" slogans suggest an environment that values individuality, continuous learning, and a human-centric approach, which is crucial for attracting and retaining creative talent.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a significant step into Design Leadership and People Management within a specialized domain (Business Banking). It's a mid-to-senior level position that requires not only strong design craft but also the ability to build, nurture, and operationalize a design function. The "progressively building and developing a high-performing team" aspect indicates a growth trajectory within the leadership track.

Reporting Structure: The Design Manager will likely report to a Head of Product, VP of Product, or Chief Product Officer, with direct reports consisting of Product Designers. Collaboration will be extensive with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and Researchers.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is centered on enhancing the efficiency, quality, and scalability of the design process for Business Banking products. This directly influences the speed-to-market of new features, the user experience of business customers, and the overall design maturity of the organization. A successful Design Manager will significantly contribute to the product's success and the DKB Code Factory's reputation for high-quality digital solutions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Team Expansion: Opportunity to grow the design team from a small group to a more substantial unit, defining its structure and specialization.

• Strategic Influence: Influence the broader product and technology strategy by championing design-led innovation and process improvements.

• Leadership Development: Develop advanced leadership and management skills, potentially moving into broader product leadership roles or specializing further in Design Operations.

• Industry Expertise: Deepen expertise in Fintech and Business Banking design, becoming a subject matter expert.

• Cross-functional Leadership: Gain experience leading initiatives that span multiple departments and locations (Berlin-Valencia).

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for individuals looking to transition from senior individual contributor roles into management, with a strong emphasis on building and optimizing operational processes within a design context. The growth opportunities are tied to both team development and strategic business impact.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as Hybrid. This suggests a structured approach to in-office work, likely involving regular collaboration days in the Berlin office, complemented by remote work flexibility.

Office Location(s): Primarily based in Berlin, Germany, with expectations for cross-location collaboration with a team in Valencia. This implies that regular travel or virtual collaboration tools are integral to the work environment.

Workspace Context:

• The Berlin office likely provides a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster creativity and teamwork among product teams.

• Expect access to industry-standard design tools (Figma is explicitly mentioned) and potentially other collaboration software for remote team interaction.

• Opportunities for regular interaction with a diverse, international team, including designers, researchers, product managers, and engineers.

Work Schedule: A hybrid work schedule typically allows for a balance between structured in-office collaboration and focused remote work. The 40-hour work week provides a framework, but the nature of design leadership may require flexibility to accommodate project deadlines and team needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature and cross-location collaboration highlight the need for strong communication and process management skills. The workspace context should support both individual deep work and team-based collaborative activities, essential for effective design operations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Talent Acquisition will review applications and resumes to assess initial fit against requirements.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager to delve into leadership experience, team-building philosophy, and strategic vision.

• Portfolio Presentation & Case Study: A key stage where candidates present their portfolio, focusing on research-driven design, leadership impact, and measurable outcomes. This will likely involve a specific case study related to team scaling, process improvement, or product impact.

• Team/Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with potential direct reports (designers) and key collaborators (Product Managers, Engineers, Researchers) to assess collaboration style, cultural fit, and leadership approach.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Product) for final evaluation.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Leadership: Clearly articulate your role in leading teams, mentoring designers, and driving design strategy.

• Quantify Impact: For each project, highlight the measurable results achieved – e.g., improved user satisfaction, increased conversion rates, reduced design cycle times, successful team scaling.

• Process Focus: Detail the processes you implemented or optimized, such as design sprints, workshop facilitation, design system adoption, or feedback mechanisms.

• Problem/Solution/Outcome: Structure case studies using this framework, emphasizing the challenges faced, your strategic approach, and the tangible outcomes.

• Figma & Design Systems: Be prepared to discuss your expertise with Figma and your experience in building or leveraging design systems.

• German & English Fluency: Be ready to conduct parts of the interview or presentation in both languages if required.

Challenge Preparation:

• Candidates may be asked to prepare a short presentation on how they would approach a specific design challenge or how they would scale a team in an ambiguous environment.

• Be ready to discuss your philosophy on design maturity, team culture, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Prepare thoughtful questions about the team's current challenges, growth plans, and the company's vision for design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is critical. Candidates must demonstrate not only design acumen but also operational effectiveness in team building, process definition, and driving measurable results. This is where operations professionals differentiate themselves.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for all design work, including UI design, prototyping, and collaboration (FigJam for whiteboarding and ideation).

• Design Systems: Experience with building, maintaining, and implementing design systems and component libraries is critical for efficient, scalable product development.

• Prototyping Tools: Likely integrated within Figma or other tools for creating interactive prototypes.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Research Tools: Platforms for conducting user interviews, usability testing, and surveys (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback).

• Data Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with tools used to track product KPIs and user behavior (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel) to inform design decisions and measure impact.

• A/B Testing Tools: Experience with experimentation platforms to validate design hypotheses.

CRM & Automation:

• While not explicitly stated for design, understanding how design feeds into CRM and marketing automation platforms can be beneficial for GTM roles.

• Project Management Tools: Tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello are likely used for task management, sprint planning, and workflow tracking within product teams.

• Communication Tools: Slack, Microsoft Teams for daily communication and collaboration across distributed teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with Figma and design systems is a baseline. The role also requires an understanding of how design integrates with research, data analytics, and product development workflows, highlighting the operational aspects of design tooling.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Craftsmanship & Quality: A commitment to high-quality design execution and raising overall design standards.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Fostering open communication and strong partnerships across Product, Engineering, and Research, both within Berlin and with Valencia.

• Continuous Improvement: Embracing experimentation, data-driven insights, and feedback loops to enhance both product outcomes and team processes.

• User-Centricity: A deep-seated focus on understanding and serving the needs of business banking customers.

• Growth & Development: Supporting individual designer growth through structured feedback, mentorship, and learning opportunities.

Collaboration Style:

• Embedded Design: Designers work closely within product teams, fostering deep collaboration.

• Cross-functional Partnership: Strong emphasis on working with research, product management, and engineering to ensure holistic product development.

• Design-Led Facilitation: The Design Manager will actively facilitate workshops and sprints, guiding teams towards alignment and effective problem-solving.

• Remote & In-Person Integration: A balanced approach to collaboration, leveraging tools for remote efficiency while valuing in-person touchpoints for team cohesion and strategic alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes a proactive, collaborative, and results-oriented approach. The "a_place_to_stay_together" aspect highlights a strong community focus, which is key for team engagement and retention in a hybrid, cross-location setup.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling a New Team: Building and structuring a design team from a compact initial group in a potentially ambiguous early-stage environment requires strong operational planning and leadership.

• Cross-Location Cohesion: Maintaining a unified design culture and effective collaboration between Berlin and Valencia teams will require deliberate effort and excellent communication strategies.

• Balancing Leadership & Craft: Successfully transitioning from a hands-on design role to a leadership position that balances team development with strategic oversight and craft standards.

• Driving Design Maturity: Elevating the overall perception and integration of design within the organization, influencing stakeholders across different departments.

• Integrating AI Tools: Exploring and integrating emerging AI tools into design workflows requires experimentation and strategic adoption.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Leadership Development Programs: Access to internal or external training focused on people management, strategic leadership, and operational excellence.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to be mentored by senior leaders within DKB Code Factory or the broader DKB organization.

• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Participation in events focused on design leadership, product strategy, and fintech innovation.

• Specialization in Fintech Design: Deepening expertise in the unique challenges and opportunities within business banking and fintech design.

• Process Optimization: The role itself provides a hands-on opportunity to refine and optimize design operations processes for a growing team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly related to operationalizing a design function and scaling a team within a dynamic environment. The growth opportunities are geared towards developing leadership skills and strategic impact within the fintech sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to defining and evolving a design vision for a product like Business Banking. How would you ensure this vision is adopted and consistently executed across multiple product teams?" (Focus on strategic articulation and operationalization)

• "How would you build and scale a design team from its current size (compact) to approximately 5-6 designers? What are the key operational considerations for hiring, onboarding, and defining ways of working?" (Focus on team building and operational structure)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to DKB Code Factory, and how do you see your leadership style fitting into our culture of 'a_place_to_stay_yourself' and 'a_place_to_stay_curious'?" (Focus on cultural alignment and self-awareness)

• "How would you foster a strong design culture and collaboration between our Berlin and Valencia teams?" (Focus on cross-location strategy and team cohesion)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Structure your presentation around the journey of your leadership growth and impact, detailing your role in team development, process improvement, and product success.

• Quantify Everything: For each case study, clearly state the problem, your solution, the process you followed, and the measurable impact (e.g., % increase in user adoption, % reduction in task completion time, successful team scaling).

• Process Deep Dive: Be prepared to elaborate on the specific design processes, workflows, and tools you implemented or optimized, especially concerning design systems and Figma proficiency.

• Leadership Examples: Include specific examples of coaching designers, managing performance, and fostering a positive team environment.

• Two Languages: Be ready to present and discuss your portfolio in both German and English, demonstrating fluency and adaptability.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design expertise, but also leadership capabilities, operational thinking, and the ability to drive measurable business results through effective team management and process optimization.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the DKB Code Factory careers portal via the provided greenhouse link.

• Tailor your Resume: Highlight your experience in people management, team scaling, design leadership, and cross-functional collaboration. Quantify achievements where possible, focusing on leadership impact and operational contributions.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select case studies that best demonstrate your ability to lead design teams, define and implement design processes, drive measurable product impact, and foster a healthy team culture. Ensure Figma and design system expertise are clearly showcased.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio presentation, focusing on clear storytelling, quantifiable results, and your strategic approach to design leadership and operations. Be ready to present in both German and English.

• Research DKB Code Factory: Understand their mission, values, and current product offerings, particularly in Business Banking. Prepare thoughtful questions about the team's structure, challenges, and future vision.

⚠️ 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.