Director, UX Design (m/f/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Director, UX Design (m/f/d)
Company: DHL Express
Location: Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Category: UX Design & Strategy / Digital Product Design
Date Posted: October 8, 2025
Experience Level: 10+ Years
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and develop a high-performing UX design team focused on creating compelling digital customer experiences across DHL Express platforms.
• Define and execute the UX vision and strategy in alignment with business goals and customer needs for global digital customer solutions.
• Champion user research, data-driven design, and usability testing to inform decision-making and continuous improvement for digital products.
• Drive UX innovation by staying abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends within the complex logistics and supply chain sector.
• Manage stakeholder relationships effectively, balancing business objectives with customer-centric design principles in a global context.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Director-level UX Design leader, indicating significant strategic responsibility and team oversight. The focus on "Digital Customer Solutions" and "Global Customers" suggests a broad scope impacting a large user base and requiring a strategic, data-informed approach to design within the logistics industry. The mention of "indirect oversight of the ITS design team" implies a matrixed management structure and the need for strong collaboration across different functional areas.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a distributed UX design team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Develop and champion the UX vision and strategy for DHL Express's digital customer-facing platforms and solutions.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, and Customer Service, to ensure cohesive and integrated digital experiences.
• Oversee the end-to-end user experience design process, from user research and ideation to wireframing, prototyping, and final implementation.
• Advocate for and implement user research methodologies, data analytics, and usability testing to gather insights and validate design decisions.
• Ensure adherence to UX best practices, including usability, accessibility, and responsive design principles across all digital touchpoints.
• Manage relationships with key stakeholders, effectively communicating design rationale, project progress, and impact on business objectives.
• Drive innovation in UX design by exploring emerging technologies, design trends, and industry best practices relevant to customer solutions.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of digital product development, ensuring customer needs are at the forefront of business priorities.
• Oversee the design team's resource allocation, project prioritization, and delivery timelines to meet business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership, team management, and hands-on design oversight. The emphasis on "global customers," "business priorities," and "stakeholder management" points to a need for strong business acumen and influence. The mention of "Digital Customer Solutions" implies a focus on enhancing customer interaction points with DHL's services.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Design (e.g., UX Design, Interaction Design, Service Design, Industrial Design), Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a related field.
• Preferred: Managerial training or certifications in leadership and team management.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in UX design, with a significant portion in leadership roles managing design teams.
• Proven track record of leading UX design for complex, digital-first environments and delivering impactful customer solutions.
• Experience in defining and executing UX strategy and vision for digital products and platforms.

Required Skills:

• UX Design Expertise: Deep understanding of user-centered design principles, interaction design, information architecture, and visual design.
• Leadership & Team Management: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop high-performing UX design teams, including managing distributed or global teams.
• User Research & Data Analysis: Strong expertise in conducting user research (qualitative and quantitative), usability testing, and leveraging data analytics to inform design decisions.
• Digital Customer Solutions: Extensive experience designing digital solutions that enhance customer experience and drive business outcomes, ideally within a global context.
• Stakeholder Management & Communication: Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and communication skills to effectively manage relationships with senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams.
• Design Tools Proficiency: Familiarity with industry-standard design and collaboration tools such as Figma, Mural, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, etc.
• Facilitation Skills: Demonstrated ability to plan, lead, and execute workshops and design thinking sessions with diverse, cross-functional teams.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to translate customer insights and business objectives into actionable design strategies and roadmaps.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within the logistics, supply chain, or related global transportation industries.
• Knowledge of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and responsive design principles.
• Experience with service design methodologies and creating seamless customer journeys across multiple touchpoints.
• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies and cross-functional team collaboration in such environments.
• Understanding of emerging technologies and their potential impact on customer experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "10 years of experience in leading UX design teams" combined with a focus on "complex, digital-first environments" suggests that candidates with experience in large enterprises or fast-paced tech companies will be highly regarded. The mention of "managerial training" as preferred indicates a desire for candidates with formal leadership development.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies of Impactful UX Projects: Showcase 3-5 comprehensive case studies demonstrating your leadership in UX design for digital customer solutions. Each case study should detail the problem, your role, the design process, key decisions, and measurable outcomes.
• Demonstration of Team Leadership: Include examples of how you have led, mentored, and developed design teams, highlighting team structure, collaboration strategies, and team performance improvements.
• Strategic Vision & Execution: Provide evidence of your ability to define and execute UX vision and strategy that aligns with business goals and enhances customer experience.
• Data-Driven Design Approach: Illustrate how you have used user research, data analytics, and usability testing to inform design decisions and drive iterative improvements.
• Stakeholder Management Examples: Showcase instances where you successfully managed complex stakeholder relationships and influenced strategic decisions through compelling design rationale.

Process Documentation:

• UX Process Frameworks: Be prepared to discuss your established UX process, including how you tailor it to different project needs and team structures.
• User Research Methodologies: Detail your approach to user research, including participant recruitment, data collection, analysis, and synthesis of findings into actionable insights.
• Design Collaboration Workflows: Explain how you facilitate collaboration between UX designers and cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, Marketing) to ensure alignment and efficient delivery.
• Metrics and Measurement: Demonstrate how you define and track key UX metrics (e.g., task success rate, user satisfaction, conversion rates influenced by UX) and report on them to stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Director-level UX role, the portfolio should emphasize strategic impact, leadership, and process maturity. It's crucial to showcase not just individual design contributions but also how the candidate has enabled and led teams to achieve significant business and user outcomes. The ability to articulate and justify processes is paramount.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on the Director level, location in Bonn, Germany, and the extensive experience required (10+ years), a competitive salary range is estimated between €100,000 - €140,000 annually. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, qualifications, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement Savings Plan: Contributing to long-term financial security.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Including vacation days, public holidays, and sick leave.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, conferences, and certifications to enhance UX and leadership skills.
• Employee Discounts: On DHL services and potentially other partner benefits.
• Relocation Assistance: For candidates moving to Bonn, Germany.
• Performance-Based Bonuses: Reflecting individual and company success.
• International Work Environment: Opportunities to work with diverse teams and global projects.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, with potential for flexibility depending on project needs and team agreements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on typical Director-level UX Design compensation in Germany, considering the cost of living in Bonn and the specialized nature of leading global digital customer solutions within a large corporation like DHL. Benefits are standard for large multinational corporations in Germany, with a focus on professional growth relevant to leadership roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Logistics, Express Delivery, Supply Chain Management. DHL Express is a global leader in the logistics industry, renowned for its efficiency, innovation, and extensive global network. The company operates in a dynamic and competitive market, constantly adapting to technological advancements and evolving customer demands.

Company Size: DHL is a massive global enterprise, part of Deutsche Post DHL Group, employing over 600,000 people worldwide across various divisions. This specific role is within DHL Express, a major operating entity.

Founded: Deutsche Post DHL Group has a history dating back to the 15th century, with DHL itself founded in 1969. This long history signifies stability, extensive experience, and a deep understanding of global trade and logistics.

Team Structure:

• The UX Design team is part of the Digital Customer Solutions division, focusing on enhancing the digital touchpoints customers interact with.
• This role directly manages two team members and provides indirect oversight of the ITS (Information Technology Services) design team, suggesting a collaborative structure across dedicated UX and broader IT design functions.
• Close collaboration with Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, and Customer Service is expected, fostering a cross-functional, integrated approach to product development.

Methodology:

• Customer-Centricity: A core tenet of DHL's approach, emphasizing understanding and meeting customer needs through innovative services and user-friendly digital platforms.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing data analytics, user research, and performance metrics to inform strategic and tactical decisions in design and product development.
• Agile & Iterative Development: Likely adoption of agile methodologies to enable rapid iteration, flexibility, and continuous improvement in digital product delivery.
• Global Standardization with Local Adaptation: Developing scalable design solutions that maintain a consistent global brand experience while allowing for necessary localizations to meet diverse market needs.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Operating within a global logistics giant like DHL means navigating complex organizational structures and a diverse customer base. The culture likely emphasizes efficiency, reliability, and innovation, with a strong focus on customer service and operational excellence. The "Great Place to Work" recognition highlights a commitment to employee well-being and a positive work environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a Director level, signifying a senior leadership position responsible for strategic direction, team development, and significant impact on business outcomes. It requires a blend of deep UX expertise, strong management capabilities, and a strategic business mindset.

Reporting Structure: The Director, UX Design will likely report to a VP or SVP of Digital Product, Digital Transformation, or a similar senior executive overseeing customer-facing digital initiatives. They will have direct reports and indirect influence over other design functions.

Operations Impact: The Director of UX Design plays a pivotal role in shaping the end-to-end digital customer experience. Their work directly influences customer acquisition, retention, satisfaction, and operational efficiency by creating intuitive and effective digital tools and platforms. This impact translates directly to revenue generation and brand perception in the highly competitive logistics market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership Expansion: Potential to grow into a VP or Head of UX/Design role overseeing a larger portfolio of digital products or broader design disciplines.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Opportunities to lead larger transformation initiatives or move into broader product leadership roles.
• Industry Expertise Development: Deepening knowledge in logistics, supply chain technology, and global e-commerce trends, becoming a recognized expert in the field.
• Mentorship and Advocacy: Developing emerging design talent and advocating for user-centered design principles across the organization.
• Global Project Exposure: Leading design for initiatives with global reach, offering exposure to diverse markets and complex international business challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: A Director-level role in a company of DHL's scale offers significant opportunities for impact and career advancement, particularly within the growing digital transformation space of the logistics industry. The emphasis on leadership and strategic influence suggests a path towards executive-level roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Bonn, Germany, implying an on-site work environment within DHL's corporate offices. This setting typically fosters collaboration, team cohesion, and direct interaction with colleagues and stakeholders.

Office Location(s): The primary office is located at Fritz-Erler-Strasse 5, 53113 Bonn, Germany. This is DHL Express's Global Head Office, suggesting a central and strategic location within the company's operations.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Offices are likely equipped with meeting rooms, project spaces, and common areas designed to facilitate teamwork and brainstorming sessions.
• Technology-Rich Environment: Access to modern design tools, collaboration software, and necessary IT infrastructure will be standard.
• Global Connectivity: Opportunities to interact with colleagues and teams located across various international offices.
• Professional Atmosphere: As a global headquarters, the environment will be professional, with a focus on efficiency and achieving business objectives.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is typical, with an expectation of flexibility to meet project deadlines and global team coordination needs. This may involve occasional early morning or late afternoon calls to connect with teams in different time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Bonn, at the Global Head Office, suggests a role deeply integrated into the core operations and strategic decision-making of DHL Express. This environment would be ideal for someone who thrives on in-person collaboration and wants to be at the heart of a major global company.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.
• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion with the hiring manager (likely a VP/SVP) focusing on leadership experience, strategic vision, and team management approach.
• Team/Peer Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders, including product managers, engineering leads, and potentially other designers, to assess collaboration skills and technical understanding.
• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where candidates present a selection of their most relevant work, focusing on leadership, strategic impact, and process. This will likely involve discussing case studies of significant UX projects.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a more senior executive to discuss overall fit, strategic alignment, and long-term vision for the UX function.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Strategic Focus: Highlight projects where your leadership and strategic input directly influenced business outcomes and customer satisfaction.
• Leadership Narrative: Emphasize your role in building, mentoring, and leading design teams. Showcase how you fostered a culture of innovation and excellence.
• Process Clarity: Clearly articulate your UX process, including how you adapt it for different contexts and how you integrate user research and data.
• Impact Measurement: Quantify the impact of your work using relevant metrics (e.g., increased conversion rates, improved user satisfaction scores, reduced support tickets, operational efficiency gains).
• Stakeholder Engagement: Demonstrate how you managed stakeholder expectations and built consensus for design decisions.
• Tailor to DHL: Research DHL's digital offerings and customer base. Be prepared to discuss how your experience and vision align with their specific challenges and opportunities in the logistics sector.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Strategy Exercise: You might be asked to outline a UX strategy for a hypothetical DHL digital product or service, or an approach to solving a specific customer pain point.
• Team Management Scenario: Be ready to discuss how you would handle common team challenges, such as managing performance, resolving conflicts, or fostering collaboration within a distributed team.
• Data-Driven Design Discussion: Prepare to discuss how you would leverage data to improve an existing DHL digital experience or validate a new design concept.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio presentation is a critical component for this Director-level role. Candidates should prepare detailed case studies that demonstrate not only design craft but also strategic thinking, leadership, and measurable business impact. Expect questions that probe decision-making processes and leadership philosophy.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable, industry standard), Sketch, Adobe XD.
• Collaboration & Whiteboarding: Mural, Miro, FigJam.
• User Research Platforms: UserTesting.com, Lookback, Hotjar, Google Analytics, survey tools (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics).
• Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello.
• General Productivity: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Workspace.
• Design Systems: Experience with or ability to contribute to/manage design systems.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Power BI, Tableau, custom dashboards.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managed by UX Design, understanding how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation tools impact customer journeys is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in modern design and collaboration tools like Figma and Mural is essential. Experience with analytics platforms and an understanding of how UX impacts conversion rates and customer journeys are also key. The ability to work within a complex enterprise technology landscape is implied.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of DHL's global customers through exceptional digital experiences.
• Excellence & Quality: Striving for the highest standards in design, execution, and team performance, ensuring robust and user-friendly solutions.
• Innovation & Forward-Thinking: Proactively seeking out new technologies, methodologies, and design approaches to keep DHL at the forefront of digital customer solutions.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering an environment where cross-functional teams work together seamlessly, sharing knowledge and supporting each other to achieve common goals.
• Data-Driven Approach: Utilizing insights from user research and analytics to inform strategic decisions and validate design effectiveness.
• Accountability & Ownership: Taking responsibility for outcomes, driving initiatives to completion, and demonstrating a proactive, entrepreneurial spirit.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Close partnerships with Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, and Customer Service teams, ensuring alignment on strategy and execution.
• Open Communication: Encouraging transparent dialogue, constructive feedback, and active listening across all levels and functions.
• Workshop Facilitation: Leading collaborative sessions to brainstorm, problem-solve, and align on design direction.
• Knowledge Sharing: Promoting a culture where best practices, learnings, and insights are shared openly within the design team and across the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: DHL's recognition as a "Great Place to Work" suggests a positive and supportive culture. For this leadership role, expect a strong emphasis on accountability, teamwork, and a results-oriented mindset, balanced with a genuine commitment to employee development and customer satisfaction.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Global Scale & Complexity: Designing for a diverse global customer base with varying needs, cultural contexts, and technological access.
• Legacy Systems & Integration: Navigating and integrating new UX solutions with existing enterprise systems and infrastructure.
• Balancing Competing Priorities: Effectively managing stakeholder expectations and aligning UX strategy with diverse business objectives and technical constraints.
• Driving Design Maturity: Continuously elevating the UX design practice and its strategic influence within a large, established organization.
• Rapidly Evolving Technology: Staying ahead of technological advancements and integrating them effectively into customer solutions.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Leadership Training: Access to executive coaching, leadership development programs, and opportunities to hone strategic management skills.
• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Support for attending leading UX, design, and digital transformation conferences, as well as obtaining relevant certifications.
• Exposure to Global Markets: Gaining in-depth understanding of international business operations and customer behaviors across different regions.
• Mentorship Programs: Opportunities to mentor junior designers and learn from senior leaders within Deutsche Post DHL Group.
• Driving Digital Transformation: Playing a key role in shaping the digital future of one of the world's leading logistics companies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior leadership roles in large, global organizations. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering a path for significant career development and impact within the logistics and digital transformation space.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your philosophy for building and leading a high-performing, globally distributed UX design team." (Focus on recruitment, mentorship, performance management, and fostering collaboration.)
• "How would you define and execute a UX vision for DHL Express's digital customer solutions, aligning with business goals?" (Prepare to discuss strategic frameworks, stakeholder alignment, and iterative planning.)
• "Walk us through a complex digital product you led the UX design for. What were the key challenges, how did you leverage data and user research, and what was the measurable business impact?" (This is where your portfolio presentation shines.)
• "How do you ensure accessibility and inclusivity are integral to the design process across diverse global markets?" (Discuss standards, testing, and cultural considerations.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about DHL Express and its position in the logistics industry? How do you see UX Design contributing to its competitive advantage?" (Research DHL's services, recent news, and digital initiatives.)
• "How do you foster a user-centered culture within an organization that may have different priorities?" (Discuss advocacy, education, and collaboration strategies.)
• "Describe a time you had to influence senior stakeholders who were resistant to a UX-driven approach. How did you build consensus and gain buy-in?" (Prepare a STAR method-based example.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, follow a clear story arc: Problem -> Your Role/Approach -> Process -> Solutions -> Results.
• Quantify Impact: Use data and metrics to demonstrate the tangible business value your design work delivered.
• Highlight Leadership: Clearly articulate your decisions, team management, and strategic contributions, not just individual design tasks.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, research methodologies, and trade-offs made.
• Connect to DHL: Whenever possible, draw parallels between your experience and DHL's business context, showing you've thought about how you'd apply your skills here.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, and a deep understanding of how UX impacts business outcomes in a global enterprise. Be ready to discuss your leadership philosophy and how you drive impact through teams.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the DHL Express career portal.
• Tailor your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your leadership experience, years of UX design management, and specific achievements in digital customer solutions. Use keywords from the job description (e.g., UX Design, Leadership, User Research, Stakeholder Management, Digital Customer Solutions).
• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 3-5 of your most impactful UX case studies that showcase leadership, strategic thinking, and measurable results. Be ready to present these in detail.
• Research DHL Express: Familiarize yourself with DHL's services, digital platforms, and recent company news. Understand their position in the logistics market and their customer base.
• Practice Interview Questions: Rehearse answers to common interview questions, particularly those related to leadership, strategy, problem-solving, and team management, using the STAR method.

⚠️ 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.

---