frog - Product Design Director

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Design Director

Company: frog (a Capgemini company)

Location: London, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / Creative Leadership

Date Posted: February 23, 2026

Experience Level: Senior / Director (implied 10+ years)

Remote Status: On-site (with flexibility for assignments away from home)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and manage high-impact product design projects, ensuring exceptional quality and client satisfaction.

• Drive the advancement of product design methodologies, with a strong focus on integrating AI into the design process.

• Foster a vibrant and collaborative team culture, providing coaching, mentorship, and performance management for design professionals.

• Cultivate and deepen trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders, identifying and nurturing new business opportunities.

• Contribute significantly to business development efforts, with responsibility for winning new work and achieving revenue targets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is positioned as a Director-level position within frog, a Capgemini company, focusing on product design leadership. This implies a significant level of strategic responsibility, client-facing engagement, and team management, with a strong emphasis on driving business growth and innovation, particularly in the context of AI's evolving impact on design. The mention of "hybrid leaders" and a blend of experience across design, research, brand, digital transformation, and strategy suggests a need for versatile leadership capabilities.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee the end-to-end delivery of complex product and service design projects, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and quality standards.

• Ensure project profitability and monitor key metrics such as utilization and margins for all assigned projects.

• Provide strategic counsel to senior client leadership, building and nurturing trusted advisor relationships.

• Lead and inspire design teams through all stages of the design process, from research and ideation to prototyping and final delivery, incorporating AI-driven enhancements.

• Actively participate in and lead new business development efforts, including qualifying opportunities, responding to briefs, and shaping proposals to win a defined revenue target.

• Champion the advancement of frog's product design practice and methodologies, particularly in emerging areas like AI in design.

• Coach and develop team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning, feedback, and high performance.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams within frog and the broader Capgemini network to deliver integrated client solutions.

• Contribute to thought leadership, marketing, and new business initiatives that advance frog's market position.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of client delivery, team leadership, and business development. The emphasis on "project profitability" and "winning a set amount of revenue" indicates a strong commercial expectation for this role, typical of senior leadership positions focused on growth. The specific mention of AI reshaping design processes is a key differentiator requiring candidates to demonstrate forward-thinking capabilities.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Extensive experience (likely 10+ years) in product design, digital transformation, or customer experience design, with a proven track record of taking services and products from concept to market launch.

• Demonstrated experience in leading and managing design teams, including coaching, performance management, and fostering a positive work environment.

• Proven success in building and managing senior client relationships, acting as a trusted advisor.

• Experience in business development, including generating leads, shaping proposals, and achieving revenue targets.

Required Skills:

• Product & Service Design Leadership: Expertise across the full design lifecycle, from user research and insight generation to ideation, concept development, prototyping, and final design delivery.

• AI Integration in Design: A keen interest and practical experience in how AI is reshaping design possibilities and processes.

• Team Management & Coaching: Ability to inspire, lead, and develop design teams, providing constructive feedback and fostering individual growth.

• Client Relationship Management: Skill in building and nurturing trusted advisor relationships with senior client stakeholders.

• Business Acumen & Sales: Strong understanding of project profitability, commercial performance, and experience in business development and winning new work.

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to form thoughtful perspectives, supported by data and conviction, and translate them into impactful design strategies.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience presenting to senior executives and large audiences, facilitating workshops, and leading ideation sessions.

• Familiarity with designing for both digital and non-digital ecosystems.

• A strong understanding of user-centered design principles and methodologies.

• Experience speaking at conferences and contributing to the broader design community.

• Entrepreneurial spirit and ability to leverage resources across frog and Capgemini.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements strongly emphasize practical, hands-on experience in delivering launched products and services, rather than purely strategic or conceptual work. The explicit mention of AI signifies a critical requirement, suggesting that candidates must demonstrate how they have applied or are thinking about applying AI in their design practice. The "10+" years of experience is inferred from the "Director" title and the breadth of responsibilities, including business development and line management.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies of Launched Products/Services: Showcase 2-3 comprehensive case studies detailing projects from inception to successful market launch, demonstrating end-to-end ownership.

• Demonstration of AI Application: Include specific examples or case studies highlighting how AI was used to innovate or improve design processes, user experiences, or business outcomes.

• Process & Methodology Showcase: Illustrate your approach to user research, ideation, prototyping, and final design delivery, detailing the frameworks and tools used.

• Impact & ROI Metrics: Quantify the business impact of your design work, using metrics related to client satisfaction, revenue growth, efficiency gains, or user adoption.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their methods for:
  • Workflow Design & Optimization: How you structure and refine design processes for efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Cross-functional Collaboration: Strategies for integrating design with strategy, research, engineering, and business teams.
  • Quality Assurance: Processes for ensuring high-quality design output and client value.
  • AI Integration Frameworks: How you approach integrating AI tools and insights into the design workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Director-level role, the portfolio should not just present finished work but also demonstrate strategic thinking, leadership, process ownership, and measurable impact. The inclusion of AI in the portfolio is crucial given its emphasis in the job description. Candidates should be ready to articulate their design processes and how they drive efficiency and business results.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for a Product Design Director role in London with significant experience and leadership responsibilities within a major consulting firm like Capgemini (frog), the estimated salary range is likely between £90,000 - £130,000 per annum. This range accounts for the seniority, strategic impact, client-facing responsibilities, and business development expectations.

• Methodology: This estimate is derived from analyzing similar Director-level design roles in London across leading consultancies and agencies, considering factors such as required experience, scope of responsibility (project delivery, team management, business development), and the company's market position. Data sources typically include industry salary surveys, recruitment agency reports, and publicly available compensation data for comparable roles.

Benefits:

• Flexible benefits options to suit personal circumstances.

• Variable compensation element dependent on grade, company, and personal performance.

• Potential for professional development and training opportunities within frog and Capgemini.

• Access to a global network of talent and resources.

Working Hours:

• Standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, with the expectation of flexibility for client needs and project demands. The role requires flexibility for assignments that may involve periods away from home.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on typical compensation for a Director-level role in London. The mention of a "variable element" suggests performance-based bonuses or incentives, common at this level. The "flexibility for assignments" indicates potential travel or client-site work.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Consulting, Technology Services, Digital Transformation, Design Strategy

Company Size: Capgemini is a global organization with 340,000+ employees, while frog operates as a distinct design studio within Capgemini Invent. The London studio likely has a significant team of designers, strategists, researchers, and project managers.

Founded: frog was founded in 1969, and Capgemini was founded in 1967. frog became part of Capgemini in 2011. This blend offers the agility and design-centricity of frog with the scale and breadth of Capgemini.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design Director will report directly to the Head of Product Design.

• The role involves line management of a team of product designers, who are described as "hybrids" with backgrounds in design, research, brand, digital transformation, and strategy.

Methodology:

• Customer-Centric Approach: Focuses on understanding and meeting customer needs to drive business growth.

• Experience Orchestration: Designing and delivering integrated experiences across various touchpoints.

• Data and Technology Harnessing: Utilizing data analytics and technology to inform design decisions and create scalable solutions.

• Agile & Iterative Design: Employing flexible methodologies to adapt to evolving client needs and market dynamics.

• AI Integration: Actively exploring and applying AI to enhance design processes and outcomes.

Company Website: https://www.capgemini.com/gb-en/service/invent/

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is described as curious, collaborative, courageous, positive, and community-oriented, with a blend of performance focus and human experience improvement. The integration of frog into Capgemini Invent provides a unique environment combining design expertise with broader digital transformation capabilities.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Director. This level signifies significant leadership responsibility, strategic input, and a focus on business growth, client relationships, and team development. It's a senior management role with a strong commercial component.

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Head of Product Design. Direct line management responsibility for a team of product designers.

Operations Impact: The Director will have a direct impact on client success, revenue generation for frog, and the advancement of its design practice. Their leadership will shape the quality of work delivered and influence client strategy, contributing to Capgemini's overall growth in the design and digital transformation space.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to grow into broader leadership roles within frog or Capgemini Invent, overseeing larger practices or business units.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape frog's design strategy, methodologies, and service offerings, particularly in emerging areas like AI.

• Business Development Growth: Develop advanced skills in client acquisition, account management, and strategic sales within a major global firm.

• Mentorship & Community Building: Play a pivotal role in nurturing talent and fostering a strong design community within the organization.

• Industry Recognition: Opportunities to contribute to thought leadership, speak at events, and build personal brand within the design and technology industries.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for career progression from a senior design leadership position into broader strategic and commercial leadership within a global organization. The emphasis on AI and innovation provides opportunities for specialization and thought leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in a London studio, which is described as having a "thriving in-person and vibrant virtual culture." This suggests a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster creativity and teamwork.

Office Location(s): London, with flexibility required for assignments at client sites or other frog/Capgemini locations globally, potentially involving periods away from home.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Encourages interaction, knowledge sharing, and community building among team members.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools, likely augmented by Capgemini's broader technology capabilities. Emphasis on leveraging AI tools will be present.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular engagement with direct reports, peers, leadership, and clients through workshops, feedback sessions, and collaborative design sprints.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour week is implied, flexibility is key. The nature of client-facing consulting often requires adaptability to meet project deadlines and client needs, which may involve extended hours or weekend work on occasion.

📝 Enhancement Note: The environment is likely dynamic and fast-paced, characteristic of a leading design consultancy. The blend of in-person and virtual culture suggests a hybrid work model, though the primary expectation is on-site presence in the London studio.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio to assess experience, leadership capabilities, and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A key stage where candidates present their portfolio, highlighting relevant case studies, design processes, leadership experience, and their perspective on AI in design. This will likely involve a discussion with senior design leadership.

• Leadership & Client Scenario Interviews: Behavioral and situational interviews to assess leadership style, client management skills, business acumen, and problem-solving abilities. This may include a case study or prompt related to a client challenge.

• Team & Culture Fit: Interviews with potential team members or peers to evaluate cultural alignment, collaboration style, and leadership approach.

• Final Interview: Typically with the Head of Product Design or a senior Capgemini Invent leader to discuss strategic alignment and finalize the offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 strong case studies that demonstrate end-to-end product/service design, leadership, and measurable impact. Ensure these highlight your experience with AI integration.

• Tell a Story: For each case study, articulate the client's challenge, your role and approach, the design process, key decisions made (especially regarding AI), the solutions developed, and the tangible outcomes achieved.

• Highlight Leadership: Showcase instances where you led teams, managed stakeholders, and influenced client strategy.

• Quantify Impact: Use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your projects (e.g., user adoption, revenue impact, efficiency gains).

• Showcase AI Perspective: Clearly articulate your point of view and practical experience with AI in design. Be ready to discuss its implications for future work.

• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your leadership philosophy, client management approach, business development experience, and how you handle challenging project or team situations.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for potential scenario-based questions or a short design challenge that assesses your strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and ability to articulate your process under pressure.

• Practice presenting your portfolio concisely and engagingly, focusing on the key elements relevant to the Director role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh the candidate's ability to showcase strategic leadership, client management, business development, and a forward-thinking approach to design, particularly with AI. The portfolio is the primary tool for demonstrating these capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Proficiency in industry-standard tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, XD), InVision, etc.

• Prototyping Tools: Expertise in tools like Axure, ProtoPie, Framer, or in-built prototyping features of design platforms.

• User Research & Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with tools for user testing, surveys, session recording (e.g., UserTesting.com, Hotjar, Google Analytics), and qualitative data analysis.

• Collaboration & Project Management: Experience with tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, Confluence, Miro, and Slack for team collaboration and project tracking.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: Ability to interpret data from analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) and CRM systems to inform design decisions and measure impact.

• Business Intelligence Tools: Familiarity with BI tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) for creating dashboards and reporting on key performance indicators.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary focus for a design director, understanding how design impacts user journeys within CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and the role of automation in user experience is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis is on design and collaboration tools. While direct experience with CRM or specific automation tools might not be mandatory, an understanding of how design interfaces with these systems and impacts user journeys is valuable. The ability to leverage and potentially integrate AI tools within this stack is a key differentiator.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Curiosity & Courage: Encouraging exploration of new ideas and bold execution.

• Collaboration & Community: Fostering a supportive environment where individuals contribute to collective success.

• Human Experience Focus: A deep commitment to improving people's lives through thoughtful design.

• Performance & Outcomes: Driving for excellence and delivering tangible results for clients.

• Positivity & Humour: Maintaining an enjoyable and engaging work atmosphere.

• Inclusivity & Diversity: Valuing unique skills and experiences, creating an equitable environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with strategy, research, engineering, and business teams to deliver holistic solutions.

• Open Feedback Culture: Encouraging candid, constructive feedback among team members, leadership, and clients to drive continuous improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in and leading workshops, demos, and knowledge-sharing sessions to elevate the team's collective expertise.

• Client Partnership: Working as an extension of the client's team, building trust and fostering a collaborative approach to problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes a balance between high performance and a positive, inclusive work environment. Collaboration is key, both internally and with clients, with a strong emphasis on continuous learning and shared growth.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Project Delivery with Business Development: Effectively managing time and resources to meet client commitments while actively pursuing and winning new work.

• Integrating AI Seamlessly: Navigating the rapid evolution of AI tools and methodologies to ensure their effective and ethical application in design practice, avoiding hype.

• Leading Diverse & Hybrid Teams: Inspiring and managing a team with varied backgrounds and skillsets, potentially across different locations or work modes.

• Driving Innovation in a Large Organization: Championing new ideas and approaches within the established framework of a global company like Capgemini.

• Managing Client Expectations: Ensuring client satisfaction on complex, often ambiguous projects, while maintaining project profitability.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced AI in Design Training: Access to specialized training and development programs focused on cutting-edge AI applications in design.

• Leadership Development Programs: Opportunities for formal leadership training and executive coaching within Capgemini.

• Industry Conferences & Thought Leadership: Encouragement and support to attend leading design and technology conferences, contributing to industry discourse.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to be mentored by senior leaders within frog and Capgemini, and to mentor emerging talent.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Working on diverse projects across various industries and client types, broadening expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical of a senior leadership role in a fast-paced consulting environment, with a specific focus on the evolving landscape of AI. Growth opportunities are robust, leveraging the scale of Capgemini for career advancement and skill development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led a team through a complex product launch. What were the key challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on leadership, problem-solving, and process.)

• "How have you seen AI impact the product design process? Provide a specific example of how you've leveraged AI to enhance design outcomes or efficiency." (Assess AI understanding and practical application.)

• "How do you build and maintain trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders, especially when facing difficult conversations or project challenges?" (Evaluate client management and communication skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about frog and Capgemini's approach to design and digital transformation?" (Assess cultural fit and understanding of the company's mission.)

• "How do you foster a collaborative and inclusive environment for your design team?" (Evaluate leadership style and team-building capabilities.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Organize your presentation logically, perhaps chronologically for each case study: Challenge -> Your Role & Process -> Solution -> Impact & Learnings.

• Highlight AI Integration: Dedicate specific slides or segments within case studies to explain your use of AI, its benefits, and any challenges encountered.

• Quantify Everything Possible: Use numbers, charts, and graphs to illustrate impact – don't just describe success, prove it.

• Be Concise and Engaging: Respect the interviewer's time. Focus on the most critical aspects and be prepared to elaborate.

• Showcase Leadership in Action: Point to specific instances where you led, mentored, or influenced outcomes.

• **Practice Your Narrative