Head of Design

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Head of Design
Company: Platzi
Location: Bogotá, Colombia
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Design Leadership / Product Design / Brand & Visual Design
Date Posted: October 04, 2025
Experience Level: 5-10 Years
Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and cultivate a high-performing design team encompassing visual and product designers, ensuring cohesive and strategic output.
• Drive the development of scalable design systems, emphasizing a scientific approach rooted in human perception and design philosophy.
• Foster a culture of clarity, creativity, and purpose-driven design, with a strong focus on the "why" and "how" behind design decisions.
• Collaborate closely with product and marketing teams to ensure design initiatives are strategically aligned with overarching business objectives and user needs.
• Maintain and elevate Platzi's brand identity and product design standards through rigorous process and innovative solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior leadership opportunity within the design function, requiring not only hands-on design system expertise but also strategic team leadership and a deep understanding of user psychology as it relates to design. The emphasis on a "scientific approach to design" and "human perception" suggests a data-informed, user-centric methodology is paramount.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee and mentor a team of visual designers and product designers, providing clear direction, constructive feedback, and professional development opportunities.
• Develop and implement a scalable design system architecture that supports rapid iteration, brand consistency, and cross-platform usability across Platzi's digital products and marketing materials.
• Champion a design philosophy that prioritizes understanding user needs, motivations, and cognitive processes to create intuitive and impactful experiences.
• Guide the design team in defining and documenting design processes, standards, and best practices to ensure quality, efficiency, and scalability.
• Act as a key liaison between the design team and cross-functional departments, including Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, and Sales, to ensure seamless integration of design into the product development lifecycle.
• Present design strategies, system updates, and key project outcomes to executive leadership, articulating the rationale and impact of design decisions.
• Drive innovation in design by staying abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and user experience best practices, and incorporating them into Platzi's design strategy.
• Ensure brand consistency across all touchpoints, from user interfaces and marketing collateral to internal communications and educational content.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibility revolves around leading the design function strategically, focusing on system building and team empowerment. While the original description is clear, this expansion emphasizes the leadership, strategic alignment, and process-driven aspects expected of a Head of Design in a rapidly growing ed-tech company.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Graphic Design, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience demonstrating a strong foundation in design principles and methodologies.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in design leadership roles, with a proven history of managing and growing teams of visual and product designers.
• Demonstrated expertise in developing and implementing comprehensive design systems, including style guides, component libraries, and design tokens.
• Extensive experience in product design, user experience (UX) design, and user interface (UI) design for digital platforms, with a portfolio showcasing successful product launches or significant design improvements.
• A track record of building and maintaining strong brand identities through visual design and cohesive brand messaging.

Required Skills:

• Design Leadership & Team Management: Ability to inspire, mentor, and manage diverse design talent.
• Design Systems Expertise: Proficiency in designing, building, and scaling robust design systems.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to align design initiatives with business goals and user needs.
• Communication & Presentation: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex design concepts and rationale clearly to various stakeholders.
• Problem-Solving: A scientific and analytical approach to identifying design challenges and developing innovative solutions.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with Product, Engineering, Marketing, and other departments.
• Bilingual Fluency: Fluent in both English and Spanish, enabling seamless communication across Platzi's diverse user base and internal teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the EdTech industry or with online learning platforms.
• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies and their application within design workflows.
• Knowledge of front-end development principles to foster better collaboration with engineering teams.
• Experience with user research methodologies and incorporating user feedback into the design process.
• Proficiency in advanced design and prototyping tools beyond basic functionality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "scientific approach to design" implies a need for candidates comfortable with data analysis, A/B testing, and user research to validate design decisions, rather than relying solely on intuition. The bilingual requirement is critical for a company serving the Latin American market.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design System Showcase: Detailed examples of design systems built or significantly contributed to, demonstrating scalability, component structure, and implementation guidelines.
• Process Documentation: Clear documentation of design processes used, from ideation and user research to prototyping, testing, and implementation, highlighting efficiency improvements.
• Brand Identity Evolution: Case studies illustrating the development or refinement of brand identity, showcasing visual language, brand guidelines, and their application.
• Product Design Impact: Examples of digital product design that highlight user-centric problem-solving, intuitive interfaces, and measurable improvements in user engagement or conversion rates.
• Team Leadership Examples: Evidence of leading design teams, managing projects, and fostering a collaborative design environment, possibly including team structure and workflow examples.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Demonstrated ability to map out, analyze, and optimize design workflows for efficiency and effectiveness, particularly in a remote or hybrid setting.
• System Implementation Strategy: A clear understanding of how to roll out and maintain design systems across multiple product lines and teams, including governance and adoption strategies.
• Performance Measurement: Methods used to track and measure the impact of design initiatives, design systems, and team efforts on key business metrics and user satisfaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Head of Design role, the portfolio is crucial for demonstrating not just design output, but also leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to build and scale design operations. The emphasis should be on the process behind successful design outcomes and system implementation, not just the final visuals.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for Head of Design roles in Bogotá, Colombia, with 5-10 years of experience, particularly in tech/ed-tech companies operating remotely, the estimated salary range is COP $12,000,000 - COP $18,000,000 per month. This estimate considers the cost of living in Bogotá, the senior level of the role, and the company's reported employee stock options, which can significantly increase total compensation.

Benefits:

• Hardware Provision: 100% of necessary work tools provided, including laptop, smartphone, desk, ergonomic chair, monitor, and accessories, ensuring a comfortable and productive remote workspace.
• Book Stipend/Kindle: Access to all necessary professional development books on Kindle, with the Kindle device provided.
• Generous Maternity/Paternity Leave: Extended leave to support gender equity and parental involvement in childcare.
• Stock Options (Option Pool): Opportunity for all team members to own a part of Platzi through company shares, aligning employee success with company growth.
• Paid Vacation: 15 days of vacation per year from the start of employment, regardless of location.
• Online Therapy Support: Coverage for the first four online therapy sessions per year, prioritizing employee emotional well-being.
• In-Person Team Syncs: Regular in-person meetings throughout the year for team building, idea exchange, and strategic planning.
• Villa Platzi Retreat: Annual company-wide gathering at a global location for face-to-face interaction, strategic discussions, and project planning.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week) are expected, with flexibility for remote work. The role requires availability for essential team syncs and strategic discussions, potentially outside of standard hours due to distributed teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary is an estimate based on Colombian market data for senior design leadership in the tech sector. The inclusion of stock options is a significant benefit that can alter the overall compensation package substantially and should be a key point of discussion during the interview process.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Online Education / EdTech / Technology
Company Size: 500-1000 Employees (estimated based on Platzi's reported 5 million students and significant company presence)
Founded: 2011

Company Description: Platzi is a leading online education platform in the Hispanic world, dedicated to making Latin America a technology superpower. With millions of students and corporate clients, Platzi offers courses in AI, Cybersecurity, Programming, English, and Leadership, operating primarily remotely with key hubs in Bogotá, Medellín, and Mexico City. The company emphasizes a strong, fanatic community, extensive press coverage, and a culture that values curiosity, purpose, and impactful learning.

Team Structure:

• The design team likely operates within a matrixed structure, with designers reporting to the Head of Design but also collaborating closely with Product Managers and Engineering leads on specific product initiatives.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a key tenet, with design deeply integrated into product development and marketing strategy.
• The remote-first nature necessitates strong asynchronous communication protocols and intentional efforts for team cohesion.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on understanding how users perceive and experience design, suggesting a reliance on user research, A/B testing, and analytics to inform design decisions.
• Iterative Development: A culture that embraces agility and continuous improvement, allowing for rapid iteration and refinement of design solutions.
• Purpose-Driven Creation: A focus on the "why" behind design, connecting every decision back to Platzi's mission and student/company success.

Company Website: https://platzi.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Platzi's unique culture, highlighted by their "please read before applying" links (platzi.com/notrabajar and platzi.com/cultura), suggests a need for candidates who are self-aware, deeply aligned with the company's mission, and comfortable with candid communication. The "fanatic community" implies a passion for the product and its impact.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior leadership role, Head of Design, positioned at the executive or senior director level within the design function. It involves strategic oversight, team building, and significant influence on product direction and brand perception.

Reporting Structure: The Head of Design will likely report to a C-suite executive, such as the Chief Product Officer (CPO), Chief Technology Officer (CTO), or Chief Executive Officer (CEO), depending on Platzi's organizational structure. They will, in turn, manage a team of visual and product designers.

Design Impact: The Head of Design's influence is critical to Platzi's success.

• Product Success: High-quality, user-centric design directly impacts student engagement, course completion rates, and user satisfaction, which are key metrics for an online education platform.
• Brand Perception: A strong, consistent brand identity reinforces Platzi's credibility, market position, and appeal to both individual learners and corporate clients.
• Revenue Growth: Effective product design and marketing collateral can drive user acquisition, retention, and conversion, directly contributing to revenue.
• Operational Efficiency: Scalable design systems reduce development time and costs, allowing for faster feature releases and more efficient product iteration.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership: Opportunity to shape the long-term design vision and strategy for a rapidly growing, mission-driven company.
• Team Expansion: Lead the growth and development of Platzi's design team, potentially building out specialized functions (e.g., UX research, content design).
• Cross-Functional Influence: Deep collaboration with senior leadership across Product, Marketing, and Technology offers exposure to broader business strategy.
• Industry Impact: Contribute to the advancement of design practices within the EdTech sector and Latin America.
• Entrepreneurial Environment: Within a growth-stage company, there are often opportunities to influence processes and take on broader responsibilities beyond the immediate role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers significant opportunity for strategic impact and professional growth, aligning with Platzi's mission to empower individuals and companies through technology education. The ability to influence product direction and build a world-class design function is a key draw.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Platzi operates on a primarily remote-first model, with key physical hubs in Bogotá, Medellín, and Mexico City. This means the Head of Design will primarily work remotely, with potential for occasional travel to these hubs for in-person team syncs and company gatherings.

Office Location(s):

• Bogotá, Colombia: A primary office location, likely serving as a hub for local employees and team meetings.
• Medellín, Colombia: Another key office location.
• Mexico City, Mexico: A significant presence in another major Latin American market.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Work Setup: Employees are empowered with fully provisioned hardware and accessories to create an optimal home office environment.
• Collaborative Digital Space: Reliance on digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, video conferencing, project management software) to maintain team connection and facilitate asynchronous communication.
• In-Person Gatherings: Intentional opportunities for face-to-face interaction through regular team syncs and the annual "Villa Platzi" retreat, fostering strong interpersonal bonds and strategic alignment.

Work Schedule:

• While the core work schedule is full-time (approx. 40 hours/week), the remote-first nature offers flexibility in managing one's day. However, the Head of Design must be available for critical meetings, team syncs, and cross-functional collaborations that may span different time zones across Latin America.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-first approach, coupled with intentional in-person gatherings, aims to balance flexibility with team cohesion and strategic alignment. Candidates should be comfortable with asynchronous communication and proactive in maintaining connections within a distributed team.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of applications and portfolios by the HR/Recruiting team, followed by a brief introductory call to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.
• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: A more in-depth discussion with the direct hiring manager (likely a C-level executive) and potentially other senior leaders. This stage will focus on design philosophy, leadership experience, and strategic thinking.
• Portfolio Deep Dive & Case Study: A dedicated session where the candidate presents their portfolio, elaborating on key projects, design systems, and leadership experiences. Expect a detailed discussion on their approach to problem-solving, team management, and driving design impact. This may involve a specific design challenge or case study presentation relevant to Platzi's business.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Product, Marketing, and Engineering to assess collaboration skills and alignment across departments.
• Cultural Fit & Values Assessment: Discussions focused on Platzi's unique culture, as outlined in their provided links, to ensure alignment with company values and working style.
• Final Interview/Offer: A concluding conversation with senior leadership, followed by an offer if successful.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your leadership, design system expertise, product design impact, and ability to drive measurable results. Prioritize quality over quantity.
• Focus on the "Why" and "How": For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, the challenges encountered, and the outcomes achieved. Emphasize your design philosophy and scientific approach.
• Highlight Design Systems: Dedicate a significant portion to your experience building and managing design systems. Show the architecture, components, governance, and impact of these systems.
• Demonstrate Leadership: Include examples of how you've mentored, managed, and grown design teams. Showcase your leadership philosophy and collaborative approach.
• Tell a Story: Present your portfolio with a narrative that connects your experiences to Platzi's mission and the requirements of the Head of Design role.
• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your design initiatives (e.g., increased conversion rates, improved user satisfaction scores, reduced development time).

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Platzi's Context: Thoroughly research Platzi's mission, target audience, product offerings, and competitive landscape.
• Design System Thinking: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach designing or evolving a design system for an online education platform with a diverse user base.
• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Anticipate questions about how you would handle common design challenges, such as balancing competing stakeholder needs, managing remote teams, or driving adoption of new design processes.
• Cultural Alignment: Be ready to discuss how your values and working style align with Platzi's unique culture, referencing their provided links.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not only design acumen but also leadership capabilities, strategic thinking, cultural alignment, and the ability to thrive in a remote-first, mission-driven environment. A well-prepared, narrative-driven portfolio presentation is key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable, industry standard for collaborative design systems), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects for motion graphics).
• Design System Management: Storybook (common for documenting components), Zeroheight, or custom documentation platforms.
• Project Management & Collaboration: Jira, Asana, Trello, Monday.com for task tracking and workflow management.
• Communication: Slack, Zoom, Google Meet for real-time and asynchronous team communication.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics: Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude for tracking user behavior, engagement, and conversion funnels.
• A/B Testing Tools: Optimizely, VWO, Google Optimize for experimental design validation.
• Data Visualization: Tableau, Looker, or internal BI tools for presenting design impact data.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM: Salesforce, HubSpot (less likely for design team, but important for context in working with Sales/Marketing).
• Marketing Automation: HubSpot, Marketo (for understanding marketing collateral design needs).
• Integration Tools: Familiarity with how design assets integrate into development pipelines (e.g., via APIs, code repositories).

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is almost a prerequisite for modern design systems work. The Head of Design should be comfortable with a suite of tools spanning design, prototyping, documentation, project management, and analytics to effectively lead the team and demonstrate design impact.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Purpose-Driven Impact: A deep commitment to Platzi's mission of empowering Latin America through technology education, with design decisions directly contributing to student success and growth.
• Curiosity & Scientific Exploration: A proactive and analytical mindset, constantly seeking to understand how users perceive and interact with design, and using this knowledge to innovate.
• Clarity & Creativity: Fostering an environment where ideas can be expressed clearly and creatively, balancing user needs with business objectives and aesthetic appeal.
• Collaboration & Inclusivity: Building a supportive and collaborative design team that values diverse perspectives and works effectively across different functions and geographies.
• Ownership & Accountability: Taking responsibility for design outcomes, from system architecture to individual project success, and being accountable for delivering high-quality, impactful solutions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Design is not siloed but is an integral partner in product development and marketing strategy, requiring constant communication and collaboration with Product Managers, Engineers, and Marketers.
• Feedback-Rich Environment: An open culture where constructive feedback is welcomed and used for continuous improvement of both designs and processes.
• Asynchronous Excellence: Strong emphasis on clear, concise written communication and documentation to facilitate effective collaboration across time zones and remote locations.
• Intentional Connection: Proactive efforts to build relationships and foster a sense of camaraderie within the remote team, complemented by in-person gatherings.

📝 Enhancement Note: Platzi's culture appears to be a blend of mission-driven passion, intellectual curiosity, and a pragmatic, collaborative approach to execution, especially in a remote setting. Candidates should demonstrate alignment with these values.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling Design Systems: Ensuring the design system remains robust, scalable, and adaptable as Platzi continues to grow its product offerings and user base across diverse markets.
• Balancing Remote & In-Person Collaboration: Effectively fostering team cohesion, creativity, and efficient workflows within a primarily remote environment, while maximizing the impact of periodic in-person gatherings.
• Aligning Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Navigating the needs and priorities of various departments (Product, Marketing, Engineering, Sales) to ensure design solutions meet strategic objectives without compromising user experience or brand integrity.
• Driving Design Adoption: Ensuring that the design system and new design processes are effectively adopted and utilized by product teams and other stakeholders across the organization.
• Measuring Design Impact: Continuously refining methods for quantifying the value and ROI of design initiatives, demonstrating their contribution to Platzi's business goals.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Design Leadership: Deep dive into executive-level strategic planning as it pertains to design within a fast-growing EdTech company.
• Scaling Operations: Gaining experience in building and scaling design operations, processes, and teams in a high-growth, international context.
• EdTech Innovation: Contributing to cutting-edge design solutions within the rapidly evolving online education landscape.
• Cross-Functional Expertise: Developing a broader understanding of product management, marketing strategy, and engineering principles through close collaboration.
• Mentorship & Executive Presence: Opportunities to mentor junior designers and develop stronger executive communication and influencing skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to a fast-growing tech company, offering significant opportunities for professional development in areas like scaling, remote leadership, and strategic influence.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Philosophy & Approach: "Describe your design philosophy. How do you approach understanding human perception in design, and how has this informed your work on scalable design systems?" (Prepare to discuss your "scientific approach" and provide concrete examples.)
• Team Leadership & Development: "How would you build, lead, and mentor a design team (visual and product designers) in a remote-first environment? What are your strategies for fostering creativity and ensuring high-quality output?" (Highlight experience with remote team management and mentorship.)
• Design System Strategy: "Walk us through your process for designing, implementing, and governing a scalable design system. What are the key components, challenges, and best practices for ensuring adoption?" (Be ready to present a case study from your portfolio.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Cultural Alignment: "Having read platzi.com/notrabajar and platzi.com/cultura, how do you see yourself fitting into our unique culture? What aspects resonate most with you, and how do you handle candid feedback or challenging work environments?" (Show genuine engagement with their provided materials.)
• Mission & Impact: "How does Platzi's mission to make Latin America a technology superpower align with your personal career goals and your passion for design?" (Connect your work to Platzi's impact.)
• Collaboration: "How do you ensure effective collaboration between design, product, and engineering teams, especially in a remote setting? Describe a time you successfully navigated conflicting priorities between departments." (Use STAR method for examples.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Structure your presentation with a clear beginning (problem/goal), middle (process/solution), and end (results/impact). Ensure a compelling story for each selected project.
• System Showcase: Dedicate specific slides or sections to your design system work. Visually demonstrate components, guidelines, and provide metrics on efficiency gains or consistency improvements.
• Leadership Evidence: Integrate examples of your leadership and team management within project case studies or have dedicated slides that illustrate your management style and team development strategies.
• Data-Driven Justification: For each case study, present the "why" behind your design decisions, supported by user insights, data, or A/B test results. Quantify the impact whenever possible.
• Conciseness & Clarity: Be mindful of time. Present your strongest work clearly and be prepared to answer in-depth questions rather than trying to cover every detail of every project.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes Platzi's unique culture and the candidate's ability to lead strategically in a remote environment. Thorough preparation of the portfolio, focusing on the narrative, process, and impact, is critical for success.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Head of Design position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workable link.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your experience with design systems, team leadership, and product design impact. Tailor your presentation to highlight how your skills and philosophy align with Platzi's mission and culture.
• Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your 5+ years of design leadership experience, emphasizing achievements in building scalable design systems and leading diverse teams in remote or hybrid settings. Use keywords such as "Design Systems," "Product Design," "Brand Identity," "Team Leadership," "Remote Work," and "Bilingual."
• Cultural Research: Thoroughly review Platzi's provided links (platzi.com/notrabajar, platzi.com/cultura) to understand their unique culture and values. Be prepared to discuss your alignment during interviews.
• Interview Practice: Rehearse your portfolio presentation, focusing on storytelling, demonstrating your design process, quantifying impact, and articulating your leadership approach. Prepare to answer questions about remote team management and scientific design principles.

⚠️ 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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