Head of Design

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Head of Design

Company: Proton

Location: Geneva, Switzerland / London, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Design Leadership / Product & Brand Operations

Date Posted: 2026-04-28

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and scale the global design organization, encompassing both product design (UX/UI, service design) and brand/marketing design (visual identity, campaign creative).

• Define and execute the strategic vision for design at Proton, ensuring a unified and differentiated global experience across all touchpoints.

• Partner closely with executive leadership (CEO, VP Marketing, Heads of Product) to embed design thinking into strategic roadmaps, product launches, and marketing campaigns.

• Foster a culture of creativity, craft, and user-centricity while mentoring and developing a high-performing, multi-disciplinary design team.

• Drive the implementation and scaling of design systems, tools, and processes to enhance efficiency, quality, consistency, and overall design output.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is titled "Head of Design," the responsibilities and required experience strongly indicate a VP-level mandate, focusing on strategic leadership, organizational scaling, and executive partnership, aligning with a VP of Design or Chief Design Officer function in a growing technology company. The dual focus on product and brand design is a key differentiator, requiring a leader capable of bridging these often-siloed disciplines.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and execute a comprehensive design strategy that bridges product and brand, ensuring a cohesive and impactful global user experience aligned with Proton's mission.

• Recruit, structure, mentor, and develop a world-class design and research organization, establishing clear performance metrics and fostering a culture of innovation and user advocacy.

• Collaborate with executive leadership to integrate design into strategic planning, product roadmaps, marketing campaigns, and brand initiatives, ensuring design excellence across all company endeavors.

• Oversee the entire design lifecycle for major product lines and brand campaigns, including user research, UX/UI design, service design, prototyping, user testing, visual design, motion graphics, and interactive experiences.

• Ensure the Proton brand identity is consistently strong, scalable, and adaptable across all platforms, including digital, mobile, web, marketing collateral, physical spaces, and events.

• Drive the adoption and scaling of design systems, tools, and operational processes to maximize efficiency, maintain high quality, ensure consistency, and support company growth.

• Champion user needs and privacy-first design principles throughout the product development and brand communication processes.

• Monitor, measure, and report on key design impact metrics (e.g., user experience, brand perception, conversion rates, retention, campaign effectiveness), iterating and optimizing strategies based on data.

• Represent Proton's design capabilities externally through speaking engagements, building the company's design reputation, and managing relationships with creative agencies and partners.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strategic and operational leadership role. The emphasis on "privacy-first design principles" and "advocating for users" suggests a need for a leader who can translate mission-driven values into tangible design outcomes and operational processes. The requirement to manage both product and brand design indicates a need for a leader with a broad design spectrum and strong organizational design capabilities.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong educational foundation in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Marketing, or a related field is expected, demonstrated through experience and portfolio.

Experience: A minimum of 15+ years of progressive experience in design leadership roles, with a significant portion in global technology companies or leading creative agencies. Proven experience in building and scaling design organizations is critical.

Required Skills:

• Design Leadership & Strategy: Proven ability to define and execute a strategic vision for design, aligning it with business objectives and company mission.

• Organizational Design & Scaling: Demonstrated track record of building, scaling, and managing high-performing, multi-disciplinary design teams (product & brand).

• Product Design Expertise: Deep understanding and hands-on experience with user research, UX/UI design, service design, prototyping, and user testing.

• Brand & Marketing Design Expertise: Strong experience in developing and managing visual identity, campaign creative, and brand experience across various touchpoints.

• Design Systems Management: Expertise in building, implementing, and scaling comprehensive design systems for consistency and efficiency.

• Stakeholder Management & Executive Influence: Exceptional ability to collaborate with and influence executive-level stakeholders across product, marketing, engineering, and operations.

• User-Centricity & Privacy Advocacy: A profound commitment to user-centered design principles, with a specific emphasis on privacy-first design integrated into all outputs.

• Global Design Acumen: Experience designing for diverse global audiences, understanding cultural nuances, and maintaining brand consistency across international markets.

• People Development & Mentoring: Strong leadership skills in mentoring senior designers, fostering talent, and cultivating a culture of craftsmanship and innovation.

• Communication & Storytelling: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with polished presentation abilities and a knack for compelling storytelling.

• English Fluency: Native or near-native proficiency in English.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in rapidly growing, mission-driven technology companies.

• Familiarity with open-source communities and principles.

• Additional languages beyond English.

• Experience with data analysis to inform design decisions and measure impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of "15+ years" and the dual leadership scope (product and brand) suggest this is a senior executive role. The emphasis on "global technology company" positions it within a specific industry context. The "privacy-first design" element is a unique and critical requirement that candidates must demonstrate expertise in. The requirement for both product and brand design leadership is a significant differentiator, indicating a need for a holistic design leader.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing end-to-end design impact, from initial user research and strategic planning through to UX/UI execution, brand visual identity, and campaign creative.

• Case studies demonstrating leadership in building and scaling design teams and functions within global technology environments.

• Examples of successfully defined and executed design strategies that have driven significant business impact (e.g., growth, engagement, retention, brand equity).

• Evidence of leading the development and implementation of robust design systems that have improved efficiency, consistency, and quality across product and brand.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of established process frameworks for managing the design lifecycle, from ideation and research to final delivery and iteration, for both product and brand initiatives.

• Documentation or case studies illustrating the development and scaling of design operations, including team structures, performance metrics, and workflow optimization.

• Evidence of how design thinking principles have been embedded into broader company processes and strategic decision-making.

• Case studies detailing how design systems have been managed, evolved, and scaled to support a growing product portfolio and brand presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Head of Design role, the portfolio must be exceptionally strong, demonstrating strategic vision, execution capability, and leadership in scaling. The emphasis on "end-to-end work" and "business impact" means candidates should present case studies that clearly articulate the problem, their solution, the process, and the measurable results, specifically highlighting their role and leadership. The inclusion of both product and brand work within the portfolio is a critical requirement.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on research for VP-level Design leadership roles in Geneva and London, for a company like Proton (tech-focused, privacy-driven, high-caliber talent), the estimated annual salary range is:

• Geneva, Switzerland: CHF 180,000 - CHF 250,000+

• London, England, United Kingdom: £150,000 - £220,000+

This range accounts for extensive experience, leadership scope, and the high cost of living in both locations.

Benefits:

• Work That Matters: Opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven company protecting fundamental human rights and privacy.

• Exceptional Team: Collaboration with highly talented individuals from elite academic and professional backgrounds.

• Technology Investment: Provision of high-quality hardware and software to facilitate optimal work performance.

• Accelerated Career Growth: Significant opportunities for professional development, ownership, and rapid career advancement.

• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Strong health coverage, robust retirement plan options, generous paid time off, and wellness support.

• Equity Stake: Stock options granted from day one, providing a direct stake in the company's success.

• In-Person Collaboration: Access to modern office spaces in Geneva, Zürich, Barcelona, London, and other locations, fostering face-to-face teamwork.

• Daily Meals: Complimentary lunch and snacks provided daily at the office.

• Commuting Support: Coverage for public transport, bike allowances, or parking to ease commute.

• Flexible Working: Emphasis on outcomes over strict clock-in times, allowing for schedule ownership and flexibility.

Working Hours: While specific hours are flexible and outcomes-oriented, a standard full-time commitment is expected, with in-office collaboration days likely required. The role will necessitate significant time investment due to its strategic importance and global scope.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior executive design roles in high-cost-of-living European tech hubs, considering Proton's reputation for hiring top talent. The benefits listed are directly taken from the job description and are highly attractive, particularly the stock options, mission alignment, and focus on high-caliber teams. The "flexible working" is balanced by the "in-person collaboration" requirement, suggesting a hybrid model with an expectation of regular office presence.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (Software, Cybersecurity, Privacy), with a strong emphasis on user privacy and digital freedom. Proton operates in a unique space, providing essential encrypted services that empower individuals globally.

Company Size: 700+ employees, indicating a significant growth phase where organizational structure, processes, and leadership are crucial for continued scaling.

Founded: 2014, by scientists from CERN. This origin story highlights a deep technical foundation and a commitment to rigorous, science-backed solutions.

Team Structure:

• The design organization will be structured under this role, encompassing both Product Design (UX/UI, Service Design, User Research) and Brand/Marketing Design.

• The Head of Design will report directly to executive leadership (likely the CEO or a COO/Chief Product Officer) and will be a key member of the senior leadership team.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Utilizing user data, analytics, and A/B testing to inform design decisions and measure impact.

• User-Centricity: A deep focus on understanding and serving user needs, with a particular emphasis on privacy requirements.

• Agile & Iterative Development: Embracing fast-paced iteration and continuous improvement in both product and brand design.

• Privacy by Design: Integrating privacy considerations into every stage of the design and development process.

• Open Source Principles: A commitment to transparency and community contribution, as evidenced by their open-source projects.

Company Website: https://proton.me/

📝 Enhancement Note: Proton's reputation as a privacy-focused tech company is a significant cultural element. The "top 1% of applicants" hiring philosophy implies a highly competitive and high-performance environment. The company's independent status (no VC control) suggests a focus on long-term mission and user value over short-term financial gains, which will influence design and brand strategy.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a pinnacle leadership position within the design function, equivalent to a VP or Chief Design Officer. It involves extensive strategic planning, organizational development, and executive decision-making, influencing the company's overall trajectory and brand perception.

Reporting Structure: The Head of Design will report directly to the CEO or a similarly senior executive. They will lead a global team composed of product designers, brand designers, and potentially user researchers, overseeing multiple sub-teams or disciplines.

Operations Impact: The design function under this leadership will be a critical driver of Proton's success. By ensuring a superior, unified, and privacy-conscious user experience across all products and brand touchpoints, design will directly impact user acquisition, retention, brand loyalty, and overall market differentiation. Design will be a strategic partner in shaping product roadmaps and marketing strategies.

Growth Opportunities:

• Organizational Leadership: Opportunity to build and shape a world-class, global design organization from a significant growth stage.

• Strategic Influence: Direct impact on company-wide strategy, product direction, and brand positioning at the highest levels.

• Skill Expansion: Broadening expertise across both product and brand design disciplines, as well as executive-level management and operations.

• Mission Impact: Contributing directly to a mission that protects fundamental human rights and privacy for millions worldwide.

• Industry Recognition: Potential to represent Proton's design excellence externally, elevating personal and company profiles in the tech and design communities.

📝 Enhancement Note: This is a role for an established leader looking to make a significant impact on a mission-critical product. The growth opportunities are centered around strategic leadership, organizational scaling, and contributing to a globally recognized privacy brand, rather than just individual skill progression. The "accelerated career" mentioned in benefits is highly applicable here.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, with a strong emphasis on in-person collaboration. Proton maintains offices in key European cities, indicating a structure that values face-to-face interaction for brainstorming, team building, and strategic alignment.

Office Location(s): Geneva, Zürich, Barcelona, London, and potentially other locations. Candidates will likely be based in or willing to relocate to Geneva or London.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Offices are designed to encourage collaboration, with dedicated areas for team meetings, workshops, and informal interactions.

• Technology Enabled: Access to the necessary hardware, software, and tools to support high-level design work, including advanced design software and potentially specialized hardware.

• Cross-functional Interaction: The role necessitates regular interaction with diverse teams across product, engineering, marketing, and operations, both in person and remotely.

Work Schedule: While individual schedules are flexible and outcomes-focused, the hybrid model and emphasis on collaboration imply a need for regular presence in the office during core working hours, especially for team syncs and strategic meetings. The "outcomes matter more than clock-in times" philosophy suggests a results-driven environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role, combined with the emphasis on in-person collaboration, suggests a need for candidates comfortable with structured office presence while retaining flexibility. The global nature of the team means asynchronous communication will also be a factor, but key strategic discussions will likely be prioritized for face-to-face or synchronous virtual meetings.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio, focusing on leadership experience, scope of responsibility (product & brand), and impact.

• Hiring Manager/Executive Interviews: In-depth discussions about design strategy, leadership philosophy, organizational scaling experience, and alignment with Proton's mission. Expect questions around how you've built and managed teams, defined design vision, and driven business impact.

• Portfolio Presentation: A formal presentation of your portfolio, likely involving detailed case studies demonstrating end-to-end design work, strategic decision-making, and leadership in action. This will be a critical evaluation point.

• Cross-functional Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with Heads of Product, VP Marketing, and potentially Engineering leads to assess collaboration style, strategic alignment, and ability to influence across departments.

• Final Executive/CEO Interview: A final discussion to assess cultural fit, strategic alignment, and overall suitability for the executive leadership team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Leadership & Strategy: Clearly articulate your role in defining vision, strategy, and team growth, not just individual design contributions.

• Present End-to-End Impact: Use case studies to demonstrate how your design leadership has driven tangible business outcomes (e.g., user growth, engagement, brand perception, revenue). Quantify results wherever possible.

• Highlight Dual Expertise: Ensure your portfolio effectively showcases your capabilities in both product design (UX/UI, service design) and brand/marketing design (visual identity, campaign creative).

• Emphasize Privacy-First Design: Integrate examples and explanations of how you've incorporated privacy considerations into your design processes and outcomes.

• Demonstrate Scalability: Provide examples of how you've built processes, systems, and teams that can scale effectively in a high-growth environment.

• Storytelling: Structure your presentation as a compelling narrative. Explain the context, the challenge, your approach, your team's execution, and the ultimate impact.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss hypothetical scenarios related to scaling design at Proton, balancing product needs with brand consistency, and fostering a privacy-first culture.

• Anticipate questions about how you would measure design's impact on business objectives and user satisfaction.

• Prepare to articulate your leadership philosophy, team-building strategies, and approach to mentoring senior designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a role of this caliber will be rigorous and multi-faceted. The portfolio presentation is paramount and should be tailored to demonstrate the specific requirements of the role: leadership, dual expertise (product/brand), strategic impact, and privacy focus. Candidates should prepare to speak extensively about their experience in scaling and managing complex design functions.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping Software: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects), InVision, Principle, Axure, or similar advanced tools for UX/UI, visual design, and prototyping.

• User Research Platforms: Tools for user interviews, usability testing, surveys, and analytics (e.g., UserTesting.com, Hotjar, Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel).

• Design System Management Tools: Figma (for component libraries), Storybook, or custom-built systems for managing UI components and guidelines.

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack, Notion, or similar platforms for team workflow and communication.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web & Mobile Analytics: Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel, Firebase Analytics for tracking user behavior, conversion funnels, and engagement metrics.

• Business Intelligence Tools: Tableau, Power BI, Looker for data visualization and reporting, especially in relation to design impact on business KPIs.

• Brand Monitoring Tools: Platforms for tracking brand sentiment, market perception, and campaign performance.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM: Salesforce, HubSpot, or similar for understanding user segments and customer journeys, though less direct for a design leader, understanding its data is beneficial.

• Marketing Automation: HubSpot, Marketo, Pardot for understanding campaign execution and performance metrics relevant to brand marketing.

• Integration & API Knowledge: Familiarity with how design outputs integrate with development workflows and marketing platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the Head of Design may not be hands-on with all tools daily, they must have a deep understanding of the capabilities and strategic implications of the various tools used by their teams and for measuring design's impact. Proficiency in modern design collaboration tools like Figma and a solid grasp of analytics platforms are essential.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Privacy as the Default: A foundational value that permeates all aspects of the company, from product development to brand messaging. Design leadership must champion and operationalize this.

• User-Centricity: A strong commitment to understanding and serving user needs, ensuring products and communications are intuitive, effective, and trustworthy.

• Excellence & Craftsmanship: A dedication to high-quality work, attention to detail, and continuous improvement in design execution and process.

• Impact & Mission Alignment: A focus on delivering meaningful work that contributes to Proton's mission of protecting privacy and empowering users.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Open communication, knowledge sharing, and a collaborative spirit across teams and disciplines.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Partnership: Design will work hand-in-hand with Product, Engineering, Marketing, and Operations, acting as a strategic partner rather than a service provider.

• Constructive Feedback Culture: Encouraging open, honest, and constructive feedback within the design team and with cross-functional partners to drive continuous improvement.

• Shared Ownership: Fostering a sense of collective responsibility for the user experience and brand integrity across the entire organization.

• Data-Informed Decision Making: Valuing data and research as key inputs for design decisions, balanced with creative intuition and strategic foresight.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at Proton is heavily influenced by its privacy mission and its hiring philosophy. The Head of Design will need to embody these values and ensure they are translated into the design team's operations and output. A leader who can foster both high standards of craft and a deep sense of purpose will thrive here.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Product and Brand Design: Effectively integrating and harmonizing the strategic and operational needs of both product design and brand/marketing design under one leadership umbrella.

• Scaling Design Operations: Rapidly scaling the design function to meet the demands of a fast-growing, global technology company while maintaining high quality and a strong culture.

• Maintaining Privacy Focus: Ensuring that the core value of privacy remains paramount and is seamlessly integrated into all design decisions and user experiences, especially as the product suite expands.

• Global Consistency vs. Local Adaptation: Developing strategies to maintain a strong, consistent global brand identity while respecting cultural nuances and local market needs.

• Influencing Executive Strategy: Effectively advocating for design's strategic importance and securing buy-in from executive leadership for significant design initiatives.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Executive Leadership Development: Opportunities to hone executive-level strategic planning, financial acumen, and organizational leadership skills.

• Broadening Design Spectrum: Deepening expertise and strategic oversight across the full spectrum of design, from deep UX research to large-scale brand campaigns.

• Impact on a Global Mission: Contributing directly to a high-impact mission that has significant real-world implications for user privacy and digital freedom.

• Building a World-Class Team: The satisfaction and learning that comes from attracting, developing, and retaining top design talent on a global scale.

• Industry Thought Leadership: Potential to become a recognized voice in the design community, particularly concerning privacy-first design and mission-driven organizations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be orchestrating and scaling two distinct but related design disciplines under a unified vision. Success will depend on the leader's ability to build robust operational frameworks, foster strong cross-functional relationships, and champion the core values of privacy and user-centricity.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you define and execute a unified design strategy that encompasses both product and brand for a global privacy-focused tech company like Proton?"

• "Describe your approach to building, scaling, and mentoring a high-performing, multi-disciplinary design organization. What key metrics would you establish for success?"

• "How do you ensure that privacy-first design principles are not just a consideration, but a core driver of user experience and brand messaging in a product like Proton's?"

• "Walk us through your experience in partnering with executive leadership (CEO, VP Marketing, Heads of Product) to embed design into strategic roadmaps and business initiatives."

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to Proton's mission and our commitment to privacy? How does this align with your personal values and professional aspirations?"

• "Describe a time you had to influence stakeholders at the executive level to adopt a design-led strategy or initiative. What was the outcome?"

• "How do you foster a culture of innovation, craftsmanship, and user-centricity within a design team, especially one operating in a fast-paced environment?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: Begin with an overview of your leadership philosophy and strategic approach to design.

• Select Impactful Case Studies: Choose 3-5 projects that best showcase your leadership in both product and brand design, your ability to drive business impact, and your experience in scaling design functions.

• Quantify Results: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your strategic solution, the process, your specific role and leadership, and the measurable outcomes (e.g., % increase in conversion, improved NPS, brand recall metrics, adoption rates).

• Highlight Privacy Integration: Explicitly discuss how privacy was a consideration and how it was translated into design solutions within your examples.

• Demonstrate Scalability: Explain the processes and systems you implemented that allowed for growth and maintained quality.

• Prepare for Deep Dives: Be ready to answer detailed questions about your decision-making process, challenges faced, and team dynamics for each case study.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to speak extensively about their strategic thinking, operational experience in scaling design teams, and their ability to influence at the executive level. The portfolio presentation should be a masterclass in demonstrating leadership impact and a deep understanding of user-centric, privacy-first design in a global tech context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Head of Design position:

• Submit your application through the Proton Careers portal via the provided link: https://job-boards.eu.greenhouse.io/proton/jobs/4848724101

• Tailor Your Resume: Optimize your resume to highlight your extensive design leadership experience (15+ years), specific achievements in both product and brand design, and proven track record of building and scaling global design organizations. Use keywords from the job description such as "Design leadership," "Product Design," "Brand Design," "Strategic Vision," "Team Building," "Design Systems," and "Global."

• Curate Your Portfolio: Develop a robust portfolio that clearly demonstrates end-to-end design leadership, strategic impact, organizational scaling capabilities, and your approach to privacy-first design. Ensure it showcases both product and brand design expertise with quantifiable results.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio presentation thoroughly, focusing on storytelling, clear articulation of strategic decisions, and demonstration of measurable business impact. Be ready to discuss your leadership philosophy and how you would approach the role at Proton.

• Research Proton: Deeply understand Proton's mission, products, and values. Familiarize yourself with their brand communication, user experience, and commitment to privacy. Prepare to articulate how your leadership style and design philosophy align with the company's ethos.

⚠️ 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.