Head of Design

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Head of Design
Company: XION
Location: NYC, Europe - Remote / Hybrid
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Creative & Media / Marketing / Management & Leadership
Date Posted: 2025-06-28
Experience Level: 5-10 Years
Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end design and brand vision for a high-growth tech scale-up, revolutionizing the modern internet with cutting-edge solutions.
• Bridge the gap between Web3 and Web2 conventions through bold and dynamic design thinking, onboarding new audiences while retaining disruptive DNA.
• Own and shape the creative, brand, and design output across social, video, events, and viral channels.
• Define and evolve the brand’s visual identity, ensuring consistency and innovation across digital, marketing, and product platforms.
• Drive high-impact campaigns that blend compelling storytelling with executional excellence.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Head of Design," the responsibilities and required skills lean heavily into Creative Direction and Brand Leadership within a tech and Web3 context. The role emphasizes strategic vision and execution across multiple creative disciplines, rather than purely operational design management.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define, evolve, and maintain the company's global brand visual identity, ensuring consistency and innovation across all digital, marketing, product, and communication platforms.
• Develop and implement scalable design systems to streamline creative workflows, enhance brand coherence, and ensure efficient asset creation and deployment.
• Oversee the conceptualization and execution of design for marketing campaigns, social media content, video production, event materials, and viral initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with Product, Marketing, and Engineering teams to translate complex ideas into compelling, user-centric experiences and product interfaces.
• Manage and mentor internal designers, freelance creative talent, and external agencies, fostering a culture of creativity, accountability, and high-quality output.
• Harness cutting-edge AI tools (e.g., MidJourney, Veo3) and traditional design software (e.g., CS, AE, Blender, Houdini, Figma, Wordpress/Webflow, Final Cut) to push creative boundaries and accelerate design processes.
• Drive the creative strategy for high-impact campaigns, focusing on powerful storytelling and exceptional execution to achieve mass adoption and brand recognition.
• Act as a key creative advisor and thought leader, contributing to the overall strategic direction of the company's brand and market presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities highlight a strategic leadership role that blends creative direction with practical execution across a wide array of design disciplines. The emphasis on bridging Web2 and Web3, and leveraging AI tools, points to a forward-thinking approach to design strategy.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical knowledge and extensive creative experience is paramount. A background in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Fine Arts, or a related creative field is often foundational.
Experience: Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive experience in design leadership roles, either within an agency setting or in-house at a company, with a proven track record of creativity and execution at a senior level.

Required Skills:

• Design Leadership & Creative Direction: Proven ability to lead creative teams, set design vision, and drive innovative creative output.
• Branding & Visual Identity: Expertise in defining, evolving, and maintaining a strong, consistent brand visual identity across diverse platforms.
• Design Systems: Proficiency in creating, implementing, and scaling design systems for efficiency and coherence.
• User-Centric Design Principles: Ability to translate complex concepts into intuitive and compelling user experiences.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Skill in working effectively with product, marketing, engineering, and leadership teams.
• Storytelling: Ability to craft visually compelling narratives that resonate with target audiences.
• Animation & Motion Graphics: Proficiency in tools and techniques for creating dynamic motion graphics and animations.
• Video Production & Editing: Experience in conceptualizing, directing, and editing video content.
• Web Design & Development Principles: Familiarity with web design tools (e.g., Wordpress, Webflow) and an understanding of web development best practices.
• AI Design Tools: Hands-on experience with AI generative art and design tools (e.g., MidJourney, Veo3) for accelerating creative processes and exploring new aesthetics.
• Project Management & Agency/Freelancer Management: Ability to manage internal teams, external agencies, and freelance talent effectively.

Preferred Skills:

• Web3/Blockchain Industry Experience: Familiarity with the nuances of Web3, blockchain technology, and their implications for design and branding.
• Viral Marketing & Social Media Strategy: Experience in creating content and campaigns designed for broad social reach and virality.
• 3D Design & Animation Software: Proficiency in tools like Blender or Houdini for advanced visual content creation.
• Experience in High-Growth Startup Environments: Demonstrated ability to thrive and adapt in fast-paced, dynamic startup settings.
• International Brand Building: Experience in shaping and scaling a brand on a global level.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills list is extensive, covering a broad spectrum of creative and leadership competencies. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate expertise not only in traditional design disciplines but also in emerging technologies like AI and in sectors like Web3, showcasing adaptability and a forward-thinking approach.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Case Studies: Showcase 3-5 significant projects that demonstrate your leadership in defining and executing brand vision, visual identity, and creative campaigns. Each case study should clearly articulate the challenge, your strategic approach, the design solutions, and the quantifiable impact.
• Design System Examples: Include examples of design systems you have architected or significantly contributed to, highlighting their scalability, consistency, and impact on workflow efficiency.
• Cross-Disciplinary Work: Present a diverse range of work that spans branding, social media content, video/animation, event collateral, and user-centric design for digital platforms.
• AI-Generated Content Showcase: Include examples where AI tools were strategically used to enhance or accelerate the creative process, demonstrating innovative application of these technologies.
• Brand Evolution Examples: If possible, showcase instances where you have successfully evolved or revitalized a brand's visual identity.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Optimization: Be prepared to discuss how you have designed and optimized creative workflows, managed project pipelines, and integrated new tools or methodologies (like AI) to improve team efficiency and output quality.
• Design System Implementation Strategy: Detail your approach to developing and deploying design systems, including stakeholder buy-in, documentation standards, and ongoing maintenance.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration Frameworks: Explain how you structure collaboration with Product, Marketing, and Engineering teams, ensuring seamless integration of design into broader business objectives.
• Agency/Freelancer Management Processes: Describe your methods for briefing, managing, and evaluating external creative partners to ensure alignment with brand standards and project goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this role, requiring not just visual examples but also detailed explanations of strategic thinking, process implementation, and measurable outcomes. The inclusion of AI tools and design systems indicates a need for candidates who can demonstrate both creative vision and operational efficiency in their work.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Highly competitive base salary plus token packages.
Note: Specific salary figures are not provided, but given the company's $36M funding, focus on Web3, and the strategic senior nature of the role, a base salary in the range of $200,000 - $300,000+ USD per year is a reasonable expectation for a Head of Design in NYC, with further adjustments based on precise experience and negotiation. Token packages represent a significant additional compensation component.

Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation: A strong base salary designed to attract top-tier talent.
• Token Packages: Equity in the form of company tokens, offering participation in the company's growth and success.
• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO): Flexibility and trust in employees to manage their time and take necessary breaks for well-being and sustained creativity.
• Health & Wellness: (Assumed standard for a funded tech scale-up, details may vary) Potential for comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, workshops, and conference attendance to stay at the forefront of design and Web3 innovation.
• Remote Work Flexibility: The ability to work remotely, offering a flexible work-life balance.

Working Hours: While specific hours are not defined, a standard full-time commitment is expected, likely around 40 hours per week, with flexibility to accommodate project deadlines and global team collaboration. The unlimited PTO suggests a focus on results and well-being over strict hour tracking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The compensation structure includes both traditional salary and a significant token component, common in Web3 companies. Unlimited PTO is a key perk that signals a culture valuing autonomy and results. Salary estimation is based on industry benchmarks for senior design leadership in major tech hubs, adjusted for the Web3 sector and company funding.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (Web3/Blockchain Infrastructure)
Company Size: Fast-growing tech scale-up (specific employee count not provided, but implied to be rapidly expanding beyond initial startup phase, likely 50-200+ employees).
Founded: The company is a "tech scale-up" with significant funding ($36M), suggesting it has moved beyond the initial seed stage and is in a period of rapid growth and market expansion.

Team Structure:

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role emphasizes close collaboration with Product, Marketing, and Engineering teams, indicating a highly integrated approach to development and go-to-market strategies.
• Leadership Alignment: You will work alongside an experienced and award-winning blockchain CMO and a former CD of an international marketing group, suggesting a high level of strategic direction and creative mentorship available.
• Decentralized & Autonomous: As a fast-growing scale-up, the culture likely embraces autonomy and empowers individuals to take ownership of their domains.
• Innovation-Focused: The company's mission to revolutionize the modern internet with cutting-edge solutions indicates a culture that values innovation, experimentation, and pushing boundaries.

Methodology:

• User-Centricity: A core principle is removing complexities to create user-friendly applications, highlighting a commitment to user experience in design and product development.
• Data-Informed Creativity: While creativity is paramount, the collaboration with marketing and product teams suggests that design decisions will be informed by data and user insights.
• Agile & Iterative: Typical of scale-ups, design and development processes are likely agile, allowing for rapid iteration and adaptation based on market feedback and technological advancements.
• Bridging Web2 & Web3: A key operational challenge and cultural driver is effectively merging the conventions and user expectations of Web2 with the innovative potential of Web3.

Company Website: [Company URL provided as null, but inferred to be XION's official website]

📝 Enhancement Note: XION is positioned as a disruptive force in the Web3 space, aiming for mass adoption by simplifying blockchain complexities. The culture is expected to be fast-paced, innovative, and collaborative, with a strong emphasis on creative excellence and user-centricity. The leadership team's background suggests a blend of deep industry expertise and established creative talent.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Head of Design / Senior Creative Leadership. This role represents a significant leadership position, responsible for setting strategic direction and managing a core function of the company. It's a critical role for a scale-up aiming for global brand recognition.
Reporting Structure: The Head of Design will likely report directly to a C-level executive, such as the CEO, CMO, or Chief Product Officer, given the strategic importance of the role. They will manage internal designers and external agencies.
Operations Impact: The Head of Design has a direct and profound impact on XION's market perception, user acquisition, and brand equity. By simplifying complex Web3 concepts into accessible and engaging designs, this role is crucial for driving mass adoption, which is a primary business objective. The success of marketing campaigns, product interfaces, and overall brand narrative hinges on the design leadership provided.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape the foundational brand and design strategy of a rapidly scaling company with significant funding and market potential.
• Leadership Development: Lead and mentor a team of designers, fostering their growth and building a high-performing creative function.
• Industry Leadership: Become a recognized leader in the emerging field of Web3 design, contributing to the evolution of user interfaces and brand experiences in this space.
• Technological Mastery: Deepen expertise in cutting-edge design tools, including advanced AI applications and 3D rendering, pushing the boundaries of digital creativity.
• Entrepreneurial Experience: Gain invaluable experience within a high-growth startup environment, contributing to business strategy and market expansion.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity to build a brand from a relatively early stage in a high-potential industry. The growth path is less about climbing a traditional corporate ladder and more about expanding influence, mastering new technologies, and contributing to the strategic success of a disruptive company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Remote OK / Hybrid. The company operates with a flexible model, allowing individuals to work remotely or in a hybrid capacity. This suggests a trust-based culture that prioritizes output and flexibility over strict office presence.
Office Location(s): While the job posting mentions "NYC, Europe - Remote" and "hybrid," it implies a distributed team with potential hubs or coordination points in major tech/business centers like New York City and across Europe. This offers candidates flexibility in their physical location.

Workspace Context:

• Digital-First Collaboration: Expect a heavily digital and remote-first collaboration environment, utilizing various communication and project management tools to maintain connectivity and productivity.
• Tool-Rich Environment: Access to a comprehensive suite of design, animation, web, and AI tools is expected, empowering the design team to execute at a high level.
• Dynamic & Fast-Paced: The "fast-growing tech scale-up" nature implies a dynamic, sometimes demanding, but also exciting work environment where adaptability and proactivity are key.
• Creative Freedom: The emphasis on creativity and originality suggests an environment that encourages experimentation and empowers designers to bring bold ideas to life.

Work Schedule: Flexible, with an expectation of approximately 40 hours per week. The "unlimited PTO" policy underscores a focus on results and employee well-being, allowing for autonomy in managing one's work schedule to meet project demands and personal needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-first, flexible environment is a significant aspect of this role. Candidates should be comfortable with asynchronous communication, digital collaboration tools, and managing their own productivity without direct physical oversight. The hybrid option suggests potential for in-person collaboration days if desired or necessary.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess alignment with the role's requirements, focusing on leadership experience, creative output, and relevant industry exposure.
• Creative & Strategic Discussion: An interview with the hiring manager (likely CMO or CEO) to delve into your design philosophy, leadership style, and strategic thinking regarding brand building in Web3.
• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present selected case studies from your portfolio, detailing your process, problem-solving approach, and the impact of your work. This is where you'll demonstrate your ability to blend creativity with tangible results.
• Cross-Functional Team Interview: Meetings with key stakeholders from Product, Marketing, and Engineering teams to assess your collaboration skills and ability to integrate design into broader business functions.
• Final Assessment: A concluding interview, potentially with senior leadership, to discuss cultural fit, long-term vision, and final compensation.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your leadership, strategic thinking, and ability to execute across diverse creative disciplines (branding, social, video, web, AI).
• Focus on Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the business objectives, your role, the challenges you overcame, your design process, and the measurable outcomes (e.g., user engagement, brand recognition, conversion rates).
• Demonstrate Process: Explain your thinking behind design decisions, not just the final visuals. Highlight how you use design systems, AI tools, and user research.
• Storytelling is Key: Present your portfolio not as a collection of images, but as compelling narratives of problem-solving and creative achievement.
• Tailor to XION: Research XION's current brand, mission, and target audience. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and vision can elevate their brand and contribute to their mass adoption goals.

Challenge Preparation:

• Brand Vision Exercise: Be prepared for a potential prompt to outline your vision for XION's brand and design direction, or to critique and propose improvements to their current visual identity.
• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Anticipate questions about how you would approach specific design challenges, such as simplifying a complex Web3 concept for a mainstream audience or designing for a viral social campaign.
• Process & Tooling Discussion: Be ready to discuss your experience with design systems, AI tools, and your strategies for managing creative workflows and cross-functional collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to thoroughly assess both creative capabilities and strategic leadership. The portfolio presentation is a critical component, requiring candidates to articulate their value proposition with clarity and evidence. Preparation should include deep research into XION and the Web3 landscape.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects), Figma.
• 3D & Animation: Blender, Houdini, Cinema 4D (preferred).
• Video Editing: Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro.
• Web Design/CMS: Wordpress, Webflow.
• AI Design Tools: MidJourney, Veo3, Stable Diffusion, DALL-E for image generation and creative exploration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel (for understanding user behavior on digital platforms).
• Social Media Analytics: Native platform analytics (Twitter, Discord, etc.), third-party tools for tracking campaign performance.
• Project Management Tools: Asana, Jira, Trello, Monday.com for workflow management and team coordination.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a design tool, familiarity with CRM platforms (e.g., HubSpot, Salesforce) and marketing automation tools is beneficial for understanding campaign integration and user journey mapping.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is broad, reflecting the diverse responsibilities of the role. Proficiency in industry-standard design software is expected, but a strong emphasis is also placed on emerging AI tools and platforms for web content and video production. Candidates should be able to demonstrate practical application of these tools in their portfolio.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Originality: Valued "above all else," driving innovation and unique brand expression.
• Boldness & Dynamism: Encouraging a proactive, energetic approach to design and brand building.
• User-Centricity: Commitment to removing complexities and creating accessible, user-friendly experiences.
• Collaboration & Integration: Fostering strong partnerships across departments to achieve common goals.
• Excellence & Accountability: Driving high-impact campaigns with exceptional execution and taking ownership of outcomes.
• Innovation & Disruption: Embracing cutting-edge solutions and challenging conventional approaches in the tech and Web3 space.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated & Cross-Functional: Design is seen as integral to product, marketing, and engineering, requiring seamless collaboration and communication.
• Mentorship & Growth: A culture that supports the development of internal talent and encourages sharing of expertise.
• Agile & Iterative Feedback Loops: Openness to feedback and iterative design processes to refine creative output.
• Data-Informed Decision Making: While creativity leads, design decisions are influenced by user data and market insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be a blend of creative freedom and strategic execution, driven by a mission to simplify Web3 for mass adoption. Collaboration is key, and individuals are expected to be proactive, innovative, and results-oriented.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Bridging Web2 & Web3: Effectively translating the complex, often technical, nature of blockchain and Web3 into universally understandable and appealing design for a broad audience.
• Maintaining Brand Cohesion: Ensuring a consistent and innovative brand identity across a rapidly expanding range of digital, marketing, and product touchpoints.
• Managing Rapid Growth: Scaling creative output and team capabilities to match the pace of a fast-growing scale-up.
• Leveraging Emerging Technologies: Integrating new AI and creative tools effectively to enhance, rather than complicate, the design process and output.
• Defining a New Category: Establishing a strong, unique brand voice and visual language in a nascent and rapidly evolving industry.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Web3 Design Specialization: Become an expert in designing for decentralized technologies and user adoption in the Web3 space.
• AI in Creative Workflows: Deepen expertise in the application and integration of AI tools for content creation, ideation, and process optimization.
• Global Brand Strategy: Gain experience in building and scaling a brand on an international level within a high-growth tech environment.
• Leadership & Team Building: Develop advanced skills in managing, mentoring, and growing a creative department.
• Industry Visibility: Opportunity to represent the company at industry events and contribute to thought leadership in design and Web3.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are significant but are directly tied to the exciting growth and innovation potential of the company and its industry. Successfully navigating these challenges presents substantial opportunities for professional growth and industry impact.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach defining and evolving the visual identity for a company aiming to bridge Web2 and Web3 for mass adoption?"
• "Describe your philosophy on building and scaling design systems in a fast-paced startup environment."
• "Walk us through a campaign you led that successfully blended storytelling with executional excellence. What were the results?"
• "How do you envision leveraging AI tools like MidJourney and Veo3 to enhance creative output and accelerate design processes for XION?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What is your understanding of XION's mission and how would your design leadership contribute to its success?"
• "How do you foster a culture of creativity and accountability within a design team?"
• "Describe your experience working with product, marketing, and engineering teams. How do you ensure effective collaboration and alignment?"
• "What are your thoughts on XION's current brand presence, and where do you see opportunities for creative enhancement?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your strategic approach, the creative solution, your specific contributions (especially as a leader), and the measurable impact.
• Showcase Versatility: Present a range of work that highlights your expertise across branding, digital design, social media, video, and AI-driven creativity.
• Highlight Process & Tools: Explain your design process, how you utilized design systems, and specifically demonstrate your application of AI tools.
• Quantify Impact: Use data and metrics whenever possible to demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs and campaigns.
• Connect to XION: Be prepared to articulate how your past successes and vision align with XION's goals for mass adoption and brand building in the Web3 space.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a blend of strategic vision, creative execution, leadership capability, and a forward-thinking approach to design, particularly concerning Web3 and AI technologies.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Head of Design position:

• Submit your application through the provided Greenhouse link.
• Craft a Compelling Portfolio: Curate your strongest work, focusing on leadership in brand identity, creative campaigns, design systems, and innovative use of AI tools. Ensure each project clearly articulates strategy, process, and impact.
• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your experience in design leadership, creative direction, cross-functional collaboration, and any relevant Web3/startup environments. Use keywords from the job description.
• Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your design philosophy, vision for XION's brand, and how you would drive creative excellence within a fast-paced scale-up. Practice presenting your portfolio case studies with a focus on strategy and measurable results.
• Research XION: Thoroughly understand XION's mission, technology, target audience, and current market positioning to demonstrate genuine interest and strategic alignment during interviews.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with XION through the application process before making any application decisions.