Head of Design / Design Lead

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Head of Design / Design Lead
Company: FounderNest
Location: Madrid, Spain (Hybrid) / Remote within Spain
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Product Design Leadership / UX/UI Design
Date Posted: September 8, 2025
Experience Level: 5-10 Years
Remote Status: Hybrid (Madrid) or Fully Remote (within Spain)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and mentor a talented Design team, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment to drive product innovation.
• Champion a deeply user-centric approach, ensuring continuous user discovery and translating complex needs into intuitive, delightful product experiences.
• Drive outcome-driven design, focusing on measurable impact through adoption, usability, and contribution to key business metrics.
• Spearhead the strategic integration of AI advancements into the design process, enhancing product capabilities and user workflows.
• Partner closely with Product Management and Engineering to form a Product Trio, ensuring seamless alignment and accelerated execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a leadership opportunity within a fast-paced, AI-native tech startup. The emphasis on "outcome-driven design," "continuous discovery," and "strategic partnering" within a "Product Trio" structure indicates a highly collaborative and impact-focused environment typical of modern product development teams. The explicit mention of AI advancements suggests the company is at the forefront of leveraging new technologies.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and grow the Design team, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Work closely with the Co-Founder & COO/CPO and the broader product team to define and execute the product design vision.
• Conduct extensive user research, including shadowing and in-depth interviews with senior corporate stakeholders, to deeply understand user pain points, needs, and workflows.
• Translate user insights and business objectives into compelling design solutions, prototypes, and detailed specifications that accelerate product development.
• Own and champion the product's usability and user experience, ensuring intuitive interfaces and delightful interactions across all user journeys.
• Develop and maintain scalable design systems, reusable components, and consistent design patterns to ensure product coherence and efficiency.
• Leverage AI tools and methodologies for rapid prototyping, experimentation, and validation of design concepts.
• Collaborate effectively within the Product Trio (Product Manager, Engineering Lead) to align on priorities, scope, and trade-offs.
• Ensure design artifacts are high-quality and accelerate engineering execution, contributing to the "Dual-Track Agile" discovery and delivery process.
• Stay abreast of industry design trends, particularly in AI-enabled workflows, personalization, and decision-making tools, to drive product differentiation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of leadership, hands-on design execution, and strategic thinking. The expectation to "lead by example" in user shadowing and the emphasis on "usability risk ownership" underscore the critical nature of user empathy and product quality. The "Product Trio" collaboration model is a key indicator of the team's operational structure.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio and proven experience in product design are paramount. A background in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a related field is beneficial.
Experience: 5+ years of experience in Product Design within product-driven, fast-paced tech startups. Experience in SaaS B2B companies and the corporate innovation industry are considered significant advantages.

Required Skills:

• Product Design Expertise: Proven track record in end-to-end product design, from discovery to delivery, within a tech startup environment.
• Leadership & Management: Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and grow a design team.
• User-Centricity & Continuous Discovery: Deep commitment to understanding users through shadowing, interviews, and continuous feedback loops.
• Outcome-Driven Design: Ability to connect design efforts directly to business impact, user adoption, and key metrics.
• English Communication: Professional proficiency in both spoken and written English (mandatory); ability to conduct demanding discovery sessions independently and translate insights into clear documentation.
• Agile & Lean Methodologies: Experience with Dual-Track Agile, rapid prototyping, and lean experimentation.
• AI Integration: Familiarity with leveraging AI tools to enhance design processes and product experiences.
• Systems Thinking: Ability to design scalable workflows, reusable design systems, and holistic user journeys.
• Collaboration: Strong ability to partner effectively within a Product Trio and with cross-functional stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience as a Product Designer for SaaS B2B companies.
• Experience in the corporate innovation industry.
• Spanish language proficiency (a plus).

📝 Enhancement Note: The mandatory requirement for high-level English communication is a critical filter. The emphasis on "product-driven" environments and "fast-paced tech startups" suggests candidates should be comfortable with ambiguity, rapid iteration, and a high degree of autonomy.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a strong foundation in product design principles and user-centered methodologies.
• Highlight at least 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating end-to-end product design processes, from problem definition through to launched solutions.
• Include examples of your work in user research, wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and usability testing.
• Demonstrate how your design decisions directly contributed to measurable business outcomes (e.g., increased adoption, improved conversion rates, enhanced user satisfaction).
• Present examples of your leadership and team management experience, if applicable.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of creating and maintaining design systems, style guides, or component libraries.
• Documentation of experience with Agile methodologies, including participation in discovery and delivery sprints.
• Examples of translating complex user insights and technical requirements into clear, actionable design artifacts for engineering teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates will be expected to present a portfolio that not only showcases design quality but also demonstrates strategic thinking, process discipline, and a clear understanding of how design impacts business goals within a startup context. The emphasis on "measurable outcomes" is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Competitive salary based on past experience and future potential. While a specific range isn't provided, for a Head of Design/Design Lead role with 5-10 years of experience in Madrid, Spain, comparable roles typically range from €55,000 - €80,000 annually, depending on the startup's funding stage and the candidate's specific expertise.

Benefits:

• Stock Options: Equity participation to align personal growth with company success.
• Flexible Schedule: Autonomy to organize working hours to achieve ambitious goals, with an expectation of common sense availability.
• Unlimited Vacation Policy: Encourages work-life balance, contingent on team coordination and goal achievement.
• 90/10 Policy: 10% of time (bi-weekly Fridays) dedicated to innovation and professional growth.
• Birthday Policy: Acknowledgment and gift for birthdays.
• Equipment: Provision of necessary equipment to perform the role effectively.
• Full-time Contract: Standard employment contract, not freelance.

Working Hours: Full-time (estimated 40 hours per week), with a flexible schedule. Availability is expected for team collaboration and necessary meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general market data for similar roles in Madrid. The benefits package emphasizes flexibility, professional development, and employee well-being, which are attractive perks for senior operations and design professionals. The "90/10 policy" is a strong indicator of the company's commitment to innovation and employee development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: AI-native technology, focused on Market Intelligence for corporations.
Company Size: Early-stage startup, likely growing rapidly from its founding at Stanford.
Founded: Founded by Stanford and Wharton/Google alums.

Team Structure:

• The Design team will be led by this role and is described as "close-knit."
• This role will work directly with the Co-Founder & COO/CPO (formerly Product at Google) and the entire product team.
• Collaboration occurs within a "Product Trio" (Product Manager, Product Designer, Product Engineering Lead).
• The company emphasizes a lean team structure that supports rapid growth and learning.

Methodology:

• AI-Native: Core technology built on real-time analytics and Generative AI.
• User-Centric: Continuous discovery and deep user understanding are non-negotiable.
• Outcome-Driven: Focus on impact, adoption, and contribution to North Star Metrics.
• Agile & Lean: Dual-Track Agile for discovery and delivery, rapid prototyping, and experimentation.
• Data-Driven: Leveraging +50M companies and +1.2B data points for insights.

Company Website: https://careers.foundernest.com

📝 Enhancement Note: FounderNest positions itself as a disruptive, AI-first company with a strong foundation from top academic and tech institutions. The culture appears to be high-performance, user-focused, and innovation-driven, with a clear emphasis on leveraging AI and modern product development methodologies.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a senior leadership position, Head of Design/Design Lead, responsible for both strategic direction and team management within the product organization. It sits at the intersection of product strategy, user experience, and team development.

Reporting Structure: The Head of Design will report directly to the Co-Founder & COO/CPO and will be an integral part of the core product leadership.

Operations Impact: The Design Lead's impact is crucial for FounderNest's success by ensuring the product is intuitive, adopted by users, and directly contributes to the company's North Star Metric. High-quality design will be a key differentiator, driving customer acquisition, retention, and satisfaction in a competitive market intelligence space.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to scale the design team significantly as the company grows.
• Strategic Influence: Direct input into product strategy and company direction as part of the core leadership team.
• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in AI-driven design, B2B SaaS product development, and corporate innovation.
• Mentorship: Guidance from experienced founders and advisors, including individuals from Silicon Valley.
• Exponential Growth: The company claims 6 months of experience at FounderNest can be equivalent to 2 years elsewhere due to the pace, practices, and caliber of people.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers significant growth potential, moving beyond individual contribution to strategic leadership and team building within a rapidly scaling startup environment. The "exponential growth" claim suggests a high-impact, accelerated learning curve.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid model is preferred for those based in Madrid, utilizing office space at "Spaces - Madrid, Atocha Estación." Fully remote candidates in Spain are also considered. The company also has offices in California.

Office Location(s):

• Madrid, Spain (Hybrid preferred)
• Remote within Spain
• Occasional collaboration opportunities in California offices.

Workspace Context:

• A collaborative office environment in Madrid designed for hybrid work.
• Access to necessary equipment for effective remote or office-based work.
• Opportunities for in-person collaboration during office days or at company events/off-sites.
• The environment is described as ambitious, high-performing, and fostering candid feedback.

Work Schedule: Flexible schedule is provided, emphasizing results and common-sense availability for team needs and meetings. This allows for efficient management of discovery processes and data analysis tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid and remote-flexible options cater to a modern workforce, with a clear preference for local Madrid-based talent for hybrid engagement. The emphasis on flexibility is coupled with an expectation of high performance and availability, typical of startup environments.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application Review: Submission of resume and portfolio.
• Intro Call: A quick introductory call with Miguel, Co-Founder & COO/CPO and Hiring Manager.
• Multi-Step Interview Process: Swift process involving meetings with other company leaders to assess fit and collaboration potential. Expect detailed discussions about your design philosophy, leadership style, and experience.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Impact: Clearly articulate the problem, your solution, your process, and, most importantly, the measurable impact of your design work. Quantify achievements wherever possible.
• Highlight Leadership: If you have managed teams, include specific examples of how you've mentored, grown designers, and fostered a positive team culture.
• User Discovery Focus: Emphasize your process for continuous user discovery, including examples of user shadowing and interview insights.
• AI & Innovation: Showcase any projects where you've leveraged AI or innovative technologies in your design process.
• Conciseness: Be prepared to walk through your portfolio efficiently, focusing on the most relevant projects for a Head of Design role in a B2B SaaS AI startup.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for questions about your leadership philosophy, how you manage design teams, and your approach to balancing strategic vision with execution.
• Expect discussions around your experience with B2B SaaS products, AI integration, and working in fast-paced startup environments.
• Prepare to articulate your vision for building and scaling a design function within an AI-native company.
• Review FounderNest's company and product to understand their market and potential user challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is described as "swift" and "exciting," implying efficiency and engagement. The portfolio review will be critical, requiring candidates to demonstrate not just design skills but also leadership, strategic thinking, and a strong understanding of startup dynamics.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Proficiency with industry-standard tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar for wireframing, UI design, and prototyping. Figma is often favored in collaborative startup environments.
• User Research & Testing Platforms: Experience with tools like UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, or similar for conducting remote user interviews and usability tests.
• Collaboration Tools: Familiarity with platforms like Slack, Jira, Confluence, or Asana for team communication and project management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Experience with tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Pendo to track user behavior, product adoption, and feature usage, informing design decisions.
• Data Visualization: Ability to interpret data and potentially use tools like Tableau or Looker for insights, though direct reporting might be handled by product managers or analysts.

CRM & Automation:

• While not direct design tools, an understanding of how design impacts CRM (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and marketing automation workflows within a B2B context is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job description doesn't explicitly list tools, a modern Head of Design in a tech startup would be expected to be proficient in leading design tools (Figma is a strong contender), user research platforms, and collaborative project management software. Familiarity with product analytics is crucial for an outcome-driven approach.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Ambition & High Performance: A drive to build something meaningful and impactful, excelling in a demanding environment.
• User-Centricity: Deep empathy and continuous engagement with users to solve real problems.
• Outcome-Driven: Focus on measurable results and contributions to business goals.
• Agility & Experimentation: Embracing rapid iteration, learning from mistakes, and quick validation.
• Innovation & AI Integration: Actively leveraging new technologies, especially AI, to enhance product and workflows.
• Collaboration & Transparency: Working effectively in Product Trios, fostering open, candid, and constructive feedback across all levels.
• Ego-less Approach: Prioritizing team and company success over individual ego.
• Reliability & Accountability: Being dependable, punctual, and committed to delivering on promises.

Collaboration Style:

• Product Trio Model: Integral part of Product Manager + Product Designer + Engineering Lead teams.
• Cross-functional: Close collaboration with Co-Founder, CPO, and the broader product team.
• Feedback Culture: Openness to receiving and giving candid, constructive feedback in all directions.
• Initiative-Taking: Proactive problem-solving without explicit direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes a high-energy, results-oriented environment with a strong ethical compass. The "ego-less" and "feedback-driven" aspects are key indicators of a mature, albeit demanding, startup culture.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rapid Scaling: Building and scaling a design function from its early stages in a fast-growing startup.
• AI Integration Complexity: Designing intuitive user experiences for complex AI-driven workflows and data analysis tools.
• Balancing Innovation & Execution: Juggling the need for cutting-edge AI features with timely delivery of core product functionality.
• Stakeholder Management: Effectively communicating design vision and rationale to diverse stakeholders, including senior corporate clients and investors.
• Remote/Hybrid Management: Leading a team that may be distributed across different locations and work arrangements.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Direct experience in building and leading a design team within a high-growth tech company.
• AI Design Expertise: Becoming a leader in designing AI-powered B2B SaaS products, a highly sought-after skill.
• Industry Exposure: Networking with Silicon Valley investors, advisors, and industry leaders.
• Accelerated Growth: The company's "exponential growth" promise offers a unique opportunity for rapid skill acquisition and career advancement.
• Continuous Learning: The 90/10 policy provides dedicated time for personal and professional development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical of a leadership role in a scaling tech startup, particularly one at the cutting edge of AI. The growth opportunities are significant, offering a fast track for ambitious professionals.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Leadership Philosophy: "How do you approach building and leading a high-performing design team in a startup environment?" "Describe your philosophy on fostering a user-centric and outcome-driven design culture."
• AI & Product Strategy: "How would you leverage AI advancements to enhance our market intelligence product and user workflows?" "What are the key design considerations for B2B SaaS products that utilize complex data and AI?"
• Problem-Solving & Process: "Walk me through a challenging product discovery process you led. What were the key insights, and how did they influence the final design?" "How do you balance the need for continuous discovery with the demands of rapid delivery in an Agile framework?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why FounderNest? What excites you about our mission and our approach to market intelligence?"
• "How do you handle candid feedback, both giving and receiving, within a team?"
• "Describe a time you had to set aside your ego for the good of the team or project."
• "How do you approach building trust and accountability within a remote or hybrid team?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Structure your case studies as compelling narratives: the problem, your role, your process (research, ideation, design, testing), the solution, and the impact (quantified metrics).
• Focus on Leadership: For this role, highlight instances where you guided others, made strategic design decisions, or influenced product direction.
• Demonstrate Process: Clearly show your thought process, not just the final polished designs. Explain why you made certain decisions.
• Quantify Impact: Use data to demonstrate the success of your designs. If exact metrics aren't available, use proxy indicators or explain the expected business value.
• AI Integration: If you have examples of using AI in design or designing AI-powered products, highlight them.
• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your most impactful projects within the allocated time, ensuring clarity and relevance to FounderNest's context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely assess not only design acumen but also leadership potential, strategic thinking, cultural fit, and resilience, all within the context of a fast-paced AI startup. The emphasis on "swift" and "exciting" suggests a dynamic and engaging interview experience.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Head of Design / Design Lead position:

• Submit your application through the FounderNest careers portal at https://careers.foundernest.com/jobs/6422706-head-of-design-design-lead.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your experience in B2B SaaS, AI-driven products, user research (especially continuous discovery and shadowing), and team leadership. Select your most impactful case studies that demonstrate measurable outcomes.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly showcases 5+ years of relevant experience in fast-paced tech startups. Use keywords such as "Product Design," "UX/UI," "Leadership," "AI," "SaaS," "B2B," "Continuous Discovery," and "Outcome-Driven Design." Quantify achievements where possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design philosophy, leadership style, and approach to user-centric, outcome-driven design. Prepare to discuss your experience with AI and your vision for scaling a design team. Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough, focusing on storytelling and impact.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research FounderNest's mission, product, target market, and recent news. Understand their AI-native approach and how design contributes to their competitive advantage. Familiarize yourself with their core values and culture.

⚠️ 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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