Head of Design (f/m/x)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Head of Design (f/m/x) Company: AUTO1 Group Location: Berlin, Germany Job Type: Full-time Category: Design Leadership / UX/UI & Brand Design Date Posted: 2025-09-25 Experience Level: 5-10 Years

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and scale a multidisciplinary design team spanning UX/UI, Graphic Design, and Brand Design for all AUTO1 Group brands.
• Define and evolve the overarching design vision and system, ensuring consistency, usability, and scalability across diverse platforms and customer touchpoints.
• Drive significant business growth by enhancing customer experiences and brand impact through strategic design initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with Product, Conversion Optimization, CRM, and Development teams to optimize user journeys and performance.
• Champion a user- and brand-centric design culture, leveraging research, testing, and feedback loops for continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a strategic leadership opportunity within a fast-paced, data-driven automotive e-commerce environment. The emphasis on cross-functional collaboration with Product, Marketing, and Development teams indicates a strong focus on integrated GTM (Go-To-Market) strategies where design plays a pivotal role in driving conversion and customer satisfaction. The mention of AI-assisted design tools signals a forward-thinking approach to design operations and efficiency.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Manage, mentor, and grow a high-performing design team comprising UX/UI designers and Graphic/Brand designers.
• Own and advance the design vision and scalable design system across all AUTO1 Group brands, ensuring consistency in user interface (UI) and user experience (UX).
• Partner with Product Management, Conversion Optimization, CRM, and Engineering teams to design, test (A/B testing), and iterate on user funnels and customer journeys.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders and marketing teams to create high-quality visual assets and campaigns for paid media, social channels, internal tools, and corporate communications.
• Foster a data-driven design culture by integrating user research, usability testing, and feedback mechanisms into the design process.
• Translate qualitative insights and quantitative data into intuitive, impactful design solutions that drive conversion and enhance customer satisfaction.
• Explore and implement AI-powered design tools and workflows to boost efficiency, personalization, and creative output at scale.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership, team management, and hands-on design oversight. The expectation to collaborate with conversion optimization and CRM teams suggests a strong focus on performance marketing and customer lifecycle management, typical in revenue operations contexts. The responsibility to "translate qualitative and quantitative insights into intuitive, high-converting design" directly links design output to business KPIs.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, HCI, Graphic Design, or a related field is typically expected for leadership roles in this domain. Experience: Minimum of 5 years in UX/UI or visual design, with a proven track record of at least 2 years in a leadership capacity (e.g., Head, Director, Lead).

Required Skills:

• Proven experience leading and developing cross-functional design teams (UX/UI, Graphic/Brand).
• Strong portfolio demonstrating successful UX/UI design and impactful visual/brand campaigns with measurable business results.
• Deep understanding of user behavior, conversion rate optimization (CRO) principles, and creative execution in performance-driven marketing environments.
• Proficiency in design and prototyping tools, with a strong emphasis on Figma for collaborative design and system building.
• Experience in establishing and maintaining scalable design systems for consistency across multiple platforms and brands.
• Familiarity with frontend development processes and effective collaboration with engineering and QA teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple stakeholders and brand touchpoints in a fast-paced, KPI-driven setting.
• Excellent English communication and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI-powered design tools and automated personalization technologies.
• Background in the automotive or e-commerce industry.
• Familiarity with A/B testing frameworks and tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "strong portfolio showcasing both UX/UI design and visual/brand campaigns with measurable business impact" is crucial for this role, indicating that practical application and demonstrable results are highly valued over theoretical knowledge. The requirement for Figma mastery and design system experience points to a need for efficient, scalable design operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a clear progression from problem identification to solution implementation, highlighting the design process.
• Showcase at least 2-3 significant projects that illustrate leadership in driving UX/UI or Brand Design initiatives.
• Include case studies that detail specific business challenges, design strategies employed, and quantifiable outcomes (e.g., increased conversion rates, improved user engagement, brand perception shifts).
• Present examples of how design systems were built, implemented, and maintained to ensure brand consistency and efficiency.
• Provide evidence of collaboration with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, Marketing) and how design decisions were influenced by data and user feedback.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of established design workflows, from ideation and wireframing to prototyping and final asset delivery.
• Documentation of how user research and A/B testing insights were integrated into the design process to drive optimization.
• Processes for maintaining design system integrity and ensuring its adoption across different product lines and marketing channels.
• Methods for measuring the impact of design initiatives on key business metrics and customer satisfaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Head of Design role, the portfolio is not just a showcase of aesthetic work but a testament to strategic thinking, process management, and business impact. Candidates should be prepared to articulate the "why" behind their design decisions and demonstrate how their leadership translated into tangible business improvements, akin to presenting a strong ROI case in operations.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the "Head of Design" title, leadership experience (5+ years including 2+ years in leadership), and location in Berlin, Germany (a major tech hub), a competitive salary range is anticipated. Based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in Berlin, the estimated annual salary could range from €80,000 to €120,000, depending on the candidate's specific experience, qualifications, and the company's compensation philosophy.

Benefits:

• Dedicated education budget for online courses, conferences, and trainings, supporting continuous professional development in design and leadership.
• Discounts on well-known brands (e.g., Flaconi, Bosch, Apple) and special offers on used cars for employees, family, and friends, reflecting a strong employee value proposition.
• Flexible working hours and remote work options, promoting work-life balance and accommodating diverse working styles.
• 30 days of annual vacation, offering ample time for rest and rejuvenation.
• Access to "Headspace" for mental well-being support, emphasizing a holistic approach to employee health.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, likely around 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered in terms of scheduling and remote work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits package suggests a company that prioritizes employee growth, well-being, and work-life balance, which are attractive to experienced professionals. The inclusion of specific brand discounts and car offers is a unique perk that aligns with the automotive industry context. The salary estimate is based on general market data for senior design leadership roles in Berlin.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive E-commerce / Online Vehicle Sales. AUTO1 Group operates within a rapidly evolving digital marketplace, focusing on disrupting traditional used car sales through technology and customer-centricity. Company Size: AUTO1 Group is a listed public company and a significant player in the European market, indicating a large organizational structure with established processes and growth ambitions. This size offers opportunities for impact and career advancement. Founded: AUTO1 Group was founded in 2012. Its journey from a unicorn startup to a publicly listed company signifies a history of rapid growth, innovation, and scalability.

Team Structure:

• The design team is multidisciplinary, covering both UX/UI and Graphic/Brand Design, reporting to this Head of Design role.
• This role will likely collaborate closely with Product Management, Engineering, Marketing (specifically Performance Marketing and CRM), and potentially Sales and Operations teams.
• The structure emphasizes cross-functional collaboration to ensure a cohesive and optimized customer experience across all touchpoints.

Methodology:

• Data-driven insights are central to operations, including performance marketing and conversion optimization. Design is expected to contribute to this by leveraging user research and A/B testing.
• A focus on rapid iteration and continuous improvement is implied by the nature of the e-commerce and performance marketing environment.
• Innovation is encouraged, particularly with the mention of exploring AI-assisted design tools.

Company Website: www.auto1-group.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's rapid growth trajectory and public listing suggest a dynamic environment that values efficiency, scalability, and measurable results. The culture likely fosters innovation and a data-informed approach, which are key for operations and design professionals aiming to drive business impact.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior leadership position, equivalent to a Director or VP level within a design function. The role carries significant responsibility for strategic direction, team development, and direct contribution to business outcomes. It sits at the intersection of creative excellence and operational efficiency. Reporting Structure: The Head of Design will likely report to a C-level executive (e.g., Chief Product Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, or even CEO, depending on the organizational structure) and will manage a team of designers. Operations Impact: Design initiatives directly influence customer acquisition, conversion rates, customer satisfaction, and brand perception, all of which are critical operational metrics that impact revenue and market share. This role is instrumental in optimizing the customer journey from a design perspective.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to expand the design team's scope, manage larger budgets, or oversee design functions for new product lines or markets.
• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape the company's overall product and brand strategy through design leadership.
• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-assisted design, advanced UX research methodologies, or build and scale large-scale design systems.
• Cross-functional Leadership: Potential to move into broader product or marketing leadership roles by leveraging design expertise and cross-functional collaboration skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers significant scope for strategic impact and career progression within a rapidly growing, publicly traded company. The emphasis on data-driven decision-making and cross-functional collaboration provides a strong foundation for advancing into broader leadership positions within the operations or product management spheres.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: AUTO1 Group is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, and likely offers a modern, collaborative office space designed to foster creativity and teamwork. The company's public status and growth suggest well-equipped facilities. Office Location(s): The primary office is located at Bergmannstraße 72, 10961 Berlin, Germany. This location in Berlin places it within a vibrant tech and startup ecosystem.

Workspace Context:

• Expect a dynamic, fast-paced environment with a strong emphasis on collaboration between design, product, engineering, and marketing teams.
• Access to industry-standard design tools and technologies, including advanced software like Figma, will be integral to the workspace.
• Opportunities for interaction with a diverse, international team will be abundant, fostering a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives.

Work Schedule: While the standard workweek is likely 40 hours, the company offers flexible working hours and remote work options, indicating an approach that values autonomy and results over strict adherence to a traditional schedule. This flexibility is beneficial for managing complex design projects and teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Berlin location signifies access to a robust talent pool and a lively startup culture. The blend of office-based collaboration and remote flexibility supports efficient operations and employee well-being.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest.
• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the direct manager (likely a senior executive) focusing on leadership experience, strategic vision, and team management philosophy.
• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with key collaborators from Product, Engineering, and Marketing to evaluate cross-functional communication and collaboration skills.
• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A dedicated session where the candidate presents their portfolio, detailing specific projects, design process, and business impact. This is a critical stage for assessing practical skills and strategic thinking.
• Final Round: Potentially with a C-level executive for final approval, focusing on overall strategic alignment and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio to clearly demonstrate your leadership journey, design process, and the quantifiable business impact of your work. Use a problem-solution-result framework for each case study.
• Highlight Leadership: Showcase examples of how you mentored, managed, and grew design teams, and how you influenced product and business strategy.
• Showcase Design Systems: Include examples of design systems you've built or significantly contributed to, emphasizing scalability, consistency, and efficiency gains.
• Data-Driven Storytelling: Be prepared to discuss the data and user insights that informed your design decisions and how you measured success (e.g., conversion uplift, user satisfaction scores).
• Figma & Collaboration: Be ready to discuss your experience with Figma and how you facilitate collaborative design processes within a team and with other departments.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: Expect a practical design challenge, possibly involving optimizing a specific user flow or creating visual assets for a campaign. Focus on demonstrating your process, strategic thinking, and ability to deliver under time constraints.
• Case Study Presentation: Prepare a concise and compelling presentation of your most impactful portfolio projects, focusing on narrative, key decisions, and measurable outcomes.
• Stakeholder Scenarios: Be ready to discuss how you would handle common design-related conflicts or challenges with stakeholders from different departments (e.g., Product, Engineering, Marketing).

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount for this role. Candidates should treat it as a strategic presentation, demonstrating not just design skill but leadership capability and business acumen. Expect questions that probe your decision-making process and your ability to translate user needs and business goals into effective design solutions.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (mandatory), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects).
• Design Systems: Experience with building, managing, and scaling design systems (e.g., using Figma's features, Storybook, or other relevant tools).
• User Research & Testing: Tools like UserTesting.com, Lookback, Hotjar, Google Analytics for understanding user behavior.
• A/B Testing: Familiarity with A/B testing platforms (e.g., Optimizely, VWO, Google Optimize) to measure design impact.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics for tracking website performance and user journeys.
• Business Intelligence: Tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Looker for analyzing broader business data and presenting insights.
• CRM Data: Understanding how to leverage data from CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) for personalized design.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM: Salesforce, HubSpot, or similar for customer relationship management.
• Marketing Automation: Experience with platforms like Marketo, Pardot, or Mailchimp for campaign execution.
• Integration Tools: Awareness of how design assets and user flows integrate with backend systems and marketing automation tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and experience with design systems are critical technical requirements. The role also necessitates a strong understanding of analytics tools to measure the effectiveness of design initiatives in a performance-driven context, linking design directly to business operations and revenue.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: Placing the customer at the heart of all design decisions to ensure intuitive and satisfying experiences.
• Data-Driven: Utilizing data, research, and testing to inform design choices and measure impact, aligning with operational efficiency goals.
• Collaboration: Fostering strong partnerships with Product, Engineering, and Marketing teams to achieve shared business objectives.
• Innovation: Encouraging experimentation with new tools and methodologies, such as AI-assisted design, to drive efficiency and creativity.
• Quality & Consistency: Maintaining high standards of design execution and ensuring brand consistency across all touchpoints.

Collaboration Style:

• Expect a highly collaborative and cross-functional environment where designers work closely with product managers, engineers, marketers, and conversion specialists.
• Open communication and constructive feedback are encouraged to refine designs and processes.
• A proactive approach to identifying opportunities for design to support business goals and customer journey optimization is valued.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to value a blend of creativity, analytical rigor, and teamwork. For a Head of Design, demonstrating an ability to align design strategy with broader business operations and collaborate effectively across departments will be key to success and cultural integration.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling Design: Effectively scaling the design team, processes, and design system to support rapid company growth across multiple brands.
• Balancing Brand & Performance: Harmonizing strong brand identity with the demands of performance marketing and conversion optimization.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent design vision and execution across diverse teams with potentially competing priorities.
• Adopting New Technologies: Integrating emerging technologies like AI-assisted design into existing workflows efficiently and effectively.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Design Leadership: Developing advanced skills in leading design teams, influencing product strategy, and driving organizational change.
• AI in Design: Gaining expertise in leveraging AI tools for design automation, personalization, and efficiency gains.
• E-commerce Best Practices: Deepening knowledge of user experience and conversion optimization strategies within the competitive automotive e-commerce landscape.
• Executive Communication: Enhancing skills in presenting design strategy and impact to C-level executives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for leadership roles in high-growth tech companies. Successfully navigating these challenges will provide significant opportunities for professional development and career advancement, particularly in areas relevant to operations and strategic business impact.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach building or scaling a design system for a company with multiple brands and product lines?" (Focus on process, governance, and cross-functional adoption.)
• "Describe a time you used data and user research to significantly improve a conversion funnel or customer journey. What was your process?" (Highlight analytical skills, A/B testing experience, and impact.)
• "How do you foster a user-centric design culture within a team and across departments?" (Discuss methods for user research, feedback loops, and stakeholder education.)
• "What is your strategy for managing and developing a multidisciplinary design team?" (Focus on leadership style, mentorship, performance management, and team structure.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about AUTO1 Group and the automotive e-commerce market?" (Show research on the company, its competitors, and its business model.)
• "How do you see design contributing to AUTO1 Group's business goals?" (Connect design strategy to revenue growth, customer acquisition, and brand building.)
• "Describe your ideal collaboration with Product Management and Engineering teams." (Emphasize communication, shared ownership, and iterative processes.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Flow: Structure your presentation to tell a compelling story for each project, starting with the challenge, detailing your role and process, and concluding with the results and learnings.
• Quantify Impact: Use specific data points and metrics to demonstrate the business value of your design work (e.g., "Increased conversion rate by X%", "Reduced bounce rate on key pages by Y%").
• Showcase Leadership: Explicitly highlight instances where you led teams, mentored designers, or influenced strategic decisions.
• Visual Clarity: Ensure your presentation slides are clean, visually appealing, and effectively showcase your design work without being cluttered.
• Conciseness: Be mindful of time constraints. Practice to deliver your presentation efficiently and leave ample time for Q&A.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to articulate your design philosophy, leadership style, and how your contributions directly impact business objectives. Demonstrating a strong understanding of conversion optimization and data-driven decision-making will be crucial, as these are core to operations and revenue generation.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Head of Design position:

• Submit your application via the provided link on SmartRecruiters.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your most impactful projects that best showcase your leadership, UX/UI and brand design skills, and measurable business results. Tailor the presentation to highlight experience with design systems, conversion optimization, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Optimize Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your leadership experience, responsibilities in previous design roles, and quantifiable achievements. Use keywords from the job description, such as "UX/UI Design," "Brand Design," "Design Leadership," "Figma," "Conversion Optimization," and "Cross-functional Collaboration."
• Prepare for the Portfolio Presentation: Practice delivering a concise and compelling presentation of your portfolio, focusing on strategic thinking, process, and business impact. Be ready to discuss your decision-making process and how you measure success.
• Research AUTO1 Group: Familiarize yourself with AUTO1 Group's business model, brands, market position, and recent news. Understand their customer journey and identify potential areas where design can drive further improvement.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with AUTO1 Group before making application decisions.