Lead UI Designer - Focus Design Systems (d/f/m)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead UI Designer - Focus Design Systems (d/f/m) Company: DEPT® Location: Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne, Germany Job Type: Full-Time Category: Design Operations / Product Design Operations Date Posted: 2025-08-08T14:02:55 Experience Level: 8+ Years (Implied 10+ from AI analysis) Remote Status: Hybrid (1-2 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the strategic vision and practical implementation of a scalable, multi-brand design system, acting as a central hub for design consistency and efficiency.
• Drive high-quality UI design standards through hands-on creation, rigorous reviews, and the establishment of clear, actionable system guidelines for components and motion.
• Facilitate seamless cross-functional collaboration, bridging product objectives with system strategy and design execution across UX, development, and product teams.
• Provide essential design leadership and mentorship, guiding team members through structured coaching, pragmatic decision-making, and fostering a culture of design excellence and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Lead UI Designer," the emphasis on "Design Systems" and "driving the vision for a scalable, multi-brand design system" at a "system level and across multiple teams" strongly suggests a role with significant operational impact on the design process. This involves not just creating designs, but architecting the system that enables efficient and consistent design across numerous products and teams, aligning with principles of Design Operations. The AI-derived experience level of 10+ years further supports this interpretation, indicating a senior role focused on system-level strategy and execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and meticulously drive the strategic vision for a scalable, multi-brand design system, encompassing its components, structure, governance, and overall role within the product ecosystem.
• Uphold and elevate design quality by actively contributing hands-on design work, conducting thorough design reviews, and establishing precise system standards for visual elements and interactions.
• Lead the critical process of component refactoring, comprehensive documentation, and the development of clear motion design guidelines in close collaboration with the dedicated design system team.
• Champion and ensure robust cross-functional alignment by effectively translating product goals into actionable system strategies and promoting design excellence across all relevant departments.
• Provide crucial support and guidance to the design team through structured leadership, effective coaching, and pragmatic, data-informed decision-making processes.
• Cultivate and nurture a strong design-driven culture within the organization by proactively sharing knowledge, building essential trust, and consistently setting a high benchmark for visual craft and design execution.
• Own and strategically shape service processes designed to empower and enable various teams to confidently and efficiently apply and extend the design system.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership and hands-on execution, characteristic of a senior role focused on operationalizing design. The emphasis on "driving the vision," "ensuring high design quality," "component refactoring," "documentation," "motion guidelines," "cross-functional alignment," "supporting and guiding the team," and "owning and shaping service processes" all point to a significant focus on the operational aspects of design system management and team enablement.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A strong foundation in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is beneficial, though practical experience and portfolio strength are prioritized.

Experience:

• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in UI or Product Design, preferably within a dynamic agency environment or for a recognized brand, with a proven track record of impactful design contributions.
• Demonstrated experience in defining and successfully implementing a clear, comprehensive vision for a design system, covering aspects such as component architecture, structure, governance frameworks, and overarching design language.
• Proven ability to lead by example, showcasing design excellence, effectively mentoring junior designers, and articulating clear, systematic thinking to diverse audiences.
• Experience in managing and navigating complex stakeholder dynamics across product, UX, and technology departments, ensuring alignment and effective communication.
• A pragmatic mindset is essential, evidenced by the ability to discern when to push for innovation, when to align with broader organizational goals, and how to efficiently drive projects forward.

Required Skills:

• Design System Leadership: Proven ability to define, evangelize, and operationalize a comprehensive design system vision, strategy, and governance model.
• UI/Product Design Expertise: Deep understanding of user-centered design principles, interaction design, and visual hierarchy, with a strong portfolio to showcase.
• Figma Proficiency: Advanced expertise in Figma, including mastery of design libraries, design tokens, auto layout features, and prototyping capabilities for efficient system management.
• Communication & Stakeholder Management: Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to effectively navigate and influence stakeholders across product, UX, and technology teams.
• Mentorship & Team Guidance: Ability to lead by example, provide constructive feedback, and guide design teams through complex projects and system evolution.

Preferred Skills:

• Motion Design: Experience with motion design tools such as Jitter, and the ability to integrate motion principles into the design system.
• German Language Proficiency: While English is the primary working language, German language skills are considered a plus for client interactions and local team dynamics.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Demonstrated success in fostering alignment and collaboration between design, engineering, and product management.
• Agile Methodologies: Familiarity with agile development processes and how design systems integrate within them.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 8+ years of experience and the focus on articulating a "clear vision for a design system" and "navigating stakeholder dynamics" highlight a need for strategic thinking and operational management beyond pure design execution. The mention of "Figma (design libraries, tokens, auto layout, prototyping)" and "motion design tools like Jitter" specifies critical operational tools for design system management.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design System Case Study: A dedicated section showcasing a past design system project, detailing its inception, evolution, and impact on product consistency and team efficiency.
• Component Library Showcase: Examples of well-structured and documented UI components, demonstrating best practices for reusability, scalability, and accessibility within a system.
• System Governance & Documentation: Evidence of experience in establishing and maintaining clear design system documentation, including style guides, usage guidelines, and contribution processes.
• Figma Mastery: Demonstrations of advanced Figma skills, such as intricate auto layout setups, token implementation, and sophisticated prototyping that illustrates system logic.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Examples that illustrate how you've collaborated with developers and product managers to implement and evolve design systems.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Showcase examples of designing and optimizing workflows for design system adoption, contribution, and maintenance to ensure maximum team efficiency.
• Implementation & Automation: Provide insights into how you've facilitated the implementation of design system components and explored automation opportunities for design tasks.
• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Demonstrate understanding of how to measure the success and impact of a design system, through metrics related to efficiency, consistency, and adoption rates.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "design system vision," "component refactoring," "documentation," and "service processes" strongly implies that a portfolio should not only showcase visual design but also the operational methodologies, system architecture, and collaborative frameworks that underpin successful design systems. This includes demonstrating how the candidate has operationalized design principles and facilitated efficient workflows.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Given the senior nature of the role (8+ years experience), the strategic focus on design systems, and the hybrid work model in major German cities (Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne), a competitive salary range for a Lead UI Designer specializing in Design Systems in Germany would typically fall between €70,000 to €95,000 per annum.
• This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior design roles in Germany, considering the agency context and the specialized skill set required for design system leadership. Actual compensation may vary based on the candidate's specific experience, qualifications, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Flexible Working Policy: Hybrid work model allowing 1-2 days in the office per week, depending on location, promoting work-life balance.
• Company Pension Scheme: Contribution towards a future pension plan.
• Sustainable Commuting: Lease bike options (JobRad) and a 25% subsidy for the Deutschlandticket, encouraging eco-friendly and affordable public transport.
• Office Perks: Occasional breakfast/lunch at the office and "Smoothie Tuesdays" to enhance the in-office experience.
• Well-being Support: Contribution to health through the OpenUp platform, providing access to mental and physical health resources.
• Flexible Benefits Package: €30 per month allowance for digital food stamps, fitness providers, internet costs, or public transport.
• Exclusive Deals: Access to sustainable, healthy products through Future Bens.
• Social Engagement: Numerous social events and organized activities to foster connection and community among colleagues.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for skill enhancement through training, development programs, and certifications.
• Charitable Involvement: Participation in DEPT® Cares Month, dedicating skills to support local charities.

Working Hours:

• The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, with a flexible, hybrid working policy that allows for a balance between remote and in-office work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The AI-derived salary range of €70,000-€95,000 is a professional estimate based on the role's seniority, specialization in Design Systems, and the listed German locations. This range aligns with industry standards for Lead UI Designers in agencies of DEPT®'s caliber. The benefits package is extensive and reflects a company culture that values employee well-being, professional growth, and work-life integration.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Marketing & Technology Services. DEPT® operates at the intersection of technology and experience design, creating digital products, campaigns, and experiences at scale for a diverse range of clients. Company Size: DEPT® is a large, global organization with a presence in over 30 countries, indicating a robust infrastructure and significant project capacity, while striving to maintain a culture that is "small enough to care." This means operations professionals can expect access to extensive resources and global opportunities, coupled with personalized support and autonomy. Founded: DEPT® has a history of growth and innovation, becoming a Certified B Corp® in 2021 and earning accolades like "Agency of the Year." This foundation suggests a company committed to both business excellence and social responsibility, likely influencing operational priorities and team values.

Team Structure:

• Design Specialization: The role is within a design team that combines technology and experience design, focusing on creating "emotive yet conversion-focused ideas, products and campaigns."
• Client-Centric Focus: The Lead UI Designer will work at the "core of one of our key client teams," implying a close, integrated relationship with specific client projects and stakeholders.
• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires close collaboration with UX designers, developers, and product stakeholders, indicating a highly integrated, cross-functional operational model for product development.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The team focuses on creating "conversion-focused ideas," suggesting an emphasis on data analysis to inform design decisions and measure impact.
• Agile & Iterative Processes: The mention of "scale and speed" implies an agile or iterative approach to product development and design system evolution.
• System Thinking & Craft: The role emphasizes "system thinking and craft," indicating a methodology that balances the strategic architecture of systems with meticulous attention to detail in execution.

Company Website: https://www.deptagency.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: DEPT®'s positioning as a digital agency with a strong focus on technology and experience design means operations roles, particularly in design, will be deeply integrated into client-facing product development cycles. The company's B Corp certification and emphasis on "doing good" suggest that operational processes might also consider sustainability and ethical practices. The global presence implies a need for scalable and adaptable operational frameworks.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior-level position within the design function, specifically leading the operational aspects of design systems. It bridges the gap between pure design craft and the strategic management of design assets and processes that enable scalable product development across multiple teams and brands. Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, a Lead UI Designer typically reports to a Design Director, Head of Design, or a similar senior leadership role within the design department. They would also work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads on client teams, indicating a matrixed reporting or strong collaborative structure. Operations Impact: The Lead UI Designer's impact is significant, directly influencing the efficiency, consistency, and quality of design outputs across multiple client projects. By establishing and maintaining a robust design system, they enable faster product iteration, reduce design debt, and ensure brand integrity, ultimately contributing to better user experiences and potentially higher conversion rates.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design System Specialization: Deepen expertise and leadership in design systems, potentially moving into roles like Head of Design Systems or establishing new system initiatives.
• Leadership Development: Progress into managing larger design teams or taking on more strategic client leadership roles within DEPT®.
• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Expand knowledge into UX strategy, product management, or front-end development through collaboration and company-provided training.
• Industry Recognition: Contribute to high-profile client projects that can lead to industry awards and personal recognition.
• Global Mobility: Leverage DEPT®'s global presence for international project involvement or potential relocation opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is positioned as a leadership opportunity within the design operations sphere, focusing on the strategic and systematic aspects of design. Growth potential extends beyond design craft into leadership, strategic client management, and potentially specialization within the broader digital product development lifecycle.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: DEPT® operates a hybrid work model, indicating a blend of remote work and in-office collaboration. The office environment is likely designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and team cohesion, with amenities to support both focused work and social interaction. Office Location(s): The role is based in Hamburg, Berlin, or Cologne, Germany. This offers flexibility in choosing a primary work location while maintaining the hybrid model. Proximity to these major cities suggests access to vibrant professional communities and excellent public transport.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hubs: Office spaces are likely equipped with meeting rooms, brainstorming areas, and shared workspaces to facilitate team collaboration and client workshops.
• Tooling & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools (Figma, motion design software) and collaboration platforms is expected, supporting efficient workflow and digital asset management.
• Team Interaction: The hybrid model encourages intentional in-office days for focused collaboration, team building, and knowledge sharing with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and disciplines within DEPT®.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is approximately 40 hours per week, with the flexibility afforded by the hybrid model allowing for a balance between personal and professional life, crucial for sustained productivity in design operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment in major German cities emphasizes flexibility and collaboration. The operational aspect of the role means that while there's flexibility, structured in-office time is likely dedicated to key collaborative activities like design system reviews, stakeholder alignment, and team mentorship.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application, focusing on your resume and portfolio to assess experience and alignment with the role's requirements, particularly regarding design system expertise.
• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A session where you present your portfolio, focusing on your design system work, and discuss your approach to vision setting, execution, and team leadership. Be prepared to articulate your process for creating and maintaining design systems.
• Skills-Based Interview: Interviews with design and possibly product/engineering stakeholders to evaluate your technical skills (Figma, motion design), communication abilities, and understanding of cross-functional collaboration.
• System Thinking Challenge: You may be asked to tackle a hypothetical design system challenge or discuss how you would approach specific problems related to system scalability, adoption, or governance.
• Cultural Fit & Values Alignment: Discussions to assess your alignment with DEPT®'s culture, values, and working style, particularly your ability to lead by example and foster a collaborative environment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Design System Impact: Clearly articulate the challenges you addressed, the solutions you implemented within the design system, and the measurable impact (e.g., improved efficiency, consistency, faster time-to-market).
• Showcase Process & Rationale: Go beyond final deliverables. Explain your decision-making process, the rationale behind your design choices, and how you documented and communicated system standards.
• Demonstrate Figma Mastery: Include examples of complex Figma files, showcasing your expertise with libraries, tokens, auto layout, and prototyping to illustrate your technical proficiency.
• Quantify Achievements: Wherever possible, use metrics to quantify the success of your design system work (e.g., reduction in UI bugs, increase in component adoption rate, time saved by developers).
• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize aspects of your portfolio that directly relate to leading design systems, cross-functional collaboration, and driving vision.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design System Strategy: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach building or evolving a design system for a multi-brand portfolio, considering scalability, governance, and adoption strategies.
• Problem Solving: Anticipate questions about how you handle design inconsistencies, drive adoption, manage stakeholder feedback, or resolve conflicts within a design system context.
• Communication & Leadership: Practice articulating your design system philosophy, your leadership style, and how you foster collaboration and knowledge sharing within a team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process strongly emphasizes practical application of design system knowledge and leadership skills. A well-curated portfolio that showcases not just design output but also the operational processes and strategic thinking behind design systems is crucial for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for all UI design, component creation, library management, auto layout, prototyping, and design system governance. Deep proficiency is expected.
• Motion Design Tools (e.g., Jitter): For creating and integrating motion principles, animations, and micro-interactions within the design system.
• Prototyping Tools (within Figma or standalone): For demonstrating user flows, interactions, and system behavior.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics): While not a direct tool for the designer, understanding how design system elements impact user behavior and conversion metrics is important for demonstrating ROI.
• Data Visualization Tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI): Potentially used to present data related to design system adoption or performance if involved in reporting.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this UI Design role, but awareness of how design systems integrate with development workflows and potentially product management tools (like Jira) is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is paramount, extending to advanced features like design tokens and auto layout, which are critical operational components of modern design systems. Familiarity with motion design tools is also a key differentiator. While direct use of analytics is less common for UI designers, understanding the impact of design on metrics is increasingly important.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Design Excellence: A commitment to high-quality visual design, attention to detail, and craft in all outputs.
• Systematic Thinking: An emphasis on structured approaches, component-based design, and scalable solutions.
• Collaboration & Communication: Valuing open communication, knowledge sharing, and strong partnerships across teams (UX, Dev, Product).
• Pragmatism & Efficiency: A focus on practical solutions that drive efficiency and move projects forward effectively.
• Innovation & Curiosity: A drive to explore new ideas, technologies, and approaches to design and product development.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Working closely with UX designers to ensure cohesive user experiences and with developers to ensure feasibility and efficient implementation of design system components.
• Service-Oriented Approach: Providing clear documentation, support, and guidance to teams utilizing the design system, acting as a service provider to empower them.
• Feedback-Driven Improvement: Actively seeking and incorporating feedback from stakeholders and end-users to continuously refine and evolve the design system.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes a blend of creative excellence and operational efficiency. The "small enough to care" mantra suggests a supportive environment where individual contributions are valued, and collaboration is key to achieving scale. The B Corp status hints at a potential underlying value of social responsibility and ethical practices.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Multi-Brand Needs: Managing and evolving a design system that serves multiple distinct brands requires careful consideration of flexibility versus standardization.
• Driving Adoption: Encouraging widespread adoption of the design system across diverse teams with varying levels of buy-in and technical capabilities.
• Maintaining Consistency at Scale: Ensuring consistent application of design principles and components across a growing product portfolio and development teams.
• Evolving System Governance: Adapting the design system's structure, documentation, and contribution processes as the organization and its products grow.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design System Practices: Gaining expertise in design token management, accessibility standards, and advanced Figma features for system efficiency.
• Cross-Functional Skill Enhancement: Deepening understanding of front-end development, product strategy, and agile methodologies through direct collaboration.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Developing leadership skills through guiding junior designers and influencing cross-functional teams.
• Industry Best Practices: Staying abreast of the latest trends and best practices in UI design, design systems, and digital product development through internal resources and external training.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges revolve around the operational complexities of managing a design system at scale for multiple brands. Growth opportunities are geared towards deepening specialized expertise in design systems and expanding into broader leadership and cross-functional competencies.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design System Vision: "How would you define and drive the vision for a scalable, multi-brand design system? What are the key pillars you focus on?" (Prepare to discuss strategy, component architecture, governance, documentation, and adoption.)
• Cross-Functional Alignment: "Describe a time you had to align product goals with system strategy and design excellence across multiple teams. What was your approach?" (Focus on communication, negotiation, and building consensus.)
• Problem Solving & Pragmatism: "Imagine a scenario where a key client team is resistant to adopting the design system. How would you approach this challenge, balancing their needs with the system's integrity?" (Demonstrate your pragmatic mindset and problem-solving skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• DEPT®'s Culture: "Based on what you know about DEPT®, how do you see your skills and approach fitting into our culture, particularly our focus on being 'pioneers at heart' and 'small enough to care'?" (Research their values, B Corp status, and global presence.)
• Team Collaboration: "How do you foster a design-driven culture and support your team through structure, coaching, and decision-making?" (Prepare examples of your leadership and mentorship style.)
• Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the success and impact of a design system? What metrics are most important to you?" (Think about efficiency gains, consistency improvements, and developer/designer satisfaction.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Flow: Structure your portfolio presentation around a compelling narrative that highlights your journey, challenges, solutions, and the impact of your design system work.
• Focus on System Thinking: Clearly articulate your approach to building, managing, and scaling design systems, emphasizing process, governance, and collaboration rather than just visual aesthetics.
• Figma Demonstrations: Be ready to walk through specific examples of your Figma work, showcasing your proficiency with libraries, tokens, auto layout, and prototyping to illustrate system logic and efficiency.
• Quantify Your Wins: Use data and metrics to back up your claims about the success and impact of your design system contributions.
• Engage the Audience: Prepare to answer questions and facilitate a discussion about your work, demonstrating your communication skills and ability to articulate complex concepts clearly.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, operational execution, and leadership within the context of design systems. Be ready to articulate your process, showcase technical proficiency with Figma, and provide evidence of your ability to drive adoption and impact across teams.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-focused design leadership position:

• Submit your application through the provided link, ensuring your resume and portfolio are up-to-date and tailored to the role.
• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature your experience with design systems, highlighting case studies that demonstrate your strategic vision, hands-on Figma skills (libraries, tokens, auto layout), and the operational processes you've implemented.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 8+ years of experience, emphasizing leadership in UI design and design system development, and uses keywords relevant to design operations and system thinking.
• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on your design system methodology, problem-solving approaches, and how you foster collaboration. Prepare to discuss specific examples of driving design quality and system adoption.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research DEPT®, their client work, company culture, and values to demonstrate a genuine interest and understanding of how your role contributes to their mission.

⚠️ 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.