Lead UX/UI Designer (d/f/m)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead UX/UI Designer (d/f/m)

Company: DEPT®

Location: Hamburg, Berlin, Germany

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Design Operations / Experience Design

Date Posted: April 14, 2026

Experience Level: Lead / Senior

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the strategic vision and hands-on execution for a scalable, multi-brand design system, ensuring brand consistency and joyful product experiences across multiple teams.

• Champion high design quality through rigorous reviews, clear system standards, and hands-on component refactoring, including motion guidelines.

• Foster cross-functional alignment by connecting product goals with robust system strategy and exceptional design excellence.

• Provide leadership and support to the design team through coaching, pragmatic decision-making, and setting a high bar for visual craft.

• Own and refine service processes that empower teams to apply and extend the design system with clarity and confidence, enhancing overall operational efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within DEPT®'s "Experience & Engineering" team, focusing on digital experiences that blend technology with conversion-focused design. The emphasis on "system level" and "across multiple teams" indicates a strong focus on design operations and the scalability of design solutions, requiring a leader who can manage complex design ecosystems and drive operational excellence in design delivery.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and champion the vision for a scalable, multi-brand design system, shaping its structure, evolution, and integration within the broader product ecosystem.

• Ensure superior design quality by actively participating in hands-on design work, conducting thorough design reviews, and establishing clear, actionable system standards.

• Lead the refactoring of design components, comprehensive documentation efforts, and the development of motion guidelines in close collaboration with the dedicated design system team.

• Cultivate strong cross-functional alignment by bridging product objectives with strategic system design and maintaining a high standard of design execution.

• Support and guide the senior design team by providing clear structure, effective coaching, and pragmatic decision-making to enhance team performance and output.

• Promote a design-driven culture through knowledge sharing, building collaborative trust, and consistently setting elevated benchmarks for visual craft and user experience.

• Take ownership of service processes, refining them to ensure teams can effectively apply and expand the design system with clarity, confidence, and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership and hands-on contribution, typical of a Lead Designer role focused on establishing and maintaining design systems. The emphasis on "scalable," "multi-brand," and "across multiple teams" suggests a significant operational component, requiring the candidate to think about design as a repeatable, efficient process rather than isolated projects.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred for roles of this caliber, demonstrating a foundational understanding of design principles and user-centered methodologies.

Experience: Proven experience in leading end-to-end UX design processes, with a track record of guiding senior design teams toward cohesive and effective user journeys. Significant experience in developing and managing scalable design systems is essential.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to lead end-to-end UX design initiatives and mentor senior design professionals.

• Strong execution capabilities, delivering high-quality user interface designs across diverse screen sizes and breakpoints.

• Deep expertise in responsive design principles, applicable to multiple devices and complex digital environments.

• Advanced proficiency in design tools such as Figma or Frontify for creating high-fidelity mockups and prototypes.

• Proven ability to establish design standards, mentor junior and senior designers, and elevate overall design craft and quality.

• Experience in leading by example through exceptional design execution, mentorship, and clear system thinking.

• Assertiveness and independent thinking, capable of contributing innovative ideas beyond standard briefs and challenging the status quo.

• Pragmatic mindset, adept at balancing strategic goals with practical execution, knowing when to push for innovation and when to align with project constraints.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with motion design principles and tools for integrating dynamic elements into design systems.

• Familiarity with front-end development concepts to better collaborate with engineering teams on design system implementation.

• Experience in A/B testing and data analysis to inform design decisions and optimize user experiences.

• Knowledge of accessibility standards (WCAG) and their integration into design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Assertiveness" and "pragmatic mindset" requirements suggest the need for a candidate who can navigate complex stakeholder environments and drive consensus, crucial for operationalizing a design system across a large organization like DEPT®. The dual language requirement is a critical operational factor for this role in Germany.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end UX/UI design projects demonstrating strategic thinking, user-centered problem-solving, and high-fidelity execution.

• Include case studies that detail the process of defining, developing, and implementing scalable design systems, highlighting component structure, documentation, and evolution.

• Provide examples of how you have led design teams, mentored designers, and ensured design quality through reviews and standard-setting.

• Demonstrate experience with Figma or Frontify, including complex component libraries and interactive prototypes.

Process Documentation:

• Present examples of how you have documented design systems, including style guides, component libraries, and usage guidelines.

• Illustrate your approach to refining and owning service processes that facilitate the application and extension of design systems by various teams.

• Showcase how you have established design standards and quality assurance mechanisms to maintain consistency and excellence across product interfaces.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Lead UX/UI Designer role focused on design systems, the portfolio should not just showcase final designs but critically, the process of creating and managing them. This includes demonstrating how the candidate operationalized design principles and built scalable frameworks that other teams can leverage efficiently.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Lead UX/UI Designers in Germany (Hamburg/Berlin), with a hybrid work model and a strong emphasis on design system leadership, the estimated annual gross salary range is likely between €65,000 and €90,000. This range accounts for the required years of experience, leadership responsibilities, and the dual language proficiency.

Benefits:

• Company pension scheme: A valuable long-term financial benefit.

• Lease bike options / JobRad: Promotes sustainable commuting and employee well-being.

• 25% subsidy for the Deutschlandticket: Enhances public transportation accessibility and affordability.

• Occasional breakfast/lunch at the office, Smoothie Tuesdays: Perks that contribute to a positive and engaging office environment.

• OpenUp platform: Contribution to employee health and mental well-being.

• €50 personal monthly allowance via benefits app: Flexible spending for daily expenses and lifestyle.

• Future Bens: Access to discounted sustainable and healthy products.

• Social events and organized activities: Fosters team cohesion and a strong company culture.

• Training, development, and certifications: Opportunities for continuous professional growth.

Working Hours: The role is full-time, likely adhering to standard German working hours (e.g., 40 hours per week), with a flexible, hybrid working policy allowing 1-2 days per week in the office. This offers a balance between collaborative in-person work and focused remote execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on research from German job boards and industry salary reports for senior/lead design roles in major tech hubs like Berlin and Hamburg. The benefits package is comprehensive, with a notable emphasis on well-being, sustainability, and professional development, aligning with DEPT®'s company values.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: DEPT® operates in the "Growth Invention" space, at the intersection of technology and marketing. This unique positioning means they work with clients on both the strategic and execution levels of digital transformation, creating innovative products and campaigns. Their focus spans Brand & Media, Experience, Commerce, CRM, and Technology & Data.

Company Size: With over 4,000 specialists globally, DEPT® is a large, established agency. This size offers opportunities for broad impact, diverse project exposure, and structured career progression, while also requiring strong operational processes to maintain agility.

Founded: DEPT® was founded with a forward-thinking approach to digital services, emphasizing innovation and growth. Their certification as a B Corp and Climate Neutral since 2021 underscores a commitment to sustainability and ethical business practices, which likely influences their internal culture and operational standards.

Team Structure: The role is part of the "Experience & Engineering" team in Germany, indicating a highly integrated approach to design and technology. This team likely comprises UX/UI designers, product designers, engineers, and strategists who collaborate closely to deliver cohesive digital solutions. The "Lead Designer" will report into a senior management position within this team, potentially a Head of Design or Experience Director.

Methodology: DEPT®'s methodology is built around "Growth Invention," combining technology and marketing expertise. This implies a data-driven approach to design, focusing on creating experiences that not only engage users but also drive measurable business outcomes. Expect a focus on agile development, iterative design processes, and strong collaboration between design, product, and engineering teams.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: DEPT®'s culture appears to be a blend of creative agency dynamism and technology-driven execution. The "Growth Invention" model suggests a results-oriented environment where design is a critical lever for business success. The B Corp and Climate Neutral certifications indicate a company that values purpose and sustainability, likely impacting operational priorities and team values.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Lead-level position, signifying a senior role responsible for strategic direction, team guidance, and significant operational impact within the design function. The focus on "design system at system level and across multiple teams" implies a scope that extends beyond individual projects to shaping the foundational design operations of the organization.

Reporting Structure: The Lead UX/UI Designer will likely report to a Director of Experience, Head of Design, or a similar senior leadership role within the Experience & Engineering team in Germany. They will, in turn, manage and mentor a team of senior UX/UI designers, potentially including junior members and specialists within the design system team.

Operations Impact: The role's primary impact will be on the efficiency, scalability, and consistency of design delivery across multiple client projects and internal teams. By establishing and evolving a robust design system, the Lead Designer directly influences the speed of product development, the quality of user experiences, and the overall brand integrity of DEPT®'s client work. This operational efficiency translates into faster time-to-market for clients and a more cohesive, high-quality output.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in design systems, design operations, and potentially product strategy leadership.

• Team Leadership: Progress to managing larger design teams, leading multiple product areas, or taking on a Head of Design role.

• Strategic Influence: Contribute to broader departmental strategy, client pitches, and the overall growth invention methodology at DEPT®.

• Learning & Development: Access to DEPT®'s extensive training, development programs, and certifications, allowing for continuous skill enhancement in areas like advanced design thinking, emerging technologies, and leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead" title, coupled with the responsibility for a "scalable, multi-brand design system," positions this role as a key operational leader within the design department. Growth would likely involve increased strategic input, broader team management, and potentially specialization in areas like Design Operations or Product Strategy.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: DEPT® operates with a hybrid working policy, suggesting a modern office setup designed to facilitate collaboration and team interaction on designated office days. The company emphasizes flexibility, allowing employees to work remotely for the majority of the week (3-4 days) while spending 1-2 days in the office.

Office Location(s): The role is available in Hamburg and Berlin, Germany. These are major European cities with vibrant tech and creative scenes, offering excellent connectivity and a high quality of life. Specific office addresses would need to be confirmed, but they are likely situated in accessible areas within these cities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office days are intended for team collaboration, workshops, and in-person brainstorming sessions, fostering a strong sense of community and shared purpose.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Designers will have access to industry-standard tools like Figma and Frontify, along with other relevant software for project management, communication, and potentially prototyping and animation.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities to connect with a diverse range of professionals, including designers, engineers, marketers, and strategists, facilitating cross-pollination of ideas and continuous learning.

Work Schedule: The standard full-time work schedule is complemented by the hybrid policy, offering significant flexibility. This allows operations professionals to better manage their work-life balance while ensuring critical in-person collaboration occurs when needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key aspect of the work environment, balancing the operational need for focused individual work with the collaborative requirements of a design-led agency. The emphasis on "flexibility" and "collaboration" points to a dynamic and people-centric workplace.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and portfolio, focusing on alignment with the core responsibilities and required skills, particularly regarding design system leadership and dual language proficiency.

• First Interview: Typically with the hiring manager, this stage will delve into your experience leading UX/UI design, your approach to design systems, team leadership, and problem-solving methodologies. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your portfolio.

• Portfolio Presentation & Case Study: You will likely be asked to present a selected case study from your portfolio, detailing your process, challenges, solutions, and the impact of your work. For this role, a strong focus on design system development and implementation would be advantageous.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with other designers, engineers, or project managers to assess your collaboration style, technical understanding, and cultural fit within the Experience & Engineering team.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss strategic vision, long-term goals, and cultural alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Design System Leadership: Prioritize projects where you led the creation, evolution, or significant overhaul of a design system. Detail the strategic rationale, the operational process of building it, and how you ensured its adoption and maintenance.

• Demonstrate Process & Problem-Solving: Clearly articulate your design process, from research and ideation to execution and iteration. Highlight how you overcame challenges and made pragmatic decisions.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, present metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrate the positive impact of your design work on user experience, development efficiency, or business outcomes.

• Highlight Collaboration & Mentorship: Include examples of how you collaborated with cross-functional teams (engineering, product management, marketing) and how you mentored or guided other designers.

• Tailor to DEPT®: Research DEPT®'s clients and their work. Consider how your skills and portfolio examples align with their "Growth Invention" philosophy and their focus on technology and marketing.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design System Exercise: Be prepared for a potential exercise or discussion around designing a new component or solving a problem within an existing design system structure. Focus on scalability, consistency, and maintainability.

• Strategic Thinking: Practice articulating your design philosophy, your approach to balancing brand consistency with product innovation, and how you would drive adoption of a design system across diverse teams.

• Behavioral Questions: Prepare examples that demonstrate your leadership, mentorship, assertiveness, and pragmatic decision-making skills, using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "design system at system level and across multiple teams" means interviewers will be looking for evidence of operational thinking in design – how you build frameworks, ensure adoption, and drive efficiency through standardized processes, not just beautiful interfaces.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Expected to be the primary tool for UX/UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency in advanced features like component variants, auto layout, and design system management is crucial.

• Frontify: Mentioned as a preferred tool, likely used for brand guidelines, design asset management, and potentially style guide documentation. Familiarity with its capabilities for managing brand consistency at scale is beneficial.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma offers robust prototyping, experience with dedicated tools like InVision, ProtoPie, or Adobe XD might also be relevant for specific project needs.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Platforms: Experience with tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar platforms to understand user behavior and performance metrics, informing design decisions.

• User Feedback Tools: Familiarity with tools for gathering qualitative feedback (e.g., UserTesting.com, Hotjar) to complement quantitative data.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how design interfaces integrate with CRM systems or marketing automation platforms can be a plus, demonstrating an awareness of the broader customer journey.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is paramount. The mention of Frontify suggests an emphasis on brand management and centralized design asset libraries, which are key components of effective design operations. Understanding how design systems interface with engineering workflows and broader business tools is also important.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Better Together: Fosters a collaborative environment where designers, engineers, and other specialists work in synergy to achieve client goals. This implies a team that values open communication, mutual support, and shared ownership.

• Relentlessly Curious: Encourages a mindset of continuous learning, exploration of new technologies, and a proactive approach to understanding user needs and market trends. This is vital for staying ahead in the fast-paced digital industry.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect a highly collaborative approach with engineering, product management, marketing, and client teams. The design system is a key enabler of this, providing a common language and set of tools.

• Process-Driven & Iterative: DEPT®'s "Growth Invention" model likely involves agile methodologies, encouraging iterative design and development cycles, with regular feedback loops and adjustments.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages sharing best practices, learnings, and insights across teams, potentially through internal workshops, presentations, and documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The three core values – "Better Together," "Relentlessly Curious," and "Get Sh*t Done" – paint a picture of a dynamic, collaborative, and results-driven environment. For a Lead Designer, embodying these values means not only contributing creatively but also ensuring design processes are efficient, well-documented, and effectively implemented across the organization.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling Design Systems: Ensuring a multi-brand design system remains scalable, maintainable, and relevant as DEPT® and its clients grow and evolve. This requires strong governance and continuous adaptation.

• Driving Adoption: Encouraging consistent adoption and adherence to the design system across diverse teams with varying technical skills and project priorities. This is a significant operational challenge.

• Balancing Centralization and Autonomy: Finding the right balance between providing a strong, centralized design system and allowing teams the flexibility to innovate and meet specific project needs.

• Cross-functional Alignment: Continuously fostering strong collaboration and communication between design, engineering, product, and client stakeholders, especially in a hybrid work environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Design System Expertise: Deepen knowledge in advanced design system architecture, governance models, and best practices for large-scale implementation.

• Leadership Development: Access to leadership training, mentorship programs, and opportunities to manage and grow design teams.

• Industry Trends: Stay at the forefront of UX/UI design, emerging technologies, and digital marketing trends through internal knowledge sharing, external conferences, and certifications.

• Client Impact: Gain exposure to a wide range of clients and industries, applying design system principles to solve diverse business challenges and drive growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges in this role are operational: managing the complexity of a design system, ensuring its effective adoption, and maintaining alignment across multiple teams and projects. Growth opportunities are geared towards deepening expertise in these areas and expanding leadership influence.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to building and scaling a multi-brand design system. What are the key operational considerations?" (Focus on governance, documentation, component management, and adoption strategies.)

• "How do you ensure cross-functional alignment between design, engineering, and product teams when implementing or evolving a design system?" (Highlight communication, feedback loops, and shared ownership.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do DEPT®'s values of 'Better Together,' 'Relentlessly Curious,' and 'Get Sh*t Done' resonate with your own working philosophy?" (Connect your experience to their core values, emphasizing collaboration, proactive learning, and results.)

• "How do you foster a design-driven culture within a team and across departments?" (Share examples of mentorship, knowledge sharing, and advocating for design excellence.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Design System Case Studies: Select 1-2 projects that best illustrate your experience in leading, building, or significantly improving a design system.

• Detail the "How": Go beyond showcasing final designs. Explain the strategic goals, the operational processes you established, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them.

• Quantify Impact: Present metrics related to efficiency (e.g., reduced design/dev time), consistency, or user satisfaction improvements stemming from the design system.

• Highlight Leadership & Mentorship: Discuss your role in guiding teams, setting standards, and mentoring designers within these projects.

• Address Language Requirement: Be ready to discuss how your German and English proficiency facilitates collaboration, especially with local teams and clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely assess not only your design craft but also your ability to operationalize design at scale, lead teams, and contribute to a fast-paced, results-oriented agency culture. Demonstrating strategic thinking and pragmatic execution will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead UX/UI Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the DEPT® careers page.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your experience in design system leadership, UX/UI design strategy, team mentorship, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords from the job description, such as "design system," "scalable," "responsive design," "Figma," and "team leadership."

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects, prioritizing those that demonstrate your ability to build, manage, and scale design systems. Ensure clear case studies detailing your process, challenges, solutions, and impact. Be prepared to present these effectively.

• Prepare for the Interview: Research DEPT®'s work, clients, and company values. Practice articulating your experience with the STAR method, focusing on leadership, problem-solving, and design system implementation. Prepare specific examples that showcase your pragmatic approach and ability to drive results.

• Highlight Language Skills: Clearly state your working proficiency in both English and German on your application and be prepared to discuss how these skills will be leveraged in your role.

⚠️ 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.