Lead Visual Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Visual Designer

Company: Qodea

Location: United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Visual Design / Creative Operations

Date Posted: March 26, 2026

Experience Level: 8+ Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the creation of high-impact visual design concepts, user interfaces (UI), and interactive prototypes for a variety of digital platforms, with a strong emphasis on AI-driven experiences and agentic services.

• Drive the development and implementation of robust visual design systems, ensuring consistency and scalability across all client projects and internal initiatives.

• Champion a culture of creative excellence, continuous learning, and AI upskilling within the design team, fostering an inclusive and innovative environment.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including UX designers, strategists, engineers, data scientists, and copywriters to deliver cohesive and impactful design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the original job title is "Lead Visual Designer," the description strongly emphasizes AI-driven experiences and agentic services, positioning this role at the intersection of traditional visual design and emerging AI creative operations. The requirement for AI curiosity and upskilling suggests a focus on leveraging AI tools for design efficiency and innovation, making it relevant to operations professionals interested in the technological evolution of creative workflows.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and execute compelling visual designs, user interfaces (UI), and interactive prototypes for websites, digital products, advanced AI interfaces, and agentic services.

• Develop and present persuasive presentations that clearly articulate design rationale, conceptual thinking, and project vision to internal stakeholders and clients.

• Collaborate effectively with UX designers, product strategists, engineers, data scientists, and copywriters to ensure seamless integration of visual design with user experience and technical feasibility.

• Mentor and guide junior designers, providing constructive feedback and fostering their professional development in visual design, prototyping, and AI creative tools.

• Contribute to the establishment and maintenance of scalable visual design systems, ensuring brand consistency and design integrity across all touchpoints.

• Actively explore and integrate emerging AI creative tools and workflows to enhance design processes, optimize efficiency, and elevate the quality of creative output.

• Translate complex business and human challenges into elegant, user-centered design solutions that drive engagement and achieve client objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on design execution and leadership, typical for a "Lead" role. The emphasis on AI interfaces, agentic services, and AI upskilling indicates a forward-looking approach to design operations, requiring candidates to be not just skilled designers but also adaptable to new technological paradigms.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

Required Skills:

• Visual Design Mastery: Proven ability to craft aesthetically compelling and strategically sound visual designs for a diverse range of digital applications.

• UI Design Expertise: Deep understanding of user interface design principles, best practices, and the ability to create intuitive and engaging interfaces.

• Prototyping Proficiency: Demonstrated skill in creating interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts and user flows.

• Figma Expertise: Advanced proficiency in Figma, including its collaborative features, component libraries, and prototyping capabilities.

• Visual Design Systems: Experience in developing, implementing, and managing visual design systems to ensure consistency and scalability.

• Conceptual Thinking: Ability to translate abstract ideas and complex requirements into tangible, innovative design solutions.

• Storytelling & Presentation: Exceptional ability to articulate design rationale and creative vision through compelling visual storytelling and client-facing presentations.

• User-Centred Design: Strong application of user-centered design methodologies to solve business and human challenges effectively.

• AI Curiosity & Application: A genuine interest in and willingness to explore and utilize AI creative tools, workflows, and optimization techniques within the design process.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with diverse teams, including UX designers, strategists, engineers, and data scientists.

• Mentorship: Experience in guiding and mentoring other designers, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented team environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Motion Design: Experience with motion design principles and tools (e.g., After Effects) to enhance visual narratives and user interactions.

• Agency Experience: Prior experience working in a fast-paced, client-facing agency environment.

• AI Creative Tools Proficiency: Familiarity with specific AI-powered design tools or platforms that enhance creative workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required experience level of 8+ years, coupled with the emphasis on leadership and mentorship, suggests this role is for a senior individual contributor or an emerging design lead. The explicit mention of AI curiosity and upskilling indicates that candidates with experience in AI-assisted design or a strong interest in learning these tools will be highly competitive.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Visual Design Examples: Showcase a range of high-quality visual designs for websites, digital products, and ideally, AI interfaces or agentic services. Demonstrate an understanding of visual hierarchy, typography, color theory, and brand application.

• UI Design & Prototyping Case Studies: Include detailed case studies of UI design projects, highlighting the design process, user flows, and interactive prototypes created using tools like Figma. Explain the rationale behind design decisions.

• Design System Development: Present examples of design systems you have contributed to or led, demonstrating your ability to create scalable, maintainable, and well-documented components and guidelines.

• Conceptual Idea Translation: Provide examples where you have taken a significant conceptual idea and translated it into compelling visual designs across different platforms, showcasing your ability to think big and execute effectively.

• Stakeholder Presentation Samples: Include examples of presentations or visual communication materials that effectively sell creative ideas and explain design thinking to clients or stakeholders.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of how you approach and document design processes, particularly in areas such as:
  • Workflow Design & Optimization: Illustrate how you map out and refine design workflows, including collaboration touchpoints with other disciplines.
  • System Implementation & Maintenance: Show examples of how design systems are implemented and maintained, including version control and updates.
  • Performance Measurement: While less direct for visual design, demonstrate how you might indirectly measure the impact of design, such as through user feedback on UI clarity or engagement metrics related to visual appeal.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Lead Visual Designer role, a portfolio is paramount. The emphasis on AI and agentic services means that any work demonstrating an understanding of or experience with these emerging areas will be a significant advantage. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their design process, decision-making, and the impact of their work.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Health Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• 401K Matching: A retirement savings plan with employer matching contributions, demonstrating investment in long-term employee financial well-being.

• Parental Leave: Generous paid leave for new parents, supporting work-life balance during significant life events.

• Training Funds: Allocated budget for professional development, including courses, workshops, conferences, and certifications, particularly relevant for continuous AI upskilling.

• Free Snacks: While remote, this may translate to a stipend or allowance for home office supplies or wellness.

• PTO: 28 days of paid time off, plus your birthday off, offering ample opportunity for rest and rejuvenation.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours (approximately 40 hours per week) are expected. Given the remote nature, there may be flexibility in scheduling, though significant overlap with team members across US time zones will likely be required for effective collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general US market data for senior/lead design roles and the specific requirements mentioned. Actual compensation could vary based on the candidate's specific experience, demonstrated skills in AI, and the final negotiation. The benefits package is robust and aligns with competitive offerings for tech and design roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (specifically Google Cloud Partner Services, AI, and Digital Transformation)

Company Size: Qodea is described as Europe's largest dedicated Google Cloud partner. While the specific size of the "Beyond" team joining Qodea isn't detailed, the overall entity suggests a significant operational scale and reach. This implies a structured environment with established processes but also opportunities for impact within a growing organization.

Founded: The founding date of "Beyond" is not specified, but its integration into Qodea suggests a strategic acquisition or merger. Qodea's establishment as a major European partner indicates a solid history in cloud services.

Team Structure:

• Operations Team Aspect 1: The design team is part of a larger creative unit, reporting to a Creative Director. It includes UX designers, strategists, engineers, data scientists, and copywriters, indicating a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary environment.

• Operations Team Aspect 2: The Lead Visual Designer will likely report directly to the Creative Director, with a dotted line or strong working relationship with project managers and client leads.

• Operations Team Aspect 3: Cross-functional collaboration is a core tenet, with designers expected to work fluidly across disciplines to deliver comprehensive solutions, especially in the context of AI and complex digital products.

Methodology:

• Operations Process 1 (Data Analysis & Insights): While primarily a design role, the emphasis on AI and user-centered thinking implies that data analysis and user insights will inform design decisions. Designers will likely work with data scientists and strategists to understand user behavior and market trends.

• Operations Process 2 (Workflow Planning & Optimization): The role involves proactive workflow planning and optimization, particularly in collaboration with other teams and in leveraging new design tools and AI technologies.

• Operations Process 3 (Automation & Efficiency Practices): A key aspect is embracing and integrating AI creative tools and workflows to enhance efficiency, speed up prototyping, and potentially automate repetitive design tasks.

Company Website: https://www.qodea.com/ (and likely a dedicated site for the "Beyond" unit if separate)

📝 Enhancement Note: Qodea's position as a major Google Cloud partner signifies a strong focus on enterprise-level solutions and technological innovation. The integration of "Beyond" suggests an expansion into new markets or service areas, likely involving cutting-edge technologies like AI. This context implies a dynamic, growth-oriented environment where operational efficiency and technological adoption are highly valued.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a "Lead" Visual Designer, indicating a senior individual contributor role with significant responsibilities. It requires not only advanced design skills but also the ability to mentor, influence design direction, and collaborate strategically across departments. It sits above a standard Visual Designer and below a Creative Director level.

Reporting Structure: The Lead Visual Designer will report directly to the Creative Director. They will also work closely with project managers, account managers, and potentially client-side stakeholders, requiring strong communication and collaboration skills.

Operations Impact: The Lead Visual Designer's impact extends beyond aesthetics. By crafting compelling visuals and user experiences for AI interfaces and digital products, they directly influence user engagement, client satisfaction, and the successful adoption of new technologies. Their ability to translate complex ideas into clear, visually appealing designs is critical for driving business outcomes and demonstrating the value of Qodea's services.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Potential to move into a Creative Director role, overseeing larger teams and broader creative strategies, or specialize further in AI-driven design, becoming a subject matter expert.

• Industry Specialization: Deepen expertise within the Google Cloud ecosystem and AI technologies, becoming a highly sought-after specialist in designing for these platforms.

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to lead design initiatives, mentor junior talent, and contribute to shaping the creative culture and operational processes of the design team within Qodea.

• Cross-functional Expansion: Develop a deeper understanding of UX, strategy, engineering, and data science, enabling more holistic product development and problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead" designation implies a path towards more strategic and potentially managerial roles. The specific focus on AI and Google Cloud offers a niche for career growth, allowing individuals to become experts in a rapidly evolving and high-demand field.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position, offering the flexibility and autonomy associated with telecommuting. The "office" environment will be the candidate's home workspace.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, it is specified for candidates based in the United States. This may imply a need for some timezone alignment (e.g., with US-based teams or clients) and adherence to US labor laws and benefits.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Despite being remote, the culture emphasizes fluid collaboration. This means active participation in virtual meetings, design critiques, and brainstorming sessions using digital collaboration tools.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to and proficiency with industry-standard design tools (Figma), collaboration platforms (Slack, Teams, etc.), and potentially project management software will be essential. The company will likely provide necessary software licenses.

• Operations Team Interaction: Opportunities for interaction will be through scheduled video calls, asynchronous communication channels, and potentially virtual team-building activities. A proactive approach to communication is key.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time (approx. 40 hours/week). While remote, adherence to core working hours for team collaboration will be expected, likely aligning with common US business hours to facilitate communication with colleagues and clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature requires self-discipline, strong communication skills, and the ability to foster team connection digitally. The emphasis on collaboration suggests that while geographically dispersed, the team aims for a cohesive and integrated working experience.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess alignment with the core requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, walking through key projects, design decisions, and your process. This is a critical stage to demonstrate your conceptual thinking, visual design mastery, and ability to articulate your work. Expect questions about your approach to AI, design systems, and collaboration.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: This might involve a design exercise or a more in-depth discussion about your proficiency with Figma, prototyping tools, and understanding of design systems. For this role, expect questions or a task related to AI design tools or concepts.

• Cross-functional Team Interview: Meet with potential colleagues from UX, strategy, or engineering to assess your collaboration style and ability to integrate into a multidisciplinary team.

• Final Interview: Likely with the Creative Director and potentially a senior leader within Qodea to discuss cultural fit, long-term vision, and final offer details.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your strengths in visual design, UI, prototyping, and especially any experience or interest in AI-driven design, agentic services, or multimodal interfaces.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, the solutions you implemented, and the impact of your work. Use visuals effectively to illustrate your points.

• Highlight AI Integration: If you have any projects that utilize AI tools for design ideation, efficiency, or output, make sure to feature them and explain your approach. If not, be prepared to discuss your interest and learning plans.

• Showcase Design Systems: Clearly demonstrate your understanding of design systems, including their components, principles, and implementation.

• Be Client-Ready: Practice presenting your work as if you were pitching to a client. Be confident, articulate, and prepared to answer tough questions about your design choices.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a take-home assignment or a live design challenge. This will likely test your ability to quickly grasp a problem, ideate, and produce design deliverables within a set timeframe. Focus on demonstrating your core skills and your approach to problem-solving, especially concerning AI or complex digital interfaces.

• Process Explanation: Practice explaining your design process concisely and clearly, highlighting where collaboration and decision-making occur.

• AI Design Thinking: Consider how you would approach designing for AI-powered experiences. Think about user trust, explainability, and the unique challenges of conversational or agentic interfaces.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not only design skill but also leadership potential, collaborative ability, and adaptability to new technologies like AI. A strong, well-curated portfolio that addresses the specifics of the role (AI, agentic services) will be crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: This is explicitly mentioned as a mastery requirement. Expect extensive use for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration on design systems.

• Prototyping Tools: Proficiency beyond Figma, potentially including tools for more advanced interactive prototypes or micro-interactions.

• Visual Design Software: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator) is likely assumed for asset creation and manipulation.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design function, but an understanding of how design integrates with marketing automation platforms or CRM systems might be helpful in cross-functional contexts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma and prototyping underscores the need for modern, collaborative design tool proficiency. The mention of AI creative tools suggests the company is open to exploring and adopting new technologies that can streamline the design workflow.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Design: A commitment to producing high-quality, impactful, and innovative visual design across all projects.

• User-Centricity: Prioritizing the user's needs and experience in all design decisions, grounded in research and data.

• Collaboration & Inclusivity: Fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and teams work together seamlessly to achieve common goals.

• Continuous Learning & AI Upskilling: A proactive approach to staying abreast of industry trends, particularly in AI, and actively seeking opportunities to learn and apply new technologies.

• Impact & Value Creation: Focusing on design that not only looks good but also drives tangible business results for clients and enhances user engagement.

Collaboration Style:

• Fluid & Cross-Disciplinary: The team thrives on working across different specializations (design, strategy, engineering, data science) to create holistic solutions. Open communication and mutual respect are key.

• Feedback-Oriented: A culture that encourages constructive feedback loops to continuously improve designs and processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging team members to share insights, best practices, and learnings, especially regarding new technologies like AI tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture appears to be a blend of high-performance agency work with a forward-thinking, tech-centric approach, particularly around AI. Collaboration and continuous learning are highlighted as critical components for success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Rapid AI Evolution: Keeping pace with the fast-changing landscape of AI creative tools and their effective integration into design workflows. This requires continuous learning and experimentation.

• Balancing Conceptual Vision with Client Needs: Translating ambitious creative concepts into designs that meet client objectives, budget constraints, and technical realities.

• Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Maintaining strong team cohesion and effective communication in a fully remote setting, ensuring all voices are heard and valued.

• Designing for Novel AI Interfaces: Conceptualizing and executing designs for emergent AI experiences (e.g., agentic services, multimodal interactions) where established best practices may still be developing.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Specialization: Opportunities to become an expert in AI-assisted design, potentially leading workshops or developing new service offerings for clients.

• Leadership Skill Development: Formal or informal mentorship to hone leadership, presentation, and team management skills, preparing for future senior roles.

• Industry Exposure: Access to training funds for conferences, workshops, and certifications relevant to AI, cloud technologies, and advanced design practices.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Gaining deeper insights into UX, strategy, data science, and engineering through active collaboration, leading to a more holistic understanding of product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge and growth opportunity revolve around the integration and mastery of AI in design. This role offers a chance to be at the forefront of this evolving field within a supportive and growing organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex visual design challenge you faced, how you approached it conceptually, and the outcome. How might AI have assisted in that process?"

• "How do you ensure your visual designs align with user needs and business objectives, especially when working on novel AI interfaces?"

• "Walk us through your process for developing and maintaining a visual design system. What are the key components and considerations?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about Qodea's work with Google Cloud and AI?"

• "How do you envision contributing to a fully remote, collaborative design team?"

• "Describe your experience working with cross-functional teams. How do you handle disagreements or differing priorities?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with an overview of your career and key strengths. Group projects by theme (e.g., AI interfaces, product design, brand systems) or chronologically.

• Deep Dive: Select 2-3 projects for in-depth discussion. For each, detail the client/problem, your specific role, the design process (ideation, sketching, wireframing, UI, prototyping), the tools used (emphasize Figma and any AI tools), the challenges overcome, and the final results/impact.

• AI Focus: If possible, present at least one project that touches on AI, machine learning, or advanced digital experiences. Be prepared to discuss your thinking around user interaction, data visualization, or the unique aspects of designing for intelligent systems.

• Visual Storytelling: Use your presentation slides to visually support your narrative. Ensure clarity, readability, and a professional aesthetic that reflects your design capabilities.

• Q&A Readiness: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, problem-solving approach, and how you handle feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to discuss their understanding and potential application of AI in design, as this is a key differentiator for this role. Highlighting experience with design systems and a collaborative, user-centric approach will also be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-adjacent design position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workable link.

• Portfolio Preparation: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, easily accessible (link to your website or a well-organized PDF), and highlights projects relevant to visual design, UI, prototyping, design systems, and ideally, any work or interest in AI-driven experiences.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 8+ years of experience, mastery of Figma and prototyping, experience with design systems, any leadership or mentoring roles, and your interest/experience with AI creative tools. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Practice: Prepare to present your portfolio confidently and articulate your design process. Practice answering strategy and behavioral questions, particularly those related to AI and remote collaboration.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Qodea, their Google Cloud partnership, and any information available about the "Beyond" team's mission. Understand their market position and the types of clients they serve.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions tailored for a design role with an operations focus. All details should be verified directly with Qodea during the application and interview process.