Teamlead UX/UI (m/w/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Teamlead UX/UI (m/w/d)
Company: aufinity Group
Location: Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Job Type: FULL_TIME
Category: Operations - UX/UI Leadership & Design Strategy
Date Posted: August 11, 2025
Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (2-5 years leadership)
Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and mentor a 2-person UX/UI team, fostering a collaborative and high-performing design environment.
• Actively contribute to design processes by creating wireframes, user flows, and prototypes, embodying a "player-coach" mentality.
• Support agile development teams by delivering pragmatic design artifacts to accelerate product development velocity.
• Drive the quality assurance of implemented features, ensuring a consistent and functional user experience across all product touchpoints.
• Shape the long-term UX/UI strategic direction of the company, leveraging available time for innovation and design system development.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the primary focus is UX/UI leadership, the role's emphasis on supporting agile development teams and acting as an "internal service provider" with a focus on fast, pragmatic delivery suggests a strong operational component. The objective is to accelerate the company's development speed, positioning this role as crucial for GTM efficiency and product iteration.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Provide technical and disciplinary leadership to the UX/UI team, including performance management, skill development, and day-to-day guidance.
• Actively participate in the design process, creating wireframes, user flows, and interactive prototypes to support product development initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with agile development teams, delivering design assets and specifications in a timely manner to maintain development momentum.
• Prioritize design tasks and manage workflow to ensure the rapid implementation of functional requirements, thereby enhancing overall business development speed.
• Oversee the quality assurance of newly implemented features, guaranteeing a consistent, user-friendly, and functional experience.
• Proactively define and drive the long-term UX/UI strategy, identifying opportunities for innovation and conceptualizing future product enhancements.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive design system to promote design consistency, efficiency, and scalability across all digital products.
• Act as an innovation catalyst, independently developing concepts and design studies for future projects and strategic initiatives.
• Foster strong relationships with key stakeholders across departments, ensuring the UX vision is understood and integrated into the company's broader objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of team leadership, hands-on design contribution, and strategic planning. The emphasis on "fast and pragmatic delivery," "accelerating development speed," and "internal service provider" indicates a need for strong process management and an operations-centric approach to design delivery.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field is preferred, though equivalent practical experience will be strongly considered.

Experience: Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in UX/UI design, with at least 2 years in a leadership or senior role with direct operational responsibilities. Experience in fast-paced environments such as startups or agencies is highly valued, and B2B software industry experience is a significant advantage.

Required Skills:

• Proven leadership and mentoring capabilities, with a track record of successfully guiding and developing design professionals.
• Extensive experience in UX/UI design principles, methodologies, and best practices, including user-centered design, usability testing, and interaction design.
• Proficiency in creating wireframes, user flows, and interactive prototypes using industry-standard tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).
• Strong understanding of design systems, including their creation, implementation, and maintenance for efficiency and consistency.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions, rationale, and strategic vision to diverse audiences, including technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• A strong "startup mentality" with a hands-on, proactive approach to problem-solving and a "done is better than perfect" mindset for rapid iteration.
• Resilience and adaptability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment.
• Solid understanding of technical feasibility and the ability to collaborate effectively with software developers.
• Fluency in both German and English, both written and spoken.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the B2B software industry.
• Demonstrated success in establishing and scaling design operations within a growing organization.
• Familiarity with agile development methodologies (Scrum, Kanban) and experience working within agile teams.
• Portfolio showcasing a range of UX/UI design projects, leadership contributions, and process improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a "startup mentality," "resilience," and "pragmatism" points to a need for candidates who can navigate ambiguity and drive results quickly, a common characteristic in operations roles focused on efficiency and rapid deployment.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating a strong foundation in UX/UI design principles and a clear progression of skills.
• Case studies that showcase your leadership experience, including how you've guided teams, managed projects, and influenced design outcomes.
• Examples of wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and final UI designs for web and mobile applications.
• Evidence of your ability to establish and maintain design systems, illustrating their impact on efficiency and consistency.
• Projects that highlight your approach to problem-solving, user research, and usability testing.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase instances where you've optimized design workflows or processes to improve team efficiency and delivery speed.
• Evidence of your experience in quality assurance for design implementations, ensuring functional and consistent user experiences.
• Examples of how you've collaborated with development teams to ensure smooth design-to-development handoffs and technical feasibility.
• Documentation of projects where you've contributed to or led the development of design strategy and long-term UX vision.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical, not just for design output, but for demonstrating leadership, process optimization, and strategic thinking relevant to an operational role. The emphasis on "process documentation" and "efficiency" suggests a need to highlight how design processes contribute to business velocity.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Team Lead UX/UI positions in Cologne, Germany, with 2-5 years of leadership experience, the estimated salary range is €65,000 - €85,000 annually. This range considers the company's emphasis on leadership, strategic impact, and the fast-paced environment.

Benefits:

• Flexible Work Arrangement: Options for remote work, working from home, or the Cologne office, supporting work-life balance and personal preferences.
• Professional Coaching: Access to professional coaching to support personal and professional development, enhancing leadership and strategic thinking skills.
• Team Events: Regular team events designed to foster team spirit, collaboration, and a strong sense of community.
• Growth & Development: Opportunities for individual sparring, targeted further training, and mentoring to advance career progression and expand responsibilities.
• Strategic Impact: The chance to build and shape a strategically important growth area with measurable influence on the business.
• Performance-Oriented Environment: A culture that values speed, quality, and results, with flat hierarchies for rapid execution.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are 40 hours per week, with flexibility in scheduling to accommodate personal needs and maintain productivity within the hybrid work model.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on current market data for similar roles in Cologne, Germany, and the specified experience level. Benefits are tailored to the information provided, highlighting aspects attractive to professionals seeking growth and flexibility.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: The aufinity Group operates within the professional services sector, likely focusing on B2B solutions given the mention of B2B software experience as a plus. This industry often demands agility, client focus, and continuous innovation.

Company Size: The description implies a growing company, potentially a scale-up or a company in a significant growth phase, given the emphasis on building teams and strategic growth areas. A smaller team size (2 UX/UI designers) suggests a lean, agile structure where individual contributions have a pronounced impact.

Founded: While the founding date isn't specified, the "startup mentality" and focus on building a "strategically important growth field" suggest a company that is either a relatively young startup or a company undergoing a significant transformation or expansion.

Team Structure:

• The UX/UI team currently consists of 2 designers, who will report to this Team Lead.
• This role reports to C-level executives, indicating direct engagement with senior leadership on strategic initiatives.
• Collaboration is expected to be cross-functional, involving agile development teams and various stakeholders across the organization.

Methodology:

• The company operates with an agile mindset, emphasizing speed, pragmatism, and iterative delivery ("done is better than perfect").
• Data-driven decision-making is implied through the need to measure business impact and communicate UX vision to stakeholders.
• A focus on efficiency and consistency is evident in the goal to establish and maintain a design system.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's culture appears to be dynamic and results-oriented, valuing initiative and hands-on contribution. The "remote-first" culture with an expectation of office presence for leadership highlights a balanced approach to flexibility and team cohesion.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a significant step into leadership within the design and operations function. As a Team Lead, you are responsible for both the strategic direction and the day-to-day operational output of a design team, directly impacting product development velocity and user experience quality.

Reporting Structure: The Team Lead will report directly to C-level executives, providing a high-visibility position with direct access to strategic decision-making processes. This structure allows for significant influence on the company's product roadmap and operational efficiency.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on the company's ability to deliver user-centric products efficiently. By leading the UX/UI team, optimizing design processes, and fostering a strong design system, this role contributes to faster time-to-market, improved customer satisfaction, and ultimately, business growth. The focus on "real, measurable influence on our business" underscores the operational significance.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to grow into a Head of Design or Director of Product Design role as the company scales, managing larger teams and broader product portfolios.
• Strategic Ownership: Opportunity to further define and own the entire UX/UI strategy and operations, potentially expanding into related product management or user research functions.
• Specialization: Develop expertise in specific areas like design systems, UX research, or product strategy through targeted projects and continuous learning.
• Cross-functional Leadership: Gain experience leading cross-functional initiatives and collaborating with various departments, enhancing overall business acumen.

📝 Enhancement Note: The direct reporting to C-level and the mandate to "build an strategically important growth field" indicate a clear path for significant career progression and impact within the organization, aligning with typical growth trajectories for operations leaders.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company operates with a "Remote-First" culture but emphasizes personal exchange for leadership roles, suggesting a hybrid model where periodic office presence is expected and valued for team collaboration and strategic alignment.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is Hohenzollernring 89, 50672 Cologne, Germany. This central location likely offers good accessibility for team members based in the greater Cologne area.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to support collaboration between the UX/UI team, development teams, and other key stakeholders.
• The hybrid model allows for focused work either remotely or in a shared office environment, catering to different work styles and project needs.
• The emphasis on "real team spirit" through events suggests a culture that values in-person interaction and team building.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week, with flexibility provided to accommodate the hybrid work model and ensure productivity. This flexibility is key for operations professionals who often need to balance project deadlines with focused analytical work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Remote-First" policy with an expectation for leadership presence in Cologne indicates a modern, flexible work environment that still prioritizes in-person collaboration for strategic roles. This hybrid approach is common in companies aiming for both talent acquisition flexibility and strong team cohesion.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application, resume, and portfolio to assess qualifications and alignment with the role's requirements.
• Hiring Manager/Team Lead Interview: A discussion focused on your leadership experience, design philosophy, and understanding of operational efficiency within design. Be prepared to discuss your approach to team management and agile collaboration.
• Portfolio Presentation & Case Study: A session where you present your portfolio, highlighting specific projects that demonstrate your leadership, problem-solving skills, and ability to drive results. You may be asked to walk through a design challenge or present a process improvement case study.
• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with potential team members and key stakeholders (e.g., development leads, product managers) to assess cultural fit and collaboration potential.
• Final Interview: A discussion with C-level executives to finalize the decision, focusing on strategic alignment and long-term vision for the UX/UI function.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Leadership: Showcase how you've led, mentored, and developed design teams. Include examples of your direct contributions as a "player-coach."
• Demonstrate Process Optimization: Present case studies that illustrate your ability to improve design workflows, increase efficiency, and ensure quality. Quantify improvements where possible.
• Showcase Design Systems: Include examples of design systems you've built or contributed to, explaining their impact on consistency and development speed.
• Strategic Vision: Articulate your approach to long-term UX/UI strategy and how you drive innovation.
• Quantifiable Results: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your work, such as improved user satisfaction, reduced development time, or increased design consistency.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss how you would approach building or scaling a design system from scratch or improving an existing one.
• Prepare to articulate your strategy for balancing rapid, pragmatic feature delivery with long-term UX vision and consistency.
• Practice presenting your design rationale clearly and concisely, anticipating questions about trade-offs and stakeholder management.
• Consider how you would measure the success and impact of your UX/UI team's work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not only design craft but also leadership, operational efficiency, and strategic thinking. A strong portfolio that demonstrates process improvement and measurable impact will be crucial for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision (or similar industry-standard tools for wireframing, UI design, and prototyping).
• Design Systems: Tools and methodologies for creating, managing, and scaling design systems (e.g., Storybook, Zeroheight, or custom solutions).
• Collaboration & Project Management: Tools like Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, or similar for agile workflow management and team collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics: Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, or similar for tracking user behavior and feature adoption.
• Heatmaps & Session Recording: Hotjar, FullStory, or similar for understanding user interactions.
• Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI, or Looker Studio for creating dashboards and reporting on UX performance metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a UX/UI tool, an understanding of how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and marketing automation platforms integrate with product interfaces can be beneficial for a holistic user journey perspective.
• Integration Tools: Familiarity with how design assets are integrated into development workflows and potentially with CMS platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with core UX/UI design and prototyping tools is essential. Experience with design system management and agile project management tools will be highly advantageous, reflecting the operational aspects of the role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Pragmatism & Speed: A core value is delivering functional solutions quickly, embodying the "done is better than perfect" ethos to accelerate business development.
• Ownership & Initiative: Team members are expected to take ownership of their work, drive initiatives, and act as proactive problem-solvers.
• Collaboration & Communication: Open communication and close collaboration with development teams and stakeholders are critical for success.
• Quality & Consistency: While speed is important, maintaining high quality and ensuring a consistent user experience across all features is paramount.
• Innovation & Growth: A culture that encourages continuous learning, experimentation, and proactive development of new concepts and design solutions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The UX/UI team is expected to work seamlessly with agile development teams, product managers, and other business units to ensure alignment.
• Feedback Loops: An environment that encourages constructive feedback, both for design iterations and for process improvements within the team and across departments.
• Knowledge Sharing: Practices that promote sharing best practices, design learnings, and insights within the team and the wider organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes a blend of agility, ownership, and collaborative execution, which are key operational traits for success in a fast-paced environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Speed and Quality: The primary challenge will be to maintain a high level of design quality and user experience while adhering to the company's need for rapid, pragmatic delivery.
• Building a Design System: Establishing and scaling a comprehensive design system in a fast-moving environment requires significant effort, stakeholder buy-in, and continuous refinement.
• Team Development: Growing and mentoring a small team while also contributing hands-on requires effective time management and leadership skills.
• Adoption of UX Vision: Embedding a strong UX vision and user-centricity across the entire organization, which may have varying levels of design maturity.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Design Leadership Mastery: Develop advanced skills in team management, strategic planning, and operational execution within a design context.
• Design System Expertise: Become a go-to expert in building and scaling robust design systems.
• Product Strategy Influence: Gain deeper insights into product strategy and contribute directly to the company's growth trajectory.
• Industry Exposure: Potentially attend industry conferences or workshops focused on UX/UI, design operations, and leadership development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in high-growth environments and offer significant opportunities for professional development and skill enhancement, particularly in areas of operational efficiency and strategic leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• How would you approach balancing the need for rapid feature delivery with the long-term goal of building a robust design system and maintaining a high-quality user experience?
• Describe your philosophy on leading and mentoring a UX/UI team, especially in a fast-paced, "startup mentality" environment.
• How do you prioritize design tasks when faced with competing demands from different stakeholders or development sprints? Provide an example.
• What are your key strategies for ensuring effective collaboration and communication between design and development teams in an agile setting?

Company & Culture Questions:

• What attracts you to a "Remote-First" culture that also values in-person interaction for leadership roles?
• How would you foster a strong UX vision and advocate for user-centricity within a company that may have different levels of design maturity?
• Describe your ideal team environment and how you contribute to a positive and productive team culture.
• How do you measure the success and impact of your UX/UI team's work on business objectives?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure your presentation: Begin with an overview of your leadership experience and key achievements. Then, dive into 2-3 detailed case studies that highlight your problem-solving approach, design process, and impact.
• Focus on "Show, Don't Tell": Use visuals effectively to demonstrate your design skills and process. Explain your decision-making rationale clearly.
• Quantify impact: Whenever possible, present metrics that demonstrate the positive outcomes of your work (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced user error, faster development cycles).
• Address the operational aspect: Explicitly discuss how your design processes and system implementations contribute to efficiency and accelerate business velocity.
• Be prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about trade-offs, challenges encountered, and how you handled them.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've improved processes, led teams, and driven measurable results, aligning your experience with the company's operational priorities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-focused UX/UI leadership position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Personio career portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature leadership experience, process optimization case studies, and examples of design system contributions. Select projects that best demonstrate your ability to balance speed, quality, and strategic impact.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords related to UX/UI leadership, agile methodologies, process efficiency, and team management. Quantify achievements with specific metrics where possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, leadership approach, and operational strategies. Be ready to present your portfolio and discuss how your skills align with the company's need to accelerate development speed.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with aufinity Group's services and industry. Understand their "Remote-First" culture and how leadership contributes to team cohesion and strategic alignment.

⚠️ 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.