VP of Design

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: VP of Design

Company: Mochi Health

Location: San Francisco, CA

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Design Leadership / Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-04-28

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Leading the strategic vision and execution of design across Mochi Health's AI-driven healthcare marketplace, provider tools, and pharmacy platform.

• Building, scaling, and mentoring a world-class design team encompassing Product Designers, UX Researchers, and Design Systems specialists.

• Championing user-centered design principles and establishing scalable design systems, processes, and culture to maintain quality and foster trust in a regulated industry.

• Driving product design excellence by partnering closely with Product, Engineering, Clinical, and Operations teams to ensure design strategy aligns with business objectives and patient needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a critical leadership position focused on shaping the user experience of a complex, multi-sided healthcare platform. The emphasis on "making it work" rather than just "making it prettier" highlights the need for a design leader who understands the intersection of user needs, business goals, and the intricacies of the healthcare industry, including AI integration and regulatory considerations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and champion the overall design vision and strategy for all patient and provider touchpoints, ensuring a cohesive and intuitive user experience across the Mochi Health platform.

• Recruit, hire, develop, and retain a high-performing design team, establishing career frameworks, mentorship programs, and growth paths for designers.

• Lead end-to-end design processes, from user research and strategy development through to high-fidelity execution and iteration, leveraging AI capabilities to accelerate design and engineering efforts.

• Partner closely with Product Management and Engineering to shape the product roadmap, prioritizing initiatives based on user needs, business impact, and strategic alignment.

• Build and maintain a scalable design system that ensures consistency, efficiency, and speed across all product interfaces, while also defining quality standards and design review processes.

• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and fast-paced design culture that balances rapid iteration with high craft and patient-centricity.

• Establish metrics and frameworks to measure and communicate the impact of design on key business outcomes, such as conversion rates, patient retention, and overall patient satisfaction.

• Act as a key strategic partner to executive leadership, ensuring design has a strong voice in company-wide strategic decisions and initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of strategic leadership, team development, operational excellence in design, and direct product impact. The inclusion of "leveraging Ai capabilities to accelerate design and engineering efforts" suggests a forward-thinking approach to design operations and product development.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, or a related field is typically expected for senior design leadership roles.

Experience:

• 10+ years of progressive experience in product design.

• Minimum of 4+ years leading and managing design teams, with a proven track record of managing teams of 15 or more individuals (including Product Designers, UX Researchers, Design Systems specialists).

• Demonstrated success in hiring, developing, and retaining senior design talent.

• Proven ability to influence executive leadership and drive design-led strategy within an organization.

Required Skills:

• Deep expertise in user-centered design principles, interaction design, visual design, and comprehensive design systems.

• A strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end ownership of complex, multi-sided products, demonstrating strategic thinking and execution.

• Proficiency with modern design and AI tools, including Figma, Claude (or similar AI assistants for design ideation/workflow), prototyping tools, and user testing platforms.

• Proven ability to translate business goals and user needs into clear design strategy and a cohesive brand vision.

• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences, including executive leadership and board members.

• Experience thriving in fast-paced, high-growth startup environments, demonstrating comfort with ambiguity and making decisions with incomplete information.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI tools specifically integrated into design workflows or product development.

• Familiarity with clinical workflows and the nuances of healthcare technology platforms.

• Experience in building and scaling design operations from the ground up.

• Understanding of how design directly impacts key business metrics like conversion, retention, and patient outcomes.

• Ability to present to executive leadership, board members, and external stakeholders with confidence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a large team size (15+) and the specific mention of AI tools like Claude suggest a need for a leader experienced in scaling design functions and adopting cutting-edge technologies within product development. The portfolio requirement is critical for demonstrating strategic impact and execution capabilities.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated selection of 2-3 in-depth case studies demonstrating end-to-end ownership of complex, multi-sided products, showcasing strategic thinking, problem-solving, and design execution.

• Clear articulation of the design process followed, including user research methodologies, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, visual design, and user testing.

• Evidence of how design decisions were informed by user needs, business goals, and data (both qualitative and quantitative).

• Demonstration of impact through measurable outcomes (e.g., improved conversion rates, enhanced user engagement, positive patient outcomes, efficiency gains).

Process Documentation:

• Showcase of experience in defining and implementing design processes that balance speed, craft, and patient-centricity within a fast-paced environment.

• Examples of workflow design and optimization, particularly in how processes enable designers to focus on problem-solving rather than bureaucracy.

• Documentation or discussion of how design operations, including design systems and quality standards, are established and maintained.

• Evidence of implementing tools and workflows that support rapid iteration and collaboration with Product and Engineering teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role, serving as the primary evidence of strategic impact, leadership capability, and execution excellence. Case studies should clearly articulate the "why" behind design decisions and quantify the impact on business and user outcomes, especially within a healthcare context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $250,000 - $300,000 per year.

Benefits:

• Financial:

  • Top-of-Market Compensation: Competitive salaries and generous equity packages.
  • Quarterly Performance Bonus: 50% quarterly performance bonus.
  • 401(k) with match.

• Time Off & Flexibility:

  • Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO).
  • Generous company holidays.
  • True flexibility (though the role is on-site, the PTO policy emphasizes work-life balance).

• Health & Wellness:

  • High-quality medical, dental, and vision plans.
  • Life insurance.
  • Wellness programs, including weekly mindfulness sessions and group workouts.
  • Fitness perks.

• Daily Life & Office Perks:

  • Daily meals provided (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
  • On-site espresso and matcha bar.
  • Pre-tax commuter perks for transit and parking.

• Professional Development:

  • High-impact work that directly improves lives and scales nationwide.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are implied (approximately 40 hours per week), with a strong emphasis on on-site collaboration in their San Francisco HQ. While the company offers unlimited PTO, the expectation for a VP-level role is significant dedication and presence, especially given the on-site requirement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is explicitly stated, and the benefits package is extensive, reflecting a commitment to employee well-being and financial security. The 50% quarterly performance bonus tied to company success is a significant incentive. The "Unlimited PTO" should be viewed in the context of an on-site VP role requiring consistent presence and leadership.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare Technology (specifically an AI-driven marketplace for healthcare discovery, pricing, and medication access).

Company Size: Not explicitly stated, but the mention of "rapid growth," "scaling fast," and a leadership team of 15+ designers suggests a Series B or C stage startup, likely between 50-250 employees.

Founded: The description mentions "Over the past few years," indicating a relatively young but established company.

Team Structure:

• The design team will include Product Designers, UX Researchers, and Design Systems specialists, reporting to the VP of Design.

• The VP of Design will partner closely with executive leadership, including Product, Engineering, Clinical, and Operations.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven: Emphasizes using both qualitative and quantitative data to inform design decisions and measure impact.

• Patient-Centric: Core to the mission; design must prioritize patient needs and trust.

• AI-Integrated: Actively leveraging AI for product development and potentially design workflows.

• Agile & Iterative: Thrives in a fast-paced, high-growth environment where priorities can shift, requiring speed and adaptability.

• Collaborative: Strong emphasis on cross-functional partnerships across Product, Engineering, Clinical, and Operations.

Company Website: joinmochi.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Mochi Health operates in a critical sector where trust and efficacy are paramount. The company's AI-driven approach suggests a forward-thinking, technology-focused culture. The emphasis on "fixing healthcare" and "rebuilding healthcare from the patient up" indicates a mission-driven organization.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior executive-level position, VP of Design, overseeing a significant function within the company. It represents a top-tier leadership role within the design discipline.

Reporting Structure: The VP of Design will report directly to an executive-level leader, likely a C-suite executive such as the CEO, CTO, or Chief Product Officer, given the strategic importance of the role.

Operations Impact: The design function at Mochi Health is positioned as a strategic driver, not just an execution arm. The VP of Design is expected to influence strategy, shape the product roadmap, and ensure that design directly contributes to key business outcomes like patient acquisition, retention, platform usability, and ultimately, the company's mission of making healthcare more affordable and accessible. The role is critical for building patient trust in a sensitive industry.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to grow the design team significantly as the company scales, taking on more specialized functions or leading multiple design disciplines.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape the long-term product vision and company strategy, moving beyond design execution to broader business leadership.

• Industry Impact: Contributing to the transformation of healthcare through innovative design and technology, creating a legacy of positive change.

• Skill Development: Deepening expertise in healthcare technology, AI integration in design, and scaling design operations in a high-growth environment.

• Potential for Executive Advancement: For exceptional performers, this role can serve as a stepping stone to broader executive leadership roles within Mochi Health or other high-growth tech companies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant potential for impact and growth, aligning with the company's mission-driven nature and rapid scaling trajectory. The emphasis on strategic influence and direct contribution to business outcomes is a key aspect of career progression here.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Mochi Health is an "in-person company" with a headquarters in Downtown San Francisco. The office is designed for "deep work and casual collaboration."

Office Location(s): Downtown San Francisco, CA. The description notes it's "just steps from BART, Muni, and great food," indicating a central and accessible location.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office is designed to foster collaboration, with daily interaction expected five days a week. This includes casual collaboration spaces and stocked kitchens.

• Technology & Tools: Access to modern design and AI tools is implied, with Figma, prototyping tools, and user testing platforms being critical. The office likely supports these with robust IT infrastructure.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for interaction with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, Clinical, Operations) are integral to the work environment. The culture encourages "bold thinking" and "inclusive collaboration."

Work Schedule: The company operates on a standard full-time basis, with an expectation of being in the San Francisco HQ five days a week. While they offer unlimited PTO, the role requires consistent on-site presence for leadership and collaboration. This structure is designed to maximize team synergy and innovation through face-to-face interaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "in-person" requirement is a defining characteristic of the work environment, emphasizing the company's belief in the value of physical proximity for collaboration and culture building. This is crucial for candidates to consider.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Application Review: Submit resume, portfolio (PDF or link), and a brief cover letter expressing excitement for the role.

2. Recruiter Screen: A 30-minute conversation focusing on background, interest, and includes a brief logic/probability question.

3. Hiring Manager Screen: A 30-minute conversation with the hiring manager.

4. Portfolio Presentation: A 60-minute session where the candidate presents 2-3 case studies to Product/Design leadership, diving deep into their work.

5. Onsite Interview: A series of conversations with cross-functional leaders and the CEO, assessing cultural fit, strategic thinking, and leadership potential.

6. Offer: Typically extended within 2-3 weeks from the initial application.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Strategic Focus: Ensure your case studies highlight strategic thinking, problem definition, and how design decisions aligned with business objectives and user needs, not just aesthetic execution.

• Quantifiable Impact: Clearly articulate the measurable results of your work. Use metrics related to user engagement, conversion, retention, efficiency, or patient outcomes. For healthcare, demonstrating impact on patient trust or adherence is also valuable.

• Process Clarity: Detail your design process for each case study, emphasizing user research, collaboration with cross-functional teams, and how you leveraged or built design systems.

• Leadership & Scalability: For this VP role, demonstrate how you've led teams, scaled design functions, and implemented processes that enable efficiency and quality.

• Conciseness: Given the 60-minute presentation slot, be prepared to cover 2-3 key projects thoroughly but concisely, anticipating questions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Logic/Probability Question (Recruiter Screen): Prepare for basic logical reasoning and probability scenarios. Think about clear, structured ways to approach these types of problems.

• Strategic & Leadership Questions (Hiring Manager/Onsite): Be ready to discuss your design philosophy, how you build and lead teams, your approach to strategy, how you handle ambiguity, and how you collaborate with other departments.

• Case Study Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio pieces clearly and compellingly. Be prepared to defend your design choices, discuss trade-offs, and explain the impact of your work. Focus on storytelling that highlights your strategic contribution and leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to assess strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, and execution excellence, with a significant emphasis placed on the portfolio presentation. Candidates should prepare to articulate their impact and strategic approach in detail.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (explicitly mentioned), other modern prototyping tools (e.g., Framer, ProtoPie).

• AI Tools: Claude (explicitly mentioned for design ideation/workflow acceleration), other AI-assisted design tools.

• User Research & Testing: User testing platforms (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback), survey tools (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform).

• Design Systems: Experience in building, maintaining, or contributing to design systems.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed for the Design team, the VP will need to understand and leverage data from:
  • Product Analytics platforms (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics).

CRM & Automation:

• The design team will likely interact with CRM data (e.g., Salesforce) for understanding user segments and potentially marketing automation tools, but direct management is unlikely for this role. The focus will be on using insights derived from these systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is a must. The explicit mention of "Claude" indicates a company embracing AI for design and product development processes, suggesting candidates should be comfortable with or curious about AI-assisted workflows. Understanding how to use data from various sources to inform design decisions is critical.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Patient-Centricity: The core mission is to improve patient access and experience in healthcare. Every design decision should prioritize this.

• Bold Thinking & Innovation: Encouraged to tackle complex problems and explore new solutions, especially with AI integration.

• Inclusive Collaboration: Working effectively with diverse teams and perspectives is key to success.

• Excellence & Craft: Maintaining high standards in design quality while moving fast.

• Humility & Empathy: Essential for working in healthcare and collaborating effectively within a team.

• Data-Informed: Decisions are backed by evidence, not just intuition.

• Ownership & Impact: A drive to not just lead but also "do," with a focus on making a tangible difference.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Design works closely with Product, Engineering, Clinical, and Operations, with the VP of Design acting as a key bridge.

• Fast-Paced & Iterative: Embraces agility, rapid prototyping, and continuous feedback loops.

• Transparent Communication: Open dialogue and clear articulation of design rationale are valued.

• Feedback-Oriented: A culture that encourages constructive feedback to drive improvement in both product and processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values are deeply tied to its mission and its operational style. Candidates should demonstrate how their personal values align with Mochi Health's commitment to patient care, innovation, and collaborative execution.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Healthcare Complexity: Designing in a regulated, high-stakes industry with complex stakeholder needs (patients, providers, payers) requires careful consideration of usability, safety, and compliance.

• Balancing Speed and Quality: In a fast-paced startup environment, maintaining high design standards and user trust while iterating rapidly can be challenging.

• Scaling Design Operations: Building and formalizing design processes, systems, and team structures to keep pace with company growth.

• AI Integration: Effectively leveraging AI tools in design workflows and product features while ensuring ethical considerations and user trust.

• Executive Influence: Ensuring design's strategic voice is consistently heard and acted upon at the executive level.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Healthcare Tech: Gaining extensive experience in a rapidly evolving sector, understanding its unique challenges and opportunities.

• AI in Design Leadership: Pioneering the use of AI tools and methodologies in design strategy and execution.

• Scaling Design Functions: Developing expertise in building and managing large, high-performing design teams in a high-growth startup.

• Strategic Business Impact: Directly contributing to the growth and success of a mission-driven company, influencing business outcomes through design.

• Executive Leadership Development: Gaining experience operating at the highest levels of a startup, including potential exposure to board-level discussions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a senior leadership role in a growing healthcare tech startup, offering significant opportunities for professional development and impactful work. Candidates should demonstrate an ability to navigate ambiguity and drive strategic initiatives.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your design philosophy and how you've applied it to create successful healthcare experiences." (Focus on patient-centricity, AI integration, and strategic impact.)

• "How would you approach building and scaling a Design Systems function from its current stage to support rapid growth?" (Highlight process, collaboration, and scalability.)

• "Walk us through a time you influenced executive leadership to adopt a significant design-led strategy. What was the outcome?" (Demonstrate strategic thinking and communication skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Mochi Health's mission and our approach to solving healthcare problems?" (Research the company's mission and recent developments.)

• "How do you foster a culture of collaboration and innovation within a design team and across cross-functional departments?" (Provide examples of your leadership style.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Structure: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, the process followed, the solution, and the quantifiable impact. Use a story-telling approach.

• Focus on Strategy: Emphasize why you made certain design decisions, linking them back to user needs and business objectives.

• Demonstrate Leadership: Highlight instances where you led teams, influenced stakeholders, or drove strategic initiatives within the project.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your presentation is visually polished, reflecting your design acumen.

• Anticipate Questions: Be prepared to discuss trade-offs, challenges encountered, and alternative solutions considered.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on articulating strategic impact, leadership experience, and a deep understanding of Mochi Health's mission and market. The portfolio presentation is a critical component, requiring a clear, concise, and compelling narrative.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this VP of Design position:

• Submit your resume, portfolio (PDF or link), and a brief note explaining your excitement for the role via the application link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight 2-3 complex, multi-sided product case studies that demonstrate strategic thinking, end-to-end ownership, and measurable impact, particularly in user-centered design and team leadership.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 10+ years of product design experience, specifically highlighting your 4+ years of leading teams of 15+ individuals and your strategic contributions. Use keywords related to design strategy, team building, product development, and healthcare technology.

• Interview Preparation: Practice your portfolio presentation, focusing on storytelling, strategic rationale, and quantifiable outcomes. Prepare for logic/probability questions and be ready to discuss your leadership approach and vision for design at Mochi Health.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Mochi Health's mission, AI-driven marketplace approach, and the healthcare technology landscape. Understand their values and be prepared to articulate how your leadership style and experience align with their culture.

⚠️ 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.

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