Lead Product Designer — Innovation & IA H/F

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Product Designer — Innovation & IA H/F

Company: NEXTON

Location: Saint-Augustin, Corrèze, France

Job Type: Temps complet (Full-time)

Category: Product Design & Innovation

Date Posted: 2026-11-04

Experience Level: 7+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end product design for strategic client projects, encompassing user research, UX/UI design, advanced prototyping, user testing, and technical handoff, ensuring high-quality deliverables and adherence to established design methodologies.

• Drive innovation initiatives at the intersection of Design and Artificial Intelligence (AI), from conceptualization and prototyping to Proofs of Concept (POCs) and industrialization with technical teams.

• Act as a senior design reference and operational right-hand to the Head of Design, structuring design practices, inspiring the team, and maximizing the business value of client implementations.

• Foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement by conducting active market research on AI, DesignOps, and emerging design practices, transforming insights into actionable experiments.

• Mentor and develop junior and mid-level designers within the team through pair design sessions, regular design reviews, and knowledge sharing to elevate overall team capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior leadership position within the Product Design function, specifically focused on innovation and the integration of AI. The emphasis on "bras droit opérationnel" (operational right-hand) and "référent senior" (senior reference) indicates a significant level of autonomy and responsibility, extending beyond typical design execution to strategic influence and team development. The "IA H/F" designation signifies a focus on Artificial Intelligence for both Human and Female candidates, reflecting an inclusive hiring approach.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Champion a product vision centered on Return on Investment (ROI) by meticulously clarifying value propositions, effort-impact trade-offs, and success metrics from the initial project scoping phase.

• Execute comprehensive end-to-end design processes for major strategic projects, including in-depth User Research, intuitive UX/UI design, advanced Prototyping, rigorous User Testing, and seamless Technical Handoff to development teams.

• Oversee and guarantee the quality and excellence of all design deliverables, ensuring consistency with the pole's methodological standards and best practices in Product Design.

• Lead Design x AI initiatives by defining project scope, prototyping innovative concepts, developing Proofs of Concept (POCs), and collaborating with Tech teams for their successful industrialization.

• Maintain an active and forward-thinking watch on advancements in AI, DesignOps, and new design methodologies, translating these insights into practical, experiment-driven initiatives.

• Facilitate the skill enhancement of the team's designers through dedicated mentoring, collaborative pair-design sessions, and constructive, regular design reviews.

• Provide strategic support to the Head of Design concerning key decision-making, overall quality assurance, and the cultivation of a positive and dynamic team collective.

• Actively participate in presales activities, including qualifying client needs, structuring methodological proposals, estimating design effort and costs, and supporting proposals during client presentations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership, hands-on design execution, and team enablement. The explicit mention of "ROI," "effort/impact trade-offs," and "success metrics" indicates a strong business-oriented approach to design. The "Design x AI" focus suggests a need for practical application of AI tools and concepts in the design process, not just theoretical knowledge. The presales involvement points to a client-facing aspect of the role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While specific degrees are not listed, a strong academic foundation in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for this level of experience.

Experience: Approximately 7+ years of dedicated experience in Product Design, with a proven track record in a Lead or Senior Product Designer capacity, demonstrating the ability to manage complex projects and mentor teams.

Required Skills:

• Mastery of the complete Product Design value chain, including User Research, Ideation Workshops, Information Architecture, UX/UI Design, and the implementation of Design Systems.

• Strong practical expertise and a keen interest in the application of Generative AI within design processes and product innovation.

• Proficiency with industry-standard design tools such as Figma, advanced prototyping solutions, and AI tools specifically applied to design workflows.

• Exceptional business acumen, a strong sense of ROI, and the ability to translate complex user needs into viable product strategies.

• Demonstrated leadership qualities, effective communication skills, and a collaborative spirit conducive to team cohesion and client success. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with agile development methodologies and cross-functional team collaboration.

• Familiarity with DesignOps principles and practices to streamline design workflows and improve team efficiency.

• A portfolio showcasing successful product launches, significant design challenges overcome, and innovative use of AI in design solutions.

• Experience in contributing to or leading presales engagements and client proposal development.

• Understanding of technical constraints and collaboration with engineering teams for seamless implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "around 7 years" suggests a need for substantial hands-on experience and demonstrated leadership. The emphasis on "expertise concrète sur les usages de l'intelligence artificielle générative" (concrete expertise on the uses of generative artificial intelligence) indicates a practical, applied knowledge rather than just theoretical understanding. This is a key differentiator for this role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive case studies demonstrating end-to-end product design processes for complex projects, highlighting strategic thinking, user-centered methodologies, and problem-solving approaches.

• Evidence of leading design initiatives, including project scope definition, user research synthesis, ideation, prototyping, user testing, and successful technical handoff.

• Examples of designing for innovation and leveraging emerging technologies, particularly AI, to create novel user experiences or solve business challenges.

• Documentation of how design decisions were informed by business objectives, ROI considerations, and defined success metrics.

• Showcase of proficiency with key design tools (e.g., Figma) and advanced prototyping techniques. Process Documentation:

• Ability to articulate and document design processes, including workflow optimization strategies and best practices for team collaboration and knowledge sharing.

• Experience in defining and implementing design standards, guidelines, and potentially contributing to or managing Design Systems to ensure consistency and efficiency.

• Demonstrated capability in conducting and synthesizing user research, ideation workshops, and usability testing to inform design iterations.

• Track record of collaborating effectively with development teams, ensuring smooth technical handoffs and iterative feedback loops.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Lead Product Designer role, especially one focused on innovation and AI, the portfolio is critical. It needs to showcase not just design execution but also strategic thinking, leadership, and the ability to integrate cutting-edge technologies. The emphasis on ROI and business value is paramount.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Given the "Lead" title, 7+ years of experience, and the location in Saint-Augustin, Corrèze (a less expensive region in France compared to major tech hubs), a competitive salary range for a Lead Product Designer would likely fall between €55,000 and €75,000 gross annual salary. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior design roles in France, adjusted for regional cost of living and the specific expertise in AI and innovation.

Benefits:

• Professional Communities: Access to internal communities for knowledge sharing and networking.

• Meet Ups: Opportunities to attend and participate in industry meetups for skill development and networking.

• Training Programs: Access to ongoing training to enhance professional skills and stay current with industry trends.

• Sports and Social Events: Company-sponsored events to foster team bonding and employee well-being.

• Sustainable Mobility Allowance: A financial contribution to encourage eco-friendly commuting.

• Latest-Generation Phone: Provision of a modern mobile phone for professional use.

Working Hours:

The role specifies 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time position in France, with potential for flexibility depending on project needs and team agreements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general French market data for experienced design professionals and adjusted for the specific location. The benefits listed are directly from the job description and are typical for tech and consulting firms in France, with a nod towards employee well-being and development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Consulting, Digital Transformation, and IT Services (ESN - Entreprise de Services du Numérique). NEXTON operates at the intersection of consulting, creative agency, and tech services, serving large corporations and digital pioneers.

Company Size: Over 450 experts. This indicates a medium-to-large sized company with established processes but likely retaining a dynamic and agile culture, offering opportunities for growth and impact.

Founded: 2011. Founded in 2011, NEXTON has over a decade of experience, suggesting a stable and growing organization with a developed understanding of the digital landscape and client needs.

Team Structure:

• The role reports directly to the Head of Design within the "NEXTON Factory" pole, which focuses on innovation projects.

• This structure implies a specialized innovation unit that collaborates closely with client-facing delivery teams.

• The team likely consists of diverse specialists in digital, design, agile methodologies, product management, and development. Methodology:

• NEXTON emphasizes a blend of consulting rigor, creative agency innovation, and IT service delivery expertise.

• The "NEXTON Factory" pole likely employs agile methodologies, design thinking, and rapid experimentation frameworks, particularly for AI and innovation projects.

• Data analysis and insights are crucial for defining product value, ROI, and success metrics, aligning design efforts with business objectives.

Company Website: https://www.nexton.com/ (Inferred from domain_derived)

📝 Enhancement Note: NEXTON's positioning as a hybrid consultancy/agency/ESN means the operations professionals here will likely experience a fast-paced environment with diverse client challenges. The "NEXTON Factory" suggests a dedicated innovation hub, which would be attractive to designers interested in cutting-edge work, especially with AI.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Lead Product Designer – Innovation & IA. This is a senior individual contributor role with significant leadership responsibilities. It sits at the forefront of innovation, requiring both deep design expertise and a forward-looking perspective on AI's impact on product development. The role is critical for shaping client strategies and internal design capabilities.

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Head of Design. This provides a clear reporting line and access to senior leadership for strategic guidance and career development. The role also acts as a "bras droit opérationnel," indicating a close working relationship and significant support for the Head of Design.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on client success through the delivery of high-value, innovative digital products. By focusing on ROI and business metrics, the designer directly contributes to the commercial success of client projects and the strategic positioning of NEXTON. The innovation and AI focus also positions the company and its clients at the forefront of technological advancement.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to grow into a Design Manager role, overseeing larger teams or broader design functions within NEXTON.

• Specialization Deepening: Become a recognized expert in AI-driven design, leading specialized AI innovation projects or developing new AI design methodologies for the company.

• Strategic Influence: Increased involvement in high-level client strategy and business development, influencing the direction of NEXTON's innovation offerings.

• Mentorship & Training: Develop advanced mentoring skills and contribute to shaping NEXTON's internal design training programs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead" title combined with "Innovation & IA" signifies a high-impact role. Growth is likely to come through expanding leadership scope, becoming a subject matter expert, or moving into more strategic client-facing roles. The structure suggests ample opportunity to influence internal processes and external client engagements.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Saint-Augustin, Corrèze, France, indicating an on-site position within a specific office location. Given NEXTON's structure as a consultancy and ESN, the office environment is likely modern, collaborative, and equipped to support client meetings and project work.

Office Location(s): Saint-Augustin, Corrèze, France. This location is in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: As part of the "NEXTON Factory" and working with clients, the workspace is expected to facilitate collaboration with designers, developers, product managers, and client stakeholders.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools (Figma, advanced prototyping) and AI-powered design solutions will be available. The company also provides a "latest-generation phone."

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with the Head of Design, fellow designers, and cross-functional teams involved in innovation and client projects.

Work Schedule: The specified 40 working hours per week implies a standard full-time schedule. While project demands may arise, the company culture appears to support employee well-being through events and potentially some flexibility, though the primary work arrangement is on-site.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature in Saint-Augustin suggests a potentially more focused, less geographically dispersed work environment compared to a major metropolitan hub. This could foster deeper team cohesion but requires candidates to be comfortable with the location.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of CV and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with the role's requirements, particularly in Product Design, AI, and leadership.

• Technical/Design Interview: Discussion focused on design philosophy, process, case studies from the portfolio, and specific experience with User Research, UX/UI, Prototyping, and AI applications. Expect in-depth questions about how you approach problem-solving and drive ROI.

• Leadership & Strategy Interview: Assessment of leadership potential, mentoring capabilities, strategic thinking, business acumen (ROI focus), and ability to contribute to presales efforts. This may involve scenario-based questions.

• Cultural Fit & Team Interview: Meeting with the Head of Design and potentially other team members to evaluate collaboration style, communication skills, and alignment with NEXTON's values and the "NEXTON Factory" team dynamics.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior management to discuss overall fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase End-to-End Process: Clearly articulate your role and contributions in each phase of the design process for each case study.

• Highlight AI Integration: Provide specific examples of how you've used AI tools or concepts in your design work, detailing the impact and learnings.

• Quantify Impact: Emphasize business outcomes, ROI, and success metrics achieved through your design solutions. Use data to support your claims.

• Demonstrate Leadership & Mentoring: Include examples of leading design initiatives, mentoring junior designers, or driving methodological improvements.

• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or by skill demonstrated, with concise summaries for each case study.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for potential case studies or design challenges that might involve ideating solutions for an AI-driven product or optimizing an existing user flow with an innovation perspective.

• Practice articulating your design process, decision-making rationale, and the business value of your proposed solutions concisely and persuasively.

• Prepare questions that demonstrate your understanding of NEXTON's business, their clients, and the role of innovation and AI within their strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AI and ROI suggests that interviewers will probe deeply into how candidates apply these concepts practically. The portfolio should explicitly address these areas. The "bras droit opérationnel" aspect implies that interviewers will look for proactivity and strategic partnership capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Explicitly mentioned as a reference tool for UI/UX design, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency is essential.

• Advanced Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma's capabilities, expect familiarity with tools like ProtoPie, Framer, or similar for high-fidelity and interactive prototypes.

• AI Tools Applied to Design: This is a key area. Candidates should be familiar with generative AI platforms (e.g., Midjourney, DALL-E, Stable Diffusion for asset generation; ChatGPT, Claude for content generation or ideation support) and potentially AI-powered design analysis or optimization tools.

• User Research Platforms: Tools for surveys, interviews, usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback).

• Information Architecture Tools: Software for sitemaps, user flows, wireframing (e.g., Miro, Whimsical, Axure).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Tools: Familiarity with Google Analytics or similar to understand user behavior and measure impact.

• Product Analytics Tools: Tools like Mixpanel, Amplitude, or Pendo for in-depth user journey analysis and feature adoption tracking.

• Data Visualization Tools: Experience with tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Looker Studio for presenting data and insights.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a design tool, understanding how design impacts CRM and sales/marketing automation platforms (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) can be beneficial for understanding business context and ROI.

• Familiarity with project management tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for workflow management and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and AI tools for design is crucial. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their practical experience with these technologies, especially how they leverage AI to enhance the design process or create innovative product features.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Experimentation: A core value, driven by the "NEXTON Factory" and the focus on AI and new practices. This implies a willingness to explore, test, and learn from new approaches.

• Business Value & ROI: Design is explicitly linked to business objectives and delivering measurable value. This suggests a results-oriented culture where design impact is quantified.

• Excellence & Quality: A commitment to high-quality deliverables and maintaining methodological standards across projects.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Emphasis on "cohésion," "pair-design," and cross-functional work, indicating a strong collaborative ethos.

• Continuous Learning & Development: Encouraged through communities, meetups, and training, reflecting a culture that invests in its people's growth.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers work closely with Tech teams, Product Managers, and client stakeholders on innovation and delivery projects.

• Mentorship & Peer Support: A culture of knowledge sharing and mutual development through pair design and design reviews.

• Client-Centric: A consultative approach focused on understanding and solving client business challenges through design.

• Agile & Iterative: Likely employing agile principles for iterative development and feedback incorporation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be a blend of innovation-driven startup energy within a larger, established consulting framework. The emphasis on ROI and measurable impact suggests a pragmatic approach to design, even within an innovation context.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rapidly Evolving AI Landscape: Staying abreast of and effectively integrating the fast-paced advancements in AI into design workflows and client solutions.

• Balancing Innovation with ROI: Ensuring that experimental and innovative design concepts are grounded in clear business value and deliver tangible ROI for clients.

• Client Adoption of New Technologies: Educating and guiding clients on the benefits and implementation of AI-driven design solutions.

• Managing Multiple Strategic Projects: Effectively prioritizing and delivering high-quality design across several high-stakes client engagements simultaneously.

• Mentoring and Scaling Design Expertise: Developing and scaling the design capabilities of the team, particularly in specialized areas like AI design.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Specialization: Deepen expertise in applying AI to product design, potentially becoming a go-to expert for NEXTON and its clients.

• Leadership Development: Enhance skills in team management, strategic planning, and mentoring through direct experience and company-provided training.

• Industry Exposure: Gain broad exposure to diverse industries and client challenges through NEXTON's client portfolio.

• DesignOps Implementation: Opportunity to contribute to or lead the formalization and implementation of DesignOps practices within the "NEXTON Factory."

• Presales & Business Development: Develop skills in client engagement, proposal structuring, and articulating design value in a business context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly tied to the role's focus on innovation and AI. The growth opportunities are geared towards deepening expertise, expanding leadership, and increasing strategic influence within the company and with clients.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to defining product strategy and ensuring designs align with ROI and business objectives." (Preparation: Have examples of how you've translated business goals into design decisions and measured their impact.)

• "How would you lead a design initiative focused on integrating generative AI into a client's product? Walk us through your process from ideation to potential POC." (Preparation: Detail your methodology for exploring AI applications, prototyping, and validating concepts, referencing specific AI tools you've used.)

• "Imagine a scenario where a client is hesitant to adopt AI-driven features. How would you present the value proposition and address their concerns?" (Preparation: Focus on clear communication, risk mitigation, and demonstrating tangible benefits and ROI.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about NEXTON's hybrid model (consulting, agency, ESN) and the 'NEXTON Factory'?" (Preparation: Research NEXTON's mission, values, and client work. Connect your passion for innovation and design to their offerings.)

• "How do you approach mentoring junior designers, and what's your philosophy on building a strong, collaborative design team?" (Preparation: Be ready to share specific examples of mentoring techniques and how you foster a positive team environment.)

• "How do you measure the success of your design work beyond user satisfaction?" (Preparation: Focus on business metrics, ROI, conversion rates, efficiency gains, and other quantifiable outcomes.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Flow: Structure each case study with a clear beginning (problem/opportunity), middle (your process, solutions, challenges), and end (outcomes, learnings, impact).

• Highlight AI & ROI: Explicitly call out where AI was used and the resulting business impact or ROI achieved. Use visual aids to demonstrate this.

• Showcase Leadership: Point out instances where you led the design process, mentored others, or influenced strategic decisions.

• Interactive Elements: Be prepared to dive deeper into specific screens, user flows, or research findings. Have backup screens or data readily accessible.

• Conciseness: Practice presenting your key projects within a set timeframe, focusing on the most impactful aspects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview questions will likely probe your strategic thinking, practical application of AI, business acumen, and leadership capabilities. Preparing specific examples and framing them around ROI and innovation will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the SmartRecruiters portal, ensuring your CV and portfolio are up-to-date and easily accessible.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating end-to-end product design, innovation, AI integration, and measurable business impact (ROI). Prioritize case studies that best align with the responsibilities outlined.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your experience in lead/senior roles, specific skills in User Research, UX/UI, Prototyping, Design Systems, and any experience with AI tools and methodologies. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, decision-making rationale, and the business value of your work. Prepare specific examples for leadership, mentoring, and AI integration scenarios.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with NEXTON's services, client base, and their "NEXTON Factory" initiative. Understand their approach to innovation and digital transformation to better articulate your fit and ask insightful questions.

⚠️ 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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