Lead Product Designer（UI/UX）

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Product Designer (UI/UX)

Company: HENNGE Careers

Location: Tokyo, Japan (Shibuya HQ)

Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent Employee

Category: Product Design / UI/UX Leadership

Date Posted: November 4, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (6+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead critical product design initiatives, defining strategic design direction and influencing product roadmaps.

• Mentor and manage a team of designers, fostering professional growth and optimizing team processes.

• Drive design quality and establish best practices for product design and team workflows.

• Track and report on key design performance indicators (KPIs) to senior leadership, demonstrating design's impact on business objectives.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including Product Management, Engineering, and Customer Success to deliver user-centric solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Lead Product Designer with a clear growth path into design management, requiring a blend of strong individual contribution, team leadership, and strategic business acumen. The emphasis on B2B SaaS and security products, combined with the dual-language requirement, indicates a complex and impactful role within a rapidly evolving tech environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the design direction for key projects, aligning user experience with HENNGE's business objectives and product strategy for HENNGE One.

• Guide and mentor junior and senior designers, providing constructive feedback, facilitating skill development, and ensuring high-quality design output.

• Define and implement design standards, processes, and best practices to elevate the overall quality and consistency of product design.

• Actively participate in defining the design team's vision, strategic goals, and operational processes.

• Establish, monitor, and report on design KPIs to measure the effectiveness of design efforts and their contribution to business outcomes.

• Foster strong collaborative relationships with Product Managers, Engineers, and Customer Success teams to ensure cohesive product development.

• Contribute to hiring and onboarding processes for new design team members.

• Support the development and evolution of the company's design system for efficient and scalable design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly outline a dual focus: leading design execution on high-impact projects and contributing significantly to the operational and strategic management of the design team. This requires a candidate who can balance hands-on design work with leadership responsibilities and strategic thinking.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

• 6+ years of progressive experience in UI/UX design, with a significant focus on product design within a tech environment.

• Proven track record of leading complex design projects from initial discovery through to successful delivery, involving multiple cross-functional teams.

• Demonstrated experience in mentoring, coaching, or managing designers, and a history of improving team workflows and processes.

• Experience in connecting design decisions directly to business goals and articulating these connections clearly to diverse stakeholders, including non-designers and senior management. Required Skills:

• Expert proficiency in UI/UX design principles and methodologies, with a strong portfolio showcasing product design expertise.

• Advanced skills in user research, persona development, user journey mapping, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing.

• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to present complex design concepts and rationale effectively.

• Business-level fluency in both Japanese (JLPT N1 or equivalent) and English, enabling seamless communication in a global team.

• Experience with design leadership, team process improvement, and mentoring junior designers.

• Familiarity with design systems and their implementation for B2B SaaS products. Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the security industry or B2B SaaS product environments.

• Experience in defining, tracking, and reporting on design KPIs and metrics to senior management.

• Familiarity with AI applications in design workflows or experience preparing design systems for AI-assisted development.

• Experience representing a company's design efforts externally (e.g., speaking at conferences, publishing articles).

• Proficiency with design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on business-level Japanese and English is critical and should be a primary filter for candidates. The preferred skills, particularly B2B SaaS and security industry experience, will give candidates a significant advantage. The mention of AI in design workflows signals a forward-thinking approach to the team's tools and processes.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating a minimum of 6 years of product design experience, with a focus on UI/UX.

• Case studies showcasing leadership in design projects from discovery to delivery, highlighting your role in shaping design direction and connecting decisions to business outcomes.

• Examples of mentoring or leading design efforts, demonstrating your ability to improve team processes and guide other designers.

• Clear articulation of design decisions, user research findings, and the impact of your design solutions.

• Evidence of experience working with cross-functional teams and presenting design concepts to stakeholders. Process Documentation:

• Showcase how you've defined and implemented design quality standards and team processes in previous roles.

• Provide examples of how you've tracked design KPIs and reported on their impact to management.

• Illustrate your understanding of design systems and how you've contributed to their development or utilization.

• Demonstrate experience in user research methodologies and how they inform product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is a critical component for this role, requiring not just visual design samples but also evidence of strategic thinking, leadership, process improvement, and business acumen. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their contributions to business goals and team development.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• 6+ years UI/UX (Product) Design, Business-level English & Japanese (JLPT N1 or equiv.): 8.5M - 10.0M JPY per year

• 6+ years UI/UX (Product) Design with Mentoring/Management, Business-level English & Japanese (JLPT N1 or equiv.): 9.0M - 11.0M JPY per year Benefits:

• Employment Type: Permanent Employee with a 3-month probation period.

• Insurance: Comprehensive coverage including Health, Employment, Industrial Injury, and Welfare Pension.

• Allowances:

  • English Allowance: 10,000 JPY - 130,000 JPY per month, based on fulfilling specific requirements.
  • Physical Communication Bonus: 5,000 JPY per day for coming to the office and interacting with colleagues.

• Professional Development:

  • Language studies provided to enhance English and Japanese skills.
  • Access to design conferences and workshops for continuous learning.
  • Support for exploring side projects and contributing to design system evolution.

• Other:

  • MacBook provided for work.

  • Annual bonus (December), approximately 2 months' salary (performance-dependent).

  • Yearly promotion/raises assessment (January).

  • Non-smoking facility. Working Hours:

• Standard hours are 10:00 - 19:00 with a 1-hour break.

• Flex Time system is in place, with a core time of 10:00 - 15:00.

• Overtime is compensated: Duty Allowance covers approx. 20 hours; additional overtime is paid based on a defined formula.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary ranges provided are competitive for Tokyo, Japan, reflecting the seniority and dual-language requirement. The inclusion of specific allowances like English and Physical Communication bonuses, alongside robust professional development opportunities, highlights HENNGE's investment in its employees and a hybrid work model. The overtime compensation structure is clearly defined.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Cloud-based Security Provider (B2B SaaS)

Company Size: HENNGE is a significant player in the Japanese tech market, employing a substantial number of professionals, fostering an environment of innovation and growth.

Founded: HENNGE was founded with a vision to provide cutting-edge cloud solutions, establishing a strong reputation for innovation and reliability.

Team Structure:

• The Design Team operates within a collaborative framework, likely composed of specialized roles such as Product Designers, UI/UX Designers, and potentially UX Researchers.

• Reporting structure likely involves direct reporting to a Design Lead or Head of Design, with this role taking on a leading position within the team.

• Cross-functional collaboration is paramount, with designers working closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and Customer Success to ensure a cohesive product experience. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on using data and analytics to inform design decisions and measure impact.

• Agile Development: Likely follows agile methodologies, requiring close integration of design within development sprints.

• User-Centricity: A core focus on understanding user needs and delivering solutions that address those needs effectively.

• Continuous Improvement: The culture encourages learning and iteration, reflected in values like "Be a learnaholic" and "Love technology."

Company Website: https://recruit.hennge.com/en/

📝 Enhancement Note: HENNGE's focus on cloud security and B2B SaaS means the design team operates in a domain requiring precision, reliability, and a deep understanding of enterprise user needs. The company culture, emphasizing learning, technology, and passion, suggests a dynamic and forward-thinking environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is for a Lead Product Designer, a senior individual contributor role with significant leadership and management responsibilities. It serves as a crucial step towards potential Design Management or Head of Design positions. The scope includes setting design direction, managing team processes, and reporting on KPIs, indicating a strategic level of influence.

Reporting Structure: The Lead Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Design or a senior executive overseeing product development. They will, in turn, lead and mentor other designers within the team, influencing their career development and project assignments.

Operations Impact: The Lead Product Designer has a direct impact on the success of HENNGE's flagship product, HENNGE One, by ensuring its usability, effectiveness, and user satisfaction. By connecting design decisions to business goals, they contribute to customer acquisition, retention, and overall revenue growth in the competitive B2B SaaS market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Clear path towards Design Management or Head of Design roles, with opportunities to shape the future of the design team and its strategy.

• Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas such as B2B SaaS design, security product design, design system architecture, or AI integration in design.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Continued collaboration with Product, Engineering, and Sales/Customer Success teams, broadening understanding of the business.

• External Representation: Potential to grow into an external design evangelist role, representing HENNGE at industry events or through publications.

• Language Proficiency: Continuous development of Japanese and English language skills, opening doors for broader international roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a significant opportunity for career progression beyond individual contribution, providing a pathway into management while also allowing for deep specialization in a high-demand industry. The dual-language requirement is a key factor in international career mobility within the company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at the Tokyo Shibuya HQ. While remote work options exist, the company "recommends" coming into the office, suggesting a hybrid model where in-person collaboration and connection are valued. The office location is set to change in April 2027.

Office Location(s): Tokyo Shibuya HQ. Candidates must live, plan to live, or relocate within commuting distance of the Tokyo office.

Workspace Context:

• The Shibuya HQ likely offers a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster innovation and teamwork.

• Access to necessary tools and technology, including MacBooks, is provided.

• Opportunities for spontaneous interaction and collaboration with colleagues across various departments are encouraged, especially through the "Physical Communication Bonus."

• The environment is international, with a diverse team and a focus on global product development. Work Schedule:

• The standard working hours are 10:00 - 19:00 with a 1-hour break.

• A flexible time system is in place, with core hours between 10:00 and 15:00, allowing for some autonomy in managing the workday.

📝 Enhancement Note: HENNGE promotes a hybrid work model that balances flexibility with the benefits of in-office collaboration. The "Physical Communication Bonus" incentivizes in-person interaction, indicating a culture that values face-to-face connection for team cohesion and idea generation.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit Resume and Portfolio via the application form. The portfolio should be uploaded in the "cover letter" section.

• Design Assignment Screening: An initial screening task (approx. 2-3 hours) to assess design skills and problem-solving approach.

• Casual Interview (Japanese): An informal interview conducted in Japanese to assess cultural fit and communication style.

• 1st Interview: A more formal interview, likely with design or product leadership.

• 2nd Interview: Further assessment, potentially with engineering or product management leads.

• Executive Interview: Final interview with senior executives to discuss strategic alignment and leadership potential.

• Screening Result Notification: Typically within two weeks via email.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Leadership & Strategy: Highlight case studies where you led design initiatives, defined strategy, and connected design decisions to business goals.

• Demonstrate Process: Clearly articulate your design process, from research and ideation to execution and iteration, emphasizing problem-solving and decision-making.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics or data that demonstrate the success and impact of your designs on user behavior or business outcomes.

• Highlight Teamwork & Mentoring: Include examples of how you've collaborated with cross-functional teams and mentored or managed other designers.

• B2B SaaS Focus: If possible, tailor your portfolio to showcase relevant B2B SaaS or enterprise product design experience.

• Dual-Language Capability: Be prepared to discuss your projects and thought processes in both Japanese and English.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Business: Research HENNGE, HENNGE One, and the B2B SaaS security market to understand their challenges and strategic priorities.

• Prepare Design Examples: Be ready to walk through your portfolio case studies, explaining your role, process, challenges, and outcomes.

• Practice Explaining to Non-Designers: Rehearse how you would explain technical design concepts and rationale to a non-design audience, including executives.

• Anticipate Management Questions: Prepare to discuss your approach to team management, process improvement, KPI tracking, and leadership.

• Language Proficiency: Be comfortable discussing your experience and answering questions in both Japanese and English.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is multi-stage and rigorous, emphasizing both design craft and leadership capabilities. The inclusion of a casual interview in Japanese highlights the importance of cultural fit and communication style. Candidates must be prepared to present their portfolio effectively in both languages.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (strongly implied by the Figma community link to their design system), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, XD).

• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar platforms for daily team communication and project collaboration.

• Project Management: Jira, Asana, Trello, or similar tools for task tracking and workflow management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, or similar platforms to track user behavior and product engagement.

• Reporting & Dashboarding: Tools such as Tableau, Power BI, Looker Studio, or internal dashboards for visualizing KPIs and reporting to management.

CRM & Automation:

• While not explicitly stated as a direct tool for the designer, understanding CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing/sales automation platforms can be beneficial for B2B SaaS product design context.

• Design Systems: Experience with building, maintaining, and scaling design systems, likely managed within Figma or a similar design tool.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with Figma is highly probable given the link to their design system. Experience with B2B SaaS analytics tools and an understanding of how design impacts business metrics are crucial. The ability to work within an agile development environment, utilizing project management tools, is also expected.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Be a learnaholic: A commitment to continuous learning, staying updated with design trends, technologies, and user behaviors. This translates to actively seeking new knowledge, experimenting with new tools, and embracing feedback for growth.

• Love technology: A genuine passion for technology and its potential to solve problems and improve user experiences, especially within the cloud security and B2B SaaS domains. This means staying curious about emerging tech and its application in design.

• Lead yourself with passion: Taking initiative, demonstrating ownership, and driving projects forward with enthusiasm and dedication. This reflects a proactive and self-motivated approach to design challenges and team contributions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: A highly collaborative approach, working seamlessly with Product Managers, Engineers, and Customer Success to ensure a unified product vision and execution.

• Open Communication: Encouraging open dialogue, constructive feedback, and knowledge sharing within the design team and across departments.

• Data-Informed Decision-Making: A culture that values evidence-based design, using data and user insights to guide decisions and measure impact.

• Process-Oriented: A focus on establishing and refining efficient design processes and workflows to ensure quality and scalability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of three core values provides a strong insight into HENNGE's design team culture. Candidates should align with these values, demonstrating a proactive, tech-enthusiastic, and growth-oriented mindset, coupled with strong collaborative and leadership skills.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Dual-Language Complexity: Effectively communicating complex design ideas and leading teams in both Japanese and English requires exceptional linguistic and cross-cultural communication skills.

• B2B Security Domain: Designing for enterprise security products demands a deep understanding of complex user needs, regulatory requirements, and the nuances of B2B sales cycles, which can be more intricate than B2C.

• Balancing Leadership and Craft: Juggling hands-on design responsibilities with team management, strategic planning, and KPI reporting can be demanding.

• Evolving Technology Landscape: Keeping pace with rapid advancements in cloud security, AI, and design tools requires continuous learning and adaptation.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Leadership Training: Formal or informal opportunities to develop management and leadership skills, potentially through workshops, mentorship, or by directly managing the design team.

• Industry Expertise: Deepening knowledge in the security industry and B2B SaaS product design through project work, industry events, and internal knowledge sharing.

• Design System Mastery: Opportunities to contribute significantly to the evolution and strategic implementation of the HENNGE One design system.

• AI in Design Exploration: Engaging with the integration of AI into design workflows, potentially leading to innovative solutions and skill development.

• Cross-Functional Skill Building: Gaining a broader understanding of product management, engineering processes, and customer success strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly tied to the unique aspects of the role and company, such as the dual-language requirement and the B2B security domain. The growth opportunities are designed to address these challenges and provide a clear path for professional development in both leadership and specialized design skills.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led a design project from discovery to delivery. How did you connect your design decisions to business goals, and how did you communicate this to stakeholders?" (Focus on process, strategic thinking, and communication.)

• "How have you mentored or managed designers in the past? What strategies do you use to foster growth and improve team processes?" (Assess leadership, people management, and process optimization skills.)

• "Imagine you need to set design KPIs for a new feature in HENNGE One. What metrics would you choose, and how would you track and report them to senior management?" (Evaluate analytical thinking, KPI setting, and reporting capabilities.)

• "How would you approach designing a complex security feature for enterprise users who have varying levels of technical expertise?" (Test problem-solving skills, user empathy, and understanding of the B2B/security domain.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your research, how do you see your design philosophy aligning with HENNGE's values of 'Be a learnaholic,' 'Love technology,' and 'Lead yourself with passion'?" (Assess cultural fit and alignment with company ethos.)

• "How do you envision contributing to the evolution of HENNGE's design system and overall design quality?" (Understand your proactive approach to design standards and systems.)

• "What interests you most about working in the B2B SaaS security industry, and specifically at HENNGE?" (Gauge motivation and industry interest.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically, perhaps by project, starting with the problem, your role, the process, your key contributions, challenges, and the final outcomes/impact.

• Storytelling: Frame each case study as a narrative, emphasizing the user problem and how your design solution addressed it effectively.

• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, use data, metrics, and user feedback to support the success of your designs.

• Highlight Leadership: Clearly articulate your leadership contributions, team management, and process improvement efforts.

• Dual-Language Practice: Be prepared to present and discuss your work fluently in both Japanese and English. Practice transitions between languages if necessary.

• Interactive Elements: Be ready to discuss specific design decisions in detail and engage in a dialogue about trade-offs and alternatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not only strong design craft but also strategic leadership, business acumen, and excellent communication in both required languages. Candidates should prepare to discuss their experience with KPIs, team management, and B2B/security product design specifically.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the HENNGE Careers portal, ensuring all required fields are completed.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your most relevant B2B SaaS, product design leadership, and any security industry experience. Emphasize case studies demonstrating your ability to connect design to business goals and mentor/manage designers.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 6+ years of UI/UX product design experience, leadership responsibilities, and business-level Japanese and English proficiency. Use keywords relevant to product design, team leadership, and B2B SaaS.

• Language Proficiency Demonstration: Be prepared to showcase your Japanese and English language skills throughout the application and interview process.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research HENNGE, its products (especially HENNGE One), its culture, and its position in the market to articulate your interest and alignment during interviews. Understand their core values and how you embody them.

⚠️ 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.