Senior Design Strategist

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Design Strategist

Company: Hiflylabs

Location: Budapest, Bartók Béla út, Hungary

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Design Strategy & Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-02T09:58:55.157

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead design streams within complex projects, translating abstract client visions into actionable product scopes and strategic architecture.

• Drive the presales process, crafting compelling proposals and facilitating high-stakes workshops with C-suite stakeholders to align business objectives with user needs.

• Provide professional leadership and mentorship to internal design teams, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth.

• Adapt methodologies (Lean, Agile, Service Design) to project-specific constraints, ensuring efficient and effective delivery of user-centered solutions.

• Leverage strong business understanding to qualify technical requirements, create realistic estimates, and ensure commercial viability of design proposals.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior individual contributor with significant leadership and client-facing responsibilities. The emphasis on "leading a design stream," "coordinating other designers," and "actively participating in presales" suggests a hybrid role blending strategic design leadership with operational project management and business development. The requirement for AI adaptation and diverse domain exposure indicates a need for adaptability and a forward-thinking approach to design within a technology-focused organization.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Scoping & Strategic Architecture:

  • Transform vague client ideas into concrete product scopes, defining the "what," "why," and "how."
  • Proactively define the ideal team setup (designers, researchers, developers) and project phases for new engagements.
  • Create realistic effort and time estimates for proposals, ensuring competitiveness and commercial viability.
  • Develop and adapt strategic architecture for AI-driven applications, integrating cutting-edge technologies.

• Commercial & Presales Leadership:

  • Lead the design portion of the presales process, participating in pitches and qualifying technical requirements.
  • Write and present compelling design proposals, articulating the benefits of the company's Design Thinking-based "Way of Working."
  • Facilitate high-stakes workshops with C-suite stakeholders to align business KPIs with user needs.
  • Gather and understand business objectives, applying consulting skills to qualify requirements.
  • Liaise with stakeholders, engineers, leadership, designers, and customer-facing teams to develop design solutions that drive business value and align with strategic objectives.
  • Quickly adapt across diverse business domains and successfully deliver in international project environments.

• Professional Leadership & Process Design:

  • Select and adapt methodologies (Lean, Agile, or Service Design) to fit specific project constraints.

  • Shape, own, and defend the product vision throughout the delivery lifecycle, driving long-term direction and outcomes.

  • Provide professional leadership of product design projects, including coordinating design streams and managing other designers.

  • Elevate the internal design team through active mentoring, peer reviews, and professional growth planning.

  • Contribute to all stages of the design process, from user research through wireframes to product delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on strategic design leadership and operational execution. The emphasis on "Scoping & Strategic Architecture" and "Commercial & Presales" indicates a need for strong business acumen and client management skills, going beyond traditional design roles. The "Professional Leadership & Process Design" section underscores the expectation of mentoring and shaping internal design practices.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 5+ Years of High-Level UX Experience, specifically in environments responsible for the "big picture" (Agency or Consultancy experience is a plus).

• Proven experience in transforming vague client ideas into concrete product scopes and strategic architectures.

• Demonstrated experience in leading design efforts within presales and client-facing engagements.

• Experience in adapting design methodologies (Lean, Agile, Service Design) to various project constraints.

Required Skills:

• Strategic Design Leadership: Ability to define product vision, lead design streams, and shape strategic architecture.

• Presales & Client Management: Experience in pitching, proposal writing, and engaging with C-suite stakeholders.

• Design Thinking Methodology: Practical knowledge and application of Design Thinking principles.

• Figma Proficiency: Thorough knowledge of Figma or similar tools for mapping ecosystems and project roadmaps.

• Business Acumen: Strong understanding of business objectives, budgets, timelines, and resource allocation.

• Communication Skills: Fluent written and verbal communication in English, essential for international projects.

• User-Centered Design: A consistent user-centered mindset throughout the design process.

• Adaptability: Strong AI adaptation capability and ability to quickly adapt across diverse business domains.

• Constructive Approach: Ability to provide constructive feedback and solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• AI Design Experience: Direct experience designing AI-powered applications or features.

• Branding Experience: Understanding of branding principles and their application in digital products.

• Service Design Experience: Experience in designing end-to-end user journeys and service ecosystems.

• Financial Sector Experience: Familiarity with the design challenges and opportunities in the financial industry.

• Healthcare Sector Experience: Familiarity with the design challenges and opportunities in the healthcare industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize a blend of deep UX expertise with strong business, consulting, and leadership capabilities. The explicit mention of Figma and AI adaptation suggests a focus on modern design tools and emerging technologies. The preference for agency/consultancy experience points towards a need for candidates who are comfortable with fast-paced, client-driven environments and have a broad understanding of different industries.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Strategic Vision & Scoping: Showcase examples of how you've translated abstract client needs into defined product scopes, strategic roadmaps, and clear project objectives.

• Presales & Proposal Examples: Include anonymized samples of client proposals or pitch decks where you led the design strategy, demonstrating your ability to articulate value and win business.

• Methodology Application: Present case studies that illustrate your ability to select and adapt design methodologies (Lean, Agile, Service Design) to specific project constraints and business goals.

• AI Integration Examples: If applicable, highlight projects where you designed for AI-driven features or integrated AI into the user experience, demonstrating your "AI adaptation capability."

• Ecosystem Mapping & Roadmapping: Provide examples of how you've used tools like Figma to map complex ecosystems, user journeys, and product roadmaps.

Process Documentation:

• Workshop Facilitation: Evidence of leading high-stakes workshops with C-suite stakeholders, demonstrating your ability to drive alignment and gather requirements.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Examples of how you've liaised with engineers, business analysts, and other teams to develop cohesive design solutions.

• Mentoring & Team Development: Describe your approach to mentoring junior designers, including peer review processes and professional growth planning.

• User Research to Delivery: Illustrate your end-to-end contribution to the design process, from user research to final product delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are heavily geared towards demonstrating strategic thinking, client-facing capabilities, and process leadership, rather than just visual design output. Candidates should be prepared to showcase their ability to define strategy, manage projects, and influence business outcomes. The emphasis on "AI adaptation" and specific tools like Figma indicates a need for tangible examples of these skills.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Mentoring System: Access to a structured mentoring program for professional and personal development.

• Professional Development: Opportunities and support for continuous learning and skill enhancement.

• Autonomy: Significant freedom and influence in shaping the design department's evolution and strategy.

• Diverse Project Exposure: Opportunity to work on a wide range of projects across various industries (Finance, Healthcare, etc.).

• AI-First Culture: Being at the forefront of integrating AI into UX and delivery processes.

• International Project Exposure: Collaboration on global projects, providing diverse cultural and business context.

• Competitive Salary: As estimated above, reflecting the senior nature and specialized skill set.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours (approximately 40 hours per week) are expected, with a degree of flexibility. A willingness to work within U.S. time zones as required indicates potential for occasional extended hours or adjusted schedules for international client meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on industry benchmarks for senior design strategy roles in European capital cities with strong tech sectors. The benefits listed are derived from the "Why Appic?" section and highlight unique aspects of the company's employee value proposition, particularly the emphasis on AI and autonomy in shaping the design department. The working hours note reflects the explicit requirement for U.S. time zone availability.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software Development, AI Solutions, Digital Consulting, UX/UI Design. Hiflylabs operates at the intersection of technology services and digital product creation.

Company Size: 250+ employees. This indicates a mid-sized company that is likely established enough to have structured processes but agile enough to offer significant autonomy and impact.

Founded: Over a decade of mastery (specifically 12 years mentioned for Hiflylabs). This suggests a stable company with a proven track record in the market.

Team Structure:

• Design Department Autonomy: The Senior Design Strategist will have a "seat at the table" in shaping the design department's evolution, implying a leadership role within the design function.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Close collaboration is expected with developers, business analysts, data scientists, and client-facing teams. The role involves liaising with stakeholders, engineers, leadership, designers, and customer-facing teams.

• Project-Based Teams: Projects likely involve forming dedicated teams comprising designers, researchers, and developers, with the Senior Design Strategist defining the ideal setup.

• Mentoring Structure: A unique mentoring system is in place, suggesting a culture that values internal knowledge sharing and professional growth.

Methodology:

• Design Thinking Focus: The company emphasizes its Design Thinking-based "Way of Working."

• Methodology Adaptation: The Senior Design Strategist is responsible for selecting and adapting methodologies such as Lean, Agile, or Service Design to fit specific project constraints.

• AI Integration: An "AI-First Culture" is promoted, with AI integrated into delivery processes.

• Data-Driven Approach: Implicit in Hiflylabs' broader expertise in data engineering, BI, and analytics, suggesting that data insights inform design decisions.

Company Website: https://hiflylabs.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be a blend of technical expertise, client-centricity, and a forward-thinking approach to technology (AI). The size and founding history suggest a stable yet dynamic environment. The emphasis on Design Thinking and the Senior Design Strategist's role in shaping the design department point to a culture that values strategic input and continuous improvement.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor with Leadership & Strategic Influence. This role is for an experienced professional who can operate independently, lead design streams, mentor others, and influence strategic decisions within projects and the broader design department. It sits above a standard UX Designer role and bridges into strategic consulting and team leadership.

Reporting Structure:

Operations Impact:

• The role directly impacts revenue through successful presales and proposal writing, ensuring commercially viable and competitive design solutions.

• It influences product success by defining and defending the product vision, ensuring user needs are met and business KPIs are achieved through effective design strategy and execution.

• The role contributes to operational efficiency by defining optimal team setups, project phases, and adapting methodologies for effective delivery.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to grow into a Head of Design or Design Director role, managing larger teams and strategic initiatives.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI design, Service Design, or specific industry domains (Finance, Healthcare).

• Consulting Expertise: Further develop consulting skills and client relationship management, potentially leading to strategic client advisory roles.

• Process Innovation: Drive the evolution of Hiflylabs' design methodologies and internal processes.

• Mentorship: Become a key mentor within the company's unique mentoring system, shaping the next generation of designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis frames the role within a career progression context, highlighting its strategic importance and potential for future growth. The "Operations Impact" section specifically connects the design strategy role to tangible business outcomes and operational efficiency, which is crucial for operations-focused candidates.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hiflylabs is based in Budapest, Hungary, and the role is described as "On-site." This suggests a physical office environment where collaboration and team interaction are central. The company's size (250+ employees) implies a professional office setting.

Office Location(s):

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: As an on-site role, expect a workspace designed for collaboration, potentially including meeting rooms, brainstorming areas, and open-plan seating conducive to team interaction. The company's focus on seamless teamwork between designers, developers, and analysts reinforces this.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools like Figma, as well as the broader technology stack used by Hiflylabs for application development and AI solutions.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with design colleagues, developers, business analysts, and potentially clients during workshops and project meetings.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week).

• Flexibility may be expected, particularly regarding occasional alignment with U.S. time zones for client meetings or project coordination. This implies a need for adaptable scheduling.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "On-site" and the company's collaborative nature indicate a traditional office-based work environment designed to foster teamwork and direct communication, which is often beneficial for complex strategy and design roles.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of CV and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: A discussion focused on your experience, approach to design strategy, client management, and leadership capabilities. Expect questions about your experience with Design Thinking, Figma, and handling vague client briefs.

• Portfolio Presentation & Case Study: You will likely be asked to present a selected case study from your portfolio, demonstrating your strategic thinking, problem-solving process, and impact. This is where you'll articulate your "Way of Working."

• Stakeholder/Leadership Interview: A final interview, potentially with senior leadership, to assess cultural fit, strategic alignment, and long-term potential. This might involve discussing your vision for shaping the design department.

• Potential Design Challenge: A practical exercise or a deeper dive into a hypothetical or actual client scenario to assess your approach to scoping, strategic architecture, and problem-solving under pressure.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your experience in:

  • Transforming vague ideas into concrete scopes and strategies.
  • Leading design streams and coordinating teams.
  • Presales and client engagement (if possible, anonymize sensitive details).
  • Applying Design Thinking, Lean, or Agile methodologies effectively.
  • Designing for AI or complex digital ecosystems.

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the client's challenge, your role and approach, the methodologies used, the solutions developed, and – crucially – the measurable impact or business value delivered.

• Highlight Strategy & Process: Go beyond UI mockups. Emphasize your strategic thinking, problem-solving process, user research insights, and how you adapted methodologies. Show ecosystem maps, roadmaps, and wireframes to illustrate your process.

• Demonstrate Business Acumen: Clearly connect your design decisions to business objectives, KPIs, budgets, and timelines. Show how "good design" was also "good business."

• Prepare for AI Discussion: Be ready to discuss your understanding of AI's role in UX and how you approach designing for AI-powered applications.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: If given a design challenge, thoroughly analyze the brief, identifying key constraints, objectives, and target users.

• Structure Your Approach: Outline your process: discovery/research, ideation, solution definition, and presentation.

• Focus on Strategy: For operations-oriented challenges, emphasize how you would define scope, estimate efforts, select methodologies, and plan for delivery.

• Be Ready to Present: Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, focusing on the strategic rationale behind your decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice for candidates, focusing on how to best present their qualifications and prepare for the interview process, with a strong emphasis on the strategic and operational aspects of the role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Explicitly mentioned as required for mapping ecosystems and project roadmaps. Proficiency is essential for creating wireframes, prototypes, and collaborative design artifacts.

• Design Thinking/Service Design Tools: While not specified, expect familiarity with tools used for journey mapping, persona creation, empathy maps, brainstorming, and workshop facilitation (e.g., Miro, Mural, specialized software).

• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with Agile/Scrum tools (e.g., Jira, Trello) or other project management software is likely expected for coordinating design streams and tracking progress.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools (Indirect): While not a primary tool for the designer, understanding how to interpret data from analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) to inform design decisions or measure impact would be beneficial, given the company's data focus.

• Reporting Tools: Ability to create clear presentations and reports (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides) to communicate design strategy, proposals, and outcomes to stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems (Indirect): Understanding of how design impacts CRM processes or user journeys within CRM platforms might be relevant, especially for roles touching sales enablement.

• Collaboration & Communication Tools: Proficiency in tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and email for daily communication and remote collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary focus is on design and collaboration tools, with Figma being a key requirement. The broader context of Hiflylabs' data and AI expertise suggests that candidates who can bridge design with data insights will be highly valued.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• AI-First Mentality: A commitment to integrating and leveraging Artificial Intelligence in design and delivery processes. This means being curious about AI's capabilities and limitations in UX.

• Client-Centricity: A strong focus on understanding and meeting client business objectives and user needs through effective design solutions.

• Excellence & Innovation: Striving for high-quality, cutting-edge solutions by combining technology with user-centered design.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering a seamless working environment where designers, developers, and analysts work together effectively.

• Continuous Improvement: A dedication to professional growth, learning new methodologies, and refining internal processes.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect a highly integrated approach where design is not siloed but works hand-in-hand with development, data science, and business analysis teams.

• Open Communication: A culture that encourages open dialogue, constructive feedback, and knowledge sharing, particularly through the mentoring system.

• Agile & Adaptive: A willingness to adapt processes and approaches based on project needs and client feedback, embracing Lean and Agile principles.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Proactive engagement with stakeholders at all levels, including C-suite executives, to ensure alignment and buy-in.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values and collaboration styles highlight a dynamic, forward-thinking, and client-focused organization. The "AI-First" aspect is a key differentiator, suggesting a culture that embraces technological advancement and innovation in its core operations.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Bridging AI and UX: Designing intuitive and effective user experiences for complex AI-driven applications requires a deep understanding of both AI capabilities and human-computer interaction principles.

• Vague Client Briefs: Transforming abstract or undefined client ideas into concrete, actionable product scopes and strategies requires strong analytical and consultative skills.

• Balancing Business and User Needs: Effectively aligning demanding business KPIs with genuine user needs in a commercially viable manner.

• Leading Design Streams: Coordinating and guiding other designers while maintaining strategic oversight and ensuring high-quality output.

• International Project Demands: Adapting to different business cultures, time zones (especially U.S. time zones), and client expectations across diverse international projects.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Specialization: Deepen expertise in designing for AI, machine learning, and data-driven products.

• Strategic Consulting Skills: Enhance capabilities in business analysis, presales, and C-suite stakeholder management.

• Methodology Mastery: Become an expert in applying and adapting Lean, Agile, and Service Design methodologies for complex projects.

• Leadership Development: Grow into leadership roles, managing larger design teams and strategic initiatives within Hiflylabs.

• Industry Exposure: Gain broad experience across various sectors (Finance, Healthcare, etc.), building a diverse portfolio and knowledge base.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section identifies potential hurdles and frames them as opportunities for skill development and career advancement, aligning with the company's commitment to professional growth.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you transformed a vague client idea into a concrete product scope. What was your process, and what were the key outcomes?" (Focus on your "what, why, how" definition process).

• "How do you approach selecting and adapting design methodologies (Lean, Agile, Service Design) for different projects and client needs?" (Be ready to discuss specific examples and rationale).

• "Walk us through a complex project where you led the design stream. How did you coordinate other designers, manage stakeholders, and ensure alignment with business objectives?" (Highlight your leadership and communication).

• "How do you ensure that 'good design' is also 'good business'? Provide an example where you balanced user needs with commercial viability." (Emphasize your business acumen and ROI thinking).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Hiflylabs' 'AI-First Culture' and our focus on integrating AI into delivery?" (Show you've researched and understand their unique selling proposition).

• "How would you contribute to shaping the evolution of our design department?" (Align your vision with their desire for autonomy and leadership).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Impactful Projects: Choose 2-3 projects that best represent your strategic thinking, leadership, and ability to deliver business value.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define:

  1. The Challenge: Client's problem/opportunity.
  2. Your Role & Approach: What you did, your methodology, tools used (Figma, etc.).
  3. Key Strategic Decisions: Why you made certain choices.
  4. The Solution: Prototypes, concepts, strategic architecture.
  5. The Outcome: Measurable impact, business value, user satisfaction.

• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, use numbers and data to demonstrate the impact of your work (e.g., increased conversion rates, reduced time-to-market, improved user satisfaction scores).

• Showcase Process: Include visual artifacts like ecosystem maps, user journey maps, wireframes, and personas to illustrate your process.

• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your decision-making, challenges faced, and alternative approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: This preparation guide focuses on the strategic, operational, and client-facing aspects of the role, encouraging candidates to showcase their ability to drive business value through design.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Design Strategist position:

• Submit your application through the provided SmartRecruiters link.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 5+ years of high-level UX experience, focusing on roles where you were responsible for the "big picture," strategic architecture, and client-facing presales. Use keywords such as "Design Strategy," "Product Scoping," "Presales," "Design Thinking," "Figma," "AI Adaptation," and "Stakeholder Management."

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 key projects that best demonstrate your ability to transform vague ideas into concrete scopes, lead design streams, engage C-suite stakeholders, and deliver business value. Ensure your portfolio showcases your strategic process, not just final UI designs.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your experience and portfolio projects with a focus on strategic impact, business acumen, and leadership. Be ready to explain how you adapt methodologies and approach AI in design.

• Research Hiflylabs: Familiarize yourself with Hiflylabs' services, AI-first culture, and project examples. Understand their "Way of Working" and be prepared to discuss how your skills align with their values and client needs.

⚠️ 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.