Teamlead UX, Design & Research (d/m/w)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Teamlead UX, Design & Research (d/m/w)
Company: Haufe Group
Location: Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Job Type: Vollzeit (Full-Time)
Category: UX/Design/Research Leadership
Date Posted: May 07, 2026
Experience Level: 5-10 Years
Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and strategically develop a 14-member UX team encompassing concept, design, and research functions, fostering cross-functional collaboration.
• Drive the adoption and reinforcement of a user-centric mindset across the entire organization, influencing product development and strategy.
• Ensure seamless synchronization and synergy between the Freiburg and Barcelona locations to leverage global expertise.
• Champion product discovery methodologies and data-driven decision-making processes within the UX domain.
• Cultivate an environment of continuous learning, professional growth, and methodological advancement for the UX team.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a leadership position focused on managing and advancing a team of UX professionals. The emphasis is on strategic direction, team development, and embedding user-centricity within a larger organization, requiring a blend of strong leadership, technical UX expertise, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive disciplinary and functional leadership to a team of 14 UX experts in concept development, design, and research.
• Drive the methodological and professional advancement of the UX team through coaching, training, and strategic development initiatives.
• Foster and enhance interdisciplinary collaboration between the UX team, Product Management, and Technology departments to ensure cohesive product development.
• Strengthen and advocate for the user-centric mindset throughout the organization, embedding it into core business processes and product strategies.
• Establish and maintain clear team responsibilities, transparent objectives, and effective collaboration frameworks to maximize team performance.
• Oversee the continued development and evolution of design systems in close coordination with the relevant product and development teams.
• Promote the adoption of robust product discovery methods and data-informed decision-making practices within the UX discipline.
• Ensure transparent and consistent communication of team goals, progress, and any encountered challenges to stakeholders.
• Facilitate strong alignment and collaborative synergy with the Barcelona location to optimize global UX efforts and knowledge sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a significant focus on people leadership (team development, coaching, disciplinary management) and strategic enablement (user-centricity, product discovery, design systems). The role requires proactive engagement with multiple departments and international collaboration.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in fields such as Design, Media Informatics, Communication Design, or a comparable discipline.
Experience: Several years of leadership experience or demonstrable experience in the functional leadership of teams, with a focus on UX, Design, or Research.

Required Skills:

• UX Leadership & Management: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop a team of UX professionals, managing both disciplinary and functional aspects.
• Product Discovery Methodologies: Deep understanding and practical application of product discovery techniques, including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research.
• Design Systems Expertise: Comprehensive knowledge of design systems, their implementation, and ongoing development to ensure consistency and scalability.
• User Research & Data-Driven Design: Strong proficiency in various user research methodologies and the ability to translate data insights into actionable design decisions.
• Team Development & Coaching: Passion for nurturing team talent, facilitating professional growth, and coaching individuals to reach their full potential.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including Product Management and Technology.
• Agile Principles: Familiarity with agile methodologies and their application within UX and product development lifecycles.
• Strategic Communication: Excellent communication skills to articulate vision, goals, progress, and challenges to diverse stakeholders.
• Language Proficiency: Very good German (C1 level) and English (B2 level) language skills.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with international team collaboration, specifically with teams in different geographical locations (e.g., Spain).
• Expertise in current and emerging UX tools and technologies to drive innovation.
• Experience in fostering a strong user-centric culture within a larger organization.
• Understanding of AI technologies and their application in UX and product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of leadership acumen and specialized UX expertise. The required language skills are critical for effective communication given the international nature of the role. Experience with mixed-methods research and design systems is a key technical requirement.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Leadership Case Studies: Examples showcasing your success in leading UX teams through complex projects, highlighting team development, strategic direction, and overcoming organizational challenges.
• Process Improvement Documentation: Detailed documentation of processes you have implemented or optimized within UX, Research, or Design functions, demonstrating efficiency gains and improved outcomes.
• Design System Contributions: Evidence of involvement in the creation, maintenance, or strategic evolution of design systems, illustrating your understanding of scalability and consistency.
• User-Centricity Initiatives: Portfolio pieces that demonstrate your efforts to embed user-centricity, including examples of how you championed user needs and influenced product strategy based on research.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Documented examples of your approach to designing and optimizing UX workflows, from research and ideation to design execution and testing.
• Methodological Implementation: Showcase how you have successfully introduced or refined specific UX methodologies (e.g., A/B testing, usability testing, journey mapping) within a team or organization.
• Data Integration & Analysis: Examples of how data (quantitative and qualitative) has been integrated into design processes to inform decisions and measure impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a traditional portfolio of design work may be expected, this role heavily emphasizes leadership and process. Candidates should prepare to showcase their ability to manage teams, implement and optimize processes, and drive strategic initiatives related to user experience and design systems.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Team Lead positions in UX/Design/Research in Germany, with a focus on Freiburg im Breisgau, and considering the experience level (5-10 years) and team size (14 members), an estimated annual gross salary range would be €70,000 - €95,000. This estimate accounts for the leadership responsibilities, required expertise, and the company's industry standing.

Benefits:

• Hybrid Work Model: A flexible combination of office presence in Freiburg and remote work, tailored to team needs and agreements.
• Flexible Working Hours: Opportunities for flexible scheduling to accommodate work-life balance and personal commitments.
• Continuing Education and Development Opportunities: Access to various training programs, workshops, conferences, and further education options to support professional growth.
• Great Place to Work® Certification: Recognition of a positive and supportive work environment.
• International Collaboration: Opportunity to work closely with teams in Barcelona, fostering global perspective and knowledge exchange.
• Company Solutions & AI Focus: Involvement in developing innovative products and utilizing cutting-edge AI technologies.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered through the flexible working hours policy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on typical compensation for similar leadership roles in Germany. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate's specific experience, qualifications, and final negotiation. The listed benefits reflect those commonly offered by companies recognized as "Great Places to Work" and those emphasizing employee development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Haufe Group operates in the digital solutions and knowledge management sector, focusing on providing intelligent, legally compliant, and user-friendly solutions, often leveraging AI technologies. This industry context means operations professionals will be involved in enhancing digital products that serve professional clients.
Company Size: Haufe Group is a medium to large enterprise, indicated by the team size (14 UX experts) and the mention of multiple locations. This size typically means established processes but also opportunities for significant impact and cross-functional engagement.
Founded: Founded in 1921, Haufe Group has a long history, suggesting a stable organization with a deep understanding of its market, likely combined with a drive for innovation given its current focus on AI and digital solutions.

Team Structure:

• The UX team is a substantial unit of 14 professionals, indicating its strategic importance within the Product division.
• The team is structured around core UX disciplines: Concept Development, Design, and Research.
• The Team Lead reports into a higher-level product or innovation management function, with direct reports being the UX experts.
• Collaboration is expected to be highly interdisciplinary, involving Product Management and Technology teams.

Methodology:

• User-Centricity: A core operating principle, emphasizing the importance of understanding and serving user needs in all product development.
• Agile Principles: Application of agile methodologies to foster flexibility, iterative development, and rapid response to user feedback and market changes.
• Data-Driven Decision-Making: Strong reliance on both quantitative and qualitative data to inform strategic choices, product direction, and process improvements.
• Design Systems: Utilization and development of design systems to ensure consistency, efficiency, and scalability across product offerings.

Company Website: [Company URL provided in input, assumed to be haufegroup.com]

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's long history paired with a modern focus on AI and digital solutions suggests a culture that values both stability and innovation. The emphasis on user-centricity and data-driven approaches is highly relevant for operations roles.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior leadership position within the UX, Design, and Research domain. It's a step beyond individual contribution or senior specialist roles, focusing on people management, strategic direction, and organizational influence. It sits at the intersection of tactical execution and strategic planning for user experience.
Reporting Structure: The Team Lead will report to a Director or VP level within the Product or Technology organization. They will directly manage the 14-member UX team, fostering a collaborative but structured environment.
Operations Impact: The Team Lead's impact is significant as they are responsible for shaping the user experience of Haufe Group's products. This directly influences customer satisfaction, product adoption rates, and ultimately, revenue and market positioning. By fostering a strong user-centric culture, they contribute to the overall success and innovation of the company.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership Expansion: Potential to move into broader product leadership roles, managing larger departments or multiple product lines.
• Specialization in Innovation: Opportunities to deepen expertise in emerging areas like AI-driven UX, advanced research methodologies, or leading digital transformation initiatives.
• International Management: Development of skills in managing and aligning distributed, international teams, potentially leading to roles with global oversight.
• Process & Operations Excellence: Opportunity to contribute to and lead initiatives aimed at optimizing GTM operations, product development lifecycles, and cross-functional efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for career advancement within product leadership, with opportunities to specialize in innovation or expand into global management. The focus on process and cross-functional impact is key for operations-minded professionals.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The Haufe Group offers a hybrid work model, combining office-based work with remote work. This suggests a modern workplace that balances the benefits of in-person collaboration with the flexibility of remote work.
Office Location(s): The primary office is located at Munzinger Straße 9, Freiburg im Breisgau, 79111, Germany. There is also a collaborative relationship with a location in Barcelona, Spain.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration indicate a workplace that encourages teamwork, knowledge sharing, and open communication.
• Modern Tooling: The company explicitly mentions "modern tooling," suggesting that the UX team has access to up-to-date software and technologies essential for design, research, and collaboration.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with the direct UX team, as well as product managers, technologists, and potentially leadership stakeholders, both in person and virtually.

Work Schedule: While a standard full-time schedule is implied (approx. 40 hours/week), the offering of flexible working hours allows for adaptation to personal needs and project demands, which is beneficial for deep work and analytical tasks common in operations roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment and flexible hours are attractive for operations professionals who often require focused time for analysis and process design, while also benefiting from in-person collaboration for strategic alignment and team building.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application and CV to assess alignment with the core requirements and experience level.
• Hiring Manager Interview: An in-depth discussion with the hiring manager focusing on leadership philosophy, team management experience, strategic vision for UX, and understanding of user-centricity and product discovery. Be prepared to discuss your approach to developing and motivating a team.
• Team/Peer Interviews: Meetings with members of the UX team and potentially cross-functional colleagues (Product, Tech) to assess collaboration style, technical expertise, and cultural fit.
• Case Study/Presentation: You may be asked to present a case study from your portfolio demonstrating your leadership in a complex UX challenge, your approach to process improvement, or your strategy for implementing design systems.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Product, CTO) to discuss overall strategic alignment and long-term fit within the organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Leadership Focus: Curate examples that highlight your leadership achievements – how you guided teams, solved complex organizational problems, or implemented strategic initiatives, rather than just showcasing individual design work.
• Process & Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your strategic approach as a leader, the processes you employed or optimized, the tools and methodologies used, and the measurable impact (e.g., improved efficiency, user satisfaction, product adoption).
• Data & User-Centricity: Ensure your portfolio demonstrates a strong understanding of data-driven decision-making and a consistent focus on user needs.
• Design Systems & Collaboration: Include examples of your experience with design systems and how you fostered interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Clarity and Conciseness: Present your portfolio in a clear, structured, and concise manner, using visuals where appropriate to illustrate complex concepts.

Challenge Preparation:

• Leadership Scenarios: Prepare for questions about how you would handle common team challenges, such as performance issues, conflict resolution, or driving change within a team.
• Strategic Thinking: Be ready to discuss your vision for UX leadership, how you would approach strengthening user-centricity across the company, and your strategy for the Freiburg/Barcelona alignment.
• Methodology Application: Think about how you would introduce or refine product discovery methods, data analysis practices, or design system governance within the current team structure.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely to be thorough, assessing both leadership capabilities and strategic UX thinking. Candidates should prepare a portfolio that specifically highlights their leadership experience and process-driven approach, with clear examples of impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX/UI Design Tools: Proficiency with industry-standard tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), and potentially Axure or similar prototyping tools.
• User Research Platforms: Familiarity with tools for user interviews, usability testing, surveys, and analytics, which could include platforms like UserTesting.com, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Lookback, or Maze.
• Collaboration & Project Management: Experience with tools like Jira, Confluence, Trello, Asana for task management, workflow tracking, and documentation.
• Design System Management: Tools and methodologies for managing design systems, potentially including Storybook, Zeroheight, or internal component libraries.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Experience with tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar platforms for tracking user behavior on digital products.
• Product Analytics: Familiarity with tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Pendo for in-depth product usage analysis and user journey mapping.
• Data Visualization: Skills in using tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Looker Studio to create dashboards and communicate insights effectively.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how UX insights feed into CRM strategies or how customer data from CRM systems informs UX research is beneficial. Familiarity with Salesforce or similar CRM systems could be an advantage.
• Automation Tools: Awareness of how automation can streamline UX processes, such as automated testing or feedback collection.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack for a UX Team Lead role is broad, encompassing design, research, collaboration, and analytics tools. A strong understanding of how these tools integrate and support data-driven, user-centric processes is crucial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep-seated commitment to understanding and advocating for user needs in all aspects of product development and decision-making.
• Data-Driven Excellence: A culture that values empirical evidence and data analysis to inform strategy, measure impact, and validate decisions.
• Continuous Improvement: A mindset focused on ongoing optimization of processes, methodologies, and team capabilities to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Collaborative Innovation: An environment where interdisciplinary teams work together, sharing knowledge and ideas to foster creative solutions and drive innovation.
• Transparency & Accountability: A commitment to open communication regarding goals, progress, and challenges, coupled with clear ownership of responsibilities.

Collaboration Style:

• Interdisciplinary Integration: A proactive approach to working seamlessly with Product Management, Technology, and other relevant departments, bridging gaps and ensuring alignment.
• Feedback-Rich Environment: Encouraging open, constructive feedback loops within the team and with stakeholders to foster learning and continuous improvement.
• Knowledge Sharing: Promoting practices that facilitate the sharing of insights, best practices, and learnings across the team and the wider organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be built around modern product development principles, emphasizing user needs, data, and collaborative innovation. Operations professionals will find value in a team that promotes transparency and continuous improvement.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling User-Centricity: Effectively embedding and maintaining a strong user-centric mindset across a large, established organization with diverse departments and priorities.
• International Team Synchronization: Ensuring seamless collaboration, consistent quality, and effective communication between the Freiburg and Barcelona teams, overcoming geographical and cultural differences.
• Balancing Innovation with Execution: Fostering creative exploration and product discovery while ensuring timely delivery of high-quality, user-validated designs and research insights.
• Adopting Emerging Technologies: Keeping pace with rapid advancements in UX tools, research methodologies, and AI, and integrating them strategically into the team's workflows.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX Leadership Training: Opportunities for specialized training in people management, strategic planning, and organizational leadership.
• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Support for attending leading UX, design, and product development conferences to stay abreast of trends and network with peers.
• Mentorship Programs: Access to mentorship from senior leaders within Haufe Group or through external programs, focusing on career progression and leadership development.
• Cross-Functional Project Leadership: Opportunities to lead strategic projects that span multiple departments, developing a broader understanding of business operations and GTM strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for leadership roles in growing tech companies, offering significant opportunities for professional development in areas of strategic influence and operational optimization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach fostering a stronger user-centric mindset within an organization that may have different priorities?" (Preparation: Discuss frameworks for change management, stakeholder buy-in strategies, and demonstrating ROI of user-centricity.)
• "Describe your strategy for synchronizing UX efforts between geographically dispersed teams like Freiburg and Barcelona." (Preparation: Focus on communication protocols, shared tools, cultural sensitivity, and defining common goals and KPIs.)
• "How do you balance the need for product discovery and innovation with the pressure to deliver on product roadmaps?" (Preparation: Discuss agile methodologies, phased approaches, and methods for prioritizing research and innovation efforts.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you see as the key opportunities and challenges for UX at Haufe Group, given our focus on digital solutions and AI?" (Preparation: Research Haufe's products, recent news, and the broader industry landscape. Align your vision with their stated goals.)
• "How would you contribute to our 'Great Place to Work' culture and our commitment to diversity and inclusion?" (Preparation: Reflect on your leadership style, team-building activities, and how you promote an inclusive environment.)
• "How do you measure the success and impact of your UX team, both qualitatively and quantitatively?" (Preparation: Prepare to discuss specific KPIs, metrics, and reporting mechanisms you've used, linking them to business outcomes.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Structure your case studies with a clear narrative: problem, your strategic leadership approach, the process/methods used, the solution, and the measurable impact.
• Focus on Leadership: Emphasize your role as a leader – how you guided the team, made decisions, managed stakeholders, and drove outcomes, rather than solely presenting design outputs.
• Process Documentation: Clearly outline the workflows, methodologies, and tools you implemented or optimized.
• Data & Metrics: Be prepared to discuss the data that informed your decisions and the metrics used to evaluate success, demonstrating a data-driven approach.
• Conciseness & Engagement: Keep your presentation concise and engaging, allowing time for Q&A. Practice your delivery to ensure clarity and confidence.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic leadership, a deep understanding of UX processes, and the ability to drive impact in a collaborative, data-driven environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on SmartRecruiters.
• Curate Your Portfolio for Leadership: Tailor your portfolio to highlight leadership achievements, process optimization initiatives, and examples of driving user-centricity and design system adoption. Focus on case studies that demonstrate your strategic thinking and team management skills.
• Optimize Your Resume for Operations Keywords: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your experience in team leadership, product discovery, data-driven design, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords such as "UX Leadership," "Product Discovery," "Design Systems," "User Research," "Data-Driven Design," and "Team Coaching."
• Prepare for a Strategic Discussion: Be ready to discuss your leadership philosophy, your approach to developing UX teams, and your vision for enhancing user experience and data-driven practices at Haufe Group. Practice presenting your case studies with a focus on impact and process.
• Research Haufe Group's Operations: Understand Haufe's business model, product offerings (especially their digital solutions and AI integrations), and their stated company values. Consider how your leadership in UX can directly contribute to their operational success and market position.

⚠️ 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.