UI Design Lead (HR)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Design Lead (HR)

Company: DEPT®

Location: Zagreb, Croatia / Split, Croatia

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Design / Management & Leadership

Date Posted: 2026-05-14

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (Estimated 5-10 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and mentor a team of digital designers within the Experience & Engineering unit, fostering a culture of creativity and excellence.

• Drive the conceptualization and execution of sophisticated digital experiences for prominent international clients, ensuring strategic alignment and high-quality delivery.

• Collaborate closely with UX Design leads and other leadership to enhance design capabilities, refine processes, and elevate the overall service offering.

• Champion accessibility (WCAG standards) and design systems as fundamental principles, bridging aesthetics with functionality and inclusive usability.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the original title specifies "UI Design Lead (HR)", the "HR" likely refers to the department or unit within DEPT® focused on the people aspect of design leadership, rather than a direct Human Resources function. The role's core responsibilities clearly point to a design leadership position with significant team management and client-facing responsibilities. The estimated experience level is derived from the "Lead" title and the expectation of managing and mentoring designers, which typically requires several years of hands-on experience and some prior leadership exposure.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Creative Direction & Delivery: Set the benchmark for design quality across key accounts, ensuring projects are visually compelling, strategically sound, and delivered on time and within budget.

• Team Management & Mentorship: Manage, mentor, and develop a team of visual designers (Junior to Senior), conducting regular 1-on-1s, providing constructive feedback, and fostering an environment for growth and experimentation.

• Design System Expertise: Lead the creation, implementation, and maintenance of scalable design systems that ensure consistency, efficiency, and a seamless bridge between design aesthetics and functional requirements.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Actively collaborate with UX Designers, Copywriters, Developers, and other stakeholders to translate complex ideas into cohesive and engaging digital experiences.

• Client Engagement: Effectively communicate complex design concepts, strategies, and rationale to executive-level clients and internal teams, building strong relationships and trust.

• Process Improvement: Partner with UX Design Team Lead and other leaders to identify opportunities for optimizing design processes, workflows, and team capabilities.

• Innovation & Trend Integration: Stay abreast of emerging digital trends, AI, new technologies, and design innovations, and advocate for their relevant incorporation into client projects and team practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are expanded to reflect the leadership and strategic aspects implied by a "Lead" role in a fast-paced agency environment. Emphasis is placed on the dual focus of client delivery and team development, a common expectation for design leads.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a degree in Design, HCI, Digital Media, or a related field is often preferred by agencies for roles of this caliber. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: A minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in UI/UX design, with a significant portion demonstrating experience in leading design projects and/or teams. Experience within a digital agency setting is highly valued.

Required Skills:

• Sophisticated Experience Design: A strong portfolio showcasing a deep understanding of digital platforms and the ability to craft exceptional user experiences.

• Design System Mastery: Proven expertise in building, scaling, and maintaining comprehensive Design Systems that effectively bridge aesthetics and functionality.

• Figma Proficiency: Advanced command of Figma for design, prototyping, and collaboration is mandatory.

• WCAG Accessibility Standards: In-depth knowledge and practical application of WCAG guidelines to ensure inclusive and usable designs.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and inspire a team of designers, providing constructive feedback and fostering professional growth.

• Cross-Functional Teamwork: Proven ability to collaborate effectively with UX designers, developers, copywriters, and project managers.

• English Fluency: Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English for client presentations and team collaboration.

Preferred Skills:

• Motion Design & Prototyping Tools: Experience with tools like Framer or Jitter for advanced prototyping and motion graphics.

• Brand Design: Experience or strong understanding of brand identity development and its application in digital interfaces.

• Client Presentation Skills: Experience presenting design concepts and strategies to executive-level clients.

• AI & Emerging Technology Awareness: Curiosity and practical understanding of how AI and new technologies can be leveraged in design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level is inferred from the "Lead" title. The "Design System Nerd" and "Accessibility as a Mindset" points are translated into required skills, emphasizing the importance of these competencies for the role. "Modern Toolstack" is broken down into mandatory (Figma) and preferred (Framer, Jitter) tools.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated Leadership: Showcase examples of projects where you led design initiatives, mentored team members, or influenced design direction.

• Design System Case Studies: Include detailed examples of design systems you've built or significantly contributed to, highlighting their scalability, components, and impact.

• WCAG Implementation: Present case studies or design examples that clearly illustrate your application of accessibility principles and standards.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration Examples: Feature projects where you successfully collaborated with developers, UX designers, and other disciplines, detailing your role and contributions.

• Client Impact & ROI: For key projects, provide quantifiable results or clear explanations of how your design contributions led to improved user engagement, conversion rates, or client satisfaction, demonstrating a focus on business outcomes.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Optimization: Be prepared to discuss how you've optimized design workflows, from initial concept to final delivery, within an agency context.

• Design System Governance: Articulate your approach to establishing and maintaining governance for design systems, ensuring their continued relevance and adoption.

• Accessibility Audits & Integration: Detail your methods for conducting accessibility audits and integrating accessibility best practices into the design and development lifecycle.

• Tooling & Automation: Discuss your experience with leveraging tools and potential automation to enhance design efficiency and quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is tailored for a design leadership role, emphasizing the need to showcase not just individual design skills but also leadership, process management, and the ability to drive impact through design systems and accessibility.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a UI Design Lead position in Croatia with 5-10 years of experience, managing a team, and working in a hybrid model for an international agency, the estimated annual gross salary range is €40,000 - €60,000. This range can vary based on the specific candidate's experience, portfolio strength, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Transparent Career Development & Pay: Commitment to clear paths for advancement and open salary discussions.

• Flexible Hybrid Working Policy: Offers a blend of in-office collaboration and remote flexibility.

• Rewarding, Supportive, and Healthy Company Culture: Emphasis on well-being and positive work environment.

• Supplemental and Additional Health Insurance: Enhanced healthcare coverage beyond standard provisions.

• Pension Scheme: Contribution to a third-pillar pension fund for long-term financial security.

• Referral Bonus Program: Incentives for referring successful candidates.

• OpenUp Platform Contribution: Support for mental and physical well-being.

• Multisport Programme: Contribution towards fitness and recreational activities.

• Training, Development, and Certifications: Opportunities for continuous learning and skill enhancement.

• DEPT® Cares Month: Paid volunteer time for charitable activities.

Working Hours: While not explicitly stated, a full-time role in Croatia typically involves around 40 hours per week. The hybrid policy suggests flexibility in structuring these hours, with an expectation of availability for core business hours and team meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: A salary range is estimated based on typical market rates for this role in Croatia, considering the experience level, hybrid work model, and agency context. The provided benefits are directly extracted and organized for clarity.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Marketing & Technology Services. DEPT® operates at the intersection of technology and marketing, focusing on creating digital experiences, pioneering ideas, and driving growth for ambitious brands.

Company Size: DEPT® is a large, global organization. The "Experience & Engineering" unit in Croatia is described as "growing," suggesting a significant but expanding team within the broader company structure. This implies access to global resources and expertise while fostering a dynamic, evolving local team.

Founded: DEPT® was founded in 2015, rapidly growing to become a prominent global agency. Its relatively young age fosters an innovative, fast-paced, and agile culture, as evidenced by their "Growth Invention" philosophy and "never standing still" ethos.

Team Structure:

• Experience & Engineering Unit: This role is part of a specialized unit in Croatia combining technical solutions with design expertise.

• Design Leadership: The UI Design Lead will report to higher leadership within the Experience & Engineering unit (e.g., Head of Design, CTO, or Country Manager) and will directly manage a team of visual designers.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role necessitates close collaboration with UX Design Team Leads, Copywriters, Developers, and Project Managers across DEPT®'s global network.

Methodology:

• Growth Invention: DEPT®'s core philosophy, emphasizing pioneering ideas, rapid execution, and continuous advancement.

• Data-Driven & User-Centric: Designs are expected to be strategically sound and informed by data, aiming for exceptional and engaging digital experiences.

• Agile & Iterative: The agency's DNA suggests an agile approach to project execution, encouraging experimentation and fast iteration.

Company Website: https://www.deptagency.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is derived from the "WHY DEPT®?" section, highlighting their "Growth Invention" ethos, values (better together, relentlessly curious, get sh*t done), and emphasis on innovation and impact. The "Experience & Engineering" unit is positioned as a key part of their Croatian operations.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Lead position, signifying a transition from individual contributor to team management and strategic influence. The role requires not only advanced design skills but also the ability to mentor, guide, and develop other designers, alongside contributing to the strategic direction of the design practice within the Croatian office and for key clients.

Reporting Structure: The UI Design Lead will likely report to a senior leader within the Croatian Experience & Engineering unit (e.g., Head of Design, Director of Engineering, or Country Manager). They will directly manage a team of visual designers, from junior to senior levels.

Operations Impact: The UI Design Lead's impact extends beyond aesthetics. They will be instrumental in shaping client relationships through high-quality design delivery, driving client satisfaction, and contributing to the agency's reputation for innovation and excellence. Their leadership directly influences the growth and capabilities of the design team, impacting DEPT®'s ability to win and execute projects for high-profile clients.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to grow into senior leadership roles, such as Head of Design, Director of Creative, or Country Manager, overseeing larger teams and broader strategic initiatives.

• Specialization & Expertise: Deepen expertise in areas like Design Systems, Accessibility, or specific industry verticals, becoming a go-to expert within DEPT®.

• Global Mobility: Opportunities to work on international projects and potentially transfer to other DEPT® offices globally.

• Continuous Learning: Access to training, development programs, and certifications to stay at the forefront of design trends and technologies.

• Mentorship & Coaching: Develop strong coaching skills through managing a team, which is a transferable skill for future leadership roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis focuses on the career progression typical for a "Lead" role in an agency, emphasizing the dual track of technical/creative leadership and people management. The "Operations" context here refers to the operational aspects of running a design team and practice.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. The role is based in Zagreb or Split, Croatia, with a hybrid working policy. This suggests a combination of working from a DEPT® office location and some remote work.

Office Location(s): Zagreb, Croatia and Split, Croatia. Candidates can choose their preferred base location within these cities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hubs: DEPT® offices are designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and social interaction, supporting cross-functional teamwork.

• Modern Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma) and potentially other advanced tools for prototyping and motion design.

• Global Network Access: The hybrid model allows for focused individual work at home and collaborative sessions, team meetings, and client interactions in the office or virtually with global teams.

• Studio Culture: Expect an energetic agency environment that values creativity, fast-paced work, and a strong sense of community.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time work schedule (approximately 40 hours per week) is expected, with the flexibility afforded by the hybrid policy to structure days and locations for optimal productivity and work-life balance. Availability for key meetings and client engagements will be paramount.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Work Environment" section is constructed based on the "hybrid" status, the specified locations, and general agency office environments that promote collaboration and creativity.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess qualifications and alignment with the role. Be prepared to discuss your design philosophy and leadership approach.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A dedicated session to walk through your portfolio. Focus on case studies demonstrating leadership, design system expertise, accessibility implementation, and cross-functional collaboration. Be ready to articulate your role, design decisions, and the impact of your work.

• Team & Cultural Fit Interview: Conversations with potential team members and leadership to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and alignment with DEPT®'s values (better together, relentlessly curious, get sh*t done).

• Leadership & Strategic Discussion: An interview focused on your leadership experience, team management style, strategic thinking, and how you envision contributing to the growth of DEPT®'s design practice in Croatia.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Leadership: Prioritize projects where you led initiatives, mentored designers, or influenced strategic design decisions.

• Highlight Design Systems & Accessibility: Dedicate sections to your work on design systems and accessibility, explaining your process and outcomes.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics or clear qualitative outcomes demonstrating the business impact of your designs (e.g., improved conversion, user satisfaction, efficiency gains).

• Tell a Story: Structure your portfolio presentations to tell a narrative about the problem, your approach, your role, the solution, and the results.

• Tailor to DEPT®: Briefly research DEPT®'s clients and recent work to subtly tailor your presentation to their areas of focus.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design System Challenge: You might be asked to critique an existing design system or outline steps to build one for a hypothetical project.

• Leadership Scenario: Prepare for questions about how you would handle common team challenges, such as performance issues, conflict resolution, or motivating a team.

• Process Improvement Brainstorm: Be ready to discuss how you would approach improving design workflows or integrating new practices within the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice for candidates on how to prepare for the interview process, with a strong emphasis on portfolio presentation and demonstrating leadership and strategic thinking relevant to a design lead role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Mandatory for UI design, prototyping, and collaborative workflows. Mastery is expected, including advanced features for component libraries, auto layout, and team collaboration.

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator): Likely used for asset creation, image manipulation, and graphic design tasks.

• Prototyping Tools (Framer, Jitter): Experience with these tools is a significant plus, enabling more sophisticated interactive prototypes and motion design.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics): Understanding how to interpret user data to inform design decisions and measure the impact of UI changes.

• User Feedback Tools (e.g., Hotjar, UserTesting.com): Familiarity with tools for gathering qualitative user insights.

• Design Analytics Tools: Awareness of tools that track user interaction with interfaces to identify usability issues.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Software (e.g., Jira, Asana, Trello): Essential for managing design tasks, sprints, and cross-functional team workflows.

• Collaboration Platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams): For day-to-day team communication and project coordination.

• DesignOps Tools: Familiarity with tools and processes that support efficient design operations and workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section details the expected technology stack, emphasizing Figma as a core requirement and others as preferred or complementary tools relevant to a modern digital agency's design operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Better Together: Emphasizes collaboration, teamwork, and mutual support. As a lead, you'll foster this by encouraging open communication and shared problem-solving within your team and with cross-functional partners.

• Relentlessly Curious: Encourages continuous learning, exploration of new trends, and a proactive approach to innovation. You'll be expected to champion this by staying updated on design tech and encouraging your team to do the same.

• Get Sh*t Done: Focuses on execution, efficiency, and delivering results. This means driving projects forward, overcoming obstacles, and ensuring timely delivery without compromising quality.

• People-First Leadership: The "HR" in the title hints at a strong emphasis on employee development, well-being, and creating a supportive environment for designers to thrive.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with UX, Copy, Development, and Account Management teams is crucial. You'll act as a bridge, ensuring design vision aligns with technical feasibility and business objectives.

• Open Feedback Culture: Encourages constructive feedback exchange at all levels to drive continuous improvement in both individual performance and project outcomes.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that values sharing best practices, insights, and learnings across teams and projects, likely facilitated through internal workshops, presentations, or dedicated channels.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture and values are directly extracted from DEPT®'s stated values and the emphasis on "people-first leadership" implied by the job title and description.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Client Demands and Team Development: The need to deliver high-quality work for demanding international clients while also investing time in mentoring and developing your design team.

• Integrating New Technologies: Staying ahead of rapid technological advancements (AI, new design tools) and strategically integrating them into workflows without disrupting existing processes.

• Scaling Design Systems: Ensuring design systems remain robust, scalable, and adopted across diverse projects and teams as the agency grows.

• Maintaining Accessibility Standards: Consistently ensuring that all designs meet WCAG standards across a variety of client projects and platforms.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Leadership Training: Opportunities to hone leadership, coaching, and strategic planning skills.

• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Access to attend leading design and technology events to gain insights and network.

• Specialized Certifications: Pursuing certifications in areas like accessibility, design systems, or specific software, supported by DEPT®.

• Mentorship from Senior Leaders: Opportunities to learn from experienced leaders within DEPT®'s global network.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section outlines potential challenges inherent in a lead design role within a fast-paced agency and links them to specific growth opportunities for professional development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach building or scaling a design system for a large client with diverse product lines?" (Focus on process, governance, collaboration, and impact.)

• "Describe a time you had to mentor a junior designer through a difficult project. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Highlight leadership, feedback, and developmental strategy.)

• "How do you ensure accessibility is a core consideration from the outset of a design project, rather than an afterthought?" (Emphasize proactive integration of WCAG principles.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about DEPT®'s 'Growth Invention' philosophy and its values?" (Connect your approach to their core tenets.)

• "How do you foster a 'better together' and 'relentlessly curious' culture within a design team?" (Provide examples of your leadership style.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Lead with Impact: Begin with projects that best showcase your leadership, design system expertise, or significant client impact.

• Structure Your Narratives: For each case study, clearly outline: Problem, Your Role/Leadership, Process/Solution, Challenges, and Results/Impact.

• Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Briefly show how you leverage tools like Figma effectively, perhaps highlighting advanced features or collaboration workflows.

• Articulate Design Rationale: Be prepared to defend your design decisions with user-centered and business-oriented reasoning.

• Engage Your Audience: Make it a conversation, not a lecture. Ask clarifying questions and encourage interaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides specific, actionable interview preparation advice, including sample questions tailored to the role and company, and strategic tips for portfolio presentation.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UI Design Lead position:

• Submit Application: Complete the application form via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your leadership experience, design system expertise, and WCAG implementation. Tailor your case studies to highlight collaboration and measurable impact relevant to agency work.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your years of experience, leadership responsibilities, proficiency in Figma, and any experience with Framer/Jitter or design system development. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare for Portfolio Walkthrough: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on telling compelling stories about your projects and articulating your design rationale and leadership approach. Be ready to discuss your experience in a hybrid environment and with international clients.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with DEPT®'s client roster, recent projects, and their core values ("better together," "relentlessly curious," "get sh*t done"). Understand their "Growth Invention" philosophy and how your leadership style aligns.

⚠️ 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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