Building a design capability from the ground up isn’t for everyone. But for the right person, it’s a rare opportunity to truly make your mark.
This is a chance to shape products, services, ways of working, and a growing team while also defining and embedding AI-powered experience design into everything this studio does.
We’re looking for a strategic, hands-on leader who thrives in ambiguity, loves to build, and is ready to take ownership of a transformative design function within a fast-growing agency.
This is more than an agency leadership role.
It’s a chance to lead in AI-driven experience design, win exciting new clients, and carve out your own space in the industry.
About the client:
They're a technology and transformation consultancy that helps businesses rethink, innovate, and grow. They partner with clients to build AI-powered digital experiences, craft new business models, and develop cutting-edge products and services.
As they continue to expand, they’re looking for someone to establish and grow their Experience Design capability, embedding AI, human-centered design, and future-forward thinking into everything they do.
About the role:
As Experience Design Director, you’ll build and lead the design practice from the ground up. You’ll define how design drives innovation, work with clients to shape new digital experiences, and develop a high-performing team.
You’ll be at the forefront of AI-driven design, embedding intelligent experiences across their work and helping businesses unlock the full potential of emerging technology.
This is a role for someone who wants to shape, not inherit.
You’ll create new ways of working, set the vision for design, and play a key role in winning and delivering major client engagements.
Key Responsibilities:
* Build and lead the Experience Design function, setting the vision and strategy for design.
* Embed AI and emerging technology into design processes to create innovative, intelligent experiences.
* Develop and scale a high-performing team, hiring and mentoring exceptional design talent.
* Define and implement new ways of working, ensuring design is at the heart of how they build products and services.
* Partner with clients to shape digital experiences that drive business growth.
* Work closely with leadership to position as a leader in AI-driven design.
* Play a key role in winning new business, shaping proposals and pitches to demonstrate the value of experience design.
Is This You?
We’re looking for someone who:
* Has built and led design teams in an agency or consultancy setting.
* Is comfortable operating at both strategic and hands-on levels.
* Has a strong interest in AI and its role in experience design.
* Can win the trust of clients and shape large-scale design engagements.
* Is a natural leader, mentor, and coach who can inspire and grow a team.
* Has experience working across product, service, and digital experience design.
* Thrives in ambiguity and sees the unknown as an opportunity, not a problem.
What you'll want to know:
* Salary circa £110,000 + Benefits
* Office based in Manchester (ideally 3 Days/week on-site)
Interview process:
Stage 1: Meet the Founder – A conversation to understand your vision for Experience Design and theirs for the studio and whether they align.
Stage 2: Meet the Team – An opportunity to discuss ways of working, collaboration, dive deeper on design expertise and your approach to leadership.
Interested in learning more? Hit Apply Now!