Design Lead (Director Level)

# Design Lead (Director Level)

## Company Description

At Sutherland, we empower people and businesses to thrive through innovation, collaboration, and customer-centric solutions. As a global organization, we offer exciting career opportunities where employees can develop their skills, make an impact, and grow with a team that values excellence and continuous learning.

## Job Description

We're looking for an experienced and visionary Design Lead to join our organization in Taguig, Philippines. In this role, you will lead the design vision and strategy, mentor a talented design team, and drive innovation across all digital products and experiences. The ideal candidate will combine strong design expertise with exceptional leadership capabilities, fostering a collaborative environment where creative excellence thrives.

- Lead and mentor a team of designers, providing constructive feedback, professional development opportunities, and clear performance guidance to support their growth and career advancement
- Develop and communicate design strategy, vision, and roadmap aligned with organizational goals and business objectives
- Oversee the creation and maintenance of design systems, ensuring consistency, scalability, and adherence to brand standards across all digital touchpoints
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams including product management, engineering, and marketing to translate business requirements into compelling user-centered design solutions
- Conduct design reviews and quality assurance to maintain high standards of design excellence and usability
- Champion user research and testing methodologies to inform design decisions and validate design solutions
- Present design concepts, prototypes, and recommendations to stakeholders at all levels with clarity and persuasive communication
- Stay current with design trends, tools, and best practices, and implement innovations within the team's workflow
- Manage design projects, timelines, and resources to ensure on-time delivery and optimal team productivity
- Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the design function

## Qualifications

- 7+ years of professional design experience with a minimum of 3 years in a design leadership or senior design role
- Demonstrated expertise in UI/UX design with a strong portfolio showcasing design leadership and strategic thinking
- Proficiency with industry-standard design tools such as Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, or equivalent platforms
- Strong knowledge of design systems, design principles, and design methodologies
- Proven experience building and scaling design teams, including hiring, mentoring, and performance management
- Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to articulate design concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
- Experience collaborating with product, engineering, and business teams in an agile environment
- Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously
- Understanding of accessibility standards and inclusive design principles
- Proficiency in design research, user testing, and data-driven design decision-making
- Experience with design documentation and design specifications
- Preferred: Knowledge of WCAG accessibility guidelines and experience implementing accessible design solutions
- Preferred: Familiarity with Agile and Scrum methodologies
- Preferred: Experience with design mentorship and team development programs