Head of Ux/ Uidesign

Our purpose is to make good finds happen, whether that’s finding the right buyer for your vintage collectibles or finding a local upholsterer to breathe new life into your sofa.

As a company we are on a mission to help people trade locally by making buying and selling simpler, safer and more enjoyable, because we believe everything can find a new purpose (that’s good for you and the planet).

We are looking for a B2C, **Head of Design** to join our dynamic and evolving organisation. You will play a pivotal role in leading and managing a team of talented UX Researchers and Product Designers. You will be responsible for implementing frameworks, processes, and governance to help support and guide the UXDR team in creating and executing user experiences that help make buying and selling simpler, safer, and more enjoyable. You will be a trusted leader for the team and other team leads, supporting them in their endeavors wherever possible.

Your leadership and expertise will be essential in shaping the design and research team to generate user-centric and intuitive designs, grounded in relevant research that simplifies and enhances Gumtree’s experience.

**What you'll be doing**:
**Leadership and Team Management**:

- Set clear goals, provide constructive feedback, and evaluate team members' performance to encourage growth and development.
- Lead improvements in the user experience, architecture and interaction
- Establish and nurture a culture of design excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement within the design team.
- Investing in mentoring and supporting the team’s growth, fostering a positive and fulfilling work environment.

**Design Strategy and Vision**:

- Develop and articulate a design vision that aligns with the company's overall objectives and user needs.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product managers, engineers, and stakeholders, to translate business requirements into user-centered design solutions.
- Stay ahead of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in design to drive innovation and maintain a competitive edge.

**UX Research and Insights**:

- Oversee the planning, execution, and analysis of user research activities to gain insights into user behaviours, needs, and pain points.
- Use research findings to inform design decisions, improve usability, and enhance the overall user experience.
- Advocate for user-centered design methodologies and ensure that research insights are integrated into the design process.

**Product Design and Delivery**:

- Collaborate closely with product managers and engineers to create seamless processes and encourage collaboration for efficient and predictable delivery.
- Improve ways of working and processes so that the Design and Research team’s delivery velocity is predictable.
- Define and maintain design standards, guidelines, and design systems to ensure consistency and scalability across products.
- Guide the design team in the creation of wireframes, prototypes, and interactive mock-ups to effectively communicate design concepts and interactions.

**Stakeholder Engagement**:

- Building strong relationships with cross-functional teams, such as product managers, developers, and stakeholders, resulting in effective collaboration and alignment towards shared goals.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather feedback, iterate on designs, and ensure successful implementation of design solutions.
- Act as a champion for design thinking and user-centred design principles, promoting the value of design within the organisation.

**Preferred skills and experience**:

- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field.
- Proven experience (5+ years) in leading and managing design teams, preferably in a fast-paced and innovative environment.
- Strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in UX research, product design, and design leadership.
- Proficiency in design and prototyping tools.
- Deep understanding of user-centered design principles, usability best practices, and accessibility standards.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with stakeholders and cross-functional teams.
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on design involvement when necessary.
- Strong analytical mindset, with the ability to leverage data and insights to drive design decisions.

***Perks**:
Benefits are an essential part of your total compensation for the work you do every day. Whether you’re single, in a growing family, or nearing retirement, we offer a variety of comprehensive and competitive benefit programs to meet your needs.

That's why we're pleased to offer all employees full access to our comprehensive benefits package.

This includes:

- Meaningful work with diverse, international, highly skilled and passionate teams which give you the chance to make a difference in our customers’ lives.
- A great atmosph