Lead Designer

Overview

In this role you lead design on complex client engagements, shaping user strategies and outcomes within an agile, cross-functional setting. You mentor senior and intermediate designers, elevate design capability, and influence client decisions with data-driven, user-centered approaches. You’ll steer design direction in AI-aware projects while upholding standards and accessibility. This position offers impact through leading design practice growth and representing Hippo in client and industry circles.

Pay / Benefits

• Contributory Pension Scheme (Hippo 6% & Employee 2%)
• 25 Days Holiday plus UK Public Holidays
• Perkbox discounts
• Critical illness cover
• Life assurance and death in service cover
• Volunteer days

Responsibilities

• Lead design on complex client engagements and drive user-centered outcomes across programs
• Act as trusted advisor to senior stakeholders using data and design methods to shape service direction
• Lead teams to design products and services meeting diverse user needs and accessibility standards
• Contribute to and evolve Hippo’s design practice, especially regarding AI-related changes and agile delivery
• Mentor and develop Intermediate and Senior designers, supporting capability growth
• Support business growth through bids and value demonstration of user-centered design
• Represent Hippo’s design capability internally and externally, contributing to thought leadership

Key requirements

• Extensive lead-level design experience across multiple complex delivery environments
• Experience guiding multidisciplinary teams using user-centered design through all lifecycle phases
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear design direction with measurable outcomes
• Strong consultancy and leadership skills with client-facing problem-solving capability
• Ability to operate in complex organizations, adapt to ambiguity, and manage multiple workstreams
• Proven track record leading and mentoring designers and building team capability
• Practical experience implementing AI tools and workflows to improve outcomes
• Working knowledge of the GDS Digital Standard or delivering design projects in the private sector (desirable)

• Strong consultancy and leadership presence
• Ability to influence and convene stakeholders at senior levels
• Comfort with ambiguity and rapid adaptation
• User-centered design
• AI tools and workflows in design
• Agile delivery

…