Head of Design

Role Overview

Based in New York, NY, this full-time position entails a hybrid schedule with onsite presence required three days a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). As the Head of Design, you will be the primary architect of the entire design language for a large-scale consumer product that engages hundreds of thousands of young users. Reporting directly to the CEO and collaborating closely with the Heads of Product and Engineering, you will have strategic influence at the highest executive level.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain the design system, visual identity, and quality standards for a fast-growing consumer product.
• Create refined, mobile-first user experiences end-to-end, including conducting user research to inform design decisions.
• Lead and expand the design team, beginning with three designers and growing towards five or more members.
• Collaborate directly with the CEO and cross-functional leadership to shape product and brand strategies.

Candidate Profile

• Minimum 8 years of experience in product design with leadership roles at the director level or equivalent, preferably at a prominent or VC-backed firm.
• Demonstrated success in owning and launching consumer products from conception through delivery.
• An impressive portfolio showcasing polished, mobile-first consumer or social product designs marked by a distinctive stylistic approach, whether playful or minimalistic editorial.
• Experience as a founding designer or involvement in early-stage (0-to-1) product development.
• Highly proficient in Figma and well-versed in design systems.
• Capable of a player-coach approach, balancing hands-on design duties alongside team leadership.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience with web product design complementing mobile design skills.
• Background designing social or dating consumer products that are expressive and engaging, similar to Snapchat, BeReal, Partiful, Hinge, or Bumble.

Compensation and Work Arrangements

• Competitive base salary ranging from $225,000 to $275,000 annually with significant equity participation.
• Hybrid work model requiring onsite attendance three days each week in New York City.
• Direct full-time employment opportunity.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The employer practices nondiscriminatory hiring and considers all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected classification.