Head of Design

About Proton

Founded in 2014 by CERN scientists based on the principle that privacy is a fundamental right, Proton has developed the world's largest encrypted email platform and expanded to services like VPN, Drive, Pass, and Calendar. These tools safeguard millions globally, supporting freedom, combating censorship, and protecting personal data, sometimes saving lives. The company operates profitably and independently without venture capital influence, employing over 700 professionals from elite backgrounds across 50+ countries. Proton maintains a fast-moving, flat hierarchy culture focused on impactful work.

Role Overview

As the Vice President of Design, you will lead the comprehensive design strategy and execution across Product Design—including user experience, interface, and service design—and Brand/Marketing Design, encompassing visual identity, campaigns, and brand experience. Collaborating closely with the CEO, VP Marketing, and Product Heads, you will shape strategic direction, foster design excellence, and establish design as a vital competitive advantage for Proton. You will also build and manage a high-performing multidisciplinary design team, integrating design thinking company-wide.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a unified design vision that integrates product and brand to create a distinctive global user experience.
• Lead recruitment, growth, and organization of top-tier design teams across product and brand domains, setting performance standards and nurturing a creative, user-centered culture.
• Collaborate with executive leadership and product teams to embed design into strategic planning, product launches, marketing campaigns, and branding efforts.
• Oversee comprehensive design processes including user research, UX/UI, service design, prototyping, testing, visual and motion design, and interactive experiences.
• Maintain a strong, consistent, scalable, and adaptable Proton brand identity across all digital, mobile, web, marketing, physical, and event touchpoints.
• Drive the development and adoption of design systems, tools, and workflows to improve efficiency, quality, and scalability.
• Champion user advocacy and privacy-centered design principles throughout all product and brand efforts.
• Track and analyze design impact through metrics such as user experience quality, brand perception, conversion rates, retention, and campaign success, adjusting strategies accordingly.
• Represent Proton’s design vision externally by speaking at industry events and collaborating with global creative partners and agencies.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• At least 15 years in leadership roles within design at major technology companies or agencies, covering product and brand/marketing design.
• Proven experience in developing, scaling, and managing design organizations that have broad cross-functional influence.
• Strong expertise in both product-oriented design (UX/UI and service design) and brand or marketing design (visual identity, campaign creativity).
• Successful history of defining design strategies that generate measurable business outcomes such as growth, engagement, retention, and brand value enhancement.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement capabilities to interact with executives and influence across product, marketing, engineering, and operations teams.
• A user-centered design philosophy demonstrated by a comprehensive portfolio reflecting the full process from research and strategy through UX, UI, and visual branding.
• Experience designing for international audiences with attention to cultural nuances and maintaining brand coherence across markets.
• Expertise in building scalable design systems and establishing efficient operational design procedures in rapidly evolving companies.
• Strong leadership skills in mentoring senior designers, assembling effective teams, and cultivating innovation and craftsmanship.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment with a diverse global workforce.
• Excellent communication and storytelling abilities, fluent in English; additional languages are advantageous.

Employee Benefits and Culture

• Meaningful work protecting user privacy without external pressures from advertisers, investors, or governments.
• A diverse and close-knit team with members from world-renowned institutions.
• Access to advanced hardware and software tools to maximize productivity.
• Commitment to personal and professional development with immediate responsibility and ownership.
• Comprehensive health insurance, retirement plans, ample leave, and wellness programs.
• Stock options from day one, providing a genuine stake in company success.
• Multiple office locations fostering primarily in-person collaboration.
• Daily provided meals and snacks at the office.
• Transportation benefits covering public transit, biking, or parking expenses.
• Flexible working schedules focused on results rather than strict hours.

Diversity and Inclusion

Proton is devoted to cultivating an inclusive work environment that values diverse backgrounds and identities. They encourage applicants to request reasonable accommodations during the hiring process.

Candidate Privacy

Applicant information is stored according to privacy policies for recruitment purposes and may be retained for future job considerations. Unsolicited resumes from third parties are not accepted.