Head of Product Design & UX

Secondmind Ltd; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Secondmind Ltd is seeking a senior UX/UI design leader to shape the vision and strategy of product design. This role involves creating innovative user experiences, mentoring teams, and driving design excellence to deliver functional and valuable products in the automotive tech industry.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Enhanced family leave policies

Private Medical Insurance

Free on-site gym access

Stock Options

Qualifications

• 8+ years in product design and UX with a strong portfolio.
• 2-3+ years leadership experience in design roles.
• Experience guiding products from concept to launch.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute design strategy aligned with business goals.
• Lead product design lifecycle using user-centered approach.
• Mentor design team, fostering creativity and collaboration.

Skills

User-Centered Design

Prototyping

Information Architecture

User Research

Graphic Design

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in UX Design or related field

Tools

Figma

Jira

Job description

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About Secondmind

Secondmind exists to help automotive innovators design better cars faster and achieve greater sustainability through machine learning. We are driven by a desire to achieve sustainability in our operations and through the products we develop for our customers.

Our positive working culture is founded on a collaborative environment that encourages teamwork and innovation. We foster open communication and cross-functional collaboration, enabling diverse teams to work together to solve complex challenges. Our flexible workplace plan ensures a healthy work-life balance, accommodating various working styles and personal needs, whether through remote work options or adaptable schedules.

We also prioritize personal and professional growth by offering development opportunities, including training and mentorship. This nurturing environment empowers our employees to thrive, continuously learn, and contribute meaningfully to our mission of advancing automotive system design and calibration with our data-efficient machine learning solutions.

Founded in 2016 and supported by investors such as Mazda, Amadeus Capital, Atlantic Bridge and Cambridge Innovation Capital, Secondmind was recently recognized with the Automotive Testing Technology International 'Alternative Powertrain Test Innovation of the Year Award 2024'; selected for the Tech Nation Future Fifty scale-up program, and named by Bloomberg as one of the UK's 25 Startups to Watch 2024.

About the role

As a senior leader at Secondmind, you will shape the vision, strategy, and execution of UX and UI design, focusing on innovative user experiences. We seek a passionate advocate for users and design excellence to create products that are functional, intuitive, and deliver value.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute a visionary design strategy aligned with business goals and brand identity.
• Lead and manage the full product design lifecycle, promoting an iterative, user-centered design approach.
• Foster user-focused and creative problem-solving within the organization.
• Enhance design processes to ensure quality and collaboration with diverse teams.
• Utilize user research and data to inform and refine design decisions.
• Maintain and evolve design systems to ensure consistency and adaptability.
• Champion accessibility and design best practices throughout the organization.
• Define and track metrics to evaluate the impact of design solutions.
• Mentor and develop the design team, cultivating an innovative and collaborative culture.

Experience

• Product Design Expertise: 8+ years in product design and UX with a strong portfolio demonstrating user-centered design, information architecture, wireframing, prototyping, and usability skills.
• Leadership Experience: 2-3+ years in a design leadership role (e.g., Design Lead, UX Manager).
• Lifecycle Experience: Experience in guiding products from concept to launch and iteration, with insights into the challenges and opportunities at each stage.
• Proven Impact: A history of delivering successful design solutions that enhance user engagement and business results.

Skills and Qualifications

• A bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant field such as:
  • User Experience Design
  • Interaction Design
  • Product Design
  • Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
  • Graphic Design with a strong UX focus
  • Related fields like Computer Science, Psychology, or Information Architecture can also be valuable.
• Industry Certifications (Desirable)
  • NN/g UX Certification
  • Certified Professional in User Experience (CPUX)
  • Other relevant certifications demonstrating specialized knowledge.
• Skills
  • Excellent communicator both verbal and written.
  • Familiarity with design software and essential tools of the trade - e.g. Figma, Condense, Dovetail, FigmJam, Jira

Location: We offer a hybrid working environment, with a flexible work schedule to support a work life balance within the UK. The Secondmind office is based in Cambridge, a few minutes walk from the train station.

Our culture - What we can offer you

We offer an inclusive working environment that stimulates innovation, continuous learning, and thrives on growth and change.

Our culture is underpinned by our values; they are what we stand for, part of our DNA. They help us to attract and retain the right talent and customers, help us make the right decisions and clarify how we should all behave and treat one another, they are:

• Delight every customer (Customers)
• No bar too high (Excellence)
• Give more than take (Sustainability)
• Make the impossible, possible (Innovation)
• Celebrate differences, act as one (Inclusion)

We also offer a number of benefits including:

Remuneration

• Competitive salary - reviewed annually
• Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme
• Stock Options (where applicable)

Work-life balance

• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
• Enhanced family leave policies
• Regular social events, games nights
• Cambridge Botanic Garden membership

Health & Wellbeing

• Free 24 hour access on-site gym
• Life Assurance & Income Protection
• Private Medical Insurance & Dental Cash Plan
• Eyecare Policy
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Discount Shopping & Wellbeing Platform
• Cycle to Work Schemes

Development

• Personal development plans
• Training opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer, and aim to ensure all candidates are treated equally and fairly through the application process and beyond. We actively encourage applicants from under-represented backgrounds, and encourage our people to bring their authentic, original, and best selves to work. If you require assistance or an accommodation through the interview process due to a disability, to apply for one of our roles, please contact [e-mail].