Principal Design Consultant — AI-Driven Strategy & Services

Hippo; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Contributory Pension Scheme

25 Days Holiday

Perkbox access

Life assurance

Volunteer days

Cycle-to-work scheme

Season ticket loans

Flexible benefits scheme

Job summary

Hippo is seeking a Principal Design Consultant to lead design strategy across programs, shaping user-centred outcomes and setting design standards in complex client environments. You will mentor Senior and Lead practitioners and work to evolve our practice as AI becomes central to delivery.

You will engage with executive stakeholders, guide pre-sales propositions, and help grow Hippo’s design capability while maintaining high-quality user-centred delivery across the UK.

Qualifications

• Extensive design leadership across complex delivery environments.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams using user-centred design throughout the lifecycle.
• Ability translate complex concepts into clear design direction delivering measurable outcomes.
• Expert consultancy and leadership skills for guiding client problem spaces.
• Proven ability to operate in complex organisations and adapt quickly to new environments.

Responsibilities

• Be part of the leadership of our most complex and strategically important client engagements, driving a user centred approach across projects.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior client stakeholders to influence decision-making and shape long-term service strategy.
• Lead teams to design services that meet user needs and adhere to standards (GDS where appropriate).
• Grow Hippo’s design capability by leading internal workstreams and mentoring practitioners.
• Collaborate with other design leaders to evolve practices for AI-enabled delivery.

Skills

Design leadership

User-centred design

Stakeholder engagement

Mentoring

AI experience

Strategic thinking

Tools

GDS Digital Standard

Job description

Hippo is seeking a Principal Design Consultant to lead design strategy across programs, shaping user-centred outcomes and setting design standards in complex client environments. You will mentor Senior and Lead practitioners and work to evolve our practice as AI becomes central to delivery.

You will engage with executive stakeholders, guide pre-sales propositions, and help grow Hippo’s design capability while maintaining high-quality user-centred delivery across the UK.