Senior Manager, Product Design

Runna; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Runna in London is seeking a senior Design Leader to own the design direction across core user journeys and to lead a small team of designers through coaching and reviews.

You will stay hands‑on in design craft, set high standards, run design reviews, and collaborate with Product and Engineering to ship high‑quality, scalable consumer products. You’ll contribute to Runna’s design system, culture, and leadership team.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience managing and developing product designers.
• Experience owning design direction across multiple product journeys.
• Proven track record of raising craft and building a quality-focused culture.
• Hands-on player/coach with strong design craft.
• Ability to set and articulate a clear design vision and influence others.
• Strong senior partnership with Product and Engineering; influence without authority.
• Experience designing consumer products at scale with a significant user base.
• Based in London or willing to relocate to London.
• Experience managing other design managers is a plus.
• Experience with health/fitness/community-driven products, subscription apps, or AI-powered features is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own design direction for several core user journeys.
• Lead and develop a small team of designers through coaching, feedback, and 1:1s.
• Stay hands-on in design craft and set standards through personal taste and judgment.
• Run design reviews and drive alignment on design direction.
• Partner with Product and Engineering leaders to shape strategy and ship high-quality work.
• Raise the craft bar by establishing standards and a quality-focused culture.
• Contribute to Runna’s broader design system, design culture, and design leadership team.
• Report to the Director of Product Design.
• Collaborate with Product and Engineering leaders across the business.

Skills

Team management

Design leadership

Hands-On product design

Cross-functional collaboration

Design direction ownership

Job description

• Own design quality and direction for several core user journeys
• Lead and develop a small team of designers through coaching, feedback, and 1:1s
• Stay hands‑on in design craft and set standards through personal taste and judgment
• Run design reviews and drive alignment on design direction
• Partner with Product and Engineering leaders to shape strategy and ship high-quality work
• Raise the craft bar by establishing standards and a quality‑focused culture
• Contribute to Runna’s broader design system, design culture, and design leadership team
• Report to the Director of Product Design
• Collaborate with Product and Engineering leaders across the business

Requirements

• Substantial experience managing and developing product designers
• Experience owning design direction across a multi-product or multi‑journey portfolio
• Track record of raising craft across a team, setting standards, and building a quality‑focused culture
• Genuine hands‑on product design ability as a player/coach
• Ability to set and articulate a clear design vision and influence others
• Strong senior partnership with Product and Engineering, including influencing without authority
• Experience designing consumer products at scale with a significant user base
• Based in London or ready to relocate to London
• Experience managing other managers is a plus
• Experience with health, fitness, sport, community‑driven consumer products, subscription apps, or AI‑powered features is a plus

Core Competencies

Demonstrates strong leadership in design by managing and developing product designers while maintaining hands‑on design capabilities. Capable of setting a clear design vision and fostering a quality‑focused culture across multiple product journeys.

Highest‑signal resume keywords

• Design Direction Ownership
• Team Management and Development
• Hands‑On Product Design
• Collaboration with Product and Engineering
• Consumer Product Design Experience

Hard Skills

• Product Design
• Design Standards
• Design Reviews
• Design System Contribution
• User Journey Design

Soft Skills

• Coaching
• Feedback Delivery
• Influencing Without Authority
• Clear Vision Articulation

Industry Keywords

• Health Products
• Fitness Products
• Community‑Driven Products
• Subscription Apps
• AI‑Powered Features