Vice President Design

Cleo; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A fast-growing tech company in the UK seeks a VP of Design to lead a large, multidisciplinary design team. The role requires over 8 years of design leadership experience and the ability to shape design strategy at the executive level. The company offers a competitive compensation package, hybrid work options, and comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

Competitive compensation package

Flexibility for work-life balance

Comprehensive health benefits

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in design leadership roles.
• Proven ability to operate at the executive level.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary design teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a multidisciplinary design team.
• Define and drive the long-term vision for design.
• Champion design quality across all user touchpoints.

Skills

Design leadership

Team management

User experience

Strategic vision

Creative instincts

Job description

Overview

As VP of Design, you'll be responsible for the vision, craft, and leadership of Cleo's design org. You'll own the full design function across product, research, content, and brand—bringing cohesion and strategic direction to how Cleo shows up in the world. You will be a key voice in the executive team, driving cross-functional alignment and ensuring design is represented at the leadership level.

Responsibilities

• Org Leadership: Lead, inspire, and manage a multidisciplinary design team of over 50 designers and researchers.
• Strategic Vision: Define and drive the long-term vision for design at Cleo—ensuring a unified, high-quality user experience across product and brand.
• Design Excellence: Champion design craft and ensure quality and consistency across all user touchpoints, from core product to marketing campaigns and brand identity.
• Executive Partnering: Collaborate with product, engineering, data, marketing, and customer teams to shape company strategy and deliver business impact.
• Team Development: Attract, retain, and grow exceptional talent. Develop leaders within the org and foster a culture of continuous learning, experimentation, and feedback.
• Design Operations: Scale systems, rituals, and tooling to support a high-performing, fast-moving design team as the company grows.
• Voice of the User: Ensure user research and insights play a central role in product and business decisions.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in design leadership roles, with a track record of building and scaling large, diverse, and high-performing design teams.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary design orgs including product design, research, content, and brand.
• Proven ability to operate at the executive level—partnering with C-level peers and influencing company strategy.
• Strong creative and product instincts with a passion for user experience and storytelling.
• Experience managing managers and coaching senior design leaders.
• Comfortable in fast-paced, high-growth environments and able to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution when needed.

About Cleo (context)

At Cleo, we’re building toward a mission to transform humanity’s relationship with money. We are a profitable, fast-growing tech company with significant ARR and a strong growth trajectory.

Compensation & Benefits

• A competitive compensation package (base + equity) with bi-annual reviews, aligned to quarterly OKR planning cycles.
• Work at a fast-growing tech startup backed by top VC firms.
• A clear progression plan with opportunities to lead, try new things, and grow our impact.
• Flexibility and support for work-life balance.
• Hybrid and distributed work options; travel and in-person collaboration allowances as needed.
• Comprehensive benefits including health, dental, and pension where applicable.