Design Lead

AKQA; San Francisco (CA); Remote; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

AKQA is seeking an experienced Design Lead to guide and inspire designers, lead the evolution of design systems, and ensure creative excellence across a flagship digital product experience. You will mentor junior and mid‑level designers and collaborate with UX, strategy, and development teams to deliver cohesive, high‑quality solutions.

Remote role (US only) with Seattle‑based candidates welcome; regular onsite client visits.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in UI design, art direction, or related field.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor design teams.
• Deep expertise in creating and evolving design systems.
• Strong proficiency in Figma and component/library management.
• Excellent communication and client-facing skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on leadership and creative direction for a design team.
• Oversee the creation and evolution of complex design systems for scalability.
• Shape the creative vision for digital platforms, aligning with client goals.
• Collaborate with UX, strategy, and development to deliver cohesive solutions.
• Present concepts to clients with clarity and strategic insight.
• Mentor junior and mid-level designers and promote collaboration.

Skills

UI design

Design leadership

Design systems

Figma

Mentoring

Cross-team collaboration

Communication

Job description

At AKQA (part of WPP), we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create beautiful ideas, products and services. With an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, we design adaptive digital services and applications that capture the imagination, delivering impressive returns for our clients.

Design Leads at AKQA bring artistry, craft, and creative vision to complex digital challenges. They inspire and guide designers, champion design systems, and ensure creative excellence across all deliverables. Hands‑on and deeply thoughtful, they shape the look, feel, and coherence of digital experiences from early concept through final delivery, elevating both the work and the people around them.

We are seeking an experienced Design Lead to support one of the most globally recognized consumer brands in the world, a company with an enormous and deeply loyal customer base whose digital products and services touch millions of people every day. In this role you will guide and inspire designers, lead the evolution of complex design systems, and ensure creative excellence across a flagship digital product experience.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Provide hands‑on leadership and creative direction, guiding a team of designers to produce world‑class digital product experiences
• Oversee the creation, maintenance, and evolution of complex design systems, ensuring scalability, consistency, and craft at every level
• Shape the creative vision for digital platforms and products, aligning with client goals and the needs of a diverse, loyal user base
• Collaborate closely with UX, strategy, and development teams to deliver cohesive, high‑quality solutions
• Present creative concepts and design solutions to clients with clarity, confidence, and strategic insight
• Actively mentor and support junior and mid‑level designers, fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional growth
• Contribute to a culture of creative excellence, pushing for the most distinctive and effective solutions at every stage of the work

QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

• 6+ years of experience in UI design, art direction, or a related field, with a strong portfolio showcasing digital platforms and products
• Proven ability to lead and inspire teams, with a track record of mentoring and elevating designers
• Deep expertise in creating and evolving design systems, with a focus on scalability, consistency, and innovation
• Strong working knowledge of user interface, application, mobile, and responsive design principles
• Expert proficiency in Figma, including advanced component and library management
• Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to present and defend creative work to clients and stakeholders
• Experience collaborating with cross‑disciplinary teams, including UX and development, to deliver integrated solutions
• A proactive mindset and the ability to adapt to the ever‑changing landscape of technology and design
• A strong point of view and the ability to promote and encourage conceptual thinking across the team

LOCATION & COMMITMENT

• Remote (United States only); Seattle‑based candidates are especially welcome; there will be regularly scheduled onsite client visits and meetings

Explore our extensive range of benefits here