Design Lead

Blue Pearl PTY LTD; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 900 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading design firm in South Africa is seeking a seasoned designer to lead the design guild. The role demands 12+ years of experience in managing design processes and ensuring high-quality outputs. Candidates should possess strong leadership skills and a comprehensive understanding of user-centered design. The job involves balancing strategic oversight with hands-on design work in a hybrid setup, requiring occasional travel. The ideal candidate thrives in high-performance environments, focusing on achieving excellence in design.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in design management.
• Strong understanding of digital product development processes.
• Ability to mentor and foster collaboration within the design guild.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the design guild and ensure timely delivery against sprint goals.
• Remove obstacles and guide the team for smooth design operations.
• Manage design work intake, prioritization, and allocation.

Skills

Leadership skills

User-centered design

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Problem-solving

Proficiency in Figma

Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

We are sourcing for highly specialised, deeply skilled designer with strong cra7

• Candidate must have demonstrable experience in the design of consumer facing na=ve mobile apps.
• Experience in airline and e-commerce ecosystems with be a great advantage
• Work is deeply embedded in the world of AI, na=ve app paCerns, technical systems, and complex design flows.
• Experience with working on large interna=onal brands is a must
• Ability to work within design processes, high-feedback environments, and global quality expecta=ons.
• Strong collabora=on skills with tolerance for large-organisa=on
• Team culture is extremely high-performance, with high design standards looking for world-class talent who is

obsessed with beau=ful design and are energised by crea=ve excellence

It will be hybrid delivery. Teams will be based locally with occasional travel to KSA alternated with the client

travelling to South Africa

Responsible for leading and managing the design guild to deliver high-quality design outcomes that meet client expecta=ons and sprint objec=ves.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the design guild, assigning tasks and ensuring =mely delivery against sprint goals
• Remove obstacles and provide guidance to ensure smooth design opera=ons
• Manage the intake, prioriza=tion, and allocation of design work across the guild and nego=ate work intake with

key client stakeholders

• Prepare for Project Increment (PIO) planning and represent the Design Guild in the PI to agree the 3-month

implementa=on plan as part of the digital delivery team

• Maintain consistent communica=on with key stakeholders including product managers, delivery leads, and client

experience leads

• Act as the liaison between the design guild and the development teams
• Oversee design quality and ensure all outputs meet experience and brand standards
• Foster collabora=on and mentorship within the design guild to drive growth and excellence
• Champion design best prac=ces, processes, and consistency across deliverables

Requirements

Skills

• Proven leadership and people management skills within a design environment
• Strong understanding of user-centered design and digital product development processes
• Excellent communica=on and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on design oversight
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabili=es
• Proficiency in design and collabora=on tools such as Figma and Adobe Crea=ve Suite

Experience

12+ years