Design Lead

Blue Pearl PTY; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading design agency in Sandton is seeking a highly skilled designer to lead a design guild focused on consumer-facing mobile apps. You will manage high-quality design outcomes and collaborate closely with key stakeholders. The ideal candidate has proven leadership experience, strong user-centered design skills, and a passion for excellent design. This role offers a hybrid working model with local and international collaboration opportunities.

Qualifications

• Strong collaboration skills with tolerance for large organizations.
• Ability to work within design processes and high-feedback environments.
• Experience in managing design work and client interactions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the design guild, ensuring timely delivery against sprint goals.
• Remove obstacles for smooth design operations.
• Manage design work intake, prioritization, and allocation.
• Prepare for Project Increment (PIO) planning.
• Maintain consistent communication with stakeholders.
• Oversee design quality standards.

Skills

Proven leadership and people management skills within a design environment

Strong understanding of user-centered design

Excellent communication skills

Problem-solving capabilities

Proficiency in Figma

Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Sandton, South Africa | Posted on 12/05/2025

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, priori=za=on, and alloca=on 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