Lead UX/UI Designer

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 700,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private health insurance

Performance-based bonuses

Stock options plan

Professional development opportunities

Hybrid work arrangements

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead UX/UI Designer to drive the design strategy for fintech products in Sandton. You will lead research, prototyping, and visual design for web and mobile, while mentoring a team of designers and collaborating with product and engineering teams.

The role blends strategic influence with hands-on design leadership in a hybrid work setting. You will shape design systems, ensure user-centered approaches, and advocate for best practices across the product lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Design, HCI, Psychology, or related field.
• 6+ years of professional UX/UI design experience, with lead/senior experience.
• Strong portfolio showcasing digital product design (web/mobile).
• Proficiency in Figma/Sketch/Adobe XD or similar tools.
• Experience with user research methodologies and usability testing.
• Deep understanding of user-centered design and design thinking.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder presentation skills.
• Experience developing and managing design systems.
• Hybrid work experience and ability to collaborate in cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the UX/UI design process from research to high-fidelity prototypes and visual design.
• Conduct user research, usability testing, and market analysis to drive decisions.
• Develop personas, journey maps, and information architectures.
• Create intuitive interfaces for web and mobile applications.
• Develop and maintain a scalable design system and brand consistency.
• Collaborate with product managers and engineers to ensure feasible designs.
• Mentor junior designers and foster a collaborative design culture.
• Present concepts and rationale to stakeholders and iterate based on feedback.
• Stay updated on UX/UI trends and best practices.

Skills

UX design

Leadership

User research

Usability testing

Communication

Design thinking

Agile

Mentoring

Portfolio development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Design/HCI/Psychology

Tools

Figma

Sketch

Adobe XD

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic tech startup revolutionizing the fintech sector, is seeking an innovative and experienced Lead UX/UI Designer to join their growing team in Sandton, Gauteng . This hybrid role requires a visionary designer who can translate complex user needs into intuitive, engaging, and visually appealing digital experiences. You will be responsible for leading the design strategy, overseeing the user-centered design process from concept to implementation, and mentoring a team of talented designers. The ideal candidate will have a strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in both user experience (UX) research and user interface (UI) design, with a focus on web and mobile applications. You'll work closely with product managers, engineers, and stakeholders to ensure our products are not only functional but also delightful to use.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the UX/UI design process, from user research and wireframing to high-fidelity prototyping and final visual design.
• Conduct user research, usability testing, and market analysis to inform design decisions and identify user pain points.
• Develop user personas, journey maps, and information architectures to represent user needs and product structure.
• Create intuitive and visually compelling user interfaces for web and mobile applications.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive design system, ensuring brand consistency and design scalability.
• Collaborate closely with product managers and engineering teams to ensure feasibility and successful implementation of designs.
• Mentor and guide junior UX/UI designers, fostering a collaborative and high-performing design team.
• Present design concepts and solutions to stakeholders, effectively communicating design rationale.
• Stay abreast of the latest UX/UI trends, technologies, and best practices, and advocate for their adoption.
• Iterate on designs based on user feedback, analytics, and A/B testing results.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• A minimum of 6 years of professional experience in UX/UI design, with a significant portion in a lead or senior capacity.
• A strong portfolio showcasing successful UX/UI design projects, particularly for digital products (web and mobile).
• Proficiency in design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar.
• Experience with user research methodologies and usability testing.
• Deep understanding of user-centered design principles and design thinking.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in developing and managing design systems.
• Familiarity with agile development methodologies.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment, balancing remote and in-office collaboration.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, commensurate with your experience and leadership capabilities.
• Benefits include comprehensive private health insurance, performance-based bonuses, and a generous stock options plan.
• You will have access to excellent professional development opportunities, including training programs and conference attendance.
• Our client provides a modern office environment in Sandton , along with flexible hybrid work arrangements, fostering a strong work-life balance.
• Join a fast-paced, innovative company and play a key role in shaping the future of fintech.