UX Leader Recruitment

A Design Manager usually leads a group of designers, focusing on people, quality and delivery. A Head of UX or Head of Design typically owns design across the business, including standards, team shape and how design works with product. A Design Director often oversees design across several areas or brands in a larger organisation. Titles vary, so we look at actual scope.

We focus on leadership. We ask how they have grown a team, hired well, handled underperformance and kept standards high under pressure. We also ask how they have made the case for design with senior stakeholders. A strong portfolio shows craft. Conversations about people and decisions show whether someone can lead.

It depends on the team. In smaller teams, many design managers are player-coaches who still take on design work. In larger teams, managing people, hiring and quality usually takes most of their time. Candidates weigh this carefully, so being clear in the brief about the balance saves time on both sides.

Common reasons include design being treated as a delivery service rather than part of product decisions, no clear budget for research or tools, an unclear reporting line and office expectations that do not suit them. Package matters too. Experienced leaders tend to choose roles where they can see real influence, so it helps to be open about how design is valued.

Clients can get in touch to discuss a brief, and candidates are welcome to register their interest. The quickest route is our contact page or a call to +44 203 397 4565, and one of our consultants will pick things up from there.