Design Lead (Director Level)

At Sutherland , we empower people and businesses to thrive through innovation, collaboration, and customer-centric solutions. As a global organization, we offer exciting career opportunities where employees can develop their skills, make an impact, and grow with a team that values excellence and continuous learning.

We're looking for an experienced and visionary Design Lead to join our organization in Taguig, Philippines. In this role, you will lead the design vision and strategy, mentor a talented design team, and drive innovation across all digital products and experiences. The ideal candidate will combine strong design expertise with exceptional leadership capabilities, fostering a collaborative environment where creative excellence thrives.

Responsibilities

Lead and mentor a team of designers, providing constructive feedback, professional development opportunities, and clear performance guidance to support their growth and career advancement; Develop and communicate design strategy, vision, and roadmap aligned with organizational goals and business objectives; Oversee the creation and maintenance of design systems, ensuring consistency, scalability, and adherence to brand standards across all digital touchpoints; Collaborate with cross-functional teams including product management, engineering, and marketing to translate business requirements into compelling user-centered design solutions; Conduct design reviews and quality assurance to maintain high standards of design excellence and usability; Champion user research and testing methodologies to inform design decisions and validate design solutions; Present design concepts, prototypes, and recommendations to stakeholders at all levels with clarity and persuasive communication; Stay current with design trends, tools, and best practices, and implement innovations within the team's workflow; Manage design projects, timelines, and resources to ensure on-time delivery and optimal team productivity; Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the design function

Requirements

7+ years of professional design experience with a minimum of 3 years in a design leadership or senior design role; Demonstrated expertise in UI/UX design with a strong portfolio showcasing design leadership and strategic thinking; Proficiency with industry-standard design tools such as Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, or equivalent platforms; Strong knowledge of design systems, design principles, and design methodologies; Proven experience building and scaling design teams, including hiring, mentoring, and performance management; Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to articulate design concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences; Experience collaborating with product, engineering, and business teams in an agile environment; Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously; Understanding of accessibility standards and inclusive design principles; Proficiency in design research, user testing, and data-driven design decision-making; Experience with design documentation and design specifications; Preferred: Knowledge of WCAG accessibility guidelines and experience implementing accessible design solutions; Preferred: Familiarity with Agile and Scrum methodologies; Preferred: Experience with design mentorship and team development programs