Senior Design Lead

At AKQA, we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create beautiful ideas, products, and services. With an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, we design adaptive digital services and applications that capture the imagination, delivering impressive returns for our clients.

Creatives at AKQA apply artistry and craftsmanship to strategic insight, bringing to life ideas that move the world. Skilled problem solvers and storytellers, they thrive in a multidisciplinary environment to develop meaningful work that delights customers and delivers results for clients.

We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Design Lead with deep expertise in shaping complex digital product experiences. In this role, you will help guide the vision, structure, and execution of large-scale digital initiatives for marquee brands with household names. You’ll lead project-level design direction, translate complexity into clarity, and create intuitive, elegant solutions that feel effortless to customers—while ensuring consistency, coherence, and quality at scale.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Demonstrated mastery of user-centered design principles with an emphasis on leading UI direction for complex systems
• Ability to guide projects toward efficient, functional, and engaging digital experiences across multi-step flows and platforms
• Experience translating interconnected product ecosystems and multi-lane processes into cohesive solutions
• Strength in setting design vision and patterns (strategic) while remaining hands-on with flows, components, and prototypes (tactical)
• A track record of shaping design decisions through deep empathy for end users, staff, and operators
• Strong understanding of web and app paradigms, interaction patterns, and design systems at scale
• High proficiency in Figma—including systems thinking, components, layouts, and prototyping—paired with the ability to mentor others in best practices
• Experience planning, conducting, and synthesizing research studies (e.g., usability testing, IDIs) to inform design direction and validate decisions
• Ability to guide cross-functional conversations with stakeholders, developers, and partners to align on strategy and outcomes
• Proactively identifies opportunities to drive clarity, improve design quality, and elevate the product through thoughtful solutions
• Availability to work core business hours aligned to U.S. Pacific Time (PT), as the broader team collaborates in West Coast hours

QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

• A compelling portfolio demonstrating leadership in complex product design, with distinctive UI craft and systems thinking
• Ability to simplify multi-layered problems into clear, elegant frameworks and experiences
• Exceptional communication skills—written, visual, and verbal—with the ability to articulate rationale and guide decision-making
• Strong cross-functional leadership and the ability to steward teams toward a shared design vision
• Inclusive, collaborative mindset with a focus on elevating outcomes rather than individual ownership
• Openness to experimentation and exploring innovative approaches to design challenges

REMOTE EXPECTATION

This is a remote, full-time role available in approved states within the United States. Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. and able to work core business hours aligned to Pacific Time (PT) to support collaboration with a predominantly West Coast–based team. Occasional travel may be required for research, workshops, or team collaboration, depending on project needs.

We believe great work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach including required in-office days. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

AKQA is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.