Building a design capability from the ground up isn’t for everyone. But for the right person, it’s a rare opportunity to truly make your mark. This is a chance to shape products, services, ways of working, and a growing team while also defining and embedding AI-powered experience design into everything this studio does. We’re looking for a strategic, hands-on leader who thrives in ambiguity, loves to build, and is ready to take ownership of a transformative design function within a fast-growing agency. This is more than an agency leadership role. It’s a chance to lead in AI-driven experience design, win exciting new clients, and carve out your own space in the industry. About the client: Theyre a technology and transformation consultancy that helps businesses rethink, innovate, and grow. They partner with clients to build AI-powered digital experiences, craft new business models, and develop cutting-edge products and services. As they continue to expand, they’re looking for someone to establish and grow their Experience Design capability, embedding AI, human-centered design, and future-forward thinking into everything they do. About the role: As Experience Design Director, you’ll build and lead the design practice from the ground up. You’ll define how design drives innovation, work with clients to shape new digital experiences, and develop a high-performing team. You’ll be at the forefront of AI-driven design, embedding intelligent experiences across their work and helping businesses unlock the full potential of emerging technology. This is a role for someone who wants to shape, not inherit. You’ll create new ways of working, set the vision for design, and play a key role in winning and delivering major client engagements. Key Responsibilities: Build and lead the Experience Design function, setting the vision and strategy for design. Embed AI and emerging technology into design processes to create innovative, intelligent experiences. Develop and scale a high-performing team, hiring and mentoring exceptional design talent. Define and implement new ways of working, ensuring design is at the heart of how they build products and services. Partner with clients to shape digital experiences that drive business growth. Work closely with leadership to position as a leader in AI-driven design. Play a key role in winning new business, shaping proposals and pitches to demonstrate the value of experience design. Is This You? We’re looking for someone who: Has built and led design teams in an agency or consultancy setting. Is comfortable operating at both strategic and hands-on levels. Has a strong interest in AI and its role in experience design. Can win the trust of clients and shape large-scale design engagements. Is a natural leader, mentor, and coach who can inspire and grow a team. Has experience working across product, service, and digital experience design. Thrives in ambiguity and sees the unknown as an opportunity, not a problem. What youll want to know: Salary circa £110,000 Benefits Office based in Manchester (ideally 3 Days/week on-site) Interview process: Stage 1: Meet the Founder – A conversation to understand your vision for Experience Design and theirs for the studio and whether they align. Stage 2: Meet the Team – An opportunity to discuss ways of working, collaboration, dive deeper on design expertise and your approach to leadership. Interested in learning more? Hit Apply Now!