Overview
role where you'll still need to work as a contributor as well as guiding your Design pod and managing the workflow. This will include some lightweight project management to support the Pod. While you won't line manage Designers (all Designers report to the Head of Design) you'll operate as a key person in the Design leadership team. Helping shape ways of working, strategic thinking and the future direction of the team.
Responsibilities
* Lead a multi-disciplinary design pod and execute design work with a blend of Content Design and Product Design skills.
* Partner with stakeholders (Product Manager, Content Designer, Data Analysts, UX Researchers, scrum teams) to understand client needs and design compelling experiences.
* Drive the end-to-end design process from framing through exploration, insights, hypotheses testing, and delivery.
* Utilise AI to drive design efficiency within the workflow, without being an AI-only designer.
* Act as a player-coach: contribute as a designer while guiding the pod and managing workflow and lightweight project management.
* Engage with immediate stakeholders (PM, Marketing, Designers, Developers) and other SMEs (legal, compliance, business strategy, customer services, etc).
* Lead production of design work and sign-off with Product, business stakeholders, legal and compliance.
* Facilitate workshops, design critiques and co-creation sessions to tell stories and engage audiences.
* Partner with Tech, Compliance, Marketing and other key stakeholders to ensure alignment and consistency in ways of working.
* Think strategically about products to deliver coherent, simple experiences for clients.
* Work with design systems (Storybook & Figma) and build prototypes and designs from these building blocks; proficient in Figma as the primary workspace.
Qualifications & Experience
* Proven experience in the design space (e.g., writing for journeys, apps, public websites, dashboards, etc.).
* Experience in finance, asset management or other regulated industries is essential.
* Experience as a Senior Designer or Design Lead is preferred.
* Experience with mentoring and/or coaching others is a must.
* Ability to translate complex financial/investment concepts into plain English.
* Familiarity with gov.uk content guidelines and content best practices; expert at accessibility.
* Ability to translate and operate within a design process from framing to delivery; comfortable with vague briefs and creating clear design definitions.
* Strong collaboration and communication with stakeholders and leadership; capable of giving clear, valuable feedback and coaching.
* Demonstrated servant leadership and empowering the design team and practice.
* Proactive engagement with stakeholders and subject matter experts across functions.
* Ability to manage multiple initiatives with a balanced project management approach.
About Vanguard & Working Model
* At Vanguard, we’re passionate about giving UK investors the best chance of success and creating intuitive digital experiences.
* Hybrid working model designed to balance flexibility with in-person collaboration and learning.
* We value diversity and inclusion; decisions are guided by the principle of doing the right thing and building effective, diverse teams.
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