Head of Design

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United Kingdom.

📋 Description

• Direct the global User Experience and Design team at Blackboard.

• Take ownership of and enhance the design vision and strategy for Blackboard LMS, Blackboard Illuminate, Ally, and solutions for institutional effectiveness.

• Lead, develop, and motivate a diverse UXD team operating across various countries and time zones.

• Collaborate with Product Management and Product Development to ensure that design influences product planning, prioritization, and implementation.

• Advocate for users through research, customer feedback sessions, and usability testing.

• Spearhead the integration of generative AI within the design practice and set standards for responsible use.

• Oversee design operations, which include design systems, tools, workflows, and quality benchmarks.

• Ensure that products are accessible and promote inclusive design.

• Foster an agile culture characterized by rapid iteration and ongoing learning.

• Define roles, responsibilities, and collaborative processes among design, product management, and development teams.

• Present design strategies, research findings, and solutions to executives, clients, and industry audiences.

• Manage budget allocations, resource planning, and prioritization.

• Adjust working hours to accommodate distributed teams and business needs.

• Travel up to 20% for team engagements, client interactions, and company events.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.

• A minimum of 15 years of experience in user experience, product design, or a related discipline.

• Extensive experience in leading design leaders and individual contributors.

• Proven track record in building and expanding design teams of over 10 professionals across Product Design, research, documentation, and accessibility.

• Experience managing diverse teams spread across multiple countries, regions, and time zones.

• Executive-level capability in defining and refining design strategies that align with measurable user and business outcomes.

• Daily hands-on proficiency with generative AI design tools such as Figma Make, Claude Design, Claude Code, and other LLM-based technologies.

• In-depth knowledge of Figma, prototyping, and design systems.

• Familiarity with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, usability, and accessibility principles.

• Expertise in engaging with customers and users through design research, testing, and iterative feedback mechanisms.

• Ability to deliver straightforward, elegant solutions to complex challenges in highly agile settings.

• Strong leadership capabilities and the ability to cultivate a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team environment.

• Willingness to work outside of regular hours when necessary across different time zones.

• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.

• Experience with WCAG accessibility standards.

• Proficient in both written and spoken English.

• Candidates must possess legal authorization to work in the country of the role and maintain that authorization throughout their employment.

• No visa sponsorship or immigration assistance will be provided.

• Preferred: experience in the education technology sector or enterprise SaaS.

🏝️ Benefits

• Flexible working hours to accommodate business priorities and support a distributed team.

• Travel up to 20% to assist teams, clients, and company events.

• Commitment to equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employment practices.