Design Lead

We're seeking a dynamic Design Lead who will provide both strategic leadership and hands-on execution. You'll join a small but mighty design team delivering exceptional user experiences while also helping to build an innovative design culture throughout the company.( Note: This is a remote consulting position on a long-term basis (ideally based in Italy).( Your ImpactYou'll drive measurable transformation across our design function:( Design new features and incremental platform improvements while re-imagining the next version of the platform Reduce design-to-development cycles through AI-powered workflows Expand design systems that cut prototype creation time by 60% Lead teams to achieve 40% faster time-to-market on new features( What You ll Do(Strategic Leadership (40%)( Define and execute a comprehensive design roadmap aligned with business objectives, in partnership with the PM and the CTO Mentor high-performing design team members Champion a design culture across the organization( Hands-On Design Excellence (60%)( Lead critical design projects from conception to launch, ensuring exceptional quality Prototype innovative solutions using cutting-edge AI productivity tools Collaborate directly with product and engineering teams on complex design challenge( What You Bring(Essential Qualifications( 8-10 years of design leadership experience Portfolio demonstrating transformation of user experiences with measurable business impact Ability to translate business priorities into design requirements Track record of implementing design systems that significantly reduce production time( AI-First Mindset Genuine passion for AI's transformative potential in design workflows Proficiency in AI-powered design tools (Midjourney, Figma AI, Adobe Sensei, etc.) Experience integrating AI productivity tools to accelerate design processes, eg Lovable, Claude, Cursor etc Vision for how AI will reshape design practices over the next 24 months Ability to evaluate and adopt emerging AI technologies within quarterly cycles( Leadership Philosophy Proven ability to inspire teams while maintaining hands-on involvement in critical work; Natural mentorship abilities Experience scaling design operations without sacrificing quality or innovation Strong conviction in user-centered design Startup mentality and comfortable working in rapidly changing environments( What Sets You Apart(You'll join a company at the forefront of AI innovation, where AI amplifies human creativity rather than replacing it. Our remote-first approach means you'll work with exceptional talent across time zones while maintaining deep connections with our Italy-based team.(You ll possess a global perspective essential for world-class design and must demonstrate:( Collaborative Excellence: Thrive in cross-functional environments, building bridges between design, product, and engineering Continuous Learning: Embrace rapid skill development, particularly in AI applications and emerging design technologies Quality Obsession: Refuse to compromise on user experience while meeting aggressive timelines Remote Leadership: Proven success building strong team dynamics and creative culture in distributed environments( What We Offer A full-time, remote freelance position on a long-term basis, ideally based in Italy Flexible schedule and flexible location; however, you ll have to be available in the evenings (5:00 to 8:00 pm CET) for meetings with the West Coast team Friendly and innovative work environment Potential for growth