Head of Product Design and Research (AI)

Location: Hybrid working between the Derby office and home in the UK

Salary: Up to £100,000 plus benefits

Company

hirify.global is a UK mortgage network providing mortgage and protection advice through technology-led products and services.

What you will do

• Evaluate the current design and research capability, improving its structure, ways of working and effectiveness.
• Create and implement a vision for Product Design, UX, UI, User Research and Service Design.
• Develop a scalable operating model that embeds Design and Research throughout the product lifecycle.
• Lead the evolution of the design system to improve consistency, accessibility and delivery speed.
• Establish a research strategy that informs product decisions and improve customer and colleague experiences.
• Coach and develop designers and researchers while partnering with Product, Engineering, Marketing and senior leadership, including exploring AI applications.

Requirements

• Leadership experience across Product Design, UX and User Research.
• Track record of transforming teams, operating models and/or design capabilities.
• Experience managing and developing teams in fast-paced Digital, SaaS, Fintech, Marketplace or technology-led organisations.
• Strong hands-on expertise in UX, UI, customer research, discovery and service design.
• Experience creating and embedding design systems at scale.
• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to build credibility across Product and Engineering teams.
• Commercial awareness and understanding of how customer experience drives engagement, adoption and business performance.
• Confidence operating in ambiguity, influencing stakeholders and leading change initiatives.

Nice to have

• Interest in AI and emerging technologies and how they can improve design workflows and outcomes.

Culture & Benefits

• Permanent, full-time role with flexible hybrid working for Head Office roles as agreed with the line manager.
• Private medical insurance, matched pension contributions, share save scheme and retail discounts.
• 25 days of annual leave, increasing to 28 with service, plus a birthday day off.
• Learning and development support, including one-to-one coaching and qualification support.
• Supportive, inclusive culture with colleague forums, diversity and inclusion networks, and employee assistance.

Hiring process

• First stage: Teams interview with the Product Director.
• Second stage: face-to-face interview at the Derby office with the Director and key stakeholders.
• Visa sponsorship is not available. Speculative CVs from recruitment agencies are not accepted.