Design Director

Kira

1d • $150,000 - $220,000

About The Position

Kira is transforming how people learn by using AI to empower teachers to deliver personalized learning at scale. We’re backed by top investors and driven by a team that is deeply passionate about using technology to change education.
As our Director of Design, you’ll own the vision, strategy, and execution of Kira’s design organization. You’ll partner closely with our co-founders and executive leadership to define the design direction across product, UX, and research. You’ll work across product, engineering, and design teams to ensure our AI-powered learning experiences are intuitive, impactful, and scalable. This role is perfect for someone who thrives at the intersection of design leadership, strategic thinking, and hands-on excellence, and who is passionate about creating meaningful educational outcomes for students.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in product/UX design, including significant leadership experience in EdTech, SaaS, or consumer-facing products.
• Proven track record of leading design teams and delivering measurable impact on product outcomes.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating end-to-end product design, strategic thinking, and team leadership.
• Expertise in design systems, prototyping, and user-centered design methodologies.
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills, capable of influencing cross-functional teams and executives.
• Deep understanding of user research, usability testing, and applying insights to inform design strategy.
• Low-ego, collaborative mindset, with the ability to inspire, align, and grow a design organization.
• Comfort operating in a fast-paced, resource-constrained Series A startup environment.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive the overall design vision and strategy for Kira’s products.
• Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing design team across product, UX, and research.
• Partner with Product and Engineering leadership to set priorities, shape solutions, and ensure user-centered design across the product roadmap.
• Establish design systems, standards, and best practices to ensure consistency, scalability, and efficiency.
• Oversee and guide design research and usability testing programs to inform data-driven decisions.
• Present design strategy, concepts, and outcomes to executive leadership and stakeholders, effectively advocating for user needs.
• Balance high-level strategic leadership with the ability to contribute directly to critical design projects when needed.
• Drive a culture of collaboration, experimentation, and continuous improvement within the design team and across the company.

Benefits

• $150,000–$220,000 salary + meaningful equity
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, including 100% coverage of employee premiums
• DoorDash credit for lunch daily
• Dog-friendly office 🐶

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed