Director, Product Design

Kettle

1d•$190,000 - $220,000

About The Position

Kettle is seeking a Director of Product Design to help lead its Product team. The role sets product vision, designs new features, improves existing experiences, and establishes scalable UX/UI patterns across platforms. Directors combine leadership and management with hands-on design work, contributing directly as the most senior practitioner on the team. The Director guides product design strategy and contributes throughout the product lifecycle, from defining information architecture, user journeys, and wireframes through interaction design and development handoff. The role leads product design workstreams, partners with Strategy, Production, and Development, builds strong client relationships, and mentors designers at all levels. Work may range from quick-turn optimization to blue-sky visioning.

Requirements

Extensive product design and interaction experience in an agency or related environment, designing native iOS and Android applications, websites, and internal tools.
Design leadership experience across the product design lifecycle, including leading UX and UI workstreams from early-stage definition through shipping.
Clear communication skills and proven experience collaborating with senior-level clients and presenting to executive leadership.
Experience delivering user-focused solutions across multiple categories, such as financial services, telecommunications, and consumer technology.
Experience working in agile product design and development models.
Experience managing and mentoring product designers from junior through senior levels.
Fluency with AI tools in design practice and workflows, including designing AI-enabled features, vibe coding, and rapid prototyping.

Responsibilities

Set product vision and guide high-level strategic decisions about product design and experience.
Design new features and enhance existing products, establishing scalable UX/UI patterns across platforms.
Contribute hands-on throughout the product lifecycle, from information architecture, user journeys, and wireframes to interaction design and development handoff.
Lead the product design stream on projects and break larger projects into smaller workstreams that can be delegated to designers.
Balance team leadership with hands-on design work and guide projects toward design excellence.
Partner with teammates across Strategy, Production, and Development.
Build client relationships by understanding clients’ business needs and goals and how they intersect with consumer experience.
Adapt to different processes, from quick-turn optimization to blue-sky visioning.
Manage and mentor product designers at all levels, supporting career development and growth.
Use AI tools in design workflows, including for AI-enabled features, vibe coding, and rapid prototyping.