Product Design Lead

Make the future real.Big Motive is a digital strategy and design consultancy.

We combine human-centred design with AI to create measurable impact — using AI where it adds value, and human insight where it matters most.For over twenty years, we've helped healthcare organisations, government bodies, and ambitious businesses turn complex problems into exceptional digital experiences.

Our work spans health, government, and social impact — from redesigning public services to launching digital products and modernising legacy systems.We're a group of designers, researchers, and strategists with a shared belief in the power of design to make people's lives better.

Among us are a pizza chef, several marathon runners, an amateur mycologist, and a few passionate but decidedly average golfers.

We believe the magic lies in the mix

diverse, curious minds creating better solutions and enjoying the journey together.

We're also a Certified B Corporation® and a member of the Institute of Designers in Ireland.The RoleThis is a senior product design leadership role for someone who has done the work, loves the craft, and is ready to own enterprise-level accounts.

You'll sit at the intersection of UX rigour, product thinking, digital strategy, and AI-augmented design practice — leading projects, growing clients, and raising the bar for everyone around you.

You'll be a key voice in our senior team, working alongside our directors and partners on our most complex and high-value engagements.

You'll partner with visionary leaders — not only imagining a better future, but making it real.What You'll DoLead end-to-end product design on enterprise accounts — from discovery and research through to shipped, tested productOwn client relationships at senior level — comfortable in the room with a COO, Chief Digital Officer, senior civil servant, or clinical leadHarness AI to design, prototype and test at scale — using AI-assisted prototyping tools, generative design variants, automated usability testing, and AI-accelerated design system documentation to push the pace and quality of product workDrive account growth — spot opportunities, write briefs, contribute to proposals and pitchesMentor and elevate junior and mid-level designers on your teamContribute to and evolve our design system practice across clientsLead design sprints, prototyping sessions, and user testing programmesCollaborate with strategy and service design colleagues on cross-disciplinary programmesContribute to venture design engagements — validating, shaping, and delivering new propositions from idea to launchApply conversion-focused design thinking to website and platform projects — connecting UX decisions to measurable business outcomes and working closely with client-side marketing and digital growth teamsCarry formal line management responsibility for designers on your team — owning their development, supporting performance conversations, and contributing to hiring decisionsAct as escalation point for client issues on your accounts — maintaining client confidence and continuity when things get difficultSet collaboration cadences and establish design direction for your project teams, bringing senior leadership into milestone moments and key client-facing workRepresent Big Motive at speaking events, drive thought leadership content, and help build our profile as a leading product design practiceWhat You BringEssential10+ years in product or UX design, with a strong portfolio of complex digital products at scaleDeep expertise in Figma and modern design tooling — you know what's coming before most people have heard of itReal, evidenced experience integrating AI into product design workflows — from rapid prototyping and AI-assisted iteration, to automated testing at scale and using AI to generate and evaluate design options faster than was previously possibleProven ability to translate user research into sharp, defensible design decisionsExperience with design systems — building them, maintaining them, evangelising themCommercially literate, not just craft-literate — you've worked in environments where the question is \"did it move the number?\", and you had an answer.

Experience designing for performance on large-scale digital platforms, working alongside marketing, analytics, and CRO teams, and confident using data (GA4, Hotjar or similar, heatmaps, A/B testing) to inform and justify design decisionsDevelopment literacy — you don't need to ship code, but you speak the languageA track record of growing accounts and contributing to business developmentHigh energy, high standards, and genuine curiosity about what's nextDesirableExperience in digital health or complex regulated environmentsFamiliarity with public sector or government digital environments — how decisions get made, how procurement works, and how to build trust with senior civil servantsWho You AreYou're not just a craftsperson — you're a design leader.

You've managed teams, presented to boards, and pushed back on bad decisions with evidence.

You're energised by hard problems and complex clients.

You want to be part of something with real ambition — and you want to help build it.

You're probably the person your team comes to when they're stuck.

And you're already thinking about the next generation of design tools before the rest of the room has caught up.

You care about what design is for — not just how well it's executed.

You're drawn to work that has real-world consequences and believe design can be a catalyst for positive change.How You'll WorkHybrid role — 2 days per week in our Belfast office, up to 3 days from homeYou'll report to a member of our executive team, working closely with senior leadership across Belfast and DublinYou'll collaborate across disciplines — with service designers, researchers, and project managersYou'll be a key voice in account leadership and business development conversationsWhat Success Looks LikeWithin your first 6–12 months:You've taken full ownership of one or more enterprise accounts, with strong client relationships and clear design directionYou're actively contributing to proposals and helping grow existing accountsJunior and mid-level designers on your team are visibly levelling upYou've introduced at least one AI-augmented workflow that's been adopted across the teamYou're a trusted voice in senior client rooms — contributing to strategic conversations, not just design deliveryYou've helped evolve our design system practice across one or more clientsWhy This Role Is InterestingThis is a rare opportunity to:Take real ownership of enterprise-level accounts at a consultancy with over twenty years of earned reputationWork at the intersection of design, strategy, and AI — shaping how a leading consultancy approaches the next generation of design practiceBe part of a senior team that moves fast, takes craft seriously, and genuinely cares about the workHelp grow a business with real ambition — and share in that successWork on programmes that have meaningful impact on people's lives — in health, government, and beyondWhy Big MotiveOne of Ireland's leading human-centred design consultancies — Certified B Corporation® and member of the Institute of Designers in IrelandClients include Kingsbridge Healthcare Group, Adidas, Cabinet Office, HSE, Dublin City Council, Arts Council, and moreFor over twenty years, a senior team that takes craft seriously and moves at paceReal autonomy, real accountability, real impactBelfast base with hybrid flexibilityUnited by a shared motive to use design for goodWhat We Offer£55,000 – £65,000, depending on experienceA MacBook Pro and all the software + AI tools you needFlexible, hybrid working — up to 3 days a week from home24 days annual leave + public holidaysEnhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leaveCompany pension + bonus schemeEmployee assistance programmeRegular 1:1 development supportCycle to Work schemeApply directly here.

Please submit:Your CVA link to your portfolio – we want to see complex, enterprise-scale workA short note on your approach to design leadership and why this role interests youWe're not looking for someone who ticks every box.

We're looking for a design leader with real ambition, genuine craft, and the hunger to help build something great.

If that sounds like you, we want to hear from you!