📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Associate Creative Director (ACD) – UX & Strategy
🔹 Company: Photon
🔹 Location: On-site at Client's Location (details to be shared during interview)
🔹 Job Type: On-site, Full-time
🔹 Category: Design, UX/UI
🔹 Date Posted: April 14, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 7+ years (with 2+ years in a leadership role)
🔹 Remote Status: No (On-site, fully embedded with the client)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Hands-on leadership in UX design and strategy
- Client partnership and stakeholder management
- Team leadership and mentoring of UX/UI designers
- Expertise in Figma and related UX tools
- Experience working with enterprise digital platforms, particularly in banking or fintech
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong balance of creative, strategic, and leadership skills. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in UX design and team leadership, with a deep understanding of enterprise digital platforms and client management.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Serve as the primary design liaison to client stakeholders onsite, leading discovery and planning conversations to align design strategy with business goals
✅ Define and champion UX strategies that enhance product usability and drive customer engagement, guiding the creation of user flows, wireframes, interaction models, and high-fidelity designs
✅ Oversee and support a team of UX/UI designers working across multiple workstreams, reviewing and refining team deliverables to ensure quality and consistency
✅ Manage timelines, task prioritization, and resource planning in an agile environment
✅ Collaborate with product owners, developers, and other stakeholders using tools such as Figma, FigJam, Miro, Jira, Confluence, and Maze for design, documentation, and testing
ASSUMPTION: The role requires strong communication, project management, and leadership skills to balance client expectations, team needs, and project timelines.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 7+ years of experience in UX/UI design with a proven track record of leading design teams or complex initiatives, and 2+ years in a leadership role such as ACD, UX Lead, or Principal Designer
Required Skills:
- Expert-level fluency in Figma, including components, prototyping, and design systems
- Strong understanding of enterprise digital platforms, particularly in banking or fintech
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to work onsite full-time at the client location
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working within regulated industries (banking, healthcare, etc.)
- Familiarity with user testing tools like Maze and best practices in accessibility and compliance
- Previous consulting or agency experience
ASSUMPTION: Given the role's focus on UX design, leadership, and client strategy, candidates should have a strong portfolio demonstrating their design skills and leadership capabilities.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: USD 34,000 - 120,000 per year (based on experience and qualifications)
Benefits:
- Medical, vision, and dental benefits
- 401k retirement plan
- Variable pay/incentives
- Paid time off and paid holidays
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexibility based on project needs and client requirements
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate and may vary based on the candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications. Benefits are subject to change and may be dependent on the candidate's employment status.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Photon is a global digital agency specializing in AI-led digital transformation, digital innovation, and product design thinking. They work with 40% of the Fortune 100, enabling them to stay agile and future-ready in an era of converging digital and AI boundaries.
Company Size: Photon employs several thousand people across dozens of countries, with 5,001-10,000 employees globally.
Founded: Photon was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in London, with offices worldwide.
Company Description:
- Photon combines AI management, digital innovation, product design thinking, and engineering excellence to drive lasting transformation for F500 clients
- They power billions of touchpoints a day and help clients accelerate AI adoption and embrace DigitalHyper-expansion®
- Photon works with clients across various industries, including IT services and IT consulting
Company Specialties:
- Internet of Things
- API management
- Mobile
- Big Data & Analytics
- Chatbots
- Website development
- Creative agency
- Digital strategy
- Systems integrator
- Digital agency
- MarTech
- Data Tech
- Cloud Technologies
- Supply Chain
- Payment Technologies
- Artificial Intelligence
- Machine Learning
- Generative AI
- Managed Sevices
- AI Management
- Digital Product Engineering
- Digital Innovation
Company Website: www.photon.com
ASSUMPTION: Photon's global presence and diverse client base offer candidates the opportunity to work on various projects and gain exposure to different industries and technologies.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is a senior leadership position, requiring a balance of creative, strategic, and management skills.
Reporting Structure: The ACD will report directly to the client and work closely with Photon's internal teams to ensure project success.
Work Arrangement: This role is fully embedded on-site with the client, requiring full-time on-site presence at the client's location.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to take on more responsibilities and grow within the role or the organization
- Opportunity to work with diverse clients and industries, expanding skillsets and knowledge
- Chance to mentor and develop junior designers, contributing to the team's growth and success
ASSUMPTION: Given Photon's global presence and diverse client base, this role offers numerous growth opportunities for the right candidate.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: On-site at the client's location
Office Location(s): To be shared during the interview process
Geographic Context:
- The role will be based at the client's location, which may vary depending on the project
- Photon has offices worldwide, offering opportunities for travel and international collaboration
- The work environment will be dynamic, with a focus on agile project management and client collaboration
Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexibility based on project needs and client requirements
ASSUMPTION: The on-site nature of this role requires candidates to be comfortable working in a client-facing environment and willing to adapt to the client's work culture and schedule.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the Photon HR team
- On-site or virtual interview with the client and Photon's internal team
- Portfolio review and case study presentation (if applicable)
- Final decision and offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Design skills and portfolio presentation
- Leadership and management capabilities
- Client communication and stakeholder management
- Problem-solving and strategic thinking
- Cultural fit and adaptability
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your UX design skills, leadership experience, and relevant industry experience
- Prepare a case study or project examples that demonstrate your ability to lead design teams and drive client success
- Research Photon and the client to understand their business, culture, and values
- Prepare questions to ask during the interview to demonstrate your interest in the role and the company
ATS Keywords: UX design, Figma, leadership, client strategy, enterprise digital platforms, banking, fintech, agile, project management, stakeholder management
ASSUMPTION: The interview process may vary depending on the client and the project, but candidates can expect a comprehensive evaluation of their design, leadership, and communication skills.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Figma (expert-level fluency required)
- FigJam
- Miro
- Jira
- Confluence
- Maze (user testing)
- Other tools as needed based on the project and client requirements
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have experience with the listed tools and be comfortable learning and adapting to new tools as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Innovation
- Collaboration
- Expertise
- Integrity
- Accountability
- Client-centricity
Work Style:
- Dynamic and fast-paced
- Client-focused and results-driven
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and flexible
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a dynamic, client-facing environment?
- Are you comfortable working in a team and collaborating with diverse stakeholders?
- Do you have strong leadership skills and the ability to mentor and develop junior designers?
- Are you adaptable and able to learn new tools and processes as needed?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should assess their fit with Photon's values and work style, as well as their comfort with the on-site, client-facing nature of the role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Adapting to the client's work culture and schedule
- Balancing client expectations, team needs, and project timelines
- Managing remote teams and stakeholders
- Keeping up with industry trends and best practices in UX design and leadership
ASSUMPTION: The on-site nature of this role and the dynamic nature of client work present unique challenges that candidates should be prepared to address.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to other Associate Creative Director or UX Lead positions, but with a stronger focus on client partnership and on-site presence
- Photon's global presence and diverse client base offer unique opportunities for growth and exposure to different industries and technologies
- Compared to in-house roles, this position offers more variety in projects and clients, but may require more frequent travel and adaptation to different work environments
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should consider the unique aspects of this role compared to similar positions and assess their fit with the on-site, client-facing nature of the work.
📝 Sample Projects
- Redesigning a banking app's user interface and user experience to improve usability and drive customer engagement
- Developing a design system and style guide for a fintech company's suite of products
- Leading a team to create wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity designs for a new enterprise digital platform
ASSUMPTION: The sample projects listed are representative of the types of projects the ACD may work on, but the specific projects will vary depending on the client and the project.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the client's company culture and work environment?
- How does this role fit into the client's overall design and digital transformation strategy?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does Photon support the growth and development of its employees in this role?
- What are the most challenging aspects of working with this client, and how can I best prepare for them?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should prepare thoughtful questions to demonstrate their interest in the role and the company, as well as their ability to adapt to the client's work environment and culture.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your UX design skills, leadership experience, and relevant industry experience
- Prepare a case study or project examples that demonstrate your ability to lead design teams and drive client success
- Research Photon and the client to understand their business, culture, and values
- Prepare questions to ask during the interview to demonstrate your interest in the role and the company
- Follow up with the Photon HR team one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about next steps
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
