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Head of Design

liETtVLaARqgmMEbYzHNNLIzUPcdfPrwhYtVK7Qa.png Fast Facts

Padlet seeks a Head of Design to lead their design team and enhance their visual content creation app. This in-person role in San Francisco offers the chance to mentor designers and directly influence product design.

liETtVLaARqgmMEbYzHNNLIzUPcdfPrwhYtVK7Qa.png Responsibilities: Lead design for new products and marketing, mentor the design team, recruit additional designers, and work towards reaching a global user base.

liETtVLaARqgmMEbYzHNNLIzUPcdfPrwhYtVK7Qa.png Skills: Strong design leadership, mentoring, software design expertise, team building, and strong communication.

liETtVLaARqgmMEbYzHNNLIzUPcdfPrwhYtVK7Qa.png Qualifications: Experience in designing beautiful software products, leading design teams, and hiring exceptional designers; a good sense of humor is a bonus.

liETtVLaARqgmMEbYzHNNLIzUPcdfPrwhYtVK7Qa.png Location: On-site position in San Francisco, CA, USA, with no mention of travel requirements.

liETtVLaARqgmMEbYzHNNLIzUPcdfPrwhYtVK7Qa.png Compensation: Not provided by employer. Typical compensation ranges for this position are between $150,000 - $250,000.



A good education is one of humanity's most vital pursuits. At Padlet, we're building software for a good education, starting with a content creation and collaboration app to make school less boring.

There are some products so good, you feel delight using them. You wish you had more problems just so could use them more. Think Dyson vacuum cleaner, a faucet with the perfect laminar flow, a sharp knife, WD40.

We aspire to build such products at Padlet. We are looking for a Head of Design to lead our young, talented design team and help us fulfill this aspiration.

You'll be a player+coach. You'll mentor the team, but also ship designs yourself. This is an in-person role out of our San Francisco office. You'll report directly to the CEO.

Responsibilities

  • Leading the design of new products, features, and marketing assets.
  • Mentoring and coaching the design team.
  • Hiring more designers, if necessary.
  • Putting Padlet in the hands of a billion people.

Qualifications

  • You like working hard.
  • You are honest.
  • You've designed beautiful software products.
  • You've lead exceptional design teams.
  • You've hired exceptional designers.
  • Bonus: you have a good sense of humor.

About Padlet

  • Vision: Every child in the world will grow up with Mickey Mouse and Padlet.
  • Product: Visual content creation and collaboration app for classrooms. Our users love the product.
  • Impact: We have over 40 million users worldwide. Padlet is one of the most used apps on the planet.
  • Money: We are venture backed AND profitable. We want to be around for a hundred years.
  • Badassery: We are 50 people. That's about a million active users per employee.

Joys of designing at Padlet

  • We don't design with data or A/B tests unless we really don't know what the right answer is.
  • We ship. Your work will not be stuck in purgatory for years.
  • Your work will have a tremendous impact on global education.
  • Every artist craves an audience. You'll start with 40 million.
  • We value quality and craft.
  • We don't take ourselves too seriously.

Sorrows of designing at Padlet

  • We don't design with data or A/B tests unless we really don't know what the right answer is.
  • CEO has very strong opinions about design and can often be incorrigible.
  • Work can be chaotic. "Change of plans. Let's do this instead." is not uncommon.
  • You will get hate mail whenever you redesign something. Many users feel very strongly about the product.

Some people you‘d be working with

  • Collin Palmer: exclusively listens to movie soundtracks when working, especially the Darth Vader theme. One man product machine from speccing to shipping.
  • Olga Zalite: Her name’s Olga. Her dad’s a nuclear scientist. Her mom’s a classical pianist. Even in literature, there isn’t a more perfect Russian. Our resident illustrator, graphic artist, and sometimes photographer.

The office

  • Our office is in the middle of Presidio, a beautiful national park. We’re 5 minutes from the beach (we timed it). The WiFi works outdoors. You can work sitting in a lawn overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge.
  • The office is designed to be a space to inspire creativity. We have a meditation room, game room, library, and full makerspace with 3d printers, presses, laser cutters, sewing machines, and more.

Benefits

  • Top tier medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family, including One Medical memberships.
  • 401(k) with matching.
  • Commuter benefits.
  • FSA.
  • Stock options.
  • Catered lunches and dinners. Military grade snacking.
  • 20 vacation days. Plus sickness and bereavement days for when life happens.
  • Parental leave
  • All the gadgetry you need, including a new phone every year.
  • Badassery budget to level up, including regular group workshops to learn something new together.

Opportune time to join

We find ourselves in a very fortunate situation at Padlet right now: we have the execution of a small team, and traction of a big business. This rather rare combination is quite satisfying.

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CEO of Padlet
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Nitesh Goel
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Average salary estimate

$200000 / YEARLY (est.)
min
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$150000K
$250000K

If an employer mentions a salary or salary range on their job, we display it as an "Employer Estimate". If a job has no salary data, Rise displays an estimate if available.

What You Should Know About Head of Design, Padlet

Are you a visionary with a passion for design? Padlet is on the lookout for a Head of Design who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment. This exciting position in beautiful San Francisco will see you leading our dynamic design team and enhancing our innovative visual content creation app that is making waves in the education sector. Here at Padlet, we believe that every child deserves access to inspiring learning tools, and you'll play a crucial role in this mission. As the Head of Design, you'll not only mentor talented designers but also get your hands dirty by designing impactful features and marketing materials yourself. Your leadership will be instrumental in shaping the user experience and putting Padlet in the hands of billions. We're not interested in just pretty designs; we want to create software that delights and engages. If you're ready to elevate our products to new heights and foster a culture of creativity, come join us! Leverage your exceptional design expertise and a good sense of humor, and become an integral part of a team passionate about transforming global education. Let's create something incredible together!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Head of Design Role at Padlet
What are the primary responsibilities of the Head of Design at Padlet?

As the Head of Design at Padlet, you'll be responsible for leading the design of new products and marketing assets, mentoring the design team, and potentially recruiting additional designers. Your leadership in design will significantly impact the user experience and help us reach a global user base.

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What qualifications are necessary for the Head of Design role at Padlet?

To qualify for the Head of Design position at Padlet, you should have experience designing beautiful software products, leading exceptional design teams, and recruiting top-tier designers. A passion for education and a good sense of humor will also be beneficial for thriving in our collaborative environment.

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How does the Head of Design contribute to Padlet's mission?

The Head of Design at Padlet plays a pivotal role in our mission to enhance global education. By leading an innovative design team and creating engaging features for our app, you'll help to inspire learners around the world and ensure every child has access to effective educational tools.

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What is Padlet's working environment like for the Head of Design?

Working at Padlet means being part of a vibrant office in San Francisco's Presidio, surrounded by nature and creativity. The space encourages inspiration with a meditation room, game area, and access to high-tech tools, all designed to elevate the design process and promote collaboration.

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What benefits does Padlet offer its Head of Design?

The Head of Design at Padlet enjoys a comprehensive benefits package, including top-notch medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with matching, generous vacation days, and opportunities for continuous learning through workshops. Additionally, there are perks like catered meals and a fun, dynamic work atmosphere.

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Common Interview Questions for Head of Design
Can you describe your design leadership style for a Head of Design role?

When discussing your design leadership style, emphasize your approach to nurturing creativity, collaborating with team members, and fostering an environment where innovation thrives. Illustrate how you help designers grow through mentorship while balancing project deadlines.

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What is your process for designing user-focused products?

Share insights into your user-centered design process, including research methods, prototyping, and user testing. Explain how you gather user feedback and integrate it into your designs to create intuitive and engaging experiences.

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How do you handle feedback on your designs from stakeholders?

Talk about your ability to accept constructive criticism positively and your methods for addressing feedback. Discuss how you prioritize user needs and collaborate with stakeholders to find compromises that enhance the overall product.

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What steps do you take when mentoring other designers?

Elaborate on your mentorship techniques, such as one-on-one sessions, regular feedback loops, and fostering a culture of open communication within your team. Highlight your commitment to developing their skills while encouraging creativity.

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How do you approach recruiting new designers for your team?

Discuss your strategies for identifying top talent, evaluating design portfolios, and ensuring cultural fit. You might want to mention how you prioritize diversity in design perspectives for richer creative outcomes.

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Can you give an example of a project you led from conception to launch?

Prepare a compelling project story that outlines your design leadership. Explain your role, the challenges faced, and how you brought the team together to achieve your goals while keeping user experience at the forefront.

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How do you keep up with design trends and technologies?

Emphasize your commitment to continuous learning through resources such as design blogs, webinars, and networking with other professionals. Discuss how you implement relevant trends into your work while aligning with brand values.

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What role does collaboration play in your design process?

Highlight the importance of cross-functional collaboration in your work. Discuss your experience working alongside product managers, marketers, and engineers to ensure cohesive design and functionality across projects.

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Describe a time when a project did not go as planned. What did you learn?

Share a specific example of a challenging project, focusing on lessons learned. Highlight your resilience and adaptability in navigating unexpected issues while maintaining team morale and focus.

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What is your vision for the design team at Padlet?

Articulate your vision for empowering the design team at Padlet. Share how you aim to cultivate creativity, encourage innovation, and align the team’s goals with the broader mission of making education more exciting for users.

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Every child in the world will grow up with Mickey Mouse and Padlet.

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DATE POSTED
April 7, 2025

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