Head of Product Design

About Us

Boats Group, the leader in online marketplaces for buying and selling boats, is seeking an experienced and visionary Head of Product Design to lead the design efforts across the world’s largest boating marketplaces. This role is pivotal in shaping the user experience of our native apps and web platforms, ensuring that our marketplace design aligns with business objectives and user needs. Reporting into the Chief Product Officer, the Head of Product Design will guide a team of designers, work cross-functionally with product and engineering, and set the design direction for our products, enhancing the overall user journey and product engagement.

What You’ll Do

• Design Leadership: Lead the design team responsible for Boat Trader and YachtWorld, establishing a strategic vision and guiding design initiatives across both the native apps and web platforms.
• User Experience Excellence: Drive the creation of seamless, intuitive, and visually compelling user experiences that resonate with our marketplace audience, prioritizing both mobile-first and responsive design principles.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Partner with product management, engineering, and other stakeholders to define design requirements and implement innovative solutions that meet business goals while addressing user pain points.
• Design Systems & Consistency: Develop and maintain a comprehensive design system to ensure consistent design across platforms, enhancing usability and maintaining brand identity.
• User Research & Testing: Lead user research initiatives, including usability testing and competitive analysis, to ensure data-driven design decisions and continuous iteration of product features.
• Team Development: Mentor and develop a team of talented designers, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and professional growth within the design function.
• Performance Optimization: Ensure all designs prioritize both aesthetic quality and performance efficiency, with a focus on fast load times, responsiveness, and app stability.
• Innovation & Trends: Stay updated on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in design, particularly within the eCommerce and marketplace sectors, and apply these insights to improve our products.

What You Should Have

• Experience: 10+ years of experience in product design, with a strong focus on eCommerce, marketplace platforms, and native mobile applications. At least 5 years in a design leadership role, managing design teams and collaborating cross-functionally.
• Portfolio: A compelling portfolio showcasing expertise in mobile app and responsive web design, with a focus on intuitive, engaging user experiences in eCommerce or marketplaces.
• Design Tools: Proficiency in design tools such as Figma and Sketch, with a strong understanding of mobile-first design principles and best practices.
• Leadership & Communication: Proven ability to lead a design team, effectively communicate design concepts to stakeholders, and collaborate with product and engineering teams.
• User-Centric Mindset: Deep expertise in user-centered design, with hands-on experience in conducting user research, usability testing, and applying insights to refine product experiences.
• Problem-Solving & Strategy: Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex user needs and business objectives into elegant, practical design solutions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Marketplace Experience: Proven experience working in marketplace environments, with an understanding of marketplace-specific design challenges and opportunities.
• Prototyping & Animation: Experience with prototyping tools and animation to demonstrate user interactions and bring designs to life.
• Agile Environment: Experience working in an Agile/Scrum environment, integrating design into iterative development cycles.

What You’ll Receive

• Hybrid Work Flexibility: Embrace a balanced work model with remote work on Mondays and Fridays and in-office collaboration from Tuesday to Thursday.
• Generous Time Off: With a strong focus on work/life balance, we offer all employees paid time off starting on day one, multiple paid holidays throughout the year, your birthday off, and a winter break at the end of the year
• Volunteering Time: Participate in our volunteer program with 4 paid days annually to contribute to your community.
• Modern Office Perks: Our vibrant Miami office features cutting-edge amenities, such as an electric sit/stand desk, dual monitors, a gym, and a variety of snacks and beverages.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Enjoy top-tier Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance, along with a 401(k) plan featuring a 4% match.
• Commuter Benefits: Park conveniently in our building’s garage at no charge to you. For train commuters, we subsidize most, if not all, of your monthly pass expenses.
• Professional Development: Take advantage of online training, live courses, and additional funds for courses, seminars, and certifications to enhance your skills.
• Team-Centric Atmosphere: Be part of a close-knit team that prioritizes relationship-building and personal connections.