Director, Product Design

London

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Permanent

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Hybrid

Mustard Navy is the UK’s first product design agency focused on AI products. We help innovators turn vision and technology into products customers embrace and remember. Our clients range from healthtech pioneers to global sustainability ventures, and our work spans vision prototyping, zero-to-MVP builds, and turning around underperforming products.

We’re now looking for a Design Director — someone who can sit shoulder-to-shoulder with the founder, lead projects end-to-end, and play a defining role in growing the studio. This is a rare opportunity to join early in a thriving, growing studio, where you’ll not only deliver high-profile work at the cutting edge of AI but also shape the future of the company itself.

Creating a sales forecaster in TrueState's drag-and-drop interface
About You

You’re perfect for this role if you're passionate about delivering innovative products and excited about building and shaping a business together in the AI space.

You possess:

  • 10+ years in product/service design, with deep craft across strategy, research, and high-fidelity execution
  • Proven track record leading teams and clients in a consultancy, studio, or startup environment
  • Confidence pitching and shaping new work, ideally with your own network of client relationships
  • A maker’s mindset — you still enjoy rolling up your sleeves and applying critical thinking to come up with unique solutions
  • Curiosity about AI, data-rich products, or complex systems, and how to harness modern tools in your own design practice
What you'll do

This is a dynamic, hands-on role typical of a fast-growing startup agency. Day-to-day, you'll:

  • Win work → Shape proposals, pitch to founders and product leaders, and build lasting client relationships
  • Lead projects → Run strategy, research, concept development, and design execution, while managing contractors and staff
  • Stay hands-on → Jump into research, Miro, or Figma yourself when it matters
  • Grow the studio → Help shape Mustard Navy’s culture, reputation, and long-term direction
Why us?

The main draw: exciting, meaningful work at the frontline of AI innovation — plus the chance to help build the studio doing it. Recent projects include:

  • Building an AI and computer-vision powered telehealth platform for surgeons
  • Designing vision prototypes that helped startups unlock Series A funding
  • Partnering with a global fund to reimagine data-rich sustainability tools

And beyond the work:

  • £100k base salary
  • Profit share / equity for the right candidate
  • Direct partnership with the founder, shaping the studio’s trajectory
  • Hybrid working: 2 days per week in a premium Borough/London Bridge coworking space
What's next?

To submit your application, please:

  • Email your CV, portfolio, and a few lines about why you'd like to join to tom@mustardnavy.com.
  • Important: Include the word “Bananas” in your subject line (this helps me filter out spam).

Interview Process:

  1. 30-minute introductory call
  2. 60–90 minute portfolio review
  3. 45-minute chat with another colleague for another pair of eyes/ears
  4. Reference checks
  5. (Rarely) Additional stage to cover any blind spots if necessary

We aim to reply within two weeks.

Direct applications only: We're already working with a great recruitment partner and aren't looking for any more right now - thanks for your interest!