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Piano Software is a digital revenue optimization platform that helps media and publishing companies maximize revenue through AI-driven analytics, segmentation, and personalization. The platform serves major international clients including BBC, Deutsche Telekom, Nikkei, AXA, and Wall Street Journal.
We are seeking a Director of Product Design to lead the design function through a critical transformation driven by AI. This is a strategic leadership role reporting to the Chief Product Officer, responsible for elevating design as a core business driver across Piano's product portfolio (Analytics, Subscriptions, Audiences, Activation).
You will manage a team of 8 designers and own three interconnected mandates:
**Leadership & Design Strategy**: Define the design vision across the entire product portfolio. Build, mentor, and scale a high-performing design team. Establish evolving design standards, practices, and design systems. Serve as the strategic voice of design to leadership, board, and clients. Collaborate closely with Product and Engineering leadership on product strategy.
**Hands-On Design & Innovation**: Lead design for major strategic initiatives and new innovations. Drive how AI tools and processes reshape design workflows and output quality. Own strategic design communication (investor pitches, market positioning, executive storytelling). Tackle complex B2B SaaS challenges and guide the team through them. Participate in key decisions where design impacts business results.
**Organization & Culture**: Establish a coaching culture with clear objectives and development pathways for each designer. Manage team performance, address tensions constructively, and drive accountability. Attract, develop, and retain excellent talent.
The core challenge: Product and Engineering are accelerating delivery. Design must match that pace. You will multiply design output by leveraging AI tools without increasing headcount, strengthen design's impact on product strategy and business results, build a design culture that develops talent and pursues excellence, and ensure design shapes strategic direction and competitive differentiation.
**Requirements**
Essential:
- Minimum 5 years leading design teams in B2B SaaS or equivalent environment
- Professional English fluency (required)
- Hands-on practical experience with AI-integrated design tools (not theoretical)
- Proven ability to mentor designers and build high-performing teams
- Experience defining design processes, systems, and standards at organizational scale
- Strong communication skills and demonstrated ability to influence executives
- Comfort balancing strategic thinking with concrete execution
Desirable:
- Experience with data-rich products and/or personalization-focused platforms
- Proven track record improving team output and quality under constraints
- Experience collaborating with leadership on product strategy and business results
- Agile development methodology experience (SAFe certification is a strong plus)
