Interim Head of Product Design

🚨 Contract Opportunity – Interim Head of UX / Head of Product Design

💼 Up to £600/day, outside IR35
📍 UK-based, strong preference for 1 day/week in the office (Bristol)
⏳ 6-month contract | Immediate start
🔐 BPSS clearance required (held or eligible)

I'm looking for an Interim Head of Product Design to join a leading digital agency on an initial 6-month contract.

This one is for a designer who can walk into a pitch, win the room and then go back to their desk and create the work that wins the client over. If you love the craft as much as the conversation, read on.

I'm also open to speaking with strong Principal or Lead UX / Product Designers who have the right mix of hands-on talent, client presence and team leadership.

What you'll be doing:

• Leading pitches and new business conversations, presenting ideas with confidence and building trust with clients quickly.
• Staying properly hands-on: designing innovative, modern digital experiences, predominantly web-based, with variety across products and platforms.
• Bringing fresh, out-of-the-box ideas that clients get genuinely excited about.
• Designing with and for AI, from using AI in your own design process to shaping AI-powered products and features.
• Running workshops and presenting to senior stakeholders across large-scale programmes, including public sector work.
• Providing day-to-day leadership, mentoring and direction to an established design team as the business continues its shift from traditional UX to product-led design.

What I'm looking for:

• Exceptional presentation and business development pitching skills. You're confident, engaging and people trust you fast.
• Exceptional hands-on craft, with a modern and innovative approach to design.
• Experience designing with and for AI.
• A strong portfolio showing a mix of UX and UI work (UX leaning).
• Experience at Head of UX, Head of Product Design, Principal or Lead level.
• Previous experience managing or mentoring designers.
• Recent agency or consultancy background, working with a range of industries & sectors.
• Able to start before the end of November, ideally immediately.

Working pattern:

The client has a strong preference for around 1 day a week in their Bristol office, with flexibility given and expected either way depending on business needs. If you live further afield, they may be open to as little as 1 day a month, so it's still worth a chat.

The key requirement is someone who can operate at Head of level but still loves being hands-on. This isn't a purely strategic or people management role. You'll be front and centre with clients and heavily involved in delivering the design work, whilst leading and inspiring the wider team.