Head of Design

Katapult Labs, Inc.

Job Overview

Location

Indiana, USA

Job Type

Full-time

Full Job Description

📋 Description

• Katapult Labs is seeking a visionary and hands-on Head of Design to establish and lead our design practice, setting the benchmark for excellence across our entire client portfolio. This is a foundational role for an individual passionate about shaping the future of design within a rapidly growing, AI-first product engineering company. You will be instrumental in defining what great design means at Katapult, building the practice from the ground up, and driving design execution across a diverse range of fast-moving U.S. startups.
• As the first Head of Design, you will own design horizontally, influencing every client engagement, product, and visual touchpoint Katapult produces. This involves setting the strategic direction, building robust systems and processes, and actively contributing to the design work yourself. You will collaborate directly with Katapult's founders and leadership team, embedding yourself in client projects where design is a critical competitive differentiator. The scope of this role is broad, encompassing product design, brand development, and the overall creative direction of the products and services our clients bring to market.
• Your primary responsibility will be to define and elevate the design practice at Katapult. This includes establishing clear design principles, implementing efficient processes, and setting a high-quality bar that will be consistently applied across all client engagements. You will be the guardian of design excellence, ensuring that every project reflects Katapult's commitment to world-class product development.
• You will also serve as the lead for design strategy and execution on key client projects. In this capacity, you will be the senior design voice in client meetings, actively shaping product direction, critically evaluating briefs, and delivering design solutions that have a tangible impact on business objectives. Your ability to translate client needs into compelling design strategies will be crucial.
• A significant aspect of your role will involve owning the creative direction for client brands and their visual identities. This extends from developing comprehensive visual systems and packaging designs to crafting engaging digital products and marketing materials, all executed with genuine artistic sensibility and a deep understanding of brand strategy.
• You will set the standard for UI/UX design across Katapult's diverse client portfolio. This includes mobile applications, web products, e-commerce experiences, and the development of scalable design systems. Your expertise will ensure that our clients deliver intuitive, user-friendly, and visually appealing digital products.
• Looking ahead, you will be responsible for building, leading, and growing Katapult's design team over time. This involves defining the optimal ways for designers to work, develop their skills, and contribute effectively within the organization. You will foster a collaborative and innovative design culture.
• This role is distinct from a position within a single product team; you will operate across the entire client portfolio, providing strategic design leadership wherever it's needed. It's also not a role where design is simply handed specifications to execute; you will be expected to define the design brief as often as you receive one, proactively identifying opportunities and shaping project scopes.
• Furthermore, this is not a position within a large organization with established processes. You will be instrumental in building those processes from the ground up, creating the frameworks that will enable Katapult's design function to scale and thrive. Your entrepreneurial spirit and ability to build from scratch will be key to your success.
• We are seeking candidates with a portfolio that showcases exceptional taste and a sophisticated understanding of both brand and product design – the kind of work that commands attention and inspires. You should possess at least 8 years of design experience, with a proven track record spanning brand identity, product design, and creative direction. A history of building or significantly elevating a design practice, rather than merely executing within an existing one, is essential.
• Fluency across the full design stack, including visual identity, UX/UI, design systems, and art direction, is required. You must demonstrate strong artistic sensibility, with references to influences outside of traditional design that are evident in your work. Experience leading design teams and collaborating directly with founders and senior stakeholders is also critical. The ability to comfortably operate across multiple projects and clients simultaneously, coupled with a curiosity for AI-native design tools and workflows, will make you an ideal candidate for our AI-first environment.

🎯 Requirements

• A portfolio demonstrating exceptional taste and a strong command across brand identity, product design, and creative direction.
• Minimum of 8 years of comprehensive design experience, with a proven track record in building or significantly elevating a design practice.
• Fluency across the full design stack: visual identity, UX/UI, design systems, and art direction.
• Proven experience leading design teams and collaborating effectively with founders and senior stakeholders.
• Strong artistic sensibility, with a demonstrated ability to draw inspiration from diverse fields.
• Curiosity and adaptability to leverage AI-native design tools and workflows in an AI-first environment.

🏖️ Benefits

• Work from anywhere in Latin America, offering significant flexibility and autonomy.
• Competitive compensation paid monthly in USD, providing financial stability.
• A contractor agreement with no end date, ensuring long-term engagement opportunities.
• A monthly equipment stipend of $50 USD to support your work setup.
• A monthly health insurance stipend of $75 USD to contribute towards your well-being.
• 15 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) per year, accrued monthly (1.25 days per month), in addition to country-specific federal holidays and 8 personal days off.

Skills & Technologies

Remote

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Katapult Labs, Inc.

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About Katapult Labs, Inc.

Katapult Labs is a technology company focused on developing advanced solutions for various industries. They specialize in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics to help businesses optimize operations, gain deeper insights, and drive innovation. Their platform offers tools for predictive modeling, process automation, and intelligent decision-making, catering to clients looking to leverage cutting-edge technology for competitive advantage. Katapult Labs aims to transform complex data into actionable strategies, empowering organizations to achieve their goals more efficiently and effectively through tailored technological applications and expert consulting services.

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