Head of Design

About the role

The Head of Design at Careem will lead a diverse and talented team of 40+ designers responsible for creating seamless, user-centered digital experiences across all our platforms. You will play a critical role in shaping the overall design strategy, driving innovation, and ensuring a cohesive design language across our products. As a senior leader, you will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product, engineering, marketing, and data, to deliver world-class design solutions that impact millions of users across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

What you'll do

• Leadership & Team Management: Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of 40+ designers,, researchers, and design managers, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous growth.
• Design Strategy: Define and implement a holistic design vision and strategy that aligns with Careem’s business goals, customer needs, and brand identity.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with senior leaders across product, engineering, data, and marketing to align design initiatives with company priorities and create an exceptional user experience.
• Innovation: Champion innovation in design, ensuring that Careem remains at the forefront of design trends and technologies while delivering cutting-edge user experiences.
• Design Systems & Consistency: Oversee the development and scaling of design systems to ensure consistency, efficiency, and scalability across products and platforms.
• User-Centered Design: Advocate for a user-first approach, using research, data, and testing to inform design decisions that enhance usability, accessibility, and overall customer satisfaction.
• Operational Excellence: Establish and refine design processes, tools, and workflows to ensure efficient delivery of projects, balancing creativity with execution.
• Talent Development: Identify and cultivate talent within the design team, supporting professional development and fostering a diverse, inclusive, and high-performing team.
• Stakeholder Management: Present design strategies, concepts, and progress to senior leadership and key stakeholders, ensuring alignment and buy-in across the organization.
• Global Design Impact: Play a key role in scaling Careem's design thinking across all regions and product verticals, creating a unified design language that resonates with diverse audiences.

What you'll need

• 10+ years of experience in product design, with at least 5 years in a leadership role overseeing large design teams (30+ designers). Preferred experience in a fast-paced, high-growth tech company or startup environment.
• Proven track record of delivering exceptional digital products at scale, with expertise in consumer-facing, multi-platform design (mobile, web, etc.).
• Demonstrated experience in building and leading high-performing design teams, with strong managerial skills and a passion for talent development.
• Deep expertise in UX/UI design, design systems, and user research, with a portfolio showcasing innovative, user-centered solutions.
• Ability to align design strategy with broader business goals and drive impactful, data-informed design decisions.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to articulate design vision and decisions to both design and non-design stakeholders.
• Passion for staying up-to-date with design trends, tools, and technologies, and driving innovation within the team.
• Proficiency in design tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, and prototyping tools.
• Strong understanding of the MENA region and Careem’s customer base, with a sensitivity to the cultural and regional nuances of design.
• Prior experience in multi-service platforms (mobility, delivery, payments) is a plus.
• Master’s degree in Design, HCI, or related field.