Job Title: Design Lead - Digital Platforms (Full-time | Hybrid/Remote)

Location: Grand Rapids, MI / Remote

About Nextpoint Design

Nextpoint Design is a digital product design agency based in Grand Rapids, MI. We specialize in customer experience, embedded UI, and mobile and web app design. Our mission is to transform business goals into compelling user experiences. We offer a wide range of services including customer experience playbooks, digital prototyping, UX/UI design, product mapping, product discovery, graphic design, interaction design, front-end development support, and market and user research. Whether you need screen layouts, user research, or a complete product envisioned, we are here to guide you closer to your overall vision and goals.

Nextpoint Design is at the forefront of creating innovative digital experiences. Our commitment is to design products that meet the current market demands and anticipate our client s future needs. Our team is a blend of creative thinkers, strategists, and designers dedicated to pushing boundaries in embedded product screens, online platforms, web apps, and mobile apps.

Role Description

This is a full-time role as a Design Lead. The Design Lead will oversee the day-to-day tasks associated with digital product design projects. This includes conducting user research, creating wireframes and prototypes, collaborating with clients and stakeholders, and providing design guidance and direction. The Design Lead will also ensure the delivery of high-quality design solutions that meet the client's objectives and align with industry best practices.

This role focuses on bringing a strategic, consultative design perspective to our client work, building our client s vision, leading and mentoring design teams, and managing client relationships and expectations in partnership with account leaders.

This role is located in Grand Rapids, MI, and has flexibility for remote work.

What you'll accomplish in this role:

Client Work (75-80%)

- Establish and articulate design and research strategies that support our client s business objectives, honor the end user, and achieve desired outcomes.

- Oversee execution of those strategies and provide creative direction for other designers on the team, offering mentorship, coaching, and critique to ensure delivery of high-quality design and research.

- Serve as a trusted partner to our clients by thinking broadly and holistically, guiding them through complexity, setting clear and reasonable expectations, and delivering on commitments on time and within budget.

- Remain flexible and adaptable as the client and team need to evolve; gracefully unblock when the team encounters adversity.

- Recognize, negotiate, and balance competing business, technical, and user needs.

- Facilitate effective design reviews; provide clear and direct feedback to support individual development and project delivery while inviting feedback yourself.

- Create and advise on new processes to increase project team efficiency and effectiveness.

- Commit to learning about, producing, and coaching others on accessible, inclusive design solutions.

- Share ownership and responsibility for the overall project and client success.

Business Development (5-10%)

- Speak confidently about Nextpoint Design s capabilities and impact on client outcomes.

- Act as a key contributor in the sales process, including participation in client meetings, proposals, estimates, and presentations.

- Identify, advise, and help shape new opportunities within existing client engagements.

Design Leadership (15-10%)

- Serve as a trusted thought leader with our clients, within the design practice, and across Nextpoint Design.

- Mentor others within the practice by identifying strengths and using coaching and feedback to encourage the development of their technical and consulting skills.

- Partner with team members to establish and uphold quality standards, processes, and tools.

- Foster trust through active listening, considering ideas and proposals from individual contributors, and championing others ideas.

- Enthusiastically pursue personal and professional growth opportunities, emphasizing leadership and consulting skills and technical skill development.

- Model professional behaviors and set a positive, productive tone for the team.

Our Team Culture

Our team culture is paramount. We support each other in professional and personal growth, fostering a respectful and inclusive environment. Continuous learning is encouraged, and we share knowledge to enhance our collective strength. We strive to be the best team for our clients, contributing to mutual success.

We value intense work as much as downtime, offering flexible schedules, short days, long weekends, and observing major holidays. The Nextpoint team is passionate about creativity, design, food, coffee, music, and adventures, sharing moments of joy and relaxation. Participation in these moments is welcome but optional.

Our Clients' needs are our priority. We approach their goals with empathy and tact, guiding them with our expertise. We aim to be an impactful part of their team and provide unwavering support.

Remote Work and Communication

Remote work is available upon approval if your location provides privacy and confidentiality. Effective communication during work hours is essential, and we use Nextpoint Design s Project Management tools to monitor time and effort. In-person work is preferred on occasion when possible.

Resources

Nextpoint Design covers expenses for business essentials and provides resources such as desk space, monitors, and tools for in-studio use. Remote situations sometimes warrant other covered expenses depending on the situation. Each month, a technology stipend is provided to cover costs for devices you may use for personal and professional use, such as laptops and phones.

Health and Wellness

Nextpoint Design provides a health and wellness stipend that you can use as you see fit. This stipend helps cover your chosen health plan and other wellness expenses.

Non-Disclosure Agreement

Signing a non-disclosure agreement is mandatory, ensuring privacy and security for all client-related work.

Qualifications

- Humility and a strong desire to help others succeed.

- Bachelor s degree or equivalent experience in interaction design, interface design, industrial design, human-computer interaction, human-centered design, graphic design, or UX.

- Minimum of 8 years of experience working as a service designer, visual designer, or digital product designer (or similar), with at least 2 years in a consulting or agency setting.

- Deep expertise in at least one domain, with the ability to understand and speak to the broader design scope as a practice.

- Expertise in human-centered design methodologies and systems thinking.

- A strong portfolio of research, digital product design, or service design work that tells a compelling story about your process and ability to solve challenging problems.

- Exceptional communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills; must be able to communicate confidently and effectively with people at all levels of the organization.

- Strong attention to detail and the ability to quickly move between tasks and areas of focus without losing momentum.

- Proven success navigating conflict and offering (and accepting) constructive feedback.

- Confident decision-making skills and the ability to discern when others need to be consulted.

- Commitment to establishing and following processes that delight our clients, honor our people and support our business goals.

- Expert ability to facilitate collaboration between teams to meet goals.

- A self-directed working style with an ownership and accountability mindset.

- Awareness of relevant industry trends and best practices.

- Deep curiosity and the willingness to try, learn, and iterate.

Salary

Your salary will be competitive and commensurate with your expertise and ability to contribute to Nextpoint Design's success. Salaries are based on local salary averages of like positions.

Why Join Us?

At Nextpoint Design, creativity and innovation are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a collaborative environment that encourages initiative and creativity. Join us to design the future together!

How to Apply

Please submit your portfolio or examples showcasing your digital product design work to ...@nextpointdesign.com. A link to your website, a shared presentation, or an online portfolio is preferred. Highlight specific projects and your role in them, especially those related to embedded product screens, online platforms, web apps, or mobile apps. If we see potential opportunities for you, we will schedule an interview.