Your Role:

As the Design System Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, maintenance and scalability of our design system. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams between London and Vancouver, including designers, developers, product managers, stakeholders, and the marketing team. You will ensure that the design system aligns with our brand identity, user experience principles, and business goals. Your expertise in design systems and your ability to lead and influence others will be instrumental in shaping the future of our organisation’s design practices.

Your Job:

Design System Strategy:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive strategy for the design system, considering both short-term and long-term goals.
• Define the vision, objectives, and roadmap for the design system, aligning it with Global Relay’s overall design and product strategies.

Design System Development and Governance:

• Manage the creation, documentation, and maintenance of a scalable and extensible design system that encompasses visual, interaction, and user experience components.
• Collaborate with design and development teams to establish and enforce design system guidelines, standards, and best practices.
• Conduct regular audits and assessments of the design system to identify areas for improvement and address evolving design needs.
• Ensure consistent documentation and communication of design system updates, releases, and versioning to relevant stakeholders.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Foster strong relationships with the design, branding, marketing, development, and product teams to understand their needs, gather feedback, and promote the adoption of the design system.
• Serve as a design system evangelist, advocating for its benefits and educating teams on its usage and value.
• Facilitate workshops, training sessions, and knowledge sharing activities across geographies, to ensure proper understanding and utilisation of the design system.
• Ability to collaborate across different time zones (London and Vancouver) to ensure alignment and efficient contribution processes.

Team Leadership and Management:

• • Lead a team of designers and/or developers responsible for the design system’s creation, maintenance, and evolution.
  • Provide mentorship, guidance, and support to team members, fostering their professional growth and promoting a collaborative culture.
  • Manage resource allocation, prioritise tasks, and ensure timely delivery of design system initiatives.

About You:

• Bachelor’s degree in design, computer science, or a related field. Advanced degree preferred.
• Proven experience in design system management, with a strong understanding of design principles, user experience, and front-end development.
• Proficiency in design tools such as Figma, Adobe Creative Suite.
• Experience using design system management tools like Zeroheight, Supernova, Storybook.
• Understanding of native mobile, web, and desktop programming languages and limitations and ability to collaborate with development teams.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence and inspire cross-functional teams.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking abilities.
• A portfolio showcasing your experience in designing and managing design systems is highly desirable.