Head of Design

Open positions- Playground is looking for a Head of Design to lead and inspire our creative team while fostering a strong and innovative design culture within the agency.

Full-time
- Overview

The role combines strategic and operational management, ensuring high-quality standards across all projects and directly contributing to key initiatives as a driver of innovation.

At Playground, we collaborate with national and international brands to create impactful digital experiences. From web design to E-Commerce, DOOH to advertising, our work spans visual design, motion graphics, UX/UI, and digital content.

Our design team consists of multidisciplinary professionals with diverse seniority levels and complementary skills, requiring seasoned and experienced leadership.

We are looking for someone with extensive experience in digital design and user experience, excellent communication and listening skills, and a strong results-oriented mindset.
- Main responsibilities

**Team Leadership**: Oversee and inspire a multidisciplinary team, fostering an environment that values individual skills and encourages collaboration

**Team Development and Knowledge Sharing**:Organize regular meetings to promote knowledge exchange, market trends, and best practices while supporting team members’ professional growth

**Recruitment, Evaluation, and Training**:Collaborate with HR in recruiting activities, performance evaluations, and defining development plans for the team

**Operational Contribution**:Actively participate in key projects, creating wireframes, prototypes, and visual concepts using tools like Figma to deliver user-centered solutions

**Creative Excellence Standards**:Ensure high benchmarks, drive innovation, and encourage problem-solving to meet client needs

**Process Optimization**:Analyze team workflows and dynamics, implementing strategies to enhance productivity, creativity, and outcomes

**Strategic Resource Planning**:Work with sales and project management teams on project estimates and resource allocation, optimizing profitability without compromising creative quality

**Networking and Visibility**: Attend industry events to enhance Playground’s reputation and build strategic connections that generate new opportunities

**Stakeholder Communication**: Deliver high-level presentations to effectively convey design concepts and strategies to clients and stakeholders
- Skills and qualifications

**Design Leadership**: Proven experience leading creative teams with expertise in UI/UX and digital experience design

**Project Management**:Proficiency in project estimation, resource planning, and maintaining the balance between creative quality and operational efficiency

**Advanced Technical Skills**:Expertise in design systems, wireframing, prototyping, and advanced visual design using tools like Figma. In-depth knowledge of Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign); familiarity with After Effects and 3D tools (e.g., Blender) is a plus

**Web Development Knowledge**: Basic understanding of front-end development principles (HTML, CSS, JavaScript frameworks)

**Fluent English**: Written and spoken proficiency ( B2 level)

**Empathy and Active Listening**:Ability to understand and support the needs of both the team and clients

**Inspirational Leadership**: Skilled at promoting a supportive and growth-oriented culture while encouraging open dialogue and continuous improvement

**Effective Communication**: Exceptional storytelling and presentation skills

**Problem-Solving**:Analytical and results-driven approach to optimizing processes and creating innovative solutions
- What we offer

Full-time employment contract

Hybrid working and flexible hours

Ticket Restaurant

MacBook Pro provided

Access to training courses, book purchases, and participation in industry events and fairs

Corporate benefits platform
- About us

Playground is an independent digital agency founded in 2006. We’re a team of around 60 people and collaborate with some of the most exciting brands in the market, including The North Face, Inter F.C, Vans, Salewa, Luxottica, Timberland, Milan, Napapijri and Hogan, to name a few.

We design and implement digital experiences and content such as websites, web platforms, e-commerce, DEM campaigns, online contests, casual games, campaign content and motion graphics videos.

We take care of the whole production cycle, from strategy to UX design, from UI implementation to web development.

In the past two years, we have entered three prestigious rankings:
1000 Europe’s Fastest-Growing Companies 2021 compiled by the **Financial Times**;
Growth Leaders 2021, 2022 and 2023 compiled by **Il Sole 24 Ore and Statista**;
Champions of Growth 2022, 2023 and 2024 compiled by the **German ITQF** **Institute** in collaboration with **La Repubblica Affari & Finanza.