About the Role We are seeking a Director of Product Design to lead and grow our product design organization at a pivotal moment in Baselane's journey. This is an AI‑first role. We believe AI is fundamentally reshaping how product design gets done, from research and ideation through to high‑fidelity execution and dev handoff, and we are looking for a leader who is not just curious about that shift but actively defining it. You will set the AI‑first vision for how our design team works, what tools we adopt, and how we ship faster and better than teams operating with traditional workflows.In this role, you will set the design vision, shape the team, and elevate the quality bar across every surface of our product. You will partner closely with our VP of Product, Engineering leadership, and the broader executive team to make design a defining strength of the company.This is a true player‑coach role. Alongside leading the team, you will personally own the design work for one of our product pods end‑to‑end, from research and concepting through final execution. We believe the best design leaders set the bar through their own craft, not just by directing others — and staying close to the customer and the product surface is what makes org‑wide standards real rather than aspirational.You will inherit a talented team of product designers, own the design system, and help drive cross‑pod best practices. You will be responsible for translating company strategy into design priorities, defining what “great” looks like across the org, and building the structures, rituals, and processes that allow designers to do the best work of their careers.This is a hands‑on leadership role. You will spend time in the work, in critique, and in 1:1s in equal measure. You will own headcount planning, recruiting, career paths, and the promotion framework, while also serving as the senior point of contact for design across marketing, sales, partnerships, and other cross‑functional teams.This role is based in Toronto. We expect you to come into the office (downtown Toronto) at least twice a week for meetings and working sessions, with the flexibility to work remotely on other days.Responsibilities AI‑First Design LeadershipDefine Baselane's AI‑first approach to product design, from research through dev handoffReshape workflows and tooling so AI is woven into the day‑to‑day, not bolted onSet quality standards for when to lean on AI and when human judgment leadsPartner with Engineering on design‑to‑code workflowsStrategy & VisionSet and communicate the design vision and strategyTranslate company priorities into clear design roadmapsDefine what "great" looks like and uphold the quality barOwn headcount planning and org designPlayer‑Coach: Own a PodPersonally own the design work for one product pod end‑to‑end — from research and concepting through final visual design and handoffSet the bar through your own craft, not just by directing othersStay close to the customer and the product surface to inform org‑wide standardsPeople ManagementLead, coach, and grow the product design teamRun 1:1s, feedback cycles, and team rituals that build a strong design cultureOwn career paths, promotions, and end‑to‑end recruitingProcesses & Ways of WorkingEvolve design processes and partner cross‑functionally with PM, Eng, Marketing, and GTMOwn the design system, Figma structure, and stakeholder feedback loopsMust Have8+ years of product design experience, with 3+ years leading and scaling design teams at high‑growth technology startupsComfort and proven experience operating as a player‑coach, leading a team while personally owning hands‑on design workHands‑on experience leading the adoption of AI tools and AI‑first workflows, with a clear point of view on where the field is goingStrong people management skills, including hiring, coaching, performance management, and career developmentExcellent design craft across UX, visual, and interaction design, with the ability to provide substantive feedback in critiqueExperience defining and evolving design processes, design systems, and ways of working across multiple pods or teamsExcellent communication and collaboration skills, able to influence at the executive levelFluency with Figma and the modern AI design tooling landscapeNice to HaveExperience designing for FinTech, banking, or financial services productsExperience working across both web and native mobile (iOS and Android) productsExperience partnering closely with founders or executive teams in a Series A to C environmentWhat's in it for YouBe part of a high‑impact, high‑growth businessBe part of a dynamic, driven team with flat hierarchies and a get‑it‑done collaborative cultureThe opportunity to define design as a core strength of a category‑defining FinTech companyTraining and development budget to ensure professional growthRegular team events, game nights, and other social activitiesPracticalsTeam:Product & DesignReports to:VP of ProductLocation:Toronto‑based only, 2 days a week in the office. For this position, we will only look at applications from TorontoOffice:We have an office in downtown Toronto and expect you to be in the office at least twice a weekStart date:ASAPBenefits & PerksCompetitive compensationEquity, ownership in what we are building!High‑quality Medical, Vision, and Dental InsuranceLife Insurance and Disability CoverageGenerous time off$175,000 - $200,000 a year#J-18808-Ljbffr