Design Principal ( FTC

Overview

ustwo is looking for a Design Principal to join our London studio on a one-year fixed-term contract starting April 2026. We are a global design studio committed to creating measurable positive impact for the organisations we work with and the audiences we design for. Known for crafting digital experiences people value and return to, we work across the full product lifecycle;

from vision and discovery through to validating propositions and launching products and services that deliver value for both users and businesses.

As a Design Principal, you’ll partner closely with our design leadership to shape and deliver a differentiated design service that creates meaningful impact for clients and the studio. You bring sound judgement about when to be hands-on in the work and when to enable others to succeed through clear direction, delegation and coaching. You’ll play a key role in developing our designers through role modelling, feedback and support, providing vision and guidance across projects from discovery through to delivery.

You’ll work collaboratively with designers, strategists, developers and delivery coaches to define, build and iterate solutions for a wide range of clients and partners. Alongside project work, you’ll collaborate with senior members of the design team to evolve our practices, processes and strategic approach, strengthening both our design craft and studio culture.

We’ll look to you to build deep, trusted client partnerships and to lead with an inclusive, thoughtful and inspiring style. You’re comfortable adapting your approach to support different individuals and teams, while maintaining high standards and a strong sense of care and accountability.

ustwo is known for exceptional design craft, and we’re looking for a Design Principal who can lead teams to create emotionally resonant experiences with work that expresses brands through products and connects meaningfully with audiences.

Location

This role will be based in the London studio in Shoreditch at 154-158 Shoreditch High Street E1 6HU
. We currently have a hybrid policy in which you are required to be in the studio twice a week, on our universal day on Tuesdays and either Wednesdays or Thursdays. We are keen for you to be involved in studio culture so the more you can get involved in opportunities for in-person social interaction; the better!

The role

People:

Comfortable, confident and competent at managing and directing individuals and teams.

Inspire & support our designers to uncover opportunities for them to develop their careers and grow within ustwo

Identify skills & personnel required to meet project outcomes, preempting future needs or challenges before they arise

Raise the bar for design at ustwo, inspire the team and experiment with new tools and practices influencing both the work we deliver and how we deliver it

Provides practical tools and hands-on support to make sure that the teams you work with are equipped to do their very best work

Projects:

A brilliant and accomplished designer with proven experience delivering real-world products and services across discovery and delivery.

Confident taking leaps and getting tangible early, visualising and prototyping concepts fast to communicate ideas.

Brings a wide strategic perspective, challenges team and client thinking, synthesizes multiple inputs, and aligns everyone on a clear way forward.

Collaborate with other discipline leads to ensure projects are delivered on time and outcomes are met, adapting as we uncover new learning and move through ambiguity

Comfortable with experimentation and clear understanding when to experiment and where to use defined solutions.

Has a product mindset and is able to make pragmatic trade-offs while holding a bigger strategic goal in mind.

Studio:

Adept at growing client relationships and actively contributing to business development; helping identify and convert new opportunities and represent the company in pitches.

Support planning and scoping of new project proposals and ways of working across disciplines

Lead community initiatives within Design, nurturing a thriving, self-driving community as well as being a key external voice for ustwo…