About Us

Are you looking for an opportunity to make a real difference in your next role?

At Basis, our purpose is to radically accelerate the clean-energy revolution - starting with smarter, safer, and more efficient homes. We’re focused on improving experiences for people through the application of technology, data, and a deep understanding of human behaviour.

Why? As a society, we need to decarbonise and accelerate the transition to alternative energy sources. Existing solutions are expensive and disparate, with limited functionality.

Basis is driven by purpose, real innovation, and ambition. We have a talented team spread across New Zealand, with a creative space by the beach in Takapuna, and a Design Lab in Christchurch where our physical products come to life. 

Our team is smart, curious and has some big goals - so if you’re interested in joining a fast-growing startup that is design-led and puts people at its core, then we’d love to hear from you! 

The Role

We seek a Head of Design to lead the end-to-end design strategy and execution for our digital products, ensuring an exceptional user experience that aligns seamlessly with our hardware offerings and overarching brand identity.

You will be responsible for building and leading a high-performing design team, encouraging design research and experimentation, and instilling robust design processes that drive both high-value customer outcomes and business impact. While digital product design is expected to be your area of expertise, you will also oversee and lead the industrial and brand design functions.

You will set the strategic direction for the design team, ensuring all design outputs are cohesive, user-centric, and aligned to our company mission.

Some of the things that you might be involved in include:

• Strategic leadership (design vision and strategy), including setting expectations and goals for the Design team
  
• Setting up and driving the execution of design systems and principles, particularly for digital product design
  
• Leading the design function by coaching, mentoring and growing individuals in both craft and behaviours (this includes Digital Product, Industrial and Brand Design).
  
• Ensuring design execution aligns with Product objectives and our overall business goals
  
• Systematising the design process to be scalable, of high quality, and to integrate into the wider Basis Product Delivery Lifecycle.
• Developing design, particularly product design, into a competitive advantage for Basis.
  
• Establishing a robust user research practice that informs and validates design decisions
• Embedding rapid design prototyping and experimentation across product development, advocating for evidence-based design solutions
  
• Ensuring collaboration across the business with the design function
  
• Rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands on the tools when needed

About You

We think you’ll be a fit for this role if you have the following skills or traits: 

• At least 5 years of experience in digital product design leadership roles, including managing multidisciplinary teams in technology or product-led companies.
• Experience building great digital products (preference for exposure to complex ecosystems, apps that have launched to market and scaled, or apps that interface with hardware).
• A demonstrable understanding of Product Development and its principles, including development lifecycles and commercialisation.
• Proven experience implementing and maintaining robust digital design systems, design strategy & vision.
• Proven success in building and scaling design teams, empowering individuals, and fostering a high-performance culture.
• Experience in aligning and overseeing design strategy with broader business goals while maintaining the integrity of design standards and innovation.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to provide clear guidance, constructive feedback, and mentorship.
• Strong collaboration skills to align stakeholders and integrate design seamlessly into cross-functional workflows.
• An ability to take initiative, follow through on what you say you’ll do, and take accountability for outcomes, good or bad.
• Determination and tenacity, maintaining a positive attitude in challenging situations.

Some nice-to-haves include:

• Experience with or exposure to leading Brand Design and Industrial Design.
• Experience or passion for working in a start-up environment.
• A strong portfolio showcasing exceptional work across digital UI/UX (we want to see your own creative skillset)

Research shows that while men apply for jobs when they meet ~ 60% of the job criteria, women and other marginalised groups tend to apply only when they check every box. So if you think you have what it takes, but are not sure you check every box, we still want to hear from you 🙌

Benefits

• A competitive salary and employee share scheme (ESOP)
• A hybrid work culture - work from home and come into the office
• Unlimited annual leave so that you can take the time that you need to re-energise
• Flexible hours - we focus on effort and outcomes, so adjust your hours around your children, hobbies, or other commitments
• A schedule of fun team events throughout the year
• Office dogs, plus a steady supply of fresh fruit and snacks in the office
• Access to Clearhead, our well-being programme (EAP) which gives you 5x free sessions with a psychologist per year
• A commitment to diversity and inclusion: Pride Committee and partnering with Pride Pledge, DEIB Committee, EEO Policy and well-being strategy!
• Parental leave policy that tops up wages to 100% for the primary caregiver for up to 22 weeks (conditions apply), and 6 weeks for secondary partners

Let's Talk!

We’d love to hear from you! No need to submit a cover letter - just click 'apply' to answer a few short questions of ours (we find this gives us more insight) and attach your CV.

If you have any questions about the role, fire them over to Steph at talent@wearebasis.com