Founding Partner, Design
Connect Staffing Professional
New York, NY$150,000 - $200,000 a yearFull Time
Job Description
Founding Design Partner (Product Designer – IC Role, NYC Onsite)
A fast‑growing, venture‑backed AI startup is looking for a Founding Design Partner to define the product experience for a new category‑defining platform transforming how in‑house legal teams work. This is a rare opportunity to shape the design DNA of a company from day one, owning everything from UX principles to visual language to the first scalable design system.
We’re building intelligent, context‑aware tools that help legal teams move faster, make better decisions, and eliminate the repetitive, manual work that slows them down. If you thrive in early‑stage environments, obsess over craft, and love turning complex workflows into elegant, intuitive experiences, you’ll feel at home here.
What You’ll Do
· Lead the full design lifecycle—from research and concept exploration to pixel‑perfect execution.
· Own the next iteration of the product, improving existing workflows and designing new ones.
· Build the company’s first onboarding experience (a critical priority).
· Create and maintain a scalable design system that supports rapid product development.
· Shape the visual language across product, web, and brand surfaces.
· Conduct user research and usability testing to inform design decisions.
· Collaborate closely with founders, engineering, and go‑to‑market teams in a fast‑moving environment.
· Operate as a hands‑on IC with the potential to grow into leadership over time.
Who You Are
· 5+ years designing and shipping polished, high‑quality digital products.
· A world‑class portfolio demonstrating strong interaction, visual, and systems design.
· Experience at a design‑driven company known for exceptional craft (e.g., Linear, Notion, Figma, Stripe, Superhuman, Dropbox, Airbnb, or similar).
· Deep understanding of user‑centered design and a sharp eye for detail.
· Comfortable working in an early‑stage, high‑velocity environment with ambiguity.
· Strong communicator who asks thoughtful questions and collaborates well with technical and non‑technical partners.
· High taste level, humility, and a bias toward clarity and simplicity.
· Excited about designing for complex workflows and transforming how professionals interact with information.
· Based in or willing to relocate to New York City for an in‑person team culture.
What We’re Looking For
· A hands‑on IC who loves building and shipping.
· Someone who can simplify complex B2B workflows into intuitive, low‑cognitive‑load experiences.
· A designer who thrives in founder‑led environments and moves quickly without sacrificing craft.
· A portfolio that reflects depth, clarity, and exceptional execution—not just visual polish.
Not a fit if:
· You prefer management over hands‑on work.
· You move slowly or struggle with fast feedback cycles.
· Your portfolio is primarily marketing/brand work without product depth.
· You’re not interested in legal tech or enterprise workflow design.
Why You’ll Love This Role
· Founding impact: Define the product and design DNA from day one.
· Creative ownership: Full autonomy over design direction and systems.
· High visibility: Work directly with the founding team.
· Strong compensation: Competitive salary + meaningful equity (0.5%).
· Real customer traction: The product is already in use by leading companies.
· Premium design culture: Inspired by the craft and clarity of Linear, Notion, and Figma.
Compensation
· Competitive base salary - $150,000 to $200,000 per year
· Meaningful equity (0.5%)
· Full-time, onsite in New York City
If you’re excited about designing the future of legal work—and building a product that turns scattered knowledge into powerful, intuitive workflows—we’d love to hear from you.
A fast‑growing, venture‑backed AI startup is looking for a Founding Design Partner to define the product experience for a new category‑defining platform transforming how in‑house legal teams work. This is a rare opportunity to shape the design DNA of a company from day one, owning everything from UX principles to visual language to the first scalable design system.
We’re building intelligent, context‑aware tools that help legal teams move faster, make better decisions, and eliminate the repetitive, manual work that slows them down. If you thrive in early‑stage environments, obsess over craft, and love turning complex workflows into elegant, intuitive experiences, you’ll feel at home here.
What You’ll Do
· Lead the full design lifecycle—from research and concept exploration to pixel‑perfect execution.
· Own the next iteration of the product, improving existing workflows and designing new ones.
· Build the company’s first onboarding experience (a critical priority).
· Create and maintain a scalable design system that supports rapid product development.
· Shape the visual language across product, web, and brand surfaces.
· Conduct user research and usability testing to inform design decisions.
· Collaborate closely with founders, engineering, and go‑to‑market teams in a fast‑moving environment.
· Operate as a hands‑on IC with the potential to grow into leadership over time.
Who You Are
· 5+ years designing and shipping polished, high‑quality digital products.
· A world‑class portfolio demonstrating strong interaction, visual, and systems design.
· Experience at a design‑driven company known for exceptional craft (e.g., Linear, Notion, Figma, Stripe, Superhuman, Dropbox, Airbnb, or similar).
· Deep understanding of user‑centered design and a sharp eye for detail.
· Comfortable working in an early‑stage, high‑velocity environment with ambiguity.
· Strong communicator who asks thoughtful questions and collaborates well with technical and non‑technical partners.
· High taste level, humility, and a bias toward clarity and simplicity.
· Excited about designing for complex workflows and transforming how professionals interact with information.
· Based in or willing to relocate to New York City for an in‑person team culture.
What We’re Looking For
· A hands‑on IC who loves building and shipping.
· Someone who can simplify complex B2B workflows into intuitive, low‑cognitive‑load experiences.
· A designer who thrives in founder‑led environments and moves quickly without sacrificing craft.
· A portfolio that reflects depth, clarity, and exceptional execution—not just visual polish.
Not a fit if:
· You prefer management over hands‑on work.
· You move slowly or struggle with fast feedback cycles.
· Your portfolio is primarily marketing/brand work without product depth.
· You’re not interested in legal tech or enterprise workflow design.
Why You’ll Love This Role
· Founding impact: Define the product and design DNA from day one.
· Creative ownership: Full autonomy over design direction and systems.
· High visibility: Work directly with the founding team.
· Strong compensation: Competitive salary + meaningful equity (0.5%).
· Real customer traction: The product is already in use by leading companies.
· Premium design culture: Inspired by the craft and clarity of Linear, Notion, and Figma.
Compensation
· Competitive base salary - $150,000 to $200,000 per year
· Meaningful equity (0.5%)
· Full-time, onsite in New York City
If you’re excited about designing the future of legal work—and building a product that turns scattered knowledge into powerful, intuitive workflows—we’d love to hear from you.