KIRKLAND-POST
STEPHANIE
Design leader who builds teams, earns strategic influence, and stays close to the craft.
Aegon UK
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FNZ
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Scottish Rugby
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The University of Edinburgh
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Brodies Law
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Toshiba
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AON
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The Weir Group
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The Open Championship
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National Rail
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Aegon UK 〰️ FNZ 〰️ Scottish Rugby 〰️ The University of Edinburgh 〰️ Brodies Law 〰️ Toshiba 〰️ AON 〰️ The Weir Group 〰️ The Open Championship 〰️ National Rail 〰️
How I lead design teams
I focus on three core dimensions of design leadership:
01
Building Capability
Scaling teams with clear role architecture, mentorship, and quality standards.
02
Driving Strategic Influence
Embedding design early in product discovery and senior decision-making.
03
Creating Scalable Infrastructure
Establishing shared systems and governance that enable teams to move faster with consistency.
Case studies
These case studies demonstrate how I’ve scaled design capability, strengthened cross-functional influence, and built systems that support long-term product growth.
Expertise
I bring a balance of craft, strategy, and leadership - shaping scalable products, aligning cross-functional teams, and building design systems that support long-term growth. My experience spans hands-on delivery, strategic direction, and team development.
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I approach design as a scalable system, not just a series of screens - leading end-to-end initiatives from problem framing through delivery. I shape design systems and interaction architecture grounded in accessibility and usability, partnering closely with product and engineering to deliver solutions that scale.
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I align design decisions with measurable business outcomes by leading product discovery and opportunity framing, synthesising customer insight into clear direction, iterating with data-informed thinking, and driving roadmap clarity through strong cross-functional alignment.
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I build clarity, momentum, and high-performing teams by investing in mentorship, strengthening design culture, and facilitating confident decision-making. Whether leading distributed teams or supporting individual growth, I create environments where designers can thrive and deliver at scale.
