VP, Design

• Senior leadership role, responsible for leading Product Design leaders and individual contributors across a high impact and complex product portfolio
• Help shape the future of how millions of Australians discover property
• Permanent role based in Melbourne 

We're REA 
  
With bold and ambitious goals, REA Group  is changing the way the world experiences property. No matter where you're at on your property journey, we're here to help with every step - whether that's finding or financing your next home. 
 
Our people are the key to our success. At the heart of everything we do, is a thriving culture centred around high performance and care. We are purpose driven and collaborative, which drives innovation and our ability to make a real impact. As such, we’re proud to have been named one of Australia’s Best Workplaces four times since 2021 — including third place in 2025 — plus Best Workplace for Women in 2023 and Best Workplace in Technology in 2024 and 2025. These listings are testament to every person who helps make REA a great place to work. 

Where the team fits in 

Nobody said property was easy, but we’re changing that. The Design team plays a key role joining the dots, clarifying the ambiguous and seeking out ways to do things better, so that everyone’s property journey is an absolute delight. We do this for both our consumers and customers, deeply understanding their needs and creating amazing experiences people can’t wait to come back for.

We’re not in it alone, our design team partners with Product and Engineering specialists to channel their passion, drive innovative thinking, and transform the property experience for millions of Australians.

What the role is all about 

In this role, you’ll be responsible for leading Product Design leaders and individual contributors across a high impact and complex product portfolio. Day to day, you’ll be focusing on three key areas:

Strategy

• Deeply understand the dynamics and constituents across multiple markets (both consumer and customer), using this knowledge to help translate business strategy into product strategy
• Shape and execute on our product strategy in partnership with other leaders, translating it into action which drives measurable results
• Contribute to our product strategy by building out a future vision for our experiences, which is cohesive and complimentary. Partner with peers and other leaders to bring it to life through portfolio initiatives
• Drive the design direction of our products within the portfolio and influencing more broadly across the REA Group. Connect the dots across business units developing new ideas and innovative directions
• Own the impact of design on product quality and customer satisfaction

Leadership

• As a member of the cross functional Consumer Leadership team, you will support leadership practices and cadences, helping maintain high performing teams, driving business objects and creating a great culture
• Persuasively communicate and evangelise the role, benefits and impacts of great design to senior stakeholders across the business
• Build close partnerships with key internal stakeholder groups, understand their businesses, their needs, their tactical and strategic objectives
• Recruit, lead, coach and develop a team of outstanding Design and UX Research professionals (including leaders and individual contributors)
• Attract top talent, building the next generation of design talent that adds to our culture; build REA’s profile in the industry and bring our EVP to life
• Partner with design leaders to create and drive the agenda across our design community,  to shape a world-class design culture

Practice

• Foster a culture and practise of design excellence. Ensuring our ways of working, design practices and methodologies are fit for purpose and drive best-in-class experiences. Work with other leaders to evolve and maintain a high standard of design practice and embed these best practice techniques and approaches with your team
• Instil team operating rhythms that deliver on our strategic objectives, driving effective processes for day-to-day operations, as well as a high-performance culture
• Support shaping team organisational structures with business leaders, ensuring that design supports our teams to efficiently deliver the best product outcomes
• Manage design team budgets effectively, supporting work and research, growth and culture

Who we’re looking for 

We’re looking for that special spark! People with passion and values that mirror our own. You’re also a good fit if you’re hungry to learn the ins and outs of Design at REA. In this sense, we’re looking for: 

• 5+ years experience leading design teams
• 10+ years experience in the design industry
• You have a background in design with strong eye for what good looks like
• A strong people leader, love coaching and growing design talent
• You have innate curiosity and a love of learning 
• Bring a growth mindset, be resilient and appreciate how to drive change in an organisation at scale

The REA experience 

The physical, mental, emotional and financial health of our people is something we’ll never stop caring about. This is a place to learn and grow.  

Some of our Perks & Benefits include:  

• A hybrid and flexible approach to working 
• Flexible leave options including, birthday leave and purchase additional leave 
• Flexible parental leave offering for primary and secondary carers 
• Our Because We Care program offers employees volunteering leave, community grants, matched payroll giving and our Community Café donates 100% of revenue to charity 
• Hackdays so you can bring your big ideas to life   

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion   

We are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity, equity and inclusion. We believe teams with diverse ideas and experiences are more creative, more effective and fuel disruptive thinking. If you've got the skills, dedication and enthusiasm to learn but don't necessarily meet every single point on the job description, please still get in touch. 

Join our Talent Neighbourhood 

Keen to be part of REA but didn't find a perfect match with this opportunity? Perhaps the timing isn't right? You should join our Talent Neighbourhood!  

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