VP, Design & Research – Okta for Developers
Join our team as a strategic, people‑first leader who will grow, elevate, and unify the entire Product Design function across all product portfolios. This role reports directly to the Chief Product Officer.
Get to know Okta
Okta is The World’s Identity Company. We empower everyone to safely use any technology, anywhere, on any device or app. Our flexible, neutral products – Okta Platform and Auth0 Platform – provide secure access, authentication, and automation, placing identity at the core of business security and growth.
The Team
The Design and Research team works cross‑functionally to drive world‑class customer experiences. It encompasses Product Design, UX Research, Content Design, and Design Operations (ResearchOps/DesignOps). We own complex, technical product areas and ensure the most seamless and safest customer experience.
The Role
We’re looking for a leader to grow, elevate, and unify the entire Product Design function (UX Research, Product Design, Visual Design, and Content Design). This leader will strengthen UX influence across Okta, deepen collaboration with Product and Engineering, and champion inclusion and design excellence.
What You’ll Do
- Lead and grow the organization: Manage and develop managers and ICs across all design disciplines.
- Be a people‑first leader: Foster well‑being, belonging, and professional growth across all roles in the team.
- Champion inclusion: Build a diverse, equitable, and inclusive team culture and embed inclusive, secure‑by‑design practices into the product lifecycle.
- Expand strategic impact: Partner with Product, Engineering, and executive leaders to embed a cohesive design strategy and user‑centered decision‑making into product planning, execution, and outcomes.
- Shape team culture and vision: Define and uphold the team’s values, direction, and operational excellence, ensuring seamless collaboration between all disciplines.
- Drive scalability and efficiency: Identify and address organizational or process gaps to support end‑to‑end design process efficiency.
- Represent Design and Research internally and externally: Advocate for world‑class user‑centered design and innovation across Okta.
- Drive Design AI evolution: Lead the organization’s skill‑set evolution as Design embeds AI tooling and thinking in the product development process.
- Systems thinking: Map complex customer journeys and product ecosystems, ensuring all initiatives are holistically integrated, scalable, and support a unified brand experience.
What You’ll Bring
- Proven leadership: 5+ years managing and developing managers and teams across multiple design disciplines.
- Deep product design expertise: 10+ years conducting high‑impact product design or research work with measurable impact.
- Team builder: Experience hiring, developing, and retaining high‑performing, values‑driven teams.
- Strategic mindset: Skilled in defining holistic design strategy and translating insights into business and product outcomes.
- Influential communicator: Exceptional storytelling and executive communication skills, connecting design excellence to business value.
- Collaborative operator: Proven success partnering cross‑functionally to deliver unified product experiences.
- Adaptability: Comfortable leading through growth, transformation, and change.
Leadership Competencies
- Builds Effective Teams – Creates strong, diverse teams that deliver shared results.
- Demonstrates Self‑Awareness – Reflects, listens, and grows from feedback.
- Develops Talent – Invests in people’s growth and career goals.
- Drives Results – Achieves outcomes, even in challenging environments.
- Strategic Mindset – Anticipates future needs and shapes breakthrough strategies.
Annual Base Salary Range
San Francisco Bay Area: $331,000 – $497,000 USD
California (ex. San Francisco Bay Area), Colorado, Illinois, New York, and Washington: $296,000 – $444,000 USD
Salary will depend on skills, experience, and location. Okta also offers equity, bonus, and benefits including health, dental, vision, 401(k), flexible spending account, and paid leave.
Benefits
- Amazing Benefits
- Making a Social Impact
- Developing Talent and Fostering Connection & Community at Okta
Some roles may require travel to one of our office locations for in‑person onboarding.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
Okta is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, disability, or protected veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants with arrest and convictions records, consistent with applicable laws.
If reasonable accommodation is needed to complete any part of the job application, interview process, or onboarding, please use this form to request an accommodation.
Okta is committed to complying with applicable data privacy and security laws and regulations. For more information, see our Personnel and Job Candidate Privacy Notice at
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