“We needed temporary design leadership, not another permanent hire. Within a week, the right leader was working with our team.”
07
Days to match
01
Placement fee
06
Months of leadership
Kevin Mwangi
VP Product · LatticePay
Inside the Network
Two ways into the Network
COMMUNITY
The professional home for senior design leaders.
Peer community, events, conversations, research access and professional connection.
Explore CommunityTALENT HUB
Vetted design leaders for fractional engagements.
Companies get matched with experienced design executives for defined leadership needs.
Explore Talent HubThe standard
Built for senior practice.
Quality-gated
Not an open professional directory.
Africa + diaspora
Participation is not limited by where practitioners currently live.
Independent
Practitioners keep their professional independence.
04 / Who it is for
Different needs. One senior design network.
Companies
Need experienced design leadership without a permanent hire.
Senior practitioners
Want fractional opportunities at the level they already operate.
Design leaders
Want a serious peer community beyond generic networking.
Africa’s design leadership, wherever it now lives.
Whether you are hiring fractional leadership or ready to be placed, the Network is the match layer.
FAQs
The Network, answered.
Is this a freelance marketplace?+
No. The Network combines a professional community with a vetted Talent Hub for defined leadership engagements. It is not an open gig board or a marketplace for execution work.
Who can join the Network?+
Senior African design leaders with demonstrated experience leading teams, functions, decisions or defined organisational outcomes can apply. The Network includes practitioners across the continent and the diaspora.
Do I need to be an Academy graduate?+
No. Academy graduates meet the Network standard automatically, while experienced external practitioners can apply through the formal vetting process.
Can diaspora practitioners join?+
Yes. The Network is designed to keep African design leadership connected and accessible wherever it now lives. Diaspora practitioners can participate in the Community and apply to the Talent Hub.
Can companies access the Network?+
Yes. Companies can submit a defined design leadership requirement through the Talent Hub and be matched with vetted leaders whose experience fits the mandate.
How are design leaders vetted?+
Vetting assesses demonstrated leadership experience, commercial thinking, design operations and the ability to lead teams and organisational outcomes. Academy graduates qualify automatically; external practitioners complete a formal application and review.