Digital Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Digital Product Designer

Company: Virgin Atlantic

Location: Crawley, West Sussex, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full time

Category: Digital Product Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: 2026-07-30

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and deliver digital product experiences that align with Virgin Atlantic's brand vision and user needs, contributing to the overall digital product roadmap.

• Collaborate within a multi-disciplined design team to conceptualize, prototype, test, and implement high-fidelity visual designs for digital products.

• Champion the user and brand identity, ensuring seamless and frictionless experiences across all digital touchpoints, adhering to WCAG 2.2 AA accessibility standards.

• Drive innovation in digital product design by leveraging design thinking methodologies and exploring the potential of AI tools within the product development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is situated within a major airline, suggesting a high volume of user interactions and a complex digital ecosystem. The emphasis on "Digital Product Designer" indicates a focus on the end-to-end creation and iteration of digital solutions, rather than purely visual design. The requirement for AI tool curiosity points to a forward-thinking approach to design challenges.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Execute the Virgin Atlantic digital product roadmap through strategic design and development, fostering collaboration with Digital Development & Delivery teams.

• Apply design thinking best practices to solve new business problems and create innovative solutions that address user needs and pain points.

• Influence and uphold brand identity, visual design standards, and the implementation of the brand narrative in collaboration with the broader Creative Team.

• Elevate the user experience of Virgin Atlantic's digital products by championing user-centricity and brand consistency within agile scrum teams and with business stakeholders.

• Develop and embed new design processes and best practices across Virgin Atlantic to enhance digital design capabilities and ensure products are conceived and designed effectively.

• Design interactions that prioritize usability, aiming for frictionless, pleasurable, and unique user journeys.

• Ensure all digital designs are accessible by default, adhering strictly to WCAG 2.2 AA standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic product visioning and tactical agile execution. The emphasis on "design strategy and execution" and "delivering the digital roadmap" suggests significant ownership and impact on the product's direction. The inclusion of "accessible design by default" and "WCAG 2.2 AA" indicates a strong commitment to inclusive design principles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for this level of digital product design role.

Experience: 2-5 years of solid experience in digital product design, with a proven track record of delivering impactful UX/UI work.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in digital product design principles and methodologies.

• Strong portfolio showcasing comprehensive UX/UI design work, including case studies demonstrating problem-solving and user-centered design approaches.

• Expert-level proficiency in design and prototyping tools, with a primary focus on Figma.

• Deep understanding of mobile-first and responsive design principles for various platforms and devices.

• Experience conducting user research (e.g., interviews, surveys) and usability testing to gather insights and validate design decisions.

• Familiarity with design systems and their practical application in maintaining consistency and efficiency across digital touchpoints.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including developers, product managers, and creative stakeholders.

• Strong problem-solving abilities with a consistent user-centered design (UCD) approach.

• Curiosity and hands-on experience with AI tools and an understanding of their potential applications in design and product development. Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within an airline or travel industry context.

• Knowledge of front-end development principles (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to better collaborate with developers.

• Familiarity with agile development methodologies (Scrum, Kanban).

• Experience with A/B testing and data analysis to inform design iterations and optimize user experiences.

• Proficiency in creating interactive prototypes beyond basic wireframes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "2-5 years" experience level suggests this role is suitable for a mid-level designer looking to deepen their expertise. The emphasis on Figma, user research, and design systems is standard for UX/UI roles, while the curiosity for AI tools is a distinguishing, forward-looking requirement.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio that clearly articulates your design process, from initial concept and research through to final high-fidelity designs and iterative improvements.

• Case studies that showcase your problem-solving skills, demonstrating how you identified user needs and business objectives, and how your design solutions addressed them effectively.

• Demonstrate proficiency in Figma, providing examples of complex component libraries, interactive prototypes, and collaborative design workflows.

• Include examples of responsive and mobile-first design projects, illustrating how you adapted designs for different screen sizes and devices.

• Showcase your understanding and application of design systems, providing examples of how you've contributed to or utilized one. Process Documentation:

• Evidence of your involvement in user research and usability testing, including methodologies used, key findings, and how these insights influenced design decisions.

• Examples of how you have collaborated with development teams to ensure the successful implementation of designs, highlighting any challenges overcome.

• Demonstrate experience with agile delivery cycles, showing how your design process integrates with sprint planning and execution.

• Include examples of how you've ensured accessibility in your designs, referencing standards like WCAG 2.2 AA.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Digital Product Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It must not only display visual design skills but also a robust understanding of the user-centered design process, collaborative capabilities, and technical proficiency with key tools like Figma. Demonstrating impact through well-documented case studies is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Competitive, with an estimated range of £45,000 - £65,000 per annum, depending on experience and qualifications.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and pension scheme.

• Generous holiday allowance, with the opportunity to buy more.

• Discounts on flights and travel for employees and their families.

• Comprehensive health and wellness programs, including private medical insurance.

• Opportunities for professional development, training, and career advancement.

• Hybrid working model offering a balance between office-based collaboration and remote flexibility.

• Life assurance and income protection schemes.

• Access to employee assistance programs and wellbeing resources.

Working Hours: Full Time, 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on industry benchmarks for Digital Product Designers with 2-5 years of experience in the UK, considering the company's industry and location. Virgin Atlantic is known for its attractive travel benefits, which are a significant perk for employees in the travel sector.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Travel & Leisure / Aviation. Virgin Atlantic operates in a highly competitive and dynamic global travel industry, emphasizing customer experience, innovation, and brand loyalty.

Company Size: Large Enterprise. Virgin Atlantic is a significant global airline with a substantial workforce, offering opportunities for large-scale impact and career progression.

Founded: 1984. With a history of challenging the status quo, Virgin Atlantic has a culture rooted in innovation, entrepreneurship, and a strong brand identity.

Team Structure:

• The Digital Design team is multi-disciplined, working collaboratively with Digital Development & Delivery teams.

• Designers will also partner closely with Product Owners and the broader Creative Team, which includes Product Designers and Creative Designers.

• The role involves working within agile scrum teams, indicating a structured yet flexible approach to project management.

• Reporting likely structures into a Head of Digital Design or similar leadership role within the Digital or Creative departments. Methodology:

• Emphasis on design thinking for problem-solving and concept development.

• Agile delivery cycles for iterative product development and implementation.

• User-centered design (UCD) principles are central to all design activities.

• Data-driven decision-making is encouraged, informed by user research, usability testing, and performance metrics.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a core methodology for ensuring seamless integration between design, development, and business objectives.

Company Website: https://www.virginatlantic.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Virgin Atlantic's culture is known for its energetic, customer-focused, and innovative approach, often referred to as the "Virgin way." This role will thrive in an environment that values creativity, collaboration, and a passion for delivering exceptional user experiences.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level Digital Product Designer. This role is for an experienced designer who can contribute independently to design projects, mentor junior team members, and influence design strategy within their domain. The scope involves end-to-end product design, from concept to implementation, with a focus on both user experience and brand consistency.

Reporting Structure: The Digital Product Designer will report into a Design Lead or Head of Digital Design, working closely with Product Owners and Development teams within an agile framework. Collaboration will extend to the wider Creative Team.

Operations Impact: The Digital Product Designer has a direct impact on customer engagement, conversion rates, and overall satisfaction with Virgin Atlantic's digital platforms. Their work contributes to the company's ability to meet its digital product vision, long-term digital strategy, and quarterly business objectives. By ensuring seamless and accessible user experiences, they play a crucial role in customer retention and brand loyalty.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas such as complex e-commerce flows, mobile app design, or accessibility standards.

• Leadership: Progress to Senior Digital Product Designer, Lead Product Designer, or Design Manager roles, taking on more strategic responsibilities and team leadership.

• Cross-functional Expertise: Gain deeper understanding of product management, agile development, and business strategy through close collaboration.

• Innovation: Contribute to pioneering new digital experiences, potentially exploring new technologies like AI in design.

• Industry Exposure: Develop deep knowledge of the travel industry's digital landscape and customer needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "2-5 years" experience level positions this as a growth opportunity for designers looking to take on more responsibility and impact within a well-established brand. The emphasis on AI tools suggests potential future pathways in emerging design technologies.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid - 3 days at VHQ, Crawley. This indicates a structured hybrid model designed to balance collaborative in-office work with personal flexibility.

Office Location(s): VHQ, Crawley, West Sussex, United Kingdom. This is Virgin Atlantic's headquarters, suggesting a central hub for strategic operations and team interaction.

Workspace Context:

• The office environment likely fosters collaboration, with dedicated spaces for team meetings, workshops, and design critiques.

• Access to industry-standard design tools and technology, including Figma and potentially other collaborative platforms.

• Opportunities for regular interaction with cross-functional teams (developers, product owners, marketing, creative) to ensure holistic product development.

• A culture that encourages innovation and the sharing of ideas.

Work Schedule: Standard business hours (Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week) with the flexibility offered by the hybrid model. This structure allows for focused work periods both in the office and remotely, supporting effective design processes and data analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key aspect of the work environment, offering flexibility while ensuring in-person collaboration for key design activities and team integration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• <strong>Initial Screening:</strong> A review of your CV and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and experience. Be prepared to articulate your design philosophy and highlight key projects.

• <strong>Hiring Manager Interview:</strong> A discussion focusing on your experience, approach to design challenges, and understanding of user-centered design principles. You'll likely be asked about specific projects from your portfolio.

• <strong>Design Challenge/Case Study:</strong> This may involve a practical exercise, a take-home assignment, or a presentation of a past project. Focus on demonstrating your process, problem-solving skills, and how you arrived at your design solutions.

• <strong>Team/Cross-functional Interview:</strong> An opportunity to meet potential colleagues and discuss collaboration styles, team dynamics, and how you integrate with development and product teams.

• <strong>Final Interview:</strong> Likely with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Digital Design) to assess strategic fit, leadership potential, and overall alignment with Virgin Atlantic's culture and vision. Portfolio Review Tips:

• <strong>Curate Select Projects:</strong> Choose 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase a range of skills and problem-solving capabilities.

• <strong>Tell a Story:</strong> For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, your design decisions (and the reasoning behind them), the challenges you faced, and the outcomes or impact achieved.

• <strong>Highlight Figma Proficiency:</strong> Showcase complex components, interactive prototypes, and collaborative workflows within Figma.

• <strong>Demonstrate User-Centricity:</strong> Clearly explain how user research and testing informed your design decisions.

• <strong>Showcase Accessibility:</strong> If possible, include examples of how you've applied accessibility standards.

• <strong>Quantify Impact:</strong> Whenever possible, use metrics to illustrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time).

• <strong>Be Prepared to Discuss:</strong> Know your portfolio inside and out and be ready to answer in-depth questions about your process and decisions. Challenge Preparation:

• Understand common design challenges in the travel/airline industry (e.g., booking flows, loyalty programs, customer support).

• Practice articulating your design process and rationale clearly and concisely.

• Be ready to discuss how you would approach a new problem, outlining your research, ideation, and validation steps.

• Familiarize yourself with Virgin Atlantic's current digital offerings to understand their existing design language and user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely heavily rely on the portfolio. Candidates should prepare to walk through their projects in detail, emphasizing process, rationale, and impact, rather than just presenting final visuals.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• <strong>Figma:</strong> Essential for UI design, prototyping, and collaborative workflows. Expect to demonstrate advanced proficiency.

• <strong>Prototyping Tools:</strong> Figma's built-in prototyping capabilities, or potentially others like InVision, depending on the team's workflow.

• <strong>Design Systems Management:</strong> Experience with creating, maintaining, or utilizing design systems. Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with web analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to understand user behavior and performance metrics.

• Experience interpreting data to inform design decisions. CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary focus for this role, an understanding of how CRM systems and marketing automation tools integrate with digital products can be beneficial for context. Emerging Technologies:

• <strong>AI Tools:</strong> Explicitly mentioned as a requirement; candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience or curiosity regarding AI in design, such as AI-powered design assistance, content generation, or predictive analytics within products.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the cornerstone tool for this role. Proficiency here is non-negotiable. The mention of AI tools indicates a modern design team exploring cutting-edge technologies.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• <strong>Customer Centricity:</strong> A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of Virgin Atlantic's customers.

• <strong>Innovation & Entrepreneurship:</strong> A spirit of challenging the status quo and seeking new, creative solutions.

• <strong>Collaboration:</strong> Working effectively across teams and disciplines to achieve shared goals.

• <strong>Excellence:</strong> Striving for high standards in all aspects of work, from design quality to user experience.

• <strong>Inclusivity:</strong> Valuing diversity and ensuring that all colleagues and customers feel they belong. Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, working closely with Product Owners, Developers, and the broader Creative Team.

• A strong emphasis on cross-functional communication and shared ownership of product outcomes.

• Engaging in agile ceremonies like sprint reviews and planning sessions.

• A culture that likely encourages constructive feedback and continuous improvement through design critiques and process reviews.

📝 Enhancement Note: Virgin Atlantic's "Be yourself – Our differences make us stronger" ethos is central to its inclusive culture. The values align with a forward-thinking, customer-focused, and collaborative environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• <strong>Balancing Brand Identity with User Needs:</strong> Effectively merging Virgin Atlantic's strong brand narrative with optimal user experience and usability.

• <strong>Complex User Journeys:</strong> Designing intuitive and seamless experiences for intricate travel-related processes (booking, managing flights, loyalty programs).

• <strong>Integrating AI into Design:</strong> Exploring and effectively implementing AI tools and concepts within the design workflow and product features.

• <strong>Cross-functional Alignment:</strong> Ensuring cohesive collaboration and communication across diverse teams (Design, Development, Product, Marketing) to deliver cohesive digital products.

• <strong>Maintaining Accessibility Standards:</strong> Consistently applying WCAG 2.2 AA across all digital touchpoints. Learning & Development Opportunities:

• <strong>Advanced Design Skills:</strong> Opportunities to hone skills in complex UX problem-solving, advanced prototyping, and design system management.

• <strong>Industry Expertise:</strong> Deepening knowledge of the aviation and travel industry's digital landscape and customer behaviors.

• <strong>AI in Design Workshops:</strong> Potential for training and exploration in leveraging AI tools for design innovation.

• <strong>Leadership Development:</strong> Pathways to senior design roles with increased strategic input and team mentorship.

• <strong>Cross-functional Exposure:</strong> Gaining insights into product management, agile development, and business strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a large, customer-facing digital product role, with a unique angle on AI integration. The growth opportunities are well-defined, offering clear paths for career advancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex digital product you've designed from concept to launch. What was the problem, your process, and the outcome?" (Focus on your end-to-end design journey, problem-solving, and impact.)

• "How do you balance brand guidelines with user needs when designing a new feature?" (Demonstrate your understanding of brand integration and user-centricity.)

• "Walk us through a project where user research or usability testing significantly changed your design direction." (Highlight your research skills and ability to adapt based on data.)

• "How would you approach designing for accessibility (WCAG 2.2 AA) in a complex booking flow?" (Showcase your knowledge of accessibility standards and practical application.)

• "What are your thoughts on using AI in the design process? Can you give an example of how you might leverage it?" (Be prepared to discuss your curiosity and any relevant experience with AI tools.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you admire about Virgin Atlantic's current digital experience, and where do you see opportunities for improvement?" (Research their website and app thoroughly.)

• "How do you collaborate with developers and product managers in an agile environment?" (Emphasize communication, feedback loops, and shared ownership.)

• "How do you stay updated with the latest design trends and technologies?" (Mention specific resources, communities, or learning platforms.)

• "Describe a time you had to influence stakeholders on a design decision." (Showcase your communication and persuasion skills.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• <strong>Structure:</strong> For each project, use a clear narrative: Problem -> Your Role -> Process -> Solution -> Outcome/Impact.

• <strong>Visuals:</strong> Use high-quality mockups, wireframes, and prototypes. Show the evolution of the design.

• <strong>Process Focus:</strong> Detail your research methods, user flows, wireframing, prototyping, and testing phases. Explain why you made certain decisions.

• <strong>Quantify:</strong> Use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs. If direct metrics aren't available, discuss intended impact or qualitative feedback.

• <strong>Figma Showcase:</strong> Be ready to demonstrate specific Figma features or workflows you used, especially for complex components or prototypes.

• <strong>Conciseness:</strong> Be mindful of time. Practice presenting your key projects within a set timeframe.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to rigorously defend their design decisions, emphasizing the user-centered process and the impact of their work. Demonstrating enthusiasm for Virgin Atlantic and its brand is also key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Digital Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Oracle Cloud portal link.

• <strong>Portfolio Customization:</strong> Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, highlights your strongest UX/UI projects, and clearly articulates your design process, focusing on Figma proficiency and user-centered methodologies. Tailor your project selection to showcase relevant skills for a digital product designer in the travel industry.

• <strong>Resume Optimization:</strong> Craft a resume that clearly outlines your 2-5 years of experience, emphasizes key skills like Figma, UX/UI design, user research, and AI tool curiosity, and uses achievement-oriented language.

• <strong>Interview Preparation:</strong> Practice discussing your portfolio projects in detail, prepare answers to common strategy and behavioral questions, and research Virgin Atlantic's digital presence and values thoroughly.

• <strong>Company Research:</strong> Familiarize yourself with Virgin Atlantic's brand, mission, and recent digital initiatives. Understand their customer base and the competitive landscape of the travel industry to better articulate your potential contributions.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions based on the provided information. Salary ranges are estimates. Always verify details directly with Virgin Atlantic during the application and interview process.