Freelance Senior Product Designer - Remote

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Freelance Senior Product Designer

Company: Lottie

Location: London, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time, Contract

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: May 26, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (4-6+ years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote (UK Hours Required)

🚀 Role Summary

• This is a critical 3-month contract role focused on the end-to-end design ownership of Lottie's Marketplace product, a high-stakes, emotionally complex user journey.

• The role requires a Senior Product Designer to act as a genuine co-creator, partnering closely with Product Managers and Engineering leads from problem inception through to solution execution.

• Emphasis is placed on strong craft, sharp product instinct, and the ability to make a significant impact within a short timeframe, addressing complex UX challenges in a B2C marketplace context.

• The position involves contributing to and leveraging Lottie's design system to ensure scalable patterns and components across the product.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job title "Freelance Senior Product Designer" and the contract length of "Three months" clearly indicate a project-based engagement. The requirement to "hit the ground running" and "make a meaningful impact in a short window" suggests a need for an experienced designer who can quickly integrate and contribute without extensive onboarding. The focus on "Marketplace product" and "search, results, listings, comparison, and enquiry flows" points to a specific area of UX expertise required.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end design quality and user experience for Lottie's Marketplace product, encompassing search, results display, detailed listings, comparison features, and enquiry processes.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers from the earliest stages of problem definition, actively shaping product briefs, challenging existing assumptions, and providing data-driven rationale for design decisions.

• Tackle complex design challenges within a sensitive domain, prioritizing accessibility, building trust signals, establishing clear information hierarchy, and addressing emotional context in user interactions.

• Contribute to the evolution and maintenance of the design system by creating reusable patterns and components that enhance consistency and scalability across the product.

• Leverage AI tooling for rapid prototyping, iteration, and concept validation, ensuring that AI enhances rather than dictates the design process and user experience.

• Conduct user research and usability testing to gather insights that inform design decisions and validate proposed solutions for the Marketplace user journey.

• Present design rationale and decisions clearly to stakeholders, articulating the considerations, trade-offs, and reasoning behind design choices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are structured to reflect the senior nature of the role, emphasizing "ownership," "co-creation," and "shaping problem definition" rather than just execution. The inclusion of "accessibility, trust signals, information hierarchy, and emotional context" highlights the domain-specific UX challenges. The mention of "AI tooling" and "design system" indicates key operational aspects of the design process at Lottie.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical experience and a deep understanding of user-centered design principles is paramount.

Experience: 4-6+ years of professional product design experience, with a preference for experience within marketplace, platform, or robust B2C product environments.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in end-to-end product design, from conceptualization to detailed UI implementation.

• Strong command of UX design principles, user research methodologies, and usability testing.

• Experience designing complex user journeys within marketplace or e-commerce-like platforms.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with Product Managers and Engineers as a co-creator.

• Proficiency in presenting design rationale, trade-offs, and outcomes with clarity and conviction.

• A portfolio showcasing both strong visual craft and sophisticated UX problem-solving, with evidence of systemic thinking.

• Familiarity with design systems and experience contributing to or maintaining design pattern libraries. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI-driven prototyping or design tools and a genuine enthusiasm for leveraging AI to accelerate design processes.

• Experience designing for high-stakes, emotionally sensitive domains where trust and clarity are critical.

• Understanding of accessibility best practices and experience implementing inclusive design solutions.

• Ability to work autonomously and take ownership of design initiatives from inception.

• Experience in a fast-paced, high-growth startup environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement is clearly stated as "4-6+ years" with a preference for specific product types. The skills section is detailed to reflect the emphasis on "product thinking," "systemic thinking," and the ability to "shape problem definition," aligning with the role's collaborative nature. The mention of AI tooling is highlighted as a preferred, but significant, skill.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating end-to-end product design projects, with a specific focus on marketplace or complex B2C platforms.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem space, your design process, the rationale behind key decisions, and the impact of your solutions.

• Examples of complex UX problem-solving, showcasing your ability to navigate intricate information hierarchies and user flows.

• Evidence of systemic thinking, including contributions to or utilization of design systems, and how your work scales.

• Visual language and craft rigor, demonstrating a high standard of visual design execution.

• Projects that highlight your ability to earn user trust and address emotional context within a user journey. Process Documentation:

• Case studies should clearly outline the user research, ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration phases of your design process.

• Demonstrate how you collaborated with Product Managers and Engineers, illustrating your role in problem definition and solution development.

• Showcase your approach to information hierarchy, accessibility, and building trust within a product.

• Include examples of how you leveraged or contributed to design systems and scalable patterns.

• If applicable, demonstrate how AI tools were integrated into your design workflow for prototyping or iteration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are tailored to showcase the specific skills needed for this role, emphasizing "end-to-end product design," "systemic thinking," and "complex UX problem-solving" within a marketplace context. The focus on "process documentation" within case studies highlights the need for candidates to articulate their methodology and collaborative approach.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a freelance, 3-month contract role, compensation will be discussed on a project basis, likely competitive for a Senior Product Designer with 4-6+ years of experience in the London/UK market. A typical day rate for a Senior Product Designer in London with this experience level can range from £400 to £700, depending on the agency or company's budget and the specific skills required.

Benefits: This is a freelance contract role; therefore, standard employee benefits typically associated with full-time permanent positions (e.g., health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off) are not usually included. However, specific contract terms may be negotiated.

Working Hours: This is a full-time role requiring approximately 40 hours per week. Candidates must be available to work within UK business hours to facilitate collaboration with the London-based team.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "Freelance" nature and "3-month contract," a salary range is provided based on industry-standard day rates for senior product designers in London. Benefits are clarified as typically not part of freelance contracts. The working hours are specified with the crucial detail of "UK hours required."

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (HealthTech/SaaS) - Lottie operates within the health and social care technology sector, aiming to modernize and improve the care industry through its platform and software solutions. The company's mission is to "Elevate later life for everybody and build the care sector of the future."

Company Size: Lottie is a high-growth startup, having raised over £25m in funding. While specific employee numbers aren't provided, the presence of multiple product lines (Marketplace, Found, Seniorcare, Eliza) and an established investor base suggests a team of significant size for a startup, likely ranging from 50-150 employees.

Founded: Founded in London in 2021, Lottie is a relatively young, dynamic company focused on rapid innovation and market disruption.

Team Structure:

• The Design department reports to the Head of Design.

• This specific role involves close partnership with a dedicated Product Manager and Engineering Lead for the Marketplace product.

• Collaboration is expected across various teams, including Product, Engineering, Marketing, and potentially Customer Success, given the nature of a B2B2C and B2B SaaS company. Methodology:

• Lottie emphasizes an "AI-native" approach, integrating AI tools into various aspects of its operations, including design and customer service.

• The company operates in a fast-paced, high-growth startup environment, prioritizing impact and agility.

• A strong focus on data-driven decision-making and user-centric design principles is evident.

• The company values collaboration and a proactive, "ownership" mindset among its team members.

Company Website: https://lottie.org

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context is built from the provided description, highlighting their mission, funding, and product diversity. The team structure is inferred to support the Senior Product Designer role, emphasizing collaboration and the AI-native approach. The mention of "LinkedIn's Top Startup 2024" and "UK's #1 Startup for 2025" adds significant weight to their growth and recognition.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a "Senior" level, specifically for a product designer. For a 3-month contract, the focus is on immediate impact and leveraging existing senior-level expertise rather than long-term career development within Lottie. However, successful completion of the contract could lead to future project opportunities or, in rare cases for high performers, a transition to a permanent role if one becomes available and aligns with business needs.

Reporting Structure: The Freelance Senior Product Designer will report to the Head of Design and will work in close partnership with their assigned Product Manager and Engineering Lead within the Marketplace product team. This structure emphasizes autonomy within a cross-functional team.

Operations Impact: The designer will have a direct and significant impact on the core "Marketplace" product, which is described as the primary way Lottie "earns trust" and facilitates a "high-stakes, emotionally complex experience" for families seeking care. Their work will directly influence user acquisition, conversion rates, user satisfaction, and the overall credibility of Lottie's service. The ability to contribute to the design system also impacts the efficiency and consistency of the entire product organization.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in designing for high-stakes, sensitive domains, focusing on trust, accessibility, and information hierarchy.

• AI Integration: Gain practical experience in leveraging AI tools within a product design workflow in a real-world startup environment.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Deliver a significant project with tangible impact, which can be showcased as a strong case study for future opportunities.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Hone skills in partnering with Product Management and Engineering from problem inception.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Career & Growth Analysis" is framed around the context of a freelance contract. While direct career progression within Lottie is limited for a contractor, the focus is on skill enhancement, portfolio building, and the impact the role offers. The "Operations Impact" section emphasizes how this design role directly contributes to business objectives.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote role, operating within the UK. While Lottie's HQ is in London Bridge, London, UK, this position does not require physical presence at the office. The company culture fosters remote work but emphasizes the need for UK working hours.

Office Location(s): The company headquarters is located at London Bridge, London, UK. However, this role is remote and specifically requires candidates to work within UK hours, suggesting a focus on collaboration within the UK time zone rather than a specific geographic location for remote workers beyond the UK.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Collaboration: Expect to utilize digital collaboration tools for design, communication, and project management. This includes video conferencing, shared design files, and messaging platforms.

• Tech Stack Integration: The role will likely involve working with Lottie's existing design and development tool stack, including design software, prototyping tools, and potentially AI-assisted design platforms.

• Team Interaction: While remote, there will be frequent opportunities for interaction with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and the Head of Design through scheduled meetings, asynchronous communication, and collaborative design sessions.

Work Schedule: This is a full-time role (approx. 40 hours/week) requiring adherence to UK working hours to ensure effective collaboration with the Lottie team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Work Environment" section is tailored to a remote role, detailing the implications for collaboration, technology use, and scheduling, while acknowledging the company's London HQ. The emphasis on "UK hours" is reiterated as a critical requirement.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Screening Interview (20 mins): Conducted with the Talent Acquisition Lead. Focus will be on initial fit, understanding your background, and assessing your general suitability for a senior freelance role and Lottie's mission.

2. Portfolio Run Through (45 mins): With the Hiring Manager (likely Head of Design). This is a deep dive into your portfolio. Be prepared to walk through 2-3 key projects, explaining your process, decision-making, and impact.

3. Behavioural Interview (45 mins): With Lottie's CXO. This interview will assess your soft skills, alignment with Lottie's values, how you handle challenges, and your approach to problem-solving and collaboration.

4. Final Interview (45 mins): With Lottie's CEO. This is a final assessment of your fit, strategic thinking, and potential impact on the company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best demonstrate your experience with marketplace design, complex UX challenges, systemic thinking, and your ability to drive impact quickly. Prioritize projects that align with Lottie's mission.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (ideation, research, design, testing), the rationale behind your decisions (especially trade-offs), and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Highlight Collaboration: Showcase how you partnered with PMs and Engineers from problem inception.

• Demonstrate Craft & Systemic Thinking: Show high-quality visual design alongside sophisticated UX solutions. Include examples of design system contributions or effective utilization.

• Address AI & Domain: Be ready to discuss your experience or enthusiasm for using AI in design and your approach to designing for sensitive domains like care.

• Prepare for "Why Lottie": Be ready to articulate why you are interested in this specific role and Lottie's mission.

Challenge Preparation:

• While no specific "design challenge" is explicitly mentioned outside the portfolio review, be prepared for questions that probe your problem-solving abilities and strategic thinking.

• Expect hypothetical scenarios related to designing for complex user needs, managing stakeholder expectations, or prioritizing design efforts in a fast-paced environment.

• Practice articulating your design process and decision-making clearly and concisely, as this will be tested throughout the interviews.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is detailed, including timings and interviewers. The "Portfolio Review Tips" are specifically crafted to guide candidates on how to present their work effectively for this role, emphasizing Lottie's key requirements like AI, domain sensitivity, and systemic thinking.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Proficiency in industry-standard design tools such as Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD is essential for creating wireframes, mockups, and high-fidelity prototypes. Figma is often preferred in collaborative, remote environments.

• Prototyping Tools: Experience with tools like Figma's prototyping capabilities, InVision, or Principle to create interactive prototypes for user testing and stakeholder presentations.

• AI Prototyping Tools: While specific tools aren't named, familiarity with AI-assisted design tools for rapid ideation, iteration, or generating design variations is a significant advantage.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a core responsibility, an understanding of how design impacts key metrics (e.g., conversion rates, user engagement, task completion) and familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) to interpret user behaviour data would be beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Experience with CRM systems (like Salesforce, HubSpot) or SaaS platforms (like Lottie's own Found by Lottie) can provide context for B2B operations, though not directly required for this design role. Understanding user flows into and out of these systems is valuable.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section infers the likely tool stack based on standard industry practices for senior product designers in a tech startup. Figma is highlighted as a probable primary tool due to its collaborative nature. The mention of "AI tooling" is reiterated, suggesting a need for candidates to be open to or experienced with such technologies.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong commitment to Lottie's mission of improving later life care and building the future of the care sector. This translates to designing with empathy and a deep understanding of user needs.

• AI-Native & Innovative: Embracing and leveraging AI and cutting-edge technology to drive efficiency and create innovative solutions.

• Collaborative & Ownership-Oriented: Working closely with cross-functional teams, taking initiative, and owning projects from start to finish.

• User-Centric & Empathetic: Placing the needs of families and care providers at the forefront of design decisions, especially given the sensitive nature of the domain.

• High-Growth & Agile: Thriving in a fast-paced startup environment that values speed, impact, and continuous improvement.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Partnership: Working hand-in-hand with Product Managers and Engineers, moving beyond traditional "design handoffs" to true co-creation from problem definition.

• Transparent Communication: Open and honest communication, with a focus on sharing rationale, feedback, and insights to ensure alignment and drive better outcomes.

• Design System Integration: Contributing to and utilizing the design system to ensure consistency and efficiency across the product, fostering a shared design language.

• Feedback Culture: Willingness to give and receive constructive feedback to continuously improve designs and processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operations Values" and "Collaboration Style" are derived from the company description, mission statement, and the emphasis on partnership within the role's responsibilities. The "AI-native" aspect is a key cultural differentiator.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• High-Stakes Domain Design: Designing for a sensitive area like care requires a high degree of empathy, trust-building, and careful consideration of user emotions under duress. Balancing complexity with clarity is paramount.

• Accelerated Impact: The 3-month contract demands immediate contribution and the ability to deliver significant results without a long ramp-up period.

• Balancing Craft with Speed: Effectively integrating AI tools for faster iteration without sacrificing design quality or strategic thinking.

• Systemic Thinking in a Growing System: Contributing to and ensuring consistency within a developing design system while working on specific product flows.

• Navigating Ambiguity: Working within a startup environment where priorities can evolve, requiring adaptability and strong problem-solving skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Domain Expertise: Gaining valuable experience and insight into the intricacies of the care sector and its users.

• AI Design Tools: Hands-on experience with AI tools in a product design context, enhancing future marketability.

• Agile Product Development: Deepening skills in rapid iteration and collaboration within a fast-paced startup.

• Portfolio Building: Delivering a high-impact project that can serve as a compelling case study for future freelance or permanent roles.

• Cross-functional Leadership: Strengthening skills in influencing product direction through strong design partnership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly drawn from the "Problems you'll be solving" and "This role isn't for you if..." sections of the job description, framed as opportunities for growth. The learning opportunities are tailored to a contract role, focusing on skill enhancement and portfolio value.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Marketplace Design: Be prepared to discuss your approach to designing complex marketplace experiences, focusing on search, discovery, comparison, and conversion. How do you build trust in such environments?

• Problem Definition: Expect questions about how you collaborate with PMs to define problems. Provide examples of when you've challenged assumptions or shaped briefs based on user insights or strategic thinking.

• AI in Design: How do you see AI impacting the product design process? Share your experience or hypothetical approach to using AI for prototyping and iteration.

• Information Hierarchy & Complexity: Discuss your strategies for organizing and presenting large amounts of information in a clear, digestible, and user-friendly manner.

• Accessibility & Trust: How do you ensure products are accessible and build trust, especially in sensitive domains?

Company & Culture Questions:

• Why are you interested in Lottie and its mission to improve the care sector?

• How do you align with Lottie's "AI-native" approach and values of ownership and collaboration?

• Describe your experience working in a fast-paced startup environment.

• How do you handle working on a tight deadline for a contract role? Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your solution, your process, and the impact (qualitative or quantitative).

• Tell a Co-Creative Story: Emphasize your collaboration with PMs and Engineers, showcasing how you shaped the problem and solution together.

• Highlight Systemic Thinking: Show how your individual contributions fit into a larger design system or product strategy.

• Be Ready to Discuss Trade-offs: Explain why certain design choices were made and what alternatives were considered.

• Prepare for "What If" Scenarios: The CXO and CEO interviews may involve hypothetical design challenges or strategic questions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation advice is structured to cover the key areas of assessment, directly referencing the job description's emphasis on marketplace design, AI, collaboration, and the company's mission and values.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this freelance position:

• Submit your application through the provided Ashby link.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your expertise in marketplace design, complex UX problem-solving, and systemic thinking. Tailor your case studies to highlight your collaborative approach, your ability to drive impact quickly, and any experience with AI in design.

• Optimize Your Resume/CV: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your 4-6+ years of product design experience, emphasizing marketplace, B2C, or platform design roles. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your "Why Lottie": Be ready to articulate your genuine interest in Lottie's mission and how your skills align with the company's values and the specific demands of this contract role.

• Practice Your Pitch: Rehearse walking through your portfolio projects, focusing on clear storytelling, concise explanations of your process and rationale, and demonstrating your impact and collaborative approach.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.