Functional Designer – Payments Platform (not UX design)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Functional Designer – Payments Platform (not UX design)

Company: Edenred

Location: Swindon, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full time

Category: Product Operations / GTM Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-14

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid (minimum 3 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and deliver innovative, market-driven product solutions for the Payments Platform, focusing on services and system-to-system integrations (typically APIs).

• Translate complex business goals into functional product designs and capabilities, ensuring alignment with overarching business strategies and technology roadmaps.

• Embed critical non-functional requirements such as compliance, security, scalability, and availability directly into the core product designs.

• Maintain and evolve design standards, style guides, and component libraries to ensure product consistency and efficient delivery across the platform.

• Collaborate strategically with cross-functional teams, including engineering, product management, and business stakeholders, to deliver effective and cohesive solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is explicitly defined as a "Functional Designer" and not a UX Designer. This indicates a focus on the technical and business logic of product features rather than user interface aesthetics or user experience flow. The emphasis on system integrations, APIs, and compliance suggests a strong GTM Operations or Product Operations leaning, ensuring that the platform's functionality meets business requirements and can be effectively brought to market and supported.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and deliver innovative product solutions that are tightly aligned with specific business vertical needs and broader market demands.

• Translate strategic business objectives into detailed functional product designs, with a particular emphasis on services and robust system-to-system integrations, typically via APIs.

• Proactively embed compliance, security, scalability, and availability considerations into all product designs from the outset.

• Develop and maintain comprehensive design standards, style guides, and reusable component libraries to ensure consistency and efficiency across the Payments Platform.

• Foster strong collaborative relationships with cross-functional teams (e.g., Product Management, Engineering, Sales, Marketing) to ensure effective solution delivery and market readiness.

• Create detailed user journeys, process flows, capability maps, and personas to clearly articulate design intent and impact.

• Employ a data-driven approach to prioritize design activities based on potential impact, technical feasibility, and strategic alignment.

• Continuously refine and iterate on designs by incorporating stakeholder feedback and analyzing relevant data insights.

• Champion design best practices across the organization and ensure consistent application of design principles across all product offerings.

• Ensure all functional designs align seamlessly with established architectural principles and overarching technology standards.

• Stay abreast of emerging trends in fintech, new technologies, and evolving market developments to inform product strategy and design.

• Facilitate key design workshops, design sprints, and critical stakeholder review sessions to drive consensus and progress.

• Manage and organize shared design assets to support efficient product development and ongoing maintenance.

• Strategically balance the drive for innovation with practical technical feasibility and realistic delivery timelines.

• Track and analyze key design metrics to effectively measure user adoption, business impact, and overall product success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong focus on the "how" of product delivery from a functional and technical integration perspective, rather than the "what" from a pure user interface standpoint. The emphasis on APIs, system integrations, compliance, and scalability points towards a GTM Operations or Product Operations role focused on ensuring the platform's technical architecture and functional capabilities support Go-To-Market strategies and operational efficiency.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, Business, or a related discipline is typically expected for roles requiring this level of technical and strategic thinking. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: A minimum of 5-10 years of experience in a Functional Designer, Product Designer (with a functional focus), or a similar technical design role, with a demonstrated track record of successfully delivering technical solutions to market. Experience within the fintech or payments industry is highly desirable.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience as a Functional Designer or in a similar role, with a robust portfolio showcasing successful technical solution delivery.

• Exceptional problem-solving abilities, with a capacity to balance user needs, stringent business objectives, and complex technical constraints.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, capable of engaging effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders, from executive leadership to engineering teams.

• Demonstrated proficiency in setting, tracking, and delivering against key Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

• Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and confidently to both technical and non-technical audiences, advocating for pragmatic solutions that balance business value and technical best practices.

• Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, demonstrating the ability to effectively manage multiple competing priorities and challenges.

• Proficient in analyzing operational data to derive actionable insights that support and evidence design approaches. Preferred Skills:

• Hands-on experience working with API integrations and microservices architectures, particularly within cloud-based environments (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).

• In-depth knowledge of the payments industry, including a strong understanding of payment processing flows, relevant regulations (e.g., PCI DSS, PSD2), and emerging payment technologies.

• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies and experience contributing to sprint planning and execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of technical understanding, strategic thinking, and strong communication. The "Functional Designer" title, coupled with the explicit exclusion of UX design, suggests that candidates with backgrounds in technical analysis, systems design, or even business analysis with a strong technical bent would be well-suited. The preference for API and microservices experience strongly aligns with GTM Operations roles that manage complex platform integrations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies of Technical Solutions: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies of complex technical solutions you have designed, focusing on the functional architecture, integration points (especially APIs), and how business requirements were met.

• Process Flow Diagrams: Provide examples of detailed process flow diagrams that illustrate system-to-system interactions, data transformations, and decision logic within a payment or financial services context.

• Capability Maps & System Overviews: Include examples of capability maps or high-level system overviews that demonstrate your understanding of how different components of a platform (e.g., payment gateways, CRM, ERP) interact.

• Demonstration of Design Standards: If possible, include examples of design standards, style guides, or component library elements you have contributed to, highlighting their impact on consistency and efficiency.

• Metrics and Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the business objectives, the functional design decisions made, and the measurable impact (e.g., efficiency gains, reduction in errors, successful integration).

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Demonstrate experience in designing and documenting end-to-end workflows for payment processing, onboarding, or other critical platform operations, with a focus on optimization for efficiency and compliance.

• System Integration Documentation: Show examples of how you have documented API specifications, data mapping, and integration protocols to ensure clear understanding and seamless implementation.

• Performance Measurement Frameworks: Provide insights into how you have contributed to or utilized frameworks for measuring the performance and effectiveness of designed functionalities, including the use of operational data and KPIs.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Functional Designer role focused on a Payments Platform, a portfolio should strongly emphasize technical design, system integration capabilities, and the translation of business needs into functional specifications. The inclusion of process flows, capability maps, and examples related to APIs and compliance will be crucial. Candidates should focus on demonstrating their ability to architect solutions that are technically sound, scalable, and meet stringent regulatory requirements.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Up to £75,000 per annum + Bonus. Based on the provided information, the salary is capped at £75,000 per annum, with the potential for a discretionary bonus. This range is competitive for a Functional Designer role with significant technical and payments industry experience in the UK market. For a mid-to-senior level position in Swindon or London, this aligns with industry benchmarks, considering the specific responsibilities and the employer's standing.

Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays: Standard offering providing good work-life balance.

• Hybrid working environment (min. 3 days per week in the office): Offers flexibility while maintaining team collaboration.

• Pension Scheme – employer 6% with minimum employee contribution 3%: A solid employer contribution to retirement savings.

• Discretionary bonus scheme based on company and personal performance: Opportunity for additional compensation tied to individual and organizational success.

• Medical & international travel cover (leisure and action sports): Comprehensive health coverage extending to travel.

• Life insurance (4x salary): Provides financial security for dependents.

• Wellbeing Employee Assistance Program (extended access to family members): Support for mental and emotional wellbeing.

• Holiday trading scheme: Flexibility to adjust annual leave entitlement.

• Season ticket loan: Assistance for commuting costs.

• Cycle to Work scheme: Encourages sustainable commuting with tax benefits.

• Employee discount shopping platform: Savings on various retail purchases.

• Employee referral bonus scheme: Incentive for successful candidate referrals.

• Digital learning platform: Access to continuous professional development resources.

• Complimentary fruit and other ‘in office’ snacks & refreshments: Enhances the office experience.

• Volunteering programme: Opportunities to engage in community service.

• Social events: Promotes team cohesion and company culture.

Working Hours: The job description implies a standard full-time role. While specific hours aren't detailed, a typical full-time position in the UK is around 37.5-40 hours per week. The hybrid model suggests flexibility in structuring these hours around office and remote days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary is explicitly stated as "Up to £75,000 per annum" plus a bonus. This suggests the upper end of the band, and candidates should prepare to negotiate based on their experience and qualifications. The benefits package is extensive and well-rounded, covering health, financial security, work-life balance, and professional development, which are attractive to operations professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Fintech and Payments Solutions. Edenred is a global leader in employee benefits and engagement, with Edenred PayTech specializing in prepaid solutions, banking, virtual cards, and payment processing. This positions them at the intersection of financial technology and corporate services, a dynamic and rapidly evolving sector.

Company Size: Edenred is a large, global organization. While the specific size of Edenred PayTech isn't detailed, Edenred Group is a multinational corporation with tens of thousands of employees worldwide. This implies access to significant resources, established processes, and a broad international reach.

Founded: Edenred was founded in 1968. This long history suggests stability, deep industry knowledge, and a proven ability to adapt to market changes.

Team Structure:

• Operations Focus: The Payments Platform team likely operates within a larger Product or Technology division, focusing on the operational and technical backbone of Edenred's payment services.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: This role requires close collaboration with Product Management (defining what to build), Engineering (building it), Sales and Marketing (bringing it to market), and Compliance/Legal (ensuring adherence to regulations).

• Reporting Structure: The Functional Designer likely reports into a Product Design Lead, Head of Product, or a Senior Engineering Manager within the Payments Platform domain.

Methodology:

• Agile & Data-Driven: The emphasis on OKRs, KPIs, data insights, and design sprints suggests an Agile methodology is employed, with a strong focus on measurable outcomes and continuous improvement.

• API-Centric Design: The core of the role involves designing for system-to-system integrations, indicating a preference for modular, API-first development approaches.

• Standardization: A key objective is promoting standardization and unified strategies, suggesting a drive towards efficiency, scalability, and maintainability across the platform.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Edenred's position as a global leader in employee benefits and payment solutions provides a rich context for a Functional Designer. The role is critical in ensuring the technical functionality and integration capabilities of their payments platform support their Go-To-Market strategies and operational efficiency, especially in a regulated industry like fintech.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role sits at a mid-to-senior level, often referred to as a "Senior Functional Designer" or "Lead Functional Designer" within many organizations. It requires significant experience in technical design and a deep understanding of system integrations and business logic. The scope involves influencing product direction and ensuring technical feasibility for market-facing solutions.

Reporting Structure: The Functional Designer will likely report to a Product Manager, Head of Product, or a Senior Engineering Manager. They will work closely with a dedicated engineering team responsible for the Payments Platform and collaborate extensively with other GTM functions like Sales Operations and Marketing Operations.

Operations Impact: The Functional Designer plays a pivotal role in ensuring the Payments Platform's functional integrity, scalability, and compliance. This directly impacts the company's ability to launch new payment products, onboard merchants efficiently, process transactions reliably, and maintain competitive positioning in the fintech market. Their designs enable revenue generation and operational efficiency.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of payments technology, API design, microservices architecture, or cloud-native development.

• Product Leadership: Transition into Product Management roles, focusing on strategy, roadmap definition, and market analysis.

• GTM Operations Leadership: Move into leadership roles within Sales Operations, Revenue Operations, or GTM Operations, focusing on process optimization, sales enablement, and revenue growth strategy.

• Architectural Roles: Progress into Solution Architect or Enterprise Architect roles, responsible for the overarching technical strategy and design of broader systems.

• Management Track: Lead functional design teams, mentor junior designers, and manage cross-functional design initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a strong foundation for a career in Product Operations or GTM Operations, particularly within the fintech sector. The emphasis on functional design, system integrations, and market alignment provides a direct pathway to understanding the operational mechanics of bringing complex financial products to market.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, requiring a minimum of 3 days per week in the office, located in either Swindon or London. This blend aims to foster collaboration and team cohesion while allowing for flexibility.

Office Location(s): Swindon (Station Square) and London. These locations offer access to talent pools and business hubs within the UK. The hybrid nature means candidates should be prepared to commute to their designated office location regularly.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model, with mandated office days, suggests an emphasis on in-person collaboration, team meetings, workshops, and knowledge sharing.

• Tech-Enabled Operations: As a payments platform role, expect access to modern development tools, collaboration software, and potentially specialized fintech platforms.

• Cross-Functional Interaction: The role necessitates frequent interaction with diverse teams, including product managers, engineers, business analysts, and potentially sales and marketing teams, fostering a dynamic and interactive work environment.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time working hours are expected, with flexibility potentially available around the hybrid schedule. The focus will be on delivering results and meeting project deadlines rather than strict adherence to hourly tracking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work arrangement with specific office days is crucial for candidates to consider. It signifies a company culture that values in-person interaction for key collaborative activities, which is common in roles requiring deep cross-functional work and complex problem-solving.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and application, potentially followed by a brief call with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A more in-depth discussion with the hiring manager to explore your experience, problem-solving skills, and understanding of functional design principles within the payments domain. Expect questions about your approach to API integrations, compliance, and stakeholder management.

• Technical/Functional Assessment: This may involve a technical challenge or a case study presentation where you'll be asked to design a functional solution for a given scenario, demonstrate your process flows, and explain your rationale. This is where your portfolio will be key.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with key team members (engineers, product managers) and potentially other stakeholders to assess collaboration style, communication effectiveness, and how you integrate into the team.

• Final Interview: Often with a senior leader or department head to discuss strategic alignment, career aspirations, and finalize the offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Functional Design: Ensure your portfolio clearly distinguishes between functional design and UX design. Focus on the logic, architecture, and technical specifications of your solutions.

• Showcase Payments/API Experience: Prioritize projects that involve API integrations, system-to-system communication, and ideally, experience within the payments or fintech industry.

• Structure Case Studies: For each project, clearly outline the business problem, your functional design approach, key technical challenges overcome, and the measurable business impact (e.g., efficiency improvements, successful integration, compliance adherence).

• Visual Clarity: Use clear diagrams, process flows, and concise explanations. Avoid overly technical jargon unless it's essential and explained.

• Demonstrate Collaboration: Be prepared to discuss how you collaborated with engineers, product managers, and other stakeholders during the design process.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Payments Domain: Research current trends, common payment flows, regulatory considerations (PCI DSS, PSD2), and typical integration patterns in the fintech space.

• API Design Principles: Refresh your knowledge of RESTful API design, common data formats (JSON), and integration best practices.

• System Architecture: Be ready to discuss how functional designs fit into broader system architectures, including microservices and cloud environments.

• Problem-Solving Framework: Practice breaking down complex problems into smaller, manageable parts, identifying constraints, and proposing logical, scalable solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's ability to translate business needs into concrete, functional designs for a complex technical platform. A strong portfolio demonstrating experience with APIs, system integrations, and a clear understanding of the payments domain will be critical for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Diagramming Tools: Tools like Lucidchart, Visio, Miro, or Draw.io for creating process flows, capability maps, and functional diagrams.

• Collaboration Platforms: Microsoft Teams, Slack, Confluence, Jira for team communication, project tracking, and documentation.

• API Design/Documentation Tools: Potentially tools like Swagger/OpenAPI for defining and documenting APIs.

• Project Management Software: Jira, Asana, or similar for tracking design tasks and project progress.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: Experience with tools for analyzing operational data, such as SQL for database queries, or basic proficiency with BI tools like Tableau or Power BI for understanding performance metrics.

• Metrics Tracking: Familiarity with OKRs and KPIs and how they are tracked and reported.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: While not a direct user, understanding how functional designs impact CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and their integration is beneficial.

• Integration Platforms: Familiarity with concepts of middleware or integration platforms that facilitate system-to-system communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, the nature of the role implies proficiency in diagramming and collaboration tools. Experience with API specification tools and an understanding of how functional designs integrate with CRM and other business systems are highly valued in GTM and Product Operations contexts.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Market Focus: A drive to create cutting-edge solutions that meet evolving market demands and provide competitive advantages.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong emphasis on working together across departments to achieve common goals, fostering a supportive and communicative environment.

• Integrity & Compliance: A commitment to upholding the highest standards of security, regulatory compliance, and ethical conduct, especially critical in the payments industry.

• Efficiency & Excellence: A dedication to optimizing processes, delivering high-quality work, and continuously improving performance through data-driven insights.

• Meritocracy & Inclusivity: Edenred emphasizes recognizing and developing all talents, valuing diversity and providing equal opportunities, creating an environment where contributions are recognized and rewarded.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect a highly collaborative approach, working closely with Product Management, Engineering, and potentially Sales Operations and Marketing to ensure seamless product launches and operational readiness.

• Open Communication: A culture that encourages open dialogue, constructive feedback, and the sharing of ideas to drive innovation and problem-solving.

• Data-Informed Decision-Making: Decisions are expected to be supported by data and analysis, promoting a rational and objective approach to design and strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: Edenred's stated values of meritocracy and inclusivity, combined with the operational demands of a fintech company, suggest a culture that is both performance-driven and people-focused. Candidates should demonstrate an ability to thrive in a collaborative, data-informed environment where integrity and innovation are paramount.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Technical Constraints: The constant need to balance novel ideas with the realities of existing infrastructure, technical debt, and delivery timelines.

• Navigating Complex Integrations: Designing solutions that seamlessly integrate with a variety of internal and external systems, each with its own technical specifications and limitations.

• Keeping Pace with Fintech Evolution: The rapid changes in payment technologies, regulations, and consumer expectations require continuous learning and adaptation.

• Ensuring Scalability and Security: Designing for a platform that must handle high transaction volumes securely and reliably, meeting stringent compliance requirements.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Managing diverse expectations and priorities across different departments (e.g., engineering, sales, compliance) to achieve consensus on design decisions.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Fintech Specialization: Deepen expertise in payment processing, regulatory landscapes, and emerging payment technologies.

• Advanced API Design: Gain advanced skills in designing robust, scalable, and secure APIs for complex financial services.

• Cloud Architecture: Further develop understanding of cloud-native architectures (AWS, Azure, GCP) and their implications for payments platforms.

• Product Strategy: Opportunities to contribute to product strategy and roadmap development, influencing the future direction of the Payments Platform.

• Leadership Development: Potential to mentor junior designers, lead design initiatives, or move into management roles within Product or Operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges inherent in the fintech industry, offering substantial growth opportunities for individuals who are adaptable, technically adept, and keen to make an impact in a critical operational area.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you translated a complex business requirement into a functional design for a system integration. What were the key challenges and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on process, APIs, and stakeholder communication).

• "How do you ensure compliance and security are embedded into your functional designs, particularly in a regulated industry like payments?" (Highlight your systematic approach and understanding of relevant regulations).

• "Walk me through your process for prioritizing design tasks when faced with multiple competing demands from different business units." (Emphasize data-driven decision-making and OKR/KPI alignment). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Edenred and specifically our Payments Platform?" (Research Edenred's mission, market position, and recent news in fintech).

• "How do you approach collaborating with engineering teams to ensure technical feasibility and efficient implementation of your designs?" (Demonstrate respect for engineering expertise and a partnership approach).

• "Describe a situation where you had to challenge a stakeholder's request for functional design. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?" (Showcase your ability to advocate for best practices and pragmatic solutions). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly articulate the "Why" (business problem), "What" (your functional design solution), and "How" (technical approach, integrations, processes), followed by the "Impact" (measurable results).

• Focus on Functionality, Not UI: Explicitly state that your contributions are in the functional architecture, API specifications, and system logic, differentiating from UX.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use numbers and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs – e.g., "reduced processing time by X%", "enabled integration with Y new partners," "ensured compliance with Z regulation."

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices, technical trade-offs, and how your solutions fit into a larger system architecture.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily focus on demonstrating technical acumen, a structured problem-solving approach, and a clear understanding of how functional design impacts business outcomes and operational efficiency in the payments space.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the Edenred Careers portal via the provided URL.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most relevant projects that showcase your functional design expertise, particularly those involving API integrations, system-to-system communication, and ideally, experience within the payments or fintech sector. Ensure your portfolio clearly highlights your role and the functional aspects of your contributions.

• Tailor Your Resume: Optimize your resume to highlight keywords from the job description, such as "Functional Designer," "Payments Platform," "API Integrations," "System Integration," "Compliance," "Scalability," and "Fintech." Quantify your achievements with specific metrics wherever possible.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio, focusing on explaining the functional design rationale, technical challenges, and business impact of your projects. Be ready to articulate how your skills align with Edenred's needs.

• Research Edenred: Understand Edenred's business, their role in the payments ecosystem, and their stated values. Prepare to discuss how your approach to functional design aligns with their goals for innovation, efficiency, and compliance.

⚠️ 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.

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