Lead Product Designer: App

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Product Designer: App

Company: Old Mutual Limited

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design (App)

Date Posted: 2025-06-11T00:00:00

Experience Level: 3+ years (with 1+ year leading workstreams)

Remote Status: On-site

🎨 Role Summary

• Accountable for creating intuitive user experiences across Old Mutual's app platforms, ensuring exceptional design solutions that meet user needs and business objectives.
• Delivering impactful problem-solving by collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams including product managers, engineers, data scientists, and design partners (CX, Content, Research, Service Design).
• Applying design thinking, UX, and UI skills to design solutions for products and features, leveraging knowledge of user-centered design principles and platform-specific considerations to deliver cohesive and impactful user experiences.
• Leading design initiatives and major tasks within the overall design project or workstream, providing direction and guidance to more junior product designers, and actively participating in Agile sprints.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

• Define requirements for user research and testing within design initiatives, collaborating with the Product Design Lead and research practice, ensuring documentation quality and adherence to methodologies.
• Build and refine research and testing plans with stakeholders, facilitate sessions according to best practices, analyze data, and present impactful insights to guide design direction and improvement.
• Facilitate design thinking sessions and stakeholder interviews to understand design context from business and technology perspectives, and execute design discoveries to identify problems and opportunities.
• Conduct user research using best practice methodologies, audit existing experiences against standards, and compile context into models such as empathy maps, journey maps, and personas.
• Develop task flows, information architectures, navigation models, and screen flows to explore problem and solution spaces, and create prototypes from low-fidelity sketches to high-fidelity visual designs.
• Apply and contribute to design standards (e.g., error handling), support user story definition, explore visual design through competitor analysis, and ensure proposed solutions are responsive and accessible (WCAG guidelines).
• Complete visual design of screens aligning with the design system, collaborate with content teams to optimize screen content, work with the design system team to adopt and contribute to patterns, and support design handoffs to development with documentation.
• Monitor the impact of design decisions post-launch using user feedback, analytics, and performance metrics to refine designs for future updates.
• Partner with product managers, engineers, and multi-disciplinary designers to integrate platform-specific designs, address technical constraints, and utilize collaborative tools like Figma.
• Support the Product Design Lead in creating and facilitating workshops and ideation sessions, ensure sprint goals align with Agile practices, effectively communicate concerns and risks, and present work in Sprint reviews.
• Work closely with other product team members to collaborate on design outcomes and contribute to business and technology outcomes generated by the team.
• Coach and guide more junior product designers, review their work for quality, actively engage with the Design CoE practices, and participate in the growth of the Product Design capability.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: NQF Level 4: Grade 12 or equivalent required. A Bachelor's Degree in design (Interaction, Graphic, Industrial), marketing, technology, business administration, or a related field is preferred. An Honour’s or Master’s degree is a plus.

Experience: Minimum of 3 years working experience in the field of product design, with at least 1 year in roles that involved personally leading significant workstreams or product design outcomes. Experience working in an Omni-Channel Digital and Agile environment with cross-functional collaboration is required. A proven track record in executing high-quality product design (UX/UI) work within a product team is essential, demonstrable through a strong design portfolio.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in user research and design methodologies, including interviews, surveys, usability testing, wireframing, and prototyping.
• Solid expertise in visual design knowledge and methodologies such as layout, typography, color theory, graphics, interaction states, iconography, and asset creation.
• Proficiency in design tools such as Sketch, Figma, and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Experience with front-end development principles (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) for effective collaboration with engineers.
• Proficiency in journey mapping, task flows, screen flows, navigation flows, and information architecture.
• Experience with Agile ceremonies and working collaboratively in cross-functional teams.
• Familiarity with design systems and component libraries, with the ability to apply standards and adhere to design frameworks.
• Strong understanding and application of accessibility standards and guidelines (e.g., WCAG).
• Experience in coaching and guiding more junior product designers.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with emerging technologies (e.g., AR/VR, AI).
• Background in cognitive psychology or human factors.
• Experience with service design and design thinking methodologies.
• Experience designing for multiple platforms, including web, mobile, and desktop.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a diverse range of product design projects demonstrating expertise in both UX (user research, problem definition, information architecture, interaction design) and UI (visual design, typography, layout, accessibility).
• Include detailed case studies for significant projects that clearly articulate the design process, challenges faced, decisions made, and the impact of the design solution on users and business outcomes.
• Present high-fidelity visual designs that align with design system principles and demonstrate attention to detail, consistency, and adherence to established guidelines.
• Where applicable, demonstrate technical understanding through examples of design handoffs, collaboration with developers, and consideration of front-end development constraints.

Process Documentation:

• Document the research and discovery phases, including methodologies used (interviews, surveys, usability testing), key findings, and how insights informed design decisions.
• Illustrate the ideation and iteration methods employed, showcasing sketches, wireframes, prototypes (low to high fidelity), and how feedback was incorporated into design refinements.
• Detail the validation and testing approaches, including usability testing plans, participant recruitment, test scenarios, data analysis, and how findings led to design improvements.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: While a specific salary range is not provided in the job description, based on industry data for a Lead Product Designer in Johannesburg, South Africa with 3+ years of experience in the financial services sector, a competitive annual salary range is estimated to be between ZAR 650,000 and ZAR 950,000. This estimate is based on market data from sources like Glassdoor, Payscale, and local recruitment agencies specializing in design roles, adjusted for the cost of living and typical compensation structures in the South African financial industry. The actual salary may vary based on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and the outcome of the negotiation process.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health benefits, including medical aid and wellness programs, supporting the well-being of design professionals.
• Retirement planning and provident fund contributions, providing financial security for the future.
• Opportunities for professional development, including access to training budgets, conferences, and workshops relevant to design skills and leadership.
• Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives, recognizing significant contributions to product design outcomes and business goals.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours, typically 40 hours per week. As this is an on-site role, the expectation is to be present at the Johannesburg office. Flexibility may be available depending on team needs and project phases, supporting a healthy work-life balance for creative flow.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Financial Services. Old Mutual Limited is a premium pan-African financial services group offering a broad spectrum of financial solutions. This context implies a focus on user trust, security, complex financial workflows, and potentially a more structured and regulated design environment compared to other industries.

Company Size: 10,001+ employees. A large organization indicates established processes, potentially specialized teams, and opportunities for large-scale impact. For design professionals, this means potentially working on products used by a vast user base and collaborating with numerous stakeholders.

Founded: Old Mutual has a history spanning over 180 years, highlighting a legacy of stability and established presence in the financial sector. This long history may influence company culture towards tradition and structured processes, while also embracing digital transformation.

Team Structure:

• The design team is likely structured within product squads or tribes, working closely with product managers and engineers in a cross-functional setup.
• The role reports to a Senior Product Designer, indicating a clear reporting line and potential for mentorship and guidance from more experienced design leadership.
• The Lead role involves directing the efforts of more junior product designers, suggesting a hierarchical structure within the design team where leadership and mentorship are key responsibilities.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on user research and simulation testing as integral parts of the design process, following established methodologies and documentation requirements.
• Utilization of design thinking sessions and stakeholder interviews to inform design context and drive design discoveries.
• Active engagement in Agile sprints, indicating an iterative design and development approach with close collaboration within product teams.

Company Website: https://www.oldmutual.co.za

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: This is a Lead Product Designer role, positioning the individual as a key contributor with significant responsibility for driving design outcomes and mentoring junior designers. It sits above a standard Product Designer role and reports into a Senior Product Designer, indicating a clear progression path within the design discipline.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to a Senior Product Designer, suggesting a hierarchical structure within the design team that provides guidance and oversight while allowing for significant autonomy in leading initiatives. There's a direct line for mentorship and career development discussions with senior design leadership.

Design Impact: Designers in this role have a direct impact on the user experience of Old Mutual's app platforms, which are critical touchpoints for customers interacting with financial services. The emphasis on driving business outcomes through design highlights the strategic value placed on the design function within the organization.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advancement to a Senior Product Designer or potentially a Design Lead/Manager role, taking on broader responsibilities for design strategy, team management, and cross-functional leadership.
• Specialization in specific areas of product design, such as user research, interaction design for complex financial workflows, or design systems management.
• Opportunities to contribute to the growth of the Product Design capability within the company, potentially through developing training materials, leading workshops, or refining design processes.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: On-site at the Johannesburg office. This implies a traditional office environment with opportunities for face-to-face collaboration with team members and stakeholders.

Office Location(s): Primarily Johannesburg, South Africa. Old Mutual also has a significant presence in Cape Town, which might offer future opportunities or require collaboration with teams in that location.

Design Workspace Context:

• The on-site environment facilitates direct collaboration with product managers, engineers, and other designers, enabling spontaneous discussions, whiteboarding sessions, and immediate feedback loops vital for the Agile process.
• Access to dedicated collaboration spaces and potentially specialized design tools and hardware available on-site.
• Opportunities for informal interaction and knowledge sharing with other members of the design team and broader organization, fostering a stronger sense of team culture and community.

Work Schedule: Full-time, on-site. The schedule is likely standard business hours, but the Agile methodology may involve flexible work arrangements within the office setting to accommodate sprint cycles and team needs.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

• Initial screening call with HR or a recruiter to assess basic qualifications and fit. Prepare to discuss your experience and interest in working within the financial services sector and on app platforms.
• Portfolio review and technical interview with a Senior Product Designer or Design Lead. Be prepared to walk through 2-3 key projects from your portfolio, focusing on your process, problem-solving approach, and the impact of your design decisions. Highlight your leadership experience and how you've mentored junior designers.
• Design challenge or whiteboarding session. You may be given a design problem related to financial services or app design to solve in real-time or as a take-home assignment. Focus on demonstrating your design thinking process, ability to articulate your rationale, and collaboration skills.
• Team/Cross-functional interviews. Meet with product managers, engineers, and potentially other stakeholders you would collaborate with. These interviews will assess your collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to work effectively in an Agile, cross-functional environment.
• Final interview with a Design Lead or Head of Design. This interview will likely focus on your leadership potential, strategic thinking, and overall fit with the design team and company culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate your portfolio to highlight projects that are most relevant to app design and the financial services industry (if you have relevant examples).
• For each case study, clearly articulate the problem you were solving, your role and responsibilities (especially highlighting leadership/mentorship), your design process (research, ideation, testing), key design decisions and the rationale behind them, and the outcome or impact of your work.
• Visually present your designs clearly, showing high-fidelity screens and potentially interactive prototypes. Ensure visual consistency and attention to detail.
• Be prepared to discuss technical considerations and how you collaborated with developers during the handoff process.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the typical format for design challenges in the industry (e.g., whiteboarding, take-home assignment, presentation).
• Practice articulating your design process under time constraints. Focus on defining the problem, exploring potential solutions, and explaining your rationale.
• Be prepared to ask clarifying questions about the challenge and consider different user needs and technical constraints.

ATS Keywords: Product Design, UX Design, UI Design, User Experience, User Interface, Mobile App Design, Financial Services, Agile, Scrum, User Research, Usability Testing, Wireframing, Prototyping, Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, Information Architecture, Journey Mapping, Task Flows, Design Systems, Accessibility, WCAG, Cross-functional Collaboration, Stakeholder Management, Design Thinking, Visual Design, Interaction Design, Design Leadership, Mentorship, Coaching, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, A/B Testing, Analytics, Case Studies, Portfolio, South Africa, Johannesburg.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Figma: Likely used for collaborative design, prototyping, and potentially design system management. Proficiency is essential for creating high-fidelity designs and working within a shared design environment.
• Sketch: While Figma is prominent, Sketch may still be used for legacy projects or specific workflows. Experience with Sketch demonstrates versatility.
• Adobe Creative Suite: Used for image editing, vector graphics, and potentially more complex visual design tasks. Proficiency in tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign is beneficial.
• Prototyping Tools: In addition to Figma's built-in capabilities, other tools might be used for more advanced prototyping or user testing.

Collaboration & Handoff:

• Figma: Serves as a central hub for design collaboration, feedback sharing, and handoff to developers.
• Handoff Tools: Tools like Zeplin or InVision Inspect might be used for detailed design specifications and asset delivery to engineering teams.
• Documentation Tools: Tools like Confluence or internal platforms might be used for documenting design decisions, specifications, and design system guidelines.

Research & Testing:

• User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting remote or in-person interviews, surveys (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform), and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback).
• Analytics Tools: Platforms like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or internal data dashboards to monitor design performance, user behavior, and the impact of design changes.
• A/B Testing Tools: Platforms for conducting A/B tests to validate design hypotheses and optimize user experiences.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

• User-Centricity: A strong emphasis on understanding user needs and designing intuitive experiences that meet those needs, particularly within the context of complex financial services.
• Collaboration: Valuing close collaboration with product managers, engineers, researchers, content strategists, and other stakeholders to ensure holistic and effective design solutions.
• Quality and Craftsmanship: A commitment to delivering high-quality visual design and interaction design that aligns with brand standards and design system principles.
• Impact and Results: Focusing on design solutions that not only provide positive user experiences but also drive business outcomes and contribute to the company's goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional integration: Working embedded within product teams alongside engineers and product managers, participating actively in Agile ceremonies and daily stand-ups.
• Design critique culture: Engaging in regular design critiques to share work, receive feedback, and iterate on designs in a constructive environment.
• Knowledge sharing: Contributing to the design community within Old Mutual, sharing best practices, insights, and contributing to the design system.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

• Designing for complex financial workflows and regulations while maintaining simplicity and ease of use for diverse user segments.
• Balancing innovation with the need for stability and security in a highly regulated industry.
• Working within an established design system while also contributing to its evolution and ensuring consistency across multiple app platforms.
• Leading and mentoring junior designers, providing guidance and feedback effectively within the context of Agile sprints and project deadlines.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas of financial design, user psychology in finance, or designing for accessibility in complex applications.
• Access to internal and external training programs, industry conferences, and workshops to stay updated on the latest design trends, tools, and methodologies.
• Mentorship opportunities with senior design leaders within Old Mutual to support career growth and leadership development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

• "Walk me through a project where you led the design process from research to launch. What was your role, how did you collaborate with the team, and what was the outcome?" Prepare to discuss your methodology, key decisions, and the impact of your work using examples from your portfolio.
• "Describe a time you had to make a difficult design decision with competing requirements. How did you approach it, and what was the result?" Focus on your problem-solving skills, rationale, and ability to navigate constraints.
• "How do you incorporate user research and feedback into your design process? Provide specific examples of how research insights have influenced your design solutions." Demonstrate your commitment to user-centered design and data-informed decision-making.

Company Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working as a Lead Product Designer at Old Mutual, specifically within the financial services industry?" Research Old Mutual's values, recent digital initiatives, and the challenges of designing for finance.
• "Describe your experience working in an Agile, cross-functional team. How do you collaborate effectively with product managers and engineers?" Highlight your communication skills, ability to work iteratively, and experience with design handoffs.
• "How do you approach mentoring and guiding junior designers? Describe a time you helped a junior team member grow their skills." Share examples of your leadership style and commitment to team development.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your skills in app design, user research, complex workflow design, and leadership.
• Structure your case studies using a clear narrative: Problem, Role, Process (Research, Ideation, Testing), Solution, Impact.
• Focus on the "why" behind your design decisions and clearly articulate your rationale.
• Be prepared to discuss the business context and technical constraints of each project.
• Highlight your contributions as a leader, including how you guided junior designers or influenced the design direction.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Customize your design portfolio to highlight projects most relevant to app design and financial services, ensuring detailed case studies that showcase your design process, leadership, and impact.
• Optimize your resume for design roles by incorporating relevant keywords from the job description and clearly articulating your experience, skills, and accomplishments, particularly those related to leading design initiatives and mentoring others.
• Prepare for design interviews by practicing walking through your portfolio case studies, anticipating questions about your design process, collaboration style, and leadership experience, and preparing for a potential design challenge.
• Research Old Mutual's company culture, recent digital product releases (especially app updates), and design team structure to demonstrate your interest and understanding during interviews.