Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: IAG AUS

Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Job Type: Full-Time, Secondment (24 months)

Category: Product Design

Date Posted: June 12, 2025

Experience Level: Senior (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🎨 Role Summary

• Lead complex design initiatives for digital products within the retail insurance domain, focusing on evidence-based design and user-centered experiences.
• Drive the creation of simple, human, and effective digital interfaces, particularly for critical customer touchpoints like insurance claims.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams (product, engineering, etc.) to align design outcomes with roadmap goals and business objectives.
• Contribute significantly to the growth and maturity of the design practice, including mentoring junior designers and participating in design critiques.
• Ensure design solutions adhere to established design systems (Chroma), brand guidelines, and accessibility standards, setting a high bar for quality at IAG.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end design process for significant features and products, from research and ideation through to implementation and iteration, applying evidence-based design principles.
• Collaborate with Product Managers, Engineers, and other stakeholders to define product strategy, shape roadmaps, and ensure design outcomes are aligned with business goals and technical feasibility.
• Conduct and plan user research activities, including usability testing sessions and customer interviews, to gather insights and validate design solutions, particularly within the retail claims journey.
• Map out complex user journeys, considering both digital and non-digital touchpoints, to identify pain points and opportunities for seamless customer experiences.
• Design high-fidelity UI and interaction flows, ensuring they meet stringent accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and adhere to the Chroma design system and brand guidelines.
• Prepare and manage development-ready design assets, collaborating closely with engineering teams to ensure accurate implementation of design specifications.
• Actively participate in and lead design critiques, providing constructive feedback to peers and receiving feedback to iterate on designs.
• Mentor junior designers, sharing knowledge and best practices to help build the capabilities and maturity of the design team.
• Champion user-centered design methodologies and advocate for the customer throughout the product development lifecycle.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A relevant design or business-related degree is preferred, or equivalent practical experience demonstrating a strong foundation in design principles and methodologies.

Experience: Deep experience (typically 5+ years) in designing across the full product lifecycle is required. A strong portfolio showcasing this experience, particularly in complex digital domains and evidence-based design approaches, is essential.

Required Skills:

• Deep expertise in designing across the entire product development lifecycle, from discovery and definition to development and post-launch iteration.
• Strong foundation and practical application of digital design principles, including visual hierarchy, grid systems, responsive design, Gestalt principles, color theory, and typography.
• Proficiency in delivering high-quality UI (User Interface) and interaction design solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to design experiences that meet or exceed current accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG).
• Experience working with and applying established design systems (like Chroma) at scale across multiple products or features.
• Ability to prepare, manage, and supply development-ready design assets to engineering teams.
• Proven ability to plan, conduct, and synthesize insights from user research and usability testing sessions.
• Experience in mapping and analyzing complex user journeys across various digital and potentially non-digital touchpoints.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, with experience working effectively within cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, Research, Marketing, etc.).
• Experience actively participating in and contributing to design critique sessions.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience mentoring junior or mid-level designers.
• Familiarity with designing for the insurance or financial services industry, particularly in customer claims processes.
• Experience with prototyping and animation tools to communicate interaction design concepts.
• Knowledge of front-end development capabilities and constraints to facilitate effective collaboration with engineers.
• Experience contributing to the development and evolution of design systems.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Your portfolio should clearly showcase your end-to-end design process on several key projects, demonstrating your approach from problem definition and research through to final design solution and impact.
• Include detailed case studies that explain the context of the project, the challenges faced, your role and responsibilities, the methodologies you used (e.g., user research, usability testing, ideation techniques), and the outcomes or impact of your design work.
• Present high-fidelity visual designs, prototypes, and interaction flows that demonstrate your proficiency in UI and interaction design and adherence to design principles and accessibility standards.
• Where applicable, show examples of how you have applied or contributed to design systems and collaborated with engineering teams for successful implementation.

Process Documentation:

• Document your research and discovery process, including how you gathered user insights, defined user needs, and mapped out user journeys.
• Illustrate your ideation and iteration methods, showing sketches, wireframes, different fidelity prototypes, and how you refined your designs based on feedback and testing.
• Detail your validation and testing approaches, explaining how you conducted usability testing, analyzed results, and incorporated findings into your designs.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: While a specific salary range is not provided in the job description, based on industry data for Senior Product Designers in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, with 5-10 years of experience in the insurance or financial services sector, the estimated annual total compensation generally ranges from AUD $130,000 to $180,000+. This estimate includes base salary and potential superannuation (retirement contributions). Factors influencing the actual offer may include the candidate's specific experience, skills, and the outcome of the negotiation process. (Source: Salary data from Glassdoor, Seek, and Payscale for similar roles in Sydney, Australia, as of mid-2025).

Benefits:

• Up to 50% off personal insurance products, including home and motor insurance.
• 5 dedicated 'myLeave' days per year in addition to standard annual leave, offering extra time off for personal needs.
• Significant work from home and flexibility options through the 'myFlex' program, supporting a better work-life balance.
• Industry-leading 20 weeks of paid parental leave, available from the first day of employment, for both primary and secondary carers.
• Access to dedicated career growth programs, including the award-winning IAG Academy, designed to support professional development and skill enhancement.
• Discounts on a wide range of everyday and special occasion items through employee discount programs.
• Being part of a certified Family Inclusive Workplace^TM, emphasizing support for employees with family responsibilities.

Working Hours: Full-time employment, typically 40 hours per week. The 'myFlex' program suggests flexibility in working hours and location to accommodate creative workflows and personal needs.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Insurance. IAG is Australia and New Zealand's largest general insurance company, providing a stable foundation with a focus on risk awareness and community safety. This translates to design challenges centered around trust, clarity, and empathetic experiences, especially in critical moments like claims.

Company Size: 10,001+ employees. As a large public company, IAG offers significant resources, established processes, and opportunities for impact at scale. The design team likely operates within a larger organizational structure, requiring strong collaboration and communication skills.

Founded: IAG has roots dating back to 1851 through its various brands. This long history suggests a well-established company with deep market knowledge and a focus on long-term stability, influencing a design culture that values reliability and trust alongside innovation.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the Retail Insurance Australia Digital team, indicating a focus on customer-facing digital products and services.
• Product Designers work closely with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering), suggesting an integrated product development model.
• The mention of mentoring indicates a structured design team with different experience levels and a focus on knowledge sharing.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on "evidence-based design" suggests a data-driven approach that incorporates user research, usability testing, and potentially analytics to inform design decisions.
• Working across the "full product lifecycle" implies involvement in discovery, definition, design, testing, and iteration phases.
• The focus on "user-centred design" indicates a commitment to understanding and meeting the needs of end-users throughout the design process.

Company Website: https://careers.iag.com.au/global/en

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, indicating expectations for leading complex design initiatives, mentoring others, and contributing to the strategic direction of the product and design practice. Senior designers at this level are typically responsible for significant product areas or features and demonstrate a high degree of autonomy and influence.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, a Senior Product Designer typically reports to a Design Lead, Design Manager, or Head of Design within the digital or product organization. They work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads on a day-to-day basis within cross-functional teams.

Design Impact: Senior Product Designers at IAG are expected to have a significant impact on customer experience, particularly in critical areas like insurance claims. Their work directly influences user satisfaction, trust, and the efficiency of digital interactions. They are expected to advocate for design principles and user needs within cross-functional teams and contribute to business outcomes.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential for advancement to Design Lead or Manager roles, taking on more direct responsibility for team management and strategic design direction.
• Opportunities to specialize in specific areas such as design systems, user research, or a particular product domain within IAG.
• Growth through contributing to the maturity of the design practice, leading initiatives to improve processes, tools, and methodologies.
• Participation in internal training programs like the IAG Academy and external industry events to enhance design skills and knowledge.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: Hybrid. This role offers flexibility to work from home and also requires presence in one of the specified office locations (Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane), suggesting a blend of remote work and in-office collaboration.

Office Location(s): Gadigal Country (Darling Park 2, Sydney), Naarm (Melbourne), or Meanjin (Brisbane). These are major metropolitan areas in Australia, offering access to diverse talent pools and likely modern office facilities.

Design Workspace Context:

• Hybrid work environment likely involves a mix of virtual collaboration tools and physical workspace designed for team interaction and focused work when in the office.
• Office spaces likely include meeting rooms equipped for hybrid calls, collaborative areas for workshops and design sprints, and potentially dedicated design studio spaces.
• The availability of multiple office locations suggests opportunities for collaboration with design team members and stakeholders across different cities.

Work Schedule: Full-time with flexibility offered through the 'myFlex' program. This suggests the ability to adjust working hours to some extent, which can be beneficial for managing creative workflows and personal commitments.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

• Initial screening by HR or a Design Recruiter to assess basic qualifications and experience. Prepare to discuss your experience level and career aspirations.
• Portfolio review and initial interview with a Design Lead or Senior Designer to discuss your work, process, and technical skills. Be ready to present 2-3 key case studies in detail, focusing on your problem-solving approach and impact.
• Potential design challenge or take-home assignment to evaluate your practical design skills and problem-solving abilities under specific constraints. Practice articulating your design decisions and rationale clearly.
• Interviews with the hiring manager (likely a Design Manager or Head of Design) and potentially cross-functional partners (Product Manager, Engineering Lead) to assess cultural fit, collaboration skills, and strategic thinking. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others and influence product direction.
• Final interview(s) focusing on leadership, mentorship, and contributions to the design practice. Highlight instances where you have mentored others or driven improvements in design processes or methodologies.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Tailor your portfolio presentation to highlight projects most relevant to the Senior Product Designer role at IAG, particularly those involving complex digital products, end-to-end process, and collaboration.
• For each case study, clearly articulate the problem you were solving, your design process (including research, ideation, testing), your specific contributions, and the impact of your work (qualitative or quantitative).
• Showcase your proficiency in UI and interaction design with high-quality visuals and, if possible, interactive prototypes.
• Be prepared to discuss how you applied design principles, utilized design systems, and ensured accessibility in your projects.
• Highlight your ability to work effectively within constraints (technical, business, time) and make informed design decisions.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a design challenge is part of the process, clarify the scope, deliverables, and time constraints upfront.
• Approach the challenge using a structured design process, even if condensed, and be prepared to explain your steps and rationale.
• Focus on demonstrating your problem-solving skills, user-centered approach, and ability to translate requirements into practical design solutions.
• Practice presenting your solution clearly and concisely, anticipating potential questions about your design decisions.

ATS Keywords:

Design Skills: Product Design, UI Design, Interaction Design, User Experience Design, UX Design, Evidence-Based Design, User-Centered Design, Design Principles, Digital Design, Responsive Design, Accessibility Standards (WCAG), Design Systems, Design Thinking, User Research, Usability Testing, User Journey Mapping, Prototyping, Wireframing, Information Architecture, Visual Design, Design Critique, Mentoring, Collaboration, Stakeholder Management, Problem Solving, Design Strategy.

Tools: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, InVision, Zeplin, Jira, Confluence, UserTesting.com, Optimal Workshop, Google Analytics, Amplitude (or similar analytics tools).

Methodologies: Agile, Lean UX, Design Sprints, Waterfall (less common for this role but possible in a large org).

Soft Skills: Communication, Collaboration, Leadership, Mentorship, Presentation Skills, Critical Thinking, Empathy, Adaptability, Problem-Solving.

Industry Terms: Product Lifecycle, Digital Transformation, Customer Experience (CX), User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), Design System, Style Guide, Component Library, Technical Feasibility, Business Goals, Stakeholder Alignment, Iteration, Feedback, Insurance, Retail Insurance, Claims Process.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Figma or Sketch: Industry-standard tools for UI/UX design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency in at least one is essential, with a strong understanding of component usage and library management.
• Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator): May be used for creating or editing visual assets, iconography, or illustrations, depending on project needs.
• Prototyping tools (e.g., InVision, Figma Prototyping): Used to create interactive prototypes for testing and stakeholder presentations, demonstrating user flows and interactions.

Collaboration & Handoff:

• Zeplin or similar handoff tools: Used to prepare and document design specifications for seamless collaboration with engineering teams, ensuring accurate implementation of designs and adherence to the design system.
• Jira and Confluence: Project management and documentation tools commonly used in Agile environments for tracking design tasks, documenting requirements, and sharing information with cross-functional teams.
• Shared design libraries/component libraries (part of the Design System): Essential for maintaining consistency and efficiency in design work, requiring familiarity with using and potentially contributing to shared design assets.

Research & Testing:

• User research platforms (e.g., UserTesting.com): Tools for conducting remote or in-person usability testing and gathering user feedback.
• Survey tools (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform): Used for creating and distributing surveys to gather quantitative and qualitative user data.
• Analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude): Understanding how to interpret data from these platforms can inform design decisions and measure the impact of design changes.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

• User-Centered Approach: A strong emphasis on understanding and meeting the needs of customers, particularly during critical moments like insurance claims, driving empathetic and effective design solutions.
• Evidence-Based Design: Valuing insights from user research, usability testing, and data analytics to inform design decisions and measure impact.
• Collaboration & Critique: Fostering a collaborative environment where designers actively seek and provide feedback to improve their work and contribute to the collective knowledge of the team.
• Craft Excellence: Commitment to delivering high-quality UI and interaction design that adheres to design principles, accessibility standards, and the established design system (Chroma).

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional: Close collaboration with Product Managers, Engineers, Researchers, and other stakeholders throughout the product development process.
• Integrated: Working within dedicated cross-functional teams focused on specific product areas or initiatives.
• Feedback-driven: Regular participation in design critiques and feedback sessions to refine designs collaboratively.
• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to the growth of the design practice through mentoring, sharing best practices, and potentially contributing to design system documentation.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

• Navigating the complexity of the insurance industry and translating complex processes (like claims) into simple, user-friendly digital experiences.
• Working within the constraints of a large, established organization, potentially involving navigating legacy systems or existing processes while driving innovation.
• Ensuring design consistency and scalability by effectively applying and contributing to a design system across multiple products and platforms.
• Balancing business goals and technical feasibility with user needs and design best practices.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Opportunity to deepen expertise in designing for complex regulated industries like insurance and financial services.
• Enhance leadership and mentoring skills by guiding junior designers and contributing to team growth.
• Develop strategic product thinking by collaborating closely with Product Managers on roadmap development and outcome definition.
• Access to the IAG Academy and other internal/external resources for continuous learning in design methodologies, tools, and industry trends.
• Potential to contribute to the evolution of the IAG design system and shape design practices across the organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

• "Walk me through a complex design project from start to finish, highlighting your process for understanding the problem, conducting research, iterating on designs, and measuring success." (Prepare to discuss your methodology, tools, and decision-making process).
• "Describe a time you had to advocate for user needs when they conflicted with business goals or technical constraints. How did you approach the situation and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills).
• "How do you incorporate user research and usability testing into your design process? Provide examples of how insights from research have influenced your design decisions." (Demonstrate your commitment to evidence-based design).

Company Culture Questions:

• "How do you collaborate effectively with Product Managers, Engineers, and other non-design stakeholders? Describe a successful cross-functional collaboration experience." (Showcase your teamwork and communication skills).
• "What is your approach to giving and receiving design critique? How do you ensure feedback is constructive and helps improve the design?" (Highlight your ability to participate in a collaborative design environment).
• "How do you stay updated on design trends, tools, and best practices? How do you apply this knowledge to your work and share it with your team?" (Demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning and contributing to the design community).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Choose 2-3 case studies that best demonstrate your skills as a Senior Product Designer, focusing on complex problems, end-to-end process, and impact.
• Structure your presentation using a clear storytelling arc: Problem -> Research -> Ideation -> Design -> Testing -> Outcome.
• Be prepared to articulate your design decisions and rationale clearly, explaining "why" you made certain choices.
• Highlight your collaboration with cross-functional teams and how you influenced product outcomes.
• Practice your presentation beforehand to ensure it flows smoothly and fits within the allotted time.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Carefully review your portfolio, selecting case studies that best demonstrate your experience with complex digital products, end-to-end design process, user research, and collaboration with cross-functional teams. Tailor your case study descriptions to highlight your specific contributions and the impact of your work.
• Optimize your resume for the role by incorporating relevant ATS keywords from the list provided, ensuring your experience and skills align with the requirements outlined in the job description. Quantify your achievements whenever possible.
• Prepare for the interview process by practicing articulating your design process, discussing your collaboration style, and presenting your portfolio case studies effectively. Anticipate questions about your problem-solving approach and how you handle feedback.
• Research IAG and the retail insurance industry to understand the company's business, values, and the specific challenges and opportunities within the claims process. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate your interest and understanding.