Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: illumin

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid (Tuesdays and Thursdays on-site)

Category: Product Design

Date Posted: 2025-06-04

Experience Level: Mid-Senior (5-10 years of experience)

Remote Status: On-site/Hybrid

🎨 Design Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end design process, from concept to execution, ensuring seamless and impactful user experiences
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineers, product managers, and stakeholders to align design goals with business objectives
• Design with purpose, creating wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity UI designs that transform concepts into reality
• Elevate design standards by evolving and maintaining design systems and component libraries
• Drive data-driven decision-making by leveraging user insights, analytics, and competitive analysis

🖼️ Primary Design Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end design process, from concept to execution, ensuring a seamless and impactful user experience
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineers, product managers, and stakeholders to align design goals with business objectives
• Design with purpose, creating wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity UI designs that transform concepts into reality
• Elevate design standards by evolving and maintaining design systems and component libraries
• Drive data-driven decision-making by leveraging user insights, analytics, and competitive analysis
• Mentor and oversee junior pod members, assigning backlog work and helping to shape the product roadmap

🎓 Design Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field, or equivalent experience

Experience: 5-10 years of experience in product and UX/UI design, with a strong portfolio showcasing expertise in design thinking, interaction design, and visual storytelling

Required Design Skills:

• Proficient in industry-standard design tools such as Figma, Sketch, and Adobe Creative Suite
• Familiar with design systems, component libraries, and responsive design principles
• Experience with front-end technologies like HTML, CSS, or JavaScript
• Strong user research, usability testing, and data-driven design improvement skills
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, Agile environment and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams

Preferred Design Skills:

• Experience in AdTech, FinTech, SaaS, or another fast-paced industry
• Familiarity with AI and data-driven design principles
• Experience with accessibility standards and best practices
• Ability to mentor and coach junior designers

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a variety of projects demonstrating your expertise in product and UX/UI design
• Include case studies that highlight your design process, user research, and iterative design approach
• Demonstrate your ability to create wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity UI designs that transform concepts into reality
• Highlight your experience with design systems, component libraries, and responsive design principles

Design Process Documentation:

• Include user research and discovery phase documentation, demonstrating your ability to gather and analyze user insights
• Showcase your ideation and iteration methods, highlighting your ability to generate and refine design concepts
• Demonstrate your validation and testing approaches, showcasing your ability to gather user feedback and iterate on designs

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: CAD 120,000 - CAD 160,000 per year (based on experience and design industry standards for Toronto)

Benefits:

• Flexible work environment with a hybrid work arrangement (Tuesdays and Thursdays on-site)
• Meal credit for in-office days
• Free massage with an RMT in-house every eight weeks
• Comprehensive benefits package, including life, AD&D, long-term disability insurance, and coverage for prescriptions, dental, vision, mental health, and professional health services
• Workplace advisor, Vitality Wellness app, and a $300 annual healthcare spending account

Working Hours: Full-time, with a standard workweek of 40 hours

🎯 Design Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Advertising Services

Company Size: 201-500 employees

Founded: 2009

Design Team Structure:

• Illumin has a dedicated product pod structure, with senior product designers leading cross-functional teams of engineers, product managers, and stakeholders
• The design team is organized around specific products or features, with each pod responsible for the end-to-end design process
• Design pods collaborate closely with other teams, such as data science, marketing, and sales, to ensure alignment with business goals and user needs

Design Methodology:

• Illumin follows a user-centered design approach, prioritizing user research, usability testing, and data-driven decision-making
• The design process is iterative, with a focus on continuous improvement and refinement based on user feedback and analytics
• Design pods use Agile methodologies to collaborate effectively and deliver high-quality products

Company Website: illumin.com

📈 Design Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: Mid-Senior (5-10 years of experience)

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer reports directly to the Director of Product Design and Research and leads a cross-functional team of engineers, product managers, and stakeholders

Design Impact: Senior Product Designers at Illumin have a significant impact on the user experience and business outcomes, driving data-driven decision-making and influencing product roadmaps

Growth Opportunities:

• As Illumin continues to grow and transform, there are opportunities for Senior Product Designers to take on more strategic roles, mentor junior designers, and contribute to design innovation
• With the company's focus on data-driven decision-making, there are opportunities for Senior Product Designers to specialize in AI and data-driven design principles
• Illumin provides opportunities for professional development, including external training, mentorship, and leadership development programs

🌐 Design Work Environment

Studio Type: Illumin's Toronto headquarters is a modern, collaborative workspace located within minutes of St. Andrew and Union subway stations

Office Location(s): 70 University Ave, 1200, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2M4, CA

Design Workspace Context:

• Illumin's design workspace is equipped with the latest design tools, software, and hardware to support the creative process
• The collaborative environment encourages cross-pollination of ideas and fosters a culture of continuous learning and improvement
• Design pods have dedicated spaces for brainstorming, prototyping, and user testing, with access to whiteboard walls, presentation tools, and other resources

Work Schedule: Illumin offers a hybrid work arrangement, with Senior Product Designers working Tuesdays and Thursdays on-site and remotely on other days

📄 Design Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

• The interview process includes a virtual interview with a Talent Advisor, a virtual interview with the Director of Product Design and Research, a take-home design exercise, and an in-person collaboration session
• Candidates will have the opportunity to showcase their design thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills throughout the interview process

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight specific projects that demonstrate your expertise in product and UX/UI design, with a focus on user research, iterative design, and data-driven decision-making
• Include case studies that showcase your design process, user research, and iterative design approach
• Demonstrate your ability to create wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity UI designs that transform concepts into reality
• Highlight your experience with design systems, component libraries, and responsive design principles

Design Challenge Preparation:

• Prepare for design challenges that reflect Illumin's work, focusing on user-centered design, data-driven decision-making, and collaborative problem-solving
• Practice presenting your design thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills in a clear and concise manner
• Familiarize yourself with Illumin's design methodology, tools, and workflows to ensure a smooth onboarding process

Design ATS Keywords:

• Design Skills: Product Design, UX/UI Design, Interaction Design, Visual Design, Design Thinking, User Research, Usability Testing, Accessibility, Prototyping, Wireframing, Design Systems, Component Libraries, Responsive Design, Design Thinking, Design Sprint, Agile Methodologies, Data-Driven Design, AI and Data-Driven Design Principles
• Tools: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Design Systems, Component Libraries, Prototyping Tools, User Research Tools, Usability Testing Tools, Analytics Tools
• Methodologies: User-Centered Design, Agile Methodologies, Design Thinking, Design Sprint, Data-Driven Design, AI and Data-Driven Design Principles
• Soft Skills: Collaboration, Communication, Presentation, Problem-Solving, Leadership, Mentoring, Coaching, Stakeholder Management, Data Analysis, Strategic Thinking, Innovation, Continuous Learning
• Industry Terms: Advertising Services, AdTech, FinTech, SaaS, Product Design, UX/UI Design, Design Thinking, Design Sprint, Agile Methodologies, Data-Driven Design, AI and Data-Driven Design Principles

🛠 Design Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Figma - Used for wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity UI design
• Sketch - Used for wireframing and design collaboration
• Adobe Creative Suite - Used for visual design, graphic design, and image editing
• InVision - Used for user testing and usability analysis

Design Collaboration & Handoff:

• Zeplin - Used for design system management and component library creation
• InVision - Used for design handoff and collaboration with developers
• Notion - Used for design documentation, design system management, and collaboration with stakeholders

Design Research & Testing:

• UserTesting.com - Used for remote user testing and feedback collection
• Hotjar - Used for heatmap analysis and user behavior tracking
• Google Analytics - Used for design performance measurement and optimization

👥 Design Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

• User-centered - Prioritize user needs and user research in every design decision
• Collaborative - Foster a culture of cross-functional collaboration and knowledge-sharing
• Innovative - Embrace continuous learning and experimentation to drive design innovation
• Data-driven - Use data and analytics to inform design decisions and measure design impact

Design Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional - Work closely with product managers, engineers, and stakeholders to align design goals with business objectives
• Design critique - Encourage open and constructive feedback to refine and improve design concepts
• Design system - Contribute to and maintain a shared design system and component library to ensure consistency and scalability

⚡ Design Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

• Scaling design systems and component libraries to support a growing product suite
• Balancing user needs, business goals, and technical constraints in a fast-paced environment
• Staying up-to-date with emerging design trends, tools, and technologies
• Managing stakeholder expectations and navigating complex design feedback

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Attend industry conferences and workshops to stay current on design trends and best practices
• Participate in internal design training and mentorship programs
• Contribute to design innovation and lead design projects that drive business impact

💡 Design Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

• Describe your design process and how you approach user research, ideation, and iteration
• How do you incorporate user feedback and data-driven insights into your design decisions?
• Can you walk us through a design project from start to finish, highlighting your design thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills?

Company & Design Culture Questions:

• How do you see yourself contributing to Illumin's design culture and driving design innovation?
• How do you approach cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management in a fast-paced environment?
• How do you ensure that your design decisions align with Illumin's business goals and user needs?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Highlight specific projects that demonstrate your expertise in product and UX/UI design, with a focus on user research, iterative design, and data-driven decision-making
• Include case studies that showcase your design process, user research, and iterative design approach
• Demonstrate your ability to create wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity UI designs that transform concepts into reality
• Highlight your experience with design systems, component libraries, and responsive design principles

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Customize your portfolio to highlight your expertise in product and UX/UI design, with a focus on user research, iterative design, and data-driven decision-making
• Optimize your resume for design roles by highlighting your design skills, tools, and methodologies
• Prepare for design interviews by practicing your design thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills, and familiarizing yourself with Illumin's design methodology, tools, and workflows
• Research Illumin's design culture, values, and design team dynamics to ensure a strong cultural fit