Associate Product Manager, UX and Design

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Associate Product Manager, UX and Design
Company: Salesforce
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Job Type: FULL_TIME
Category: Product Management / UX Design / Operations Enablement
Date Posted: December 19, 2025
Experience Level: 5+ Years
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on enhancing the user experience (UX) and design of internal technology solutions that support employee productivity and security.
• It requires a strong understanding of design thinking and human-centered approaches to create intuitive and seamless interactions for employees and business partners.
• The position involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams, including Product Managers, Architects, and Engineers, to deliver impactful design solutions.
• Key responsibilities include user research, concept validation, and applying design systems to ensure consistency and usability across Salesforce's platform.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is Associate Product Manager, the core responsibilities and skills heavily lean towards UX/UI Design and Operations Enablement, focusing on the internal employee experience with security-related systems. The role acts as a bridge between product strategy and user-centric design implementation within the Enterprise Security Technology team.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Champion design thinking and human-centered methodologies to deliver secure and user-friendly outcomes for employees, internal business partners, and customers.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Product Managers, Architects, and Engineers, to translate user needs into effective design solutions and ready-to-implement designs.
• Support stakeholder and secondary research, actively participate in end-user primary research, and identify meaningful pain points and unmet needs within the employee experience.
• Assist in concept validation testing and co-design sessions with end-users to refine and iterate on design concepts.
• Stay abreast of emerging and best-in-class user experiences and maintain a comprehensive understanding of the Salesforce platform's design language and systems.
• Apply documented design systems thoughtfully and rigorously to ensure consistent, intuitive, and high-quality UI/UX across all deliverables.
• Actively contribute to the development, testing, and sharing of new tools, methods, and processes for conducting innovation engagements, aiming to maximize the value derived from insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic UX thinking and hands-on design execution. The emphasis on "enabling secure outcomes" and "Enterprise Security Technology team" suggests a focus on security-related tools and processes, which is a critical area within operations enablement.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A related technical degree is required.
• Additional consideration may be given for professional certificates in relevant design or product management fields.

Experience:

• 5+ years of relevant work experience in a design-related field, with a proven track record of designing engaging and intuitive user experiences.
• Experience working closely with software developers and a solid understanding of the software development lifecycle are essential for effective cross-functional collaboration.

Required Skills:

• Strong foundation in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), interaction design, product design, communication design, and design thinking.
• Proven ability to rapidly prototype and visualize ideas using various methods, from storyboards to functioning digital prototypes.
• Deep understanding of user-centered design principles and practices, with the ability to apply them to complex problem spaces.
• Exemplary verbal, presentation, and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and user insights effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task, prioritize effectively, and manage time efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• A positive attitude, a bias for iteration and action, and strong interpersonal skills to foster productive relationships and elevate UX maturity within teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with Identity Access Management (IAM) and security concepts.
• Ability to translate complex technical and security concepts into understandable terms for non-expert audiences.
• Experience with design and collaboration tools such as Figma, Figjam, Canva, and LucidChart.
• Exposure to GPT models, with Cursor and/or vibe-coding experience being a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required experience level of 5+ years, coupled with the emphasis on design thinking, user-centered practices, and prototyping, suggests this role is not entry-level and requires a solid portfolio of past work. The preferred qualifications point towards a need for understanding complex, often sensitive, technical domains like security.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 significant projects demonstrating your end-to-end design process, from user research and ideation to final UI/UX implementation and iteration.
• Highlight projects where you applied design thinking and human-centered methodologies to solve complex user problems, particularly within enterprise or internal-facing applications.
• Include case studies that detail your role, the challenges faced, the solutions developed, and the measurable impact or improvements achieved.
• For each project, clearly articulate the user research conducted, the design decisions made, and the rationale behind them, supported by wireframes, mockups, prototypes, and user feedback.
• Demonstrate experience with design systems, showcasing how you leveraged or contributed to them to ensure consistency and scalability in your designs.

Process Documentation:

• Provide examples or descriptions of how you have documented user flows, interaction designs, and system requirements in previous roles.
• Showcase evidence of your ability to collaborate within agile or iterative development processes, including participation in sprint planning, reviews, and retrospectives.
• Detail your approach to user research, including methodologies used (e.g., interviews, surveys, usability testing) and how insights were synthesized and translated into actionable design improvements.
• Illustrate your experience with concept validation and prototype testing, explaining how you gathered user feedback and iterated on designs based on that input.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role bridging Product Management and UX Design, a strong portfolio is critical. The emphasis on internal tools and security implies a need to demonstrate how the candidate can balance user needs with organizational security requirements and compliance. The ability to articulate process and demonstrate impact is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• General Range (US): $114,200 - $172,800 annually
• Select Cities (San Francisco/NYC Metro): $137,100 - $188,600 annually

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health coverage including Medical, Dental, and Vision plans.
• Dedicated Mental Health Support resources.
• Paid Parental Leave to support new parents.
• Life and Disability Insurance for financial protection.
• Retirement savings plan: 401(k).
• Employee Stock Purchasing Program (ESPP) to invest in company growth.
• Generous Time Off Programs for work-life balance.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time commitment, typically 40 hours per week.
• While the role is on-site, Salesforce often promotes a culture that values work-life balance, which may allow for some flexibility in daily scheduling depending on team needs and project demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary ranges provided are competitive for an Associate Product Manager/UX Designer role in these high-cost-of-living areas, reflecting Salesforce's standing. The benefits package is robust and comprehensive, typical of large tech organizations, catering to employee well-being and financial security. The on-site nature for this specific role is noted, contrasting with broader remote options often seen.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (CRM, Cloud Computing, AI)
Company Size: Large Enterprise (over 10,000 employees)
Founded: 1999

Team Structure:

• The Enterprise Security Technology team is part of a larger organization focused on customer trust and platform security.
• This role will likely be embedded within a dedicated UX/Design function supporting the security technology portfolio, working closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and Architects.
• Collaboration is expected to be cross-functional, involving various internal business units that rely on secure and user-friendly technology solutions.

Methodology:

• Salesforce emphasizes a culture of innovation, customer-centricity, and a strong commitment to its core values (Trust, Customer Success, Innovation, Equality).
• The Enterprise Security Technology team likely operates with a strong focus on security best practices, compliance, and delivering reliable, scalable solutions.
• Design thinking and a human-centered approach are explicitly called out as key methodologies for this role, aiming to make complex security systems accessible and user-friendly.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Salesforce is a well-established leader in the enterprise software space, known for its strong culture and impact. The "Agentforce" and "AI CRM" focus indicates a forward-looking strategy. The Enterprise Security Technology team's mission to keep employees and the business safe, while ensuring seamless interaction, positions this role as crucial for operational efficiency and trust.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Associate Product Manager (APM) with a strong UX/Design specialization. This level typically involves developing foundational product management and design skills under guidance, contributing to specific features or product areas, and gaining exposure to broader product strategy. For this role, it specifically means contributing to the design and user experience of internal operational and security tools.

Reporting Structure: The Associate Product Manager, UX and Design will likely report to a Senior Product Manager, UX Lead, or a Director within the Enterprise Security Technology organization. They will work closely with a dedicated team of Product Managers, Architects, and Engineers, fostering a collaborative environment.

Operations Impact: This role directly impacts operational efficiency and employee productivity by ensuring that the technology solutions employees use daily (especially security-related ones) are intuitive, easy to navigate, and effective. A positive UX/UI for these systems reduces friction, minimizes errors, enhances security compliance, and ultimately supports Salesforce's core value of Trust by making security seamless.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Development: Deepen expertise in UX/UI design, user research methodologies, and design thinking within an enterprise security context. Gain hands-on experience with complex internal systems and large-scale product development.
• Product Management Acumen: Develop skills in product roadmapping, stakeholder management, and feature prioritization within a product management framework.
• Leadership Potential: Progress to Product Manager or Senior UX Designer roles, taking on more ownership of product areas, leading design initiatives, and mentoring junior team members. Opportunities may arise to specialize further in security UX or other critical operational technology domains.
• Industry Exposure: Gain deep insight into CRM technology, AI integration, and enterprise security solutions from a leading software company.

📝 Enhancement Note: This APM role is an excellent entry point for individuals looking to blend product strategy with a strong UX/Design focus, particularly within the critical domain of enterprise security and operations. The growth path is clear, moving from contribution to ownership and potential leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site, within a professional corporate office environment.
Office Location(s): San Francisco, California. This location offers a vibrant ecosystem for tech professionals, with extensive amenities and networking opportunities.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, fostering interaction with Product Managers, Engineers, Architects, and other design professionals.
• Access to modern design tools and technologies will be provided, enabling efficient workflow and prototyping.
• The environment likely encourages a balance of focused individual work and team-based problem-solving, aligning with Salesforce's values and emphasis on innovation and collaboration.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, typically 40 hours per week. While on-site, there may be opportunities for some flexible scheduling to accommodate project needs and personal well-being, in line with company culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in San Francisco indicates a preference for in-person collaboration and team synergy, common for roles requiring close interaction with engineering and product teams, especially in a large enterprise setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, interest, and cultural fit.
• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion focused on experience, alignment with the role's responsibilities, and understanding of UX/Product Management principles.
• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A key stage where candidates present their work, demonstrating their design process, problem-solving skills, and impact. Expect to walk through 2-3 specific projects.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, and Architects to evaluate collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to work within a team environment.
• Final Interview: May involve a senior leader to discuss career aspirations, strategic thinking, and overall fit within the team and company culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your experience in user-centered design, design thinking, prototyping, and collaboration, especially any relevant to enterprise tools, internal systems, or security.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, the decisions you made (and why), the challenges you overcame, and the tangible outcomes or learnings. Use visuals (wireframes, mockups, user flows) effectively.
• Highlight Impact: Quantify results where possible (e.g., improved efficiency, reduced errors, positive user feedback metrics). If quantitative data isn't available, focus on qualitative impact and user insights.
• Demonstrate Process: Clearly explain your design thinking methodology, user research techniques, and how you iterated based on feedback.
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, how you handle disagreements, how you work with engineers, and your understanding of the Salesforce platform.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready for potential design exercises or case studies, which might involve analyzing a given problem, proposing a UX solution, or evaluating an existing interface.
• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, as if you were presenting to stakeholders or the development team.
• Research Salesforce's products, design language, and core values to tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest and understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount for this role. Candidates should prepare to deeply discuss their design rationale, user research methods, and the impact of their work, particularly in the context of enterprise software and operational efficiency.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Figjam (highly preferred), Canva, LucidChart. The ability to create high-fidelity prototypes and detailed user flows is essential.
• User Research & Collaboration: Tools for conducting user interviews, surveys, and usability testing. Collaboration platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or internal equivalents.
• Project Management: Familiarity with Agile methodologies and tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for tracking tasks and project progress.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Experience with analytics platforms to understand user behavior and identify areas for UX improvement is beneficial.
• Ability to interpret data to inform design decisions and measure the impact of UX changes.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, familiarity with how CRM systems (like Salesforce's own platform) function and impact user workflows is advantageous.
• Understanding of how design choices can affect automation processes and operational efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is explicitly mentioned as preferred, indicating it's a key tool for this role. Familiarity with GPT models (Cursor, vibe-coding) is also noted, suggesting an interest in leveraging AI for design or development processes. Understanding the broader Salesforce ecosystem and how security tools integrate is also a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Trust: Central to Salesforce's mission, this role contributes by ensuring employees have secure yet accessible tools, upholding the company's commitment to trust.
• Customer Success: While the "customer" here is internal employees and business partners, the principle of enabling their success through effective technology remains paramount.
• Innovation: Encouraging new ideas for improving user experiences, streamlining processes, and leveraging emerging technologies like AI in design.
• Equality: Promoting inclusive design practices that cater to a diverse user base and ensure accessibility for all employees.
• Efficiency: A strong bias toward action and iteration, aiming to optimize workflows and deliver solutions that enhance productivity and reduce friction.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively working with diverse teams (Product, Engineering, Architecture) to achieve shared goals.
• Open Communication: Fostering a transparent environment where feedback is shared constructively, and design challenges are discussed openly.
• User-Centric Advocacy: Championing the user's perspective within technical discussions and decision-making processes.
• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to the growth of UX maturity within the organization by sharing insights, best practices, and learnings.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salesforce's core values are deeply ingrained. For this role, understanding how these values translate into the design and implementation of internal security and operational tools is key. The emphasis on "Trust" and "Customer Success" (internal) should guide design decisions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Security and Usability: A primary challenge will be designing secure systems that are also intuitive and user-friendly, avoiding excessive friction for employees.
• Complex Enterprise Systems: Navigating and improving the UX of intricate internal systems, often with legacy components or strict compliance requirements.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent design vision and execution across multiple teams with potentially competing priorities.
• Keeping Pace with Technology: Staying current with evolving UX/UI trends, design tools, and AI advancements while applying them effectively within an enterprise context.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized UX Training: Opportunities to attend workshops, webinars, or conferences focused on enterprise UX, security design, or advanced design thinking.
• Mentorship: Access to experienced Product Managers and UX Designers within Salesforce for guidance and career development.
• Platform Expertise: Gaining deep knowledge of the Salesforce platform, its architecture, and its extensive suite of products and internal tools.
• AI Integration: Exploring and applying AI-powered tools and methodologies in the design process, as hinted by the preferred qualifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity to tackle complex challenges at the intersection of security, user experience, and enterprise operations within a leading technology company. The growth potential is significant for those who can effectively navigate these complexities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• How would you apply design thinking to improve the user experience of an internal security onboarding process?
• Describe a time you had to balance user needs with strict security or compliance requirements. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?
• How do you approach user research for internal-facing tools where direct user access might be limited or complex?
• Walk me through a project where you used a design system. What were the benefits, and what challenges did you encounter?
• How do you stay updated on the latest UX/UI trends and technologies, and how do you decide which to incorporate into your work?

Company & Culture Questions:

• Why are you interested in working at Salesforce, specifically on the Enterprise Security Technology team?
• How do you see your work contributing to Salesforce's core values, particularly Trust and Customer Success?
• Describe your ideal collaborative environment when working with Product Managers and Engineers.
• How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your designs?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly state the problem, your specific role, the user research and design process, key decisions, challenges, solutions, and impact.
• Visual Storytelling: Use your slides to visually guide the interviewer through your design journey. Show, don't just tell. Include wireframes, mockups, prototypes, and user flows.
• Focus on Rationale: Be prepared to deeply explain why you made certain design choices. Connect your decisions back to user needs, research findings, and business/security objectives.
• Demonstrate Impact: Quantify results if possible. If not, articulate the qualitative benefits and user insights gained.
• Engage and Interact: Treat it as a conversation. Be ready to answer questions about your process, tools, and any aspect of your presented work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a strong understanding of user-centered design principles, the ability to translate complex requirements into intuitive interfaces, and a collaborative spirit. Demonstrating how you've successfully navigated trade-offs between usability and security will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Associate Product Manager, UX and Design position:

• Submit your application through the Salesforce Careers portal using the provided link.
• Portfolio Preparation: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, well-organized, and highlights projects that demonstrate your UX/UI design skills, design thinking process, and experience with enterprise or internal-facing applications. Tailor your selection to showcase relevant work, especially if it touches on security or operational efficiency.
• Resume Optimization: Craft your resume to clearly articulate your 5+ years of relevant experience, emphasizing skills in UX design, interaction design, user research, prototyping, and collaboration. Use keywords from the job description such as "design thinking," "human-centered," and "user experience."
• Interview Practice: Prepare to discuss your portfolio projects in detail, focusing on your design process, problem-solving skills, and the impact of your work. Practice answering behavioral and situational questions related to collaboration, handling feedback, and navigating complex projects.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Salesforce, its products, core values, and its approach to AI and security. Understand the company's mission and how the Enterprise Security Technology team contributes to it.

⚠️ 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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