Fintech Product Design Director

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Fintech Product Design Director Company: Sarmad Location: Poland Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Product Design / Fintech Operations Date Posted: 2025-10-14 Experience Level: 10+ Years (Senior/Director Level) Remote Status: Remote (Poland-based)

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the overarching product design strategy for Sarmad's innovative fintech offerings, ensuring a cohesive and user-centric experience across all platforms.
• Drive the end-to-end product design lifecycle, from initial user research and ideation through to detailed prototyping, rigorous testing, and iterative refinement.
• Cultivate and lead a high-performing team of product designers, fostering an environment that champions creativity, continuous learning, and design excellence within the fintech domain.
• Act as a key strategic partner, collaborating with product management, engineering, and marketing leadership to translate complex business objectives and user needs into impactful, scalable design solutions.
• Establish and evangelize robust design systems, comprehensive style guides, and best practices to ensure consistency, efficiency, and quality in all design outputs across the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The title "Fintech Product Design Director" and the responsibilities suggest a senior leadership role focused on strategic direction and team management within the product design function, specifically tailored for the financial technology sector. The emphasis on user experience, strategy, and team leadership positions this role as critical for Sarmad's product development and market competitiveness.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and execute the product design vision and strategy for Sarmad's fintech products, ensuring alignment with company goals and market opportunities.
• Lead comprehensive user research initiatives, including qualitative and quantitative studies, to deeply understand user behaviors, needs, and pain points within the fintech landscape.
• Oversee the creation of wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, interactive prototypes, and detailed user flows that effectively communicate design concepts and functionality.
• Conduct and analyze usability testing sessions to validate design decisions, identify areas for improvement, and ensure optimal user satisfaction.
• Mentor, coach, and develop a team of product designers, providing constructive feedback, performance management, and career development support.
• Collaborate closely with Product Managers to define product roadmaps, feature sets, and user stories, ensuring design feasibility and impact.
• Partner with Engineering teams to ensure seamless implementation of designs, maintaining design integrity and quality throughout the development process.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive design guidelines, style guides, and design systems to promote consistency and efficiency across all product touchpoints.
• Present design strategies, concepts, and outcomes to executive leadership and cross-functional teams, articulating the rationale and impact of design decisions.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends, competitive landscapes, and technological advancements in fintech and product design, integrating relevant insights into Sarmad's design philosophy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a strategic leadership role focused on driving product design excellence in a specialized industry. The emphasis on leading teams, defining strategy, and collaborating across departments highlights the operational and managerial aspects of this Director-level position.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Interaction Design, Graphic Design, or a closely related field.
• A strong academic foundation in design principles and user-centered methodologies is expected.

Experience:

• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in product design roles, with a significant portion focused on digital products.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and managing product design teams, including mentorship and performance oversight, is crucial.
• Proven experience within the Financial Technology (Fintech) sector is highly advantageous, showcasing an understanding of its unique user needs and regulatory environment.
• Experience in fast-paced, dynamic environments, such as startups or rapidly growing tech companies, is beneficial.

Required Skills:

• Product Design Strategy: Ability to define and articulate a compelling design vision and strategy aligned with business objectives.
• User-Centered Design (UCD): Deep understanding and practical application of UCD principles throughout the entire product development lifecycle.
• User Research & Usability Testing: Proficiency in conducting various research methodologies (interviews, surveys, contextual inquiry) and translating findings into actionable design improvements.
• Prototyping & Wireframing: Expertise in creating low-fidelity wireframes and high-fidelity interactive prototypes using industry-standard tools.
• Design Systems & Guidelines: Experience in developing, implementing, and maintaining design systems and comprehensive style guides for scalability and consistency.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Exceptional ability to work effectively with Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, and other stakeholders.
• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Proven ability to lead, inspire, and mentor a team of designers, fostering growth and high performance.
• Communication & Presentation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex design concepts clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.

Preferred Skills:

• Fintech Industry Expertise: In-depth knowledge of financial services, banking, payments, or investment platforms, including regulatory considerations.
• Agile/Scrum Methodologies: Experience working within Agile development frameworks.
• Data Analysis for Design: Ability to leverage data analytics and performance metrics to inform design decisions and measure impact.
• Visual Design & UI: Strong aesthetic sense and proficiency in visual design principles, typography, and layout.
• Accessibility Standards: Knowledge of WCAG guidelines and experience designing for accessibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of "8+ years" combined with a "Director" title strongly suggests a need for significant leadership and strategic experience, pushing the practical experience level closer to 10+ years for successful candidates. The emphasis on fintech is a key differentiator.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 3-5 significant product design projects, with a strong preference for fintech-related initiatives.
• Each project should clearly articulate the problem statement, your specific role and contributions, the design process followed, key challenges encountered, and the measurable outcomes or impact achieved.
• Demonstrations of your ability to lead design strategy, manage design teams, and influence product direction are highly valued.
• Visual storytelling that clearly explains the user journey, design rationale, and iterative improvements made based on research and testing.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of established design processes, including user research methodologies, ideation frameworks, prototyping techniques, and validation strategies.
• Examples of how you have developed, implemented, or maintained design systems or style guides to ensure product consistency and design team efficiency.
• Case studies detailing how data and user feedback were integrated into the design process to drive informed decision-making and optimize user experience.
• Documentation of collaboration processes with product management and engineering, highlighting how design requirements were translated into actionable development tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Director-level role, the portfolio must go beyond individual design contributions to demonstrate strategic leadership, process ownership, and team development within the design function. The ability to articulate process and impact is paramount.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Range: 250,000 - 400,000 PLN gross per year (approximately €57,000 - €92,000 annually, subject to exchange rates).
• Justification: This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for Director-level Product Design roles in the technology sector within Poland, considering the remote nature and the specialized fintech industry. Seniority, leadership responsibilities, and the demand for specialized fintech design expertise typically command higher compensation. The Polish market for tech leadership roles offers competitive salaries, particularly for remote positions attracting international talent.

Benefits:

• Remote Work Stipend: Contribution towards home office setup and ongoing expenses.
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive private healthcare package, including dental and vision coverage.
• Professional Development: Annual budget for training, conferences, workshops, and certifications relevant to product design and leadership.
• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, public holidays, and sick leave.
• Performance Bonuses: Potential for annual bonuses tied to individual and company performance.
• Equity/Stock Options: Possible participation in company equity programs, reflecting the senior leadership level.
• Team Events & Retreats: Opportunities for virtual and in-person team-building activities.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, estimated at 40 hours per week.
• Flexibility is expected, with the ability to adapt working hours to accommodate cross-functional team needs and global collaboration, while adhering to Poland's standard business hours for core availability.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on general knowledge of tech compensation in Poland for senior roles. Specific benefits may vary and should be confirmed directly with Sarmad. The remote nature within Poland allows for leveraging local talent while potentially offering a competitive package compared to other European hubs.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Technology (Fintech) Company Size: [Information not provided, but "Sarmad" suggests a growing, potentially startup-like entity in the fintech space.] Founded: [Information not provided, but a Director-level role implies an established or rapidly scaling organization.]

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team likely operates as a central function, reporting to a VP of Product or CTO.
• This Director will lead a team of product designers, potentially including UI designers, UX researchers, and interaction designers.
• Close collaboration is expected with Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, and potentially Compliance/Legal teams due to the fintech context.

Methodology:

• Sarmad likely employs an Agile or Lean methodology for product development, prioritizing iterative design and development cycles.
• Data-driven decision-making will be a core tenet, with a strong emphasis on user feedback and performance analytics.
• A culture of innovation and continuous improvement is expected, essential for navigating the fast-evolving fintech landscape.

Company Website: https://sarmad.sa/ (Note: This is based on the derived domain and may not be the primary careers portal.)

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the limited company information, assumptions are made based on the "Fintech Product Design Director" title and the nature of the fintech industry. The company is likely innovative and fast-paced, requiring strong operational design leadership.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Director

• This role represents a senior leadership position within the product design function, responsible for strategic vision, team management, and operational excellence in design. It sits at the intersection of creative execution and business strategy.

Reporting Structure:

• The Fintech Product Design Director will likely report to a senior executive, such as the Chief Product Officer (CPO), VP of Product, or Chief Technology Officer (CTO).
• They will manage a team of product designers, setting their direction and overseeing their output.

Operations Impact:

• The design director's impact is critical to Sarmad's success by ensuring products are intuitive, user-friendly, and meet the complex needs of fintech users.
• Through effective design strategy and team leadership, this role directly influences user adoption, customer satisfaction, brand perception, and ultimately, revenue generation and market share within the competitive fintech space.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership: Opportunity to shape the future of product design at Sarmad and influence the company's overall product strategy.
• Team Expansion: Potential to grow and scale the design team as the company expands.
• Cross-Functional Influence: Increased responsibility and influence across broader product development and business initiatives.
• Industry Recognition: Opportunity to build a strong reputation within the fintech design community.
• Executive Track: Potential career progression to VP of Design, Chief Design Officer (CDO), or broader product leadership roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Director" title clearly indicates a significant leadership scope. Growth opportunities are geared towards expanding influence, team leadership, and strategic input within the organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Remote (Poland-based) Office Location(s): While the role is remote and based in Poland, Sarmad may have physical offices in other locations (e.g., headquarters in Saudi Arabia, based on domain). This role specifically targets talent within Poland.

Workspace Context:

• The primary work environment will be a remote home office setup.
• Collaboration will heavily rely on digital tools for communication, project management, and design execution.
• Expect a dynamic and potentially fast-paced work environment, common in the fintech sector.
• Opportunities for virtual collaboration and team engagement will be key.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time position with an estimated 40 hours per week.
• While remote, core working hours will likely align with Poland's timezone (CET/CEST) to facilitate collaboration with local and potentially other international teams. Flexibility may be offered, but consistent availability during core business hours is expected for team meetings and cross-functional alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature within Poland suggests an effort to tap into a skilled talent pool while offering flexibility. The company's ultimate headquarters and any potential in-person requirements (e.g., occasional travel) should be clarified.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio by a recruiter or hiring manager to assess qualifications and alignment with the role's requirements.
• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, detailing 2-3 key projects, your design process, challenges, and outcomes. This is a critical step to evaluate your strategic thinking and communication skills.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the direct hiring manager (likely the CPO, VP Product, or CTO) to delve deeper into your leadership experience, strategic approach, and team management philosophy.
• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders, including product managers, engineering leads, and potentially other designers, to assess collaboration style, technical understanding, and cultural fit.
• Design Challenge (Optional): You might be given a small, time-boxed design challenge or asked to critique an existing product/feature to assess your problem-solving abilities and design thinking in real-time.
• Final Interview/Offer: A final discussion, potentially with senior leadership, to confirm fit and extend an offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Structure your portfolio presentations around compelling narratives. Clearly define the problem, your role, your process, the solution, and the measurable impact.
• Fintech Focus: Highlight projects that demonstrate your understanding of financial services, user trust, security considerations, and complex data presentation within a fintech context.
• Process Depth: Showcase your end-to-end design process, from user research and ideation to prototyping, testing, and iteration. Explain why you made certain decisions.
• Leadership Examples: For a Director role, include examples of how you've led design initiatives, mentored designers, or influenced product strategy.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased conversion rates, improved user satisfaction scores, reduced task completion times).

Challenge Preparation:

• If a design challenge is given, focus on understanding the core problem quickly.
• Articulate your assumptions clearly.
• Outline your proposed design process, even if you can't complete all steps in the allotted time.
• Prioritize key user flows and necessary features.
• Be prepared to explain your rationale and potential trade-offs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount for design leadership roles. Candidates must prepare to not only showcase their work but also articulate their strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, and understanding of the fintech domain.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly preferred), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), InVision, Axure RP, or similar advanced prototyping tools.
• User Research & Testing: UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, Hotjar, or similar platforms for conducting and analyzing user research and usability tests.
• Design System Management: Tools for managing and documenting design systems (e.g., Storybook, Zeroheight, or internal documentation platforms).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, or similar tools for tracking user behavior and product performance.
• Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI, or similar tools for creating dashboards and reporting on key metrics.

Collaboration & Project Management:

• Project Management: Jira, Asana, Trello, Monday.com, or similar platforms for managing design tasks and workflows.
• Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom for real-time communication and virtual meetings.
• Documentation: Confluence, Notion, or similar wiki/documentation tools for knowledge sharing and process documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in modern collaborative design tools like Figma is essential. Experience with tools used for user research, analytics, and project management within an Agile framework is also expected for a Director-level role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user in all design decisions.
• Data-Driven Innovation: Leveraging insights from user research and analytics to drive creative solutions and continuous improvement.
• Collaboration & Transparency: Open communication and strong partnerships with cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals.
• Excellence & Quality: A dedication to producing high-quality, polished designs that meet rigorous standards.
• Adaptability & Agility: Embracing change and iterating quickly in response to feedback and evolving market demands.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership: Working as true partners with Product Management and Engineering, not as a siloed function.
• Facilitation: Guiding discussions and workshops to ensure inclusive design thinking and decision-making.
• Advocacy: Championing user needs and design best practices while being receptive to technical and business constraints.
• Knowledge Sharing: Actively contributing to a culture of learning and sharing design knowledge across the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values will likely reflect the fast-paced, innovative nature of fintech, emphasizing user focus, data, and strong cross-functional teamwork.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Regulation: Navigating the complex regulatory landscape of fintech while pushing creative boundaries.
• Scaling Design Processes: Establishing and scaling robust design processes and systems to support rapid company growth.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent design vision and execution across multiple product lines and diverse stakeholder needs.
• Talent Acquisition & Retention: Attracting and keeping top design talent in a competitive market.
• Measuring Design Impact: Quantifying the ROI of design initiatives and clearly demonstrating their contribution to business goals.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Fintech Specialization: Deepening expertise in specific areas of fintech (e.g., payments, lending, investment platforms).
• Leadership Development: Access to executive coaching, leadership training programs, and opportunities to mentor emerging design leaders.
• Industry Trends: Staying at the forefront of UX/UI trends, emerging technologies (AI, blockchain), and best practices in product design.
• Strategic Influence: Opportunities to contribute to broader company strategy and product roadmapping.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the complexities of working in the fintech sector and at a Director level, offering significant opportunities for professional growth and skill development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you establish a design system for a rapidly growing fintech company, and what would be your key priorities in its initial rollout?"
• "Describe a time you had to balance user needs with significant business constraints or regulatory requirements. How did you navigate this, and what was the outcome?"
• "How do you foster a culture of creativity and continuous improvement within a product design team, especially in a remote setting?"
• "Walk us through your process for conducting user research in the fintech space. What specific considerations do you take into account for user trust and security?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about the fintech industry and Sarmad's mission?"
• "How do you approach collaboration with engineering and product management teams? Can you provide an example of a successful partnership?"
• "How do you measure the success of your design team and the impact of their work on business objectives?"
• "Describe your leadership style and how you motivate and develop designers."

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Wisely: Choose 2-3 of your most impactful projects that best demonstrate your leadership, strategic thinking, and fintech expertise.
• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly articulate:
  • The Business Problem/User Need
  • Your Role & Responsibilities
  • The Design Process (Research, Ideation, Prototyping, Testing, Iteration)
  • Key Decisions & Rationale
  • Challenges & How You Overcame Them
  • Measurable Outcomes & Impact (quantify where possible)
• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, trade-offs, and leadership approach. Be ready to discuss how your work aligns with Sarmad's business goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic leadership, a deep understanding of fintech, and the ability to articulate process and impact with concrete examples.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Fintech Product Design Director position:

• Submit your application via the provided Workable link.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your leadership experience, years of product design expertise, and any specific fintech industry background. Quantify achievements where possible.
• Portfolio Curation: Prepare a robust digital portfolio that showcases your strategic design thinking, leadership accomplishments, and relevant fintech projects. Ensure it's easily accessible and well-organized.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Sarmad's products, mission, and any publicly available information about their market position and company culture. Understand their target audience within the fintech space.
• Practice Your Pitch: Rehearse your portfolio presentation and prepare concise answers to common leadership and design strategy questions, especially those specific to the fintech industry.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details, particularly regarding company culture, salary, and specific benefits, should be verified directly with Sarmad before making application decisions.