Fintech Product Design Director

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Fintech Product Design Director Company: Sarmad Location: Italy Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Product Design / User Experience (UX) Leadership Date Posted: 2025-10-14 Experience Level: 8+ Years (AI inferred: 10+)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic direction and execution of product design for Sarmad's innovative fintech offerings.
• Drive a user-centered design philosophy, ensuring exceptional and intuitive user experiences across all product touchpoints.
• Mentor and cultivate a high-performing team of product designers, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate closely with Product Management, Engineering, and Marketing to translate complex business objectives and user needs into compelling design solutions.
• Establish and champion design systems, guidelines, and best practices to ensure brand consistency and design scalability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is explicitly for a "Fintech Product Design Director," indicating a senior leadership position focused on the design strategy and team management within the financial technology sector. The location is Italy, and the job type is full-time. The AI experience level suggests a senior individual, and the work arrangement is inferred as on-site.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and evangelize the overarching product design strategy for Sarmad's fintech portfolio, aligning with company vision and market opportunities.
• Oversee the end-to-end design lifecycle, from initial user research and ideation through to detailed prototyping, usability testing, and iterative refinement.
• Guide, mentor, and develop a team of product designers, providing constructive feedback, performance management, and career development support.
• Partner with Product Management to translate business requirements, user stories, and technical constraints into elegant and effective design solutions.
• Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive design guidelines, style guides, and robust design systems to ensure consistency, efficiency, and scalability.
• Champion user research initiatives, including qualitative and quantitative methods, to deeply understand user behaviors, needs, and pain points, translating insights into actionable design improvements.
• Conduct rigorous usability testing and A/B testing to validate design hypotheses and optimize user flows for key conversion metrics.
• Stay abreast of the latest trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in fintech, UX/UI design, and product development.
• Present design concepts, user flows, and strategic proposals to executive leadership and cross-functional teams, effectively articulating design rationale and gathering stakeholder input.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize strategic leadership, team management, and end-to-end design process ownership within a fintech context. The inclusion of "design systems," "user research," "usability testing," and "data-driven design decisions" are critical for operations-minded candidates to highlight.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Interaction Design, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in product design, with a strong preference for candidates with demonstrated experience in the fintech industry.
• Proven track record of successfully leading and managing product design teams, including mentoring and performance development.
• Extensive experience overseeing the complete product design lifecycle from conceptualization to launch and iteration.

Required Skills:

• Product Design Strategy: Ability to define and execute a comprehensive product design vision aligned with business goals.
• User-Centered Design (UCD): Deep understanding and practical application of UCD principles and methodologies.
• Team Leadership & Mentoring: Proven experience in leading, motivating, and developing design teams.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Exceptional ability to partner effectively with Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, and other stakeholders.
• User Research & Usability Testing: Expertise in designing and conducting various forms of user research and usability studies.
• Design Systems & Guidelines: Proficiency in creating and maintaining scalable design systems and comprehensive style guides.
• Prototyping & Wireframing: Advanced skills in creating high-fidelity prototypes and detailed wireframes using industry-standard tools.
• Interaction Design (IxD): Strong grasp of interaction design principles to create intuitive and engaging user flows.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Ability to leverage user data and analytics to inform and validate design choices.
• Fintech Domain Knowledge: Familiarity with the unique challenges and opportunities within the financial technology sector.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with a/b testing methodologies within a product design context.
• Familiarity with agile development methodologies and their impact on design workflows.
• Knowledge of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and their implementation in product design.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, startup, or high-growth environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The AI inferred experience level of "10+" aligns with the "8+ years" requirement, suggesting a senior role. The emphasis on both strategic (Product Design Strategy) and tactical (Prototyping, IxD) skills, along with domain-specific (Fintech) and leadership (Team Leadership) competencies, is crucial.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a robust design process, demonstrating end-to-end product design ownership from concept to launch.
• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, key challenges, and the impact of your solutions, ideally with fintech examples.
• Evidence of leading design teams and fostering collaborative environments within your portfolio.
• Demonstrations of how you have established or significantly improved design systems, guidelines, or standards.
• Examples of user research and usability testing methodologies employed, with insights derived and design iterations based on feedback.

Process Documentation:

• Detailed explanations of how you approach user research, including methodology selection and insight synthesis.
• Documentation of your approach to ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and user testing cycles.
• Examples of how you have collaborated with engineering and product management to ensure design feasibility and successful implementation.
• Artifacts that illustrate your understanding and application of design thinking or other structured problem-solving frameworks.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Director-level role, the portfolio must go beyond individual contributions to showcase leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to manage complex design processes and teams. Emphasis on process documentation is key for assessing methodology and scalability.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Fintech Product Design Director in Italy with 8+ years of experience, a competitive salary range is estimated between €80,000 - €120,000 annually. This range accounts for the senior leadership nature of the role, the specialized fintech domain, and the cost of living in Italy.

Benefits:

• Competitive annual salary within the estimated range.
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage.
• Generous paid time off (PTO) and national holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development, including conferences and training.
• Potential for performance-based bonuses or stock options.
• Remote work flexibility within Italy.
• Contribution to professional development and learning resources.

Working Hours: The standard workweek is expected to be 40 hours, aligning with full-time employment. While the role is based in Italy and may involve on-site collaboration, flexibility may be offered in terms of daily scheduling, consistent with remote work arrangements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is crucial for operations roles. The range provided is based on typical Italian market rates for senior design leadership roles in tech, adjusted for the fintech sector and remote work within Italy. Benefits are standard for such positions, with a focus on professional growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Technology (Fintech) Company Size: As this information is not provided, we infer it could range from a growing startup to a mid-sized established firm based on the need for a Director-level role. Sarmad's website (sarmad.sa) suggests a focus on digital solutions, potentially in the Saudi Arabian market, which may influence the company's operational approach and international outlook.

Founded: Specific founding date not provided. However, the company's domain (.sa) indicates origins or a strong presence in Saudi Arabia, suggesting a potentially dynamic, growth-oriented, and technologically forward-thinking environment.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team likely consists of multiple designers (UX/UI, interaction designers, researchers) reporting to this Director.
• This Director will be a key member of the broader product leadership team, collaborating closely with Product Management Directors/VPs and Engineering Leads/CTOs.
• Cross-functional collaboration will be essential, involving frequent interaction with marketing, sales, legal, and compliance teams, especially within the regulated fintech space.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on using analytics, user feedback, and A/B testing to inform design decisions.
• Agile & Iterative Development: Likely operates within an agile framework, requiring flexible and iterative design processes.
• User-Centricity: A core philosophy of deeply understanding and prioritizing user needs and behaviors.
• Design System Adoption: Commitment to building and leveraging scalable design systems for efficiency and consistency.

Company Website: https://sarmad.sa/

📝 Enhancement Note: Inferring company culture from limited data requires careful consideration. Sarmad's Saudi Arabian domain suggests a potentially strong emphasis on innovation, digital transformation, and possibly a blend of traditional business values with modern tech-forward approaches. The role's nature implies a collaborative, results-oriented environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior leadership role, a Director position, signifying significant responsibility for strategic direction, team development, and the overall quality of product design output. It's a pivotal role influencing product success and user adoption.

Reporting Structure: The Fintech Product Design Director will likely report to a VP of Product, Chief Product Officer (CPO), or potentially a Chief Technology Officer (CTO), depending on the company's organizational structure. They will manage a team of individual contributor designers.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct and substantial impact on Sarmad's bottom line by:

• Enhancing user acquisition and retention through superior product experiences.
• Reducing development costs by ensuring design clarity and minimizing rework.
• Improving conversion rates and customer satisfaction, critical metrics in fintech.
• Shaping the brand perception and competitive positioning of Sarmad's fintech products.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to grow into a VP of Design or Chief Design Officer (CDO) role, overseeing a larger design organization across multiple product lines.
• Strategic Influence: Increased involvement in high-level product strategy and business decision-making.
• Industry Recognition: Opportunity to represent Sarmad at industry events and contribute to the broader fintech design community.
• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in fintech product design, scaling design operations, or leading global design teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section focuses on the career trajectory and impact of the role, framing it within the context of operations and business outcomes, which is crucial for ambitious candidates.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Given the "TELECOMMUTE" and "Italy" location, the primary work arrangement is likely remote or hybrid within Italy. However, the AI inferred "On-site" suggests that either occasional office presence or a strong preference for candidates within a specific Italian region for potential team meetups or site visits might exist. This implies a need for a flexible but potentially structured work environment.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote within Italy, Sarmad's operational footprint might include offices in Saudi Arabia or other international locations. For candidates in Italy, local co-working spaces or home office setups would be standard.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a collaborative atmosphere, with regular virtual meetings, design critiques, and brainstorming sessions.
• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software, collaboration platforms, and project management tools will be provided.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities for significant interaction with a global or regional team, requiring strong remote communication skills.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, with potential for flexible daily scheduling to accommodate different time zones or personal needs, provided that core collaboration hours and project deadlines are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: Clarifying the "remote" aspect with the "on-site" AI inference is important. It suggests a primary remote setup within Italy, but with potential for required in-person interactions or a preference for candidates located near a company hub.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest in the role and Sarmad.
2. Hiring Manager Interview: Conversation with the direct hiring manager (likely a VP of Product or CPO) to delve deeper into experience, leadership style, and strategic thinking.
3. Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: A dedicated session where candidates present their portfolio, highlighting key case studies. This may be followed by a take-home design challenge or an in-person/virtual whiteboard exercise focused on problem-solving and design methodology.
4. Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Product Management, Engineering, and potentially Marketing to assess collaboration skills and alignment.
5. Executive Interview: Final interview with senior leadership to confirm strategic fit and assess overall leadership potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Structure your case studies as narratives, clearly outlining the problem, your unique contribution, the process, challenges, and quantifiable results.
• Process Emphasis: Detail your design process, including user research methodologies, ideation techniques, prototyping tools, and testing strategies.
• Fintech Relevance: Highlight any fintech-specific projects or demonstrate an understanding of the domain's complexities (e.g., security, compliance, user trust).
• Leadership Examples: Showcase instances where you've led teams, mentored designers, or influenced product strategy.
• Visual Clarity: Ensure your portfolio is visually appealing, well-organized, and easy to navigate.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a take-home challenge, thoroughly research Sarmad and its products to tailor your solutions.
• Process-Oriented Approach: For whiteboard challenges, focus on articulating your thought process and problem-solving methodology rather than just the final solution.
• Stakeholder Alignment: Be prepared to discuss how you would gather requirements, present your work, and incorporate feedback from various stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is tailored to provide actionable advice for operations-minded candidates by focusing on process, strategy, and quantifiable results within the interview and portfolio review stages.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Sketch, Figma, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, XD), InVision, Axure RP.
• User Research & Testing: UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Hotjar, SurveyMonkey/Typeform.
• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack, Microsoft Teams.
• Design Systems: Figma Libraries, Storybook, Zeroheight.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel, Tableau (for understanding user behavior data).

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a design tool, understanding how CRM data (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and marketing automation platforms influence user journeys is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Listing specific tools is crucial for operations roles. The selection here reflects common tools for product design leadership, emphasizing collaboration, research, and data analysis aspects relevant to operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: Every design decision is rooted in understanding and serving the user's needs.
• Data-Informed Decisions: Leveraging data and analytics to validate hypotheses and measure design impact.
• Collaboration & Transparency: Open communication and shared ownership across product, engineering, and design teams.
• Innovation & Experimentation: Encouraging creative solutions and a willingness to test new ideas.
• Efficiency & Scalability: Building robust design systems and processes that support growth and maintain quality.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership with Product & Engineering: Working hand-in-hand to balance user needs, business goals, and technical feasibility.
• Constructive Feedback Culture: Regularly sharing work-in-progress and providing/receiving feedback to elevate design quality.
• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in design critiques, internal workshops, and documenting best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Connecting company values to operational practices (e.g., "Data-Informed Decisions," "Efficiency & Scalability") helps operations professionals assess cultural alignment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Regulation: Navigating the complexities of fintech regulations while delivering innovative and user-friendly designs.
• Scaling Design Operations: Ensuring the design process remains efficient and effective as the company and product suite grow.
• Cross-Cultural Design: Adapting designs for diverse user bases, potentially across different regions if Sarmad expands internationally.
• Rapid Technological Evolution: Staying ahead of emerging technologies and design trends in the fast-paced fintech landscape.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Fintech Industry Expertise: Deepening knowledge of financial products, market dynamics, and regulatory environments.
• Leadership Development: Advanced training in people management, strategic planning, and executive communication.
• Design Operations Management: Learning to optimize design workflows, toolchains, and team structures for maximum efficiency.
• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Attending leading UX and fintech events to gain insights and network.

📝 Enhancement Note: Highlighting challenges provides a realistic view and allows candidates to demonstrate proactive problem-solving skills, aligning with an operations mindset.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach defining the product design strategy for a new fintech product, considering both user needs and business objectives?" (Focus on your strategic frameworks and cross-functional alignment process).
• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting stakeholder priorities (e.g., Product vs. Engineering vs. Legal) in a design decision. How did you navigate this?" (Highlight your negotiation, communication, and decision-making processes).
• "How do you ensure your design team is following best practices for user research and usability testing, and how do you translate those findings into actionable design improvements?" (Focus on your process management and data synthesis skills).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on what you know about Sarmad and the fintech industry, what do you see as the biggest design challenges and opportunities for us?" (Demonstrate your research and strategic foresight).
• "How do you foster a collaborative and innovative design culture within your team, especially in a remote or hybrid environment?" (Discuss your leadership philosophy and team-building strategies).
• "How do you measure the success of your design initiatives and demonstrate their impact on key business metrics?" (Prepare specific examples of KPIs and ROI).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Prioritize Impact: Select 2-3 most impactful projects that showcase leadership, strategic thinking, and significant results.
• Quantify Outcomes: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the business impact of your design solutions (e.g., increased conversion rates, reduced support tickets, improved user satisfaction scores).
• Articulate Process: Clearly explain your design process for each project, emphasizing problem-solving, user empathy, and iterative refinement.
• Leadership Narrative: Frame your contributions in terms of team leadership, mentorship, and driving design vision.

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview questions are crafted to probe for the operational and strategic thinking expected of a Director-level candidate, focusing on process, impact, and leadership.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Fintech Product Design Director position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workable link.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your leadership experience, fintech domain expertise, and quantifiable achievements in product design and team management. Use keywords from the job description.
• Portfolio Curation: Prepare a compelling portfolio that emphasizes your strategic approach, leadership capabilities, and detailed case studies demonstrating impact and process. Ensure it's easily accessible (e.g., via a link).
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Sarmad's mission, products, and recent news. Understand the fintech landscape in the regions they operate in (Saudi Arabia, Italy).
• Interview Practice: Prepare to articulate your leadership philosophy, design strategy, and how you would foster a high-performing, user-centric design team at Sarmad. Practice presenting your portfolio with a focus on impact and process.

⚠️ 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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