Fintech Product Design Director

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Fintech Product Design Director
Company: Sarmad
Location: Ireland
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Product Design Leadership / Fintech Operations
Date Posted: October 14, 2025
Experience Level: 8+ Years (AI Estimate: 10+)
Remote Status: On-site (AI Estimate) / Telecommute (Primary Data)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic direction and execution of product design for innovative fintech solutions, ensuring a cohesive and best-in-class user experience across all platforms.
• Drive the end-to-end product design lifecycle, from initial user research and ideation through to detailed prototyping, rigorous usability testing, and final implementation, with a strong emphasis on data-informed decision-making.
• Mentor, inspire, and manage a high-performing team of product designers, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous professional development within the design function.
• Act as a key liaison between design, product management, engineering, and marketing teams, translating complex business objectives and market demands into intuitive and impactful design strategies.
• Establish and champion design systems, guidelines, and best practices to ensure design consistency, scalability, and efficiency throughout the product development process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary data indicates "TELECOMMUTE" and "Ireland" as the location, while the AI analysis suggests "On-site" with 40 working hours. Given the "Director" level, a hybrid or on-site model is more common for leadership roles requiring significant cross-functional collaboration and team management. This enhanced description will lean towards a hybrid interpretation, assuming flexibility while acknowledging the potential for on-site requirements, and will focus on operations-adjacent responsibilities that a design director in fintech would oversee.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and articulate the overarching product design vision and strategy for Sarmad's fintech offerings, ensuring alignment with business goals and market opportunities.
• Oversee the comprehensive product design process, including user research methodologies, competitive analysis, ideation workshops, wireframing, high-fidelity prototyping, and iterative usability testing.
• Cultivate and lead a team of talented product designers, providing mentorship, performance feedback, and career development support to foster a high-performing and motivated design unit.
• Collaborate closely with Product Management to translate business requirements, user needs, and market insights into compelling and feasible design solutions that drive user adoption and satisfaction.
• Partner with Engineering teams to ensure the accurate and efficient implementation of design specifications, maintaining design integrity throughout the development lifecycle and resolving design-related technical challenges.
• Develop, maintain, and evolve a robust design system, including style guides, component libraries, and interaction patterns, to ensure brand consistency and streamline design and development workflows.
• Champion a data-driven design approach by leveraging user analytics, A/B testing results, and qualitative feedback to inform design iterations and optimize user journeys for enhanced conversion and engagement.
• Present design concepts, user flows, and strategic recommendations to executive leadership and key stakeholders, effectively communicating design rationale and gathering consensus.
• Stay abreast of the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in fintech, product design, user experience (UX), and user interface (UI) design to maintain a competitive edge.
• Conduct regular design reviews and critiques to ensure the quality, usability, and aesthetic appeal of all product interfaces.

📝 Enhancement Note: The raw description focuses heavily on traditional product design responsibilities. To align with an "operations" focus, responsibilities have been expanded to highlight strategic leadership, cross-functional collaboration, process definition (design systems, workflows), and data-driven decision-making, all of which are critical in a Director-level operations-adjacent role within a fintech company.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

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

Experience:

• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in product design, with a significant portion focused on digital products within the fintech or financial services industry.
• Proven experience in leading and managing design teams, including mentorship, performance evaluation, and fostering a collaborative design culture.
• Demonstrated success in managing the entire product design lifecycle from conception to launch, with a focus on measurable outcomes.

Required Skills:

• Fintech Product Design Expertise: Deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within the fintech sector, including regulatory considerations, security, and user trust.
• User-Centered Design & UX/UI Mastery: Exceptional ability to design intuitive, user-friendly, and engaging interfaces that meet user needs and business objectives.
• Design Leadership & Mentorship: Proven experience in leading, coaching, and inspiring design teams, driving performance and fostering professional growth.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Excellent ability to partner effectively with Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, and other key stakeholders to achieve shared goals.
• User Research & Usability Testing: Proficiency in various research methodologies (e.g., interviews, surveys, ethnographic studies) and usability testing techniques to gather actionable insights.
• Design Systems & Guidelines Management: Experience in creating, implementing, and maintaining comprehensive design systems and style guides for consistency and scalability.
• Prototyping & Wireframing Proficiency: Expert-level skills in using industry-standard tools for creating interactive prototypes and detailed wireframes.
• Strategic Thinking & Problem-Solving: Ability to approach complex design challenges with a strategic mindset and develop innovative, effective solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Data Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, or Amplitude for analyzing user behavior and informing design decisions.
• Agile/Scrum Methodologies: Experience working within agile development frameworks to deliver iterative design solutions.
• Visual Design & Branding: Strong aesthetic sensibilities and a keen eye for visual hierarchy, typography, and color theory.
• Accessibility Standards: Knowledge of WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) and designing inclusive products.
• Financial Modeling or UX for Finance: Specific experience designing for complex financial products or services beyond basic fintech applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "AI Experience Level: 10+" is noted, suggesting a potentially higher expectation than the stated 8+ years. This enhancement emphasizes the leadership and strategic aspects crucial for a Director role, along with specific skills relevant to the fintech operations landscape.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio that clearly articulates your design process, methodologies, and problem-solving approach.
• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 impactful product design projects, ideally within the fintech or a closely related regulated industry.
• For each project, clearly define the problem statement, your role and responsibilities, the design solutions implemented, and the measurable outcomes or business impact achieved.
• Demonstrate expertise in user research, user flow mapping, wireframing, prototyping, and UI design.
• Include examples of how you have leveraged user feedback and data to iterate and improve designs.

Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how you have established or refined design processes, workflows, and best practices within a team or organization.
• Showcase experience in developing and implementing design systems, style guides, or component libraries.
• Include documentation illustrating your approach to user research planning, execution, and synthesis.
• Demonstrate your ability to document design decisions, rationale, and their connection to business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Director-level role, the portfolio is critical, and it needs to demonstrate not just design execution but also strategic thinking, process ownership, and team leadership. The emphasis is on showing how the candidate drives efficiency and quality through well-defined design operations.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Range: €90,000 - €130,000 per annum.
• Methodology: This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for Director-level Product Design roles in Ireland, particularly within the technology and fintech sectors. It considers the seniority, leadership responsibilities, and specialized skills required (fintech experience, team management). Factors such as company size, exact location within Ireland (though remote/telecommute is specified), and the candidate's specific experience and negotiation will influence the final offer. Research was conducted using aggregated salary data from reputable sources for senior design leadership roles in the Irish tech market.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Including coverage for medical, dental, and vision care.
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO): Including vacation days, public holidays, and sick leave.
• Professional Development Budget: Allocated funds for training, conferences, workshops, and certifications relevant to product design and fintech.
• Retirement Savings Plan: A company-matched pension scheme or equivalent.
• Stock Options or Equity: Potential for long-term incentive through company ownership.
• Flexible Work Arrangements: While AI estimates "On-site," the primary data suggests "TELECOMMUTE," implying potential for hybrid or remote work options, offering flexibility.
• Parental Leave: Generous paid leave for new parents.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential support services for personal and work-related issues.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are typically 40 per week.
• Flexibility: Given the "TELECOMMUTE" designation and a Director-level role, there is likely to be flexibility in work hours, with an emphasis on output and collaboration rather than strict adherence to a 9-to-5 schedule, especially when coordinating with international teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The AI’s salary estimation provides a baseline. The "TELECOMMUTE" designation for Ireland suggests a remote-first or hybrid approach, which is a significant benefit for operations professionals seeking work-life balance. The benefits listed are standard for senior tech roles and focus on professional growth and well-being.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Technology (Fintech)
Company Size: (Data not provided, AI Estimate: Small to Medium-sized Enterprise)
Founded: (Data not provided)

Team Structure:

• Design Team: You will lead a dedicated product design team, likely comprising UX/UI designers, researchers, and potentially UX writers. The team's size will depend on Sarmad's current stage of growth, but as a Director, you would be responsible for its structure and development.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: At Sarmad, the design team operates at the core of product development, working hand-in-hand with Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, Compliance, and potentially Data Science teams. This necessitates strong communication and partnership skills.
• Reporting Structure: As a Director, you would likely report to a VP of Product, Chief Product Officer (CPO), or potentially a CTO, depending on the company's organizational hierarchy.

Methodology:

• User-Centricity: A strong emphasis on understanding and serving the user is paramount in fintech design to build trust and adoption.
• Data-Driven Iteration: Decisions are informed by user research, analytics, and A/B testing to continuously improve product performance and user satisfaction.
• Agile Development: The product development process likely follows agile methodologies, requiring designers to be adaptable and responsive to iterative feedback.
• Innovation & Efficiency: A culture that encourages creative solutions and efficient workflows to stay competitive in the fast-paced fintech market.

Company Website: https://sarmad.sa/ (Note: This is the primary domain based on "sarmad.sa". The job posting URL is from Workable.)

📝 Enhancement Note: Information about company size and founding date was not provided. The AI’s estimation of SME is a reasonable assumption for a company actively hiring at this level. The focus here is on how the fintech industry and a Director role shape team dynamics and operational methodologies.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Director, Product Design Leadership
Reporting Structure: Reporting to a senior executive (e.g., VP of Product, CPO) and leading a team of designers. This role sits at the intersection of creative strategy and operational execution within the product development lifecycle.
Operations Impact: This role has a significant impact on Sarmad's revenue and business success by ensuring that products are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly usable, desirable, and effective in acquiring and retaining customers. Strong product design directly influences conversion rates, customer satisfaction, brand perception, and ultimately, market share in the competitive fintech landscape.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape the overall product strategy and long-term vision for Sarmad's fintech offerings, moving beyond design execution to strategic business input.
• Team Expansion & Development: Lead the growth and development of the design team, establishing a world-class design function within the company.
• Cross-Disciplinary Leadership: Potential to expand influence across related areas, such as user research operations, design operations (design ops), or even contribute to broader GTM strategy through user-centric product insights.
• Industry Recognition: Opportunity to contribute to the broader fintech and design communities through speaking engagements, publications, or thought leadership.
• Executive Leadership Track: For exceptional performers, this role can serve as a stepping stone to higher executive leadership positions within the company or the broader fintech industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section reframes the growth potential through an operations and leadership lens, highlighting how design leadership contributes to business outcomes and offers pathways for broader operational influence.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid or Remote (Telecommute)
Office Location(s): Primarily Ireland, with potential for remote work within the country. The specific office setup (if any) is not detailed, but the "TELECOMMUTE" designation suggests a flexible approach.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: If an office is utilized, it will likely be designed to foster collaboration, with open spaces, meeting rooms, and ideation areas conducive to cross-functional teamwork among design, product, and engineering.
• Technology-Enabled: Access to high-performance workstations, industry-standard design software, and robust communication tools (e.g., Slack, Zoom, Jira) is expected.
• Design-Focused Culture: An environment that values design thinking, user empathy, and creative problem-solving as integral to business success.

Work Schedule:

• While a standard 40-hour work week is typical, a Director role in fintech often requires adaptability. Expect a dynamic schedule that may involve occasional early morning or late afternoon calls to accommodate global teams or urgent project needs. The "TELECOMMUTE" aspect suggests significant autonomy over daily scheduling.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "TELECOMMUTE" for Ireland is a key differentiator. The description assumes a modern, flexible work environment common in tech, emphasizing how this setup supports operational efficiency for a remote or hybrid team.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief conversation with HR or a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.
• Hiring Manager Interview: An in-depth discussion with the hiring manager (likely VP of Product or CPO) to explore leadership style, strategic thinking, and team management philosophy.
• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, walking through key projects, your design process, and the impact of your work. Be prepared to discuss your role, challenges, and solutions in detail.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Product Management, Engineering, and potentially Marketing to assess collaboration skills and understanding of the broader product development ecosystem.
• Design Team Meet & Greet: An opportunity to interact with potential direct reports to gauge leadership potential and team dynamics.
• Final Executive Interview: A conversation with a senior executive (e.g., CEO, CTO) to discuss vision, strategic alignment, and overall fit with Sarmad's leadership team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, use a STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) or similar framework. Clearly articulate the business problem, your specific contributions, the design process followed, and the quantifiable outcomes.
• Highlight Process & Strategy: Emphasize your thought process, how you made decisions, and how you adapted to challenges. Showcase your understanding of design operations, including design systems and workflow optimization.
• Demonstrate Fintech Acumen: If possible, select projects that highlight your understanding of fintech nuances, such as user trust, security, regulatory compliance, and financial literacy.
• Showcase Leadership: Include examples of how you have mentored designers, influenced product strategy, or improved design team processes.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices, trade-offs made, and how you measured success.

Challenge Preparation:

• You may be asked to critique an existing product, propose design improvements for a hypothetical fintech scenario, or outline how you would build or evolve a design system.
• Focus on demonstrating your strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and ability to articulate a clear, user-centered approach.
• Prepare to discuss how you would balance user needs with business constraints and technical feasibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process and portfolio review are crucial for a leadership role. This section provides actionable advice tailored to a Director of Product Design in fintech, emphasizing strategic thinking, operational process, and leadership demonstration.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), InVision, ProtoPie, Axure RP.
• User Research & Testing: UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, Optimal Workshop, SurveyMonkey, Google Forms.
• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack, Microsoft Teams.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, Heap.
• BI & Visualization: Tableau, Power BI (less common for pure design, but useful for understanding data).

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managed by this role, familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) can be beneficial for understanding customer journeys and marketing alignment. Understanding how design impacts CRM data is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section outlines the expected technical proficiency for a Director of Product Design in a modern tech company, with a strong emphasis on tools that support collaborative design workflows, user research, and data-informed decision-making, which are key operational components of a design function.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User Obsession: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user, ensuring their needs are at the forefront of all design decisions.
• Data-Informed: A belief in leveraging data and user insights to drive design strategy and measure impact, moving beyond subjective opinions.
• Collaboration & Transparency: Open communication and a willingness to work closely with all departments, sharing insights and feedback constructively.
• Excellence & Craftsmanship: A dedication to high-quality design execution, attention to detail, and continuous improvement of design standards.
• Innovation & Adaptability: A proactive approach to exploring new ideas, technologies, and methodologies to stay ahead in the dynamic fintech landscape.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership: Working as an equal partner with Product Management and Engineering, fostering mutual respect and shared ownership of product success.
• Empowerment: Empowering direct reports to take ownership of their work, encouraging creativity and autonomy within defined guidelines.
• Feedback-Rich: Creating an environment where constructive feedback is regularly exchanged, both upwards and downwards, to drive collective improvement.
• Outcome-Oriented: Focusing on delivering tangible results that contribute to business objectives, rather than just completing tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section interprets potential company values through the lens of a design leadership role in fintech, emphasizing how these values translate into daily operational practices and collaboration styles.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Constraints: Navigating the inherent tension between creating ideal user experiences and meeting aggressive business goals, regulatory requirements, and technical limitations in fintech.
• Rapidly Evolving Fintech Landscape: Staying ahead of constant technological advancements, competitive pressures, and shifting user expectations in a fast-paced industry.
• Building and Scaling a High-Performing Design Team: Attracting, retaining, and developing top design talent while fostering a cohesive and productive team culture, especially in a remote/hybrid setting.
• Driving Design Maturity: Elevating the perception and integration of design within the organization, ensuring it's a strategic driver rather than just a functional support.
• Managing Stakeholder Expectations: Effectively communicating design rationale and managing expectations across diverse stakeholder groups with varying levels of design understanding.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mastering Fintech UX: Deepening expertise in specialized areas of fintech, such as digital payments, wealth management UX, blockchain interfaces, or regulatory technology (RegTech) design.
• Design Operations (DesignOps) Implementation: Developing and implementing processes and tools to optimize the efficiency and effectiveness of the design team.
• Leadership & Executive Skills: Enhancing skills in strategic planning, financial acumen, and executive communication to prepare for broader leadership roles.
• Emerging Technologies: Exploring and integrating new technologies (e.g., AI in design, AR/VR for financial education) into product design strategies.
• Industry Conferences & Networking: Attending leading fintech and design conferences to gain insights and build professional networks.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section identifies common challenges and growth paths for a Director of Product Design in fintech, framing them as opportunities for skill development and strategic contribution.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach defining the product design strategy for Sarmad's core fintech product over the next 1-3 years?" (Focus on strategic vision, user research integration, and alignment with business goals.)
• "Describe a time you had to balance competing stakeholder priorities (e.g., marketing vs. engineering vs. compliance) in a product design decision. How did you facilitate consensus?" (Demonstrate negotiation, communication, and problem-solving skills.)
• "Outline your approach to building and scaling a high-performing product design team. What are your key principles for mentorship and fostering a collaborative culture?" (Showcase leadership philosophy and team-building expertise.)
• "How do you ensure that user research and data insights are effectively translated into actionable design improvements in a fast-paced fintech environment?" (Highlight your operational approach to research and analytics.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on what you know about Sarmad and the fintech industry, what do you see as our biggest design challenges and opportunities?" (Show research and critical thinking about the company's context.)
• "How do you foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within a design team?" (Align your approach with Sarmad's potential values.)
• "Describe your ideal collaboration model with Product Management and Engineering teams." (Emphasize partnership and shared accountability.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the business problem, your role, the design process, and the quantifiable results (e.g., increased conversion rates, reduced support tickets, improved user satisfaction scores).
• Tell a Story: Weave a narrative around your projects that highlights your problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and leadership.
• Showcase Process: Be ready to walk through your design artifacts (wireframes, prototypes, user flows) and explain the rationale behind your decisions.
• Address Fintech Specifics: If applicable, discuss how you've navigated regulatory, security, or trust-related design challenges in fintech.
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about trade-offs, alternative solutions, and how you would handle specific scenarios at Sarmad.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides targeted interview preparation, focusing on questions that assess strategic thinking, operational leadership, and the ability to apply design principles within a fintech context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Fintech Product Design Director position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workable link.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your most impactful fintech or digital product design projects. Ensure each project clearly demonstrates your design process, problem-solving approach, leadership contributions, and measurable outcomes. Tailor the selection to highlight relevant experience for Sarmad's fintech offerings.
• Optimize Your Resume: Highlight your leadership experience, team management achievements, strategic contributions to product development, and specific fintech industry expertise. Use keywords from the job description and industry best practices.
• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice delivering a concise and compelling presentation of your portfolio. Focus on storytelling, clear articulation of your process, and demonstration of business impact. Be ready to discuss your leadership philosophy and how you drive design operations.
• Research Sarmad: Understand Sarmad's mission, products, target market, and any recent news. Consider how your design leadership can contribute to their specific business objectives and overcome industry challenges.

⚠️ 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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