Founding Product Designer at Fast-growing AI productivity startup

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Founding Product Designer Company: Jack & Jill / External ATS (Client: Fast-growing AI productivity startup) Location: London, United Kingdom Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Product Design / GTM Operations Support Date Posted: 2026-01-22 Experience Level: 2-5 Years (Mid-Level) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is critical for establishing the foundational design identity of a cutting-edge AI productivity platform, directly impacting user adoption and market perception.
• The Founding Product Designer will translate complex AI functionalities into intuitive and engaging user experiences, bridging the gap between technical innovation and user needs.
• This position offers a unique opportunity to define and build the design culture and systems from the ground up within a fast-paced, early-stage startup environment.
• The role emphasizes end-to-end design ownership, from initial user research and conceptualization through to high-fidelity prototyping and visual design implementation, with significant collaboration across product and engineering.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the primary focus is Product Design, this role has significant implications for Go-To-Market (GTM) operations by shaping the user experience of a core product. The success of the AI platform's adoption will heavily rely on the design's effectiveness, influencing sales enablement, customer support, and marketing efforts. The "Founding" nature implies a high degree of autonomy and responsibility typically associated with senior operations roles in defining processes and standards.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end product design lifecycle, encompassing user research, journey mapping, wireframing, information architecture, and high-fidelity prototyping.
• Translate complex AI capabilities and technical workflows into simple, intuitive, and visually compelling user interfaces and experiences.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive design system, ensuring consistency, scalability, and efficiency across all product touchpoints.
• Collaborate closely with founders, product managers, and engineering teams to define product strategy, prioritize features, and ensure successful product launches.
• Establish and evolve the brand identity, visual language, and design principles for the AI productivity platform, ensuring a cohesive and impactful user journey.
• Conduct user testing and gather feedback to iteratively refine designs and improve user satisfaction and product performance metrics.
• Champion design thinking and best practices within the organization, contributing to the establishment of a strong design culture.
• Partner with GTM teams (Marketing, Sales, Customer Success) to ensure product design aligns with brand messaging, sales enablement materials, and customer support needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "Partner with engineering and product teams to ship elegant solutions for complex technical workflows" strongly suggests a need for the designer to understand and influence the operational aspects of product development and deployment, which is a key GTM operations consideration.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field; or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

• 2-5 years of proven experience in product design, with a significant portion spent in early-stage startups or fast-paced agency environments.
• Demonstrated experience designing and shipping high-quality software products, preferably in a B2B or productivity software context.

Required Skills:

• Deep expertise in user research methodologies, including user interviews, surveys, and usability testing.
• Proficiency in wireframing, user flow creation, and information architecture design.
• Mastery of modern design and prototyping tools, with a strong emphasis on Figma.
• Proven ability to create high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes.
• Strong visual design skills, including typography, color theory, and layout.
• Experience in developing and maintaining design systems.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, iterative, and sometimes ambiguous startup environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI or machine learning product design.
• Familiarity with front-end development principles (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to facilitate collaboration with engineers.
• Experience in brand identity development and establishing design languages.
• A strong understanding of GTM strategies and how product design impacts sales, marketing, and customer success.
• Experience in leading design initiatives and mentoring junior designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "shipping high-quality software products" and "iterating rapidly based on user feedback and technical constraints" points to a need for practical, results-oriented design skills, aligning with operational efficiency and product-market fit.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing end-to-end product design projects, with a clear emphasis on impact and problem-solving.
• Detailed case studies that illustrate the design process from problem definition and user research through to final solution and outcomes.
• Examples demonstrating UX logic, UI craft, and the ability to translate complex concepts into user-friendly interfaces.
• Evidence of experience with design systems, including their creation, implementation, and maintenance.
• Projects that highlight collaboration with engineering and product teams, showcasing how designs were brought to life.
• Portfolio pieces should demonstrate proficiency in Figma and other relevant design and prototyping tools.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their personal design process, including how they approach user research, ideation, prototyping, and iteration.
• Be ready to explain how you establish and evolve design systems to ensure consistency and efficiency in product development.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how design processes integrate with broader product development and GTM workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a "Founding" role, the portfolio is paramount. It must not only showcase design talent but also the ability to establish processes and systems from scratch, akin to setting up operational frameworks. This includes demonstrating how design decisions drive measurable business outcomes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for a Founding Product Designer with 2-5 years of experience in London, UK, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between £65,000 - £90,000 per annum. This estimate accounts for the early-stage startup environment, the strategic importance of a founding role, and the London cost of living.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and potential for early-stage equity/stock options.
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage.
• Generous paid time off and holiday allowance.
• Opportunities for professional development and continued learning.
• Exposure to cutting-edge AI technology and product development.
• Central London office location with a vibrant tech ecosystem.
• Direct impact and significant ownership in a fast-growing startup.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours, likely around 40 hours per week, with the expectation of flexibility given the startup environment and the demands of a founding role.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimate is based on London tech market data for mid-level to senior product design roles in startups, considering the "founding" aspect implies significant responsibility and potential for equity. Benefits are typical for a well-funded startup aiming to attract top talent.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (AI, Software, Productivity Tools) Company Size: Early-stage startup (likely <50 employees, growing rapidly) Founded: Recently (implied by "Founding Product Designer" and "earliest stage")

Team Structure:

• The design team is nascent, with the Founding Product Designer likely being the first dedicated design hire.
• Close collaboration with the founding team (CEO, CTO, etc.) is expected.
• Integration with Product Management and Engineering teams is core to the role.
• The environment is high-intensity and collaborative, typical of early-stage ventures.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making, leveraging user feedback and analytics.
• Agile development methodologies.
• Emphasis on rapid iteration and learning.
• Collaborative design sprints and problem-solving sessions.

Company Website: https://www.jackandjill.ai/ (This is Jack & Jill's platform, not the client's, but indicates their recruitment methodology)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company is a "fast-growing AI productivity startup." This implies a culture that values innovation, speed, and a hands-on approach. As a founding member, the designer will play a crucial role in shaping this culture.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Founding Product Designer - This signifies an individual contributor role with significant strategic influence and responsibility, often a precursor to design leadership roles. Reporting Structure: Likely reports directly to a Founder (e.g., CEO or CTO), with close partnership across Product and Engineering leads. Operations Impact: The design of the AI productivity platform will directly influence user acquisition, retention, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, the revenue potential of the startup. Effective design can streamline sales processes by creating a clear value proposition and ease of use, and support customer success by ensuring a positive user experience.

Growth Opportunities:

• Opportunity to build and lead the design function as the company scales.
• Deep involvement in overall product strategy and company direction.
• Potential to transition into a Head of Design or Design Lead role.
• Significant learning opportunities in AI technology, product development, and startup operations.
• High visibility and impact on a product with the potential for significant market disruption.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Founding" title implies a leadership trajectory. The candidate is expected to not only execute but also to lay the groundwork for future design operations and team growth.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Likely a modern co-working space or dedicated office in London's tech hub, designed to foster collaboration and innovation. Office Location(s): London, UK (specific area not detailed, but implied to be a central tech district).

Workspace Context:

• Highly collaborative environment with open-plan areas and meeting rooms.
• Access to modern design tools and technology infrastructure.
• Frequent interaction with cross-functional teams, including engineering, product, and founders.
• Emphasis on a fast-paced, results-oriented atmosphere.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours, with flexibility expected due to the startup nature. Emphasis on delivering results rather than strict adherence to hours. The on-site requirement suggests a preference for in-person collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" work arrangement is a key factor, indicating the company values in-person collaboration, essential for rapid iteration and team cohesion in an early-stage startup.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening (Jack & Jill): A conversation with "Jack" (AI) to understand experience and career aspirations.
• Recruiter Screen (Jill - AI Recruiter): An AI-driven assessment to match candidate profile with client requirements.
• Hiring Manager/Founder Interview: In-depth discussion about design philosophy, experience, and cultural fit.
• Portfolio Presentation & Design Challenge: A critical stage where candidates present their portfolio and potentially undertake a design exercise related to the AI platform. This will assess problem-solving, UX/UI skills, and ability to articulate design rationale.
• Team/Engineering Interviews: Discussions with key team members to assess collaboration and technical understanding.
• Final Round: Likely with founders to discuss strategic vision and offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling is Key: Structure your case studies to tell a compelling story about the problem, your process, the challenges, and the impact of your design solutions.
• Highlight Impact: Quantify the results of your work whenever possible (e.g., improvements in user engagement, conversion rates, task completion time). For this role, focus on how design impacts user adoption and productivity.
• Showcase Process: Clearly articulate your design process, demonstrating how you move from research to ideation to final execution. Emphasize your understanding of user needs and technical constraints.
• Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio clearly shows your mastery of Figma and other relevant tools, especially for prototyping and design systems.
• Tailor to AI: If possible, include examples that show your ability to design for complex or novel technologies like AI, or explain how your existing experience translates to this domain.
• Focus on "Founding" Aspect: Highlight instances where you've established design processes, systems, or culture from scratch.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate a design challenge focused on a core aspect of AI productivity. This could involve designing a new feature, improving an existing workflow, or simplifying a complex interaction.
• Be prepared to articulate your thought process, assumptions, and trade-offs clearly.
• Focus on user-centric solutions that acknowledge the unique aspects of AI interaction.
• Consider how your design would integrate with existing or planned product and engineering workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The unique application process through "Jack & Jill" requires candidates to engage with an AI first. The portfolio review and design challenge will be crucial for demonstrating not just design skill but also operational thinking – how design contributes to product success and GTM efficiency.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Candidates must demonstrate deep expertise.
• Prototyping Tools: InVision, Principle, ProtoPie (or advanced Figma prototyping features).
• User Research Tools: SurveyMonkey, Typeform, UserTesting.com, or similar for surveys and remote testing.
• Design System Tools/Methodologies: Storybook, Zeroheight, or robust Figma libraries.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with product analytics platforms (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics) to understand user behavior and inform design decisions.
• Understanding of how design impacts key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to productivity and AI adoption.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a design tool, an understanding of how the product integrates with CRM systems or sales enablement platforms could be beneficial for GTM alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is explicitly stated as a requirement. The emphasis on "modern design tools" and "design systems" suggests a need for a designer who can build scalable and efficient design operations from day one.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Impact: Driving cutting-edge solutions that solve real user problems and have a significant market impact.
• Collaboration & Transparency: Working closely with all stakeholders, sharing ideas openly, and fostering a transparent environment.
• User-Centricity: Placing the user at the heart of all design decisions, driven by empathy and data.
• Efficiency & Scalability: Building robust design systems and processes that support rapid growth and product evolution.
• Ownership & Accountability: Taking full responsibility for design outcomes and contributing to the overall success of the startup.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly cross-functional, working hand-in-hand with product managers, engineers, and founders.
• Iterative and agile, with a focus on continuous feedback and improvement.
• Open to experimentation and learning from both successes and failures.
• Emphasis on clear communication and proactive problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values of innovation, impact, and user-centricity are paramount for a product designer in an AI startup. The emphasis on efficiency and scalability also aligns with operational excellence.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Defining the Unknown: Designing for a novel AI productivity platform with potentially undefined user behaviors and interaction patterns.
• Balancing Innovation with Usability: Ensuring cutting-edge AI features are accessible and intuitive for a broad user base.
• Rapid Iteration Cycles: Adapting quickly to changing product roadmaps and user feedback in a fast-paced startup environment.
• Establishing Design from Scratch: Building a design system, processes, and culture from the ground up with limited resources.
• Cross-functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent understanding and buy-in for design decisions across engineering, product, and leadership.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep dive into the intricacies of AI technology and its application in productivity.
• Opportunity to shape the strategic direction of a product and company.
• Gain extensive experience in early-stage startup growth and operations.
• Potential to build and lead a design team as the company scales.
• Exposure to venture capital and high-growth business environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for a proactive, resilient, and strategic designer who can operate effectively in ambiguity and drive operational excellence in design execution.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing a user experience for an AI that needs to learn user preferences over time?"
• "Describe your process for building a design system from scratch for a new product."
• "How do you balance user needs with technical constraints and business goals when designing a complex feature?"
• "How would you measure the success of your design efforts for a productivity tool? What KPIs would you focus on?"
• "Imagine our AI suggests a task completion pathway. How would you design the interaction to ensure user trust and control?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about working at an early-stage AI startup, and what are your concerns?"
• "How do you envision contributing to and shaping the design culture here?"
• "Describe a time you had to influence stakeholders who disagreed with your design direction. How did you handle it?"
• "What is your understanding of the 'founding team' dynamic, and how do you see yourself fitting into that?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with the "Why": Clearly articulate the problem you were solving and the user need.
• Showcase Your Process: Walk through your research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and testing phases. Use visuals effectively.
• Highlight Collaboration: Mention how you worked with engineers, product managers, and other stakeholders.
• Quantify Impact: Present data and metrics that demonstrate the success of your design solutions. For this role, emphasize productivity gains or user adoption improvements.
• Explain Design Decisions: Be ready to justify your choices, especially regarding UI elements, user flows, and interaction design.
• Address AI Specifics: If you have relevant AI design experience, highlight it. Otherwise, explain how your general design principles apply to complex, potentially novel technologies.
• Emphasize System Building: For a founding role, show how you establish scalable design foundations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions will likely probe the candidate's ability to think strategically, operate autonomously, and contribute to the operational foundation of the design function, not just execute tasks.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-adjacent design position:

• Visit the Jack & Jill website (https://jackandjill.ai/jack/job-listing?utm_source=job_listing&utm_medium=job_board&utm_campaign=5afd3537-f42c-4388-a754-74ced53d88a0).
• Click 'Talk to Jack' to initiate the AI-driven screening process, sharing your experience and career aspirations.
• Be prepared to clearly articulate your experience in designing user-centric software products, your proficiency with Figma, and your ability to thrive in a fast-paced startup environment.
• Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight experience in early-stage startups, design system development, and any work related to productivity or AI.
• Prepare to present your portfolio, focusing on case studies that demonstrate end-to-end design process, problem-solving, collaboration, and quantifiable impact.

⚠️ 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 (Jack & Jill and their client) before making application decisions.