Junior Product Designer (all humans)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Junior Product Designer

Company: Erste Group (George Labs)

Location: Vienna, Austria

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: April 22, 2026

Experience Level: Junior (1-3 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive end-to-end product design ownership, from initial discovery and ideation through prototyping and final handoff, for a leading digital banking platform.

• Collaborate daily within agile, multidisciplinary product teams, partnering closely with engineers, product managers, writers, and researchers to deliver impactful user experiences.

• Translate complex banking needs into simple, intelligent, and delightful user journeys and interfaces across web and mobile platforms.

• Leverage a comprehensive skill set in product design, AI, and visual design, contributing to the evolution of an established George Design System.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is titled "Product Designer," its focus on user experience, interface design, and cross-functional collaboration within a tech-driven environment positions it closely related to Revenue Operations and GTM functions by directly impacting user adoption, engagement, and ultimately, customer lifetime value through an intuitive digital banking platform. The emphasis on simplifying complex financial interactions and ensuring a delightful user journey is critical for customer retention and acquisition.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of design challenges from early-stage discovery and user research to iterative prototyping and final developer handoff.

• Actively participate in daily stand-ups and sprint planning within an agile product team, ensuring design alignment with development timelines and technical feasibility.

• Conduct user research and analyze requirements to inform design decisions, ensuring both user needs and business objectives are met.

• Develop user flows, wireframes, and high-fidelity prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts and interactions.

• Apply and contribute to the George Design System, ensuring consistency and scalability across the digital banking platform.

• Collaborate closely with product managers to define product strategy and roadmap from a user-centric perspective.

• Work with engineers to ensure accurate implementation of designs and provide necessary design support throughout the development lifecycle.

• Advocate for the end-user, ensuring that all design decisions prioritize simplicity, usability, and delight.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed are standard for a Product Designer role. However, for operations professionals evaluating this, consider how the design of a banking platform directly influences customer adoption (GTM) and retention (RevOps). The ability to translate complex financial processes into simple user interfaces is a key driver of customer satisfaction and can reduce support overhead, indirectly impacting operational efficiency.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred. Equivalent practical experience and a strong portfolio will be highly valued.

Experience: 1-3 years of hands-on experience in product design, UX/UI design, or a similar role, with a demonstrated ability to manage design projects from conception to completion.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in product design, encompassing discovery, ideation, prototyping, and handoff.

• Strong portfolio showcasing a range of design projects, demonstrating problem-solving skills and design thinking.

• Proficiency in design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision).

• Deep understanding of established UX patterns and best practices for web and mobile applications.

• Ability to translate user and business requirements into intuitive and effective user interfaces.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, with the ability to articulate design decisions clearly to diverse stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ability to think critically about user problems and propose viable design solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI-driven design considerations or applications.

• Familiarity with design systems and contribution to their development or maintenance.

• Experience in the FinTech or banking industry.

• Basic understanding of front-end development principles (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to foster better collaboration with engineers.

• Experience with user research methodologies and usability testing.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations candidates, the emphasis on "clear communication" and "ability to think through user problems, propose reasonable solutions, test your assumptions, continuously incorporate feedback" are critical transferable skills. A strong portfolio that demonstrates process, problem-solving, and measurable impact (even if qualitative in design) is paramount.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated collection of 3-5 significant design projects that demonstrate your end-to-end design process.

• For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role, the design process undertaken (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), and the final solution.

• Showcase your ability to tackle complex design challenges within a product context.

• Highlight your understanding of user needs and how your designs address them.

Process Documentation:

• Clearly outline the steps taken in each project, from initial concept to final delivery.

• Demonstrate how you gathered requirements and translated them into design solutions.

• Showcase your iteration process, including how feedback was incorporated.

• Illustrate your collaboration with cross-functional teams (engineers, PMs, researchers).

• Provide evidence of your problem-solving approach and design decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: Operations professionals can leverage their experience in process mapping and documentation to structure their portfolio. Highlighting process optimization, efficiency gains, and data-driven decision-making within design projects will resonate strongly. For instance, demonstrating how a design change led to reduced user errors or increased task completion rates is analogous to operational efficiency metrics.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The gross minimum wage for this full-time position is EUR 3,267 per month. A competitive and performance-related salary will be offered, dependent on professional and personal qualifications.

Benefits:

• Provision of necessary hardware and software for efficient work (e.g., MacBook, mobile device, licenses).

• Encouraging, empathic, friendly, and professional work environment.

• Support for personal well-being and career development.

• Active support for educational needs and professional growth.

• Competitive, performance-related salary structure.

• Opportunities for continuous learning and skill enhancement.

Working Hours: The role is full-time, typically implying around 40 hours per week, with flexibility in adapting to the changing work environment ("New Work").

📝 Enhancement Note: The stated minimum wage of EUR 3,267 gross per month for a junior role in Vienna suggests a competitive compensation structure. For operations professionals, the "performance-related salary" aspect aligns well with the results-oriented nature of operations roles. The benefits package emphasizes employee development and well-being, which are crucial for sustained performance and retention. Researching comparable Junior Product Designer salaries in Vienna for 2026 would provide a more precise market context for the upper end of the potential salary range.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Banking and Financial Services, with a strong focus on Digital Transformation and FinTech innovation.

Company Size: Erste Group is a large, established financial institution with a significant European presence. George Labs operates as an innovation hub within this structure, fostering an agile and modern work culture.

Founded: Erste Group was founded in 1819, bringing a rich history, while George Labs represents its forward-looking digital banking initiative.

Team Structure:

• The role is part of the George Labs team, which is structured around agile, multidisciplinary product teams.

• These teams typically include Product Managers, Product Designers, Engineers (Frontend, Backend), QA Testers, Researchers, and Content Strategists (Writers).

Methodology:

• Agile methodologies (Scrum/Kanban) are central to the team's workflow, facilitating iterative development and continuous improvement.

• Design thinking principles are applied to user problem-solving and solution ideation.

• Data-driven decision-making is encouraged, leveraging user analytics and feedback.

• A strong emphasis is placed on quality, usability, and simplicity in all product development.

Company Website: https://www.erstegroup.com/ and https://george.ge/

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations candidates, understanding the agile and cross-functional nature of George Labs is key. This implies a need for strong communication, adaptability, and a proactive approach to problem-solving, all essential traits in operations roles. The "New Work" philosophy suggests a modern, flexible approach to work that might appeal to those seeking a dynamic environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Junior Product Designer role, focused on building foundational skills and contributing to specific design problems under guidance. It's an entry point into a specialized design career track within a large organization.

Reporting Structure: The Junior Product Designer will likely report to a Lead Product Designer or Design Manager within George Labs, and work closely with Product Managers on specific product initiatives.

Operations Impact: While not a direct "operations" role, the impact is significant. By creating intuitive and user-friendly digital banking experiences, the designer directly influences customer acquisition, engagement, retention, and satisfaction, all of which are critical drivers of revenue and operational efficiency for the bank. Simplifying complex financial processes reduces customer confusion and potential support escalations.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Develop expertise in specific areas of product design, such as interaction design, visual design, AI integration in design, or design system management.

• Leadership Potential: Progress to Senior Product Designer, Lead Designer, or Design Manager roles, taking on more complex projects and mentoring junior team members.

• Cross-Functional Movement: Gain exposure to product management, engineering, or even business strategy roles within George Labs or Erste Group.

• Industry Expertise: Deepen knowledge of FinTech and digital banking, becoming a subject matter expert in user experience within this domain.

📝 Enhancement Note: Operations professionals can draw parallels between design career progression and their own career paths. The emphasis on continuous learning, skill development, and taking on increasing responsibility mirrors the growth trajectory in operations. The impact on customer experience directly translates to business outcomes that operations professionals are measured against.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based on-site in Vienna, Austria, within the George Labs environment, which is described as encouraging, empathic, friendly, and professional.

Office Location(s): Vienna, Austria. This location offers a vibrant European capital experience with strong infrastructure.

Workspace Context:

• A collaborative and supportive environment with a focus on "New Work" principles.

• Access to all necessary hardware and software (e.g., MacBook, mobile device, licenses) to facilitate efficient work.

• Opportunities for close collaboration with a diverse, multidisciplinary team, fostering a dynamic and engaging atmosphere.

• The environment encourages open-mindedness and a willingness to go the extra mile for quality solutions.

Work Schedule: Full-time, with a commitment to adapting to the evolving work environment, suggesting potential for flexible working arrangements within the on-site context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is key for those who thrive in collaborative, in-person team settings. The description of the workspace and culture suggests an environment conducive to innovation and teamwork, which is also crucial for effective operations execution.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of application, CV, and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience.

• Portfolio Presentation/Design Challenge: Candidates may be asked to present their portfolio, explaining their process and decisions, or complete a design challenge to assess their problem-solving and design skills.

• Interviews with Team: Discussions with hiring managers, product managers, and fellow designers to evaluate technical skills, cultural fit, and collaborative potential.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss role alignment and career aspirations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Clarity is Key: Ensure your portfolio clearly outlines the problem, your process, your role, and the outcome for each project.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals, prototypes, and user flows to demonstrate your design thinking.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your problem-solving methodology, iteration, and how you incorporated feedback.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If any of your designs led to measurable improvements (e.g., increased conversion rates, reduced error rates), highlight these. This is where operations candidates can draw parallels.

• Tailor to the Role: Showcase projects that align with the requirements of designing for a complex digital banking platform and a large user base.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: Research Erste Group, George Labs, and the digital banking landscape.

• Practice Design Thinking: Be prepared to walk through your problem-solving process for a given scenario.

• Articulate Your Value: Be ready to explain how your design skills contribute to business objectives and user satisfaction.

• Prepare Questions: Have thoughtful questions ready about the team, product, and challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Operations candidates can prepare by framing their portfolio projects around process improvement, efficiency gains, and measurable business impact, drawing parallels to the design outcomes. Emphasizing how their work simplified complex processes or improved user adoption can be a strong angle.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision (proficiency expected in at least one).

• Collaboration: Tools like Jira, Confluence, Slack, Microsoft Teams for team communication and project management.

• Design Systems: Familiarity with creating, using, and contributing to design systems.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary designer tool, understanding how to interpret user analytics (e.g., from tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) to inform design decisions is beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly used by the designer, but understanding how the platform integrates with back-end systems and customer data management is helpful for context.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations professionals, the mention of agile tools like Jira and Confluence, and analytics platforms, indicates a familiar ecosystem. Highlighting proficiency in these tools, even from an operational perspective (e.g., process management, data analysis), can demonstrate transferable skills.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Simplicity & Intelligence: A core tenet is making complex banking simple and intelligent for users.

• User-Centricity: A deep focus on understanding and serving the needs of millions of customers.

• Collaboration & Transparency: A belief in a non-hierarchical culture of open communication and trust.

• Quality & Usability: A commitment to delivering high-quality, user-friendly experiences.

• Drive & Passion: A desire to shape the product and go the extra mile for optimal solutions.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, working daily with multidisciplinary teams (engineers, PMs, researchers, writers).

• Emphasis on open communication, safety, and trust within the team.

• Iterative approach, valuing feedback and continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize collaboration, problem-solving, and a results-oriented mindset, which are highly relevant to operations roles. The focus on "simplicity" and "usability" for complex financial products directly impacts customer adoption and satisfaction, key metrics for GTM and RevOps.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for a large, diverse user base with varying technical proficiencies and financial needs.

• Balancing user experience with complex regulatory and technical constraints inherent in banking.

• Evolving the George Design System to accommodate new features while maintaining consistency and efficiency.

• Collaborating effectively across multiple departments and stakeholders to drive design initiatives forward.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in UX/UI, interaction design, visual design, and AI in design.

• Industry Exposure: Work on a high-impact product used by millions, gaining valuable experience in the FinTech sector.

• Mentorship: Potential to learn from experienced designers and product professionals within Erste Group.

• Educational Support: The company actively supports educational needs, enabling continuous learning and professional development.

📝 Enhancement Note: Operations professionals can relate to the challenges of balancing complex requirements with user needs and driving efficiency. The growth opportunities highlight continuous learning and specialization, mirroring the evolution of operations roles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you owned a design problem end-to-end. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, problem-solving, and results.)

• "How would you approach designing a new feature for a banking app that needs to be both simple and powerful?" (Demonstrate your ability to balance complexity and usability.)

• "Tell me about a time you collaborated with engineers or product managers. How did you ensure your design was implemented effectively?" (Highlight communication and collaboration skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about designing for the banking industry and Erste Group's George platform?" (Research the company and demonstrate genuine interest.)

• "How do you contribute to a collaborative and non-hierarchical team environment?" (Align your working style with the company's values.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each project as a narrative with a clear beginning (problem), middle (process), and end (solution/impact).

• Process Focus: Dedicate significant time to explaining how you arrived at your solutions, not just what the solutions are.

• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups, prototypes, and diagrams.

• Quantify if Possible: Even as a designer, try to connect your work to business outcomes (e.g., "This design improved task completion time by X%," or "This user flow aimed to reduce support inquiries by Y%"). Operations candidates can draw strong parallels here.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your decisions, challenges, and alternatives considered.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations candidates, prepare to discuss how your roles involved process optimization, stakeholder management, data analysis, and driving efficiency – skills that are transferable to understanding and contributing to user experience design that impacts business outcomes.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Junior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Erste Group careers portal.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight relevant design experience, specific tools used, and projects that demonstrate end-to-end ownership and problem-solving. Use keywords from the job description.

• Portfolio Curation: Select 3-5 of your strongest design projects that best showcase your process, problem-solving abilities, and impact. Ensure each project clearly outlines the problem, your role, your methodology, and the outcome.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Erste Group, the George digital banking platform, and their stated values. Understand their mission to make banking simple, intelligent, and personal.

• Prepare for Interview: Practice articulating your design process, answering behavioral questions, and be ready to present your portfolio with confidence, drawing parallels to operational efficiency and user adoption where applicable.

⚠️ 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.