Lead Product Designer

CoinsPaid
Full_time

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Product Designer Company: CoinsPaid Location: Remote - European Region Job Type: Full-time Category: Product Design / UX/UI Leadership Date Posted: 2025-08-19 Experience Level: 5-10 Years Remote Status: Fully Remote (European Region)

🚀 Role Summary

  • Drive the overarching Product Design Strategy for CoinsPaid, influencing the direction and execution of design initiatives across all product lines.
  • Lead, mentor, and manage a team of talented product designers, fostering their professional growth, conducting performance reviews, and developing individual success plans.
  • Orchestrate the end-to-end product design process, from initial user research insights to the delivery of seamless customer experiences, ensuring high-quality feature releases.
  • Scale the product design team and establish a comfortable, efficient organizational structure that supports growth and collaboration.
  • Champion user-centricity by integrating best practices, maintaining a keen eye for detail, and encouraging unconventional thinking to solve complex design challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Lead Product Designer with "partial manager's functions," indicating a blend of hands-on design work and team leadership responsibilities. The emphasis on developing the "working process that you dreamed of" suggests significant autonomy in shaping team methodologies and operational efficiency within the design function. The company's rapid growth in fintech and crypto payments implies a dynamic, fast-paced environment requiring adaptable and proactive leadership.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Define and execute the Product Design Strategy for CoinsPaid, aligning design vision with business objectives and market opportunities.
  • Lead and mentor a team of experienced product designers, providing coaching, conducting performance evaluations, and creating personal development plans to maximize team potential.
  • Organize and optimize the Product Design Team's working process, from user research and ideation through to the delivery of intuitive and efficient customer experiences.
  • Drive the scaling of the product design team, including recruitment, onboarding, and establishing a supportive and effective organizational structure.
  • Enhance the quality of released features by implementing and advocating for robust CX/UX research practices and methodologies.
  • Foster close collaboration with CX Teams, Product Managers, and Team Leads to identify and capitalize on opportunities for process improvement and efficient product shipping.
  • Act as the primary advocate for the user, embedding best practices, meticulous attention to detail, and innovative thinking into all design outputs.
  • Function as a hands-on practitioner, contributing to product flows, design system development, guidelines, specifications, and principles, while being open to constructive critique.
  • Share design knowledge and best practices internally across the company and externally within the design community through presentations, meetups, and workshops.
  • Develop and maintain a comprehensive design system applicable to both B2B and B2C products, ensuring consistency and scalability across the company's digital presence.
  • Contribute actively to the continuous improvement of product development processes, integrating design thinking and user-centered methodologies.
  • Ensure alignment of the corporate visual style across all company products, maintaining brand consistency and visual integrity.
  • Participate in the selection and implementation of analytical and research tools and approaches to deepen user understanding and inform design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities indicate a dual focus: strategic leadership in design and hands-on contribution. The requirement to "organise Product Design Team working process" and "scaling the team" points to a significant operational and people management component. The mention of "partial manager's functions" suggests that while formal management duties are present, the role may still involve significant individual design contribution, especially in areas like design system development and core product flows.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

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

Experience:

  • A minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in product design, with a substantial portion focused on leading design projects and teams.
  • Proven track record of successfully managing and mentoring product designers, including performance reviews and career development.
  • Demonstrated experience in defining and implementing design strategies that align with business goals.
  • Experience in organizing and optimizing design team workflows, from research to delivery, ensuring efficient and effective output.

Required Skills:

  • Product Design Strategy: Ability to develop and articulate a comprehensive design vision and strategy that supports business objectives.
  • Team Leadership & Mentorship: Proven experience in leading, coaching, and developing design teams, including performance management and career pathing.
  • User Research & CX/UX: Expertise in user research methodologies, usability testing, and translating insights into actionable design improvements for enhanced customer experience.
  • Design System Development: Proficient in creating, maintaining, and scaling design systems for complex digital products (B2B and B2C).
  • Cross-functional Collaboration: Strong ability to work effectively with Product Managers, Engineers, CX Teams, and other stakeholders to drive product success.
  • Visual Design & UI: Excellent visual design skills, with a strong understanding of typography, color theory, layout, and brand consistency.
  • Prototyping & Wireframing: Proficiency in industry-standard design tools for creating wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups.
  • Knowledge Sharing: Demonstrated ability to share expertise and best practices through presentations, workshops, and community engagement.
  • Process Optimization: Experience in analyzing and improving design team workflows and product development processes.

Preferred Skills:

  • Fintech & Payment Systems: Understanding of payment systems, financial products, and the unique UX considerations within the fintech industry.
  • Crypto Industry Familiarity: Awareness of crypto payment flows, transaction principles, and the broader crypto landscape, including user behaviors and technological advancements.
  • Agile Methodologies: Experience working within Agile/Scrum development environments.
  • Data Analysis & Interpretation: Ability to leverage analytics and research tools to inform design decisions and measure impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Requirements" section in the original job description appears to be a direct copy of the "Responsibilities." This has been interpreted to mean that the listed responsibilities are the core requirements of the role. The "Nice to have" section has been incorporated into the "Preferred Skills" to provide a clearer distinction. The experience level has been inferred from the leadership responsibilities and the mention of "talented experienced product designers" on the team.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • A robust portfolio showcasing a strong command of product design principles, user-centered methodologies, and a proven ability to drive impactful design outcomes.
  • Examples demonstrating leadership in product design, including team management, process development, and strategic contributions.
  • Case studies detailing end-to-end product design processes, from initial user research and problem definition through to solution design, implementation, and iteration.
  • Showcases of successful design system development and implementation, illustrating scalability, consistency, and maintainability across multiple products or platforms.
  • Evidence of contributions to improving design team workflows, efficiency, and overall output quality.

Process Documentation:

  • Candidates should be prepared to discuss their methodologies for:
    • Conducting user research and synthesizing insights to inform design decisions.
    • Developing and iterating on product flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes.
    • Establishing and maintaining design systems, including governance and contribution models.
    • Collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams (Product Management, Engineering, etc.) throughout the product lifecycle.
    • Implementing and advocating for CX/UX best practices within a fast-paced environment.
    • Measuring the impact of design on user experience and business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the leadership and process-oriented nature of the role, a strong portfolio demonstrating both design execution and strategic/managerial capabilities is expected. The emphasis on "organise Product Design Team working process" and "develop design system" suggests that portfolio pieces showcasing process improvement and system architecture will be highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

  • Given the "Remote - European Region" location, the Lead Product Designer role, and the company's position in the fast-growing fintech/crypto sector, a competitive salary is expected. Based on industry benchmarks for experienced design leaders in Europe, the estimated annual salary range would be €70,000 - €110,000.
  • This range accounts for the seniority of the role, the required leadership and strategic experience, and the company's stated growth and success (e.g., Forbes recognition, multiple awards). The specific salary will depend on the candidate's exact location within Europe, their depth of relevant experience, and specific skills matching the role's requirements.

Benefits:

  • Competitive salary package.
  • Opportunity to shape and lead the product design function in a rapidly growing, innovative fintech company.
  • Remote-first work environment with flexibility to work from over 30 countries.
  • Professional development opportunities, including coaching, performance reviews, and personal development plans.
  • Contribution to a company recognized by Forbes and awarded multiple times for its leadership in crypto payments.
  • Inclusive and supportive team culture with a strong emphasis on collaboration and growth.
  • Potential for involvement in cutting-edge blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies.
  • Access to industry events, workshops, and knowledge-sharing platforms.

Working Hours:

  • Standard full-time working hours, typically around 40 hours per week.
  • As a remote-first company, there is flexibility in how these hours are structured, provided work is completed effectively and team collaboration needs are met.
  • The company operates globally, so some flexibility may be required to accommodate collaboration with teams in different time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on general European market data for senior/lead design roles in the tech sector, adjusted for the specific fintech/crypto industry and remote work context. Specific benefits beyond those mentioned in the job description are not detailed and would need to be confirmed directly with the company.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Fintech / Cryptocurrency Payments Company Size: Over 270 team members across 30+ countries. Founded: CoinsPaid has over 10 years of experience in blockchain development, indicating a mature yet rapidly evolving organization. The company was recognized by Forbes in 2023, highlighting its significant market presence and growth.

Team Structure:

  • The Product Design team is led by this Lead Product Designer, who has "partial manager's functions," suggesting a structure where the lead oversees a team of individual contributors.
  • The team will likely collaborate closely with Product Managers, CX Teams, Team Leads, and Engineering teams.
  • The company operates globally with employees in over 30 countries, fostering a diverse and international work environment.

Methodology:

  • The company emphasizes a user-centric approach, aiming for "smooth customer experience" and "increasing the quality of releasing features" through CX/UX research.
  • There's a focus on developing and scaling processes, including the design team's working process and the creation of a comprehensive design system.
  • Collaboration and knowledge sharing are key elements, with expectations for sharing insights internally and within the broader community.
  • The company is data-driven, with an interest in implementing "analytical and research tools and approaches."

Company Website: https://coinspaid.com/about-us/ & https://coinspaid.com/careers/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is characterized by rapid growth, innovation in the fintech/crypto space, and a global, remote-first operational model. The emphasis on user experience, process development, and knowledge sharing suggests a dynamic and collaborative environment. The numerous awards and Forbes recognition underscore a commitment to excellence and market leadership.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a significant step into leadership within product design, moving beyond individual contribution to encompass team management, strategic input, and process ownership. It's a senior-level position with a blend of individual contributor and management responsibilities.

Reporting Structure:

  • The Lead Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Product, VP of Product, or a similar senior leadership position within the product organization.
  • They will directly manage and mentor a team of experienced product designers.

Operations Impact:

  • The Lead Product Designer will have a direct impact on the user experience of CoinsPaid's products, which are critical for customer acquisition, retention, and satisfaction in the competitive crypto payment gateway market.
  • By developing a strong design strategy and optimizing design processes, this role will contribute to the efficiency of product development, the quality of feature releases, and ultimately, the company's market position and revenue growth.
  • A well-executed design system and strong UX practices can significantly reduce development time and improve product usability, directly influencing operational efficiency and customer adoption.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Leadership Advancement: Potential to grow into a Head of Product Design or similar senior leadership role, with greater strategic oversight and team management responsibilities.
  • Process Ownership: Opportunity to further refine and expand the design team's working processes, methodologies, and organizational structure.
  • Specialization: Deepen expertise in fintech and crypto payments design, becoming a subject matter expert in a high-growth industry.
  • Mentorship & Coaching: Develop strong leadership and coaching skills by guiding and developing a team of talented designers.
  • Strategic Influence: Play a key role in shaping the product roadmap and overall user experience strategy of a leading crypto payment provider.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for career progression from a senior individual contributor or design lead to a more formal management and strategic leadership position. The "partial manager's functions" provide a stepping stone to understanding and executing leadership duties in a growing organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Remote-first, with employees located in over 30 countries. Office Location(s): While headquartered in Estonia, the company has international hubs. The role is specifically designated as "Remote - European Region," implying candidates should be based within Europe.

Workspace Context:

  • The work environment is predominantly remote, requiring self-discipline, effective time management, and strong communication skills to navigate distributed team dynamics.
  • Collaboration will primarily occur through digital tools and platforms, necessitating proficiency in virtual communication and project management.
  • The company fosters a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous improvement, encouraging interaction and collaboration among team members.
  • As a leader, the individual will be responsible for fostering a positive and productive remote work culture within their design team.

Work Schedule:

  • Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week) are expected, with flexibility in scheduling to accommodate global team collaboration and personal work-life balance.
  • Occasional overlap with core business hours or specific team meetings in European time zones may be necessary.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-first nature of CoinsPaid is a key aspect of its work environment. Candidates should be comfortable with and proficient in remote work tools and practices. The "European Region" requirement suggests a focus on time zone alignment within Europe for easier collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and understanding of the role.
  • Portfolio Review & Discussion: A session with a hiring manager or senior design/product leader to discuss the candidate's portfolio, focusing on leadership experience, design process, and strategic thinking.
  • Design Challenge/Case Study: Candidates may be asked to complete a take-home design challenge or present a detailed case study of a past project, demonstrating problem-solving skills, design execution, and strategic rationale.
  • Team/Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Team Leads, or other key stakeholders to evaluate collaboration skills and cross-functional alignment.
  • Leadership/Managerial Assessment: Discussions focused on leadership style, team management experience, process development capabilities, and strategic vision.
  • Final Interview: Potentially with a C-level executive or VP, focusing on overall fit, strategic alignment, and long-term vision for the design function.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Highlight Leadership: Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases instances where you led design initiatives, managed teams, mentored designers, and influenced product strategy.
  • Process Over Polish: While polished visuals are important, focus on detailing your thought process, the problems you solved, the rationale behind your decisions, and the impact of your work.
  • Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics and data to demonstrate the success of your designs and process improvements (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced user error, increased efficiency).
  • Design System Expertise: Include examples of design systems you've developed or contributed to, detailing their structure, components, and the benefits they brought.
  • Tailor to CoinsPaid: Research CoinsPaid's products and target audience. If possible, include a case study that shows how you would approach a design challenge relevant to a crypto payment gateway.
  • User-Centricity: Emphasize how user research and feedback informed your design decisions and led to improved user experiences.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand the Business: Familiarize yourself with CoinsPaid's business model, products, and the crypto payment industry.
  • Focus on Process: For any design challenge, clearly articulate your approach, the tools you'd use, and how you'd collaborate with others.
  • User-Centricity: Demonstrate how you would identify user needs and incorporate them into your solution.
  • Strategic Thinking: Show how your design decisions align with broader business goals and product strategy.
  • Presentation Skills: Practice presenting your work concisely and compellingly, being prepared to answer questions about your process and decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely to be rigorous, assessing not only design skills but also leadership capabilities, strategic thinking, and cultural fit within a fast-growing fintech environment. The emphasis on process and portfolio is key for a role of this nature.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), InVision, Axure RP. Candidates are expected to be proficient in at least one primary design tool like Figma or Sketch.
  • Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack, Microsoft Teams. Experience with tools for remote team collaboration is essential.
  • User Research & Testing: UserTesting.com, Lookback, Hotjar, Maze, Google Analytics. Familiarity with tools to gather and analyze user feedback and behavior.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel. Understanding how to interpret user data to inform design decisions.
  • BI/Dashboard Tools: Tableau, Power BI, Looker. While not primary design tools, understanding how data is visualized can be beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

  • CRM: Salesforce, HubSpot (for understanding customer data context, though not a direct design tool).
  • Integration Platforms: Understanding of how design outputs integrate into broader development workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in modern design tools like Figma is highly probable. Experience with tools that support remote collaboration and user research is critical. While the candidate isn't directly managing CRM or automation tools, an understanding of how design impacts these systems is advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the user's needs through thoughtful design and research.
  • Excellence & Quality: A drive to deliver high-quality, polished, and effective design solutions that meet business objectives.
  • Collaboration: A belief in the power of teamwork, open communication, and cross-functional partnership to achieve shared goals.
  • Innovation & Adaptability: Embracing new ideas, technologies, and methodologies to stay at the forefront of the rapidly evolving fintech and crypto space.
  • Ownership & Accountability: Taking responsibility for design outcomes, processes, and team performance.
  • Continuous Improvement: A proactive approach to learning, refining processes, and enhancing skills.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with Product Managers to define product requirements and roadmaps, and with Engineers to ensure accurate and efficient implementation of designs.
  • Open Communication: Encouraging transparent dialogue, constructive feedback, and active participation in design critiques and team discussions.
  • Knowledge Sharing: A culture that promotes sharing insights, best practices, and learnings across the design team and with other departments.
  • Empowerment & Support: The lead designer is expected to foster an environment where team members feel empowered to contribute and supported in their development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values likely align with those of a fast-paced, innovative tech company, emphasizing user focus, quality, collaboration, and continuous growth. The leadership role will be instrumental in embodying and promoting these values within the design team.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Scaling a Remote Team: Effectively managing, mentoring, and scaling a geographically dispersed design team requires strong communication and leadership skills.
  • Balancing Hands-on Design with Leadership: Juggling individual design contributions with team management and strategic responsibilities can be demanding.
  • Navigating a Rapidly Evolving Industry: The fintech and crypto payment landscape is dynamic, requiring continuous learning and adaptation to new technologies, regulations, and user behaviors.
  • Establishing Processes: Building and refining design processes from the ground up or optimizing existing ones in a fast-growing company requires strategic planning and execution.
  • Stakeholder Management: Effectively communicating design vision and rationale to diverse stakeholders with varying levels of design understanding.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Leadership Development: Formal and informal opportunities to hone leadership, coaching, and team management skills.
  • Industry Expertise: Deepen knowledge in the specialized areas of fintech, crypto payments, and blockchain technology.
  • Process Innovation: Opportunity to pioneer and implement innovative design workflows and team structures.
  • Strategic Impact: Contribute directly to the growth and success of a leading company in a cutting-edge industry.
  • Networking: Engage with industry peers through company-sponsored events or community participation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a leadership role in a growing, remote-first tech company, particularly in a specialized and fast-evolving sector like fintech/crypto. The growth opportunities are substantial for someone looking to make a significant impact and advance their career in design leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "How would you develop a Product Design Strategy for CoinsPaid, considering our position in the crypto payment market and our growth trajectory?" (Focus on market analysis, user needs, business goals, and how design supports them.)
  • "Describe your approach to leading and mentoring experienced product designers. What methods do you use for performance review and personal development?" (Highlight your leadership philosophy, coaching techniques, and experience in fostering team growth.)
  • "How would you organize the product design team's working process from user research to shipping features, ensuring efficiency and quality?" (Detail your preferred workflows, collaboration models, and quality assurance measures.)
  • "What are your strategies for scaling a product design team in a remote-first environment?" (Discuss recruitment, onboarding, team structure, and fostering remote team cohesion.)
  • "Given your experience, how would you contribute to improving the CX/UX research practices at CoinsPaid?" (Provide examples of research methodologies and how they translate into actionable design insights.)

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What excites you most about CoinsPaid and the crypto payment industry?" (Showcase genuine interest and research into the company and sector.)
  • "How do you ensure user-centricity is maintained throughout the product development lifecycle, especially in a fast-paced environment?" (Discuss your methods for user advocacy and integrating user feedback.)
  • "Describe your experience working in a remote-first company. What are the key elements to successful remote collaboration and team management?" (Highlight your adaptability and experience with remote work dynamics.)
  • "How do you stay updated with the latest design trends and technologies, particularly in the fintech and crypto space?" (Demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure: Organize your presentation logically, typically starting with an overview of CoinsPaid and the role, then diving into 2-3 key case studies.
  • Narrative: For each case study, tell a story: the problem, your process, your role, the challenges, the solutions, and the impact (quantified if possible).
  • Highlight Leadership: Explicitly point out where you led the team, mentored individuals, or influenced strategic decisions.
  • Design System: If you have a strong design system example, dedicate time to explaining its architecture, benefits, and how you managed its evolution.
  • Process Focus: Be prepared to discuss the "how" behind your work – your workflows, tools, and collaboration methods.
  • User Focus: Emphasize how user research and testing informed your decisions and led to better outcomes.
  • Q&A: Anticipate questions about your decisions, challenges, and how you'd apply your experience at CoinsPaid. Be concise and thoughtful in your answers.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not only design expertise but also leadership potential, strategic thinking, and a strong understanding of process and team dynamics, especially within a remote context. Tailoring examples to fintech and crypto will be beneficial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead Product Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the provided link on jobs.eu.lever.co.
  • Tailor Your Resume: Highlight leadership experience, team management, and process development contributions. Quantify achievements where possible, focusing on impact and results relevant to product design and user experience improvements.
  • Curate Your Portfolio: Select case studies that best showcase your leadership, strategic thinking, end-to-end design process, and any experience with design systems. Ensure it clearly demonstrates your ability to lead and mentor.
  • Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your design philosophy, leadership style, and how your experience aligns with CoinsPaid's mission and the specific requirements of this role. Practice presenting your portfolio concisely and effectively.
  • Research CoinsPaid: Understand their products, target market, and recent achievements (e.g., Forbes recognition, awards). This will help you tailor your application and speak knowledgeably during interviews about their business and industry.

⚠️ 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.

Application Requirements

Candidates should have experience in leading product design teams and implementing user research practices. Familiarity with payment systems and the crypto industry is a plus.