Lead Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Product Designer Company: GetYourGuide Location: Berlin, Germany Job Type: Full-Time Category: Product Design / GTM Operations Date Posted: July 22, 2025 Experience Level: 7+ Years

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design strategy and execution for the Category Experiences team, focusing on vertical search for travel experiences like adventure travel, walking tours, and ticketed events.
• Drive innovation in product and visual design to create best-in-class user experiences that deepen traveler understanding of GetYourGuide's offerings.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including Product Management, Engineering, Research, Content Design, Merchandising, and Operations to define and implement strategic initiatives.
• Utilize data sets and AI technology to inform design decisions, improve operational workflows, and bring intelligence to the design development process.
• Champion a human-centered design process, demonstrating empathy for travelers to create intuitive and effective solutions that meet business goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a new, strategically important team focused on category verticalization, which implies a significant opportunity for impact and shaping future product direction. The emphasis on AI and data integration suggests a need for designers who are comfortable with data-driven decision-making and can translate complex data into user-friendly experiences.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Partner closely with Product Design, Content Design, Product Management, Engineering, Research, Merchandising, Operations, and other stakeholders to advance business objectives.
• Lead and participate in all stages of the design process, including user research (generative and validation), ideation, concept development, wireframing, prototyping, final visual design, and implementation support.
• Define and champion short-term and long-term strategic design visions ("North Stars") for the Category Experiences team.
• Conduct deep user research to understand traveler needs and pain points, translating these insights into actionable design solutions.
• Create high-fidelity, emotionally compelling, and pixel-perfect mockups and prototypes for end-to-end user experiences.
• Perform usability testing and iterate on designs based on user feedback and performance data.
• Collaborate with Product Managers to develop systematic solutions that align user needs, data insights, business goals, and overall business strategy.
• Work closely with engineers to ensure the successful implementation of impactful products and features, respecting technological constraints and timelines.
• Facilitate collaborative design workshops and working sessions with stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Elevate the practice of high-quality product design within the organization through mentorship and thought leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership and hands-on design execution, requiring the candidate to influence team direction while also being deeply involved in the creation of user interfaces and experiences. The expectation to partner with Operations specifically suggests a need to understand the operational implications of design decisions.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating proficiency in design principles is paramount. Backgrounds in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or related fields are often beneficial. Experience: 7+ years of progressive experience in cross-platform product design, with a proven track record of shipping successful consumer-facing experiences that have scaled to large user bases.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in the end-to-end product design process, encompassing user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, visual design, and usability testing.
• Exceptional ability to think strategically about product vision and articulate clear design roadmaps.
• Demonstrated skill in navigating ambiguity and translating complex user needs, business goals, and technological constraints into actionable design solutions.
• Proven experience in fostering cross-functional collaboration and connecting design initiatives with broader organizational goals.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, capable of effectively presenting to diverse audiences from small teams to executive leadership.
• High level of craft and thoughtfulness in interaction design, visual design, and prototyping.
• Humble and collaborative approach to working with Product Managers, engineers, and business stakeholders to achieve optimal solutions.
• Experience working with machine learning (ML) and data science teams, influencing design from a user-centered perspective.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in designing for e-commerce or travel-related platforms.
• Familiarity with design systems and their implementation.
• Proficiency in data analysis and using data to inform design decisions.
• Experience with agile development methodologies.
• Knowledge of accessibility standards and best practices in design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "7+ years" suggests a senior-level individual contributor role, likely requiring leadership in design thinking and execution without necessarily direct management responsibilities. The "cross-platform" requirement indicates experience with responsive web and potentially mobile applications.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 7 years of professional product design work, with a strong emphasis on consumer-facing applications.
• Case studies demonstrating a deep understanding of the user-centered design process, from initial research and problem definition through to final implementation and iteration.
• Examples of successful product launches or significant feature improvements that have demonstrably impacted user engagement, conversion rates, or other key business metrics.
• Visualizations of complex data and AI-driven insights translated into intuitive and actionable user interfaces.
• Prototypes that effectively communicate interaction design, user flows, and visual polish.

Process Documentation:

• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem statement, design process, key decisions, and the rationale behind them.
• Documentation of how user research was conducted, analyzed, and integrated into the design solutions.
• Evidence of iterative design cycles, including usability testing results and how feedback was incorporated.
• Examples of collaboration with engineering and product management, showcasing how design requirements were translated into shipped products.
• Demonstration of how design solutions aligned with broader business strategy and objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Lead Product Designer role, the portfolio should not only showcase visual and interaction design skills but also strategic thinking, problem-solving capabilities, and the ability to drive impact through design. Case studies should highlight the designer's role in defining the problem and influencing the solution, not just executing a given brief.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Lead Product Designers in Berlin, Germany, with 7+ years of experience, a competitive salary range would typically fall between €75,000 - €100,000 annually. This estimate considers the cost of living in Berlin, the company's industry (travel tech), and the seniority of the role.

Benefits:

• Annual personal growth budget for continuous learning and development.
• Access to mentorship programs to support career progression.
• Work from anywhere in the world for up to 40 days per year, offering significant flexibility.
• Flexible working arrangements to promote work-life balance.
• Opportunities for social connection and team building through quarterly team events and annual company-wide events.
• Monthly transportation budget to facilitate commuting or local travel.
• Monthly fitness budget to encourage an active lifestyle.
• Discounts on GetYourGuide activities for personal use, friends, and family.
• Language reimbursement program to support learning new languages.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.

Working Hours: The role is listed as 40 hours per week, with flexible working arrangements available, allowing for adaptation to individual needs and team collaboration requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary ranges are estimates based on publicly available data for similar roles in Berlin. Actual compensation can vary based on specific experience, skills, and negotiation. The extensive benefits package indicates a strong focus on employee well-being and professional development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: GetYourGuide operates in the Online Travel Agency (OTA) and Experiences sector, a dynamic and competitive market driven by digital innovation and consumer-facing technology. The company aims to revolutionize how people discover and book activities and tours worldwide. Company Size: With over 850 employees across 17 offices globally, GetYourGuide is a well-established scale-up. This size offers the structure and resources of a larger company while retaining the agility and impact potential of a growing organization. Founded: Founded in 2009, GetYourGuide has over a decade of experience and a significant market presence, indicating a stable yet innovative environment for its employees.

Team Structure:

• The Lead Product Designer will join the newly formed Category Experiences team, indicating a critical strategic focus for the company.
• This team will likely be structured with Product Designers, Product Managers, Engineers, Researchers, and Content Designers working collaboratively.
• The Lead Product Designer will report into a Design Lead or Head of Product Design, with direct collaboration across various functional departments.

Methodology:

• The company leverages vast data sets and cutting-edge AI technology to improve operational workflows and enhance design decision-making, suggesting a data-informed and analytically driven approach.
• Design development processes likely involve agile methodologies, rapid prototyping, and continuous user feedback loops.
• Emphasis is placed on systematic solutions that are thoughtful, elegant, and delightful, indicating a commitment to both functional efficiency and aesthetic quality in design.

Company Website: https://www.getyourguide.careers/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on "revolutionizing the travel experience industry" and its emphasis on data and AI suggest an innovative and forward-thinking culture. The "new team" aspect presents an opportunity to influence processes and direction from the ground up.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a senior individual contributor position, likely considered a "Lead" or "Principal" level designer within the product design hierarchy. It requires significant autonomy, strategic input, and the ability to mentor or guide other designers. Reporting Structure: The Lead Product Designer will likely report to a Design Manager or Head of Product Design. They will work very closely with Product Management and Engineering leads within the Category Experiences team, forming a core triad for product development. Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on GetYourGuide's ability to scale its offerings and improve traveler acquisition and engagement through category-specific experiences. By enhancing the discoverability and usability of travel options, this design leadership directly contributes to revenue growth and market positioning.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in designing for complex, data-rich platforms and gain experience with AI-driven product development. Opportunities to lead design initiatives and influence product strategy.
• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a formal management role (e.g., Design Manager) or become a recognized design leader and subject matter expert within the organization.
• Cross-functional Exposure: Work across multiple business units and collaborate with diverse teams, gaining a holistic understanding of the business operations and strategy.
• Industry Impact: Contribute to shaping the future of the travel experiences market through innovative design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead" title implies a path towards either deeper specialization as a senior individual contributor or a stepping stone towards management roles within the design function. The focus on a new strategic team also offers a unique opportunity for visibility and influence early in its development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: GetYourGuide has a hybrid work model, with a significant presence in Berlin. The office is likely designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and community among employees. Office Location(s): The primary office is located in Berlin, Germany. The company also has other international offices, and the role offers "Work from anywhere in the world for 40 days per year," indicating a flexible approach to location for remote work periods.

Workspace Context:

• The environment is expected to be collaborative, with designers working closely with product managers, engineers, researchers, and other cross-functional partners.
• Access to modern design tools, collaboration platforms, and company data/AI resources is implied for effective workflow.
• Opportunities for informal and formal interactions with team members through regular team events and company-wide gatherings.

Work Schedule: While the standard is 40 hours per week, the "flexible working arrangements" suggest that core hours may exist for collaboration, but there's latitude in structuring the workday to support work-life balance and personal productivity needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid and "work from anywhere" policies suggest a modern, trust-based work culture that prioritizes results and flexibility over strict office presence. This is particularly relevant for operations professionals who might need to align with distributed teams or manage workflows across different time zones.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit CV/resume in English.
• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and portfolios to assess fit.
• Design Exercise/Challenge: Candidates may be asked to complete a take-home design challenge or a live design critique/whiteboarding session to assess problem-solving skills, design thinking, and communication.
• Interviews with Team: Interviews with key stakeholders including Product Managers, Engineers, fellow Designers, and potentially leadership. These will focus on design process, collaboration, strategic thinking, and cultural fit.
• Portfolio Review Presentation: Candidates are often asked to present their portfolio, walking through selected case studies to demonstrate their skills, impact, and thought process.
• Final Interview: Potentially a final discussion with a senior leader or hiring manager to confirm overall fit and alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-4 strong case studies that best represent your experience and align with the role's requirements (e.g., complex problem-solving, consumer-facing products, data/AI integration).
• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, your key contributions, the challenges you faced, and the impact of your design solutions (use metrics where possible).
• Highlight Strategic Thinking: Emphasize how you translated business goals and user needs into design decisions. Showcase your ability to think at a higher level about product strategy and vision.
• Demonstrate Craftsmanship: Ensure your prototypes and visual designs are polished and clearly communicate your interaction and visual design skills.
• Prepare for Questions: Be ready to discuss your design choices, trade-offs, and how you collaborated with cross-functional teams.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Thoroughly read and understand any provided design challenge brief.
• Define Scope: Identify the core problem to solve and the key user needs to address.
• Show Your Process: Even in a limited time, demonstrate your design thinking process – research, ideation, sketching, wireframing, and proposed solutions.
• Consider Constraints: Think about potential technical or business constraints GetYourGuide might face.
• Articulate Rationale: Be prepared to clearly explain the reasoning behind your design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on presenting a portfolio and potential design challenges highlights the importance of demonstrating practical design skills and the ability to articulate design rationale effectively. Understanding GetYourGuide's business context and user base will be crucial for tailoring these presentations.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable given industry trends and collaborative needs), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop).
• Prototyping Tools: InVision, Principle, ProtoPie (for advanced interactions).
• User Research Tools: UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, Qualtrics.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel (for understanding user behavior and product metrics).
• Data Visualization: Tableau, Looker, or similar tools may be used by data teams, requiring designers to understand how to interpret and leverage this data.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a designer's tool, understanding how CRM data (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms influence customer journeys and user data is beneficial.
• Familiarity with Content Management Systems (CMS) or A/B testing platforms might also be advantageous for understanding implementation workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in modern design and prototyping tools like Figma is almost certainly expected. The mention of data sets and AI suggests a need for designers who can work with and interpret data from analytics platforms to inform their work.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A core tenet will be a deep empathy for travelers, ensuring all design decisions prioritize user needs and create delightful experiences.
• Collaboration: Emphasis on working effectively with diverse teams (Product, Engineering, Research, Operations, etc.) to achieve shared goals and build cohesive products.
• Data-Informed Decisions: Valuing the use of data and insights (including AI) to guide design strategy and validate solutions, balancing intuition with evidence.
• Innovation & Curiosity: Encouraging exploration of new ideas, technologies, and approaches to solve complex problems and push the boundaries of travel experiences.
• Impact-Driven: Focusing on delivering measurable business outcomes and improving the traveler journey through thoughtful and effective design solutions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect close partnerships with Product Management to define strategy and roadmaps, and with Engineering to ensure feasibility and quality of implementation.
• Feedback Culture: An environment that encourages constructive feedback, open discussion, and iterative improvement of designs and processes.
• Shared Ownership: A mindset where design, product, and engineering teams share responsibility for the success of the product.
• Stakeholder Management: Engaging with various stakeholders to gather input, align on vision, and communicate design progress and rationale.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture likely values a blend of analytical rigor (data, AI) and creative problem-solving (design). The emphasis on collaboration and a user-centric approach points to a team environment where diverse perspectives are valued and contribute to the final product.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: As part of a new, strategically important team, there will likely be a degree of ambiguity in defining the exact scope and direction, requiring strong leadership and problem-solving skills to drive clarity.
• Balancing Innovation and Scalability: Creating novel experiences within specific travel categories while ensuring these solutions are scalable, technically feasible, and align with GetYourGuide's overall platform architecture.
• Integrating AI/Data Insights: Effectively translating complex data and AI outputs into intuitive and user-friendly design elements that genuinely enhance the traveler experience.
• Cross-functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent design vision and execution across multiple teams and stakeholders with potentially competing priorities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI & Data Design: Gaining hands-on experience in designing products that leverage AI and large datasets, a highly sought-after skill in the current tech landscape.
• Strategic Impact: Opportunity to significantly shape the product strategy and user experience for key growth areas within GetYourGuide.
• Mentorship and Leadership: Access to formal mentorship programs and opportunities to mentor junior designers, developing leadership capabilities.
• Industry Exposure: Working within the fast-paced travel tech industry, staying abreast of emerging trends and technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for roles in new, strategic teams, offering significant growth potential for individuals comfortable with ambiguity and proactive problem-solving. The opportunity to work with AI and data is a key differentiator for skill development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach defining the product strategy and North Star for the Category Experiences team, given the goal of verticalizing different travel experiences?" (Focus on user research, market analysis, and business objectives.)
• "Describe a time you had to influence stakeholders or navigate conflicting priorities to achieve a design outcome. What was your approach, and what was the result?" (Highlight collaboration, communication, and negotiation skills.)
• "How do you balance user needs with business goals and technical constraints when designing a new feature or product?" (Emphasize your problem-solving framework and ability to find optimal solutions.)
• "Walk us through a complex problem you solved using data or AI insights. How did you ensure the solution was user-centered and effective?" (Showcase your analytical skills and ability to translate data into design.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about GetYourGuide's mission and the travel experiences industry?" (Research the company's mission and values, and connect them to your own aspirations.)
• "How do you approach collaboration with engineers and product managers? What makes a strong product triad?" (Demonstrate your understanding of cross-functional teamwork and your collaborative style.)
• "What are your thoughts on designing for ambiguity, and how do you typically approach it?" (Share strategies for creating structure and clarity in uncertain environments.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure your Presentation: Start with an overview of your background, then dive into 2-3 selected case studies. For each case study:
  • Context: Briefly introduce the company/product and the specific problem you addressed.
  • Your Role: Clearly define your responsibilities and contributions.
  • Process: Detail your design methodology (research, ideation, prototyping, testing).
  • Solutions: Showcase your key design artifacts (wireframes, mockups, prototypes) and explain your rationale.
  • Impact: Present the results and outcomes, using metrics where possible to demonstrate success.
• Highlight Leadership: Emphasize your strategic thinking, ability to influence, and how you drove the design process forward.
• Engage the Audience: Be prepared to answer questions throughout or at the end of your presentation. Practice your delivery to ensure it's clear, concise, and engaging.
• Tailor to GetYourGuide: If possible, subtly weave in how your experience relates to GetYourGuide's business (e.g., travel, e-commerce, scaling).

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skills but also strategic thinking, leadership potential, and the ability to integrate data/AI into user-centered design. Understanding GetYourGuide's business model and user base will be critical for tailoring responses.

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📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead Product Designer position:

• Submit your CV/resume in English through the provided application link.
• Portfolio Preparation: Curate 2-3 of your most relevant case studies that showcase your end-to-end design process, strategic thinking, and impact on user experience and business goals. Ensure your portfolio clearly articulates your role, the problem, your process, and the outcomes.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your 7+ years of experience in product design, specifically mentioning cross-platform experience, user research, prototyping, visual design, and collaboration with cross-functional teams, including operations. Quantify achievements where possible.
• Interview Preparation: Familiarize yourself with GetYourGuide's website, mission, and recent news. Prepare to discuss your portfolio case studies in detail, focusing on your design process, decision-making, and impact. Practice answering behavioral and situational questions related to collaboration, problem-solving, and handling ambiguity.
• Company Research: Understand GetYourGuide's position in the travel industry, their target audience, and their use of technology (AI, data). Be ready to articulate why you are a good fit for their culture and specific team mission.

⚠️ 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.