Lead Product Designer (Remote from Ireland)

Jobgether
Full_time

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Product Designer
Company: Jobgether (Partner Company)
Location: Ireland
Job Type: Full-time
Category: Product Design Operations / GTM Design Strategy
Date Posted: January 9, 2026
Experience Level: 5-10 Years (Lead Level)
Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

  • Lead the end-to-end design process for impactful, user-centric experiences across diverse platforms (employee, employer, admin portals).
  • Guide and mentor a team of product designers, fostering a collaborative and high-performance design culture.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with Product Managers and Developers to ensure design solutions are aligned with strategic business objectives and technical feasibility.
  • Define, maintain, and evolve design systems, standards, and best practices to ensure consistency and quality across all product touchpoints.
  • Drive the product design vision and strategy, influencing the overall product roadmap and user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is posted by Jobgether on behalf of a partner company. While the core responsibilities are for a Lead Product Designer, the emphasis on cross-functional collaboration with Product Managers and Developers, and the alignment of design with business objectives, positions this as a critical GTM (Go-To-Market) Design Strategy role, impacting how the product is perceived and adopted by users. The mention of "employee, employer, and admin portals" suggests a complex ecosystem requiring sophisticated user journey mapping and operational design considerations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Conduct thorough analysis of customer and business problems to identify key pain points and opportunities for design-led innovation.
  • Own the full design lifecycle, from initial ideation and concept development through to final delivery and iterative post-launch feedback.
  • Partner closely with Product Managers to translate product requirements and business goals into intuitive and effective user interfaces and experiences.
  • Work hand-in-hand with Engineering teams to ensure designs are technically feasible, efficiently implemented, and maintain design integrity throughout the development process.
  • Provide mentorship, guidance, and constructive feedback to junior designers through regular design reviews, one-on-one sessions, and skill development initiatives.
  • Establish and champion the use of comprehensive design systems, ensuring consistency in visual language, interaction patterns, and component libraries across all product interfaces.
  • Contribute to and influence the overarching product vision and strategy, ensuring design considerations are integrated early and effectively.
  • Proactively identify opportunities for design improvements that enhance user satisfaction, drive engagement, and support key business metrics.
  • Manage design QA processes to ensure the final product meets high standards of usability, accessibility, and visual polish.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of individual contribution and team leadership. The emphasis on "analyzing customer and business problems," "collaborating closely with Product Managers and Developers," and "ensuring designs align with business goals" indicates a strong operational component to this design role. The expectation to "define and maintain design systems" and "manage the full product development cycle from concept to design QA" points to a need for robust process management and execution skills, common in operations-focused roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is typically expected for senior design roles. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.
Experience: 5-7 years of progressive experience as a Product Designer, with a significant portion spent in fast-paced environments such as scale-ups or startups. A minimum of 2 years in a Lead Product Designer capacity, with proven experience managing and mentoring design teams.

Required Skills:

  • Proficient in User Experience (UX) design principles and methodologies, including user research, journey mapping, wireframing, and prototyping.
  • Expert in User Interface (UI) design, with a strong visual design sensibility and ability to create compelling, intuitive interfaces.
  • Demonstrated experience in building and maintaining design systems, ensuring scalability and consistency.
  • Proven ability to collaborate effectively with Product Managers, Engineers, and other cross-functional stakeholders.
  • Experience managing and mentoring junior designers, providing constructive feedback and fostering professional growth.
  • Strong analytical skills to dissect complex user and business problems and translate them into design solutions.
  • Ability to work autonomously, take initiative, and drive projects forward with minimal supervision.
  • Experience managing the complete product development cycle, from initial concept through to design quality assurance (QA).
  • Passion for design excellence, continuous learning, and delivering user-centered solutions.

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience working with complex, multi-platform product ecosystems (e.g., user-facing, admin, internal tools).
  • Familiarity with agile development methodologies and working within sprint cycles.
  • Knowledge of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and experience designing for inclusivity.
  • Experience with user research methodologies and integrating user feedback into the design process.
  • Proficiency in data analysis to inform design decisions and measure impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of deep design craft and leadership capabilities. The specific mention of "5-7 years of experience as a product designer" and "2+ years of experience as a lead product designer" clearly defines the seniority. The need for "strong expertise in both UX and UI design" and "experience with design systems and collaboration with development teams" are critical for operationalizing design within a product development lifecycle. The ability to "work autonomously while empowering team members" and "balance deep-dive analysis with efficient execution" are key indicators of operational effectiveness expected from a lead role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of product design work, clearly articulating your role and contributions.
  • Case studies demonstrating your ability to tackle complex user and business problems, with a focus on the process and rationale behind your design decisions.
  • Examples of impactful UX/UI designs that have driven measurable business outcomes or significantly improved user satisfaction.
  • Demonstrations of your experience with design systems, including examples of how you've contributed to or leveraged them for consistency and efficiency.
  • Evidence of collaboration with development teams and how you've managed the design lifecycle from concept to implementation.

Process Documentation:

  • Showcase examples of how you've documented design processes, workflows, or user journey maps.
  • Highlight instances where you've implemented or improved design processes to enhance team efficiency or product quality.
  • Include any experience with defining or contributing to design QA checklists or standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Lead Product Designer role, a portfolio is not just a showcase of aesthetic skill but a demonstration of strategic thinking, process management, and impact. The requirements for "case studies demonstrating your ability to tackle complex user and business problems" and "impactful UX/UI designs that have driven measurable business outcomes" are crucial for demonstrating operational effectiveness and ROI for design initiatives.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the provided experience level (5-10 years, with 2+ years in a lead role), location (Ireland), and the inclusion of "competitive salary and stock grant opportunities," a typical range for a Lead Product Designer in Ireland would be between €70,000 and €100,000 annually, potentially higher for exceptional candidates or in specific tech hubs. Stock grants can significantly increase total compensation.

Benefits:

  • Competitive salary and stock grant opportunities, tailored to the role and candidate's location.
  • Flexible remote work options, providing work-life balance and autonomy.
  • Optional access to coworking spaces for those who prefer a structured work environment.
  • Opportunities for professional growth and continuous learning.
  • Dedicated mentorship programs to support career development.
  • A collaborative and inclusive team culture that values diverse perspectives.
  • Scalable benefits and rewards programs, customized to local regulations and employee needs.
  • The chance to work on a high-impact, globally used product.

Working Hours: While not explicitly stated, a full-time role in Ireland typically involves a standard 39-hour work week. However, the "flexible remote work options" suggest a degree of flexibility in how these hours are managed, aligning with modern operational practices that prioritize output and work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimation is based on industry benchmarks for Lead Product Designers in Ireland, considering the typical compensation structure for tech roles in scale-ups/startups which often includes equity. The benefits listed are directly from the job description, emphasizing aspects attractive to product professionals in remote settings. The mention of "scalable benefits and rewards programs tailored to your location" implies a structured approach to compensation and perks, common in well-organized companies.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / SaaS / Recruitment Platform (implied by Jobgether's focus). The partner company likely operates in a related tech sector where user experience and product design are critical differentiators.
Company Size: Not explicitly stated for the partner company, but Jobgether's involvement suggests a growth-stage or established startup environment where agility and impact are key. Roles in such companies often mean broader responsibilities and direct influence.
Founded: Not specified for the partner company.

Team Structure:

  • The Lead Product Designer will likely lead a small to medium-sized design team, potentially consisting of 2-5 other designers (UX/UI).
  • This team will report to a Head of Design, VP of Product, or a similar senior leadership role.
  • Close collaboration is expected with Product Management and Engineering teams, forming cross-functional "squads" or "pods" focused on specific product areas.
  • The role requires influencing product strategy, indicating close alignment with product leadership.

Methodology:

  • An iterative, user-centered design approach is implied, with a strong emphasis on data analysis and continuous feedback loops.
  • Agile methodologies are likely employed, requiring designers to work closely with development sprints.
  • Design systems are a core component, suggesting a focus on consistency, scalability, and efficient design handoff.
  • Cross-functional collaboration will be key, with regular syncs and joint problem-solving sessions.

Company Website: Jobgether: https://jobgether.com/ (Partner company website not provided)

📝 Enhancement Note: The information about the partner company is limited. However, Jobgether's role as a platform for job matching suggests a focus on efficiency and data in the hiring process. This implies the partner company likely values similar operational efficiencies and data-driven decision-making within their product development and GTM strategies. The "employee, employer, and admin portals" suggest a B2B SaaS model.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Lead level position, indicating significant responsibility beyond individual contribution. The role requires not only design expertise but also leadership, mentorship, and strategic influence. It sits at the intersection of product development, user experience, and business operations, shaping how products are designed and delivered to market.
Reporting Structure: The Lead Product Designer will report to a senior leader within the product or design organization (e.g., Head of Design, VP of Product). They will directly manage and mentor a team of designers.
Operations Impact: The Lead Product Designer has a direct impact on the company's operational efficiency through the design of user-friendly systems and the development of scalable design standards. Their work influences customer acquisition, retention, and overall user satisfaction, which are critical GTM and business operations metrics. By ensuring consistency and quality across platforms, they reduce friction for users and internal teams, contributing to smoother operations.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Leadership Advancement: Potential to grow into a Head of Design or Director of Product role, taking on broader strategic responsibilities and managing larger teams.
  • Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like design systems, UX research strategy, or accessibility.
  • Product Strategy Influence: Continued involvement in shaping the product roadmap and influencing business strategy through design thinking.
  • Cross-Functional Mobility: Potential to move into Product Management or other GTM strategy roles, leveraging their deep understanding of user needs and product development.
  • Mentorship & Training: Formal opportunities to develop leadership and coaching skills through mentoring programs and potentially leading internal design workshops.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead" title signifies a step towards leadership. The role's impact on "business objectives" and the requirement to manage "the full design cycle" highlight its operational significance. Growth opportunities are framed around expanding leadership scope and strategic influence, typical for senior roles in growth-stage companies.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This offers significant flexibility and autonomy. Optional coworking access is provided, catering to individuals who may benefit from a dedicated workspace or social interaction, but it is not a requirement.
Office Location(s): Primarily remote within Ireland. This allows for flexibility in daily work location while adhering to local employment regulations.

Workspace Context:

  • The remote nature fosters an environment where asynchronous communication and strong documentation are crucial for effective collaboration.
  • Access to digital collaboration tools and a well-defined design system will be essential for maintaining workflow and consistency.
  • The optional coworking access provides a hybrid element for those who seek it, potentially facilitating in-person collaboration for specific projects or team meetups.
  • The "collaborative and inclusive team culture" is expected to translate effectively into the remote environment through structured communication channels and virtual team-building activities.

Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexibility implied by the remote nature. This allows designers to manage their schedules effectively, balancing deep work sessions with collaborative meetings and personal commitments, which is beneficial for managing complex design projects and ongoing process optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote aspect is a significant differentiator. It implies a need for strong self-management, excellent communication skills, and proficiency with remote collaboration tools. The optional coworking access offers a nuanced approach to the remote work model.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio by Jobgether's AI-powered matching system and potentially a recruiter to assess core fit.
  • Hiring Company Review: Shortlisted candidates' profiles are shared with the partner company for further evaluation.
  • Design Challenge/Case Study: Candidates may be asked to complete a design exercise or present a deep dive into a portfolio case study, focusing on problem-solving, process, and impact.
  • Team Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Developers, and potentially other designers to assess collaboration skills, technical understanding, and cultural fit.
  • Leadership Interview: A final interview with senior leadership (e.g., VP of Product, CEO) to discuss strategic vision, leadership capabilities, and overall alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Showcase Leadership: Highlight projects where you led design initiatives, mentored others, or influenced product strategy.
  • Detail Your Process: Clearly articulate the problem, your approach, the tools and methods used, and the rationale behind your decisions. Emphasize how you balanced user needs with business goals.
  • Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., conversion rate improvements, user satisfaction scores, efficiency gains).
  • Design System Expertise: Include examples of your involvement with design systems, demonstrating your understanding of scalability and consistency.
  • Collaboration Evidence: Showcase how you worked with cross-functional teams.
  • Tailor to the Role: If possible, subtly align your portfolio presentation with the company's industry and known challenges.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand the Business: Research the partner company's product, target audience, and market position.
  • Think Strategically: Be prepared to discuss how design contributes to business objectives and GTM strategies.
  • Process-Oriented: Focus on your problem-solving methodology and how you would approach a given challenge systematically.
  • Communicate Clearly: Practice articulating your thoughts and design decisions concisely and effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mention of Jobgether's AI-powered matching process is a key differentiator. Candidates should ensure their applications and portfolios are optimized for both human and algorithmic review. The emphasis on "impactful projects," "user-centered solutions," and "collaboration" in the portfolio review tips directly aligns with the job description's requirements.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), InVision, Axure RP (or similar advanced prototyping tools).
  • Design Systems: Experience with building, maintaining, and scaling design systems using tools like Zeroheight, Storybook, or internal documentation platforms.
  • Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack, Miro, Mural.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • Product Analytics: Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel, Pendo (for understanding user behavior and identifying design opportunities).
  • Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI (for interpreting performance metrics and presenting findings).

CRM & Automation: While not directly a designer's primary tool, an understanding of CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and marketing automation platforms can be beneficial for understanding the broader GTM context and user journeys.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in industry-standard design tools like Figma and Sketch is a given. However, the emphasis on "design systems" and "collaboration tools" like Jira and Slack highlights the operational aspects of the role, requiring designers to integrate seamlessly into development workflows and communicate effectively within a remote team structure.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user in all design decisions.
  • Collaboration: A belief in the power of cross-functional teamwork to achieve shared goals.
  • Data-Driven: Utilizing data and insights to inform design choices and measure impact.
  • Efficiency & Scalability: A focus on creating designs and systems that are efficient to build, maintain, and scale.
  • Continuous Improvement: A mindset of always seeking ways to enhance the product, processes, and team capabilities.
  • Ownership & Accountability: Taking responsibility for design outcomes from conception to post-launch.

Collaboration Style:

  • Partnership: Working closely with Product Management and Engineering as equal partners in product development.
  • Transparent Communication: Openly sharing ideas, feedback, and progress.
  • Constructive Feedback: Providing and receiving feedback in a way that fosters growth and improves outcomes.
  • Empowerment: Encouraging team members to take initiative and contribute their best work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The implied values align with typical high-performing tech companies, particularly those in growth phases. The focus on "data-driven" and "efficiency & scalability" strongly suggests an operations-minded culture where design is seen as a critical lever for business success and operational smoothness.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing Multiple Platforms: Ensuring a cohesive and consistent user experience across employee, employer, and admin portals requires careful strategic planning and robust design system management.
  • Remote Team Leadership: Effectively leading and mentoring a design team remotely, fostering strong communication and cohesion without physical proximity.
  • Fast-Paced Environment: Adapting quickly to changing priorities and delivering high-quality designs under tight deadlines common in scale-ups/startups.
  • Influencing Product Strategy: Effectively advocating for design-led solutions and influencing strategic decisions within a cross-functional leadership team.
  • Integrating AI/New Technologies: Staying abreast of and potentially integrating emerging technologies into the design process and product offerings.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Leadership Training: Formal programs or mentorship focused on developing management and team leadership skills.
  • Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to explore cutting-edge UX/UI trends, interaction design, and design thinking methodologies.
  • Industry Conferences & Workshops: Support for attending relevant design and technology events to stay current and network.
  • Cross-Functional Exposure: Deepening understanding of product management, engineering processes, and GTM strategies through close collaboration.
  • Mentorship: Receiving guidance from senior leaders within the company or through external networks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlighted are typical for a lead role in a dynamic tech environment and require strong operational and leadership skills to navigate effectively. The growth opportunities are structured to build on existing experience, enabling career progression within design leadership or related GTM functions.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a time you led a design team through a complex product development cycle. What were the key challenges, and how did you ensure successful delivery?" (Focus on process, leadership, and problem-solving).
  • "How do you approach balancing competing business objectives with user needs when designing for multiple platforms?" (Focus on strategic thinking, trade-offs, and user advocacy).
  • "Walk us through your process for developing or significantly contributing to a design system. How do you ensure its adoption and ongoing maintenance?" (Focus on operationalizing design, collaboration, and scalability).
  • "How would you handle a situation where there's a disagreement between design recommendations and Product Management priorities?" (Focus on communication, negotiation, and collaborative problem-solving).

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "Based on your research, what do you see as the biggest design challenge for our product ecosystem?" (Demonstrate research and strategic insight).
  • "How do you foster a collaborative and inclusive culture within a remote design team?" (Assess leadership and team-building approach).
  • "How do you measure the success of your design work beyond subjective feedback?" (Focus on data-driven decision-making and impact measurement).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline the Problem, your Role, the Process, the Solution, and the Results.
  • Highlight Leadership: Emphasize instances where you guided others, made strategic decisions, or influenced project direction.
  • Showcase Process: Detail your methodology, including user research, ideation, prototyping, and iteration. Be prepared to discuss trade-offs made.
  • Quantify Impact: Present metrics that demonstrate the positive outcomes of your design work (e.g., increased user engagement, reduced support tickets, improved conversion rates).
  • Design System Examples: If applicable, dedicate a section or clearly integrate examples of your work with design systems.
  • Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, technical constraints, and collaboration dynamics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice focuses on demonstrating leadership, strategic thinking, and a robust, data-informed design process, all critical for a Lead Product Designer role with operational implications. Tailoring responses to the specific context of multiple platforms and remote team management is key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-aligned design position:

  • Submit your application through the Jobgether platform, ensuring your profile accurately reflects your experience.
  • Portfolio Optimization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature case studies demonstrating leadership, complex problem-solving, and measurable impact. Prioritize examples that showcase your experience with design systems and cross-functional collaboration.
  • Resume Tailoring: Update your resume to highlight experience in fast-paced environments, lead/mentorship roles, and the full product development lifecycle. Use keywords related to UX/UI design, design systems, and team management.
  • Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, leadership philosophy, and how you measure design success. Prepare specific examples of how you've driven business objectives through design.
  • Company Research: Investigate Jobgether's mission and the inferred industry of their partner company. Understand their likely user base and business challenges to better tailor your application and interview responses.

⚠️ 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 5-7 years of experience as a product designer, with at least 2 years in a lead role. Strong expertise in UX and UI design, along with experience in managing design systems and collaborating with development teams, is required.