Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer
Company: American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT)
Location: London, United Kingdom
Job Type: FULL_TIME
Category: Product Design / User Experience (UX) Design
Date Posted: 2025-10-27
Experience Level: 5-10 Years
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive product innovation by translating complex user needs and business requirements into intuitive and sophisticated product experiences for millions of business travelers, coordinators, and agents.
• Lead the end-to-end product design process, from user research and concept visualization to prototyping, user testing, and final design delivery within a blended model of centralized design and agile pod teams.
• Contribute to and maintain a scalable Design System, ensuring global product and brand identity consistency across Amex GBT's diverse digital offerings.
• Foster a collaborative environment with product management, development, and research teams, acting as a key problem-solver with a focus on user-centered design principles and actionable insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Product Designer with a strong emphasis on user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design within a B2B/SaaS context. The description highlights a blend of centralized design strategy and decentralized pod team execution, indicating a mature design organization. The requirement for 5+ years of experience suggests a mid-to-senior level individual contributor role.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive user research, including interviews and surveys, to deeply understand user needs, behaviors, pain points, and motivations within the business travel ecosystem.
• Develop foundational design artifacts such as user personas, detailed customer journey maps, and experience maps to articulate user flows and identify key moments for intervention and improvement.
• Translate research insights and product requirements into tangible design deliverables, including low-fidelity wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts and user flows.
• Lead and execute usability testing sessions with target users, meticulously gathering feedback to iterate on designs and ensure optimal user experience and product efficacy.
• Actively collaborate with Product Managers, Engineering teams, and other Product Designers to ensure design feasibility, technical alignment, and adherence to strategic business objectives.
• Champion and contribute to the evolution of the Design System, ensuring consistency in UI patterns, components, and brand elements across all product lines.
• Manage a portfolio of design projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, prioritizing tasks and ensuring timely delivery of high-quality design solutions.
• Stay abreast of emerging design trends, technological advancements, and best practices in UX/UI and product design to continuously enhance the team's capabilities and product offerings.
• Advocate for accessibility standards and best practices, ensuring all designs are inclusive and meet WCAG guidelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities indicate a hands-on design role requiring a broad skillset encompassing research, ideation, prototyping, and collaboration. The emphasis on "building and shipping sophisticated products" suggests a focus on tangible output and impact.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred for roles of this nature, demonstrating a foundational understanding of design principles and methodologies.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in Product Design, with a strong preference for candidates who have worked within B2B or SaaS environments, is required. This experience should showcase a proven track record of delivering successful digital products.

Required Skills:

• User-Centered Design (UCD) Expertise: In-depth understanding and practical application of UCD principles, methodologies, and processes throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Figma Proficiency: Demonstrated expertise in using Figma for wireframing, UI design, prototyping, and collaborative design workflows.
• Communication & Presentation Skills: Exceptional ability to clearly articulate design rationale, present design solutions to diverse stakeholders, and effectively defend design decisions.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Proven experience working effectively within cross-functional teams, including product management, engineering, and research.
• Problem-Solving Acumen: Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to identify complex user and business problems and devise innovative design solutions.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to design execution, ensuring pixel-perfect interfaces and a high-quality user experience.
• User Research Methodologies: Experience planning, conducting, and synthesizing user research, including usability testing, user interviews, and persona development.
• Accessibility Standards: Solid understanding of web accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and how to implement them in design.

Preferred Skills:

• Design System Contribution: Experience contributing to or maintaining a design system, including component creation, documentation, and governance.
• French Language Proficiency: While not mandatory, fluency in spoken and written French would be an asset for potential collaboration with French-speaking teams or users.
• Prototyping Tools: Proficiency with other prototyping tools beyond Figma, such as Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision, or Axure.
• Data Analysis for Design: Ability to leverage user data and analytics to inform design decisions and measure design impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma, B2B/SaaS experience, and a strong portfolio suggests that candidates should be prepared to showcase practical application of their skills, particularly in tool proficiency and user-centric problem-solving.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• User-Centered Design Process Showcase: Demonstrate a clear, end-to-end design process that prioritizes user research, ideation, iterative design, and validation.
• Problem/Solution Articulation: Clearly define the problem statement, the user needs addressed, and how your design solution effectively solves the problem.
• Visual Design & UI Polish: Present high-quality mockups and prototypes that exhibit strong visual design principles, attention to detail, and a consistent user interface.
• Impact & Metrics: Where possible, include quantifiable results or insights gained from user research, usability testing, or post-launch performance that highlight the impact of your design decisions.
• Tool Proficiency: Explicitly showcase projects where Figma was a primary tool for delivery.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Examples of how you've mapped out user flows, created journey maps, or designed complex workflows to simplify user interactions.
• Iterative Design: Illustrate how user feedback and research findings were incorporated into design iterations, showing the evolution of a design solution.
• System Contribution: If applicable, include examples of contributions to or usage of design systems, demonstrating an understanding of design consistency and scalability.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this role. Candidates should select projects that best demonstrate their ability to tackle complex B2B/SaaS challenges and showcase their proficiency with Figma and user research. The emphasis is on process and demonstrable impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Product Designers with 5-10 years of experience in London, UK, the estimated salary range is likely between £55,000 and £80,000 per annum. This range can vary based on specific skills, experience, and the final negotiation.

Benefits:

• Flexible Benefits Package: Tailored country-specific benefits including comprehensive health and welfare insurance plans.
• Retirement Planning: Access to robust retirement programs.
• Family Support: Generous parental leave and adoption assistance programs.
• Wellbeing Resources: Dedicated resources to support the overall wellbeing of employees and their immediate families.
• Exclusive Travel Perks: Weekly deals and discounts on flights, hotels, and car rentals from major travel providers.
• Learning & Development: Access to over 20,000 courses on the company's learning platform, leadership development programs, and opportunities for internal job mobility.
• Inclusion Groups: Opportunities to connect with colleagues through global INclusion Groups.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility often available depending on project needs and team dynamics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on current market data for Product Designer roles in London, UK, considering the specified experience level and the industry. Amex GBT emphasizes a comprehensive benefits package that extends beyond standard offerings, including significant travel perks and extensive learning opportunities.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: The company operates within the Business Travel and Technology sector, focusing on providing travel management solutions for businesses. This industry is characterized by a need for robust, reliable, and user-friendly platforms that can handle complex logistics and data.

Company Size: Amex GBT is a large, global enterprise, indicated by its extensive employee base and worldwide operations. This scale means opportunities for cross-functional collaboration, exposure to diverse markets, and potential for career advancement within a structured environment.

Founded: American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) was formed in 2014. Its history as part of American Express and its subsequent evolution into a leading independent business travel company signifies a strong foundation and continuous adaptation to market changes.

Team Structure:

• Blended Design Model: The design team operates under a hybrid structure, with a centralized design team responsible for global product and brand consistency, and individual designers embedded within product-specific "pod teams" (Product Management, Development, Research).
• Cross-Functional Pods: Designers work closely with Product Managers and Developers in agile pod teams, fostering a collaborative and integrated approach to product development.
• Centralized Design Authority: A core design function ensures a unified product and brand identity globally, providing strategic direction and maintaining design standards.

Methodology:

• User-Centric Problem Solving: The design approach prioritizes understanding and solving user problems, transforming complex challenges into clear and intuitive experiences.
• Data-Informed Iteration: User research and feedback are integral to the design process, driving iterative improvements and ensuring product-market fit.
• Agile Development Integration: Designers are embedded in agile teams, facilitating rapid iteration and close collaboration with engineering and product management.

Company Website: https://www.amexglobalbusinesstravel.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Amex GBT's culture appears to value collaboration, problem-solving, and individual growth within a large corporate structure. The blended design model suggests a balance between centralized strategic direction and decentralized execution.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Product Designer role is positioned at a mid-to-senior individual contributor level, requiring 5+ years of experience. It involves significant autonomy in design execution and a strong influence on product direction through user advocacy and design expertise. The role is expected to contribute to the strategic vision of the product, not just execute tasks.

Reporting Structure: Designers are part of a centralized design team, likely reporting to a Design Lead or Head of Design. Simultaneously, they are embedded in product pod teams, collaborating daily with Product Managers and Engineering leads. This dual reporting/collaboration structure allows for both functional design oversight and direct product team integration.

Operations Impact: Product Designers at Amex GBT directly impact operational efficiency and user satisfaction by creating intuitive tools for business travelers, travel coordinators, and agents. Their work streamlines travel booking, management, and expense processes, leading to cost savings, improved compliance, and enhanced employee experience. By simplifying complex travel operations, they contribute to the overall business efficiency of client companies.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas of product design, such as UX research, interaction design, visual design, or design systems.
• Leadership Track: Potential to move into Senior Product Designer roles, Lead Designer positions, or management roles within the design organization as experience grows.
• Cross-Functional Mobility: Exposure to product management, engineering, and business strategy can open doors to other roles within the product development lifecycle or broader GBT organization.
• Continuous Learning: Access to extensive learning resources allows for ongoing skill development and staying current with industry best practices and emerging technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers significant potential for growth within a large organization, with clear pathways for both individual contribution and leadership development in the UX/Product Design field.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in London, United Kingdom, and is classified as an on-site position. This suggests a traditional office environment where in-person collaboration, team meetings, and access to office-based resources are expected.

Office Location(s): The specific office location within London will be provided upon application or during the interview process. This typically means being situated in a business district, offering accessibility via public transport.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment is designed to foster collaboration, with shared workspaces, meeting rooms, and common areas for team interaction and brainstorming.
• Technology-Rich: As a technology-driven company, the office will be equipped with modern tools and technologies to support design and development workflows.
• Team Integration: Proximity to product management, engineering, and other design colleagues within the office facilitates seamless communication and co-creation.

Work Schedule: While the standard is 40 hours per week, the on-site nature implies adherence to typical office working hours, with potential for some flexibility depending on project demands and team agreements. This structure supports synchronous collaboration essential for design and development sprints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in London indicates a preference for in-person collaboration, which is often beneficial for design teams requiring dynamic brainstorming and immediate feedback loops.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and alignment with the role requirements.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on your experience, design philosophy, and suitability for the team and company culture.
• Design Challenge/Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you will present selected portfolio projects, walk through your design process, and potentially complete a design exercise. Expect questions about your decision-making, problem-solving approach, and how you handle feedback.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other Designers to evaluate collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to integrate into pod teams.
• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to assess strategic thinking and overall cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 strong case studies that best represent your skills in user-centered design, problem-solving, and your experience with Figma. Prioritize B2B/SaaS projects if available.
• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, the challenges you faced, your solutions, and the outcomes or learnings.
• Highlight Figma Usage: Explicitly mention and demonstrate your proficiency with Figma in your projects.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrates the positive impact of your designs on users or business goals.
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate detailed questions about your design decisions, trade-offs you made, and how you collaborated with others.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If a design challenge is provided, take time to understand the user and business context.
• Focus on Process: Demonstrate your structured thinking and user-centered approach, even if you don't reach a fully polished solution within the allotted time.
• Communicate Your Thinking: Verbalize your thought process, assumptions, and design decisions clearly.
• Prioritize Key Elements: Focus on core user flows and critical features.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely to be rigorous, with a strong emphasis on portfolio presentation and the ability to articulate a user-centered design process. Candidates should prepare to deep-dive into their project work.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: This is a mandatory requirement and will be the primary tool for UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency is essential.
• Prototyping Tools: While Figma is primary, familiarity with other prototyping tools (e.g., InVision, Axure) can be beneficial for understanding different approaches.
• User Research Platforms: Experience with tools like UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, or similar platforms for conducting and analyzing user research and usability tests.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Tools: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or specific product analytics platforms (e.g., Mixpanel, Amplitude) to understand user behavior and measure design impact.
• Data Visualization Tools: Exposure to tools that help in understanding and presenting data, which can inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: While not a direct user role, understanding how design impacts CRM workflows (e.g., Salesforce) can be advantageous in a B2B context.
• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for managing design tasks and collaborating within agile teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is a non-negotiable requirement. The broader tech stack emphasizes tools that support the full product development lifecycle, from research and design to testing and analytics.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the end-user, ensuring their needs are at the forefront of all design decisions.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Valuing open communication, constructive feedback, and a shared responsibility for product success within cross-functional teams.
• Innovation & Problem Solving: Encouraging creative thinking, challenging the status quo, and finding elegant solutions to complex user and business problems.
• Excellence & Craftsmanship: A dedication to high-quality design execution, attention to detail, and continuous improvement of design skills and processes.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Leveraging user research and analytics to inform design choices and measure the effectiveness of solutions.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Pods: Designers work seamlessly within agile pod teams, fostering close partnerships with Product Management and Engineering.
• Open Feedback Loops: A culture that encourages constructive critique and feedback exchange to elevate design quality and drive innovation.
• Shared Ownership: A sense of collective responsibility for product outcomes, where designers contribute strategically to the product roadmap and vision.
• Cross-Functional Communication: Regular communication and alignment with various departments to ensure design solutions meet diverse stakeholder needs and business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture emphasizes a balance between individual contribution and collective success, with a strong focus on user advocacy and data-informed decision-making within a collaborative, agile framework.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Global Consistency with Local Needs: Ensuring the design system and product experience remain unified globally while accommodating regional variations and user preferences.
• Complexity of Business Travel: Navigating the intricate workflows and diverse user needs within the business travel domain to create streamlined experiences.
• Rapid Evolution of Technology: Staying ahead of technological advancements and integrating new capabilities (e.g., AI, advanced personalization) into the product design.
• Stakeholder Alignment: Effectively managing expectations and gathering consensus from multiple stakeholders with potentially conflicting priorities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skill Development: Access to extensive training on cutting-edge design techniques, tools, and methodologies.
• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Opportunities to attend relevant industry events to gain insights and network with peers.
• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Exposure to product management, engineering, and business strategy can broaden understanding and career options.
• Mentorship Programs: Potential for mentorship from senior designers or leaders within the organization to guide career progression.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers the chance to tackle significant challenges in a complex industry, with ample opportunities for professional growth and skill enhancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex business problem you solved with design. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your structured approach, user research, and quantifiable results.)
• "How do you ensure design consistency across multiple products and platforms, especially when working within a design system?" (Highlight your understanding of design systems and your contribution to them.)
• "Walk me through a project where you had to make significant design trade-offs. How did you decide what to prioritize?" (Demonstrate your decision-making process and ability to balance user needs with business constraints.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Amex GBT and the business travel industry?" (Research the company's mission, values, and recent news.)
• "How do you approach collaboration with product managers and engineers? Describe a time you had a disagreement and how you resolved it." (Emphasize your teamwork, communication skills, and ability to integrate into agile pods.)
• "How do you incorporate user feedback into your design process, especially when it conflicts with your initial vision?" (Showcase your adaptability and user-centricity.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role, the process, your solutions, and the impact. Use visuals effectively.
• Emphasize Figma: Be ready to discuss your specific workflows and advanced features you use in Figma.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, user research findings, and technical considerations.
• Showcase Problem-Solving: Frame your projects as solutions to specific, well-defined problems.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a robust, user-centered design process, strong Figma skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively within a product team. Quantifiable results are highly desirable.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday portal link.
• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 5+ years of product design experience, specifically mentioning B2B/SaaS environments, Figma proficiency, user research, and your contributions to design systems. Use keywords from the job description.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 impactful case studies that clearly showcase your user-centered design process, problem-solving skills, and proficiency with Figma. Ensure each case study tells a compelling story of identifying a problem, executing a design solution, and demonstrating its impact.
• LinkedIn Profile Optimization: Ensure your LinkedIn profile aligns with your resume and portfolio, showcasing your latest projects and skills.
• Prepare for Interview Questions: Practice articulating your design process, decision-making rationale, and collaborative experiences. Be ready to discuss your approach to user research and design challenges.

⚠️ 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.

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