Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: Hagerty

Location: United States (Remote)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: March 19, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote (with hybrid option for those near Traverse City HQ)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive and deliver end-to-end product design projects, from conceptualization to launch, for a globally recognized automotive enthusiast brand.

• Collaborate closely with Product Management, Engineering, and Business stakeholders to translate complex customer and business needs into intuitive and elegant user experiences across various platforms.

• Contribute to the strategic direction of Hagerty's digital products, leveraging a strong understanding of user needs, business objectives, and design best practices.

• Define and evolve visual systems and user interactions, ensuring a high level of craft and execution that aligns with Hagerty's brand identity and user expectations.

• Actively participate in design critiques, providing and receiving constructive feedback to elevate the quality of design work across the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a mid-level Product Designer, indicated by the 2-5 years of experience requirement. The emphasis on "large and ambiguous scope" and driving projects end-to-end suggests a need for autonomy and strategic thinking beyond just executing design tasks. The user experience focus within the automotive enthusiast and specialty insurance sectors implies a need for understanding niche user needs and business intricacies.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design process for significant and complex product initiatives, taking ownership from initial concept through to final implementation and iteration.

• Develop user-centered design solutions that address both customer pain points and strategic business objectives, ensuring a seamless and valuable experience for Hagerty members.

• Foster strong collaborative partnerships with Product Managers, Engineers, and other cross-functional teams to ensure design vision is understood, aligned, and effectively executed.

• Create detailed user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity visual designs that clearly communicate design intent and user interaction behavior.

• Champion user experience best practices and contribute to the continuous improvement of Hagerty's design language and visual systems.

• Present design concepts, rationale, and outcomes clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, including product leadership and executive stakeholders.

• Proactively identify opportunities for product innovation and improvement based on user research, market trends, and business goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer who can manage ambiguity, influence product strategy, and execute across the full design spectrum. The emphasis on partnership with Product and Engineering is critical for GTM success.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, or a related field.

Experience:

• 2-5 years of demonstrated experience in product design, with a strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end product development and shipped features.

Required Skills:

• Interaction Design: Ability to define and design intuitive user flows and interaction patterns based on user needs and business goals.

• Visual Design: Proficiency in typography, color theory, layout, iconography, and a strong aesthetic sense for creating visually appealing and functional UIs.

• Prototyping: Expertise in using prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD) to create interactive mockups and demonstrate user flows.

• User Experience (UX) Design: Deep understanding of user-centered design principles, user research methodologies, and usability best practices.

• Product Strategy: Ability to contribute to product strategy by identifying user needs, business opportunities, and making data-informed design decisions.

• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and present work effectively to mixed audiences.

• Problem-Solving: Capacity to tackle complex and ambiguous design challenges with creative and effective solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the automotive, insurance, or membership-based industry.

• Familiarity with design systems and the ability to contribute to their development and maintenance.

• Experience with user research techniques and synthesizing findings into actionable design insights.

• Knowledge of accessibility standards (WCAG) and inclusive design principles.

• Experience working in Agile/Scrum development environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Required degree-Bachelors of Art / Bachelors of Fine Art, Graphic Design" is specific. The emphasis on "end-to-end experience" and "broad/ambiguous scope" implies a need for a designer who can operate with a high degree of autonomy and strategic input.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Excellence & Problem Solving: Showcase a strong aesthetic sense, a deep understanding of user needs and business problems, and a clear narrative demonstrating how design solved specific challenges.

• Unique Contribution: Clearly articulate your individual role and contributions to each project, distinguishing your work from team efforts.

• Impact & Results: Provide evidence of the outcomes and impact of your design work, ideally supported by metrics or qualitative feedback demonstrating the value delivered to users and the business.

• Process Documentation: Include artifacts that illustrate your design process, such as user flows, wireframes, research insights, multiple iterations, and high-fidelity prototypes.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrations of your end-to-end design process across multiple projects, including interaction and visual design artifacts.

• Evidence of iterative design thinking, showing how feedback and research informed design changes.

• Examples of creating high-fidelity prototypes to effectively communicate and test design concepts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for a portfolio link and the detailed breakdown of what constitutes a strong portfolio are critical for applicants. This indicates a significant emphasis on practical, demonstrable design skills and impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• While a specific range is not provided, for a Product Designer role with 2-5 years of experience in the US, a competitive salary range typically falls between $90,000 - $130,000 annually. This can vary based on specific location, cost of living, and the depth of demonstrated skills.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive healthcare (medical, dental, vision)

• Retirement savings plan (e.g., 401k)

• Paid Time Off (PTO) and holidays

• Parental leave

• Professional development opportunities and training

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Membership benefits through Hagerty Drivers Club

Working Hours:

• Full-time, typically 40 hours per week.

• Offers flexibility, with remote work options. For those within 20 miles of Traverse City headquarters, a hybrid schedule (3 days in office) is followed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The note about specific jurisdictions requiring direct inquiry for compensation and benefits suggests that Hagerty may have varying compensation structures or benefits packages based on location due to local regulations and cost of living. The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for a mid-level Product Designer in the US.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive Enthusiast / Specialty Insurance / Membership Organization

Company Size: Hagerty is a rapidly growing company, indicated by its "world's largest membership organization" status and diverse offerings (insurance, events, media). Its public company status implies a structured environment with established processes.

Founded: Hagerty was founded with a mission to save driving for future generations, emphasizing a passion-driven culture.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team likely operates within a larger product organization, collaborating closely with Product Management and Engineering.

• Designers are expected to partner with Product Managers and Engineers, suggesting a cross-functional, integrated team approach.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decisions: Emphasis on understanding customer and business problems, and potentially using data to inform design choices.

• User-Centered Design: Core to the role, focusing on creating valuable and useful products for members.

• Iterative Development: Implied through the need for feedback and multiple iterations in the design process.

• Strategic Contribution: Designers are expected to contribute to strategic decisions, not just execute tactical design tasks.

Company Website: hagerty.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Hagerty's culture is deeply rooted in automotive passion. The "winning culture" and "invest in every team member" points suggest a dynamic environment that values both high performance and employee development. The inclusive community aspect highlights a commitment to diversity and belonging.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level Product Designer

Reporting Structure:

Operations Impact:

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior/Lead Product Designer: Progression to more complex projects, greater strategic influence, and potentially mentoring junior designers.

• Design Specialization: Opportunity to specialize in areas like UX Research, Interaction Design, or Visual Design leadership.

• Cross-Functional Roles: Potential to move into Product Management roles or contribute to broader GTM strategy with deep product understanding.

• Industry Expertise: Deepen knowledge within the automotive enthusiast and specialty insurance sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities outlined are typical for a product design career path, emphasizing progression through increased responsibility, specialization, and leadership. The context of Hagerty's unique industry provides a specific niche for career development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid for those near Traverse City, MI; Fully Remote for others.

Office Location(s): Traverse City, MI (HQ); Global Remote presence.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: While remote, the expectation is to collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and other designers, likely through digital collaboration tools and regular virtual meetings.

• Tools & Technology: Access to standard design software and collaboration platforms is assumed.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction through virtual stand-ups, design reviews, and cross-functional meetings.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours (40 hours/week), with flexibility inherent in a remote or hybrid setup.

• Potential for travel for quarterly events, indicating a need for adaptability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model for those near the HQ offers a blend of in-office collaboration and remote flexibility, catering to different working preferences. The remote-first approach for others emphasizes the need for strong asynchronous communication skills.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit resume and a portfolio link.

• Portfolio Review: Initial screening based on portfolio quality, demonstration of process, unique contributions, and impact.

• Initial Screening Call: Discussion with a recruiter to assess fit, experience, and salary expectations.

• Design Challenge/Case Study: A practical exercise to assess design skills, problem-solving abilities, and approach to a specific problem. This may involve presenting work and rationale.

• Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other designers to evaluate collaboration skills, technical understanding, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: Discussion with hiring manager or senior leadership to assess strategic thinking, leadership potential, and overall alignment with the team and company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Structure your portfolio to tell a compelling story for each project, clearly outlining the problem, your process, your role, and the outcomes.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes) to demonstrate your design thinking and execution.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics or data that show the positive impact of your designs on users and the business.

• Highlight Your Contribution: Be explicit about what you did, especially in team projects.

• Tailor to Hagerty: If possible, showcase projects that demonstrate an understanding of user experience in complex industries or with passionate user bases.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to articulate your design process clearly and concisely.

• Practice presenting your work and rationale under time constraints.

• Anticipate questions about your decision-making process and how you handle trade-offs.

• Research Hagerty's products and brand to understand their context and potential user needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio review and design challenges indicates a highly practical approach to hiring, prioritizing demonstrated skills and problem-solving abilities over theoretical knowledge alone.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly likely, given industry trends), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator).

• Prototyping Tools: InVision, Principle, or built-in Figma/Sketch prototyping capabilities.

• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom.

• Project Management: Jira, Asana, Trello (or similar).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to understand user behavior data and inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary function for a designer, an understanding of how CRM systems (like Salesforce) and marketing automation tools impact user journeys and data flow can be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the specific stack isn't listed, Figma is nearly ubiquitous for modern product design teams. The ability to interpret user data from analytics tools is crucial for data-informed design.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Passion for the Automobile: A core value that permeates the company's mission and products.

• Customer Centricity: Focus on delivering value and exceptional experiences to members.

• Integrity & Craftsmanship: Commitment to high-quality work and ethical practices.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Emphasis on working together to achieve common goals.

• Innovation: Driving forward the mission and technology to preserve driving culture.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Partnership: Designers are expected to work closely and effectively with Product Managers and Engineers, fostering a shared understanding and ownership of product outcomes.

• Feedback-Oriented: A culture where constructive feedback is encouraged and valued for continuous improvement of both the product and individual skills.

• Transparent Communication: Open and clear communication is essential, especially in a remote/hybrid environment, to ensure alignment and progress.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values are deeply tied to its automotive enthusiast identity. This suggests a team that is passionate about its work and motivated by a shared mission beyond just business objectives.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Effectively integrating diverse user needs with the strategic objectives of a growing business in a specialized market.

• Designing for Ambiguity: Tackling large, undefined problems and translating them into clear, actionable design solutions.

• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong team cohesion and communication in a distributed or hybrid work environment.

• Evolving Technology & User Expectations: Staying abreast of new design trends, technologies, and evolving user expectations in digital product development.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Immersion: Deepen understanding of the automotive enthusiast and specialty insurance markets.

• Design System Contribution: Opportunity to contribute to or lead the development of Hagerty's design system.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gain insights into product management, engineering processes, and business strategy.

• Mentorship: Potential for mentorship from senior design leaders within Hagerty.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for a proactive, adaptable designer who can thrive in a dynamic environment and contribute strategically. The growth opportunities are aligned with typical career progression and industry-specific knowledge acquisition.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you took a broad, ambiguous idea and turned it into a valuable product feature. What was your process?" (Focus on problem definition, user research, ideation, iteration, and outcome).

• "How do you balance user needs with business objectives and technical constraints in your design process?" (Highlight your negotiation skills, prioritization frameworks, and ability to find win-win solutions).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Hagerty and our mission to save driving culture?" (Research Hagerty's mission, values, and recent news).

• "How do you contribute to a positive and collaborative team environment, especially in a remote or hybrid setting?" (Share examples of proactive communication, knowledge sharing, and supportive behaviors).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically, starting with the problem statement, your role, your process (showcasing key artifacts), your solutions, and finally, the impact/results.

• Storytelling: Make it a narrative. Explain why you made certain decisions and the trade-offs you considered.

• Visuals: Use high-quality visuals. Ensure your prototypes are functional and clearly demonstrate key interactions.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Practice your presentation to ensure it fits within the allotted duration while covering essential points.

• Engagement: Be prepared to answer questions about your work and defend your design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, collaborative capabilities, and a deep understanding of user-centered design principles, all within the context of Hagerty's unique industry.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

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

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible (link provided in application) and clearly showcases your best work, highlighting end-to-end product design processes, problem-solving skills, and quantifiable impact. Tailor your portfolio to demonstrate experience with complex or ambiguous projects.

• Resume Optimization: Craft your resume to emphasize relevant experience in product design, interaction design, visual design, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords from the job description and quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, decision-making rationale, and collaborative approach. Prepare case studies from your portfolio that align with the responsibilities and challenges outlined in the job description. Research Hagerty's mission, products, and culture thoroughly.

• Company Research: Understand Hagerty's position in the automotive enthusiast market, their commitment to preserving driving culture, and their business model (membership, insurance, etc.). This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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.