Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer Company: MLSE Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Job Type: Contract Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design Date Posted: 2025-07-23T14:49:40.192 Experience Level: 5-10 Years Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Focus on user-centered design delivery for fan and partner-facing digital products.
• Collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams including researchers, analysts, engineers, and strategists to bring product visions to life.
• Leverage strategic business insights and fan data to craft commercially viable and engaging digital experiences.
• Champion design excellence, driving innovation and ensuring world-class quality in product execution.
• Translate complex problems into intuitive and delightful user experiences.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop a deep understanding of fan needs, desires, and pain points through research and analysis.
• Design thoughtful, high-impact product experiences that empower both fans and partners of MLSE.
• Collaborate closely with product managers, engineers, researchers, and strategists to define and execute product roadmaps.
• Synthesize strategic business objectives with fan data and insights to create commercially viable and user-friendly experiences.
• Create comprehensive design artifacts, including user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and detailed handoff documentation for development.
• Advocate for design best practices, pushing the boundaries of innovation and maintaining a high standard of quality in product delivery.
• Blend strategic foresight with creative expression to solve complex user problems and deliver exceptional digital products.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of design processes and methodologies within MLSE Digital Labs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role emphasizes a strong blend of user-centricity, business acumen, and creative problem-solving within a sports and entertainment context. The contract nature suggests a focus on specific project deliverables within a defined timeframe.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred for roles of this nature. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience:

• A minimum of 4 years of progressive experience dedicated to user-centered design delivery.
• A demonstrable track record of successfully shipping high-quality, impactful digital products from concept to completion.
• Proven experience working collaboratively with product management and engineering teams to bring real-world products to market.

Required Skills:

• User-Centered Design: Deep understanding and application of user-centered design principles and methodologies.
• Product Design: Expertise in designing end-to-end digital product experiences, from ideation to implementation.
• Collaboration: Strong ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including product, engineering, research, and marketing.
• Prototyping: Proficiency in creating interactive prototypes to communicate design concepts and gather feedback.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to articulate design decisions and rationale clearly across disciplines.
• Design Excellence: A commitment to pushing for innovation and building products with world-class quality and aesthetic appeal.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to combine strategic business insights with user data to create commercially viable and desirable experiences.
• Problem Solving: Aptitude for translating complex challenges into elegant and effective design solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Mobile App Design: Experience designing for consumer-facing mobile applications, ideally with familiarity in React Native, native iOS, or native Android design patterns.
• Adobe Creative Suite: Proficiency in industry-standard design tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects.
• Figma: Expertise in using Figma for collaborative design, prototyping, and component-based design systems.
• Play (or similar emerging tools): Familiarity with newer design and prototyping tools that enhance creative workflows.
• Global Multi-Disciplinary Art and Design: A broad appreciation and understanding of diverse art and design practices to inform creative output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "4+ years" combined with the "5-10 years" AI-derived experience level suggests this role is targeting mid-to-senior level designers. The emphasis on shipping products and working with engineering teams highlights the need for practical, execution-oriented designers.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-4 end-to-end product design projects that demonstrate your user-centered design process.
• Clearly articulate your role and contributions within each project, especially in collaborative environments.
• Highlight projects that involved complex problem-solving and resulted in measurable positive outcomes for users and the business.
• Include examples of user research, journey mapping, wireframing, prototyping, and UI design.
• Demonstrate how you translated strategic business goals and user insights into impactful design solutions.

Process Documentation:

• For each project, provide a clear narrative of your design process, including:
  • Discovery & Research: How you understood the problem space, user needs, and business objectives.
  • Ideation & Design: Your approach to brainstorming, wireframing, prototyping, and iterating on design concepts.
  • Testing & Validation: How you gathered user feedback and validated design decisions.
  • Handoff & Collaboration: Your process for working with engineering and product teams for successful implementation.
  • Impact & Iteration: How you measured the success of the design and any subsequent improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a product design role, the portfolio is paramount. It should not just display final designs but illustrate the candidate's thought process, problem-solving skills, and ability to navigate the complexities of product development within an organization.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a contract position, the salary will likely be presented as an hourly rate or a fixed project fee. Based on industry standards for a Product Designer with 4-10 years of experience in Toronto, Canada, an estimated range would be CAD $45 - $70 per hour, depending on experience and the specific scope of the contract.

Benefits: As this is a contract position, standard full-time employee benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off may not be included or may be offered through a third-party contracting agency.

• Potential for extension or conversion to a full-time role based on performance and business needs.
• Opportunity to work with a leading sports and entertainment organization, contributing to high-profile digital products.
• Exposure to cutting-edge technology and innovative fan engagement strategies.
• Professional development opportunities through project-specific learning and collaboration.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are typically expected, likely around 37.5-40 hours per week. The contract duration is stated as 6 months, with potential for extension. Flexibility may be offered depending on project demands and team collaboration needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Contract roles often have different benefit structures. Candidates should clarify benefits, any potential for extension, and payment terms upfront. The salary estimate is based on market data for similar roles in Toronto.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Sports & Entertainment, Digital Media, Technology. MLSE operates at the intersection of professional sports and cutting-edge digital experiences, aiming to enhance fan engagement through technology. Company Size: MLSE is a large organization, employing thousands of people across various sports franchises, venues, and corporate functions. This implies a structured environment with diverse teams and established processes. Founded: Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Partnership (MLSE) has a long history, with its constituent teams dating back to the early 20th century. The MLSE Digital Labs initiative represents a modern focus on leveraging technology to enhance the fan experience.

Team Structure:

• The Product Designer will be part of MLSE Digital Labs, a team focused on digital product development.
• This team likely includes other designers (UX/UI, interaction), researchers, product managers, engineers (front-end, back-end, mobile), and data analysts.
• Collaboration is a key aspect, with designers working closely with product and engineering to bring concepts to fruition.
• The role likely reports into a Design Lead or Head of Product Design within the Digital Labs division.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making, utilizing fan data and insights to inform product strategy and design.
• Agile development methodologies are likely employed, emphasizing iterative design and development cycles.
• A strong focus on user-centricity, ensuring that fan needs and experiences are at the forefront of all product development.
• Emphasis on collaboration and communication across disciplines to ensure alignment and efficient execution.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Working for a major sports organization like MLSE offers a unique environment where passion for sports can intersect with digital innovation. The "Digital Labs" suggests a forward-thinking unit within a larger, established company.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Product Designer, likely at a mid-to-senior level, given the 4+ years of experience requirement. The focus is on hands-on design execution and collaboration within a product development team.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will report to a Design Lead or a Product Manager within the MLSE Digital Labs team. They will collaborate closely with engineers, researchers, and other product stakeholders.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer's work directly impacts the fan experience, brand perception, and potentially revenue streams through enhanced digital products and services. By creating intuitive and engaging digital touchpoints, they contribute to fan loyalty and engagement with MLSE's various sports properties.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of product design, such as mobile app design, interaction design, or design systems.
• Project Leadership: Potential to lead design efforts for specific features or smaller product initiatives within the Digital Labs.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain valuable experience working with diverse teams and understanding the broader product development lifecycle.
• Industry Insight: Develop a unique understanding of fan engagement strategies within the sports and entertainment industry.
• Contract Extension/Full-Time Conversion: Successful performance in this contract role could lead to longer-term opportunities or a permanent position within MLSE.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a contract role, it offers significant opportunities for skill development and exposure to a dynamic industry, which can be a stepping stone for future permanent roles in product design or related fields.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at MLSE's corporate office at 50 Bay Street in Toronto, indicating a professional, urban office environment.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is 50 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5J 2X2, Canada. This is a central business district location, accessible via public transportation.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is likely to be collaborative, with open-plan areas and meeting rooms designed to foster teamwork among designers, product managers, and engineers.
• Access to modern design tools and technology will be provided, supporting the creative and technical aspects of the role.
• Opportunities for regular interaction with colleagues within the Digital Labs team, as well as with stakeholders from various MLSE departments.
• The environment is expected to be fast-paced, reflecting the dynamic nature of the sports and entertainment industry and digital product development.

Work Schedule: A standard work schedule of approximately 37.5-40 hours per week is anticipated. While the core hours will be during business days, some flexibility may be required to meet project deadlines or facilitate cross-time zone collaborations if applicable.

📝 Enhancement Note: Being on-site in a major city like Toronto provides a vibrant work environment and access to a large professional network. The emphasis on collaboration suggests an active and engaged team dynamic.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely review applications and portfolios for basic qualifications and fit.
• Portfolio Review & Discussion: Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, discussing their design process, problem-solving approach, and specific project outcomes. Expect in-depth questions about your contributions and decision-making.
• Design Challenge/Case Study: A practical exercise may be given to assess design thinking, problem-solving skills, and ability to work within constraints. This could involve designing a feature or solving a user problem relevant to MLSE.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with product managers, engineers, or other designers to assess collaboration skills, technical understanding, and cultural fit.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader in the Digital Labs or a hiring manager for final approval.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Structure your portfolio presentations as compelling stories, clearly outlining the problem, your process, your solutions, and the impact.
• Process Emphasis: Focus on demonstrating your thought process, research methods, iteration, and collaboration, not just the final visual output.
• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics or data that show the positive impact of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, conversion rates, user satisfaction).
• Tailor to MLSE: Understand MLSE's brands and fan base. If possible, subtly tailor your project selection or presentation to resonate with the sports and entertainment context.
• Clarity and Conciseness: Be prepared to clearly articulate your contributions and design decisions concisely.

Challenge Preparation:

• Problem Decomposition: Practice breaking down complex problems into smaller, manageable components.
• User-Centricity: Always approach challenges from the user's perspective.
• Figma/Prototyping Skills: Be ready to use design tools to quickly mock up solutions or present ideas visually.
• Strategic Alignment: Consider how your solutions align with business goals and the MLSE brand.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for design roles heavily relies on the portfolio. Candidates should be prepared to defend their design choices and articulate their process thoroughly.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Expected to be the primary tool for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency is highly valued.
• Adobe Creative Suite: Including Photoshop (image editing, mockups), Illustrator (vector graphics, icons), and potentially After Effects (motion graphics, animations).
• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, familiarity with tools like InVision, ProtoPie, or Axure may be beneficial.
• Play: Mentioned as an emerging tool, indicating a willingness to explore and adapt to new technologies.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar platforms used for tracking user behavior and product performance.
• Data Visualization Tools: Experience with tools like Tableau, Looker, or Power BI can be helpful for understanding user data and presenting insights.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly the focus of a Product Designer, an understanding of how design integrates with CRM systems (like Salesforce) or marketing automation platforms can be advantageous for context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is a key requirement for modern product design roles. Familiarity with the broader digital product development ecosystem, including analytics, is also beneficial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Fan First: A core value likely emphasized at MLSE, meaning designs should prioritize and enhance the fan experience.
• Collaboration: Working effectively across teams is crucial for delivering integrated digital products.
• Innovation: A drive to explore new ideas and technologies to create cutting-edge fan experiences.
• Excellence: A commitment to high-quality design and product execution.
• Inclusivity: As stated in the company description, MLSE is committed to building an inclusive workplace. Designs should consider accessibility and diverse user needs.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to work closely with product managers, engineers, and researchers in a highly integrated manner.
• Feedback Loops: An open culture for giving and receiving constructive feedback on designs and processes.
• Agile Mindset: Embracing iterative development and adapting to changing requirements and insights.
• Shared Ownership: A sense of collective responsibility for the success of the digital products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at MLSE likely blends the passion of sports with the rigor of digital product development, emphasizing teamwork and a shared commitment to creating memorable fan experiences.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Fan Needs with Business Goals: Designing experiences that are delightful for fans while also meeting commercial objectives and technical constraints.
• Fast-Paced Environment: Adapting to the dynamic nature of the sports industry and rapid product development cycles.
• Cross-Franchise Consistency: Ensuring a cohesive digital experience across various MLSE sports properties (Leafs, Raptors, etc.).
• Leveraging New Technologies: Staying current with emerging design tools and technologies to maintain a competitive edge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry-Specific Design: Gaining unique insights into fan engagement strategies and digital product design within the sports and entertainment sector.
• Advanced Tool Proficiency: Opportunities to master tools like Figma and explore new design technologies.
• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Understanding the nuances of product management, engineering, and data analysis through close collaboration.
• Portfolio Enhancement: Building a strong portfolio with impactful projects for a well-known brand like MLSE.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents a unique opportunity to apply design skills in a passionate industry, facing the specific challenges and rewards that come with creating digital products for sports fans.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting stakeholder needs or user feedback with your design vision. How did you resolve it?" (Focus on your negotiation, communication, and decision-making process.)
• "Walk me through a complex product you designed from start to finish. What were the biggest challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Highlight your process, problem-solving, and impact.)
• "How do you ensure your designs are accessible and inclusive for a diverse user base?" (Emphasize your understanding of accessibility standards and inclusive design principles.)
• "How do you stay updated on the latest design trends and technologies, and how do you integrate them into your work?" (Showcase your continuous learning mindset and adaptability.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about designing for MLSE and the sports/entertainment industry?" (Research MLSE's teams, recent initiatives, and fan engagement strategies.)
• "How do you approach collaboration with engineers and product managers?" (Provide specific examples of your collaborative workflow.)
• "How would you measure the success of a new feature you designed for a fan-facing app?" (Discuss relevant KPIs and metrics.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start Strong: Begin with your most relevant and impactful project.
• Problem First: Clearly articulate the problem you were trying to solve for the user and the business.
• Process Walkthrough: Detail your steps—research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, testing, iteration. Show the "why" behind your decisions.
• Highlight Collaboration: Emphasize how you worked with others.
• Showcase Impact: Present the results of your design, using data if possible.
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your specific contributions, design choices, and challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to discuss your design process in detail, demonstrating your ability to think critically, solve problems creatively, and collaborate effectively within a team environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on SmartRecruiters.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and clearly showcases projects demonstrating user-centered design, end-to-end product delivery, and collaboration. Prioritize projects that align with consumer-facing digital products or mobile experiences.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight the 4+ years of experience in user-centered design, your track record of shipping high-quality products, and your proficiency with tools like Figma and Adobe Creative Suite. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, key project contributions, and problem-solving methodologies. Be ready to present your portfolio and discuss your work in detail. Research MLSE's brands and recent digital initiatives.
• Company Research: Understand MLSE's mission, values, and the specific context of MLSE Digital Labs. Familiarize yourself with their various sports teams and how digital experiences enhance fan engagement.

⚠️ 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.