Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer Company: Penn Interactive Location: Philadelphia, PA Job Type: Full-Time Category: Product Design / UX/UI Date Posted: 2025-08-07T20:16:32 Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years) Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and deliver user-centered solutions for the Customer Activation Platform (CAP) team, focusing on organic and performance marketing, promotional, and loyalty programs.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with product managers, engineers, and stakeholders to drive acquisition, retention, and gamified engagement through targeted campaigns and optimized channels.
• Execute the full design process, from user research and ideation to wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity design, ensuring aesthetically pleasing and valuable user interfaces.
• Contribute to the evolution of the company's design system and language across platforms, ensuring consistency and quality in user experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is within the sports media and gaming industry, specifically focusing on customer activation platforms that drive user acquisition and retention. The Product Designer will be instrumental in shaping the user experience for marketing campaigns, loyalty programs, and gamified engagement features, requiring a blend of creative design skills and strategic business understanding.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Partner with product managers, engineers, and other product designers to conceptualize, design, and deliver end-to-end user experiences for the Customer Activation Platform.
• Utilize design frameworks such as Jobs to Be Done (JTBD) and the company's double-diamond design playbook to create user flows, journey maps, wireframes, and high-fidelity designs.
• Actively use and contribute to the company's design system and language across all product platforms to ensure brand consistency and a cohesive user experience.
• Conduct user research and usability testing, integrating quantitative feedback from intelligence tools like Amplitude to inform design decisions and improvements.
• Articulate and present design rationale, decisions, and work to stakeholders, clearly communicating the value and impact of design solutions.
• Provide and receive constructive feedback within the design team, fostering an iterative design process and continuous improvement culture.
• Develop aesthetically pleasing and functional user interfaces that delight users and add tangible value to the company's customer activation strategies.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of team and organizational processes, seeking efficiencies and best practices in design workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "customer activation" and "gamified engagement" suggests a focus on user behavior, conversion optimization, and retention strategies within the digital product lifecycle. The Product Designer will likely be involved in designing features related to user onboarding, promotional offers, loyalty tiers, and personalized campaign experiences.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent knowledge and/or experience.

Experience: Proven experience in product design, with a strong portfolio demonstrating mobile UX/UI design capabilities and a comprehensive understanding of the design process from research to execution.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools, with a strong emphasis on Figma.
• Demonstrated experience in mobile UX/UI design, creating intuitive and engaging user interfaces for mobile applications.
• Solid understanding of iOS and Android design patterns, conventions, and best practices.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills and a curious mindset, eager to understand business strategy and how design can support it.
• Ability to work autonomously, manage multiple tasks, and deliver high-quality work with minimal supervision.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and rationale effectively to diverse audiences.
• Experience with design systems and component-based design approaches.
• A portfolio that clearly showcases your design thinking, process, and impact through mobile case studies.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with front-end development technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• Prior experience designing for promotional campaigns, loyalty programs, or gamified engagement features.
• Familiarity with user research methodologies and usability testing techniques.
• Experience using analytics tools like Amplitude for quantitative user feedback and data-driven design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Nice to have" skills, particularly front-end development and experience with promotional/loyalty programs, indicate that candidates with a broader understanding of the product lifecycle and marketing mechanics will be highly valued. The portfolio should specifically highlight mobile case studies, emphasizing the candidate's ability to design for a mobile-first environment.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing a minimum of 2-3 detailed mobile case studies that illustrate your end-to-end product design process.
• Each case study should clearly articulate the problem statement, your role, research methodologies, design decisions, iterations, and the final outcome or impact.
• Demonstrate proficiency in key design tools, particularly Figma, including wireframing, user flow creation, prototyping, and high-fidelity UI design.
• Include examples of how you have contributed to or utilized design systems and style guides to maintain consistency across platforms.
• Showcase your ability to translate user needs and business objectives into effective and aesthetically pleasing user interfaces.

Process Documentation:

• Case studies should detail your approach to user research, including methods like interviews, surveys, and usability testing, and how findings informed design iterations.
• Evidence of applying design frameworks such as Jobs to Be Done (JTBD) or double-diamond methodology in your problem-solving approach.
• Illustrate your prototyping skills, showing interactive prototypes used for user testing and stakeholder reviews.
• Demonstrate your understanding of mobile-specific design patterns and conventions for both iOS and Android platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is a critical component of the application process. Candidates should focus on quality over quantity, ensuring each case study clearly articulates their design thinking, problem-solving skills, and the impact of their work, particularly within a mobile context. Demonstrating experience with specific tools like Figma and understanding of user acquisition/retention strategies will be key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $70,000 - $130,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation package, reflecting industry standards and the candidate's experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package, likely including health, dental, and vision insurance, and potentially retirement savings plans.
• Education and conference reimbursements, supporting continuous learning and professional development for operations professionals.
• Access to cutting-edge platforms and technologies within the sports media and gaming industry.
• Opportunities for career growth and advancement within PENN Entertainment's digital division.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours, likely around 40 hours per week, with potential for flexibility given the hybrid work arrangement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is a broad estimate for a Product Designer role in Philadelphia with 2-5 years of experience. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate's specific qualifications, experience, interview performance, and the company's internal compensation structure. The benefits listed emphasize professional development, which is crucial for keeping operations skills current.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Sports Media and Gaming Entertainment. PENN Entertainment is a leading integrated entertainment provider, with a significant presence in online gaming and sports betting through brands like ESPN BET and theScore.

Company Size: Penn Interactive is part of PENN Entertainment, a large publicly traded company with a substantial employee base across North America. The digital team, including PENN Interactive, likely operates with the agility of a tech company while leveraging the resources of a larger corporation.

Founded: PENN Entertainment has a long history, but PENN Interactive represents its digital expansion into online gaming and sports media. This indicates a culture that values innovation, technology, and adapting to evolving market trends.

Team Structure: The role sits within the Customer Activation Platform (CAP) team. This team is cross-functional, comprising product designers, product managers, engineers, and likely marketing specialists. Collaboration is key, as the team manages a critical aspect of user acquisition and retention. The reporting structure would likely be to a Design Lead or Product Lead within the CAP team.

Methodology: The team utilizes design methodologies like Jobs to Be Done (JTBD) and a double-diamond design process. They also leverage intelligence tools such as Amplitude for data analysis and user behavior insights. The culture encourages iterative design, data-informed decision-making, and continuous process improvement.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's expansion into the digital gaming and sports media space suggests a dynamic and forward-thinking culture. The emphasis on in-house technology development indicates a strong engineering and product focus, where design plays a crucial role in creating competitive user experiences. Collaboration with marketing and product management is essential for success in this role.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Mid-Level Product Designer role, typically requiring 2-5 years of dedicated experience in product design, UX/UI, and mobile design. The responsibilities suggest a contributor role with opportunities to lead specific design initiatives within the CAP team.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will report to a Design Lead or a Product Lead within the Customer Activation Platform (CAP) team. They will work closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and other Designers, fostering a collaborative and cross-functional environment.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer's work directly impacts user acquisition, retention, and engagement metrics for PENN Interactive's digital platforms (ESPN BET, theScore). By creating effective and enjoyable user experiences for promotional and loyalty programs, the designer contributes significantly to revenue generation and customer lifetime value.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in mobile UX/UI, user research, design systems, or specialize in areas like gamification or loyalty program design.
• Leadership Development: Progress to Senior Product Designer roles, leading design for larger features or product areas, and potentially mentoring junior designers.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain exposure to product management, engineering, and marketing, understanding the broader product development lifecycle and business strategy.
• Industry Expertise: Develop specialized knowledge within the rapidly evolving sports media and gaming industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "customer activation" implies that career growth will be tied to demonstrable impact on key business metrics like user acquisition cost (CAC), customer lifetime value (CLTV), and engagement rates. The role offers a clear path from mid-level individual contributor to a more senior or specialized design role within the digital gaming sector.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment, as indicated by the "#LI-Hybrid" tag. This suggests a blend of in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility.

Office Location(s): Philadelphia, PA is the primary location mentioned. The company also has locations throughout North America, suggesting potential for team members to be distributed across different regions, but requiring presence in Philadelphia for the hybrid component.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The hybrid model encourages in-office days for collaborative sessions, brainstorming, design reviews, and team building.
• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools like Figma, as well as collaboration and communication platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams) and potentially project management tools.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities to interact with a diverse team of designers, product managers, engineers, and marketing professionals, fostering a rich learning and exchange environment.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, typically around 40 hours per week. The hybrid arrangement likely allows for some flexibility in scheduling, within team coordination needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model is designed to balance flexibility with the benefits of in-person collaboration, crucial for design sprints, user research debriefs, and team cohesion. Candidates should be comfortable working both independently and collaboratively in a hybrid setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit resume and a link to your portfolio.
• Portfolio Review: Initial screening will heavily rely on your portfolio to assess design skills, process, and relevant experience.
• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: Discuss your background, experience, and approach to product design, focusing on your portfolio case studies.
• Design Challenge/Case Study Presentation: You may be asked to present a past project in detail or complete a take-home design challenge to showcase your problem-solving and design execution skills.
• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Engineers, or other stakeholders to assess collaboration, communication, and ability to work within a team.
• Cultural Fit Interview: Assess alignment with company values and team dynamics.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Process: Clearly articulate your design process, from problem identification and research to ideation, iteration, and final solutions. Use your case studies to tell a compelling story.
• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics or data that demonstrate the impact of your design work on user behavior, engagement, or business goals.
• Showcase Mobile Expertise: Ensure your portfolio prominently features mobile UX/UI case studies, demonstrating your understanding of mobile patterns and best practices.
• Figma Proficiency: Explicitly mention and demonstrate your skills with Figma, as it's a primary tool for the role.
• Tailor to the Role: If possible, subtly tailor your portfolio presentation to highlight experience relevant to customer activation, loyalty programs, or gamification within the gaming/media industry.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Business: Research PENN Entertainment, ESPN BET, and theScore. Understand their market position, target audience, and business objectives, especially concerning customer acquisition and retention.
• Design Thinking: Be prepared to walk through your design thinking process for solving a given problem. Focus on user needs, business goals, and constraints.
• Communication: Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely, justifying your choices based on user research, best practices, and business strategy.
• Iteration & Feedback: Be ready to discuss how you incorporate feedback and iterate on designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely be rigorous, with a strong emphasis on the portfolio. Candidates should be prepared to deeply discuss their design decisions and demonstrate how their work aligns with driving user acquisition and engagement in the competitive sports betting and gaming landscape.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for wireframing, user interface design, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency is a must.
• Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects are valuable for visual design, asset creation, and motion graphics.
• Framer: Potentially used for more advanced prototyping or interactive design.
• Sketch, Adobe XD: While Figma is emphasized, familiarity with other industry-standard design tools can be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Amplitude: Mentioned as a key intelligence tool for quantitative feedback, indicating its importance for data-driven design decisions.
• Google Analytics / Similar: Likely used for web and app analytics to track user behavior and campaign performance.

CRM & Automation:

• While not explicitly listed for the designer, understanding how marketing automation platforms and CRM systems influence user journeys and campaign delivery can provide valuable context for designing effective activation experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is paramount. The inclusion of Amplitude highlights the data-driven nature of the role, requiring designers to not only create visually appealing interfaces but also to understand and influence user behavior through data insights. Familiarity with the broader marketing technology stack can be a significant advantage.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A core value emphasizing the creation of user-centered designs that solve real problems and provide delightful experiences.
• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on working cross-functionally with product managers, engineers, and other designers to achieve shared goals.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizing user research and analytics (like Amplitude) to inform design choices and measure impact.
• Continuous Improvement: A commitment to refining processes, evolving the design system, and constantly seeking ways to enhance user experiences and team efficiency.
• Innovation: Encouraging exploration of new ideas and pushing boundaries in the sports media and gaming space.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to integrate seamlessly with product management and engineering teams, participating in agile ceremonies and contributing to sprint planning.
• Feedback Culture: An open environment for giving and receiving constructive feedback to improve designs and foster professional growth.
• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging sharing of best practices, design patterns, and insights within the design team and across departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team values a blend of creative execution and analytical rigor. Designers are expected to be both advocates for the user and strategic partners in driving business objectives, particularly around customer acquisition and retention through well-designed activation programs.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs and Business Goals: Designing experiences that are both user-friendly and effectively drive customer acquisition, retention, and engagement for marketing and loyalty programs.
• Rapidly Evolving Industry: Staying abreast of trends in sports media, gaming, and digital marketing to ensure designs remain competitive and innovative.
• Cross-Platform Consistency: Maintaining a cohesive user experience across different platforms and touchpoints, while adhering to design systems.
• Data Interpretation: Effectively translating quantitative data from tools like Amplitude into actionable design improvements.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Design Skills: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas like gamification design, loyalty program mechanics, or personalized user journeys.
• Industry Immersion: Gaining in-depth knowledge of the sports media and online gaming industries, understanding user motivations and market dynamics.
• Professional Development: Access to education and conference reimbursements to stay current with design trends, tools, and best practices.
• Mentorship: Potential for mentorship from senior designers or product leaders within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be translating design expertise into measurable business outcomes within a competitive and fast-paced industry. The growth opportunities are significant for designers who can demonstrate impact on key customer activation metrics.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing a new promotional campaign feature for our sports betting app to maximize user engagement?" (Focus on JTBD, user flows, and success metrics).
• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting stakeholder requirements with user needs. How did you resolve it?" (Highlight negotiation, compromise, and data-driven justification).
• "Walk us through a mobile UX/UI case study from your portfolio. What was the problem, your process, and the outcome?" (Be prepared to deeply discuss decisions and rationale).
• "How do you stay updated on design trends, especially within the gaming and media industries?" (Showcase proactivity in learning and industry awareness).
• "How do you collaborate with product managers and engineers to ensure design feasibility and successful implementation?" (Emphasize communication, teamwork, and understanding technical constraints).
• "How would you use data from Amplitude to inform your redesign of a user's loyalty program dashboard?" (Demonstrate analytical thinking and data-to-design application).

Company & Culture Questions:

• Be prepared to discuss why you are interested in PENN Interactive, ESPN BET, and the gaming/media industry specifically.
• Understand the company's mission and how your design philosophy aligns with it.
• Research the target audience for ESPN BET and theScore to demonstrate an understanding of their users.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio clearly, with distinct case studies. Start with a brief overview of the company/project, the problem, your role, and then dive into the process.
• Storytelling: Frame your case studies as narratives. What was the challenge, what actions did you take, and what were the results?
• Visuals: Use high-quality visuals of your designs, including wireframes, user flows, mockups, and prototypes. Annotate key decisions.
• Figma Demo: Be ready to potentially share your Figma file or demonstrate specific features if asked.
• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Highlight the most impactful aspects of your work and be ready to go deeper on specific areas if requested.

📝 Enhancement Note: Expect questions that probe your understanding of the user acquisition and retention funnel, as well as your ability to apply design thinking to business objectives within the gaming and media sector. Your portfolio is your primary tool; ensure it is polished, well-explained, and directly relevant to the role's requirements.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application via the provided link, ensuring your resume and a link to your portfolio are included.
• Portfolio Customization: Review your existing portfolio and tailor it to highlight mobile UX/UI case studies, specifically those involving user acquisition, engagement, loyalty programs, or gamified experiences. Ensure Figma proficiency is evident.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your experience with product design methodologies, key tools (especially Figma), and quantifiable achievements related to user experience improvements. Integrate keywords like "UX/UI," "mobile design," "prototyping," "user research," and "design systems."
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process and decisions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions. Prepare to discuss your portfolio case studies in detail, focusing on the "why" behind your design choices.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research PENN Entertainment, ESPN BET, and theScore. Understand their business model, target audience, and competitive landscape to better 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.