Product Designer II

Green Street Advisors, LLC
Full_timeβ€’Sofia, Bulgaria

πŸ“ Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer II
Company: Green Street Advisors, LLC
Location: Sofia, Bulgaria
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Product Design / User Experience Operations
Date Posted: August 27, 2025
Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)
Remote Status: Hybrid

πŸš€ Role Summary

  • This role is pivotal in enhancing user experience through the development and stewardship of a comprehensive design system, ensuring product consistency and scalability.
  • It involves leading rigorous user research initiatives, employing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies to uncover actionable user insights that directly inform product strategy and development.
  • The position requires close collaboration with product management, engineering, and design leadership to translate user needs and business objectives into intuitive and accessible digital product experiences.
  • You will be instrumental in advocating for user-centered design principles, ensuring that all product iterations are grounded in user feedback and adhere to best practices in accessibility and responsive design.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: While the title is "Product Designer II," the description heavily emphasizes UX Design and User Research, with a significant focus on Design Systems. This suggests a specialized operations role within the broader product design function, requiring a blend of strategic design thinking, user advocacy, and systematic process development.

πŸ“ˆ Primary Responsibilities

  • Design System Development & Maintenance:
    • Architect, build, and continuously evolve a scalable and cohesive design system to ensure brand consistency and efficient UI development across all digital products.
    • Collaborate with engineering and product teams to validate component feasibility and ensure seamless integration of design elements into the development workflow.
    • Establish and maintain comprehensive documentation for design patterns, component usage guidelines, and adherence to WCAG accessibility standards to empower development teams.
    • Conduct regular audits of existing user interfaces to identify inconsistencies, propose data-driven improvements, and maintain a high standard of user experience.
  • User Research Leadership:
    • Strategize, plan, and execute end-to-end user research projects, utilizing a mix of qualitative methods (e.g., user interviews, contextual inquiries, usability testing) and quantitative methods (e.g., surveys, analytics review).
    • Develop in-depth user personas, detailed user journey maps, and service blueprints to provide a clear understanding of target users and their interaction flows.
    • Synthesize complex research findings into clear, actionable insights and recommendations for product managers, designers, and stakeholders to drive informed decision-making.
    • Serve as a primary advocate for user needs throughout the product lifecycle, ensuring that user feedback is prioritized and integrated into product roadmaps and design iterations.
    • Partner with stakeholders to define critical research questions, establish clear objectives, and align on research methodologies to maximize impact and relevance.
  • UX Design Execution:
    • Translate research insights and user feedback into intuitive wireframes, interactive prototypes, and polished high-fidelity visual designs.
    • Iteratively refine designs based on usability testing results, A/B testing outcomes, and cross-functional team feedback to optimize user flows and task completion.
    • Ensure all design outputs comply with established accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG 2.1 AA) and promote inclusive design practices.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong operational focus on process standardization (design systems) and data-driven decision-making (user research). The role requires not just creation but also the systematic management and documentation of design assets and research findings, aligning with operations best practices for efficiency and quality control.

πŸŽ“ Skills & Qualifications

Education:

  • A Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, or a related field is typically expected, though equivalent practical experience demonstrating mastery of UX principles and research methodologies will be strongly considered.

Experience:

  • 3-5 years of professional experience specifically in User Experience (UX) Design and/or User Research roles, with a proven track record of contributing to product development cycles.
  • Demonstrated experience in building, managing, or significantly contributing to design systems, including component libraries, style guides, and usage documentation.
  • Experience planning and conducting a variety of user research methodologies (e.g., interviews, usability testing, surveys) and synthesizing findings into actionable product insights.

Required Skills:

  • Design System Expertise: Proven ability to develop, maintain, and advocate for design system components, patterns, and guidelines.
  • User Research Proficiency: Expertise in planning, executing, and analyzing qualitative and quantitative user research, including usability testing, user interviews, and surveys.
  • UX Design Tools: Advanced proficiency in Figma for wireframing, prototyping, and design system management.
  • Accessibility Standards: Solid understanding and practical application of accessibility principles and guidelines (e.g., WCAG).
  • Responsive Design: Strong knowledge of responsive design principles and best practices for various screen sizes and devices.
  • Communication & Collaboration: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and research findings effectively to diverse audiences.
  • Problem-Solving: Ability to balance user needs with business objectives, finding creative solutions that meet both.
  • User Personas & Journey Mapping: Skill in creating and utilizing user personas, journey maps, and other UX artifacts to guide product strategy.

Preferred Skills:

  • Agile Methodologies: Experience working within Agile development environments, participating in sprints, backlog grooming, and iterative development cycles.
  • Front-End Technologies: Familiarity with front-end development concepts, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, to better understand technical constraints and possibilities.
  • Analytics Tools: Knowledge of web analytics platforms such as Google Analytics (GA) or Hotjar for understanding user behavior and validating design hypotheses.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma, design systems, and user research methodologies points towards a role that requires structured, repeatable processes for design and insight generation, aligning with operations principles. The "Nice-to-Haves" further reinforce this, suggesting an appreciation for efficient development workflows and data-driven optimization.

πŸ“Š Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Design System Case Study: A dedicated section showcasing contributions to a design system – detailing its structure, key components, documentation process, and impact on design consistency and development efficiency.
  • User Research Impact: Demonstrations of user research projects, clearly outlining research objectives, methodologies employed, key findings, and how these insights directly influenced product decisions and improved user experience metrics.
  • End-to-End Design Process: Examples of your design process from ideation through to high-fidelity and user testing, illustrating your problem-solving approach and ability to iterate based on feedback.
  • Figma Proficiency: Evidence of advanced skills in Figma, particularly in creating interactive prototypes, managing design systems, and collaborating within a team environment.
  • Accessibility Integration: Examples showcasing how accessibility considerations were integrated into your design process and final deliverables.

Process Documentation:

  • Candidates are expected to articulate their approach to documenting design processes, including:
    • Designing and maintaining living design system documentation, including component specifications and usage guidelines.
    • Establishing clear protocols for conducting user research, from planning and recruitment to analysis and reporting.
    • Developing workflows for design iteration and feedback incorporation, ensuring continuous improvement.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: For a role focused on design systems and user research, a portfolio is critical for demonstrating systematic thinking and process execution. The expectation is not just visually appealing designs but also evidence of structured approaches to design system management, research execution, and the documentation of these processes.

πŸ’΅ Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

  • Based on industry benchmarks for a Product Designer II with 3-5 years of experience in Sofia, Bulgaria, and considering the hybrid work model and company's specialization in real estate analytics, a competitive annual salary range is estimated between BGN 70,000 - BGN 100,000 (approximately €35,790 - €51,130). This range accounts for the specialized nature of design systems and user research expertise.

Benefits:

  • Performance Bonus: Eligibility for an incentive performance bonus, reflecting a results-oriented compensation structure.
  • Health & Life Insurance: Comprehensive additional health and life insurance coverage, providing enhanced security and well-being.
  • Food Vouchers: Provided food vouchers, contributing to daily living expenses and employee welfare.
  • Multisport Card: Access to a Multisport card, promoting an active and healthy lifestyle.
  • Paid Time Off: Standard paid time off, including holidays and vacation days, in line with Bulgarian labor law.

Working Hours:

  • Hybrid Schedule: The role operates on a hybrid model, requiring 3 days per week in the Sofia office (Monday - Wednesday) and offering 2 days of remote work.
  • Daily Schedule Variation: Working hours are structured with flexibility: 3 days per week from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM EEST, and 2 days per week from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM EEST. This split schedule likely accommodates cross-functional team collaboration and individual focus time.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on research of similar mid-level design and UX roles in Sofia, Bulgaria, factoring in the specific skills required (design systems, research) and the company's industry. The benefits package is detailed, offering a good overview of the total compensation beyond base salary. The working hours are specific and indicate a structured approach to work-life balance and team availability.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏒 Company Culture

Industry:

  • Green Street operates within the Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Technology and Analytics sector, providing predictive analytics, data-driven insights, and actionable intelligence to investors, lenders, and industry stakeholders. This industry context means operations often involves handling large datasets, complex financial models, and translating technical insights into business strategy. Company Size:
  • Green Street is a well-established company with over 40 years of expertise, suggesting a stable and experienced organization. While the exact employee count isn't provided, its global reach across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia indicates a significant operational footprint and a mature organizational structure. Founded:
  • Founded over 40 years ago, Green Street has a long history of innovation and market leadership in real estate intelligence, implying a culture that values deep expertise, continuous improvement, and long-term strategic vision.

Team Structure:

  • Design Team: The Product Designer II will be part of a design team, working closely with a Design Manager, Product Managers, and Developers. This structure suggests a collaborative environment where design is integrated into the product development lifecycle.
  • Reporting: The role likely reports to a Design Manager or Head of Product Design, with direct interaction and collaboration with Product Managers and Engineering Leads.
  • Cross-functional Collaboration: Expect close partnerships with product management for defining product strategy and user needs, and with engineering for technical feasibility and implementation of designs and design systems.

Methodology:

  • Data-Driven Insights: The company's core offering is built on data and analytics, suggesting that a data-driven approach is fundamental to all operations, including design and research.
  • Systematic Thinking: The emphasis on design systems and research implies a preference for structured, repeatable processes that ensure quality, consistency, and scalability.
  • User-Centricity: The role explicitly calls for user research to inform decisions, highlighting a commitment to understanding and prioritizing user needs within the product development framework.

Company Website: www.greenstreet.com

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Understanding Green Street's position in the CRE analytics market is crucial. It implies that the design operations are geared towards presenting complex data and insights in an accessible and actionable manner for sophisticated clients. The company's long history suggests a culture that values stability, deep domain knowledge, and continuous adaptation to technological advancements.

πŸ“ˆ Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level:

  • This "Product Designer II" position is positioned at a mid-level, typically requiring 3-5 years of experience. It signifies a growing professional with established foundational skills in UX design and user research, capable of independent work on specific features or components, and starting to contribute to larger design initiatives like design systems. Reporting Structure:
  • The role will likely report to a Design Manager or a Senior Product Designer, who will provide guidance and oversight. Collaboration will be extensive with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other designers or researchers. This structure offers opportunities to learn from experienced leaders and contribute to team-level design operations. Operations Impact:
  • The impact of this role on operations is significant, as the design system directly influences the efficiency of the development team by providing reusable components and guidelines. User research insights ensure that product development efforts are aligned with market needs, reducing wasted resources on features that don't resonate with users. By ensuring intuitive and accessible interfaces, the designer contributes to user adoption and satisfaction, indirectly impacting retention and revenue.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Specialization: Potential to deepen expertise in design systems, becoming a Design System Steward or specialist, or to focus on user research, growing into a dedicated UX Researcher role.
  • Skill Development: Opportunities to hone skills in advanced prototyping, qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, and potentially gain exposure to front-end development principles.
  • Leadership Potential: With strong performance, growth could lead to a Senior Product Designer role, where one might mentor junior designers, lead larger design projects, or take ownership of specific product areas.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The "II" in the title and the 3-5 year experience requirement clearly place this role in the mid-career path. The emphasis on design systems and research offers clear avenues for specialization and growth within the UX/Product Design discipline, aligning with typical operations career progression in tech.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type:

  • The role is based on a Hybrid Office Model, requiring 3 days per week in the Sofia office. This suggests a modern office setup designed to foster collaboration and provide necessary resources, while also offering the flexibility of remote work. Office Location(s):
  • The office is located in Sofia, Bulgaria. Specific details about the office amenities or exact location are not provided, but it’s expected to be a professional workspace conducive to focused work and team interaction.

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and emphasis on cross-functional teamwork suggest an environment that encourages open communication, brainstorming, and shared problem-solving.
  • Tools & Technology: Employees will have access to necessary design software (Figma) and potentially other collaboration tools within the company's tech stack.
  • Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with designers, product managers, and engineers, both in person and remotely, to share ideas, receive feedback, and ensure project alignment.

Work Schedule:

  • The work schedule is defined as 3 days per week from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM EEST and 2 days per week from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM EEST. This structure provides a mix of later working hours, potentially to align with teams in different time zones or for focused individual work, and standard daytime hours. This flexibility is key for managing design processes that may span different project phases and team availabilities.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The hybrid model and specific working hours indicate a company that balances in-person collaboration with employee flexibility. The work environment is likely one that supports focused design work and team-based problem-solving, common in tech companies with established operations.

πŸ“„ Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: Likely a brief call with HR or a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, interest, and cultural fit.
  • Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: A significant part of the process will involve a review of your portfolio, focusing on design systems and user research. You may be asked to present specific case studies. A practical design exercise or case study, potentially focused on a design system component or a user research scenario, is probable.
  • Team Interviews: Interviews with the Design Manager, Product Managers, and/or Senior Engineers to evaluate your technical skills, collaborative approach, understanding of UX principles, and ability to integrate into the team.
  • Final Interview: Potentially with a higher-level manager or stakeholder to finalize the assessment of your fit and potential impact.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Highlight Design Systems: Dedicate a clear section to your design system work. Detail the problem you solved, your process for creating components, documentation standards, and the impact (e.g., improved consistency, faster development). Use Figma prototypes to showcase interactive components.
  • Showcase Research Impact: For user research projects, clearly outline the research goals, methodologies used, your role in conducting the research, key insights, and how those insights directly led to product improvements. Quantify impact where possible (e.g., "reduced task completion time by X%").
  • Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, follow a clear story: the problem, your process, your solution, and the results. Emphasize your thought process and decision-making.
  • Figma Mastery: Ensure your Figma skills are evident, whether through interactive prototypes, component organization, or collaboration features.
  • Accessibility Focus: Briefly touch upon how accessibility was considered in your projects.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Design System Thinking: Be prepared to discuss the principles of good design systems and how you approach building or contributing to one. If given a challenge, think about scalability, reusability, and documentation.
  • User Research Scenarios: Practice articulating how you would approach user research for a given product problem. Be ready to discuss participant recruitment, interview techniques, and how to synthesize findings.
  • Problem-Solving: Anticipate questions that require you to apply UX principles to solve hypothetical design problems.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio with specific examples of design system work and user research impact is paramount. The interview process will likely be rigorous, testing not only design skills but also strategic thinking, communication, and process adherence – hallmarks of effective operations professionals.

πŸ›  Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Figma: This is explicitly mentioned as a required skill, indicating it's the primary tool for wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and design system management. Proficiency here is essential for day-to-day operations. Analytics & Reporting:
  • Google Analytics (GA) / Hotjar: Mentioned as preferred skills, suggesting that the design team utilizes these tools to understand user behavior on the platform, gather feedback, and inform design iterations. This aligns with a data-driven operations approach. CRM & Automation:
  • While not explicitly mentioned, it's common for design teams in tech companies to interact with CRM data or project management/collaboration tools (e.g., Jira, Asana) to track tasks, user feedback, and integration with development sprints.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The tech stack emphasizes design-specific tools, particularly Figma. The inclusion of analytics tools as preferred points to an operations environment that values data-informed design decisions and continuous improvement based on user behavior metrics.

πŸ‘₯ Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • User-Centricity: The emphasis on user research and advocating for user needs suggests a core value of prioritizing the end-user experience in all design and product decisions.
  • Collaboration: The hybrid model and mention of working with cross-functional teams highlight a value placed on teamwork, open communication, and shared problem-solving.
  • Data-Driven Decisions: The company's foundation in analytics and the preference for research tools indicate a culture that relies on data and evidence to guide strategy and execution.
  • Consistency & Scalability: The focus on design systems underscores a commitment to creating efficient, repeatable processes that ensure quality and scalability across products.
  • Continuous Improvement: The iterative nature of design and research implies a culture that embraces feedback, learning, and ongoing refinement of processes and products.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to work closely with Product Managers and Engineers, fostering strong cross-functional relationships to ensure alignment between user needs, business goals, and technical feasibility.
  • Feedback Exchange: An environment where constructive feedback is welcomed and exchanged across disciplines to refine designs and processes.
  • Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement of sharing best practices, insights from research, and learnings from design system implementation within the design team and with broader product teams.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be a blend of analytical rigor, user advocacy, and collaborative execution. Professionals in operations roles will find value in a team that uses data to drive decisions and emphasizes collaboration for efficient product development.

⚑ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: A common challenge in design operations is harmonizing what users want with what the business needs to achieve. This role requires strong negotiation and communication skills to find optimal solutions.
  • Maintaining Design System Cohesion: As products evolve, keeping a design system up-to-date, comprehensive, and adopted across teams can be an ongoing challenge.
  • Synthesizing Diverse Research Data: Effectively translating varied qualitative and quantitative research findings into clear, actionable insights requires strong analytical skills.
  • Adapting to Evolving Technologies: Staying current with design tools, user research methodologies, and front-end development trends is crucial for continuous improvement.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Design System Expertise: Deepen knowledge in creating and managing complex design systems, potentially leading to specialized roles in this area.
  • Advanced Research Techniques: Gain proficiency in a wider array of user research methods and analytics tools.
  • Cross-functional Understanding: Develop a stronger understanding of product management and software development lifecycles through close collaboration.
  • Industry Knowledge: Build expertise in the real estate analytics sector, understanding the unique needs of its users and stakeholders.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for mid-level designers focused on systems and research, offering ample opportunities for skill development and career advancement within the operations framework of product design.

πŸ’‘ Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • Design Systems: "Describe your philosophy on building and maintaining a design system. What are the key components, and how do you ensure adoption and scalability?" Prepare to discuss the operational aspects of managing a design system.
  • User Research: "Walk me through a user research project you led. What were your objectives, methodology, key findings, and how did those insights impact the product?" Focus on your process and the actionable outcomes.
  • Problem-Solving: "How would you approach designing a new feature for [a hypothetical Green Street product] to improve user engagement, considering both user needs and business objectives?" Be ready to articulate your thought process, from research to solution.
  • Collaboration: "How do you typically collaborate with product managers and engineers? Describe a time you had to influence stakeholders to adopt a design recommendation based on research." Emphasize communication and influencing skills.
  • Tool Proficiency: "Tell us about your experience with Figma. What are some advanced features you utilize for design systems or prototyping?" Be ready to demonstrate your technical command.

Company & Culture Questions:

  • Research Green Street's products and services thoroughly. Understand their target audience and how design contributes to their value proposition.
  • Prepare questions about the current state of their design system, their user research practices, and the team's collaboration dynamics.
  • Be ready to articulate how your values and working style align with Green Street's culture of data-driven insights and user-centricity.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, with clear sections for Design Systems and User Research. For each project, use a case study format: Problem, Process, Solution, Results.
  • Narrative: Tell a compelling story about each project, focusing on your role, your thought process, and the impact of your work.
  • Visuals: Use high-quality visuals, including wireframes, mockups, prototypes (link to Figma or embed), and research artifacts (e.g., persona snippets, journey maps).
  • Metrics: Quantify your achievements whenever possible. Highlight how your work improved user experience, efficiency, or business outcomes.
  • Conciseness: Be prepared to present your key projects within a limited timeframe, focusing on the most impactful aspects.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a systematic, data-informed approach to design and research. Highlighting experience with design systems and user research, and being able to articulate the operational impact of your work, will be key differentiators.

πŸ“Œ Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer II position:

  • Submit your application through the provided link on the Green Street careers portal.
  • Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to specifically highlight your experience with design systems, user research methodologies, and proficiency in Figma. Showcase at least one robust case study demonstrating your process from research to design solution.
  • Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly details your 3-5 years of experience and uses keywords from the job description such as "Design Systems," "User Research," "Figma," "Accessibility," and "Prototyping." Quantify achievements where possible.
  • Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on your process, decision-making, and the impact of your work. Prepare to discuss your approach to user research and design system development.
  • Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Green Street's business, target markets, and recent company news. Understand how their data-driven approach influences their product design strategy.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Application Requirements

Candidates should have 3-5 years of experience in UX design and/or user research with a strong portfolio. Proficiency in Figma and a solid understanding of UX principles, accessibility, and responsive design are essential.