Product Designer (Mid) — 12‑month FTC (Maternity Cover)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer (Mid) — 12-month FTC (Maternity Cover)

Company: Oodle Finance

Location: Remote

Job Type: Contract, Temporary

Category: Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-03-16T15:40:10

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

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on end-to-end product design ownership within a cross-functional team, emphasizing the delivery of well-crafted and commercially meaningful solutions.

• The position requires a strong understanding of the customer journey, from initial discovery and user research through to high-fidelity UI implementation.

• Key responsibilities include designing for both web and mobile platforms, ensuring a cohesive cross-device experience.

• The role necessitates collaboration with product managers and engineers, contributing to a high standard of design quality, accessibility, and UX.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is for a Product Designer, the emphasis on "commercially meaningful work," "customer journey," and collaboration with product managers and engineers aligns with the strategic thinking often found in GTM (Go-To-Market) and operational roles. The need to support marketing with design assets also points to a broader understanding of business objectives.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design process from initial concept discovery, user research, and sketching to the creation of polished, high-fidelity UI designs ready for development.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers and Engineers to deeply understand user problems and business needs before ideating and proposing solutions.

• Conduct and contribute to user research initiatives, leveraging insights to validate design decisions and drive iterative improvements.

• Design intuitive and effective user experiences across web and mobile platforms, maintaining a keen awareness of cross-device consistency and user flow.

• Stay informed about fintech and automotive industry trends, benchmarking best practices to bring innovative and relevant design thinking to the team.

• Clearly present design concepts, prototypes, and final deliverables at various stages of the product development lifecycle, adapting designs based on stakeholder feedback.

• Champion design quality within the team by actively participating in design critiques, maintaining high standards for accessibility (WCAG compliance), and overall UX excellence.

• Provide design support to the marketing team, contributing to website enhancements, email campaign visuals, and presentation decks to ensure brand consistency and effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer who can not only execute visually but also engage in strategic problem-solving and user-centric research, a common expectation for mid-level product roles. The mention of supporting marketing with design needs suggests a requirement for understanding broader GTM efforts.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a background in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a related field is typically expected for product design roles. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: Demonstrable commercial experience in a product design role, with a proven track record of owning design projects end-to-end.

Required Skills:

• A strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end product design experience, including case studies of problem-solving and iterative design processes.

• Solid UI, interaction, and visual design skills, with a keen eye for detail and aesthetics.

• Expert proficiency in Figma, including its prototyping and collaboration features.

• Clear, organized, and articulate communication skills, both written and verbal.

• A collaborative mindset, adept at giving and receiving constructive feedback, and a willingness to support team members.

• Self-motivated with the ability to effectively manage priorities, timelines, and multiple projects simultaneously.

• Experience designing across web and mobile platforms, with an understanding of responsive design principles.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the fintech or automotive industries.

• Knowledge of accessibility standards and best practices (e.g., WCAG).

• Experience contributing to or maintaining design systems.

• Basic understanding of front-end development principles (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to better collaborate with engineers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a strong portfolio and end-to-end ownership, along with skills like UI, interaction, and visual design, are standard for Product Designers. However, the requirement for "clear, organized communication" and "collaborative mindset" is particularly crucial for roles embedded in cross-functional teams, mirroring operational requirements for effective stakeholder management.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end design projects, detailing the problem statement, your role, the design process, key decisions, and the final outcome.

• Include examples of user research conducted and how insights informed design solutions.

• Demonstrate proficiency in UI, interaction, and visual design through polished mockups and prototypes.

• Highlight experience with Figma, including its advanced features for prototyping and collaboration.

Process Documentation:

• Clearly articulate the design process followed for each project, emphasizing phases like discovery, ideation, iteration, and final delivery.

• Detail how user research was integrated into the design workflow.

• Illustrate how collaboration with product managers and engineers occurred throughout the project lifecycle.

• Explain how design quality, accessibility, and UX standards were maintained.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Product Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. The "Process & Systems" section is tailored to emphasize how candidates should present their work, focusing on the methodology, collaboration, and impact, which are critical for operational roles that value structured approaches and measurable outcomes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a 12-month FTC (Fixed-Term Contract) for maternity cover, the salary will be commensurate with the candidate's experience and skills, likely competitive for a mid-weight Product Designer role in the UK market. Based on industry benchmarks for similar contract roles in London/Oxford/Manchester or remote UK positions, a range of £50,000 - £70,000 per annum (pro-rata) is a reasonable estimate.

Benefits:

• Discretionary Company Bonus Scheme

• 25 days holiday (rising to 28 after 3 years' service) plus bank holidays

• Private Medical Insurance via Vitality

• Health Cash Plan via Simply Health

• Pension contributions (5% of salary)

• Life Assurance (4 x annual salary)

• Free breakfast, drinks, and fruit in the office (for office-based or hybrid workers)

• Employee discounts

• 1 day volunteer day per year

• Mental health care (6 free counselling sessions via EAP)

• Enhanced company sick pay

• Enhanced family leave (for primary and secondary caregivers)

Working Hours: Monday – Friday, 37.5 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on typical rates for contract Product Designers in the UK, considering the specified locations and experience level. The benefits listed are directly from the job description and are comprehensive for a contract role. The working hours are also directly stated.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Fintech), specifically focusing on car finance. Oodle Finance aims to provide simple, straightforward lending products and compassionate support.

Company Size: Oodle Finance is a growing company, indicated by its multiple office locations and commitment to employee development. While an exact number isn't provided, it suggests a dynamic environment capable of supporting a dedicated product team.

Founded: 2016, indicating a relatively young company that has achieved significant growth and customer reach since its inception.

Team Structure:

• The Product Designer will be part of a cross-functional product team, embedded alongside Product Managers and Engineers.

• This structure promotes agile development and close collaboration, allowing for rapid iteration and shared ownership of product outcomes.

Methodology:

• The company emphasizes a customer-centric approach ("Think customer") and a commitment to delivering simple experiences.

• Agile methodologies are likely employed, given the cross-functional team structure and focus on iterative development.

• Data-driven decision-making is implied through the focus on user research and commercial impact.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as inclusive, diverse, and focused on employee growth and well-being. The values ("Embrace being human," "Strive for awesome," "Everyone's a builder," "Bravely honest," "Think customer") provide a strong framework for understanding how teams operate and make decisions, which is crucial for candidates assessing cultural fit, especially in operations-oriented roles.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-weight Product Designer, implying a level of autonomy and responsibility for specific design projects. It's a step above junior roles, requiring independent execution and problem-solving, but not yet senior-level strategic leadership.

Reporting Structure: The designer will be embedded within a cross-functional product team, likely reporting to a Design Lead, Head of Product, or a Senior Product Manager, depending on the team's internal structure. They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineers within their team.

Operations Impact: While primarily a design role, the emphasis on "commercially meaningful work" and supporting the customer journey means the designer's output directly impacts revenue generation and customer satisfaction. This role contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the product development process, which is a key aspect of GTM operations.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Opportunity to deepen expertise in end-to-end product design, user research, and cross-device experiences within the fintech sector.

• Process Improvement: Contribute to enhancing the design process within the cross-functional team and potentially influence design quality standards.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain valuable experience working closely with product management and engineering, understanding their workflows and challenges, which is beneficial for operations-minded individuals.

• Portfolio Enhancement: The 12-month contract provides a substantial project to add to a professional portfolio, showcasing significant contributions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operations Impact" section is framed to highlight how a design role contributes to broader business operations and GTM success, emphasizing efficiency and commercial outcomes. The growth opportunities are tailored to a design professional within a business context.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Oodle Finance offers a hybrid working model, with options for working from their Oxford, London, or Manchester offices, or fully remotely within the UK. This suggests a flexible approach to work.

Office Location(s): Oxford, London, Manchester (specific office addresses not provided). The option for remote work means candidates are not tied to a specific physical location.

Workspace Context:

• Collaboration: The cross-functional team structure encourages a collaborative work environment where designers, PMs, and engineers work closely together. Design critiques are a regular part of the process.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools like Figma is expected, alongside other collaboration and communication platforms (e.g., Slack, Jira).

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with team members through virtual meetings, stand-ups, and potentially in-person gatherings if choosing a hybrid model.

Work Schedule: Standard Monday-Friday, 37.5 hours per week, offering a structured yet potentially flexible schedule to accommodate deep work and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid and remote options reflect modern work environments, and the focus on collaboration within cross-functional teams is a key aspect relevant to operations professionals who often bridge departmental gaps.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Preliminary Interview (30 mins): Likely a screening call to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and understanding of the role. Be prepared to briefly discuss your portfolio and relevant experience.

• Face-to-Face Interview (1 hour): A more in-depth discussion covering your design process, problem-solving skills, and collaborative approach. Expect to walk through specific portfolio case studies.

• Final Round (30 mins): Often with a senior leader or key stakeholder to assess strategic thinking, overall fit, and confirm details.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure is Key: Organize your portfolio logically. For each project, clearly outline the problem, your specific role and contributions, the process undertaken, key design decisions, and the outcome (quantify impact where possible).

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (mockups, prototypes, user flows) effectively. Explain your rationale behind design choices, especially how they addressed user needs and business objectives.

• Figma Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your advanced Figma skills, including complex prototyping, component usage, and collaboration workflows.

• Highlight Commercial Impact: Emphasize how your designs contributed to business goals, such as increased conversion rates, improved user engagement, or reduced customer support queries. This aligns with the "commercially meaningful" aspect of the role.

• Accessibility Focus: Be prepared to discuss your understanding and application of accessibility principles.

Challenge Preparation:

• While not explicitly mentioned, be prepared for a potential design exercise during the interview process. This could be a take-home challenge or an in-interview design sprint.

• Focus on demonstrating your ability to quickly understand a problem, ideate solutions, and articulate your thought process, mirroring the "discovery and sketching" aspect of the role.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is tailored to provide actionable advice for navigating the interview process, emphasizing the portfolio's role, which is critical for design and operations roles alike. The advice focuses on demonstrating process, collaboration, and impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential and required at an expert level for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration.

• Design Software: Proficiency in other relevant design and prototyping tools may be beneficial but Figma is the core requirement.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the designer's core tools but understanding the CRM (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and marketing automation platforms used by the business can provide context for marketing design requests.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Tools & Technology Stack" section is focused on the specific design tools mentioned, with an added note about analytics, which is relevant for demonstrating the commercial impact of design work, a key aspect for operations and GTM roles.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Embrace being human: Demonstrates empathy in design, considering diverse user needs and fostering inclusive experiences.

• Strive for awesome: Focus on continuous improvement in design quality, user experience, and efficiency of the design process.

• Everyone’s a builder: A collaborative spirit, contributing to the team's success and product development beyond just individual design tasks.

• Bravely honest: Providing constructive feedback to peers and stakeholders, and being transparent about design challenges and limitations.

• Think customer: Placing the customer at the center of all design decisions, ensuring solutions are user-friendly, valuable, and meet their needs.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Working closely with Product Managers and Engineers, participating in joint problem-solving sessions and development cycles.

• Feedback Exchange: Actively participating in design critiques, providing and receiving feedback constructively to elevate the quality of work.

• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to the team's collective knowledge on design best practices, user insights, and industry trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values are interpreted through the lens of a Product Designer's role, highlighting how these values translate into daily work, collaboration, and decision-making within a business context.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Design Excellence with Commercial Goals: Effectively translating user needs and aesthetic quality into "commercially meaningful" outcomes for a fintech product.

• Rapid Iteration in a Fast-Paced Environment: Adapting to the demands of an agile product team, potentially working on multiple projects or features simultaneously.

• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong communication and collaboration with team members across different locations and working arrangements.

• Design System Maturity: Potentially contributing to or working within an evolving design system, ensuring consistency while allowing for innovation.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Fintech/Automotive Industry Insights: Gaining specialized knowledge in the unique design challenges and user behaviors within the car finance sector.

• Cross-Functional Acumen: Deepening understanding of product management and engineering workflows, enhancing ability to collaborate effectively.

• User Research Expansion: Further developing skills in user research methodologies and translating findings into actionable design improvements.

• Portfolio Development: Building a robust portfolio with substantial project contributions over the 12-month period.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are framed to be realistic for a mid-weight designer in a growing company, with an emphasis on skills that are transferable to operations and GTM contexts. Growth opportunities focus on industry-specific learning and professional development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: "Walk me through a project from your portfolio where you took an idea from discovery to a high-fidelity UI. What was your process, and how did you ensure it was 'commercially meaningful'?" (Focus on structured problem-solving, user research integration, and outcome articulation.)

• Collaboration: "Describe a time you worked closely with product managers and engineers. How did you handle disagreements or differing perspectives? How do you ensure design is integrated early and effectively?" (Highlight communication, empathy, and teamwork.)

• Problem-Solving: "Imagine we want to improve the application completion rate for our car finance product. How would you approach this problem from a design perspective?" (Demonstrate user-centric thinking, research approach, and iterative ideation.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do Oodle's values (e.g., 'Think customer,' 'Strive for awesome') resonate with your personal design philosophy and work approach?" (Research the values and connect them to your experience.)

• "What interests you about working in the fintech industry, specifically car finance?" (Show genuine interest and understanding of the sector.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: For each case study, structure it as a story: the challenge, your specific role and actions, the solutions you designed, and the results achieved.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased conversion, reduced drop-off, improved user satisfaction scores).

• Showcase Figma Skills: Be ready to demonstrate specific Figma features you utilized, such as complex prototyping, auto-layout, component libraries, or collaboration tools.

• Adaptability: Be prepared to discuss how you adapted designs based on feedback or technical constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation advice focuses on demonstrating skills relevant to both product design and operational thinking – process, collaboration, problem-solving, and measurable impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio clearly highlights end-to-end product design projects, emphasizing your role, process, and the commercial impact of your work, particularly using Figma.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize experience in UI/UX design, user research, cross-functional collaboration, and any relevant fintech or automotive industry exposure. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice walking through your portfolio case studies, focusing on articulating your design decisions, process, and outcomes. Prepare to discuss your understanding of Oodle's values and mission.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Oodle Finance's products, mission, and company culture. Understand their customer base and the competitive landscape in car finance.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions to provide a comprehensive view. All details, especially regarding salary estimates and specific role nuances, should be verified directly with Oodle Finance during the application and interview process.