Product Designer - Mobile

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer - Mobile Company: Xero Location: Wellington, NZ & Auckland, NZ Job Type: Permanent Category: Product Design / GTM Operations (Design Enablement) Date Posted: 2025-08-06T00:00:00 Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the design vision and execution for Xero's flagship mobile accounting application (XAA), focusing on native iOS and Android experiences.
• Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and other Designers to deliver high-quality, user-centered design solutions that meet business objectives and technical feasibility.
• Contribute to the entire design lifecycle, from user research and problem definition to wireframing, prototyping, visual design, and user testing.
• Champion design best practices, including accessibility, design systems, and iterative product development based on user feedback and usage patterns.
• Enhance the operational efficiency of the product development process by providing clear, well-documented design specifications and actively participating in sprint cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is for a Product Designer, it has significant implications for Go-To-Market (GTM) operations by directly influencing the user experience of a core product. A well-designed mobile application facilitates smoother customer adoption, reduces support overhead, and enhances overall customer satisfaction, all of which are key GTM operational objectives. The role's focus on collaboration with product and engineering also aligns with operational principles of cross-functional alignment for efficient product delivery.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Deliver consistent, high-quality native iOS and Android designs for the Xero Accounting App, aligning with the overall product design vision.
• Advocate for design value and foster collaboration by conducting user research to deeply understand customer needs, pain points, and market trends.
• Define problems and create comprehensive design frameworks, including wireframes, user flows, and visual designs, to articulate effective solutions.
• Explore future concepts and develop phased implementation approaches, ensuring adherence to Xero's design system and technical constraints.
• Prototype design ideas, gather feedback from cross-functional peers, and iterate on designs to create cohesive and intuitive user experiences.
• Design for accessibility, ensuring the mobile application is usable by a diverse range of customers.
• Effectively communicate design rationale and decisions to product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders.
• Participate in user research, including planning and conducting studies relevant to the product area, and analyzing findings.
• Engage in user testing sessions with research teams to validate design concepts and identify areas for improvement.
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with product managers and engineers to ensure solutions balance user needs, business goals, and technical feasibility.
• Work closely with development teams during agile sprints to ensure accurate design implementation and troubleshoot any design-related issues.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on user-centric design and cross-functional collaboration, which are critical for successful product operations. The act of translating user needs into tangible design solutions and ensuring their effective implementation directly supports operational efficiency by minimizing rework and maximizing product adoption.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. Experience: 2-5 years of professional experience in product design, with a significant focus on mobile application design.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience designing for native iOS and Android platforms, with a strong understanding of platform-specific design patterns and best practices.
• Demonstrated skill and experience across the full design process, from uncovering customer needs and pain points to executing elegant and functional interfaces.
• Ability to create high-quality design work that demonstrably improves user experience and contributes to business outcomes.
• Proficiency in design tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar for wireframing, prototyping, and visual design.
• Experience in user research methodologies and conducting user testing to gather insights and validate design decisions.
• Strong understanding of accessibility principles and best practices in UI/UX design.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions effectively to cross-functional teams.
• Experience working within a product-led environment, understanding how design contributes to product strategy and growth.
• Ability to understand and iterate on products or experiences based on usage patterns and user feedback.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for financial or accounting software.
• Familiarity with design systems and the ability to contribute to their maintenance and evolution.
• Experience with animation and micro-interactions to enhance user experience.
• Understanding of agile development methodologies and experience working in a sprint-based environment.
• Ability to contribute to the development of future concepts and phased approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio demonstrating business outcomes and the ability to iterate based on usage patterns indicates a need for a designer who understands the operational impact of their work, going beyond mere aesthetics to drive tangible results.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a range of high-quality mobile design projects (iOS and Android).
• Case studies demonstrating a deep understanding of the design process, from problem identification and user research to solution execution and iteration.
• Examples that highlight how your designs have improved user experience and contributed to measurable business outcomes (e.g., increased engagement, conversion rates, reduced support queries).
• Visualizations of wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and final visual designs.
• Evidence of collaboration with cross-functional teams (product managers, engineers) to bring designs to life.
• Demonstration of problem-solving skills and the ability to navigate design constraints and technical feasibility.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of how you document design decisions, user flows, and interaction specifications for development teams.
• Include examples of how you've leveraged user feedback and usage data to iterate on designs and improve product processes.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how to work with and contribute to design systems to ensure consistency and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio that includes quantifiable business outcomes and evidence of process iteration is crucial. This demonstrates an operational mindset, where design is seen as a tool to drive efficiency and achieve strategic goals, rather than an isolated creative function.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: While not explicitly stated, for a Product Designer with 2-5 years of experience in New Zealand (Wellington/Auckland), a competitive salary range would typically be between NZD $75,000 - $110,000 annually. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for design roles in major New Zealand tech hubs, considering Xero's position as a leading software company.

Benefits:

• Generous paid leave for personal use.
• Dedicated paid leave for physical and mental wellbeing.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health support for employees and their families.
• Free medical insurance.
• Wellbeing and sports programs.
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) for community and support.
• 26 weeks of paid parental leave for primary caregivers.
• Employee Share Plan (ESP) for ownership and long-term incentives.
• Beautifully designed offices.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Opportunities for career development and advancement.

Working Hours: While specific hours are not detailed, a standard full-time role in New Zealand typically involves around 40 hours per week. Xero's emphasis on flexible working suggests potential for adaptability within these hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The comprehensive benefits package, particularly the paid leave for wellbeing, parental leave, and flexible working, indicates a company culture that values employee welfare and work-life balance. This can positively impact team morale and operational sustainability. The salary estimate is a market benchmark for operations-adjacent roles in the specified region.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software as a Service (SaaS), Fintech, Accounting Software. Xero operates in a dynamic and competitive tech landscape, with a strong focus on innovation and customer-centricity. Company Size: Xero is a large, publicly traded company with a significant global presence. This means ample resources, established processes, and opportunities for professional growth, but also requires navigating larger organizational structures. Founded: Xero was founded in 2006, establishing it as a mature and well-respected player in the cloud accounting software market.

Team Structure:

• The Product Designer will join the team responsible for the Xero Accounting App (XAA), Xero's flagship mobile experience.
• This team is cross-functional, comprising Product Managers, Product Designers, and Software Engineers, working collaboratively to deliver mobile features.
• The designer will likely report into a Design Lead or Head of Product Design, with direct collaboration lines to Product Managers and Engineering Leads for specific mobile initiatives.
• Collaboration extends across other product teams and departments (e.g., Marketing, Customer Support) to ensure cohesive user experience and alignment with business goals.

Methodology:

• Xero likely employs agile development methodologies, with a strong emphasis on iterative design and development cycles (sprints).
• Data-driven decision-making is expected, with a focus on understanding customer usage patterns and feedback to inform design and product roadmaps.
• Design thinking principles are core to the product development process, encouraging empathy for the user, ideation, prototyping, and testing.
• A commitment to a design system ensures consistency, efficiency, and scalability across Xero's product suite.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Xero's established presence and focus on customer-centricity suggest a culture that values operational excellence in product development and user experience. The emphasis on data and agile methodologies aligns well with modern operations principles.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Mid-Level, requiring demonstrated proficiency and the ability to work independently on design tasks while collaborating effectively within a team. It represents a crucial stage for developing expertise in mobile product design within a large SaaS organization.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will report to a Design Lead or Head of Product Design. They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads on a day-to-day basis, forming a core product team for the XAA. This collaborative structure allows for direct input into product strategy and execution.

Operations Impact: As a Product Designer for Xero's core mobile application, the impact on operations is significant. High-quality mobile design directly influences customer adoption, retention, and satisfaction, which are key metrics for GTM and overall business operations. A well-designed app can reduce customer support load, improve user efficiency, and reinforce brand loyalty, all contributing to more streamlined and cost-effective operations.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in native iOS and Android design patterns, accessibility standards, and advanced prototyping techniques. Opportunities to contribute to and evolve Xero's design system.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain experience working closely with product management and engineering teams, understanding the full product development lifecycle and technical constraints.
• Leadership Potential: As experience grows, opportunities may arise to mentor junior designers, lead specific design initiatives, or move into senior or lead designer roles within Xero's product teams.
• Industry Knowledge: Develop a strong understanding of the SaaS and FinTech industries, and the specific needs of small business owners regarding financial management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path emphasizes developing specialized skills within a critical operational area (product experience) and provides opportunities for leadership, contributing to the overall talent development within Xero's operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Xero offers modern, well-designed office spaces in both Wellington and Auckland. These environments are typically collaborative, with a focus on creating a positive and productive atmosphere for employees.

Office Location(s):

• Wellington, New Zealand
• Auckland, New Zealand Candidates are expected to work from one of these office locations, indicating a preference for on-site collaboration and team synergy.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to foster collaboration, with open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and dedicated spaces for focused work.
• Access to cutting-edge design tools and technology is expected, supporting the creative and analytical aspects of the role.
• Opportunities for informal and formal interaction with design, product, and engineering teams are abundant, promoting knowledge sharing and problem-solving.
• The office environment likely supports Xero's values of human-centricity and innovation.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time work schedule is implied, with the flexibility to adjust hours as per Xero's flexible working policy, allowing for better integration of personal and professional responsibilities. This flexibility can be beneficial for managing design tasks that require focused, uninterrupted time.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site work requirement suggests a focus on team cohesion and the benefits of in-person collaboration, which can be crucial for operational efficiency in design and product development, especially when dealing with complex problem-solving and rapid iteration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application & Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio for relevant experience and design quality.
• Hiring Manager/Recruiter Call: Initial discussion to assess fit, understand motivations, and answer candidate questions.
• Design Challenge/Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, walking through 1-2 key case studies that demonstrate their design process, problem-solving skills, and impact. A practical design exercise might also be included to assess specific skills.
• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers and Engineers to evaluate collaboration, communication, and technical understanding.
• Final Interview: A discussion with senior leadership or the Head of Design to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and overall suitability for the role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your mobile design experience, problem-solving abilities, and impact on business outcomes. Ensure a clear narrative for each case study.
• Highlight Process: Clearly articulate your design process, from research and ideation to iteration and final execution. Explain the "why" behind your design decisions.
• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, include metrics or data that demonstrate the positive outcomes of your design work (e.g., user engagement, conversion rates, task completion time).
• Showcase Collaboration: Mention how you worked with cross-functional teams, highlighting your ability to communicate and incorporate feedback.
• Design System Awareness: If applicable, discuss your experience with design systems and how you maintain consistency.
• Native Platform Expertise: Emphasize your understanding of iOS and Android design principles.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Xero's Product: Familiarize yourself with the Xero Accounting App and its competitors. Identify potential areas for improvement or innovation.
• Practice Communication: Be prepared to articulate your thought process clearly and concisely. Practice presenting your portfolio and design solutions.
• Think Operationally: Consider how your design solutions impact user workflows, business goals, and technical implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skill, but also an understanding of how design contributes to operational efficiency and business success, particularly in a mobile context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable, industry standard), Sketch, Adobe XD. Candidates should be proficient in at least one, with familiarity in others being a plus.
• User Research: Tools for user interviews, surveys, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, SurveyMonkey).
• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Confluence, Asana. Essential for cross-functional teamwork and project management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics, or internal Xero analytics platforms would be used to understand user behavior and product performance.
• Data Visualization: Tools like Tableau or Power BI might be used for reporting and presenting insights, though designers typically work with data provided by analysts.

CRM & Automation: While not directly used by designers, understanding how CRM systems (like Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms integrate with the product can provide valuable context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with modern design and collaboration tools is standard. Familiarity with product analytics tools is increasingly important for designers to understand the impact of their work on user behavior and business operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer-Centricity: A deep focus on understanding and serving the needs of small business owners through intuitive and efficient product experiences.
• Collaboration: Valuing teamwork and open communication across product, design, and engineering disciplines to achieve shared goals.
• Innovation: Encouraging creative problem-solving and the exploration of new ideas to continuously improve the product.
• Quality: A commitment to delivering high-quality, well-crafted designs that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
• Efficiency: Striving for streamlined processes and effective solutions that optimize user workflows and business operations.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are integral members of product teams, working closely with PMs and Engineers throughout the development lifecycle.
• Feedback Culture: An open environment for giving and receiving constructive feedback on designs and processes.
• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of insights, best practices, and learnings within the design team and across the wider organization.
• Agile Partnership: Working within agile sprints, designers are expected to be responsive and adaptable to changing requirements and priorities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on collaboration, quality, and efficiency directly aligns with operational principles for building and maintaining a successful product.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Effectively translating diverse user needs and complex business requirements into elegant and feasible mobile designs.
• Navigating Technical Constraints: Working within the specific limitations and capabilities of native iOS and Android platforms, and collaborating with engineering to find optimal solutions.
• Maintaining Consistency: Ensuring design consistency across a rapidly evolving mobile application and a broader product ecosystem, leveraging and contributing to the design system.
• Prioritization in a Fast-Paced Environment: Managing multiple design tasks and projects simultaneously, often with competing deadlines, within an agile development framework.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Mobile Design Skills: Deepening expertise in platform-specific UI/UX, animation, and accessibility for iOS and Android.
• Design System Contribution: Opportunity to influence and contribute to the evolution of Xero's comprehensive design system.
• Product Strategy Involvement: Gaining exposure to product strategy and roadmap planning, understanding how design influences business decisions.
• Mentorship: Potential to be mentored by experienced designers and to mentor junior designers as career progresses.
• Industry Exposure: Learning from a global leader in the accounting software space.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in product design roles within fast-growing tech companies and offer significant opportunities for skill development and operational problem-solving.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting user needs or business requirements in a design. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, decision-making, and impact).
• "How do you ensure your designs are accessible? Walk me through a specific example of incorporating accessibility into your workflow." (Demonstrate understanding of inclusive design principles).
• "Tell me about a challenging technical constraint you faced with mobile design. How did you collaborate with engineers to overcome it?" (Highlight collaboration and problem-solving).
• "How do you stay up-to-date with the latest mobile design trends and platform updates for iOS and Android?" (Showcase continuous learning and industry awareness).
• "Describe your experience working with a design system. How do you ensure consistency in your work?" (Emphasize efficiency and scalability).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Xero and our mission to help small businesses?" (Show research and alignment with company values).
• "How do you approach collaboration with Product Managers and Engineers?" (Focus on communication, empathy, and shared ownership).
• "Describe a time you received critical feedback on your design. How did you handle it, and what did you learn?" (Assess adaptability and receptiveness to feedback).
• "What do you think makes a great mobile accounting experience for small business owners?" (Show understanding of the target user and market).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative is Key: Structure your case studies as stories, highlighting the problem, your process, the solution, and the impact.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes) to illustrate your design decisions and user flows.
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, the trade-offs you made, and the impact of your work.
• Focus on Relevance: Tailor your presentation to highlight mobile design experience and your ability to contribute to Xero's product.
• Demonstrate Collaboration: Weave in examples of how you worked with others throughout your projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should emphasize demonstrating not only design skill but also an understanding of the operational impact of design, cross-functional collaboration, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer - Mobile position:

• Submit your resume and a link to your online portfolio through the provided application link.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your best mobile design work (iOS and Android), with clear case studies that detail your process, problem-solving, and impact. Highlight projects that demonstrate an understanding of user needs within a business context.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience in mobile product design, native platform expertise (iOS/Android), user research, prototyping, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords from the job description. Quantify achievements where possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work. Prepare to discuss specific projects from your portfolio and how you collaborate with Product Managers and Engineers. Research Xero's product and company values.
• Company Research: Gain a deep understanding of Xero's mission, its products (especially the Xero Accounting App), and its company culture. Familiarize yourself with the competitive landscape in accounting software.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions to provide a comprehensive overview. All details, particularly regarding salary expectations and specific interview processes, should be verified directly with Xero during the application and interview stages.