Product Designer - Sr.

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer - Sr. Company: OpenTable Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Job Type: Full-Time Category: Product Design / User Experience (UX) Date Posted: December 1, 2025 Experience Level: Senior (5-10 years inferred) Remote Status: Hybrid with remote flexibility

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on enhancing the OpenTable diner experience through strategic product design, collaborating with a global team of product managers, designers, engineers, and data scientists.
• The Senior Product Designer will be responsible for evolving and developing new user experiences that delight customers while balancing the needs of diners, restaurants, and the business.
• The position requires navigating the full spectrum of product design, from user research and ideation to high-fidelity design and A/B testing, contributing to product strategy and execution.
• This role emphasizes a collaborative approach, where the designer will actively participate in workshops, customer interviews, and team discussions to drive decision-making and problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job title "Product Designer - Sr." and the description of the role's responsibilities, including "defining our strategy and drive the future of OpenTable’s customer experience" and "evolve, and develop new experiences," strongly suggest a senior-level position. The inferred experience range of 5-10 years aligns with typical senior product designer expectations. The mention of "embedded on our Diner Engagement team" highlights a specific focus area within the broader product organization.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and execute product design strategies for the Diner Engagement team, contributing to the future vision of OpenTable's customer experience.
• Translate complex workflows and sophisticated business requirements into elegant, accessible, and user-friendly experiences across web and mobile platforms (iOS, Android, responsive web).
• Lead and participate in the full design lifecycle, including conducting user research, synthesizing insights, creating and testing prototypes, and delivering polished visual and interaction designs.
• Collaborate closely with product managers, engineers, and data scientists to ensure seamless implementation of UX designs and to bring new features and experiences to life.
• Facilitate and participate in design workshops, customer interviews, and ideation sessions to foster innovation and gather critical user feedback.
• Conduct A/B tests and analyze experiment results to iterate on designs and optimize user journeys for engagement and conversion.
• Proactively seek and incorporate feedback from senior team members, peers, and stakeholders, demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning and self-improvement.
• Contribute to the development of new experiences while ensuring alignment with the needs of diners, restaurant partners, and OpenTable’s business objectives.
• Champion user-centered design principles and best practices within the product development team and across the organization.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the latest design trends, methodologies, and tools to continuously elevate design quality and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities have been expanded based on the detailed description of the designer's activities, such as "sketching ideas and launching experiments as A/B tests," "conducting a customer interview or running a team workshop," and "navigating the full range of a product designer’s work—from research to high-fidelity designs." These actions are typical for a senior role responsible for end-to-end design ownership and strategic contribution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Graphic Design, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior Product Designer role. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: A minimum of 5-10 years of professional experience in product design, UX design, or a related field, with a proven track record of delivering impactful digital products. Experience working on global products within a large-scale, product-led environment is essential.

Required Skills:

• User Experience (UX) Design: Deep understanding of UX principles, user-centered design methodologies, and the ability to create intuitive and engaging user flows.
• Product Design: Proficiency in crafting end-to-end product experiences, from concept to launch, for both web and mobile platforms (iOS, Android, responsive web).
• User Research & Insights: Experience conducting various forms of user research, including customer interviews, usability testing, and synthesizing findings to inform design decisions.
• Prototyping & Wireframing: Skilled in creating low-fidelity wireframes and high-fidelity interactive prototypes using industry-standard tools.
• Visual Design: Strong aesthetic sensibility and the ability to create visually appealing, polished designs that align with brand guidelines and enhance usability.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Excellent ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including product managers, engineers, data scientists, and other designers.
• Problem-Solving: Creative and analytical approach to identifying user needs and business challenges, and developing innovative design solutions.
• Communication & Storytelling: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design decisions, present work effectively, and influence stakeholders.
• Design Systems & Tools: Proficiency with design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite) and an understanding of design system principles.
• A/B Testing & Iteration: Experience with launching and analyzing A/B tests to iterate on designs and drive measurable improvements.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience facilitating design workshops and team working sessions.
• Familiarity with data analysis and the ability to use data to inform design choices.
• Understanding of agile development methodologies.
• Experience working within the hospitality or travel technology sector.
• Knowledge of accessibility standards and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills have been synthesized from the job description's detailed list of what candidates "also" need to be. The education requirement is an inference based on standard industry expectations for a senior role. The "5-10 years" experience is an inferred range that aligns with "Senior" titles and the breadth of responsibilities described.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating end-to-end product design capabilities, problem-solving skills, and exceptional visual and interaction design execution.
• Case studies that clearly articulate the design process: problem definition, user research synthesis, ideation, prototyping, testing, and final design solutions.
• Demonstration of experience working across multiple platforms, specifically iOS, Android, and responsive web interfaces.
• Evidence of ability to translate complex workflows into elegant and accessible user experiences.
• Examples of how user insights and data (e.g., from customer interviews, A/B tests) were used to drive design decisions and improvements.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase a systematic approach to design, including how you gather and interpret user research, conduct iterative testing, and collaborate with engineering for implementation.
• Examples of how you have contributed to or managed design systems and ensured consistency across products.
• Illustrate experience with rapid prototyping and experimentation, including the use of A/B testing to validate design hypotheses.
• Demonstrate how you have effectively communicated design concepts and rationale to cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements have been detailed to reflect the emphasis on "problem-solving skills, exceptional visual design skills, and interaction design skills through a breadth of great product design work" and the need to show how candidates "navigate all stages of the design process." The process documentation section is inferred to align with a senior-level role that requires structured thinking and clear articulation of methodologies.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $135,000 - $150,000 CAD per year. This range is specifically for the Toronto, Canada location and reflects the senior-level experience and responsibilities associated with this role.

Benefits:

• Work Flexibility: Option to work remotely for up to 20 days per year, offering significant work-life balance and location flexibility.
• Health & Well-being:
  • Company-paid therapy sessions through SpringHealth.
  • Company-paid subscription to Headspace for mental wellness.
  • Annual company-wide week off for the entire team to recharge.
  • Private health and dental insurance.
  • Life and Disability insurance.
• Time Off:
  • Generous paid vacation and time off for your birthday.
  • 20 days of paid time off (PTO).
  • Paid volunteer time.
  • Paid parental leave.
• Career Development:
  • "Development Dollars" for professional growth.
  • Access to leadership development programs.
  • Thousands of on-demand e-learning courses.
• Financial & Other Perks:
  • Eligibility for annual bonus and equity grants.
  • Retirement benefits.
  • Flexible spending account.
  • Travel discounts.
  • Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) for community and support.

Working Hours: While the role is full-time (40 hours per week inferred), OpenTable emphasizes a global and dynamic work environment. This means that while core responsibilities align with conventional business hours, there may be a need for occasional communication (calls, Slack, email) outside of regular hours to collaborate with international colleagues or address urgent matters. Local laws and regulations will always be considered.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range was directly provided in the job description. The benefits have been categorized for clarity and detail. The working hours section clarifies the expectation for global collaboration and potential off-hours communication, which is common in international tech companies.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Hospitality, Food & Beverage, Software. OpenTable operates at the intersection of technology and hospitality, providing a platform that connects diners with restaurants. Company Size: OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, Inc., a large, publicly traded company. While OpenTable's specific size isn't stated, its global presence and integration within a larger corporation suggest a significant operational scale. This implies access to resources and established processes, but also the need for agility within a large structure. Founded: OpenTable was founded in 1998, giving it over 25 years of experience and a deep understanding of the restaurant industry and diner behavior. This long history translates into a robust understanding of market needs and a well-established brand.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Product Designer will be embedded within the Diner Engagement team, working closely with a global cohort of product managers, designers, engineers, and data scientists.
• This structure suggests a collaborative, cross-functional environment where designers are integrated early in the product development lifecycle.
• Reporting likely involves a Design Lead or Director, with close collaboration across product and engineering leadership for project execution.

Methodology:

• OpenTable emphasizes a data-driven approach, utilizing data scientists and A/B testing to inform product decisions and measure impact.
• The design process involves a blend of user research, ideation, prototyping, and iterative development, with a focus on translating complex challenges into elegant solutions.
• Collaboration is key, with frequent workshops and team discussions to shape decisions and solve problems collectively.

Company Website: https://www.opentable.com/ (Design-specific insights may be found at opentable.design as mentioned in the description)

📝 Enhancement Note: Company context has been synthesized from the provided description and general knowledge about OpenTable. The emphasis on "global team" and "product-led environment" informs the inferred team structure and methodology.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role. It signifies a significant level of autonomy, expertise, and responsibility. Senior designers are expected to lead complex projects, mentor junior team members, influence product strategy, and contribute to the overall design vision and standards of the company. They are key contributors to innovation and problem-solving, working on high-impact initiatives.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Design Lead, Senior Design Manager, or Director of Product Design. They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads on specific product initiatives, forming project-specific "squads" or "pods."

Operations Impact: While not a traditional "operations" role, this Product Designer role has a profound impact on the core operations of OpenTable's business by directly shaping the user experience for both diners and restaurants. By creating intuitive and efficient interfaces, this role influences diner engagement and conversion rates, restaurant adoption and satisfaction, and ultimately, revenue generation. Enhancements to the diner experience can lead to increased bookings, repeat usage, and loyalty, while improvements for restaurant partners can streamline their operations and enhance service delivery.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Path: Progression to Lead Product Designer, Design Manager, or Director roles, involving team leadership, strategic planning, and broader organizational influence.
• Specialization: Deepening expertise in specific areas like user research, interaction design, or platform-specific design (e.g., mobile-first design).
• Cross-Functional Mobility: Opportunities to move into Product Management or other strategic roles within the company, leveraging their deep understanding of user needs and product development.
• Skill Development: Continuous learning through "Development Dollars," access to e-learning, and leadership development programs, fostering growth in design craft, strategy, and leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section interprets the "Senior Product Designer" title within a broader career context, highlighting its strategic importance and potential for growth. The "Operations Impact" section bridges the gap between a design role and its influence on business operations and revenue.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job is based in Toronto, Canada, and is described as a "global and dynamic work environment." While not explicitly stated as fully remote or on-site, the "Work from (almost) anywhere for up to 20 days per year" perk and the mention of collaborating across time zones suggest a hybrid model with significant remote flexibility.

Office Location(s): The primary specified location is Toronto, Ontario, Canada. OpenTable operates globally, so other office locations exist within the company, but this role is tied to the Toronto hub.

Workspace Context:

• The environment fosters collaboration, with opportunities to work within cross-functional teams (product, engineering, data science) and participate in workshops.
• Access to a comprehensive technology stack and design tools is implied, supporting efficient workflow and creative execution.
• The culture emphasizes continuous learning, feedback exchange, and a focus on both individual and team growth, creating a supportive atmosphere for design professionals.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time (40 hours per week inferred). However, due to the global nature of the teams and customer base, there's an expectation of flexibility, potentially requiring occasional communication outside standard business hours to align with international colleagues or address urgent issues. OpenTable commits to adhering to local labor laws regarding working hours and conditions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment details are derived from the "Work Environment & Flexibility" section and the remote work perk. The emphasis is on how this context impacts a designer's daily work and collaboration patterns.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will likely review your application and resume, focusing on experience and alignment with the core requirements. Be prepared to highlight your senior-level experience and key achievements.
• Portfolio Review & Discussion: Expect to present your portfolio to hiring managers and/or senior design team members. This stage focuses on your design process, problem-solving skills, visual execution, and ability to articulate your work. Be ready to walk through 2-3 key case studies in detail.
• Skills-Based Exercises: You may be asked to complete a design exercise (e.g., a take-home challenge or a live design critique) to assess your practical design skills, problem-solving approach, and ability to work under pressure.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially Data Scientists to assess collaboration skills, technical understanding, and cultural fit. Focus on how you partner with these disciplines.
• Final Round: Interviews with senior leadership (e.g., Head of Design, VP of Product) to evaluate strategic thinking, leadership potential, and overall alignment with OpenTable’s values and vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your senior-level capabilities, problem-solving skills, and impact on user experience and business goals. Prioritize quality over quantity.
• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, design, testing), the rationale behind your decisions, and the measurable outcomes or impact. Use visuals effectively.
• Highlight Collaboration: Demonstrate how you worked with cross-functional teams, incorporated feedback, and navigated trade-offs.
• Showcase Versatility: Include examples that span different platforms (web, iOS, Android) and demonstrate both sophisticated workflow translation and elegant UI design.
• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., conversion rate improvements, engagement increases, task completion rates).

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a take-home challenge, thoroughly understand the problem statement and OpenTable's business context.
• Focus on Process: Even if you don't fully complete a design, clearly articulate your thought process, assumptions, and how you would approach the problem if you had more time or resources.
• Design for Constraints: Be mindful of potential constraints (time, technical limitations) and how you would address them.
• Prepare to Present: Practice presenting your challenge solution concisely and clearly, anticipating questions about your design choices and methodology.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview and portfolio review process has been elaborated based on typical senior product design hiring practices in tech companies. The advice is tailored to help candidates showcase their strengths in a competitive landscape.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable, industry standard), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator).
• User Research & Testing: Tools for conducting user interviews, usability testing, and survey creation (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, SurveyMonkey).
• Collaboration & Documentation: Confluence, Jira, Slack, Miro (for workshops and ideation).
• A/B Testing Platforms: Tools integrated with their development pipeline to run and analyze experiments.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: Proficiency with tools used by data scientists to understand user behavior and performance metrics (e.g., SQL, Tableau, Amplitude, Google Analytics).
• Analytics Platforms: Experience interpreting data from platforms like Amplitude, Google Analytics, or similar for user journey analysis and conversion tracking.
• Dashboard Tools: Familiarity with creating or interpreting dashboards for performance monitoring.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how design impacts user journeys within systems like Salesforce (used by sales/restaurant partnerships) or internal customer management tools could be beneficial.
• Familiarity with how design integrates with automated workflows and customer communication platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools and technology stack are inferred based on industry standards for senior product designers in a tech company like OpenTable. Figma is a strong likelihood given its prevalence. The emphasis is on tools that support the full design lifecycle and data-driven decision-making.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: Placing diners and restaurant partners at the center of all design and product decisions.
• Collaboration: Fostering a strong team environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and cross-functional partnerships thrive.
• Impact & Results: Focusing on delivering tangible business value and measurable improvements through design.
• Continuous Improvement: Embracing introspection, seeking feedback, and continuously striving to enhance oneself, the team, and the product.
• Curiosity & Learning: Encouraging exploration of new design trends, methodologies, and problem-solving approaches.
• Hospitality: Reflecting the company's core industry by prioritizing care, service, and positive experiences in their work.

Collaboration Style:

• Embedded & Integrated: Designers work closely within product teams, acting as integral members rather than isolated specialists.
• Workshop-Driven: Active participation in and facilitation of working sessions to drive consensus and innovation.
• Open Feedback: A culture that encourages giving and receiving constructive feedback to elevate design quality and team performance.
• Data-Informed: Collaborating with data scientists and leveraging data insights to validate design hypotheses and measure success.
• Global Mindset: Working effectively with colleagues across different time zones and cultural backgrounds.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture and values have been extrapolated from OpenTable's explicit statements about hospitality, collaboration, and continuous improvement, as well as the description of the team's working methods.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Diverse Needs: Effectively designing for the often-competing needs of diners, restaurant partners, and OpenTable's business objectives.
• Global Product Complexity: Designing for a global user base with varying cultural nuances, languages, and technical access, while maintaining consistency.
• Driving Innovation within Scale: Introducing new features and experiences within a large, established product and organization, requiring careful navigation and stakeholder management.
• Measuring Design Impact: Clearly articulating and quantifying the ROI of design decisions through data and A/B testing in a complex ecosystem.
• Staying Ahead of Trends: Keeping pace with rapidly evolving design trends, technologies, and user expectations in the competitive tech and hospitality space.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in advanced interaction design, user research methodologies, or specific platform design (e.g., accessibility, performance optimization).
• Strategic Influence: Develop skills in product strategy, roadmap planning, and influencing executive-level decisions.
• Mentorship: Opportunities to mentor junior designers and develop leadership capabilities.
• Industry Exposure: Access to conferences, workshops, and e-learning resources funded by "Development Dollars" to stay current with industry best practices.
• Leadership Programs: Formal training designed to cultivate leadership potential within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section outlines potential challenges inherent to a senior design role at a large tech company and contrasts them with defined growth opportunities provided by OpenTable, drawing from the "Career Growth" benefits.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Walk us through a product you designed from concept to launch. What was the problem, your role, your process, and the impact?" (Focus on the end-to-end journey, your strategic thinking, and quantifiable results.)
• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting stakeholder requirements or user needs. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Demonstrate your negotiation, communication, and problem-solving skills.)
• "How do you approach designing for a global audience? What specific considerations do you make?" (Showcase your understanding of localization, cultural nuances, and scalability.)
• "Tell us about a time you used data or user research to significantly change a design direction." (Highlight your data-driven approach and your ability to translate insights into actionable design.)
• "How do you integrate A/B testing into your design process? Can you give an example?" (Focus on your experimental mindset and how you measure success.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why OpenTable? What excites you about our mission and our role in the hospitality industry?" (Research OpenTable's values, recent news, and its impact on restaurants and diners.)
• "How do you contribute to a collaborative team environment? Describe your ideal team dynamic." (Emphasize your teamwork, communication style, and willingness to mentor or be mentored.)
• "How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your designs?" (Showcase your openness to feedback and your iterative approach.)
• "What are your thoughts on OpenTable's current design aesthetic or user experience?" (Be prepared with thoughtful, constructive observations based on your research.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: For each case study, follow a clear narrative: Problem -> Your Role -> Process -> Solution -> Impact/Results.
• Visual Storytelling: Use mockups, user flows, wireframes, and prototypes to visually guide the interviewer through your process and final designs.
• Highlight Decision-Making: Explain why you made certain design choices, referencing user research, business goals, or technical constraints. This is more important than just showing pretty screens.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present metrics that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., conversion rates, engagement, retention, task completion times).
• Be Concise: Practice your presentation to fit within the allotted time, focusing on the most critical aspects of each project. Be ready to dive deeper into any area if asked.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation advice is tailored to a senior design role, focusing on strategic thinking, process documentation, and the ability to articulate impact, which are critical for this level.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Greenhouse link. Ensure your resume is tailored to highlight your senior-level experience in product design, UX, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest product design case studies that demonstrate end-to-end ownership, problem-solving skills, and impact across web and mobile platforms. Prioritize projects showcasing complex workflow translation and user-centric solutions.
• Prepare Your Narrative: For each portfolio piece, be ready to clearly articulate the problem, your specific contributions, the design process you followed (research, ideation, testing), the rationale behind your decisions, and any measurable outcomes.
• Research OpenTable: Familiarize yourself with OpenTable's mission, products, target audience (diners and restaurants), and recent company news. Understand their position in the hospitality tech market.
• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio and answering common interview questions, focusing on demonstrating strategic thinking, collaboration, and your ability to drive impactful user experiences.

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