Senior Lead Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Lead Product Designer Company: BILL Location: San Jose, California, United States Job Type: Full-Time Category: Product Design / UX/UI (with Fintech/AI focus) Date Posted: 2025-09-16T13:57:02 Experience Level: Senior / Lead (10+ years) Remote Status: Remote OK (with office presence in San Jose, CA and Draper, UT)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead product vision and strategy, translating deep customer understanding into end-to-end user experiences for BILL's financial automation platform.
• Champion customer-centric design principles, advocating for the best possible user experience by collaborating closely with Product Management, Engineering, and other cross-functional teams.
• Drive innovation in complex problem spaces, leveraging expertise in Fintech and AI to design impactful digital products that deliver tangible business and customer value.
• Mentor and elevate the design craft of junior designers, establishing design guidelines and facilitating workshops to foster a culture of design excellence.
• Utilize data synthesis, customer research, and hypothesis-driven iteration to inform design decisions and ensure continuous product improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Senior Lead Product Designer," the responsibilities and required experience (10+ years) align with a senior or lead individual contributor role with significant influence on product direction and design strategy, rather than a direct management position. The emphasis on "leading product vision" and "mentoring junior designers" suggests a strong emphasis on design leadership and expertise.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and lead the product vision, strategy, and end-to-end user experience based on comprehensive customer understanding and market analysis.
• Conduct and synthesize customer research, including hypothesis validation, user interviews, and data analysis, to inform design decisions and product iterations.
• Collaborate effectively with Product Managers, Engineers, Data Analysts, Researchers, Content Strategists, Marketing, Sales, and Customer Experience teams to ensure seamless product development and delivery.
• Present design prototypes, rationale, and insights confidently to executives, stakeholders, and customers, articulating both business and customer impact.
• Educate stakeholders on customer needs and co-create solutions that ensure a clear, intuitive, and smooth user experience across the BILL platform.
• Mentor and guide junior designers, providing constructive feedback, establishing design guidelines, and facilitating knowledge-sharing sessions to elevate the team's design capabilities.
• Identify and leverage opportunities for AI to enhance the design process and user experiences, potentially designing for AI-driven features or agentic workflows.
• Proactively identify and articulate customer problems, form hypotheses, design experiments, and iterate on solutions based on quantitative and qualitative data.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong blend of strategic product thinking, deep customer empathy, and hands-on design execution, typical of senior-level design roles. The expectation to "educate stakeholders" and "co-create components" points to a collaborative approach that requires strong influencing skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: Minimum of 10 years of experience in customer-centric web product design, with a significant focus on complex problem spaces within Fintech, AI products, or similar technology domains.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in customer-centric web product design, with a deep understanding of user needs and behaviors in complex financial or technology environments.
• Extensive experience collaborating with cross-functional partners including Product Management, Engineering, Data Analysis, Research, Content, Marketing, Sales, and Customer Experience.
• Demonstrated success in shipping digital products to a large customer base, with the ability to articulate quantifiable and qualitative business and customer impact.
• Strong proficiency in interaction design, visual design, prototyping, and user flows.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills, capable of conveying design rationale and insights to diverse audiences, including executives.
• A passion for elevating design craft, with meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to raising the bar for design quality.
• Curiosity and practical application of AI to improve or augment design processes, with experience in designing for AI experiences or building agentic workflows.
• A strong growth mindset, with the ability to learn, adapt, and integrate feedback from customers and stakeholders.
• Experience in forming hypotheses, designing and running experiments, synthesizing data, and iterating on designs based on learnings.
• Ability to independently lead end-to-end customer research, from defining objectives to synthesizing insights, often in partnership with Research Operations.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience specifically within the Fintech industry or with financial management software.
• Familiarity with agile development methodologies and design thinking frameworks.
• Experience with user research tools and methodologies beyond basic interviews.
• Portfolio showcasing a strong understanding of information architecture and complex system design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 10+ years of experience, coupled with the emphasis on complex problem spaces, Fintech, and AI, positions this as a senior-level role requiring seasoned expertise. The ability to lead customer research independently is a key differentiator.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end product design processes, from discovery and research to ideation, prototyping, and final implementation.
• Include detailed case studies that demonstrate a deep understanding of customer problems and how design solutions addressed them effectively.
• Highlight contributions to product strategy and vision, illustrating how design thinking influenced business outcomes.
• Present examples of complex problem-solving within Fintech or AI domains, emphasizing clarity and user-centricity.
• Quantify design impact through metrics, business results, and customer feedback where possible, demonstrating ROI and adoption.

Process Documentation:

• Clearly articulate the design process followed for each project, including research methodologies, ideation techniques, and iteration cycles.
• Demonstrate how user feedback and data analysis were integrated into the design workflow to drive improvements and validate hypotheses.
• Provide examples of collaboration with engineering and product management, illustrating how design requirements were translated into functional products.
• Showcase experience with design systems, style guides, or component libraries to ensure consistency and scalability.

📝 Enhancement Note: A comprehensive portfolio is critical for this role, emphasizing not just visual design but the entire product development lifecycle, strategic thinking, and measurable impact. The ability to articulate process and show quantifiable results is paramount.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $189,400 - $227,100 USD per year (for San Jose, California based role).

Benefits:

• 100% paid employee health, dental, and vision plans (HMO, PPO, or HDHP options).
• Health Savings Account (HSA) & Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options.
• Comprehensive Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability, and Short-Term Disability coverage.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for personal and professional support.
• Generous time off: 11+ Observed holidays, wellness days, and flexible time off policies.
• Employee Stock Purchase Program with employee discounts.
• Wellness & Fitness initiatives to support employee well-being.
• Employee recognition and referral programs to foster a positive work environment.
• Additional company benefits not explicitly listed.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are not explicitly stated, but typically for a full-time role, expect around 40 hours per week. The company culture suggests a fast-paced environment, so flexibility and dedication may be required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific to San Jose and is based on the company's pay transparency information. The benefits package is extensive and emphasizes employee well-being and financial security, which is attractive for senior roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Fintech (Financial Technology), specifically focused on financial automation for businesses. BILL aims to replace outdated financial processes with innovative tools. Company Size: BILL is a public company (NYSE: BILL) with a significant employee base, suggesting a structured but dynamic work environment. The exact current employee count isn't provided in the snippet, but it's substantial enough to operate at scale. Founded: BILL was founded in 2007. This indicates a company with established processes but also a history of growth and adaptation in the rapidly evolving Fintech landscape.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team likely operates within a larger Product organization, working closely with Product Management and Engineering teams.
• Senior designers are expected to collaborate with various cross-functional departments, including Data Analysis, Research, Content, Marketing, Sales, and Customer Experience, indicating a highly integrated approach.
• The structure encourages mentorship, with senior designers expected to guide and elevate junior team members.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is a core tenet, with emphasis on hypothesis formation, experimentation, data synthesis, and iterative design.
• Customer-centricity is paramount, with direct customer engagement and research playing a crucial role in shaping product vision and strategy.
• Innovation, particularly leveraging AI, is a key focus area, suggesting an openness to new technologies and methodologies.
• Collaboration and clear communication are essential for navigating complex problem spaces and cross-functional dependencies.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: BILL's culture appears to be driven by innovation, customer focus, and a commitment to improving business operations through technology. The emphasis on collaboration and data-driven design is typical of successful tech companies in the Fintech space.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Senior Lead level, signifying a high degree of autonomy, expertise, and influence within the product design function. It requires not only individual contribution excellence but also the ability to guide and mentor others and shape product direction.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, a Senior Lead Product Designer typically reports to a Design Manager, Director of Product Design, or Head of Product. They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads on specific product initiatives.

Operations Impact: Senior Product Designers at BILL are expected to have a significant impact on the company's success by:

• Driving product adoption and customer satisfaction through superior user experiences.
• Influencing product strategy and roadmap based on deep customer insights and market trends.
• Contributing to business growth by identifying and solving critical customer pain points in financial processes.
• Elevating the overall design quality and capability of the product organization.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Potential to move into management roles (e.g., Design Manager) or become a Principal/Staff Designer focusing on highly complex, strategic initiatives.
• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like AI-driven design, personalization, or complex financial workflows.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gaining broader business acumen by working across different departments and understanding the full product lifecycle.
• Mentorship & Training: Formal and informal opportunities to develop leadership and coaching skills through mentoring junior designers and potentially leading design workshops.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for career advancement within design, emphasizing both individual expertise and leadership potential. The exposure to Fintech and AI also provides opportunities for specialization in high-demand areas.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: BILL has offices in San Jose, CA, and Draper, UT, suggesting a hybrid work model where employees can work from these locations. The mention of "remote" positions indicates flexibility for employees outside these primary locations. The company culture description leans towards a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Office Location(s):

• San Jose, California, United States
• Draper, Utah, United States

Workspace Context:

• The environment is described as "fast-paced" and "ever-changing," requiring adaptability and agility.
• Collaboration is key, with designers expected to work closely with engineers, product managers, and other stakeholders, implying open communication and teamwork.
• The company values "purpose, drive, and curiosity," suggesting a motivating and engaging workplace where initiative is encouraged.
• Access to modern design tools and technologies is assumed for a leading tech company in the Fintech space.

Work Schedule: While specific hours aren't detailed, a full-time role typically involves a standard workweek. The emphasis on "purpose" and "drive" suggests a results-oriented culture that may offer some flexibility, but also expects significant commitment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company supports a flexible work environment, allowing for remote work while maintaining physical office hubs. This hybrid approach caters to diverse employee needs while fostering team cohesion.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely review your resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and fit.
• Portfolio Presentation: Expect to present your portfolio, walking through 2-3 key case studies that demonstrate your end-to-end design process, strategic thinking, collaboration, and impact. Be prepared to discuss your role, design decisions, challenges, and outcomes.
• Design/Product Thinking Exercises: You might be given a design challenge or asked to critique existing designs, solve a hypothetical problem, or discuss product strategy related to BILL's offerings.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other stakeholders to assess collaboration skills, communication, and technical understanding.
• Executive/Leadership Interview: A final interview with senior leadership to assess strategic thinking, cultural fit, and leadership potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your expertise in complex problem spaces, Fintech, and AI, if applicable. Prioritize quality over quantity.
• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role and process, the challenges faced, the solutions designed, and the impact achieved (quantifiable results are key).
• Highlight Collaboration: Show how you worked with PMs, engineers, and other stakeholders, and how you navigated dependencies.
• Showcase Strategic Thinking: Demonstrate how your designs align with business goals and customer needs, not just aesthetic appeal.
• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Prepare to answer detailed questions about your design decisions, research methods, and the rationale behind your choices.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand BILL's Business: Research BILL's products, target audience, and competitors to contextualize any design challenges.
• Focus on Process: Be prepared to articulate your thought process clearly and logically, even if you don't arrive at a perfect solution.
• Customer-Centricity: Frame your solutions from the user's perspective, considering their goals and pain points.
• AI and Fintech Context: If the challenge involves AI or financial processes, draw upon your experience and understanding of these domains.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to evaluate not only design skills but also strategic thinking, collaboration, and the ability to drive impact. A well-prepared portfolio presentation is crucial for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), InVision, Axure, or similar industry-standard tools for UI/UX design and prototyping.
• User Research: Tools for conducting user interviews, usability testing, surveys, and analyzing feedback (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, Qualtrics, Dovetail).
• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack, Miro, or similar platforms for team collaboration, task management, and virtual whiteboarding.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Platforms: Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel, or similar tools for understanding user behavior, product usage, and conversion funnels.
• Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI, or built-in platform analytics for interpreting and presenting data insights.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a design tool, familiarity with CRM systems (like Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms can provide context on how user data is managed and utilized across the business.
• Understanding of potential AI/ML tools or platforms used for enhancing user experiences or automating workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools is a baseline requirement. Experience with user research platforms and analytical tools for understanding user behavior and product performance is highly valued.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: A deep commitment to understanding and solving customer problems to deliver exceptional value and improve business operations.
• Innovation & Curiosity: Encouraging exploration of new technologies (like AI) and methodologies to drive product advancement and efficiency.
• Collaboration & Transparency: Working effectively across teams, sharing knowledge, and maintaining open communication to achieve shared goals.
• Drive & Purpose: A passion for the company's mission to empower businesses and a proactive approach to tackling challenges.
• Design Excellence: A dedication to high-quality design craft, attention to detail, and continuous improvement of design standards.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with Product Management, Engineering, Data, Research, and other departments is expected.
• Feedback-Driven: An environment where constructive feedback is welcomed and used for continuous improvement of both products and processes.
• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: Senior members are encouraged to mentor junior designers, and the team fosters a culture of sharing best practices and insights.
• Agile & Iterative: Working within agile frameworks, embracing iterative design processes, and adapting to changing requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on collaboration, continuous learning, and customer-centricity defines the team's operational ethos. Designers are expected to be proactive collaborators and influential communicators.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex Problem Spaces: Tackling intricate financial processes and designing intuitive solutions for a diverse business user base.
• Balancing Innovation with Usability: Integrating new technologies like AI while ensuring the product remains user-friendly and accessible.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring design vision is understood and supported across various departments with potentially different priorities.
• Data Synthesis and Interpretation: Effectively translating complex data into actionable design insights and communicating them clearly.
• Rapidly Evolving Fintech Landscape: Staying ahead of industry trends and competitive pressures in a dynamic market.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Fintech & AI: Opportunities to become an expert in specific areas of financial technology and artificial intelligence applications in product design.
• Leadership Development: Mentoring junior designers and potentially leading design initiatives provides leadership growth.
• Industry Exposure: Engaging with customer feedback, market trends, and potentially attending industry events to stay current.
• Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to refine skills in areas like advanced user research, data analysis for design, and strategic product thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant challenges that are also avenues for professional development, particularly in the high-growth areas of Fintech and AI.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led the product vision for a complex feature or product. What was your process, and what was the outcome?"
• "How do you approach collaborating with engineers and product managers to ensure successful product delivery? Can you share an example?"
• "Walk us through a challenging design problem you solved. What was the problem, your approach, the solution, and the impact?"
• "How do you incorporate customer feedback and data into your design process, especially when dealing with ambiguity?"
• "How do you see AI influencing product design in the Fintech space, and how would you approach designing for AI-driven experiences?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about BILL and our mission to empower businesses?"
• "How do you contribute to a positive and collaborative team culture?"
• "Describe your experience mentoring junior designers or elevating the design craft of a team."
• "How do you stay updated on design trends and best practices, particularly in Fintech or AI?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your specific role and contributions, the process you followed (research, ideation, iteration), the final solution, and measurable outcomes.
• Quantify Impact: Use data and metrics whenever possible to showcase the business and customer impact of your design work (e.g., conversion rate improvements, task completion time reduction, user satisfaction scores).
• Showcase Collaboration: Explain how you worked with cross-functional teams, handled feedback, and navigated trade-offs.
• Articulate Rationale: Be prepared to defend your design decisions and explain the "why" behind every choice.
• Practice Your Delivery: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it's concise, engaging, and within the allotted time. Be ready for detailed Q&A.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to demonstrate not only design skills but also strategic thinking, leadership potential, and a deep understanding of BILL's business context. Practice articulating the impact of your work.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Lead Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the BILL careers site.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most impactful projects that highlight your end-to-end design process, complex problem-solving skills, and quantifiable results, ideally with relevance to Fintech or AI.
• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 10+ years of experience, key achievements, and proficiency in relevant design tools and methodologies. Use keywords from the job description.
• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your chosen portfolio case studies, focusing on the story, your role, the process, and the impact. Anticipate questions about your design rationale and collaboration methods.
• Research BILL: Understand BILL's products, mission, target audience, and recent company news to demonstrate genuine interest and contextualize your answers.

⚠️ 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.

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