Senior Product Design Manager, Gaming & Rewards

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Design Manager, Gaming & Rewards Company: Kaizen Gaming Location: Sliema, Malta Job Type: Full-Time Category: Product Design Management / Gaming Operations Date Posted: 2025-08-22 Experience Level: Senior / 8+ Years Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead and manage a high-performing Product Design team, fostering professional development and adherence to best-in-class design principles within the gaming and rewards domain.
• Drive the overall experience strategy by collaborating closely with the Director of Product, ensuring alignment with business objectives and customer needs.
• Oversee the systematic collection and analysis of customer feedback, conducting in-depth research studies to uncover critical user insights and identify pain points.
• Translate complex user needs and market trends into actionable design strategies and impactful product improvements that enhance customer engagement and loyalty.
• Foster strong, collaborative relationships with cross-functional teams, including Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, and other key stakeholders, to ensure seamless product development and delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior leadership position within the Product Design function, with a strong emphasis on managerial responsibilities and strategic input into the company's gaming and rewards product roadmap. The focus on "Gaming & Rewards" suggests a need for expertise in user engagement, loyalty programs, and transaction-heavy digital environments.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor, and manage a team of product designers, providing clear direction, constructive feedback, and opportunities for professional growth and skill enhancement within the gaming product landscape.
• Strategic Experience Planning: Partner with the Director of Product to define and execute the overarching experience strategy for gaming and rewards products, ensuring alignment with company vision and market competitiveness.
• Customer Insights & Research: Establish and manage robust customer feedback loops and research methodologies (qualitative and quantitative) to deeply understand user needs, behaviors, and pain points within the casino product context.
• Design Strategy & Execution: Translate research findings and strategic objectives into clear, actionable design strategies, roadmaps, and high-quality design deliverables that elevate the user experience.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as a key liaison between design and other departments (Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, Data Analytics), ensuring effective communication, alignment, and collaborative problem-solving throughout the product lifecycle.
• Process & Standards Management: Define, implement, and maintain standardized design processes, frameworks, and quality benchmarks to ensure consistency, efficiency, and scalability across all product design initiatives.
• Goal Setting & Performance Management: Collaborate with the Director of Product to set ambitious yet achievable design team goals and track progress against key performance indicators (KPIs) related to user satisfaction, engagement, and business impact.
• Deliverable Oversight: Guide and support the design team in producing exceptional design assets, including user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups, ensuring they meet strategic objectives and usability standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on both people management and strategic product direction. The emphasis on "customer feedback channels and research studies" and "translating customer insights into actionable design strategies" underscores the importance of a data-driven and user-centric approach to product development within the gaming sector.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience in product design leadership.

Experience:

• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in hands-on product design, with a significant portion focused on digital product development within the gaming or related transaction-intensive industries.
• Demonstrated success in a managerial or team lead capacity, with a proven track record of leading, mentoring, and developing design teams.

Required Skills:

• Product Design Expertise: Deep understanding of user-centered design principles, user experience (UX) best practices, and user interface (UI) design standards.
• Team Leadership & Management: Proven ability to lead, motivate, and manage a team of designers, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment, including performance management and career development.
• Strategic Thinking: Capacity to contribute to and influence the overall product experience strategy, aligning design initiatives with broader business goals and market opportunities.
• Research & Insights Generation: Proficiency in overseeing customer feedback mechanisms and conducting user research studies (e.g., interviews, surveys, usability testing) to gather actionable insights.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to effectively collaborate with Product Managers, Engineers, Marketing, and other stakeholders, facilitating alignment and shared understanding.
• Process & Standards Development: Experience in defining and implementing design processes, workflows, and quality standards to ensure consistency and efficiency.
• Communication & Presentation: Ability to articulate design strategies, research findings, and user insights clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, including senior leadership.
• Casino Product Familiarity: In-depth knowledge and experience working with casino products or similar complex, transaction-heavy digital platforms.

Preferred Skills:

• Gaming Industry Experience: Prior experience specifically within the online gaming, iGaming, or related entertainment sectors.
• Usability & A/B Testing: Familiarity with conducting and interpreting results from usability testing and A/B testing methodologies to optimize user experiences.
• Strategic Mindset: A forward-thinking approach to design, with the ability to anticipate market trends and proactively identify opportunities for innovation.
• Data Analysis for Design: Ability to leverage data analytics and performance metrics to inform design decisions and measure the impact of design changes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "Casino Products" experience is a critical differentiator, indicating a need for candidates who understand the specific user behaviors, regulatory environments, and engagement mechanics common in this sector. The "Nice to Have" skills like A/B testing and strategic mindset further emphasize the data-driven and business-oriented nature of this leadership role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Leadership Case Studies: Showcase examples of leading design teams, managing design projects from conception to launch, and demonstrating successful team growth and development.
• Strategic Impact: Present projects that clearly articulate how design strategy influenced business outcomes, such as increased user engagement, conversion rates, or customer satisfaction within a gaming or similar context.
• User Research Integration: Provide evidence of how user research and customer feedback were systematically incorporated into the design process to solve user problems and drive product improvements.
• Process Improvement Examples: Highlight instances where you have defined, implemented, or optimized design processes, workflows, or standards to enhance team efficiency and output quality.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration Evidence: Include examples of successful collaboration with engineering, product management, and other stakeholders, demonstrating your ability to navigate complex project environments.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Demonstrate experience in mapping out and improving design workflows, from initial ideation and research through to final asset delivery and iteration.
• Research Methodologies: Detail your approach to conducting and integrating user research, including the selection of appropriate methods (e.g., user interviews, usability testing, surveys) and the synthesis of findings into actionable design insights.
• Design System Management: If applicable, showcase experience with establishing or managing design systems, ensuring consistency, scalability, and efficiency in design output.
• Performance Measurement: Outline how you measure the success of design initiatives, including the use of relevant metrics (e.g., task success rates, time on task, user satisfaction scores, conversion rates) and reporting frameworks.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Manager role, the portfolio should not only showcase design execution but also strategic leadership, process management, and the ability to drive measurable business impact through design. The emphasis on "gaming and rewards" means case studies in these specific areas will be highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Range: €70,000 - €100,000 annually.
• Rationale: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Design Managers in Malta, considering the company's size and the specialized nature of the gaming industry. This range accounts for extensive experience, leadership responsibilities, and the hybrid work model. Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Benefits:

• Hybrid Working Model: Offers flexibility to balance office-based collaboration and remote work, promoting work-life integration.
• Buddy Support for Onboarding: Dedicated support from a colleague to ease the transition and integration into the company and team.
• Competitive Salary Package: A strong base salary reflecting the seniority and scope of the role.
• Bonus Scheme: Potential for performance-based bonuses, aligning individual and company success.
• Health and Life Insurance: Comprehensive coverage for the employee and their family, providing financial security and peace of mind.
• Monthly Allowance: Financial assistance for lunch and commuting expenses, contributing to daily well-being and reducing out-of-pocket costs.
• High-Performance Workstations: Provision of top-tier equipment (e.g., 2.5K monitor, latest i7 processors, ample RAM, fast SSDs) to ensure productivity and efficiency.
• Continuous Learning & Development: Access to professional development resources such as Udemy and LinkedIn Learning, along with ongoing training opportunities to foster skill enhancement.
• Developmental 360° Feedback Framework: A structured system for receiving comprehensive feedback from peers, subordinates, and superiors, aiding in personal and professional growth.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, likely around 40 hours per week, with a hybrid work arrangement allowing for flexibility in scheduling and location.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits package is robust, emphasizing employee well-being, professional development, and modern work arrangements. The inclusion of "Nice rigs" and "Udemy, LinkedIn learning accounts" highlights a commitment to providing the necessary tools and resources for high performance and continuous learning, which are attractive to senior operations and design professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: GameTech / Online Gaming & Betting Company Size: Over 2,700 employees, indicating a large, established, and significant player in the global market. This size suggests structured processes, opportunities for specialization, and potential for cross-functional exposure. Founded: While the founding date isn't explicitly stated, Kaizen Gaming's operation in 19 markets and significant employee base implies a mature and growth-oriented organization with a strong market presence.

Team Structure:

• Reporting: The Senior Product Design Manager reports directly to the Director of Product, indicating a clear hierarchy within the product development function.
• Team Composition: This role leads a team of Product Designers, likely specializing in different aspects of the gaming and rewards user experience. The team operates within a broader product and engineering organization.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role necessitates close collaboration with Product Managers, Engineers, Marketing teams, Data Analysts, and potentially Legal/Compliance, given the regulated nature of the industry.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: The emphasis on customer feedback, research studies, and user insights suggests a strong reliance on data and user understanding to inform design and product strategies.
• Agile Development: While not explicitly stated, large tech companies like Kaizen Gaming typically operate within agile frameworks, requiring designers to be adaptable and iterative.
• Customer-Centric Approach: The focus on user needs, pain points, and delivering exceptional experiences is central to the company's product philosophy.

Company Website: https://careers.kaizengaming.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Kaizen Gaming's positioning as a "GameTech" company and its operation in 19 markets highlights a dynamic and global environment. The "Best Workplaces in Europe" and "Great Place to Work" certifications suggest a positive and supportive company culture that values employee growth and well-being, which is a significant draw for experienced professionals.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Management. This role is a step above a standard Product Designer or Design Lead, involving direct team management, strategic input, and significant influence over product direction. It sits within the product development leadership track. Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Director of Product. This provides a clear line of communication and strategic alignment with senior product leadership. The role also manages a team of designers, creating a management layer within the design function. Operations Impact: Directly impacts the success of Kaizen Gaming's gaming and rewards products by shaping the user experience, driving customer engagement, and potentially influencing revenue through improved conversion, retention, and loyalty. The design strategy directly supports business objectives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to grow into a Director of Product Design role, taking on broader responsibilities for the entire design organization or specific product verticals.
• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape company-wide experience strategies and contribute to the long-term product vision.
• Specialization: Deepen expertise in the gaming and rewards domain, becoming a recognized authority in user engagement mechanics within this sector.
• Mentorship & Coaching: Develop strong people management and coaching skills by nurturing the careers of the designers on the team.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Gain experience leading initiatives that span multiple departments, enhancing overall business acumen.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for career progression within product design leadership. The gaming industry, particularly with its focus on engagement and retention, provides unique challenges and opportunities for designers to develop specialized skills with significant business impact.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. This indicates a modern approach to work, blending in-office collaboration with remote flexibility. Office Location(s): Sliema, Malta. This is a prime business and residential hub in Malta, offering a good quality of life and a vibrant working environment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The hybrid model implies a need for well-equipped office spaces that facilitate effective collaboration, brainstorming, and team meetings when designers are in the office.
• Technology Enabled: Access to high-performance workstations and likely other collaborative tools (e.g., video conferencing, shared design platforms) to support seamless work across locations.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with direct reports, peers, and cross-functional colleagues, fostering a strong sense of team and shared purpose.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours, with the flexibility afforded by the hybrid model allowing for efficient management of design processes and personal commitments. The focus is on output and achieving goals rather than strict adherence to office hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a significant perk, appealing to professionals seeking flexibility. The location in Sliema, Malta, is also a key factor for candidates considering relocation or already based in the region, offering a Mediterranean lifestyle alongside a thriving tech industry.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and alignment with the role's core requirements.
• Hiring Manager Interview: Conversation with the Director of Product to delve into experience, leadership style, strategic thinking, and specific knowledge of gaming/rewards products.
• Portfolio Presentation & Design Challenge: Candidates will likely present a curated portfolio showcasing relevant work and potentially tackle a design challenge or case study related to gaming or rewards product improvements. This assesses practical skills, problem-solving abilities, and communication.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders (e.g., Product Managers, Engineering Leads) to evaluate collaboration skills, ability to work within a team, and understanding of the product development lifecycle.
• Final Round/Executive Interview: Potentially a conversation with higher-level management to confirm strategic alignment and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Leadership: Showcase your experience managing and mentoring design teams, including team growth and development initiatives.
• Quantify Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process followed, and the measurable business outcomes achieved (e.g., % increase in engagement, reduction in churn, improvement in conversion rates).
• Focus on Strategy: Demonstrate how you translated user insights and business goals into a cohesive design strategy.
• Showcase Gaming/Rewards Expertise: Prioritize case studies that are most relevant to casino products, loyalty programs, or transaction-heavy digital platforms.
• Process Transparency: Be prepared to walk through your design process, explaining your decision-making at each stage, especially concerning user research and cross-functional collaboration.
• Structure and Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically and present your work clearly and concisely. Be ready to discuss your specific contributions in team projects.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Gaming Landscape: Research current trends, user behaviors, and common design patterns in the online gaming and rewards sector.
• User-Centric Problem Solving: Anticipate challenges that focus on improving user engagement, loyalty, or transaction completion within a gaming context. Prepare to articulate your thought process, research approach, and potential solutions.
• Data-Driven Justification: Be ready to explain how you would use data and research to validate your proposed solutions and measure their success.
• Stakeholder Communication: Practice articulating your ideas and rationale clearly and persuasively, as if presenting to a diverse group of stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely to be thorough, assessing not only design skills but also leadership capabilities, strategic thinking, and industry-specific knowledge. A strong portfolio that demonstrates impact and a clear understanding of the gaming product ecosystem will be crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), InVision, Principle, Axure RP. Proficiency in at least one comprehensive design and prototyping tool is expected.
• User Research & Testing: UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, Hotjar, Google Analytics, or similar platforms for user feedback collection and behavioral analysis.
• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack, Microsoft Teams. Familiarity with tools used for agile development and cross-functional communication is essential.
• Design Systems: Experience with tools for managing and scaling design systems (e.g., Zeroheight, Storybook) is a plus.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude for tracking user behavior, conversion funnels, and engagement metrics.
• Business Intelligence: Tableau, Power BI, Looker for data visualization and reporting to stakeholders.
• CRM: Salesforce, HubSpot (less common for pure design roles but relevant for understanding customer journey).

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managing CRM systems, understanding how design outputs integrate with CRM and marketing automation platforms (e.g., for personalized rewards or user journeys) is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is primarily managerial, a strong foundational understanding of the tools designers use daily is necessary for effective leadership, process definition, and quality assurance. Familiarity with analytics tools is particularly important for a data-driven approach to design strategy.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user, ensuring that customer needs are at the forefront of all design decisions.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering an environment where designers work effectively together and with other departments, sharing knowledge and supporting mutual growth.
• Innovation & Creativity: Encouraging new ideas, experimentation, and pushing the boundaries of user experience within the gaming domain.
• Data-Driven Approach: Utilizing data, research, and analytics to inform design strategies and validate the impact of design initiatives.
• Excellence & Quality: A dedication to producing high-quality, polished, and effective design solutions that meet strategic objectives and exceed user expectations.
• Continuous Improvement: A mindset focused on refining processes, learning from feedback, and consistently enhancing both product experiences and team performance.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive Engagement: Actively seeking input from and providing feedback to cross-functional partners (Product, Engineering, Marketing) throughout the design lifecycle.
• Transparent Communication: Maintaining open and honest communication channels, ensuring all stakeholders are informed about design progress, challenges, and decisions.
• Constructive Feedback Culture: Creating a safe space for designers to give and receive constructive feedback, promoting learning and professional development.
• Process-Oriented Partnership: Working collaboratively to define efficient and effective design processes that integrate smoothly with broader product development workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's certifications as a Great Place to Work and Best Workplace in Europe strongly suggest a positive, collaborative, and employee-focused culture. This implies that candidates who value teamwork, continuous learning, and a supportive environment will likely thrive.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Effectively navigating the complexities of a fast-paced gaming environment where user engagement, monetization, and regulatory compliance must be balanced.
• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Expectations: Aligning the design vision with the varied priorities and perspectives of different departments and leadership levels.
• Driving Innovation in a Competitive Market: Continuously evolving the gaming and rewards experience to stay ahead of competitors and meet changing user expectations.
• Leading a Remote/Hybrid Team: Ensuring effective team cohesion, communication, and productivity across different work locations.
• Scaling Design Processes: Adapting and scaling design methodologies and resources as the company and its product offerings grow.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Expertise: Deepening knowledge of the iGaming and rewards sector, understanding player psychology, and mastering the nuances of engagement mechanics.
• Leadership Development: Enhancing people management, strategic planning, and cross-functional leadership skills through hands-on experience and company-provided training.
• Mentorship: Gaining insights from senior leadership within Kaizen Gaming and potentially mentoring junior designers, solidifying leadership capabilities.
• Exposure to Global Markets: Understanding and adapting design strategies for diverse international user bases, given the company's presence in 19 markets.
• Advanced Design Methodologies: Exploring and implementing cutting-edge design practices, potentially including AI-driven personalization or advanced gamification techniques.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents opportunities to tackle complex challenges within a dynamic industry, offering significant scope for professional growth and skill development in both design leadership and specialized gaming product strategy.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Vision & Strategy: "How would you approach developing an experience strategy for our gaming and rewards products, considering our competitive landscape and user base?" (Prepare to discuss your framework for strategy development, including research, competitor analysis, and alignment with business goals.)
• Team Leadership: "Describe your philosophy on managing and developing a design team. How do you foster growth, provide feedback, and ensure high performance?" (Be ready with specific examples of mentoring successes, performance management techniques, and team-building initiatives.)
• User-Centricity: "How do you ensure user needs are consistently met throughout the product development lifecycle, especially when balancing them with business objectives?" (Focus on your experience with user research, feedback loops, and translating insights into actionable design improvements.)
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: "How do you effectively collaborate with Product Management and Engineering to ensure successful product delivery? Describe a time you navigated conflict or misalignment." (Prepare examples of your communication strategies and how you build strong working relationships.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Kaizen Gaming's Position: "What excites you about Kaizen Gaming and the gaming industry? What are your perceptions of our brand and products?" (Research the company's mission, values, recent news, and key products. Show genuine interest.)
• Cultural Fit: "How do you contribute to a positive and collaborative team culture?" (Relate your values and working style to the company's stated culture and industry best practices.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Structure your presentation around a clear narrative for each project: the problem, your role and approach, the solution, and the measurable impact.
• Focus on Leadership: For management roles, emphasize your leadership contributions, strategic thinking, and process improvements, not just individual design execution.
• Quantify Results: Use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your design initiatives and their business impact. Be specific about what you achieved.
• Tailor to Gaming: Highlight projects most relevant to the gaming and rewards sector, showcasing your understanding of user engagement and transaction-heavy platforms.
• Conciseness and Clarity: Be prepared to present concisely, staying within time limits, and answering follow-up questions articulately.

Challenge Preparation:

• Problem Framing: Practice breaking down complex problems related to gaming user experience into manageable components.
• Solution Ideation: Develop a range of potential solutions, considering different user needs and business constraints.
• Justification: Be ready to clearly articulate the rationale behind your chosen solutions, supported by user insights or data.
• Process Demonstration: Outline the steps you would take to design, test, and iterate on your proposed solution.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design proficiency, but also strategic leadership, data-driven decision-making, and a deep understanding of the gaming product ecosystem. Anticipate questions that probe your experience in managing teams and influencing product strategy.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Kaizen Gaming careers page.
• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature relevant experience in product design leadership, user research, and specifically, casino products or similar transaction-intensive digital platforms. Prioritize case studies demonstrating strategic impact and team management.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your 8+ years of product design experience, proven managerial track record, and skills in user experience, design thinking, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords from the job description, focusing on leadership achievements and quantifiable results.
• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly research Kaizen Gaming, its products, and its culture. Prepare detailed examples for behavioral questions, focusing on your leadership style, problem-solving approaches, and strategic contributions. Practice your portfolio presentation to be clear, concise, and impactful.
• Company Research: Understand Kaizen Gaming's position in the global GameTech market, its commitment to employee development (as evidenced by certifications), and the specific challenges and opportunities within the online gaming sector. This will help you articulate your fit and ask insightful questions.

⚠️ 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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