Senior Product Designer (12 month FTC)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer (12 month FTC)

Company: Marks & Spencer

Location: London, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full time

Category: Product Design / User Experience Operations

Date Posted: 2026-02-11T17:18:45

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on the end-to-end design process for digital products, encompassing information architecture, wireframing, visual design, and animation, with a strong emphasis on user-centric experiences.

• Key responsibilities include leveraging research, testing, and analytics to iterate and optimize designs, particularly for A/B or multivariate experiments, directly impacting customer engagement and business objectives.

• The position requires significant cross-functional collaboration with product, trade, engineering, and marketing teams to ensure cohesive and impactful solution delivery.

• This role is instrumental in driving design system evolution, specifically focusing on app patterns and components for native mobile and tablet platforms.

• The Senior Product Designer will be expected to manage ambiguity and structure their own work, aligning closely with project timelines and cross-functional colleagues to ensure successful project execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role, while in Product Design, has significant operational components related to user experience optimization, data-driven design iterations, and cross-functional process integration. The "FTC" (Fixed-Term Contract) indicates a project-based need, likely focused on a specific product development phase or initiative. This role is positioned within a large, established retail organization, implying a scale of user base and complexity in design challenges.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and execute user-focused brand experiences through comprehensive design deliverables, including information architecture diagrams, detailed wireframes, high-fidelity visual designs, and captivating animations.

• Translate user insights derived from research, usability testing, and analytics into actionable design improvements, specifically for the optimization of A/B or multivariate experiments to enhance user engagement and conversion rates.

• Foster strong, collaborative relationships with Product Management, Trade, Engineering, and Marketing stakeholders to deliver innovative and effective solutions that align with both customer needs and strategic business goals.

• Lead and facilitate cross-functional workshops, design reviews, and creative collaboration sessions to build consensus, drive alignment on design direction, and stimulate continuous ideation.

• Actively contribute to the development and enhancement of the company's design system, taking a leading role in defining and implementing reusable app patterns and components for native mobile and tablet applications.

• Proactively address and resolve ambiguity by planning and managing personal workload in close coordination with cross-functional team members, ensuring timely and efficient project progression.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities strongly suggest a need for an individual adept at process optimization within the design lifecycle. Emphasis on A/B testing, analytics, and iterative design points to a data-driven approach, a hallmark of effective operations. Leading workshops and contributing to design systems requires strong process management and standardization skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While formal education requirements are not specified, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design (e.g., Graphic Design, Interaction Design, UX Design), Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is typically expected for senior-level roles in this discipline. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: Extensive experience (5-10 years) in designing digital products at scale for large customer bases, with a proven track record in both web and native mobile/tablet applications.

Required Skills:

• Product Design: Proven ability to design end-to-end digital products, from conceptualization to final execution.

• User Experience (UX) Design: Deep understanding of user-centered design principles and methodologies.

• Information Architecture (IA): Expertise in structuring content and navigation for intuitive user flows.

• Wireframing & Prototyping: Proficiency in creating low-fidelity wireframes and interactive prototypes to visualize design concepts.

• Visual Design: Strong aesthetic sense and ability to create visually appealing and on-brand interfaces.

• Animation & Motion Design: Skill in incorporating motion to enhance user experience and engagement.

• User Research & Testing: Experience conducting and utilizing user research and usability testing to inform design decisions.

• Data Analysis & Experimentation: Ability to interpret analytics and design for A/B or multivariate testing.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Demonstrated success in building relationships and working effectively with diverse teams (Product, Engineering, Marketing).

• Human-Centered Design: Passion for understanding user needs and solving real-world problems through design.

• Design Systems: Experience contributing to or maintaining design systems, particularly for mobile platforms.

• Problem Solving: Aptitude for tackling complex design challenges and delivering structured solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within a large retail organization or e-commerce environment.

• Familiarity with specific design and prototyping tools beyond the basic requirements (e.g., advanced Figma, Sketch plugins, Adobe After Effects for complex animations).

• Experience leading design initiatives or mentoring junior designers.

• Understanding of agile development methodologies and participation in agile ceremonies.

• Knowledge of accessibility standards (WCAG) and inclusive design practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The extensive list of required skills highlights the need for a well-rounded designer with operational acumen. The "extensive experience designing digital products at scale" and "designed for both web and native apps" indicate a need for understanding systemic design and platform-specific optimization, which are crucial in operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a minimum of 3-5 substantial projects that demonstrate a comprehensive design process from problem identification to solution implementation and iteration.

• Each project should clearly articulate the user problem, your role and contribution, the design decisions made (including rationale), and the measurable impact or outcomes.

• Evidence of designing for large-scale digital products and experience with both web and native mobile/tablet applications must be clearly visible.

• Demonstrations of information architecture, wireframing, visual design, and any animations or interactive elements are essential for showcasing breadth of skill.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of how you have documented design processes, including user flows, journey maps, and wireframe hierarchies.

• Include evidence of contribution to or creation of design system components, detailing the process of defining, documenting, and implementing these patterns.

• Present how you have led or participated in cross-functional workshops, outlining the agenda, participants, and outcomes to demonstrate collaboration and process management.

• Provide examples of how you have planned and executed your work, demonstrating an ability to manage ambiguity and synchronize with broader project timelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations-focused roles, a portfolio is critical. This section emphasizes not just the final output but the process behind it. It requires candidates to demonstrate their ability to structure work, collaborate effectively, and use data for optimization, aligning perfectly with operational efficiency and effectiveness.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior Product Designer (12 month FTC) in London with 5-10 years of experience, the estimated salary range is £65,000 - £85,000 per annum. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in London, considering the fixed-term nature of the contract and the seniority of the position within a large retail organization.

Benefits:

• Colleague Discount: 20% discount across M&S products and select third-party brands, available after completing the probationary period.

• Competitive Holiday Entitlement: Generous paid time off with the option to purchase additional days.

• Discretionary Bonus Schemes: Potential for bonuses based on personal objectives and company performance.

• Defined Contribution Pension Scheme & Life Assurance: Comprehensive retirement savings plan and financial protection.

• Tailored Induction & Training Programmes: Structured onboarding and ongoing development opportunities to enhance skills.

• M&S Choices Portal: Access to a wide array of perks and discounts aimed at maximizing financial and personal wellbeing.

• Industry-Leading Parental, Adoption, and Neonatal Policies: Supportive and flexible policies for new parents.

• Wellbeing Support: Access to 24/7 Virtual GP and PAM Assist for comprehensive health and family support.

• Charity Volunteer Day: A dedicated day off to support a chosen charity or cause.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility expected in line with project demands. The role is designated as Hybrid.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is estimated based on typical market rates for a Senior Product Designer in London. The inclusion of "FTC" suggests the salary might be quoted as an annual equivalent, but the actual payment structure might be monthly or weekly. The benefits package is extensive and reflects M&S's commitment to employee wellbeing and work-life balance, which is a significant draw for operations professionals looking for stability and support.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Retail (Clothing, Home, and Food). Marks & Spencer is a renowned British multinational retailer with a long-standing history and a significant presence in the UK and internationally. Its operations span extensive supply chains, diverse product categories, and multiple customer touchpoints, both online and in-store.

Company Size: Large enterprise. Marks & Spencer is a well-established, publicly traded company, employing tens of thousands of individuals globally. This scale implies robust operational frameworks, established processes, and a structured corporate environment.

Founded: 1884. With a history spanning over a century, M&S has a deep heritage and a proven ability to adapt and innovate within the evolving retail landscape. This longevity suggests a culture that values tradition while embracing necessary change.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team likely operates within a larger Digital or Technology division, working closely with Product Management, UX Research, and Engineering.

• It's probable that designers are organized into squads or pods aligned with specific product areas or customer journeys, fostering specialized expertise and efficient collaboration.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The emphasis on A/B testing, analytics, and research indicates a strong commitment to data-informed decision-making in the design process. This aligns with operational principles of measurement and optimization.

• Agile & Iterative Development: The need to plan work in sync with cross-functional colleagues and a hybrid work model suggests an agile or iterative approach to product development and design.

• Design System Centricity: The focus on contributing to the design system highlights a strategic approach to ensuring consistency, scalability, and efficiency in design outputs across various platforms.

Company Website: https://corporate.marksandspencer.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: M&S's position as a heritage retailer undergoing digital transformation makes this role particularly interesting from an operations perspective. The challenge will be to balance established brand identity with modern digital product design and operational efficiency. The "12 month FTC" likely means this role is crucial for a specific, time-bound digital initiative.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as Senior Product Designer. In an operations context, this signifies a mid-to-senior level individual contributor with a high degree of autonomy and responsibility. They are expected to not only execute complex design tasks but also to influence design strategy, mentor junior team members, and contribute to process improvements within the design and product development lifecycle. The "FTC" nature suggests a project-focused contribution rather than a long-term career path within the specific team, but the skills gained are highly transferable.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Design Lead, Head of Product Design, or a similar senior role within the Digital or E-commerce organization. They will work closely with Product Managers, UX Researchers, Engineers, and Marketing teams, operating in a matrixed environment common in large organizations.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is directly tied to enhancing the digital customer experience, which in turn drives customer engagement, conversion rates, and ultimately, revenue for Marks & Spencer. By optimizing user flows, improving usability, and ensuring a cohesive brand experience across digital touchpoints, the Senior Product Designer contributes significantly to the operational efficiency and effectiveness of M&S's online channels.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas such as native mobile design patterns, advanced animation techniques, or contributing to complex design systems.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Develop leadership skills by leading design workshops, mentoring junior designers, and influencing cross-functional teams on design best practices and user-centric approaches.

• Project-Specific Impact: Gain experience in driving significant design initiatives within a large, established retail brand, potentially leading to opportunities in other project-based roles or direct hires if performance is exceptional and business needs align.

• Industry Exposure: Work within a dynamic retail digital transformation environment, gaining insights into how large organizations manage and scale their digital operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a fixed-term contract, the "Senior" designation implies a level of expertise and influence that aligns with operational leadership in design. The growth opportunities are framed around skill development and project impact, which are valuable even within a temporary role.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as Hybrid, indicating a mix of remote work and in-office presence. Marks & Spencer's London office at Waterside House, 35 North Wharf Road, W2 1NW, is likely a modern, collaborative workspace designed to support hybrid working models.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is in London, United Kingdom, specifically at Waterside House, 35 North Wharf Road, W2 1NW. This location offers accessibility within a major metropolitan hub.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a workspace designed to foster collaboration, with meeting rooms, breakout areas, and shared desks that encourage interaction among colleagues from different departments. The hybrid model necessitates intentional efforts to ensure seamless communication and teamwork.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to standard design software suites (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite), project management tools (e.g., Jira, Asana), and communication platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams) will be provided. The company's tech stack for design and development will be integral to daily operations.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for face-to-face interaction with design peers, product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders during designated office days, facilitating spontaneous problem-solving and relationship building.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are approximately 40 per week. The hybrid arrangement allows for flexibility, with an expectation of being in the office for approximately 3 days per week. This schedule is designed to balance focused individual work with collaborative team activities and business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment, with 3 days expected in the office, is a common operational model for large companies seeking to balance flexibility with in-person collaboration. For a designer, this means understanding how to maintain design consistency and team cohesion across different work locations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely review applications and portfolios, followed by a brief initial call to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Presentation & Design Challenge: Candidates will typically be asked to present their portfolio, walking through 1-2 key projects and explaining their design process, rationale, and impact. A specific design challenge or case study, tailored to M&S's product context, may also be assigned.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders, including Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and potentially other designers, to assess collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to integrate design within the broader product development lifecycle.

• Final Interview: A discussion with senior leadership (e.g., Head of Design, Director of Product) to evaluate strategic thinking, leadership potential, and overall fit with the team and company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Tailor to M&S: Select projects that best demonstrate experience with large-scale digital products, e-commerce, and ideally, retail contexts. Highlight any experience with mobile applications.

• Focus on Process & Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your specific role, the design process (research, ideation, testing, iteration), and the quantifiable results or impact achieved. Use data and metrics where possible.

• Showcase Collaboration: Include examples or descriptions of how you collaborated with cross-functional teams (product, engineering, marketing) and how this collaboration influenced the final design.

• Demonstrate Problem-Solving: Highlight instances where you navigated ambiguity or solved complex design challenges, showcasing your structured approach and decision-making rationale.

• Prepare for the Design Challenge: If a challenge is given, focus on demonstrating your thought process, problem-solving approach, and ability to deliver a well-reasoned solution within the given constraints.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand M&S's Digital Landscape: Research M&S's current website and mobile app. Identify potential areas for improvement or innovation from a user experience perspective.

• Practice Presentation Skills: Rehearse presenting your portfolio and any challenge solutions, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and storytelling. Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your design decisions.

• Articulate Operational Thinking: Frame your design solutions in terms of their impact on user experience, business objectives, and operational efficiency (e.g., how a design might reduce customer support queries or improve conversion rates).

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio review and potential design challenge highlights the practical, results-oriented nature of this role, which is a core aspect of operations. Candidates need to demonstrate not just creativity but also a systematic, data-informed approach to problem-solving.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping Software: Proficiency in leading industry tools such as Figma (highly probable given its prevalence for collaboration and design systems), Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar platforms for wireframing, UI design, and interactive prototyping.

• Design System Management: Experience with tools or platforms used for managing and contributing to design systems (e.g., Zeroheight, Storybook, or integrated Figma features).

• Collaboration Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar for real-time communication and team coordination.

• Project Management Tools: Experience with Jira, Asana, Trello, or similar for task management, sprint planning, and workflow tracking.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web & App Analytics: Familiarity with interpreting data from tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or platform-specific analytics to understand user behavior and inform design decisions.

• A/B Testing Tools: Experience with platforms such as Optimizely, VWO, or in-house A/B testing frameworks to design and analyze experiments.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary focus for a Product Designer, an understanding of how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms might influence customer journeys and data collection would be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: This list reflects the typical technology stack for a modern digital product team, emphasizing collaboration and data-driven decision-making. A Senior Product Designer is expected to be proficient in these tools to effectively execute their responsibilities and integrate with operational workflows.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of M&S customers across all digital interactions, ensuring that design decisions prioritize user value and satisfaction.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering an environment where diverse teams work together effectively, sharing knowledge, providing constructive feedback, and collectively driving towards shared goals. This aligns with operational efficiency through synergy.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing insights from research, analytics, and experimentation to guide design choices and measure impact, ensuring that design efforts are aligned with business objectives and customer outcomes.

• Innovation & Adaptability: Embracing new ideas, technologies, and methodologies to continuously improve products and processes, staying ahead in the competitive retail landscape.

• Quality & Excellence: A dedication to producing high-quality, polished designs that reflect the M&S brand and deliver an exceptional user experience.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively engaging with Product Managers, Engineers, Researchers, and Marketing teams to ensure seamless integration of design into the broader product development lifecycle. This involves open communication and a shared understanding of project goals.

• Constructive Feedback Culture: A willingness to give and receive feedback constructively, using it as a tool for continuous improvement of designs, processes, and team dynamics.

• Knowledge Sharing: Promoting a culture of sharing best practices, insights, and learnings across the design team and with other departments to elevate the overall quality of work and foster collective growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The stated values and collaboration style are indicative of a mature, operationally sound team that values efficiency, data, and teamwork. This is crucial for a Senior Product Designer to integrate effectively and contribute to the company's digital ambitions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Heritage with Innovation: Integrating modern digital design practices and user expectations with the established brand identity and legacy systems of a long-standing retailer like M&S.

• Scale and Complexity: Designing for a massive, diverse customer base across multiple platforms (web, mobile apps) requires robust design systems and a deep understanding of user segmentation and behavior.

• Hybrid Work Management: Effectively collaborating and maintaining design quality and team cohesion within a hybrid work model, ensuring consistent communication and workflow across remote and in-office team members.

• Fixed-Term Contract Context: Adapting quickly to a new team and project, delivering significant impact within a 12-month timeframe, and ensuring a smooth handover of work or knowledge at the end of the contract.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX/UI Skills: Opportunity to refine skills in areas like interaction design, motion graphics for UI, and complex user flow optimization.

• Design System Expertise: Deepen knowledge and contribution to large-scale design systems, understanding their role in operational efficiency and brand consistency.

• Retail Digital Transformation Insights: Gain invaluable experience and understanding of the challenges and strategies involved in digital transformation within the retail sector.

• Cross-Functional Project Leadership: Develop leadership and project management skills by taking ownership of key design initiatives and influencing cross-functional teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for senior roles in large, established companies undergoing digital transformation. The growth opportunities are framed around skill enhancement and gaining specific industry experience, which are key benefits for any professional, regardless of contract length.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you designed a digital product for millions of users. What were the key challenges and how did you address them?" (Focus on scale, user segmentation, and problem-solving approach.)

• "How do you balance user needs with business objectives when designing? Provide an example." (Highlight your ability to find win-win solutions and understand commercial impact.)

• "Walk me through your process for iterating on a design based on A/B test results or user analytics." (Demonstrate your data-driven approach and understanding of optimization.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Marks & Spencer's digital presence, and where do you see opportunities for design innovation?" (Research their website/app, identify potential UX improvements, and align with their brand.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with engineers and product managers, especially in a hybrid work environment?" (Emphasize communication, empathy, and process alignment.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling is Key: Structure your portfolio presentation as a narrative for each project, starting with the problem, your journey through the solution, and the impact.

• Quantify Your Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics and data to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased conversion rates, reduced bounce rates, improved task completion times).

• Highlight Collaboration: Explicitly mention how you worked with other teams (Product, Engineering, Marketing) and how that collaboration shaped the outcome.

• Showcase Your Process: Be prepared to discuss your thought process, the tools you used, the research conducted, and the rationale behind your design decisions.

• Address Ambiguity: If you faced ambiguity, explain how you navigated it and brought structure or clarity to the project.

📝 Enhancement Note: These preparation tips are designed to help candidates showcase their operational thinking, data-driven approach, and collaborative skills, which are critical for a Senior Product Designer role, especially within a large organization like M&S.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-focused Product Design position:

• Submit your application through the Oracle Cloud portal link provided.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best highlight your experience with large-scale digital products, web and native app design, and your end-to-end design process. Ensure each case study clearly articulates the problem, your role, your methodology (including research, testing, and analytics), and the measurable impact.

• Tailor Your Resume: Update your resume to emphasize keywords and responsibilities relevant to product design operations, such as A/B testing, data analysis, design systems, cross-functional collaboration, and user experience optimization. Quantify your achievements with metrics where possible.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio walkthrough, focusing on clear communication, concise explanations, and articulating the "why" behind your design decisions. Be ready to discuss how your work impacts user experience and business outcomes.

• Research M&S: Familiarize yourself with Marks & Spencer's current digital offerings, brand values, and recent digital initiatives. Understand how your skills and experience can contribute to their ongoing digital transformation and customer engagement strategies.

⚠️ 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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