Senior Product Designer ⭐

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer ⭐
Company: Achievers
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Job Type: Full-time permanent
Category: Product Design / User Experience (UX)
Date Posted: October 8, 2025
Experience Level: 5-10 Years
Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive human-centered product design initiatives, focusing on creating meaningful connections within the workplace through thoughtful user experiences.
• Champion an empathetic design approach, translating user insights into strategic, collaborative, and creative solutions for complex problems.
• Own the end-to-end design process for key product domains, influencing product direction and becoming a subject matter expert.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Management, Engineering, UX Research, and Data Science, to deliver scalable and user-centric experiences.
• Mentor junior designers and contribute to the growth of the UX practice through feedback, guild sessions, and sharing best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is for a Product Designer, the emphasis on user insights, cross-functional collaboration, problem-solving, and driving value aligns closely with the strategic thinking and process-oriented approach valued in Revenue Operations, Sales Operations, and GTM roles. The ability to translate complex user needs into actionable design solutions mirrors the operational challenge of optimizing workflows and driving business outcomes through data and process.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the entire UX design lifecycle for assigned projects, from initial problem definition and user research to final high-fidelity design delivery.
• Conduct user thinking workshops, content mapping, sketching, wireframing, and develop both low and high-fidelity prototypes to explore and validate design solutions.
• Design and develop foundational frameworks for cross-product and cross-platform features, ensuring scalability and consistency across the Achievers platform.
• Drive UX research initiatives to foster deep user empathy and advocate for user success throughout the product development process.
• Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers, UX Researchers, Data Scientists, and Front-end Developers, effectively communicating the value of design and integrating feedback.
• Coach and mentor less experienced designers, providing constructive feedback to enhance team processes and individual skill development.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the UI system, ensuring thoughtful and scalable design solutions are implemented.
• Take ownership of specific product areas, becoming the go-to subject matter expert and driving strategic design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "mentor less-experienced designers" suggests a senior-level individual contributor role with leadership potential, akin to a Senior Ops Analyst or Ops Lead who guides junior team members on process improvement and tool implementation. The emphasis on owning projects end-to-end and becoming a subject matter expert also mirrors the autonomy and responsibility expected in senior operations roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a strong foundation in Design principles, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a related field is implied by the nature of the role. Experience: Minimum of 5 years of hands-on, end-to-end User Experience (UX) design experience, preferably within a SaaS (Software as a Service) environment.

Required Skills:

• Deep understanding of the iterative design process, including user research, job stories, journey mapping, wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and creating high-fidelity visuals.
• Proficiency in industry-standard design tools such as Figma and Miro.
• Expertise in interaction design for both native mobile and responsive web applications.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, UX Research, Data Science) within an Agile Scrum framework.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a passion for balancing user experience facets, including strategy, research, information architecture, and interaction design.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and advocate for user needs.
• A collaborative spirit that encourages early sharing and rapid iteration on designs.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality work efficiently without sacrificing speed.

Preferred Skills:

• Previous experience in HCM (Human Capital Management) or social media platforms.
• Experience with user testing frameworks and methodologies.
• Familiarity with design systems and their implementation.
• Experience in coaching or mentoring junior designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 5+ years of experience in SaaS UX design, coupled with proficiency in Figma, Miro, and Agile methodologies, points towards a need for candidates who can quickly integrate into a fast-paced product development cycle. This mirrors the operational need for professionals experienced in implementing and optimizing systems within similar environments, where robust tool proficiency and an understanding of agile processes are critical for success.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a strong understanding of the end-to-end iterative design process, demonstrating how you've applied user research, journey mapping, wireframing, prototyping, and user testing to achieve user-centric solutions.
• Include case studies that detail your problem-solving approach, highlighting how you translated complex user needs and business objectives into tangible design outcomes.
• Present high-fidelity visuals and interactive prototypes that exemplify your interaction design skills for both mobile and web applications.
• Demonstrate your ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering) within an Agile Scrum context, illustrating how you integrated feedback and iterated on designs.
• Highlight projects where you've leveraged design systems or contributed to their development, showcasing your understanding of scalability and consistency.

Process Documentation:

• For each portfolio piece, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role, the design process followed, key decisions made, and the final outcomes or impact.
• Detail the user research methodologies employed and the insights gained that informed your design direction.
• Explain how you managed stakeholder reviews and incorporated feedback from Product Managers, Engineers, and other team members.
• Document any challenges encountered during the design process and how you creatively overcame them to ensure successful project delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio demonstrating the end-to-end design process, user research, collaboration, and tangible outcomes is highly analogous to the requirements for operations professionals. In operations, a portfolio often includes process maps, system implementation case studies, ROI analyses, and data-driven improvement initiatives, all demonstrating a structured approach to problem-solving and measurable impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers in Toronto with 5-10 years of experience in SaaS, a competitive salary range is estimated between CAD $100,000 - $140,000 annually. This range accounts for the senior level, specialized skills, and the high-growth tech environment in Toronto.

Benefits:

• Competitive Pay
• Parental Leave Top-up
• Health Benefits and Life Insurance Coverage Upon Your First Day
• RRSP Matching
• Flexible Vacation
• Employee and Family Assistance Program
• Full access to the LinkedIn Learning Library
• Internal Mentorship Program
• Employee-Led Employee Resource Groups
• Participation in Achievers' Points-based Employee Recognition Program
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth

Working Hours: Typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered within Achievers' hybrid work model. The company emphasizes achieving excellence, suggesting a results-oriented approach to work hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimation is based on aggregated data from reputable Canadian salary aggregators and industry surveys for similar roles in the Toronto tech market. The benefits package is comprehensive and aligns with common offerings for permanent, full-time employees in the Canadian tech sector, with specific mentions of professional development and recognition programs that appeal to career-driven individuals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Achievers operates within the Human Capital Management (HCM) and Employee Engagement technology sector, focusing on employee recognition and rewards software. This industry is driven by data, user experience, and the impact of technology on workplace culture. Company Size: Achievers is a growing company with a significant global user base, indicating a dynamic and evolving organizational structure. The presence of multiple teams and specialized functions suggests opportunities for cross-functional collaboration. Founded: Achievers was founded with a mission to inspire recognition everywhere, building a platform that empowers employees globally. This founding principle likely underpins a culture that values connection, impact, and continuous improvement.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team likely consists of UX Designers, UI Designers, and UX Researchers, working collaboratively to shape the user experience of Achievers' software.
• Designers are integrated into cross-functional product teams, working alongside Product Managers, Engineers, and Data Scientists, fostering a collaborative and agile development environment.
• The UX Guild sessions mentioned indicate a community of practice for designers to share knowledge, best practices, and mentor one another, promoting a culture of continuous learning and skill development.

Methodology:

• Design thinking and user-centered methodologies are core to Achievers' product development, emphasizing empathy, iterative design, and data-driven insights.
• Agile Scrum is the prevalent development framework, requiring designers to be adaptable, responsive, and able to deliver value incrementally.
• A strong emphasis is placed on leveraging a robust UI system to ensure consistency, scalability, and efficiency in design execution.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Achievers' focus on employee recognition and rewards suggests a company culture that values appreciation, collaboration, and positive impact. For an operations professional, this translates to an environment where process improvements and efficiency gains are likely to be recognized and valued, and where cross-functional collaboration is crucial for achieving broader business objectives.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Senior Product Designer role is a mid-to-senior level individual contributor position. It requires a high degree of autonomy, ownership, and the ability to influence product strategy and mentor others. In an operations context, this would be equivalent to a Senior Operations Analyst, Operations Specialist, or a Team Lead role, responsible for complex projects, process optimization, and guiding less experienced team members. Reporting Structure: The role reports to a UX leader and involves close collaboration with Product Managers and Engineering leads. This indicates a supportive structure within the design team, with opportunities for guidance and mentorship, while also requiring strong partnership with product and engineering counterparts. Operations Impact: While this role focuses on product design, the impact is significant: by creating intuitive and empowering user experiences, it directly influences employee engagement, productivity, and the overall success of Achievers' clients. This mirrors the impact of operations professionals who optimize processes, implement systems, and drive efficiency to directly contribute to revenue growth and operational excellence.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific product domains or UX research methodologies.
• Leadership: Progress into a Lead Designer role, managing a team or a significant product area, or transition into Product Management.
• Skill Development: Continuous learning through UX guild sessions, mentorship from senior UX leaders, and access to the LinkedIn Learning Library for acquiring new skills.
• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain deeper understanding of Product Management, Engineering, and Data Science functions, fostering a holistic view of product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The outlined growth opportunities for a Senior Product Designer – specialization, leadership, skill development, and cross-functional exposure – are highly transferable to operations career paths. Operations professionals can similarly aim for specialized roles (e.g., Revenue Operations Specialist), leadership positions (e.g., Sales Operations Manager), continuous learning through certifications and training, and broader exposure to different business functions that impact GTM strategy.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Achievers operates on a hybrid-first model, with a physical office located in Liberty Village, Toronto. The company emphasizes colocation for innovation, passive learning, spontaneous connections, and better communication, suggesting a preference for in-person collaboration while offering flexibility. Office Location(s): The primary office is located at 99 Atlantic Ave, Liberty Village, Toronto, Canada. This is a vibrant area known for its tech and creative industries, offering a dynamic work environment.

Workspace Context:

• The hybrid model aims to balance the benefits of in-office collaboration with remote flexibility, fostering an engaging employee experience.
• The office environment is designed to encourage innovation and spontaneous interactions, crucial for a creative field like design.
• Access to modern office amenities and a collaborative workspace is expected, supporting team synergy and efficient workflow.

Work Schedule: While typically 40 hours per week, the hybrid model and emphasis on achieving excellence suggest a degree of flexibility in managing work hours, provided project deadlines and team collaboration needs are met. This allows for focused work sessions, whether in-office or remote, to support creative processes and data analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "hybrid-first" approach with an emphasis on in-office collaboration for innovation and connection is a common trend in the tech industry. For operations roles, this translates to an environment that values both focused, independent work (often done remotely) and collaborative problem-solving sessions (best facilitated in person). Understanding this balance is key for candidates seeking roles that require deep analytical work alongside cross-functional team engagement.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with HR or a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest in the role.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the Hiring Manager to delve deeper into your experience, design philosophy, and specific project examples. This is often where your portfolio is first presented and discussed in detail.
• Design Challenge/Portfolio Review: A more in-depth session where you present your portfolio, discuss specific case studies, and potentially tackle a design problem or exercise relevant to Achievers' products. This assesses your end-to-end process, problem-solving skills, and communication.
• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, or UX Researchers to evaluate collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to integrate with different disciplines within an Agile framework.
• Final Interview: Potentially a final conversation with a senior leader to confirm fit and alignment with company values and strategic goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 of your strongest projects that best showcase your end-to-end UX process, problem-solving abilities, and impact. Tailor your selection to highlight SaaS and Agile experience.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your specific role and contributions, the design process you followed, key decisions and rationale, and the measurable outcomes or impact. Use visuals effectively to illustrate your journey.
• Highlight Collaboration: Emphasize how you worked with Product Managers, Engineers, and other stakeholders, demonstrating your ability to receive and incorporate feedback.
• Showcase Tool Proficiency: Naturally integrate discussions about your use of Figma, Miro, and other relevant tools within your project narratives.
• Be Ready to Defend Decisions: Articulate the rationale behind your design choices, referencing user research, heuristics, and business objectives.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, ensure you fully understand the problem, target users, and business goals. Ask clarifying questions.
• Think Aloud: Articulate your thought process clearly, explaining your assumptions, research approach, and decision-making.
• Focus on Process: Demonstrate a structured approach to problem-solving, even if you don't reach a fully polished solution within the allotted time.
• Consider Edge Cases: Briefly touch upon potential edge cases or future iterations to show foresight.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process described is standard for senior design roles. For operations candidates, the emphasis on a portfolio, case studies showcasing process and impact, and demonstrating cross-functional collaboration is directly applicable. Operations interviews often involve presenting past projects that demonstrate process optimization, system implementation, or data analysis leading to tangible business results.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaborative design sessions. Proficiency in creating and utilizing design systems within Figma is highly valued.
• Miro: Crucial for collaborative brainstorming, user journey mapping, workflow visualization, running user thinking workshops, and information architecture planning.
• User Testing Frameworks/Tools: Experience with platforms and methodologies for conducting user research and usability testing to gather insights and validate designs.
• Prototyping Tools (Beyond Figma): While Figma is primary, familiarity with other prototyping tools can be beneficial for specific use cases.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: While not explicitly listed for designers, an understanding of how data informs design decisions is key. Familiarity with tools used by Data Scientists (e.g., SQL, Python, BI tools like Tableau/Power BI) can be advantageous for interpreting user behavior data.
• User Behavior Analytics (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel): Understanding how users interact with products post-launch is critical for iterative design.

CRM & Automation:

• Not Directly Applicable: CRM and automation tools are typically managed by Sales, Marketing, and Operations teams. However, designers may interact with CRM data or workflows when designing features that integrate with these systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and Miro as required tools highlights the importance of proficiency in modern design and collaboration platforms. For operations roles, this translates to similar expectations for proficiency in tools like Salesforce, HubSpot, Marketo, Tableau, Power BI, Asana, Jira, and various automation platforms (e.g., Zapier, Workato). The ability to leverage these tools for data analysis, process optimization, and workflow automation is paramount.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Human-Centered: A core value driving the design process, ensuring that user needs, empathy, and user success are at the forefront of all product decisions.
• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on teamwork and partnership across disciplines (Product, Engineering, Research, Data) to achieve shared goals.
• Ownership & Accountability: Individuals are encouraged to take ownership of their projects and deliver high-quality results, becoming subject matter experts.
• Continuous Improvement: A culture that encourages learning, iteration, and refinement of both products and processes.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing user insights and data to inform design strategies and validate solutions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are embedded within product teams, working closely with Product Managers and Engineers daily.
• Iterative Feedback Loops: Regular touchpoints for design reviews, stakeholder feedback sessions, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Knowledge Sharing: UX Guild sessions and open communication channels facilitate the sharing of best practices, challenges, and learnings across the design team.
• Agile Mindset: Embracing flexibility, rapid iteration, and adaptability to changing requirements and priorities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Achievers' stated values of being human-centered, collaborative, owning outcomes, continuous improvement, and data-driven decision-making align strongly with the ideal culture for operations professionals. Operations teams thrive in environments where process efficiency, data analysis, and cross-functional partnerships are prioritized, and where individual contributions directly impact business objectives are recognized.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Effectively translating user insights into design solutions that also meet business objectives and technical constraints.
• Cross-Disciplinary Alignment: Ensuring seamless collaboration and communication with diverse teams (Product, Engineering, Data Science) who may have different priorities and perspectives.
• Pace of a High-Growth Environment: Delivering high-quality work efficiently in a fast-paced setting where innovation and rapid iteration are key.
• Mentoring and Coaching: Developing the skills to effectively guide and mentor junior designers while managing personal project responsibilities.
• Influencing Product Direction: Advocating for design best practices and user needs in strategic discussions to shape the product roadmap.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• UX Guild Sessions: Regular internal meetings for knowledge sharing, skill development, and peer feedback among designers.
• Mentorship: Direct mentorship from experienced UX leaders within Achievers.
• LinkedIn Learning Library: Access to a vast array of online courses for continuous skill enhancement in design, technology, and professional development.
• Cross-functional Exposure: Opportunities to learn from and collaborate with experts in Product Management, Engineering, and Data Science.
• Ownership of Key Domains: Gaining deep expertise in specific product areas, leading to potential specialization or leadership growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges listed for a Senior Product Designer – balancing needs, cross-disciplinary alignment, fast-paced environments, and mentorship – are directly mirrored in operations roles. Operations professionals often face similar hurdles in optimizing processes, aligning sales and marketing efforts, adapting to rapid business changes, guiding junior analysts, and influencing strategic decisions through data and process improvements. The growth opportunities for skill enhancement, specialization, and leadership are also highly relevant to operations career trajectories.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Product Strategy & Vision: Be prepared to discuss how user research and design thinking contribute to overall product strategy and how you've influenced product direction in past roles. Articulate your approach to defining problems and user needs.
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: Discuss your experience working with Product Managers, Engineers, and other disciplines in an Agile environment. Prepare examples of how you've managed conflicting priorities, effectively communicated design rationale, and built strong working relationships.
• Problem Solving & Design Process: Be ready to walk through a complex design challenge from your portfolio, detailing your thought process, iterative steps, and how you arrived at a solution. Focus on demonstrating your structured approach to problem-solving and efficiency.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Achievers' Mission: Research Achievers' mission, values, and recent news. Understand their focus on employee recognition and how design contributes to that mission.
• Hybrid Work Environment: Be prepared to discuss your experience and expectations regarding hybrid work models and how you foster collaboration and productivity in such an environment.
• Mentorship & Teamwork: Discuss your experience in mentoring or being mentored, and how you contribute to a positive and collaborative team dynamic.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, the process, key decisions, and outcomes. Use a consistent structure for clarity.
• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your design solutions (e.g., improved user satisfaction, increased task completion rates, reduced support tickets).
• Showcase Your Process: Don't just show final designs; illustrate your journey with sketches, wireframes, user flows, and research findings. This highlights your problem-solving approach.
• Engage Your Audience: Make your presentation interactive. Be prepared to answer questions about your decisions and thought process throughout your presentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice emphasizes storytelling, demonstrating process, quantifying impact, and understanding company culture – all critical elements for operations candidates. Operations interviews often involve similar strategies, focusing on how candidates leverage data and process to solve business problems, collaborate with stakeholders, and drive measurable results.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on Lever.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features 3-4 of your strongest end-to-end UX case studies, highlighting SaaS experience, Agile collaboration, and measurable impact. Tailor your project selection to align with Achievers' focus on employee engagement and workplace connection.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your 5+ years of experience in UX design, emphasizing proficiency in Figma, Miro, user research, and cross-functional collaboration within Agile environments. Use keywords from the job description to ensure ATS compatibility.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving approach, and collaboration style. Prepare specific examples to demonstrate how you've influenced product direction and mentored junior designers.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Achievers' mission, values, product offerings, and recent company news. Understand their hybrid-first approach and how design contributes to their goal of inspiring recognition everywhere.

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