Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer Company: Arbor Education Location: United Kingdom Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Product Design / User Experience Date Posted: 2026-01-19 Experience Level: 5-10 Years Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the end-to-end design process for core applications, focusing on enhancing user experience for parents and schools, particularly in parental engagement.
• Leverage user-centered design methodologies, from initial research to final execution, to create intuitive and impactful solutions.
• Collaborate closely with product management, engineering, and marketing teams in an agile environment to define problems, hypothesize solutions, and validate designs.
• Utilize AI-enhanced tooling to accelerate design exploration, rapid idea generation, and testing.
• Develop and maintain a deep understanding of user needs, business objectives, and the unique challenges within the education sector to inform design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer, indicating a need for strong leadership in design thinking, process ownership, and the ability to mentor or guide junior team members. The emphasis on rebuilding a core application suggests a significant strategic impact and the opportunity to shape a product's future direction.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the definition of user problems, formulation of hypotheses, and validation of design solutions through iterative design and user testing cycles.
• Create comprehensive design artifacts, including wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity UI mockups, to effectively communicate design intent and functionality.
• Explore and integrate AI-enhanced tooling to streamline the design process, enabling rapid ideation and concept validation.
• Design and deliver intuitive, visually appealing, and accessible user interfaces that meet the needs of diverse user groups within the education ecosystem.
• Conduct and analyze both quantitative and qualitative user research, translating findings into actionable design recommendations and data-driven decisions.
• Translate complex educational workflows and user requirements into simple, effective, and scalable user experiences that enhance parental engagement and school management.
• Articulate design rationale, process, and key decisions clearly and persuasively to a wide range of stakeholders, including executive leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Maintain and evolve the company's design system to ensure visual consistency, functional integrity, and design efficiency across all product offerings.
• Proactively identify opportunities for design improvement and process optimization, sharing learnings and best practices across the product and engineering organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic thinking, hands-on design execution, and a strong research component. The emphasis on "ground-up rebuild" and "parental engagement" points to a focus on user acquisition/retention and improving key school-parent communication channels.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, or a related field is typically expected for senior-level product design roles. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: 5-10 years of professional experience in product design, with a significant portion focused on user-centered design processes, from research and discovery through to final UI execution.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in user-centered design (UCD) methodologies and a strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end design projects.
• Extensive experience designing and prototyping wireframes, user flows, and high-fidelity UI mockups using industry-standard design tools.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct and analyze both quantitative and qualitative user research, translating insights into actionable design decisions.
• Experience working effectively within agile development environments and collaborating closely with cross-functional teams (Product Management, Engineering, Marketing).
• Strong decision-making capabilities, adaptability to changing requirements, and the ability to influence design direction and strategy within teams.
• A proactive approach to learning and applying new design methodologies, tools, and technologies, including AI-enhanced design tools.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and process to diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in maintaining and evolving design systems to ensure consistency and efficiency across products.
• Problem-solving skills with a focus on translating complex requirements into simple, elegant user experiences.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the education technology (EdTech) sector or with products serving educational institutions and parents.
• Familiarity with accessibility standards (WCAG) and a commitment to designing inclusive user experiences.
• Experience with AI-enhanced tooling for design exploration and rapid prototyping.
• A portfolio that demonstrates a strong understanding of visual design principles, typography, and branding.
• Experience with data analysis tools and techniques to inform design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specified experience level (5-10 years) implies a need for a candidate who can operate with a high degree of autonomy, lead design initiatives, and contribute to strategic product discussions. The mention of "AI-enhanced tooling" suggests a forward-thinking approach to design processes.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 3-5 significant product design projects, demonstrating a full product lifecycle from conception to launch and iteration.
• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem statement, user research conducted, design process followed, iterative improvements made, and measurable outcomes achieved.
• Examples of how you have translated complex user needs and business objectives into intuitive and effective user interfaces.
• Demonstrations of your ability to design for accessibility and inclusivity.
• Evidence of your contribution to and maintenance of design systems or style guides.

Process Documentation:

• Detailed explanations of your user research methodologies and how findings informed design decisions.
• Examples of your wireframing, prototyping, and user flow creation process.
• Documentation of your collaboration process with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders.
• Illustrate how you have leveraged data (quantitative and qualitative) to drive design iterations and improvements.
• Showcase how you approach the integration of AI or new technologies into your design workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Product Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It should not only showcase visual design skills but also demonstrate strategic thinking, problem-solving capabilities, and a deep understanding of the user-centered design process and its impact on business goals. The emphasis on "ground-up rebuild" means showcasing experience in defining and structuring new design directions.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £80,000 per year.

Benefits:

• Dedicated Wellbeing Team: Championing initiatives such as mindfulness, lunch & learns, manager training, and mental health first aid training.
• Generous Holiday Allowance: 32 days holiday (25 days annual leave + 7 company-wide days over Easter, Summer & Christmas).
• Life Assurance: Payout at 3x annual salary.
• Comprehensive Wellness Benefit: Provided by AIG Smart Health, offering a 24/7 virtual GP service, mental health support, counseling, and personalized health checks.
• Private Dental Insurance: With Bupa.
• Pension Scheme: Salary sacrifice option provided by Scottish Widows.
• Enhanced Parental Leave: 20 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and 6 weeks full pay for paternity leave.
• Maternity Coaching: 5 free return-to-work coaching sessions.
• Wellbeing & Financial Support: Access to services like Calm and Bippit (financial wellbeing coaching).
• Flexible Working: All roles champion flexible working, with discussions encouraged to define what this means for the individual.
• Social Committees: Organizing team, office, and company-wide events.
• Professional Development Budget: Dedicated budget for CPD courses, upskilling resources, and professional memberships.
• Volunteer Day: One day per year to volunteer with a charity of your choice.

Working Hours: While not explicitly stated, a standard full-time role typically implies around 40 hours per week. The emphasis on flexible working suggests a focus on output rather than strict adherence to hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary of £80,000 is at the higher end for Senior Product Designer roles in the UK, especially for a remote position. This reflects the seniority, the specific industry (EdTech), and the company's commitment to employee wellbeing and professional growth. The benefits package is exceptionally comprehensive, underscoring a strong focus on employee welfare and development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, specifically Education Technology (EdTech). Arbor Education is a significant player in the UK's school management software market, serving over 7,000 schools and trusts. Company Size: While not explicitly stated in the provided data, Arbor Education is a scale-up with a substantial user base, suggesting a company size that balances the agility of a startup with the structure of a more established organization. This typically means teams in the range of 50-250 employees, with dedicated departments for Product, Engineering, Sales, Marketing, and Customer Success. Founded: Arbor Education was founded in 2014. This indicates a company with established market presence and a history of product development, now focusing on significant rebuilds and scaling.

Team Structure:

• The design team is described as a "growing, central design team" embedded within the wider product and engineering organization.
• This suggests a hub-and-spoke model where a core design team sets standards and provides expertise, while designers may also be embedded within specific product squads.
• The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Design or Design Lead and collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially Researchers.

Methodology:

• The company emphasizes a user-centered approach, aiming to create "happier working lives" for school staff and improve school operations.
• They operate within agile environments, prioritizing iterative design and data-driven decision-making.
• The mention of "AI-enhanced tooling" indicates a forward-thinking adoption of technology to improve efficiency and exploration within the design process.
• The focus on "clear, actionable insights" from data underscores a commitment to making complex information accessible and useful for their users.

Company Website: https://arbor-education.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Arbor Education's mission to transform how schools work by focusing on staff wellbeing and data-driven insights is a key cultural differentiator. This implies that designers must be empathetic to the challenges faced by educators and school administrators, and strive to create solutions that genuinely improve their daily lives.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Product Designer. This role is a mid-to-senior level position, requiring significant independent contribution, leadership in design thinking, and the ability to influence product strategy. It signifies a level of expertise where the individual is expected to mentor others, drive best practices, and take ownership of complex design challenges. Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will be part of a growing central design team, likely reporting to a Head of Design or Design Lead. They will work in close collaboration with Product Managers and Engineering teams within specific product squads, indicating a matrixed reporting structure common in agile organizations. Operations Impact: The role has a direct and significant impact on the usability and effectiveness of Arbor Education's core applications, particularly those related to parental engagement. By rebuilding these applications, the Senior Product Designer will shape how thousands of schools and parents interact with the platform, directly influencing user satisfaction, adoption rates, and operational efficiency for educational institutions. The focus on "happier working lives" for staff suggests an impact beyond mere functionality, touching on user wellbeing.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership & Mentorship: As a senior member, there's an opportunity to mentor junior designers, lead design initiatives within product squads, and contribute to the strategic direction of the design team.
• Skill Specialization: The role encourages exploration of AI-enhanced tooling and data-driven design, offering a path to deepen expertise in these advanced areas.
• Domain Expertise: Developing deep knowledge of the education sector and its unique user needs can lead to becoming a subject matter expert within the company.
• Career Progression: Potential pathways include Lead Product Designer, Design Manager, or specialization in UX Research or Design Systems.
• Professional Development: A dedicated budget for CPD courses, upskilling resources, and professional memberships directly supports continuous learning and career advancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title, coupled with the rebuild of a core application, suggests that this role offers substantial autonomy and the potential to make a significant, visible impact. The company's emphasis on professional development and wellbeing further enhances the growth potential and overall employee experience.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position ("TELECOMMUTE" and "Remote Solely"). Arbor Education champions flexible working, indicating a trust-based environment that focuses on results and autonomy rather than physical presence. Office Location(s): United Kingdom. While the role is remote, this implies that candidates must be legally based and authorized to work within the UK. The company's headquarters are likely in the UK, but specific office locations are not detailed as the role is remote.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Despite being remote, the company fosters collaboration through various digital tools and scheduled interactions, including social committees, team events, and cross-functional team sprints within agile frameworks.
• Technology & Tools: Employees are expected to have a suitable remote work setup. The company provides access to industry-standard design and collaboration tools, and encourages the exploration of new technologies like AI-enhanced design tools.
• Team Interaction: Regular touchpoints through video calls, Slack, and project management tools will facilitate interaction with design, product, and engineering teams. The company also organizes social events to build camaraderie.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours are implied (approximately 40 hours per week), but the emphasis on flexible working means that the specific daily schedule can be adapted to individual needs, provided work is completed effectively and collaboration is maintained. This flexibility is crucial for remote roles to ensure work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature of the role, coupled with a strong emphasis on flexible working and employee wellbeing, suggests a modern, forward-thinking work environment. Candidates should be comfortable with asynchronous communication and proactive self-management.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Phone Screen: An initial conversation to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest in the role and Arbor Education.
• 1st Stage, Portfolio Discussion: A dedicated session to deeply explore the candidate's portfolio. This will involve discussing specific projects, design decisions, challenges faced, and outcomes achieved. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their process and articulate the impact of their work.
• 2nd Stage - Whiteboard Session: This is likely a practical exercise, potentially involving a design challenge, problem-solving scenario, or a collaborative brainstorming session. It will assess the candidate's ability to think on their feet, articulate design thinking in real-time, and collaborate under pressure.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Thoughtfully: Select projects that best demonstrate your senior-level capabilities, user-centered process, and impact, especially those involving complex problem-solving or significant product rebuilds.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, the process (research, ideation, iteration), your design decisions, and the measurable results. Quantify impact wherever possible (e.g., increased conversion rates, improved user satisfaction scores, reduced task completion times).
• Showcase Process: Don't just present final UI; highlight your research findings, wireframes, user flows, and prototypes. Explain why you made certain design choices.
• Highlight Collaboration: Describe how you worked with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders.
• Address AI & Education: If possible, include projects that touch upon AI-driven features or demonstrate an understanding of the education sector's nuances.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: Research Arbor Education's mission, products, and target audience. Try to anticipate the types of problems they might present in a design challenge.
• Practice Design Thinking: Be ready to break down a problem, brainstorm solutions, consider constraints, and articulate your design rationale clearly.
• Whiteboard Skills: Practice sketching ideas and flows quickly and legibly on a whiteboard or digital equivalent.
• Communication: Be prepared to explain your thought process, ask clarifying questions, and engage in a constructive dialogue with the interviewers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical application and discussion of past work. A strong portfolio that clearly articulates the "why" behind design decisions and demonstrates measurable impact will be critical for success. The "Whiteboard Session" is a key opportunity to showcase real-time problem-solving and communication skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), InVision, Axure RP (or similar prototyping tools). The role explicitly mentions exploring "AI-enhanced tooling," so familiarity with emerging AI design assistants or plugins would be advantageous.
• User Research & Analysis: UserTesting.com, Maze, Hotjar, Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, SurveyMonkey, Typeform, Dovetail, or similar tools for qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis.
• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Miro, Mural, Slack, Microsoft Teams.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Experience with product analytics platforms like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude for tracking user behavior, feature adoption, and conversion rates.
• Familiarity with data visualization tools or methods to present insights effectively.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a designer's primary tool, understanding how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and marketing automation platforms influence user journeys and data collection can be beneficial for context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Arbor Education is likely using a modern tech stack. Proficiency in industry-standard design tools like Figma is almost certainly a prerequisite. The mention of "AI-enhanced tooling" suggests an openness to and interest in innovative design technologies, making candidates familiar with these tools more attractive.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of schools, staff, and parents, aiming to create "happier working lives."
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing both quantitative and qualitative data to inform design choices and measure impact.
• Efficiency & Simplicity: Translating complex workflows into intuitive, easy-to-use experiences that save time and reduce burden for users.
• Collaboration & Transparency: Working closely with cross-functional teams and stakeholders, fostering open communication and sharing of ideas.
• Continuous Improvement: A proactive mindset towards seeking opportunities for enhancement in products, processes, and personal development.
• Innovation: Embracing new technologies and methodologies, such as AI-enhanced tooling, to drive better outcomes.

Collaboration Style:

• Agile & Iterative: Working in sprints, with regular feedback loops and iterative design cycles.
• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are embedded within product teams, working hand-in-hand with Product Managers and Engineers.
• Remote-First Communication: Emphasis on clear, concise digital communication, leveraging tools like Slack, Miro, and video conferencing.
• Open to Feedback: A culture that encourages constructive feedback to refine designs and processes.
• Proactive Engagement: Encouraging team members to think on their feet, move fast, and contribute ideas actively.

📝 Enhancement Note: Arbor Education's culture appears to be a blend of a mission-driven startup and a professional, established company. The focus on user wellbeing within the education sector is a strong cultural anchor, suggesting that empathy and a genuine desire to help users are highly valued.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rebuilding Core Applications: Taking on the significant task of redesigning and rebuilding foundational products requires careful planning, strategic vision, and the ability to manage complexity and potential technical debt.
• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Ensuring that design solutions serve both the diverse needs of educators and parents, while also aligning with Arbor Education's business objectives and scalability requirements.
• Remote Collaboration Nuances: Effectively collaborating and maintaining strong relationships with cross-functional teams in a fully remote setting can present communication and alignment challenges.
• Rapidly Evolving EdTech Landscape: Staying abreast of technological advancements, pedagogical trends, and the competitive EdTech market to ensure designs remain relevant and innovative.
• Integrating AI Effectively: Exploring and implementing AI-enhanced tooling requires careful consideration of ethical implications, user trust, and practical application without over-engineering solutions.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepening EdTech Expertise: Gaining in-depth knowledge of the education sector, school operations, and the specific challenges faced by teachers, administrators, and parents.
• Mastering AI in Design: Becoming proficient in leveraging AI tools to enhance creativity, efficiency, and user experience in design.
• Leading Design Initiatives: Opportunities to take ownership of major design projects, influence product roadmaps, and potentially mentor junior designers.
• Professional Certifications & Courses: Utilizing the dedicated CPD budget for relevant courses, workshops, or certifications in UX, HCI, or related fields.
• Industry Conferences: Attending relevant conferences to stay updated on design trends, EdTech innovations, and network with peers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "challenge" of rebuilding core applications is also a significant "opportunity" for a Senior Product Designer to leave a lasting impact and gain valuable experience in strategic product evolution. The company's investment in professional development directly addresses these growth opportunities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to rebuild a core application or redesign a significant feature. What were the biggest challenges, and how did you approach them?" (Focus on process, user research, stakeholder management, and outcomes.)
• "How would you approach designing a new parental engagement feature for a school management system, considering varying levels of technical literacy among parents and school staff?" (Demonstrate user-centered thinking, problem decomposition, and solution ideation.)
• "Explain your process for translating complex user workflows into simple, intuitive interfaces. Can you provide an example from your portfolio?" (Highlight your ability to simplify complexity and your design methodology.)
• "How do you decide when to use quantitative versus qualitative research, and how do you integrate findings from both?" (Showcase your data-driven approach and research acumen.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Arbor Education's mission to transform schools and improve staff wellbeing?" (Connect your personal values and career aspirations to the company's purpose.)
• "How do you think your design philosophy aligns with a company focused on making schools happier places to work?" (Demonstrate empathy and understanding of the company's unique value proposition.)
• "Describe your experience working in a remote, agile environment. What strategies do you use to ensure effective collaboration and communication?" (Highlight your adaptability and remote work best practices.)
• "How do you stay updated on the latest design trends and technologies, particularly in areas like AI for design?" (Show your commitment to continuous learning.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your role, the user(s), your process, key decisions, and the measurable impact.
• Focus on Impact: Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., "Increased user engagement by X%," "Reduced task completion time by Y minutes," "Achieved a Z% improvement in user satisfaction scores").
• Showcase Your Process: Don't just show final screens; walk through your wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and research findings. Explain why you made certain design choices.
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your decisions, challenges, trade-offs, and how you would iterate on the presented work.
• Demonstrate Seniority: Highlight your ability to lead, influence, and think strategically about the product and its users.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not only design skills but also strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, collaboration skills, and cultural fit. A well-prepared candidate will be able to articulate their process, demonstrate impact, and connect their experience to Arbor Education's mission and values.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on Workable.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible (e.g., via a link) and highlights projects that demonstrate your experience in user-centered design, complex problem-solving, and ideally, experience with rebuilds or significant UI/UX overhauls. Tailor any accompanying case studies to emphasize the impact and process relevant to Arbor Education's mission.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your 5-10 years of experience, focusing on keywords from the job description such as "User-Centered Design," "Agile Methodologies," "Prototyping," "User Research," "UI Design," "Design Systems," and any experience with AI tooling or the EdTech sector. Quantify achievements wherever possible.
• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly review your portfolio and prepare to discuss your design process, decision-making rationale, and the outcomes of your projects in detail. Practice articulating your thoughts on design challenges and your approach to user research.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Arbor Education's products, mission, values, and the challenges within the education technology market. Understand how your skills and experience can contribute to their goal of creating "happier working lives" for school staff.

⚠️ 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.