Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Cafeyn

Location: Paris, Ile-de-France, France

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / User Experience (UX) / User Interface (UI)

Date Posted: 2026-04-24T14:36:52

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the product design vision and strategy for the Cafeyn & Readly platforms, serving over 2 million users globally.

• Mentor and support a team of 2 Product Designers, fostering a culture of design excellence and innovation.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Data Analysts, UX Writers, and User Researchers to define and validate user problems and business objectives.

• Drive the end-to-end design process, from problem discovery and hypothesis testing to shaping user-ready features for development across web, iOS, and Android platforms.

• Ensure seamless integration of designs with engineering teams and maintain brand consistency across multiple platforms and geographies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a design leadership opportunity within a digitally-focused B2C company experiencing significant growth. The emphasis on "shaping for excellence," "product craft," and leveraging design systems indicates a need for a candidate who can not only execute design but also strategically influence product direction and operational efficiency. The hybrid work policy suggests a need for strong self-management and communication skills.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Product Design Leadership: Provide design vision, guide and challenge current Product Designers, and champion the impact of design across the organization.

• Discovery & Validation: Partner with Product Managers, Data Analysts, UX Writers, and User Researchers to define problem statements, build hypotheses, and conduct rapid user testing for innovative solutions.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Brand Designers to ensure brand alignment and with engineering teams to ensure technical feasibility and smooth hand-offs.

• Feature Shaping & Delivery: Translate validated concepts into robust, "dev-ready" designs for all platforms, ensuring pixel-perfect execution and zero friction between design and engineering.

• Design System Evolution: Actively contribute to and evolve the global Design System, ensuring consistency and scalability across multiple brands and platforms (iOS, Android, Web).

• Data-Informed Iteration: Leverage user research, A/B testing results, and conversion funnel analysis to iterate on existing features and continuously improve user experience.

• KPI Alignment: Ensure all design decisions and implementations contribute to measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

• User Advocacy: Champion user needs and business objectives, translating complex features into clear, compelling, and intuitive user narratives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership, hands-on design execution, and deep collaboration. The emphasis on "shaping for excellence" and "product craft" implies a focus on detailed execution and ensuring designs translate effectively into production, driving measurable business outcomes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Not explicitly specified, but a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, HCI, or a related field is typically expected for senior roles.

Experience: 5+ years of experience in Product Design, with a strong preference for high-growth B2C environments handling millions of users across web and mobile.

Required Skills:

• Product Design Mastery: Demonstrated experience in end-to-end product design, from discovery to delivery.

• Double Diamond Methodology: Proven ability to navigate ambiguity, facilitate brainstorming, and translate insights into actionable designs.

• Figma Proficiency: Advanced skills in Figma for building scalable components, design systems, and high-fidelity prototypes.

• Mobile Development Understanding: Awareness of mobile development constraints and ability to design systems that function effectively in production environments.

• User Experience (UX) & User Interface (UI) Design: Expertise in creating intuitive, user-friendly, and visually appealing interfaces for complex features.

• Prototyping: Ability to create rapid and high-fidelity prototypes for user testing and stakeholder presentations.

• Design Systems: Experience in contributing to, maintaining, or evolving design systems.

• Data Literacy: Comfort discussing conversion funnels, A/B test results, and data analysis with PMs and Data Analysts.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with Product Managers, Engineers, Data Analysts, UX Writers, User Researchers, and Brand Designers.

• Autonomous & Proactive: Ability to define personal roadmaps, identify friction points, and propose solutions independently.

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication, with the ability to present ideas clearly and inspire teams.

• Language Proficiency: Fluent in both French and English, capable of presenting complex design rationales in both languages to international stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in defining design strategy and roadmap.

• Experience mentoring or leading other designers.

• Familiarity with various user research methodologies.

• Understanding of technical debt and its implications on design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for fluency in both French and English is critical given the international nature of the company and its user base. The emphasis on autonomy and proactive problem-solving suggests the company values individuals who can drive initiatives without constant supervision.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• End-to-End Case Studies: Showcase detailed case studies demonstrating the full design process, from initial problem definition and discovery to final polished UI and development hand-off.

• Problem-Solving: Clearly articulate the problem you were trying to solve, the hypotheses you tested, and the user needs you addressed.

• Design Process Visualization: Illustrate your design thinking, including user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and final high-fidelity designs.

• System Thinking: Highlight contributions to or usage of design systems, demonstrating an understanding of component-based design and scalability.

• Data Integration: Include examples where data (user research, A/B tests, analytics) informed your design decisions and led to measurable improvements.

• Platform Diversity: Showcase designs for multiple platforms (Web, iOS, Android) to demonstrate adaptability.

• Collaboration Evidence: If possible, include examples that highlight your collaboration with engineers, PMs, and other stakeholders.

Process Documentation:

• Discovery Phase: Provide examples of how you defined problems, conducted user research, and formulated hypotheses.

• Shaping Phase: Illustrate the transition from discovery to detailed design, including wireframing, prototyping, and user testing of proposed solutions.

• Delivery & Handoff: Demonstrate how you ensured technical feasibility and provided clear specifications for engineers.

• Iteration & Optimization: Showcase examples of how you iterated on designs based on post-launch data and user feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is essential for this role, as it will be the primary tool for assessing design craft, process, and problem-solving abilities. Candidates should focus on demonstrating their impact and the rationale behind their design decisions, particularly how they leverage data and collaborate across functions.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

As a Senior Product Designer in Paris with 5-10 years of experience, working in a high-growth B2C tech company, the estimated annual gross salary range in France typically falls between €55,000 and €80,000. This range accounts for experience level, industry standards, and the cost of living in Paris.

Benefits:

• Meal Vouchers: Provided via a Swile card.

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive coverage through Sidecare.

• Mobility Package: Reimbursement for public transport subscriptions.

• Sports & Wellness: Partnership with Wellpass for access to fitness classes and wellness activities.

• Mental Health Support: Access to the teale mental health platform for psychologist appointments and monitoring.

• Hybrid Work Policy: Option to work remotely two days per week.

• Cafeyn Access: VIP code for unlimited access to all content on the Cafeyn platform.

• Team Life Events: Four office meet-ups per year, including international gatherings, for team building and celebration.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week (standard full-time in France), with a hybrid work arrangement allowing 2 days remote per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers in major European tech hubs like Paris, considering the company's likely growth stage and the competitive landscape for design talent. The benefits package is comprehensive, focusing on employee well-being, professional development, and work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Content, Media, Publishing, Technology. Cafeyn operates in a dynamic market, providing digital reading services and content access solutions.

Company Size: Cafeyn has grown significantly since its founding in 2006 and serves over 2 million users worldwide. While exact current employee count isn't provided, the description suggests a scaling tech organization with international operations.

Founded: 2006. This indicates a company with established experience in the digital content space, having navigated market shifts and technological advancements over nearly two decades.

Team Structure:

• Product Design Team: Consists of the Senior Product Designer (reporting to Director of Product), 2 current Product Designers, and potentially UX Writers and User Researchers within the broader Product team.

• Product Team: Integrates Product Designers, Product Managers, a Data Analyst, a UX Writer, and a User Researcher, fostering a collaborative, cross-functional approach to product development.

• Reporting Line: The Senior Product Designer reports directly to the Director of Product.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Strong emphasis on partnerships with Brand Design, Product Management, Data Analysis, and Engineering teams.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Decisions are informed by user research, A/B testing, and performance KPIs.

• Agile Development: Implied through the iterative design process and close collaboration with engineering.

• Design Systems Approach: Focus on consistency, scalability, and efficiency through a global Design System.

• User-Centricity: Deep understanding of user needs is paramount, driving discovery and feature development.

• Iterative Improvement: Continuous refinement of existing features based on real-world performance.

Company Website: https://careers.cafeyn.co

📝 Enhancement Note: Cafeyn positions itself as an innovative leader in digital content access. The culture appears to be fast-paced, user-focused, and collaborative, with a strong emphasis on leveraging data and design systems to achieve business objectives. The international presence suggests a dynamic and diverse work environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Product Designer. This level signifies a substantial level of experience, autonomy, and leadership potential. The role is expected to not only execute high-quality design work but also to mentor junior designers, influence product strategy, and contribute to the company's design culture.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer reports directly to the Director of Product, indicating a key strategic role within the product organization. This position will likely work closely with other senior members of the product and engineering teams.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on user acquisition, retention, and engagement by shaping the core user experience of the Cafeyn and Readly platforms. By ensuring intuitive, user-friendly, and visually appealing designs that drive measurable KPIs, the Senior Product Designer will significantly influence business growth and market position. The focus on data-informed design ensures that design efforts are aligned with business objectives and contribute to revenue generation and user satisfaction.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Potential to grow into a Design Lead or Head of Design role, managing larger design teams and setting broader design strategy.

• Product Strategy Influence: Opportunity to have a significant impact on the product roadmap and long-term vision by contributing insights from user discovery and design expertise.

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas such as design systems, complex B2C product design, or cross-platform strategy.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Potential to move into Product Management or other strategic roles within the product organization, leveraging a deep understanding of user needs and product development.

• Mentorship: Continued opportunities to mentor and develop junior designers, honing leadership and coaching skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: This is a critical role for a designer looking to make a significant impact and grow their career within a scaling tech company. The opportunity to influence product direction and mentor others provides a clear path for advancement beyond individual contribution.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company operates with a hybrid policy, indicating a blended environment of office-based collaboration and remote work. The Paris office likely serves as a hub for key teams, fostering in-person interaction and team cohesion.

Office Location(s): The primary office is located at 26 Rue Laffitte, Paris, 75009, France. This central Paris location suggests accessibility and a vibrant urban work environment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment is likely designed to encourage collaboration, with meeting rooms and open areas for team discussions, design critiques, and brainstorming sessions.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools (Figma), collaboration platforms, and potentially dedicated hardware for design work.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with design, product, data, and engineering teams, fostering a dynamic and integrated work culture.

• Hybrid Flexibility: The hybrid policy allows for focused individual work at home and collaborative, team-building activities in the office.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time working hours (approximately 40 hours per week) with the flexibility to work remotely two days per week. This structure aims to balance productivity with employee well-being and personal commitments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key feature, suggesting a modern work environment that values both focused individual contribution and collaborative teamwork. The central Paris location is a significant draw for talent in the region.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. HR Interview: An initial screening with a Talent Acquisition Manager to assess cultural fit, basic qualifications, and interest in the role and company.

2. Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with Kevin, the Product Director, focusing on strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, and alignment with the product vision.

3. Case Study Presentation: Candidates will present a prepared case study to the Product & Design team, demonstrating their design process, problem-solving skills, and ability to articulate design rationales.

4. Brand & Design Interview: An interview with Yael, the Head of Brand, to assess brand alignment, aesthetic sensibility, and understanding of brand integration in product design.

5. Peer Interview: Interaction with members of the Product & Design team to evaluate collaboration style, communication, and technical design skills.

6. Final Interview: A concluding interview with Minh, the CPSO (Chief Product & Strategy Officer), to assess overall strategic fit and alignment with company objectives.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase the "Why": Clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process, and the impact of your design solutions.

• Demonstrate Process: Include wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and user testing insights to illustrate your design journey.

• Highlight Data Influence: Show how you used data (user research, analytics, A/B tests) to inform and validate your design decisions.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., increased conversion rates, improved user satisfaction scores, reduced task completion time).

• Design System Contribution: If applicable, show how you contributed to or utilized design systems for consistency and scalability.

• Platform Versatility: Ensure your portfolio includes examples from different platforms (web, mobile).

• Conciseness & Clarity: Present your work in a structured, easy-to-follow manner. Tailor your presentation to highlight skills most relevant to this role.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Double Diamond: Be ready to walk through your process using this framework.

• Prepare a Strong Case Study: Select a project that best showcases your experience with complex B2C products, cross-functional collaboration, and data-informed design.

• Anticipate "Shaping" Questions: Be prepared to discuss how you would translate concepts into production-ready designs and handle trade-offs.

• Articulate Design Rationale: Practice explaining the "why" behind your design decisions, especially concerning user needs and business objectives.

• Be Ready for French & English: Prepare to present and discuss your work in both languages.

📝 Enhancement Note: The multi-stage interview process, including a case study presentation, suggests a rigorous evaluation of both design skills and cultural fit. Candidates should prepare thoroughly, focusing on demonstrating their ability to lead, collaborate, and deliver impactful designs within a data-driven environment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for UI design, prototyping, and design system management. Proficiency is essential.

• Prototyping Tools: Likely integrated within Figma, but familiarity with other advanced prototyping tools might be beneficial.

• Design System Management Tools: Implicitly part of Figma, but understanding principles of scalable design systems is key.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Platforms: Tools used by the Data Analyst team (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel) for understanding user behavior and performance metrics.

• A/B Testing Platforms: Tools used for experimentation to validate design hypotheses.

• Dashboarding Tools: Potentially Tableau, Looker, or similar, used for visualizing KPIs and performance data.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a design tool, familiarity with how user data is managed and how marketing/product automation might influence user journeys could be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary emphasis is on strong Figma skills and a deep understanding of design systems. The role requires close collaboration with data teams, so familiarity with how to interpret and leverage analytics, A/B testing results, and conversion funnels is crucial for making data-informed design decisions.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Design Rigor: A commitment to high-quality, well-crafted design solutions.

• User-Centricity: Placing the user at the heart of all design decisions, driven by research and empathy.

• Data-Driven Approach: Utilizing data and analytics to inform design hypotheses, validate solutions, and measure impact.

• Collaboration & Communication: Fostering open communication and strong partnerships across product, engineering, and brand teams.

• Continuous Improvement: An iterative mindset focused on learning from performance data and user feedback to enhance the product.

• Innovation: Encouraging the exploration of new ideas and solutions to improve the user experience and business outcomes.

• Inclusivity & Diversity: A strong belief in building a diverse team and fostering an inclusive culture.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers work closely with Product Managers, Data Analysts, UX Writers, and User Researchers throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Design Critiques & Reviews: Regular sessions for feedback, knowledge sharing, and raising the bar for design quality.

• Engineering Partnership: A focus on seamless hand-offs and close collaboration with engineering to ensure technical feasibility and pixel-perfect implementation.

• Brand Alignment: Working in tandem with Brand Designers to ensure a cohesive and consistent brand experience across all touchpoints.

📝 Enhancement Note: Cafeyn appears to value a culture where design is integral to product strategy and execution, supported by data and strong inter-departmental collaboration. The emphasis on inclusivity is a positive signal for potential candidates.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs and Business Objectives: Effectively integrating user desires with technical constraints and company goals can be complex.

• Scaling Design Systems: Ensuring the design system remains robust, scalable, and up-to-date across multiple platforms and brands.

• Driving Design Influence: Championing design thinking and best practices within a growing organization and influencing product strategy.

• Managing Ambiguity: Navigating the inherent uncertainties in a fast-paced, high-growth environment and translating them into clear design paths.

• Cross-Cultural Design: Designing for a diverse international user base across 15 geographies, requiring sensitivity to cultural nuances.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to mentor junior designers and take on leadership responsibilities within product design.

• Strategic Impact: Contributing to high-level product strategy and roadmap decisions.

• Advanced Design Techniques: Deepening expertise in areas like complex B2C product design, cross-platform strategy, and advanced prototyping.

• Industry Exposure: Potential for participation in industry conferences or workshops related to UX/UI design and product development.

• Cross-Functional Learning: Gaining deeper insights into product management, data analysis, and engineering processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a senior role in a scaling tech company, offering significant opportunities for professional growth and skill development. Candidates who thrive in dynamic environments and enjoy problem-solving will find this role rewarding.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led a product design initiative from discovery to launch. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on the Double Diamond, data usage, and collaboration.)

• "How would you approach designing a new feature for our platform, given our user base and business goals?" (Demonstrate your discovery and shaping process, and how you'd involve product managers and data analysts.)

• "How do you ensure your designs are technically feasible and integrate seamlessly with engineering teams?" (Discuss your hand-off process and collaboration with developers.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Cafeyn and our mission to transform content access?" (Show you've researched the company and align with its vision.)

• "How do you contribute to building a strong design culture within a team and company?" (Discuss your approach to mentorship, critiques, and advocating for design.)

• "How do you balance user needs with business objectives and technical constraints?" (Demonstrate your strategic thinking and problem-solving approach.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with a compelling overview of the project and your role. Clearly state the problem and the desired outcome.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, user flows, prototypes, final screens) to illustrate your process and solutions.

• Narrate Your Journey: Explain the "why" behind your decisions at each stage, highlighting any pivots or learnings.

• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, present metrics that demonstrate the success and impact of your design.

• Address Collaboration: Mention how you worked with other teams (PMs, engineers, researchers) and how you incorporated their feedback.

• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your process, specific design choices, and how you would apply your learnings at Cafeyn.

• Practice in Both Languages: Be ready to present key aspects of your portfolio in both French and English.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not only their design skills but also their strategic thinking, leadership potential, and ability to collaborate effectively in a fast-paced, international environment. The emphasis on data and language proficiency means these should be focal points in preparation.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Cafeyn careers portal.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest case studies that best represent your experience in B2C product design, demonstrate your end-to-end process, and highlight your ability to leverage data and collaborate. Ensure they showcase your Figma skills and understanding of design systems.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 5+ years of product design experience, specifically mentioning experience in high-growth B2C environments and cross-platform (web, iOS, Android) design. Incorporate keywords from the job description like "Figma," "design systems," "discovery," "data-informed," and "stakeholder management."

• Prepare Your Presentation: Rehearse your case study presentation, focusing on clearly articulating your design rationale, process, and impact. Be ready to present in both French and English.

• Research Cafeyn: Understand Cafeyn's mission, products (Cafeyn, Readly, Kidjo, Mangas.io), and target audience. Familiarize yourself with their current user experience to inform your interview discussions and case study approach.

⚠️ 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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