Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer Company: Commonwealth Bank (x15ventures) Location: Eveleigh, NSW - 1 Locomotive Street, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design Date Posted: 2026-01-29 Experience Level: 5-10 years (Senior Level) Remote Status: On-site (with flexible work options)

🚀 Role Summary

• This Senior Product Designer role is pivotal within the x15 Portfolio team, focusing on innovation and venture scaling for Commonwealth Bank.
• The position demands end-to-end ownership of product experiences, from initial discovery and ideation through to final UI design and implementation.
• It requires a blend of strategic thinking, user-centered design principles, and a pragmatic approach to balancing user needs, business objectives, and technical feasibility.
• The role involves significant collaboration with cross-functional senior leaders, product managers, and engineering teams to drive measurable business outcomes within a dynamic, venture-building environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "venture-scaler powered by CommBank" description indicates a unique operating environment that bridges the agility of a startup with the stability and resources of a large financial institution. This Senior Product Designer role is critical in translating innovative ideas into tangible, scalable digital products and services for both new ventures and the bank's broader customer base. The emphasis on "ambiguity" and "early-stage ventures" suggests a need for adaptability and a proactive, self-starter mentality.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design of world-class, human-centered user experiences for a diverse portfolio of new proof-of-concepts and x15 Ventures, encompassing digital assets and products.
• Own the complete product design lifecycle, from initial user research, discovery, and ideation through to the creation of high-fidelity UI designs and interactive prototypes.
• Conduct comprehensive user research, including interviews, surveys, and usability testing, to validate design decisions and ensure user needs are met.
• Develop detailed wireframes, user flows, and prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts and interactions to stakeholders and development teams.
• Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and other business stakeholders to define product requirements, align on design strategy, and deliver thoughtful, scalable solutions.
• Think holistically about user journeys across various touchpoints, identifying key pain points and opportunities for improvement and innovation.
• Design solutions that directly contribute to demonstrable business outcomes, such as increased customer acquisition, engagement, or operational efficiency.
• Apply expert UX and UI design skills, fluidly transitioning between strategic conceptualization and detailed visual design execution.
• Proactively consider and mitigate potential liabilities, risks, and operational impacts associated with design decisions, ensuring robustness and compliance.
• Contribute to product strategy discussions, with a particular focus on scalability, system thinking, and long-term growth trajectories for the ventures.
• Evolve and maintain the x15 design system, ensuring consistency, accessibility, and efficiency across all digital products and platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "end-to-end product design," "scalability," "business outcomes," and "operational impact" highlights that this is not solely a UI/UX role. It requires a product-minded designer who understands the business context, can strategize, and considers the entire product lifecycle and its impact on the organization and its customers. The design system responsibility indicates a need for strong governance and component-based design thinking.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

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

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of proven experience in product design, with a strong track record of delivering exceptional UI and UX work.

Required Skills:

• End-to-End Product Design: Demonstrated ability to manage the entire design process, from discovery and ideation to final UI implementation.
• User-Centered Design: Deep understanding and application of user research methodologies, usability testing, and human-centered design principles.
• Prototyping & Wireframing: Expertise in creating detailed wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups.
• Design Tools Proficiency: Expert-level skills in industry-standard design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar.
• Interaction Design & Information Architecture: Strong capability in defining intuitive user interactions, organizing complex information, and structuring digital products logically.
• Ideation & Discovery: Proven ability to explore complex problems, generate creative solutions, and define clear, actionable paths forward.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Excellent communication and collaboration skills to effectively partner with product managers, engineers, business stakeholders, and senior leadership.
• Business Acumen: Ability to understand and integrate business priorities, user psychology, and technical constraints into design solutions.
• Design System Management: Experience in evolving, maintaining, and applying design systems for consistency, scalability, and accessibility.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with front-end development concepts (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and how designs translate into code.
• Experience working with B2B SaaS platforms, fintech products, or marketplace ecosystems.
• Proven experience designing products at scale or managing complex, interconnected systems.
• Understanding of accessibility standards (WCAG) and inclusive design practices.
• Experience working within an agile development environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "5+ years of proven experience" and "Senior Product Designer" title indicate this role requires a candidate who can operate with significant autonomy and guide design strategy, not just execute tasks. The emphasis on "thinking beyond pixels" and understanding "business priorities, user psychology, and tech constraints" points to a need for a strategic, holistic designer.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Case Studies: Showcase 3-5 detailed case studies demonstrating your end-to-end product design process for complex digital products or ventures.
• Problem/Solution Framing: Clearly articulate the problem statement, your role, the design process undertaken, key decisions made, and the final solution.
• UX & UI Integration: Present a seamless integration of both UX (user flows, wireframes, research findings) and UI (high-fidelity mockups, visual design) within your case studies.
• Impact & Outcomes: Quantify the impact of your designs on user experience and business objectives, using metrics where possible (e.g., conversion rates, user satisfaction scores, task completion times).
• Tool Proficiency: Explicitly highlight the tools used (Figma, Sketch, etc.) and your proficiency in them, especially for prototyping and design system work.

Process Documentation:

• Discovery & Ideation: Provide examples of how you approach problem definition, user research, and idea generation.
• Wireframing & Prototyping: Demonstrate your ability to create functional prototypes and wireframes that effectively communicate design intent.
• User Testing & Iteration: Showcase how you incorporate user feedback and iterate on designs to improve usability and effectiveness.
• Design System Contribution: Illustrate your experience in building, contributing to, or maintaining design systems, including component libraries and style guides.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for a portfolio and the emphasis on "end-to-end UI and UX work" mean candidates must prepare detailed case studies that not only showcase visual design but also the strategic thinking, user research, and problem-solving that underpinned those designs. The ability to demonstrate how designs contributed to "measurable business outcomes" will be a key differentiator.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Given the Senior Product Designer title, the location (Sydney, NSW, Australia), and the employer (Commonwealth Bank, a major financial institution), we estimate a competitive salary range of AUD $130,000 - $180,000 per annum. This range accounts for the level of experience (5+ years), the specialized skills in UX/UI and product strategy, and the cost of living in Sydney.

Benefits:

• Flexible Work Options: Support for work-life balance and personal well-being.
• Development Opportunities: Access to communities of practice and learning programs to enhance skills and career growth.
• Staff Discounts: Discounts on a variety of brands and financial products offered by Commonwealth Bank.
• Generous Perks: A comprehensive package of benefits designed to support employee well-being and lifestyle.
• Beautiful Base: Access to a state-of-the-art office space at South Eveleigh, integrated into Sydney's technology community.
• Venture Exposure: Opportunity to work with early-stage startups, mature ventures, and Australia's leading bank.
• Diverse Community: Access to a network of talented professionals who embody x15's values and innovative approach.
• Engineering Community Access: Potential to connect with and learn from a broad engineering community within x15 and the wider bank.

Working Hours:

• The standard full-time working hours are approximately 40 hours per week. However, the role emphasizes flexible work options, allowing for adjustments to support personal well-being and lifestyle needs, within the context of on-site presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers in major Australian cities like Sydney, considering the financial sector and the specific demands of a venture-scaling environment. Benefits are drawn directly from the job description, highlighting the unique value proposition of working within x15ventures.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services / Technology / Venture Building Company Size: Commonwealth Bank is a large enterprise (over 10,000 employees globally). x15ventures operates as a distinct venture-scaler within this ecosystem, likely with a smaller, more agile team structure (estimated 50-200 employees for x15ventures itself, though this is an inference). Founded: Commonwealth Bank was founded in 1911. x15ventures was launched by Commonwealth Bank in 2019.

Team Structure:

• x15 Portfolio Team: This specific team is responsible for identifying, investing in, and scaling new opportunities. The Senior Product Designer will be a key member of this team.
• Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Product, Design Lead, or a Portfolio Lead within x15ventures. They will collaborate closely with venture founders, product managers, engineers, and business strategists.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role emphasizes extensive collaboration with diverse teams, including venture-specific product and engineering teams, as well as central x15 functions and potentially teams within the broader Commonwealth Bank. The culture encourages "general mucking in" and authentic collaboration.

Methodology:

• Venture Building: x15ventures operates by building, buying, and investing in startups, leveraging the bank's resources while maintaining operational autonomy.
• Agile & Iterative: The fast-paced environment of venture scaling implies an agile, iterative approach to product development and design.
• Data-Informed Decisions: While not explicitly stated, the emphasis on "business outcomes" suggests a data-driven approach to validating design choices and measuring success.
• Human-Centered Design: Core to the role is a strong focus on understanding user needs and translating them into intuitive, valuable product experiences.

Company Website: https://www.commbank.com.au/ and https://x15ventures.com.au/

📝 Enhancement Note: The dual nature of Commonwealth Bank and x15ventures is crucial. Employees benefit from the stability and resources of a large bank while working in a more innovative, startup-like environment. This unique positioning requires designers to be adaptable and understand both corporate governance and agile development practices.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor. This role is for an experienced professional who can operate autonomously, lead design initiatives, and influence product strategy. It's a step beyond mid-level, requiring strategic thinking and leadership in design execution.

Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report into a Design Lead or Head of Product within x15ventures, working closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads on specific ventures. The structure offers exposure to senior leadership within both x15 and potentially Commonwealth Bank.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on the success of new ventures and proof-of-concepts by shaping their user experience, product direction, and ultimately their ability to achieve business outcomes and scale. The designer's work will be instrumental in validating business models and achieving market fit for innovative products.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Potential to grow into a Lead Product Designer role, mentoring junior designers and taking ownership of larger initiatives or design systems.
• Product Strategy Influence: Develop deeper strategic capabilities by contributing to product roadmaps and business model validation for multiple ventures.
• Cross-Venture Experience: Gain exposure to a wide array of industries and business models by working across different ventures within the x15 portfolio.
• Fintech Specialization: Deepen expertise in the fintech sector, a rapidly evolving and high-demand field.
• Internal Mobility: Opportunities to move within different ventures or potentially back into core Commonwealth Bank roles, leveraging the unique x15 experience.
• Skill Development: Access to professional development programs, communities of practice, and opportunities to learn new tools and methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title combined with the venture-scaling environment suggests significant growth potential. Candidates can expect to hone their skills in ambiguity, strategic design, and rapid iteration, which are highly transferable and valuable in the tech and product design landscape.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid/On-site, with flexible work options. The primary work location is the South Eveleigh precinct, described as a "beautiful base" and a "state-of-the-art precinct." Office Location(s): 1 Locomotive Street, Eveleigh, NSW, Australia. This location is part of Sydney's wider technology community.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The culture promotes collaboration, innovation, and "general mucking in," suggesting an open and interactive workspace designed to foster teamwork.
• Technology & Tools: Access to modern design tools and technologies is implied, given the nature of the work and the employer. The role requires proficiency in Figma, Sketch, etc.
• Community Interaction: The South Eveleigh location places the team within a vibrant technology community, offering opportunities for networking and learning from peers. The role also provides access to a "diverse community" and "brilliant network of talented humans."

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week) are expected, but the emphasis on "flexible work options" suggests a degree of autonomy in managing one's schedule, as long as responsibilities are met and collaboration needs are accommodated.

📝 Enhancement Note: The South Eveleigh location is a significant draw, positioning the role within a hub of innovation. The blend of on-site collaboration and flexible work acknowledges the modern demands of design professionals while maintaining the benefits of in-person teamwork crucial for venture building.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application: Submit resume and a link to your portfolio.
• Portfolio Review: Hiring team will assess your portfolio for end-to-end design work, problem-solving skills, and impact.
• Screening Call: A brief call with a recruiter or hiring manager to discuss your experience and fit.
• Design Challenge/Case Study Presentation: Candidates may be asked to present a past project in detail or complete a take-home design exercise focused on a relevant problem. Expect to discuss your process, rationale, and outcomes.
• On-site/Virtual Interviews: Multiple rounds with various stakeholders, including Design Leads, Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially Venture Founders or senior x15 leadership. These will assess technical skills, strategic thinking, collaboration style, and cultural fit.
• Final Interview/Offer: Discussions with senior management and offer negotiation.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 strong case studies that best represent your end-to-end design capabilities, problem-solving approach, and impact. Tailor your selection to highlight experience relevant to venture building, fintech, or complex systems if possible.
• Structure for Clarity: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your specific role and contributions, the design process (research, ideation, testing, iteration), key decisions and rationale, and the final solution.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, mockups, user flows, prototypes) effectively. Explain your design decisions and the trade-offs considered.
• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, include metrics demonstrating the success of your designs (e.g., user satisfaction, conversion rates, efficiency gains). If direct metrics aren't available, discuss the intended business impact and how you aimed to achieve it.
• Highlight Collaboration: Mention how you worked with cross-functional teams (product, engineering, marketing, etc.) and stakeholders.
• Be Ready to Discuss: Prepare to walk through your portfolio and answer in-depth questions about your process, choices, and learnings.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, thoroughly understand the brief, target users, and business goals. Ask clarifying questions.
• Emphasize Process: Focus on demonstrating a structured design process, even if time is limited. Show how you would approach the problem, not just the final solution.
• Think Scalability & Business Value: Consider how your solutions would scale and contribute to business objectives, aligning with the x15ventures model.
• Whiteboard/Presentation Skills: Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, whether on a whiteboard or in a presentation format.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of including a portfolio with the resume ("Please include a brief portfolio or link to an online portfolio along with your resume") is critical. This is likely the first filter. The emphasis on "end to end" and "business outcomes" suggests the review will be rigorous, looking for strategic thinking beyond just aesthetics.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch (Expert proficiency required).
• Collaboration: Tools for team communication and project management (e.g., Slack, Jira, Confluence – likely used).
• Design System Management: Tools and methodologies for creating and maintaining component libraries and style guides.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web/App Analytics: Tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, or similar for tracking user behavior and product performance.
• Data Visualization: Potentially tools like Tableau, Power BI, or in-app analytics dashboards for reporting on user metrics and business outcomes.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a design tool, understanding CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms can be beneficial for context, especially in understanding customer journeys and data flows.

Other Potential Tools:

• User research platforms (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback).
• Collaboration and documentation tools (e.g., Miro, Mural for whiteboarding).
• Familiarity with front-end development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) is a "nice to have," suggesting an understanding of how designs are implemented.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and Sketch as industry-standard tools is key. Proficiency in these, coupled with an understanding of design systems and the ability to translate designs into code (even if not coding directly), is crucial for this role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Experimentation: Encouraged to "try new things" and operate in the "space between" corporate and startup. A willingness to experiment and learn from failures is key.
• Collaboration & Authenticity: Emphasis on an "authentic team culture," promoting collaboration, and "general mucking in." Teamwork and a hands-on approach are valued.
• Impact & Purpose: A drive "to make a difference, both in how we work and create outcomes." The work is focused on contributing to business success and benefiting customers.
• Curiosity & Drive: Innate curiosity and the drive to achieve results are highly valued traits.
• User-Centricity: A core value is designing "world-class human centered design experiences."

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires deep collaboration with product, engineering, and business stakeholders. The culture supports this through open communication and shared goals.
• Venture-Specific Teams: Working closely with dedicated teams for each venture, requiring adaptability to different team dynamics.
• Feedback Exchange: An environment that likely encourages constructive feedback to iterate and improve designs and processes.
• Knowledge Sharing: Access to "communities of practice" and a "diverse community" suggests a culture that values sharing expertise and learning from one another.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is a blend of corporate stability and startup agility. Candidates should be comfortable with ambiguity, proactive in seeking collaboration, and driven by tangible outcomes, aligning with the "venture-scaler" ethos. The emphasis on "authentic" and "mucking in" suggests a down-to-earth, hands-on team dynamic.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Working in a venture-scaling environment means dealing with evolving priorities, less defined processes, and the inherent uncertainty of early-stage products.
• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Effectively integrating the needs of users, business objectives, technical constraints, and the broader Commonwealth Bank strategy.
• Rapid Iteration & Delivery: The fast-paced nature requires quick design cycles, rapid prototyping, and efficient delivery of high-quality solutions.
• Scalability Design: Ensuring designs are not just functional for initial proof-of-concepts but are also architected for long-term scalability and growth.
• Cross-Venture Complexity: Managing design consistency and a cohesive user experience across a diverse portfolio of ventures, each with unique requirements.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Fintech Expertise: Deepen knowledge and experience in the financial technology sector, a rapidly growing and innovative industry.
• Product Strategy Acumen: Develop strategic thinking skills by contributing to the direction and validation of new business ventures.
• Leadership Skills: Opportunity to mentor junior designers, lead design initiatives, and influence product direction, paving the way for future leadership roles.
• Diverse Project Exposure: Work on a wide range of product types and business models, broadening design versatility.
• Industry Networking: Engage with a vibrant technology and startup community at South Eveleigh and within the x15 network.
• Formal Learning: Access to "communities of practice" and development programs for continuous skill enhancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to a venture-building environment. Candidates who thrive on solving complex problems in dynamic settings, rather than seeking highly structured, predictable work, will find this role rewarding. The growth opportunities are substantial for those looking to build a career at the intersection of design, technology, and finance.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for ambiguity. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process for defining problems and solutions with incomplete information.)
• "How do you balance user needs with business goals and technical constraints? Can you provide an example?" (Highlight your ability to make trade-offs and find optimal solutions.)
• "Walk us through an end-to-end product design project from your portfolio. What was the problem, your role, your process, and the impact?" (Be prepared to dive deep into your case studies, explaining your rationale at each step.)
• "How would you approach designing a [specific type of financial product/service] for early-stage adoption?" (Demonstrate your ideation, user research, and MVP thinking.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working at x15ventures specifically, and how does it differ from a traditional corporate or startup role?" (Show you understand the unique value proposition and environment.)
• "How do you contribute to a collaborative and authentic team culture?" (Relate your experiences to the values mentioned in the job description.)
• "How do you ensure your designs are scalable and consider long-term growth?" (Connect your design philosophy to the venture-scaling model.)
• "How do you stay updated on design trends and best practices, especially in the fintech industry?" (Demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with the 'Why': Begin each case study by clearly stating the problem and the business/user need.
• Detail Your Process: Walk through your discovery, ideation, design, and testing phases. Explain why you made certain choices.
• Showcase Visuals: Use high-fidelity mockups, user flows, and prototypes to illustrate your ideas.
• Quantify Results: Present metrics or discuss the intended impact of your designs.
• Reflect on Learnings: Conclude with key takeaways and what you would do differently next time.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Expect questions on specific design decisions, user research findings, or technical considerations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's emphasis on end-to-end ownership and business impact, interviewers will likely probe deeply into your strategic thinking, problem-solving process, and ability to quantify results. Be ready to defend your design decisions with data, user insights, and business rationale.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Commonwealth Bank Careers portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your submitted portfolio link is active and showcases your strongest end-to-end product design case studies, highlighting UI/UX integration, problem-solving, and impact.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 5+ years of product design experience, proficiency in Figma/Sketch, experience with user research, prototyping, design systems, and any relevant fintech or venture experience. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly review the "Interview Preparation" section above. Practice articulating your design process and past project successes, focusing on the strategic and business impact of your work.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with x15ventures' mission, portfolio companies, and the broader Commonwealth Bank's digital initiatives. Understand their approach to innovation and venture building.

⚠️ 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.