Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer Company: Granicus Location: Costa Rica (Remote) Job Type: Full Time Category: Product Design Operations Date Posted: 2025-07-29T00:00:00 Experience Level: 5-10 years Remote Status: Remote Solely

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in shaping the end-to-end user experience for Granicus's GovTech SaaS products, focusing on human-centered design principles.
• The Senior Product Designer will act as an influential member of the UX team, harmonizing data-driven decision-making, user insights, and agile development processes.
• Key responsibilities include creating UX design artifacts, conducting usability testing, and contributing to the advancement of Granicus's design systems.
• Collaboration with product managers, engineers, and QA testers is essential for iterating and shipping market-leading product improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: While listed as "Senior Product Designer," the responsibilities and required experience (5+ years in complex SaaS UX) suggest a role that bridges strategic design thinking with hands-on execution, often seen in Senior or Lead Product Designer positions within operations-focused tech companies. The emphasis on data analytics, user workflow understanding, and cross-functional collaboration aligns with operational excellence in product development.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Identify and leverage product analytics to inform and validate design decisions, ensuring a data-driven approach to user experience enhancement.
• Plan and execute various usability testing methodologies to assess the impact and effectiveness of design solutions.
• Facilitate and participate in solution workshops with internal teams to translate research findings into actionable product outcomes and design strategies.
• Develop comprehensive user personas and detailed journey maps to deeply understand user needs, goals, and motivations, advocating for these insights throughout the product lifecycle.
• Utilize Figma to create detailed wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes that clearly demonstrate ideal user journeys and interactions.
• Ensure all design outputs meet WCAG 2.1 accessibility compliance standards, promoting inclusive design practices.
• Take ownership of the product's UI styles and contribute to the creation and maintenance of components and documentation for the company's design systems.
• Act as a champion for design systems, actively seeking opportunities for improvement and wider adoption within product teams.
• Collaborate closely with product managers to identify research needs, estimate design efforts, and conduct rapid prototyping cycles.
• Work as the embedded designer within agile product delivery teams, partnering with engineers, product managers, and product owners to iterate on designs in real-time.
• Coordinate with Product Management, Customer Experience (CX), Marketing, and other internal stakeholders for seamless product release integration.
• Define and measure key results using product metrics to track the success and impact of design initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong focus on operationalizing design processes within an agile framework, emphasizing measurable outcomes through data and user feedback. This indicates a need for a designer who can manage design projects efficiently, integrate with development sprints, and continuously improve product performance via design interventions.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Post-Secondary education in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, or a closely related field is required.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of dedicated experience in User Experience (UX) Design, specifically for complex Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) products.
• Demonstrated experience in advocating for user needs and supporting design decisions with data and research findings, even when facing simpler alternative solutions.
• Proven ability to consider diverse perspectives and contribute iterative approaches to achieve common product goals.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Design & Prototyping Tools: Expert-level skills in industry-standard tools such as Figma, Miro, or similar platforms for wireframing, mockups, prototyping, and collaborative ideation.
• Usability Testing & Research: Strong experience in planning, conducting, and synthesizing usability tests and other user research methodologies to gather actionable insights.
• Accessibility Compliance: In-depth understanding and practical application of accessibility standards, specifically WCAG 2.1, ensuring inclusive product design.
• Design Systems: Familiarity with the principles and practical application of Design Systems, including component creation and documentation.
• Information Architecture (IA): Solid understanding of IA principles to organize and structure complex information effectively within digital products.
• Interaction Design (IxD): Expertise in designing intuitive and efficient user interactions and workflows.
• Visual Design: Strong visual design skills to create aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly interfaces.
• Data Advocacy: Ability to use product analytics and user research data to champion user needs and inform design strategies.
• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• User Personas & Journey Maps: Experience in creating and utilizing user personas and journey maps as tools for user understanding and design direction.

Preferred Skills:

• Usage Analytics Tools: Experience with tools like Pendo, Google Analytics, or similar platforms for tracking user behavior and product adoption.
• Agile Development Environments: Familiarity with working within agile or scrum development methodologies.
• GovTech Industry: Prior experience or a strong understanding of the Government Technology (GovTech) sector and its unique user base.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of technical design skills, analytical capabilities, and strong interpersonal skills crucial for operations-focused product development. The preference for analytics tool experience underscores the role's data-driven nature.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated UX Process: Showcase a clear, repeatable design process from research and ideation through to high-fidelity design and testing, highlighting how process improvements were achieved.
• Impactful Case Studies: Include 2-3 detailed case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving approach, design thinking, and the measurable impact of your work on user experience and business objectives.
• Tool Proficiency Showcase: Evidence of proficiency in core design and collaboration tools like Figma, Miro, and analytics platforms within your project examples.
• Accessibility Integration: Examples of how you have incorporated accessibility best practices (WCAG 2.1) into your design solutions.
• Design System Contribution: Showcase contributions to or utilization of design systems, including examples of component creation, pattern application, or system documentation.

Process Documentation:

• Applicants are expected to be able to articulate their process for gathering requirements, conducting research, iterating on designs based on feedback, and collaborating with engineering teams.
• Portfolio pieces should ideally include documentation of design decisions, rationale, user flows, and testing methodologies employed.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this role, as it will serve as the primary evidence of the candidate's ability to execute on the described responsibilities and demonstrate their operational proficiency in design. The emphasis on process, data, and measurable impact is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Given the Senior Product Designer title, 5-10 years of experience, and the remote nature of the role, a competitive salary in the range of $90,000 - $130,000 USD annually is anticipated. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in the US tech market, adjusted for a remote-first, global talent pool. Granicus's specific compensation will depend on candidate experience, qualifications, and the prevailing market rates for operations-centric design roles.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Retirement Savings Plan: Opportunities for 401(k) or equivalent retirement savings plans with potential company matching.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous PTO policy including vacation, sick leave, and holidays, reflecting a commitment to work-life balance.
• Professional Development: Support for continuous learning, including access to training, conferences, and certifications relevant to UX design and product operations.
• Remote Work Stipend: Potential for a stipend to support home office setup and ongoing remote work expenses.
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): Participation in ERGs focused on diversity, inclusion, and employee well-being.
• Stock Options/Equity: Potential for equity participation in a growing GovTech company.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week. While remote, adherence to core business hours for collaboration with distributed teams in North America and other regions may be required. Granicus's remote-first culture suggests flexibility in daily scheduling where operational needs allow.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on standard industry practices for senior-level design roles in SaaS companies, considering remote work flexibility and the company's stated commitment to talent acquisition. The benefits package is inferred from typical offerings for full-time employees in the tech sector, with specific mention of remote work support and professional development aligning with the role's operational demands.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: GovTech (Government Technology) - Granicus operates within the vital sector of government technology, providing cloud-based solutions that connect governments with their constituents, streamline operations, and improve public services. This industry often involves complex user needs, regulatory considerations, and a mission-driven approach. Company Size: Granicus is a well-established company, indicated by its long tenure and consistent recognition on industry lists. While the exact number of employees isn't provided, its broad service reach (5,500+ government agencies) suggests a significant operational footprint and a mid-to-large enterprise structure. Founded: Granicus has been operating for over 25 years, positioning it as a mature and stable player in the GovTech market. This history implies a robust operational foundation and a deep understanding of its customer base.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Product Designer will join a growing, cross-functional UX team that serves as a central resource across the business.
• This team likely includes UX Researchers, other Product Designers, UX Writers, and potentially UI Specialists, working in a hub-and-spoke model with various product development teams.
• Reporting is directly to the Senior Manager, Product Design, indicating a clear management and mentorship structure within the design function. Collaboration extends to Product Managers, Product Owners, Developers, and QA Testers within agile delivery teams.

Methodology:

• Granicus emphasizes a data-driven decision-making process, integrating product analytics to inform design choices.
• They employ human-centered design principles, focusing on understanding and advocating for user needs through research and testing.
• Agile software development methodologies are central to their product iteration and delivery process, requiring designers to be embedded and collaborative within development sprints.

Company Website: http://www.granicus.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as transparent, inclusive, and safe, with initiatives like Employee Resource Groups and direct CEO interaction. This suggests an environment that values open communication and employee well-being, which is important for fostering effective collaboration in operations roles.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a "Senior" level position, signifying a significant level of expertise and autonomy. Senior Product Designers are expected to lead design initiatives, mentor junior team members, and contribute to strategic product decisions. They are key players in operationalizing design processes and ensuring consistent, high-quality user experiences across complex product suites. Reporting Structure: The role reports to the Senior Manager, Product Design. This structure places the Senior Product Designer within a dedicated design function, likely interacting with multiple product teams while having a clear line of management for career development and guidance. Operations Impact: Senior Product Designers at Granicus have a direct impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of government services by improving the usability and accessibility of critical technology platforms. Their work influences citizen engagement, operational workflows for government staff, and overall adoption rates of Granicus solutions, directly contributing to the company's mission and revenue.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Progression: Potential to advance into Lead Product Designer, Principal Product Designer, or management roles (e.g., Design Manager) within Granicus.
• Specialization: Opportunities to specialize in specific product areas, user research methodologies, design systems, or accessibility consulting.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Deepen expertise by working across various product lines and collaborating with different engineering and product management teams, gaining broad operational knowledge.
• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior designers, developing leadership and coaching skills.
• Industry Influence: Contribute to the evolution of design within the GovTech sector and potentially influence industry best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies a path for career growth within Granicus, moving into leadership or advanced individual contributor roles. The emphasis on cross-functional collaboration and impact on government services provides a strong foundation for career development within the operations technology space.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Granicus is a "remote-first" company, meaning that remote work is the standard and preferred mode of operation. This fosters a distributed workforce and requires strong digital collaboration tools and practices. Office Location(s): While the specific job posting is for Costa Rica (Remote), Granicus operates globally with teams in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, India, Armenia, Australia, and New Zealand, indicating a diverse and globally distributed operational environment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Digital Space: The workspace is primarily digital, relying heavily on collaboration platforms (like Miro, Figma, Slack, Teams) to facilitate communication, design reviews, and brainstorming sessions.
• Technology Stack: Access to modern design and productivity tools is essential, with a focus on cloud-based solutions that enable seamless remote collaboration.
• Team Interaction: While remote, there are opportunities for virtual team interactions, including "Coffee with Mark" sessions with the CEO, and participation in various Microsoft Teams communities focused on wellness and shared interests.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week. The remote-first nature of Granicus suggests a degree of flexibility in daily work scheduling, provided that core collaboration hours and project deadlines are met. This flexibility is crucial for operational efficiency when coordinating with teams across different time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-first approach necessitates a high degree of self-discipline and proactive communication from the Senior Product Designer. The company's efforts to foster connection through virtual events highlight a commitment to maintaining a cohesive team culture despite geographical distribution.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest in the role.
• Portfolio Review & Design Exercise: Candidates will present their portfolio, showcasing key projects that demonstrate their UX process, problem-solving skills, and impact. This may be followed by a design exercise or a take-home challenge, assessing practical design skills and strategic thinking.
• Hiring Manager/Team Interviews: Interviews with the Senior Manager, Product Design, and potentially other designers or product team members to delve deeper into experience, collaboration style, and technical expertise.
• Cross-Functional Interview: A session with a Product Manager or Engineer to evaluate collaboration capabilities and understanding of the product development lifecycle.
• Final Round: Potentially an interview with a Director or VP level stakeholder focusing on strategic alignment and leadership potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, design, testing), the solutions you implemented, and the measurable outcomes or impact.
• Highlight Process & Rationale: Emphasize why you made certain design decisions, referencing user research, data, or business requirements. Show your critical thinking and ability to adapt.
• Showcase Collaboration: Include examples of how you worked with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio clearly shows your skills in Figma, Miro, and any analytics tools you've used.
• Accessibility Focus: Dedicate a section or highlight specific instances where you ensured WCAG 2.1 compliance.
• Conciseness: Be prepared to walk through your portfolio efficiently, focusing on the most impactful projects and insights relevant to Granicus's GovTech products.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Granicus Products: Familiarize yourself with Granicus's offerings in the GovTech space to better understand their user base and challenges.
• Practice Design Thinking: Be ready to discuss how you approach complex problems, user needs, and iterative design solutions.
• Prepare for Data-Driven Questions: Anticipate questions about how you use metrics and analytics to inform design decisions and measure success.
• Articulate Design System Contribution: Be ready to discuss your experience with design systems, their importance, and how you contribute to or champion them.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not only design skills but also the candidate's ability to operate effectively within an agile, data-informed, and collaborative product development environment. A well-curated portfolio is the most critical element for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for wireframing, UI design, prototyping, and collaborative design sessions. Expect to use Figma extensively for all design artifacts.
• Miro: Crucial for collaborative ideation, user journey mapping, workflow mapping, and brainstorming sessions with distributed teams.
• User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting remote usability testing, user interviews, and surveys (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Typeform).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Pendo: Likely used for product analytics, in-app guides, and user feedback collection.
• Google Analytics (or similar): For website traffic analysis and understanding user acquisition/behavior.
• Data Visualization Tools: Potentially tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Looker for deeper data analysis and reporting, though direct use might be less common for a designer than for an analyst.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a designer's tool, understanding how CRM systems (like Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms (like HubSpot) integrate with user data can provide valuable context for product design decisions.
• Integration Tools: Awareness of how different software systems connect is beneficial for understanding the broader product ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and Miro is non-negotiable. Experience with analytics tools like Pendo is highly preferred, as it aligns with the role's data-driven mandate. Understanding the broader tech stack context helps in designing integrated user experiences.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the needs of government users and citizens, using research and data to guide decisions.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Reliance on metrics, analytics, and user feedback to inform design strategies and measure the impact of implemented solutions.
• Collaboration & Transparency: Open communication and proactive partnership with product managers, engineers, QA, and other stakeholders to achieve shared goals efficiently.
• Continuous Improvement: A mindset focused on iterative design, process optimization, and actively seeking ways to enhance product usability and efficiency.
• Accessibility & Inclusion: A dedication to creating products that are usable by everyone, adhering to strict accessibility standards.

Collaboration Style:

• Embedded in Agile Teams: Designers work closely and daily with product managers, engineers, and product owners within agile squads.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Regular interaction with CX, marketing, and other departments to ensure cohesive product launches and user experiences.
• Feedback-Rich Environment: Encouragement of constructive feedback through design reviews, workshops, and direct communication channels.
• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that supports sharing best practices, learnings, and design system updates across the UX team and broader organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on collaboration, data, and continuous improvement aligns with core operational excellence principles. The team's values reflect a professional environment where design is integrated into the product development lifecycle with a focus on tangible results and user impact.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complex User Workflows: Designing for government agencies involves understanding intricate workflows, diverse user roles, and often legacy systems, requiring deep user empathy and analytical rigor.
• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Effectively advocating for users while also meeting business requirements and technical constraints.
• Maintaining Design System Consistency: Ensuring adherence to and continued development of the design system across a growing suite of products requires discipline and strong communication.
• Adapting to GovTech Nuances: Understanding the specific regulatory, policy, and user engagement contexts inherent to the government sector.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX Techniques: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas like service design, complex information architecture, and advanced user research methodologies.
• Industry-Specific Knowledge: Gain in-depth understanding of the GovTech landscape, its challenges, and opportunities for innovation.
• Design Leadership: Develop skills in mentoring, leading design initiatives, and influencing product strategy.
• Professional Training: Access to industry conferences, workshops, and online courses relevant to UX design, accessibility, and product management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical of senior roles in complex SaaS environments, offering significant opportunities for professional growth and skill development in specialized areas of product design and operations.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Product Vision & Strategy: "How would you approach understanding the product vision for Granicus's offerings and translating it into a user-centric design strategy?" (Prepare to discuss your process for aligning design with business objectives).
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: "Describe a time you had to influence stakeholders or team members with differing opinions on a design decision. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your communication, data advocacy, and negotiation skills).
• Problem-Solving & Process Improvement: "Walk us through a complex design problem you solved. What was your process, what were the key challenges, and how did you measure the success of your solution?" (Use a STAR method approach, highlighting your operational design process).

Company & Culture Questions:

• Company Alignment: "What interests you about Granicus and the GovTech industry specifically?" (Research Granicus's mission, values, and recent news).
• Team Dynamics: "How do you prefer to work within an agile team, and what is your approach to collaborating with engineers and product managers?" (Highlight your adaptability and proactive communication).
• Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the impact of your design work beyond usability metrics?" (Discuss how your designs contribute to broader business goals like adoption, efficiency, or citizen satisfaction).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: Structure your presentation around compelling narratives for 2-3 key projects. Clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, the solution, and the quantifiable impact.
• Focus on Process & Rationale: Don't just show pretty pictures; explain why you made certain decisions, referencing research, data, or user feedback.
• Highlight Collaboration: Showcase how you worked with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Demonstrate Key Skills: Ensure your presentation clearly showcases your proficiency in Figma, your understanding of accessibility, and your ability to work with design systems.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your projects, your design decisions, and your problem-solving approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing specific examples that demonstrate your ability to handle complexity, collaborate effectively, and drive measurable results through design will be crucial for this interview process.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Lever.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your experience with complex SaaS products, your proficiency in Figma and Miro, and your understanding of user analytics and accessibility standards. Select case studies that best demonstrate your problem-solving process and measurable impact.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly details your 5+ years of UX design experience, emphasizing achievements related to process improvement, data-driven design, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Readiness: Practice articulating your design process, presenting your portfolio effectively, and preparing answers for common interview questions related to user advocacy, collaboration, and problem-solving. Be ready to discuss your experience with design systems and accessibility compliance.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Granicus, its mission, its products, and its culture. Understand the GovTech landscape and be prepared to discuss why you are a good fit for their specific mission and values.

⚠️ 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.