Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer Company: Microsoft Location: Redmond, Washington, United States Job Type: Full-Time Category: Product Design / User Experience / GTM Operations Date Posted: 2025-10-28T15:58:00 Experience Level: 5-10 years Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the design vision for next-generation CRM and Marketing technology experiences, focusing on AI-powered product development.
• Craft human-centered solutions that unify complex sales and marketing workflows into a seamless, intuitive platform.
• Innovate beyond traditional interfaces by exploring AI agents, predictive insights, and conversational interfaces to transform user workflows.
• Design for scale and elegance, creating end-to-end experiences that are personalized, connected across channels, and delight users.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver category-defining products that emphasize ease of use, reliability, and beautiful, coherent design.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within Microsoft AI Monetization, a division focused on AI-powered products for advertisers, publishers, sellers, and consumers. While the title is "Senior Product Designer," the core responsibilities and context point towards a strong alignment with Go-To-Market (GTM) operations by enhancing the tools and platforms that drive sales and marketing efficiency. The emphasis on CRM, marketing technology, and unifying workflows indicates a need for a designer who understands operational processes and can translate them into user-friendly digital experiences.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptualization and design of innovative CRM and Marketing technology solutions, integrating AI for enhanced user productivity and marketing intelligence.
• Develop user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups for complex sales and marketing workflows, ensuring a unified and seamless user experience.
• Conduct user research, analyze data, and leverage insights to inform design decisions, ensuring designs are rooted in evidence and user needs.
• Design for scalability and elegance, creating experiences that are intuitive, personalized, and interconnected across various channels and platforms.
• Explore and integrate emerging technologies like AI agents, predictive insights, and conversational interfaces to reimagine how users plan, prioritize, and collaborate within sales and marketing contexts.
• Advocate for design quality, meaningful innovation, and polish, ensuring all product outputs meet the highest standards of safety, security, and responsibility.
• Collaborate closely with product managers, engineers, researchers, and other stakeholders to translate business requirements into exceptional user experiences.
• Contribute to a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the Design, Research & Content team, sharing knowledge and best practices.
• Regularly ship product updates and features, demonstrating a commitment to iterative design and immediate user impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "AI Monetization," "Advertisers, Publishers, Sellers and Consumers," "CRM and Marketing technology experiences," and "sales and marketing workflows" strongly suggests this role intersects with GTM operations. The responsibilities involve designing the very tools that GTM teams utilize daily, directly impacting their efficiency and effectiveness. The focus on "long-term sustainable value" over short-term KPIs also aligns with operational excellence principles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

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

Experience:

• 5-10 years of professional experience in product design, with a significant focus on user experience (UX) and interface design for complex software applications.
• Proven track record of designing and shipping successful products, ideally within enterprise software, CRM, marketing technology, or AI-driven platforms.
• Experience in designing for scale, considering the needs of a large and diverse user base across different regions and industries.

Required Skills:

• Product Design Expertise: Deep understanding of design principles, user-centered design methodologies, and interaction design.
• User Experience (UX) Design: Ability to translate complex user needs and business requirements into intuitive and effective user experiences.
• AI and Emerging Technologies: Familiarity with AI concepts, predictive insights, and conversational interfaces, and the ability to design for these new paradigms.
• Workflow Design & Optimization: Proven ability to map, analyze, and design complex end-to-end workflows, particularly in sales and marketing contexts, aiming for simplification and efficiency.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Proficiency in using user research, analytics, and A/B testing results to inform design strategies and iterate on solutions.
• Prototyping & Wireframing: Skilled in using industry-standard tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD) to create low-fidelity wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity visual designs.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with product managers, engineers, researchers, and other stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• CRM & Marketing Technology Domain Knowledge: Experience or a strong understanding of CRM systems, marketing automation platforms, and advertising technologies.
• Human-Centered Design: A strong advocate for the user, with a deep empathy for user needs and a passion for creating delightful and meaningful experiences.
• Visual Design & UI: A keen eye for visual aesthetics, typography, color theory, and a strong ability to create polished, coherent visual interfaces.
• User Research Methodologies: Experience conducting various forms of user research, including interviews, usability testing, and surveys.
• Design Systems: Experience working with or contributing to design systems to ensure consistency and efficiency across products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 5-10 years of experience and the focus on designing "next-generation" and "AI-powered" products suggests a senior-level role. The emphasis on "CRM and Marketing technology experiences" and "sales and marketing workflows" is a critical indicator that candidates with experience in GTM operations tools or adjacent areas will be highly valued. The "Data-Driven Decision Making" skill is paramount for operations roles, as is the ability to design for "scale and elegance" in enterprise environments.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 complex product design projects demonstrating end-to-end ownership from problem definition to shipped product.
• For each project, clearly articulate the user problem, business goals, your specific role and contributions, the design process followed, and the measurable impact of your design solutions.
• Include examples of designing for complex workflows, particularly those involving CRM, sales, or marketing automation processes, highlighting how you simplified or optimized them.
• Present case studies that demonstrate your ability to integrate new technologies, such as AI or conversational interfaces, into user experiences.
• Showcase your proficiency in using design tools for wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity visual design, with clear examples of your work.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate an understanding of iterative design processes, including user research, ideation, prototyping, usability testing, and implementation support.
• Provide examples of how you have used data and user feedback to inform design iterations and drive product improvements.
• Illustrate your approach to collaborating with engineering and product management teams to ensure successful implementation of designs, with a focus on maintaining design integrity.
• Show examples of how you have contributed to or leveraged design systems to ensure consistency and efficiency in your design work.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Product Designer role with a GTM operations focus, the portfolio should explicitly highlight projects that demonstrate an understanding of business processes, efficiency gains, and user productivity improvements within sales and marketing contexts. Quantifiable results, especially those related to conversion rates, sales cycle reduction, or marketing campaign effectiveness, will be highly impactful.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on Microsoft's typical compensation structure for Senior Product Designers in the Redmond, WA area, and considering the 5-10 years of experience benchmark, the estimated annual base salary range is $140,000 - $190,000 USD. This estimate may also include additional components such as annual bonuses and stock awards, which can significantly increase total compensation.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Generous paid time off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) for purchasing Microsoft stock at a discounted rate.
• Professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and access to learning resources.
• Parental leave and family support benefits.
• Wellness programs and resources.
• Relocation assistance may be available for candidates moving to the area.
• Hybrid work model flexibility.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, typically 40 hours per week.
• The role is hybrid, requiring 4 days per week in the office, with flexibility in daily scheduling to accommodate operational needs and personal commitments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on publicly available data for Senior Product Designer roles at Microsoft in the Seattle metropolitan area, reflecting typical compensation for this experience level and industry. Specific compensation will vary based on individual qualifications, experience, and internal equity. Comprehensive benefits packages are standard for large tech companies like Microsoft.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (Software, AI, Cloud Computing, Advertising & Monetization) Company Size: Microsoft is a large enterprise with over 200,000 employees globally. Founded: 1975, with a long history of innovation in personal computing, software, and cloud services.

Team Structure:

• The Design, Research & Content team is part of the Microsoft AI Monetization organization, focused on creating AI-powered products.
• This team is described as small, friendly, diverse, and fast-moving, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment.
• The role involves collaboration with product managers, engineers, researchers, and potentially other design disciplines within Microsoft.
• Reporting likely goes through a Design Lead or Director within the AI Monetization division.

Methodology:

• User-Centricity: A core value is delivering category-defining products that delight users with ease of use and reliability.
• Data-Informed Design: Decisions are rooted in research and evidence, paying close attention to signals and being willing to change course based on data and experience.
• Focus on Sustainable Value: Prioritizes long-term sustainable value over short-term KPIs, indicating a strategic and impactful approach to product development.
• Simplicity and Polish: Emphasizes "less is more" and a high degree of quality, meaningful innovation, and polish in product design.
• Safety & Security: Non-negotiable standards for security, safety, and responsibility are integrated into all business areas.
• Kindness and Respect: A culture of kindness, mutual support, and respect is central to how the team conducts itself.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Microsoft's culture emphasizes a growth mindset, innovation, and empowerment. The specific team within AI Monetization values collaboration, user delight, and data-driven decisions, with a strong emphasis on quality and ethical considerations (safety, security, responsibility). For a GTM-focused role, understanding how these values translate into tools that empower sales and marketing professionals will be key.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Product Designer, indicating a mid-to-senior level contributor with significant autonomy and influence over design strategy and execution. This role is crucial for shaping the user experience of critical GTM tools. Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Design Manager or Lead within the Microsoft AI Monetization team. Collaboration will extend across product management, engineering, and user research functions. Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on the efficiency, productivity, and effectiveness of sales and marketing teams by designing intuitive and powerful tools. By improving these tools, the designer contributes significantly to Microsoft's ability to monetize its AI investments and drive revenue through its advertising and CRM platforms.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in Design: Opportunity to lead design initiatives for major product areas, mentor junior designers, and influence design strategy across teams.
• Specialization in AI/ML Design: Deepen expertise in designing for AI-powered experiences, a rapidly growing and high-demand field.
• Cross-Functional Mobility: Potential to move into product management, design leadership, or roles within other Microsoft divisions that leverage design expertise.
• Technical Skill Development: Continuous learning opportunities in new design tools, methodologies, and technologies relevant to enterprise software and AI.
• Impactful Product Development: Contribute to products that have a global reach and directly influence how businesses operate and leverage AI for growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies a path towards design leadership, principal designer roles, or specialized expertise in areas like AI/ML design or enterprise GTM tools. The candidate will be expected to not only execute but also to strategize and mentor, contributing to the overall operational excellence of the GTM technology stack.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid position requiring 4 days per week in the office. This indicates a blend of in-person collaboration and remote flexibility. Office Location(s): Redmond, Washington, United States, and Mountain View, California, United States. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office setting is designed to foster collaboration, with opportunities for spontaneous interactions, team meetings, and brainstorming sessions.
• Access to Resources: Employees will have access to Microsoft's state-of-the-art facilities, technology, and internal tools essential for design and development.
• Team Interaction: Ample opportunities to connect with colleagues, build relationships, and engage in team-building activities, crucial for a "small, friendly" team culture.
• Hybrid Flexibility: While in-office days are structured, the hybrid model allows for a degree of work-life balance.

Work Schedule:

• Standard 40-hour work week.
• The hybrid nature allows for structured in-office collaboration days, with potential for flexibility on the remaining day, aligning with the need for focused work and team synergy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The 4-day in-office requirement suggests a strong emphasis on in-person collaboration, ideation, and team cohesion, which is often beneficial for complex design projects and navigating intricate GTM operational workflows. This also implies that proximity to the office for these specific days is critical.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process: The interview process at Microsoft for a Senior Product Designer typically involves several stages:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and resume, potentially followed by a brief screening call to assess basic qualifications and interest.
• Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: You will likely present your portfolio, discussing 2-3 key projects in detail. This stage assesses your design process, problem-solving skills, impact, and ability to articulate design decisions. Expect questions on your approach to user research, problem definition, and collaboration.
• Design Challenge/Whiteboarding Session: A practical exercise, which might involve a design problem presented live or as an assignment. This tests your ability to think on your feet, apply design principles, and communicate your thought process effectively, often in a collaborative setting with interviewers.
• Behavioral Interviews: Questions focused on your experience, teamwork, leadership potential, and how you handle challenges, aligning with Microsoft's core values (respect, integrity, accountability).
• Final Round/Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager or senior leadership to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and overall alignment with the team's goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the business and user impact of your projects. Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., increased conversion rates, improved user satisfaction scores, reduced task completion times for GTM workflows).
• Showcase Process: Detail your end-to-end design process, from initial research and problem framing to iteration and final delivery. Explain why you made certain decisions.
• Highlight Collaboration: Demonstrate how you worked with cross-functional teams (PMs, engineers, researchers) and how you incorporated their feedback.
• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects that align with CRM, marketing technology, AI, and complex workflow design. If you have experience in GTM operations tools, highlight it.
• Be Concise and Clear: Present your strongest work efficiently, ensuring your narrative is easy to follow.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, quickly grasp the problem space, target users, and business objectives.
• Structure Your Thinking: Outline your approach logically, starting with problem definition, user needs, potential solutions, and evaluation criteria.
• Communicate Your Process: Verbally walk through your thought process, explaining your design choices and trade-offs.
• Consider AI Integration: Given the role's focus, think about how AI could enhance the proposed solution.
• Be Ready for Feedback: Engage constructively with interviewer feedback during the session.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior role at Microsoft, expect rigorous evaluation of your design process, problem-solving skills, and ability to drive impact. The portfolio should be a narrative of your capabilities, showcasing how you translate complex operational needs into user-friendly, effective designs. Preparing specific examples of how you've improved efficiency or productivity for GTM teams will be highly beneficial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), Axure, InVision.
• Wireframing: Balsamiq, WireframeSketcher.
• Collaboration & Project Management: Microsoft Teams, Azure DevOps, Jira, Confluence.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics: Adobe Analytics, Google Analytics, Microsoft Clarity.
• A/B Testing Tools: Optimizely, VWO, internal Microsoft A/B testing frameworks.
• Data Visualization: Power BI, Tableau.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: Experience with enterprise CRM platforms like Microsoft Dynamics 365, Salesforce, or similar is highly advantageous.
• Marketing Automation: Familiarity with platforms like Marketo, HubSpot, Pardot, or Microsoft Dynamics 365 Marketing.
• Integration Tools: Understanding how different SaaS platforms connect and share data is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in industry-standard design tools like Figma is expected. Given the role's context within Microsoft AI Monetization and its focus on CRM/Marketing tech, familiarity with Microsoft's own product suite (Dynamics 365, Power BI, Teams) and enterprise-level CRM/Marketing Automation platforms is a significant advantage. Understanding how these tools integrate and support GTM operations is key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer-First: A strong dedication to serving customer business goals through AI-powered products.
• Quality & Innovation: Delivering category-defining products with delight, ease of use, and meaningful innovation.
• Simplicity & Efficiency: Adhering to the "less is more" principle, avoiding overcomplication in design and process.
• Data-Driven & Evidence-Based: Decisions are carefully considered, rooted in signals, research, and sustained value.
• Safety & Responsibility: Upholding the highest standards of security, safety, and ethical conduct.
• Kindness & Respect: Fostering an inclusive environment where team members support and respect one another.

Collaboration Style:

• Collaborative Community: The Design, Research & Content team operates as a supportive, diverse, and friendly community.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Works closely with Product Management, Engineering, and Research to co-create solutions.
• Shared Ownership: Encourages mutual support and collective responsibility for achieving team and product goals.
• Open Communication: Values open dialogue, feedback exchange, and learning from one another.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture emphasizes a blend of high performance and supportive interpersonal dynamics. For a Senior Product Designer, demonstrating an ability to contribute positively to this culture – through collaborative problem-solving, constructive feedback, and a shared commitment to quality and user value – will be crucial. The emphasis on "kindness" and "support" suggests a team that values psychological safety.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for AI Complexity: Translating sophisticated AI capabilities (predictive insights, AI agents) into intuitive and actionable user experiences for sales and marketing professionals.
• Unifying Disparate Workflows: Creating a seamless, integrated experience from complex, often siloed, sales and marketing processes.
• Balancing Innovation with Usability: Pushing the boundaries with AI while ensuring products remain easy to use and reliable for a broad audience.
• Driving Adoption of New Technologies: Encouraging and enabling users to adopt AI-driven features and new ways of working.
• Impact Measurement in Enterprise: Demonstrating tangible ROI and long-term value for complex enterprise solutions.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI/ML Design Specialization: Deep dive into designing for AI, machine learning, and predictive analytics within enterprise contexts.
• Industry Trends: Stay at the forefront of CRM, marketing technology, and GTM operational trends.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Opportunities to mentor junior designers, lead project initiatives, and contribute to design strategy.
• Microsoft Ecosystem: Gain deep understanding and expertise in Microsoft's extensive product suite and enterprise solutions.
• Professional Certifications & Training: Access to Microsoft's internal learning resources and potential for external training and conferences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for roles at the cutting edge of technology and enterprise software. A candidate who can demonstrate proactive problem-solving, adaptability, and a continuous learning mindset will thrive. The growth opportunities are significant, especially for those interested in specializing in AI design or enterprise GTM solutions.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• How would you approach designing an AI-powered "next best action" recommendation engine for a sales team using CRM data?
• Describe a time you had to simplify a complex workflow for users. What was your process, and what was the outcome?
• How do you balance user needs with business objectives and technical constraints when designing enterprise software?
• What are your thoughts on the future of AI in CRM and marketing technology, and how should design adapt?
• How would you measure the success of a new feature designed to improve marketing campaign efficiency?

Company & Culture Questions:

• What interests you about Microsoft's mission and the AI Monetization organization specifically?
• How do you embody Microsoft's core values (respect, integrity, accountability) in your work and collaborations?
• Describe your ideal team environment and how you contribute to a positive culture.
• How do you stay updated on design trends and emerging technologies?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each project as a narrative – problem, solution, impact.
• Quantify Impact: Use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs, especially for GTM-related improvements (e.g., time saved, conversion lift, efficiency gains).
• Showcase Process: Clearly explain your design methodology, decision-making rationale, and how you incorporated feedback.
• Highlight Collaboration: Detail how you worked with PMs, engineers, and other stakeholders.
• Address Role Relevance: Emphasize projects that align with AI, CRM, marketing tech, and complex workflow design.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to discuss your design process in detail, focusing on how you translate complex business needs (especially in GTM operations) into user-centric solutions. Be ready to articulate the impact of your work with data and demonstrate your understanding of AI's role in enterprise software.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the official Microsoft Careers portal at https://jobs.careers.microsoft.com/global/en/job/1902977.
• Tailor your resume: Highlight experience in product design, UX, AI, CRM, marketing technology, and complex workflow design. Use keywords from the job description.
• Curate your portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your skills in designing enterprise software, AI integration, and workflow optimization. Ensure each case study clearly outlines the problem, your solution, process, and measurable impact.
• Prepare for interviews: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving approach, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss specific examples related to GTM operations tools and AI-driven features.
• Research Microsoft: Familiarize yourself with Microsoft's mission, products, and the AI Monetization organization's goals to demonstrate your genuine interest and cultural alignment.

⚠️ 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.