Senior Product Designer

Microsoft
Full_timeβ€’Dublin, Ireland

πŸ“ Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer Company: Microsoft Location: Dublin, Dublin, Ireland Job Type: Full-Time Category: Product Design / User Experience (UX) Date Posted: 2025-09-18T12:19:00 Experience Level: Senior (5-10 years) Remote Status: On-site

πŸš€ Role Summary

  • Spearhead the design and development of cutting-edge AI Agentic experiences within Microsoft's Business & Industry Copilot (BIC) initiative, focusing on transformative AI for enterprise.
  • Craft user-centered, innovative design solutions that elevate both the emotional and functional aspects of complex enterprise software, specifically within the Dynamics 365 ecosystem.
  • Drive the creation of seamless, end-to-end user experiences for AI-powered features, adeptly balancing intricate technical requirements with strategic business objectives.
  • Collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams, including engineering, product management, and research, to define, develop, and iterate on product features that deliver significant user value.
  • Mentor and guide junior product designers, fostering a culture of design excellence and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, impactful design outcomes across the team.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: While the original posting is for a "Senior Product Designer," the context provided (AI Agentic experiences, Dynamics 365, enterprise focus, collaboration, mentoring) strongly aligns with roles in operations that interface heavily with product development and user adoption. This role requires a deep understanding of how design impacts user workflows, efficiency, and the adoption of complex systems, which are critical for operations success. Therefore, the description has been tailored to highlight these operational aspects of product design.

πŸ“ˆ Primary Responsibilities

  • Lead the end-to-end design process for AI Agentic experiences, from conceptualization and user research to high-fidelity prototyping and final implementation, ensuring a user-centric approach.
  • Define and refine product features by translating user needs, business requirements, and technical constraints into intuitive and effective design solutions for enterprise users.
  • Develop compelling product narratives and design documentation to clearly articulate design decisions, user flows, and the overall vision to stakeholders and cross-functional teams.
  • Conduct user research, usability testing, and competitive analysis to gather insights that inform design strategy and validate design decisions, ensuring a strong foundation for product development.
  • Mentor and provide constructive feedback to other product designers, fostering their professional growth and ensuring consistency and quality in design output across the team.
  • Collaborate closely with product managers to align design efforts with product strategy, roadmap, and business goals, ensuring that design solutions contribute to key performance indicators.
  • Partner with engineering teams to ensure the accurate and high-quality implementation of designs, actively participating in design reviews and providing design support throughout the development cycle.
  • Champion best practices in user experience design, interaction design, and visual design within the team and across the organization, contributing to a culture of design excellence.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities have been expanded to specifically detail the typical duties of a Senior Product Designer in an enterprise software context, with an emphasis on the collaborative and strategic elements that are crucial for operational success and user adoption of new technologies.

πŸŽ“ Skills & Qualifications

Education:

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

Experience:

  • 5-10 years of professional experience in product design, UX design, or a related field, with a strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end design ownership and impact.
  • Proven experience designing complex enterprise software or B2B applications, with an understanding of business workflows and user needs in these environments.
  • Demonstrated experience in designing and delivering AI-powered features or experiences, understanding the unique challenges and opportunities they present.

Required Skills:

  • User-Centered Design: Expertise in user research methodologies, persona development, journey mapping, and usability testing to create deeply user-centric solutions.
  • Interaction Design & Prototyping: Proficiency in creating wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups using industry-standard tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD) to effectively communicate design concepts.
  • Visual Design: Strong aesthetic sensibility and ability to create visually appealing and cohesive user interfaces that align with brand guidelines and enhance usability.
  • Collaboration & Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale, present to stakeholders, and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
  • Problem-Solving: Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills to tackle complex design challenges and develop innovative solutions that meet user and business needs.
  • Mentorship: Proven ability to provide guidance, feedback, and support to junior designers, fostering their development and ensuring high-quality design output.

Preferred Skills:

  • AI/ML Design Principles: Familiarity with design considerations specific to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning applications, including explainability, trust, and user control.
  • Dynamics 365 Expertise: Experience or familiarity with Microsoft Dynamics 365 or similar CRM/ERP platforms, understanding their architectural patterns and user workflows.
  • Agile Development: Experience working in Agile or Scrum development environments, adapting to iterative design processes and tight deadlines.
  • Design Systems: Knowledge of design system principles and experience contributing to or utilizing design systems for consistent and scalable product experiences.
  • Data Visualization: Ability to design effective data visualizations and dashboards to represent complex information clearly for enterprise users.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The skills section has been augmented to include specific tools and methodologies common in enterprise design and relevant to the operations context of understanding user workflows and system adoption. The emphasis on AI/ML design principles and Dynamics 365 experience is critical for this specific role's success.

πŸ“Š Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Showcase a minimum of 3-5 comprehensive case studies demonstrating end-to-end product design ownership, from problem identification to shipped product.
  • Clearly articulate the problem space, user needs, and business objectives for each project.
  • Detail your specific design process, including user research methods, ideation techniques, prototyping strategies, and user testing approaches.
  • Highlight your contributions to the project, particularly in areas of interaction design, visual design, and user experience strategy.
  • Present measurable outcomes and impact, ideally with quantitative data demonstrating improvements in user engagement, task completion, efficiency, or satisfaction.
  • Include examples of your work with AI-driven features or complex enterprise systems, if available.

Process Documentation:

  • Demonstrate a structured approach to problem-solving and design, including how you document user flows, wireframes, and interaction specifications.
  • Provide evidence of your ability to collaborate with engineering and product management, showing how you communicate design intent and ensure fidelity during implementation.
  • Include examples of how you have iterated on designs based on user feedback, testing results, or evolving business requirements.
  • Showcase an understanding of how design decisions impact operational efficiency, user adoption, and overall business goals within an enterprise context.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are tailored to highlight not just design aesthetics but the strategic thinking, process rigor, and measurable impact that are crucial for operations-oriented roles. Demonstrating an understanding of enterprise workflows and adoption is key.

πŸ’΅ Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

  • Based on Microsoft’s compensation structure for Senior Product Designers in Dublin, Ireland, and considering the typical experience level (5-10 years), the estimated annual salary range is €75,000 - €100,000. This range can vary based on specific experience, qualifications, and performance during the interview process.

Benefits:

  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
  • Generous paid time off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and public holidays.
  • Retirement savings plan (e.g., pension scheme) with company matching contributions.
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) allowing employees to buy Microsoft stock at a discount.
  • Professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and tuition reimbursement.
  • Parental leave policies and childcare support resources.
  • Employee discounts on Microsoft products and services.
  • Access to fitness facilities or wellness programs.
  • Relocation assistance may be available for candidates moving to Dublin.

Working Hours:

  • Standard full-time working hours are typically 40 hours per week. While the role is primarily on-site, Microsoft often offers flexibility in start and end times to accommodate work-life balance, provided business needs and team collaboration are maintained.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on publicly available data for similar roles in Dublin, Ireland, and enterprise tech companies. Benefits are standard for large tech organizations like Microsoft and are presented to highlight the comprehensive support offered to employees.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏒 Company Culture

Industry: Software & Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Business Applications. Microsoft is a global leader in these sectors, driving innovation in AI, productivity, and cloud services. Company Size: Microsoft is a very large enterprise, employing over 200,000 people worldwide, indicating a vast network of resources, expertise, and opportunities for professional growth. Founded: 1975. With a long history, Microsoft has a deeply ingrained culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and a forward-looking approach to technology.

Team Structure:

  • The BIC (Business & Industry Copilot) team is likely a specialized unit within Microsoft's broader AI or Business Applications divisions.
  • Designers on this team will report into a Design Lead or Manager, working within product-focused pods that include Product Managers, Engineers, and Researchers.
  • Collaboration is highly emphasized, with designers working closely with adjacent teams (e.g., other design disciplines, marketing, sales operations) to ensure cohesive product experiences and successful market adoption.

Methodology:

  • Data-Driven Design: Decisions are heavily informed by user data, telemetry, A/B testing, and market analysis to ensure products meet user needs and business objectives.
  • Agile Development: The team likely operates within an Agile framework, enabling iterative development, rapid prototyping, and continuous feedback loops.
  • Customer Focus: A strong emphasis on understanding and addressing customer needs, particularly in the enterprise space, to deliver maximum value and drive product success.

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

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The company context is framed to highlight Microsoft's scale and focus on innovation, particularly in AI and enterprise solutions. The team structure and methodologies are inferred based on standard practices within large technology organizations and the specific context of the BIC team.

πŸ“ˆ Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer, indicating a significant level of expertise and responsibility. In an operations context, this translates to a role that influences how users interact with critical business systems, impacting efficiency, data integrity, and workflow automation. The seniority implies a capacity to mentor others and lead design initiatives with strategic impact. Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Design Manager or Lead within the BIC organization. They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads on specific product initiatives, and collaborate with various stakeholders across different departments, including Sales Operations, Marketing Operations, and Customer Success teams. Operations Impact: The design of AI Agentic experiences for Dynamics 365 has a direct impact on how sales, service, and operational teams work. Effective design can streamline complex workflows, improve data accuracy, enhance user productivity, reduce training overhead, and ultimately drive greater business value and revenue. The Senior Product Designer is key in ensuring these operational efficiencies are realized through intuitive and powerful user experiences.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Leadership: Potential to move into Lead Product Designer, Group Product Designer, or Design Management roles, leading larger teams and more strategic initiatives.
  • Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI design, enterprise UX, or specific product areas within Microsoft's vast portfolio.
  • Cross-Functional Roles: Opportunities to transition into Product Management, UX Research leadership, or roles focused on design operations and strategy.
  • Skill Development: Continuous learning through internal training, external conferences, and exposure to cutting-edge AI technologies and design methodologies.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This analysis connects the Senior Product Designer role to the broader operational landscape, highlighting how design directly influences efficiency and business outcomes. Growth opportunities are framed within both design leadership and potential adjacent operational or product management paths.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Microsoft offices are typically modern, state-of-the-art facilities designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and employee well-being. Expect a professional, dynamic, and well-equipped workspace. Office Location(s): The role is based in Dublin, Ireland, a major technology hub. Microsoft has significant operations and office spaces in Dublin, offering a vibrant work environment and access to a thriving tech community.

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Spaces: The office likely features a variety of work settings, including open-plan areas, private offices, meeting rooms equipped with advanced AV technology, and informal collaboration zones.
  • Tools & Technology: Access to high-performance computing, the latest design software, and robust collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft Teams, OneDrive) will be standard.
  • Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular in-person interaction with design peers, product managers, engineers, and researchers, facilitating strong team cohesion and effective problem-solving.

Work Schedule: While the core work week is 40 hours, Microsoft generally supports flexible working arrangements. Employees are expected to be present in the office for key collaborative activities, team meetings, and client interactions, but may have flexibility in daily start and end times, subject to team and business needs.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The work environment description assumes standard Microsoft office amenities and a collaborative culture, emphasizing the benefits of an on-site role for team synergy and knowledge sharing.

πŸ“„ Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: HR or a recruiter will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.
  • Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: Expect a session where you present your portfolio, walking through key case studies. This may be followed by a design challengeβ€”either a take-home assignment or an in-person/virtual whiteboard sessionβ€”to evaluate your problem-solving approach, design thinking, and ability to articulate solutions.
  • Technical Interviews: Interviews with hiring managers and senior designers to delve deeper into your technical skills, design process, and experience with specific tools and methodologies.
  • Cross-Functional Interviews: Conversations with Product Managers and Engineers to assess your collaboration skills and ability to work effectively within a product team.
  • Behavioral Interviews: Questions focused on your past experiences, leadership potential, problem-solving strategies, and how you align with Microsoft's values (e.g., growth mindset, respect, integrity, accountability).

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Storytelling: Structure your case studies as compelling narratives. Clearly define the problem, your role, the process you followed, the challenges you overcame, and the impact of your design.
  • Focus on Impact: Quantify your achievements whenever possible. Use metrics to demonstrate how your designs improved user experience, efficiency, or business outcomes. For this role, highlight any impact on operational efficiency or user adoption.
  • Process Clarity: Clearly articulate your design process and rationale behind key decisions. Show your thinking, not just the final deliverables.
  • Relevance: Tailor your portfolio presentation to the specific requirements of the role. Emphasize projects that demonstrate experience with enterprise software, AI, and complex systems.
  • Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is visually polished, easy to navigate, and free of errors. Be prepared to discuss any aspect of your work in detail.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand the Context: Thoroughly research Microsoft, the BIC team, and the AI Agentic experience domain. Understand the target users (enterprise professionals) and their likely pain points.
  • Think Aloud: During live challenges, articulate your thought process clearly. Explain your assumptions, design choices, and trade-offs.
  • Prioritize: For take-home challenges, focus on delivering a well-reasoned, high-impact solution within the given timeframe, rather than trying to cover every possible aspect.
  • User-Centricity: Always ground your solutions in user needs and business objectives.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Interview preparation advice is tailored to a senior design role at a major tech company, with specific emphasis on portfolio presentation and problem-solving skills relevant to enterprise AI products.

πŸ›  Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), Axure RP, InVision. Candidates are expected to be proficient in at least one major prototyping tool like Figma.
  • User Research & Testing: UserTesting.com, Hotjar, Optimal Workshop, Qualtrics. Familiarity with tools for conducting remote usability testing and gathering user feedback.
  • Collaboration & Project Management: Microsoft Teams, Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • Telemetry & Analytics: Familiarity with tools that track user behavior and product performance (e.g., Adobe Analytics, Google Analytics, internal Microsoft telemetry tools).
  • Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI, or similar tools may be used to analyze user data and present findings.

CRM & Automation:

  • CRM Systems: Experience with Dynamics 365 or similar enterprise CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce) is highly beneficial for understanding the context of the products being designed.
  • Automation Tools: Understanding how design choices can support or leverage automation within business processes.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The tools and technology stack reflect common industry standards for senior product designers in enterprise software, with a specific nod to Microsoft's ecosystem and the importance of understanding CRM and data analytics.

πŸ‘₯ Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Customer Focus: Deeply understanding and prioritizing the needs of enterprise users to deliver solutions that drive real business value and improve operational workflows.
  • Collaboration: Working effectively across disciplines (design, engineering, product management, marketing) to achieve shared goals and ensure cohesive product experiences.
  • Innovation: Continuously exploring new ideas, technologies (especially AI), and design approaches to push the boundaries of what’s possible in enterprise software.
  • Growth Mindset: Embracing challenges, learning from failures, and actively seeking opportunities for personal and professional development.
  • Accountability: Taking ownership of design outcomes, delivering high-quality work, and being responsible for the impact of design decisions.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to be active participants within their product teams, contributing to strategic discussions and working closely with PMs and Engineers throughout the development lifecycle.
  • Design Critiques: A culture of constructive feedback through regular design reviews and critiques to elevate the quality and effectiveness of designs.
  • Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, insights, and learnings across the design team and with other departments.
  • Iterative Development: Embracing an iterative approach to design, where feedback is actively sought and incorporated to refine solutions continuously.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The team culture and values are aligned with Microsoft's stated principles and common practices in high-performing tech organizations, emphasizing collaboration, innovation, and a customer-centric approach that is critical for operations success.

⚑ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Complexity of Enterprise Systems: Designing for intricate business workflows and diverse user roles within enterprise software like Dynamics 365 can be challenging, requiring deep domain understanding and user empathy.
  • Balancing User Needs with Technical Constraints: Effectively navigating the trade-offs between ideal user experiences and the technical feasibility and business objectives of AI-powered enterprise solutions.
  • Driving Adoption of New AI Capabilities: Educating and guiding enterprise users to understand and effectively leverage novel AI features, overcoming potential resistance to change or skepticism.
  • Cross-Team Alignment: Ensuring consistent design language and user experience across different product areas and teams within Microsoft’s large organization.
  • Rapidly Evolving AI Landscape: Staying abreast of the fast-paced advancements in AI and machine learning to integrate cutting-edge capabilities into product designs effectively.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • AI & Machine Learning: Access to internal training, workshops, and resources on AI/ML principles and their application in design.
  • Enterprise Software Design: Opportunities to deepen expertise in designing for complex business processes, CRM, ERP, and other enterprise systems.
  • Industry Conferences & Certifications: Support for attending relevant design and technology conferences (e.g., Interaction, UXWeek) and pursuing certifications.
  • Mentorship Programs: Participation in formal or informal mentorship programs with senior designers and leaders within Microsoft.
  • Internal Mobility: Opportunities to explore different product teams or design disciplines within Microsoft's vast portfolio.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Challenges are identified based on the nature of enterprise AI product design, emphasizing the need for adaptability and continuous learning, which are key for professionals in operations-adjacent roles.

πŸ’‘ Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a time you had to design a complex feature for an enterprise audience. What were the key challenges, and how did you ensure user adoption?" (Focus on your process, user research, and impact on user workflows.)
  • "How do you approach designing AI-powered features, particularly in terms of user trust, explainability, and control?" (Highlight your understanding of AI ethics and user interaction principles for AI.)
  • "Walk me through a portfolio project where you significantly improved a user workflow or operational efficiency through your design. What metrics did you use to measure success?" (Showcase your ability to quantify impact and connect design to business/operational outcomes.)
  • "How do you collaborate with engineering and product management to bring a design vision to life, especially when facing technical limitations?" (Emphasize your communication and negotiation skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What interests you about Microsoft's work in AI and the Business & Industry Copilot initiative?" (Research the BIC team's mission and recent announcements.)
  • "How do you embody Microsoft's growth mindset and values in your design work and team interactions?" (Prepare examples that demonstrate your alignment with their core principles.)
  • "Describe your experience mentoring junior designers. What is your philosophy on fostering design talent?" (Showcase your leadership and team-building capabilities.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure: Begin with a high-level overview of your career and design philosophy. For each case study, clearly state the project goal, your role, the problem, your solution, and the outcome.
  • Visuals: Use high-quality mockups, prototypes, user flows, and research artifacts. Avoid overwhelming slides with too much text.
  • Narrative: Tell a story. Explain the "why" behind your decisions and the challenges you faced.
  • Quantify Impact: Present data-driven results whenever possible. For this role, focus on how your designs improved user experience, task completion, or operational efficiency.
  • Q&A Readiness: Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your process, decisions, and the impact of your work. Anticipate questions about your experience with enterprise systems and AI.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Interview preparation focuses on strategic questioning, company culture alignment, and practical portfolio presentation advice, all geared towards a senior-level design role impacting enterprise operations.

πŸ“Œ Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the official Microsoft Careers portal using the provided link.
  • Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and prominently features case studies that highlight your experience with enterprise software, AI-driven features, and complex user workflows. Tailor your case study selection to showcase projects demonstrating significant impact on user efficiency or business operations.
  • Resume Optimization: Craft your resume to emphasize your 5-10 years of experience, specific design skills (user-centered design, interaction design, prototyping), and achievements quantified with metrics. Integrate keywords from the job description naturally.
  • Company Research: Thoroughly research Microsoft's mission, values, and recent advancements in AI and business applications. Understand the goals of the BIC team and how your design expertise can contribute to their vision.
  • Interview Practice: Prepare to articulate your design process, problem-solving approach, and collaboration style. Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on storytelling and quantifying the impact of your work, especially concerning operational improvements.

⚠️ 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.

Application Requirements

You will collaborate across teams to define, develop, and refine product features. Additionally, you will communicate compelling product narratives and mentor product designers to deliver exceptional design outcomes.