Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer Company: RBS Location: London, England, United Kingdom Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Product Design / User Experience (UX) Date Posted: 2025-08-13 Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (Implied 5-10 years) Remote Status: Remote Solely

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive end-to-end product design for complex digital financial services applications, focusing on user-centricity and business impact.
• Lead user research initiatives, translating qualitative and quantitative insights into actionable design strategies and user journey maps.
• Create high-fidelity UI designs, wireframes, and interactive prototypes using modern design tools to ensure seamless execution and stakeholder alignment.
• Champion accessibility and inclusion throughout the design process, ensuring products meet diverse user needs and brand standards.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams (product owners, developers, business stakeholders) in an agile, data-driven environment to deliver innovative solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Senior Product Designer," the AI-inferred experience level of 5-10 years, coupled with responsibilities like shaping product direction and influencing digital innovation, suggests a role with significant autonomy and strategic input, fitting a senior individual contributor or lead capacity within a product design function. The emphasis on a "Remote First" work arrangement is a key differentiator for candidates seeking remote opportunities.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own and execute the complete product design lifecycle, from conceptualization and user research to high-fidelity design and prototyping.
• Conduct comprehensive user research, employing both qualitative (e.g., interviews, usability testing) and quantitative (e.g., analytics review) methods to inform design decisions.
• Develop detailed user journey maps, wireframes, user flows, and high-fidelity interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts and ensure seamless execution.
• Facilitate and lead ideation, brainstorming, and design critique sessions with product managers, engineers, and business stakeholders to foster collaboration and gather diverse perspectives.
• Contribute to the evolution and maintenance of the design system, ensuring consistency, scalability, and adherence to brand guidelines across all digital products.
• Integrate accessibility and inclusion principles into all design work, ensuring products are usable by a broad range of users and comply with relevant standards.
• Present design rationales and findings clearly and persuasively to stakeholders at all levels, effectively managing expectations and influencing design direction.
• Collaborate closely with product owners and development teams to ensure accurate and efficient implementation of designs, providing support during the development phase.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly outline a senior role requiring strategic thinking, user advocacy, and strong execution skills. The emphasis on "shaping product direction" and "influencing digital innovation" indicates opportunities to impact the product roadmap beyond just design execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Graphic Design, or a related field is often preferred for senior roles, though equivalent practical experience will be strongly considered.

Experience: Demonstrated experience (5-10 years) in delivering customer-focused digital applications and products, with a strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end design process and successful product launches.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in customer-focused digital application and product design.
• Strong proficiency in user research methodologies (qualitative and quantitative) and the ability to apply them strategically.
• Advanced interface design, information architecture, and prototyping skills, with a primary focus on Figma or Figjam.
• Deep understanding and practical application of accessibility (WCAG standards) and inclusion principles in design.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, with experience in leading workshops and articulating design rationales.
• Experience working effectively within agile and fast-paced, data-driven environments.
• Ability to contribute to and evolve design systems for consistency and scalability.
• Experience in launching customer-focused digital products.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience specifically with native mobile design (iOS and Android).
• Familiarity with financial services industry or regulated environments.
• Experience in mentoring junior designers or leading design initiatives.
• Strong understanding of front-end development principles to facilitate effective handoffs.
• Experience with A/B testing and data analysis to iterate on designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for Figma/Figjam proficiency is specific and crucial. The mention of "native mobile design" as a preference suggests an advantage for candidates with mobile-first or mobile-specific design experience, which is common in the fintech sector.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio that clearly demonstrates the end-to-end design process for at least 2-3 significant digital products or features.
• Case studies should detail the problem statement, user research conducted, design challenges, proposed solutions (wireframes, mockups, prototypes), and the impact of the designs.
• Evidence of creating and leveraging design systems for consistency and scalability.
• Examples showcasing user research methodologies applied and how insights influenced design decisions.
• Demonstrations of interactive prototypes that effectively communicate user flows and interactions.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase ability to document complex user flows and interaction designs clearly.
• Provide examples of how design decisions were translated into actionable specifications for development teams.
• Include examples of design system documentation or contribution.
• Evidence of process for integrating user feedback and iteration cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Product Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It should not just show final UI but the strategic thinking, research, and problem-solving that led to those outcomes. The ability to articulate the "why" behind design choices is as critical as the "what."

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior Product Designer in London with 5-10 years of experience, the estimated salary range is typically between £60,000 and £90,000 per annum. This is based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in the UK's tech and finance sectors, considering the cost of living in London.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and potential for performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health and wellness programs, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous paid time off (holiday, sick leave, and public holidays).
• Pension scheme with employer contributions.
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and attending industry conferences.
• Access to employee assistance programs for personal and professional support.
• Potential for share options or long-term incentive plans, depending on company policy.
• Flexible working arrangements and support for remote work setup.

Working Hours: 35 hours per week, with flexibility often afforded to senior roles to manage workload effectively, particularly in a remote-first environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "Remote First" and "Senior" designation, flexibility in working hours to accommodate project needs or personal schedules is often implied, though core collaboration hours will likely be expected.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services / Fintech (Specifically focused on savings and technology revolution in finance). Company Size: While specific size isn't provided, RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland Group) is a very large, established financial institution. NatWest Cushon, as mentioned, is a division or subsidiary, likely operating with a more agile, tech-forward culture within the larger group. This blend can offer stability with innovation. Founded: RBS has a long history, founded in 1727, indicating a stable and established organization. NatWest Cushon's specific founding date is not provided but operates within the modern financial landscape.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Product Designer will likely be part of a dedicated Product Design team, possibly within a larger Digital or Technology division.
• This team will collaborate closely with Product Owners, Scrum Masters, Developers (front-end and back-end), UX Researchers, and potentially Data Analysts and Business Stakeholders.
• Reporting structure would likely be to a Head of Product Design, Lead Designer, or similar management role, with matrixed reporting to product teams.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on Agile and Lean methodologies for product development and design iteration.
• Data-driven decision-making, utilizing user analytics and performance metrics to inform design choices.
• Collaborative and iterative design process, with frequent feedback loops.
• Focus on continuous improvement and innovation in financial services technology.

Company Website: https://www.rbs.co.uk/ (for RBS Group), and likely a specific site for NatWest Cushon products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "tech revolution to the financial services industry" mission highlights a culture that embraces innovation and digital transformation, which is attractive for design professionals looking to make an impact in a traditional sector.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor. This role requires a high degree of autonomy, strategic thinking, and the ability to mentor or guide others, even if not formally managing a team. It's a step below a Lead or Manager role but carries significant responsibility and influence.

Reporting Structure: Typically reports to a Design Lead, Head of Product Design, or a Product Management lead. Collaboration will be matrixed across various product squads and feature teams.

Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer's work directly influences customer acquisition, engagement, satisfaction, and retention. By creating intuitive and seamless financial tools, they contribute significantly to the company's mission of helping people with their finances and its vision of revolutionizing financial services. Their designs can impact conversion rates, operational efficiency (through reduced customer support needs), and overall brand perception.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership: Potential to move into a Lead Product Designer or Design Manager role, overseeing a team or a specific product area.
• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like design systems, user research, or mobile UX.
• Cross-functional Mobility: Opportunities to move into Product Management, UX Research, or even strategic roles within the company.
• Skill Development: Continuous learning through internal training, industry conferences, and exposure to cutting-edge design challenges in fintech.
• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior designers and contribute to the growth of the design practice within RBS.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies a pathway to leadership, either through formal management or by becoming a recognized expert and thought leader within the design function.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job posting specifies "Remote First," indicating that remote work is the primary mode of operation. While there might be occasional in-person meetings or team events at an office location, the default is remote.

Office Location(s): London, England, United Kingdom, is the stated location, suggesting that while the role is remote, the company is UK-based, and there might be an expectation for occasional travel to London for specific events or meetings, though this is not explicitly stated.

Workspace Context:

• A remote-first environment requires strong self-discipline, excellent communication skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively using digital tools.
• Expect to work with a distributed team, necessitating clear communication protocols and asynchronous work practices.
• Access to standard remote work tools for communication, collaboration, and design is assumed.
• The company likely supports a culture of trust and autonomy for remote employees.

Work Schedule: Standard professional hours, with flexibility inherent in a remote-first setup. The 35-hour work week is a baseline, but project deadlines and collaborative needs may require some flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: "Remote First" is a strong indicator. Candidates should be comfortable with asynchronous communication and building relationships virtually. Occasional travel to London may be a possibility for key events, which should be clarified during the interview process.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter screens applications for basic qualifications and fit.
• Hiring Manager/Team Lead Interview: Discussion focusing on experience, motivations, and alignment with the role and team.
• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: A critical stage where candidates present their portfolio, discuss case studies, and potentially complete a design exercise or take-home challenge. This assesses problem-solving, design thinking, and execution skills.
• Cross-functional Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with Product Owners, Developers, or other key collaborators to assess teamwork, communication, and ability to work in an agile environment.
• Final Interview: Often with a senior leader or department head to confirm fit and discuss long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Tell a Story: For each case study, articulate the problem, your process, your specific contributions, the challenges faced, and the measurable outcomes.
• Focus on Impact: Quantify the success of your designs whenever possible (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time, increased user satisfaction).
• Showcase Process: Detail your user research methods, ideation techniques, wireframing, prototyping, and iteration cycles.
• Highlight Collaboration: Mention how you worked with stakeholders, product managers, and engineers.
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, trade-offs, and how you handle feedback.
• Tailor to RBS: Research RBS's mission and values, and consider how your work aligns with their goals in revolutionizing financial services.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a design challenge is given, focus on understanding the brief thoroughly.
• Prioritize user needs and business goals.
• Clearly articulate your assumptions and design rationale.
• Present your solution concisely and effectively, highlighting key design decisions.
• If it's a live exercise, manage your time effectively. If it's take-home, ensure high quality and thoroughness.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is likely the most crucial part of the interview process for this role. Candidates should prepare to discuss their work in depth, focusing on the strategic thinking and impact of their designs.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency is explicitly required.
• Figjam: For collaborative brainstorming, whiteboarding, and ideation.
• Prototyping Tools: Any industry-standard tool for creating interactive prototypes (e.g., InVision, Principle, ProtoPie) might be used, but Figma's prototyping capabilities are likely primary.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with analytics platforms like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or internal product analytics tools.
• Understanding of data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) for interpreting user behavior data.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, an understanding of how customer data is managed and utilized within systems like Salesforce or similar CRM platforms may be beneficial for context.
• Familiarity with project management and collaboration tools like Jira, Confluence, Asana, or Trello is common in agile environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the non-negotiable tool. Experience with design systems tools and collaboration platforms is also highly relevant.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving customer needs through design.
• Innovation: A drive to revolutionize financial services through technology and creative solutions.
• Collaboration: Working effectively with diverse teams to achieve common goals.
• Data-Driven: Using insights from data and research to inform decisions and measure impact.
• Excellence: Striving for high-quality, impactful design outcomes.
• Inclusion & Accessibility: Ensuring products are usable and accessible to everyone.

Collaboration Style:

• Open and communicative, fostering a culture of constructive design critiques and feedback.
• Cross-functional, working closely with Product Management, Engineering, and other stakeholders.
• Agile and iterative, adapting to changing requirements and insights.
• Emphasis on shared ownership of product success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission to "help as many people as possible to get comfortable with their finances" and "bring tech revolution to the financial services industry" strongly suggests a culture that values purpose-driven work and innovation.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Objectives: Effectively navigating competing priorities to create solutions that satisfy both users and the business.
• Navigating Legacy Systems/Processes: Working within a large, established financial institution may present challenges in adopting new technologies or design approaches quickly.
• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong team cohesion and effective communication in a distributed, remote-first environment.
• Innovation in a Regulated Industry: Driving technological and design innovation within the constraints of financial services regulations.
• Design System Maturity: Contributing to or evolving a design system that serves a large and complex organization.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Fintech Innovation: Gaining exposure to cutting-edge design practices within the rapidly evolving fintech sector.
• Advanced Design Skills: Deepening expertise in user research, interaction design, accessibility, and design system management.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Learning about product management, agile development, and business strategy within financial services.
• Leadership Development: Opportunities to take on more responsibility, mentor junior designers, and potentially move into leadership roles.
• Industry Events: Access to relevant design and fintech conferences for continuous learning and networking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior roles in large, innovative companies, offering significant growth potential for those who can navigate them effectively.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process & Problem Solving: "Walk me through a complex product you designed. What was the problem, your process, your specific contributions, and the outcome? What would you do differently now?" (Focus on structure, research, iteration, and impact).
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: "Describe a time you had to present a design concept to stakeholders who disagreed. How did you handle it, and what was the resolution?" (Highlight communication, negotiation, and persuasion skills).
• User Advocacy & Research: "How do you integrate user research into your design process? Can you give an example of how user insights significantly changed your design direction?" (Emphasize methodology and impact).
• Accessibility & Inclusion: "How do you ensure accessibility and inclusion are core to your design work? Can you share an example of a design challenge related to accessibility you solved?" (Demonstrate practical application).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about RBS and our mission to revolutionize financial services?" (Research company mission, values, and recent initiatives).
• "How do you stay updated on design trends and best practices, especially in fintech?" (Show passion for continuous learning).
• "Describe your ideal team environment and how you contribute to a positive team culture, especially in a remote setting." (Align with collaboration and remote work values).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Concise Narrative: For each case study, have a clear, concise story with a strong opening (problem) and closing (impact). Aim for 5-7 minutes per case study.
• Visuals: Ensure your slides are clean, professional, and effectively showcase your work. Use annotations to point out key design decisions or user flows.
• Focus on "Why": Be ready to explain the rationale behind every major design decision.
• Quantify Impact: Use metrics and data wherever possible to demonstrate the value of your work.
• Be Honest About Challenges: Discuss trade-offs and challenges you faced, and how you overcame them.
• Prepare Questions: Have thoughtful questions prepared for the interviewers about the team, product, and company culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions that showcase the required skills (user research, collaboration, problem-solving) and align them with the company's mission and values.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.
• Tailor Your Resume: Emphasize keywords from the job description such as "User Research," "Figma," "Prototyping," "Accessibility," "Agile," and "Customer-Focused Design." Highlight achievements with quantifiable results where possible.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest case studies that best represent your skills in Figma, end-to-end product design, and user research. Ensure it's easily accessible (e.g., a personal website or PDF).
• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process, key contributions, and the impact of your work for each portfolio piece. Be ready to discuss specific challenges and solutions.
• Research RBS: Familiarize yourself with RBS's mission, values, and recent product developments in the financial services sector to tailor your application and interview responses.

⚠️ 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.