Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Wheely

Location: London, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: 2026-04-22

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end product design lifecycle for intuitive and visually compelling digital products, encompassing both mobile and web platforms.

• Drive design strategy and execution as a self-directed, proactive member of cross-functional product teams, fostering a culture of innovation and quality.

• Champion the evolution of the design system, ensuring consistency, scalability, and adherence to high visual standards across all user touchpoints.

• Collaborate closely with engineering teams to translate complex user needs and business requirements into seamless, technically feasible, and polished user experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer, implying a significant level of autonomy and leadership in design execution. The emphasis on "end-to-end design process" and "self-directed member of a cross-functional team" indicates a requirement for strong ownership and proactive problem-solving capabilities, typical of senior positions in fast-paced tech environments like Wheely. The mention of a "high visual bar" and "attention to detail and polish" is critical for candidates to showcase in their portfolios.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own and execute the complete product design process, from initial concept and user research through to high-fidelity prototyping, user testing, and final launch across both mobile (iOS/Android) and web applications.

• Translate complex user problems and business objectives into elegant, user-centered design solutions that align with Wheely's premium brand positioning and user experience standards.

• Actively contribute to and influence the evolution of Wheely's design system, ensuring its robustness and applicability across new features and product iterations.

• Partner effectively with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders to gather requirements, define scope, provide design rationale, and ensure successful implementation of design specifications.

• Conduct user research, usability testing, and data analysis to inform design decisions, identify areas for improvement, and validate design concepts, ensuring a data-driven approach to UX.

• Craft clear, concise, and contextually appropriate UX copy that enhances usability and reinforces the brand's voice and tone.

• Proactively identify opportunities for product innovation and UX enhancements, proposing solutions backed by user insights, market trends, and technical feasibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic thinking and hands-on execution. The emphasis on "owning the complete product design process" and "proactively identify opportunities" suggests that the ideal candidate will not only execute assigned tasks but also take initiative in shaping the product's direction from a design perspective. The requirement to "craft clear, concise, and contextually appropriate UX copy" indicates a need for strong copywriting skills integrated into the design workflow.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating a deep understanding of design principles, user-centered methodologies, and a history of successful product launches is paramount. Equivalent practical experience will be strongly considered.

Experience: Minimum of 5-10 years of proven experience as a Product Designer, with a significant track record of owning the end-to-end design process for complex, user-facing digital products (mobile and web).

Required Skills:

• Exceptional visual design craft, with a meticulous attention to detail, polish, and a strong portfolio showcasing high-quality UI work.

• Proficiency in creating well-balanced, intuitive interactions that make interfaces feel natural and effortless to use.

• Demonstrated ability to design complex features while maintaining a consistent and cohesive user experience across the entire product.

• Technical confidence and understanding of engineering constraints, enabling effective collaboration with development teams and the ability to design within technical limitations.

• Proactive approach to identifying, defining, and prioritizing UX opportunities, leveraging data, user insights, and market research to drive informed design decisions.

• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design rationale, influence stakeholders, and effectively incorporate feedback into iterative design processes.

• Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, InVision).

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working in a high-growth scale-up environment, particularly within the ride-hailing, transportation, or premium service industries.

• Familiarity with design system development and maintenance.

• Experience conducting user research, usability testing, and synthesizing findings into actionable design improvements.

• Understanding of A/B testing methodologies and how to leverage results for design optimization.

• Knowledge of accessibility standards (WCAG) and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level is defined as 5-10 years, aligning with a Senior role. The "Technical confidence" requirement is crucial for candidates to address, demonstrating their ability to bridge the gap between design and development. The emphasis on "data and insight to drive decisions" suggests a preference for designers who are analytical and can quantify the impact of their work.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate end-to-end ownership of at least 2-3 significant digital products or complex features, showcasing the entire design process from problem definition to final solution.

• Highlight exceptional visual craft and attention to detail through high-fidelity mockups, prototypes, and examples of polished UI elements.

• Clearly articulate the user problems addressed, the design decisions made, and the rationale behind them, supported by user research, data, or A/B testing where applicable.

• Showcase experience in designing for both mobile (iOS/Android) and web platforms, demonstrating adaptability in design patterns and interaction models.

• Include examples of how you have collaborated with engineering teams, illustrating your ability to understand technical constraints and deliver feasible designs.

Process Documentation:

• Explain your personal design process, detailing how you approach problem-solving, ideation, user research, prototyping, and iteration.

• Provide examples of how you have identified and prioritized UX opportunities, using data and insights to influence product direction.

• Illustrate how you have contributed to or evolved design systems, ensuring consistency and scalability.

• Detail your approach to UX copywriting, showing how you tailor copy to specific contexts and user needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Product Designer role, the portfolio is critical. It needs to go beyond just showcasing pretty screens; it must tell a story of problem-solving, strategic thinking, and measurable impact. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their process, design decisions, and the outcomes of their work, specifically highlighting their ability to handle complexity and maintain high visual standards.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Up to £100,000 base salary per annum, plus a performance-based bonus and equity.

Benefits:

• Performance-based bonus opportunities, rewarding individual and company success.

• Equity in a fast-growing, profitable scale-up, offering a stake in the company's future growth.

• Comprehensive Private Medical Insurance, covering essential healthcare needs.

• Dental Insurance, contributing to overall well-being.

• Life and critical illness insurance, providing financial security for employees and their families.

• Monthly credit for Wheely journeys, offering a tangible perk for a premium service.

• Cycle to Work scheme, promoting sustainable commuting and employee health.

• Professional development subsidies, supporting continuous learning and skill enhancement.

• Best-in-class equipment, ensuring employees have the tools needed for optimal performance.

Working Hours: Flexible working hours are offered, with an expectation of being in the office at least four days a week for this office-based role. While specific daily hours are not stated, the standard UK work week is typically 40 hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary is explicitly stated as "Up to £100,000 base salary." Given the "Senior" title and the London location, this is a competitive but not outlier figure for experienced product designers in the tech sector. The inclusion of performance-based bonus and equity is significant for a senior role in a scale-up. The benefits package is comprehensive and aligns with what is expected for senior positions in London. The "hybrid" work arrangement with a 4-day in-office expectation is clearly defined.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Ride-hailing / Premium Transportation, Software. Wheely operates in a competitive, technology-driven market, focusing on a premium segment that demands high quality and exceptional customer service. This influences the design approach to be sophisticated, reliable, and user-friendly.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, Wheely is described as a "profitable, fast-growing scale-up" that has raised "$43M." This suggests a company size likely in the range of 100-500 employees, indicating a dynamic environment where individuals can have a significant impact, but with established processes and a growing team structure.

Founded: The founding date is not provided, but the description of Wheely as a "scale-up" implies it has moved beyond its startup phase and is in a period of significant growth and expansion across EMEA and the US.

Team Structure:

• The design team is likely integrated within cross-functional product teams, each comprising product managers, designers, and engineers, fostering close collaboration.

• The Senior Product Designer will report into a Design Lead or Head of Product/Design, with a clear reporting line.

Methodology:

• Design decisions are driven by a combination of user insights, data analysis, and a strong understanding of technical constraints.

• The company emphasizes an iterative approach to product development, with continuous feedback loops and a focus on refining user experiences.

• A commitment to quality and polish is paramount, reflecting the premium nature of the service.

Company Website: https://wheely.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Describing Wheely as a "scale-up" implies a transition from a startup to a more structured organization, balancing rapid growth with established operational processes. The focus on a "premium segment" is a key differentiator that will heavily influence the design aesthetic and user experience expectations for this role.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at the Senior level within the Product Design function. It signifies an individual who can operate with a high degree of autonomy, lead complex design projects, mentor junior designers (potentially), and significantly influence product strategy and execution. The scope includes end-to-end ownership and proactive identification of opportunities.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Design Lead, Head of Design, or Head of Product, depending on the organizational structure. They will be part of a cross-functional product team, working closely with Product Managers and Engineers.

Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer's impact is direct and significant, shaping the user experience of Wheely's core digital products. Their work will influence user acquisition, retention, satisfaction, and ultimately, revenue through seamless and premium digital interactions. They have the opportunity to shape the visual identity and usability of a high-end service.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership: Potential to grow into a Design Lead position, managing a team of designers, or specializing further in areas like Design Systems or UX Research.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to take on more strategic product responsibilities, influencing the long-term vision and roadmap of Wheely's digital offerings.

• Skill Development: Access to professional development subsidies for courses, conferences, and workshops to enhance skills in emerging design trends, tools, and methodologies.

• Industry Exposure: Working in a fast-growing scale-up in the premium transportation sector provides invaluable experience and exposure to unique market challenges and opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies a path towards leadership or deeper specialization. The emphasis on "influencing product strategy" is a key growth indicator, suggesting opportunities beyond just execution. The "scale-up" environment often provides faster career progression than larger, more established corporations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an office-based role, with an expectation of being in the office at least four days a week. This suggests a strong emphasis on in-person collaboration and company culture.

Office Location(s): The role is located in Hammersmith, London. This area offers good transport links and a vibrant commercial hub.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to foster an "in-person culture," promoting spontaneous collaboration, team building, and a shared sense of purpose.

• Employees are provided with "best-in-class equipment," ensuring they have the necessary tools and technology to perform their roles effectively.

• Opportunities for interaction with design, product, and engineering teams are abundant, facilitating rapid iteration and problem-solving.

Work Schedule: Flexible working hours are a key benefit, allowing employees to manage their schedules effectively while maintaining a significant in-office presence. This flexibility is balanced with the need for consistent team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of an "in-person culture" and a minimum of four days in the office is a critical detail for candidates who have a strong preference for remote work. This indicates a company that values face-to-face interaction and team cohesion.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess qualifications, experience, and visual craft. Be prepared to highlight relevant projects that showcase end-to-end ownership and problem-solving.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A session where you will present 1-2 key case studies from your portfolio, detailing your process, design decisions, challenges, and outcomes. Expect in-depth questions about your rationale and collaboration style. This is where your ability to articulate design decisions and demonstrate impact will be crucial.

• Design Challenge/Workshop: Potentially a take-home assignment or an in-person/virtual workshop focused on a specific design problem relevant to Wheely's platform. This will assess your problem-solving skills, creativity, and ability to work under timed conditions.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other designers to assess your collaboration skills, technical understanding, and cultural fit within the team.

• Final Interview: Likely with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Design, CPO) to discuss overall fit, strategic thinking, and long-term aspirations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate your senior-level capabilities: end-to-end ownership, complex problem-solving, high visual standards, and quantifiable impact. Focus on quality over quantity.

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, key decisions and their rationale, challenges faced, and the final outcome (metrics, user feedback, business impact).

• Highlight Visual Craft: Ensure your portfolio showcases polished UI, beautiful typography, thoughtful use of color, and engaging interactions.

• Demonstrate Collaboration: Include insights into how you worked with engineers and product managers, and how you incorporated feedback.

• Prepare for Depth: Be ready to deep-dive into any aspect of your work and defend your design choices with clear reasoning.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with Wheely's existing products (app and web) to understand their current design language, user flows, and potential areas for improvement.

• Practice articulating your design process concisely and effectively, focusing on how you would approach a given problem from ideation to a tested solution.

• Prepare to discuss trade-offs and how you balance user needs with business goals and technical constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes a strong portfolio review and the ability to articulate design rationale. Candidates should prepare to discuss their work in detail, demonstrating not just design skill but also strategic thinking and collaborative capabilities. The potential for a design challenge highlights the need for practical problem-solving skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Proficiency with industry-standard tools such as Figma (highly likely given current industry trends), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), and prototyping tools like InVision or Principle.

• Collaboration & Project Management: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Confluence, Asana, or Trello for tracking tasks and project progress within cross-functional teams.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Experience working with product analytics platforms (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics) to gather user insights and inform design decisions.

• Ability to interpret data and translate findings into actionable design improvements.

CRM & Automation: While not directly a designer's tool, understanding how CRM systems and marketing automation platforms impact the user journey and data flow can be beneficial for holistic product thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is almost certainly the primary design tool in use at a modern tech company like Wheely. While other tools will be mentioned, candidates should be prepared to demonstrate advanced proficiency in their chosen design software and a willingness to adapt to the company's specific stack.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Quality & Craftsmanship: A deep commitment to delivering exceptional quality and detail in every aspect of the product, reflecting the premium nature of Wheely's service.

• User-Centricity: Placing the user at the heart of all design decisions, striving for intuitive, seamless, and delightful experiences.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Working closely with cross-functional teams, sharing ideas openly, and fostering a supportive environment where feedback is valued.

• Innovation & Iteration: Continuously seeking new ways to improve the product and user experience, embracing experimentation and learning from user data.

• Ownership & Accountability: Taking responsibility for design outcomes and driving projects to completion with a proactive and self-directed mindset.

Collaboration Style:

• Expect a highly collaborative environment where designers work hand-in-hand with product managers and engineers from concept to launch.

• A culture that encourages open communication, constructive feedback, and shared problem-solving.

• Emphasis on cross-functional team alignment to ensure that design solutions are technically feasible, strategically sound, and meet user needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at Wheely likely mirrors that of other successful tech scale-ups: fast-paced, results-oriented, and collaborative, with a strong emphasis on quality and user experience given their premium positioning.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Maintaining Premium Quality at Scale: Balancing rapid growth and expansion with the need to consistently deliver a high-end, polished user experience across all touchpoints.

• Cross-functional Alignment: Effectively navigating priorities and perspectives across product, engineering, and business teams to ensure design vision is realized.

• Evolving Design System: Continuously updating and expanding the design system to meet new feature requirements while maintaining consistency and efficiency.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Integrating user data and feedback effectively into the design process, especially when dealing with subjective elements of premium service design.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to hone skills in complex interaction design, advanced prototyping, and potentially exploring new design technologies.

• Product Strategy: Exposure to broader product strategy discussions, allowing for greater influence on the product roadmap and vision.

• Leadership Training: Potential for formal or informal leadership development if aspiring to manage design teams in the future.

• Industry Trends: Staying abreast of emerging design trends, tools, and best practices within the tech and premium service sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a Senior Designer in a growing company, focusing on the complexities of scaling while maintaining quality and managing cross-functional dynamics. The growth opportunities are geared towards career advancement and skill enhancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting priorities between user needs, business goals, and engineering constraints. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, negotiation, and decision-making.)

• "Walk us through a complex feature you designed from ideation to launch. What was the problem, your approach, key decisions, and the impact of your work?" (This is your portfolio walkthrough opportunity; be detailed and data-driven.)

• "How do you approach designing for a premium brand like Wheely? What are the key considerations for conveying luxury and exceptional service through design?" (Show you've researched the brand and understand its positioning.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Wheely's mission and this specific role?" (Connect your passion to the company's vision.)

• "How do you collaborate with engineers and product managers? Describe a challenging collaboration and how you navigated it." (Demonstrate your teamwork and communication skills.)

• "What role does data play in your design process?" (Emphasize your data-informed approach.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Start with a high-level overview of the project and the problem. Then, dive into your process: research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, user testing, design iterations, and final solution. Conclude with the impact and learnings.

• Narrative: Tell a compelling story. Explain the "why" behind your decisions. Show your thought process, not just the final screens.

• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups, clear diagrams of user flows, and interactive prototypes where appropriate.

• Metrics: Quantify your impact whenever possible (e.g., increased conversion rates, reduced task completion time, improved user satisfaction scores). If exact numbers aren't available, discuss qualitative feedback and observed improvements.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Practice your presentation to ensure it’s engaging and within the allotted timeframe.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing for strategy questions is key. Candidates should anticipate questions that probe their ability to handle complex design challenges, their understanding of premium brand design, and their collaborative approach. Practicing the portfolio presentation is crucial for effectively communicating their value.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects demonstrating end-to-end design ownership, complex problem-solving, and high visual craft relevant to mobile and web applications. Tailor case studies to highlight your experience with premium services or sophisticated digital products.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your experience level (5-10 years), highlight key skills mentioned in the job description (visual craft, interaction design, data-driven decisions, stakeholder management), and quantify achievements with metrics where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly review your portfolio case studies and practice articulating your design process, rationale, and impact. Prepare thoughtful questions for the interviewers about Wheely's design culture, team structure, and product vision.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Wheely's brand, mission, and current product offerings (app and website). Understand their positioning in the premium ride-hailing market and consider how design contributes to that.

⚠️ 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.