Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer
Company: YLD.com
Location: United Kingdom (Remote)
Job Type: Full-Time, Contract (FTC)
Category: Product Design, UX/UI Design
Date Posted: December 11, 2025
Experience Level: 5-10 Years (Senior Level)
Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design of innovative, user-centric digital products within client teams, focusing on intuitive and visually compelling user experiences.
• Drive product strategy and translate complex concepts into simple, easy-to-use interfaces through a hands-on approach to UX/UI design.
• Champion collaboration across product, engineering, and design disciplines in a fast-paced, iterative environment.
• Contribute significantly to the development and scaling of Design Systems, ensuring a consistent and high-quality design language.
• Integrate user research, wireframing, prototyping, and user testing into the design lifecycle to inform decision-making and elevate product outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a 3-month Fixed-Term Contract (FTC) with potential for extension, requiring a senior-level individual contributor with strong UX/UI expertise and a proven ability to work autonomously and collaboratively within client project teams. The emphasis on "hands-on" and "client team" suggests a strong consulting aspect, requiring adaptability and excellent stakeholder management.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct user research, including interviews, surveys, and usability testing, to gather insights and inform design decisions.
• Develop user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes to visualize and iterate on product concepts and user journeys.
• Design intuitive and visually appealing user interfaces (UI) that align with brand guidelines and user needs.
• Collaborate closely with front-end developers to ensure seamless implementation of designs and maintain design integrity.
• Contribute to and leverage Design Systems to ensure consistency, scalability, and efficiency across multiple products.
• Participate actively in design critiques, providing and receiving constructive feedback to enhance design quality.
• Translate complex business requirements and technical constraints into elegant and user-friendly design solutions.
• Champion web accessibility best practices, ensuring products are inclusive and usable by all individuals.
• Manage stakeholder expectations and effectively communicate design rationale and decisions to clients and internal teams.
• Explore and incorporate animation into UI designs to enhance user engagement and experience where appropriate.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a full-spectrum product design role, from initial research and strategy to final UI implementation and user testing. The emphasis on client-facing work and stakeholder management suggests a need for strong communication and influence skills beyond just design execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating formal training or significant professional experience in UX/UI design is essential. Official UX/UI training is a plus.

Experience: 5-10 years of professional experience in digital product design, with a significant focus on UX/UI and product strategy. Experience in a consulting environment or working directly with clients is highly advantageous.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in UX Design, Product Strategy, UI Design, and Interaction Design.
• Significant experience working with Design Systems at scale.
• Proficiency in HTML-based documentation systems.
• Strong understanding and practical application of Usability principles and User-Centered Design methodologies.
• Advanced proficiency with Figma for design, prototyping, and collaboration.
• Experience in Research, Sketching, Wireframing, Prototyping, and User Testing.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to guide and support clients.
• Ability to transform complex concepts into simple and easy-to-use experiences.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams, including front-end developers.
• Commitment to accessibility and creating inclusive products.
• A hands-on, proactive, and driven approach to design challenges.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with animation and incorporating it into UI designs.
• Good knowledge of implementing web accessibility standards.
• Coding skills (e.g., HTML, CSS, JavaScript) are beneficial but not essential for the role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills are comprehensive, covering the entire design lifecycle and emphasizing practical application, tool proficiency, and collaborative skills. The preferred skills indicate areas where candidates can further differentiate themselves, particularly regarding accessibility and animation.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio (PDF, presentation, or website) is mandatory.
• Must demonstrate critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and strong visual design capabilities.
• Showcase experience with Design Systems, including their creation, implementation, or significant contribution to scaling.
• Include case studies that detail the design process from problem identification through to solution implementation and impact.
• Highlight projects that demonstrate an understanding of user needs, business goals, and technical constraints.

Process Documentation:

• Portfolio case studies should clearly articulate the design process employed for each project.
• Detail how user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and user testing were integrated.
• Explain how design decisions were made and validated, referencing user feedback or data.
• Illustrate the application of Design Systems and how they contributed to efficiency or consistency.
• Document the collaboration process with developers and other stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is a critical component for this role, serving as the primary evidence of a candidate's design thinking, execution skills, and experience with key methodologies and tools like Design Systems and Figma. It needs to showcase not just the final output but the strategic and iterative process behind it.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a contract role (FTC) in the UK, the salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience and the senior nature of the position. Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers in the UK with 5-10 years of experience, a day rate or equivalent annual salary in the range of £60,000 - £90,000 per annum (or £300 - £450 per day) is anticipated. This range reflects the consultancy nature of the role and the specific skills required.

Benefits:

• The opportunity to work with a forward-thinking, ethical, and fun group of people.
• A chance to develop and grow your skills in a fast-moving business environment.
• Flexible remote working conditions.
• Exposure to diverse client projects and industries.
• Potential for contract extension based on performance and client needs.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week. Given the remote-first nature and the emphasis on work-life balance, there may be flexibility in daily scheduling, provided work is completed efficiently and client/team needs are met. Adherence to GMT timezone for core collaboration hours is required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on current market data for Senior Product Designers in the UK, considering the contract nature of the role. The benefits are derived from the provided text, emphasizing professional growth and flexible work arrangements.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: YLD.com operates within the Technology, Consulting, Software, and Art & Design sectors, specializing in software engineering, product design, and data solutions for clients. They focus on helping clients build skills and stay ahead competitively.

Company Size: YLD.com is a growing consultancy with teams across London, Lisbon, and Porto. While the exact current number isn't specified, their multi-city presence suggests a medium-to-large sized consultancy, likely employing several hundred professionals.

Founded: The founding date is not provided, but their established presence across multiple European cities indicates a history of growth and successful project delivery.

Team Structure:

• The role involves joining a client's Product Design team, working as part of a cross-functional unit.
• Collaboration is expected with more senior and junior designers, as well as front-end developers.
• The reporting structure within the client team will depend on the specific project, but likely involves direct reporting to a Design Lead or Product Manager.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a core tenet, with product, design, and engineering working closely together.

Methodology:

• YLD emphasizes creating digital solutions that deliver long-term value.
• The design process is iterative, fast-paced, and user-centric.
• A strong focus on collaboration, learning, and continuous self-development is embedded in their culture.
• Data-driven insights and user feedback are key to informing design decisions.

Company Website: https://yld.com

📝 Enhancement Note: YLD positions itself as a forward-thinking consultancy that values talent, collaboration, and client success. The culture emphasizes continuous learning, inclusivity, and a strong partnership between design, engineering, and product.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, indicating a significant level of autonomy, expertise, and responsibility. The individual will be expected to lead design efforts on client projects, mentor more junior designers, and influence design strategy.

Reporting Structure: Within the client team, the Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Design Lead, Product Manager, or Head of Product. They will also collaborate extensively with engineers and other cross-functional team members. For YLD internally, there might be a Design Director or Practice Lead overseeing design consultants.

Operations Impact: As a Senior Product Designer, the impact is direct: shaping user experiences that drive client product success, user adoption, and ultimately, business outcomes. This involves translating client goals into effective, user-friendly designs and advocating for user needs.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in specific areas like Design Systems, accessibility, animation, or user research methodologies.
• Leadership Development: Gain experience in leading design initiatives, mentoring junior designers, and influencing client stakeholders.
• Cross-Functional Learning: Enhance understanding of software engineering and product management through close collaboration.
• Consulting Acumen: Develop stronger client management, communication, and strategic thinking skills.
• Potential for Extension: Successful performance could lead to longer-term engagements or opportunities within YLD's broader client portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth potential, particularly in client-facing consulting, leadership, and specialization within product design. The FTC nature means growth is tied to project success and client satisfaction.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: YLD is a remote-first consultancy. While they have physical office spaces in London, Lisbon, and Porto, the expectation for this role is a remote work arrangement within the UK.

Office Location(s): The role is based in the United Kingdom, with remote work being the primary mode. YLD's main offices are in London (UK), Lisbon (Portugal), and Porto (Portugal).

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Despite being remote, the culture emphasizes strong collaboration through digital tools and regular virtual interaction.
• Operations Tools and Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools like Figma is expected. The company likely provides or supports necessary software licenses and collaboration platforms.
• Team Interaction: Regular virtual meetings, design critiques, and team syncs will facilitate interaction with colleagues and clients.

Work Schedule: The role requires adherence to the GMT timezone for core working hours to facilitate collaboration with UK-based teams and clients. While remote, a structured approach to work is expected, with flexibility in daily scheduling where feasible, balanced against project deadlines and team availability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "remote-first" approach combined with the GMT timezone requirement suggests a need for disciplined self-management and effective asynchronous and synchronous communication strategies.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• 1st Interview (Talent Team): A 30-45 minute initial screening to assess cultural fit, general experience, motivation, and alignment with YLD's values. Be prepared to discuss your career journey and why you're interested in this specific contract role.
• Portfolio Review (Senior Designers): A more in-depth session (approx. 1.5 hours) where you will present your portfolio. This is the critical stage to showcase your design process, problem-solving skills, and expertise with Figma and Design Systems. Be ready to articulate your design decisions, the impact of your work, and your approach to collaboration and accessibility.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, the process you followed, the decisions you made, and the outcomes. Quantify impact where possible.
• Highlight Design Systems: Explicitly showcase your experience with Design Systems – their architecture, implementation, and how you've contributed to their growth or adoption.
• Demonstrate Figma Proficiency: Be ready to navigate through Figma files if requested, showcasing your interaction design, prototyping, and component-building skills.
• Focus on "Why": Articulate the rationale behind your design choices, linking them back to user needs, business goals, and accessibility principles.
• Showcase Collaboration: Provide examples of how you've worked effectively with developers, product managers, and stakeholders.

Challenge Preparation:

• While a specific "challenge" isn't detailed, the portfolio review itself acts as a significant assessment. Be prepared for potential whiteboard exercises or in-depth discussions about hypothetical design problems during the interview stages.
• Focus on demonstrating your ability to think critically, break down problems, and articulate solutions clearly and concisely.
• Practice explaining your design thinking process and how you would approach common design challenges relevant to web applications and digital products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to evaluate both foundational fit and deep design expertise. The portfolio review is paramount, requiring candidates to not only present their work but also to articulate their strategic thinking and collaborative approach.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Expect to use its full suite of features, including auto-layout, component libraries, and interactive prototyping.
• Design System Tools: Experience with tools or methodologies for creating, managing, and scaling design systems (e.g., Storybook integration, documentation platforms).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly required, understanding how to interpret analytics (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel) to inform design decisions is a valuable asset.
• Familiarity with A/B testing platforms could also be beneficial for validating design hypotheses.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the core design role, but an understanding of how design integrates with customer journeys managed by CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) can add context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the cornerstone of the design tool stack mentioned. Proficiency here is non-negotiable. Experience with Design Systems is also a critical technical requirement, indicating a need for structured and scalable design practices.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Growing Every Day: A commitment to continuous learning, skill development, and staying current with design trends and technologies.
• Including Everyone: A strong emphasis on accessibility and creating inclusive products for all users, reflecting a diverse and equitable approach to design.
• Relationships Built on Honesty and Ethics: Core to YLD's consultancy model, emphasizing transparent communication and integrity in client and team interactions.
• Inspiring Solutions: A drive to create innovative, impactful, and user-delighting designs that solve real problems.
• Winning Together: A collaborative spirit where success is shared and achieved through teamwork across product, design, and engineering disciplines.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect close collaboration with product managers, engineers, and potentially data analysts. Design is seen as an integral part of the product development lifecycle, not an isolated function.
• Process Review & Feedback: A culture that encourages open feedback loops and collaborative refinement of designs and processes.
• Knowledge Sharing: A willingness to share expertise and learn from colleagues, fostering a collective growth environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: YLD's values are deeply embedded in their operational philosophy, focusing on continuous improvement, inclusivity, integrity, innovation, and teamwork. This shapes how designers are expected to interact and contribute.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Client Project Demands: Working within client timelines and constraints, potentially requiring rapid iteration and adaptation to evolving project scopes.
• Balancing Design Vision with Client Needs: Effectively advocating for user-centric design while meeting client business objectives and technical limitations.
• Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Maintaining strong communication, collaboration, and team cohesion in a fully remote setting.
• Navigating Diverse Client Environments: Adapting to different client cultures, tools, and existing design frameworks.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in areas like advanced UX research, interaction design for complex systems, or leading Design System initiatives.
• Consulting Skills: Developing robust stakeholder management, presentation, and client advisory capabilities.
• Industry Exposure: Gaining experience across various client industries and product types.
• Mentorship: Learning from senior designers and potentially mentoring more junior team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical of a senior consultant role, emphasizing adaptability, communication, and strategic problem-solving. Growth is geared towards expanding professional and consulting skill sets.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process & Problem Solving: "Describe a complex design problem you solved. Walk me through your process from understanding the problem to delivering the solution. How did you involve users and stakeholders?" (Focus on demonstrating your structured approach, decision-making, and impact.)
• Design Systems: "Tell me about your experience with Design Systems. How have you contributed to their development or adoption? What are the key benefits and challenges of using them at scale?" (Be ready to discuss specific examples and your role.)
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: "How do you approach collaboration with engineers and product managers? How do you handle disagreements or conflicting priorities with stakeholders?" (Highlight your communication style and ability to build consensus.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about YLD and this specific contract role?" (Show genuine interest in the company's mission and the consultancy aspect.)
• "How do you embody YLD's values, such as 'Growing Every Day' or 'Including Everyone'?" (Connect your personal work ethic and values to theirs.)
• "How do you ensure inclusivity and accessibility in your design work?" (Demonstrate a proactive commitment to these principles.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Present your case studies as compelling narratives. Clearly articulate the "why" behind every decision.
• Visual Clarity: Ensure your slides or portfolio pages are clean, well-designed, and easy to follow. Use visuals effectively to illustrate your points.
• Focus on Impact: Quantify the results of your work wherever possible (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced user errors, increased user satisfaction).
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, technical constraints, and alternative approaches you considered.
• Figma Demonstration: If possible, prepare a brief live demo or walkthrough of a key Figma file to showcase your proficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on articulating your design philosophy, process, and impact, aligning it with YLD's values and the demands of a client-facing, remote role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on join.com.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and prominently features your strongest case studies relevant to UX/UI design, Design Systems, and client collaboration. Tailor your CV to highlight experience aligning with the job description's requirements.
• Resume Optimization: Clearly list your years of experience, key skills (Figma, UX/UI, Design Systems), and any relevant training. Use action verbs and quantify achievements where possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and impact. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions related to collaboration, problem-solving, and stakeholder management. Rehearse your portfolio presentation.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with YLD.com's work, client portfolio, and company values. Understand their remote-first approach and consulting model.

⚠️ 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.