Senior Product Designer - Birmingham, United Kingdom

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer Company: Speechify Location: Birmingham, United Kingdom Job Type: Full-Time Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design Date Posted: November 04, 2025 Experience Level: 5-10 Years

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the design lifecycle from ideation and research through to prototyping, development, and iterative refinement of consumer-facing products.
• Drive user experience and interface design improvements across Speechify's iOS and Android applications, aligning with the company's mission to remove reading barriers.
• Significantly influence the product roadmap by contributing strategic product thinking, leveraging analytics, and collaborating closely with Product Managers.
• Play a key role in shaping the design organization and refining internal processes to foster a high-performing and collaborative design culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is positioned as "Senior," indicating a need for a candidate with substantial experience (5-10 years) who can not only execute but also contribute strategically to product direction and design team development. The emphasis on "influencing the product roadmap" and "shaping the design org" suggests a high degree of autonomy and impact.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Pitch, prototype, test, build, and ship new features, ensuring a robust and user-friendly product experience.
• Refine existing UX/UI patterns and design systems across mobile platforms (iOS and Android) to enhance consistency and usability.
• Rethink and redesign onboarding flows and core user journeys to improve user acquisition, engagement, and retention.
• Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and Executives to translate business objectives and user needs into effective design solutions.
• Conduct user research, interpret analytics, and leverage customer feedback to identify key opportunities for product improvement and innovation.
• Champion best practices in typography, information design, and micro-interactions, with a specific focus on audio-related user experiences.
• Ensure design feasibility and effective implementation across various platforms, including iOS, Android, and web browsers.

📝 Enhancement Note: Responsibilities are action-oriented and cover the full spectrum of product design within a fast-paced, high-growth startup environment. The focus on "shaping the design org" implies responsibilities beyond individual contribution, potentially including mentorship or process improvement initiatives.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent knowledge and practical application of design principles is essential. Experience: A proven track record of 5-10 years in product design, with hands-on experience in research, discovery, prototyping, and delivery of consumer-facing products across multiple platforms.

Required Skills:

• Product Thinking: Ability to understand product strategy, articulate design decisions (what, why, and how), and collaborate with Product Managers using analytics to identify opportunities.
• UX/UI Design: Expertise in designing intuitive and engaging user interfaces and experiences for mobile (iOS, Android) and web platforms.
• Prototyping & Testing: Proficiency in creating interactive prototypes and conducting user testing to validate design concepts.
• User Research: Demonstrated ability to gather and synthesize user feedback, conduct research, and translate insights into actionable design improvements.
• Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams including Product Managers, Engineers, and executives in a remote, fast-paced environment.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and concisely to various stakeholders.
• Customer-Centricity: Comfort and skill in engaging directly with customers to understand their needs and incorporate their feedback into the design process.
• Design Craft: Strong skills in typography, information design, and micro-interactions, with an understanding of design feasibility on iOS, Android, and browsers.

Preferred Skills:

• Audio Design: Curiosity and understanding of audio-centric user experiences.
• Analytics Interpretation: Experience using data and analytics to inform design decisions.
• Onboarding Design: Specific experience in designing effective user onboarding flows.
• Remote Work Acumen: Proven ability to work effectively and independently in a fully distributed team setting.
• Startup Experience: Prior experience in a high-growth startup environment, demonstrating adaptability and a proactive approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of strategic thinking, hands-on execution, and strong interpersonal skills. The "5-10 years" experience level, combined with the responsibilities, suggests the company is looking for someone who can operate independently and contribute to the growth of the design function, not just execute tasks. The mention of "opinionated PMs, engineers, and execs" highlights the need for strong negotiation and influence skills.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Case Studies: Showcase end-to-end product design projects, detailing your role, process, and impact. Each case study should clearly articulate the problem, your approach, design decisions, and the resulting outcomes.
• Cross-Platform Examples: Include work demonstrating experience with designing for multiple platforms, specifically highlighting iOS, Android, and web applications.
• Research & Strategy Integration: Provide evidence of how user research, analytics, and product strategy informed your design process and decisions.
• Prototyping & Refinement: Showcase interactive prototypes and demonstrate how you iterated on designs based on user feedback and testing.
• Visual & Interaction Design: Exhibit strong skills in typography, information hierarchy, and micro-interactions, with examples of refined UI patterns.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Illustrate your ability to map out and design user workflows, from initial concept to final implementation, ensuring clarity and efficiency.
• Iterative Improvement: Demonstrate how you have used data and user feedback to continuously improve existing features and user experiences.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Provide examples of how you have documented and communicated design processes and decisions to engineering and product teams.
• Impact Measurement: Show how you have thought about or measured the impact of your design work on key business or user metrics.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the senior nature of the role and the focus on product strategy, a portfolio that demonstrates not just execution but also strategic thinking, problem-solving, and impact is crucial. The company is looking for evidence of how the candidate influences product direction and improves processes, aligning with the "shaping the design org" responsibility.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Senior Product Designer in Birmingham, United Kingdom, with 5-10 years of experience, the estimated annual salary range is £55,000 - £75,000. This estimate considers the cost of living in Birmingham, the demand for experienced design talent, and the competitive nature of the tech industry.

Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation: Includes salary, potential for equity or performance-based bonuses in a high-growth startup.
• Asynchronous Work Culture: Commitment to an exceptional asynchronous work culture, allowing for flexibility and autonomy.
• Impactful Product: Opportunity to work on a product that changes lives, particularly for individuals with learning differences.
• Professional Growth: Dynamic environment with opportunities for contribution, innovation, and shaping the company and its products.
• AI & Audio Focus: Work at the intersection of artificial intelligence and audio, a rapidly evolving tech domain.
• Welcoming Atmosphere: A supportive and collaborative team environment.

Working Hours: The role implies a standard full-time commitment, likely around 40 hours per week. Given the emphasis on asynchronous work and a distributed team, there will be a high degree of flexibility in terms of daily scheduling, provided core responsibilities and collaborative needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: As the original listing did not provide specific salary or benefits, this section is estimated. The salary range is based on research for similar roles in the UK market, adjusted for Birmingham's cost of living and the seniority level. The benefits are inferred from the "What we offer" section of the job description and common offerings in fast-growing tech companies.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, specifically focused on assistive technology and productivity tools through text-to-speech AI. Speechify operates within the EdTech, AI, and Software as a Service (SaaS) sectors, aiming to make reading accessible. Company Size: Approximately 200 employees. This indicates a mid-sized startup that is past its early stages but still retains agility and a strong growth trajectory. Founded: Speechify has been operating and growing significantly, evidenced by its recent awards and distributed team structure. The emphasis on innovation, AI, and a mission-driven approach is central to its culture.

Team Structure:

• The design team is part of a larger, 100% distributed organization.
• Designers collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and AI Research Scientists.
• The reporting structure is likely flat, typical of high-growth startups, with designers reporting to a Head of Design or Product Lead.
• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, with designers expected to work "side-by-side with PMs" and "inspire, play, and negotiate with opinionated PMs, engineers, and execs."

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Embraces analytics to pinpoint key opportunities and inform design decisions.
• Customer-Centricity: Actively seeks and uses customer feedback in the design process.
• Agile Development: Implies iterative development cycles, where design is integrated from pitch to refinement.
• Asynchronous Collaboration: The company culture is optimized for a distributed team, emphasizing clear communication and documentation.

Company Website: speechify.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission to make reading accessible is a strong cultural driver. The fully distributed nature and emphasis on asynchronous work are key aspects that will shape the day-to-day experience for a Senior Product Designer. The "high-growth startup" context suggests a dynamic, sometimes demanding, but rewarding environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Product Designer. This level signifies a professional with significant autonomy and responsibility, capable of leading design initiatives, influencing product strategy, and mentoring junior team members. They are expected to handle complex design challenges and drive projects from conception to completion with minimal supervision. Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Design or a Director of Product. They will work collaboratively with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other designers within the product team. The flat organizational structure of a startup means direct interaction with senior leadership is probable. Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on user acquisition, engagement, retention, and overall product success. By improving the user experience and core flows, the designer contributes directly to Speechify's mission and business objectives, such as increasing user adoption and satisfaction, which in turn drives revenue.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a Lead Product Designer role, managing a small team or taking ownership of a significant product area.
• Strategic Influence: Deepen involvement in product strategy and roadmap planning, becoming a key voice in product decision-making.
• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to specialize further in areas like AI-driven UX, accessibility design, or complex user flow optimization.
• Cross-Functional Expertise: Develop a broader understanding of business operations, engineering constraints, and market dynamics through close collaboration.
• Impact Amplification: Contribute to a product with a profound social impact, offering a unique career satisfaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title and the company's growth phase suggest ample opportunities for career progression. The emphasis on influencing the roadmap and shaping the design org points towards leadership potential beyond individual contributor roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Speechify operates as a 100% distributed company, meaning there is no central office. This is a fully remote work environment. Office Location(s): While the role is based in Birmingham, United Kingdom, for administrative or legal purposes, the actual work is performed remotely. Employees are expected to manage their own remote workspace.

Workspace Context:

• Remote-First: The entire company operates remotely, meaning all processes, communication, and collaboration tools are optimized for a distributed workforce.
• Asynchronous Communication: Emphasis on asynchronous communication methods (e.g., Slack, email, project management tools) to accommodate different time zones and work schedules.
• Collaborative Tools: Access to and proficiency with a suite of digital collaboration tools (e.g., Figma, Jira, Confluence) is essential for seamless teamwork.
• Autonomy & Focus: The environment fosters autonomy, requiring individuals to manage their time effectively and maintain focus on their tasks.

Work Schedule: While a standard full-time commitment (approx. 40 hours/week) is expected, the asynchronous nature of the work offers significant flexibility. Employees can often structure their day to suit their productivity peaks, provided they meet deadlines and are available for necessary collaborative syncs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote and asynchronous nature is a defining characteristic of the work environment. Candidates must be self-disciplined, proactive communicators, and comfortable working independently without direct physical oversight.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application Review: Screening of resumes and portfolios for relevant experience, skills, and alignment with Speechify's mission.
• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A session where the candidate presents selected case studies from their portfolio, discussing their design process, strategic thinking, and problem-solving approach. Be prepared to discuss your role and impact in detail.
• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: A deeper dive into skills, experience, and cultural fit. This may involve behavioral questions, design challenges, or scenario-based questions.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers and Engineers to assess collaboration skills and understanding of the product development lifecycle.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader or founder to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 of your strongest case studies that best showcase your skills in research, strategy, UX/UI design, prototyping, and cross-platform delivery. Prioritize projects that align with Speechify's mission and product type (consumer-facing, mobile-first, AI/audio elements if possible).
• Tell a Story: Structure each case study as a narrative. Clearly define the problem, your role and responsibilities, the constraints, your design process, key decisions made (and why), the solutions, and the measurable outcomes or impact.
• Highlight Impact: Quantify results wherever possible. Use metrics related to user engagement, conversion rates, task completion, user satisfaction, or business goals. If quantitative data is unavailable, articulate the qualitative impact and strategic value.
• Showcase Process: Clearly articulate your design process, including how you conduct user research, use analytics, iterate on designs, and collaborate with stakeholders. Demonstrate your product thinking.
• Visual Polish: Ensure your portfolio is visually appealing, well-organized, and easy to navigate. Pay attention to typography, layout, and overall presentation, reflecting your attention to detail.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: Be prepared for a potential design exercise. This could involve solving a specific UX problem, critiquing an existing design, or outlining a design strategy for a new feature. Focus on your process and rationale, not just the final visual output.
• Strategic Thinking: Practice articulating your thought process for strategic decisions, such as how you would approach redesigning an onboarding flow or identifying key user pain points.
• Stakeholder Communication: Prepare to discuss how you would communicate design decisions and trade-offs to non-designers (PMs, engineers, executives), especially in a remote, asynchronous environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio presentation suggests it's a critical part of the evaluation. Candidates should be ready to deeply discuss their work and demonstrate strategic thinking beyond just visual design execution. The remote nature implies strong communication skills will be heavily scrutinized.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma is highly likely to be the primary tool for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Sketch and Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop) may also be relevant for specific tasks.
• User Research & Testing: Tools like UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, or similar platforms for remote user research and usability testing.
• Project Management & Collaboration: Jira and Confluence are commonly used for task management, documentation, and team collaboration in tech companies. Slack is essential for real-time communication.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Google Analytics for tracking user behavior, feature adoption, and conversion funnels.
• Data Visualization: Tools like Tableau or Looker might be used by Product Managers or Data Analysts, but designers should be comfortable interpreting data and potentially creating basic dashboards or reports.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a designer's tool, familiarity with CRM systems (like Salesforce, HubSpot) and marketing automation platforms can provide context on user journeys and data flow.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is almost a given for modern product designers. Familiarity with analytics platforms is crucial given the emphasis on data-driven decision-making. The company’s distributed nature means strong command of digital collaboration and project management tools is non-negotiable.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong commitment to the mission of making reading accessible, particularly for those with learning disabilities. This should resonate with candidates.
• Innovation: A culture that encourages new ideas, experimentation, and pushing the boundaries of technology, especially in AI and audio.
• Customer-Centricity: Placing the user at the forefront of all design and product decisions.
• Collaboration & Respect: Valuing teamwork and open communication, even in a remote setting, with a focus on inspiring and playing well with others.
• Drive & Focus: A high-growth startup environment that demands initiative, efficiency, and the ability to concentrate on key objectives.
• Inclusivity: A commitment to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace and in product design.

Collaboration Style:

• Asynchronous First: Communication is primarily asynchronous, requiring clear, concise written updates and documentation.
• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to be deeply integrated with Product Management and Engineering, participating actively in discussions and decision-making.
• Feedback Loops: Open to giving and receiving constructive feedback to continuously improve both the product and team processes.
• Autonomy with Accountability: Team members are given autonomy but are expected to be accountable for their work and contributions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is defined by its mission, its distributed nature, and its fast-paced startup environment. Candidates should exhibit traits that align with these values, such as proactivity, strong communication, a passion for the mission, and adaptability.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Remote Collaboration Complexity: Maintaining seamless communication and strong team cohesion in a 100% distributed environment requires constant effort and effective tooling.
• Balancing Speed and Quality: In a high-growth startup, the pressure to ship features quickly can sometimes conflict with the need for thorough design research and iteration.
• Influencing a Fast-Paced Roadmap: Effectively advocating for design needs and user experience considerations within a rapidly evolving product roadmap requires strong strategic thinking and communication.
• Designing for Diverse Needs: Creating inclusive designs that cater to a wide range of users, including those with learning differences, presents unique and complex challenges.
• Evolving Technology Landscape: Staying abreast of advancements in AI, audio technology, and mobile platform capabilities requires continuous learning.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI & Audio Specialization: Deepen expertise in designing for cutting-edge AI and audio technologies.
• Accessibility Design: Become a leader in designing inclusive products for users with learning differences.
• Product Strategy: Gain hands-on experience in influencing product roadmaps and contributing to business strategy.
• Remote Team Leadership: Develop skills in leading and mentoring within a distributed team structure.
• Industry Conferences & Training: Access to opportunities for professional development, workshops, and industry events.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to working in a remote, fast-paced startup environment with a mission-critical product. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering pathways to leadership and specialization in a rapidly developing field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach redesigning our onboarding flow to increase user activation rates for new users?" (Focus on your process, user research methods, and how you'd measure success.)
• "Describe a time you had to balance competing priorities from Product Management and Engineering. How did you resolve it?" (Highlight your collaboration, negotiation, and decision-making skills.)
• "Given our mission to remove reading barriers, what are some key accessibility considerations you'd prioritize for our mobile apps?" (Demonstrate your understanding of inclusivity and practical application.)
• "How do you use analytics and user feedback to inform your design decisions and iterate on features?" (Provide specific examples and illustrate your data-driven approach.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in Speechify's mission and our product?" (Connect your personal values and career goals to the company's purpose.)
• "How do you thrive in a fully remote, asynchronous work environment?" (Share strategies for communication, time management, and staying connected.)
• "Describe your experience working in a high-growth startup environment." (Highlight your adaptability, resilience, and ability to contribute in a fast-paced setting.)
• "How do you ensure inclusivity and accessibility in your design work?" (Show your commitment to diverse user needs.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: For each case study presented, lead with the problem and the significant impact your design achieved. Quantify where possible.
• Articulate Your 'Why': Clearly explain the rationale behind your design decisions, linking them back to user needs, business goals, and strategic objectives.
• Showcase Your Process: Walk through your design journey, from initial research and ideation to prototyping, testing, and iteration. Highlight key challenges and how you overcame them.
• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your specific contributions, technical constraints, and how you collaborated with team members.
• Prepare for Whiteboarding/Design Exercises: If a live design exercise is part of the process, practice thinking aloud and sketching out ideas clearly, focusing on problem-solving methodology.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, hands-on execution, strong communication, and a genuine alignment with Speechify's mission and remote work culture. The portfolio presentation is a key component, so thorough preparation is essential.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Speechify careers portal via the provided Greenhouse link.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-4 of your most impactful product design case studies. Ensure they highlight research, strategy, UX/UI execution, prototyping, and cross-platform experience. Quantify outcomes and clearly articulate your role and process.
• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight keywords and experiences directly relevant to the job description, such as "consumer-facing products," "iOS," "Android," "user research," "prototyping," "product strategy," and "remote collaboration." Emphasize achievements and quantifiable results.
• Prepare Your Portfolio Presentation: Practice walking through your selected case studies, focusing on storytelling, strategic rationale, and measurable impact. Be ready to discuss your design process and collaboration style in detail.
• Research Speechify: Familiarize yourself with Speechify's mission, product, target audience (especially those with learning differences), and its asynchronous, remote work culture. Understand their recent achievements (e.g., awards).

⚠️ 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.