Senior Product Designer (Freelance)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer (Freelance) Company: Valtech Location: North Macedonia - Remote Job Type: Freelance/Contract Category: Product Design / User Experience (UX) Date Posted: August 15, 2025 Experience Level: Senior (5+ years) Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the discovery and user experience (UX) strategy for new, impactful client projects, from inception to delivery.
• Translate abstract business ideas and user needs into tangible design artifacts, including user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes using Figma.
• Facilitate workshops and stakeholder interviews to define product vision, gather requirements, and ensure alignment between business goals and user expectations.
• Champion a user-centered design approach throughout the product lifecycle, ensuring designs are validated through user feedback and usability testing.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the input job title is "Senior Product Designer," the responsibilities heavily emphasize UX strategy, discovery, and user research, indicating a strong focus on the foundational stages of product development. The "Freelance" designation suggests a project-based engagement rather than a permanent role.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead discovery workshops and stakeholder interviews to extract product vision, user needs, and business objectives for new client products.
• Translate early insights and strategic discussions into concrete UX deliverables such as user flows, wireframes, and low/high-fidelity prototypes using Figma.
• Define and own the UX strategy for new client products, ensuring alignment between business goals, user expectations, and technical constraints.
• Collaborate closely with Product Owners and stakeholders to co-create product requirements within an agile and iterative framework.
• Communicate design decisions clearly and confidently to stakeholders, clients, and internal team members, advocating for user-centered solutions.
• Support the development team with clear handoff documentation and interaction specifications to ensure seamless implementation.
• Conduct rapid validation through user feedback, usability testing, and internal reviews to iterate on designs efficiently.
• Advocate for a user-centered approach throughout the entire product lifecycle, ensuring user needs are at the forefront.
• Guide clients with abstract or unclear goals, helping translate vague ideas into actionable design requirements and facilitating clarity.
• Support end-to-end product design, from the initial discovery phase through to final delivery and iteration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a senior-level individual contributor role, focusing on strategic design leadership and hands-on execution in the early stages of product development. The emphasis on "zero-to-one" products and guiding clients with abstract goals suggests a need for strong problem-solving, strategic thinking, and client-facing communication skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred for senior roles in this domain. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: 5+ years of professional experience in designing exceptional user experiences for web and/or mobile platforms. Proven track record of leading UX strategy and defining user flows for early-stage or "zero-to-one" products is crucial.

Required Skills:

• User Experience (UX) Design: Deep understanding of UX principles, interaction design, and information architecture.
• UX Research: Proven ability to plan and conduct user interviews, usability tests, and synthesize findings into actionable insights.
• Figma Proficiency: Excellent skills in Figma, including component-based design, advanced prototyping, and collaborative workflows.
• Facilitation & Workshop Leadership: Strong facilitation skills to run discovery workshops, stakeholder interviews, and collaborative sketch sessions.
• Agile Methodologies: Solid understanding of agile principles and product development processes, with experience working in iterative cycles.
• Communication & Storytelling: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and bridge gaps between design, business, and technology.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Experience in gathering and synthesizing stakeholder input and framing the right questions to uncover real user needs.
• Problem Solving: Ability to guide clients with abstract or unclear goals, translating vague ideas into actionable design requirements.
• Portfolio: A strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end product design process, problem-solving skills, and successful UX outcomes for complex projects.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in Agile methodologies and consulting environments.
• Familiarity with Design Thinking principles and their application.
• Experience with user research tools beyond Figma (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze).
• Understanding of data analysis and how it informs design decisions.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams including Product Managers, Engineers, and Marketing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Must have qualifications" section directly maps to the required skills. The emphasis on Figma, UX research, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement points to a role that requires both strong technical design skills and excellent interpersonal/consultative abilities. The requirement for experience in "zero-to-one" products is a key differentiator for this role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the design process from problem definition to solution delivery, with a focus on user research and validation.
• Showcase case studies that highlight your ability to lead UX strategy and define user flows for early-stage products.
• Include examples of wireframes, user flows, and interactive prototypes created in Figma, illustrating your proficiency.
• Present evidence of successful stakeholder engagement and the ability to translate abstract goals into concrete design requirements.
• Quantify the impact of your design work where possible, demonstrating improvements in user satisfaction, engagement, or business metrics.

Process Documentation:

• Exhibit documentation of your design process, including how you conduct discovery workshops, user interviews, and usability testing.
• Provide examples of how you synthesize research findings and stakeholder input into actionable design decisions.
• Show how you collaborate with product owners and development teams, including handoff documentation and interaction specifications.
• Illustrate your approach to iterative design and rapid validation through user feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this freelance role, serving as the primary evidence of the candidate's capabilities. The emphasis is on demonstrating strategic thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to navigate ambiguity in the early stages of product development.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As a freelance (contract) position, compensation will likely be project-based or an hourly/daily rate. Based on industry standards for a Senior Product Designer with 5+ years of experience, particularly in a remote capacity for a global company like Valtech, an estimated range could be between $50 - $80 USD per hour, or equivalent in local currency, depending on specific project scope, required expertise, and negotiation.

Benefits: As a freelance contractor, standard employee benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans are typically not provided. However, Valtech may offer:

• Opportunity to work on high-impact, innovative projects for recognized brands.
• Flexibility of remote work.
• Potential for ongoing engagement based on project needs and performance.
• Access to a global network of professionals and potential for professional development through project experience.

Working Hours: The role is likely to require a commitment of approximately 40 hours per week, aligning with typical full-time project engagement. Flexibility may be available, but close collaboration with core team members and client stakeholders will necessitate responsiveness during standard business hours, potentially across different time zones depending on project requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on general freelance rates for senior design roles in comparable markets and considering the global nature of Valtech. Actual compensation will depend on the specific project scope and Valtech's internal freelancing compensation structure.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology Consulting / Digital Transformation / Experience Innovation. Valtech operates within the digital services sector, helping global brands transform customer experiences through technology, data, and creativity. Company Size: Valtech is a large global company, indicated by its presence in multiple locations and its work with "leading organizations." This size offers opportunities for diverse project exposure and a robust professional network. Founded: Valtech was founded in 1997, giving it a long history and established presence in the digital transformation space.

Team Structure:

• The candidate will join a strategic project team that includes a Product Owner and a Lead Designer as their core collaborators.
• They will likely report to a Project Lead or Delivery Manager within Valtech, with direct interaction and collaboration with the client's Product Owner.
• Cross-functional collaboration is expected with development teams, other designers, and client stakeholders involved in the project.

Methodology:

• Valtech emphasizes a data-driven approach to innovation, blending creativity, technology, and data insights.
• The company utilizes agile and iterative methodologies for project delivery, focusing on continuous learning and rapid validation.
• Expect a culture that encourages challenging the status quo, fostering creativity, diversity, and autonomy in how work is approached.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Valtech positions itself as an "experience innovation company," suggesting a culture that values creativity, forward-thinking, and a deep understanding of user needs. The "borderless, global framework" implies a collaborative and interconnected working environment despite geographic dispersion.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Senior level within the design discipline, specifically focusing on product strategy and UX leadership during the crucial discovery phase. It requires substantial experience and the ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy and strategic input.

Reporting Structure: As a freelance Senior Product Designer, the individual will work closely with a core project team, including a Product Owner and a Lead Designer. Day-to-day guidance and project oversight will likely come from a Valtech project manager or lead, with direct collaboration with the client's Product Owner.

Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer's impact is directly tied to shaping the foundational vision and user experience of new client products. Successful execution in this role can lead to significant improvements in user adoption, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, the client's business objectives and revenue generation by ensuring a strong product-market fit from the outset.

Growth Opportunities:

• Project Diversification: Opportunity to work on diverse projects for high-profile clients, expanding your portfolio and industry experience.
• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in product discovery, UX strategy, and leading "zero-to-one" product initiatives.
• Consulting Acumen: Develop stronger client-facing skills, workshop facilitation, and strategic advisory capabilities.
• Potential for Long-Term Engagement: Successful project delivery can lead to further freelance opportunities or potential consideration for full-time roles within Valtech's global network.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a freelance role, career growth is primarily measured by project experience, skill development, and network building. The seniority of the role implies an expectation of leadership within the project team and the ability to mentor or guide less experienced designers if needed.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position, meaning there is no physical office requirement. Work will be conducted from the designer's own location.

Office Location(s): The job is listed as "North Macedonia - Remote," indicating that candidates based in North Macedonia are specifically being sought for this remote opportunity.

Workspace Context:

• The work environment is remote and collaborative, requiring strong digital communication and project management tools.
• Designers will utilize tools like Figma for design and prototyping, and likely other platforms for communication (e.g., Slack, Teams) and project management (e.g., Jira, Asana).
• Expect regular virtual meetings, including stand-ups, design reviews, and client presentations, fostering interaction with team members and stakeholders.

Work Schedule: The role likely requires a standard commitment of approximately 40 hours per week. While remote work offers flexibility, timely collaboration with team members and client stakeholders in potentially different time zones will be essential. Candidates should be prepared to adapt their schedule to facilitate effective communication and project progress.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "North Macedonia - Remote" specification suggests Valtech may be targeting talent within a specific region for this freelance role, potentially due to contracting agreements or regional project needs.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Review: Initial screening of applications and portfolios by the Talent Acquisition team to assess alignment with experience and skill requirements.
• Initial Screening Call: A brief conversation with a recruiter or hiring manager to discuss your background, experience, and interest in the role.
• Portfolio Presentation & Technical Interview: A more in-depth session where you'll present your portfolio, discuss your design process, and potentially tackle a design challenge or case study related to product discovery and UX strategy. This stage will assess your problem-solving, facilitation, and Figma skills.
• Client/Stakeholder Interview: You may have an opportunity to speak with the client's Product Owner or key stakeholders to assess cultural fit and strategic alignment.
• Final Decision: Based on the cumulative assessment of your skills, experience, and fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-4 strong case studies that best showcase your experience in product discovery, UX strategy, and leading "zero-to-one" initiatives.
• Structure Your Case Studies: For each project, clearly outline the problem statement, your role and responsibilities, the design process you followed (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), key decisions, challenges overcome, and the final outcome/impact.
• Highlight Figma Skills: Explicitly demonstrate your Figma proficiency through interactive prototypes, component libraries, and collaborative workflows within your presentation.
• Emphasize Process: Detail how you conduct workshops, stakeholder interviews, and user research. Show your ability to synthesize information and guide abstract ideas into concrete designs.
• Quantify Impact: If possible, include metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrate the success of your designs.
• Practice Your Narrative: Be prepared to walk through your portfolio confidently, articulating your thought process and design rationale clearly and concisely.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready for potential design challenges that simulate the discovery phase, requiring you to define a problem, propose user research methods, and sketch initial concepts or user flows.
• Prepare to discuss your approach to handling ambiguity and guiding stakeholders with unclear objectives.
• Practice articulating your design decisions and their connection to business goals and user needs under pressure.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a senior freelance role will heavily scrutinize the candidate's portfolio and their ability to articulate their strategic and tactical design process. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate leadership and problem-solving skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for all design, prototyping, and collaborative workflows. Proficiency in advanced features like component systems, auto layout, and interactive prototyping is expected.
• User Research Platforms: Familiarity with tools for conducting user interviews and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback) is beneficial.
• Collaboration Tools: Proficiency with platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom for communication and virtual meetings.
• Project Management Tools: Experience with tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, or Monday.com for managing tasks and project workflows.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly a primary tool for this role, understanding how to interpret analytics data (e.g., from Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) to inform design decisions is advantageous.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to core design responsibilities, but awareness of how design integrates with CRM and marketing automation platforms can be a plus for broader product understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is explicitly called out as a required skill and tool. The emphasis on collaboration and project management tools reflects the nature of remote, team-based project work.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Share: Valtech values knowledge sharing and collaboration. Expect an environment where ideas are openly exchanged and team members support each other's growth.
• Care: The company emphasizes a supportive culture where individuals feel valued and empowered. This extends to fostering diversity and inclusion.
• Dare: Valtech encourages innovation and taking calculated risks. Be prepared to challenge the status quo and propose creative solutions.
• User-Centricity: A core value is designing experiences that are deeply rooted in user needs and behaviors.
• Data-Informed Decisions: While creative, decisions are expected to be grounded in research, data, and strategic insights.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers work closely with Product Owners, strategists, and developers, requiring strong communication and the ability to translate between disciplines.
• Iterative Feedback: Valtech likely fosters a culture of continuous feedback and iteration, encouraging designers to be open to constructive criticism and collaborative refinement.
• Knowledge Sharing: Expect opportunities to share insights from user research, design explorations, and project learnings with the wider team and potentially the client.

📝 Enhancement Note: Valtech's stated values of "share, care, and dare" provide a strong foundation for understanding the expected team culture. The emphasis on a "borderless, global framework" suggests a highly collaborative and interconnected approach to work.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Working on "zero-to-one" products means dealing with undefined problems and abstract client goals, requiring strong problem-solving and strategic thinking.
• Client Management: Effectively guiding clients through the discovery process, managing expectations, and translating their vision into actionable design requirements.
• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong communication, collaboration, and cohesion within a distributed, cross-functional team.
• Rapid Iteration: The need to quickly validate designs and iterate based on feedback in a fast-paced project environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Design Leadership: Opportunity to hone skills in leading UX strategy and defining product direction from the ground up.
• Client Advisory: Gain experience in consulting with clients and influencing product strategy at a high level.
• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Work closely with diverse teams, gaining insights into different aspects of digital transformation and product development.
• Portfolio Enhancement: Successful project completion will add significant, high-impact case studies to your professional portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents a significant opportunity for growth in strategic design and client advisory skills, particularly for those looking to specialize in early-stage product development. The challenges are inherent to pioneering new products and require a proactive, adaptable mindset.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Product Vision & Strategy: "How would you approach defining the UX strategy for a completely new product with abstract business goals?" "Describe a time you guided a client with vague objectives to a clear product vision."
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: "How do you ensure alignment between business goals, user needs, and technical constraints when collaborating with Product Owners and stakeholders?" "Describe your process for facilitating discovery workshops."
• Problem-Solving & Process: "Walk us through a complex UX problem you solved. What was your process, and what were the key decisions?" "How do you ensure your designs are validated and iterate based on user feedback?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• Valtech's Values: "How do Valtech's values of 'share, care, and dare' resonate with your own work philosophy?" "Describe a time you embodied these values in a project."
• Team Dynamics: "What is your preferred collaboration style when working remotely with a small, focused team?" "How do you handle feedback from team members or stakeholders?"
• Operations Impact: "How do you measure the success of your design work and demonstrate its impact on business objectives?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with the 'Why': Clearly articulate the business problem and user need for each case study.
• Detail Your Process: Walk through each step: research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping (showcasing Figma), testing, and iteration. Explain the rationale behind your choices.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals effectively. Demonstrate Figma prototypes, user flows, and key design screens.
• Highlight Collaboration: Explain how you worked with Product Owners, stakeholders, and developers.
• Focus on Impact: Conclude with the results – what was the outcome? How did your design solve the problem? Use metrics if available.
• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, challenges, and alternative approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to speak extensively about their design process, particularly their experience with discovery, user research, Figma, and stakeholder facilitation. Demonstrating strategic thinking and the ability to translate abstract concepts into tangible design solutions is paramount.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer (Freelance) position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.
• Portfolio Preparation: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, well-organized, and prominently features case studies demonstrating your expertise in UX strategy, product discovery, and Figma. Tailor your portfolio to highlight experience with "zero-to-one" products and client facilitation.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your 5+ years of relevant experience, emphasizing achievements in UX design, research, and project leadership. Use keywords from the job description, such as "UX strategy," "Figma," "user flows," "prototyping," and "stakeholder interviews."
• Interview Practice: Prepare to discuss your design process in detail, practice presenting your portfolio confidently, and anticipate questions about handling ambiguity and collaborating remotely. Rehearse your answers to common UX and design strategy questions.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Valtech's work, values, and their focus on "experience innovation." Understand their global presence and their approach to digital transformation.

⚠️ 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.