Senior Product Designer - Glasgow, United Kingdom

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer Company: Speechify Location: Glasgow, United Kingdom Job Type: Full-time Category: Product Design / UX/UI Date Posted: November 4, 2025 Experience Level: Mid-Senior (implied 5-10 years) Remote Status: Fully Remote (within Glasgow, UK)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the end-to-end product design lifecycle, from ideation and research through to prototyping, testing, and final delivery of consumer-facing features.
• Spearhead UX/UI enhancements and redesigns for Speechify's mobile applications (iOS and Android), focusing on intuitive user flows and engaging interfaces.
• Play a pivotal role in shaping the product roadmap by contributing strategic insights and data-driven recommendations derived from user research and analytics.
• Champion a customer-centric design approach, actively engaging with users to gather feedback and integrate it into iterative design improvements.
• Contribute to the evolution of Speechify's design organization by refining existing processes and establishing new design best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Based on the "Senior" title and the breadth of responsibilities including influencing the roadmap and shaping the design org, this role implies a significant level of autonomy and strategic input, likely requiring 5-10 years of dedicated product design experience. The focus on consumer products, AI, and audio technology suggests a need for designers who can translate complex technical capabilities into user-friendly experiences.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Feature Development: Pitch, prototype, test, build, ship, and iterate on new product features, ensuring alignment with user needs and business objectives.
• UX/UI Refinement: Enhance and optimize user experience and user interface patterns across Speechify's iOS and Android applications, ensuring a cohesive and intuitive design.
• User Flow Optimization: Rethink and redesign critical user journeys, including onboarding experiences, to improve user engagement, retention, and overall satisfaction.
• Product Strategy Contribution: Actively influence the product roadmap by providing data-informed insights, identifying key opportunities through analytics, and collaborating closely with Product Managers.
• Design Process Improvement: Contribute to refining Speechify's design processes, methodologies, and standards, helping to shape the future of the design organization.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with engineers, product managers, and other stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of design solutions and to inspire consensus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a hands-on approach to design ("pitch, prototype, test, build, ship, and refine") combined with strategic influence ("influence the product roadmap"). This indicates a need for a designer who can execute on detailed UI/UX tasks while also thinking at a higher, product-level. The mention of "rethinking onboarding and core user flows" points to a focus on conversion rate optimization and user acquisition/retention strategies.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a related field is typically expected for senior roles. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: Demonstrated experience in end-to-end product design for consumer-facing products across multiple platforms (iOS, Android, Web, Browser Extensions). A portfolio showcasing a strong track record of research, discovery, prototyping, and successful feature delivery is essential.

Required Skills:

• Product Thinking: Ability to understand product strategy, articulate the "what" and "why" behind design decisions, and leverage analytics to identify opportunities.
• Customer-Centricity: Proficiency in conducting user research, gathering customer feedback, and integrating insights effectively into the design process.
• UX/UI Design: Expertise in designing intuitive and engaging user interfaces and seamless user experiences across mobile and web platforms.
• Prototyping & Wireframing: Skilled in using industry-standard tools for creating wireframes, interactive prototypes, and user flow diagrams.
• Collaboration & Communication: Strong ability to articulate design ideas clearly, negotiate with cross-functional teams (PMs, Engineers, Execs), and provide constructive feedback.
• Design Craft: Excellent command of typography, information design, and micro-interactions, with an understanding of feasibility across different platforms (iOS, Android, Browser).
• Analytics Interpretation: Comfort in working with product analytics to inform design decisions and measure impact.

Preferred Skills:

• Audio Technology Understanding: Curiosity and a foundational understanding of audio technologies and their application in user products.
• High-Growth Startup Experience: Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment with a focus on rapid iteration and delivery.
• Asynchronous Work Proficiency: Experience and comfort working effectively in a fully remote, asynchronous team setting.
• Accessibility Design: Experience designing for inclusivity and accessibility, particularly for users with learning differences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Ideal Candidate" section strongly implies the required skills. "Product thinking," "Customer-centricity," "Collaboration," and "Craft" are explicitly mentioned as key attributes. The emphasis on "Focus" and "high-growth startup" suggests that experience in similar environments is highly valued. The "Senior" designation implies a need for a designer who can operate independently and mentor others.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Case Studies: Showcase 3-5 detailed case studies demonstrating the full product design lifecycle: problem definition, user research, ideation, prototyping, user testing, design iterations, and final shipped product.
• Cross-Platform Examples: Include examples of designs for both iOS and Android applications, and ideally, browser extensions or web apps, showcasing adaptability across different contexts.
• User Research & Data Integration: Clearly articulate the user research methodologies employed and how data (analytics, user feedback) informed design decisions and led to measurable improvements.
• Prototyping & Iteration: Demonstrate the iterative nature of your design process with examples of prototypes, user testing feedback, and subsequent design refinements.
• Strategic Rationale: For each case study, clearly explain the strategic thinking behind design choices and how they align with product goals and user needs.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Provide examples of designed user flows and wireframes that illustrate complex processes simplified for user comprehension.
• UI Pattern Consistency: Showcase how you maintain and develop consistent UI patterns across a product suite to ensure a cohesive user experience.
• Collaboration Artifacts: If possible, include examples of how you've documented design decisions or collaborated with engineering teams (e.g., design specs, handoff documentation).

📝 Enhancement Note: The job description explicitly asks for a portfolio linking to LinkedIn. For a Senior Product Designer role, especially at a startup like Speechify, the portfolio must go beyond just visual mockups. It needs to demonstrate strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and a deep understanding of user-centered design methodologies, including research and data integration. The emphasis on "pitch, prototype, test, build, ship" means the portfolio should ideally show shipped products.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Senior Product Designer in Glasgow, United Kingdom, with an estimated 5-10 years of experience, the salary range is likely between £60,000 - £85,000 per annum. This estimation considers the cost of living in Glasgow, the competitive tech market, and Speechify's position as a well-funded, high-growth startup.

Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation: Including salary and potential equity options (typical for startups).
• Impactful Work: Opportunity to work on a product that changes lives, especially for individuals with learning differences.
• Dynamic Environment: Contribute to shaping a company and its products in a fast-paced setting.
• Autonomy & Flexibility: Fostering focus and creativity with a commitment to an exceptional asynchronous work culture.
• Revolutionary Industry: Work at the intersection of AI and audio technology.
• Global Team: Collaborate with a diverse, distributed team of experienced professionals.
• Professional Development: Opportunities to grow within a rapidly evolving tech domain.

Working Hours: A standard full-time role, typically around 40 hours per week. Speechify emphasizes an "exceptional asynchronous work culture," suggesting flexibility in when and how work is completed, provided deadlines and collaboration needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job description mentions "Competitive compensation, a welcoming atmosphere, and a commitment to an exceptional asynchronous work culture" but does not specify a salary range or detailed benefits. The salary estimate is based on typical Senior Product Designer compensation in Glasgow, UK, and the company's growth-stage status. The emphasis on asynchronous work suggests a focus on output and results rather than strict adherence to traditional office hours.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (Software, AI, Education Technology, Audio Technology). Speechify operates at the forefront of text-to-speech technology, leveraging AI to enhance reading accessibility and comprehension. Company Size: Approximately 200 employees globally. This indicates a mid-sized, rapidly scaling startup environment. Founded: Speechify was founded with a mission to remove reading barriers, growing significantly through its innovative text-to-speech products. Its founding principles are deeply tied to inclusivity and accessibility.

Team Structure:

• Distributed & Remote: Speechify is a 100% distributed company with no physical offices, fostering an asynchronous work culture.
• Global Talent: The team comprises individuals from diverse backgrounds, including former employees of major tech companies (Amazon, Microsoft, Google) and founders of startups.
• Cross-functional Teams: Designers work closely with engineers (frontend, backend), AI research scientists, and Product Managers.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on using analytics and customer feedback to guide product development and design decisions.
• Agile & Iterative: High-growth startup environment implies rapid iteration cycles, continuous testing, and a focus on shipping features quickly.
• Customer-Centricity: A core value is understanding and serving the needs of users, especially those with learning differences.

Company Website: Speechify.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Speechify's commitment to being a 100% distributed company is a defining characteristic. This means the culture is built around asynchronous communication, self-discipline, and a focus on outcomes rather than presence. The company's mission around accessibility is also a strong cultural pillar.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Product Designer. This level implies a significant degree of autonomy, ownership, and the ability to influence product direction. It suggests the individual will be expected to lead design initiatives, mentor junior designers (if applicable), and contribute strategically to product development. The role is positioned to significantly impact user experience and product success metrics.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, a Senior Product Designer typically reports to a Design Lead, Head of Product, or a Product Manager. In a fully remote, lean startup, direct collaboration with founders or senior leadership is also common.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on user acquisition, engagement, retention, and overall product adoption. By improving UX/UI and core user flows, the designer contributes directly to Speechify's mission of making reading accessible and improving user productivity and learning outcomes. This impact is crucial for a growth-stage company reliant on user growth and product satisfaction.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a Design Lead or Manager role, overseeing design strategy and team growth as the company scales.
• Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-driven product design, audio technology, or accessibility design, becoming a subject matter expert.
• Product Strategy Influence: Further enhance influence on the product roadmap and become a key strategic partner in product decision-making.
• Cross-functional Expertise: Develop broader skills in product management, user research, and data analysis through close collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "Senior" title and the startup environment, growth opportunities are likely tied to the company's expansion. The emphasis on influencing the roadmap and shaping the design org suggests a path towards leadership or principal-level individual contributor roles, depending on the individual's aspirations and the company's evolving structure.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: 100% remote, distributed workforce. Speechify has no physical offices, meaning the entire team operates virtually.

Office Location(s): While the role is advertised for Glasgow, UK, the company operates globally with a distributed team. This means the candidate will be working remotely from their location in Glasgow.

Workspace Context:

• Asynchronous Communication: The primary mode of interaction will be asynchronous (Slack, email, project management tools), requiring strong written communication skills and self-discipline.
• Digital Collaboration Tools: Extensive use of digital tools for design (Figma, Sketch), collaboration (Miro, FigJam), project management (Jira, Asana), and communication (Slack, Zoom).
• Team Interaction: Opportunities for real-time collaboration via video calls, but the culture prioritizes focused, heads-down work and thoughtful asynchronous contributions.

Work Schedule: While the role is full-time, the asynchronous nature allows for flexibility in working hours, provided tasks are completed and collaboration windows are respected. Candidates must be comfortable managing their own schedule to meet deadlines and participate in necessary team syncs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote and asynchronous nature is a critical aspect of the work environment. Candidates must be highly self-motivated, possess excellent time management skills, and be comfortable communicating effectively without constant in-person interaction.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with the role and company mission.
• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A session where the candidate presents a selection of their work, discussing their process, strategic thinking, and impact. This is a key opportunity to showcase design craft and problem-solving.
• Design Challenge/Exercise: Likely a take-home assignment or an in-interview exercise focused on a specific design problem relevant to Speechify's products (e.g., redesigning a user flow, proposing a new feature).
• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other designers or leadership to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader or founder to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant case studies that showcase your end-to-end design process for consumer-facing products. Prioritize work that demonstrates impact and problem-solving.
• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the challenges, your design process and rationale, the solutions you developed, and the measurable outcomes or impact.
• Highlight Data & Research: Explicitly detail how user research and data analytics informed your design decisions and led to improvements.
• Showcase Iteration: Include examples of prototypes, user feedback, and how your designs evolved based on testing and iteration.
• Demonstrate Craft: Ensure your portfolio visuals are polished and well-presented, showcasing strong typography, layout, and interaction design.
• Explain Feasibility: Briefly touch upon your understanding of technical constraints and how you worked with engineers.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Mission: Familiarize yourself with Speechify's product, its mission around accessibility, and its target audience (users of text-to-speech, especially those with learning differences).
• Analyze User Flows: Be prepared to analyze and critique existing user flows or propose improvements for core features like onboarding, content consumption, or account management.
• Think Strategically: Consider how design decisions align with business goals, user acquisition, and retention strategies.
• Focus on Impact: Frame your solutions around how they will benefit the user and the business, using quantifiable metrics where possible.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "pitch, prototype, test, build, ship" means the interview process will likely focus heavily on practical application and demonstrable results. A strong portfolio that tells a compelling story of problem-solving and impact is critical.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable, given industry trends and startup usage), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator).
• User Research & Testing: UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, or similar platforms for remote usability testing and feedback collection.
• Collaboration & Whiteboarding: Miro, FigJam, Mural for brainstorming, user flow mapping, and collaborative design sessions.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Mixpanel, Amplitude, Google Analytics, or similar tools to track user behavior, feature adoption, and conversion rates.
• Data Visualization: Tools that integrate with analytics platforms to create dashboards for reporting on key metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM: While not a primary design tool, an understanding of how design impacts CRM processes (e.g., lead generation through onboarding) is beneficial. Salesforce or similar might be relevant in collaboration with Sales Ops.
• Project Management: Jira, Asana, Trello for managing design tasks, sprints, and workflows.
• Communication: Slack for real-time team communication; email for formal correspondence.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools are not listed, the nature of a modern, remote-first tech company, especially one focused on product design and data, implies proficiency in industry-standard design software (like Figma), user research platforms, and analytics tools. Experience with asynchronous collaboration tools is also key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong commitment to Speechify's mission of making reading accessible for everyone, particularly those with learning differences like dyslexia and ADD.
• Customer-Centricity: Placing the user at the heart of all design and product decisions, actively seeking and incorporating user feedback.
• Innovation & Drive: A culture that encourages new ideas, rapid experimentation, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Data-Informed: Making decisions based on a combination of user insights, analytics, and strategic thinking.
• Efficiency & Focus: Operating effectively in a high-growth, remote environment, valuing focused work and clear communication.
• Inclusivity: Commitment to diversity and creating a welcoming workplace for all.

Collaboration Style:

• Asynchronous First: Prioritizing clear, concise written communication and well-documented decisions for effective collaboration across time zones.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Working closely and respectfully with Product Managers and Engineers, valuing their expertise and fostering a shared understanding of goals.
• Constructive Feedback: A culture where constructive feedback is welcomed and exchanged openly among team members to drive continuous improvement.
• Autonomy & Trust: Empowering individuals to own their work and make decisions, fostering a sense of responsibility and trust within the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission statement ("reading is never a barrier to learning") is a strong indicator of its core values. Coupled with the remote, asynchronous nature, the culture likely emphasizes trust, clear communication, and a shared passion for the product's impact.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling Design Systems: As Speechify grows, maintaining and evolving a consistent design system across multiple platforms (iOS, Android, Web, Chrome Extension) will be a key challenge.
• Balancing Speed and Quality: In a high-growth startup, there's a constant tension between the need to ship features quickly and the requirement to maintain high design quality and user experience.
• Remote Collaboration Nuances: Effectively collaborating and fostering a strong design culture in a fully remote, asynchronous environment requires deliberate effort and robust communication strategies.
• Translating Complex Tech: Designing intuitive interfaces for advanced AI-powered features (like text-to-speech) requires deep user understanding and creative problem-solving.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI & Audio Tech Expertise: Gain deep experience working at the intersection of AI, audio processing, and user-facing applications.
• Product Strategy Acumen: Develop a stronger understanding of product management, market analysis, and strategic roadmap planning.
• Leadership Skills: Opportunity to mentor junior designers, lead design initiatives, and potentially grow into a leadership role within the design team.
• Accessibility Design Mastery: Become an expert in designing for inclusivity and catering to users with diverse needs, including learning disabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to a rapidly scaling, remote-first tech company focused on innovative products. The growth opportunities are directly tied to overcoming these challenges and developing expertise in cutting-edge technology and design methodologies.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you influenced a product roadmap with your design insights. What data or research did you use?" (Focus on your product thinking and data analysis skills).
• "Walk us through the most challenging UX problem you've solved for a consumer-facing product. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Highlight your problem-solving methodology and impact).
• "How do you balance user needs with business objectives and technical constraints in your designs?" (Demonstrate your understanding of trade-offs and strategic alignment).
• "How do you approach designing for accessibility, especially for users with learning differences like dyslexia or ADD?" (Showcase your customer-centricity and empathy).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Speechify's mission and our product?" (Research the company thoroughly and articulate genuine interest).
• "How do you thrive in a fully remote, asynchronous work environment? What are your strategies for effective collaboration?" (Emphasize your self-discipline, communication skills, and proactive approach).
• "Describe your experience working with engineers and product managers. How do you ensure smooth collaboration and alignment?" (Provide examples of successful cross-functional partnerships).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, use a clear story arc: Problem -> Your Role & Process -> Solutions -> Impact/Results.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics (e.g., increased conversion by X%, reduced task completion time by Y%, improved user satisfaction scores) to demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (mockups, prototypes, user flow diagrams) to illustrate your points, but be ready to explain the "why" behind every design decision.
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, alternative solutions you considered, and how you handled feedback or challenges.
• Highlight Collaboration: Briefly mention how you collaborated with PMs and engineers during the process.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skills, but also strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and a cultural fit for a fast-paced, remote, mission-driven startup. The portfolio presentation is a critical component.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on Greenhouse.
• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume highlights experience in consumer-facing products, end-to-end design processes, UX/UI, prototyping, and cross-platform design. Use keywords from the job description.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Prepare a robust portfolio with 3-5 detailed case studies that showcase your process, problem-solving skills, and measurable impact. Ensure it's easily accessible (e.g., via a website link or PDF).
• Write a Compelling Cover Letter/Application: Briefly articulate why you are a strong fit for Speechify's mission and this specific role, highlighting key experiences that align with the job requirements. Mention your interest in AI and audio technology.
• Prepare for an Interview: Familiarize yourself with Speechify's products, mission, and values. Be ready to present your portfolio effectively and discuss your design process and strategic thinking.

⚠️ 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.

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