Senior Product Designer - Liverpool, United Kingdom

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer
Company: Speechify
Location: Liverpool, United Kingdom
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design
Date Posted: November 4, 2025
Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)
Remote Status: Remote Solely

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the end-to-end product design lifecycle, from ideation and research through to prototyping, testing, and final delivery of user-centric features.
• Specialize in refining and enhancing User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) patterns across Speechify's core platforms, including iOS and Android mobile applications.
• Play a pivotal role in reimagining and optimizing critical user journeys, such as onboarding flows and core user interactions, to improve engagement and retention.
• Contribute significantly to shaping the product roadmap by leveraging data analytics and user insights to identify key opportunities for innovation and improvement.
• Actively participate in refining internal design processes and contribute to the growth and development of the broader design organization within a fast-paced startup environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is explicitly for a Senior Product Designer, indicating a need for individuals capable of independent work, strategic input, and mentorship. The emphasis on "pitch, prototype, test, build, ship, and refine" highlights a hands-on approach expected from a senior-level designer. The company's mission and the mention of AI and audio technology suggest a forward-thinking, innovative design environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Initiate and lead the design process for new features, from initial concept generation and user research to iterative prototyping, rigorous testing, and successful deployment across multiple platforms.
• Conduct in-depth user research and leverage analytics to deeply understand user needs, behaviors, and pain points, translating these insights into actionable design strategies.
• Design and optimize intuitive and engaging user flows for onboarding, feature adoption, and core user interactions, ensuring a seamless and positive user experience.
• Collaborate closely with Product Managers and engineers to define product requirements, influence the product roadmap, and ensure design feasibility and technical execution.
• Develop and maintain a consistent and high-quality UX/UI design language and pattern library across Speechify's iOS and Android applications, ensuring brand consistency and usability.
• Create high-fidelity prototypes and interactive mockups to effectively communicate design concepts and user flows to stakeholders for feedback and buy-in.
• Advocate for the user throughout the product development process, ensuring that design decisions are data-informed and customer-centric.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of design processes, tools, and methodologies within the team, fostering a culture of innovation and efficiency.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies (especially in AI and audio), and best practices in product design to drive innovation and maintain a competitive edge.
• Refine and articulate design rationale, present design solutions clearly and persuasively to cross-functional teams and leadership, and actively participate in design critiques.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description emphasizes a full-cycle design responsibility, from ideation to delivery, and influencing the product roadmap. This suggests a level of autonomy and strategic input beyond typical junior roles. The mention of "refine our process and help shape the design org" indicates a leadership component where the Senior Product Designer is expected to contribute to the evolution of the design team and its practices.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating practical application of design principles and methodologies is paramount. Candidates with degrees in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or related fields may be preferred.
Experience: A minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in product design, with a proven track record of delivering successful consumer-facing digital products across multiple platforms (iOS, Android, Web). Experience within a high-growth startup environment is highly desirable.

Required Skills:

• Product Thinking: Ability to understand business strategy, articulate design decisions with "what and why" alongside "how," and collaborate with Product Managers using analytics to identify critical opportunities.
• UX/UI Design Expertise: Proficient in designing intuitive user interfaces and seamless user experiences, with a strong understanding of mobile (iOS/Android) and web design principles.
• User Research & Customer Centricity: Demonstrated experience in conducting user research, gathering customer feedback, and integrating insights into the design process to create user-validated solutions.
• Prototyping & Iteration: Skilled in creating interactive prototypes (e.g., using Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD) for user testing and stakeholder communication, with a commitment to iterative design refinement.
• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts clearly, negotiate effectively with cross-functional teams (PMs, engineers, executives), and contribute to a collaborative environment.
• Design Craftsmanship: Strong aesthetic sensibility and technical skill in typography, information design, layout, and attention to detail in micro-interactions.
• Platform Awareness: Understanding of technical constraints and possibilities within iOS, Android, and browser environments.

Preferred Skills:

• Audio Technology Familiarity: Curiosity and understanding of audio-related products and user experiences.
• AI/ML Integration: Experience or strong interest in designing for products that leverage Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
• Data Analysis Acumen: Ability to interpret user data and analytics to inform design decisions and measure impact.
• Design System Development: Experience in creating or contributing to design systems for scalable product development.
• Remote/Asynchronous Work Proficiency: Proven ability to thrive in a fully remote, asynchronous work environment, demonstrating effective self-management and communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Ideal Candidate Should Have" section directly translates into the required skills. The emphasis on "consumer-facing products across multiple platforms" and "product thinking" alongside "analytics" points towards a need for designers who can balance user needs with business objectives and technical feasibility. The mention of "curious about audio" and "AI" signals a desire for designers open to new technological frontiers.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• End-to-End Case Studies: Showcase a minimum of 2-3 comprehensive case studies detailing your involvement in the entire product design lifecycle: research, discovery, prototyping, user testing, and final delivery of consumer-facing products.
• Platform Diversity: Demonstrate experience designing for multiple platforms, ideally including iOS, Android, and web applications. Highlight how you adapted designs for different contexts and constraints.
• Problem-Solution Framing: Clearly articulate the user problem or business challenge addressed by each project, the design process followed, the rationale behind key design decisions, and the measurable impact or outcomes achieved.
• Visual & Interaction Design: Present high-fidelity mockups, interactive prototypes, and examples of refined UX/UI patterns, showcasing your attention to detail in typography, layout, micro-interactions, and overall aesthetic.
• Data & Feedback Integration: Illustrate how user research, customer feedback, and product analytics informed your design process and led to iterative improvements.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Provide examples or descriptions of how you have mapped out and optimized user workflows, particularly for onboarding or complex feature interactions.
• Iterative Improvement: Detail projects where you used A/B testing, user feedback, or analytics to iterate on designs and achieve specific performance improvements.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Describe your process for collaborating with Product Managers, Engineers, and other stakeholders, including how you communicate design rationale and gather input.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit request for "links to your portfolio" in the application instructions, coupled with the emphasis on "research, discovery, prototyping, and delivery of consumer-facing products across multiple platforms," necessitates a portfolio that demonstrates a full-cycle design process. The mention of "analytics" and "product thinking" implies that case studies should also highlight data-driven decision-making and strategic alignment.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers with 5-10 years of experience in the United Kingdom, particularly in a high-growth tech startup, the estimated salary range is £60,000 - £90,000 per annum. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, skill set, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation: Includes salary and potentially equity or performance-based bonuses, reflecting the candidate's experience and contribution to a high-growth startup.
• Impactful Work: The opportunity to work on a product with a significant social impact, particularly for individuals with learning differences, and to be at the forefront of AI and audio technology.
• Autonomy & Flexibility: A dynamic, remote-only work environment that fosters creativity, focus, and autonomy, with a commitment to an exceptional asynchronous work culture.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for growth within the company as it scales, with potential for increased responsibility and leadership within the design organization.
• Inclusive Culture: A commitment to diversity and inclusion, ensuring a welcoming atmosphere for all employees.
• Health & Well-being: While specific details are not provided, typical benefits in such companies may include health insurance, mental health support, and flexible working arrangements.

Working Hours: While not explicitly stated, a standard full-time role in the UK typically involves 37.5 to 40 hours per week. Speechify emphasizes an asynchronous work culture, suggesting flexibility in when work is done, provided deadlines and collaborative needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary ranges for Senior Product Designers in the UK can vary significantly by location and company. Liverpool generally has a lower cost of living than London, which might influence the range. The estimate of £60,000 - £90,000 is based on general UK tech market data for this seniority and role, acknowledging Speechify's startup nature and its global reach. The emphasis on asynchronous work implies a focus on output and results rather than strict adherence to traditional office hours.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, specifically focused on AI-powered text-to-speech (TTS) and accessibility solutions. Speechify operates at the intersection of EdTech, AI, and AudioTech, aiming to revolutionize reading and learning.
Company Size: Approximately 200 employees globally. This indicates a growing startup that has moved beyond its early stages but still retains much of the agility and dynamism of a smaller organization.
Founded: Speechify was founded to address reading barriers, with its mission to ensure reading is never a barrier to learning. While the exact founding year isn't stated, its growth to 50 million users and recognition by Apple and Google suggests a significant period of development and product-market fit.

Team Structure:

• Distributed & Asynchronous: Speechify operates as a 100% distributed company with no physical offices, emphasizing asynchronous communication and collaboration.
• Cross-Functional Teams: Design, Engineering (Frontend, Backend, AI Research), and Product Management teams work closely together, likely organized into feature-focused squads or project teams.
• Global Talent Pool: Employees are based around the globe, bringing diverse perspectives and experiences from top tech companies and academic institutions.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Product Development: Strong emphasis on using analytics to pinpoint key opportunities and drive product decisions.
• Customer-Centric Design: Active engagement with customers to gather feedback and integrate it into the design and development process.
• Agile & Iterative: As a high-growth startup, the company likely employs agile methodologies, focusing on rapid iteration, testing, and shipping new features.
• Innovation in AI & Audio: A core focus on leveraging AI and audio technologies to create innovative solutions for reading and learning.

Company Website: https://speechify.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission is central to its culture, driving a sense of purpose. The fully remote and asynchronous nature is a critical aspect influencing collaboration and work style expectations. The blend of AI, audio, and accessibility positions Speechify in a unique and rapidly evolving market segment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as "Senior Product Designer," indicating a position that requires significant independent contribution, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence product direction. Senior designers are expected to lead complex projects, mentor junior team members (if applicable), and contribute to the evolution of design processes and standards.
Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, a Senior Product Designer typically reports to a Design Lead, Head of Design, or a Product Manager. In a distributed company, reporting lines are often clear but may involve more asynchronous communication and project-based collaboration.
Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer's impact is directly tied to the user experience and usability of Speechify's products. By improving features, onboarding, and user flows, they directly contribute to user acquisition, engagement, retention, and ultimately, revenue growth, especially given the company's mission to remove reading barriers for millions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership within Design: Potential to grow into a Design Lead or Managerial role as the design organization expands, overseeing teams and strategic design initiatives.
• Specialization: Deepen expertise in areas like AI-driven design, audio UX, or accessibility design, becoming a subject matter expert.
• Product Strategy Influence: Increase influence over the product roadmap and strategic direction of Speechify's offerings.
• Cross-Functional Growth: Develop skills in product management, engineering collaboration, and business strategy through close work with other departments.
• Startup Growth: Benefit from the rapid scaling of a successful startup, with opportunities to take on new challenges and responsibilities as the company evolves.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies a career path beyond individual contribution, potentially into leadership or specialized expertise. The company's growth trajectory offers significant opportunities for career advancement within a fast-paced environment.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Speechify operates as a 100% distributed company with no physical offices. This means the work environment is entirely remote.
Office Location(s): The job is posted for "Liverpool, United Kingdom," but given Speechify's distributed model, this likely indicates a preferred location for benefits, payroll, or legal purposes, rather than a physical office requirement. The team is global.

Workspace Context:

• Home Office Setup: Employees are expected to manage their own productive home office environments.
• Asynchronous Collaboration Tools: Reliance on tools like Slack, email, project management software (e.g., Asana, Jira), and video conferencing for communication and collaboration.
• Focus on Output: The culture emphasizes results and productivity over presenteeism, allowing deep work and focused periods.
• Global Team Interaction: Opportunities to collaborate with a diverse, international team, fostering a broad perspective.

Work Schedule: Speechify champions an "exceptional asynchronous work culture." While a standard full-time workload (e.g., 40 hours/week) is expected, the timing is flexible, allowing individuals to work during hours that best suit their productivity and time zone, provided they meet project deadlines and participate in necessary synchronous meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote and asynchronous nature is a defining characteristic of Speechify's work environment. Candidates should be comfortable with self-direction, proactive communication, and managing their time effectively without direct supervision in a traditional office setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process: While specific steps are not detailed, a typical process for a Senior Product Designer at a tech company like Speechify might include:

• Application Review: Initial screening of resumes and portfolios for relevant experience and skills.
• Recruiter Screen: A brief call to assess cultural fit, motivation, and basic qualifications.
• Hiring Manager/Design Lead Interview: Deeper dive into experience, design philosophy, and approach to problem-solving.
• Portfolio Presentation & Design Challenge: A critical stage where candidates present case studies from their portfolio and/or complete a design exercise (e.g., a take-home challenge or a live collaborative session) to assess practical skills, strategic thinking, and communication.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers and Engineers to evaluate collaboration skills and technical understanding.
• Final Round/Executive Interview: A final conversation, potentially with a co-founder or senior leader, to assess alignment with company vision and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-4 of your strongest, most relevant case studies that demonstrate your end-to-end product design process, from research to delivery, and highlight your impact.
• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role and process, the design decisions you made (and why), and the measurable outcomes. Focus on the "why" behind your design choices.
• Showcase Impact: Quantify your achievements whenever possible. Use metrics related to user engagement, conversion rates, task completion times, or user satisfaction to demonstrate the value you delivered.
• Platform Variety: Ensure your portfolio includes examples of designs for mobile (iOS/Android) and potentially web applications, as Speechify operates across these platforms.
• Clarity and Conciseness: Present your work clearly and concisely. Use high-quality visuals, interactive prototypes (if possible), and well-written explanations. Ensure your writing reflects the attention to detail mentioned in the job description.
• Address the Mission: If possible, tailor your presentation to align with Speechify's mission of making reading accessible.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Product: Familiarize yourself deeply with Speechify's existing products (apps, extensions) and its mission.
• Anticipate Problem Types: Be prepared for challenges that might involve improving existing user flows, designing new features, or solving complex UX problems within the text-to-speech or educational technology space.
• Focus on Process: For any design challenge, emphasize your thought process, research methods, and iterative approach, not just the final visual design.
• Communicate Effectively: Practice articulating your thoughts and decisions clearly, as if presenting to product managers and engineers. Be ready to explain trade-offs and justify your solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "Senior" title and the company's focus on impact, the portfolio review and any design challenge will likely heavily scrutinize the candidate's ability to drive product outcomes, think strategically, and collaborate effectively. Demonstrating an understanding of user data and business goals will be crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable as industry standard for collaborative design), Sketch, Adobe XD.
• User Research: Tools for surveys (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform), user testing platforms (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze), and potentially qualitative research tools.
• Collaboration & Communication: Slack (essential for asynchronous communication), Zoom/Google Meet (for synchronous meetings), Asana/Jira/Trello (for project management).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics, or similar platforms to track user behavior, feature adoption, and conversion funnels.
• Data Visualization: Tableau, Looker, or built-in dashboarding tools within analytics platforms to present insights.

CRM & Automation:

• While directly managed by other teams, designers should understand how CRM data (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) might inform user segmentation or how marketing automation tools are used, as this can impact user journeys and communication.
• Integration Tools: Awareness of how different tools connect and how data flows between them can be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job description doesn't explicitly list tools, but industry standards for product design in SaaS/app environments heavily lean towards Figma for design and prototyping, and a robust analytics platform for data-driven decision-making. Proficiency in collaborative tools like Slack is also a must for a remote, asynchronous team.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong commitment to Speechify's mission of making reading accessible, fostering a sense of purpose and impact in daily work.
• Customer-Centricity: Placing the user at the heart of all design and product decisions, valuing customer feedback and striving for exceptional user experiences.
• Innovation & Curiosity: Encouraging exploration of new technologies, particularly in AI and audio, and fostering a mindset of continuous learning and improvement.
• Collaboration & Transparency: Valuing open communication, constructive feedback, and effective teamwork across distributed teams.
• Drive & Focus: A high-growth startup mentality that requires individuals to be proactive, focused, and deliver results efficiently.
• Inclusivity: A commitment to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome and valued.

Collaboration Style:

• Asynchronous First: Emphasizing clear, concise written communication and documentation to facilitate collaboration across time zones and schedules.
• Data-Informed Discussions: Encouraging decisions to be backed by user data and analytics, leading to productive, objective discussions.
• Opinionated yet Open: The team is described as having "opinionated PMs, engineers, and execs," suggesting a culture where strong ideas are encouraged, but there's also a willingness to "play and negotiate" to find the best solutions.
• Remote Team Integration: Active efforts to foster team cohesion and connection despite the physical distance, likely through virtual social events or dedicated communication channels.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "opinionated PMs, engineers, and execs" hints at a dynamic, potentially challenging, but ultimately collaborative environment where robust debate leads to better product outcomes. The asynchronous nature necessitates a culture of trust and proactive communication.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Diverse Needs: Creating inclusive designs that cater to users with various learning differences (dyslexia, ADD) and technical proficiencies, while also serving a broader user base.
• Balancing Innovation with Usability: Integrating cutting-edge AI and audio technologies without overwhelming users or compromising core usability and performance.
• Remote Collaboration Complexity: Navigating the nuances of asynchronous communication, maintaining strong team cohesion, and ensuring effective collaboration across global time zones.
• High-Growth Startup Pace: Adapting to rapid changes, evolving priorities, and the need to deliver quickly in a fast-paced environment.
• Defining and Refining Processes: As a growing startup, contributing to the establishment and optimization of design processes, tools, and best practices.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI & Audio Technology Immersion: Gaining hands-on experience with rapidly evolving technologies at the forefront of the industry.
• Accessibility Design Expertise: Deepening knowledge and practical application of inclusive design principles for users with learning differences.
• Product Strategy & Roadmap Influence: Growing from feature design to having a significant impact on overall product strategy and direction.
• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Learning from and collaborating closely with engineers, AI researchers, and product managers to broaden understanding of the product development ecosystem.
• Remote Leadership Potential: Developing skills in leading and mentoring teams in a distributed, asynchronous work environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly linked to the innovative nature of Speechify's product and its operating model. The growth opportunities are substantial, particularly for those who thrive in dynamic, mission-driven environments and want to shape the future of accessible technology.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Product Strategy & Vision: "How would you approach designing a new feature for Speechify that leverages AI to improve comprehension for users with dyslexia?" (Focus on your process, research methods, and how you'd align with the mission.)
• User-Centric Design: "Describe a time you used customer feedback or analytics to significantly change a design direction. What was the outcome?" (Prepare a specific case study from your portfolio.)
• Problem-Solving & Trade-offs: "Imagine we want to reduce the time it takes for a new user to complete the onboarding process by 20%. What steps would you take to achieve this, and what potential trade-offs would you consider?" (Demonstrate analytical thinking and pragmatic decision-making.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Mission Alignment: "Why are you passionate about Speechify's mission to make reading accessible?" (Connect your personal values or experiences to the company's purpose.)
• Remote Work Philosophy: "How do you maintain productivity and collaboration in a fully remote, asynchronous environment? What are your preferred communication strategies?" (Highlight self-discipline, proactive communication, and effective tool usage.)
• Design Process & Collaboration: "How do you typically collaborate with Product Managers and Engineers? Describe your approach to design critiques and feedback." (Showcase your ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, key design decisions, and the quantifiable results or impact achieved. Use metrics whenever possible.
• Tell a Narrative: Structure your presentation as a compelling story, guiding the interviewer through your design journey and the evolution of the solution.
• Explain the "Why": Be prepared to deeply explain the rationale behind your design choices, linking them back to user needs, business goals, and technical considerations.
• Demonstrate Craftsmanship: Showcase high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes, highlighting your attention to detail in UI, typography, and micro-interactions.
• Adaptability: Be ready to discuss how you adapted your designs for different platforms (iOS, Android, Web) and how you would approach new challenges specific to Speechify's product.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely assess not only design skills but also strategic thinking, communication, cultural fit for a remote/asynchronous environment, and alignment with Speechify's mission. Be prepared to defend design choices with data and user insights.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features 2-4 comprehensive case studies that demonstrate your end-to-end product design process, focusing on consumer-facing products across multiple platforms (iOS, Android, Web). Highlight your specific contributions, design rationale, and measurable impact.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience relevant to Speechify's mission, including work on consumer apps, accessibility, AI/audio technology, and experience in fast-paced, remote, or startup environments. Use keywords from the job description and integrate metrics where possible.
• Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your passion for Speechify's mission, your approach to user-centric and data-driven design, and how you thrive in a remote, asynchronous work culture during interviews. Practice presenting your portfolio case studies concisely and persuasively.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Speechify's products, mission, and recent news. Understand their target audience and the competitive landscape, particularly in the text-to-speech and accessibility technology sectors.

⚠️ 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.