Senior Product Designer (Perm or Contract, Ireland, Remote)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer
Company: Nearform
Location: Ireland
Job Type: Permanent or Contract, Full-Time
Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design
Date Posted: 2025-09-29
Experience Level: Senior (6+ years commercial experience)
Remote Status: Fully Remote (within Ireland)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the transformation of client ideas into tangible, user-centered digital products.
• Drive strategic design initiatives, enhancing business objectives through a design-led approach.
• Execute and oversee UX research to inform design decisions and validate user needs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and client stakeholders to deliver impactful software experiences.
• Champion modern web technologies and user-centered design principles within client engagements.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Senior Product Designer," the description also mentions "Design Director" and implies a client-facing consultative role. This suggests the position requires not only strong design execution but also strategic client advisory and leadership capabilities, aligning with a senior consultant or principal designer profile within a professional services firm.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Guide clients through the product development lifecycle, translating abstract ideas into concrete, user-friendly digital solutions.
• Define and enhance client business objectives by applying a deep understanding of user needs and market trends through design thinking.
• Plan, conduct, and analyze small-scale UX research projects to gather critical user insights and inform design strategy.
• Contribute to and evolve client design systems, ensuring consistency, scalability, and adherence to best practices.
• Collaborate with brand and product teams to mature brand adherence in product design and advance accessibility standards.
• Facilitate workshops and creative problem-solving sessions to drive innovation and alignment among stakeholders.
• Support Design and Technical Leaders in project execution, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery.
• Engage in close collaboration with client design, product, and technical teams to foster seamless integration and successful outcomes.
• Develop logical, consistent, and scalable design solutions rooted in systems thinking and established design principles.
• Confidently present design concepts, research findings, and strategic recommendations to diverse client audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of individual contribution and client enablement. The emphasis on "guiding clients," "clarifying business objectives," and "facilitating workshops" points to a consultative aspect of the role, requiring strong communication and strategic thinking beyond pure design execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent knowledge and practical application of design principles is expected. Industry certifications or relevant coursework in UX/UI design, human-computer interaction, or related fields would be advantageous.

Experience: Minimum of 6 years of commercial experience as a Senior Product Designer, with a proven track record of delivering complex digital products.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience delivering at a Senior Product Designer level with a substantial portfolio.
• Deep knowledge of user interface (UI) design principles and best practices.
• Extensive experience working on rich web applications, websites, mobile applications, and enterprise/B2B software.
• Practical experience across the entire product design lifecycle, from user journeys and personas to UI design and prototyping.
• Demonstrated ability to apply and drive a user-centered design process with clients, development teams, and colleagues.
• Proficiency with design and collaboration tools such as Miro, Figma, or equivalent.
• Strong understanding of the capabilities and constraints of modern web technologies.
• Practical experience conducting and applying user testing and product evaluation with customers.
• Proven experience delivering projects within an Agile development environment.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Professional fluency in English.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience contributing to or managing design systems.
• Familiarity with brand strategy and its application in product design.
• Knowledge of accessibility standards and best practices (e.g., WCAG).
• Experience in facilitating design thinking workshops and problem-solving sessions.
• A sensibility for coding principles and how design translates to implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 6+ years of commercial experience and the emphasis on client guidance, research, and collaboration suggest that candidates with agency or consultancy backgrounds will be well-suited. The "sensibility for modern web technologies" indicates a need for designers who can effectively partner with engineers and understand technical feasibility.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 robust case studies demonstrating end-to-end product design projects.
• Clearly articulate your role, responsibilities, and contributions within each project.
• Detail the design process followed, including user research methodologies, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and user testing.
• Highlight specific challenges encountered and the strategic design solutions implemented.
• Quantify the impact of your designs where possible, using metrics related to user engagement, conversion rates, efficiency, or client business objectives.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate experience in documenting and communicating user-centered design processes, from initial research to final implementation.
• Provide examples of how you've contributed to or managed design systems, ensuring consistency and scalability.
• Illustrate your approach to collaborating with development teams to ensure design fidelity and effective implementation.
• Showcase examples of user research plans and reports, detailing findings and actionable insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the consultative nature, the portfolio should emphasize not just visual design but also strategic thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to articulate design decisions based on research and business goals. Case studies should clearly show the "why" behind design choices.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Perm: €60,000 - €85,000 per annum (approx.)
• Contract: €350 - €500 per day (approx.)

Methodology: This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers in Ireland with 6+ years of experience, considering the remote nature and the specialized skills required for client-facing roles in a consultancy like Nearform. The range accounts for variations in project scope, client engagement, and individual experience.

Benefits (Permanent Employees):

• Annual Company Bonus: Tied to company performance, offering a share of profits.
• Flexible Working: Genuine dedication to work-life balance, allowing work around personal commitments.
• Paid Time Off: 24 days annual leave plus public holidays, plus sick leave, marriage leave, and more.
• Remote Working Allowance: Up to €1,250 every 2 years for home office setup, in addition to essential equipment.
• Training & Development Allowance: Up to €1,000 annually for upskilling and professional development.
• Private Healthcare: Comprehensive private healthcare plan.
• Pension & Insurances: Pension match up to 5%, Income Protection, and Death in Service benefits.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered to support work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary ranges are estimates for Ireland, factoring in the senior level and remote work. Contract rates are typically higher to account for self-employment and lack of benefits, while permanent roles offer a comprehensive benefits package.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Data & AI, Digital Solutions, Consulting. Nearform operates at the intersection of these fields, building intelligent digital solutions for enterprises. Company Size: 500+ employees, operating in 20+ countries. This indicates a substantial, globally distributed organization with established processes and a diverse talent pool. Founded: (Information not provided, but implied to be established given the size and client list). Nearform's history likely involves a growth trajectory focused on expertise in AI and complex digital problem-solving.

Team Structure:

• The Design function is a key part of Nearform’s service offering, comprising experts who guide clients.
• Senior Product Designers will likely work within project-specific, cross-functional teams comprising engineers, data scientists, project managers, and other designers.
• Reporting lines will likely involve a Design Lead or Director for project guidance and a Talent Team for HR/career matters.

Methodology:

• Data & AI Expertise: A core focus on leveraging data and AI to build intelligent solutions.
• Pace & Agility: Emphasis on delivering solutions and capability rapidly, often within agile frameworks.
• Client Partnership: Collaborative approach to working with ambitious enterprises, focusing on enduring impact.
• Systems Thinking: Designing solutions that are logical, consistent, and scalable.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Nearform positions itself as an expert partner for enterprises looking to innovate with AI and digital solutions. The culture emphasizes technical excellence, rapid delivery, and a people-first approach, suggesting a dynamic but structured environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Product Designer. This level implies significant autonomy, client-facing responsibilities, and the ability to mentor junior designers. It sits within the "Design function" and contributes directly to client project success and strategic design advisory.

Reporting Structure: Typically reports to Design Directors or Project Leads within specific client engagements. Overall career development and HR matters would be managed by the Talent Team. Close collaboration with Technical Leads and Project Managers is expected.

Operations Impact: The role directly influences the success of client digital products, impacting user experience, business objectives, and potentially revenue. By providing strategic design guidance and executing high-quality designs, Senior Product Designers contribute to Nearform's reputation and client satisfaction.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership: Potential to advance to Design Director roles, leading larger teams and client accounts.
• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in areas like AI-driven design, design systems at scale, or specific industry verticals.
• Skill Development: Access to a €1,000 annual allowance for training, conferences, and certifications to continuously enhance design and technical skills.
• Mentorship: Opportunities to mentor junior designers and contribute to Nearform’s internal design community and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path at Nearform for a Senior Product Designer likely involves increasing client leadership and strategic influence, moving from execution-focused roles to advisory and potentially team management.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Primarily a remote-first organization, with a strong emphasis on flexible and distributed work. While Nearform has offices globally, this specific role is advertised as fully remote within Ireland.

Office Location(s): While Nearform has offices in over 20 countries, this role is specifically for individuals based in Ireland, offering remote work within that country.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Collaboration: Expect a highly collaborative environment utilizing digital tools for communication, whiteboarding, and design reviews (e.g., Zoom, Miro, Figma).
• Tools & Technology: Access to essential equipment provided by Nearform, with a €1,250 allowance every two years to establish a productive home workspace.
• Team Interaction: Regular virtual team meetings, project stand-ups, and design critiques to maintain connection and facilitate knowledge sharing.

Work Schedule: Full-time with a strong emphasis on flexibility. While core working hours may exist for team synchronization, the role structure supports work-life balance, allowing individuals to manage their schedules around personal needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "remote-first" and "flexible working culture" indicate a mature approach to distributed work, prioritizing outcomes and work-life balance over traditional office presence.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Talent Call (30 mins, Zoom): Initial screening with the Talent Team to assess background, experience, career goals, and initial cultural fit. Prepare to discuss your career trajectory and what you seek in your next role.
2. Design Director Interview (45 mins, Zoom): In-depth discussion with Design Directors focusing on your design philosophy, portfolio walkthrough (prepare to present key projects), background in enterprise development, and understanding of Nearform's approach.
3. Technical Assessment (3 hours, Zoom): A live whiteboard session with other designers. An assignment will be provided on the day. This assesses your design thinking, problem-solving skills, client management approach, and technical insight in a simulated scenario.
4. Client Interview (Potential): Depending on the project, an additional interview with the client may be required.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your senior-level product design capabilities, client-facing experience, and impact.
• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your specific role and contributions, the process you followed (research, ideation, design, testing), the challenges you overcame, and the measurable outcomes.
• Focus on Process & Rationale: Emphasize why you made certain design decisions, linking them back to user needs, business objectives, and research findings.
• Demonstrate Systems Thinking: Highlight how your designs are scalable, consistent, and integrate well within larger systems or design languages.
• Prepare for Technical Depth: Be ready to discuss technical constraints, collaboration with engineers, and your understanding of modern web technologies.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Format: The technical assessment is a live whiteboard session with an assignment. Expect a problem-solving exercise that requires you to think critically and communicate your process visually and verbally.
• Practice Time Management: Allocate your time effectively during the 3-hour session. Focus on demonstrating your thought process rather than perfecting every detail.
• Articulate Your Strategy: Clearly explain your approach, assumptions, and trade-offs. Be prepared to justify your decisions and adapt based on feedback.
• Showcase Collaboration: While it’s an individual assessment, demonstrating how you’d involve stakeholders or consider different perspectives is valuable.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process combines standard screening with a significant practical assessment. The portfolio is crucial, and preparation for the live technical assessment should focus on demonstrating design thinking and communication under pressure.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (Extensive working knowledge), Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop)
• Collaboration & Whiteboarding: Miro (Extensive working knowledge), Mural, Confluence
• Project Management: Jira, Asana, Trello (Familiarity expected)

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics (Understanding of data interpretation for design decisions)
• User Research Tools: UserTesting.com, Lookback, Hotjar (Experience with tools for qualitative and quantitative user feedback)

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM/automation role, understanding how product designs integrate with CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation tools for enterprise clients is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and Miro is explicitly mentioned or heavily implied as core tools for this role, essential for collaborative design and client workshops. A strong understanding of how design impacts user journeys within broader digital ecosystems is expected.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Technical Excellence: A commitment to building high-quality, innovative applications and intelligent solutions.
• Collaboration: Valuing teamwork, cross-functional integration, and open communication with clients and internal teams.
• Continuous Learning: Encouraging and supporting ongoing skill development, embracing new technologies and methodologies.
• Impact-Driven: Focusing on delivering measurable results and enduring impact for clients.
• People-First: Fostering a supportive environment that prioritizes work-life balance and individual well-being.

Collaboration Style:

• Client-Centric: Working closely with clients to understand their needs and co-create solutions.
• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with engineers, data scientists, and project managers to ensure holistic product development.
• Open Feedback: Encouraging constructive feedback within design critiques and team discussions to drive continuous improvement.
• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in sharing best practices, insights, and learnings within the Nearform community.

📝 Enhancement Note: Nearform's values emphasize a blend of high performance, collaborative spirit, and a commitment to employee growth and well-being, which is crucial for a remote-first consultancy.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Diverse Client Needs: Adapting design strategies and solutions to a wide range of client industries, business objectives, and technical landscapes.
• Balancing Design Vision with Technical Constraints: Ensuring creative solutions are feasible within modern web technology limitations and project timelines.
• Client Education & Advocacy: Guiding clients who may have limited design experience to adopt user-centered design principles and best practices.
• Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Maintaining strong team cohesion and effective communication in a fully remote, distributed environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen AI/Data Integration: Gain experience in designing for AI-enabled solutions and data-driven products.
• Client Leadership: Develop skills in strategic client management, consultancy, and leading design engagements.
• Design Systems Expertise: Contribute to or lead the development of large-scale design systems for enterprise clients.
• Industry Exposure: Work with a diverse portfolio of enterprise clients across various sectors, broadening industry knowledge.
• Formal Training: Utilize the €1,000 annual allowance for relevant courses, certifications, or conference attendance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers significant opportunities to grow in a consultative capacity, working with cutting-edge technologies and diverse enterprise clients, while navigating the complexities of remote client engagements.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Client Transformation: "Describe a time you helped a client transform a vague idea into a tangible digital product. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your consultative approach, research, and iterative design.)
• Design System Contribution: "How have you contributed to or worked with design systems? Discuss the challenges and benefits from both a design and development perspective." (Highlight your understanding of scalability and consistency.)
• User-Centricity in Practice: "Walk us through a project where user research significantly altered your initial design direction. What methods did you use, and how did you advocate for the user?" (Demonstrate your research skills and ability to incorporate feedback.)
• Technical Sensibility: "How do you ensure your designs are technically feasible and align with modern web technologies? Provide an example of a trade-off you made." (Show your awareness of development constraints.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Nearform's Approach: "What attracts you to Nearform's approach to building AI-enabled solutions and working with enterprises?" (Research their case studies and client philosophy.)
• Remote Collaboration: "How do you maintain effective collaboration and communication within a remote, cross-functional team?" (Share specific strategies and tools you use.)
• Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the success of your product designs, both from a user experience and a business impact perspective?" (Connect design to measurable outcomes.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: For each case study, follow a clear narrative: Problem -> Your Role/Process -> Solution -> Outcome/Impact.
• Visual Storytelling: Use visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes, user flows) to illustrate your points effectively.
• Focus on Rationale: Be prepared to explain the 'why' behind every decision – from research methods to UI choices.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present data or metrics that demonstrate the positive impact of your design work.
• Engage Your Audience: Treat the portfolio review as a conversation, inviting questions and discussing your thought process openly.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical application and client-facing skills. Be ready to articulate your design process, justify your decisions with data, and demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively in a remote, enterprise-focused environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Nearform careers page via the provided Greenhouse link.
• Portfolio Customization: Select and refine 3-5 of your strongest product design case studies that highlight your senior-level experience with enterprise clients, demonstrating your process, problem-solving skills, and impact.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your experience in client-facing roles, UX research, UI design, design systems, Agile environments, and collaboration with technical teams. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process and project outcomes clearly. Prepare specific examples for common interview questions related to client challenges, user-centered design, and technical collaboration. Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Nearform's mission, values, client portfolio, and recent work. Understand their focus on AI, data, and enterprise solutions to articulate your motivations and cultural fit.

⚠️ 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.

---