Senior Product Designer, Sportsbook

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer, Sportsbook
Company: Kaizen Gaming
Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Product Design / User Experience
Date Posted: 2026-01-07
Experience Level: Senior (5+ Years)
Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead product design initiatives for web and mobile applications within the sportsbook domain, driving user-centric experiences from ideation to high-fidelity prototyping.
• Champion and evolve the company's design system, focusing on the creation and maintenance of reusable components to ensure product consistency and scalability across all platforms.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including researchers, product managers, engineers, and commercial stakeholders, to deliver comprehensive and impactful design solutions.
• Lead small design projects independently and contribute to larger initiatives with guidance, demonstrating strong self-direction and accountability for design outcomes.
• Integrate user research and usability testing findings into the design process to solve complex problems and ensure efficient, user-friendly interfaces.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the base job description leans heavily into product design, the "Sportsbook" title and "Sportsbook or Sportsbetting Products" in the "Nice to have" section strongly indicate a focus on a transaction-intensive digital product. This implies a need for robust UX/UI design that prioritizes clarity, efficiency, and trust, common in FinTech and gaming environments. The role's seniority suggests a need for strategic design thinking beyond just execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct user research and usability testing to identify user needs, pain points, and opportunities for design improvement, translating insights into actionable design decisions.
• Develop conceptual designs, wireframes, and high-fidelity prototypes to effectively communicate design ideas and gather feedback from internal teams and stakeholders.
• Present and review detailed design artifacts with cross-functional teams and client personnel, actively incorporating feedback to refine designs.
• Annotate design deliverables with precision to ensure clear communication of design intent and provide sufficient detail for efficient implementation by the development team.
• Build and maintain robust, reusable components within the design system to ensure product consistency, scalability, and adherence to established design language.
• Collaborate with front-end engineers to ensure accurate translation of design components into functional code, fostering a strong designer-developer partnership.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the product design team's processes and methodologies, including participation in weekly design chapter meetings and knowledge sharing sessions.
• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously from initial concept through to final completion, ensuring timely delivery and high-quality outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a hands-on approach to design, from initial research and conceptualization through to detailed annotation and developer handoff. The inclusion of "annotating design deliverables" and "collaborate with front-end engineers" points to a need for a designer who understands the technical implementation aspects and can bridge the gap between design and development effectively.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A Bachelor's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field is preferred, though equivalent practical experience will be strongly considered.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in product design, with a significant focus on designing for both web and mobile applications.
• Demonstrated experience in managing multiple design projects concurrently, guiding them from initial concept through to successful completion.

Required Skills:

• Product Design: Proven ability to design intuitive, user-centered interfaces for complex digital products.
• Design Systems: Expertise in creating, maintaining, and contributing to design systems, including building well-thought-out, reusable components.
• Prototyping & Design Tools: Professional proficiency with industry-standard design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, ProtoPie, or Adobe Illustrator.
• User Research & Testing: Experience in conducting user research and usability testing, translating findings into effective design solutions.
• Collaboration: Strong ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including Product Owners, Developers, Product Managers, and commercial stakeholders.
• Component Building: Skill in creating simple and complex UI components to ensure product consistency and scalability.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design decisions and annotate design deliverables for development teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Sportsbook/Sportsbetting Products: Experience working with sportsbook, sports betting, or other transaction-intensive industries like FinTech.
• A/B Testing & Usability: Basic knowledge of Usability principles and A/B testing methodologies.
• Problem Solving: A proactive, problem-solving mindset with a drive to innovate and challenge conventional approaches.
• Detail-Oriented: Meticulous attention to detail combined with the ability to maintain a strategic, big-picture perspective.
• Adaptability: Ability to learn quickly and adapt to evolving requirements in a fast-paced environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "5+ years" experience level strongly suggests this role is for a Senior Product Designer. The emphasis on design systems and component building is critical, indicating that contribution to and maintenance of the design system is a core function, not just an occasional task. The "Nice to have" section highlights a preference for domain experience in sports betting or FinTech, which is a significant advantage for candidates.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a range of web and mobile design projects, demonstrating a clear progression from concept to final product.
• Highlight at least one significant project involving the creation, expansion, or maintenance of a design system, detailing component architecture and reusable elements.
• Include case studies that illustrate your problem-solving process, user research integration, and how you translated user needs into design solutions.
• Provide examples of high-fidelity prototypes and user testing sessions, including how feedback was incorporated.
• Demonstrate experience in annotating designs for developer handoff, showcasing attention to detail and clarity.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of your contribution to or management of a defined design process, ideally within a sprint-based framework.
• Documentation that illustrates how you collaborate with engineers for design implementation and iteration.
• Case studies that detail how you applied design principles to achieve specific business objectives or improve user experience metrics.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Product Designer role, especially one focused on design systems, the portfolio is paramount. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their design process in detail, explain their rationale behind design decisions, and clearly articulate the impact of their work. Specific examples of design system contributions are crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers with 5+ years of experience in Lisbon, Portugal, and considering the hybrid work model and the company's focus on cutting-edge technology, a competitive annual salary range would typically fall between €45,000 and €65,000 gross per year. This estimate accounts for the cost of living in Lisbon, the demand for skilled design professionals, and the seniority of the role.

Benefits:

• Hybrid Way of Working: Flexibility to balance work from home and in-office collaboration.
• Onboarding Buddy: Dedicated support during the initial onboarding period.
• Competitive Pay & Bonus Scheme: Attractive base salary complemented by a performance-based bonus structure.
• Private Health Insurance: Comprehensive health coverage for the employee and their family.
• Monthly Meal Allowance: Financial support for daily meals.
• Developmental 360° Feedback Framework: Structured feedback for continuous professional growth.
• Unlimited Access to Udemy & Continuous Training: Resources for ongoing skill development and learning.

Working Hours:

• The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, operating within a two-week sprint cycle. While the role is hybrid, specific in-office days within the hybrid model are to be confirmed with the hiring team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on current market data for senior design roles in Lisbon, Portugal. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and interview performance. The benefits package is comprehensive and aligns with typical offerings for tech companies in major European hubs.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: GameTech / iGaming (specifically Sportsbook)

• Kaizen Gaming operates in the dynamic and rapidly evolving GameTech sector, powering brands like Betano. This industry demands continuous innovation, a focus on user engagement, and a commitment to responsible gaming. For a product designer, this means working on products that require high transaction volumes, intricate user flows, and a strong emphasis on reliability and user trust.

Company Size: Over 2,700 employees globally.

• This indicates a large, established organization with structured processes but also potential for specialized teams and significant impact. For a Senior Product Designer, this size offers opportunities to influence design standards across a broad product portfolio and collaborate with diverse teams.

Founded: Not explicitly stated, but operating in 19 markets implies significant growth and maturity.

• The company's global presence and multiple market operations suggest a sophisticated understanding of localization and diverse user needs.

Team Structure:

• Centralized Model: The design team operates centrally, providing services to various development teams. This implies a need for strong process definition and clear communication to effectively support multiple product lines.
• Design Chapter Meetings: Regular "design chapter" meetings foster a community of practice, allowing designers to share knowledge, discuss challenges, and collectively improve design standards.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Close work with researchers, product managers, engineers, and commercial stakeholders is fundamental to the design process.

Methodology:

• Two-Week Sprints: Design work is structured within two-week sprints, ensuring a predictable workflow and regular delivery cycles.
• Well-Defined and Documented Process: Emphasis on a structured and documented design process ensures consistency and efficiency.
• Continuous Learning: Participation in initiatives like Norman Nielsen Group certification underscores a commitment to advancing design expertise and staying current with industry best practices.

Company Website: https://careers.kaizengaming.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Kaizen Gaming's description highlights a company that values innovation, global reach, and employee development. The "GameTech" and "Sportsbook" focus is key; designers will need to be comfortable with high-stakes, fast-paced environments where user engagement and transaction efficiency are paramount. The structured, centralized design model suggests a need for clear communication and process adherence.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Product Designer

• This role is positioned as a senior contributor, expected to lead smaller projects independently and take ownership of design outcomes. It requires a blend of strategic thinking, deep design expertise, and the ability to mentor or guide less experienced team members implicitly through collaboration and best practices.

Reporting Structure:

• While not explicitly detailed, the centralized model suggests the Senior Product Designer would likely report to a Design Lead, Head of Design, or Product Design Manager. They will collaborate daily with Product Owners, Developers, and Product Managers within specific project teams.

Operations Impact:

• The Senior Product Designer's impact is directly tied to enhancing the user experience of Kaizen Gaming's sportsbook products. This includes driving user acquisition, retention, and engagement through intuitive design, which in turn directly influences revenue and business growth by improving conversion rates and customer satisfaction. Effective design system implementation also leads to faster product development cycles and reduced engineering costs.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to lead design for significant features or even entire product areas, potentially progressing to a Lead Product Designer or Design Manager role.
• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like design systems, user research, or interaction design within the iGaming/FinTech space.
• Industry Certification: Continuous learning through resources like Udemy and potential for advanced certifications (e.g., Norman Nielsen) to enhance professional credentials.
• Cross-Functional Mobility: Potential to move into related roles within product management or UX strategy within the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The seniority of the role implies expectations of leadership and strategic contribution. Candidates should look for opportunities to demonstrate how they can not only execute design but also influence the product strategy and mentor others, even if not directly managing.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid

• The company offers a hybrid working model, blending remote work with in-office collaboration. This approach aims to provide flexibility while fostering team cohesion and in-person brainstorming.

Office Location(s): Lisbon, Portugal

• The role is based in Lisbon, a vibrant European capital. Candidates should consider commuting requirements and the benefits of working within a dynamic city.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The design team operates within a centralized model, but the hybrid setup and "design chapter" meetings encourage collaboration across different project teams.
• Tools and Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools (Figma, Sketch, etc.) and a commitment to continuous learning (Udemy) indicates a modern and well-equipped technology environment for designers.
• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with Product Owners, Developers, and Product Managers ensures a dynamic and integrated workflow, facilitating efficient problem-solving and design iteration.

Work Schedule:

• Standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, structured around two-week sprints. This provides a predictable rhythm for design work, allowing for focused execution and iterative improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role is a key aspect. Candidates should clarify expectations regarding in-office days and how collaboration is facilitated in this model. The emphasis on a structured sprint cycle suggests a need for time management and reliable delivery.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with the role's requirements.
• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion about your background, experience, and motivation for the role. This may include behavioral questions and exploration of your design philosophy.
• Portfolio Presentation & Design Challenge: A key stage where you will present your portfolio, likely focusing on 1-2 relevant case studies. You may also be given a design challenge to assess your problem-solving skills, design process, and ability to work within constraints.
• Cross-Functional Team Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other designers to evaluate collaboration style, communication skills, and technical understanding.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss cultural fit and long-term career aspirations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 2-3 projects that best showcase your skills in product design, design systems, and problem-solving for complex applications (ideally similar to a sportsbook/FinTech environment).
• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, design, testing), your design decisions and rationale, and the measurable outcomes or impact.
• Highlight Design System Contributions: If you have specific design system work, detail your approach to component creation, documentation, and collaboration with developers.
• Showcase Prototypes: Include interactive prototypes to demonstrate user flows and interactions. Be prepared to discuss the tools used and the fidelity of your prototypes.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics (e.g., conversion rates, user satisfaction scores, task completion times) to demonstrate the success of your designs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Research Kaizen Gaming, Betano, and the Sportsbook/iGaming industry. Understand common user flows, key features, and industry challenges.
• Focus on Process: For any design challenge, emphasize your thought process, how you approach problem-solving, and how you would gather information and iterate.
• Prioritize Clarity and Efficiency: Given the nature of the industry, focus on designing clear, efficient, and trustworthy interfaces.
• Be Ready to Articulate: Practice explaining your design decisions concisely and persuasively, especially to a cross-functional audience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely to be rigorous, with a strong emphasis on the portfolio and a practical design challenge. Candidates should prepare to articulate their design process and the impact of their work with specific examples and data.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Expected to be the primary tool for design, prototyping, and collaboration, given its industry prevalence.
• Sketch: Potentially used for legacy projects or specific design tasks.
• ProtoPie: Used for creating advanced, interactive prototypes that simulate complex user interactions.
• Adobe Illustrator: For graphic asset creation and detailed vector work.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Usability Testing Tools: Platforms for conducting remote or in-person user testing and gathering feedback.
• A/B Testing Platforms: Basic understanding or experience with tools that facilitate A/B testing for design optimization.
• Analytics Platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel): While not directly a designer's tool, familiarity with how data is tracked and used to inform design decisions is beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design role, but an understanding of how design impacts user journeys within CRM or marketing automation systems can be an advantage.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is almost certainly a prerequisite. Experience with advanced prototyping tools like ProtoPie is a plus. A designer in this role should be comfortable working with developers to ensure designs are implemented accurately, suggesting a need for understanding front-end implementation basics or at least effective design handoff procedures.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A fundamental commitment to understanding and serving user needs through thoughtful design.
• Innovation: Encouraging creative solutions and embracing new technologies to enhance user experience and business outcomes.
• Collaboration: Fostering a team environment where open communication, feedback exchange, and collective problem-solving are valued.
• Excellence & Quality: Striving for high standards in design execution, attention to detail, and the overall user experience.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing research and analytics to inform design choices and measure impact.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Working seamlessly with Product Management, Engineering, and Research to ensure cohesive product development.
• Agile Mindset: Adapting to sprint cycles, embracing iterative design, and being responsive to feedback.
• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in design chapter meetings and sharing insights to elevate the entire design team's capabilities.
• Constructive Feedback: Openness to giving and receiving constructive criticism to drive continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to value both structured processes and innovative thinking. A candidate who can balance meticulous execution with creative problem-solving and effective teamwork will likely thrive.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Designing for a complex sportsbook product requires aligning user desires for intuitive betting with business objectives like revenue generation and compliance.
• Maintaining Design Consistency: With a growing product portfolio and multiple development teams, ensuring a consistent and scalable user experience across all platforms through the design system.
• Fast-Paced Environment: The iGaming industry is highly competitive and fast-moving, requiring designers to adapt quickly and deliver high-quality work under pressure.
• Technical Constraints: Collaborating effectively with engineers to implement designs within technical limitations while advocating for the best user experience.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Design System Mastery: Becoming a key contributor to and potentially a lead for the evolution of Kaizen Gaming's design system.
• Domain Expertise: Deepening knowledge of the Sportsbook and FinTech industries, understanding user behaviors and regulatory landscapes.
• Leadership Skills: Developing skills in project leadership, mentorship, and influencing product strategy.
• Advanced Certifications: Pursuing industry-recognized certifications to enhance expertise and career progression.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth potential within a thriving industry. Candidates should be prepared to tackle complex design challenges and demonstrate a proactive approach to learning and skill development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting stakeholder requirements in a design project. How did you resolve it?" (Focus on communication, negotiation, and user advocacy).
• "Walk us through your process for designing a new feature for a high-transaction digital product, like a sportsbook." (Highlight research, ideation, prototyping, and iteration).
• "How do you approach building or contributing to a design system? What are the key principles for creating reusable components?" (Emphasize scalability, consistency, and collaboration with developers).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to Kaizen Gaming and the Sportsbook industry specifically?" (Show research into the company and genuine interest in the domain).
• "How do you contribute to a collaborative team environment, especially in a hybrid work setting?" (Provide examples of communication and teamwork).
• "How do you measure the success of your designs?" (Discuss metrics, user feedback, and business impact).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, use a clear problem-solution-outcome structure.
• Emphasize Your Role: Be specific about your contributions, especially if working on a team.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals, prototypes, and data to support your points.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, rationale, and the challenges you faced.
• Connect to Kaizen Gaming: If possible, tailor your examples to demonstrate how your skills and experience align with the company's needs and the Sportsbook domain.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not only design craft but also strategic thinking, collaboration skills, and a deep understanding of the product and industry. Being able to articulate the "why" behind design choices is crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your comprehensive application, including your CV and a link to your online portfolio, through the Kaizen Gaming careers portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature 2-3 impactful case studies that best demonstrate your experience in product design for web and mobile applications, with a strong emphasis on any design system contributions or experience in transaction-intensive industries.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your 5+ years of design experience, proficiency in key tools (Figma, Sketch, ProtoPie), experience with design systems, and achievements in user research and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords relevant to product design, UX, and the iGaming/FinTech sector.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale behind decisions, and the impact of your work. Prepare to present your portfolio effectively and discuss potential design challenges relevant to the Sportsbook domain.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Kaizen Gaming, Betano, and the current landscape of the Sportsbook industry to demonstrate your understanding of their business, users, and competitive environment.

⚠️ 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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