Senior Product Designer (Trust)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer (Trust) Company: Trustpilot Location: London, England, United Kingdom Job Type: Full-Time Category: Product Design / UX Design Date Posted: November 12, 2025 Experience Level: 5-10 Years Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic design and end-to-end execution of complex, high-impact features within the Trust domain, driving product direction and elevating UX maturity.
• Champion design excellence by creating impactful design proposals, user journeys, and product experiences that set new benchmarks for quality.
• Foster strong cross-functional collaboration with Product Management, Engineering, and Research teams to influence product strategy and ensure user-centric solutions.
• Contribute significantly to the evolution of the design system and mentor designers, raising the bar for design craft and organizational maturity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role emphasizes a "Trust UX team" and designing "trust for consumers and businesses," indicating a specialized focus on user confidence, safety, and transparency within the product. This requires a deep understanding of user psychology and ethical design principles, beyond typical feature design. The emphasis on "ambiguous problems" and "strategic discovery" suggests a need for a designer comfortable with ambiguity and capable of defining problems as well as solving them.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design strategy and execution for complex, high-impact trust features, taking full ownership from initial problem framing to final delivery.
• Develop well-crafted design proposals and prototypes that clearly communicate rationale, align stakeholders, and help to clarify scope for product initiatives.
• Design high-quality user journeys and product experiences that raise the standard of design excellence and set benchmarks for quality within the product.
• Partner closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Managers, Engineers, and Researchers, to influence product strategy and execution through design expertise.
• Conduct and lead user research and usability testing to validate design decisions and ensure user needs are at the forefront of every solution, driving data-informed design.
• Drive significant contributions to the design system, building scalable patterns and robust documentation that empowers the entire product and design team.
• Mentor and guide junior and senior-level designers, sharing knowledge to raise the overall craft and maturity of the design organization.
• Champion design as a discipline rooted in clarity and intent, ensuring product experiences are grounded in enduring design principles and ethical considerations.
• Articulate the value of great design and its connection to measurable business goals, influencing stakeholders at every level of the organization.
• Act as a valued voice in the design leadership group, contributing to broader design initiatives, cultivating a culture of excellence, and influencing strategic decisions affecting the entire discipline.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "design trust" is a core differentiator for this role. It implies a focus on user perception, confidence, and security, which goes beyond standard UI/UX. This will involve understanding user concerns related to data privacy, platform integrity, and review authenticity, and translating those into tangible design solutions. The role also has a strong leadership component, requiring influence over design strategy and mentorship.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While specific educational requirements are not listed, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, HCI, or a related field is typically expected for senior-level product design roles. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: Minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in Product Design, with a significant portion focused on SaaS products. Demonstrated experience in leading complex design initiatives from conception to delivery. Proven ability to mentor and guide other designers.

Required Skills:

• Extensive experience designing within a SaaS product environment, with a deep understanding of its unique challenges and opportunities.
• A robust foundation in design principles and theory, with the ability to articulate and apply ideology, intent, and intervention to guide decision-making and raise design as a discipline across the organization.
• Demonstrated experience working in complex SaaS agile environments, with thorough understanding of how to deliver products sustainably and scalably.
• Proven track record of owning and delivering end-to-end design work that has delivered measurable business impact and shaped product direction.
• Skilled in communication and storytelling, with the ability to articulate design decisions and influence stakeholders effectively.
• Extensive experience actively contributing to and evolving robust design systems within complex engineering environments, establishing principles that guide design decisions.
• Ability to mentor and support designers, helping them grow their skills and career.
• Proficiency with Figma and other industry-standard design and prototyping tools.
• Familiarity with front-end implementation practices.
• Comprehensive knowledge of accessibility compliance (e.g., WCAG).
• Significant experience collaborating with engineers in Agile workflows.
• Proactive approach to integrating AI tools into the design workflow for process and end-user benefit.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience specifically within platforms focused on reviews, trust, or community building.
• Familiarity with user research methodologies beyond usability testing, such as ethnographic research or diary studies.
• Experience contributing to or leading design strategy workshops.
• Understanding of conversion rate optimization (CRO) principles as they relate to user trust and engagement.
• Experience with quantitative data analysis to inform design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "extensive experience designing within a SaaS product environment" and "complex SaaS agile environments" is crucial. This indicates an expectation of understanding the nuances of iterative development, continuous integration, and the specific challenges of designing for B2B and B2C SaaS platforms. The emphasis on "design principles and theory" with "ideology, intent, and intervention" suggests a need for a designer who can think conceptually and strategically, not just tactically.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate end-to-end design ownership for complex, high-impact features, showcasing problem framing, user research, iterative design, and final execution.
• Present clear case studies that articulate the design process, rationale, and the measurable business impact achieved, especially related to user trust, engagement, or conversion.
• Showcase contributions to or development of robust design systems, including examples of scalable patterns, documentation, and their application across products.
• Include examples of how you have influenced product strategy or direction through design, detailing stakeholder alignment and communication methods.
• Provide evidence of user research and usability testing methodologies applied, explaining how insights informed design decisions.

Process Documentation:

• Detail your approach to strategic discovery and problem framing for ambiguous challenges within the "Trust" domain.
• Illustrate your process for creating design proposals, including how you gather feedback and align stakeholders.
• Document your methods for creating and iterating on high-quality user journeys and product experiences, emphasizing design excellence.
• Showcase how you collaborate with Product Managers, Engineers, and Researchers throughout the product development lifecycle, including Agile workflows.
• Provide examples of how you champion design principles and ensure accessibility compliance in your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, a portfolio is not just a showcase of visual design but a demonstration of strategic thinking, process rigor, and measurable impact. Case studies should clearly articulate how design decisions contributed to business objectives, particularly those related to building user trust and confidence. The emphasis on "design systems," "mentoring," and "influencing strategy" suggests that portfolios should also highlight leadership qualities and contributions to team growth.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers in London with 5-10 years of experience in a SaaS environment, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between £70,000 and £100,000 per annum. This estimate considers the seniority of the role, the specialized "Trust" focus, and the cost of living in London.

Benefits:

• A range of flexible working options to support work-life balance.
• Competitive compensation package with an annual bonus.
• Generous holiday allowance: 25 days per year, increasing to 28 days after two years of employment.
• Two paid volunteering days per year for community engagement.
• Rich learning and development opportunities through Trustpilot Academy and Blinkist.
• Pension scheme and life insurance.
• Health cash plan, online GP access, and a 24/7 Employee Assistance Plan for well-being support.
• Full access to Headspace, a mindfulness app.
• Paid parental leave.
• Season ticket loan and a cycle-to-work scheme for commuting.
• Vibrant office environment with amenities like table tennis, gaming corner, coffee bars, and refreshments.
• Regular social events and opportunities to connect with colleagues.
• Access to over 4,000 employee discounts on various services and products.
• Independent financial advice and free professional mortgage broker advice.
• Talent acceleration programs for career fast-tracking.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, with flexible working options available.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on market data for similar roles in London. The comprehensive benefits package reflects a commitment to employee well-being, professional development, and work-life integration, which are attractive to senior-level operations and design professionals. The mention of "Talent acceleration programs" specifically points to a structured approach to career progression within the company.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Online Reviews / Consumer Trust Platform / Software as a Service (SaaS). Trustpilot operates in a highly competitive digital landscape where trust and transparency are paramount. Their platform is crucial for consumers making purchasing decisions and for businesses seeking to build credibility. Company Size: Over 1,000 employees. This indicates a well-established, growing organization with likely mature HR processes, established design practices, and opportunities for collaboration across various departments. Founded: 2007. With over 15 years of operation, Trustpilot has a solid track record and has evolved significantly, likely having navigated various market shifts and technological advancements.

Team Structure:

• The role is part of a "newly minted Trust UX team," suggesting a dedicated focus on trust-related user experiences, potentially comprising UX designers, researchers, and content designers.
• As a Senior Product Designer, this individual will likely report to a Design Lead or Head of Design, and work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads within specific product squads or feature teams.
• Cross-functional collaboration is explicitly mentioned, indicating close working relationships with Product Management, Engineering, and Research.

Methodology:

• Trustpilot emphasizes data-driven decision-making, utilizing user research, usability testing, and likely analytics to inform design strategies and product direction.
• The company operates within Agile environments, requiring iterative design processes, close collaboration with engineering, and adaptability to evolving requirements.
• A strong focus on design systems and scalable patterns is evident, promoting consistency and efficiency across their platform.

Company Website: https://business.trustpilot.com/jobs/7358932

📝 Enhancement Note: The mention of a "newly minted Trust UX team" is key. It suggests this team is still defining its processes and impact, offering an opportunity for a senior designer to shape its direction. Trustpilot's mission as a "universal symbol of trust" means the company culture likely values integrity, transparency, and user advocacy, which should be reflected in the design approach.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Individual Contributor role with leadership responsibilities. It's positioned above standard Product Designer roles, requiring strategic thinking, end-to-end ownership of complex problems, and a significant impact on product direction and design maturity. The role also involves mentorship and contributing to design leadership.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, a Senior Product Designer typically reports to a Design Manager, Lead Designer, or Head of Product Design. They will collaborate daily with Product Managers and Engineers within their assigned product area.

Operations Impact: The impact is significant, focusing on shaping the "Trust" experience for millions of users globally. This role directly influences user confidence, platform integrity, and business credibility, which are core to Trustpilot's mission and business success. The designer's work will have measurable business impact, influencing user acquisition, retention, and overall platform engagement.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Potential to grow into a Design Lead or Managerial role, influencing design strategy for larger product areas or the entire organization, and shaping the "Trust UX team."
• Specialization: Deepen expertise in trust-related design, becoming a recognized authority in this critical domain within the company and the industry.
• Cross-Functional Influence: Expand influence across product, engineering, and marketing by driving design excellence and user advocacy.
• Mentorship & Coaching: Develop leadership skills through mentoring junior designers and contributing to the design organization's growth and maturity.
• Strategic Impact: Contribute to high-level product strategy and company-wide design initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is explicitly described as extending "beyond feature-led design" and requiring "strategic thinking." This indicates a growth path that moves from executing specific features to defining broader product strategies and influencing organizational design maturity. The "Talent acceleration programs" mentioned in benefits further underscore the company's commitment to structured career progression.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Trustpilot offers a hybrid work model. The London office is described as "central" and equipped with amenities like table tennis, a gaming corner, coffee bars, and refreshments, suggesting a modern, collaborative, and amenity-rich workspace designed to encourage in-office engagement.

Office Location(s): The role is based in London, England. Specific office address details are not provided, but a central location is indicated, suggesting accessibility via public transport.

Workspace Context:

• The environment fosters collaboration, with opportunities to connect with colleagues through regular events and team socials, alongside daily cross-functional teamwork.
• Access to modern design tools (Figma) and technologies is expected, supporting efficient workflow and innovation.
• The emphasis on a "Trust UX team" and cross-functional collaboration means designers will work closely with diverse teams, sharing insights and driving collective understanding.

Work Schedule: While the standard is around 40 hours per week, the company offers "a range of flexible working options," allowing individuals to balance their professional responsibilities with personal needs, which is beneficial for deep work and continuous process improvement efforts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model and focus on a "central office location" with amenities suggest a company that values both in-person collaboration and employee flexibility. For a Senior Product Designer, this environment should offer ample opportunities for spontaneous ideation, structured design critiques, and building strong working relationships with product and engineering counterparts.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and portfolio. Be prepared to articulate your relevant experience, particularly in SaaS and trust-related design.
• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: This stage likely involves deeper discussions about your experience, design philosophy, problem-solving approach, and how you handle ambiguity. Expect questions about your contributions to design systems and your mentorship experience.
• Portfolio Presentation & Design Challenge: You will likely be asked to present a case study from your portfolio, detailing your process, rationale, and impact. A practical design challenge, focused on a complex problem (potentially related to trust or user experience), may also be given, requiring you to think strategically and present your solutions.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Discussions with Product Managers, Engineers, or Researchers to assess collaboration style, technical understanding, and ability to influence.
• Design Leadership/Final Interview: A final discussion with senior design leadership to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and overall suitability for the senior role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 strong case studies that best showcase your end-to-end design process, strategic thinking, and measurable impact, especially related to complex problems and user trust.
• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, iteration, testing), your design decisions and rationale, and the quantifiable outcomes.
• Highlight "Trust" Elements: If possible, include projects that involved building user confidence, transparency, or security. Explain how you addressed these specific challenges.
• Showcase Design System Contributions: Detail your involvement in design systems, including how you contributed to patterns, documentation, and their adoption.
• Demonstrate Mentorship: Briefly describe instances where you mentored or guided other designers.
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design philosophy, how you handle feedback, trade-offs, and your understanding of SaaS product development.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Scope: If a design challenge is given, clarify the problem statement, constraints, and desired outcomes.
• Think Strategically: Focus on problem definition, user needs, potential solutions, and how you would validate them, rather than jumping straight to visual design.
• Structure Your Approach: Outline your plan for tackling the challenge, including research, ideation, and validation steps.
• Articulate Rationale: Be ready to explain why you made certain decisions, referencing design principles, user needs, and business goals.
• Consider AI Integration: Think about how AI tools could assist in parts of the design process for this challenge.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "complex, ambiguous problems" and "strategic discovery" means interviewers will be looking for candidates who can define problems, not just solve them. Portfolio presentations should highlight the journey from ambiguity to clarity, demonstrating strategic foresight and the ability to frame challenges effectively.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Explicitly mentioned as a required proficiency. This is the primary tool for design, prototyping, and collaboration.
• Prototyping Tools: Proficiency with industry-standard tools beyond Figma (e.g., InVision, Principle) may be beneficial for complex interactions.
• Design System Tools: Familiarity with tools or methodologies for managing and contributing to design systems (e.g., Abstract, Zeroheight) is implied.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Platforms: While not specified, experience with tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, or similar platforms for understanding user behavior and measuring design impact is highly valuable.
• Data Visualization: Ability to interpret data from dashboards and reports to inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a design tool, an understanding of how design interfaces with CRM systems and automated workflows within a SaaS context is beneficial for holistic product thinking.

Other Relevant Technologies:

• Front-end Implementation Practices: Familiarity with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript from a design implementation perspective.
• Accessibility Compliance Tools: Knowledge of tools and standards for ensuring digital accessibility.
• AI Tools: Motivation to integrate AI tools into the workflow, suggesting an openness to exploring AI-assisted design processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma highlights its central role. However, a senior designer is expected to be tool-agnostic to a degree, capable of adapting to new tools and understanding the principles behind them. The emphasis on "front-end implementation practices" and "accessibility compliance" indicates a need for designers who understand the technical feasibility and inclusivity of their designs.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Trust & Transparency: As the company's core mission, these values are likely paramount, influencing all aspects of work, especially within the Trust UX team.
• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for user needs, ensuring that design decisions are grounded in user research and data.
• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on teamwork, open communication, and cross-functional partnership to achieve shared goals.
• Excellence & Craftsmanship: A dedication to high-quality design, attention to detail, and continuous improvement in design practices and outcomes.
• Innovation & Adaptability: An openness to new ideas, technologies (like AI), and approaches to solve complex problems effectively.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers work closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and Researchers, participating in agile ceremonies and contributing to product strategy discussions.
• Feedback & Iteration: A culture that encourages constructive feedback on designs, fostering iterative development and continuous refinement.
• Knowledge Sharing: Opportunities to share learnings, best practices, and insights within the design team and across the organization.
• Data-Informed Decision Making: Collaboration is often guided by data and research insights to ensure alignment and impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is likely to be dynamic and mission-driven, given its growth and focus on "trust." A senior designer should be prepared to embody these values, acting as a role model for design excellence and user advocacy. The emphasis on "design excellence" and "raising the bar" suggests a high-performing, quality-focused environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Defining "Trust": Translating the abstract concept of "trust" into tangible, user-friendly design elements and experiences across various product touchpoints.
• Ambiguity & Complexity: Navigating highly ambiguous problems and complex user needs within the trust domain, requiring strong strategic thinking and problem-framing skills.
• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Aligning the needs of consumers, businesses, and the company's strategic objectives in design solutions.
• Driving Design Maturity: Contributing to the ongoing development and elevation of UX practices and design thinking across the organization.
• Integrating New Technologies: Effectively incorporating AI tools into the design workflow without compromising user experience or ethical standards.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Trust & Ethics: Opportunities to become a subject matter expert in user trust, online safety, and ethical design principles.
• Strategic Design Leadership: Develop skills in influencing product strategy, leading design initiatives, and contributing to design leadership.
• Mentorship & Coaching: Hone leadership and communication skills through mentoring other designers.
• Industry Best Practices: Stay abreast of emerging trends in UX, AI, and platform trust through company-provided resources and potentially industry events.
• Cross-Functional Acumen: Gain deeper understanding of product management, engineering processes, and business strategy through close collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be translating the abstract "trust" into concrete design solutions. This requires a deep understanding of user psychology, risk perception, and ethical design frameworks, offering a unique growth opportunity for a designer seeking to specialize in a critical and impactful area.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex, ambiguous problem you've tackled from initial discovery to final execution. How did you frame the problem and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, strategic thinking, and impact).
• "How do you approach designing for user trust and confidence? Can you share an example of how you've built these elements into a product?" (Highlight your understanding of trust psychology and design application).
• "How do you contribute to and evolve design systems? Provide an example of a pattern you introduced and its impact." (Showcase your system thinking and contribution to scalability).
• "How do you influence product strategy and align stakeholders with your design vision, especially when there are differing opinions?" (Demonstrate your communication, negotiation, and leadership skills).
• "Describe your experience mentoring junior or senior designers. What is your approach to helping others grow their craft?" (Highlight your leadership and coaching abilities).
• "How would you integrate AI tools into your design process for a feature related to user trust? What are the potential benefits and risks?" (Show your forward-thinking and ethical considerations).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Trustpilot's mission and our focus on trust?" (Research the company's values and mission).
• "How do you see your role contributing to the 'Trust UX team' and its goals?" (Understand the team's objective).
• "Describe your ideal collaborative environment with Product Managers and Engineers." (Align with Trustpilot's hybrid/Agile culture).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with a brief overview of your career, then dive into 1-2 detailed case studies. For each, clearly state the problem, your role, the process, key decisions, challenges, and measurable outcomes.
• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, present data and metrics that demonstrate the business impact of your design work (e.g., conversion rates, engagement, reduction in support tickets related to trust issues).
• Articulate Rationale: Be prepared to defend your design choices, explaining the "why" behind every decision.
• Showcase Process: Demonstrate your iterative process, including research, user testing, and how feedback shaped the final product.
• Highlight Influence & Mentorship: Weave in examples of how you influenced others, collaborated effectively, or mentored designers.
• Engage the Audience: Make it a conversation, not a lecture. Be open to questions throughout or at specific points.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a combination of strong craft, strategic thinking, leadership potential, and a deep understanding of user psychology related to trust. Preparing specific examples that align with Trustpilot's mission and the unique requirements of the "Trust UX team" will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Trustpilot careers portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to highlight 2-3 of your most relevant projects, emphasizing end-to-end design ownership, strategic problem-solving, and measurable impact, particularly in SaaS and user trust contexts.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to clearly articulate your experience in SaaS product design, design systems, user research, and mentorship, using keywords from the job description (e.g., "SaaS," "Figma," "Design Systems," "User Research," "Agile," "Trust").
• Interview Preparation: Prepare detailed stories and case studies for potential interview questions, focusing on your design process, strategic thinking, collaboration style, and ability to mentor. Practice presenting your portfolio effectively.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Trustpilot's mission, values, products, and recent news. Understand their commitment to "trust" and how this role contributes to that mission.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with Trustpilot before making application decisions.