Senior Product Designer - UK

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer Company: Plum Fintech Location: London, England, United Kingdom Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Product Design / User Experience Date Posted: July 29, 2025 Experience Level: 5-10 Years Remote Status: Hybrid (with flexibility for remote work)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive end-to-end product design, from initial user research and concept sketching to prototyping, user testing, and final implementation with engineering teams.
• Contribute to the evolution of Plum's design practice by collaborating with fellow designers on establishing design processes, tooling, and core principles.
• Partner closely with Product Managers to define product functionality and shape future iterations, ensuring a user-centric approach.
• Champion a human-centered design philosophy, leveraging data and research to validate design decisions and build deep user empathy.
• Design for mobile-first experiences, with a strong emphasis on interaction and visual design, adhering to and extending iOS and Android design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer, indicating a need for a candidate who can operate autonomously, mentor junior designers (though not explicitly stated, it's a common expectation for senior roles), and significantly influence design strategy and execution within a fast-paced fintech environment. The emphasis on "solving user problems from beginning to end" and "shipping your ideas" highlights a hands-on, execution-focused approach.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive user research, including interviews, surveys, and usability testing, to identify user needs and pain points within the Plum application.
• Develop detailed user personas, journey maps, and information architecture to guide design decisions and ensure a cohesive user experience.
• Create wireframes, low-fidelity prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups to effectively communicate design concepts and user flows.
• Design intuitive and engaging user interfaces for both iOS and Android platforms, ensuring consistency with established design systems and brand guidelines.
• Collaborate with product managers and engineers to define product requirements, technical constraints, and implementation details.
• Iterate on designs based on user feedback, A/B testing results, and analytics data to continuously improve product usability and effectiveness.
• Present design solutions and rationale clearly to stakeholders, including product teams, engineering, and leadership, to gain buy-in and alignment.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of Plum's design system, ensuring scalability and consistency across the product.
• Mentor and provide constructive feedback to other designers, fostering a collaborative and high-performing design team environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed go beyond basic UI design, emphasizing a strategic product thinking approach. The expectation to "carry out research" and "validate design through testing" signifies a strong requirement for user-centric methodologies and data-informed decision-making, critical in the fintech sector where trust and usability are paramount.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While a formal degree in Design, HCI, or a related field is often preferred, demonstrated expertise and a strong portfolio showcasing relevant experience will be highly valued. Candidates with a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Computer Science, or a related discipline are encouraged to apply.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5-10 years of professional experience in product design, with a significant focus on mobile-first applications (iOS and Android).
• Proven experience in end-to-end product design processes, from user research and ideation to prototyping, testing, and delivery.
• Demonstrated experience working within cross-functional teams, collaborating effectively with Product Managers, Engineers, and other stakeholders.
• Experience in the FinTech or a related regulated industry is highly advantageous, showcasing an understanding of user trust, security, and complex financial workflows.

Required Skills:

• Product Thinking: Ability to deeply understand user needs, business goals, and technical constraints to craft effective product solutions.
• User Research & Testing: Proficiency in various qualitative and quantitative research methods, including user interviews, usability testing, surveys, and A/B testing.
• Prototyping & Wireframing: Mastery of design tools for creating wireframes, interactive prototypes, and mockups (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).
• Interaction & Visual Design: Strong skills in designing intuitive user interfaces, defining user flows, and creating visually appealing and brand-consistent designs.
• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and collaborate effectively with diverse teams.
• Mobile Design Systems: Deep understanding of iOS Human Interface Guidelines and Android Material Design principles, including the ability to design for and contribute to design systems.
• Shipping Digital Products: Proven track record of successfully shipping digital products to market.
• Feedback Integration: Ability to constructively give and receive feedback to drive design improvements.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with design system management and evolution.
• Familiarity with data analysis tools and interpreting user analytics.
• Experience designing for complex financial products or services.
• Knowledge of front-end development principles (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to better understand technical feasibility.
• Experience in an agile development environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Who You Are" section strongly implies a need for a candidate who is not just a visual designer but a strategic product thinker. The mention of "product thinker," "human first" design, and "shipping digital products" points towards a need for someone who can own the design process and deliver tangible results, not just theoretical concepts. The specific mention of "chips, toasts and snack bars" is a playful nod to common UI elements, indicating a need for attention to detail in mobile UX.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• End-to-End Case Studies: A portfolio showcasing at least 3-5 comprehensive case studies demonstrating your ability to take a product from initial concept through research, design, testing, and successful launch.
• Problem/Solution Framing: Clear articulation of the user problem or business challenge addressed in each case study, followed by a detailed explanation of your design process and the rationale behind your solutions.
• User-Centricity: Evidence of user research methodologies employed (e.g., interviews, usability testing) and how user insights directly informed design decisions.
• Interaction & Visual Design: High-quality examples of UI design, interaction patterns, and visual styling, showcasing proficiency in modern design principles and tools.
• Prototyping & Validation: Demonstrations of interactive prototypes and evidence of how designs were validated through user testing or data analysis.
• Mobile Platform Expertise: Specific examples of designing for iOS and Android, highlighting understanding of platform-specific conventions and design systems.
• Impact & Results: Quantifiable outcomes or key learnings from your design work, demonstrating the impact on user experience and business metrics (e.g., increased conversion, reduced churn, improved task completion).

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate an understanding of how to document and communicate design processes, including user flow diagrams, wireframes, and design specifications for engineering handoff.
• Showcase experience in contributing to or managing design systems, including component libraries, style guides, and documentation for consistent application.
• Ability to articulate and adapt design processes based on project needs, team collaboration, and available resources.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Product Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It should not just be a collection of screens but a narrative of problem-solving. The emphasis on "end to end" and "impact" suggests that hiring managers will be looking for evidence of strategic thinking and measurable results, not just aesthetic execution. Demonstrating a structured approach to design, including research and validation, is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers with 5-10 years of experience in London, UK, the estimated salary range is approximately £60,000 - £85,000 per annum. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and the final negotiation.

Benefits:

• Equity: Stock options, offering a stake in Plum's growth and success.
• Health & Wellness: Private health insurance for comprehensive medical coverage.
• Professional Development: Annual training budget to support continuous learning and skill enhancement.
• Product Perks: Plum Premium subscription for personal use and to share with friends or family.
• Referral Program: Competitive rewards for successful candidate referrals.
• Flexible Work: A flexible approach to remote working, encouraging a balance between remote and in-office collaboration.
• Office Amenities: Team breakfasts and lunches provided when working from the office.
• Generous Leave: 25 days of annual holiday plus bank holidays.
• Work from Anywhere: 45 "work-from-anywhere" days per year, offering significant flexibility.
• Sabbatical: 2 weeks of paid sabbatical after 4 years of service.
• Family Support: Enhanced parental leave policies.
• Community Impact: 1 paid volunteering day annually.
• Team Engagement: Annual team trips to foster camaraderie and team building.
• Culture: Access to a fun, inclusive, and supportive company culture.

Working Hours:

• While the standard full-time work week is typically around 40 hours, Plum offers a flexible approach to working hours, allowing for a good work-life balance. The hybrid model requires at least 2 days per week in one of their offices (London, Athens, or Cyprus).

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits package is quite comprehensive, especially the "work-from-anywhere" days and sabbatical, which indicate a company culture that values employee well-being and flexibility. The stock options are a significant incentive for a senior role, aligning personal success with company performance. The salary estimate is based on typical London tech salaries for this level of experience, but actual offers will depend on individual qualifications and company compensation strategy.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Fintech (Financial Technology) Company Size: Plum has over 200 "Plumsters" globally. This mid-size range suggests a company that has moved beyond startup chaos but still retains agility and a strong sense of mission. For a designer, this means potential for significant impact and the opportunity to shape processes as the company scales. Founded: 2016. Plum has established itself in the market, having launched across multiple European countries and acquired over 2 million users and £2 billion in assets. This maturity indicates a stable yet growing company with a proven product-market fit.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Product Designer will be part of a cross-functional team, likely comprising a Product Manager, Engineers (iOS, Android, backend), and potentially other designers or QA specialists.
• Reporting structure is not explicitly detailed but a Senior Product Designer typically reports to a Head of Design, Design Lead, or Head of Product.
• Collaboration is expected to be high, with close working relationships with Product Management for strategy and requirements, and Engineering for implementation and feasibility.

Methodology:

• Plum emphasizes a data-driven and user-centric approach to product development, leveraging automation and AI. This suggests that design decisions will be informed by user research, A/B testing, and product analytics.
• The company values collaboration and has a "we're all in this together" ethos, indicating a preference for teamwork and shared ownership of goals.
• The mention of "design processes, tooling setup and core principles" suggests an ongoing effort to refine and improve how design is done at Plum, offering an opportunity for the Senior Product Designer to contribute to these improvements.

Company Website: https://withplum.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Plum operates in the competitive FinTech space, which requires a strong focus on user experience, trust, and security. The company's mission to "grow money for life" and its success in multiple European markets highlight its ambition and execution capabilities. The culture appears to be energetic, collaborative, and focused on impact, with a blend of structured processes and a flexible work environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Product Designer. This level implies a high degree of autonomy, ownership, and the ability to influence product strategy and design direction. It's a position for an experienced individual contributor who can mentor others and drive complex projects. Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Design Lead or Head of Product. They will work within cross-functional product teams, collaborating closely with Product Managers and Engineers. Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on the user experience, which is critical for customer acquisition, retention, and overall product adoption in the FinTech sector. By improving the Plum app, the designer will contribute to the company's mission of helping users save and invest, directly influencing user engagement and, consequently, revenue growth.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Potential to grow into a Lead Product Designer or Design Manager role as the company scales, taking on more strategic responsibilities and managing a team.
• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of product design, such as user research, interaction design, or design systems, within the FinTech domain.
• Cross-Functional Influence: Develop stronger strategic partnerships with Product and Engineering, becoming a key voice in product strategy and roadmap planning.
• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior designers, share best practices, and contribute to the overall growth of the design function at Plum.
• Industry Exposure: Gain valuable experience in the rapidly evolving FinTech industry, working with innovative technologies and user-centric financial products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title signifies a crucial career juncture. Candidates should expect to be evaluated not just on their design skills but on their ability to lead initiatives, influence stakeholders, and contribute to the strategic direction of the product. The growth path is likely towards more leadership or specialized senior individual contributor roles within the product organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Plum offers a hybrid work model with offices in London, Athens, and Cyprus. The London office is described as "beautiful," suggesting a modern and well-equipped workspace designed to foster collaboration and innovation. Office Location(s): The primary focus for this role is London, England, United Kingdom. The hybrid model encourages employees to be in the office at least two days a week. Workspace Context:

• The office environment likely supports collaborative work, with spaces for team meetings, design critiques, and brainstorming sessions.
• Access to necessary design tools and technology will be provided.
• The hybrid model allows for flexibility, balancing the benefits of in-person collaboration with the autonomy of remote work.
• The "fun, inclusive company culture" suggests a positive and engaging atmosphere where designers can thrive.

Work Schedule:

• The role is full-time, with flexibility around specific working hours. The hybrid arrangement requires a minimum of two days per week in the London office, with the remaining days open to remote work. This setup allows operations professionals to manage their schedules effectively while ensuring team connectivity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model with a minimum of 2 days in the office is a key aspect of the work environment. This indicates a company that values in-person collaboration for key activities like design reviews, team syncs, and brainstorming, while also embracing the flexibility and autonomy of remote work. Candidates should be comfortable with this balance.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Screening: Initial review of CV and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience.
• Hiring Manager/Designer Chat: A conversation with a hiring manager or senior designer to discuss experience, motivations, and initial fit for the role and team.
• Design Exercise/Portfolio Presentation: A practical design challenge or a presentation of your portfolio showcasing your process, problem-solving skills, and impact. This is typically a significant part of the evaluation.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers and Engineers to assess collaboration skills, communication, and technical understanding.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Product, CEO) to discuss strategic alignment and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Focus on 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant case studies that highlight end-to-end product design, user research, problem-solving, and impact.
• Tell a Story: Structure each case study with a clear narrative: the problem, your role, the process (research, ideation, design, testing), the solution, and the outcome/impact.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (mockups, prototypes, user flows) to illustrate your design thinking and execution.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics or data that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., conversion rates, user satisfaction scores).
• Explain Your "Why": Be prepared to articulate the rationale behind every design decision and how it connects to user needs and business goals.
• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough to ensure a clear, concise, and engaging presentation within the allotted time.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Product: Familiarize yourself with Plum's app, its features, target audience, and value proposition.
• Anticipate Design Problems: Consider common challenges in fintech UX and how you might approach them. Think about areas like onboarding, savings goals, investment features, and security.
• Focus on Process: For design challenges, emphasize your thinking process, how you'd approach research, ideation, and iteration, even if time is limited for full execution.
• Communicate Clearly: Be prepared to articulate your thoughts and decisions verbally and, if applicable, through sketching or digital tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process likely involves a significant emphasis on a portfolio review and potentially a design challenge. Candidates should prepare thoroughly to showcase not just their design skills but also their strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and how they collaborate within a team. Understanding Plum's product and the fintech landscape will be crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable, as it's the industry standard for collaborative design), Sketch, Adobe XD. Proficiency in at least one is essential.
• User Research & Testing: Tools like UserTesting.com, Hotjar, Maze, Lookback, or in-house survey tools.
• Collaboration & Project Management: Tools such as Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel, or similar platforms for tracking user behavior and product performance.
• Data Visualization: Tools like Tableau, Looker, or Power BI might be used by analytics teams, and designers may need to interpret or present data from them.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly part of the designer's day-to-day tool stack, understanding CRM systems (like Salesforce for business operations) and marketing automation tools can provide context for how user data flows and is utilized across the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job description doesn't explicitly list tools, modern Product Designers are expected to be proficient in industry-standard design software like Figma. Familiarity with user research platforms and product analytics tools is also highly beneficial for understanding user behavior and validating design decisions.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Product-Centricity: A strong focus on delivering a high-quality, user-friendly product that aligns with Plum's mission.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Valuing insights from research and analytics to inform design and product strategy.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: A belief in working together across functions to achieve common goals, fostering a sense of shared ownership.
• User Empathy: A commitment to understanding and advocating for the user's needs and experience.
• Continuous Improvement: An openness to iterating on processes, designs, and products to drive efficiency and better outcomes.
• Innovation: Encouraging new ideas and approaches to solve problems and enhance the user experience.

Collaboration Style:

• Plum fosters a collaborative environment where designers work closely with Product Managers and Engineers.
• Expect regular design reviews, feedback sessions, and cross-functional meetings to ensure alignment and shared understanding.
• The culture appears to be supportive and inclusive, encouraging open communication and knowledge sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as "fun, inclusive" and focused on collective effort ("we're all in this together"). This suggests a dynamic and supportive environment where designers are expected to be team players and contribute positively to the overall team dynamic.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: As a fintech app, Plum needs to be user-friendly while also adhering to financial regulations and ensuring security, which can create design constraints.
• Scaling Design Processes: As Plum grows, maintaining design consistency and efficiency across an expanding product suite and user base will be a key challenge.
• Cross-Market Design: Designing for multiple European markets may require consideration of cultural nuances and localization.
• Rapid Iteration in Fintech: The fintech landscape is fast-paced, requiring designers to adapt quickly to market changes and new technologies.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mastering Fintech UX: Deepen expertise in designing for financial products, understanding user trust, security, and complex financial concepts.
• Design System Contribution: Play a significant role in evolving and maintaining Plum's design system, enhancing scalability and consistency.
• Cross-functional Collaboration Skills: Refine abilities to work effectively with product management and engineering, influencing product strategy.
• Mentorship: Gain experience in mentoring and guiding junior designers, developing leadership capabilities.
• Industry Exposure: Stay abreast of the latest trends and technologies in FinTech and product design through company-provided resources and potential industry events.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical of a growing fintech company, offering significant opportunities for a Senior Product Designer to develop their skills in strategic thinking, process improvement, and cross-functional leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Product Vision: "How would you approach designing a new feature for Plum, starting from scratch?"
• User Problem Solving: "Describe a time you used user research to uncover a critical user problem and how you solved it through design."
• Design Trade-offs: "How do you balance user experience with technical constraints or business priorities?"
• Design System Impact: "What is your experience with design systems, and how do you ensure consistency and scalability?"
• Collaboration: "How do you effectively collaborate with Product Managers and Engineers to ensure successful product delivery?"
• Feedback: "Describe a situation where you received critical feedback on your design and how you responded."

Company & Culture Questions:

• Plum's Mission: "What excites you about Plum's mission to help people grow their money?"
• Fintech Landscape: "What trends do you see in the fintech industry, and how can design address them?"
• Team Fit: "How do you contribute to a positive and inclusive team culture?"
• Work Style: "How do you manage your time and prioritize tasks in a hybrid work environment?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with a brief overview of Plum and the role, then walk through 2-3 key case studies. For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your process, key design decisions, and the outcome/impact.
• Visuals: Use high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes where possible to showcase your work.
• Narrative: Focus on your thought process, the "why" behind your decisions, and how you addressed challenges.
• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Practice to deliver a compelling presentation that highlights your most relevant skills and achievements.
• Engagement: Be prepared for questions throughout your presentation and engage in a discussion about your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a deep understanding of user-centered design principles, strong problem-solving skills, effective collaboration, and a clear ability to articulate your design process and its impact. Being familiar with Plum's product and the fintech space will be highly advantageous.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workable link. Ensure your resume and portfolio are up-to-date and clearly showcase your relevant experience.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your experience in mobile-first design, end-to-end product design processes, user research, and demonstrable impact, particularly within fintech or similar user-centric digital products.
• Resume Optimization: Craft your resume to emphasize key skills such as product thinking, user research, interaction design, visual design, collaboration, and experience shipping digital products. Use quantifiable achievements where possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, common challenges you've overcome, and how you collaborate with cross-functional teams. Be ready to present your portfolio confidently.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Plum's product, mission, values, and recent news to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding during the interview process.

⚠️ 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.