Senior Product Designer (w/m/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer (w/m/d) Company: HERO Software GmbH Location: Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Product Design / GTM Operations Date Posted: 2026-02-11T11:01:02.872 Experience Level: 5-10 Years Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the creation of exceptional, user-centered product experiences, translating complex challenges into intuitive and elegant design solutions.
• Lead product discovery and research initiatives, focusing on deep user needs analysis and identifying opportunities for innovation.
• Champion data-driven design principles, integrating analytics and user feedback to measure and iterate on design effectiveness.
• Foster strong cross-functional collaboration within the Product Trio (Product Management, Engineering) and with Research, Analytics, and Brand teams to ensure holistic product development.
• Evolve and maintain the company's Design System, introducing new design trends, methodologies, and AI-powered tools to elevate design quality and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Senior Product Designer," the emphasis on data-driven design, measuring success through CSAT, CES, Conversion Rate, and Customer Lifetime Value, and close collaboration with Product Management and Engineering strongly aligns this role with GTM Operations and Revenue Operations principles. The ability to influence product roadmaps and prioritization also indicates a strategic operations component.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive user discovery and research to identify pain points, unmet needs, and opportunities for product improvement, ensuring a deep understanding of user behavior and market trends.
• Utilize data analytics tools (e.g., Mixpanel) to inform design decisions, track user engagement, and measure the impact of design changes on key business metrics.
• Develop and iterate on high-fidelity prototypes and conduct rigorous user testing sessions to validate design concepts, gather feedback, and ensure usability and desirability.
• Lead the design of end-to-end product experiences, from initial sketches and wireframes to final interface designs, while actively contributing to the evolution and governance of the Design System.
• Integrate emerging AI tools and design methodologies into the product development process to enhance efficiency, creativity, and the overall user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities demonstrate a proactive approach to product development that extends beyond traditional UI/UX. The focus on data integration, measurement of business impact (CSAT, CLV), and strategic input into roadmaps signifies a strong operations component crucial for aligning product strategy with GTM and revenue goals.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. Experience: Minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in Product Design, with a significant portion ideally within a SaaS or fast-paced startup environment. Experience with mobile app design is a plus.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in user-centered design principles and methodologies.
• Strong proficiency in Figma for wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity design.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct user research, including user interviews, usability testing, and persona development.
• Experience with data-driven design, leveraging analytics to inform and validate design decisions.
• Excellent understanding of design systems, component libraries, and best practices for their implementation and maintenance.
• Strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to connect design solutions to business objectives and product roadmaps.
• Exceptional collaboration and communication skills, with experience working effectively in cross-functional teams (Product Management, Engineering, Research, Analytics).

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with ShapeUp, Scrum, or other agile product development methodologies.
• Familiarity with Continuous Discovery practices to ensure ongoing product-market fit.
• Hands-on experience with analytics and user research tools such as Dovetail and Mixpanel.
• Exposure to integrating AI tools into the design workflow or product features.
• Experience designing for both web and mobile applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "5-10 years" experience level suggests a senior individual contributor role with potential for mentorship and strategic influence. The emphasis on SaaS/Startup environments and specific methodologies like ShapeUp and Continuous Discovery points to a need for adaptability and a results-oriented mindset, aligning with operational efficiency and growth objectives.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a range of user-centered design projects, highlighting your end-to-end design process from problem identification to solution implementation.
• Case studies demonstrating your ability to translate complex business requirements or user needs into elegant and effective product designs.
• Evidence of data-informed design decisions, including how you used metrics, user feedback, or analytics to guide your design process and measure success.
• Examples of your contributions to or development of design systems, showcasing your understanding of consistency, scalability, and reusability.
• Projects that illustrate your collaborative approach, detailing how you partnered with Product Management, Engineering, and other stakeholders.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of your research methodologies, including how you planned, executed, and synthesized findings from user interviews, usability tests, or surveys.
• Present your prototyping process, from low-fidelity sketches to interactive high-fidelity prototypes, and how these were used for validation.
• Document your approach to iterating on designs based on feedback and data, demonstrating a continuous improvement mindset.
• Illustrate how you have contributed to or managed the implementation of design system components and guidelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior role in a product-focused GTM operations context, a portfolio must go beyond visual design. It needs to demonstrate strategic thinking, data literacy, and a clear understanding of how design contributes to business outcomes like conversion rates and customer lifetime value. The inclusion of methodology and process documentation is critical.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers in Germany with 5-10 years of experience, and considering the remote nature of the role, the estimated salary range is €65,000 - €85,000 annually. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, skill set, and negotiation. Benefits:

• Flexibility & Mobility:
  • Time-flexible and location-independent remote work.
  • Subsidized Germany Ticket (€29/month contribution).
  • 30 vacation days (including Dec 24th & 31st) plus additional days off.
  • One "Volunteering Day" per year for a social project.
• Health & Prevention:
  • Jobrad (company bicycle program).
  • Access to fitness programs via Hansefit, EGYM Wellpass.
  • Comprehensive mental health support through a partner (Bloom).
  • Additional company health insurance with Allianz.
  • Monthly professional shoulder and neck massages at the Hanover office.
• Career & Development:
  • Annual continuing education budget of €800 for courses, books, or coaching.
  • Regular feedback and development conversations to support career goals.
  • A clear HERO career plan for internal growth.
• Team Spirit:
  • Regular team events, including spectacular summer and Christmas parties.
  • Annual co-working trips with the HERO team within the EU.

Working Hours: The role offers flexible working hours, supporting a remote work arrangement. While a standard full-time commitment (approximately 40 hours per week) is expected, the specific daily schedule can be arranged flexibly to accommodate personal needs and team collaboration, aligning with a results-oriented approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on current market data for senior product design roles in Germany, factoring in the remote aspect and the company's stated benefits which suggest a competitive compensation package. The "40 hours" working hours is an assumption for a full-time role, but the emphasis on flexibility is critical.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software / Technology (specifically Digitalization in the Skilled Trades sector). HERO Software GmbH is positioned at the intersection of technology and a traditional industry, aiming to modernize and streamline processes for skilled trades. This offers a unique challenge and opportunity for product design to create tangible value. Company Size: The company size is not explicitly stated but implied to be a growing entity, likely a medium-sized business or a well-funded startup, given the comprehensive benefits and structured development programs. This size often means a culture that balances established processes with agility and innovation. Founded: The founding date is not provided, but the company's mission to "shape the future of digitalization in the skilled trades" suggests a relatively modern company focused on innovation and market disruption.

Team Structure:

• The role is part of a "Product Trio" consisting of Product Management, Engineering, and the Senior Product Designer. This structure emphasizes close, agile collaboration.
• The Senior Product Designer will also collaborate with Research, Analytics, and Brand teams, indicating a matrixed or cross-functional approach to product development.
• The presence of dedicated Talent Attraction and senior team members (Jaro, Dennis) as contacts suggests a structured HR and leadership framework.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: A core methodology, emphasizing the use of data (analytics, user feedback) to inform all design decisions and measure success.
• User-Centered Design: The overarching philosophy, ensuring that user needs and experiences are at the forefront of product development.
• Agile & Iterative Development: Implied through mentions of Scrum, Continuous Discovery, and the Product Trio structure, suggesting a fast-paced, iterative approach to product evolution.
• Design Systems: A commitment to building and maintaining a robust design system for consistency and efficiency.

Company Website: https://www.hero-software.de/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on "digitalization in the skilled trades" is a key differentiator. This implies a need for product design that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional, reliable, and easy to adopt for users who may not be tech-native. The culture likely values practicality, impact, and innovation.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, signifying a high level of expertise and autonomy. In an operations context, this means the individual is expected to not only execute but also to strategize, mentor, and influence the product development lifecycle and potentially the GTM strategy through product enhancements. They are a key player in ensuring product-market fit and driving user adoption. Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will work within a "Product Trio" and collaborate with various departments. While direct reporting lines aren't specified, they likely report to a Head of Product, Product Lead, or Design Lead, with strong dotted-line relationships within their product team. Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer's impact is measured through key operational metrics such as Customer Satisfaction (CSAT), Customer Effort Score (CES), Conversion Rate, and Customer Lifetime Value (CLV). By creating intuitive and valuable products, they directly contribute to customer acquisition, retention, and revenue growth, playing a critical role in the overall GTM success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in specific areas like AI-driven design, advanced analytics integration, or leading design system initiatives.
• Leadership Development: Potential to mentor junior designers, lead design initiatives for new product lines, or transition into a Design Lead or Product Management role.
• Strategic Influence: Increased involvement in product strategy, roadmap prioritization, and cross-functional operational alignment as they demonstrate impact and expertise.
• Industry Specialization: Become a subject matter expert in digital transformation for the skilled trades sector, a valuable niche.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on measurable outcomes (CSAT, CLV) aligns this role directly with revenue operations and GTM success. The growth opportunities highlight a path for individuals to move from execution to strategic influence within the product and operations functions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company offers a hybrid work environment with the option for remote work and also provides an office space in Hanover. This suggests a flexible approach that caters to individual preferences and team needs, balancing independent work with collaborative in-person interaction. Office Location(s): The primary office location mentioned is Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany. This location is noted for offering monthly professional shoulder and neck massages, indicating a commitment to employee well-being even for those who primarily work remotely or visit occasionally.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Work Support: The company actively supports remote work with flexible hours and a subsidized Germany Ticket, acknowledging the need for autonomy and work-life balance crucial for operations professionals who often manage complex workflows.
• Collaborative Spaces: While remote, the team structure (Product Trio, cross-functional collaboration) implies a culture that values regular communication and virtual collaboration tools. The Hanover office likely serves as a hub for team events and in-person collaboration sessions.
• Tools & Technology: Access to essential design tools like Figma, Dovetail, Mixpanel, and AI tools is provided, ensuring designers have the necessary resources to perform their roles effectively and efficiently.

Work Schedule: The role features flexible working hours, supporting a remote setup. While a full-time commitment is expected, employees have the autonomy to structure their days, which is beneficial for operations roles requiring deep focus, time for analysis, and coordination across different time zones or stakeholder schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: The blend of remote flexibility and office-based amenities (like massages) suggests a company that understands modern work demands. For operations roles, this flexibility is key to managing complex tasks and maintaining productivity without strict locational constraints.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application Review: Focus on your resume and portfolio. Ensure your portfolio clearly articulates your role, process, and impact on key metrics for each project.
• Screening Call: A conversation, likely with Talent Attraction (Nicolas), to assess cultural fit, basic qualifications, and salary expectations. Be prepared to briefly discuss your experience with user-centered design, data-driven approaches, and collaborative environments.
• Design Challenge/Case Study: Expect a practical exercise. This might involve analyzing a problem, proposing a solution, or critiquing an existing design. Focus on demonstrating your thought process, research methodology, and how you would incorporate data and user feedback. Your portfolio case studies will be critical here.
• Team Interviews: Meetings with Product Management, Engineering, and Senior Product Designers (Jaro, Dennis). These interviews will delve deeper into your technical skills, collaboration style, and how you handle cross-functional challenges. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your portfolio that illustrate these areas.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss strategic fit, long-term vision, and cultural alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Impact: For each project, clearly state the problem, your specific role, the process you followed, and the measurable outcomes (e.g., "Increased conversion by X%," "Reduced customer support inquiries by Y%").
• Showcase Process: Don't just show final screens. Illustrate your journey: user research findings, wireframes, prototypes, iteration cycles, and how you incorporated feedback.
• Highlight Collaboration: Detail how you worked with PMs, engineers, and other stakeholders. Show examples of conflict resolution or successful joint problem-solving.
• Tailor to HERO: Research HERO Software GmbH and their target market (skilled trades). Demonstrate understanding of their users and business context. Mention any experience with B2B SaaS or similar industries.
• Figma Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your advanced Figma techniques and how you leverage it for efficiency and collaboration.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a case study, thoroughly research the company and its industry to understand potential user needs and business goals.
• Structure Your Approach: Outline your plan clearly: define the problem, research methods, design approach, testing strategy, and success metrics.
• Focus on Operations: Frame your solutions in terms of how they will impact key operational metrics and contribute to GTM success.
• Be Ready to Defend: Articulate the rationale behind your design decisions and be prepared for critical questions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical skills, data-driven decision-making, and collaborative abilities, all critical for a Senior Product Designer operating within a GTM operations framework. The portfolio review is paramount and should highlight quantifiable impact and a clear process.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Expected to be mastered for all aspects of UI/UX design, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency in advanced features, component libraries, and design system management is key.
• Dovetail: Likely used for synthesizing user research findings, organizing qualitative data, and identifying key user insights to inform design.
• Mixpanel: Essential for data-driven design. Candidates should be comfortable tracking user behavior, analyzing product usage patterns, and measuring the impact of design changes on conversion rates and engagement.
• AI Tools: Experience with emerging AI tools for design assistance, content generation, or workflow automation is highly valued and encouraged.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While specific tools aren't listed beyond Mixpanel, familiarity with general analytics principles and potentially other BI tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI for broader business insights) would be beneficial for understanding product performance in context.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a designer's tool, understanding how product design impacts CRM data (e.g., through user onboarding flows affecting lead conversion in a CRM) and automation processes (e.g., user journey triggers) is advantageous. Familiarity with how design integrates with marketing automation or sales enablement platforms can be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma, Dovetail, and Mixpanel indicates a modern, data-informed design environment. Proficiency in these tools is not just about using them, but understanding how they contribute to the product lifecycle and operational efficiency.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the user, ensuring that product design directly addresses user needs and enhances their experience.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Valuing objective data and analytics over subjective opinions to guide design choices, measure impact, and drive continuous improvement.
• Collaboration & Transparency: Fostering open communication and teamwork across Product, Engineering, and other departments to ensure alignment and shared ownership of product success.
• Innovation & Efficiency: Encouraging the exploration of new trends, tools (like AI), and methodologies to create elegant, effective solutions that drive business outcomes efficiently.
• Quality & Impact: Striving for excellence in design and focusing on delivering tangible results that contribute to key business metrics like CSAT, CES, Conversion Rate, and CLV.

Collaboration Style:

• Product Trio Integration: Working seamlessly within the Product Trio (PM, Eng, Design) as a cohesive unit, sharing responsibilities and decision-making.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Actively engaging with Research, Analytics, and Brand teams to ensure a holistic product strategy and consistent brand experience.
• Feedback Loop: Embracing constructive criticism and actively seeking feedback from peers, stakeholders, and users to refine designs and processes.
• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages sharing best practices, design trends, and insights to elevate the skills of the entire team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values highlight a culture that is both user-focused and business-results oriented, a hallmark of effective GTM and Revenue Operations teams where product design directly fuels business objectives.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Bridging the Gap: Effectively translating the needs of the skilled trades sector, which may have varying levels of digital literacy, into intuitive and accessible product experiences.
• Data Interpretation: Ensuring that data from tools like Mixpanel is accurately interpreted and translated into actionable design insights, avoiding misinterpretations or confirmation bias.
• Balancing Innovation and Stability: Introducing new design trends and AI tools while maintaining the stability and usability of existing product features and the design system.
• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong team cohesion and effective communication in a remote-first environment, ensuring all team members feel connected and informed.
• Measuring ROI of Design: Clearly articulating and quantifying the return on investment for design initiatives, especially those involving new technologies or extensive research.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to explore and master cutting-edge design methodologies, AI integration in design, and advanced prototyping techniques.
• Product Strategy Involvement: Gaining deeper insights into product roadmapping, prioritization, and strategic planning for product evolution.
• Mentorship: Potential to mentor junior designers and contribute to the growth of the design function within HERO Software.
• Industry Expertise: Becoming a recognized expert in product design for specific industry verticals, like the skilled trades sector.
• Cross-Functional Acumen: Developing a stronger understanding of Product Management, Engineering workflows, and GTM operations to enhance cross-functional collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in rapidly evolving tech companies and B2B SaaS environments. Addressing them requires strong analytical skills, adaptability, and a collaborative mindset, all of which are key operational competencies.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you used data to significantly change a product design. What was the data, how did you analyze it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, tools like Mixpanel, and quantifiable results like conversion rates).
• "How would you approach designing a new feature for a user who is not very tech-savvy? Walk us through your research and design process." (Highlight user empathy, iterative testing, and simplicity in design).
• "Explain your experience with design systems. How do you contribute to their evolution, and how do you ensure adoption across teams?" (Showcase your understanding of scalability, consistency, and collaboration with developers).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about HERO Software's mission to digitalize the skilled trades sector?" (Research their market, target users, and articulate how your design skills can solve their unique problems).
• "How do you approach collaboration with Product Managers and Engineers, especially when there are differing opinions?" (Provide specific examples of how you've navigated disagreements and reached consensus, emphasizing a data-driven or user-centric approach).
• "How do you measure the success of your design work beyond user satisfaction?" (Discuss metrics like CSAT, CES, conversion rates, CLV, and how you link design to business objectives).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, follow a clear story arc: The Challenge -> Your Role -> The Process (Research, Ideation, Design, Testing) -> The Solution -> The Impact (Quantified Results).
• Focus on "Why": Be prepared to explain the rationale behind every decision. Why this tool? Why this approach? Why this metric?
• Highlight Operations Link: Explicitly connect your design decisions to business outcomes and operational efficiency. For example, "By simplifying the onboarding flow, we reduced the time-to-value, directly impacting customer retention and CLV."
• Interactive Elements: If possible, prepare a brief, interactive demonstration of a key prototype or a walkthrough of how you use Figma for complex design challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skills, but also strategic thinking, data literacy, and a business-oriented mindset, crucial for a senior role within an operations-focused product team.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the designated application button on the Workable platform, including your CV and a cover letter.
• Customize Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and highlights projects that best demonstrate your experience in user-centered design, data-driven decision-making, and cross-functional collaboration. Tailor the case studies to emphasize quantifiable impacts on metrics relevant to GTM operations (e.g., conversion, retention, user adoption).
• Optimize Your Resume: Highlight keywords and achievements relevant to product design, SaaS, data analysis, and agile methodologies. Quantify your accomplishments wherever possible, linking them to business outcomes.
• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process, your role in past projects, and how your work has driven measurable results. Be ready to discuss your experience with Figma, Mixpanel, and your understanding of the skilled trades industry.
• Research HERO Software GmbH: Understand their mission, target market, and company culture. Prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your engagement and interest in their specific challenges and opportunities.

⚠️ 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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