Senior Staff Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Staff Product Designer
Company: Questrade Financial Group
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Product Design / Design Systems
Date Posted: October 30, 2025
Experience Level: Senior Staff / 7+ Years
Remote Status: Hybrid (Minimum 3 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• This pivotal role focuses on elevating Questrade's design system, "AllSparks," into a strategic asset that accelerates product development and enhances user experience across all QFG companies.
• The Senior Staff Product Designer will be a deep domain expert and craft leader, responsible for the technical design strategy, roadmap, and implementation of the design system.
• This position requires a systems-thinker who can partner closely with engineering to ensure the design system is robust, scalable, and user-friendly, while also advocating for its adoption and value across the organization.
• Success in this role will be measured by the impact of the design system on product quality, team efficiency, and speed-to-market, as well as the ability to mentor and influence other designers and engineers.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the original listing is for a "Product Designer," the seniority, focus on design systems, and explicit mention of "Staff" level responsibilities (e.g., owning roadmap, technical strategy, coaching) strongly indicate a Senior Staff Product Designer role, aligning with the 7+ years of experience requirement. The emphasis on strategic impact and technical depth further supports this classification.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define, own, and communicate the strategic vision and roadmap for the AllSparks Design System, ensuring alignment with Questrade's broader product and business objectives.
• Lead the end-to-end lifecycle management of the design system, from discovery and component design through documentation, release, and ongoing maintenance.
• Establish and govern a clear contribution and adoption model to facilitate seamless integration and contribution from product teams.
• Measure and articulate the design system's success, linking its adoption to quantifiable improvements in product quality, team efficiency, and speed-to-market.
• Act as the primary, hands-on designer for complex and scalable components, upholding the highest standards of usability, accessibility, and craft.
• Develop and maintain world-class design system documentation that empowers designers and developers.
• Foster a strong partnership with engineering leads to ensure technical integrity and accurate translation of design intent into code.
• Continuously research and integrate new tools, methodologies, and best practices to enhance the quality and efficiency of the design system.
• Serve as the chief advocate and evangelist for the Design System across the organization, building strong relationships with product design, engineering, and brand teams.
• Provide direct, actionable critique and coaching to existing design system designers and other product designers, focusing on systems thinking and component craftsmanship.
• Elevate the entire team's work by establishing and demonstrating the highest standards of quality, process, and technical implementation within design files.
• Lead engaging design reviews, workshops, and training sessions to educate teams and drive consistent adoption.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Core Responsibilities" section in the provided data was a brief summary. The detailed responsibilities above are inferred from the extensive "Drive the Design System Vision & Strategy," "Deliver Design & Operational Excellence," and "Influence Team & Cross-Functional Success" sections of the original job description, highlighting the strategic, technical, and leadership aspects of the role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred for senior-level design roles, demonstrating a foundational understanding of design principles and user-centered methodologies.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7+ years of progressive experience in Product Design (UX/UI).
• At least 3 years of experience in a Staff or Senior Individual Contributor role specifically focused on driving and scaling a comprehensive design system.
• Proven track record of launching and providing deep design expertise for a design system within a complex product organization.

Required Skills:

• Expert proficiency in Figma, including advanced utilization of variants, auto layout, and component properties for scalable design system creation.
• Deep understanding of front-end development principles and the ability to engage in technical discussions with engineering partners.
• Comprehensive knowledge of accessibility (WCAG) standards and practical experience in building accessible components.
• Proven ability to create and maintain clear, comprehensive, and developer-friendly design system documentation.
• Strong systems thinking capabilities, enabling the design of scalable, reusable solutions for complex challenges.
• Demonstrated experience in mentoring and coaching other designers, providing technical direction and hands-on guidance.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to articulate the value of a design system to stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to build strong cross-functional relationships with Product Design, Engineering, and Brand teams.
• Expertise in leading design reviews, workshops, and training sessions.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience leading or managing a team of designers.
• Hands-on experience with front-end coding for prototyping or component development.
• Experience with AI integration into design processes or systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The original job description detailed specific technical and leadership skills. These have been categorized into "Required" and "Preferred" based on their prominence and the stated experience level, ensuring clarity for candidates. The "Bonus Qualifications" were reclassified as "Preferred Skills" for better alignment with standard job description structures.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase at least one in-depth case study detailing the end-to-end process of building, scaling, or significantly improving a design system. This should highlight your direct, hands-on contribution.
• Demonstrate the impact of your design system work on product quality, consistency, and team efficiency, supported by quantifiable metrics or qualitative evidence.
• Include examples of complex component design and how you approached scalability and reusability.
• Present clear documentation examples that illustrate your approach to making design system knowledge accessible and actionable for designers and developers.
• Highlight your experience in technical collaboration with engineering teams and how you ensured design intent was translated effectively into code.

Process Documentation:

• Provide evidence of how you have established and governed contribution and adoption models for design systems.
• Include examples of how you have measured and articulated the success of a design system, linking it to business outcomes.
• Showcase your approach to creating and maintaining comprehensive, user-friendly documentation for design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The original job description explicitly requests a portfolio with "detailed case studies showcasing your direct, hands-on process for building and scaling a design system, and its impact on product quality and team efficiency." This section elaborates on what such a portfolio should contain, focusing on process, system, and impact, which is crucial for senior design system roles.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Staff Product Designers in Toronto, Canada, with 7+ years of experience and specialized design system expertise, the estimated annual salary range is CAD $130,000 - $180,000. This range accounts for the seniority, strategic impact, and demand for specialized skills in the fintech sector.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health & Wellbeing resources and programs.
• Generous Paid Vacation, Personal Days, and Sick Days to support work-life balance.
• Competitive compensation and benefits packages, including potential for bonuses or stock options.
• Hybrid working environment with a structured balance of in-office and remote work (minimum 3 days in office).
• Significant Career Growth and Development Opportunities, including leadership and mentorship paths.
• Opportunities to contribute to community causes, reflecting company values.
• Inclusive and collaborative work environment with diverse team members.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, estimated at 40 hours per week, with flexibility often available within the hybrid model, allowing for efficient workflow management and integration of design system tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The original listing mentions "Competitive compensation and benefits packages" and "Work-life balance in a hybrid environment with at least 3 days in office." Specific salary figures were not provided, so an estimated range for Toronto has been included based on industry standards for similar roles. The listed benefits have been expanded to reflect typical offerings for such positions in financial services.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Fintech / Financial Services. Questrade Financial Group operates across securities and foreign currency investment, wealth management, mortgages, real estate services, and financial services, leveraging cutting-edge technology. Company Size: Questrade Financial Group is part of a larger organization with multiple companies (Questrade, Inc., Questrade Wealth Management Inc., Community Trust Company, Zolo, and Flexiti Financial Inc.). While an exact employee count isn't provided, the scope and diverse offerings suggest a medium to large enterprise, likely employing several hundred to over a thousand individuals. Founded: Founded in 1999, QFG has a history of innovation and growth, positioning itself as a disruptive force in traditional financial institutions.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Staff Product Designer will likely be part of a growing Product Design team, potentially reporting into a Head of Product Design or Director of UX.
• They will work closely with a dedicated Design Systems team (currently two designers) and collaborate extensively with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and Brand teams.
• The role emphasizes strong IC leadership, influencing design direction and best practices across multiple product squads and companies within QFG.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Innovation: QFG emphasizes using technology to create innovative products and improve customer experiences, suggesting a data-informed approach to design and development.
• AI Integration: The company actively explores AI as a transformative enabler, indicating a forward-thinking approach to leveraging new technologies for efficiency and customer service.
• Agile/Lean Practices: Given the fintech industry and focus on rapid product development, it's highly probable that Agile or Lean methodologies are employed, requiring designers to be adaptable and iterative.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The emphasis on partnerships with engineering and product teams highlights a collaborative, cross-functional approach to product development.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company description highlights innovation, technology, and a move away from traditional finance. The "Team Structure" and "Methodology" sections are inferred based on the role's seniority, the company's industry, and the explicit mention of cross-functional partnerships and AI adoption.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at the Senior Staff level, representing a highly experienced individual contributor (IC) with deep specialization. It sits above Senior Product Designer and is typically a precursor to Principal Designer or management roles, focusing on technical leadership, strategic impact, and mentorship within a specific domain (Design Systems).

Reporting Structure: The Senior Staff Product Designer will likely report to a Director or VP of Product Design/UX. They will work collaboratively within a product team structure, influencing multiple product squads and designers across various QFG entities. While not a direct management role, it involves significant leadership through influence, coaching, and setting technical direction.

Operations Impact: The primary impact of this role is on operational efficiency and product quality across the entire organization. By developing and scaling a robust design system, the Senior Staff Product Designer will:

• Accelerate product development cycles by providing reusable components and clear guidelines.
• Ensure greater product consistency, accessibility, and usability, enhancing customer experience and brand integrity.
• Reduce design and development debt, freeing up resources for innovation.
• Elevate the overall craft and efficiency of the design and engineering teams through mentorship and best practices.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in design systems, component architecture, accessibility, and emerging design technologies.
• Strategic Leadership: Influence product strategy and roadmap decisions through design system advocacy and thought leadership.
• Mentorship & Coaching: Develop leadership skills by mentoring junior designers and fostering a culture of design excellence.
• Cross-Functional Influence: Expand influence across different QFG companies and product lines.
• Potential for Principal/Management: Transition to Principal Product Designer roles, focusing on broader strategic initiatives, or move into design management if leadership aspirations develop.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section extrapolates the career trajectory and impact based on the "Staff" designation, the focus on design systems, and the company's growth-oriented environment. It provides a clear path for ambitious operations and design professionals.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment, requiring a minimum of 3 days per week in the Toronto office. This suggests a blend of focused individual work and collaborative team interaction. Office Location(s): Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Specific office addresses are not provided but are expected to be modern, professional facilities conducive to collaboration and innovation.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The hybrid model implies access to office spaces designed for team meetings, workshops, and spontaneous interactions, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.
• Technology & Tools: As a tech-forward fintech company, employees can expect access to modern hardware, software, and robust IT infrastructure necessary for design and development work. This includes powerful workstations and reliable network access.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with design peers, engineering counterparts, product managers, and leadership within the office setting, facilitating knowledge sharing and problem-solving.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is typical, with flexibility offered within the hybrid model to manage personal and professional commitments effectively. This allows for dedicated time for focused design system work, team collaboration, and individual deep work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Hybrid" work arrangement and office location are explicitly stated. This section infers the nature of the workspace and team interaction based on typical hybrid models in the tech/fintech industry and Questrade's stated culture of innovation and collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and portfolio to assess initial fit and experience.
2. Hiring Manager/Team Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager and potentially other senior designers or engineering leads to delve into your experience, design philosophy, and approach to design systems. Expect questions about your strategic thinking, technical depth, and leadership style.
3. Portfolio Presentation & Design Challenge: A dedicated session where you will present one or more design system case studies from your portfolio. You may also be given a specific design challenge related to design systems or component design to solve within a set timeframe. This assesses your problem-solving skills, technical craft, and ability to articulate your process.
4. Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with engineering partners and product managers to evaluate your collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to influence across disciplines.
5. Final Round/Executive Interview: Potentially a discussion with a senior leader (e.g., VP of Design or CTO) to assess overall cultural fit, strategic alignment, and leadership potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Design Systems: Ensure your portfolio prominently features at least one comprehensive case study on design system work. Detail your specific role, the challenges faced, your strategic approach, technical solutions, and measurable outcomes.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals to illustrate your process – sketches, wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, component examples, and documentation snippets.
• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, include metrics on how your design system work improved efficiency, reduced errors, increased adoption, or positively impacted user experience.
• Technical Depth: Be prepared to discuss the technical aspects of your design system work, including Figma proficiency (variants, auto layout, properties), accessibility implementation, and collaboration with developers.
• Storytelling: Frame your case studies as compelling narratives that highlight your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking. Explain the "why" behind your decisions.
• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize aspects that align with Questrade's needs – scalability, technical strategy, cross-functional influence, and mentorship.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Design System Principles: Review best practices for component architecture, design tokens, accessibility, and documentation.
• Figma Mastery: Be ready to demonstrate advanced Figma techniques under pressure.
• Technical Acumen: Prepare to discuss how design systems interact with front-end code and common development frameworks.
• Systems Thinking: Practice articulating how individual components fit into a larger ecosystem and how to design for scalability and future expansion.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice on preparing for interviews and portfolio reviews, drawing inferences from the role's seniority, the emphasis on design systems, and common hiring practices for senior product design roles in tech companies.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Expert-level proficiency required for design, component creation, prototyping, and collaboration within the design system. Advanced features like variants, auto layout, and component properties are critical.
• Design System Management Platforms: While not explicitly named, tools for organizing, documenting, and distributing design system assets (e.g., Zeroheight, Storybook integrations) may be used or are relevant for candidates to be familiar with.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics Tools (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics): To understand user behavior, measure adoption of features built with the design system, and identify areas for improvement.
• Internal Dashboards: For tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) related to design system health, adoption rates, and impact on product development velocity.

CRM & Automation:

• Jira / Confluence: Commonly used for project management, issue tracking, and collaborative documentation, especially for design system sprints and specifications.
• Communication Platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams): For day-to-day team communication, collaboration, and quick feedback loops.

📝 Enhancement Note: The original job description explicitly mentions Figma. Other tools are inferred based on industry standards for design systems, product development workflows in fintech, and the need for collaboration and project management.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Future-Forward: A strong emphasis on embracing new technologies like AI and pushing the boundaries of fintech to create a better future.
• Customer-Centricity: A drive to provide customers with better, more affordable ways to manage their money, with the design system serving as a means to deliver superior customer experiences.
• Collaboration & Inclusivity: A culture where team members support each other, conquer challenges together, and value diverse perspectives.
• Efficiency & Excellence: A commitment to using technology and streamlined processes (like design systems) to achieve operational excellence and speed-to-market.
• Continuous Growth: Opportunities for exploration, discovery, and learning, encouraging individuals to push their limits and develop their capabilities.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: Strong emphasis on forging partnerships with engineering, product management, and brand teams to ensure cohesive product development.
• Mentorship & Coaching: A culture where senior members actively mentor and coach others, fostering skill development and elevating the craft across the team.
• Evangelism & Advocacy: Proactive communication and education to champion the value and adoption of the design system throughout the organization.
• Feedback Loops: Encouraging open communication and constructive feedback through design reviews, workshops, and daily interactions to continuously improve the design system and team processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company description and job listing highlight a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous growth. These values are interpreted through the lens of how a Senior Staff Product Designer would interact within that environment, particularly concerning the design system's strategic role and team dynamics.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling the Design System: Ensuring the AllSparks Design System remains robust, scalable, and performant as Questrade's product suite and user base grow.
• Driving Adoption: Overcoming potential resistance or inertia to encourage consistent adoption of the design system across diverse product teams and legacy systems.
• Technical Complexity: Balancing design requirements with engineering constraints and technical feasibility, especially in a regulated industry like fintech.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Maintaining strong alignment and communication across multiple departments (Design, Engineering, Product, Brand) to ensure the design system meets everyone's needs.
• Mentorship Load: Effectively balancing deep individual contribution with the demands of mentoring and coaching other designers, particularly in a senior leadership capacity.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Systems: Deep dive into best practices for design tokens, theming, accessibility, and evolving component patterns.
• Fintech Innovation: Gain deep insights into the financial technology landscape, customer needs in finance, and emerging trends.
• Leadership Skills: Develop strategic influence, stakeholder management, and mentorship capabilities through hands-on experience and potentially formal training.
• AI in Design: Explore opportunities to integrate AI tools and methodologies into design system workflows and product development processes.
• Cross-Disciplinary Knowledge: Enhance understanding of front-end development, product management, and business strategy through close collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are inferred from the nature of design system work at a growing fintech company, the seniority of the role, and the need for cross-functional influence. Growth opportunities are tied to the role's responsibilities and the company's innovative environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your philosophy for building and scaling a design system. What are the key pillars of a successful system?" (Focus on vision, strategy, contribution/adoption models, and impact measurement).
• "Walk us through a complex component you designed for a design system. What were the challenges, how did you approach technical design, and what was the outcome?" (Prepare a detailed case study, highlighting your problem-solving process and technical decision-making).
• "How do you balance the needs of multiple product teams with the need for a consistent design system? How do you drive adoption and manage contributions?" (Emphasize collaboration, communication, and establishing clear processes).
• "How would you assess the current state of our 'AllSparks' Design System and define its future roadmap?" (Demonstrate strategic thinking, research skills, and ability to align with business goals).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Questrade Financial Group and our mission?" (Research QFG's values, recent news, and market position. Connect your passion for design systems to their fintech innovation).
• "How have you influenced design direction and best practices in previous organizations, particularly with engineering and product teams?" (Provide specific examples of advocacy, collaboration, and mentorship).
• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid environment. How do you ensure effective collaboration and communication?" (Highlight strategies for making the most of both in-office and remote time).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with an overview of the design system's goals and your role. Then, dive into specific case studies, focusing on the problem, your process, key decisions (especially technical ones), and measurable impact.
• Technical Deep Dive: Be ready to explain your Figma workflows, component architecture, and how you collaborate with developers. Use clear visuals to illustrate complex concepts.
• Storytelling: Frame your work as a narrative of problem-solving and strategic impact. Explain the "why" behind every decision.
• Audience Awareness: Tailor your explanations to the likely audience (designers, engineers, product managers). Be prepared to answer technical questions from engineers and strategic questions from product leaders.
• Conciseness: Respect the allocated time. Practice your presentation to ensure you cover key points efficiently.

📝 Enhancement Note: These questions and strategies are tailored to the Senior Staff Product Designer role focusing on design systems, emphasizing technical expertise, strategic thinking, leadership through influence, and cross-functional collaboration, common requirements for such advanced positions.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Staff Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Dayforce portal.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest design system case studies. Ensure they clearly articulate your direct contribution, technical approach (especially Figma usage), collaboration with engineering, and measurable impact on product quality and team efficiency.
• Optimize Your Resume: Highlight your 7+ years of product design experience, specifically mentioning your 3+ years in senior/staff-level design system roles. Use keywords such as "Design Systems," "Figma," "Scalability," "Accessibility," "Technical Design," "Mentorship," and "Cross-Functional Collaboration." Quantify achievements where possible.
• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio case studies. Be ready to discuss your strategic vision for design systems, your technical expertise, and your approach to mentoring and influencing teams. Rehearse your answers to common interview questions.
• Research Questrade: Familiarize yourself with Questrade's products, mission, and values. Understand their position in the fintech market and their commitment to innovation and customer experience.

⚠️ 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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