Senior UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UI Designer

Company: VML Enterprise Solutions

Location: Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Digital Design / User Experience

Date Posted: March 04, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the creation of digital brand aesthetics and pixel-perfect responsive interfaces for high-profile clients, balancing user needs with business objectives.

• Leverage extensive experience with design systems to ensure scalable and consistent design output across large consumer-facing brands.

• Apply a strong understanding of user-centered design best practices, conversion-focused design principles, and accessibility standards to enhance user experience and drive engagement.

• Maintain an exceptionally high standard of design quality, ensuring work resonates within the competitive eCommerce landscape and impresses stakeholders.

• Actively contribute to a fast-paced, evolving environment by staying abreast of the latest technology, design trends, and tooling advancements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "Senior" title and emphasis on "leading execution" and "owning compelling portfolios," this role likely involves significant autonomy and strategic input in design direction, rather than purely execution. The focus on "conversion-led design for transactional websites" and "eCommerce landscape" specifically points towards a Revenue Operations or Go-To-Market (GTM) adjacent function, where design directly impacts business outcomes like sales and lead generation.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute compelling digital brand identities and visual styles for responsive interfaces, ensuring alignment with client strategies and market trends.

• Design and iterate on user interfaces for transactional websites and digital platforms, with a primary focus on optimizing user journeys and conversion rates.

• Implement and maintain design systems, contributing to their evolution and ensuring adherence across multiple projects and client engagements.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including UX consultants, product managers, developers, and marketing strategists, to deliver integrated and effective design solutions.

• Present and defend design decisions effectively to internal teams and external clients, articulating the rationale behind design choices and their expected impact on user behavior and business goals.

• Stay current with industry best practices in UI/UX, conversion optimization, accessibility (WCAG standards), and emerging design technologies and tools.

• Conduct user research and analysis to inform design decisions and validate design solutions, ensuring a data-driven approach to UI development.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of design processes, workflows, and team methodologies within the Enterprise Solutions division.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative execution and strategic contribution, common in senior roles within agencies focused on GTM. The emphasis on "conversion-led design for transactional websites" and "eCommerce landscape" strongly suggests this role directly supports revenue-generating initiatives.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 5-10 years of professional experience in UI design, with a significant focus on digital and eCommerce platforms.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in Design Tools: Proficiency in Figma, Sketch, and the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator).

• Design Systems Mastery: Extensive experience in applying and contributing to design systems for large-scale consumer brands, ensuring consistency and efficiency.

• Conversion-Focused Design: Demonstrated ability to design interfaces that drive user engagement and conversion, with a deep understanding of eCommerce best practices.

• Responsive Design: Strong command of designing for various screen sizes and devices, creating seamless user experiences across desktop, tablet, and mobile.

• User-Centered Design: Solid understanding of user-centered design principles, user research methodologies, and usability testing.

• Typography and Visual Craftsmanship: An outstanding eye for design detail, typography, color theory, and layout, with a keen sense of craftsmanship.

• Communication & Presentation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design concepts, present work to stakeholders, and confidently defend design decisions.

• Project Management: Ability to manage personal projects, prioritize tasks, and work efficiently and accurately under tight deadlines.

• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to tackle complex design challenges.

• Adaptability & Motivation: Enthusiastic, self-confident, self-motivated, and willing to adapt to new challenges and drive continuous improvement.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with design tokens for enhanced design system management.

• Proficiency in animation and video tools such as Adobe After Effects and Final Cut Pro.

• Familiarity with web accessibility standards (WCAG) and best practices.

• Experience with A/B testing design elements to optimize performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "conversion-led design," "transactional websites," and "eCommerce landscape" elevates this role beyond pure aesthetics. It implies a direct impact on business KPIs managed by Revenue Operations or Sales Operations. The required tools (Figma, Sketch, Adobe) are standard for UI/UX, but the application of design systems and accessibility points to a need for scalable, robust solutions that support GTM strategies.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A compelling and diverse portfolio showcasing high-quality digital design work, with a specific emphasis on eCommerce projects and conversion-driven interfaces.

• Demonstrations of how design systems were utilized to create scalable and consistent user experiences across multiple platforms or client brands.

• Case studies detailing the design process from concept to execution, highlighting problem-solving approaches, user-centered methodologies, and the rationale behind key design decisions.

• Evidence of designing for responsiveness and cross-device compatibility.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of workflow design and optimization for UI projects, illustrating how efficient processes were implemented.

• Include documentation demonstrating the implementation of design systems and their impact on project timelines and output consistency.

• Provide examples of how user feedback and data analysis were integrated into the design and iteration process.

• Demonstrate an understanding of accessibility standards and how they are incorporated into the design workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UI Designer role with a conversion focus, a portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond aesthetics to demonstrate a strategic understanding of how design directly impacts revenue. Applicants should be prepared to walk through their process, focusing on problem definition, ideation, user validation, and measurable outcomes, linking their work to business goals like conversion rates, average order value, or customer acquisition cost.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• €50,000 - €70,000 per annum.

📝 Enhancement Note: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior UI Designers in Lisbon, Portugal, with 5-10 years of experience, and considering the agency context of VML Enterprise Solutions, this salary range is estimated. The specific compensation will depend on the candidate's experience, portfolio, and negotiation. Factors influencing this include the cost of living in Lisbon, the company's compensation philosophy, and the specific demands of supporting enterprise-level clients with conversion-focused design.

Benefits:

• Hybrid Working Model: Flexibility to balance remote work with in-office collaboration.

• Social Events: Opportunities to connect with colleagues and build team camaraderie.

• Training & Development: Access to resources and programs for continuous skill enhancement and career growth.

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical and dental insurance to support employee well-being.

• Life Assurance: Financial protection for employees and their families.

• Meal Cards: A practical benefit to assist with daily expenses.

• Global Brand Exposure: Opportunity to work with leading international brands.

• Innovation Culture: Environment that fosters creativity and embraces new technologies.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered through the hybrid working model.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits package is typical for a large, international agency, emphasizing work-life balance (hybrid working), professional development, and employee welfare. These are attractive perks for senior talent looking for stability and growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Marketing & Advertising, Digital Transformation, Enterprise Solutions

Company Size: Large (26,000+ employees globally across VML/WPP)

Founded: VML was founded in 2008 (formed by the merger of WPP Digital and Y&R). WPP itself was founded in 1982. This history signifies a deep-rooted presence and extensive experience in the marketing and communications industry.

Team Structure:

• The Senior UI Designer will be part of the Enterprise Solutions division, which houses strategic consultants, creative and technical architects, skilled developers, and operators.

• Within this division, they will likely work within a cross-functional creative team, collaborating with UX consultants, product managers, developers, and potentially client-specific teams.

Methodology:

• VML emphasizes a human-first approach, combining brand experience, customer experience, and commerce to create connected brands.

• The Enterprise Solutions division focuses on delivering digital experiences across major routes to market, including D2C, B2B, and online retail platforms.

• The company culture thrives on core values: Heart (empathy, trust), Brains (innovation, curiosity, intelligence), and Courage (bold solutions, experimentation).

• A data-driven approach is implied through the focus on conversion optimization and the goal of driving multi-channel growth for clients.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: VML's extensive global presence and affiliation with WPP indicate a robust organizational structure and a commitment to large-scale client solutions. The "Enterprise Solutions" division specifically targets complex digital transformation projects, suggesting that the UI Designer will be involved in sophisticated, high-impact initiatives for major brands, requiring a strategic and business-oriented mindset.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor / Design Specialist

This role is positioned at a senior individual contributor level, requiring a high degree of autonomy, expertise, and the ability to mentor junior designers. It sits within a specialized division (Enterprise Solutions) focused on complex digital platforms and commerce, meaning the impact is directly tied to client business outcomes and revenue generation.

Reporting Structure:

The Senior UI Designer will likely report to a Design Lead, Creative Director, or Head of UX/UI within the VML Enterprise Solutions division. They will work collaboratively with product managers, developers, UX consultants, and client stakeholders, forming project-specific, cross-functional teams.

Operations Impact:

The design work directly influences customer experience and conversion rates on transactional websites and digital platforms. By improving user interfaces and optimizing user journeys, this role directly contributes to client revenue growth, customer acquisition, and retention – key metrics for Revenue Operations and GTM strategies. The emphasis on conversion-led design means the impact is measurable and directly tied to business performance.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in eCommerce UX/UI, conversion rate optimization (CRO), or specific platform design.

• Leadership: Transition into a Design Lead or Art Director role, managing projects and mentoring junior designers.

• Strategic Consulting: Move towards UX strategy or product consulting roles within the Enterprise Solutions division.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gain exposure to broader aspects of digital transformation, commerce strategy, and marketing technology.

• Client Relationship Management: Develop stronger client-facing skills and potentially lead client design engagements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" designation, coupled with the focus on enterprise-level clients and conversion optimization, suggests a pathway towards leadership in design or a strategic role within the GTM ecosystem. The role is crucial for translating business objectives into user-friendly, revenue-generating digital interfaces.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid Work Environment. This implies a mix of remote work and in-office presence, fostering flexibility while maintaining opportunities for in-person collaboration and team building.

Office Location(s): Lisbon, Portugal. This specific location suggests a vibrant European hub for digital talent and client engagement.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office space likely facilitates teamwork, brainstorming sessions, and face-to-face interactions with colleagues from diverse disciplines (UX, development, strategy, account management).

• Tooling and Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma, Sketch, Adobe Suite), collaboration platforms, and potentially VR/AR or prototyping tools relevant to enterprise-level digital experiences.

• Cross-Functional Interaction: Frequent opportunities to engage with product managers, developers, UX researchers, and client representatives, promoting a holistic understanding of project goals and challenges.

Work Schedule:

• Primarily standard business hours, with flexibility afforded by the hybrid model. The nature of agency work may occasionally require adjustment to meet project deadlines or client needs, but the core expectation is a structured work week that supports efficient design processes and data analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key feature, offering autonomy while ensuring team cohesion. For a Senior UI Designer, this balance is crucial for focused design work and collaborative problem-solving, which are essential for driving GTM initiatives effectively.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and salary expectations.

2. Portfolio Presentation & Technical Interview: A more in-depth session with hiring managers and/or senior design team members. This typically involves presenting a curated selection of portfolio projects, discussing design process, problem-solving approaches, and technical skills. Expect questions on design systems, conversion optimization, and responsive design.

3. Cross-Functional Interview: Meeting with potential collaborators (e.g., UX Consultant, Product Manager, Developer) to assess teamwork, communication style, and ability to integrate design within a broader project lifecycle.

4. Final Interview/Cultural Fit: A discussion with senior leadership to evaluate alignment with VML's core values (Heart, Brains, Courage) and overall suitability for the company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 projects that best showcase your expertise in eCommerce, conversion-led design, and design systems. Prioritize projects with demonstrable impact.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role, the design process, key decisions, challenges faced, and the outcomes achieved. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, include metrics related to conversion rates, user engagement, A/B test results, or other KPIs that demonstrate the business value of your design.

• Highlight Process: Showcase your understanding of user-centered design, your approach to using design systems, and your methodology for ensuring responsiveness and accessibility.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Prepare to discuss specific design choices, tool proficiencies (Figma, Sketch), and your thought process in detail.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a potential design challenge, either as a take-home exercise or a live, timed task during the interview process. This might involve redesigning a specific interface element, solving a UX problem for an eCommerce scenario, or presenting a concept based on a brief.

• Focus on demonstrating your problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and ability to apply design best practices under pressure.

• Practice articulating your thought process and design rationale clearly and concisely.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not only design skill but also strategic thinking, collaboration, and cultural alignment. A strong portfolio that demonstrates measurable impact on business objectives (like conversion rates) will be key. Applicants should be prepared to discuss how their design work directly supports revenue generation and GTM strategies.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core collaborative design tool for creating interfaces, prototypes, and design systems. Expect proficiency in advanced features, component libraries, and prototyping.

• Sketch: Still widely used, proficiency may be required for legacy projects or specific client needs.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for asset creation and manipulation, including Photoshop for image editing and Illustrator for vector graphics.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Google Analytics: Understanding how to interpret data from GA to inform design decisions and measure the impact of UI changes on user behavior and conversion.

• Other Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Adobe Analytics, Amplitude, or Hotjar for user behavior analysis and heat mapping.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a UI designer's tool, an understanding of how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms (e.g., HubSpot, Marketo) influence customer journeys and data integration can be beneficial for designing cohesive experiences.

• Prototyping Tools: InVision, Principle, or similar for creating interactive prototypes.

• Design System Management Tools: Familiarity with tools or methodologies for managing design tokens and component libraries.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma, Sketch, and Adobe Creative Suite is standard. However, the emphasis on "conversion-led design" and "eCommerce" implies a need for familiarity with analytics tools (Google Analytics, Hotjar) and an understanding of how UI design integrates with broader customer experience platforms to drive business outcomes.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Heart: Empathy is key in understanding user needs and client challenges, fostering trust and human-centric design solutions that resonate.

• Brains: Relentless curiosity and collaborative intelligence are vital for tackling complex digital transformation problems and innovating in the eCommerce space.

• Courage: Embracing experimentation, speaking up with bold design solutions, and advocating for best practices that push boundaries and drive impact.

• Data-Driven Impact: A strong emphasis on using data and analytics to inform design decisions and measure the effectiveness of UI solutions in driving client business objectives, particularly conversion and revenue.

• Collaboration & Integration: A commitment to working seamlessly with diverse teams and stakeholders to ensure designs are technically feasible, strategically aligned, and deliver holistic customer experiences.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to work closely with UX, product, development, and marketing teams, fostering a shared understanding of project goals and a unified approach to problem-solving.

• Feedback Exchange: An open culture for giving and receiving constructive feedback on designs to ensure continuous improvement and high-quality output.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of insights, best practices, and learnings across teams to elevate collective expertise.

• Agile Methodologies: Likely operating within agile frameworks, requiring adaptability, iterative design, and close collaboration with development sprints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Heart, Brains, Courage" values are central to VML's culture. For a Senior UI Designer, this translates to empathetic user advocacy, innovative problem-solving, and the confidence to propose and defend impactful design solutions that drive business results.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Client Needs with Design Excellence: Navigating diverse client requirements, brand guidelines, and technical constraints while upholding high design standards and driving conversion.

• Keeping Pace with Rapid Technological Advancements: Continuously learning and adapting to new design tools, platforms, and emerging technologies in the digital and eCommerce space.

• Demonstrating ROI of Design: Clearly articulating and quantifying the business impact of UI design decisions, particularly in terms of conversion rates and revenue generation, to justify design investments.

• Managing Multiple Stakeholders: Effectively communicating and aligning design vision across various internal teams and client-side stakeholders with potentially differing priorities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Tooling & Techniques: Access to training on cutting-edge design software, prototyping methods, and advanced UI/UX principles.

• Specialization in eCommerce & Conversion: Opportunities to deepen expertise in conversion rate optimization (CRO), A/B testing, and user journey mapping specific to transactional platforms.

• Leadership Development: Pathways to take on more responsibility, mentor junior designers, and potentially lead design initiatives or teams.

• Industry Events & Certifications: Support for attending relevant conferences and pursuing certifications in design, UX, or digital marketing.

• Exposure to Enterprise-Level Projects: Working on complex, large-scale projects for globally recognized brands, providing invaluable experience and portfolio-building opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges and growth opportunities are typical for a senior role in a dynamic agency environment. The emphasis on demonstrating ROI and specialization in conversion is particularly relevant for candidates looking to align their design career with business outcomes and revenue-driving functions.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you used design systems to create work at scale. What were the challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on process, efficiency, and consistency.)

• "Walk us through a complex eCommerce UI project from your portfolio. How did you balance user needs with business goals, and what was the impact on conversion?" (Prepare a case study with clear problem, solution, and quantifiable results.)

• "How do you approach designing for accessibility and ensuring compliance with WCAG standards?" (Demonstrate your understanding and practical application.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do VML's core values (Heart, Brains, Courage) resonate with your professional approach?" (Prepare examples that align your experiences with these values.)

• "Describe your experience working in a fast-paced, agency environment with tight deadlines. How do you manage your workload and prioritize tasks?" (Highlight your organizational and time management skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your presentation logically, perhaps by project type (e.g., eCommerce, Design Systems) or by demonstrating a progression of skills.

• Focus on the 'Why' and 'How': For each project, articulate the strategic rationale behind your design decisions and the specific methods and tools you employed.

• Quantify Success: Clearly present any data or metrics that demonstrate the positive impact of your designs on user behavior, conversion rates, or client business objectives.

• Be Concise and Engaging: Practice your delivery to be clear, confident, and engaging. Allow ample time for Q&A, and be prepared to answer detailed questions about your work.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects that align with VML's focus on connected brands, customer experience, and commerce.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design proficiency but also a strategic understanding of how UI design contributes to business success, particularly in conversion and revenue generation. The portfolio is the primary tool for this demonstration.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UI Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.

• Customize Your Resume: Highlight experience in eCommerce, conversion-led design, and proficiency with Figma, Sketch, and Adobe Creative Suite. Use keywords from the job description and tailor achievements to showcase impact on user experience and business goals.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your strongest eCommerce and design system projects. Prepare a concise narrative for each, focusing on problem, solution, process, and quantifiable results. Ensure it is easily accessible online.

• Prepare for the Portfolio Presentation: Practice walking through your selected projects, articulating your design process, and confidently defending your decisions. Be ready to discuss how your work drives conversion and business impact.

• Research VML and WPP: Understand their client portfolio, core values (Heart, Brains, Courage), and the specific focus of the Enterprise Solutions division. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate cultural fit.

⚠️ 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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