Senior UI Designer (m/w/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UI Designer (m/w/d)
Company: nexum
Location: Köln, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Job Type: FULL_TIME
Category: Design Operations / UX/UI Operations
Date Posted: August 05, 2025
Experience Level: Senior (5-10 years)
Remote Status: Hybrid (2-3 days in-office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the creative and strategic direction for UI design within complex digital transformation projects, ensuring a cohesive and high-quality user experience.
• Develop and maintain robust design systems and style guides, establishing visual standards and promoting consistency across all digital touchpoints.
• Drive design phases autonomously, acting as a key facilitator and contributor in critical decision-making processes involving UX, Development, and Project Management.
• Cultivate a collaborative design environment by coaching and mentoring junior designers, conducting design reviews, and actively contributing to the team's skill enhancement.
• Champion the adoption of emerging design trends, tools, and methodologies to continuously innovate and optimize internal design processes and client deliverables.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is titled UI Designer, its emphasis on strategic responsibility, leadership, client workshops, and mentoring junior designers positions it within a "Design Operations" or "UX/UI Operations" framework, focusing on the strategic management and optimization of design processes and team capabilities.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Assume end-to-end creative and strategic ownership of UI design for challenging digital projects, ensuring alignment with client objectives and user needs.
• Independently manage and execute design phases, establishing clear visual guidelines and setting benchmarks for design consistency, quality, and user-centricity.
• Architect and implement scalable design systems and comprehensive style guides that enhance both aesthetic appeal and functional usability, facilitating efficient design and development workflows.
• Foster strong, collaborative relationships with UX, Development, and Project Management teams, serving as a central design authority and facilitator throughout project lifecycles.
• Lead client workshops and present design visions effectively, acting as a primary point of contact for all UI-related inquiries and strategic discussions.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior and specialist-level designers, conduct thorough design reviews, and actively contribute to the professional development and upskilling of the design team.
• Proactively identify, evaluate, and integrate new design trends, tools, and methodologies into the company's practices, driving continuous improvement in design processes and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a senior-level role with significant leadership and strategic input, moving beyond pure execution to encompass process ownership, team development, and client-facing strategic contributions, which are key aspects of operations-focused roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A completed university degree or equivalent professional qualification in Design, Communication, or Media disciplines.

Experience:

• Extensive, ideally long-term, experience in UI Design, preferably gained within agency environments, design studios, or digital product development settings.
• Proven track record of leading design initiatives and contributing strategically to concept development and project execution.

Required Skills:

• Senior-Level Figma Proficiency: Mastery of Figma, including advanced capabilities in creating and managing complex components, variants, interactive prototyping, and design handoff processes.
• Design System Development: Expertise in conceptualizing, building, and maintaining scalable design systems and style guides that ensure consistency and efficiency.
• Client Workshop Facilitation: Demonstrated ability to lead client workshops, articulate design strategies, and effectively present design visions to diverse audiences.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Experience working seamlessly with interdisciplinary teams (UX, Development, Project Management) and communicating effectively with various stakeholders.
• Strong Visual Acumen: Excellent understanding of typography, layout principles, interaction design, and a keen eye for aesthetic detail and user-centric design solutions.
• Mentorship & Team Support: A proactive approach to mentoring junior designers, providing constructive feedback, and fostering a collaborative team environment.
• Proactive Problem-Solving: Ability to identify potential challenges early, propose innovative solutions, and drive initiatives forward independently.
• German and English Fluency: Excellent command of both German and English languages for effective communication in a multinational client and team environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Prototyping & Motion Tools: Familiarity with advanced prototyping tools such as Protopie, or motion design tools like After Effects or Lottie animations.
• Trend Awareness & Accessibility: Knowledge of current design trends, best practices in digital environments, and a solid understanding of accessibility (WCAG) standards.
• Basic HTML/CSS Understanding: Foundational knowledge of HTML and CSS concepts to facilitate smoother communication and collaboration with development teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma mastery, design systems, client interaction, and team leadership indicates a role that requires not only strong individual design skills but also the ability to operationalize design processes and elevate team performance, aligning with operations principles.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Strategic Design Contributions: Showcase projects where you influenced concept and strategy, demonstrating your ability to think beyond pure aesthetics and contribute to the overall project vision.
• Design System Implementation: Include examples of design systems or style guides you have developed, highlighting their structure, scalability, and impact on design consistency and efficiency.
• Process Ownership: Present case studies that illustrate your leadership in design phases, from initial ideation through to final handoff, detailing your methodologies and decision-making processes.
• Client Engagement & Presentation: Feature projects where you led client interactions, presented design solutions, and managed stakeholder expectations effectively.
• Problem-Solving in Design: Highlight instances where you tackled complex design challenges, detailing your approach, the tools used (especially Figma), and the resulting improvements.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Demonstrate experience in designing, documenting, and optimizing UI design workflows, including the implementation of design systems.
• Handoff & Collaboration Protocols: Provide examples of how you've established clear handoff protocols between design and development, ensuring smooth integration and efficient collaboration.
• Quality Assurance & Feedback Loops: Illustrate your methods for conducting design reviews, gathering feedback, and ensuring the quality and consistency of design outputs.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio demonstrating strategic input, design system implementation, and client-facing experience is crucial. This suggests the need for candidates to showcase not just final deliverables but also the process, strategic thinking, and collaborative efforts that underpin successful UI operations.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• While not explicitly stated, based on industry benchmarks for a Senior UI Designer in Cologne, Germany, with 5-10 years of experience and hybrid work expectations, a competitive annual salary range would typically fall between €60,000 and €80,000. This estimate considers the company's emphasis on development, client-facing responsibilities, and leadership potential.

Benefits:

• Continuous Professional Development: Access to the "nexum Akademie," internal workshops, external training courses, and certifications to support individual career growth and skill enhancement.
• Flexible Working Arrangements: Offers flexible working hours and mobile working options, allowing for a better work-life balance and personal scheduling.
• Mac or Windows Choice: Freedom to choose your preferred operating system (Mac or Windows) for your work setup.
• Collaborative and Social Environment: Opportunities for knowledge sharing through interest groups, team meetings, and company-wide events.
• Employee Events & Socials: Participation in employee events such as the nexum Summer Festival and access to an open bar for informal team interaction.
• Modern Workspace: Access to a pleasant office environment with a notable courtyard in Cologne.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week, with flexibility in scheduling to accommodate personal needs and project demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on common market rates for senior-level design roles in Germany, factoring in the specified experience level and the hybrid work model. The benefits emphasize a strong commitment to employee growth and well-being, aligning with modern workplace expectations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry:

• Nexum operates within the digital consulting and creation sector, focusing on transforming businesses through digital strategies, creative solutions, and technological implementation. This context implies a dynamic, client-driven environment where innovation and adaptability are paramount for operations.

Company Size:

• While not explicitly stated, the reference to "Azubi oder Vorstand" (apprentice or board member) and various team interaction formats suggests a medium to large-sized organization with a structured yet accessible internal communication flow. This size typically allows for specialized teams and cross-functional collaboration while maintaining a sense of community.

Founded:

• The founding date is not provided, but the company's description suggests a mature organization with established processes and a clear vision for digital transformation, likely having evolved over several years to build its expertise and client base.

Team Structure:

• User Experience & Design Team: The role is situated within a dedicated UX and Design team, indicating a specialized unit focused on delivering high-quality user experiences and interfaces.
• Reporting & Collaboration: The Senior UI Designer will likely report to a Design Lead or Head of Design and will collaborate closely with UX Designers, Developers, Project Managers, and potentially client teams.
• Cross-functional Interaction: Expect significant interaction with IT, client management, and business development teams to ensure design solutions are integrated holistically and meet strategic business goals.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The company values an open exchange of ideas and learning, suggesting a data-informed approach to design, where user feedback and analytics likely play a role in decision-making.
• Agile Project Management: The mention of close collaboration with Project Management implies an agile or iterative development methodology where design is integrated throughout the project lifecycle.
• Client-Centric Processes: Acting as a central point of contact for UI topics and leading client workshops points to a client-centric operational model where client needs and feedback are prioritized.

Company Website:

• https://www.nexuminc.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes collaboration, personal development, and a human-centric approach, which translates into how operations are managed – focusing on team empowerment and continuous improvement.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level:

• This role represents a Senior-level individual contributor with significant leadership and strategic responsibilities. It’s a position that requires not only expert-level design skills but also the capacity to manage design processes, mentor others, and influence client strategy, aligning with a "Lead" or "Principal" design operational track.

Reporting Structure:

• The Senior UI Designer likely reports to a Head of Design, Design Director, or similar leadership role. They will also work closely with Project Managers and potentially report into project-specific leadership structures. The role is expected to have a degree of autonomy in managing their design responsibilities and contributing to team strategy.

Operations Impact:

• The Senior UI Designer's impact is crucial for driving client satisfaction and project success through exceptional UI design. By ensuring design consistency, usability, and adherence to strategic goals, they directly influence the quality of digital products. Their role in mentoring also impacts the overall capability and efficiency of the design operations team, fostering talent and improving collective output. They are instrumental in translating business requirements into user-friendly interfaces, thereby supporting revenue generation and client retention.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Progression: Potential to advance into a Design Lead, Art Director, or Managerial role, overseeing design teams and strategic initiatives.
• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like design systems, interaction design, or user research through specialized projects and training.
• Client Strategy Influence: Grow into a role with more direct client strategy involvement, advising on digital product roadmaps and user experience vision.
• Process Improvement: Contribute to and lead initiatives for improving design operations, tools, and methodologies within the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth beyond individual contribution, into management, strategic advisory, and operational optimization within the design function, typical for senior roles in established operations-focused teams.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type:

• The company provides a modern office environment, highlighted by a "beautiful courtyard" in Cologne, suggesting a professional yet comfortable and potentially collaborative workspace. It's an office that facilitates in-person interaction, team building, and client meetings.

Office Location(s):

• The primary office is located at Vogelsanger Str. 321a, 50827 Köln, Germany. The mention of "standortübergreifend und remote" (cross-location and remote) suggests that while the core office is in Cologne, there might be other locations or a strong remote culture that complements the hybrid model.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office serves as a hub for team interaction, with specific mentions of an "Open Bar" for exchanges and employee events, fostering a strong sense of community and informal collaboration.
• Tool Availability: While not explicitly detailed, it's implied that a professional design environment will be equipped with the necessary hardware (Mac/Windows choice) and software for senior-level UI design work.
• Team Interaction: The hybrid model (2-3 days in-office) is designed to maximize the benefits of in-person collaboration for creative tasks, brainstorming, and team cohesion, while allowing for focused work remotely.

Work Schedule:

• The company offers flexible working hours, allowing employees to structure their day around project needs and personal preferences, a common practice in operations roles that require adaptability and efficient time management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a positive, collaborative physical workspace complements the hybrid model, indicating a company that values both structured in-office interaction and individual focus, a key operational consideration for employee productivity and well-being.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application & Screening: Submit CV and portfolio. The hiring team will review for alignment with core requirements, especially Figma proficiency and portfolio quality.
• First Interview (Hiring Manager/Team Lead): Focus on your experience, design philosophy, approach to UI design, and understanding of design systems. Expect questions about your portfolio projects.
• Design Challenge/Case Study: You may be asked to complete a design exercise or present a detailed case study from your portfolio, focusing on your process, strategic thinking, client interaction, and problem-solving skills. This is where your operations mindset in design will be evaluated.
• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meet with potential colleagues (UX, Dev) and possibly client-facing team members to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and communication skills.
• Final Interview (Senior Management): Discussion on strategic contributions, leadership potential, and overall fit with the company's vision and operations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your UI design leadership, strategic thinking, design system work, and client engagement.
• Highlight Process, Not Just Pixels: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (especially in Figma), key decisions made, and the measurable impact or outcome.
• Showcase Design Systems: If you have experience with design systems, dedicate a section to demonstrate your approach to their creation, implementation, and maintenance.
• Emphasize Collaboration: Detail how you worked with cross-functional teams and stakeholders, illustrating your communication and problem-solving skills in a team context.
• Prepare for Presentation: Be ready to walk through your portfolio confidently, explaining your contributions and rationale clearly and concisely.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: If a design challenge is provided, carefully read and understand the objectives, constraints, and expected deliverables.
• Structure Your Approach: Outline your process before diving into execution. Think about user research (even if hypothetical), ideation, sketching, wireframing, prototyping, and testing.
• Focus on Operations: For any challenge, consider how your design decisions impact development efficiency, scalability, and maintainability. Think about how a design system could be applied.
• Time Management: Allocate your time effectively to ensure you can complete the core requirements of the challenge and present your work clearly.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical application of design skills, strategic thinking, and collaborative abilities, mirroring the operational demands of a senior role that involves managing processes and teams.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: This is the core tool for UI design, prototyping, and design system management. Advanced proficiency is explicitly required, including complex component creation, variants, interactive prototyping, and design handoff features.
• Protopie: Mentioned as a preferred tool for advanced prototyping, indicating a need for sophisticated interaction design capabilities.
• After Effects / Lottie: Preferred for motion design, suggesting that dynamic and animated UI elements are part of the company's design output.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed, a Senior UI Designer is expected to be comfortable working with analytics tools and user feedback platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Hotjar, user testing platforms) to inform design decisions and measure impact.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the UI Designer role, but understanding the context of CRM and marketing automation from a user experience perspective can be beneficial for integrated digital projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma as a primary tool and Protopie/After Effects as preferred tools highlights the technical stack critical for this role, emphasizing the need for proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping software.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Collaboration & Open Exchange: The company culture promotes open communication and knowledge sharing, valuing team members who actively participate in discussions and contribute to collective learning.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: There's a drive to bring in new trends, tools, and methods, indicating a value placed on adaptability, learning, and optimizing existing processes.
• Client Focus & Partnership: Working "on eye level" with clients and leading workshops signifies a commitment to client success and building strong, collaborative client relationships.
• Mentorship & Team Development: The emphasis on coaching junior designers and fostering team growth highlights a value placed on developing talent and supporting colleagues.
• Passion for Digital: A shared enthusiasm for digital topics and creating impactful digital solutions unites the team.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role requires close collaboration with UX, Development, and Project Management, emphasizing a team-oriented approach where different disciplines work together towards common project goals.
• Feedback-Driven: The mention of design reviews and encouraging feedback suggests a culture where constructive criticism is welcomed as a means to improve design quality and team processes.
• Proactive Contribution: Team members are encouraged to proactively identify challenges and propose solutions, fostering an environment of shared ownership and continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture values proactivity, collaboration, and a commitment to continuous learning and client success, reflecting operational principles focused on efficiency, quality, and team development.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Client Demands with Design Best Practices: Effectively managing client expectations and project timelines while ensuring adherence to high UI design standards and user-centric principles.
• Integrating New Technologies/Trends: Staying ahead of the curve with evolving design tools and trends and integrating them effectively into client projects and internal workflows.
• Mentoring and Upskilling: Balancing senior design responsibilities with the active mentorship of junior designers, ensuring their development while maintaining project momentum.
• Driving Design System Adoption: Championing the use and evolution of design systems across diverse projects and teams to ensure consistency and efficiency.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Tool Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in Figma, Protopie, and motion design tools.
• Client Strategy Exposure: Gain experience in client-facing strategic discussions and contribute to digital transformation roadmaps.
• Leadership Skills Development: Opportunities to hone mentoring, coaching, and project leadership skills through active team involvement and potential project lead roles.
• Industry Best Practices: Continuous learning through internal workshops, external training, and exposure to new design methodologies and digital trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges and growth opportunities are framed around enhancing operational capabilities, both for the individual designer and the team as a whole, emphasizing continuous improvement and strategic development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led the UI design for a complex digital project. What was your strategic approach, and how did you ensure success?" (Focus on process, client alignment, and outcomes.)
• "How do you approach building or evolving a design system? Walk me through your process and highlight key considerations for scalability and usability." (Demonstrate understanding of design operations and efficiency.)
• "Tell us about a challenging client interaction you had related to UI design. How did you manage the situation, and what was the resolution?" (Showcase communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to nexum, and how do you see yourself contributing to our company culture and values?" (Research the company’s digital focus and collaborative ethos.)
• "How do you typically collaborate with UX designers, developers, and project managers? Describe your ideal cross-functional working relationship." (Highlight your team-player mentality and understanding of integrated workflows.)
• "How do you measure the success of your UI designs, and what metrics do you find most important?" (Prepare to discuss user engagement, conversion rates, task completion, and client satisfaction.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with the 'Why': Begin each case study by clearly stating the project's objectives and the user problem you aimed to solve.
• Showcase Your Process: Use visuals (sketches, wireframes, prototypes) to illustrate your design journey. Explain your decision-making at each stage, especially your Figma workflow.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data or metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced bounce rates, positive user feedback).
• Highlight Collaboration: Explain how you partnered with other teams to bring your designs to life, demonstrating your ability to work within an operational framework.
• Engage Your Audience: Be prepared to answer questions and discuss your work interactively, showing enthusiasm and expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, process management, collaborative skills, and a results-oriented approach, all critical components of effective operations professionals.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UI Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on the nexum careers page.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating strategic UI design leadership, design system development, and successful client engagements. Focus on projects where you influenced concept and strategy.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your experience with Figma at a senior level, your mentoring capabilities, and your ability to collaborate cross-functionally. Use keywords like "UI Design," "Design Systems," "Figma," "Prototyping," and "Client Workshops."
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving approaches, and contributions to team development. Prepare to present a case study from your portfolio, focusing on the operational aspects of your work.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with nexum's client work and digital transformation focus. Understand their values and approach to client collaboration to better align your responses during the interview.

⚠️ 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.