Senior UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer

Company: VML Enterprise Solutions

Location: Lisbon, Portugal

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Customer Experience (CX)

Date Posted: February 24, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This Senior UX Designer role is pivotal within VML's expanding CX team, focusing on delivering high-quality user experiences for e-commerce and complex digital journeys.

• The position demands end-to-end ownership of the UX process, from discovery and research to the creation of detailed design artifacts and stakeholder communication.

• Success in this role hinges on a strong understanding of both user needs and client business requirements, translating them into effective and innovative design solutions.

• The role requires a proactive individual to lead initiatives, collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, and provide UX leadership to clients and internal stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Senior UX Designer," the description emphasizes a strong overlap with Customer Experience (CX) and even hints at consultative responsibilities ("consultancy" and "consulting" mentioned in the company description and role summary). This suggests the role might involve more strategic CX initiatives beyond traditional UX design, requiring a candidate comfortable with broader customer journey mapping and strategic problem-solving.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of product definition and UX requirements workshops, effectively gathering and synthesizing business and user needs.

• Scope, manage, and execute a variety of qualitative and quantitative user research initiatives, including usability testing, to uncover actionable insights.

• Analyze research data to identify key behavioral patterns and translate these findings into meaningful insights that inform design decisions and identify opportunity areas.

• Apply design thinking methodologies to conceptualize and develop innovative solutions for new experiences, propositions, products, and services.

• Create and present comprehensive design artifacts, including personas, user journey maps, storyboards, process flows, information architecture diagrams, wireframes, and interactive prototypes.

• Effectively communicate, defend, and build consensus around proposed product strategies and design approaches with stakeholders at various levels.

• Collaborate closely with fellow designers, program managers, developers, and account leads to enhance design quality and ensure the successful delivery of exceptional user experiences.

• Provide UX leadership to clients and internal teams, understanding key business drivers and contributing to the strategic vision for client engagements.

• Present and articulate design ideas, rationale, and outcomes clearly and persuasively to both working groups and C-suite executives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a need for strong project ownership and leadership. A Senior UX Designer in this context is expected to not just execute but also to guide the process, manage research, and influence strategy, highlighting the importance of candidates who can demonstrate leadership in past UX projects.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Psychology, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior UX Designer. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: Significant proven experience (5-10 years) in UX design, ideally within an agency environment, with a strong focus on e-commerce or complex digital journeys.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in end-to-end UX design processes, including discovery phases, research (qualitative & quantitative), and problem-solving using design thinking.

• Demonstrated ability to create high-quality, best-in-class UX design artifacts, evidenced by a compelling portfolio.

• Strong proficiency in creating personas, user journey maps, storyboards, process flows, and information architecture diagrams.

• Extensive experience in wireframing and prototyping complex user interfaces.

• Solid understanding of interaction design principles and creating intuitive user experiences.

• Ability to analyze technical constraints, user goals, and business requirements to shape effective solutions.

• Excellent client communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale persuasively.

• Proven experience in managing and influencing stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with service design principles and methodologies.

• Expertise in user optimization strategies and techniques.

• Consulting experience, particularly in digital transformation or CX strategy.

• Familiarity with data analysis and deriving insights from user data.

• Experience working within a hybrid agency/consultancy environment.

• Knowledge of current UX/UI design trends and emerging technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "compelling portfolio that demonstrates high quality, best in class UX design" and "breadth of experience in e-commerce or complex journeys" is critical. Candidates should curate their portfolios to specifically highlight projects that showcase these strengths, including case studies detailing their process, problem-solving, and demonstrable impact.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio is mandatory, showcasing high-quality, best-in-class UX design work with a clear emphasis on e-commerce or complex user journeys.

• Demonstrate end-to-end ownership of the UX process, from initial discovery and research (qualitative and quantitative) to the final design solutions.

• Showcase the application of design thinking methods and techniques to solve complex user and business problems.

• Include detailed case studies that articulate the problem, your role, the process followed, the solutions developed, and the measurable outcomes or impact achieved.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of running and documenting requirements workshops, including how business needs and user goals were synthesized.

• Documentation of research methodologies used (e.g., user interviews, surveys, usability tests) and how insights were translated into actionable design recommendations.

• Examples of information architecture, user flow diagrams, and wireframing processes that demonstrate a structured approach to design.

• Prototypes that illustrate user interaction and flow, showing a clear understanding of how users navigate and engage with digital products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Portfolio Essentials" section is heavily weighted towards practical demonstration of UX skills and process. Candidates should prepare to walk through their portfolio, explaining their decision-making, the challenges faced, and how they leveraged data and user feedback to arrive at their solutions.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior UX Designer with 5-10 years of experience in Lisbon, Portugal, a competitive salary range is estimated between €45,000 to €65,000 annually. This estimate considers the cost of living in Lisbon, the seniority of the role, and industry benchmarks for UX design positions in Western Europe.

Benefits:

• Opportunity to work with leading global brands such as Coca-Cola, EY, Bosch, Unilever, Ford, and more.

• Focus on career development and skill enhancement, with opportunities to grow expertise.

• Empowerment to make a difference and contribute to impactful projects.

• A culture that values individuality and respects diverse perspectives.

• Potential for international collaboration within VML's global network of 150+ offices.

• Access to VML's internal learning resources and development programs.

• Contribution to a company that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, with potential for flexibility depending on project needs and team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on general market data for a Senior UX Designer in Lisbon. Actual compensation may vary based on specific experience, interview performance, and the company's internal compensation structure. Benefits are inferred from the company description and common offerings for roles of this seniority in international agencies.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Marketing & Advertising, Technology, Consulting, Digital Experience. VML operates at the intersection of these industries, leveraging creativity, data, and technology to drive client growth.

Company Size: Over 30,000 employees globally, with the Enterprise Solutions division having over 4,200 experts across 55 operational centers in 34 countries. This signifies a large, globally integrated organization with significant resources and reach.

Founded: VML was formed by the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, combining over a century of expertise. This heritage brings a depth of experience and a proven track record in delivering innovative solutions.

Team Structure:

• The Senior UX Designer will join a rapidly expanding CX team, reporting into the Lead UX.

• This team includes Leads in UX, UI, Service Design, Optimisation, and Consulting, suggesting a multidisciplinary approach to customer experience.

Methodology:

• VML emphasizes a growth partner approach, combining creative agency, consultancy, and technology capabilities.

• The company delivers end-to-end solutions, indicating a comprehensive project lifecycle management.

• Design thinking, data analysis, and a focus on customer journeys are core to their operational methodology.

• The Enterprise Solutions division specifically focuses on delivering digital experiences across multiple market routes (marketplaces, D2C, B2B, social), highlighting a strong focus on commerce and technical implementation.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: VML's recent merger is a significant factor. Candidates should be aware of the company's ambition to be a "growth partner" and how this impacts the approach to client work, blending creative innovation with strategic consultancy and technological execution.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level position within the UX/CX domain. It implies a significant level of autonomy, responsibility for leading projects, mentoring junior designers, and influencing strategic direction. The role is expected to contribute to complex, high-impact projects for major global brands.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Designer reports to the Lead UX and will work closely with other Leads within the CX team (UI, Service Design, Optimisation, Consulting). This structure allows for mentorship and collaboration with experienced leaders while also providing exposure to different facets of customer experience.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts client success by designing user-centric digital experiences that drive engagement, conversion, and customer loyalty. The Senior UX Designer's work contributes to VML's reputation for delivering "revolutionary work" and achieving significant annual revenue for clients. The focus on e-commerce and complex journeys means the impact is directly tied to commercial outcomes.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of UX/CX, such as e-commerce strategy, service design, or advanced research techniques.

• Leadership Development: Progress to a Lead UX/CX role, managing teams and larger strategic initiatives.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain experience in consulting, technology architecture, and data analytics through collaboration with other VML divisions.

• Client Strategy: Develop a stronger understanding of client business drivers and contribute to high-level strategic planning for major brands.

• Global Mobility: Potential to work on international projects or relocate to other VML offices globally.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Growth Opportunities" are inferred from the company's structure, the seniority of the role, and the stated commitment to career development. Candidates should inquire about specific training programs, mentorship opportunities, and typical career paths for Senior UX Designers at VML.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: VML operates as a hybrid agency/consultancy/technology powerhouse. The work environment in the Lisbon office is likely to be dynamic, collaborative, and fast-paced, reflecting the nature of agency work with global clients.

Office Location(s): Lisbon, Portugal. This location offers a vibrant cultural hub and a strategic base for VML's European operations. Specific office details or amenities would need to be confirmed directly.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires close collaboration with designers, developers, strategists, and account managers, suggesting an open and interactive workspace designed to foster teamwork.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design and prototyping tools, as well as relevant project management and communication platforms, will be essential for day-to-day operations.

• Client Interaction: Opportunities to interact with clients, both remotely and potentially in person, will be part of the role, requiring a professional and adaptable demeanor.

Work Schedule: The role is primarily on-site in Lisbon, with a standard 40-hour work week. While agency work can sometimes demand extended hours during critical project phases, VML's culture emphasizes work-life balance and employee well-being.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" designation is important. Candidates should confirm the specific expectations regarding office attendance and any flexibility that might be offered, especially given the #LI-HYBRID tag in the job description, which might suggest some hybrid flexibility exists within the broader organization or for other roles.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of your CV and portfolio by a recruiter or hiring manager to assess basic qualifications and alignment with the role.

• Portfolio Presentation: A key stage will involve presenting your portfolio to the hiring team (Lead UX, Head of UX, potentially others). Be prepared to walk through 2-3 of your strongest projects, detailing your process, problem-solving approach, design decisions, and the impact of your work.

• Skills-Based Interview: Questions will focus on UX methodologies, design thinking, research techniques, e-commerce best practices, and your ability to handle complex challenges.

• Behavioral & Cultural Fit Interview: Assess your collaboration style, communication skills, ability to work with diverse teams and clients, and alignment with VML's core values (Heart, Brains, Courage).

• Stakeholder/Client Simulation (Potentially): You might be asked to present a design concept or rationale in a simulated client or stakeholder scenario.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your experience in e-commerce, complex journeys, and end-to-end UX ownership.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the results/impact (quantifiable where possible).

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your thought process, research insights, and how you navigated constraints and challenges.

• Showcase Artifacts: Present a range of artifacts (personas, journey maps, wireframes, prototypes) to demonstrate your toolkit.

• Be Ready to Discuss: Prepare to answer detailed questions about your design decisions and rationale.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a potential design challenge or case study, either pre-interview or during the interview process. This might involve analyzing a problem, proposing a solution, or critiquing an existing design.

• Focus on Process: For any challenge, clearly articulate your approach, assumptions, and how you would gather information to solve it.

• Communication: Practice explaining your ideas clearly and concisely, as you will need to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is expected to be rigorous, with a strong emphasis on the portfolio as a primary assessment tool. Candidates should invest significant time in preparing their portfolio presentation and anticipating questions related to their project experience and UX methodologies.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision, Axure RP (proficiency in at least one primary tool is expected, with familiarity across others being beneficial).

• User Research Tools: UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey (for conducting and analyzing qualitative and quantitative research).

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Asana, Trello, Slack, Microsoft Teams (for team communication and project tracking).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics (understanding how to interpret user behavior data).

• Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI (potentially, for understanding broader business data or research findings).

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a UX tool, understanding how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms influence customer journeys and data availability can be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the JD doesn't explicitly list tools, the responsibilities (research, wireframing, prototyping, collaboration) strongly imply proficiency in industry-standard UX design and research software. Candidates should highlight their experience with tools commonly used in agency environments.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Heart: Fostering empathy, trust, and human-centric design. This means understanding user needs deeply and creating experiences that resonate emotionally.

• Brains: Valuing curiosity, collaborative intelligence, and innovative problem-solving. This encourages a data-driven and analytical approach to design challenges.

• Courage: Inspiring boldness in experimentation, speaking up for user needs, and advocating for innovative solutions. This promotes a proactive and impactful approach to design.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with UX, UI, Service Design, Optimisation, and Consulting teams is essential.

• Stakeholder Management: Building strong relationships with clients and internal stakeholders, effectively communicating design rationale and managing expectations.

• Feedback Culture: Openness to constructive feedback and a willingness to iterate on designs based on input from peers, clients, and users.

• Shared Learning: A culture that encourages sharing knowledge and best practices across the team to foster continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: VML's core values (Heart, Brains, Courage) are central to their culture. Candidates should prepare to articulate how they embody these values in their daily work and how they apply them to design challenges, particularly in relation to empathy (Heart), strategic thinking (Brains), and advocating for innovative solutions (Courage).

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Effectively managing competing demands from clients, internal teams, and user requirements to create harmonious solutions.

• Navigating Technical Constraints: Designing innovative solutions within the practical limitations of technology and development timelines.

• Driving Adoption of Best Practices: Championing UX/CX best practices within client organizations and internal teams, sometimes in the face of resistance.

• Staying Ahead of Trends: Continuously adapting to the rapidly evolving landscape of digital design, technology, and user behavior.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Access to VML's internal learning platforms and potential for external courses/certifications in advanced UX, CX, or related fields.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from and be mentored by Lead UX designers, Head of UX, and other senior leaders within the CX team.

• Exposure to Diverse Projects: Working with a wide range of global brands and industries provides diverse learning experiences and broadens skill sets.

• Industry Conferences: Potential to attend industry events and conferences to stay abreast of the latest trends and network with peers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a Senior UX Designer in a large agency environment. Candidates should be ready to discuss how they have overcome similar challenges in their past roles and how they approach continuous learning and professional development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex e-commerce journey you designed. What were the key challenges, and how did you use design thinking to solve them?" (Focus on your process, user-centricity, and problem-solving).

• "How do you balance user needs with business requirements and technical constraints? Provide an example." (Demonstrates strategic thinking and pragmatism).

• "Walk us through your process for conducting user research. What methods do you prefer, and how do you translate findings into actionable design recommendations?" (Highlights research expertise and analytical skills).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do VML's core values of Heart, Brains, and Courage resonate with your personal work philosophy?" (Prepare specific examples for each value).

• "Describe your experience working in a multidisciplinary team. How do you collaborate effectively with UI designers, developers, and strategists?" (Focus on teamwork and communication).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each project, present: Problem/Challenge -> Your Role -> Process/Methodology -> Solution -> Impact/Results.

• Visuals: Use clear, high-fidelity visuals of your design artifacts.

• Storytelling: Weave a narrative that highlights your critical thinking, problem-solving, and user advocacy.

• Metrics: Quantify impact wherever possible (e.g., conversion rate increase, task completion time reduction, user satisfaction scores).

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time; focus on the most impactful aspects of your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily rely on the candidate's ability to articulate their design process and demonstrate their strategic thinking through their portfolio and responses. Practicing presentation skills and anticipating questions related to agency work and client management will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the VML Enterprise Solutions careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is tailored to highlight your e-commerce experience, complex journey design, and end-to-end UX process ownership. Prepare 2-3 detailed case studies for presentation.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly reflect your 5-10 years of relevant experience, emphasizing achievements in UX design, research, and client collaboration using keywords from the job description (e.g., UX Design, E-commerce, Research, Wireframing, Prototyping, Design Thinking).

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, articulating your design process, and answering behavioral questions related to VML's values and collaboration style. Prepare specific examples for each core value (Heart, Brains, Courage).

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with VML's recent work, client portfolio, and their "growth partner" positioning. Understand their approach to CX and digital transformation in the enterprise solutions space.

⚠️ 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.