Senior UX Designer - Focus Design Systems

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer - Focus Design Systems Company: DEPT® Location: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands Job Type: Full-time Category: UX Design / Design Operations Date Posted: 2025-08-08 Experience Level: 5+ Years Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design, development, and maintenance of scalable design systems that enhance consistency and quality across digital products.
• Apply systems thinking to create foundational elements for user experiences, enabling product teams to build efficiently and cohesively.
• Foster collaboration between design, development, and product teams, facilitating workshops and knowledge sharing to drive adoption and ownership of the design system.
• Champion human-centered design principles, accessibility standards, and brand guidelines within the design system framework.
• Evolve and govern the design system based on user feedback, business needs, and emerging trends in tooling and technology.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior UX Designer with a specialized focus on Design Systems, indicating a leadership and strategic contributor capacity within the Experience & Engineering team. The emphasis on "enabling people" and "nurturing a community of practice" suggests a strong influence on team culture and cross-functional collaboration, typical of senior operations-focused design roles.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain robust, scalable design systems comprising components, patterns, and guidelines that empower product teams to create consistent, high-quality user experiences.
• Translate UX principles, accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG), and brand guidelines into usable, flexible, and well-documented components and patterns for efficient implementation.
• Collaborate closely with UI designers, front-end developers, product owners, and brand strategists to ensure design-development alignment, technical feasibility, and cohesive brand representation across all digital touchpoints.
• Facilitate interactive workshops, onboarding sessions, and design reviews to promote the adoption, understanding, and shared ownership of the design system across diverse product teams.
• Provide ongoing support to product teams in effectively applying the design system, gathering feedback, and iterating on system elements based on real-world usage, evolving business requirements, and performance metrics.
• Act as a vocal advocate for human-centered design principles throughout the design system's lifecycle, ensuring user needs and accessibility are prioritized.
• Co-shape and implement governance models, contribution guidelines, and community structures to effectively scale the impact and sustainability of the design system across multiple products and teams.
• Continuously research and integrate emerging trends in design tooling (e.g., Figma features, tokens), accessibility best practices, and front-end technologies to drive the evolution and relevance of the design system.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strategic approach to design systems, moving beyond mere component creation to encompass governance, community building, and cross-functional enablement. This suggests the role requires strong project management, communication, and strategic thinking skills, common in operations-oriented design leadership positions.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience as a UX Designer, with a significant portion dedicated to building, scaling, and maintaining design systems within an agency or for a prominent brand.
• Proven experience delivering digital projects for large, well-known brands, evidenced by a strong portfolio showcasing design system contributions and impact.
• Demonstrated success working within agile, cross-functional teams, ideally in complex product development environments with multiple stakeholders.

Required Skills:

• Deep expertise in Figma, including advanced proficiency with components, variants, auto layout, and design tokens, and a strong understanding of how to connect design workflows with development processes.
• Proven ability to design, document, and implement scalable design systems, including pattern libraries, style guides, and component documentation.
• Strong understanding of UX principles, user-centered design methodologies, and accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG 2.1 AA).
• Excellent facilitation skills for workshops, design reviews, and training sessions, with the ability to drive consensus and adoption.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Systems thinking and a strategic mindset to approach design challenges holistically and build for scalability.
• Assertiveness and independence; the ability to challenge the status quo, provide new ideas, and go beyond client briefs and backlog items.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with other design and prototyping tools (e.g., Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, InVision).
• Familiarity with front-end development concepts and technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript frameworks) to facilitate better collaboration with engineering teams.
• Experience in establishing and managing design system governance models and community forums.
• Knowledge of design token management and implementation strategies.
• Familiarity with user research methodologies and integrating user feedback into design system evolution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma, agile methodologies, and cross-functional collaboration, alongside the requirement for assertiveness and challenging the status quo, points to a role that requires not just design execution but also operational leadership in process and team enablement.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating a strong track record in building, scaling, and maintaining design systems for recognizable brands or complex digital products.
• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, and the impact of the design system you helped create or manage.
• Examples of well-documented components, patterns, and style guides, showcasing clarity, usability, and adherence to design principles.
• Evidence of how you facilitated adoption, collaboration, and community building around a design system.
• Demonstrations of how you translated UX principles, accessibility standards, and brand guidelines into practical system elements.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of process documentation related to design system creation, including workflow design, component contribution guidelines, and version control strategies.
• Provide insights into how you managed feedback loops, conducted design reviews, and iterated on system elements based on user and business needs.
• Illustrate methods for measuring the impact and efficiency gains achieved through the design system's implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Designer focused on Design Systems, the portfolio is critical. It needs to go beyond visual design to demonstrate strategic thinking, process management, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to create repeatable, scalable design solutions. The focus should be on the "system" aspect and its operational benefits.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for Senior UX Designers with specialized Design System experience in the Netherlands (Amsterdam/Rotterdam), a competitive annual salary range of €65,000 - €90,000 is anticipated. This range will vary based on the candidate's specific experience, skill set, and proven impact.

Benefits:

• Flexible, Hybrid Working Policy: Opportunity to work remotely for up to 2-3 days per week, with flexibility to work abroad for up to 13 weeks per year.
• Generous Vacation Allowance: 24 vacation days annually, with the option to purchase additional days.
• Continuous Learning & Development: Access to DEPT®/YOU Learning Menu and Special Programs for tailored skill development, courses, and professional growth.
• Health & Wellness Support: Contribution towards health and well-being through the OpenUp platform, gym and wellness discounts, and subsidized healthy lunches at the office.
• Commuting Benefits: Discounted lease bike program and an NS Business Card for hassle-free commuting nationwide.
• Certified B Corp® Status: Opportunity to work for a company committed to social and environmental responsibility.
• Great Place to Work Certification: Recognition for a positive and supportive work environment.
• Industry Recognition: Work with a company recognized as 'Agency of the Year' at prestigious awards like The Lovies and The Webby Awards.
• Client Exposure: Opportunity to work with a diverse portfolio of impressive clients, from local businesses to global enterprises.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are expected, typically around 40 hours per week. The hybrid policy offers flexibility in how and where these hours are fulfilled.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on typical market rates for senior-level design roles in the Netherlands, considering the specialized nature of design systems. The extensive benefits package reflects DEPT®'s commitment to employee well-being and professional development, aligning with a modern, employee-centric operational approach.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Agency / Technology Consulting / Marketing Services. DEPT® operates at the intersection of technology and marketing, focusing on creating digital experiences, products, and services for a wide array of clients. Company Size: Large. DEPT® is a global company with employees across 30+ countries, indicating a substantial organizational structure with diverse teams and resources. Founded: DEPT® was founded in 2015. Its rapid growth and global expansion underscore a dynamic and ambitious operational strategy.

Team Structure:

• The role is part of the "Experience & Engineering" team, suggesting a multidisciplinary unit that bridges creative design with technical execution.
• This team likely includes UX/UI designers, front-end developers, back-end developers, product strategists, and potentially project managers, fostering a collaborative and integrated approach to digital product development.
• Reporting structure will likely involve a Design Lead or Head of Experience, with the Senior UX Designer taking a leading role within the design systems initiative.

Methodology:

• DEPT® emphasizes a data-driven approach combined with creative innovation, often working within agile methodologies to deliver client projects efficiently.
• Their focus on "future-ready technical solutions" and "exceptional and engaging digital experiences" indicates a commitment to modern design and development practices.
• Expect a culture that values continuous learning, experimentation, and a proactive approach to problem-solving and process improvement.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: DEPT®'s culture is described as "pioneers at heart," "curious, self-driven, talented people who never stop innovating," with a balance of global reach ("big enough to cope") and personal attention ("small enough to care"). This suggests an environment that supports autonomy, innovation, and cross-cultural collaboration, important for operational efficiency and team cohesion.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor with potential for Team Leadership. This role is a Senior UX Designer, indicating a high level of autonomy, expertise, and the ability to mentor junior team members. The focus on design systems also positions the individual as a key operational leader in standardizing design practices. Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Designer will likely report to a Design Lead, Head of UX/Experience, or a Director within the Experience & Engineering team. They will collaborate closely with Project Managers, Product Owners, and Development Leads. Operations Impact: The Senior UX Designer's work directly impacts operational efficiency by providing reusable components and patterns, reducing design and development redundancy, and ensuring brand consistency. This leads to faster product development cycles, improved user experience quality, and enhanced brand perception, all contributing to client satisfaction and business growth.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design System Leadership: Grow into a Design Systems Manager or Lead role, owning the strategy and execution of design systems across multiple clients or initiatives.
• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas such as accessibility, design tokens, component architecture, or design system governance.
• Mentorship & Team Development: Take on mentorship responsibilities for junior designers, contributing to the growth of the overall design team and fostering a strong design culture.
• Cross-Disciplinary Experience: Gain exposure to various client industries and project types, broadening experience in different market sectors and technological implementations.
• Client Strategy: Develop skills in client advisory and strategic planning related to design operations and digital transformation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth within design operations, particularly in specializing in design systems, which is a high-demand area. The opportunity to influence how multiple teams work and to contribute to a global agency's operational standards provides significant career development potential.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: DEPT® operates with a hybrid model, meaning there are physical office spaces available for collaboration and focused work, alongside remote work flexibility. The offices are designed to foster collaboration and innovation. Office Location(s): The role is based in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, Netherlands, offering opportunities to work from modern, well-equipped office spaces in these vibrant cities. Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to encourage collaboration, with shared spaces, meeting rooms, and informal areas conducive to brainstorming and cross-functional discussions.
• Access to industry-standard design and development tools will be provided, supporting efficient workflow and integration.
• The environment will likely involve frequent interaction with diverse teams, including designers, developers, strategists, and client representatives, fostering a dynamic and engaging work atmosphere. Work Schedule: The standard work week is full-time, with hybrid flexibility allowing for a mix of office-based and remote work. This structure supports efficient design system development and collaboration while maintaining work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work policy and focus on collaborative office spaces suggest an operational model that values both focused individual work and team synergy. This setup is common in modern agencies aiming to balance flexibility with effective team output.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with HR or a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest in DEPT® and the role.
• Portfolio Review & Discussion: A dedicated session with hiring managers and/or senior team members to thoroughly review your portfolio. Be prepared to discuss your design system projects, your role, challenges faced, and outcomes achieved. Focus on your process, collaboration, and impact.
• Skills Assessment/Case Study: You may be asked to complete a design exercise or case study, potentially focusing on component design, pattern creation, or problem-solving related to design systems and their implementation. This might involve explaining how you'd approach a specific design system challenge.
• Team/Cross-functional Interview: Interviews with potential colleagues from design, development, or product teams to assess collaboration skills, communication style, and technical understanding.
• Final Interview: A discussion with a senior leader to finalize the assessment of your strategic thinking, leadership potential, and overall fit with DEPT®'s culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Deliberately: Select 2-3 of your strongest design system projects that best showcase your skills in this specific area. Ensure they demonstrate the full lifecycle from concept to implementation and iteration.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your specific contributions, the methodologies used (e.g., user research, collaboration with developers), the solutions implemented (components, patterns, guidelines), and the measurable impact or outcomes.
• Highlight Systems Thinking: Emphasize how you approached the design system as a scalable, interconnected product, not just a collection of UI elements. Discuss governance, documentation, and community aspects.
• Showcase Figma Proficiency: Demonstrate your mastery of Figma features relevant to design systems, such as components, variants, auto layout, and potentially design tokens.
• Address Collaboration: Provide examples of how you worked with developers, product managers, and other stakeholders to ensure successful adoption and integration of the design system.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design System Challenges: Anticipate questions or exercises related to creating new components, defining patterns, establishing accessibility guidelines, or resolving conflicts within a design system.
• Process Optimization: Be ready to discuss how you would improve existing design processes, streamline workflows, or enhance collaboration through the design system.
• Stakeholder Management: Prepare to discuss how you would gain buy-in, manage feedback, and communicate the value of the design system to various stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to evaluate not only design skills but also the operational capabilities required for a role focused on design systems—namely, process management, collaboration, and strategic thinking. A well-prepared portfolio that demonstrates these aspects is crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for all aspects of design system creation, including component design, prototyping, collaboration, and documentation. Advanced proficiency with components, variants, auto layout, and potentially libraries is expected.
• Prototyping Tools (e.g., InVision, Framer, Axure): May be used for more complex interactions or specific project needs, complementing Figma.
• Design Collaboration Tools (e.g., Miro, Mural): Crucial for facilitating workshops, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics): While not directly a design tool, understanding how user behavior data informs design decisions and how design system components perform is beneficial.
• User Feedback Tools (e.g., Hotjar, UserTesting.com): For gathering qualitative and quantitative feedback on designs and components.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Tools (e.g., Jira, Asana, Trello): Essential for managing design system development sprints, tracking tasks, and collaborating with development teams in an agile environment.
• Documentation Platforms (e.g., Confluence, Notion): For creating and maintaining comprehensive design system documentation, guidelines, and best practices.
• Version Control Systems (e.g., Git, Abstract with Figma): To manage design system versions and changes effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is paramount. The role also requires familiarity with tools that support collaboration, project management, and documentation to effectively manage and scale a design system in an agency setting.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence & Craftsmanship: A commitment to producing high-quality, well-crafted design system elements that are robust, accessible, and user-friendly.
• Collaboration & Empowerment: A strong belief in enabling other teams through well-designed systems and fostering a collaborative environment where knowledge is shared freely.
• Innovation & Curiosity: A drive to explore new technologies, methodologies, and trends to continuously improve the design system and the design process.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing user feedback, analytics, and performance metrics to inform design system evolution and validate design choices.
• Client Focus: Ensuring that the design system ultimately serves the needs of clients by enabling them to build effective and engaging digital experiences.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Proactively engaging with UI designers, developers, product managers, and brand teams to ensure seamless integration and alignment of the design system.
• Facilitative Leadership: Leading workshops and discussions with a focus on empowering participants, gathering diverse perspectives, and driving consensus.
• Open Communication: Maintaining transparent and consistent communication channels for feedback, updates, and knowledge sharing regarding the design system.
• Iterative Improvement: Embracing a culture of continuous feedback and iteration, viewing the design system as a living product that evolves with user needs and business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: DEPT®'s culture values innovation, collaboration, and a client-centric approach. For this role, these values translate into actively partnering with different disciplines, facilitating knowledge exchange, and ensuring the design system directly contributes to client success and operational efficiency.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Driving Adoption: Overcoming resistance to change and ensuring widespread adoption of the design system across diverse teams with varying levels of design maturity.
• Maintaining Consistency: Balancing the need for system consistency with the flexibility required for unique brand or product requirements.
• Scalability: Designing and managing a system that can effectively scale to accommodate a growing number of products, features, and teams.
• Cross-functional Alignment: Ensuring continuous alignment and effective communication between design, development, marketing, and product teams, especially in a hybrid or global environment.
• Balancing Innovation and Stability: Keeping the design system up-to-date with new technologies and trends while maintaining stability and backward compatibility.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Access to advanced training in design systems, accessibility, component architecture, and front-end technologies.
• Industry Conferences: Opportunities to attend leading design and technology conferences to stay abreast of industry best practices and emerging trends.
• Mentorship Programs: Participation in mentorship programs, both as a mentee and potentially as a mentor, to guide career growth and knowledge transfer.
• Exposure to Diverse Clients: Working with a wide range of clients provides exposure to different industries, business models, and technological challenges, broadening your expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges inherent in managing a design system—adoption, scalability, and cross-functional alignment—present significant opportunities for professional growth. Mastering these aspects will position the candidate as a highly valuable operations leader in the design space.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach building a design system from scratch for a new client or product line, considering scalability and adoption?"
• "Describe a time you had to advocate for the design system or a specific component/pattern to stakeholders who were resistant. How did you handle it?"
• "How do you ensure accessibility standards are met and maintained within a design system, and how would you educate teams on this?"
• "What is your process for gathering feedback on a design system and incorporating it into future iterations?"
• "How do you measure the success and ROI of a design system?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about DEPT® and our approach to digital experiences?"
• "How do you see yourself contributing to our collaborative and innovative culture?"
• "Describe your ideal team environment and how you prefer to collaborate with developers and product managers."
• "What are your thoughts on DEPT®'s commitment to being a Certified B Corp® and a Great Place to Work?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role, the process, the solution (highlighting design system elements), and the outcomes. Use visuals effectively to support your points.
• Focus on Impact: Quantify the benefits of your design system work whenever possible (e.g., reduced design time, improved consistency scores, faster development cycles).
• Demonstrate Figma Skills: Be ready to walk through your Figma files, explaining your component structure, variants, and how you've organized for scalability and collaboration.
• Highlight Process & Collaboration: Emphasize your methods for documentation, governance, workshop facilitation, and working with development teams. Show, don't just tell, how you enabled others.
• Be Prepared for Technical Deep Dives: Expect questions about design tokens, styling, accessibility implementation, and integration with development workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing thoughtful answers to strategy questions, demonstrating a deep understanding of design systems' operational impact, and presenting your portfolio with a focus on process and collaboration will be key to success in the interview process.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on greenhouse.io.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your most relevant design system experience. Ensure case studies clearly articulate your process, challenges, and the impact of your work on consistency, efficiency, and user experience.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to emphasize keywords related to Design Systems, UX Design, Figma, Agile methodologies, collaboration, accessibility, and process improvement. Quantify achievements where possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving approach, and experience with design systems. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions, focusing on collaboration and driving adoption. Rehearse your portfolio presentation.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with DEPT®'s work, clients, culture, and values. Understand their approach to digital transformation and client service to tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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.