Senior UX Designer - Hybrid

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer
Company: First Advantage
Location: Krakow, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, Poland
Job Type: Full-time
Category: User Experience (UX) Design, Product Design
Date Posted: 2025-09-30
Experience Level: Mid-Senior (5-10 years)
Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive innovation in the user experience of cutting-edge mobile and web applications by designing and prototyping intuitive and engaging interfaces.
• Conduct in-depth qualitative and quantitative user research, leveraging AI tools to uncover insights and identify key pain points and opportunities for design improvement.
• Collaborate closely with product managers, developers, and a global UX team to ensure a cohesive, user-centered design approach from concept to implementation.
• Contribute to and maintain a robust Design System, ensuring design consistency, optimal usability, and adherence to accessibility standards across all products.
• Articulate design rationale and present compelling design proposals to senior stakeholders, influencing product strategy and direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior UX Designer, indicating a need for significant experience and the ability to lead design initiatives. The emphasis on AI tools for quantitative research and the collaboration with a global UX team suggests a forward-thinking and internationally connected design environment. The hybrid work arrangement in Krakow implies a structured approach to in-office collaboration and remote flexibility.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and prototype innovative user interfaces for both mobile and web applications, focusing on creating delightful and trendsetting user experiences.
• Develop high-fidelity UX designs, interactive prototypes, compelling visual concepts, and functional demos to effectively communicate design ideas.
• Lead qualitative user research activities, including conducting interviews and gathering direct user feedback to inform design decisions and validate hypotheses.
• Utilize advanced AI tools to perform quantitative research, analyze user session recordings, and extract actionable insights from user data to identify usability issues and enhancement opportunities.
• Actively participate in the co-creation and ongoing maintenance of the company's Design System, ensuring its alignment with usability, accessibility, and brand standards.
• Foster a design-led product development culture by working collaboratively with engineering and product teams to ensure accurate implementation of design specifications.
• Plan and execute usability testing sessions, iterating on designs based on user feedback and testing outcomes to select optimal design solutions.
• Facilitate and lead creative sessions, including brainstorming, design critiques, and collaborative workshops with cross-functional teams to drive product innovation.
• Prepare and deliver clear, persuasive design proposals and presentations to senior leadership and other stakeholders, articulating the strategic value and user benefits of proposed designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on design work, strategic user research, and cross-functional leadership. The explicit mention of AI tools for research and the emphasis on presenting to senior stakeholders indicate a senior-level expectation for strategic thinking and impact.

🎓 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: Minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in UX/UI design, with a proven track record in designing complex software applications for web and mobile platforms.

Required Skills:

• Exceptional UI design skills, evidenced by a strong portfolio showcasing a range of design projects for web and mobile applications.
• Proficiency in English, with excellent written and verbal communication skills for effective collaboration and presentation.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting qualitative user research, including user interviews and feedback gathering.
• Experience in utilizing AI tools for quantitative research and analyzing user data.
• Practical experience in co-creating and maintaining design systems to ensure design consistency and efficiency.
• Experience with user-centered design methodologies and usability testing.
• Familiarity with industry-standard UX design tools such as Figma or Adobe XD.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including product managers and developers.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a creative approach to design challenges.
• Ability to articulate design decisions and present proposals to senior stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in designing for enterprise-level software or SaaS products.
• Familiarity with accessibility standards (WCAG) and best practices for inclusive design.
• Experience in leading design sprints or workshops.
• Knowledge of front-end development principles to better collaborate with engineering teams.
• Experience with A/B testing and data-driven design optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a strong visual design foundation (portfolio is key), practical research experience (including AI), and collaborative skills. The 5-10 year experience range points towards a senior individual contributor or a potential lead role within the design function.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive design portfolio that clearly showcases your UI design expertise, with a strong emphasis on visual design principles and user interface aesthetics.
• Case studies demonstrating your end-to-end design process, from initial user research and problem definition to ideation, prototyping, usability testing, and final design implementation.
• Examples of your work on both web and mobile applications, highlighting your ability to design for different platforms and screen sizes.
• Evidence of your experience in contributing to or utilizing design systems, demonstrating an understanding of design consistency and scalability.
• Specific examples of how you have leveraged user research (qualitative and quantitative, including AI-driven insights) to inform and validate design decisions.

Process Documentation:

• Ability to articulate your design process clearly, detailing the steps taken to solve user problems and achieve business objectives.
• Documentation of how you conduct user research, including methodologies, participant recruitment strategies, and data synthesis techniques.
• Examples of how you have collaborated with development teams, including handoff processes and ongoing design support.
• Demonstrations of your prototyping skills, showcasing the fidelity and interactivity of your prototypes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of a design portfolio is critical. Applicants should curate their portfolios to highlight projects that demonstrate the full design lifecycle, user research integration, design system usage, and the ability to present compelling design solutions.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior UX Designer with 5-10 years of experience in Krakow, Poland, the estimated annual gross salary range is PLN 120,000 - PLN 180,000. This range is an estimate based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in Poland, considering the cost of living and the demand for experienced UX professionals.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous paid time off (PTO) policy, including vacation days, sick leave, and public holidays.
• Professional development opportunities, such as training, workshops, and conference attendance.
• Hybrid work model offering flexibility between remote work and in-office collaboration.
• Contribution to pension or retirement savings plans.
• Opportunities for career advancement within a growing global organization.
• Access to modern office facilities in Krakow with collaborative workspaces.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week. Specific daily schedules can be discussed to accommodate the hybrid work model and team collaboration needs, with flexibility often provided for task completion.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary figures are estimated for Krakow, Poland, based on research of similar roles and experience levels. Benefits are standard for international tech roles and are assumed to be competitive for a company of First Advantage's implied size and industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: First Advantage is a global leader in providing comprehensive employment and income verification solutions. Their industry focuses on background screening, identity verification, and workforce solutions, serving a wide range of businesses to ensure trust and safety in hiring processes. This context means the UX team will likely be working on platforms that handle sensitive data and require high levels of security, reliability, and user trust.

Company Size: First Advantage is a large, established global organization with thousands of employees worldwide. This scale suggests a well-structured corporate environment with defined processes, extensive resources, and opportunities for cross-functional collaboration on a large scale.

Founded: First Advantage was founded in 2002. Their history reflects growth and evolution in the background screening industry, adapting to technological advancements and changing regulatory landscapes. This longevity suggests stability and a depth of experience in their market.

Team Structure:

• The UX team is part of a larger product and technology organization, likely comprising multiple designers, researchers, and product managers.
• The Senior UX Designer will report into a UX Lead or Head of Design, with close collaboration expected with Product Managers and Development Leads for specific product lines.
• The role involves significant cross-functional collaboration with engineering, product management, marketing, and potentially legal/compliance teams, given the industry.

Methodology:

• A strong emphasis on user-centered design principles, integrating user research and feedback throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Data-driven decision-making, leveraging analytics and AI insights to optimize user experiences and product performance.
• Agile development methodologies are likely employed, requiring designers to be adaptable and iterative in their approach.
• A focus on building and maintaining a scalable design system to ensure consistency and efficiency across a portfolio of products.

Company Website: https://fadv.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's industry (background screening) implies a need for design solutions that are trustworthy, secure, and compliant, potentially making the UX role more focused on clarity, efficiency, and information architecture rather than purely aesthetic novelty.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at the "Senior" level, indicating a significant degree of autonomy, expertise, and responsibility. A Senior UX Designer is expected to lead design efforts for complex features or products, mentor junior designers, and contribute to the strategic direction of the design function. They are seen as key contributors who can independently drive projects from conception to completion.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Designer will likely report to a UX Manager or Director of Design. They will work closely with Product Managers who define product strategy and requirements, and with Engineering Leads who oversee the technical implementation. Collaboration will be matrixed across various product teams.

Operations Impact: UX designers at First Advantage have a direct impact on the usability, efficiency, and trustworthiness of the company's critical employment verification and background check platforms. By creating intuitive and reliable user experiences, they contribute to customer satisfaction, retention, operational efficiency for clients, and ultimately, the company's reputation and revenue. The use of AI tools suggests an impact on refining automated processes and data analysis for enhanced user insights.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like user research methodologies, design systems management, accessibility design, or AI-driven UX.
• Leadership: Progress into a Lead UX Designer or UX Manager role, managing a team of designers and shaping design strategy.
• Cross-functional Expertise: Develop a broader understanding of product management or engineering to transition into hybrid roles or product ownership.
• Global Exposure: Gain experience working on international product initiatives and collaborating with diverse teams across different regions.
• Continuous Learning: Access to training, conferences, and internal workshops to stay current with the latest UX trends, tools, and AI advancements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies a pathway to leadership or deeper specialization. The company's global nature offers opportunities for broader impact and exposure to diverse user bases and business challenges.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: First Advantage operates a hybrid work model. This means the Krakow office will serve as a hub for in-person collaboration, team meetings, and focused work sessions, while also allowing for remote work days. The office environment is likely designed to support both individual focused work and collaborative activities.

Office Location(s): The primary office location for this hybrid role is Krakow, Poland. Specific details about the office address, accessibility, and available amenities would typically be provided during the interview process.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to foster collaboration, with meeting rooms, project spaces, and potentially open-plan areas for team interaction.
• Access to the latest design tools and technology, including high-performance workstations and necessary software licenses (e.g., Figma, Adobe XD).
• Opportunities for informal interaction and knowledge sharing with fellow UX designers, product managers, and engineers within the Krakow office.
• A professional yet dynamic environment that encourages innovation and creative problem-solving.

Work Schedule: The standard work week is approximately 40 hours. While core hours may exist for team synchronization, the hybrid model generally allows for some flexibility in daily scheduling to accommodate individual work styles and personal needs, provided project deadlines and collaborative needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role is a key aspect, requiring a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility. This setup is common in modern tech companies and is designed to optimize productivity and work-life balance.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest in the role.
• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where the candidate walks through their design portfolio, explaining their process, design decisions, and impact of their work. This is often the most critical stage.
• Technical/Design Interview: A deeper dive into UX/UI principles, problem-solving abilities, and experience with specific tools and methodologies. This may include a design challenge or case study discussion.
• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with potential colleagues (other designers, product managers, developers) and senior stakeholders to evaluate collaboration skills, communication, and alignment with team values.
• Final Interview: A concluding conversation, potentially with a hiring manager or senior leader, to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and confirm salary expectations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent the requirements of this Senior UX Designer role, showcasing diversity in platform (web/mobile) and complexity.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process you followed, the challenges you encountered, your solutions, and the measurable impact or outcomes.
• Highlight Research & AI: Explicitly detail how you used user research (qualitative and quantitative, including AI tools) to inform your design decisions and validate your solutions. Quantify impact where possible.
• Showcase Design Systems: If you have experience with design systems, dedicates section or examples within case studies to demonstrate your understanding and contribution.
• Be Concise & Clear: Use visuals effectively, keep text digestible, and be prepared to verbally elaborate on any aspect of your work.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, take time to understand the business goals and user needs provided.
• Process-Oriented Approach: Focus on demonstrating your thought process and problem-solving methodology rather than just the final UI.
• Time Management: Allocate your time wisely for research, ideation, design, and presentation.
• Communicate Assumptions: Clearly state any assumptions you make and how they influence your design decisions.
• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, alternatives considered, and how you would measure success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount for UX roles. Candidates must be prepared to articulate their design thinking and present concrete examples of their work and its impact, with a specific focus on research and collaboration as outlined in the job description.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Expected to be a primary tool for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency in creating components, variants, auto-layout, and interactive prototypes is essential.
• Adobe XD: Alternative or complementary tool for UI design and prototyping. Familiarity with its feature set for creating user flows and interactive mockups is beneficial.
• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma/XD, experience with tools like InVision, Axure, or other specialized prototyping software may be advantageous for complex interactions.

Analytics & Reporting:

• AI Tools for Research: Specific AI platforms for session recording analysis, heatmapping, A/B testing analysis, or user feedback aggregation (e.g., Hotjar, FullStory, UserTesting.com, or internal tools).
• Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with web analytics tools like Google Analytics or similar platforms to understand user behavior and track design impact.

CRM & Automation:

• Design System Platforms: Tools or methodologies for managing and documenting design systems (e.g., Zeroheight, Storybook, or custom-built solutions).
• Collaboration Tools: Project management and communication tools such as Jira, Confluence, Slack, or Microsoft Teams for workflow management and team communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is highly probable given its industry prevalence. The emphasis on AI tools for research indicates a need for candidates to be comfortable with data analysis and leveraging technology for deeper user insights.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user in all design decisions, ensuring products are intuitive, accessible, and meet user needs.
• Collaboration: A strong belief in teamwork, fostering open communication and cross-functional partnerships with product, engineering, and other stakeholders to achieve shared goals.
• Innovation & Curiosity: An environment that encourages exploration of new ideas, technologies (like AI), and design approaches to continuously improve user experiences and product offerings.
• Data-Driven Improvement: Utilizing research data, analytics, and user feedback to inform design strategies and measure the effectiveness of design solutions.
• Quality & Craftsmanship: A dedication to producing high-quality, polished designs that are both aesthetically pleasing and highly functional, adhering to established standards and best practices.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Teams: Designers are embedded within product teams, working closely with product managers and developers on a day-to-day basis.
• Open Feedback Culture: Encouragement of constructive criticism and feedback loops during design reviews, critiques, and team discussions to refine designs and foster collective ownership.
• Knowledge Sharing: Active participation in design critiques, internal presentations, and documentation to share learnings, best practices, and insights across the UX team and the broader organization.
• Proactive Communication: A focus on clear and timely communication with all stakeholders to ensure alignment, manage expectations, and facilitate smooth project execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values suggest a collaborative, user-focused, and innovation-driven environment where data plays a significant role in shaping design decisions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Effectively translating complex business requirements and technical constraints into user-friendly and effective designs.
• Integrating AI-Driven Insights: Developing strategies to effectively incorporate and act upon insights derived from AI-powered research tools, ensuring they translate into tangible design improvements.
• Maintaining Design Consistency: Ensuring a cohesive user experience across a diverse portfolio of web and mobile applications, especially within a large, global organization.
• Navigating Stakeholder Feedback: Effectively managing feedback from various stakeholders, some of whom may have limited design understanding, while advocating for user-centered principles.
• Adapting to Evolving Technologies: Staying current with rapid advancements in UX design tools, methodologies, and AI technologies to maintain a competitive edge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Research Techniques: Training in advanced qualitative and quantitative research methods, including AI-driven analytics and predictive modeling for user behavior.
• Design System Leadership: Opportunities to lead initiatives in evolving and expanding the company's design system, potentially including governance and strategy.
• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Gaining deeper insights into product management, business strategy, and software development through close collaboration with these departments.
• Mentorship Programs: Access to mentorship from senior design leaders or opportunities to mentor junior designers, fostering leadership skills.
• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Support for attending relevant UX conferences, workshops, and pursuing professional certifications to enhance skills and industry knowledge.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges reflect the complexities of senior-level design roles in large tech companies, particularly with the integration of new technologies like AI. Growth opportunities are geared towards leadership, specialization, and continuous professional development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process & Problem Solving: "Describe a complex design problem you faced, how you approached it using user research (including any AI tools), your design process, and the outcome. What would you do differently?" Be prepared to walk through a relevant case study from your portfolio.
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: "How do you collaborate with product managers and engineers? Describe a time you had to influence stakeholders with differing opinions on a design decision. How did you use data or user insights to support your proposal?"
• Design Systems & AI Integration: "How have you contributed to or utilized a design system? How do you see AI tools impacting the future of UX design, and how would you integrate them into First Advantage's workflow?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• Company Understanding: "What interests you about First Advantage and our mission? How do you see your UX skills contributing to our specific industry (employment verification, background screening)?" Research the company’s products and recent news.
• Team Dynamics: "How do you approach giving and receiving feedback? Describe your ideal team environment and how you contribute to a positive team culture."
• Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the success of your designs? What metrics are important to you, and how would you track them for our applications?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Clearly delineate the problem, your role, the process, insights (research & AI), solutions (designs/prototypes), and outcomes/learnings for each project.
• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups, interactive prototypes, and clear diagrams. Avoid clutter.
• Narrative: Tell a compelling story about the user's journey and how your design addressed their needs.
• Quantify: Whenever possible, present data and metrics to demonstrate the impact of your design solutions (e.g., conversion rate improvements, task completion time reduction, user satisfaction scores).
• Conciseness: Be mindful of time; practice your presentation to be thorough yet efficient.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strategic, user-centric, and data-informed design approach, with a clear ability to articulate process and impact, especially concerning research and collaboration.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the First Advantage careers portal.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Tailor your design portfolio to specifically highlight projects that demonstrate your UI design expertise, user research capabilities (including AI tools), design system experience, and your process for creating user-centered web and mobile applications.
• Optimize Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your years of experience, key responsibilities, and achievements relevant to senior UX design roles, using keywords from the job description such as "UX Design," "UI Design," "Prototyping," "User Research," "Figma," and "Design Systems."
• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your selected portfolio case studies, focusing on clearly communicating your design process, the rationale behind your decisions, and the measurable impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your experience with AI tools and collaborative workflows.
• Research First Advantage: Understand the company's mission, industry, products, and recent developments. Consider how your UX skills can contribute to their specific business challenges and user needs in background screening and workforce solutions.

⚠️ 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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