Senior UX Strategist (f/m/d) – Freelancer (part-time)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Strategist (f/m/d) – Freelancer (part-time)

Company: Cinemo GmbH

Location: Karlsruhe, Germany

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: UX Strategy & Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-02-27

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (2 days/week in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is a critical part-time, freelance engagement focused on strategic UX assessment and roadmap development within a multi-platform digital ecosystem.

• The Senior UX Strategist will be responsible for auditing existing user experiences, identifying friction points, and defining a clear, actionable UX vision and roadmap.

• Success in this position requires a blend of strategic thinking, hands-on execution, and strong collaborative abilities with Product Management and Development teams.

• The engagement is for a defined 4-month period, requiring on-site presence in Karlsruhe twice a week.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Senior UX Strategist," the core responsibilities and expected deliverables lean heavily into operations and strategy implementation. The role requires not just defining strategy but also driving its execution and collaborating closely with development teams, which is a hallmark of GTM or Product Operations roles focused on user experience. The freelance and part-time nature suggests a project-based engagement to address specific UX challenges.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive UX assessments, including a review and prioritization of existing improvement items and a gap analysis against best-in-class consumer platforms.

• Evaluate UX maturity across internal stakeholders, identifying structural friction points from both product and organizational perspectives.

• Plan and execute rapid user interviews and usability testing sessions to validate findings and inform prioritization decisions.

• Produce structured UX audit reports detailing quick-win recommendations, a strategic UX vision, relevant Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and a 6–12 month UX evolution roadmap.

• Define and articulate a UX vision that aligns with overall product vision and overarching business goals.

• Propose, document, and communicate UX implementation guidelines for development teams.

• Translate validated UX roadmaps into prioritized delivery plans, collaborating with Product Management and Product Development on scope, milestones, and estimated timelines (ETAs).

• Contribute to the hands-on execution of UX improvements, potentially leading small UX teams (e.g., 2 headcounts) and providing regular progress reporting.

• Collaborate closely with Product Owners and development teams to ensure seamless implementation of UX strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong operational component, moving beyond pure design strategy to include assessment, roadmapping, implementation planning, and team collaboration. This is typical for roles that bridge product strategy and execution, often falling under a GTM or Product Operations umbrella.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 5-10 years of proven experience in UX strategy, UX research, or a related user experience role, with a focus on digital product development.

Required Skills:

• Proven track record designing and scaling UX for multi-touchpoint consumer digital ecosystems.

• Demonstrated experience designing and scaling UX for two-sided platforms.

• Strong ability to define and deliver comprehensive UX strategy.

• Expertise in challenging assumptions and balancing user value with business impact and market fit.

• Proven capability to measure UX success through meaningful KPIs and validation frameworks.

• Experience setting up incremental UX improvement approaches that balance UX ambition with engineering constraints and technical feasibility.

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to operate effectively at both strategic and operational levels.

• Excellent English communication and technical skills.

• Experience conducting UX assessments, including gap analysis and prioritization.

• Proficiency in planning and executing user interviews and usability testing.

• Ability to produce structured UX audit reports with actionable recommendations.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the automotive infotainment or digital media industry.

• Familiarity with agile development methodologies.

• Experience leading or mentoring junior UX designers or researchers.

• Proficiency in UX design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).

• Understanding of front-end development principles and constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level is inferred from the "Senior" title and the breadth of responsibilities, typically aligning with 5-10 years of dedicated UX strategy and execution experience. The emphasis on scaling UX for complex ecosystems and two-sided platforms suggests a need for deep experience beyond entry-level or mid-level roles.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating a strong track record in designing and scaling UX for multi-touchpoint consumer digital ecosystems and two-sided platforms.

• Case studies showcasing the ability to define and deliver UX strategy, including the process of challenging assumptions and balancing user value with business impact.

• Examples of how you have measured UX success through meaningful KPIs and validation frameworks.

• Documentation of how you've set up incremental UX improvement approaches, balancing ambition with engineering constraints and technical feasibility.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase your process for conducting thorough UX assessments, including methodologies for gap analysis and prioritization.

• Detail your approach to planning and executing user interviews and usability testing, including sample interview guides or testing protocols.

• Present examples of structured UX audit reports, clearly outlining recommendations, strategic vision, KPIs, and roadmaps.

• Illustrate your method for defining UX implementation guidelines for development teams.

• Provide examples of how you translate validated roadmaps into prioritized delivery plans, demonstrating collaboration with Product Management and Development.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a strategic UX role with operational execution components, a portfolio is crucial. It needs to demonstrate not just design output but also the strategic thinking, process rigor, and collaboration skills required to drive significant UX improvements within a complex product environment. The emphasis on roadmapping and implementation planning requires evidence of operationalizing strategy.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a freelance, part-time, contract role for a defined 4-month period, compensation will be negotiated based on experience, skills, and project scope. Based on industry benchmarks for Senior UX Strategists in Germany with specialized experience in digital ecosystems and two-sided platforms, a competitive hourly rate or project fee will be offered. For Karlsruhe, Germany, a typical range for this level of expertise could be between €60 - €100+ per hour, or a project fee equivalent to approximately €10,000 - €20,000+ for the 4-month engagement, depending on the exact scope and hours committed.

Benefits:

• Opportunity to work on a high-impact, strategic project for a leading company in the digital media and automotive infotainment sector.

• Flexible, part-time engagement allowing for work-life balance.

• Direct collaboration with senior leadership and cross-functional teams.

• Potential for future engagements based on project success.

• Professional development through hands-on project experience and exposure to Cinemo's product ecosystem.

Working Hours: This is a part-time freelance role, expected to require approximately 20-25 hours per week. The successful candidate will be expected to work on-site at Cinemo's Karlsruhe office two days per week. The remaining hours can be performed remotely.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on typical freelance rates for senior-level UX strategy professionals in Germany, considering the specialization required. The "part-time" and "freelancer" nature means a standard benefits package is unlikely, so focusing on project-specific perks and the opportunity itself is key.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Cinemo GmbH operates within the dynamic automotive infotainment and digital media industries, focusing on delivering high-quality, flexible, and scalable in-car entertainment and connectivity solutions. This industry is characterized by rapid technological advancement, complex integrations, and a strong emphasis on user experience for both consumers and automotive partners.

Company Size: Cinemo GmbH is a medium-sized company. This size often fosters a collaborative environment where individuals can have a significant impact, while still maintaining established processes and structures for product development and operations.

Founded: Cinemo was founded in 2009. With over a decade of experience, the company has established itself as a key player, likely possessing a mature understanding of its market and product development lifecycle, and a culture that balances innovation with established best practices.

Team Structure:

• The UX Strategist will likely be integrated into a product or engineering department, working closely with Product Management, UX/UI Design, and Development teams.

• Reporting structure will likely be to a Head of Product, Director of Engineering, or a senior UX lead, depending on the internal organization.

Methodology:

• Cinemo likely employs agile or hybrid development methodologies, emphasizing iterative development, continuous feedback, and rapid iteration.

• Data analysis and user insights are crucial for informing strategic decisions, with a focus on understanding user behavior and market trends within the automotive and digital media space.

• Workflow planning and optimization are key to ensuring efficient product development cycles and timely delivery of features.

• Automation and efficiency practices are likely integrated into development and operational processes to maintain competitiveness.

Company Website: http://cinemo.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's industry and focus on automotive infotainment imply a need for a UX strategist who understands complex ecosystems, partner integrations, and the nuances of in-car user experiences, which often involve safety and compliance considerations alongside entertainment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior-level, specialized engagement within the broader scope of UX strategy and product operations. It's designed for an experienced professional who can operate autonomously, lead strategic initiatives, and drive tangible improvements. While freelance, the impact on the product's user experience can be substantial, offering a unique opportunity to shape a key aspect of Cinemo's offerings.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Strategist will report to a designated project lead or manager within Cinemo, likely within the Product or Engineering domain. Close collaboration with Product Management and Development teams is expected, forming a core part of the daily working relationship.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is directly tied to enhancing user experience across Cinemo's entire multi-platform ecosystem. A successful UX strategy and roadmap will lead to improved user satisfaction, increased adoption rates, better partner engagement, and ultimately, a stronger market position for Cinemo's products. This role bridges the gap between user needs and business objectives, ensuring that the product delivers both value and a seamless experience.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialized Project Experience: Gain deep experience in UX strategy and execution within the specialized automotive infotainment and digital media sectors.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to significantly influence the user experience direction of Cinemo's product suite during a critical 4-month project.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Develop leadership skills by guiding UX initiatives and collaborating closely with Product Management and Engineering.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Build a compelling case study from this project to showcase strategic thinking, problem-solving, and execution capabilities in future engagements.

• Networking: Establish valuable connections within the automotive technology and digital media industries.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a contract role, traditional "career growth" within Cinemo is limited. However, the growth opportunities lie in the project's impact, the skills honed, and the professional network built, which are crucial for freelance or contract professionals.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Cinemo GmbH offers a modern office environment in Karlsruhe, Germany. This is a professional workspace designed to facilitate collaboration and productivity.

Office Location(s): The primary office location for this role is Karlsruhe, Germany. Specific details about the office address and amenities will be provided to the successful candidate. The role requires on-site presence two days per week.

Workspace Context:

• The on-site days will provide opportunities for direct, in-person collaboration with Product Management, Development teams, and other stakeholders, fostering a dynamic and interactive work environment.

• Access to necessary office infrastructure and potentially company-specific tools and documentation will be provided.

• The hybrid model allows for focused, remote work on other days, balanced with the benefits of in-person teamwork.

Work Schedule: The role is part-time, estimated at 20-25 hours per week, for a duration of 4 months. The specific schedule, including the two required on-site days in Karlsruhe, will be agreed upon with the hiring team to ensure effective team integration and project progress.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature with mandated office days highlights the company's value for face-to-face collaboration for strategic initiatives, while acknowledging the flexibility often sought by freelance professionals.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess alignment with the required skills and experience.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on your background, experience with UX strategy, assessment methodologies, and approach to roadmap development. Expect questions about your experience with multi-platform ecosystems and two-sided platforms.

• Portfolio Presentation & Case Study: You will likely be asked to present a relevant case study from your portfolio that demonstrates your ability to conduct UX assessments, define strategy, and drive implementation. This will be a key opportunity to showcase your strategic thinking and operational execution capabilities.

• Team/Stakeholder Interview: An opportunity to meet with potential collaborators, such as Product Managers or Development leads, to assess cultural fit and collaboration style.

• Final Decision: Based on overall fit, experience, and interview performance.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Highlight quantifiable results and the business impact of your UX strategies. Use metrics and KPIs to demonstrate success.

• Showcase Process: Clearly articulate your methodology for UX assessment, strategy definition, and roadmap creation. Detail how you handle stakeholder input and technical constraints.

• Demonstrate Collaboration: Include examples of how you worked effectively with Product Management, Development, and other cross-functional teams.

• Address Complexity: Feature projects involving multi-platform ecosystems or two-sided platforms, as this is a key requirement.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects where you've driven actionable improvements and implemented UX strategies, rather than just design concepts.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss hypothetical scenarios related to improving UX for a digital ecosystem or two-sided platform under specific constraints (e.g., tight timelines, limited resources).

• Think about how you would approach a UX audit for Cinemo's existing product suite, considering their industry and target users.

• Prepare to articulate your approach to defining and communicating UX implementation guidelines to development teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's ability to not only strategize but also to operationalize that strategy. The portfolio presentation is paramount for demonstrating practical application of UX principles in a business context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Design & Prototyping: While not explicitly stated, proficiency in tools such as Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD is highly probable for creating wireframes, prototypes, and design specifications.

• User Research & Testing Platforms: Experience with tools for conducting user interviews, surveys, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze).

• Analytics & Reporting Tools: Familiarity with web/app analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel) to measure UX KPIs and track user behavior.

• Project Management & Collaboration: Proficiency in tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, or similar for managing tasks, roadmaps, and team collaboration.

• Documentation Tools: Experience with Confluence, Notion, or similar for documenting UX guidelines, audit reports, and strategy documents.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Ability to define and track meaningful KPIs related to user engagement, satisfaction, task completion rates, and conversion funnels.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, an understanding of how UX impacts customer journeys within CRM and marketing automation systems may be beneficial for understanding the broader business context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack for a UX Strategist is broad, encompassing design, research, analytics, and project management. The emphasis on "operations" means a strong understanding of how UX integrates with development workflows and performance measurement is key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the end-user's needs and experience.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing data and insights to inform strategic choices and validate recommendations.

• Collaboration & Communication: Fostering open communication and strong partnerships across diverse teams (Product, Engineering, Business).

• Strategic Execution: Balancing visionary thinking with practical, actionable plans that can be effectively implemented.

• Efficiency & Agility: Embracing iterative processes and finding efficient ways to achieve UX goals within project constraints.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive and communicative, ensuring all stakeholders are informed and involved.

• Empathetic and receptive to feedback from various departments.

• Results-oriented, focusing on achieving shared project objectives.

• Ability to influence and guide discussions through data and strategic rationale.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core values likely revolve around user advocacy, strategic impact, and collaborative execution, aligning with the operational demands of driving UX improvements within a tech company.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Navigating diverse priorities and expectations from Product Management, Engineering, and business stakeholders to ensure alignment on UX strategy.

• Driving Change in Complex Ecosystems: Implementing significant UX improvements within an established, multi-platform digital ecosystem that may have legacy components or complex integrations.

• Defining Actionable Roadmaps: Translating high-level strategic vision into concrete, prioritized, and technically feasible steps for development teams.

• Measuring Impact Effectively: Establishing and tracking robust KPIs that accurately reflect the success of UX initiatives and demonstrate ROI.

• Freelance Project Constraints: Working within a defined 4-month timeframe and part-time capacity to deliver substantial strategic outcomes.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Automotive Infotainment: Gain specialized knowledge of user experience challenges and best practices within the automotive sector.

• Strategic Project Leadership: Hone skills in leading strategic initiatives and influencing product direction.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Enhance collaboration and communication skills by working closely with diverse technical and business teams.

• Agile UX Implementation: Gain practical experience in applying UX strategy within agile development cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a senior strategic role, particularly within a complex tech environment and as a contract engagement. The growth opportunities are geared towards specialized industry knowledge and strategic leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for conducting a comprehensive UX audit of a multi-platform digital ecosystem. What key areas would you focus on for Cinemo's products?"

• "How would you define a UX vision and roadmap that balances user needs with business goals and technical feasibility for a company like Cinemo?"

• "Can you share an example of a time you had to challenge assumptions about a product's UX? How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Cinemo's position in the automotive infotainment market, and how might that influence your UX strategy?"

• "How would you approach building relationships and gaining buy-in from Product Management and Development teams in a new organization?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with the business problem or user need, outline your strategic approach, detail your UX process (research, strategy, design, validation), present key recommendations and the roadmap, and conclude with the impact and quantifiable results.

• Focus on Operations: For each project, highlight how you translated strategy into actionable plans, collaborated with development, and measured outcomes. Emphasize process optimization and efficiency gains where applicable.

• Data & Metrics: Be ready to clearly present the KPIs you used, the data you collected, and the ROI or business impact achieved.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time; focus on the most relevant aspects of your project that align with Cinemo's needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a blend of strategic foresight and operational capability. Candidates must articulate their process, showcase their ability to collaborate, and quantify their impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on join.com.

• Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in UX strategy, UX assessment, roadmap development, stakeholder management, and cross-functional collaboration, using keywords from the job description. Quantify achievements wherever possible, especially regarding user experience improvements and their business impact.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 1-2 case studies that best demonstrate your ability to conduct UX audits, define strategic roadmaps, and drive implementation for complex digital ecosystems or two-sided platforms. Ensure these case studies clearly articulate your process, challenges, solutions, and measurable outcomes.

• Prepare Your Pitch: Be ready to articulate your unique value proposition as a Senior UX Strategist and how your skills can directly address Cinemo's needs during the 4-month engagement. Practice presenting your portfolio case studies concisely and effectively.

• Research Cinemo: Familiarize yourself with Cinemo's products, their market position in automotive infotainment, and any recent news or developments. Understanding their business context will be crucial for demonstrating strategic alignment.

⚠️ 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.