Senior UX/UI Design Lead

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX/UI Design Lead Company: Terra Location: Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain Job Type: Full-time Category: Design Operations / Product Design Leadership Date Posted: 2026-01-05 Experience Level: 5-10 Years Remote Status: Remote Solely

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end UX/UI design process for Terra's web-based digital products, from initial ideation through to post-launch iteration.
• Drive design excellence by mentoring a team of designers, establishing clear design standards, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with product management, engineering, and other stakeholders to translate business and user needs into impactful design solutions.
• Own the development and evolution of design systems and best practices to ensure consistency and scalability across digital products.
• Ensure all digital products meet accessibility standards (WCAG AA) and are optimized for speed, scalability, and cross-browser/device compatibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior UX/UI Design Lead, implying significant responsibility for both hands-on design work and team leadership. The emphasis on end-to-end ownership and cross-functional collaboration suggests a strategic role within the product development lifecycle, requiring strong communication and project management skills alongside design expertise. The requirement for US overlap and availability until 2 pm ET indicates a need for significant collaboration with teams in different time zones, particularly those in North America.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the entire UX/UI design lifecycle for web-based digital products, encompassing discovery, user research, wireframing, high-fidelity UI design, prototyping, and user testing.
• Facilitate and lead ideation workshops and discovery sessions to effectively translate complex business objectives and user requirements into intuitive and effective design solutions.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive wireframes, detailed UI mockups, and interactive prototypes that clearly articulate design intent and user flows.
• Ensure seamless design-to-development handoff by creating detailed design specifications, style guides, and working closely with engineering teams throughout the QA process to uphold design integrity.
• Actively partner with Product Managers and Engineers to deeply understand project goals, technical constraints, and user needs, iterating on designs based on feedback and data.
• Mentor and guide junior and mid-level designers, providing constructive feedback, fostering their professional development, and ensuring adherence to established design standards and best practices.
• Contribute to, refine, and champion the company's design system, ensuring its consistent application across all digital touchpoints and promoting its adoption by the wider team.
• Clearly articulate and present design rationale, decisions, and user insights to diverse audiences, including technical teams, product stakeholders, and potentially clients.
• Optimize application performance for speed and scalability, ensuring robust cross-browser and cross-device compatibility, and rigorously adhering to WCAG AA accessibility guidelines.
• Proactively manage project timelines and deliverables in collaboration with the internal Project Manager, ensuring efficient workflow and timely completion of design tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership and tactical execution. The emphasis on "owning" the process, "leading" ideation, and "mentoring" designers points to a senior-level individual contributor with management responsibilities. The proactive reporting and schedule management underscore the need for strong organizational and project management skills, crucial for operations-minded professionals.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience, is highly recommended. Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of dedicated experience in UX/UI design roles, with a strong portfolio showcasing a breadth of work.
• At least 2 years of experience in a formal leadership capacity, such as a Senior Designer, Lead UX/UI Designer, or similar supervisory role, either within an agency setting or for a well-established brand.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in leading UX/UI design processes for web-based products, covering the full spectrum from concept to launch.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct and leverage user research, translating findings into actionable design strategies and solutions.
• Expertise in creating detailed wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes using industry-standard tools.
• Proven experience in collaborating effectively with product managers, engineers, and cross-functional stakeholders to achieve project objectives.
• Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities, with a track record of guiding and developing other designers.
• Deep understanding and practical application of design systems, pattern libraries, and UI/UX best practices.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, with the ability to present complex design concepts clearly and persuasively.
• Working knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, with a fundamental understanding of front-end development principles and how designs translate to code.
• Proficiency in advanced UX and UI design software, with a strong preference for Figma, and familiarity with the Adobe Creative Suite.
• Exceptional multi-tasking and time-management skills, with a demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with distributed teams across multiple time zones.
• Familiarity with AI tools for design assistance, provided the candidate understands the underlying principles of what they are building.
• Experience in optimizing web applications for performance, scalability, and accessibility (WCAG AA).
• A proactive approach to staying abreast of the latest trends and technologies in web development and design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "working knowledge" of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, with the allowance for AI tools but emphasizing understanding, is key. This indicates a need for designers who can bridge the gap between design and development, a crucial skill for operations roles focused on efficiency and implementation. The leadership experience requirement positions this as a senior role with significant impact.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing end-to-end ownership of web-based product design projects, demonstrating your ability to manage the design process from discovery to launch and iteration.
• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem statement, your specific role, the design process undertaken, key decisions made, and the measurable outcomes or impact achieved.
• Examples of how you have contributed to or led the development and maintenance of design systems, including examples of reusable components and style guides.
• Demonstrations of your proficiency in creating detailed wireframes, high-fidelity UI designs, and interactive prototypes, ideally highlighting complex user flows or interactions.
• Evidence of strong collaboration with engineering and product teams, showcasing your ability to facilitate smooth design handoffs and ensure design quality through QA.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of how you've documented design processes, including user research methodologies, design sprints, and design review procedures.
• Provide examples of how you've translated business requirements and user needs into structured design specifications and functional requirements for development.
• Include documentation on how you've ensured accessibility standards (WCAG AA) and cross-browser/device compatibility are considered and implemented throughout the design and development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX/UI Design Lead role, the portfolio must go beyond just showcasing aesthetic design. It needs to demonstrate strategic thinking, process ownership, leadership, and a tangible impact on product success. Highlighting collaboration with development and adherence to technical constraints will be critical for demonstrating a well-rounded operations mindset.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €4,000 - €5,000 per month. Benefits:

• Permanent remote work arrangement.
• Compensated onsite retreats at the company's HQ in Bilbao.
• Competitive benefits package for full-time employees in Spain:
  • Paid holidays
  • Sick time
  • Private health insurance
  • Access to Wellhub (a wellness platform)
• The opportunity to join a dynamic, close-knit team with a strong collaborative culture.

Working Hours: While a permanent remote work arrangement is offered, candidates must be available for US overlap and work until 2 pm ET. Occasional flexibility for client or team meetings outside of standard hours may be expected. This implies a standard full-time commitment, likely around 40 hours per week, with specific availability requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific to Spain. For individuals applying from other regions, it's crucial to research the cost of living and typical salary benchmarks for similar senior UX/UI Design Lead roles in their respective locations if the company offers flexible compensation based on location. The "US overlap" requirement suggests a need for synchronization with North American business hours, which is a significant consideration for remote work flexibility and workload management.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Marketing and Creative Agency. Terra operates within the technology and creative services sector, focusing on digital marketing, content creation, strategy, design, and development. Company Size: The description implies a growing, integrated, and international team. While not explicitly stated, the mention of "close-knit team" and "promoting from within" suggests a mid-sized company that values personal connection and career development. Founded: The founding date is not specified, but the company presents itself as established and experienced in reimagining digital projects.

Team Structure:

• The operations team is likely structured to support diverse client needs, comprising specialists in content creation, strategy, UX/UI design, and development.
• This role reports to an internal Project Manager, indicating a structured approach to project oversight and task management within the agency.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a cornerstone, with designers working closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and other stakeholders to deliver integrated digital solutions.

Methodology:

• Terra's methodology focuses on acting as an extension of client teams, emphasizing a collaborative and integrated approach to problem-solving.
• The company is innovative, tech-forward, and creative, dedicated to pushing boundaries and leveraging new technologies.
• They prioritize delivering exceptional online experiences, content, and marketing strategies, suggesting a data-informed and results-oriented approach to client work.

Company Website: terra.money

📝 Enhancement Note: As a digital marketing and creative agency, Terra likely fosters an environment that values creativity, innovation, and client-centricity. The "tech-forward" and "innovative" descriptions suggest an openness to adopting new tools and methodologies, which is highly relevant for operations roles focused on efficiency and modern workflows.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a Senior UX/UI Design Lead, placing it at a mid-to-senior management level within the design function. It involves significant individual contribution, strategic design leadership, and team mentorship, bridging the gap between execution and strategic direction. Reporting Structure: The Senior UX/UI Design Lead will report to an internal Project Manager, indicating a managed project environment where design activities are integrated into broader project timelines and objectives. This structure emphasizes accountability and clear lines of communication. Operations Impact: The design lead's impact is critical in shaping the user experience and visual identity of Terra's digital products and client projects. Their work directly influences user engagement, client satisfaction, and the overall success of digital initiatives, contributing significantly to the company's reputation and revenue stream.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to grow into a Head of Design or similar leadership role, overseeing larger design teams and defining broader design strategy for the agency.
• Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas such as user research, interaction design, design systems architecture, or accessibility consulting.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Potential to lead design initiatives that span multiple departments or client projects, enhancing strategic influence and project management capabilities.
• Mentorship & Training: Continuous opportunities to mentor junior designers, contribute to internal training programs, and stay ahead of industry trends through professional development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth trajectory for a Senior UX/UI Design Lead at an agency like Terra often involves moving towards more strategic oversight, client-facing leadership, and potentially team management. The emphasis on "promoting from within" suggests a clear path for career progression for high-performing individuals.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Permanent remote work. This offers flexibility and autonomy but requires strong self-discipline and proactive communication. Office Location(s): While the role is remote, the company has an HQ in Bilbao, Spain, and likely operates with a distributed team across various locations. The requirement for US overlap and availability until 2 PM ET suggests a significant presence or client base in North America.

Workspace Context:

• The remote nature fosters an environment where individuals manage their own workspaces, promoting work-life balance and personalized productivity setups.
• Access to design tools like Figma and Adobe Suite, along with an understanding of front-end technologies, indicates a tech-enabled environment.
• Opportunities for collaboration exist through regular virtual meetings, design reviews, and team syncs, fostering a connected albeit distributed team dynamic.

Work Schedule: While remote, the role requires adherence to specific working hours, including US overlap and availability until 2 PM ET. This implies a structured remote work schedule designed to facilitate real-time collaboration with teams and clients across different time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-first environment necessitates strong communication protocols and asynchronous work capabilities. The specific time zone requirements (US overlap, until 2 PM ET) are critical for operations planning and managing cross-functional workflows effectively.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application, resume, and portfolio to assess qualifications and fit.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on your experience, leadership style, design philosophy, and how you align with Terra's culture and operational needs.
• Design Challenge/Portfolio Review: A practical exercise or in-depth review of your portfolio, where you'll be expected to present case studies, discuss your design process, and demonstrate problem-solving skills. This stage will likely assess your hands-on design capabilities and strategic thinking.
• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with potential colleagues (engineers, product managers, other designers) to evaluate collaboration skills, communication, and cultural fit within the broader Terra team.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss overall fit, long-term vision, and compensation.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Leadership & Process: Clearly showcase instances where you've led design initiatives, mentored designers, and managed the end-to-end design process.
• Quantify Impact: For each case study, include metrics and data that demonstrate the tangible impact of your design decisions on user engagement, conversion rates, or business objectives.
• Showcase Design Systems: If you've contributed to or built design systems, present examples of components, guidelines, and how they ensure consistency and efficiency.
• Explain Your Rationale: Be prepared to articulate the "why" behind your design choices, linking them back to user needs, business goals, and technical considerations.
• Demonstrate Collaboration: Include examples of how you've worked effectively with cross-functional teams, especially engineers, highlighting your understanding of development constraints and handoff processes.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate Process-Oriented Problems: Be ready for challenges that test your ability to structure a design process, identify user needs, and propose scalable solutions.
• Focus on Communication: Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, as if presenting to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Emphasize Efficiency: Consider how your proposed solutions can be implemented efficiently, considering resource constraints and the need for timely delivery, which is crucial for an agency environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a leadership role will heavily scrutinize not just design skills but also leadership potential, communication effectiveness, and operational efficiency. A well-structured portfolio that demonstrates these aspects is paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Expected to be the primary tool for UX/UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency is essential.
• Adobe Creative Suite: Familiarity with tools like Photoshop and Illustrator for asset creation and editing is beneficial.
• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, specific experience with tools like InVision, Sketch, or Axure might be advantageous for demonstrating a range of prototyping capabilities.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Google Analytics / Similar: While not a primary design tool, understanding how to interpret user behavior data from analytics platforms is crucial for informing design decisions and measuring impact.
• User Testing Platforms: Experience with platforms for conducting remote user testing and gathering qualitative feedback.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Software: Proficiency with tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, or similar for task management, workflow tracking, and collaboration with engineering and project management teams.
• Collaboration Platforms: Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams for daily communication and team coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma, Adobe Suite, and front-end development knowledge (HTML, CSS, JS) points to a modern, web-centric design workflow. The inclusion of project management tools highlights the operational aspect of managing design projects efficiently.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Tech-Forward: A commitment to staying at the forefront of digital trends and technologies, encouraging experimentation and adoption of new tools and methodologies.
• Collaboration & Integration: A strong emphasis on working as an integrated team, both internally and with clients, fostering open communication and shared problem-solving.
• Creativity & Excellence: A dedication to pushing creative boundaries and delivering high-quality, exceptional digital experiences and strategies.
• Growth & Development: A culture that supports professional advancement, "promoting from within," and continuous learning for all team members.
• Work-Life Balance: Prioritization of team member well-being alongside professional achievement.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to work seamlessly with product managers, engineers, strategists, and content creators, contributing to a holistic project approach.
• Open Communication: Encouragement of direct and transparent communication to ensure clear understanding of goals, challenges, and feedback.
• Feedback Culture: A willingness to give and receive constructive feedback to drive continuous improvement in design and project execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values suggest a dynamic and forward-thinking environment. For a Senior UX/UI Design Lead, it means being adaptable, proactive in communication, and comfortable contributing to a collaborative, results-oriented culture.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Distributed Teams & Time Zones: Effectively leading and collaborating with designers and stakeholders across different geographical locations and time zones, requiring excellent asynchronous communication and coordination skills.
• Balancing Creative Vision with Client Demands: Navigating client expectations and project constraints while maintaining a high standard of design excellence and innovation.
• Staying Ahead of Evolving Technologies: Continuously learning and adapting to new design tools, front-end technologies, and digital marketing trends to ensure Terra's offerings remain cutting-edge.
• Ensuring Design Consistency Across Diverse Projects: Maintaining a cohesive brand experience and design quality across a portfolio of varied client projects, leveraging and evolving the design system.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Conferences & Webinars: Access to leading industry events and online learning resources to stay updated on UX/UI trends and best practices.
• Design System Development: Opportunities to lead and expand the company's design system, contributing to its scalability and adoption.
• Mentorship Programs: Formal or informal opportunities to mentor junior designers and be mentored by senior leaders within the organization.
• Client Exposure: Working on a diverse range of client projects provides exposure to various industries and business challenges, broadening experience and strategic thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the operational complexities of an agency environment, particularly regarding project management, cross-team coordination, and client relations. Growth opportunities are tied to mastering these operational aspects while advancing design leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• How would you approach leading the UX/UI design for a new web product from scratch, outlining your process and key considerations? (Focus on discovery, research, iteration, and stakeholder management.)
• Describe a time you had to balance competing priorities or conflicting feedback from different stakeholders. How did you resolve it, and what was the outcome? (Demonstrate conflict resolution and negotiation skills.)
• How do you ensure that your design decisions are data-informed and aligned with business objectives, rather than purely aesthetic choices? (Highlight analytical thinking and ROI focus.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• What interests you about Terra and our approach to digital marketing and design? (Show research into their work and values.)
• How would you contribute to and evolve our existing design system to ensure scalability and consistency across client projects? (Demonstrate understanding of design systems and operational impact.)
• Describe your ideal team collaboration environment and how you foster a positive and productive relationship with engineers and product managers. (Assess cultural fit and teamwork.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, start with the problem, clearly define your role and responsibilities, detail your process step-by-step, and conclude with the results and lessons learned.
• Quantify Your Impact: Use specific metrics (e.g., % increase in conversion, % reduction in user errors, time saved) to demonstrate the value of your design work.
• Showcase Your Process: Visually represent your design workflow, including wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and final UI designs, explaining the rationale behind each stage.
• Highlight Leadership & Mentorship: If applicable, include examples of how you've guided teams, mentored junior designers, or influenced design direction.
• Address Technical Understanding: Be prepared to discuss how your designs integrate with front-end development and how you ensure accessibility and cross-platform compatibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only design expertise but also leadership capabilities, strategic thinking, and an understanding of the operational aspects of design within an agency context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX/UI Design Lead position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Lever.co.
• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your experience in end-to-end product design, leadership roles, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords from the job description such as "UX/UI Design Lead," "design systems," "mentoring," "Figma," and "HTML/CSS/JavaScript."
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest case studies that best showcase your leadership, problem-solving skills, process, and quantifiable impact on web-based products. Ensure it clearly demonstrates your ability to manage projects from ideation to launch.
• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on articulating your design rationale, process, leadership contributions, and measurable outcomes. Be ready to discuss how you'd approach challenges specific to an agency environment.
• Research Terra: Familiarize yourself with Terra's client work, company culture, and values. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with their mission and how you can contribute to their success.

⚠️ 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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