Senior Web Designer - Maternity Cover at Progress

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Web Designer - Maternity Cover
Company: Progress
Location: Bulgaria
Job Type: Full-Time Temporary/Maternity
Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Operations
Date Posted: 2025-08-15
Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)
Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

This role is crucial for developing and maintaining a strong corporate web presence and brand identity for Progress.
The Senior Web Designer will lead the creation of original, cutting-edge design concepts aligned with corporate visual brand guidelines.
Key responsibilities include the development and enhancement of Design Systems and Brand Guidelines to ensure consistency across all digital platforms.
This position requires close collaboration with the Marketing team, stakeholders, and external vendors, with a focus on strategic brand communication and UX enhancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title suggests a design focus, the emphasis on Design Systems, Brand Guidelines, collaboration with marketing, and the potential to execute UX tasks indicates a strong alignment with Creative Operations or Marketing Operations functions, particularly in managing digital brand assets and user experience consistency. The maternity cover aspect suggests a project-based duration, but the "Senior" title implies a significant level of responsibility and autonomy.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

Develop and execute original, intelligent, and cutting-edge design concepts that effectively communicate the brand message, adhering to corporate visual brand guidelines.
Initiate and lead brainstorming sessions to foster creative problem-solving and innovative design solutions.
Oversee, mentor, and train junior and regular design team members, cultivating continuous creative improvement and adherence to best practices.
Present visual design concepts and strategies to stakeholders, effectively communicating the rationale behind design decisions.
Support and actively maintain existing Design Systems, ensuring their evolution and integration with new design patterns.
Represent the creative team in internal and external meetings, acting as a subject matter expert on visual brand identity and web design.
Serve as a company resource for emerging trends in digital media, providing insights and training to enhance digital capabilities.
Develop detailed specifications for web elements and collaborate directly with vendors and front-end developers to ensure accurate production and implementation.
Evolve corporate web assets and ensure creative objectives are strategically aligned with overall brand and company goals.
Execute UX tasks, including creating prototypes, wireframes, conducting user research, and brainstorming solutions for UX challenges.
Collaborate closely with the UX team to integrate user research, user testing feedback, and site analytics data into design concepts.
Maintain and evolve the visual brand identity and develop/enhance brand guidelines as necessary to reflect evolving business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a need for strategic thinking in brand management and digital asset creation, beyond just visual execution. The mentoring aspect suggests a leadership component, and the UX task involvement highlights a cross-functional understanding of user experience principles within the design process.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Digital Media, Web Design, or a related field is typically expected for a senior-level role, though equivalent practical experience in web design and operations may be considered.

Experience: A minimum of 5-10 years of professional web-focused graphic design experience is required, with a proven track record in creating and managing digital design systems and brand assets. Experience in a similar maternity cover role or project-based capacity would be advantageous.

Required Skills:

Web Design Expertise: Strong professional web-focused graphic design experience with a deep understanding of modern web design principles, including layout, typography, information hierarchy, and web specifications.
Design Tools Proficiency: Expertise in modern web design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Adobe XD, or similar platforms.
Adobe Creative Suite: High proficiency in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator for asset creation and manipulation.
Visual Perception & Hierarchy: Strong understanding of visual perception psychology and the principles of visual hierarchy to create impactful designs.
Brand Guideline Development: Proven ability to create, maintain, and evolve comprehensive brand guidelines and design systems.
Communication & Presentation: Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale, rally stakeholders around design goals, and present effectively to diverse audiences.
Attention to Detail: A meticulous, pixel-perfect eye for detail in all design outputs.
User Experience Fundamentals: Demonstrated understanding of information flow, readability, and interface usability principles.
Creative Thinking: Ability to generate intelligent, original, and cutting-edge design concepts that align with brand messaging.

Preferred Skills:

UX Task Execution: Experience in executing UX tasks such as creating prototypes, wireframes, and conducting user interviews.
User Research & Analytics: Experience leveraging user research, KPIs, and site analytics to inform design decisions.
Technical Foundations: Good understanding of the technical foundations of website development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript concepts).
Illustration & Data Visualization: Good illustration and data visualization skills, with an ability to adhere to specific company illustration and icon stencils.
Mentoring & Training: Experience in mentoring junior designers and providing training on design best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The 'Senior' designation implies that candidates should not only possess technical design skills but also demonstrate strategic thinking in brand management, system design, and user experience. The emphasis on communication and stakeholder management is critical for a role that interfaces with marketing and other internal teams.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Design System Examples: Showcase examples of Design Systems created or maintained, highlighting component libraries, style guides, and their contribution to design consistency and efficiency.
Brand Guideline Documentation: Present examples of Brand Guidelines developed, demonstrating how they reinforce brand identity and provide clear direction for visual communication.
Web Design Projects: Include a selection of professional web design projects that illustrate creative concept development, execution, and adherence to brand standards.
UX/UI Case Studies: Feature case studies detailing UX/UI challenges, the design process undertaken (wireframing, prototyping, user testing), and the resulting improvements in user experience or key performance indicators.
Process Improvement Documentation: Demonstrate how design processes have been optimized for efficiency, collaboration, or faster iteration cycles.

Process Documentation:

Workflow Design: Provide examples of how design workflows were structured, from concept to production, including collaboration points with development and marketing teams.
System Implementation: Detail the process of implementing and evolving Design Systems or Brand Guidelines, including adoption strategies and feedback loops.
Performance Measurement: Illustrate how design decisions were informed by data (user research, analytics) and how the impact of design changes was measured and reported.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior role, the portfolio is expected to go beyond just visual output. It should demonstrate strategic thinking, process ownership, systems thinking (Design Systems), and the ability to measure and articulate the impact of design work on business objectives, particularly within the marketing and web presence context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the "Senior" title and the location in Bulgaria, a competitive salary for a Senior Web Designer with expertise in Design Systems and UX is estimated to be in the range of BGN 4,500 - BGN 7,500 per month, depending on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and the duration of the maternity cover contract.

Benefits:

Generous Remuneration Package: A competitive base salary reflecting the senior level of the role.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan Enrollment: Opportunity to invest in the company's growth.
Generous Paid Time Off: 30 days of paid annual vacation, an extra day off for birthdays, and 2 additional days for volunteering, offering excellent work-life balance.
Comprehensive Health & Wellness: Premium healthcare and dental coverage, a well-equipped on-site gym, and a co-funded Multisport card.
Financial Security: Additional pension insurance to support long-term financial planning.
Family Support: On-site daycare center available for employees' children.
Work Flexibility: Flexible working hours and a work-from-home allowance to support hybrid work arrangements.
Convenient Amenities: Free underground parking with dedicated spaces for bikes and electric scooters.

Working Hours: The role is based on a standard 40-hour work week, with the added benefit of flexible working hours to accommodate personal needs and optimize productivity within the hybrid work model.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits package is extensive and indicates a company that invests in employee well-being and work-life balance. The salary estimate is based on general market data for senior design roles in Bulgaria, considering the specialized skills requested. The maternity cover aspect might influence the negotiation of benefits or contract length.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Progress operates in the software industry, specifically providing solutions for developing, deploying, and managing AI-powered applications and experiences. This tech-centric environment fosters innovation and a focus on advanced capabilities. Company Size: Progress is a global company with a significant employee base, allowing for structured career paths and diverse team interactions, while still potentially maintaining a culture where individual contributions are recognized. Founded: Founded in 1981, Progress has a long history in the software sector, suggesting a stable and established organization with a deep understanding of market dynamics and customer needs.

Team Structure:

The Senior Web Designer will likely be part of a broader Marketing or Creative department, potentially working alongside other designers, content creators, and marketing specialists.
Collaboration is expected with cross-functional teams, including product marketing, engineering, and sales operations, requiring effective communication and alignment.
The role involves mentoring junior members, indicating a structure that supports professional development and knowledge sharing within the design team.

Methodology:

Data-Driven Design: The role emphasizes using user research, KPIs, and site analytics to inform design decisions, reflecting a data-driven approach to creative strategy and web development.
Agile & Iterative Processes: The need to evolve Design Systems and work closely with developers suggests an agile or iterative process for design and implementation.
Brand Consistency Management: A core methodology will be maintaining and evolving brand guidelines and design systems to ensure a unified and professional corporate image across all digital touchpoints.

Company Website: progress.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Progress's long history and focus on AI-powered applications suggest a culture that values expertise, continuous learning, and innovation. The emphasis on "people power progress" highlights a people-centric culture that values diverse perspectives and individual contributions.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is classified as a "Senior" role, indicating a level of expertise and responsibility beyond entry-level or mid-level positions. It requires independent work, strategic input, and potentially leadership in specific projects or areas like Design Systems.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Web Designer will likely report to a Creative Director, Marketing Manager, or Head of Design. Collaboration will be extensive with the Marketing team and other departments, requiring strong stakeholder management skills.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts the company's digital brand perception, user experience on its web properties, and the efficiency of its creative processes. By maintaining and evolving Design Systems and Brand Guidelines, this position ensures consistency and strengthens the overall brand identity, which indirectly supports sales and marketing efforts by creating a professional and user-friendly digital presence.

Growth Opportunities:

Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in Design Systems, UX/UI design, and brand management within a large software company.
Leadership Development: Potential to mentor junior designers and lead specific design initiatives, building leadership capabilities.
Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain experience working with various departments, enhancing understanding of broader business operations and strategic alignment.
Project Management: Manage design projects from conception to completion, improving project management and vendor coordination skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a temporary maternity cover, the "Senior" designation implies that the responsibilities and expected impact are significant. For candidates looking to gain experience in a structured corporate environment, manage high-level design systems, and develop leadership skills, this role offers valuable career progression, even if temporary.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Progress offers a hybrid work environment, combining the benefits of in-office collaboration and the flexibility of remote work. This setup allows for focused work and team engagement. Office Location(s): The primary location is in Bulgaria. Specific details about the office facilities, such as on-site gyms and daycare centers, suggest a well-equipped and employee-focused workplace.

Workspace Context:

Collaborative Hub: The office environment likely fosters collaboration, with opportunities for in-person brainstorming, team meetings, and direct interaction with colleagues from various departments.
Resource-Rich: Access to on-site amenities like a gym and daycare, along with excellent parking facilities, enhances the overall employee experience and work-life integration.
Technology Enabled: As a software company, expect a modern technological infrastructure supporting design work, collaboration tools, and efficient workflows.

Work Schedule: The role adheres to a standard 40-hour work week, with flexible working hours that allow employees to manage their schedules effectively within the hybrid model, promoting a healthy work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model and extensive on-site amenities suggest a company culture that prioritizes employee well-being and provides a supportive and productive work environment. The flexibility in working hours is a key benefit for managing personal commitments alongside professional responsibilities.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.
Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: Candidates will present their portfolio, discussing key projects, design processes, and their approach to Design Systems and Brand Guidelines. This may involve technical questions about design tools and principles.
Stakeholder/Team Interview: Interviews with marketing team members or other stakeholders to evaluate collaboration skills, communication effectiveness, and alignment with team dynamics.
Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss strategic thinking, career aspirations, and overall fit within the company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Highlight Design Systems: Clearly articulate your role in the creation, maintenance, or evolution of Design Systems. Showcase their structure, components, and impact on efficiency and consistency.
Showcase Brand Guideline Impact: Present how you've developed or enhanced Brand Guidelines and how they've been adopted and enforced.
Detail Your Process: For key projects, walk through your design process, from initial concept and user research to final execution and collaboration with developers. Explain the "why" behind your design choices.
Quantify Achievements: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced bounce rates, increased user satisfaction).
Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects and skills most relevant to Progress's needs, particularly concerning web presence, brand identity, and UX.

Challenge Preparation:

Design Exercise: Be prepared for a design challenge, which might involve creating a concept for a new web feature, refining an existing design, or developing a component for a Design System.
Scenario-Based Questions: Anticipate questions about how you would handle specific design challenges, mentor junior designers, or communicate with difficult stakeholders.
Brand Alignment: Understand Progress's current brand and be ready to discuss how your design philosophy aligns with or can enhance it.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's portfolio for evidence of strategic design thinking, system design capabilities, and a deep understanding of brand management within a digital context. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their processes and the impact of their work clearly.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and collaborative design system development.
Adobe XD: Another key tool for UI/UX design and prototyping, often used in conjunction with Figma or as an alternative.
Adobe Photoshop: Critical for image editing, asset creation, and detailed visual manipulation.
Adobe Illustrator: Necessary for vector graphics, icons, logos, and illustrations, especially for brand assets and data visualizations.

Analytics & Reporting:

Site Analytics Tools (e.g., Google Analytics): Understanding how to interpret user behavior and performance data to inform design decisions.
User Research Platforms (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze): Experience with tools that facilitate user interviews, usability testing, and feedback collection.

CRM & Automation:

While not directly mentioned, familiarity with how web designs integrate with CRM or marketing automation platforms (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) can be beneficial for understanding business context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite is paramount. The ability to leverage analytics and user research tools demonstrates a data-driven approach, which is increasingly important for senior design roles in marketing operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

People Power Progress: This core value suggests a culture that empowers individuals and recognizes that collective effort drives the company forward. For a designer, this means valuing individual creativity and contribution.
Data-Driven Decisions: The company likely values decisions informed by data, analytics, and user feedback, promoting a rational and effective approach to design.
Agility and Ease: Progress aims to enable customers with agility and ease, implying that internal processes and team collaboration should reflect these qualities, fostering efficient workflows and adaptability.
Innovation: As a provider of AI-powered solutions, there's an inherent value placed on innovation, encouraging creative thinking and the adoption of new technologies and methodologies.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional Integration: Expect a collaborative environment where designers work closely with marketing, product, and development teams to achieve common goals.
Open Communication: The culture likely encourages open communication, feedback exchange, and constructive critique to foster continuous improvement in design and processes.
Knowledge Sharing: A willingness to share expertise, mentor colleagues, and learn from others is probably valued, especially given the mentoring aspect of the role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "people power progress" and "agility and ease" suggests a dynamic and supportive culture. Candidates should demonstrate how they embody these values through their collaborative approach and commitment to efficient, impactful design work.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

Maternity Cover Duration: Understanding the specific contract duration and ensuring a smooth handover at the end of the maternity leave period.
Balancing Brand Consistency with Innovation: Maintaining strict brand guidelines while also introducing fresh, cutting-edge design concepts can be a delicate balance.
Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring all stakeholders (Marketing, Sales, Product) are aligned on design vision and priorities can be challenging in a large organization.
Adapting to Existing Systems: Quickly understanding and contributing to existing Design Systems and brand assets requires a proactive learning approach.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Advanced Design System Skills: Deepen expertise in creating, managing, and scaling Design Systems within a corporate environment.
UX Strategy and Research: Gain practical experience in applying user research and analytics to drive design decisions.
Mentorship and Leadership: Develop leadership skills through mentoring junior designers and potentially leading specific design initiatives.
Industry Trends: Stay abreast of emerging trends in web design, UX/UI, and AI-driven applications, contributing to the company's innovative edge.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a significant opportunity to refine skills in managing complex design systems and brand identity in a corporate setting. The challenges are typical for senior roles, and the growth opportunities are substantial for anyone looking to advance their career in design operations and UX.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

"How would you approach creating or evolving a Design System for a company like Progress, considering our focus on AI-powered applications?" (Focus on modularity, scalability, and documentation.)
"Describe a time you had to balance strict brand guidelines with the need for innovative or cutting-edge design. What was your approach and outcome?" (Highlight your problem-solving process and ability to push creative boundaries within constraints.)
"How do you ensure your design work aligns with broader marketing and business objectives? Provide an example of how you've used data or user feedback to inform a key design decision." (Emphasize data-driven decision-making and strategic alignment.)

Company & Culture Questions:

"What excites you about Progress and our mission to enable AI-powered applications?" (Showcase research into the company's products and strategic direction.)
"How do you approach collaboration with marketing teams and front-end developers? Describe your experience working with cross-functional teams." (Focus on communication, feedback, and shared goals.)
"How do you contribute to a positive and productive team environment, especially in a hybrid work setting?" (Highlight your interpersonal skills and team-oriented approach.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio thematically, starting with Design System examples, then brand guidelines, and finally key web design or UX case studies.
Narrative is Key: For each project, tell a story: the problem, your process, the solutions, and the results. Explain your rationale for design choices.
Demonstrate System Thinking: Clearly articulate your role in any Design Systems or Brand Guidelines presented, focusing on their structure, components, and impact.
Highlight Collaboration: Mention how you worked with stakeholders, developers, and other team members throughout the project lifecycle.
Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about specific design decisions, tool usage, and technical implementation considerations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not just aesthetic skill but also strategic thinking, process ownership, and a deep understanding of how design contributes to business objectives. The ability to articulate their process and impact is crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

Submit your application through the provided link on jobvite.com.
Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature examples of Design Systems, Brand Guideline development, and web design projects that showcase your creative process and ability to maintain brand consistency. Select 2-3 key projects that best highlight your senior-level experience and alignment with Progress's focus on technology and user experience.
Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize keywords related to web design, UI/UX, Design Systems, Brand Guidelines, Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and cross-functional collaboration. Quantify achievements where possible, focusing on the impact of your design work on brand perception or user engagement.
Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio walkthrough, focusing on articulating your design process, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills. Prepare to discuss your experience with mentoring and your understanding of user research and analytics in design decision-making.
Company Research: Thoroughly research Progress, its products, and its market position. Understand their commitment to AI-powered applications and how your design contributions can support these initiatives. Familiarize yourself with their brand identity and visual language.

⚠️ 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.

Senior Web Designer - Maternity Cover