Senior/Lead Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior/Lead Product Designer Company: Waracle Location: Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, London, United Kingdom Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design Date Posted: January 14, 2026 Experience Level: Mid-Senior to Lead (5-10 years) Remote Status: Hybrid (2 days per week in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in transforming complex business and customer challenges into intuitive and inclusive digital products and services, requiring a strong blend of strategic thinking and hands-on design execution.
• The Senior/Lead Product Designer will be responsible for the end-to-end design process for significant initiatives, ensuring alignment with business objectives, technical constraints, and brand identity.
• A key focus will be on leading and scaling design systems, defining strategic design direction for major projects, and championing accessibility and data-informed design practices.
• The position demands acting as the primary design representative for large projects or client accounts, necessitating strong leadership, stakeholder management, and the ability to mentor junior designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job title "Senior/Lead Product Designer" indicates a dual-track approach, catering to candidates with substantial experience ready to lead independently or those ready to step into a formal leadership role. The emphasis on "digital technology consultancy" and "client-facing environment" suggests a dynamic, project-based work structure where adaptability and strong client communication are paramount. The "Hybrid" work arrangement with 2 days in office underscores the importance of in-person collaboration and team cohesion within Waracle's physical office locations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end design process for complex digital initiatives, from initial concept and discovery through to final implementation and iteration.
• Translate intricate business requirements and user needs into clear, usable, and visually compelling digital solutions that align with strategic business goals and brand vision.
• Drive the definition, maintenance, and evolution of comprehensive design systems to ensure consistency, scalability, and efficiency across all digital products and platforms.
• Champion inclusive design principles by leading accessibility audits, defining custom accessibility requirements, and ensuring products are usable by diverse user groups.
• Act as the primary design lead and trusted advisor for major projects or client accounts, facilitating workshops, shaping strategic visions, and presenting design solutions with confidence to senior stakeholders.
• Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and constructive feedback to junior designers, fostering a culture of continuous learning, skill development, and knowledge sharing within the design team.
• Leverage user research, analytics data, and A/B testing insights to iteratively refine designs, validate hypotheses, and continuously improve user experiences and product performance.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including product managers, engineers, and client stakeholders, to ensure technical feasibility, project alignment, and successful delivery of design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership and hands-on execution. The emphasis on "end-to-end design," "scaling design systems," and "client-facing experience" points to a role that requires both deep design craft and broader project/account management capabilities. The "Lead" aspect is further reinforced by responsibilities like "trusted advisor to senior stakeholders" and "shaping project visions from the top down."

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio and demonstrable experience in product design are paramount. A degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field may be beneficial but is secondary to practical expertise.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in product design, with a significant portion spent in Senior or Lead Product Designer roles.
• Proven track record of successfully leading complex, end-to-end product design initiatives from discovery and strategy through to launch and iteration.
• Experience within a digital technology consultancy or agency environment is highly preferred, showcasing adaptability to client-facing projects and diverse industry challenges.

Required Skills:

• Product Design Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead design strategy, mentor teams, and drive design excellence on complex projects.
• End-to-End UX/UI Expertise: Proficient across the full design spectrum including user research, information architecture, interaction design, visual design, and advanced prototyping.
• Design Systems Management: Proven experience in defining, governing, maintaining, and scaling design systems and visual languages for consistency and efficiency.
• Client-Facing & Stakeholder Management: Confident experience in leading workshops, presenting to senior stakeholders, and acting as a design representative for clients.
• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Problem-Solving & Strategic Thinking: Ability to translate complex business problems into clear, user-centered, and technically feasible digital solutions.
• Mentorship: Proven ability to guide and develop junior designers, fostering a positive and growth-oriented team environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Accessibility & Inclusive Design: Hands-on experience leading accessibility audits, testing, and championing inclusive design best practices.
• Data-Informed Design: Experience utilizing analytics, A/B testing, and user research data to inform and validate design decisions.
• Consultancy/Agency Background: Direct experience working in fast-paced, client-driven environments with a focus on delivering innovative digital solutions.
• Process & Tool Implementation: Familiarity with embedding design best practices, standardizing tools, and optimizing design processes across teams or organizations.
• Ambiguity Navigation: Experience thriving in fast-paced, ambiguous, or scaling environments, demonstrating adaptability and resilience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior/Lead" designation implies a need for both strong individual contribution and the capability to influence and guide others. The "nice to have" skills are directly aligned with modern design practices and the consultancy environment, suggesting that candidates who can demonstrate these will have a distinct advantage. The emphasis on "technical feasibility" underscores the need for practical design solutions that can be implemented by engineering teams.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: A curated selection of 3-5 comprehensive case studies that showcase end-to-end product design leadership on complex digital initiatives. Each case study should clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, key decisions, challenges faced, and the measurable impact of your solutions.
• Design Process Documentation: Demonstrate a structured and adaptable design process, illustrating how you approach discovery, research, ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration. Visual representations of workflows are highly encouraged.
• Design System Contribution: Evidence of your involvement in creating, scaling, or maintaining design systems, including examples of components, guidelines, and their application.
• User-Centered Design Focus: Highlight how user research, data, and testing informed your design decisions, with clear examples of user problem identification and solution validation.
• Visual & Interaction Design Showcase: Present polished examples of UI design, interaction patterns, and prototyping skills, demonstrating aesthetic sensibility and functional design.
• Accessibility Considerations: Include specific examples where accessibility was a key consideration and how you addressed it within your designs.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Showcase your ability to map out and optimize complex user journeys and business processes through design.
• System Implementation Standards: Illustrate how you ensure design consistency and efficiency by adhering to and evolving design system guidelines.
• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Demonstrate how you use metrics, analytics, and user feedback to measure the success of design solutions and drive further improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior/Lead Product Designer role, the portfolio is critical. It needs to go beyond just showcasing aesthetics; it must demonstrate strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, process maturity, and a quantifiable impact. The emphasis on "end-to-end," "complex initiatives," and "design systems" means candidates should select case studies that reflect these aspects.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior/Lead Product Designers in the UK (London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee) with 5-10 years of experience, the estimated annual salary range is £55,000 - £80,000. This range can vary based on the specific experience level, the candidate's proven impact, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Hybrid Working Model: Flexibility to work from any of Waracle's UK offices (Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, London) with 2 days per week in the office, promoting work-life balance.
• Pension Scheme: Company-matched pension contributions to support long-term financial planning.
• Training & Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, professional development, and skill enhancement, including access to industry conferences and courses.
• Health & Wellbeing: Comprehensive health benefits package, potentially including private medical insurance and wellbeing support programs.
• Generous Holiday Allowance: A competitive annual leave entitlement, ensuring adequate time for rest and personal pursuits.
• Social Events & Team Building: Opportunities to connect with colleagues through regular team events and social activities.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 37.5-40 hours per week. While the role is hybrid, core working hours will likely be established to facilitate team collaboration and client accessibility, with potential for flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general UK market data for senior design roles in technology consultancies, considering the specified locations (London typically commanding a higher range than Scottish cities, but the hybrid nature and company-wide banding may balance this). Benefits are standard for a reputable UK tech consultancy aiming to attract and retain talent.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Technology Consultancy and Digital Transformation. Waracle operates at the intersection of technology, strategy, and user experience, helping clients innovate and modernize their digital products and services. This means working with a diverse range of clients and industries, requiring adaptability and a broad understanding of business challenges. Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the mention of multiple UK offices and a "growing team" suggests a medium-sized to large enterprise, likely with several hundred employees. This size typically allows for structured processes and career paths while maintaining a dynamic and evolving culture. Founded: Information not provided in the input.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team is likely part of a larger Digital/Technology department, comprising specialists in UX, UI, research, and potentially service design.
• The team operates in a matrixed structure, with designers assigned to client projects or internal initiatives, reporting to design leads or managers, and collaborating closely with product managers and engineering teams.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a cornerstone, with designers working directly with client stakeholders, product owners, and development teams throughout the project lifecycle.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Insights: Waracle emphasizes using analytics, research, and A/B testing to inform design decisions and measure impact, reflecting a commitment to evidence-based design.
• Agile & Iterative Development: Given the consultancy nature, projects likely follow agile methodologies, demanding iterative design, rapid prototyping, and close collaboration with development sprints.
• User-Centricity: A core tenet is solving client and customer challenges, indicating a strong focus on understanding user needs and translating them into effective digital solutions.

Company Website: https://waracle.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: As a digital technology consultancy, Waracle likely fosters a culture of innovation, continuous learning, and client focus. The hybrid model suggests a modern approach to work, balancing flexibility with the need for in-person collaboration, which is crucial for complex design and client work.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a senior individual contributor or emerging leadership level. For a Senior Product Designer, it means taking ownership of significant design challenges and influencing product direction. For a Lead Product Designer, it involves strategic oversight, team leadership, and acting as a primary design representative for key accounts. The expectation is for deep craft expertise combined with strategic vision and mentoring capabilities.

Reporting Structure: The Senior/Lead Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Design, Design Director, or a similar senior leadership role within Waracle's design or digital practice. They will also work closely with Product Managers, Project Managers, and client-side counterparts.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is directly tied to Waracle's ability to deliver successful digital transformations for its clients. By creating intuitive, effective, and inclusive digital products, the designer contributes to client satisfaction, business growth, user engagement, and Waracle's reputation as a leading design and technology consultancy. The ability to influence design strategy and mentor junior team members amplifies this impact.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Progression: A clear path exists to move from Senior to Lead Product Designer, and potentially into management roles such as Design Manager or Head of Design, overseeing larger teams and strategic initiatives.
• Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas like accessibility, design systems, UX research, or a particular industry vertical.
• Client Account Ownership: The chance to become a primary design advisor for major, long-term client accounts, fostering deep client relationships and strategic influence.
• Mentorship & Training: Formal and informal opportunities to mentor junior designers, lead workshops, and contribute to the development of Waracle's design methodologies and best practices.
• Cross-Functional Development: Exposure to various aspects of digital transformation projects, enhancing understanding of business strategy, technology, and product management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior/Lead" title is a key indicator of growth potential. Waracle, as a consultancy, likely offers a diverse project landscape that accelerates learning and exposure to different challenges, which is a significant driver for career advancement in design.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Waracle operates multiple modern office locations in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, and London. These are likely collaborative workspaces designed to foster teamwork, innovation, and client engagement. The hybrid model means offices will be utilized for focused collaboration, team meetings, workshops, and client presentations. Office Location(s):

• Glasgow, Scotland
• Edinburgh, Scotland
• Dundee, Scotland
• London, England

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Offices will feature meeting rooms, breakout areas, and open-plan zones designed for dynamic team interaction and brainstorming sessions.
• Technology-Rich Environment: Access to up-to-date hardware, software, and collaboration tools necessary for design work, client presentations, and remote connectivity.
• Team Interaction: The 2-day in-office expectation is designed to facilitate spontaneous collaboration, knowledge sharing, and team building with fellow designers and cross-functional colleagues.

Work Schedule: The hybrid model allows for flexibility. While standard full-time hours are expected, the specific days in the office can be coordinated with teams and project needs. This structure supports focused individual work at home and collaborative activities in the office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model, with specific office days, is designed to maximize the benefits of both remote work (focus, flexibility) and in-office work (collaboration, culture). Candidates should be prepared to travel to their designated office location twice a week.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Call with Talent Acquisition Partner: A screening conversation to discuss your career aspirations, understanding of Waracle, salary expectations, notice period, and benefits. This is also an opportunity for you to ask initial questions.
• Two-Stage Interview Process:
  • Stage 1: Design/Technical Interview: This stage will likely involve a deep dive into your portfolio, discussing specific case studies, your design process, problem-solving approach, and technical skills (UX/UI, design systems, tools). Expect questions about how you handle complexity and client challenges.
  • Stage 2: Leadership/Stakeholder Interview: This stage will focus on your leadership capabilities, mentorship experience, client-facing skills, strategic thinking, and how you would fit into Waracle's culture. You may be asked to present a specific case study or discuss your approach to leading design initiatives.
• Final Evaluation: A comprehensive review of your performance across all stages, assessing your skills, experience, cultural fit, and potential impact.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest case studies that best demonstrate end-to-end product design, leadership, and impact. Prioritize projects that align with Waracle's consultancy work (complex problems, client-facing, digital transformation).
• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your specific role and contributions, the design process followed, key decisions made, challenges overcome, and the quantifiable results or impact achieved. Use visuals effectively to support your narrative.
• Highlight Leadership & Process: For Senior/Lead roles, emphasize your strategic thinking, ability to influence stakeholders, mentorship experience, and how you manage the design process. Showcase your understanding of design systems and accessibility.
• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design philosophy, how you handle disagreement, how you collaborate with engineers, and your approach to data-driven design.
• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio, ensuring you can articulate your thought process clearly and concisely within a given timeframe.

Challenge Preparation:

• While not explicitly mentioned, be prepared for potential design exercises or challenges, especially for the Lead aspect. This could involve a take-home assignment or a live design critique/problem-solving session.
• Focus on demonstrating your ability to think critically, structure your approach, communicate your rationale, and deliver a well-reasoned solution, even under time constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes a thorough evaluation of both design craft and leadership potential. The portfolio is the central piece; candidates must be prepared to discuss it in detail and demonstrate how their experience aligns with the role's demands.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable given industry trends and explicit mention), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop).
• Prototyping Tools: InVision, Principle, ProtoPie for more advanced interactions.
• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack.
• Design System Management: Tools for component libraries, style guides, and documentation (e.g., Zeroheight, Storybook, or within Figma itself).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web/App Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude.
• A/B Testing Platforms: Optimizely, Google Optimize, VWO.
• User Feedback Tools: Hotjar, UserTesting.com, SurveyMonkey.

CRM & Automation: While not directly managed by designers, familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and marketing automation platforms can provide context for user journeys and data flow.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is almost a given for modern design roles. The emphasis on data-driven design and A/B testing means familiarity with analytics and testing platforms is highly advantageous. As a consultancy, Waracle may use a variety of tools depending on client needs, so adaptability and a strong foundational understanding of design tools are key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Client Focus: A strong commitment to understanding and solving client business challenges through innovative digital solutions.
• Excellence & Quality: A drive to deliver high-quality, well-crafted, and effective design outcomes that meet rigorous standards.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: A belief in the power of cross-functional teams and open communication to achieve shared goals.
• Innovation & Curiosity: Encouraging exploration of new technologies, methodologies, and creative approaches to design.
• Continuous Improvement: A dedication to learning, adapting, and refining processes and skills to stay at the forefront of the industry.
• Inclusivity & Accessibility: A commitment to designing products that are usable and accessible to everyone.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to work closely and seamlessly with product managers, developers, researchers, and client stakeholders from project inception to completion.
• Open Feedback Culture: An environment where constructive feedback is encouraged, both given and received, to foster growth and improve design quality.
• Knowledge Sharing: Regular opportunities for designers to share learnings, best practices, and insights through team meetings, workshops, and informal discussions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Waracle's culture as a consultancy likely emphasizes agility, client service, and a results-oriented approach. The values reflect a commitment to professional standards and collaborative problem-solving, essential for success in a client-facing role.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Client Expectations: Balancing client demands, project scope, and budget constraints with optimal design solutions requires strong negotiation and communication skills.
• Navigating Ambiguity: Working on diverse client projects often involves dealing with incomplete information or rapidly changing requirements, necessitating adaptability and resilience.
• Technical Constraints: Collaborating effectively with engineering teams to understand and work within technical limitations while still achieving a great user experience.
• Driving Design Adoption: Championing design best practices and ensuring that implemented designs meet quality and user experience standards across various client projects.
• Mentoring & Leadership: Effectively guiding and developing junior designers while also managing senior-level design responsibilities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Exposure to Diverse Projects: Working across multiple industries and client types provides a broad learning experience and exposure to a wide range of design challenges.
• Advanced Design System Practice: Opportunities to contribute to and lead the evolution of design systems, developing expertise in scalable design solutions.
• Client Strategy Influence: Developing skills in strategic consulting and influencing client leadership through strong design rationale and business acumen.
• Mentorship Programs: Formal and informal opportunities to be mentored by senior leaders and to mentor junior team members, fostering leadership growth.
• Industry Conferences & Training: Access to professional development resources, workshops, and conferences to stay current with design trends and technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to a consultancy environment, emphasizing the need for strong soft skills alongside design expertise. The growth opportunities are significant, leveraging the diverse project landscape and Waracle's commitment to professional development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex product design initiative you led from concept to launch. What was the problem, your approach, and the outcome?" (Focus on end-to-end process, problem-solving, and impact).
• "How do you approach defining and scaling a design system? What are the key components, and how do you ensure its adoption?" (Demonstrate understanding of system thinking, governance, and collaboration).
• "Tell me about a time you had to balance conflicting stakeholder needs or technical constraints with your design recommendations. How did you navigate it?" (Highlight negotiation, communication, and strategic compromise).
• "How do you ensure your designs are inclusive and accessible? Can you give an example of how you've implemented accessibility best practices?" (Show commitment to universal design principles).
• "As a Senior/Lead designer, how do you mentor junior team members? What is your philosophy on fostering design talent?" (Assess leadership and team development capabilities).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to Waracle and this specific role?" (Research Waracle's work, values, and industry position).
• "How do you see your skills contributing to our client-facing consultancy model?" (Align your experience with the consultancy environment).
• "Describe your ideal team collaboration environment." (Showcase your ability to work effectively in a hybrid, cross-functional setting).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, follow a clear structure: Problem -> Your Role -> Process -> Solutions -> Impact.
• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased conversion rates, improved user satisfaction scores, reduced task completion time).
• Highlight Leadership: For Senior/Lead roles, emphasize your decision-making process, how you influenced direction, and your role in mentoring others.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices, the rationale behind them, and how you responded to feedback or challenges.
• Showcase Your Tools: Be ready to discuss your proficiency with Figma and other relevant design and prototyping tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skills but also strategic thinking, leadership potential, and the ability to thrive in a client-facing, collaborative environment. The portfolio presentation is a critical component for assessing these aspects.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior/Lead Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Waracle's careers portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features 3-5 case studies demonstrating end-to-end product design leadership, design systems, and accessibility. Tailor your case study selection to highlight experience relevant to digital consultancy and complex initiatives.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your years of experience, specific responsibilities in Senior/Lead roles, proficiency with key design tools (especially Figma), and any experience in consultancy or agency environments. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly review your portfolio and prepare to discuss your case studies in detail, focusing on your process, decision-making, and impact. Practice presenting your work concisely and engagingly.
• Company Research: Research Waracle's website, recent projects, and any available company culture information to understand their approach to digital transformation and client engagement. Prepare thoughtful questions for the interviewers.

⚠️ 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.