UX Designer (d/f/m)

DEPT®
Full-timeHamburg, Germany

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer (d/f/m)

Company: DEPT®

Location: Hamburg, Berlin, Germany

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Experience Design / Digital Product Design

Date Posted: December 12, 2025

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (4+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

  • Drive the creation of exceptional end-to-end user experiences for ambitious brands by translating complex challenges into intuitive and impactful digital products.

  • Lead and participate in discovery sessions, employing generative methods to uncover user needs and business opportunities, directly influencing product strategy.

  • Develop comprehensive user journeys, detailed flows, and precise wireframes, supported by clear annotations, to guide the design and development process.

  • Collaborate closely with UI designers to ensure a cohesive and compelling final user experience, bridging the gap between functional design and aesthetic appeal.

  • Present design strategies, user insights, and deliverables to clients and stakeholders, effectively communicating design rationale and managing feedback to achieve project goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is ideal for a UX Designer with a proven track record in agency or brand environments who thrives on complex problem-solving and has a passion for creating impactful digital experiences. The hybrid model suggests a need for strong self-management and communication skills.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Spearhead the conceptualization and design of user experiences for a variety of digital products, including websites, apps, and other digital platforms, ensuring alignment with client objectives and user needs.

  • Conduct user research, usability testing, and stakeholder interviews to gather insights that inform design decisions and validate proposed solutions.

  • Create detailed user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes using industry-standard tools to effectively communicate design intent and functionality.

  • Develop and maintain design documentation, including user personas, journey maps, and annotation guides, to ensure clarity and consistency across multidisciplinary teams.

  • Present design concepts, rationale, and user testing results to internal teams and clients, actively soliciting and incorporating feedback to refine designs.

  • Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams, including UI designers, developers, strategists, and project managers, to ensure seamless integration of UX design principles throughout the product development lifecycle.

  • Stay abreast of industry best practices, emerging UX trends, and cross-industry insights, bringing innovative ideas and recommendations to project teams to elevate the user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a hands-on approach to UX design, from initial discovery to final output, with a strong focus on client interaction and cross-functional collaboration within an agency setting.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, or a related field is often beneficial for foundational understanding in UX principles.

Experience: Minimum of 4+ years of professional experience in User Experience (UX) design, with a significant portion spent at a digital agency or working with renowned brands on complex digital products.

Required Skills:

  • Proven expertise in UX design methodologies, including user research, journey mapping, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing.

  • Demonstrated experience designing for websites, mobile applications, and other digital products for established brands.

  • A strong, compelling portfolio (website or PDF) that clearly showcases design process, problem-solving skills, and successful project outcomes.

  • Proficiency in Figma for wireframing, prototyping, and collaborative design.

  • Experience working effectively within multidisciplinary teams, including UI designers, developers, and project managers.

  • Strong command of the English language, both written and verbal, for effective communication with international teams and clients.

  • Ability to participate in and lead discovery sessions and apply generative design methods.

  • Skill in translating strategies and insights into well-considered user journeys, flows, and wireframes.

  • Competence in creating simple prototypes and validating them with users.

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience with other design and prototyping tools (e.g., Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision).

  • Familiarity with agile development methodologies.

  • Understanding of UI design principles and their relationship with UX.

  • Experience with accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG).

  • Knowledge of data analysis and its application in UX decision-making.

  • Experience in the technology, marketing, or creative industries.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a strong portfolio and specific tool proficiency (Figma) are critical requirements. The "4+ years" suggests a need for candidates who can independently drive projects and mentor junior team members.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Showcase a minimum of 3-5 diverse UX design projects that demonstrate a clear understanding of the design process from problem definition to solution implementation.

  • For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role and contributions, the methodologies used (e.g., user research, wireframing, prototyping), key design decisions, and the measurable impact or outcome.

  • Include examples of user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes, with annotations that explain design rationale and user interaction logic.

  • Highlight experience with complex challenges and how you translated them into elegant and smart digital products.

Process Documentation:

  • Projects should illustrate your ability to lead discovery sessions and apply generative methods to uncover opportunities.

  • Evidence of translating strategy and insights into well-considered journeys, flows, and wireframes.

  • Examples of creating and validating simple prototypes.

  • Documentation of how you substantiated design choices with annotations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is a critical component of the application process, serving as the primary evidence of a candidate's skills and experience. It should go beyond just showcasing final designs to detailing the thought process and problem-solving approach.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a mid-senior UX Designer in Germany (Hamburg/Berlin) with 4+ years of experience, the estimated annual salary range is €55,000 - €75,000. This range can vary based on the specific scope of projects, individual experience, and negotiation.

Benefits:

  • Flexible, hybrid working policy, allowing 1-2 days per week in the office for collaborative work.

  • Company pension scheme to support long-term financial security.

  • Lease bike options (JobRad) and a 25% subsidy for the Deutschlandticket, promoting sustainable commuting.

  • Occasional breakfast/lunch provided at the office, along with "Smoothie Tuesdays" for team well-being.

  • Contribution to health and well-being through the OpenUp platform.

  • A flexible monthly package (€30) for digital food stamps, fitness providers, internet costs, or public transport.

  • Exclusive access to sustainable, healthy products at attractive deals through "Future Bens."

  • Numerous social events and organized activities fostering team connection and a strong company culture.

  • Opportunities for professional development through training, certifications, and skill enhancement programs.

  • Participation in the global annual "DEPT® Cares Month," contributing skills to support local charities.

Working Hours: The role typically involves a standard full-time work week, estimated at 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered through the hybrid working policy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided benefits package is comprehensive, emphasizing work-life balance, employee well-being, professional development, and sustainability. The salary estimate is based on current market data for UX designers in major German cities.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: DEPT® operates at the intersection of technology and marketing, defining itself as a "Growth Invention" company. Their focus is on combining technology and creative strategy to drive faster growth for ambitious brands. This hybrid approach means they work across digital experiences, media, commerce, CRM, and data.

Company Size: With over 4,000 specialists globally, DEPT® is a large, international agency. This scale offers opportunities for diverse project exposure and career mobility but also implies a need for clear processes and efficient collaboration to maintain agility.

Founded: DEPT® has been a Certified B Corp and Climate Neutral since 2021, indicating a strong commitment to social and environmental responsibility alongside business growth. This ethos permeates their culture and client work.

Team Structure:

  • The role is part of the "Experience & Engineering" team in Germany, which combines technology and experience design. This suggests a highly collaborative environment where UX designers work closely with technical experts.

  • The team structure likely emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, with UX designers embedded in project teams composed of strategists, UI designers, developers, and project managers.

Methodology:

  • DEPT® emphasizes creating "emotive yet conversion-focused ideas, products, and campaigns at scale and speed." This implies a data-informed yet creative approach to design.

  • Their "Growth Invention" model suggests a proactive, forward-thinking methodology focused on innovation and measurable business impact for clients.

  • The company values are "better together, relentlessly curious, and get sh*t done," indicating a culture of teamwork, continuous learning, and execution.

Company Website: https://www.deptagency.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: DEPT®'s culture is characterized by a blend of creativity, technological expertise, and a strong commitment to sustainability and social impact. The "Growth Invention" ethos suggests a dynamic, results-oriented environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This UX Designer role is positioned at a mid-to-senior level, requiring 4+ years of experience. This implies a level of autonomy, the ability to lead design initiatives within projects, and potentially mentor junior designers. The role is expected to contribute significantly to client project success and internal process improvements.

Reporting Structure: While specific reporting lines aren't detailed, in an agency like DEPT®, UX Designers typically report to a Head of UX, Creative Director, or a Team Lead within the "Experience & Engineering" department. They will work closely with Project Managers and collaborate daily with UI designers, developers, and client teams.

Operations Impact: As a UX Designer, the impact is directly tied to the success of digital products and campaigns for DEPT®'s clients. By creating effective, user-centered experiences, this role contributes to increased user engagement, conversion rates, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, client business growth. This role bridges the gap between user needs and business objectives, making it crucial for client retention and new business acquisition.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas of UX, such as user research, interaction design, service design, or accessibility.

  • Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a Senior UX Designer, Lead UX Designer, or even a UX Manager role, taking on more responsibility for team leadership, client strategy, and project oversight.

  • Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Exposure to marketing, technology, and data specialists within DEPT® provides opportunities to broaden understanding of integrated digital strategies.

  • Client Strategy: Developing expertise in specific industries or client types, becoming a trusted advisor on digital experience strategy.

  • Training & Certifications: DEPT® offers training and development opportunities, encouraging continuous learning and skill enhancement aligned with career aspirations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers significant growth potential within a large, international agency, with clear pathways for both specialization and leadership, supported by the company's commitment to employee development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, with employees expected to be in the office 1-2 days per week, depending on their specific location (Hamburg or Berlin). This suggests a balance between focused remote work and in-person collaboration.

Office Location(s): The role is based in either Hamburg or Berlin, Germany. Both are major European hubs with vibrant creative and tech scenes. Travel between these locations might be occasionally required for specific projects or team events.

Workspace Context:

  • The hybrid model is designed to foster collaboration and team cohesion. Office days are likely dedicated to brainstorming sessions, team meetings, client workshops, and in-person collaboration with colleagues.

  • The office environment at DEPT® is expected to be dynamic and collaborative, reflecting their "Growth Invention" culture. Access to modern tools and technology, including Figma and other collaborative software, will be standard.

  • Opportunities for interaction with a diverse range of colleagues across different disciplines (marketing, technology, data, design) will be frequent, enriching the work experience and fostering a strong sense of community.

Work Schedule: While a standard full-time schedule (approx. 40 hours/week) is expected, the hybrid policy offers some flexibility. The company culture emphasizes "get sh*t done," suggesting a focus on deliverables and results rather than strict adherence to hours, within reasonable professional boundaries.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid setup in key German cities, combined with a focus on collaborative office days, aims to provide the best of both worlds: flexibility for deep work and structured opportunities for team interaction and creative synergy.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess foundational skills and experience against the job requirements.

  • Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on your UX design philosophy, experience with specific projects, and understanding of DEPT®'s approach. Expect questions about your portfolio.

  • Portfolio Presentation/Workshop: A key stage where you will present selected projects from your portfolio, detailing your process, decisions, and outcomes. This may also include a practical design exercise or a collaborative workshop scenario to assess your problem-solving and collaboration skills.

  • Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with potential colleagues (e.g., UI designers, developers, strategists) and possibly clients to evaluate cultural fit, communication style, and ability to integrate into multidisciplinary teams.

  • Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss career aspirations, strategic thinking, and overall fit with DEPT®'s values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 projects that best showcase your skills relevant to the job description (digital products, agency experience, complex challenges).

  • Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, key decisions, and the impact. Use visuals effectively to support your narrative.

  • Highlight Process: Emphasize your thought process, user research, iterative design, and problem-solving approaches, not just the final visual output.

  • Showcase Collaboration: If possible, highlight instances where you worked effectively within multidisciplinary teams and how you handled client feedback.

  • Annotations are Key: Ensure your wireframes and flows are well-annotated to explain the rationale behind your design choices.

  • Be Prepared for a Design Challenge: Understand that you might be asked to walk through a design exercise or discuss how you would approach a hypothetical problem.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand DEPT®'s Values: Familiarize yourself with their "Growth Invention" model, and values like "better together," "relentlessly curious," and "get sh*t done."

  • Research Recent Work: Look at DEPT®'s case studies and client work to understand their style and the types of projects they undertake.

  • Practice Articulation: Be ready to clearly and concisely explain your design decisions and their business rationale. Practice presenting your portfolio projects under timed conditions.

  • Prepare Questions: Have thoughtful questions ready for the interviewers about the team, projects, company culture, and growth opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely to be thorough, with a strong emphasis on the portfolio presentation and a practical assessment of design and collaboration skills. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate their entire design process and its impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Figma: Explicitly mentioned as a required tool; proficiency in Figma for wireframing, prototyping, and collaborative design is essential. Expect to use its advanced features for design systems, component libraries, and team collaboration.

  • Prototyping Tools: While Figma is primary, experience with other prototyping tools (e.g., InVision, Adobe XD) may be beneficial for broader project contexts.

  • User Research Tools: Familiarity with tools for conducting user interviews, surveys, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, SurveyMonkey, Lookback).

Analytics & Reporting:

  • Web Analytics: Basic understanding of how analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics) are used to measure user behavior and inform design iterations.

  • A/B Testing Tools: Familiarity with tools that facilitate A/B testing for optimizing user flows and conversion rates.

CRM & Automation:

  • While not directly a UX tool, an understanding of how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and marketing automation platforms influence customer journeys and digital experiences can be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is a non-negotiable requirement. The role also benefits from a broader understanding of the digital product ecosystem, including analytics and how UX fits into the broader marketing and technology stack.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Better Together: Emphasizes teamwork, collaboration, and mutual support. Operations professionals are expected to contribute positively to team dynamics, share knowledge, and work towards collective goals.

  • Relentlessly Curious: Encourages a mindset of continuous learning, exploration, and questioning the status quo. Operations roles should bring fresh perspectives, seek out new insights, and be eager to understand the "why" behind processes.

  • Get Sh*t Done: Focuses on execution, efficiency, and delivering results. Operations professionals are expected to be proactive, decisive, and committed to achieving objectives, often under tight deadlines.

  • Growth Invention: This overarching company value means a proactive approach to innovation, seeking opportunities to improve, and driving measurable business outcomes for clients. Operations roles should contribute to this inventive spirit by identifying efficiencies and new possibilities.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-functional Integration: Expect to work closely with diverse teams (marketing, tech, data, sales) in a highly integrated manner. Strong communication and the ability to translate UX concepts to non-designers are key.

  • Agile and Iterative: Collaboration likely follows agile principles, involving frequent feedback loops, sprints, and iterative development. UX designers are integral to this process, providing continuous input.

  • Client-Centric: A strong focus on client needs and stakeholder management is inherent in agency work. Collaboration extends to clients, requiring clear communication, expectation management, and partnership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's core values are deeply embedded in their operational approach, promoting a culture of high performance, continuous improvement, and collaborative innovation.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: A constant challenge in UX design is finding the optimal balance between delivering exceptional user experiences and meeting client business objectives and technical constraints.

  • Managing Stakeholder Expectations: Effectively communicating design rationale, managing feedback, and navigating differing opinions from various stakeholders (clients, internal teams) can be demanding.

  • Keeping Pace with Technology & Trends: The digital landscape evolves rapidly. Staying current with new technologies, design tools, and user behavior trends requires continuous learning and adaptation.

  • Cross-Cultural Collaboration: Working with a global team and diverse client base necessitates strong intercultural communication skills and an understanding of different perspectives.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Advanced UX Techniques: Opportunities to specialize in areas like service design, UX strategy, or user research methodologies through workshops and training.

  • Industry Certifications: DEPT®'s commitment to development may include support for obtaining relevant certifications in UX design or related fields.

  • Mentorship: Access to experienced designers and leaders within DEPT® for guidance, feedback, and career development advice.

  • Exposure to Diverse Projects: Working on a variety of client projects across different industries provides invaluable learning experiences and broadens a designer's skill set.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents opportunities to tackle complex design problems for leading brands, fostering continuous professional growth in a supportive and innovative agency environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting stakeholder requirements for a digital product. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on negotiation, compromise, and user advocacy).

  • "Walk us through your process for translating user research insights into actionable design recommendations for a complex digital product." (Highlight your research-to-design methodology).

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What interests you about DEPT®'s 'Growth Invention' model, and how do you see UX design contributing to it?" (Show you've researched their approach and can connect your role to their mission).

  • "Our values are 'better together,' 'relentlessly curious,' and 'get sh*t done.' Can you provide an example of how you've embodied these values in a previous role?" (Prepare specific anecdotes.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure: Use a STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for each project. Clearly define the problem, your role, your actions (process), and the results (impact).

  • Visuals: Ensure your slides are clean, visually appealing, and highlight key artifacts (wireframes, flows, prototypes). Use annotations effectively to explain your rationale.

  • Narrative: Be a storyteller. Explain the "why" behind your design decisions, not just the "what." Connect your work to user needs and business objectives.

  • Interaction: Be prepared to discuss your prototypes interactively and answer in-depth questions about your design choices.

  • Conciseness: Practice your presentation to fit within the allocated time, focusing on the most impactful aspects of each project.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to articulate their design process rigorously, demonstrate problem-solving skills through case studies, and align their approach with DEPT®'s core values and business objectives.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the provided link on the Greenhouse platform.

  • Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature projects demonstrating experience with websites, apps, digital products, and agency work. Focus on showcasing your end-to-end UX process and problem-solving skills.

  • Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords from the job description, such as "UX Design," "Wireframing," "Prototyping," "Figma," "User Research," "Client Interaction," and "Multidisciplinary Teams." Quantify achievements where possible.

  • Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio projects, focusing on clear communication of your design process, rationale, and impact. Prepare to discuss how you embody DEPT®'s values.

  • Company Research: Thoroughly research DEPT®'s website, recent projects, and company culture. Understand their "Growth Invention" model and their commitment to sustainability and DEI.

⚠️ 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.


Application Requirements

Candidates should have 4+ years of experience as a UX designer, preferably at an agency or renowned brand, and a strong portfolio showcasing their work. Proficiency in English and experience with Figma and collaborative tools are also required.