UX Designer (parental leave cover)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer (parental leave cover) Company: Oda Location: Oslo, Norway Job Type: Full-time, Temporary Category: UX/Product Design Date Posted: 2025-11-18 Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5+ years) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role offers a unique opportunity to lead UX design projects from inception to completion within a dynamic, cross-functional product team focused on enhancing customer-facing grocery services.
• You will be instrumental in designing intuitive digital experiences for both web and mobile platforms, directly impacting thousands of customers across Scandinavia.
• The position involves hands-on execution of user research, concept development, interface design, prototyping, and usability testing, ensuring user needs are met while aligning with business objectives.
• As a project lead, you will foster collaboration with developers, data specialists, and product managers, driving the product development lifecycle and contributing to Oda's mission of becoming the world's most efficient grocery system.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically for a temporary parental leave cover, with a defined contract duration of one year (January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026). The emphasis on "project lead" and "ownership" suggests a need for a candidate who can operate with a high degree of autonomy and drive, rather than solely executing design tasks under direction. The required fluency in Norwegian or Swedish is a critical factor for customer interaction and research.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the end-to-end design process for assigned projects, from initial customer insight gathering and concept ideation through to detailed interface design, prototyping, implementation oversight, and iterative testing.
• Develop and refine user interfaces and user experiences for Oda and Mathem's customer-facing applications (web and mobile), focusing on areas such as grocery ordering, product discovery, account management, and delivery logistics.
• Conduct comprehensive user research, including customer interviews, usability testing sessions, and feedback analysis, to inform design decisions and validate product concepts.
• Create clear, usable, and consistent user interfaces by leveraging and adhering to the existing Oda design system, ensuring a seamless user experience across all platforms.
• Collaborate effectively with product managers, developers, data analysts, and fellow designers within the Shop product team and the broader Oda design discipline to solve complex problems and deliver high-quality digital solutions.
• Contribute to the design of back-end tooling that supports customer-facing operations, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in the overall grocery system.
• Actively participate in design reviews, providing and receiving constructive feedback to elevate the quality of design work across the team.
• Champion user-centric design principles and best practices throughout the product development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "hands-on designer and project lead" indicates a dual responsibility, requiring both strong individual design contributions and the ability to guide projects and teams. The scope covers "literally everything customer-facing," implying a broad range of potential design challenges from e-commerce flows to notification systems and payment interfaces.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical experience and a deep understanding of UX/product design principles is essential. Experience: A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in designing digital products for web and mobile platforms is required. Experience leading projects within cross-functional product teams is a key differentiator.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in interaction design, encompassing information architecture, concept modeling, task flow definition, wireframing, and interactive prototyping.
• Proficiency with Figma, the primary design tool used by the team.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting user research, including customer interviews and usability testing, from setup to execution and analysis.
• Experience with end-to-end product design processes, including service design principles.
• Ability to effectively utilize and apply an existing design system to produce shippable UI designs that developers can implement efficiently.
• Strong communication skills to clearly articulate design decisions and rationale to diverse stakeholders, including product managers, developers, and leadership.
• Fluency in Norwegian or Swedish is mandatory to effectively conduct customer interviews and usability tests in the Scandinavian markets and to understand product text.
• Ability to work from the Oslo office.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in bringing Artificial Intelligence (AI) into interaction design workflows.
• Previous experience working within an in-house design team.
• Familiarity with agile development methodologies and iterative design processes.
• Understanding of e-commerce platforms and the online grocery industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for Norwegian or Swedish fluency is a critical filter for this role, directly impacting the ability to perform core responsibilities related to user research and customer engagement. The "nice to have" elements suggest areas where candidates can further differentiate themselves, particularly regarding emerging technologies like AI in design.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 robust case studies demonstrating end-to-end product design ownership, from initial problem definition to launched solutions.
• Projects should highlight your ability to lead initiatives, manage the full UX lifecycle (research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, testing, and UI design), and collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams.
• For each case study, clearly articulate the problem statement, your specific role and contributions, the design process followed, key decisions made, and the quantifiable outcomes or impact achieved.
• Demonstrate proficiency in Figma through examples of complex interactive prototypes, user flow diagrams, and well-structured design system components.
• Include examples of how you've conducted user research and usability testing, detailing your methodology, findings, and how these insights influenced design iterations.

Process Documentation:

• Portfolios should implicitly or explicitly demonstrate an understanding of iterative design processes, including how feedback is incorporated and designs are refined.
• Examples of task flows, information architecture diagrams, and wireframes should showcase structured problem-solving and a clear approach to organizing complex information.
• Visual examples of UI design, executed within a design system context, will be crucial to assess your ability to create implementable designs.
• Case studies should clearly outline the testing and validation phases, illustrating your commitment to data-driven design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "project lead" aspect, portfolios should emphasize not just design execution but also strategic thinking, project management within design, and the ability to drive outcomes. The emphasis on using an existing design system means portfolios should show how candidates adapt and work within established frameworks, not just create from scratch.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry standards for experienced UX Designers in Oslo, Norway, with 5+ years of experience and project leadership responsibilities, the estimated annual salary range is approximately NOK 650,000 - NOK 900,000. This range is subject to variation based on the candidate's specific experience, skill set, and the duration of the parental leave contract.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and the temporary nature of the role.
• Opportunity to work with a well-loved product and contribute to a significant disruption in the grocery industry.
• Be part of a supportive and ambitious team that values collaboration and mutual support.
• Flat organizational structure encouraging cross-disciplinary teamwork and idea generation.
• Transparent communication culture utilizing Slack, minimizing unnecessary meetings.
• Access to a buzzing office environment in Tøyen, Oslo, including professionally prepared lunches.
• A chance to shape the future of grocery shopping and contribute to a lasting company.
• Potential for professional development and exposure to innovative design practices.

Working Hours: The role is full-time, with standard working hours typically around 37.5-40 hours per week. While an on-site role, Oda promotes a transparent and efficient work culture with an emphasis on getting things done, suggesting a balance between focused work and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on research from Norwegian job boards (e.g., Finn.no, LinkedIn Salary) for UX Designers with 5-10 years of experience in Oslo, considering the temporary contract. Benefits are extrapolated from the "What we offer" section of the job description, tailored to highlight aspects appealing to design professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce, Grocery Technology, Logistics. Oda is revolutionizing the grocery industry by building a highly efficient, tech-driven online grocery service. Their focus is on making grocery shopping affordable and convenient through advanced logistics and technology. Company Size: Oda is a growing company, with a significant presence in Scandinavia. While the "Shop product team" has 27 members, the overall company size is substantial, indicating a structured yet agile environment. This size allows for specialized teams while maintaining a collaborative and relatively flat structure. Founded: Oda was founded in 2013, with its origins in Norway. This history suggests a company that has evolved from a startup into a leading player in its market, now expanding internationally (partnered with Mathem in Sweden). This growth trajectory implies a culture of innovation, adaptation, and a strong focus on scaling operations efficiently.

Team Structure:

• The "Shop product team" is a large, 27-member group responsible for all customer-facing aspects of Oda and Mathem's services, including apps, webshops, marketing tools, notifications, payments, accounts, and customer service.
• Within this team, smaller cross-functional groups work on specific projects, allowing for focused development and greater ownership.
• The UX Designer will work closely with developers, data specialists, and other designers within the Shop platform team.
• They will also receive overall support from Shop Product Managers (PMs) and be part of the larger Oda design discipline, fostering a community of practice.

Methodology:

• Oda emphasizes a data-driven approach to product development, with "data folks" integrated into teams to provide insights.
• Design work is expected to be user-centric, informed by customer insight, user research, and usability testing.
• Collaboration across product, design, and engineering is a core methodology, aiming for holistic, end-to-end design solutions.
• The use of Slack for communication suggests an agile and efficient workflow, prioritizing getting things done.

Company Website: https://careers.oda.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company description highlights a mission-driven culture focused on efficiency and customer convenience. The "Shop product team" structure indicates a matrixed approach where individuals contribute to larger goals through smaller, focused project teams. The integration of data specialists points to a data-informed decision-making process.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Mid-Senior to Senior level, specifically for a UX Designer who can also function as a project lead. It requires a high degree of autonomy, ownership, and the ability to guide projects from start to finish, not just execute design tasks. The focus is on end-to-end product ownership within a specific domain. Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will report within the Shop product team, likely to a Design Lead or Head of Design within that domain. They will work closely with Product Managers, Developers, and Data Specialists in their cross-functional project groups. The broader Oda design discipline provides a community of practice and potential mentorship from more senior designers. Operations Impact: The role has a direct and significant impact on the customer experience of Oda and Mathem's services, which are central to the company's revenue generation and market position. By improving the usability and effectiveness of the grocery shopping platform, the UX Designer contributes directly to customer satisfaction, retention, conversion rates, and ultimately, the company's growth and efficiency goals. Designing both customer-facing solutions and back-end tooling ensures a holistic impact on the entire operational chain.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of UX design, such as e-commerce UX, service design, or user research methodologies within the online grocery sector.
• Leadership Development: As a project lead, there's an opportunity to hone leadership, stakeholder management, and cross-functional team coordination skills.
• AI in Design: The "nice to have" mention of AI in the design workflow presents a chance to explore and gain experience in a cutting-edge area of UX.
• Industry Exposure: Working for a leading Scandinavian online grocery service provides invaluable experience in a rapidly evolving and competitive market.
• Potential for Extension/Permanent Role: While a temporary position, strong performance could potentially lead to opportunities for extension or other roles within Oda, depending on business needs and available positions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role's emphasis on "project lead" and "ownership" signifies a growth path towards more senior or lead design roles. The temporary nature means career growth will primarily be through skill development and demonstrated impact within the contract period, with potential for future opportunities based on performance and company needs.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Oda operates from a physical office located at Kjølberggata 31 in Oslo. The description mentions a "buzzing office at Tøyen, with lunch made by our very own chefs," indicating a vibrant, in-person work environment with employee amenities. Office Location(s): The primary office location for this role is Oslo, Norway, specifically at Kjølberggata 31, 0653 Oslo. This location is stated as the required place of work.

Workspace Context:

• The office environment is described as "buzzing" and collaborative, fostering interaction and idea exchange.
• The presence of in-house chefs and provided lunches suggests a company culture that invests in employee well-being and community.
• Collaboration is a key aspect, with an emphasis on working together across disciplines to tackle challenges.
• The use of Slack for communication indicates a modern, efficient, and less meeting-heavy approach to daily work, allowing for focused time.

Work Schedule: The position is full-time. While specific daily hours aren't detailed, the company culture emphasizes efficiency and getting things done, suggesting a standard professional workday with flexibility often found in tech companies, provided project deliverables are met. The on-site requirement means a consistent presence in the Oslo office is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "buzzing office" and "chefs" detail suggests a company culture that values employee experience and community, which can be a significant draw for on-site roles. The emphasis on Slack for communication points to a modern, efficient workflow that minimizes time spent in formal meetings.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit your application, including your portfolio, through the provided link. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
• Portfolio Review: Initial screening will heavily rely on your portfolio. Ensure it clearly demonstrates your end-to-end UX design capabilities, project leadership, and impact.
• Initial Screening Call: A brief call with a recruiter or hiring manager to discuss your background, experience, and suitability for the role and temporary contract.
• Design Challenge/Case Study Presentation: You may be asked to present a case study from your portfolio or complete a take-home design exercise. This will assess your problem-solving skills, design process, and communication abilities.
• Team Interviews: Interviews with members of the Shop product team, including designers, developers, and product managers. These will focus on your collaboration style, technical skills, and cultural fit.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader, focusing on overall fit, strategic thinking, and long-term potential within the team, despite the temporary nature.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Project Leadership: For each case study, clearly articulate your role as a project lead—how you initiated, guided, and drove projects to completion.
• Demonstrate End-to-End Process: Showcase the full UX lifecycle: problem definition, user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping (Figma), usability testing, UI design within the design system, and post-launch analysis.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics or qualitative outcomes that demonstrate the success and impact of your designs on users and business goals.
• Showcase Figma Proficiency: Include examples of interactive prototypes, complex user flows, and how you've utilized Figma's features effectively.
• Explain Design Rationale: Be prepared to articulate why you made certain design decisions, linking them back to user needs, research findings, and business objectives.
• Address Language Fluency: Be ready to discuss how your Norwegian or Swedish fluency will be leveraged for customer interviews and testing.

Challenge Preparation:

• Prepare a Key Case Study: Have one or two case studies ready for in-depth presentation, focusing on projects where you had significant ownership and impact.
• Anticipate Process Questions: Be ready to discuss your approach to user research, usability testing, design system utilization, and collaboration with developers.
• Understand Oda's Business: Research Oda's mission, services, and market position to tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.
• Practice Articulating Decisions: Clearly explain your design choices, trade-offs considered, and how you balance user needs with business requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "rolling applications" and "portfolios as they come in" suggests a need to apply promptly. The role's project lead nature means portfolios should heavily feature examples of autonomy and initiative.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Explicitly mentioned as the "tool of trade" for UX design, wireframing, prototyping, and UI design. Proficiency is essential.
• Design Systems: Experience working with and utilizing existing design systems is required for efficient UI creation.
• Prototyping Tools: Figma's prototyping capabilities are key. Other tools might be beneficial but not explicitly required.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed for UX designers, the presence of "data folks" and a data-driven approach implies that familiarity with analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel) and the ability to interpret data to inform design decisions would be advantageous.
• Understanding how to track user behavior and measure the impact of design changes is implicitly important.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the core UX design responsibilities, but an understanding of how user data is managed and how customer journeys are automated within the e-commerce platform could provide valuable context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the central design tool. The mention of "data folks" and a "data-driven approach" suggests that UX designers are expected to integrate data insights into their work, even if they don't directly manage analytics platforms.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer-Centricity: A strong focus on making life easier for Scandinavian families through affordable and efficient grocery services. This translates to designing solutions that genuinely meet user needs.
• Efficiency & Ambition: The company aims to be the "world's most efficient grocery system" and has a mission to shake up the industry. This implies a drive for optimization, innovation, and high performance.
• Collaboration & Support: "Teammates who aim high and have each other’s backs" and "a flat structure where we team up across disciplines" highlight a culture of mutual support, teamwork, and cross-functional cooperation.
• Transparency & Action: The use of Slack and a focus on "getting things done" suggests a preference for open communication and a bias towards action over lengthy processes.
• Diversity & Inclusion: Oda explicitly states a commitment to a diverse workforce and equal opportunity, encouraging everyone to apply and offering support during the process.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The design team works closely with product managers, developers, and data specialists in small, cross-functional project groups to solve problems holistically.
• Open Communication: Reliance on Slack for communication fosters transparency and quick information exchange.
• Feedback Culture: Implicitly, a design discipline suggests a culture where feedback is shared and utilized to improve designs and processes.
• Shared Ownership: The "project lead" aspect implies a collaborative approach where the designer takes ownership alongside other team members, fostering a sense of shared responsibility for outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "people," "support," and "flat structure" suggests a positive and inclusive work environment. The combination of ambition and collaboration is key to Oda's operational success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Temporary Role Management: Adapting quickly to a new team and projects for a defined one-year period, ensuring maximum impact within the contract's timeframe.
• End-to-End Project Leadership: Taking full ownership of projects requires strong self-management, decision-making, and the ability to navigate ambiguity.
• Balancing User Needs & Business Goals: Effectively translating diverse customer needs and complex business requirements into cohesive and effective user experiences.
• Working within an Existing Design System: Adapting designs to fit within established guidelines while still innovating and meeting user needs can be a delicate balance.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring seamless collaboration and clear communication with developers, product managers, and data experts who may have different priorities or perspectives.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen E-commerce UX Expertise: Gain specialized knowledge in the online grocery sector, a complex and rapidly evolving e-commerce niche.
• Enhance Project Leadership Skills: Develop stronger capabilities in managing projects, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams from a design perspective.
• Explore AI in Design: Opportunity to experiment with and integrate AI tools into the interaction design workflow, staying at the forefront of design technology.
• Contribute to a High-Impact Product: Experience the satisfaction of designing features that directly improve the daily lives of thousands of customers.
• Exposure to Scandinavian Market: Gain insights into user behavior and market dynamics within Norway and Sweden.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge is the temporary nature of the role, requiring a candidate who can hit the ground running and make a significant impact quickly. The growth opportunities are centered around skill development and leadership within the context of a fast-paced, innovative company.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Project Leadership Approach: "Describe a time you led a UX project from concept to launch. What was your process, what challenges did you face, and how did you ensure successful collaboration with developers and product managers?" (Focus on ownership, process, and team dynamics).
• Design System Utilization: "How do you approach designing within an established design system? Can you provide an example where you had to balance consistency with user needs or innovation?" (Highlight adaptability and understanding of system constraints).
• User Research & Testing: "Walk us through a usability test you conducted. What was your methodology, what were the key findings, and how did those findings directly influence your design decisions?" (Emphasize data-driven iteration and analytical skills).
• Problem-Solving: "Imagine our app has a high cart abandonment rate for new users. How would you approach diagnosing the problem and designing potential solutions?" (Demonstrate structured problem-solving, user-centric thinking, and iterative design).

Company & Culture Questions:

• Motivation for Temporary Role: "Why are you interested in this specific temporary role, and what do you aim to achieve during your year with Oda?" (Show enthusiasm for the company's mission and clarity on personal goals).
• Collaboration Style: "How do you typically collaborate with developers and product managers? Describe a situation where you had to navigate differing opinions." (Highlight communication, empathy, and conflict resolution skills).
• Oda's Mission: "What are your thoughts on Oda's mission to become the world's most efficient grocery system, and how do you see UX design contributing to that?" (Demonstrate understanding of the business context and the strategic role of design).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, start with a clear problem statement, your role, the solution, your process, and the impact. Use a story-telling approach.
• Highlight Figma Expertise: Be ready to demonstrate specific Figma features used for prototyping, user flows, and component design. Show, don't just tell.
• Emphasize Language Skills: Be prepared to discuss how your Norwegian/Swedish fluency enables effective user research and communication within the Scandinavian context.
• Focus on Impact and Outcomes: Clearly articulate the tangible results of your design work—increased conversion, improved user satisfaction, reduced errors, etc.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, trade-offs, and challenges encountered during your projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely focus on practical application of UX skills, project leadership capabilities, and cultural fit. The temporary nature means demonstrating immediate value and adaptability will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position:

• Submit your application, including your CV and a link to your portfolio, through the Oda careers portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features case studies demonstrating end-to-end project leadership, Figma proficiency, and your approach to user research and usability testing. Tailor the presentation to highlight how your skills align with Oda's mission and the specific responsibilities of this role.
• Resume Optimization: Clearly state your 5+ years of experience in digital product design and highlight any experience leading projects in cross-functional teams. Explicitly mention your fluency in Norwegian or Swedish.
• Prepare for Portfolio Presentation: Be ready to walk through 1-2 key case studies during the interview process, focusing on your role as a project lead, your design process, and the measurable impact of your work. Practice articulating your design rationale.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Oda's services, mission, and recent news. Understand their position in the Scandinavian grocery market and consider how UX design contributes to their operational efficiency and customer satisfaction goals.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions tailored for a UX Design role. All details, particularly regarding salary ranges and specific interview processes, should be verified directly with Oda during the application process.