UX Project Leader - Credits

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Project Leader - Credits

Company: Mercado Libre

Location: Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil; Governador Valadares, Southeast, Brazil; São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: UX Design / Product Design Leadership

Date Posted: 2026-03-19T21:37:40

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end design initiatives, from discovery to implementation, balancing business objectives, risk, and user experience within the Credits domain.

• Apply systemic thinking to complex problems, understanding their impact across multiple products, users, and critical business metrics.

• Drive hands-on design for solutions, including user flows, interactive prototypes, and UI elements, to elevate the team's overall quality standard.

• Utilize data, user research, and AI tools to enhance decision-making processes and improve team efficiency in product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is positioned as a "UX Project Leader" within the "Credits" division at Mercado Libre. This suggests a leadership position focused on the strategic direction and execution of UX design for credit products, requiring a blend of design craft, project management, and a deep understanding of financial services, risk, and regulatory landscapes. The emphasis on "end-to-end" and "systemic thinking" indicates a need for a candidate who can manage complex projects from conception to deployment, considering the broader product ecosystem.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the complete design lifecycle for credit-related products, from initial user research and problem definition (discovery) through to final implementation and iteration.

• Develop and maintain high-quality design systems, user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and UI designs that align with business goals and regulatory compliance.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers, Data Scientists, and other stakeholders to define problem statements, ideate solutions, and ensure seamless integration of UX designs into the product roadmap.

• Conduct user research, usability testing, and leverage data analytics to inform design decisions, validate hypotheses, and continuously improve the user experience of credit products.

• Champion user-centric design principles and best practices within cross-functional teams, fostering a culture of empathy and continuous learning.

• Actively participate in the definition and tracking of key UX metrics to measure the success and impact of design initiatives on user engagement and business outcomes.

• Mentor and develop junior designers, fostering their growth in design craft, product thinking, and leadership capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Based on the description, the primary responsibilities extend beyond typical UX design tasks to include project leadership, strategic input into problem definition, and team development. The focus on "Credits" implies a need for understanding financial product complexities, risk, and regulation. The mention of "AI tools" suggests a forward-looking approach to design processes and problem-solving.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Computer Science, or a related field. A Master's degree or relevant certifications in UX/UI design or product management are a plus.

Experience: 5-10 years of progressive experience in UX/UI design, with a significant portion spent in leadership or project lead roles, preferably within fintech, credit, or large-scale digital product environments.

Required Skills:

• Proven ability to lead end-to-end design initiatives in complex, high-impact environments.

• Strong hands-on expertise in user experience design, including user research methodologies, information architecture, interaction design, and prototyping.

• Proficiency in visual design principles, UI design, and creating high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes.

• Demonstrated experience working with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, Data) in agile development environments.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to apply systemic thinking to complex challenges.

• Experience in developing or leading design teams, fostering growth, autonomy, and a strong design craft.

• Proficiency with industry-standard design and prototyping tools such as Figma, FigJam, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience specifically within the fintech, credit products, or e-commerce financial services sectors.

• Understanding of financial risk assessment, regulatory compliance, and the credit lifecycle.

• Experience with data analysis and the ability to translate insights into actionable design improvements.

• Familiarity with design system management and implementation.

• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and their impact to diverse audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level and required skills indicate a senior-level role demanding both strong individual contribution (hands-on design) and leadership capabilities. The emphasis on "complex environments" and "fintech, credit" suggests a preference for candidates who can navigate the intricacies of financial products and large-scale digital platforms. The inclusion of AI tools points to a modern approach to design operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing end-to-end design projects, particularly those involving complex problem-solving and systemic thinking within digital products.

• Detailed case studies demonstrating your leadership in the design process, from initial discovery and user research through to implementation and iteration.

• Examples of high-quality UI design, wireframes, and interactive prototypes that highlight your attention to detail and visual design sensibility.

• Evidence of collaboration with Product, Technology, and Data teams, illustrating your ability to co-create solutions and integrate designs effectively.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase your approach to documenting design processes, including user research plans, design specifications, and iteration logs.

• Include examples of how you have contributed to or managed design systems, ensuring consistency and scalability across products.

• Present methodologies for user testing, feedback integration, and the iterative improvement of product designs.

• Provide insights into how you mentor and guide teams through design processes, fostering skill development and autonomy.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Project Leader role, the portfolio is critical. It needs to go beyond showcasing final deliverables to illustrating the candidate's strategic thinking, leadership in process management, and ability to drive impactful design outcomes in complex, regulated environments like credit products. The inclusion of AI tools in the portfolio would be a significant advantage.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a UX Project Leader with 5-10 years of experience in major Brazilian cities like São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, or Belo Horizonte, a competitive salary range is estimated between R$ 12,000 to R$ 20,000 per month. This range can vary based on specific experience, negotiation, and the exact office location.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health and dental insurance plans.

• Life insurance coverage.

• Meal vouchers or food allowance (Vale Refeição/Alimentação).

• Transportation assistance or reimbursement.

• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) or other equity options.

• Parental leave policies.

• Access to professional development resources, training programs, and conferences.

• Gympass or similar wellness program memberships.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses.

Working Hours: Standard full-time work week of approximately 40 hours, with flexibility offered through the hybrid work model. Specific daily hours may vary, but a typical workday would align with business needs and team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on research for senior UX/Product Design Lead roles in Brazil, considering major metropolitan areas and the company's standing. Benefits are typical for large tech companies in Brazil, with a focus on employee well-being, financial security, and professional growth. The hybrid work model suggests a need for balance between on-site collaboration and remote flexibility.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce & Financial Technology (Fintech). Mercado Libre is a leading technology company in Latin America, revolutionizing online commerce and financial services through its integrated ecosystem.

Company Size: Large enterprise, with tens of thousands of employees globally, indicating a significant operational scale and structured environment.

Founded: 1999. With over two decades of experience, Mercado Libre has a well-established presence, a strong track record of innovation, and a deep understanding of the Latin American market.

Team Structure:

• The UX team is likely part of a larger Product & Technology organization, working in cross-functional "squads" or "tribes" dedicated to specific product areas like Credits.

• This role reports into a Design Lead, Head of UX, or Product Director, with direct collaboration across Product Management, Engineering, Data Science, and other UX designers.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is fundamental, with a strong emphasis on A/B testing, user analytics, and AI-powered insights.

• Agile and Lean methodologies are likely employed for rapid iteration and continuous improvement of products and processes.

• A culture of experimentation and learning from failures is encouraged, fostering innovation within a structured framework.

• Strong focus on understanding user needs and market dynamics within the diverse Latin American landscape.

Company Website: https://mercadolibre.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Mercado Libre's culture is known for its fast-paced, innovative, and data-driven approach. As a large tech player in Latin America, the company fosters a dynamic environment where employees are encouraged to take ownership and drive impact. The "Credits" division specifically deals with sensitive financial data and regulatory requirements, implying a culture that balances innovation with robust risk management and user trust.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a senior-to-lead level, often referred to as a Principal UX Designer or UX Project Leader. It signifies a transition from individual contributor to a role that requires strategic influence, project ownership, and potentially team mentorship. The focus is on leading significant design initiatives and contributing to the overall product strategy within the Credits domain.

Reporting Structure: The UX Project Leader will likely report to a Design Manager, Head of UX, or a Director of Product for the Credits vertical. They will work closely with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and Data Scientists at a similar or slightly higher seniority level within their cross-functional team.

Operations Impact: The UX Project Leader has a direct and substantial impact on the success of Mercado Libre's credit products. By designing intuitive, secure, and responsible user experiences, they influence user adoption, engagement, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, the revenue generated from credit services. Their work directly contributes to Mercado Libre's mission of democratizing financial services.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Track: Potential to grow into a Design Manager role, leading a larger team of UX designers, or a Principal/Staff UX Designer role focusing on deep strategic impact and technical expertise across multiple product areas.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in fintech UX, credit product design, or AI-driven user experiences, becoming a subject matter expert within the company.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Potential to move into Product Management or other strategic roles within the company, leveraging their deep understanding of user needs and product development.

• Global Exposure: Possibility to contribute to or lead initiatives with broader regional or global implications as Mercado Libre continues to expand its services.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Project Leader" title implies a career progression path from senior designer to a role with increased ownership and strategic input. Growth opportunities are framed around deepening UX expertise, advancing into management, or broadening influence across the organization, all within the context of Mercado Libre's expanding digital ecosystem.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model. This means employees will split their time between working remotely and in one of Mercado Libre's designated offices. The company has offices in key Brazilian cities, including Melicidade (Osasco, SP) and Florianópolis (SC), indicating modern, collaborative workspaces designed to support both individual focus and team interaction.

Office Location(s): The primary office locations mentioned are Melicidade (Osasco, São Paulo) and Florianópolis, Santa Catarina. Candidates in other major cities like Belo Horizonte and Rio de Janeiro may also be considered, implying potential for these locations to also offer hybrid arrangements or specific team setups.

Workspace Context:

• The office environments are designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and a sense of community. Expect open-plan areas, meeting rooms equipped with technology for hybrid collaboration, and dedicated spaces for focused work.

• Access to modern technology and tools, including high-speed internet, collaboration software, and potentially specialized hardware for design and prototyping.

• Opportunities for informal interaction with colleagues from various departments, encouraging knowledge sharing and cross-pollination of ideas.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time schedule (approximately 40 hours per week) is expected. The hybrid model offers flexibility in where work is done, but core working hours will likely align with business needs and team availability for synchronous collaboration. This allows for effective project management and timely delivery within the dynamic Mercado Libre operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key characteristic of the work environment, requiring candidates to be comfortable with a mix of remote and in-office work. The emphasis on collaborative spaces suggests an intentional design to facilitate teamwork and innovation, crucial for a UX Project Leader role.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and resume, followed by a brief introductory call to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Presentation & Technical Interview: You will likely present your portfolio, showcasing key projects that demonstrate your end-to-end design leadership, systemic thinking, and hands-on design skills. This will be followed by in-depth discussions about your design process, problem-solving approach, and how you handle complex challenges.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration Interview: An interview with Product Managers, Engineers, or Data Scientists to assess your ability to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team, articulate design decisions, and integrate UX into broader product development.

• Leadership & Mentorship Interview: A discussion focused on your experience in leading design initiatives, mentoring junior designers, and fostering team growth. This may involve behavioral questions and scenario-based assessments.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Design, VP of Product) to discuss strategic alignment, long-term vision, and overall fit with Mercado Libre's culture and goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your leadership, end-to-end design process, systemic thinking, and impact in complex environments, ideally related to financial products or large-scale platforms.

• Storytelling is Key: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role and responsibilities, the design process you followed (discovery, ideation, prototyping, testing, implementation), the challenges you faced, and the measurable outcomes or impact achieved. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Leadership: Emphasize instances where you led initiatives, guided teams, influenced stakeholders, and made critical design decisions autonomously. Showcase your ability to balance user needs with business objectives and risk.

• Demonstrate Process & Tools: Clearly explain your design methods, research techniques, and how you utilized tools like Figma and AI assistants. For complex projects, show how you navigated ambiguity and integrated feedback.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased conversion rates, improved user satisfaction scores, reduced error rates).

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: Be prepared for a take-home design challenge or a live design exercise focused on a hypothetical problem within the credit domain. This will assess your problem-solving skills, design thinking, and ability to generate solutions under constraints.

• Systemic Thinking: Practice articulating how a design decision impacts other parts of the product ecosystem, user journeys, and business metrics.

• Stakeholder Management: Prepare examples of how you have managed differing opinions, secured buy-in from stakeholders, and communicated complex design concepts to non-design audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to thoroughly assess a candidate's design craft, leadership potential, strategic thinking, and collaborative abilities. The portfolio review is central, requiring candidates to present compelling narratives of their work and its impact. Specific preparation for design challenges and stakeholder management is crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly preferred), FigJam for collaboration and whiteboarding, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator) for asset creation.

• AI & Productivity: Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini (or similar large language models) for ideation, research synthesis, content generation, and workflow optimization.

• Project Management: Tools like Jira, Confluence, Asana, or Trello for tracking tasks, managing sprints, and documenting project progress.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Visualization: Tools such as Tableau, Power BI, or Looker for analyzing user behavior data and presenting insights.

• Web/App Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or internal proprietary tools for tracking user engagement, conversion funnels, and feature adoption.

• User Feedback Platforms: Tools for collecting and analyzing user feedback, such as surveys, NPS tools, or in-app feedback widgets.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM: While not directly a UX tool, understanding how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, or internal systems) integrate with user data can be beneficial for context.

• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams for real-time communication and team coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is a key requirement for design tools. The explicit mention of AI tools indicates their integration into the design workflow, requiring candidates to be comfortable and proficient in using them for various tasks. Familiarity with data analytics and reporting tools is also important for a data-driven role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Centricity: A core value at Mercado Libre, emphasizing a deep understanding of user needs and a commitment to solving real problems for millions of users across Latin America.

• Innovation & Agility: Encouraging a culture of continuous improvement, experimentation, and rapid iteration to stay ahead in the dynamic e-commerce and fintech landscape.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Valuing evidence-based decision-making, leveraging analytics, research, and AI to inform strategy and product development.

• Ownership & Accountability: Empowering individuals to take ownership of their work, drive initiatives, and be accountable for their outcomes.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering a collaborative environment where cross-functional teams work together towards shared goals, respecting diverse perspectives.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: UX designers are integral members of product teams, working hand-in-hand with Product Managers, Engineers, and Data Scientists from ideation through to launch and beyond.

• Open Communication: Encouraging direct and transparent communication, with regular feedback loops and opportunities for constructive critique.

• Knowledge Sharing: Promoting a culture of sharing best practices, insights, and learnings through internal presentations, workshops, and documentation.

• Empowerment & Autonomy: Providing designers with the autonomy to make decisions within their scope, while ensuring alignment and support from leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values align with a modern, high-performing tech company culture. For a UX Project Leader, demonstrating an understanding of these values and how they translate into daily work, particularly regarding customer focus, data utilization, and cross-functional collaboration, will be crucial.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Financial Products: Designing for credit involves navigating intricate financial logic, regulatory requirements, risk assessment, and potential user anxiety, requiring a nuanced approach to UX.

• Scalability Across LatAm: Ensuring designs are relevant, accessible, and culturally appropriate for a diverse user base across numerous countries in Latin America.

• Balancing Innovation with Risk: The inherent tension between introducing new features and maintaining the security, reliability, and regulatory compliance of financial products.

• Evolving AI Landscape: Staying abreast of rapidly advancing AI technologies and effectively integrating them into design workflows and product features to provide value without compromising user trust.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Access to workshops and courses on fintech UX, behavioral economics, advanced risk communication, and AI in design.

• Industry Conferences: Opportunities to attend leading UX and fintech conferences to gain insights into industry trends and network with peers.

• Mentorship Programs: Participation in formal or informal mentorship programs to guide career growth and develop leadership skills.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Opportunities to learn from experts in Product Management, Data Science, and Engineering to deepen understanding of the broader product ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the unique complexities of working in the fintech credit space at a large scale. The growth opportunities are geared towards continuous upskilling in specialized areas relevant to the role and the evolving tech landscape.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex product you've led the design for from end-to-end. What were the key challenges, and how did you approach them, specifically regarding systemic thinking and balancing business/user needs?" (Preparation: Prepare a detailed case study, focusing on your leadership, process, and impact.)

• "How do you ensure your designs for financial products are not only user-friendly but also responsible, compliant, and mitigate risk?" (Preparation: Discuss your approach to user research, testing with diverse segments, understanding regulations, and working with legal/risk teams.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Mercado Libre aims to democratize e-commerce and financial services. How does this mission influence your approach to UX design, particularly in the Credits division?" (Preparation: Research Mercado Libre's mission, values, and recent initiatives in financial services. Connect your design philosophy to these goals.)

• "How do you foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within a design team, especially when working with AI tools?" (Preparation: Discuss your experience in mentoring, facilitating workshops, and encouraging experimentation while maintaining quality and efficiency.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the "So What?" – the tangible results and business value your design delivered. Use metrics and data to support your claims.

• Showcase Leadership Journey: Detail your role, responsibilities, and decision-making process at each stage of the project. Highlight instances where you influenced direction or resolved critical issues.

• Explain Your 'Why': Don't just show what you designed; explain the rationale behind your choices, referencing user research, data insights, or strategic objectives.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your process, tools, challenges, and how you would handle specific scenarios related to product complexity or team dynamics.

• Integrate AI Narrative: If applicable, discuss how AI tools were used in your workflow and the benefits they provided, demonstrating forward-thinking design practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating leadership, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of UX within the complex financial services domain. The portfolio presentation is a critical component, requiring candidates to tell compelling stories of impact and process.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Mercado Libre careers portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume highlights experience in UX project leadership, end-to-end design, systemic thinking, and work within complex/financial product environments. Quantify achievements with metrics where possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select and prepare 3-4 strong case studies that showcase your leadership, process, and impact. Practice presenting them concisely, focusing on problem, solution, your role, and outcomes. Be ready to discuss your use of Figma and AI tools.

• Research Mercado Libre: Understand their mission, values, and recent work in Credits. Prepare to discuss how your design philosophy aligns with their goals and how you would approach challenges specific to the Latin American market.

• Prepare for Design Challenges: Familiarize yourself with common UX design challenges, particularly those that require problem-solving, system design, and balancing multiple constraints. Practice articulating your thought process clearly.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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