UX/UI Designer – Alternance

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX/UI Designer – Alternance Company: iBanFirst Location: Paris, France Job Type: INTERN Category: Design Operations / Product Design Date Posted: 2025-07-29T08:44:24 Experience Level: 0-2 Years Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is a crucial opportunity for an aspiring UX/UI Designer to contribute to the continuous improvement of a leading European fintech's international payment platform.
• The position involves hands-on participation in the co-design and enhancement of user interfaces, directly impacting the user experience for thousands of businesses.
• The designer will collaborate closely with product managers, a dedicated team of UX designers, and a large development team, gaining exposure to agile methodologies and cross-functional teamwork.
• This is an "alternance" (apprenticeship/work-study) contract, offering a structured learning environment within a fast-growing, profitable company, ideal for building foundational operations and design skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the core focus is UX/UI design, the role interfaces closely with product management and development teams, touching on aspects of product operations and efficient workflow integration, which are critical in a fintech environment. The "alternance" nature suggests a strong emphasis on learning and structured development.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Participate in the co-design and enhancement of user interfaces for iBanFirst's international payment platform, ensuring a seamless and intuitive user experience.
• Develop wireframes and low/high-fidelity prototypes to visualize user flows and interface concepts, facilitating design iteration and stakeholder feedback.
• Contribute to user testing sessions and UX audits to gather insights and identify areas for improvement, aligning design decisions with user needs and business objectives.
• Collaborate closely with development teams throughout the design and implementation lifecycle, ensuring accurate translation of designs into functional interfaces.
• Partner with QA teams to verify the quality of delivered interfaces, ensuring both UI consistency and UX effectiveness across the platform.
• Actively participate in agile rituals, including stand-ups, sprint planning, retrospectives, and team-building activities, fostering a collaborative and efficient work environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on approach to design, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and quality assurance. For an operations-minded candidate, this role offers insight into the product development lifecycle, agile workflows, and the importance of user-centric design in driving platform adoption and efficiency.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Currently pursuing a degree in UX/UI Design, Graphic Design, or a related field (Bac+3 to Bac+5).

Experience: Entry-level experience or relevant internship experience in UX/UI design, with a focus on digital products and user interfaces.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in design and prototyping tools, with a strong emphasis on Figma, as it is the primary tool used.
• Solid understanding of UX research methodologies and core design principles for creating effective user experiences.
• Ability to design for responsive web experiences and application interfaces.
• Familiarity with design systems and component-based design approaches.
• Awareness of accessibility standards and best practices in design.
• Good command of written and spoken English, essential for collaborating in a multinational environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Sensitivity to UX writing and its impact on user comprehension and engagement.
• Previous exposure to fintech or financial services industry, understanding the specific user needs and regulatory considerations.
• Experience with user analytics tools like Fullstory for in-depth user behavior analysis.
• Familiarity with ProductBoard for product management and roadmap planning.
• Basic understanding of JavaScript and HTML/CSS to better inform design decisions and collaboration with developers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma, coupled with UX research and a focus on responsive and accessible design, indicates a need for foundational skills in creating robust digital experiences. The preference for UX writing and fintech exposure suggests a candidate who can quickly grasp complex information and communicate it clearly.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of the end-to-end UX/UI design process, from research and ideation to prototyping and final UI delivery.
• Showcase at least 2-3 detailed case studies highlighting problem identification, user research, design solutions, and the impact of those solutions.
• Include examples of wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity UI mockups.
• Clearly articulate the rationale behind design decisions, emphasizing how user needs and business goals were balanced.
• Highlight experience with Figma and any other relevant design or prototyping tools.

Process Documentation:

• Projects should illustrate a systematic approach to user research, such as user interviews, surveys, or usability testing.
• Show evidence of iterative design processes, including how feedback was incorporated to refine designs.
• Examples of collaboration with stakeholders (e.g., product managers, developers) and how design challenges were overcome through teamwork.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how design contributes to platform efficiency and user satisfaction, ideally with measurable outcomes if available.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an "alternance" role, the portfolio should emphasize the learning process and the candidate's ability to apply learned methodologies. It's important to showcase not just the final output but the thought process and the candidate's engagement with the design lifecycle, demonstrating potential for growth within an operations-focused design team.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As an "alternance" contract, compensation will be based on French legal requirements for apprenticeships and work-study programs, typically a percentage of the minimum wage (SMIC) or a higher contractual wage, depending on the employer's policy and the candidate's level of study. A range of €1,200 - €1,800 gross per month is a common estimate for similar roles in Paris, depending on the specific agreement and the level of study (Bac+3 vs. Bac+5).

Benefits:

• Carte Swile: A meal voucher card providing flexibility for lunch expenses.
• Mutuelle Alan: Comprehensive health insurance coverage, a key benefit in the French employment landscape.
• Remboursement transport: Partial reimbursement of public transportation costs for commuting.
• Jours de RTT: Accrued compensatory time off days, offering additional flexibility.
• Abonnement Gymlib: A subscription offering access to various sports facilities and activities, promoting employee well-being.

Working Hours: The role is based on a standard 35-hour work week, typical for full-time employment in France. However, as an "alternance" contract, the specific weekly hours will align with the educational program's requirements, often translating to approximately 3 days per week at the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given this is an "alternance" position, the salary is legally regulated. The benefits are competitive for the French market, particularly the comprehensive health insurance and wellness offerings, which are attractive to employees focused on well-being and a balanced work-life integration.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Fintech, specifically international payments and foreign exchange (FX) for Small and Medium Multinationals (SMMs). This sector is characterized by rapid technological advancement, regulatory scrutiny, and a strong focus on security, efficiency, and customer service. Company Size: 350+ employees, operating across 13 offices in 10 European countries. This signifies a mid-sized, growing company with a significant international footprint. Founded: 2016. This relatively young company has achieved substantial growth and profitability, indicating a dynamic and entrepreneurial culture.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team consists of two UX designers, with this role reporting into this team.
• The broader Product team comprises 12 Product Managers (PMs) who collaborate with approximately 60 developers across three functional pillars: Platform, Payment, and FX.
• This structure emphasizes cross-functional collaboration between design, product management, and engineering, crucial for efficient platform development.

Methodology:

• The company utilizes agile methodologies, evidenced by participation in rituals like stand-ups, sprint planning, and retrospectives.
• A strong emphasis is placed on data-driven decision-making, with tools like Fullstory for user behavior analysis and ProductBoard for roadmap management.
• Innovation is a core value, driven by advanced technologies such as AI and automation, suggesting a culture that encourages experimentation and continuous improvement.

Company Website: ibanfirst.com

📝 Enhancement Note: iBanFirst's culture is built around four core values: Team First, Tenacity, Transformation, and Trust. These values suggest an environment that prioritizes collaboration, resilience, innovation, and autonomy. For a designer, this means an opportunity to work in a supportive yet challenging atmosphere where initiative and continuous learning are encouraged.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an entry-level, "alternance" position designed for individuals early in their UX/UI design careers. It offers a foundational understanding of design operations within a fintech context, focusing on practical application and skill development.

Reporting Structure: The UX/UI Designer will report within the Product Design team, likely to the UX Design Manager. They will collaborate closely with Product Managers and development teams across different functional pillars.

Operations Impact: While not a direct "operations" role in the traditional sense (like RevOps or Sales Ops), this position contributes to the operational efficiency of the product development lifecycle. By improving user interfaces and workflows, the designer helps enhance platform usability, reduce user errors, and potentially decrease support costs, indirectly impacting operational efficiency.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in UX research, UI design, prototyping, and potentially user writing within the fintech domain.
• Industry Exposure: Gain invaluable experience in the fast-paced fintech sector, understanding the unique challenges and opportunities in international payments.
• Career Advancement: Upon successful completion of the "alternance," there may be opportunities for full-time positions as a Junior UX/UI Designer or related roles within the product or design teams.
• Cross-functional Learning: Exposure to Product Management, Development, and QA processes provides a holistic view of product development, valuable for future roles in product operations or design leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "alternance" format is specifically designed for professional development. The growth path here is focused on mastering core design skills within a business context, with potential to transition into specialized roles or broader product operations functions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in iBanFirst's Paris office, located at Porte Maillot. This suggests a modern office environment conducive to collaboration and innovation.

Office Location(s): Paris, France (Porte Maillot). This location provides access to a major European business hub with good public transportation links.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to foster collaboration, with teams actively participating in agile rituals and cross-functional projects.
• Access to cutting-edge operations and design tools, including Figma, ProductBoard, Fullstory, and JIRA, will be provided.
• Opportunities for interaction with diverse teams (Product, Development, QA, other designers) will be frequent, facilitating knowledge sharing and a holistic understanding of the product lifecycle.

Work Schedule: The position follows a hybrid work model, allowing for up to 50% remote work. This means approximately 2-3 days per week working remotely and the remainder in the Paris office, offering a balance between focused work and team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key aspect of the work environment, requiring self-discipline and effective time management for both remote and in-office days. This structure aims to provide flexibility while ensuring team cohesion and productivity, a common operational consideration for modern workplaces.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Screening RH: An initial 20-minute video call with Malorie Petitjean (Talent Acquisition Specialist) to assess general fit and practical aspects.
• In-depth Interview: A 1-hour video call with the design team (Mathieu Minier, Manager, and Marie Aude Wu Yock Yeng, UX/UI Designer) to discuss portfolio, technical skills, experience, and motivation.
• Technical Challenge & Team Meet: A 1-hour on-site session including a design challenge (wireframe/case study) and a meeting with a team member to evaluate technical skills, problem-solving approach, and team fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio around 2-3 key projects. For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role and process, the solutions you designed, and the outcomes or learnings.
• Figma Focus: Ensure your Figma proficiency is evident. Showcase interactive prototypes and explain how you leveraged Figma's features for efficient design and collaboration.
• Process over Polish: While polished UI is important, emphasize your design thinking, user research methodologies, and iterative approach. Show how you tackled design challenges.
• Impact & Rationale: Clearly articulate why you made certain design decisions, linking them to user needs or business objectives. If possible, include metrics or user feedback to demonstrate impact.
• Conciseness: Be prepared to walk through your portfolio efficiently, highlighting the most relevant aspects for this specific role.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate: The design challenge will likely involve a specific problem related to the iBanFirst platform. Practice creating wireframes and user flows quickly.
• Think Aloud: During the design challenge, verbalize your thought process. Explain your assumptions, design choices, and how you would approach user testing or further iteration.
• Team Fit: Be ready to discuss your collaborative style and how you handle feedback, as this is a key aspect of the final interview stage.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is multi-stage, ensuring a thorough evaluation of both technical skills and cultural fit. The emphasis on a portfolio review and a practical design challenge highlights the company's focus on hands-on ability and a systematic design approach.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration. Mastery of Figma is essential.
• ProductBoard: Used for product management, roadmap planning, and feature prioritization. Understanding its role in the product lifecycle is beneficial.
• Fullstory: A user experience analytics platform for recording user sessions, tracking events, and understanding user behavior on the platform.
• JIRA: A project management and issue tracking tool widely used in agile development environments for managing tasks and workflows.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Fullstory provides deep insights into user interactions, enabling data-driven design improvements.
• While not explicitly mentioned for design, understanding how data from these tools informs product decisions is key.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly mentioned as a primary tool for this role, but awareness of how the platform integrates with CRM systems or uses automation for financial operations would be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is paramount. Familiarity with ProductBoard and Fullstory will be a significant advantage, demonstrating an understanding of the tools used to manage and optimize the product, which aligns with operational efficiency goals.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Team First: Emphasizes collaboration, knowledge sharing, and collective success. This means being an active participant in team discussions and supporting colleagues.
• Tenacity: Highlights resilience, quick learning, and a proactive approach to overcoming challenges. Expect a dynamic environment where perseverance is valued.
• Transformation: Values innovation and a drive for continuous improvement in technical, product, and organizational aspects. This fosters an environment where new ideas are encouraged.
• Trust: Underpins autonomy, initiative, and a commitment to transparency, rigor, and reliability in all interactions. This suggests a culture of empowerment and accountability.

Collaboration Style:

• Expect a highly collaborative environment, with designers working closely with Product Managers and Developers on a daily basis.
• Agile ceremonies provide structured opportunities for feedback exchange and process refinement.
• Cross-functional integration is key, meaning designers need to be comfortable communicating with technical and product-oriented stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values directly translate to expectations for team members. A designer joining iBanFirst should be prepared to be a proactive, collaborative, and resilient team player who embraces innovation and accountability.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Fintech Complexity: Navigating the intricacies of international payments and financial regulations while designing user-friendly interfaces.
• Rapid Growth: Adapting to a fast-paced, scaling environment where processes and priorities may evolve quickly.
• Cross-functional Alignment: Ensuring design solutions meet the needs of diverse stakeholders (Product, Engineering, Business) and align with broader company objectives.
• User Experience Optimization: Continuously improving the platform's usability and efficiency for a diverse international client base.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mentorship: Opportunity to learn from experienced UX/UI designers and product managers within the company.
• Skill Enhancement: Deepen expertise in Figma, user research methodologies, and potentially gain exposure to AI applications in design.
• Industry Knowledge: Develop a strong understanding of the fintech landscape and international payment operations.
• Agile Practices: Gain practical experience working within an agile development framework.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant learning opportunities in a high-growth fintech environment. The challenges presented are typical of the industry and provide fertile ground for developing robust design and problem-solving skills.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: Be prepared to explain your design process for a specific project, detailing how you approach user problems, conduct research, iterate on designs, and collaborate with teams. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
• Figma Proficiency: Have specific examples of how you use Figma's features for prototyping, design systems, and team collaboration. Be ready to demonstrate this during the technical challenge.
• Problem-Solving: Expect questions about how you would approach a specific design challenge related to the iBanFirst platform. Focus on your analytical thinking and systematic approach.
• User Empathy: Discuss how you incorporate user feedback and research into your design decisions. Share examples of how you've advocated for the user.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Motivation: Articulate why you are interested in iBanFirst, the fintech industry, and this specific "alternance" role. Connect your aspirations to the company's mission and values.
• Teamwork: Discuss your preferred collaboration style and how you handle feedback from peers and stakeholders. Refer to the company's "Team First" value.
• Adaptability: Prepare to talk about how you handle change and learn new skills quickly, referencing the "Tenacity" and "Transformation" values.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative: Craft a compelling story for each project, highlighting the "why" behind your design decisions.
• Conciseness: Focus on the most relevant projects and deliverables. Be prepared to present a high-level overview and then dive deeper into specific aspects as requested.
• Interaction: Engage your interviewers by asking clarifying questions about the projects and demonstrating your thought process.
• Technical Challenge: Practice designing under time constraints. Focus on clear wireframes and a logical user flow, explaining your rationale as you go.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not only technical skills but also problem-solving abilities, cultural fit, and potential for growth. Demonstrating a clear understanding of the company's values and a proactive approach to design challenges will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX/UI Designer alternance position:

• Submit your CV and a strong portfolio showcasing your design skills and process via the application link.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating Figma proficiency, user research methodologies, and a systematic design approach. Ensure case studies clearly articulate the problem, your process, and the outcome.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly states your current educational program and relevant skills. Highlight any prior internships or projects related to UX/UI design, even academic ones.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design thinking, preparing specific examples for common UX/UI interview questions, and rehearsing your portfolio walkthrough to be concise and impactful.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with iBanFirst's platform, mission, and company values. Understand their position in the fintech market and how UX/UI design contributes to their success.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions tailored for a UX/UI design role within a fintech company. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.