Junior UX Strategist

Belka
Full-time€25k-28k/year (EUR)Trento, Italy

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Junior UX Strategist

Company: Belka

Location: Trento, Trentino – Alto Adige/Südtirol, Italy

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: UX Strategy & Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-09

Experience Level: Junior (0-2 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (1 day/month in HQ)

🚀 Role Summary

  • Support strategic initiatives by performing comprehensive UX audits and user/stakeholder interviews to gather critical insights.

  • Drive market and competitive analysis, synthesizing findings into actionable takeaways for product development.

  • Contribute to the conceptualization and visualization of experience designs and overarching design strategies.

  • Translate complex strategic and content requirements into clear, structured, and visually digestible outputs.

  • Facilitate and document pre- and post-workshop activities, ensuring smooth collaboration and knowledge transfer.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a "Digital Product Studio" environment, implying a fast-paced, project-driven setting where operations professionals support multiple clients and diverse product lifecycles. The focus on "understanding the why of a product before the how" highlights a strategic, operations-adjacent function that bridges business goals with design execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Conduct in-depth UX audits and competitive analyses to identify user pain points and market opportunities.

  • Execute user and stakeholder interviews, synthesizing feedback into actionable insights for product strategy.

  • Develop and visualize experience concepts and design strategies using tools like Figma and FigJam.

  • Translate strategic requirements and content needs into structured user flows, journey maps, and wireframes.

  • Prepare materials, facilitate exercises, and document outcomes for client and internal workshops.

  • Iterate on strategic deliverables based on feedback from senior strategists, designers, and leadership.

  • Manage assigned tasks autonomously, proactively identifying and escalating blockers or areas for improvement.

  • Research and analyze client business models, including revenue models and unit economics, to inform strategic recommendations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a strong foundation in research, synthesis, and communication, crucial for any operations role that interfaces with design and strategy. The inclusion of "understanding the why of a product before the how" and analyzing "revenue models, acquisition, unit economics" points to a strategic operations function that supports business growth by informing product direction.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Marketing, Business, or a related field is preferred. Equivalent practical experience will be considered.

Experience: Minimum of 1-2 years of experience in User Research, UX Strategy, UX Design, or a similar role within an agency, consultancy, or product team.

Required Skills:

  • Proven ability in user research methodologies, including interviews and UX audits.

  • Exceptional analytical and synthesis skills, with the capacity to distill complex information into clear, actionable insights.

  • Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and concisely.

  • Proficiency in Figma and FigJam for visual design, wireframing, and collaborative ideation.

  • Excellent written communication for documentation, audit reports, and strategic messaging.

  • Proactive problem-solving aptitude, with the ability to identify issues and propose solutions independently.

  • A growth mindset, viewing projects as opportunities for client value creation and personal development.

  • Fluency in Italian and English (C1 level). Preferred Skills:

  • Experience working with SaaS B2B products or in the fintech industry.

  • Curiosity and foundational understanding of business models, revenue models, unit economics, and key financial metrics.

  • Demonstrated ability to present work effectively to diverse audiences, including clients and executive teams.

  • Familiarity with AI tools for research, analysis, or content generation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Plus" section strongly suggests that candidates with a business acumen and an understanding of financial metrics will be highly valued. This indicates that while the role is UX-focused, it operates within a business-driven context, requiring an awareness of how UX strategy impacts revenue and business objectives. This is a critical differentiator for operations-minded candidates.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Showcase a minimum of 1-2 projects demonstrating your experience in UX research, UX strategy, or UX design.

  • Clearly articulate the problem statement, your role, the methodologies used (e.g., user interviews, audits, competitive analysis), and the solutions developed.

  • Highlight your ability to synthesize research findings into actionable insights and strategic recommendations.

  • Include examples of how you translated these insights into visual outputs using tools like Figma or FigJam (e.g., user flows, journey maps, wireframes, concept visualizations).

  • Demonstrate your communication skills by presenting your process and outcomes clearly and concisely. Process Documentation:

  • For each project, be prepared to discuss your process for conducting user research, including data collection and analysis.

  • Explain your approach to synthesizing market and competitive research into strategic takeaways.

  • Detail how you collaborated with designers and other stakeholders to develop and visualize experience strategies.

  • Be ready to describe your methods for translating strategic requirements into structured outputs and workshop materials.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Junior UX Strategist role, the portfolio is crucial for demonstrating practical application of research and synthesis skills. The emphasis on translating complex information into clear outputs and the ability to "reason about the why" before the how suggests a need for portfolio pieces that show strategic thinking, not just execution. Portfolio items that touch on business impact or client objectives will be particularly strong.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €25,000 - €28,000 per year (RAL - "Retribuzione Annua Lorda"), commensurate with experience and portfolio quality.

Benefits:

  • Full-time employment contract under the CCNL Metalmeccanico (Italian National Collective Agreement for Metalworkers).

  • Essential work equipment provided: MacBook and external monitor.

  • Annual training budget of €1,000 for professional development.

  • Regular 1:1 meetings with your manager for guidance and support.

  • Flexible work arrangement with options for remote work, including a monthly visit to the HQ in Trento.

Working Hours: Full-time, with an estimated 40 hours per week. The hybrid model allows for flexibility, with a requirement for one monthly visit to the HQ in Trento.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specified salary range of €25k-€28k aligns with junior-level roles in the Italian market, particularly for specialized positions in tech/design. The CCNL Metalmeccanico is a common framework for tech-related roles in Italy, ensuring standard employment protections. The inclusion of a dedicated training budget and structured 1:1s highlights a commitment to employee development, which is a key consideration for operations professionals seeking growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Product Studio / Technology Consulting. Belka operates within the technology and digital services sector, specializing in helping companies grow their digital products. They work with a diverse range of innovative Italian companies across various sectors, including SaaS (Fatture in Cloud), e-commerce (Subito.it), energy (NeN), fintech (Banca Sella, Walliance, Mooney), and comparison platforms (Segugio.it). This broad exposure means operations professionals can expect varied project challenges and a dynamic client landscape.

Company Size: 10 people (core team), with potential for project-based expansion. This small, agile team structure suggests a collaborative, hands-on environment where each member's contribution is highly visible and impactful. Operations roles in such settings often require versatility and the ability to wear multiple hats.

Founded: Belka has been operating for at least five years, indicating a stable, established business with a proven track record in the digital product space. This longevity suggests a solid foundation for growth and development opportunities.

Team Structure:

  • The core team comprises strategists, designers, and developers, indicating a multidisciplinary approach to product development.

  • The UX Strategist will work closely with other strategists, designers, and project managers, fostering cross-functional collaboration.

  • The team operates with a blend of in-office (Trento) and remote members, requiring strong communication and coordination skills.

  • The reporting structure likely involves direct reports to a senior strategist or a project lead, with regular 1:1s with a designated manager. Methodology:

  • Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasis on user research, data analysis, and stakeholder interviews to inform product decisions.

  • Iterative Design Process: Working collaboratively to refine concepts and strategies based on feedback.

  • Strategic Prioritization: Focusing on understanding the "why" behind product decisions to ensure alignment with business goals.

  • Agile Project Management: Likely employing agile methodologies to manage diverse client projects efficiently.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Belka's positioning as a "Digital Product Studio" implies a strong focus on strategic execution and client success. For operations professionals, this means working in a results-oriented environment where efficiency, clear communication, and demonstrable impact are paramount. The diverse client base is a significant advantage for skill development.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Junior-level position, designed for individuals with 1-2 years of experience. The role is focused on supporting senior team members and taking ownership of well-defined tasks. It serves as an excellent entry point into UX strategy and product operations within a digital product studio.

Reporting Structure: The Junior UX Strategist will report to a manager and work closely with other strategists, designers, and project managers. This structure allows for ample mentorship and learning opportunities from experienced professionals.

Operations Impact: While not directly managing revenue, this role has a significant indirect impact by informing product direction. By conducting thorough research and strategic analysis, the UX Strategist helps clients make informed decisions that can lead to improved user adoption, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, increased revenue and business growth. Understanding the business models (revenue, acquisition, unit economics) is key to maximizing this impact.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of UX research, strategy, or competitive analysis.

  • Client Exposure: Gaining experience with a wide array of clients and industries, broadening strategic understanding and problem-solving capabilities.

  • Leadership Potential: With demonstrated success and growth, there's potential to advance to a Mid-level or Senior UX Strategist role, taking on more complex projects and client leadership.

  • Business Acumen Development: The "Plus" requirement for understanding business models offers a clear path to developing stronger commercial and financial literacy, valuable for any operations career.

  • Workshop Facilitation: Developing advanced skills in workshop design, facilitation, and client management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on understanding business models and "dialoguing with founders and C-level" on their objectives indicates a clear growth path towards more strategic, business-aligned operations roles. The company's structure also suggests opportunities to learn end-to-end product development processes.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model. While the core team is small, the company supports both in-office work in Trento and remote collaboration. This model aims to balance the benefits of in-person interaction and team cohesion with the flexibility of remote work.

Office Location(s): The primary office is located in Trento, Italy. Employees working remotely are expected to visit the HQ monthly. Client meetings may also require travel to client sites.

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Environment: The small team size and multidisciplinary nature foster close collaboration between strategists, designers, and developers. Operations professionals will benefit from direct interaction and knowledge sharing.

  • Tools and Technology: Access to essential tools like MacBook, external monitors, Figma, and FigJam, supporting efficient workflow and digital collaboration.

  • Team Interaction: Regular 1:1s with managers and collaborative project work ensure continuous engagement and support. The monthly HQ visit is designed to strengthen team bonds and facilitate in-person strategic discussions.

Work Schedule: Full-time employment, likely adhering to standard business hours, but with flexibility offered through the hybrid/remote option. The focus is on task completion and project delivery rather than strict adherence to hours, common in creative and strategic operations roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model with a monthly HQ visit is a key aspect of the work environment. For operations professionals, this means needing to be adept at both remote asynchronous communication and in-person collaborative sessions. It suggests a culture that values both flexibility and the importance of face-to-face interaction for strategic alignment and team building.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  1. CV Screening: Initial review to assess qualifications and experience alignment.

  2. Evaluation Test & Video Presentation: A practical assessment to gauge skills (e.g., synthesis, problem-solving) and a video submission to evaluate communication style and initial strategic thinking.

  3. Cultural Fit & Technical Skills Assessment: Interviews to evaluate alignment with Belka's values and to delve deeper into technical UX strategy competencies.

  4. Technical Exercise: A more in-depth, practical task designed to simulate real project work, assessing problem-solving and strategic output generation.

  5. 1:1 with Luca: A final interview, likely with a senior leader or hiring manager, to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and role expectations.

  6. Offer: Extension of a job offer if the candidate is a successful match.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Strategic Focus: Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates your ability to understand the "why" behind a product, not just the "how." Showcase projects where you identified user needs and business opportunities.

  • Synthesis & Clarity: Highlight how you transform complex research (user interviews, market data) into concise, actionable insights. Use clear visuals and minimal text to convey key takeaways.

  • Tool Proficiency: Include examples of your work in Figma and FigJam, showcasing your ability to visualize concepts, flows, and strategies effectively.

  • Business Acumen: If possible, include projects that touch on business objectives, revenue models, or user economics. This will be a significant differentiator.

  • Storytelling: Structure your portfolio pieces as compelling narratives that explain the problem, your approach, your contributions, and the outcomes or learnings.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand Belka's Context: Research Belka's clients and the types of projects they undertake. Consider the challenges faced by digital product studios and their clients.

  • Practice Synthesis: Be ready to quickly analyze a problem, identify key constraints, and propose strategic directions. Practice distilling information into clear bullet points.

  • Articulate Your Process: Be prepared to walk through your research and strategy development process, explaining your choices and how they led to specific recommendations.

  • Business Integration: Think about how UX strategy directly impacts business goals like user acquisition, retention, and revenue.

📝 Enhancement Note: The multi-stage interview process, including a test, video presentation, and technical exercise, is standard for roles requiring a blend of technical skill and strategic thinking. The emphasis on "cultural fit and competencies" and a final 1:1 with "Luca" suggests a thorough evaluation process where both hard skills and interpersonal dynamics are assessed. The portfolio review is explicitly mentioned as a key component, reinforcing its importance for this role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Figma: Essential for wireframing, prototyping, and creating visual design concepts and strategy visualizations. Proficiency is a core requirement.

  • FigJam: Used for collaborative ideation, brainstorming, workshop facilitation, and mapping out user flows and journey maps.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • While not explicitly listed as primary tools, the role involves "analysis of data" and "desk research, of market and competitive." This implies familiarity with:

    • Web analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel) for understanding user behavior.

    • Data analysis tools or spreadsheets (e.g., Excel, Google Sheets) for synthesizing research findings.

    • Competitive analysis tools (e.g., SimilarWeb, SEMrush) for market research. CRM & Automation:

  • Not directly mentioned as primary tools for this role, but an understanding of how UX strategy can influence customer journeys and product adoption is relevant. Familiarity with CRM principles and basic automation concepts can be beneficial for understanding client business operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and FigJam highlights the importance of visual collaboration and prototyping tools in the UX strategy process. For operations professionals, demonstrating proficiency in these tools, alongside strong analytical and synthesis capabilities, is key. The implicit need for data analysis tools underscores the role's data-driven approach.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Growth Mindset: A core value at Belka, encouraging continuous learning and viewing challenges as opportunities for development. Operations professionals are expected to be proactive learners.

  • Collaboration & Teamwork: The company emphasizes working "as a team" and supporting each other. Operations roles thrive in environments that foster cross-functional communication and shared goals.

  • Client Focus & Value Creation: A primary objective is to help clients grow their digital products. Operations professionals should demonstrate a commitment to delivering tangible value and making a difference for clients.

  • Proactivity & Ownership: Taking initiative to identify problems and address them, even without explicit direction, is highly valued. Operations roles often require self-starters who can manage their work autonomously.

  • Attention to Detail & Clarity: The need for clear communication, synthesis, and well-structured outputs underscores the importance of precision and clarity in all deliverables.

Collaboration Style:

  • Multidisciplinary: Collaboration involves working closely with strategists, designers, and developers, requiring an understanding of different disciplines and perspectives.

  • Feedback-Driven: The process involves iterating on work based on feedback from internal teams and leadership, suggesting an open culture for constructive criticism.

  • Workshop-Centric: A significant portion of the work involves client and internal workshops, necessitating strong facilitation and interpersonal skills to ensure productive sessions.

  • Asynchronous & Synchronous: The hybrid model requires effective communication through both remote tools and in-person interactions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Belka's culture values proactivity, collaboration, and a growth mindset. For operations candidates, this translates to demonstrating initiative, effective teamwork, and a commitment to continuous improvement. The emphasis on client value and clear communication is central to how operations professionals can succeed in this environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing Client Needs with Strategic Vision: Navigating diverse client requirements while maintaining a coherent and effective UX strategy. Operations professionals will need strong prioritization and stakeholder management skills.

  • Synthesizing Complex Information: Dealing with large volumes of qualitative and quantitative data from user research, market analysis, and client input, and distilling it into actionable insights.

  • Translating Strategy into Visuals: Effectively using tools like Figma and FigJam to communicate complex strategic concepts clearly and compellingly to both internal teams and clients.

  • Adapting to Diverse Business Models: Learning and applying knowledge of various business models (SaaS B2B, fintech, etc.) and financial metrics to inform strategic recommendations.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Deep Dive into UX Strategy: Gaining hands-on experience with a variety of UX research and strategy methodologies under the guidance of experienced professionals.

  • Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Working alongside designers and developers to understand the end-to-end product development lifecycle.

  • Business Acumen Enhancement: The "Plus" requirements offer a clear pathway to developing a strong understanding of business models, revenue, and unit economics, crucial for strategic operations roles.

  • Client Presentation Skills: Developing confidence and expertise in presenting strategic work and findings to clients and stakeholders.

  • Workshop Facilitation Mastery: Honing skills in designing, running, and documenting effective workshops.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a junior role in a dynamic agency or product studio. The growth opportunities are directly tied to overcoming these challenges, with a particular emphasis on developing business understanding—a key differentiator for operations professionals looking to move into more strategic roles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a time you had to synthesize a large amount of information from user research or market analysis. What was your process, and what were the key takeaways?" (Focus on synthesis, clarity, and impact.)

  • "How would you approach understanding the core business objectives for a new fintech product before starting the UX strategy process?" (Focus on business acumen, proactive research, and strategic alignment.)

  • "Walk us through a project where you used Figma or FigJam to visualize a complex user flow or strategic concept. What was the challenge, and how did your visualization help?" (Focus on tool proficiency, communication, and strategic visualization.) Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What interests you about Belka's work with clients like Fatture in Cloud or Subito.it?" (Demonstrate research into their portfolio and clients.)

  • "How do you approach collaboration within a multidisciplinary team (strategists, designers, developers)?" (Highlight teamwork, communication, and understanding of different roles.)

  • "Describe a situation where you had to take initiative to solve a problem that wasn't explicitly assigned to you. What did you do?" (Focus on proactivity and ownership.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure Your Narrative: For each portfolio piece, clearly outline the problem, your role and responsibilities, the methodologies employed, your specific contributions, the challenges faced, and the outcomes or learnings.

  • Highlight Synthesis: Emphasize how you translated raw data and research into clear, actionable insights and strategic recommendations. Use visual aids to showcase this process.

  • Demonstrate Tool Usage: Be prepared to show examples of your work in Figma and FigJam, explaining how these tools facilitated your strategic thinking and communication.

  • Connect to Business Value: Where possible, articulate how your strategic recommendations could impact business metrics (e.g., user engagement, conversion rates, customer satisfaction).

  • Be Concise and Engaging: Practice presenting your work within a set timeframe, focusing on clarity and impactful storytelling.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical application and strategic thinking. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate their ability to synthesize information, communicate effectively, and connect UX strategy to business objectives. The portfolio is central, so practicing its presentation is critical.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

  • Submit your application through the provided link on the Belka careers page.

  • Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience in user research, UX strategy, data synthesis, and proficiency with Figma/FigJam. Quantify achievements where possible, focusing on impact.

  • Curate Your Portfolio: Select 1-2 strong projects that showcase your research, synthesis, strategic thinking, and visualization skills. Clearly articulate your role and the outcomes.

  • Prepare Your Video Presentation: Practice articulating your key qualifications and motivations concisely, aligning with Belka's values and the role's requirements.

  • Research Belka: Understand their client portfolio, their positioning as a Digital Product Studio, and their emphasis on growth and collaboration. Prepare specific questions to demonstrate your engagement.

⚠️ 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 must have at least one year of experience in UX research or strategy and possess excellent synthesis and communication skills. Proficiency in Figma and FigJam is required, along with a proactive approach and fluency in both Italian and English.