Lead Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Product Designer

Company: AustralianSuper

Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Job Type: Full time

Category: Product Design & User Experience

Date Posted: 2026-09-21T05:28:27

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and mentor a team of Product Designers, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement in design quality and consistency.

• Drive the overarching design strategy for multiple products and critical member journeys, ensuring alignment with business objectives and member needs.

• Collaborate closely with Product, Engineering, CX, Brand, and other business stakeholders to seamlessly integrate design thinking throughout the end-to-end product development lifecycle.

• Enhance and optimize existing design processes, workflows, and systems, with a focus on leveraging reusable patterns and scalable design practices for maximum efficiency.

• Champion accessible, compliant, and member-centric design principles, ensuring all outputs meet stringent WCAG 2.1 AA and organizational standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for shaping the user experience of AustralianSuper's digital offerings, focusing on driving strategic design decisions and elevating the capabilities of the design team. The emphasis on hybrid work and a strong risk culture suggests a mature, established organization prioritizing both employee well-being and robust operational standards.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive design strategy that translates strategic objectives into actionable design direction and deliverables across various product teams.

• Provide strong people leadership, including coaching, professional development, and constructive design critique to a team of Product Designers.

• Establish and champion design principles, standards, and best practices to significantly improve the quality, consistency, and scalability of design outputs.

• Partner effectively with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, CX, Brand) to embed design thinking early and consistently throughout the Agile delivery process.

• Drive improvements in design processes, workflows, and systems, including the strategic implementation and utilization of reusable design patterns and scalable solutions.

• Advocate for and ensure the delivery of accessible, compliant, and deeply member-centred design experiences, meeting all WCAG 2.1 AA and internal organizational requirements.

• Contribute to a high-performance environment by fostering innovation, embracing feedback, and consistently striving for excellent outcomes for members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership, team management, and hands-on process improvement. The focus on "member journeys" and "reusable patterns" indicates a need for scalable, user-centric solutions within a structured financial services environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, UX/UI Design, or a related field is typically expected for a lead role of this nature.

Experience: Significant experience (5-10 years) in product design, UX/UI design, or experience design, with a proven track record of leading design strategically across multiple products or teams.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in strategic product design leadership, guiding design direction across complex product portfolios and user journeys.

• Strong people leadership capabilities, including effective coaching, mentorship, and the ability to conduct insightful design critiques.

• Demonstrated success in elevating design quality and ensuring consistency at scale within an organization.

• Deep understanding of user-centred design methodologies, user research techniques, and the practical application of design systems.

• Experience working within Agile development environments and fostering close partnerships with Product and Engineering teams.

• Excellent stakeholder management, influencing, and communication skills, with the ability to articulate design vision and rationale effectively. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in financial services or another highly regulated industry, understanding the nuances of compliance and risk in design.

• Familiarity with AI in resume review and initial candidate screening processes.

• Experience with accessibility standards beyond WCAG 2.1 AA, or a strong commitment to inclusive design practices.

• A portfolio showcasing strategic design leadership and impactful improvements to user experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level of 5-10 years suggests a candidate who has moved beyond individual contributor roles into leadership. The preference for financial services experience indicates a need for candidates who can navigate regulatory environments and understand complex user needs in that context.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase strategic design leadership, demonstrating how you've influenced and guided design direction across multiple products or teams.

• Include case studies that highlight your process for improving design quality and consistency at scale, with measurable outcomes.

• Present examples of how you've established and embedded design principles, standards, and best practices.

• Detail your experience in collaborating with Product and Engineering teams within an Agile framework.

• Demonstrate your approach to user-centred design, including research methodologies and how insights informed design decisions. Process Documentation:

• Illustrate your methods for improving design processes, workflows, and systems, including the implementation of reusable patterns and scalable design practices.

• Provide examples of how you champion and ensure accessible, compliant, and member-centred design.

• Document your experience in translating strategic objectives into clear design direction and deliverables for multiple teams.

• Showcase your approach to leading, coaching, and developing Product Designers, including design critique processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Lead Product Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond showcasing individual design skills to demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, and the ability to drive process improvements and quality at an organizational level. Emphasis should be on impact and scalability.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Lead Product Designer roles in Melbourne, Australia, with 5-10 years of experience in a large financial institution, the estimated annual salary range is AUD $150,000 - $190,000. This range accounts for the seniority of the role, the responsibilities involved in leading a team and strategy, and the cost of living in Melbourne.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage, including medical, dental, and vision.

• Generous paid time off (annual leave, personal/carer's leave, public holidays).

• Superannuation contributions exceeding the mandatory requirements, reflecting the company's profit-to-member model.

• Professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and potential for further certifications.

• Flexible, blended working arrangements to support work-life integration.

• Employee assistance programs and well-being initiatives.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week. The role offers flexibility with a hybrid work arrangement, allowing for a blend of in-office and remote work. Specific in-office days will likely be determined in collaboration with the team and manager to facilitate collaboration and team cohesion.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on data from reputable Australian job boards and salary aggregators, considering the specific location (Melbourne), industry (Financial Services/Superannuation), and experience level (Lead/5-10 years). Benefits are standard for large Australian corporations, with a particular emphasis on superannuation due to the company's nature.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services / Superannuation. AustralianSuper operates within the Australian superannuation industry, a critical sector focused on retirement savings for members. This industry is highly regulated, requiring a strong emphasis on compliance, member trust, and long-term financial planning.

Company Size: Large. AustralianSuper is one of Australia's largest superannuation funds, managing significant assets and employing a substantial workforce. This scale implies a structured environment with established processes, a diverse range of projects, and opportunities for cross-functional collaboration.

Founded: AustralianSuper was established in 1992 through the merger of several industry funds, with roots tracing back to the 1970s. This long history provides a foundation of stability and deep expertise in the superannuation sector.

Team Structure:

• The design team is likely part of a larger Product or Digital division, comprising Product Designers, UX Researchers, and potentially UI Specialists.

• The Lead Product Designer will report to a Head of Product Design, Head of UX, or a senior Product Management leader.

• Collaboration is expected across Product Managers, Engineers, QA testers, CX specialists, Brand managers, and various business stakeholders within the organization. Methodology:

• Agile development methodologies are standard, with an emphasis on iterative development, cross-functional collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• User-centred design principles are core, driven by research, data analysis, and member feedback to inform design decisions.

• A strong risk culture is embedded, ensuring all processes and designs are compliant, secure, and aligned with regulatory requirements.

• Focus on building scalable solutions and leveraging design systems to ensure efficiency and consistency across a broad product suite.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's profit-to-member model and focus on member outcomes are central to its culture. The mention of AI in recruitment and a strong risk culture indicates a forward-thinking yet highly structured and compliance-aware organization.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Lead-level position, signifying a move into management and strategic influence. It's a crucial step for experienced designers looking to shape team direction, mentor junior staff, and significantly impact product strategy and user experience at a senior level. The role requires not just design expertise but also strong leadership and strategic thinking.

Reporting Structure: The Lead Product Designer will likely report to a Director-level or Senior Manager-level executive within the Product or Digital division. This provides a direct line of sight into senior leadership and strategic decision-making, offering opportunities to influence company-wide design direction.

Operations Impact: The Lead Product Designer's impact is significant, directly influencing the member experience across key digital platforms. By shaping design strategy and leading the design team, they drive user engagement, satisfaction, and trust, which are critical for a superannuation fund. This role contributes to achieving excellent outcomes for members, a core organizational purpose.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to progress to Head of Product Design, Head of UX, or a Director-level role overseeing larger design functions or specialized areas.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape the broader digital strategy and product roadmap, influencing business decisions beyond just design execution.

• Mentorship & Development: Continued opportunities to mentor and develop design talent, building leadership skills and contributing to the growth of the design community within AustralianSuper.

• Industry Expertise: Deepen expertise in the financial services and superannuation sector, becoming a recognized authority in designing for complex financial products and member needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path for a Lead Product Designer at a large organization like AustralianSuper typically involves moving into more senior leadership roles, focusing on strategic vision, team scaling, and broader organizational impact rather than just individual design execution.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company offers a hybrid work environment, indicating a modern approach to workplace flexibility that balances in-office collaboration with remote work. This suggests a professional and collaborative office space designed to support team interaction, brainstorming, and focused work.

Office Location(s): Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The primary office is located in Melbourne, a major hub for finance and technology in Australia. This location provides access to a vibrant professional network and excellent amenities.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to foster collaboration, with open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and potentially dedicated spaces for design teams to work together.

• Access to modern design tools and technology is expected, supporting a productive and efficient design workflow.

• Opportunities for regular interaction with Product, Engineering, and other cross-functional teams are embedded within the hybrid work model, facilitating seamless communication and project execution.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility provided through the hybrid work arrangement. This allows operations professionals to manage their time effectively, balancing project demands with personal commitments and ensuring consistent progress on design initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key aspect of the work environment, suggesting a company that values work-life balance and trusts its employees to manage their time effectively. The focus on collaboration within this model is crucial for a lead role.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening (AI/Phone): Candidates may undergo an initial resume review by AI, followed by an optional traditional phone screening or an AI-driven initial phone interview.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager to assess fit, experience, and understanding of the role's strategic and leadership requirements. This may involve discussing past projects and leadership philosophy.

• Design Portfolio Review & Team Interview: Presentation of a design portfolio, focusing on strategic leadership, process improvements, and team development. This stage will involve interactions with other Product Designers, Product Managers, and potentially UX Researchers to evaluate collaboration and design critique skills.

• Stakeholder Interview: Meeting with key stakeholders from Product, Engineering, or business units to gauge collaboration, influencing skills, and understanding of business objectives within a regulated environment.

• Final Interview/Offer: A final discussion, potentially with senior leadership, to confirm fit and extend an offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Strategic Focus: Emphasize your strategic contributions, not just individual design execution. Showcase how you've influenced product direction and team strategy.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Highlight your experience in leading, coaching, and developing design teams. Provide examples of how you've improved team performance and design quality.

• Process & Scalability: Detail your efforts in improving design processes, implementing reusable patterns, and ensuring scalability. Use case studies to demonstrate measurable impact.

• Member-Centricity & Compliance: Show how you've championed