Lead UX Designer (H/F)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead UX Designer (H/F)

Company: Meritis

Location: Montpellier, Occitanie, France

Job Type: Temps complet (Full-time)

Category: Digital Transformation / Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: 2026-09-08

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead UX Designer responsible for driving user-centered design strategies and enhancing digital product experiences.

• Focus on operational UX activities including user research, workshop facilitation, and the production of UX deliverables.

• Collaborate within an Agile product team to create and improve strategic web and mobile applications.

• Ensure UX consistency across products by applying best practices and continuous process improvement.

• Work closely with Product Owners, Business Analysts, Developers, UI Designers, and UX Writers, reporting to a Lead UX Designer.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is described as "Lead UX Designer" but the experience level is listed as 2-5 years, which typically aligns with a mid-level or senior UX Designer rather than a lead role that usually requires more extensive experience (5+ years). This suggests the "Lead" designation might refer to a senior individual contributor role with significant autonomy and influence on UX direction within product teams, rather than direct people management. The emphasis on "operational" and "production UX" further supports this interpretation.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and optimize user journeys for web and mobile applications, ensuring intuitive and effective digital experiences.

• Develop user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes using Figma, defining navigation logic, interaction patterns, and interface behaviors.

• Conduct user research activities, including user interviews, usability testing, and co-design workshops, to gather insights and identify areas for improvement.

• Analyze user feedback and data analytics to inform design decisions and drive product enhancements.

• Perform competitive benchmarking and UX audits to stay abreast of market trends and identify best practices.

• Actively participate in Agile ceremonies (Sprint Planning, Refinement, Retrospective, Daily Meetings) to foster close collaboration with development teams.

• Ensure adherence to UX standards and best practices, maintaining consistency across all digital products.

• Collaborate with the Lead UX Designer to align individual contributions with the overall UX vision and strategy.

• Translate business and user needs into simple, intuitive, and efficient design solutions.

• Contribute to fostering a user-centric product culture within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a hands-on UX design role with a strong emphasis on research and execution rather than purely strategic or management functions often associated with a "Lead" title. The inclusion of specific Agile ceremonies and collaboration with development teams highlights the operational nature of this position within a product development lifecycle.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, or a related field is typically expected for UX Designer roles. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: Minimum of 2-5 years of significant experience as an UX Designer within product teams, with a proven track record of designing for web and mobile applications. Experience in Agile and collaborative environments is essential. Experience in the banking, insurance, or fintech sectors is a plus.

Required Skills:

• Excellent command of Figma and FigJam for design and collaboration.

• Expertise in core UX Design principles, methodologies, and best practices.

• Proficient in User Research techniques, including user interviews and usability testing.

• Skilled in creating wireframes and interactive prototyping to visualize user flows and interactions.

• Strong understanding of Design Thinking and User-Centered Design methodologies.

• Ability to design complex user journeys and translate them into intuitive interfaces.

• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies and principles.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including Product Owners, Developers, and UI Designers.

• Understanding of technical constraints and ability to work closely with development teams.

• Active engagement in staying updated on UX, Product, and Design trends. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with UX research tools such as Lookback or Optimal Workshop.

• Familiarity with UX auditing and competitive benchmarking.

• Experience working in the banking, insurance, or fintech industries.

• Knowledge of UI design principles and collaboration with UI Designers.

• Experience with UX writing or collaborating with UX Writers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead UX Designer" title combined with a 2-5 year experience requirement suggests that candidates with strong individual contributor skills and the ability to mentor or guide junior designers, rather than manage a team, will be highly valued. Proficiency in Figma and FigJam is explicitly called out, indicating these are critical tools for the role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 3-5 distinct UX design projects, with a strong emphasis on web and mobile applications.

• Each project should clearly articulate the problem statement, user research conducted, design process, iterative improvements, and final outcomes.

• Demonstrations of user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes (ideally created in Figma), and final UI designs where applicable.

• Evidence of user research methodologies employed (e.g., interview summaries, usability test findings, persona development).

• Case studies should highlight the candidate's problem-solving approach and impact on user experience and business goals. Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of how user feedback and data analytics were integrated into the design process to drive iterative improvements.

• Illustrate experience with Agile workflows, including how UX activities were planned and executed within sprint cycles.

• Provide examples of collaboration with development teams, detailing how UX requirements were communicated and implemented.

• Demonstrate the ability to apply and adapt design thinking or user-centered design methodologies to various project challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "operational" focus and the mention of "production UX," the portfolio should emphasize tangible deliverables and the practical application of UX methodologies rather than purely theoretical concepts. Demonstrating the ability to work efficiently within an Agile framework and collaborate with developers will be crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the experience level (2-5 years), location (Montpellier, France), and the nature of a consulting firm specializing in digital transformation, the estimated salary range for a Senior UX Designer in France would typically be between €45,000 to €60,000 annually. This range can vary based on the specific skills, portfolio strength, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Customized career paths tailored to individual professional development goals.

• Mentoring programs to support career growth and skill enhancement.

• Access to professional training and certifications to stay current with industry advancements.

• E-learning resources for continuous learning and skill acquisition.

• Membership in communities of experts for knowledge sharing and collaborative learning.

• A convivial work environment with regular company events, including annual parties, seminars, team-building activities, lunches, and after-work gatherings.

• Commitment to diversity and non-discrimination, with all roles accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Working Hours: Full-time employment, typically around 35-40 hours per week, common in France. Flexibility may be offered within the context of Agile team collaboration and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general market data for UX Designers in France with 2-5 years of experience, considering the cost of living in Montpellier and the industry standard for consulting firms. Benefits are detailed based on the provided "additional information" section, emphasizing professional development and employee well-being, which are strong selling points for consulting firms.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Transformation Consulting. Meritis operates within the technology and consulting sectors, advising clients across various industries on their digital initiatives. This means the company values innovation, efficiency, and client-focused solutions.

Company Size: Over 900 employees. This indicates a well-established, growing organization with a significant presence in France and internationally. For operations professionals, this size often means structured processes, opportunities for specialization, but also a need for clear communication and alignment across departments.

Founded: 2007. Meritis has over 15 years of experience, suggesting a stable and mature company with a developed client base and a solid understanding of the consulting market.

Team Structure:

• The UX Designer will be part of a Product Team, working closely with Product Owners, Business Analysts, Developers, UI Designers, and UX Writers.

• They will also be supported and guided by a Lead UX Designer, who oversees the overall UX vision and strategy.

• The company structure is likely project-based, with teams forming around specific client needs or internal product development initiatives.

• Given Meritis's size, there are likely established communities of practice for various disciplines, including UX/UI design. Methodology:

• Agile Development: The team operates within an Agile framework, participating in standard Agile ceremonies. This implies a focus on iterative development, collaboration, and rapid feedback loops.

• User-Centered Design: A strong emphasis is placed on designing experiences centered around the user, utilizing user research and data analytics to inform decisions.

• Digital Transformation: The company's core business is digital transformation, suggesting a culture that values innovation, adaptability, and leveraging technology to solve business challenges.

• Consulting Approach: As a consulting firm, Meritis likely emphasizes client satisfaction, delivering high-quality solutions, and maintaining strong professional relationships.

Company Website: https://www.meritis.fr/ (Inferred from domain_derived)

📝 Enhancement Note: Meritis's emphasis on being "Great Place To Work" and their values (exigence, humilité, bienveillance, proximité) suggest a culture that balances high performance with employee well-being and collaboration. For an operations professional, this means an environment that values structured processes but also fosters strong interpersonal relationships and mutual support.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior UX Designer, acting as a key individual contributor within product teams. While not a formal management role, the "Lead" in the title suggests a high level of autonomy, expertise, and the potential to influence UX direction and best practices. The candidate is expected to be operational and hands-on.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will report to a Lead UX Designer for guidance on UX vision and strategy, while working daily with an Agile Product Team which likely includes a Product Owner as a key stakeholder.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's work directly impacts the usability, desirability, and effectiveness of Meritis's digital products. By creating high-quality user experiences, they contribute to client satisfaction, user adoption, and ultimately, the success of digital transformation projects. This role is critical in ensuring that technology solutions are not only functional but also user-friendly and impactful.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of UX, such as user research, interaction design, or service design.

• Career Progression: Potential to advance to a Lead UX Designer role with direct team leadership responsibilities, or to specialize in product strategy or UX management.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gaining experience in various industries (banking, insurance, fintech) through client projects, broadening understanding of different business contexts and user needs.

• Learning & Development: Access to structured training programs, e-learning, and communities of practice within Meritis to continuously enhance skills.

• Mentorship: Benefits from guidance from experienced Lead UX Designers and participation in mentorship programs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead UX Designer" title for a 2-5 year experience level implies a role focused on senior individual contribution and potential mentorship, rather than people management. Growth opportunities would likely involve deepening UX expertise, taking on more complex projects, and potentially moving into more formal leadership or specialized roles within the UX/Product domain.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job is listed as "On-site," indicating a physical presence in the office is required. Meritis is a consulting firm, so the office environment is likely professional and geared towards client delivery and internal collaboration.

Office Location(s): Montpellier, France (1025 Avenue Henri Becquerel, Parc Club du Millénaire). This location is in a business park setting, suggesting a modern, well-equipped office space.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office likely features meeting rooms, breakout areas, and open-plan spaces designed to facilitate teamwork and brainstorming sessions among product teams.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma, FigJam) and potentially other UX research tools will be provided. Reliable IT infrastructure for development and design work is expected.

• Team Interaction: Daily interaction with cross-functional Agile teams (Developers, POs, BAs, UI Designers) will be a core part of the work environment, fostering a dynamic and communicative atmosphere.

Work Schedule: Full-time (Temps complet), likely around 35-40 hours per week. While on-site, there might be some flexibility in daily hours depending on team needs and project deadlines, common in Agile environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of Meritis as a "Great Place To Work" suggests that the office environment prioritizes employee well-being, collaboration, and a positive atmosphere, even within a professional consulting setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess your experience, skills, and alignment with the role requirements.

• Technical Interview: This will likely involve a discussion about your UX process, methodologies, and experience with specific tools like Figma. You may be asked to walk through specific projects from your portfolio, explaining your design decisions and the challenges you faced.

• Case Study/Design Challenge: You might be given a design problem to solve, either a take-home assignment or an in-interview exercise, to evaluate your problem-solving skills, design thinking, and ability to articulate your approach.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: An opportunity to meet with potential team members (e.g., Product Owner, other designers) to assess collaboration style and cultural alignment with Meritis's values.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader or hiring manager to discuss career aspirations and confirm fit for the role and company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your skills in web and mobile UX design, user research, and prototyping. Prioritize projects that align with Meritis's focus on digital transformation and user-centered design.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, the user research conducted, your design process (wireframes, prototypes), key decisions, challenges overcome, and measurable outcomes. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Operations: Emphasize how you worked within Agile teams, collaborated with developers, and used data/research to drive decisions. Quantify impact where possible (e.g., "improved conversion rate by X%," "reduced task completion time by Y seconds").

• Showcase Tools: Clearly indicate the tools used, especially Figma and FigJam, and be prepared to discuss your proficiency.

• Be Concise and Clear: Ensure your portfolio is easy to navigate and your contributions are clearly defined, especially if it was a team project.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, clarify the problem, target users, and business goals. Think about the constraints and scope.

• Emphasize Process: Focus on articulating your design process: user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, testing, and iteration. Explain why you made certain decisions.

• User-Centricity: Demonstrate how you would approach the problem from the user's perspective, incorporating user needs and behaviors.

• Agile Mindset: Consider how your proposed solution could be implemented iteratively within an Agile framework.

• Presentation Skills: Practice presenting your work clearly and concisely, anticipating questions about your rationale and impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a UX role at a consulting firm like Meritis will heavily scrutinize the candidate's portfolio and their ability to articulate their design process and impact. Practical application of UX methodologies within an Agile context is key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for wireframing, prototyping, and UI design. Mastery is required.

• FigJam: Used for collaborative ideation, workshops, and whiteboarding. Proficiency is expected.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with data analytics is required to interpret user behavior data and inform design decisions. Specific tools are not listed but common platforms like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, or Amplitude might be used. CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how UX impacts customer journeys within digital products is important. Experience with tools that generate user data or feedback that feeds into CRM systems is beneficial. Other Potential Tools:

• User Research Tools: Lookback (for remote usability testing) or Optimal Workshop (for card sorting, tree testing) are mentioned as preferred skills, indicating potential use of these or similar platforms for in-depth user research.

• Project Management Tools: Experience with Agile project management tools like Jira or Trello is likely, given the Agile team structure.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and FigJam as required skills highlights their central role in the UX design workflow at Meritis. Proficiency in these tools is non-negotiable. Awareness of user analytics and potentially specialized UX research tools is also a strong plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Exigence (Excellence/Rigor): A commitment to high standards in design quality, user experience, and project delivery. Operations professionals are expected to be meticulous and detail-oriented.

• Humilité (Humility): A willingness to learn, admit mistakes, and collaborate without ego. This fosters a supportive team environment where feedback is welcomed.

• Bienveillance (Kindness/Benevolence): A culture of mutual respect and support among colleagues, contributing to employee well-being and a positive work atmosphere.

• Proximité (Proximity/Closeness): Emphasis on strong relationships with colleagues and clients, fostering a sense of community and personalized support. This extends to individual career development and accompaniment.

• Data-Driven Approach: Decisions are informed by user data and analytics, reflecting a scientific and results-oriented mindset in design and operations.

• Efficiency & Optimization: A core value in consulting, driving a focus on streamlining processes and delivering effective solutions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The UX Designer will work seamlessly within Agile product teams, collaborating daily with Developers, Product Owners, Business Analysts, and UI Designers.

• Open Feedback Culture: Meritis's "Great Place To Work" status and values suggest an environment where constructive feedback is regularly exchanged, contributing to continuous improvement of processes and products.

• Knowledge Sharing: Participation in communities of experts encourages the sharing of best practices, insights, and lessons learned across different projects and disciplines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Meritis's core values are deeply embedded in their "Great Place To Work" recognition. For an operations professional, this translates to an environment that values both high performance (exigence) and strong interpersonal relationships (bienveillance, proximité), with a clear emphasis on data and efficiency.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Navigating the inherent tension between delivering optimal user experiences and meeting business objectives, often within tight project timelines and budgets.

• Adapting to Diverse Client Needs: Working across various industries (banking, insurance, fintech) requires quickly understanding different user bases, business contexts, and technical constraints.

• Maintaining UX Consistency: Ensuring a cohesive and intuitive user experience across multiple products and platforms, especially as they evolve.

• Staying Ahead of UX Trends: Continuously learning and adapting to new design paradigms, tools, and user expectations in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• UX Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in specialized UX areas through project work, internal training, and external resources.

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Opportunities to attend industry events and pursue relevant certifications to enhance professional credibility and knowledge.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Benefit from mentorship from senior designers and gain experience that could lead to leadership roles within UX or product management.

• Community of Practice: Active participation in Meritis's expert communities to share knowledge, learn from peers, and stay abreast of industry best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a UX Designer in a consulting environment, requiring adaptability, strong problem-solving skills, and a commitment to continuous learning. The growth opportunities are well-aligned with the company's stated values and structure.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• UX Strategy: "How would you approach defining the UX strategy for a new digital product from scratch?" (Prepare to discuss user research, persona development, journey mapping, and initial design principles.)

• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting feedback from a Product Owner and a development team regarding a UX decision. How did you resolve it?" (Focus on communication, compromise, and data-driven advocacy.)

• Problem-Solving & Efficiency: "Walk me through a complex UX challenge you faced on a web or mobile project and how you designed an efficient, user-friendly solution." (Use a STAR method, highlighting your process and the impact of your solution.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Company Operations: "How do you see the UX Designer role contributing to Meritis's overall mission of digital transformation for its clients?" (Connect your work to client success and innovative solutions.)

• Team Dynamics: "Describe your ideal collaboration style within an Agile product team. How do you ensure smooth communication with developers and Product Owners?" (Emphasize proactivity, clarity, and mutual respect.)

• Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the success of your UX designs? Can you provide an example of how you used metrics to inform design improvements?" (Discuss KPIs like task completion rates, user satisfaction scores, conversion rates, and reduction in support tickets.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Flow: Structure your portfolio presentation as a compelling story for each project, guiding the interviewer through your thought process and decision-making.

• Visual Clarity: Use high-quality visuals of wireframes, prototypes, and user flows. Ensure your Figma work is easily navigable and clearly presented.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrate the positive impact of your designs on users and business objectives.

• Highlight UX Research: Clearly articulate the user research methods used and how the insights directly influenced your design solutions.

• Address Challenges: Be prepared to discuss any significant challenges encountered during a project and how you overcame them.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only design skills but also the ability to operate effectively within a consulting and Agile framework, emphasizing process, collaboration, and measurable impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on jobs.smartrecruiters.com.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your experience in web and mobile UX design, user research, and prototyping, specifically mentioning proficiency in Figma and FigJam. Showcase projects that demonstrate your ability to work within Agile teams and deliver user-centered solutions.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your years of experience, key skills (UX Design, User Research, Figma, Agile), and quantifiable achievements. Use keywords from the job description naturally.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, walking through portfolio case studies, and discussing how you measure the impact of your UX work. Prepare for potential design challenges by reviewing common UX problems and solutioning frameworks.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Meritis's values, industry focus (digital transformation, consulting), and client sectors (banking, insurance, fintech). Understand their "Great Place To Work" accolades and how that translates to their operational culture.

⚠️ 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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