Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: Anaplan

Location: Manchester, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: 2026-09-14T08:02:25

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive end-to-end product design for a defined area of the Anaplan platform, integrating user needs, business objectives, and emerging AI capabilities.

• Collaborate extensively with product managers, engineers, researchers, and fellow designers throughout the product development lifecycle to deliver user-centered solutions.

• Actively participate in discovery activities, including customer interviews, workshops, journey mapping, and usability testing to inform design decisions.

• Simplify complex traditional enterprise workflows and novel AI-powered interactions into intuitive and accessible user experiences.

• Produce high-quality design artifacts such as user flows, wireframes, interaction patterns, and interactive prototypes using Figma.

• Contribute to and steward the Anaplan Design System, ensuring consistency, accessibility, and cohesive product experiences across the platform.

• Leverage qualitative and quantitative data, customer feedback, and experimentation to iterate on designs and enhance user satisfaction.

• Champion best practices in accessibility (WCAG) and promote the responsible adoption of AI technologies within product design.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a mid-level Product Designer, requiring 2-5 years of experience. The focus on "feature-level product design" and "owning" a product area suggests significant responsibility within a specific domain, rather than broad platform-wide design. The emphasis on AI capabilities indicates a forward-looking design team.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the complete design lifecycle for assigned product features, from initial concept and research to final implementation and iteration.

• Translate complex business requirements and user needs into intuitive and effective user interface designs and interaction models.

• Conduct user research, including interviews, surveys, and usability testing, to gather insights and validate design solutions.

• Develop detailed user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups using Figma to communicate design concepts.

• Collaborate closely with Product Management to define product strategy and roadmap, ensuring design considerations are integrated early.

• Work hand-in-hand with Engineering teams to ensure design feasibility and accurate implementation of user interfaces, providing clear specifications and support.

• Contribute to the evolution and maintenance of the Anaplan Design System, ensuring adherence to established patterns and guidelines.

• Advocate for user-centric design principles and best practices across cross-functional teams, fostering a shared understanding of user needs.

• Analyze user data, feedback, and A/B test results to inform design iterations and drive continuous improvement of the product experience.

• Ensure all designs comply with web accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1+) and inclusive design principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities highlight a hands-on design role with end-to-end ownership. The emphasis on "complex workflow simplification" and "AI-powered interactions" suggests the need for designers who can tackle challenging problems in a data-rich enterprise environment. The mention of "AI capabilities" and "generative AI features" points to a focus on innovation and future-forward design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for Product Designer roles of this caliber. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: Professional experience in product design, with a demonstrated track record of delivering user-centered solutions for complex software applications. A minimum of 2-5 years of relevant experience is anticipated.

Required Skills:

• Proven professional experience in product design, with a strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end design processes and outcomes.

• Solid foundation in user-centered design (UCD) principles, design thinking methodologies, and user experience best practices.

• Demonstrated experience designing for data-rich, workflow-heavy interfaces and complex enterprise systems.

• High proficiency in Figma for wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity design creation.

• Experience working with and contributing to comprehensive design systems to ensure product consistency and scalability.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and storytelling skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design decisions, trade-offs, and rationale to diverse stakeholders.

• A strong systems-thinking mindset, with a passion for high craft, iterative design, and constructive feedback within a collaborative environment. Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for enterprise platforms, specifically in areas like admin consoles, builder tools, data modeling interfaces, or AI-assisted workflows.

• Exposure to designing AI-powered user experiences, such as conversational interfaces, intelligent assistants, contextual recommendations, or generative AI features.

• Basic understanding of HTML/CSS and front-end development principles to facilitate effective collaboration with engineering teams.

• Familiarity with web accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1+) and a commitment to inclusive design practices.

• Experience in enterprise SaaS, financial systems, business planning software, or other complex B2B solutions.

• Experience operating within Agile development methodologies and cross-functional product teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize practical application and tool proficiency, particularly Figma and design systems. The preferred skills indicate a strong desire for candidates with specific domain experience (enterprise SaaS, AI) and technical understanding (HTML/CSS, WCAG), suggesting the company values designers who can hit the ground running and contribute to advanced product features.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating end-to-end product design process, from problem definition and user research to final solution and iteration.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the design problem, your role, the design process, key decisions, and the measurable impact of your solutions.

• Examples of complex workflows and data-rich interfaces you have designed, showcasing your ability to simplify intricate user journeys.

• Prototypes created in Figma that illustrate interaction design, user flows, and the overall user experience.

• Evidence of your contribution to or work within established design systems, highlighting consistency and pattern application.

• Demonstrations of how you've incorporated user feedback and data into design iterations. Process Documentation:

• Showcase your approach to user research methodologies, including how you plan, execute, and synthesize findings.

• Detail your process for translating research insights into actionable design strategies and tangible design artifacts.

• Illustrate your workflow for collaborating with product managers and engineers, including how you manage feedback and ensure design fidelity during development.

• Examples of how you've used design systems effectively to maintain consistency and accelerate design delivery.

• Documentation of how you've iterated on designs based on user testing, data analysis, or A/B testing results.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Product Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. The requirements focus on demonstrating a robust design process, problem-solving skills for complex enterprise scenarios, and proficiency with Figma and design systems. The emphasis on "measurable impact" and "data-informed iteration" suggests a need for designers who can connect their work to business outcomes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Product Designers with 2-5 years of experience in Manchester, United Kingdom, the estimated salary range is £45,000 - £65,000 per annum. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and performance during the interview process.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and potential for performance-based bonuses.

• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Generous paid time off (PTO), including holidays and personal leave days.

• Opportunities for professional development, including training, conferences, and workshops.

• Access to Anaplan's internal learning platforms and resources.

• Career growth opportunities within a dynamic global organization.

• A collaborative and inclusive work environment that values diversity and innovation.

• Potential for stock options or equity, depending on role level and company policy.

• Pension scheme contributions.

• Life assurance and disability coverage.

Working Hours: The standard working hours for this role are approximately 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday. While the role is on-site, Anaplan may offer some flexibility in daily start and end times, subject to team and business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation for Manchester, UK, considers the average for mid-level Product Designers in the tech sector, factoring in Anaplan's status as a well-established enterprise software company. The benefits listed are typical for a company of Anaplan's size and industry, with a focus on professional growth and well-being, aligning with the "Winning Culture" mentioned in the company description.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, specifically Enterprise Software, focusing on AI-infused Scenario Planning and Business Decision-Making Platforms. Anaplan operates in a competitive B2B SaaS market where data-driven insights and operational efficiency are paramount.

Company Size: Anaplan is a large enterprise, indicated by its Fortune 50 customer base and global presence. This implies a structured environment with established processes but also opportunities for impact within specific teams.

Founded: Founded in 1998, Anaplan has a long history and significant market presence. This maturity suggests a stable company with established product lines and a focus on long-term growth and innovation.

Team Structure:

• The User Experience (UX) team consists of 25+ designers and researchers, indicating a substantial investment in design. This team is globally distributed with hubs in Manchester, San Francisco, and London.

• The Product Designer will be part of this global UX team, collaborating closely with Product Managers and Engineers within specific product areas or feature teams.

• The reporting structure likely involves a Design Lead or Manager overseeing a group of designers, with designers working on specific product domains. Methodology:

• Anaplan emphasizes a "strategy-led, values-based and disciplined in execution" approach.

• The product development likely follows Agile methodologies, with cross-functional teams working in sprints.

• Design processes will integrate user research, data analysis, and iterative design within these Agile cycles.

• A strong focus on a cohesive Design System ensures consistent application of design principles across the platform.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as a "Winning Culture" that champions diversity, leadership, ambitious goals, and celebration. This suggests a dynamic, performance-oriented environment. The emphasis on "strategy-led" and "disciplined execution" implies a structured approach to product development and business operations, which will be reflected in the design processes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is for a mid-level Product Designer (2-5 years of experience), responsible for feature-level design ownership. It requires a solid understanding of user-centered design and the ability to work independently on defined product areas, while also collaborating effectively within a larger team. The role involves contributing to core platform features and potentially emerging AI capabilities.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will report to a Design Manager or Lead within the global User Experience team. They will collaborate closely with Product Managers and Engineering teams responsible for specific product areas. This structure allows for mentorship from senior designers and direct contribution to product roadmaps.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer's work directly impacts thousands of enterprise users worldwide by simplifying complex planning and decision-making processes. By creating intuitive and powerful interfaces, they enable Anaplan's customers (including Fortune 50 companies) to make more confident business decisions, thereby contributing to Anaplan's value proposition and market leadership. The design of AI-powered experiences will be crucial for the future competitiveness of the Anaplan platform.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in enterprise SaaS design, AI-driven UX, and complex workflow simplification. Opportunities to contribute to and influence the Anaplan Design System.

• Career Progression: Potential to advance to Senior Product Designer, Lead Product Designer, or specialize in areas like UX Research, Design Systems, or AI UX.

• Leadership Potential: Opportunities to mentor junior designers, lead design initiatives for specific product areas, and influence product strategy through design advocacy.

• Learning & Development: Access to Anaplan's internal learning resources, external training, conferences, and workshops focused on design and technology trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are framed around deepening design expertise, progressing to senior roles, and developing leadership skills. The emphasis on AI and complex enterprise systems provides a clear path for specialization within a high-demand area of UX design.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Anaplan's Manchester office, indicating a physical workspace designed for collaboration and focused work.

Office Location(s): Manchester, United Kingdom. Specific details about office amenities, accessibility, and proximity to public transport would be beneficial for candidates.

Workspace Context:

• The Manchester office serves as a hub for the global UX team, suggesting a collaborative environment with opportunities to interact with designers and researchers across different disciplines.

• Access to necessary design tools and technology, including Figma and comprehensive design systems, is expected.

• The environment is described as fostering "curiosity, collaboration, design excellence, and continuous learning," implying a supportive and intellectually stimulating atmosphere.

• The physical office space is likely set up to facilitate both individual focused work and team-based design sessions, workshops, and critiques.

Work Schedule: The role is on-site in Manchester, with standard working hours (approximately 40 hours/week, Monday-Friday). While the core hours are fixed, Anaplan may offer some flexibility in daily start/end times, allowing for better work-life integration, which is beneficial for deep work required in design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature of the role in Manchester suggests a preference for in-person collaboration and team synergy. The description implies a professional office environment that supports both focused individual work and dynamic team interactions, critical for design sprints and brainstorming sessions.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will review your application and portfolio for suitability. Be prepared to discuss your experience and highlight relevant case studies.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation with the hiring manager to assess your design philosophy, experience with complex systems, and cultural fit.

• Design Challenge/Portfolio Review: A more in-depth session where you will present your portfolio, walking through 1-2 key case studies. You may be asked to complete a design exercise or discuss hypothetical design problems related to Anaplan's platform. Focus on articulating your process, rationale, and impact.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other Designers to evaluate your collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to work within a cross-functional team.

• Final Interview: Potentially a final discussion with a senior leader to confirm fit and discuss career aspirations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 2-3 of your strongest, most relevant case studies that showcase your end-to-end process, problem-solving skills for complex enterprise scenarios, and proficiency with Figma and design systems.

• Tell a Story: Structure each case study to clearly articulate the problem, your specific role and contributions, the design process undertaken, key decisions and rationale, challenges faced, and the ultimate impact (quantifiable if possible).

• Highlight Process, Not Just Pixels: Emphasize your thought process, user research, ideation, iteration, and collaboration. Show how you arrived at the solution.

• Demonstrate Figma Proficiency: Be ready to walk through your Figma files, showcasing your organization, use of components, and prototyping capabilities.

• Address AI/Complexity: If possible, include examples that touch upon designing for data-rich environments or AI-related features, as this is a key focus for Anaplan.

• Practice Your Pitch: Rehearse your presentation to ensure you can clearly and concisely articulate your work within the allocated time.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Familiarize yourself with Anaplan's platform, its target users (enterprise planners, business analysts), and the types of problems it solves (scenario planning, financial modeling, business decision-making).

• Think Systemically: Be prepared to discuss how individual features fit into the larger platform ecosystem and how design decisions impact scalability and consistency.

• Focus on User Needs: For any hypothetical challenge, anchor your solutions in user needs and business objectives.

• Consider Constraints: Be mindful of technical constraints, accessibility requirements, and the need to integrate with existing design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is standard for a Product Designer role, with a strong emphasis on portfolio presentation and case study walkthroughs. The tips focus on tailoring the portfolio to Anaplan's specific needs (enterprise, data-rich, AI) and articulating the design process effectively.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The primary tool for wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and collaboration. High proficiency is a must.

• Anaplan Design System: Candidates are expected to work with and contribute to this system, implying familiarity with component libraries, style guides, and pattern usage.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly stated as a requirement for the designer, familiarity with how user analytics (e.g., from tools like Google Analytics, Amplitude, or custom product analytics) are used to inform design decisions would be beneficial.

• Understanding of A/B testing principles and how to design for experiments. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the Product Designer role, but an understanding of how user data is managed within enterprise systems and CRMs can provide context for user journeys.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily focused on design tools, with Figma being the cornerstone. The explicit mention of the "Anaplan Design System" is critical, indicating that candidates must be comfortable working within and contributing to a mature design system.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: A drive to explore and implement new technologies, including AI, to enhance user experiences and product capabilities.

• Customer Focus: A commitment to understanding and solving complex challenges for enterprise clients, ensuring their success through intuitive design.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on cross-functional teamwork, open communication, and shared ownership across design, product, and engineering.

• Excellence & Craftsmanship: A dedication to high-quality design, attention to detail, and continuous improvement in both product and process.

• Inclusivity & Diversity: A value placed on diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and ideas, fostering an environment where everyone can contribute authentically.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing qualitative and quantitative data to inform design choices and measure their impact.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers work embedded within product teams, closely partnering with Product Managers and Engineers throughout the development lifecycle.

• Design Critiques & Feedback: A culture of constructive feedback and open critique sessions to refine designs and share learnings.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, research insights, and design patterns across the UX team and broader organization.

• Agile Workflow: Working within Agile sprints requires close, continuous collaboration and rapid iteration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture values innovation, customer success, and collaborative problem-solving. The emphasis on "Winning Culture" suggests a high-performance environment where individual contributions are recognized and celebrated, but within a framework of teamwork and shared goals.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Complexity: Tackling the inherent complexity of enterprise planning software and data-rich interfaces, requiring simplification without sacrificing power.

• Integrating AI: Thoughtfully designing and integrating novel AI-powered features (e.g., generative AI, conversational interfaces) into existing user workflows in a way that is intuitive and adds genuine value.

• Balancing User Needs with Technical Constraints: Navigating the trade-offs between ideal user experiences and the technical realities of a large enterprise platform.

• Maintaining Design System Consistency: Ensuring adherence to and contribution towards a mature design system across a growing platform and evolving feature set.

• Global Collaboration: Working effectively with distributed teams across different time zones and cultures to maintain a cohesive product vision.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to become an expert in enterprise SaaS design, AI UX, or complex data visualization.

• Design System Contribution: A chance to significantly impact the Anaplan Design System, influencing design standards for a large enterprise product.

• Mentorship: Access to senior designers and researchers for guidance and skill development.

• Industry Exposure: Potential to attend industry conferences, workshops, and training sessions relevant to UX design and AI.

• Career Ladder: Clear pathways for advancement to senior, lead, or specialized design roles within Anaplan.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the complex nature of designing for enterprise software, particularly with the integration of new technologies like AI. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering paths for specialization and leadership within a well-established company.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Tell me about a time you designed a complex workflow. What was the challenge, your approach, and the outcome?" (Focus on process, user needs, and measurable impact.)

• "How do you approach designing for data-rich interfaces? What are the key considerations?" (Highlight your methods for organizing information and ensuring clarity.)

• "Describe your experience with design systems. How do you ensure consistency and contribute to them?" (Emphasize your understanding of components, patterns, and scalability.)

• "How would you approach designing an AI-powered feature, such as a conversational assistant or generative AI tool, for our platform?" (Discuss user-centricity, responsible AI, and integration strategies.)

• "Walk me through a challenging design decision you had to make. What were the trade-offs, and how did you resolve it?" (Showcase your problem-solving skills and rationale.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Anaplan and our product?" (Research Anaplan's platform, target market, and recent news.)

• "How do you align your design process with Agile development methodologies?" (Discuss your experience working with engineers and product managers in sprints.)

• "Describe your ideal collaborative environment. How do you work with cross-functional teams?" (Highlight your communication, feedback, and teamwork skills.)

• "How do you stay up-to-date with the latest trends in UX design and AI?" (Demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling is Key: Frame each case study as a narrative: the problem, your journey, the solution, and the impact.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals effectively. Walk through your Figma prototypes and explain your design decisions at each step.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics (e.g., improved task completion time, increased user satisfaction scores, reduced error rates) to demonstrate the value of your design.

• Articulate Your Role: Be clear about your specific contributions, especially in team projects.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, trade-offs, and alternative solutions. Think critically about your past work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation focuses on demonstrating a strong design process, problem-solving skills for complex enterprise scenarios, and an understanding of Anaplan's product domain, including AI integration. The portfolio presentation strategy emphasizes clear storytelling and quantifiable impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Anaplan careers portal via the provided link.

• Tailor your Resume: Highlight keywords and experiences directly relevant to product design, user-centered design, Figma, design systems, enterprise SaaS, and AI-powered experiences. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most impactful case studies that demonstrate your end-to-end design process for complex applications. Ensure they showcase your Figma proficiency and understanding of design systems.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice articulating your case studies clearly and concisely, focusing on the problem, your process, design decisions, and measurable outcomes. Be ready to discuss your approach to AI and data-rich interfaces.

• Research Anaplan: Familiarize yourself with Anaplan's platform, its customers, and its "Winning Culture." Understand the types of challenges Anaplan helps businesses solve.

⚠️ 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.