Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: AXA

Location: Royal Tunbridge Wells, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Digital Experience Design / Product Design

Date Posted: September 04, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design and continuous optimization of seamless user journeys, from initial customer touchpoints on the website through to authenticated portal interactions, with a focus on regulated environments.

• Develop, manage, and promote a comprehensive UI kit and design system, ensuring brand consistency, reusability, and adoption across website editors and broader teams.

• Drive user-centric improvements by leveraging data analytics, user research, and agile testing methodologies like A/B testing to identify pain points and opportunities.

• Ensure all digital experiences adhere to WCAG accessibility standards, creating inclusive and accessible platforms for all users.

• Collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams, including developers, CMS experts, content editors, and brand managers, to integrate design systems effectively within the development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within AXA's Digital Experience Design Guild, indicating a focus on structured design practices, continuous learning, and contribution to a broader design community within a large, global financial services organization. The emphasis on regulated settings and user journeys from website to portal suggests a need for a designer adept at navigating complex user flows and compliance requirements.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and evolve the website UI kit, creating reusable components and patterns that strictly adhere to brand guidelines and promote consistency.

• Construct robust UI kits derived from the established design system, including detailed templates and best practices to empower website editors and teams in creating unified digital content.

• Foster strong partnerships with developers, CMS teams, content editors, and brand managers to ensure the design system effectively meets diverse stakeholder needs and achieves widespread adoption.

• Champion the design system's utilization through clear, accessible documentation and comprehensive guidance, maintaining high benchmarks for quality, usability, and visual coherence.

• Employ data-driven insights and user research findings to pinpoint user journey friction points and identify strategic opportunities for enhancement and optimization.

• Implement iterative design improvements through A/B testing and agile methodologies, carefully considering SEO implications, brand integrity, and marketing objectives.

• Prioritize feature development and iterative enhancements based on a dual assessment of user impact and overarching strategic business goals, actively contributing to long-term website planning and accessibility roadmaps.

• Guarantee that all design outputs rigorously meet WCAG accessibility standards, thereby cultivating inclusive and equitable digital experiences for all AXA customers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic design leadership and hands-on execution, with a strong emphasis on the practical implementation and adoption of design systems within a corporate environment. The mention of "website editors" and "CMS-friendly website templates" points to a need for a designer who understands content management workflows and can translate complex designs into manageable systems for non-designers.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Graphic Design, or a related field is typically expected for this level of role. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: Minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in UX/UI design roles, with a demonstrable history of successfully designing customer-facing digital platforms, particularly within highly regulated industries such as insurance or financial services.

Required Skills:

• UX/UI Design Expertise: Proven ability to craft intuitive, user-centered digital experiences across web and portal environments.

• Design Systems Development & Implementation: Demonstrated experience in building foundational design frameworks and transforming them into comprehensive UI kits, templates, and practical guidance for content creators.

• Figma Proficiency: Advanced skills in Figma, including creating sophisticated components, implementing design tokens, and managing scalable, maintainable design systems.

• User Journey Optimization: Deep understanding of user funnels, conversion optimization strategies, and the ability to map and improve complex customer journeys.

• WCAG Accessibility Standards: Expert knowledge of WCAG guidelines (e.g., AA level) and practical application in creating accessible digital products.

• Stakeholder Management: Excellent ability to influence, communicate, and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders across various departments.

• Agile Methodologies: Experience working within agile development frameworks, participating in sprints, and adapting to iterative design processes.

• A/B Testing & Data Analysis: Familiarity with using data analytics and A/B testing to validate design decisions and measure impact.

• Component Design: Ability to design reusable UI components that are flexible, maintainable, and scalable.

Preferred Skills:

• CMS Integration Knowledge: Understanding of how design systems integrate with Content Management Systems (CMS) to facilitate editor workflows.

• SEO Best Practices: Awareness of how design choices can impact Search Engine Optimization.

• Brand Guideline Development: Experience in contributing to or working with established brand identity systems.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with developers, product managers, content strategists, and marketing teams.

• Design Tokens Implementation: Practical experience with design tokens for managing design system properties and ensuring consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of 5-10 years, combined with the emphasis on design systems and regulated environments, suggests the company is seeking a seasoned designer who can operate with a high degree of autonomy and strategic input. The specific mention of Figma and design tokens indicates a technical depth requirement for the chosen candidate.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design System Case Studies: Showcase examples of how you've developed, documented, and implemented design systems, including UI kits, component libraries, and style guides. Highlight the process from foundational design to widespread adoption.

• User Journey Optimization Examples: Present case studies demonstrating your ability to analyze user flows, identify pain points, and implement design solutions that improve conversion rates and user satisfaction. Quantify the impact where possible.

• Accessibility Design Proof: Include examples of projects where WCAG standards were a primary consideration, illustrating how you ensured inclusivity and accessibility in your designs.

• Component Library Showcase: Demonstrate your proficiency in Figma by showcasing examples of well-structured, reusable UI components and explaining the logic behind their design and implementation.

• Cross-functional Collaboration Projects: Provide examples of projects where you successfully collaborated with developers, content editors, and other stakeholders, illustrating your communication and integration skills.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Document your process for mapping user journeys, conducting user research, and translating insights into actionable design specifications.

• Implementation & Automation: Explain your approach to creating design system documentation, style guides, and templates that facilitate efficient implementation by development and content teams.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Detail how you use data, A/B testing, and user feedback to measure the effectiveness of your designs and identify areas for continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on design systems and user journey optimization in a regulated sector, a portfolio that clearly articulates the "why" and "how" behind design decisions, backed by measurable outcomes and a demonstrated understanding of system scalability and accessibility, will be crucial. The ability to showcase practical application within a CMS environment is also highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the location (Royal Tunbridge Wells, UK), experience level (5-10 years), and the nature of the role within a global financial services company like AXA, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between £50,000 - £70,000 per annum. This estimate is derived from industry benchmarks for experienced Product Designers in the UK, considering the specific requirements for design systems, accessibility, and regulated environments.

Benefits:

• Hybrid Working Model: Flexible arrangement balancing office and remote work, with a structured transition to more office-based days.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for skill enhancement, learning from the Digital Experience Design Guild, and potential for certifications.

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive health insurance, likely including dental and vision, provided by AXA Health.

• Retirement Savings: Generous pension scheme contributions.

• Work-Life Balance: Encouragement of flexible working arrangements and support for employee well-being.

• Employee Assistance Program: Access to confidential support services.

• Company Discounts: Potential for discounts on AXA insurance products and other partner services.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with a hybrid arrangement requiring at least 40% (2 days) of time spent away from home initially, increasing to 60% (3 days) from December 2026. Actual working hours may vary based on project needs and team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on market research for similar Product Designer roles in the UK, factoring in the specific skills requested (Figma, Design Systems, WCAG) and the industry (Financial Services/Insurance). The benefits listed are standard for large, reputable UK employers and align with AXA's stated commitment to employee well-being and development. The progressive increase in office days is a key detail for candidates to note.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Insurance and Financial Services. AXA is a global leader, offering a broad spectrum of insurance and financial planning services, with AXA Health specifically focusing on individual and corporate health solutions. This industry context implies a strong emphasis on trust, security, regulatory compliance, and customer-centricity.

Company Size: AXA is a very large, multinational corporation, ranking among the world's top insurance companies. This scale suggests a structured environment with established processes, opportunities for diverse career paths, and potentially complex internal stakeholder landscapes.

Founded: AXA has a long history, with roots tracing back to the 19th century, evolving through mergers and acquisitions to become the global entity it is today. This heritage signifies stability, extensive market experience, and a deep understanding of the financial services sector.

Team Structure:

• Digital Experience Design Guild: The Product Designer will be part of this specialized guild, suggesting a collaborative environment focused on elevating digital design practices across the organization.

• Cross-functional Teams: The role requires close collaboration with developers, CMS specialists, content editors, brand managers, and potentially product managers and marketing teams.

• Reporting: While not explicitly detailed, the role likely reports into a Head of Digital Experience Design or a similar leadership position within the broader Digital or IT function.

Methodology:

• Agile & Iterative: The role involves agile ways of working, A/B testing, and continuous improvement, indicating a dynamic and data-informed approach to design.

• User-Centric: A strong focus on user research and data analysis to drive design decisions and optimize user journeys.

• Design System Driven: Emphasis on building and maintaining a robust design system to ensure consistency, efficiency, and scalability across digital platforms.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Digital Experience Design Guild" structure suggests a community of practice model, where designers can share knowledge, mentor each other, and contribute to the evolution of design standards at AXA. This is a positive indicator for professional growth and cross-pollination of ideas.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is for an experienced Product Designer, typically considered a mid-to-senior level position. It involves leading design initiatives, owning significant parts of the user experience, and contributing strategically to the digital product roadmap. The emphasis on design systems and user journey optimization indicates a move beyond basic UI design into more strategic product development.

Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a design lead or manager within the Digital Experience Design Guild, with opportunities to collaborate with product owners, development leads, and business stakeholders. This structure allows for both mentorship from senior designers and direct impact on product strategy.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer's work directly influences customer acquisition, engagement, and retention by shaping the digital experience. By optimizing user journeys and ensuring accessibility, they contribute to AXA's brand reputation, operational efficiency (through consistent design reducing development overhead), and regulatory compliance, ultimately impacting revenue and customer loyalty.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Progression into roles such as Senior Product Designer, Lead Product Designer, or Design Manager, overseeing larger projects or teams.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in areas like design systems, UX research, accessibility, or product strategy.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Opportunities to move into related product management or UX strategy roles within AXA.

• Mentorship: Contribute to the growth of junior designers within the Digital Experience Design Guild.

• Industry Exposure: Engage with the broader design community through Guild activities and potential external events.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of the "Digital Experience Design Guild" strongly suggests a structured approach to career development within design at AXA. Candidates can expect opportunities to formalize their skills and potentially take on leadership responsibilities within this specialized community.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model. Employees are expected to work from the office at least 40% of the time, increasing to 60% from December 2026. This suggests a modern office environment designed for collaboration, with necessary amenities and technology.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is International House, Forest Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 5FE, United Kingdom. This location will serve as a hub for in-person collaboration and team activities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment is likely equipped with meeting rooms, breakout areas, and open-plan workstations conducive to teamwork and design critique sessions.

• Tools & Technology: Access to standard office equipment, high-speed internet, and potentially specialized hardware or software required for design work. The company likely provides necessary licenses for Figma and other design/collaboration tools.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular face-to-face interaction with colleagues within the design guild, development teams, and other business units, fostering a strong team dynamic and knowledge sharing.

Work Schedule: The standard work week is approximately 40 hours. While hybrid work offers flexibility, the increasing office presence requirement means candidates should be prepared for a structured balance between remote and in-office work. The specific daily schedule is likely flexible, allowing for core working hours to be established with the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The phased increase in office days (40% to 60%) is a crucial detail for candidates to be aware of, ensuring they are comfortable with this evolving work arrangement. This structure aims to balance the benefits of remote work with the advantages of in-person collaboration and team cohesion.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process: While not explicitly detailed, a typical interview process for a Product Designer at a company like AXA would likely include:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with Talent Acquisition or a hiring manager to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: A deep dive into your portfolio, focusing on your design process, problem-solving skills, and specific examples of design systems, user journeys, and accessibility. This may involve a design challenge or case study presentation.

• Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with key collaborators (e.g., developers, product managers, brand managers) to evaluate your ability to work cross-functionally and influence others.

• Final Interview: A discussion with senior leadership to assess strategic thinking and overall fit with AXA's culture and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio to clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, the solution, and the measurable impact. Prioritize case studies relevant to design systems, user journey optimization, and regulated environments.

• Showcase Design Systems: Dedicate specific sections to your experience with design systems, detailing your approach to component creation, documentation, and implementation. Use visual examples of UI kits and templates.

• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased conversion rates, improved user satisfaction scores, reduced support tickets).

• Highlight Accessibility: Explicitly call out how you incorporated WCAG standards and ensured inclusivity in your designs.

• Demonstrate Collaboration: Include examples that showcase your ability to work effectively with diverse teams, explaining how you managed feedback and integrated different perspectives.

• Figma Proficiency: Ensure your Figma expertise is evident through well-organized files, reusable components, and clear design token implementation if applicable.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: Be prepared for a potential design challenge that might involve optimizing a user flow, designing a new component for a design system, or addressing an accessibility issue. Focus on your thought process, problem-solving approach, and ability to articulate your rationale.

• Scenario-Based Questions: Anticipate questions about how you would handle stakeholder disagreements, prioritize competing design requests, or integrate a new feature into an existing design system.

• AXA Context: Research AXA's current digital presence, brand, and any recent initiatives to tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest. Understand the nuances of designing for a regulated industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "Digital Experience Design Guild" and "WCAG accessibility standards" suggests that candidates should be prepared to discuss their understanding of design governance, best practices, and inclusive design principles in detail. A strong narrative around how your portfolio projects demonstrate these specific competencies will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI/UX design, component creation, prototyping, and design system management. Advanced proficiency is required.

• Design System Management Tools: While Figma is central, understanding of related tools or platforms for managing design tokens, documentation, and version control may be beneficial.

• Prototyping Tools: Figma's built-in prototyping capabilities are likely primary, but familiarity with other tools like InVision or Adobe XD might be useful.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Platforms: Experience with tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar platforms for understanding user behavior and measuring website performance.

• A/B Testing Tools: Familiarity with tools such as Optimizely, VWO, Google Optimize, or built-in platform testing features to validate design hypotheses.

• Data Visualization Tools: Basic understanding or experience with tools that help interpret data and present insights, such as Tableau or Power BI, may be advantageous.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: While not a direct CRM role, an understanding of how design impacts customer journeys within CRM ecosystems (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics) could be beneficial.

• CMS Platforms: Familiarity with Content Management Systems (CMS) and how design templates are implemented and managed within them (e.g., Adobe Experience Manager, Sitecore, or custom-built solutions).

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technology requirement is Figma, with a strong emphasis on its capabilities for design systems. Understanding how designs translate into CMS environments and how to leverage analytics for iterative improvement are critical supporting skills for this role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving customer needs, particularly within the context of financial services and health insurance where trust and reliability are paramount.

• Excellence & Quality: A drive to deliver high-quality, polished, and effective digital experiences that meet rigorous brand and accessibility standards.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A belief in the power of working together across disciplines to achieve collective success, fostering an environment of mutual support and shared learning.

• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: An openness to new ideas, data-driven experimentation, and a proactive approach to refining processes and digital products.

• Integrity & Responsibility: Upholding ethical standards and taking ownership of designs, particularly in a regulated sector where accuracy and compliance are non-negotiable.

Collaboration Style:

• Guild-Based Learning: The "Digital Experience Design Guild" suggests a culture of shared knowledge, peer feedback, and collective problem-solving.

• Cross-Functional Partnership: A strong emphasis on working closely with development, content, brand, and marketing teams to ensure cohesive product development.

• Data-Informed Dialogue: Discussions and decisions are expected to be grounded in user research, analytics, and testing results.

• Constructive Feedback: An environment where designers are encouraged to provide and receive constructive feedback to elevate the quality of work.

📝 Enhancement Note: AXA's values, particularly in the financial services sector, will heavily influence the design culture. Expect a balance between creative exploration and a rigorous adherence to compliance, brand, and accessibility standards, all underpinned by a collaborative and data-driven approach.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Regulated Environments: Designing within the constraints of financial services regulations requires careful attention to detail, clear communication, and a deep understanding of compliance requirements.

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Effectively managing diverse stakeholder expectations from marketing, brand, legal, and development teams to ensure a cohesive and functional design.

• Driving Design System Adoption: Overcoming inertia and encouraging widespread adoption of the design system across various teams and projects, requiring strong advocacy and clear communication.

• Legacy Systems Integration: Potentially integrating new designs and design systems with existing or legacy website infrastructure and CMS platforms.

• Maintaining Consistency Across Platforms: Ensuring a unified and seamless user experience from the public website to authenticated customer portals, which may have different technical underpinnings.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design System Mastery: Opportunities to become a subject matter expert in design systems, potentially leading their evolution and governance.

• Accessibility Expertise: Deepen knowledge and practical application of accessibility standards, becoming a go-to resource for inclusive design.

• Product Strategy Involvement: Contribute to broader product strategy discussions, leveraging design insights to shape the digital roadmap.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Take on mentorship roles within the Digital Experience Design Guild and potentially lead design initiatives.

• Industry Conferences & Training: Access to industry events, workshops, and training programs focused on UX/UI design, design systems, and accessibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges described are typical for senior design roles in large, regulated organizations. Success will depend on strong communication, negotiation skills, and the ability to advocate for user-centered design principles while respecting business and regulatory constraints.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you successfully implemented a design system in a complex organization. What were the biggest challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on adoption, documentation, and stakeholder buy-in).

• "How do you approach optimizing a user journey that spans multiple digital touchpoints, from a public website to a logged-in portal, especially in a regulated sector?" (Highlight your process for mapping, analyzing, and designing for complex flows).

• "Walk us through a project where you had to ensure strict adherence to WCAG accessibility standards. What specific steps did you take, and how did you validate compliance?" (Emphasize your practical knowledge of accessibility guidelines).

• "How do you balance user needs, brand identity, and technical constraints when designing for a large corporation like AXA?" (Demonstrate your strategic thinking and ability to find optimal solutions). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about AXA's current digital strategy or user experience, and where do you see opportunities for improvement from a design perspective?" (Show you've researched the company and can offer insights).

• "How would you contribute to the 'Digital Experience Design Guild' and foster collaboration with developers, content editors, and brand managers?" (Discuss your collaboration style and how you'd engage with different teams).

• "How do you stay updated on the latest trends in UX/UI design, design systems, and accessibility?" (Highlight your commitment to continuous learning). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, your process (research, ideation, design, testing), the solution, and the measurable outcomes.

• Emphasize Design Systems: Dedicate a significant portion of your presentation to your experience with design systems, showcasing your UI kits, component libraries, and documentation approach. Use Figma examples to illustrate your technical skills.

• Quantify Impact: Clearly present metrics and data that demonstrate the success of your design interventions.

• Accessibility Focus: Explicitly call out your approach to accessibility in each relevant project.

• Engage Your Audience: Be prepared to answer in-depth questions about your design decisions and be open to discussing alternative approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate not just design execution skills but also strategic thinking, problem-solving capabilities, and a proactive approach to driving design excellence and adoption within a large, complex organization.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Click on the ‘apply now’ button on the AXA careers portal and log in or create a profile to submit your CV.

• Tailor Your CV: Ensure your CV highlights experience in UX/UI design, design systems, Figma proficiency, user journey optimization, and WCAG accessibility standards, specifically mentioning work in regulated sectors. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-4 of your strongest case studies that best showcase your expertise in design systems, user journey optimization, and accessibility. Ensure your portfolio is easily navigable and clearly articulates your process and impact.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on storytelling, clear articulation of your design process, and demonstrating how your work aligns with AXA's needs and values. Be ready to discuss your Figma skills and design system experience in detail.

• Research AXA: Familiarize yourself with AXA's brand, services (especially AXA Health), and their current digital presence. Understand the challenges of working in a regulated industry and how your skills can address them.

⚠️ 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.