Product Designer at Sandberg Goldberg Bernthal Family Foundation

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: Sandberg Goldberg Bernthal Family Foundation

Location: San Francisco, CA

Job Type: Full-time, Regular

Category: Product Design / User Experience (UX) / User Interface (UI)

Date Posted: February 23, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (Based on 4+ years requirement)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Drive the complete product design lifecycle for impactful digital platforms, focusing on user-centered design principles and mission-driven objectives.
Translate complex user needs and business goals into intuitive, accessible, and visually appealing digital experiences for a global community.
Develop and maintain robust design systems and patterns to ensure consistency, scalability, and efficiency across web and mobile applications.
Collaborate closely with product management and engineering teams within an agile framework to deliver high-quality, innovative solutions.
Champion user advocacy, accessibility standards, and inclusive design practices to create equitable digital products.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Product Designer," the responsibilities and company context strongly indicate a role focused on User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design, particularly for digital platforms serving a community. The emphasis on mission and impact suggests a need for designers who can balance user needs with social good objectives.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

Lead the end-to-end product design process, encompassing user research, concept ideation, wireframing, high-fidelity design, prototyping, and usability testing.
Conduct comprehensive user research methodologies, including user interviews, surveys, and usability testing, to gather actionable insights and inform design decisions.
Create detailed wireframes, user flows, and high-fidelity mockups for web and mobile applications using Figma, ensuring a seamless and engaging user experience.
Develop, implement, and evolve design systems, style guides, and reusable UI components to maintain design consistency and accelerate development cycles.
Meticulously organize design files, documentation, and project workflows to ensure clarity, traceability, and efficient collaboration.
Partner effectively with product managers, engineers, and other cross-functional stakeholders to translate design concepts into fully realized digital products.
Advocate for user needs and design best practices while balancing business objectives, technical constraints, and the overarching mission of the foundation.
Present design strategies, concepts, and rationale clearly and persuasively to stakeholders, actively incorporating feedback to refine designs.
Generate innovative design solutions that align with and advance the mission of Lean In and the Sandberg Goldberg Bernthal Family Foundation.
Stay abreast of emerging design trends, emerging technologies, accessibility standards (WCAG), and inclusive design best practices to continuously improve product quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer who can operate independently across the full design spectrum, from initial research to final implementation, and who is adept at managing complex design systems and cross-functional collaboration.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for mid-senior level product design roles. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: 4+ years of professional product design experience, with a strong portfolio showcasing user-centered design thinking, problem-solving abilities, and successful execution across web and mobile platforms.

Required Skills:

Expert proficiency in Figma, including advanced features such as components, variants, auto-layout, prototyping, and collaborative design system management.
Demonstrated experience leading the entire product design process, from user research to final implementation.
Strong foundation in interaction design, information architecture, and visual design principles.
Proven ability to conduct user research (interviews, surveys, usability testing) and translate findings into actionable design solutions.
Exceptional organizational skills with a meticulous approach to managing design files, documentation, and complex workflows.
Deep understanding of responsive design principles, web standards, and mobile design patterns.
Comprehensive knowledge of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG 2.1 AA) and inclusive design methodologies.
Experience in prototyping and iterative design based on user feedback and testing.
Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
Proven ability to work effectively within cross-functional, agile development teams.

Preferred Skills:

Experience designing for community-focused platforms or non-profit organizations.
Familiarity with front-end development concepts (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to better inform design decisions.
Experience with A/B testing and data analysis to optimize user experiences.
Knowledge of project management tools (e.g., Jira, Asana) for workflow tracking.
Experience in building and maintaining design systems from the ground up.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma expertise and organizational skills is critical. Candidates should be prepared to showcase their proficiency in these areas within their portfolio and during the interview process.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 3-5 distinct product design projects that demonstrate end-to-end design thinking and execution.
Projects should highlight user research methodologies, problem definition, ideation process, wireframing, high-fidelity design, prototyping, and the impact of the final solution.
Clearly articulate your specific role and contributions within each project, especially in team-based scenarios.
Demonstrate proficiency in Figma, including examples of component usage, auto-layout, and potentially design system components.
Include case studies that detail how you translated user insights into design solutions and iterated based on feedback.

Process Documentation:

The portfolio should implicitly or explicitly demonstrate your approach to process documentation, including how you organize design files, document design decisions, and maintain version control.
Examples of how you've contributed to or utilized design systems and style guides are highly valued.
Evidence of collaboration with engineering and product teams, showing how designs are handed off and implemented.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role. Candidates must be able to clearly articulate their design process, demonstrate strong Figma skills, and showcase the impact of their work, particularly in relation to user needs and the organization's mission.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $140,000 – $160,000 annually, based on experience, skills, and qualifications.

Performance Bonus: Up to 15% of base salary annually, tied to individual and organizational performance.

Benefits:

Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans.
401(k) retirement plan with a generous 4% employer match.
Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy, providing flexibility and work-life balance.
Additional benefits designed to support well-being and long-term success (specifics not detailed but imply a robust package).

Working Hours: Typically 40 hours per week, with potential for flexibility depending on project needs and team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific and competitive for a Product Designer role in San Francisco. The performance bonus adds a variable component to the total compensation. The benefits package appears comprehensive.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Non-profit / Social Impact / Technology (for digital platforms). The Sandberg Goldberg Bernthal Family Foundation (SGBFF) operates within the social impact sector, leveraging technology and community building to achieve its mission.

Company Size: The job posting does not specify company size, but SGBFF supports multiple initiatives (LeanIn.Org, LeanInGirls.Org, OptionB.Org, Dave Goldberg Scholarship Program), suggesting a medium-sized organization with dedicated teams for each initiative.

Founded: The Sandberg Goldberg Bernthal Family Foundation was established to continue and expand upon the work of its founders, with LeanIn.Org being a prominent initiative launched in 2013. The foundation itself signifies a commitment to long-term, impactful work.

Team Structure:

The Product Designer will likely be part of a dedicated digital product team, potentially within the Lean In initiative, which is the primary focus of the role.
This team is expected to include product managers, engineers, and potentially other designers or content creators.

Methodology:

The organization operates with a strong emphasis on community building, research-based content, and data-driven insights to inform its programs and digital products.
Agile methodologies are likely employed for product development, requiring iterative design and close collaboration.
A commitment to user-centered design and continuous improvement is core to their approach.

Company Website: https://sgb.org/ (and associated initiative sites like LeanIn.Org)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is mission-driven, focused on empowering women and building a more equal world. Designers will need to be passionate about this mission and comfortable working in a non-profit environment that values collaboration and impact.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Mid-Senior level. The "Product Designer" title, combined with the 4+ years of experience requirement and end-to-end design responsibility, indicates a need for an experienced individual capable of independent work and strategic contribution.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Product, Director of Design, or a similar leadership role within the digital product team. They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer's impact is critical to the success of Lean In's digital platforms, directly influencing how millions of women engage with resources, build skills, and connect with communities. The quality of the user experience directly correlates with user engagement, program effectiveness, and the overall mission impact of the foundation.

Growth Opportunities:

Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of UX/UI design, such as design systems, accessibility, or user research methodologies.
Leadership Potential: As the organization grows, there may be opportunities to mentor junior designers, lead design initiatives, or transition into a Design Lead or Manager role.
Cross-Initiative Exposure: While the role primarily focuses on Lean In, there's potential to contribute to design efforts for other SGBFF initiatives, broadening experience across different mission areas.
Industry Engagement: Potential to represent the organization at design conferences or contribute to industry discussions on inclusive and mission-driven design.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for an experienced designer to make a significant impact and develop their career within a mission-aligned organization. Growth opportunities will likely stem from increased responsibility and specialization within the design function.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as "On-site," indicating a traditional office-based work environment. This suggests a collaborative atmosphere with opportunities for in-person interaction with colleagues.

Office Location(s): San Francisco, CA. This location places the foundation within a hub of innovation and technology, potentially offering networking opportunities and access to design communities.

Workspace Context:

Collaborative Environment: Expect a workplace that encourages teamwork, brainstorming, and direct communication between designers, product managers, and engineers.
Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma is a primary requirement) and collaboration tools will be provided.
Team Interaction: Regular team meetings, design critiques, and cross-functional syncs are likely to be part of the daily routine, fostering a strong team dynamic.

Work Schedule: The standard 40-hour work week is expected, but the nature of project-based work in design and non-profit sectors may sometimes require flexibility to meet deadlines or launch new initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a preference for in-person collaboration, which can be beneficial for design teams. Candidates should be prepared for a collaborative office setting in San Francisco.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

Application Submission: Submit resume and a link to your portfolio.
Portfolio Review: Initial screening will heavily rely on the quality and scope of your portfolio.
Hiring Manager/Recruiter Screen: A brief call to assess general fit, experience, and salary expectations.
Design Challenge/Case Study: Candidates may be asked to complete a take-home design challenge or present a deep dive into one of their portfolio projects, focusing on their process and problem-solving approach.
Team Interviews: Interviews with potential team members (Product Managers, Engineers, other Designers) to assess technical skills, collaboration style, and cultural fit.
Final Interview: Interview with senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment, mission fit, and overall candidacy.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Storytelling: Clearly articulate the problem, your process, your role, the solutions, and the impact of your work.
Figma Expertise: Be prepared to discuss your use of Figma features, component systems, and auto-layout. Show, don't just tell.
User-Centricity: Emphasize how you incorporated user needs and research into your designs.
Mission Alignment: Connect your design decisions and passion to the foundation's mission of empowering women and building a more equal world.
Organization: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and visually polished.

Challenge Preparation:

If a design challenge is issued, focus on understanding the problem statement thoroughly.
Prioritize user needs and a clear, logical design process.
Be prepared to present your solution and rationale clearly, even if it's not fully polished.
If presenting a portfolio case study, anticipate questions about trade-offs, alternative solutions, and lessons learned.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on the portfolio and a potential design challenge means candidates must be highly prepared to showcase their practical design skills and strategic thinking.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

Figma: The core design tool. Expect advanced usage including components, variants, auto-layout, prototyping, collaboration features, and design system management.
Prototyping Tools: Figma's built-in prototyping capabilities, or potentially tools like InVision.
User Research Tools: SurveyMonkey, Typeform, UserTesting.com, or similar platforms for conducting user research and gathering feedback.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

Not directly within the scope of this Product Designer role, but an understanding of how CRM (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation tools might integrate with user-facing platforms could be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Mastery of Figma is non-negotiable for this role. Familiarity with user research platforms and analytics tools will also be advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

Mission-Driven: A deep commitment to empowering women and fostering equality is paramount.
Community-Focused: Designing for and with a global community of women.
Impact-Oriented: Focusing on creating tangible positive outcomes for users.
Collaborative: Working effectively across diverse teams to achieve shared goals.
Data-Informed: Using research and analytics to guide design decisions.
Inclusive & Accessible: Committing to designing for all users, regardless of background or ability.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional Partnership: Close collaboration with Product Managers and Engineers is essential for successful product development.
Open Communication: Encouraging feedback, design critiques, and transparent dialogue.
Agile & Iterative: Working in sprints, adapting to feedback, and continuously improving designs.
Shared Ownership: A sense of collective responsibility for the success of the digital products.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of and alignment with these values. They should be able to articulate how they've embodied these principles in previous roles.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

Balancing Mission and Business Goals: Navigating the unique challenges of a non-profit or social impact organization where mission impact often takes precedence over purely commercial objectives.
Scaling for a Global Audience: Designing experiences that are effective and engaging for a diverse, global user base with varying cultural contexts and technical capabilities.
Driving Adoption of New Features: Encouraging users to adopt and benefit from new digital tools and features designed to support their growth.
Advocating for Design: Ensuring design is prioritized and integrated effectively within an agile development process, especially when technical constraints or other priorities arise.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Advanced Design System Development: Opportunity to shape and expand sophisticated design systems for multiple platforms.
Accessibility Expertise: Deepen knowledge and practical application of accessibility standards and inclusive design.
Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gaining insights into the work of other initiatives within SGBFF, broadening understanding of social impact strategies.
Mentorship: Potential to be mentored by design or product leaders, or to mentor junior team members as the team grows.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they approach challenges and what growth opportunities they seek. Highlighting adaptability and a proactive learning mindset will be beneficial.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

"Describe a time you had to balance user needs with business constraints. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?"
"How do you approach designing for accessibility and inclusion? Can you provide an example from your portfolio?"
"Walk us through your process for developing a design system. What are the key components and considerations?"
"How do you stay updated on the latest design trends and best practices, and how do you incorporate them into your work?"

Company & Culture Questions:

"What interests you about Lean In's mission and the work of the Sandberg Goldberg Bernthal Family Foundation?"
"How do you contribute to a collaborative team environment?"
"Describe a challenging stakeholder interaction and how you navigated it."

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Structure: Begin with the problem, your role, your process, key design decisions, and the final outcome/impact.
Focus: Highlight your Figma skills, user research integration, and how you addressed accessibility/inclusion.
Conciseness: Be prepared to present a detailed case study within a set timeframe (e.g., 20-30 minutes).
Engagement: Be ready to answer in-depth questions about your choices, trade-offs, and learnings.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to articulate their design philosophy, demonstrate their problem-solving skills through specific examples, and clearly connect their passion for design with the foundation's mission.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

Submit your application through the provided Lever link.
Portfolio Preparation: Ensure your online portfolio is up-to-date, showcases your best work relevant to web/mobile product design, and clearly highlights your Figma proficiency and user-centered process. Include at least 3-5 strong case studies.
Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 4+ years of product design experience, specific skills in Figma, user research, design systems, and any experience related to mission-driven organizations or community platforms. Quantify achievements where possible.
Interview Practice: Prepare to discuss your portfolio in detail and practice answering common product design interview questions, focusing on your process, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of accessibility and inclusive design.
Company Research: Thoroughly research the Sandberg Goldberg Bernthal Family Foundation, Lean In, and its other initiatives. Understand their mission, values, and the impact they aim to achieve. Be prepared to articulate why this mission resonates with you.

⚠️ 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.

Product Designer