Product Designer
š Job Overview
Job Title: Product Designer
Company: Savvy Talent
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Job Type: Full-time
Category: Product Design / UX/UI
Date Posted: August 15, 2026
Experience Level: 2-5 Years
Remote Status: Hybrid
š Role Summary
-
Drive the end-to-end product design lifecycle for both marketplace and subscription products, from initial concept to final UI delivery.
-
Translate complex user needs and business objectives into intuitive, elegant, and scalable user experiences.
-
Collaborate closely with Product Managers and Engineering teams to define, scope, and prioritize design solutions effectively.
-
Maintain and evolve a comprehensive design system to ensure product consistency, scalability, and visual cohesion across all platforms.
-
Leverage user data, customer feedback, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to iterate rapidly and optimize product design.
š Enhancement Note: The role emphasizes a high degree of ownership and impact within a growth-stage company, requiring a proactive approach to design strategy and execution. The focus on both "marketplace and subscription products" suggests a need for adaptability in designing for different user engagement models.
š Primary Responsibilities
-
Own the full product design lifecycle, encompassing user research, wireframing, prototyping, and final UI delivery for new features and existing products.
-
Translate complex user needs and business goals into intuitive, elegant, and user-friendly product experiences.
-
Collaborate effectively with product managers and engineers to scope design solutions, prioritize tasks, and ensure feasibility.
-
Develop detailed wireframes, user flows, and interactive prototypes to clearly communicate design decisions and gather stakeholder feedback.
-
Maintain and actively contribute to the evolution of the company's design system, ensuring its scalability and consistent application across the product suite.
-
Champion the user experience while balancing business priorities, technical constraints, and aggressive shipping timelines.
-
Iterate quickly on design solutions based on analysis of user data, direct customer feedback, and key product performance indicators (KPIs).
-
Deliver high-fidelity visual designs, detailed specifications, and assets that are production-ready for engineering implementation.
š Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic thinking and tactical execution. The emphasis on "shipping fast" and "iterating quickly" suggests a Lean UX or Agile design environment. The need to "maintain and evolve a consistent design system" indicates a mature product development process where design consistency is paramount.
š Skills & Qualifications
Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong foundation in design principles, user-centered design methodologies, and visual communication is expected. This can be acquired through formal education (e.g., Bachelor's degree in Design, HCI, or related field) or equivalent practical experience.
Experience: Minimum of 3 years of progressive experience in Product Design, UI/UX Design, or a closely related role, preferably within a SaaS, marketplace, or product-led growth (PLG) company.
Required Skills:
-
Proven track record in end-to-end product design, demonstrated through a strong portfolio showcasing both UX strategy and high-fidelity visual UI work.
-
Advanced proficiency with modern design and prototyping tools, with a strong emphasis on Figma (or equivalent industry-standard software like Sketch, Adobe XD).
-
Deep understanding of fundamental usability principles, interaction design patterns, and best practices for responsive layouts.
-
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including Product Management, Engineering, and Leadership, communicating design rationale clearly.
-
Experience in advocating for user needs while skillfully balancing them with business objectives and project timelines.
-
Aptitude for rapid iteration based on data analysis, user feedback, and product KPIs.
-
Ability to deliver production-ready design assets and specifications. Preferred Skills:
-
Prior experience designing for two-sided marketplaces or platforms within the creator economy.
-
Experience in designing marketing websites, landing pages, or lead generation assets.
-
A background in graphic design, including experience with marketing asset creation, social media visuals, or brand identity.
-
Familiarity with motion design principles and rapid prototyping tools for enhanced user experience simulation.
-
Foundational knowledge of front-end development (HTML/CSS/JavaScript) to foster improved collaboration and understanding with engineering teams.
š Enhancement Note: The "Nice to Have" section provides a clear pathway for candidates to differentiate themselves, particularly those with experience in specific business models like marketplaces or the creator economy, and those who bridge the gap between design and development.
š Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
-
Showcase a minimum of 3 distinct end-to-end product design projects, illustrating the complete design process from discovery to final implementation.
-
Clearly articulate your role and contribution in each project, emphasizing problem definition, user research methodologies, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and final UI design.
-
Demonstrate the impact of your design decisions through quantifiable results or qualitative user feedback, highlighting how your work addressed specific user needs or business goals.
-
Include examples of your work with design systems, showing how you've contributed to or utilized them to maintain consistency and scalability.
-
Present clear examples of wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity visual designs. Process Documentation:
-
Detail the user research methodologies employed, including user interviews, surveys, usability testing, and data analysis.
-
Explain your approach to translating research findings and business requirements into actionable design specifications and user flows.
-
Describe your process for iterating on designs based on feedback from stakeholders, user testing, and performance data.
-
Illustrate your experience with Agile or Lean UX methodologies, focusing on rapid prototyping and iterative design cycles.
š Enhancement Note: For a Product Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. The emphasis here is on demonstrating a structured design process, user-centricity, and measurable impact, which are key differentiators for candidates seeking roles in fast-paced environments.
šµ Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $80,000 to $85,000 CAD per year.
Benefits:
-
Annual Reviews: Regular yearly performance and compensation reviews, providing structured opportunities for salary increases and career progression discussions.
-
Paid Time Off: A minimum of 2 weeks of paid vacation annually, accruable based on tenure and company policy.
-
Paid Holidays: Observance of all local and federal holidays in Canada, ensuring time off for national celebrations.
-
Paid Sick Leave: Comprehensive coverage for sick days, providing financial and job security during periods of illness.
Working Hours: The role is structured around a standard 40-hour work week. While hybrid, there is an expectation of core working hours to facilitate collaboration, with potential for flexibility based on team needs and project deadlines.
š Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific to Vancouver, BC, Canada. For a Product Designer with 3+ years of experience in a hybrid tech environment, this range is competitive. The benefits are standard for Canadian tech companies, with the annual review process being a key indicator of growth potential.
šÆ Team & Company Context
š¢ Company Culture
Industry: Savvy Talent operates within the technology sector, likely focusing on SaaS products, marketplaces, or platforms, given the job description's emphasis on these areas. This suggests a dynamic, innovation-driven environment.
Company Size: Described as a "growth-stage company," Savvy Talent is likely past the early startup phase and is scaling its operations, product, and team. This implies a company with established processes but still retaining agility and a strong sense of mission.
Founded: While the founding date is not specified, its status as a "growth-stage company" indicates it has a proven product-market fit and is actively expanding.
Team Structure:
-
The Product Design team likely consists of at least two designers, with the new hire reporting to Product Managers and collaborating closely with a senior product designer.
-
This structure suggests a collaborative environment where designers work in close partnership with product management and engineering.
-
Cross-functional collaboration is a core tenet, with designers expected to work across product, engineering, and leadership. Methodology:
-
Data-Driven Design: The role explicitly mentions iterating based on "user data, customer feedback, and product KPIs," indicating a strong reliance on quantitative and qualitative insights to inform design decisions.
-
Agile/Iterative Development: The emphasis on "shipping fast," "iterating quickly," and working in a "fast-paced startup environment" points towards Agile development methodologies, where design is integrated into rapid development cycles.
-
Design System Utilization: The responsibility to "maintain and evolve a consistent design system" highlights a commitment to scalable design practices and efficient product development.
Company Website: https://savvytalent.com/
š Enhancement Note: The company culture is likely fast-paced, collaborative, and data-informed, typical of a growth-stage tech company. The emphasis on design system evolution suggests a commitment to design excellence and efficiency.
š Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This is a mid-level Product Designer role. It requires significant autonomy and end-to-end ownership, moving beyond junior tasks to strategic contribution. The "high-ownership role" and "visible impact" indicate a position where the designer is expected to make substantial contributions to the product's direction and user experience.
Reporting Structure: The designer will report directly to Product Managers, indicating a close alignment with product strategy and roadmap. Collaboration with a senior designer suggests mentorship opportunities and a supportive team environment for skill development.
Operations Impact: The designer's work will directly influence user engagement, conversion rates, and overall product success for both marketplace and subscription models. The impact is measured through product KPIs and user satisfaction, contributing directly to the company's growth trajectory.
Growth Opportunities:
-
Design Leadership: Potential to grow into a Senior Product Designer role, leading design initiatives, mentoring junior designers, and shaping the overall design strategy.
-
Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas such as marketplace dynamics, creator economy platforms, or advanced interaction/motion design.
-
Cross-Functional Mobility: Development of strong product strategy skills, potentially leading to roles in Product Management or UX Research.
-
Skill Expansion: Learning opportunities through collaboration, feedback, and potential for further training in areas like front-end development or advanced prototyping tools.
š Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth potential for a designer eager to take on responsibility and influence product direction. The combination of autonomy and collaborative mentorship provides a strong foundation for career advancement within a scaling tech company.
š Work Environment
Office Type: The role is described as "Hybrid," meaning employees are expected to work from a physical office location in Vancouver, BC, Canada, for a portion of the week, with the remainder of the time being remote. This offers a balance between in-person collaboration and remote flexibility.
Office Location(s): The primary office location is Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Specific details about the office amenities or address are not provided but can be assumed to be in a business district conducive to tech companies.
Workspace Context:
-
Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model is designed to foster in-person collaboration, team building, and spontaneous idea generation during office days.
-
Tools and Technology: Access to modern design tools (Figma), collaboration platforms, and potentially other software necessary for product development and communication.
-
Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with Product Managers, Engineers, and fellow designers, facilitating knowledge sharing and efficient problem-solving.
Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week. The hybrid arrangement allows for flexibility in how and where work is performed, balancing in-office collaboration with remote work, while maintaining core working hours for team synchronization.
š Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key feature, appealing to candidates who value both in-person collaboration and remote work flexibility. This setup is common in tech hubs like Vancouver and supports a balanced work-life integration.
š Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
-
Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and alignment with the role's requirements. Focus on clear, concise presentation of your experience and design process.
-
Portfolio Presentation: Expect to present 1-2 key projects from your portfolio, detailing your process, design decisions, challenges faced, and outcomes achieved. Be prepared to discuss your role and impact.
-
Technical/Skills Interview: A discussion or exercise focused on your proficiency with design tools (e.g., Figma), understanding of UX principles, and ability to articulate design solutions.
-
Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers and Engineers to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to integrate design into the development workflow.
-
Final Interview: Potentially with a hiring manager or senior leadership to evaluate cultural fit, strategic thinking, and overall alignment with the company's vision.
Portfolio Review Tips:
-
Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your end-to-end product design capabilities, particularly those relevant to SaaS, marketplaces, or subscription models.
-
Tell a Story: Structure each case study with a clear narrative: problem, your process, solutions, and impact (quantifiable results are highly valued).
-
Highlight Collaboration: Explicitly mention how you collaborated with PMs, engineers, and other stakeholders, and the outcomes of that collaboration.
-
Showcase Process: Include artifacts like user flows, wireframes, and prototypes to demonstrate your design thinking and problem-solving approach.
-
Visual Polish: Ensure your portfolio is visually clean, well-organized, and easy to navigate, reflecting your attention to detail.
Challenge Preparation:
-
Be prepared for potential design challenges that might involve critiquing an existing product, proposing solutions to a hypothetical problem, or a take-home assignment.
-
Focus on demonstrating your problem-solving methodology, user-centric approach, and ability to articulate your rationale clearly and concisely.
-
If given a take-home challenge, manage your time effectively and ensure your submission is polished and well-justified.
š Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical application of design skills and collaborative capabilities. A strong portfolio that clearly articulates process and impact is critical for success.
š Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
-
Figma: This is the primary design tool mentioned, indicating a need for advanced proficiency in creating wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, interactive prototypes, and managing design system components.
-
Prototyping Tools: While Figma offers robust prototyping, the company may also use or value experience with dedicated rapid prototyping tools for more complex interactions or animations.
Analytics & Reporting:
-
User Analytics Platforms: Experience with tools like Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel, or similar platforms to understand user behavior, track product KPIs, and inform design iterations.
-
Data Visualization Tools: Familiarity with tools that can help visualize user data and design performance metrics, aiding in communication with stakeholders.
CRM & Automation:
-
CRM Systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot): While not a direct design tool, understanding how product design impacts CRM data and user journeys within a CRM context is beneficial.
-
Project Management Tools (e.g., Jira, Asana, Trello): Essential for collaborating with engineering and product teams, tracking design tasks, and managing project timelines.
š Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is a hard requirement. Experience with user analytics tools is crucial for a data-driven design approach, and familiarity with project management tools is key for effective cross-functional collaboration in a fast-paced environment.
š„ Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
-
User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user experience, ensuring that design decisions prioritize user needs and satisfaction.
-
Collaboration: A strong emphasis on working effectively with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, Leadership) to achieve shared goals.
-
Data-Informed Decision Making: Valuing data, user feedback, and KPIs as critical inputs for design strategy and iteration.
-
Efficiency and Scalability: A focus on creating design solutions that are not only effective but also scalable and maintainable, often through the use of design systems.
-
Ownership and Accountability: Expecting team members to take initiative, drive projects forward, and be accountable for their contributions and outcomes.
Collaboration Style:
-
Partnership with Product & Engineering: Designers are expected to work as integrated partners, not just order-takers, contributing to product strategy and problem-solving from the outset.
-
Open Feedback Loops: A culture that encourages constructive feedback on designs and processes, fostering continuous improvement.
-
Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging designers to share insights, best practices, and learnings across the team and with other departments.
š Enhancement Note: The company values likely revolve around user advocacy, collaborative problem-solving, and data-driven innovation, reflecting a typical culture in a growth-stage tech company.
ā” Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
-
Balancing Speed and Quality: The need to "ship fast" while maintaining high design quality and a consistent user experience can be a significant challenge. Strategies involve leveraging the design system effectively and prioritizing ruthlessly.
-
Evolving Design System: As the product scales, maintaining and evolving the design system to meet new needs without becoming overly complex requires careful planning and iteration.
-
Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent understanding and buy-in on design decisions across diverse teams (Product, Engineering, Marketing) requires strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
-
Startup Environment Dynamics: Adapting to the inherent uncertainties, rapid changes, and resource constraints typical of a growth-stage startup requires resilience and a proactive, self-sufficient mindset.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
-
Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to hone skills in areas like advanced prototyping, motion design, or user research methodologies.
-
Product Strategy Acumen: Deepening understanding of business models (marketplaces, subscriptions), product-led growth, and how design directly impacts business outcomes.
-
Cross-Functional Expertise: Gaining exposure to engineering processes, product management frameworks, and marketing strategies through close collaboration.
-
Leadership Development: Potential for mentorship from senior designers and leadership, preparing for future leadership roles within the design or product teams.
š Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in scaling tech companies and offer valuable learning experiences. The growth opportunities are aligned with advancing a career in product design and broader product development.
š” 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?" (Focus on your decision-making process, compromise, and impact.)
-
"How do you approach translating complex requirements into simple, intuitive user interfaces?" (Highlight your process, use of wireframes, user flows, and prototyping.)
-
"Walk me through your process for designing a new feature from initial concept to final UI." (Emphasize user research, ideation, iteration, and collaboration with PMs/Engineers.) Company & Culture Questions:
-
"What interests you about Savvy Talent and this specific Product Designer role?" (Research the company's mission, products, and recent news. Connect your skills and aspirations to the role.)
-
"How do you stay updated on the latest design trends and technologies?" (Showcase your commitment to continuous learning and industry awareness.)
-
"Describe your experience working in a fast-paced startup environment. How do you handle ambiguity and limited resources?" (Highlight your adaptability, proactivity, and problem-solving skills.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
-
Context is Key: For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your specific role, the business objectives, and the target audience.
-
Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, user flows, prototypes, final UI) to illustrate your process and design solutions. Explain why you made certain design decisions.
-
Focus on Impact: Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time, increased user satisfaction). If direct metrics are unavailable, discuss qualitative feedback or expected impact.
-
Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, challenges encountered, and alternative solutions you considered. Be open to constructive criticism.
š Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only design craft but also strategic thinking, collaboration skills, and an understanding of business objectives, especially within a growth-stage company context.
š Application Steps
To apply for this Product Designer position:
-
Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.
-
Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in SaaS, marketplaces, or product-led growth, and emphasize your 3+ years of product design or UI/UX experience. Use keywords from the job description such as "Figma," "design system," "user research," and "end-to-end design lifecycle."
-
Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio prominently features 1-2 strong end-to-end product design case studies that showcase your UX and UI skills, your process, and the impact of your work. Make it easily accessible and visually appealing.
-
Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your design philosophy, your process for tackling design challenges, and how you collaborate with cross-functional teams. Practice presenting your portfolio projects concisely and effectively.
-
Research Savvy Talent: Understand their product offerings, target market, and company mission. Consider how your skills and experience can contribute to their growth and success, especially in relation to marketplace or subscription models.
ā ļø 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.
Application Requirements
Candidates must have 3+ years of experience in product or UI/UX design with a strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end work. Proficiency in modern design tools like Figma and a solid understanding of usability and interaction design are required.