Product Designer, LHH CTM

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer, LHH CTM

Company: LHH (Global)

Location: United States (Primarily virtual, Greater NYC area preferred)

Job Type: Full-time, Colleague (Salary)

Category: Product Design / Innovation

Date Posted: 2026-08-19

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

Remote Status: Hybrid (Primarily virtual, with potential travel to NYC)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the discovery, design, and validation of innovative products, services, and experiences for students, graduates, and early-career professionals within LHH's Career Transition & Mobility (CTM) division.

• Lead end-to-end product design initiatives, from initial concept ideation and user research through to prototyping, pilot testing, and final validation.

• Leverage a venture-building mindset, combining strong design craft with a data-driven approach to uncover unmet customer needs and translate insights into viable product opportunities.

• Partner closely with cross-functional teams, including product, engineering, marketing, and business stakeholders, to ensure the seamless progression of concepts from idea to execution.

• Utilize AI and emerging technologies to accelerate research, concept development, and experimentation, fostering a culture of rapid learning and iteration.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within an "Innovation Lab" context, suggesting a focus on new product development and experimental approaches rather than solely optimizing existing products. The emphasis on "venture-building mindset" and "uncovers unmet customer needs" points towards a strategic design role that influences product strategy and opportunity identification. The target audience (students, graduates, early-career professionals) implies a strong B2C focus within the HR/Talent Solutions industry.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptualization, design, and development of new product and service offerings from initial discovery through to prototype, pilot, and validation phases.

• Own the comprehensive user experience design across digital products, services, and customer journeys for innovation initiatives, ensuring seamless and intuitive interactions.

• Conduct in-depth user and market research, employing qualitative and quantitative methods to identify unmet needs, pain points, and emerging opportunities within the target demographic.

• Synthesize complex and often ambiguous inputs, including research findings, pilot data, user feedback, and market signals, to form a clear point of view and actionable recommendations for product development.

• Develop and iterate on prototypes and conduct experiments to rigorously test assumptions, validate product concepts, and accelerate learning cycles.

• Collaborate effectively with product managers, engineers, marketing teams, and business stakeholders to co-create solutions that are desirable for users, viable for the business, and feasible to implement.

• Act as a central point of connection, managing and coordinating moving parts across research, design, engineering, marketing, and program delivery to ensure project momentum and prevent critical tasks from being overlooked.

• Utilize qualitative and quantitative evidence to define and measure success metrics, inform strategic decisions, and guide iterative improvements throughout the product lifecycle.

• Maintain a sharp focus on shaping and testing new propositions specifically tailored for students, graduates, and early-career professionals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic thinking and hands-on execution. The emphasis on "synthesize messy inputs" and "connect the moving parts" suggests a need for strong analytical and project management skills alongside design expertise. The role requires not just designing solutions but also validating their market fit and business value.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Design (e.g., Interaction Design, Graphic Design, HCI), Computer Science, Psychology, or a related field is typically expected for roles of this nature. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: 5-10 years of progressive experience in product design, UX design, or a closely related field, with a demonstrated track record of leading design initiatives from concept to launch.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in designing end-to-end customer experiences, encompassing discovery, concept development, prototyping, testing, and validation.

• Strong proficiency in core UX design principles and methodologies, including user research (qualitative and quantitative), journey mapping, wireframing, and prototyping.

• Exceptional analytical and synthesis skills: ability to distill complex, often contradictory information into clear insights and actionable recommendations.

• Comfort and proficiency in navigating ambiguity, defining problems, and shaping opportunities in environments where the path forward is not always clear.

• Creative, resourceful, and action-oriented problem-solving abilities, with a talent for identifying practical solutions within constraints.

• A hands-on, experimental mindset with a strong passion for rapid learning and evidence-based decision-making.

• Demonstrated ability to leverage AI tools for accelerated research, synthesis, prototyping, and concept generation.

• Excellent project coordination and stakeholder management skills, with a knack for keeping multiple workstreams and individuals aligned and moving forward.

• Confident in collaborating with and influencing cross-functional teams, and a strong advocate for the customer. Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing B2C products, particularly for younger demographics (e.g., Gen Z).

• Prior experience working in innovation labs, startup environments, or venture-building capacities.

• Familiarity with the specific needs and challenges of students, graduates, and early-career professionals.

• Experience in the Human Resources, Talent Management, or EdTech industries.

• Familiarity with agile development methodologies and working within cross-functional product teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a unique blend of traditional design skills with a more entrepreneurial, venture-building approach. The explicit mention of AI tools suggests a forward-thinking candidate who embraces new technologies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in the design process. The "5-10 years" experience level aligns with a mid-to-senior role responsible for leading projects and influencing strategy.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing end-to-end product design projects, demonstrating your ability to move from problem identification through research, ideation, prototyping, testing, and validation.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem space, your role and process, the insights gained, the solutions developed, and the measurable outcomes or learnings.

• Examples of user research methodologies employed and how those insights directly informed design decisions.

• Prototypes and mockups that illustrate your design craft, interaction design skills, and ability to create intuitive user flows.

• Evidence of iterative design processes, including how you incorporated feedback and data to refine concepts.

• Demonstrations of how you have synthesized complex information and made clear recommendations based on evidence.

• Examples of how you have utilized AI or other advanced tools to accelerate your design and research processes. Process Documentation:

• Clearly explain your approach to user research and discovery, including specific methods and how you translate findings into actionable product requirements.

• Detail your process for concept development and rapid prototyping, highlighting how you test assumptions and gather feedback.

• Document your methods for synthesizing disparate data points (user feedback, market data, pilot results) into a cohesive strategy or recommendation.

• Showcase your approach to collaborating with engineering, product management, and other stakeholders to ensure design feasibility and successful implementation.

• Provide examples of how you measure the success of your designs and use data to drive further iteration and improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on innovation and new product development, the portfolio should emphasize the entire innovation lifecycle, not just the final UI. It needs to clearly demonstrate strategic thinking, problem definition, and validation methodologies. The ability to articulate the process behind the outcomes is as crucial as the outcomes themselves.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $95,000 - $140,000 per year, plus annual bonus opportunity.

Placement within this range is determined based on geographic location, experience, and other compensatory factors.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• Term life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance.

• Short-term and long-term disability coverage.

• Access to additional voluntary benefits.

• Commuter benefits.

• Wellness plans.

• Retirement savings: 401k plan or a non-qualified deferred compensation plan.

• Paid Time Off (PTO) accrued annually.

• Paid Holidays.

• Up to 6 weeks of Paid Parental Leave.

• PTO and holiday hours are prorated based on hire date within the calendar year.

Working Hours: While not explicitly stated, a standard full-time workweek is implied. The role is primarily virtual, suggesting flexibility in daily schedules, but will likely require approximately 40 hours per week to meet responsibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is a good starting point. For the "East Coast, US" location, particularly with a preference for the Greater NYC area, the higher end of this range ($120,000-$140,000) is more likely for candidates with 5-10 years of specialized experience in innovation design. The benefits package is comprehensive and standard for a full-time role at a global organization.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Human Resources Services, Talent Management, Career Transition, Workforce Solutions. LHH operates within a dynamic industry focused on helping individuals navigate career changes and organizations manage their talent effectively.

Company Size: LHH (Global) is a large, established organization, part of The Adecco Group, with over 12,000 professionals across 60+ countries. This scale provides stability and resources, while the "Innovation Lab" and CTM division likely operate with a more agile, startup-like culture.

Founded: LHH has over 50 years of experience, indicating a long-standing reputation and deep expertise in the career services sector.

Team Structure:

• The role reports to the Global Head of Innovation Lab, suggesting direct involvement with a strategic innovation function.

• This position has no direct reports, indicating an individual contributor role focused on design leadership and execution.

• Collaboration will be key, with frequent interaction expected across Product, Engineering, Marketing, and broader Business Stakeholders within the CTM division and potentially across LHH Global. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Innovation: Strong emphasis on using qualitative and quantitative evidence, market signals, and user feedback to inform decisions and validate concepts.

• Experimental Mindset: A culture that encourages testing assumptions, rapid prototyping, and learning quickly through experimentation.

• Customer Obsession: A core tenet of the role, focusing on uncovering unmet customer needs and creating meaningful value for students, graduates, and early-career professionals.

• Agile & Iterative: The process from discovery to validation implies an agile approach, with continuous iteration based on learnings.

• AI Integration: Active use of AI tools to enhance efficiency in research, concept development, and prototyping.

Company Website: www.lhh.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context highlights LHH as a global leader with a robust history, yet the specific role is within an "Innovation Lab" environment. This suggests a dynamic where established corporate resources meet the agility and experimental nature of a startup. Candidates should be prepared for a culture that values both structured processes and creative exploration.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Product Designer role is positioned at a Mid-Senior to Senior Individual Contributor level. It requires a strong foundation in design craft combined with strategic thinking, the ability to lead projects independently, and influence cross-functional teams. The "innovation lab" setting suggests potential for growth into specialized design leadership or product strategy roles within new ventures.

Reporting Structure: Reporting directly to the Global Head of Innovation Lab provides visibility to senior leadership and exposure to strategic innovation initiatives. This structure is ideal for individuals looking to influence product direction and contribute to high-impact projects.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer will have a direct impact on shaping new revenue streams and enhancing LHH's market position by identifying and validating innovative solutions for a critical demographic (students, graduates, early-career professionals). Success in this role will translate into tangible user adoption, customer satisfaction, and business growth for LHH's CTM offerings.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialized Design Leadership: Potential to grow into a Lead Product Designer role within the Innovation Lab, mentoring junior designers and owning larger initiatives.

• Product Strategy & Management: Opportunity to transition into Product Management or Product Strategy roles, leveraging deep understanding of user needs and market opportunities gained in this role.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Develop a strong understanding of business operations, engineering constraints, and marketing strategies, broadening career options within LHH or the broader HR tech industry.

• Continuous Learning: Access to LHH's emphasis on learning and development, including opportunities to explore new technologies, methodologies, and industry trends.

• Global Exposure: Working within a global organization provides opportunities to understand diverse market needs and collaborate with international teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a compelling growth path for designers who want to move beyond traditional UI/UX and engage in the strategic aspects of product innovation and venture building within a stable, global organization. The "innovation lab" context is key for those seeking a dynamic, experimental environment.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Primarily virtual, with flexibility. The role is designated as "Hybrid," with a preference for the Greater NYC area and the ability to travel to the NYC office on an "as needed" basis. This suggests a modern, distributed work environment that balances remote autonomy with in-person collaboration when necessary.

Office Location(s): While the role is primarily virtual, the preference for the Greater NYC area indicates that any in-person collaboration or team meetings would likely occur in or near New York City.

Workspace Context:

• Remote-First Collaboration: Expect a work environment that relies heavily on digital collaboration tools for communication, design reviews, and team meetings.

• Innovation Hub: The "Innovation Lab" setting likely fosters a dynamic and creative workspace, encouraging experimentation and idea sharing, even in a virtual setting.

• Technology-Enabled: As a role that leverages AI and emerging technologies, the environment will be technologically advanced, with access to necessary software and tools.

• Cross-Functional Interaction: The role necessitates close collaboration with diverse teams, fostering an environment of shared problem-solving and knowledge exchange.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time and primarily virtual, suggesting a degree of flexibility in daily working hours, provided responsibilities are met and collaboration with teams in different time zones (especially if global) is managed effectively. Standard business hours are expected for core collaboration periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid and primarily virtual nature of the role offers significant flexibility. Candidates should be comfortable with remote work tools and practices, and understand that occasional travel to NYC might be required for key meetings or workshops.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely review applications and portfolios to assess alignment with the core requirements.

• Design Challenge/Portfolio Review: Candidates may be asked to present their portfolio in detail, walking through 1-2 key projects. This will likely involve discussing their process, decision-making, and impact. A specific design challenge focused on problem identification or concept ideation might also be part of this stage.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with Product, Engineering, and potentially Marketing stakeholders to assess collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to work within a team.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A final interview with the Global Head of Innovation Lab to discuss strategic fit, vision, and cultural alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Innovation & Experimentation: Showcase projects where you explored new ideas, tested hypotheses, and iterated based on learnings, especially those involving ambiguity or novel problem spaces.

• Demonstrate End-to-End Process: Clearly articulate your role in each stage of the product lifecycle, from discovery and research to validation and beyond.

• Showcase Synthesis Skills: Provide examples of how you have taken complex information (user data, market research, pilot feedback) and synthesized it into clear insights and actionable recommendations.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, include metrics or qualitative outcomes that demonstrate the value and success of your design solutions.

• Explain Your "Why": Be prepared to articulate your design rationale and the strategic thinking behind your decisions.

• Highlight AI Tool Usage: Explicitly mention and demonstrate how you've used AI tools to enhance your design process, efficiency, or outcomes.

Challenge Preparation:

• Problem Framing: Practice defining ambiguous problems and breaking them down into manageable components.

• User-Centric Ideation: Be ready to brainstorm potential solutions based on hypothetical user needs or market opportunities.

• Prototyping & Validation: Consider how you would quickly prototype and test initial concepts with minimal resources.

• Synthesizing & Recommending: Prepare to analyze hypothetical data or feedback and present a clear recommendation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "not a traditional design role," "venture-building mindset," and "uncovers unmet customer needs" suggests interviewers will probe deeply into strategic thinking, problem-solving in ambiguous contexts, and the ability to drive innovation from concept to validation. A strong portfolio that showcases this experimental and strategic approach will be crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), InVision, Axure RP, or similar industry-standard tools for wireframing, UI design, and interactive prototyping.

• User Research & Synthesis: Tools for surveys (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform), user interview platforms (e.g., Zoom, Lookback), and synthesis tools (e.g., Miro, Mural, Dovetail) for organizing research findings.

• AI & Automation Tools: Proficiency with emerging AI tools for research synthesis, content generation, rapid prototyping, and data analysis (e.g., ChatGPT, Midjourney, Bard, or specialized design AI tools).

• Collaboration & Project Management: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Asana, Trello, or similar platforms for team communication and task tracking.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with product analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel) to understand user behavior and measure product performance.

• Ability to interpret data and translate insights into design recommendations. CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary focus, an understanding of CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and how design impacts user journeys within these systems can be beneficial, especially for B2B aspects of LHH's offerings.

• Familiarity with marketing automation concepts could also be relevant for understanding user engagement strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "AI and emerging technologies" is critical. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience and comfort level with AI-powered design tools, demonstrating how they leverage them to compress work and accelerate learning. Proficiency in standard design and collaboration tools is expected.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Curiosity & Customer Obsession: A deep-seated desire to understand users, uncover their needs, and create solutions that genuinely help them.

• Innovation & Experimentation: A proactive approach to exploring new ideas, testing assumptions, and embracing a learning-by-doing mentality.

• Collaboration & Connection: A commitment to working effectively with diverse teams, fostering open communication, and ensuring alignment across workstreams.

• Impact & Value Creation: A focus on delivering tangible value to both customers and the business, driven by data and clear objectives.

• Adaptability & Agility: The ability to thrive in dynamic environments, adapt to change, and efficiently navigate ambiguity.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Expect a highly collaborative environment where designers work hand-in-hand with product managers, engineers, marketers, and business leaders.

• Open Communication & Feedback: A culture that encourages open dialogue, constructive feedback, and a willingness to share ideas and learnings.

• Data-Informed Decision Making: A shared approach to using evidence, research, and analytics to guide strategic and tactical decisions.

• Venture-Minded Approach: A collective drive to explore new opportunities, take calculated risks, and iterate rapidly towards viable solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture appears to be a blend of a large, established corporation's stability and a dynamic, experimental innovation team. Candidates should highlight their ability to be both a strong individual contributor and a collaborative team player, comfortable with ambiguity and a fast-paced, learning-oriented environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Working in an innovation lab means dealing with undefined problems, evolving requirements, and a lack of established precedents. Developing strategies to define and tackle these challenges will be key.

• Balancing Innovation with Viability: The challenge of creating novel solutions that are also desirable, viable, and feasible within business constraints.

• Rapid Experimentation and Learning: The pressure to quickly test hypotheses, gather meaningful data, and iterate designs to accelerate learning cycles.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring seamless communication and buy-in from diverse stakeholders with potentially different priorities.

• Integrating AI Effectively: Staying ahead of the curve with AI tools and integrating them into the design workflow in a way that genuinely enhances output and efficiency.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in user research, interaction design, prototyping, and potentially explore new areas like service design or AI-driven design.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining insights into the challenges and opportunities within the career transition and mobility space, and the broader HR tech landscape.

• Innovation Methodologies: Learning and applying various innovation frameworks, design thinking principles, and venture-building strategies.

• Mentorship and Leadership: Potential for mentorship from senior leaders within the Innovation Lab and opportunities to develop leadership skills through project ownership.

• Exposure to Global Markets: Understanding diverse user needs and market dynamics across different regions, given LHH's global presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is designed for individuals who thrive on tackling complex, ill-defined problems and are eager to learn and adapt. The challenges are framed as opportunities for growth and skill development within a forward-thinking environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design a product or feature with very little information or in a highly ambiguous situation. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on problem definition, research, and iterative approach)

• "How do you balance user desirability with business viability and technical feasibility in your design process?" (Look for structured thinking and collaboration with other functions)

• "Tell me about a product concept you developed from scratch. What was your process, and how did you validate its potential?" (Showcase end-to-end ownership and validation techniques)

• "How do you leverage user research and data to inform your design decisions, especially when faced with conflicting inputs?" (Assess analytical and synthesis skills)

• "How have you used AI or emerging technologies in your design work? What benefits did it bring, and what were the limitations?" (Gauge familiarity and practical application of AI) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about LHH's mission and the CTM division specifically?" (Demonstrate research and alignment with company values)

• "How do you approach collaboration with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders?" (Assess teamwork and communication style)

• "Describe your ideal work environment for innovation and product development." (Gauge cultural fit with the innovation lab setting)

• "How do you stay current with design trends and new technologies, particularly AI?" (Showcase continuous learning and proactive approach) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each case study, frame it as a narrative: the challenge, your journey through it, the solution you crafted, and the impact or learnings.

• Focus on Your Role: Clearly define your specific contributions, especially if it was a team project.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, prototypes, user flows) to illustrate your ideas and design process.

• Highlight Synthesis and Validation: Emphasize how you synthesized information and how you tested and validated your designs.

• Quantify Outcomes: Use metrics, user feedback quotes, or business results to demonstrate the success of your work.

• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your decisions, alternative approaches, and the challenges you faced.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for candidates who can demonstrate not just design proficiency, but also strategic thinking, a strong understanding of the innovation process, and the ability to thrive in an ambiguous, fast-paced environment. Your ability to articulate your process, synthesize complex information, and leverage AI will be key differentiators.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the LHH Careers portal.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight experience in product design, user research, prototyping, and innovation. Quantify achievements where possible, using keywords from the job description such as "venture-building mindset," "AI tools," "concept development," and "customer obsession."

• Curate your portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your end-to-end design process, ability to handle ambiguity, and experience with innovation or new product development. Ensure clear articulation of your role, process, insights, and outcomes.

• Prepare your narrative: Be ready to walk through your portfolio projects, explaining your design rationale, the challenges you overcame, and the impact of your work. Practice explaining how you leverage AI and other emerging technologies.

• Research LHH CTM: Understand the company's mission, its target audience (students, graduates, early-career professionals), and the broader context of career transition and mobility solutions. This will help you tailor your answers and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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.