Product Designer Senior (H/F/X)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer Senior (H/F/X)

Company: Kolecto

Location: Paris, Ile-de-France, France

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-04

Experience Level: Senior (5+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is critical for driving the user experience and interface design of Kolecto's core product offerings, impacting both internal tools and external customer-facing applications.

• You will be instrumental in shaping the product strategy by translating complex business and user needs into intuitive, measurable, and accessible web and mobile solutions.

• Collaboration is key, as you'll work in a "triforce" model with Product Managers and Engineering Managers across two key product squads: Offer & Pricing Engine and Tooling.

• A significant aspect of this role involves contributing to and maintaining Kolecto's Design System, ensuring consistency and efficiency across all product touchpoints.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Product Designer Senior," the responsibilities and requirements strongly align with a senior-level Product Designer role focused on SaaS products, with a specific emphasis on UI/UX, Design Systems, and cross-functional collaboration. The "operations" aspect comes from the role's function in optimizing internal tooling and customer-facing product efficiency, which directly impacts business operations and customer success. The "CONTRACTOR" employment type suggests a project-based or fixed-term engagement.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead product discovery processes, transforming complex requirements from stakeholders into simple, measurable, and user-centered design solutions.

• Design intuitive and accessible user journeys for both web and mobile platforms, ensuring validation through user testing and data analysis.

• Create high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes in Figma, strictly adhering to and contributing to the company's Design System guidelines.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers (PMs) and Engineering Managers (EMs) to define project scope, align on technical feasibility, and ensure a seamless design-to-development handoff.

• Facilitate co-design workshops and effectively communicate design decisions and rationale to a broad range of stakeholders, including internal teams and leadership.

• Continuously iterate on product experiences based on user feedback, performance metrics (KPIs), and market trends to drive user adoption and satisfaction.

• Maintain and evolve components, guidelines, and patterns within the Design System, acting as a key contributor alongside the Lead Product Designer.

• Develop and execute UX research plans, including user interviews and usability testing, to gather actionable insights that inform design iterations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly delineate core product design functions (discovery, design, prototyping, user testing) with a strong emphasis on cross-functional collaboration and Design System contribution, indicating a senior-level expectation for autonomy and influence.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical experience and mastery of design principles is expected.

Experience: 5+ years of dedicated experience in Product Design, specifically within SaaS or data-driven product environments.

Required Skills:

• UX Design: Proficient in problem framing, user journey mapping, creating clear micro-copy, and incorporating accessibility standards (WCAG).

• UI Design: Expertise in visual hierarchy, typography, color theory, interaction states, responsive design principles, and maintaining systemic consistency with a Design System.

• Execution & Handoff: Rigorous delivery of design artifacts, actionable specifications, and clear handoffs including components, design tokens, and technical constraints.

• Product Thinking: Ability to articulate business objectives, user needs, formulate testable hypotheses, and make data-informed design decisions.

• UX Research: Experience in preparing and conducting user interviews and usability tests, synthesizing actionable insights, and presenting findings effectively.

• Collaboration: Strong direct communication, constructive critical thinking, effective feedback management, and efficient teamwork with PMs, EMs, and developers.

• Adaptability & Learning: Ability to quickly adapt to the SaaS environment and continuously learn new tools and methodologies.

• Autonomy & Risk Management: Capability to manage defined projects independently while proactively flagging risks and edge cases.

• Problem-Solving: Proven ability to simplify complex problems, prioritize effectively, and break down solutions into deliverable increments.

• Advanced Figma Proficiency: Mastery of Figma for design, prototyping, and collaboration.

• Design System Contribution: Demonstrated experience in contributing to or maintaining a Design System.

Preferred Skills:

• AI Tools for Design: Experience utilizing AI tools (e.g., Cursor, Figma plugins) to accelerate design processes, component implementation, or pattern creation within a Design System.

• Fintech Domain Knowledge: Curiosity or prior experience in the fintech sector, with an understanding of regulatory compliance and financial product nuances.

• Mobile & Web Design: Specific experience designing for both mobile (iOS/Android) and web platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills are comprehensive and detail-oriented, reflecting a senior role. The emphasis on problem-solving, autonomy, and collaboration highlights the need for a candidate who can operate effectively within Kolecto's agile and cross-functional structure. The "bonus" skills are strong differentiators.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing 5+ years of product design experience, with a strong emphasis on SaaS and data-driven products.

• Clearly demonstrate your role and contributions in each project, highlighting problem definition, user research, design process, iterations, and final outcomes.

• Include case studies that detail your approach to UI/UX design, prototyping, and user testing for both web and mobile applications.

• Showcase examples of your contribution to or management of a Design System, including component design, guideline documentation, and its impact on product consistency.

• Present projects that illustrate your problem-solving skills, ability to translate complex needs into simple solutions, and data-informed decision-making.

• Highlight instances where you've collaborated effectively with PMs, engineers, and stakeholders, demonstrating your communication and influence capabilities.

• Include examples of your UX research process, from planning and execution to synthesizing actionable insights. Process Documentation:

• For each portfolio project, clearly document the discovery phase: problem statement, user needs, research methodology, and key insights.

• Detail the design and iteration process, including wireframes, mockups, prototypes, and rationale for design decisions, referencing the Design System where applicable.

• Showcase how you've used data and user feedback to iterate on designs and improve key performance indicators (KPIs).

• Provide examples of how you've facilitated handoffs to development teams, including specifications, design tokens, and component documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio demonstrating SaaS experience, Design System contribution, and a clear articulation of process and impact is crucial for a senior product design role. This section guides candidates on what to prioritize when preparing their application materials to showcase relevant operational efficiency through design.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As a contractor position based in Paris, France, with 5+ years of senior experience in a specialized field like Product Design for SaaS/Fintech, a competitive hourly or daily rate is expected. Based on industry benchmarks for senior contract Product Designers in Paris, a range of €450 - €700 per day (or equivalent hourly rate) is estimated, depending on specific skills, experience, and the duration of the contract. This range reflects the specialized nature of the role, the senior experience required, and the cost of living in Paris.

Benefits:

• Mutuelle Alan Blue: Comprehensive health insurance coverage (intermediate level) with 70% employer contribution for the contractor and dependents (spouse/children).

• Tickets Restaurant Swile: Daily meal vouchers valued at €11.52, with a 60% employer contribution, usable for quality lunches.

• Flexible Télétravail: Up to 3 days of remote work per week within France, promoting work-life balance.

• Home Office Equipment Allowance: An annual budget of €150 to equip and improve the home workspace.

• Organic Coffee & Local Produce: Unlimited organic coffee and fresh fruits delivered weekly from local producers.

• Parental Support: Dedicated support before and after parental leave, with an annual family event.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are assumed to be approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered through the hybrid work arrangement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimation is based on typical contract rates for senior specialized roles in a high-cost-of-living city like Paris, France. The benefits listed are specific to contractor arrangements and reflect Kolecto's commitment to employee well-being and work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Fintech, Banking Technology, SaaS. Kolecto operates within the financial technology sector, specifically focusing on providing digital financial management solutions for French TPE-PMEs (Very Small and Small Enterprises). This industry is characterized by rapid innovation, stringent regulatory compliance, and a focus on data security and user trust.

Company Size: 215+ employees and growing rapidly ("hypercroissance"). This size indicates a company that has moved beyond the startup phase and is established enough to have robust processes but is still agile and dynamic. For operations professionals, this means opportunities for impact and influence, but also a need for adaptability as structures and processes evolve.

Founded: The company's founding date is not explicitly stated, but its affiliation with the 140-year-old Groupe Crédit Agricole suggests a blend of startup agility with the stability and resources of a large, established financial institution.

Team Structure:

• The Product Unit "Core" is responsible for foundational services like authentication, APIs, offer engines, and internal tooling. This unit has significant cross-functional impact.

• The Product Designer Senior will work primarily within two squads: "Offer & Pricing Engine" and "Tooling."

• Each squad operates in a "triforce" model, consisting of a Product Manager (PM), an Engineering Manager (EM), and the Product Designer. This structure promotes tight collaboration and shared ownership.

• There's also a dedicated role for Design System contribution, working alongside the Lead Product Designer, indicating a focus on design consistency and efficiency. Methodology:

• Agile & Startup Culture: Kolecto combines agile methodologies with the velocity and dynamism of a startup. This implies iterative development, frequent feedback loops, and a focus on rapid deployment.

• Data-Driven & User-Centric: The company emphasizes using data and user feedback to inform product decisions and continuously improve experiences. UX research and KPI monitoring are integral.

• Hybrid Approach: Kolecto leverages both digital solutions and human interaction, aiming to provide the best of both worlds. This extends to its work environment, blending remote flexibility with in-office collaboration.

Company Website: https://kolecto-1739351560.teamtailor.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The context highlights a unique "startup within a bank" environment, offering both agility and stability. This blend is crucial for operations candidates to understand, as it influences decision-making speed, resource availability, and the scale of impact. The "triforce" model is a key operational collaboration pattern to note.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is designated as "Senior Product Designer," indicating a high level of individual contribution and expertise. It requires significant autonomy in problem-solving, design execution, and user research. The role is expected to mentor or guide less experienced designers implicitly through Design System contributions and collaboration.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer Senior will report into the Product Unit "Core" and work within two specific squads, collaborating closely with their respective PMs and EMs. They will also have a direct working relationship with the Lead Product Designer for Design System initiatives. This structure allows for both deep squad focus and broader design system alignment.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer's work directly impacts the operational efficiency and effectiveness of Kolecto's core services.

• Offer & Pricing Engine: Optimizing this engine leads to more efficient sales processes, clearer customer offerings, and improved revenue management.

• Tooling: Designing effective back-office tools enhances the productivity of internal teams (CX, Sales, Marketing), reducing operational friction and improving service delivery.

• Design System: A well-maintained Design System streamlines product development, reduces redundant design work, and ensures brand consistency, all contributing to operational efficiency and faster time-to-market.

• User Experience: Ultimately, a superior user experience for TPE-PME clients drives customer satisfaction, retention, and adoption of Kolecto's services, positively impacting business growth and operational scalability.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design System Leadership: Opportunities to take on more ownership and leadership within the Design System initiative, potentially evolving into a Design System Lead role.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas such as fintech UX, accessibility, or advanced UX research methodologies.

• Cross-Squad Impact: Gain broader exposure to different product areas and challenges by contributing to multiple squads and core services.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior designers through informal guidance and by setting high standards in design execution and collaboration.

• Strategic Influence: As a senior member, contribute to product strategy discussions and influence the long-term vision of Kolecto's user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The analysis emphasizes how a design role contributes to "operations" through efficiency, process optimization, and impact on business metrics. The growth opportunities highlight a clear path for career progression within a specialized design track.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Kolecto offers a hybrid work environment, combining the benefits of remote flexibility with structured in-office collaboration. Their offices are described as "dynamique" and "idéalement situés."

Office Location(s): The primary office is located at 155 Boulevard Haussmann, Paris 8e, a prime business district near Miromesnil, a 5-minute walk from the Champs-Élysées and 10 minutes from Gare Saint-Lazare. This location is easily accessible via public transport.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office setting is designed to foster collaboration, with opportunities for serendipitous interactions and structured co-design sessions. The "triforce" model and Design System contributions necessitate regular team interaction.

• Tools & Technology: While not explicitly detailed for the workspace itself, the role requires advanced proficiency in Figma. It's expected that the company provides necessary hardware and software, and the home office allowance suggests support for remote setups.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid model allows for intentional in-office days focused on team building, workshops, and cross-functional alignment, balanced with the focused work possible from home.

Work Schedule: The position assumes a standard full-time work schedule (approx. 40 hours/week). The hybrid policy allows for up to 3 days of remote work per week, providing flexibility in managing one's schedule around core collaboration needs and personal preferences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of the work environment highlights a blend of modern startup culture with the established infrastructure of a large corporation, emphasizing accessibility and a supportive workspace for both remote and in-office work.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Stage 1: RH Interview (30-45 min): An initial screening call with a recruiter to assess candidate aspirations, cultural fit, and address initial questions. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their career goals and why Kolecto aligns with them.

• Stage 2: Lead Product Designer & Lead PM Interview (45 min): A deeper dive into the candidate's design philosophy, technical skills, and experience. Be ready to discuss specific projects and your approach to problem-solving.

• Stage 3: Live Case Study: A practical design challenge performed live. This assesses your ability to think critically, solve problems under time constraints, and communicate your design process effectively. Focus on demonstrating your methodology, iteration, and rationale.

• Stage 4: On-site Convivial Exchange (Coffee/Lunch): An informal meeting at the office with current team members. This is a crucial opportunity to assess cultural alignment, team dynamics, and for you to gauge the team environment. Prepare questions about team collaboration, daily routines, and company culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Structure your case studies to tell a compelling story: identify the problem, your approach, your process, the challenges, your solutions, and the measurable impact (quantifiable results are key).

• Process Clarity: Clearly articulate your design process for each project. Show your thinking, not just the final polished UI. Include wireframes, user flows, research insights, and iteration rationale.

• Design System Focus: Explicitly highlight your contributions to Design Systems. Detail how you maintained consistency, created/updated components, and influenced guidelines. Showcase its impact on efficiency and product quality.

• Quantifiable Results: Wherever possible, include metrics demonstrating the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time, increased user satisfaction scores, adoption of features).

• Tailor to Kolecto: Research Kolecto's products and mission. If possible, subtly tailor your portfolio presentation to align with their focus on TPE-PME, fintech, and efficiency.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If possible, ask for context on the type of problem you'll be solving during the live case study.

• Prioritize & Scope: Be prepared to ask clarifying questions and then prioritize the most critical aspects of the problem to address within the given timeframe. It's better to solve a part of the problem well than to attempt to solve everything superficially.

• Communicate Your Thinking: Constantly articulate your assumptions, decisions, and rationale. The interviewers are as interested in how you think as they are in the final output.

• Focus on Collaboration: Demonstrate how you would work with a PM and EM, seeking their input and aligning on feasibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: This breakdown provides actionable advice for each stage, emphasizing the importance of a well-documented portfolio that showcases not just design skills but also operational efficiency and business impact, crucial for a senior role.

🛠️ Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core design tool for UI/UX design, prototyping, and collaboration. Advanced proficiency is a strict requirement.

• Design System Tools: Likely involves Figma libraries, possibly component documentation tools, and version control for design assets.

• Collaboration Tools: Standard professional communication and project management tools (e.g., Slack, Jira, Confluence) are presumed.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics Tools: Tools such as Amplitude, Mixpanel, or similar platforms would be used to track user behavior, feature adoption, and KPIs. The designer will need to interpret this data.

• Dashboarding Tools: Potentially tools like Tableau, Looker, or in-house dashboards for visualizing product performance metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• Internal CRM/Tooling: The "Tooling" squad specifically mentions an internal CRM for CX, Sales, and Marketing teams. The designer will contribute to its UX.

• Feature Flagging Systems: Used for progressive rollouts and A/B testing, requiring design considerations for different states.

• Notification Systems: Designing user-facing notifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma and Design System tools is paramount. The mention of internal tooling and customer-facing product analytics highlights the operational levers this role influences through design. The "bonus" mention of AI tools suggests potential exploration in this area.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong emphasis on serving TPE-PME businesses and supporting their transitions (technological, economic, regulatory). This requires a purpose-driven mindset.

• Agile & Dynamic: Embracing the pace and adaptability of a startup, coupled with the rigor of a large financial institution.

• Collaboration & Altruism: Fostering a supportive environment where colleagues are skilled, passionate, and willing to help each other.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Relying on user feedback and data to inform design and product strategy.

• Efficiency & Optimization: A continuous drive to simplify, secure, and improve financial processes for clients and internal operations.

• Equality & Inclusion: Demonstrated commitment to professional equality, as evidenced by their high gender equality index.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Tight collaboration within "triforce" squads (PM, EM, Designer) and with the broader design team on the Design System.

• Constructive Feedback: An environment that encourages open, honest, and benevolent feedback to improve designs and processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Regular opportunities for sharing insights, best practices, and learnings through talks, workshops, and daily interactions.

• Agile Iteration: A culture that embraces iterative design and development, with rapid feedback loops and continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values and collaboration style emphasize a high-performing, supportive, and mission-oriented team. For a senior designer, understanding how to navigate these dynamics and contribute positively is key to success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Startup Agility with Corporate Rigor: Navigating the inherent tensions between rapid iteration and the established processes, compliance requirements, and scale of a large banking group.

• Designing for Complex Financial Products: Translating intricate financial concepts, regulatory requirements, and diverse user needs (TPE-PME) into user-friendly interfaces.

• Maintaining Design System Scalability: Ensuring the Design System remains robust, scalable, and consistently adopted across multiple product squads and evolving features.

• Driving Adoption of New Features: Designing experiences that encourage user adoption and effectively communicate value, especially within a competitive fintech landscape.

• Integrating AI in Design Workflow: Exploring and effectively integrating AI tools to enhance design efficiency without compromising quality or human oversight.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX Research Techniques: Opportunities to deepen expertise in user research methodologies, qualitative and quantitative analysis.

• Fintech & Regulatory Domain Expertise: Gaining in-depth knowledge of financial regulations, compliance standards, and specific TPE-PME financial needs.

• Design System Architecture & Governance: Developing skills in structuring, scaling, and governing complex design systems.

• Cross-functional Product Strategy: Contributing to higher-level product strategy discussions, influencing roadmaps based on user insights and design expertise.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Opportunities to mentor junior designers and potentially take on leadership roles within design initiatives or specific product areas.

📝 Enhancement Note: Identifying these challenges allows candidates to prepare thoughtful responses during interviews about how they would approach and overcome them, demonstrating foresight and problem-solving capabilities. The growth opportunities highlight the potential for significant professional development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate a complex business requirement into a simple, elegant user experience. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on problem framing, user research, iterative design, and quantifiable results.)

• "How do you approach balancing the needs of different stakeholders (e.g., PMs, engineers, business leads) when designing a feature? Provide an example." (Highlight collaboration skills, negotiation, and ability to influence with data/user insights.)

• "Walk us through a challenging design problem you solved for a SaaS product. What made it difficult, and how did you arrive at your solution?" (Emphasize your problem-solving methodology, critical thinking, and ability to simplify complexity.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about Kolecto's mission to support TPE-PME businesses in France?" (Research Kolecto's mission and articulate genuine alignment.)

• "How do you see yourself contributing to our hybrid work environment and collaborative 'triforce' model?" (Discuss your preferred collaboration style and how you foster team synergy.)

• "Our company values agility and data-driven decision-making. How do you incorporate these principles into your design process?" (Provide specific examples of using data and iterating quickly.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Begin with a high-level overview of Kolecto's mission and product. Then, select 2-3 key projects that best showcase your relevant skills (SaaS, Design System, problem-solving).

• Deep Dive into Process: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your methodology (discovery, research, design, testing), key decisions and rationale, challenges encountered, and the measurable impact/outcomes.

• Highlight Design System Contribution: Dedicate specific slides or sections to your Design System work. Show components, guidelines, and explain how it improved efficiency or consistency.

• Quantify Impact: Use numbers and metrics wherever possible to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., "reduced task completion time by X%", "increased feature adoption by Y%", "improved NPS by Z points").

• Engage Your Audience: Be enthusiastic, clear, and concise. Encourage questions throughout or at the end. Be prepared to discuss your work in detail and defend your design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: These tailored questions and strategies focus on assessing the candidate's ability to operate effectively in a senior, operations-impacting design role within Kolecto's specific context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer Senior position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Kolecto Teamtailor platform.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your 5+ years of experience in SaaS and data-driven product design, emphasizing your contributions to Design Systems and your problem-solving approach. Showcase specific projects relevant to fintech or complex B2B platforms.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your senior-level skills, use of Figma, UX research methodologies, and any experience with internal tooling or complex pricing/offer engines. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly prepare for each stage of the interview process, especially the live case study. Practice articulating your design process and rationale for decisions, focusing on efficiency and user impact.

• Company Research: Deeply understand Kolecto's mission, its position within the fintech sector, and its unique "startup within a bank" culture. Prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your engagement and understanding of their operational goals.

⚠️ 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.

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