Propositions Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Propositions Design Manager

Company: Allied Irish Bank (AIB)

Location: Dublin, Ireland

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product & Proposition Design / Revenue Operations Enablement

Date Posted: 2026-05-16

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days onsite)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end design and development of innovative, customer-centric propositions for Business & Wealth Banking.

• Champion Design Thinking methodologies and the Desirable, Feasible, Viable (DFV) innovation framework to translate insights into actionable concepts.

• Drive cross-functional collaboration across various departments including Retail, Capital Markets, Digital, Marketing, Service, and Sales to ensure proposition success.

• Conduct in-depth customer research and competitor analysis to identify market opportunities and unmet customer needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Propositions Design Manager," the responsibilities heavily lean into GTM strategy enablement and customer-centric product development, which are critical functions supported by Revenue Operations. The role requires a strong understanding of market needs and how to translate them into viable business offerings, impacting revenue streams and customer acquisition/retention.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end design and development of customer propositions, from initial ideation through to high-level feasibility assessments.

• Facilitate Design Thinking workshops, including customer research, problem definition, journey mapping, ideation sessions, and rapid prototyping.

• Conduct qualitative and quantitative research to deeply understand customer needs, behaviors, and pain points across Wealth Management, Capital Markets, SME, NI, and UK markets.

• Collaborate closely with research, digital, data, finance, IT, risk, and compliance teams to ensure propositions are customer-aligned, commercially viable, and compliant.

• Perform continuous competitor tracking and benchmarking, identifying global and local trends to inform strategic planning and proposition development.

• Drive iterative proposition testing and learning loops, leveraging customer feedback and experimentation to refine concepts.

• Develop clear, compelling proposition narratives, value propositions, and business cases to secure stakeholder buy-in and approval.

• Champion the DFV (Desirable, Feasible, Viable) model, guiding cross-functional teams through the innovation framework.

• Undertake high-level business case development and delivery feasibility assessments with key internal stakeholders.

• Ensure all design outputs align with regulatory requirements, brand strategy, and operational capabilities.

• Influence and support strategic roadmap development with the Head of Propositions, feeding into the business's planning and investment processes.

• Ensure propositions successfully navigate relevant governance forums.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on strategic planning, market analysis, and cross-functional alignment, which are foundational to effective GTM strategy and revenue operations. The role requires translating business objectives into tangible product/service designs that directly impact customer acquisition and lifetime value.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While formal education requirements are not specified, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business, Marketing, Design, Finance, or a related field would be highly beneficial.

Experience: Minimum of 5 years of proven experience in proposition or product design, ideally within the financial services sector or other relevant industries.

Required Skills:

• Proposition Design: Proven track record in developing end-to-end customer propositions.

• Design Thinking & Innovation Methodologies: Deep understanding and practical application of Design Thinking, including customer research, journey mapping, ideation, and prototyping.

• DFV Model Expertise: Strong knowledge and ability to guide teams through the Desirable, Feasible, Viable framework.

• Customer Research: Demonstrated experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative customer research to uncover insights.

• Business Case Development: Ability to develop compelling business cases and assess early-stage business viability.

• Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to collaborate with and influence a wide range of stakeholders, including senior leadership.

• Communication & Storytelling: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to present complex ideas clearly and persuasively.

• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a structured approach to navigating ambiguity.

• Commercial Acumen: Solid understanding of business principles and how propositions drive commercial success.

• Agile & Cross-functional Collaboration: Experience working in agile and cross-functional settings.

• Market & Competitor Analysis: Ability to conduct thorough competitor tracking and benchmarking.

Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of financial services products and markets (Wealth Management, Capital Markets, SME).

• Experience with rapid prototyping tools and techniques.

• Familiarity with regulatory requirements in the financial services industry.

• Strategic roadmap development experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "5+ years" and the specific skills like "Design Thinking," "DFV model," and "Business Case Development" indicate a mid-to-senior level role. Candidates should be prepared to showcase their ability to lead complex design initiatives and influence strategic decisions.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: A robust portfolio showcasing end-to-end proposition design projects, demonstrating a clear progression from concept to feasibility.

• Process Documentation: Examples of how Design Thinking, customer journey mapping, and DFV frameworks were applied within projects.

• Impact Demonstration: Evidence of how designed propositions have met customer needs, achieved business objectives, and potentially impacted revenue or market share.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Examples of how complex stakeholder environments were navigated to achieve buy-in and alignment.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate a structured approach to translating customer insights into detailed proposition concepts.

• Showcase experience in developing and presenting business cases, including financial assessments and feasibility studies.

• Provide examples of iterative testing and learning loops employed during the design process.

• Illustrate how regulatory and operational constraints were integrated into the design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a "strong portfolio of delivery of end to end projects" is critical. Candidates should prepare to walk through 2-3 key projects that highlight their ability to manage the entire proposition lifecycle, from ideation to feasibility, with a clear focus on customer needs and business outcomes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in Dublin, Ireland, with 5-10 years of experience in proposition design and financial services, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between €70,000 - €95,000 per annum. This is a preliminary estimate and actual compensation will depend on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and qualifications.

Benefits:

• Market-leading Pension Scheme

• Healthcare Scheme

• Variable Pay (Performance-based bonus potential)

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

• Family Leave Options

• Two Volunteer Days per Year

Working Hours: The standard working hours are not explicitly stated but are typically around 40 hours per week for a full-time role in financial services. The hybrid model allows for flexibility, with 3 days required onsite at the Molesworth Street Office in Dublin.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on research of similar "Proposition Manager" or "Product Design Manager" roles in Dublin, considering the financial services sector and the experience level required. Benefits are comprehensive and reflect typical offerings in large financial institutions.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Banking)

Company Size: Allied Irish Bank (AIB) is one of the largest financial institutions in Ireland, employing thousands of individuals across various divisions. Its significant size suggests a structured environment with established processes but also opportunities for impact within specific departments.

Founded: AIB was founded in 1925. Its long history signifies stability and deep market understanding within Ireland.

Team Structure:

• This role sits within the Chief Customer Office (CCO), reporting to the Head of Propositions.

• The CCO is a central function focused on customer centricity and innovation.

• The Propositions Design Manager will work closely with various internal teams including Retail, Capital Markets, UK divisions, Digital, Marketing, Service, Sales, Finance, IT, Risk, and Compliance.

Methodology:

• Customer Centricity: A core tenet of the role and the CCO.

• Design Thinking & DFV Framework: Formal methodologies used for innovation and proposition development.

• Data-Driven Insights: Emphasis on using qualitative and quantitative research to inform decisions.

• Agile & Iterative Development: Implied through the focus on testing, learning loops, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Strategic Alignment: Propositions must align with business strategy, brand, and regulatory requirements.

Company Website: https://aib.ie/

📝 Enhancement Note: AIB's position as a major Irish bank implies a commitment to robust governance, compliance, and customer service. The CCO's focus suggests an evolving culture prioritizing innovation and customer experience, which is crucial for candidates to understand for cultural fit.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a specialist manager within the Chief Customer Office, focusing on the critical upstream process of proposition design and development. It's a strategic role that bridges customer needs with business feasibility, laying the groundwork for successful product launches and revenue generation. It's not a direct "operations" role in the traditional sense (like Sales Ops or Rev Ops), but it heavily influences the operational execution of new offerings.

Reporting Structure: The Propositions Design Manager reports to the Head of Propositions within the CCO. This indicates a clear hierarchical structure with direct access to senior leadership responsible for the overall innovation pipeline.

Operations Impact: While not directly managing operational workflows, this role has a profound impact on revenue operations by:

• Defining the what and why of new customer offerings, which directly informs sales enablement, marketing campaigns, and service delivery strategies.

• Ensuring propositions are designed with feasibility and viability in mind, reducing the risk of operational challenges or failures post-launch.

• Driving customer-centricity, which is a key driver for customer acquisition, retention, and lifetime value, all critical revenue metrics.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization Advancement: Deepen expertise in proposition design, innovation, and customer insight within financial services.

• Leadership Progression: Potential to move into more senior Head of Proposition roles, or broader leadership within the CCO or related GTM functions.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Opportunities to move into roles in product management, strategic planning, or business development within AIB.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning in areas like Design Thinking, agile methodologies, market analysis, and stakeholder influence.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a strategic enabler for revenue operations. Understanding how proposition design directly feeds into GTM strategies and impacts revenue is key for candidates to articulate their value. Growth opportunities lie in deepening specialization or moving into broader strategic leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at the Molesworth Street Office in Dublin. This is likely a modern corporate office environment typical of a large financial institution.

Office Location(s): Molesworth Street, Dublin, Ireland. This central Dublin location offers good accessibility.

Workspace Context:

• Hybrid Model: A blend of onsite (3 days/week) and remote work, promoting work-life balance and flexibility.

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires close collaboration with diverse teams, suggesting open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and shared project spaces.

• Tools & Technology: Access to standard corporate IT infrastructure, collaboration tools, and potentially specialized design and research software.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities to engage with colleagues within the CCO and across various business units, fostering knowledge sharing and networking.

Work Schedule: The hybrid model implies a degree of flexibility within the standard working week. The focus is on achieving objectives and participating in key collaborative sessions onsite, while allowing for focused, individual work remotely.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a significant factor for candidates. The expectation of 3 days onsite means candidates should be comfortable commuting to Dublin and actively participating in in-person collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a HR or Recruiter (Mia) screening to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion with the Head of Propositions to evaluate experience, strategic thinking, and understanding of proposition design principles.

• Portfolio Presentation/Case Study: Candidates will likely be asked to present a selection of their best work, demonstrating their process, rationale, and outcomes. This is where their portfolio will be heavily scrutinized.

• Cross-functional Panel Interview: Interviews with key stakeholders from departments like Retail, Capital Markets, Digital, or Risk to assess collaboration skills, ability to influence, and understanding of broader business needs.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader within the CCO or a related executive.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role, the methodology used (Design Thinking, DFV), key challenges, your solutions, and measurable outcomes or impact.

• Quantify Where Possible: Use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your propositions (e.g., customer adoption rates, market share impact, feasibility assessment results).

• Showcase Collaboration: Highlight instances where you successfully collaborated with diverse teams and managed stakeholder expectations.

• Focus on the "Why": Explain the strategic rationale behind your design choices and how they align with customer needs and business goals.

• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about how you handle ambiguity, manage conflicting priorities, and influence decision-making.

Challenge Preparation:

• Hypothetical Proposition Design: Be prepared for a hypothetical scenario where you might be asked to outline the initial steps for designing a new proposition for a specific customer segment.

• DFV Application: Be ready to discuss how you would apply the DFV framework to a given business challenge or opportunity.

• Stakeholder Alignment Scenario: Practice articulating how you would gain buy-in for a new proposition from different departments with potentially competing interests.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role. Candidates should invest significant time in curating and presenting their work, focusing on storytelling and demonstrable impact. The interview process will likely be multi-stage, assessing both technical skills and interpersonal/influencing capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Thinking & Ideation Software: Tools like Miro, Mural, Figma, or similar collaborative whiteboard and design platforms for workshops, journey mapping, and prototyping.

• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with Agile project management tools (e.g., Jira, Asana, Trello) for managing workflow and team progress.

• Presentation Software: Advanced proficiency in tools like PowerPoint/Google Slides for developing compelling business cases and stakeholder presentations.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Customer Research Tools: Experience with survey platforms (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics) and potentially user feedback analysis tools.

• Data Analysis Tools: Basic to intermediate proficiency with data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Tableau, Power BI) for understanding customer behavior and market trends.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM management role, understanding how propositions integrate with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and impact customer data management is beneficial.

• Familiarity with marketing automation concepts and how new propositions integrate into customer communication journeys.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tool names aren't listed, the role implies proficiency in collaborative design, project management, and presentation tools. A candidate's ability to leverage technology to facilitate research, ideation, and communication will be key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer First: A fundamental value driving all proposition design decisions.

• Collaboration: Essential for working effectively across diverse teams and departments to bring propositions to life.

• Innovation & Curiosity: A drive to explore new ideas, challenge the status quo, and seek novel solutions.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Relying on insights from research and analysis to inform strategy and design.

• Accountability & Ownership: Taking responsibility for the end-to-end design process and its successful progression.

• Efficiency & Viability: Ensuring that propositions are not only desirable but also feasible and viable from a business and operational perspective.

Collaboration Style:

• Facilitative Leadership: Guiding groups through complex problem-solving and ideation processes.

• Cross-functional Integration: Proactively engaging with and building strong relationships across various business units.

• Open Communication & Feedback: Encouraging constructive dialogue and feedback to refine propositions.

• Partnership Approach: Working as a partner with teams in Retail, Capital Markets, Digital, etc., to co-create successful outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: AIB's stated values and the "Key Capabilities" list provide a strong indication of the desired culture. Candidates should demonstrate alignment with customer-centricity, collaborative spirit, and a proactive, innovative mindset.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Early-stage proposition design often involves significant uncertainty; the ability to structure thinking and drive clarity is crucial.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Balancing the needs and priorities of diverse stakeholders (e.g., Risk vs. Marketing vs. IT) to achieve consensus on a proposition.

• Translating Insight to Action: Effectively bridging the gap between customer research findings and concrete, viable product/service designs.

• Securing Buy-in: Persuading senior stakeholders and governance bodies to approve and fund new initiatives.

• Market Dynamics: Staying ahead of rapid changes in financial services, customer expectations, and competitive landscapes.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Thinking & Innovation: Opportunities to deepen expertise through workshops, certifications, or advanced training.

• Financial Services Deep Dive: Gaining comprehensive knowledge across Wealth Management, Capital Markets, and SME banking sectors.

• Strategic Leadership Skills: Developing skills in influencing, negotiation, and strategic planning through high-visibility projects.

• Industry Trends & Technology: Staying abreast of emerging technologies and customer behaviors impacting the financial sector.

• Mentorship: Potential to learn from senior leaders within the CCO and across AIB.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant opportunities for professional development in a dynamic and strategic area of the bank. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they approach challenges and leverage learning opportunities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led the design of an end-to-end customer proposition. What was your process, what challenges did you face, and what was the outcome?"

• "How would you apply Design Thinking principles to solve [hypothetical business problem related to customer acquisition or retention]?"

• "Imagine you need to get buy-in for a new digital banking feature from Retail, IT, and Risk departments. How would you approach stakeholder management and build consensus?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about AIB's current market position and customer base?"

• "How do you prioritize customer needs versus business viability when designing a new offering?"

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid environment. What strategies do you use to maintain collaboration and productivity?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Impactful Projects: Choose 2-3 projects that best showcase your end-to-end proposition design capabilities, covering different aspects of your skills (e.g., research-heavy, strategy-focused, complex stakeholder management).

• Tell a Story: Frame each project as a narrative with a clear beginning (problem/opportunity), middle (your process and solutions), and end (outcomes and learnings).

• Focus on Your Role: Clearly articulate your specific contributions and decision-making processes.

• Be Ready to Dive Deep: Anticipate detailed questions about your methodologies, data sources, and the rationale behind your decisions.

• Practice Your Delivery: Ensure you can present concisely and persuasively within a given timeframe, leaving ample time for Q&A.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on articulating a clear methodology, demonstrating strategic thinking, and showcasing concrete examples of success through the portfolio. The ability to connect proposition design to business outcomes and revenue generation will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Propositions Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the AIB careers portal via the provided URL.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience in proposition design, Design Thinking, DFV framework, customer research, and stakeholder management, using keywords from the job description.

• Portfolio Preparation: Curate your portfolio to include 2-3 strong case studies that demonstrate your end-to-end project lifecycle experience, focusing on impact and process.

• Interview Practice: Prepare to discuss your portfolio in detail, practice answering strategy and behavioral questions, and research AIB's recent initiatives and market presence.

• Company Research: Understand AIB's business lines (Retail, Wealth, Capital Markets), customer segments, and strategic objectives to better align your responses and demonstrate your fit.

⚠️ 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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