Senior Product Designer (12 month FTC)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer (12 month FTC)

Company: Collinson

Location: Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-01T12:12:25

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end product design initiatives for both mobile and web platforms, focusing on human-centered and commercially effective solutions.

• Drive the development and evolution of a comprehensive design system, ensuring consistency, accessibility, and cross-platform usability across digital products.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including Product Management, Engineering, Data Analytics, and UX Research to deliver seamless experiences for global travelers.

• Influence product direction and design rationale at both team and senior stakeholder levels, leveraging data insights and design craft.

• Mentor junior designers, fostering a collaborative design culture and promoting best practices within the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer with a focus on end-to-end ownership from discovery to execution, emphasizing system thinking and cross-functional collaboration, typical of senior operations-adjacent design roles that bridge user experience with business objectives. The 12-month fixed-term contract (FTC) indicates a project-based need, likely for a specific product launch, system enhancement, or strategic initiative.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead customer-centric product design across web and mobile platforms, from early-stage research and discovery through to high-fidelity execution and final delivery.

• Apply design thinking methodologies and UX research techniques to uncover user insights, validate design decisions, and continuously improve the quality of customer experiences within the travel and loyalty ecosystem.

• Champion a collaborative and iterative design process, working closely with product managers, engineers, data analysts, and researchers to ensure alignment and effective problem-solving.

• Develop and test prototypes rapidly, establishing user validation loops to quickly refine solutions and mitigate risks before full-scale development.

• Contribute significantly to the design system by defining, documenting, and evolving scalable UI components and design patterns that will be utilized across multiple products and teams.

• Mentor and guide junior designers, actively contributing to the design team's culture through constructive feedback, design critiques, and the continuous improvement of design practices.

• Collaborate effectively with executive-level stakeholders, clearly articulating design rationale, presenting findings, and influencing strategic product direction.

• Measure and report on the impact of design solutions using a combination of qualitative user feedback and quantitative data analysis to demonstrate ROI and identify areas for further optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on user-centricity, rapid iteration, and design system contribution, which are critical for maintaining operational efficiency and scalability in digital product development. The requirement to measure design impact using both qualitative and quantitative data is a key aspect of operations-focused roles, linking design efforts directly to business outcomes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: No specific degree mentioned; emphasis is on a strong portfolio and practical experience.

Experience: 5–7+ years in Product/UX Design, with a preference for experience in consumer-facing or loyalty-driven environments.

Required Skills:

• A strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end case studies across mobile and web platforms, demonstrating a comprehensive design process.

• Proficiency in product discovery, UX research, and data analysis to inform and validate design decisions effectively.

• Proven ability to own a design roadmap, prioritize tasks independently, and drive initiatives forward with minimal supervision.

• A deep passion for accessibility, usability, and inclusion, ensuring these principles are embedded in all aspects of design work.

• Strong systems thinking capabilities, with demonstrable experience in contributing to the development and scaling of design systems across complex product ecosystems.

• High proficiency in Figma, including advanced skills in prototyping, managing design system libraries, and executing efficient developer handoff workflows.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively present to C-suite stakeholders and align diverse cross-functional teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with collaborative tools such as Miro for ideation and workshop facilitation.

• Experience with project management and product roadmap tools like Jira and Aha!

• Familiarity with loyalty programs, fintech, and travel technology sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma, design systems, and developer handoff signifies a need for designers who can contribute to efficient and scalable design operations. The requirement for experience in consumer-facing or loyalty-driven environments, coupled with data analysis and stakeholder management, points to a role that requires understanding business objectives and translating them into user-friendly digital solutions, crucial for revenue-generating platforms.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A compelling portfolio that clearly articulates end-to-end design case studies for both mobile and web applications.

• Demonstrations of how user research and data analysis were integrated into the design process to inform decisions and drive user-centric solutions.

• Examples of contributions to or development of design systems, showcasing scalable UI components, design patterns, and documentation standards.

• Evidence of rapid prototyping and user validation techniques used to iterate on designs and gather feedback efficiently.

Process Documentation:

• Case studies should detail the entire design process, from initial problem definition and user research through to wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and final high-fidelity designs.

• Documentation of how design decisions were made, supported by user insights, business goals, and data-driven evidence.

• Examples of how design systems were utilized or contributed to, including component libraries, style guides, and best practices for consistent application.

• Clear explanation of the developer handoff process and how design specifications were communicated to engineering teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are heavily focused on demonstrating a structured, data-informed, and collaborative design process, aligning with operations best practices for efficiency, scalability, and measurable impact. The emphasis on design systems and developer handoff is particularly relevant for ensuring smooth operational integration of designs.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a 12-month fixed-term contract (FTC) for a Senior Product Designer with 5-7+ years of experience in Cape Town, South Africa, a competitive market rate would be expected. Based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in South Africa, the estimated gross annual salary range could be between ZAR 600,000 to ZAR 900,000, depending on the candidate's specific experience, portfolio strength, and negotiation. This range reflects the seniority and specialized skills required for this role in a major metropolitan area.

Benefits:

• Contractual role offering a defined period of employment with potential for extension or conversion.

• Opportunity to work on impactful digital products for a global company with leading brands like Priority Pass.

• Exposure to innovative projects within the travel, fintech, and loyalty sectors.

• Part of a supportive, global design community with opportunities for professional development.

• Potential for involvement in projects that shape the future of digital experiences for millions of travelers.

• Access to Collinson's company values and purpose-driven culture, focusing on doing good beyond profit.

Working Hours: The role implies a standard full-time commitment, likely around 40 hours per week, with potential for some flexibility due to the hybrid work arrangement.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on typical senior-level product design roles in Cape Town, South Africa, considering the experience level and the fixed-term nature of the contract. Benefits are inferred from the company description emphasizing culture and impact, common for contract roles seeking to attract top talent.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Travel, Loyalty Programs, Fintech, Insurance. Collinson operates at the intersection of these industries, providing a unique and dynamic environment. Their core business revolves around enhancing the travel experience through loyalty programs, airport experiences, and insurance solutions for frequent travelers.

Company Size: Over 2,200 global colleagues. This indicates a large, established organization with a significant international presence, offering opportunities for broad impact and cross-cultural collaboration.

Founded: Collinson is a privately-owned company with a history of innovation since its inception, highlighting a culture that values forward-thinking and market leadership.

Team Structure:

• The design team is described as a "supportive, global design community," suggesting a network of designers across different regions and product areas.

• This Senior Product Designer will work closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Managers, Engineers, Data Analysts, and Researchers, indicating a highly collaborative and integrated approach to product development.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on "human-centred" and "customer-centric" design, with UX research and data analysis playing a key role in informing decisions.

• A collaborative and iterative approach is core, utilizing rapid prototyping and user validation loops.

• Strong focus on building and maintaining a design system for scalability, consistency, and efficiency.

• Agile environments are mentioned, aligning with modern software development practices.

• The company values "Take Action, Do the right thing, One team and Be insight led," guiding operational decisions and team interactions.

Company Website: https://www.collinsongroup.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is characterized by innovation, global reach, and strong cross-functional collaboration, with a clear emphasis on data-driven and user-centric design. The established nature of Collinson suggests robust operational processes, while their focus on innovation implies a dynamic environment for product development.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as a Senior Product Designer, indicating a mid-to-senior level position. It requires a strong foundation in design craft, end-to-end product experience, and the ability to work autonomously and influence stakeholders. It sits within the broader operational framework of product development, where design contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of digital offerings.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, the Senior Product Designer will likely report into a Design Lead or Head of Design, while working closely with Product Managers and Engineering leads in a matrixed or agile team structure. The emphasis on influencing "exec-level stakeholders" suggests direct interaction with senior leadership on strategic design matters.

Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer plays a critical role in shaping the user experience of digital products that directly impact customer engagement and loyalty for millions of global travelers. By creating seamless, intuitive, and commercially effective solutions, this role directly contributes to customer satisfaction, retention, and ultimately, revenue generation through platforms like Priority Pass and other loyalty initiatives. The focus on design systems also ensures operational efficiency and scalability in product development.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specialized areas of product design, user research, and design systems, particularly within the travel and loyalty tech sectors.

• Leadership Development: Mentoring junior designers provides exposure to leadership responsibilities and team development. The role also requires influencing senior stakeholders, which builds strategic communication and leadership skills.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Working with product, tech, and data teams offers a holistic understanding of the product development lifecycle and business operations.

• Project Impact: Contributing to high-profile projects for leading brands like Mastercard, American Express, and various airlines provides significant portfolio enhancement and visibility.

• Potential for Permanent Conversion: While a fixed-term contract, successful performance and business needs could lead to permanent opportunities within Collinson's global design or product teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are framed within the context of operational excellence in product design, focusing on skill development, leadership potential, and strategic impact within a large organization. The FTC nature implies a need for immediate contribution and high performance.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as Hybrid, indicating a blend of remote work and in-office presence. Collinson likely maintains modern office spaces designed to foster collaboration and innovation.

Office Location(s): The primary location specified is Cape Town, South Africa (1 Oxbow Cres, Cape Town, 7441). This suggests a physical office presence is required for a portion of the work week.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and emphasis on cross-functional teams (product, tech, data, research) suggest an environment where teamwork and knowledge sharing are prioritized. In-office days are likely dedicated to collaborative sessions, workshops, and team-building activities.

• Tools and Technology: Employees will have access to industry-standard design and collaboration tools, with a specific emphasis on Figma proficiency. Access to internal systems and potentially design system libraries is expected.

• Operations Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with fellow designers, product managers, engineers, and researchers, facilitating a dynamic exchange of ideas and feedback crucial for operational efficiency in design.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time work schedule is expected, likely around 38-40 hours per week. The hybrid arrangement offers some flexibility, allowing individuals to balance in-office and remote work days, which can be beneficial for focused design work and personal productivity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment is structured to balance individual focus with collaborative operational needs, typical for design roles that require both deep work and team synergy. The Cape Town office location provides a specific context for the physical workspace requirements.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of CV and portfolio by the recruitment team or hiring manager to assess qualifications and experience against the role requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Candidates will likely present a selection of their work, focusing on end-to-end case studies that demonstrate problem-solving, design process, system thinking, and impact. This stage allows for in-depth discussion on design rationale, collaboration, and stakeholder management.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: A practical exercise or technical deep-dive, potentially focusing on Figma proficiency, design system application, or a problem-solving scenario related to the travel/loyalty domain.

• Cross-functional Team Interview: Interviews with key team members (e.g., Product Manager, Lead Engineer) to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit within the product development team.

• Stakeholder Interview: An interview with senior leadership or executives to gauge strategic thinking, communication clarity, and ability to influence product direction.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Impact: Select 3-4 strong case studies that best represent your experience in end-to-end product design, mobile/web platforms, and design systems.

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, design, testing), the solutions you developed, and the measurable impact or outcomes. Quantify results wherever possible.

• Highlight Systems Thinking: Showcase how you've contributed to or utilized design systems, demonstrating an understanding of scalability, consistency, and efficiency.

• Demonstrate Collaboration: Explain how you worked with cross-functional teams and stakeholders, and how you navigated feedback and disagreements.

• Figma Proficiency: Be prepared to discuss your Figma workflow, including prototyping, component libraries, and developer handoff processes.

• Accessibility Focus: Ensure your portfolio reflects a commitment to WCAG standards and inclusive design principles.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Collinson's Business: Research Priority Pass, Collinson's other offerings, key clients (Mastercard, Amex, airlines), and their mission.

• Design System Thinking: Be ready to discuss the principles of a good design system and how you would contribute to or evolve one at scale.

• Problem-Solving: Anticipate a design challenge related to travel experiences, loyalty programs, or user engagement. Practice framing the problem, identifying user needs, and proposing solutions with clear rationale.

• Stakeholder Communication: Prepare to articulate your design decisions and their business impact concisely and persuasively, as if presenting to executives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to rigorously assess not only design craft but also the operational capabilities of the candidate – their ability to collaborate, influence, work within systems, and drive measurable outcomes, all crucial for a successful senior role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, collaboration, design system libraries, and developer handoff. High proficiency is a must.

• Miro: Likely used for collaborative workshops, brainstorming, user journey mapping, and ideation sessions. Familiarity is a plus.

• Jira: Commonly used for agile project management, task tracking, and bug reporting within development teams. Experience working within Jira-managed sprints is expected.

• Aha!: A product roadmap software, used for strategic planning and feature prioritization. Familiarity is a plus for understanding product direction.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly mentioned as a primary tool for the designer, but understanding how design impacts user journeys within CRM and marketing automation platforms could be beneficial, especially in a loyalty context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma, Miro, Jira, and Aha! highlights the operational tools and workflows Collinson utilizes. Proficiency in these tools is critical for seamless integration into the existing product development and design operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Take Action: A proactive approach to problem-solving and driving initiatives forward, essential for efficient operations and meeting project deadlines.

• Do the right thing: Emphasizes ethical design practices, user advocacy, and delivering solutions that are not only effective but also responsible and user-friendly. This aligns with accessibility and inclusion standards.

• One team: Fosters a collaborative spirit, encouraging cross-functional teamwork, knowledge sharing, and mutual support among designers, product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders. This is key for cohesive project execution.

• Be insight led: A commitment to using data and user research as the foundation for design decisions, ensuring that solutions are grounded in evidence and aimed at achieving specific, measurable outcomes.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Highly collaborative, working closely with product, tech, and data teams to ensure designs are feasible, aligned with business objectives, and effectively implemented.

• Iterative Feedback Loops: Embracing continuous feedback through design critiques, user testing, and team reviews to refine solutions and maintain high quality.

• Shared Ownership: A culture where design, product, and engineering work together towards common goals, fostering a sense of shared responsibility for the success of the product.

📝 Enhancement Note: Collinson's core values translate directly into an operational approach that prioritizes proactivity, ethical considerations, teamwork, and data-driven decision-making within the design and product development functions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: The core challenge for any senior product designer, requiring the ability to create user-centric solutions that also drive commercial success for Collinson's products.

• Scaling Design Systems: Contributing to and evolving a design system that serves a large, complex product ecosystem across multiple platforms requires strategic thinking and meticulous execution.

• Influencing Diverse Stakeholders: Effectively communicating design rationale and gaining buy-in from various stakeholders, including C-suite executives, technical teams, and product managers, each with different priorities.

• Rapid Iteration in a Hybrid Environment: Maintaining design velocity and collaboration effectiveness in a hybrid work setting, ensuring consistent quality and timely delivery of design outputs.

• Measuring Design Impact: Demonstrating the tangible value and ROI of design initiatives through qualitative and quantitative data, which requires robust tracking and analysis capabilities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in user research, accessibility, design systems, or specific product areas like loyalty programs and travel tech.

• Leadership Skills: Develop mentoring capabilities and strategic influencing skills through regular interaction with junior designers and senior stakeholders.

• Industry Exposure: Gain insights into the travel, fintech, and loyalty industries, understanding market dynamics and consumer behavior within these sectors.

• Advanced Tool Proficiency: Master advanced features within Figma and explore new tools and methodologies in the UX/UI space.

• Cross-functional Knowledge: Enhance understanding of product management, agile development, and data analytics through close collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior operational roles, requiring strategic foresight, problem-solving skills, and the ability to navigate complex organizational dynamics. The growth opportunities are geared towards enhancing both technical design skills and broader business acumen.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex product challenge you solved end-to-end. What was your process, what were the key trade-offs, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on problem-solving, process, and impact demonstration).

• "How have you contributed to or scaled a design system? What were the challenges and how did you overcome them?" (Assess systems thinking, collaboration, and operational impact).

• "How do you balance user needs with business objectives when designing a new feature? Can you provide an example?" (Evaluate strategic thinking and commercial awareness).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Collinson, Priority Pass, and the travel loyalty space?" (Demonstrate research and genuine interest).

• "How do you embody our company values of 'Take Action,' 'Do the right thing,' 'One team,' and 'Be insight led' in your design work?" (Align your experience with their stated values).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with a brief overview of Collinson and the role. Then, for each case study, clearly state the problem/goal, your specific role and responsibilities, your process (research, ideation, design, testing), key design decisions and rationale, challenges faced, and measurable outcomes/impact.

• Highlight Figma & Systems: Explicitly discuss your use of Figma, including prototyping, component libraries, and developer handoff. For design system contributions, explain your approach to scalability and consistency.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics (e.g., increased conversion, reduced task time, improved user satisfaction scores) to demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs.

• Conciseness and Clarity: Be articulate and concise. Prepare talking points but avoid reading directly from slides. Engage the interviewers and be ready for follow-up questions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation advice focuses on demonstrating strategic thinking, operational efficiency, and the ability to translate design craft into business value, reflecting the expectations of a senior role within a structured organization.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on the Collinson careers portal.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-4 of your strongest end-to-end product design case studies that best showcase your skills in mobile/web design, user research, data analysis, design systems, and prototyping. Ensure each case study clearly outlines the problem, your process, your solutions, and the measurable impact.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience relevant to Collinson's industry (travel, loyalty, fintech), emphasize your 5-7+ years of product/UX design experience, and ensure keywords like "Figma," "Design Systems," "WCAG," "UX Research," and "Stakeholder Management" are prominently featured.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies concisely and engagingly. Be ready to articulate your design rationale, discuss your collaboration methods, and explain how your work aligns with business objectives and user needs.

• Research Collinson: Thoroughly understand Collinson's mission, brands (especially Priority Pass), key clients, and company values. Familiarize yourself with their industry and competitive landscape to demonstrate informed 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.

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