Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: ACLU - National Office

Location: New York, New York, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / Technology

Date Posted: 2026-08-07T16:43:57

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the end-to-end design lifecycle for product initiatives across the ACLU's national and affiliate websites, focusing on user engagement and advocacy.

• Leverage data, including industry standards, quantitative data, A/B testing, and qualitative research, to inform design decisions and understand user needs.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads to translate complex requirements into user-centric, impactful digital experiences.

• Champion web accessibility (WCAG) standards throughout the design and implementation process, ensuring inclusive product design.

• Contribute to and evolve the ACLU's developing Design System, balancing innovation with existing guidelines and feasibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role emphasizes a strong data-driven approach to product design, requiring the candidate to actively seek and utilize various data sources to validate design hypotheses and measure impact. This aligns with modern revenue operations and GTM strategies that prioritize measurable outcomes.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own and execute the complete product design lifecycle from ideation through to implementation and iteration for digital products on ACLU national and affiliate websites.

• Conduct user research, analyze quantitative data, and interpret A/B test results to deeply understand user behaviors, pain points, and opportunities for improvement.

• Develop wireframes, low-fidelity prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups to explore diverse design solutions and effectively communicate concepts to stakeholders.

• Partner with Product Managers to articulate design strategies, translate user needs into actionable requirements, and ensure alignment with business objectives and the ACLU's mission.

• Collaborate directly with Engineering teams to meticulously spec designs, ensuring successful implementation that meets both design integrity and project constraints.

• Lead Design and web accessibility User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and Quality Assurance (QA) for assigned projects, ensuring adherence to WCAG guidelines.

• Present and defend design decisions, rationale, and process approaches to diverse stakeholders, including those with varying levels of technical fluency.

• Actively participate in design critiques, providing and receiving constructive feedback to elevate the quality of product design across the team.

• Contribute to the growth and maintenance of the ACLU's Design System, identifying opportunities for reuse and innovation.

• Mentor and guide Product Design interns, fostering their development within the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "Translate requirements and constraints into user-centric experiences that meet user needs and address business goals" is a core element of GTM operations, requiring a deep understanding of how design directly impacts user acquisition, engagement, and conversion funnels.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent experience and expertise in product design principles and practices is essential.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in digital product design, with a proven track record of successfully creating and shipping digital products. Experience in a non-profit or advocacy organization is a plus.

Required Skills:

• Expert proficiency in digital design tools, specifically Figma.

• Deep understanding of UX/UI principles, standards, and best practices for web design across various devices and browsers.

• Proven experience in designing for and contributing to evolving design systems and brand guidelines.

• Demonstrated commitment to and practical application of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) criteria in design, documentation, and QA.

• Strong strategic problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to distill complex information into clear, actionable design concepts.

• Experience presenting and defending design decisions, industry best practices, and process methodologies to stakeholders at all levels.

• Adaptability and resilience in managing ambiguous requirements and shifting project timelines within the full design lifecycle.

• Proficiency in user research methodologies, including qualitative research and quantitative data analysis (e.g., A/B testing, industry standards). Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within or closely with product management and engineering teams.

• Familiarity with agile development methodologies.

• Experience mentoring junior designers or interns.

• A portfolio that clearly defines the applicant's specific role and contributions to each project.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for proficiency without AI support highlights a focus on foundational design skills and critical thinking, which are crucial for robust operations strategy development where human insight and strategic decision-making are paramount.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing 5+ years of digital product design work, with a clear definition of your specific role and contributions on each project.

• Examples demonstrating the end-to-end design lifecycle, from initial concept and user research to final implementation and iteration.

• Case studies that highlight your strategic problem-solving approach, detailing how you addressed user needs and business goals.

• Visuals and interactive prototypes that showcase your expertise in Figma and your ability to create high-fidelity designs.

• Evidence of your commitment to web accessibility (WCAG) within your design examples. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrations of how you utilize data (quantitative, qualitative, A/B testing) to inform and validate design decisions.

• Examples of your process for exploring multiple design approaches through wireframes and prototypes.

• Documentation showcasing your collaboration with Product Managers and Engineers, including how you spec designs and conduct UAT/QA.

• Case studies that illustrate your experience contributing to or developing design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio that clearly defines the applicant's role and contributions is vital for operations roles, as it demonstrates accountability and the ability to articulate impact, a key aspect of GTM and RevOps performance evaluation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The annual salary for this position is $167,568 (Level E) for a New York, NY-based employee. Salaries are subject to regional pay adjustments if authorized to work outside of the listed location.

Benefits:

• Generous paid time-off policy.

• Comprehensive healthcare benefits: medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Parental leave.

• Gender-affirming care and fertility treatment coverage.

• 401k plan with employer match.

• Annual professional development funds.

• Internal professional development programs and workshops.

Working Hours: This is a full-time position. While specific daily hours are not detailed, the hybrid nature suggests flexibility, with an expectation of 2 days per week or 8 days per month in the New York office. The standard workday is assumed to be 8 hours, aligning with the typical 40-hour work week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit salary figure and the detailed pay structure explanation (linked PDF) provide significant transparency, which is highly valued in operations roles where clear metrics and compensation structures are expected. The provided salary is a benchmark for a Senior Product Designer in a high-cost-of-living area like New York City, reflecting industry standards for experienced professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Civil Liberties & Advocacy (Non-profit sector). The ACLU operates at the forefront of defending constitutional rights and liberties, leveraging technology to amplify its mission.

Company Size: The ACLU is a significant non-profit organization with a substantial national presence, indicating a structured environment with diverse departments and a broad reach. This implies a need for scalable and well-defined operational processes.

Founded: Over 100 years ago. This long history suggests a stable organization with established mission-driven principles and a deep understanding of its impact area.

Team Structure:

• The Technology Department is comprised of two key divisions: Analytics and Product & Engineering.

• The Product & Engineering division includes engineers, product managers, product designers, and project operations experts.

• This role reports to the Product Design Manager within the Product & Engineering division.

• Collaboration is expected across Product, Design, Engineering, and with various ACLU departments and 50+ Affiliate websites. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is central, utilizing industry standards, quantitative data, and qualitative research.

• A strong emphasis is placed on ethical technology use, privacy, security, and algorithmic fairness.

• The team aims to deliver best-in-class digital products and services that advance the ACLU's mission.

• User-centric design principles are paramount in developing engaging digital experiences.

Company Website: https://www.aclu.org/

📝 Enhancement Note: The ACLU's mission-driven nature suggests a culture that values impact and purpose. For operations professionals, this means understanding how their work directly contributes to a larger social good, which can be a significant motivator and a key aspect of team culture.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, indicating a mid-to-senior level position with significant autonomy and responsibility. It requires a strong foundation in design principles and the ability to lead projects independently.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer reports directly to the Product Design Manager. This indicates a clear reporting line and opportunities for mentorship from a senior leader in the design function.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on user engagement, advocacy, and support for the ACLU's mission through the design of its national and affiliate websites. Successful product design directly translates to increased user participation, effective communication of civil liberties issues, and growth of the supporter base. This aligns with GTM objectives of driving awareness, engagement, and conversion.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunity to deepen expertise in UX/UI design, web accessibility, and design systems by working on complex, high-impact projects.

• Leadership Potential: Potential to mentor Product Design interns, gaining experience in team leadership and development.

• Cross-functional Expertise: Gaining experience in product management and engineering collaboration, enhancing understanding of the full product development lifecycle.

• Impactful Projects: Contributing to a mission-driven organization offers the unique growth opportunity of seeing your design work directly support significant civil liberties advocacy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operations Impact" section is crucial for operations roles. This Senior Product Designer role directly influences user engagement funnels, which are critical for GTM and RevOps success in driving conversions and supporter growth.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The position is designated as Hybrid, requiring in-office presence two days per week or eight days per month at the National office in New York, NY. This offers a blend of remote flexibility and in-person collaboration.

Office Location(s): New York, New York, United States. This location provides access to a major metropolitan hub with extensive public transportation options.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model encourages in-person collaboration with Product Managers and Engineers, fostering a dynamic team environment.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools (Figma) and a developing Design System.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with fellow designers, product managers, and engineers during in-office days, facilitating knowledge sharing and joint problem-solving.

Work Schedule: While not explicitly detailed, the role is full-time, implying a standard 40-hour work week. The hybrid arrangement allows for flexibility in structuring the remote workdays, while in-office days are likely to be focused on collaborative activities and team engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model is increasingly common in operations roles, balancing the need for focused, independent work with the benefits of in-person collaboration for strategic planning and team building.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience.

• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing their process, contributions, and design rationale. A design challenge, potentially focused on a specific ACLU product or user problem, may be part of this stage.

• Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with Product Design Manager, Product Managers, and potentially Engineering Leads to assess technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: A potential final interview with senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Clarity of Role: Clearly articulate your specific contributions and decision-making processes in each project. Avoid presenting group work as solely your own.

• Process Focus: Showcase your design process, from research and ideation to iteration and implementation. Explain the "why" behind your design choices.

• Data Integration: Highlight instances where you used data (user research, analytics, A/B testing) to inform your designs and demonstrate their impact.

• Accessibility Champion: Feature projects where you prioritized and implemented WCAG standards.

• Figma Proficiency: Be prepared to discuss your workflow and advanced features used within Figma.

• Storytelling: Frame your projects as compelling narratives that demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to achieve desired outcomes.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Mission: Familiarize yourself with the ACLU's mission, current campaigns, and the types of digital engagement they drive.

• User-Centric Approach: Prepare to approach any design challenge with a focus on ACLU users and their needs related to civil liberties advocacy.

• Data & Constraints: Consider how you would gather necessary data and work within potential constraints (e.g., existing design system, technical limitations, non-profit budget).

• Accessibility First: Ensure your proposed solutions are inherently accessible.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio review and potential design challenge is standard for product design roles but critical for operations candidates to understand. It's an opportunity to demonstrate practical application of skills, strategic thinking, and process execution, akin to how operations candidates might present case studies on process optimization or system implementation.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Expert proficiency is required for all aspects of UI/UX design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration.

• Design Systems: Experience working within and contributing to design systems is essential for maintaining brand consistency and efficiency.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as required tools for the designer, the role heavily relies on understanding and utilizing:
  • Quantitative Data: Experience interpreting metrics from A/B testing and website analytics is crucial for informing design decisions.
  • User Research Tools: Familiarity with tools for qualitative data gathering and analysis.

CRM & Automation:

• The role interfaces with products that drive engagement funnels, which are often connected to CRM and marketing automation platforms. While direct experience with these might not be a requirement for the designer, an understanding of how design impacts these systems is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma as the primary tool, and the reliance on data and design systems, points to a modern, efficient design workflow. For operations professionals, understanding the tech stack of collaborating teams is key to effective cross-functional integration.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A deep commitment to advancing the ACLU's mission of defending civil liberties and rights.

• Equity, Inclusion & Belonging: Actively embedding these principles in all work, respecting diverse perspectives and fostering an inclusive environment.

• Collaboration: Working respectfully and constructively with colleagues to overcome obstacles and achieve shared goals.

• Data-Informed: Utilizing data to drive strategic decisions, measure impact, and ensure accountability.

• User-Centricity: Prioritizing user needs and experiences in the design and development of all digital products.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Working closely with Product Managers and Engineers to ensure seamless product development.

• Feedback Culture: Openness to giving and receiving constructive feedback within design critiques and team discussions.

• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to the Design System and sharing best practices across the team.

• Mission Alignment: Collaborating with stakeholders across national and affiliate offices to effectively communicate complex ideas and gain buy-in for design strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The ACLU's emphasis on equity, inclusion, and belonging is a strong indicator of its organizational culture. Operations professionals joining such an organization should be prepared to actively contribute to and uphold these values in their daily work and interactions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Design Excellence with Constraints: Effectively managing the tension between creating innovative, high-fidelity designs and adhering to realistic timelines, scopes, and technical feasibility within a non-profit context.

• Driving Adoption of Design System: Encouraging and facilitating the consistent use of the developing Design System across diverse projects and potentially different teams.

• Translating Complex Issues into Accessible Designs: Communicating nuanced civil liberties issues and advocacy calls-to-action through user-friendly digital interfaces.

• Measuring Design Impact: Quantifying the success of design initiatives in terms of user engagement, advocacy actions, and support for the ACLU's mission.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to hone expertise in UX/UI, accessibility, and design systems through challenging projects.

• Cross-Functional Mastery: Deepening understanding of product management, engineering processes, and data analysis through close collaboration.

• Mentorship: Gaining leadership experience by mentoring interns and contributing to the growth of junior designers.

• Mission Impact: Developing a career in a field where design directly contributes to significant social and legal advocacy.

📝 Enhancement Note: Identifying challenges and growth opportunities is crucial for operations roles. This section helps candidates anticipate potential hurdles and understand how the role can foster professional development, a key aspect of career planning in operations.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance ambitious design goals with significant project constraints (timeline, budget, technical limitations). How did you navigate this, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on process, trade-offs, and stakeholder communication.)

• "How do you approach incorporating user research and quantitative data into your design process? Provide an example of how data influenced a significant design decision." (Highlight data-driven methodology and analytical skills.)

• "Walk us through your process for ensuring web accessibility (WCAG) in your designs. How do you collaborate with engineers to implement these standards?" (Demonstrate commitment to inclusivity and technical collaboration.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to the ACLU's mission, and how do you see your role as a Senior Product Designer contributing to it?" (Connect your skills and passion to the organization's purpose.)

• "How do you handle constructive feedback on your designs from peers or stakeholders, especially if you disagree?" (Assess collaboration, humility, and professional maturity.)

• "Describe your experience working with or contributing to a design system. What are the benefits, and what are the challenges?" (Gauge understanding of design system principles and practical application.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by project, starting with the problem statement, your role, the process, key decisions, and the final outcome/impact.

• Storytelling: Craft a narrative for each project that highlights your strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and user-centric approach.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased conversion rates, improved engagement, reduced friction).

• Highlight Figma Skills: Be prepared to discuss specific Figma features or techniques you used to achieve your designs and prototypes.

• Accessibility Emphasis: Clearly point out how accessibility was integrated into your design process and outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing for strategy and culture questions is vital for operations roles. These questions assess not only technical ability but also strategic thinking, problem-solving, and cultural alignment, all critical for success in operations.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.

• Customize your resume: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in digital product design, UX/UI, Figma proficiency, design systems, and web accessibility, using keywords from the job description.

• Curate your portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your end-to-end design process, strategic thinking, data utilization, and accessibility commitment. Ensure your role and contributions are clearly defined for each project.

• Prepare your narrative: Practice walking through your portfolio projects, focusing on the problem, your process, your specific contributions, the rationale behind your design decisions, and the measurable outcomes.

• Research the ACLU: Understand the organization's mission, recent campaigns, and how their digital presence supports their advocacy efforts. This will help you tailor your responses 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.

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