Senior Product Designer

Arena Club
Full-time$125k-170k/year (USD)Los Angeles, United States

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Arena Club

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: April 29, 2026

Experience Level: 7+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

  • Lead end-to-end product design for high-impact features across web and mobile platforms, driving user experience innovation.

  • Translate complex user needs, data insights, and business objectives into intuitive and elegant design solutions.

  • Spearhead user research initiatives, including interviews, concept validation, and usability testing, to inform design decisions.

  • Collaborate closely with Product, Engineering, and Data teams to define requirements, assess tradeoffs, and deliver scalable, high-quality product experiences.

  • Contribute to and evolve the company's design system to ensure platform cohesion and maintain design standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role emphasizes a blend of strategic product thinking and hands-on craft, requiring a Senior Product Designer to not only execute but also influence product direction and mentor other designers within a fast-paced startup environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Own the design lifecycle for critical product features from initial concept through successful launch and iteration.

  • Develop wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity visual designs that clearly articulate user flows and interface elements.

  • Conduct user research methodologies such as interviews, surveys, concept validation, and usability testing to gather actionable insights.

  • Partner with Product Managers and Engineers to define product requirements, evaluate technical constraints, and negotiate design trade-offs.

  • Create and maintain design documentation, including user flows, personas, and detailed specifications for development handoff.

  • Drive consistency and scalability by contributing to and advocating for the adoption of the company's design system.

  • Analyze user data and feedback post-launch to identify areas for improvement and inform future design iterations.

  • Provide constructive critique and mentorship to junior designers, fostering a collaborative and high-performing design team culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a proactive designer who can manage multiple projects, adapt to evolving priorities, and contribute to the foundational elements of the product and design team's growth.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred for senior roles. Equivalent practical experience will also be strongly considered.

Experience: 7+ years of professional experience in designing consumer-facing digital products, with a demonstrable track record of shipping successful web and mobile applications.

Required Skills:

  • Proven expertise in end-to-end product design, encompassing user research, interaction design, visual design, and prototyping.

  • Strong portfolio showcasing complex problem-solving abilities, sophisticated interaction patterns, and a keen eye for visual aesthetics.

  • Mastery of Figma for creating high-fidelity designs, interactive prototypes, and seamless developer handoffs.

  • Experience collaborating effectively with engineering teams to ensure accurate implementation of designs at scale.

  • Demonstrated ability to conduct user research, synthesize findings, and translate insights into tangible design improvements.

  • Solid understanding of UX principles, user-centered design methodologies, and accessibility standards (WCAG).

  • Experience in creating, maintaining, and scaling design systems and component libraries.

  • Excellent communication and presentation skills, capable of articulating design rationale to diverse stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience with marketplace platforms, e-commerce, or community-driven digital products.

  • A passion for or background in sports, collectibles, or memorabilia.

  • Familiarity with A/B testing and data analysis to inform design decisions.

  • Experience in mentoring junior designers and contributing to design team growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a strong portfolio and Figma expertise suggests a hands-on role where the designer must be proficient in execution and able to communicate complex design concepts clearly. The mention of a "fast-moving startup environment" implies a need for a candidate comfortable with ambiguity and rapid iteration.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Showcase at least 3-5 complex product design projects that demonstrate your end-to-end design process, from discovery to launch.

  • Clearly articulate the problem statement, your role, the design process followed, key decisions made, and the measurable impact of your solutions.

  • Highlight your proficiency in interaction design, user flows, wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity visual design.

  • Include examples of how you've leveraged user research and data insights to drive design decisions.

Process Documentation:

  • Evidence of creating detailed user flows and interaction models for complex features.

  • Examples of wireframes and high-fidelity mockups that clearly communicate intended functionality and visual design.

  • Prototypes that effectively demonstrate key user interactions and experiences.

  • Case studies detailing how you approached user research, synthesized findings, and iterated on designs based on feedback.

  • Documentation outlining contributions to a design system, including component design and usage guidelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "Senior" title and emphasis on systems thinking, the portfolio should not only showcase visual polish but also a deep understanding of product strategy, user needs, and the ability to build scalable design solutions. Demonstrating impact through metrics is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $125,000 - $170,000 USD per year.

Explanation: This range is based on the provided data and industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers in Los Angeles, CA, considering the experience level (7+ years) and the company's focus on innovative digital products in a high-growth sector. Compensation will vary based on the candidate's specific skills, experience, and overall impact.

Benefits:

  • Competitive base salary.

  • Performance-based bonus opportunities.

  • Stock options (Equity) providing ownership in the company's growth.

  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

  • Paid time off and holidays.

  • Opportunities for professional development and continued learning.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility expected due to the dynamic nature of a startup environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The inclusion of bonus and equity in addition to base salary indicates a compensation structure designed to reward high performance and long-term commitment, typical of growth-stage startups. The salary range aligns with senior-level design roles in a major tech hub like Los Angeles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (Marketplaces, Collectibles, Digital Platforms), Sports & Recreation. Arena Club is disrupting the traditional sports memorabilia market by creating a digital-first experience, integrating grading, authentication, vaulting, and a digital marketplace. This innovative approach requires a culture that embraces digital transformation and cutting-edge technology.

Company Size: The company is likely a growth-stage startup, indicated by the need for senior talent and the emphasis on building foundational elements. This size typically means a dynamic environment with fewer layers of management, encouraging direct impact and rapid decision-making.

Founded: Founded by Derek Jeter and Brian Lee, Arena Club leverages the credibility of a sports icon and the entrepreneurial acumen of a serial founder to build trust and drive innovation in the collectibles space.

Team Structure:

  • The design team likely operates within a Product department, working closely with Product Management and Engineering.

  • As a Senior Product Designer, you would be expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy, while also contributing to the broader design strategy and standards.

Methodology:

  • Emphasis on user-centric design, leveraging data insights and user research to inform product development.

  • Agile development methodologies are probable, requiring designers to adapt to iterative processes and rapid feedback loops.

  • A focus on building scalable and robust digital products that maintain a high bar for quality and user experience.

Company Website: [Arena Club Company Website - Placeholder as URL was not provided]

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's founding narrative, combining sports legacy with tech entrepreneurship, suggests a culture that values ambition, innovation, and a competitive spirit. The "proving ground" ethos implies a high-performance environment where results are paramount.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level individual contributor role. It requires a high degree of self-direction, strategic thinking, and the ability to mentor others. The scope includes owning significant product areas and influencing the overall product and design direction.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Design, Design Manager, or potentially a VP of Product or CTO, depending on the current organizational structure.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct and significant impact on the user experience of Arena Club's platform, which is central to its value proposition. Design decisions will directly influence user acquisition, engagement, retention, and the overall success of the digital marketplace. The ability to translate business goals into user-friendly experiences is critical for driving revenue and market adoption.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Leadership Advancement: Potential to grow into a Lead Product Designer role, managing a small team of designers, or a Design Manager position.

  • Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like marketplace design, community platforms, or advanced UX research.

  • Product Strategy: Influence product roadmap and strategy through design-led innovation and user advocacy.

  • Mentorship: Develop leadership and coaching skills by mentoring junior designers and contributing to the design team's growth and best practices.

  • Company Growth: Participate in the rapid growth of a venture-backed startup, potentially leading to significant career progression and impact as the company scales.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth into leadership or specialized expertise, particularly within a fast-growing startup environment where senior contributors are highly valued and have the opportunity to shape the company's trajectory.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job is listed as "On-site," indicating a physical office presence is required in Los Angeles, CA. This suggests a collaborative, in-person work environment.

Office Location(s): Los Angeles, CA. This major metropolitan area offers a vibrant tech scene and diverse talent pool. Specific office location details would be provided during the interview process.

Workspace Context:

  • Expect a dynamic and collaborative office space conducive to teamwork and spontaneous discussions.

  • Access to modern design tools and technology necessary for high-fidelity design and prototyping.

  • Opportunities for direct interaction with cross-functional teams, including product managers, engineers, and leadership, fostering a cohesive product development culture.

  • The environment is likely fast-paced and team-oriented, encouraging open communication and shared problem-solving.

Work Schedule: While the standard is 40 hours per week, the startup environment may require flexibility to meet project deadlines and adapt to shifting priorities. This could involve occasional extended hours or weekend work during critical launch phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Los Angeles suggests a company that values in-person collaboration and team synergy. This environment is ideal for designers who thrive on direct interaction and rapid feedback loops.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter or hiring manager to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest.

  • Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you present your portfolio, discussing your process, key projects, and design rationale. Be prepared to dive deep into your problem-solving approach and impact.

  • Design Challenge/Case Study: You may be asked to complete a take-home design exercise or a live design challenge simulating real-world problems the team faces. This will assess your problem-solving skills, design thinking, and ability to execute under pressure.

  • Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other stakeholders to evaluate collaboration skills, communication, and technical understanding.

  • Final Round: Discussions with senior leadership to assess strategic thinking, cultural alignment, and overall fit for the Senior Product Designer role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Tell a Story: Structure your portfolio presentations around compelling narratives for each project, highlighting the problem, your role, your process, and the outcomes.

  • Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals, prototypes, and data to illustrate your design solutions and their impact.

  • Emphasize Process: Clearly articulate your design methodology, how you approach complex problems, and how you incorporate user feedback and data.

  • Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics and data to demonstrate the success and ROI of your design work.

  • Tailor to the Role: Highlight projects that best align with Arena Club's product (marketplaces, consumer-facing apps, collectibles) and the requirements of a Senior Designer.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand the Business: Research Arena Club's mission, product, target audience, and competitive landscape.

  • Practice Problem-Solving: Prepare to break down ambiguous problems, brainstorm solutions, and articulate your reasoning clearly.

  • Design System Thinking: Be ready to discuss how you approach design systems and componentization for scalability.

  • Communication: Practice explaining technical concepts and design decisions to both technical and non-technical audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to thoroughly assess a candidate's design craft, strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and collaborative skills. A strong portfolio presentation and preparedness for a design challenge are critical for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Figma: The core tool for UI design, prototyping, and developer handoff. Expect proficiency and potentially leadership in leveraging its advanced features and collaboration capabilities.

  • Prototyping Tools: While Figma has robust prototyping, familiarity with tools like InVision, Principle, or ProtoPie might be beneficial for specific advanced prototyping needs.

  • User Research Platforms: Tools such as UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, or SurveyMonkey for conducting and synthesizing user research.

  • Collaboration & Project Management: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, or Slack for team communication, task management, and workflow tracking.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • Product Analytics: Experience with tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Google Analytics to understand user behavior, track feature adoption, and measure impact.

  • Data Visualization: Ability to interpret data dashboards and reports, potentially using tools like Tableau or Looker if available.

CRM & Automation:

  • While not a primary design tool, understanding how design integrates with CRM (e.g., Salesforce) or marketing automation platforms can be beneficial for context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is a non-negotiable requirement. Experience with user research tools and product analytics platforms is crucial for a data-informed design approach, which is highly valued in product roles today.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Innovation & Disruption: A drive to create novel solutions and challenge existing norms in the collectibles market.

  • Excellence & Craft: A commitment to high-quality design and execution, setting a high bar for user experience.

  • Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing user research and analytics to inform design choices and measure impact.

  • Collaboration & Transparency: Open communication and teamwork across departments to achieve shared goals.

  • Ownership & Accountability: Taking responsibility for outcomes and driving projects to completion with a sense of urgency.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-functional Partnership: Designers work hand-in-hand with Product Managers and Engineers, forming integrated product teams.

  • Iterative Design Process: Embracing feedback loops and continuous improvement through rapid iteration and testing.

  • Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: A culture where senior members actively mentor and support junior team members, fostering collective growth.

  • Constructive Critique: Engaging in open, honest, and respectful critique sessions to elevate the quality of designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be high-energy, results-oriented, and focused on innovation. Designers are expected to be proactive, collaborative, and committed to delivering exceptional user experiences that drive business success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing Speed and Quality: In a fast-paced startup, maintaining a high standard of design execution while meeting aggressive timelines can be challenging.

  • Defining a New Market: Pioneering a digital-first approach to collectibles requires educating users and building trust in a relatively new paradigm.

  • Scalability: Designing experiences that can scale effectively as the user base and product complexity grow.

  • Ambiguity: Navigating evolving product priorities and requirements common in early-stage companies.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Mastering Design Systems: Deepen expertise in building and scaling robust design systems for complex platforms.

  • Product Strategy Influence: Gain experience in shaping product roadmaps and contributing to strategic business decisions through design.

  • Mentorship and Leadership: Develop leadership skills by mentoring junior designers and potentially leading design initiatives.

  • Industry Immersion: Gain deep knowledge of the sports collectibles market and the dynamics of online marketplaces.

  • Cutting-edge Technology: Work with modern design and development tools and processes in a tech-forward environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant opportunities for growth by tackling complex design challenges in a rapidly evolving market. The emphasis on mentorship and strategic influence provides a strong foundation for career advancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting priorities between user needs, business goals, and technical constraints. How did you navigate this?" (Focus on your process for evaluation and negotiation.)

  • "How do you approach designing for a new market or a product category where user behaviors are not yet well-established?" (Highlight research, iterative testing, and user education.)

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What interests you about Arena Club and the collectibles market specifically?" (Research the company's mission, founders, and recent news.)

  • "How do you contribute to a positive and productive design culture, especially in a startup environment?" (Discuss mentorship, critique, and collaboration.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure: Begin with an overview of Arena Club and its mission, then dive into 2-3 key projects. For each project, clearly state the problem, your role, the process, your specific contributions, challenges faced, and the measurable outcomes.

  • Depth over Breadth: Focus on projects that best showcase your senior-level problem-solving and execution skills, particularly those involving complex interaction design, systems thinking, or significant user impact.

  • Interactive Elements: Be prepared to click through your prototypes and explain interactions in real-time. Have high-fidelity mockups ready to showcase visual polish and attention to detail.

  • Q&A Readiness: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, trade-offs, and how you handled feedback or disagreements. Be ready to discuss your approach to user research and data analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, a deep understanding of the design process, and the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and concisely. Quantifiable results and a strong understanding of the business context are crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.

  • Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most impactful projects that best demonstrate your end-to-end design process, complex problem-solving, and systems thinking. Ensure a clear narrative and quantifiable results.

  • Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 7+ years of experience, specific skills in Figma, user research, interaction design, and any relevant experience in marketplaces or collectibles. Quantify achievements where possible.

  • Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio projects, focusing on your process, decision-making, and the impact of your work. Be ready for detailed questions.

  • Research Arena Club: Understand their product, mission, founders, and target audience. Think about how your skills can directly contribute to their success in the collectibles market.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.


Application Requirements

The role requires 7+ years of experience in consumer-facing product design with a strong portfolio demonstrating complex problem-solving and systems thinking. Proficiency in Figma and experience partnering with engineering teams to ship production-quality products at scale are essential.