Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: AustralianSuper

Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Job Type: Full time, Temporary (12-month max-term)

Category: Product Design / User Experience (UX)

Date Posted: 2026-09-11

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end product design initiatives, encompassing discovery, design, and developer handover for complex member experiences.

• Drive product strategy and direction by translating user needs, business objectives, and technical constraints into high-quality, user-centered design solutions.

• Leverage structured discovery, research, and systems thinking to define problem spaces, uncover opportunities, and deliver consistent, impactful user journeys.

• Foster strong collaborative relationships with Product, Engineering, and business stakeholders to influence decisions and ensure successful, feasible design outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer, indicating a need for significant autonomy, strategic thinking, and the ability to mentor or guide less experienced designers. The 12-month max-term nature suggests a project-driven focus, likely involving the development or enhancement of specific member-facing digital products. The emphasis on "complex, end-to-end member experiences" points towards intricate user journeys within the financial services sector.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the complete design lifecycle for significant digital initiatives, from initial problem definition and user research through to detailed UI design and seamless developer handover.

• Conduct thorough discovery processes, including user interviews, surveys, and competitive analysis, to deeply understand user needs and identify key pain points and opportunities.

• Develop comprehensive design artifacts, such as user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity UI designs, ensuring alignment with brand guidelines and accessibility standards.

• Collaborate proactively with Product Managers to define product roadmaps, prioritize features, and ensure design solutions effectively address strategic business goals.

• Partner closely with Engineering teams to ensure the technical feasibility of designs, provide clear specifications, and support the implementation process to maintain design integrity.

• Synthesize insights from usability testing, concept testing, and user feedback to iterate on designs and continuously improve the member experience.

• Champion user-centered design principles and best practices across cross-functional teams, acting as a advocate for the end-user throughout the product development process.

• Navigate ambiguity and complex problem spaces, effectively communicating design rationale and influencing stakeholders to achieve optimal product outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities emphasize a high degree of ownership and end-to-end accountability. The mention of "complex, end-to-end member experiences" and "systems thinking" suggests the need for a designer who can understand and design for intricate, multi-stage user journeys within a regulated industry like superannuation. The role requires not just execution but also strategic input and cross-functional influence.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. Experience:

• 5-10 years of progressive experience in UX and UI design, with a strong focus on digital product development.

• Demonstrated experience leading complex design projects from conception to launch, managing multiple workstreams simultaneously.

• Proven track record of successfully translating user research and business requirements into intuitive and effective digital solutions. Required Skills:

• UX/UI Design: Extensive experience in user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design principles, methodologies, and best practices within digital environments.

• Discovery & Research: Proven ability to lead structured discovery processes, define clear problem statements, and conduct robust user research, including usability testing, concept testing, and insight synthesis.

• Design Execution: Demonstrated experience in translating concepts into high-quality, build-ready designs, including user flows, interaction models, wireframes, and detailed UI specifications.

• Systems Thinking: Ability to understand and design for complex systems, ensuring consistency and coherence across multiple user journeys and touchpoints.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Strong capability in engaging with, influencing, and collaborating effectively with diverse stakeholders, including Product Managers, Engineers, and business leaders.

• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale clearly and persuasively.

• Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively within cross-functional, agile teams, fostering a collaborative and iterative design process.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for financial services or superannuation products.

• Proficiency with design systems and component-based design.

• Familiarity with design thinking methodologies and workshop facilitation.

• Experience with prototyping tools beyond basic wireframing, such as advanced interactive prototypes.

• Understanding of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and their application in design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level (5-10 years) and the emphasis on "leading end-to-end design" and "shaping product direction" suggest that candidates with experience in senior or lead designer roles will be highly competitive. The requirement for "systems thinking" and "complex, end-to-end member experiences" implies a need for designers who can grasp intricate user journeys and the interconnectedness of digital products within a larger ecosystem.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a minimum of 3-5 complex digital product design projects, demonstrating end-to-end ownership from discovery to delivery.

• Clear articulation of the problem space, your role, the design process undertaken, and the final outcomes achieved for each project.

• Demonstrated ability to define problem statements and uncover opportunities through structured discovery and research methods.

• Examples of high-quality, build-ready designs, including detailed flows, interaction models, and UI, with a focus on user-centered outcomes.

• Evidence of balancing user needs, business objectives, and technical constraints in design decision-making.

• Strong examples of stakeholder engagement, collaboration within cross-functional teams, and clear communication of design rationale. Process Documentation:

• Detailed case studies that highlight your approach to user research, including usability testing, concept testing, and insight synthesis.

• Documentation of how you translated research and insights into actionable design solutions, showcasing iterative design processes.

• Examples of how you collaborated with engineering teams, including design handover processes and ensuring design fidelity during development.

• Evidence of using systems thinking to ensure consistency and coherence across user journeys and digital touchpoints.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Product Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond just showcasing visual design and demonstrate strategic thinking, problem-solving capabilities, research acumen, and the ability to manage complex projects independently. The emphasis on "end-to-end design" and "developer handover" means showing tangible results and the process behind them.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• As this is a Senior Product Designer role in Melbourne, Australia, with an experience level of 5-10 years, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between AUD $140,000 and AUD $190,000 per annum, depending on experience and specific qualifications. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior UX/Product Designers in major Australian cities and the financial services sector, considering the cost of living in Melbourne. Benefits:

• Flexible, Blended Working: Support for flexible work arrangements, allowing for a balance between remote and in-office collaboration.

• Learning & Development: Opportunities for continuous professional growth, including access to learning resources, training, and workshops.

• Coaching: Access to coaching programs designed to support career development and skill enhancement.

• Career Opportunities: Potential for further career progression within AustralianSuper's growing organization.

• Member Impact: The opportunity to contribute to delivering excellent outcomes for AustralianSuper members, a large and impactful membership base.

• Supportive Culture: A workplace that champions safety, respect, inclusiveness, and diversity.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are typically 37.5 to 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered to support work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general market data for senior-level design roles in Australia. Specific compensation would be determined by AustralianSuper's internal salary bands, the candidate's precise experience, and the outcome of the interview process. The benefits listed are directly from the job description and are highly relevant for attracting and retaining talent in the design and operations fields.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Superannuation)

Company Size: AustralianSuper is one of Australia's largest superannuation funds, managing significant assets and serving millions of members. This scale implies robust processes, a focus on member outcomes, and a dynamic, often complex, operational environment.

Founded: 1981. With a long history, AustralianSuper has established itself as a leader in the Australian superannuation market, indicating a stable, established organization with a strong commitment to its members' financial futures.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Product Designer will likely be part of a dedicated Product Design or UX team, which is often embedded within or closely aligned with Product Management and Engineering departments.

• Reporting will likely be to a Head of Product Design, Design Lead, or a Senior Product Manager, depending on the specific team structure.

• This role necessitates close collaboration with Product Managers, Engineers (front-end and back-end), UX Researchers, Business Analysts, and other key stakeholders across various business units to ensure holistic product development. Methodology:

• AustralianSuper emphasizes a high-performance environment underpinned by a strong risk culture, focusing on delivering the best outcomes for members.

• Design processes are likely agile, iterative, and user-centered, integrating discovery, research, design, and delivery in a continuous loop.

• A strong emphasis is placed on data-driven decision-making, leveraging insights from member behavior, market trends, and user feedback to inform product strategy and design.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: AustralianSuper's status as a major superannuation fund means the company culture will likely be professional, member-focused, and compliance-aware. The "high-performance environment" and "strong risk culture" suggest a demanding yet rewarding workplace where efficiency, accuracy, and strategic thinking are valued. The mention of AI in the hiring process also indicates a forward-thinking approach to technology adoption.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Product Designer

This level signifies a professional with substantial expertise in UX/UI design, capable of independently leading complex projects, driving design strategy, and influencing product direction. They are expected to solve challenging design problems, mentor junior designers, and contribute significantly to the overall design maturity of the organization.

Reporting Structure:

• The role reports into a design leadership position (e.g., Head of Design, Design Manager, or Lead Designer) and works in close partnership with Product Managers and Engineering leads within specific product squads or initiatives. This structure facilitates both strategic alignment and agile execution. Operations Impact:

• As a Senior Product Designer, the impact is direct and significant, shaping the digital member experience which is critical for member engagement, satisfaction, and retention. By improving usability, accessibility, and overall experience, this role directly contributes to the organization's ability to attract and retain members, and ultimately, to delivering better financial outcomes for them. The design decisions made will influence how millions of members interact with their superannuation. Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Potential progression to Lead Product Designer, Design Manager, or Head of Product Design roles, focusing on team leadership, strategic vision, and organizational design maturity.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like complex financial product design, accessibility, design systems, or user research methodologies.

• Cross-Functional Experience: Gaining broader experience in product strategy, agile development methodologies, and stakeholder management within a large financial institution.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to mentor junior designers, contributing to the development of the broader design team and sharing expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are framed around advancing within the design function or expanding into broader product and leadership roles. The emphasis on "delivering excellent outcomes for members" is a key motivator and differentiator for roles within AustralianSuper.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid

AustralianSuper supports a blended working model, indicating a mix of remote work and in-office collaboration. This approach aims to balance flexibility with the benefits of in-person teamwork and idea generation.

Office Location(s): Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Specific office details would be provided upon inquiry, but typically such roles would involve working from AustralianSuper's main Melbourne corporate office.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model is designed to foster collaboration. In-office days are likely opportunities for workshops, brainstorming sessions, and team sync-ups, promoting a dynamic exchange of ideas.

• Tools & Technology: Access to modern design tools and collaborative software essential for UX/UI design, prototyping, and communication. The company's use of AI in recruitment suggests a commitment to leveraging technology.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with product squads, engineering teams, and cross-functional stakeholders, promoting a holistic understanding of product development.

Work Schedule:

• A standard full-time schedule (likely 37.5-40 hours per week) with flexibility to manage work hours, accommodating personal needs while ensuring project deadlines and team collaboration are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment is a key feature, offering flexibility. The emphasis on collaboration suggests that in-office days will be structured to maximize team interaction and knowledge sharing, which is crucial for complex design projects.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening (AI or Traditional): The process begins with an AI-driven resume review and potentially an initial AI phone interview. Candidates can opt for a traditional phone screening. This stage assesses basic qualifications and fit.

• Portfolio Review & Discussion: A crucial stage where candidates present their portfolios. Expect to walk through 2-3 key projects, detailing your role, process, challenges, and outcomes. Be prepared to discuss your design rationale, decision-making process, and how you applied user-centered principles.

• Skills-Based Interview/Workshop: This may involve a practical design exercise or a deep dive into specific skills like research synthesis, problem-solving, or stakeholder management. Expect scenario-based questions.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with potential colleagues, including Product Managers, Engineers, and other designers, to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: A final discussion, potentially with senior leadership, to confirm overall fit, strategic thinking, and alignment with AustralianSuper's values and goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your end-to-end design process, problem-solving skills, and impact on user experience and business goals. Focus on complexity and relevance to the financial services sector if possible.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your specific role and contributions, the methods used (discovery, research, design), the challenges faced, your decisions, and the measurable outcomes. Quantify impact wherever possible (e.g., conversion rate improvements, task completion times, user satisfaction scores).

• Showcase Process, Not Just Pixels: Demonstrate your thinking, research insights, iteration cycles, and how you collaborated with others. Include wireframes, user flows, and research findings, not just final UI mockups.

• Highlight Collaboration & Influence: Provide examples of how you worked with product and engineering teams, managed stakeholder feedback, and influenced product direction.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, how you handled trade-offs, and how you measure success.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: Research AustralianSuper's mission, values, and the superannuation industry. Think about the typical user journeys and challenges faced by members.

• Practice Design Exercises: Be ready for hypothetical design challenges that require you to define a problem, propose solutions, and articulate your rationale. Focus on your process and how you would approach ambiguity.

• Articulate Your Values: Be prepared to discuss how your approach aligns with AustralianSuper's values (Energy, Integrity, Generosity of Spirit, Excellent Outcomes) and how you contribute to a high-performance, risk-aware culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: The AI screening is a notable aspect. Candidates should tailor their resumes to include keywords from the job description and be prepared for an AI interview, or choose the traditional route if preferred. The portfolio review is critical, requiring a deep dive into process and impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable given industry trends), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop).

• Collaboration: Jira, Confluence, Slack, Microsoft Teams.

• User Research & Testing: UserTesting.com, Maze, Hotjar, Lookback, or similar platforms.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Tableau, Power BI (for understanding user behavior and product performance). CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, familiarity with how design integrates with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, Dynamics 365) and marketing automation platforms can be beneficial for understanding the broader customer journey. Other:

• Familiarity with design systems and their implementation.

• Understanding of accessibility standards and tools for testing compliance.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, the industry standard for modern digital product design heavily favors Figma. Candidates should be proficient in at least one major design and prototyping tool, and ideally have experience with user research platforms and collaboration tools common in agile environments.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Energy: A proactive and enthusiastic approach to problem-solving and driving initiatives forward.

• Integrity: Upholding high ethical standards, honesty, and transparency in all interactions and design decisions.

• Generosity of Spirit: Willingness to share knowledge, support colleagues, and contribute positively to the team and member outcomes.

• Excellent Outcomes: A commitment to delivering high-quality, impactful results that benefit members and the organization.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Emphasis on working collaboratively with Product, Engineering, and business stakeholders to achieve shared goals, ensuring alignment and shared ownership.

• Iterative & Feedback-Driven: A culture that embraces feedback, encourages iteration, and uses insights from various sources (user research, stakeholder input) to refine designs.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, learnings, and insights across the design team and with other departments to uplift overall capability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values are explicitly stated and are core to the hiring criteria. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate how their work and approach align with these values, particularly "Excellent Outcomes" and "Integrity" in the context of financial services.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Complexity: Navigating the intricate user journeys and regulatory requirements inherent in the superannuation industry to create intuitive experiences.

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Effectively managing competing priorities and perspectives from various stakeholders (Product, Engineering, Business, Legal) while advocating for user needs.

• Driving Design Maturity: Influencing and uplifting design practices within a large, established organization, potentially requiring strong change management and communication skills.

• Technical Constraints: Working within the limitations of existing technology stacks and development cycles to deliver innovative solutions.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Expertise: Deepen understanding of the financial services and superannuation sector, its unique user needs, and regulatory landscape.

• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to hone skills in areas like complex system design, accessibility, inclusive design, and advanced prototyping.

• Leadership Development: Potential to take on more strategic responsibilities, mentor junior designers, and contribute to the design team's growth strategy.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Exposure to product management, engineering practices, and business strategy within a large corporate setting.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to senior roles in large, regulated industries. The growth opportunities are geared towards career progression within design leadership or expansion into broader product strategy roles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex member experience you've designed. What were the key challenges, your approach, and the outcome?" (Focus on end-to-end process, problem-solving, and impact.)

• "How do you approach defining a new problem space or uncovering opportunities for a product?" (Highlight discovery, research, and strategic thinking.)

• "How do you balance user needs, business objectives, and technical constraints when making design decisions?" (Demonstrate trade-off analysis and pragmatic solutions.)

• "Walk us through your process for collaborating with engineering teams during design handover and implementation." (Showcase communication, specification clarity, and partnership.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do your personal work values align with AustralianSuper's values of Energy, Integrity, Generosity of Spirit, and Excellent Outcomes?" (Prepare specific examples.)

• "How do you contribute to a high-performance environment and a strong risk culture in your design work?" (Connect design quality, usability, and reliability to risk mitigation.)

• "Describe a time you had to influence stakeholders to adopt a particular design direction. How did you approach it?" (Focus on communication, data, and persuasion.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: For each project, clearly define: Problem, Your Role, Process, Solution, Outcomes.

• Quantify Everything: Use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., "Increased conversion by X%", "Reduced task completion time by Y%", "Improved NPS by Z points").

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals effectively – flows, wireframes, prototypes, research insights – to illustrate your process and thinking.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions on specific design choices, user research findings, and how you handled challenges or trade-offs.

• Highlight Collaboration: Emphasize how you worked with Product Managers and Engineers throughout the process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely test both design craft and strategic thinking. Be prepared to articulate your process, defend your design decisions with data and user insights, and demonstrate how you embody the company's values. The AI screening means ensuring your resume is keyword-optimized.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Oracle Cloud portal link.

• Tailor Your Resume: Optimize your resume with keywords from the job description, such as "UX design," "UI design," "Product design," "Discovery," "Research," "Systems thinking," and "Stakeholder engagement." Highlight achievements and quantifiable results.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most impactful end-to-end design projects that showcase your ability to solve complex problems, drive product direction, and collaborate effectively. Ensure clear articulation of your process and outcomes.

• Prepare for AI Screening: Be ready for an AI review of your application. If an AI interview is part of the process, practice concise, data-driven answers that align with the role's requirements. Alternatively, be prepared to opt for a traditional phone screening.

• Research AustralianSuper: Understand their mission, values, and the superannuation industry. Familiarize yourself with their digital presence and member-facing products.

• Practice Portfolio Presentation: Rehearse walking through your portfolio projects, focusing on storytelling, clear articulation of your process, and demonstrating measurable impact.

⚠️ 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.