Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Barclays

Location: Glasgow Campus, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: 2026-06-18

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design user-centered and visually appealing interfaces and experiences for digital banking products, ensuring seamless integration of customer needs and preferences.

• Lead the end-to-end design process from initial discovery and user research through to final delivery, in close collaboration with product managers and engineering teams.

• Champion accessibility standards and brand identity consistency across all digital banking platforms and applications.

• Drive innovation by staying abreast of industry trends, design best practices, and emerging technologies, particularly in AI tools and agentic workflows.

• Act as a senior contributor, advising on complex design issues, potentially leading collaborative assignments, and mentoring junior team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is classified as an Assistant Vice President (AVP) level position within Barclays, indicating significant responsibility, leadership potential, and influence over strategic decisions within the product design domain. The emphasis on "0-1 Product Development" suggests a focus on innovation and bringing new concepts to life.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive user research and usability testing to deeply understand customer needs, pain points, and preferences, directly informing the design of banking products and services.

• Develop intuitive and user-friendly interfaces for digital banking platforms and applications, prioritizing a seamless and engaging user experience.

• Create and maintain visually appealing, consistent user interfaces that strictly adhere to Barclays' brand identity and established design guidelines across all digital touchpoints.

• Produce detailed wireframes and interactive prototypes to effectively visualize, test, and refine product concepts and features prior to development, ensuring stakeholder alignment.

• Ensure all designs comply rigorously with relevant accessibility standards and guidelines, fostering an inclusive and equitable experience for all users.

• Proactively monitor and integrate industry trends, emerging technologies (especially AI tools and agentic workflows), and best practices to continuously elevate design quality and foster innovation within Barclays' digital offerings.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including product managers, engineers, strategists, and business stakeholders, to ensure design solutions meet both user needs and business objectives.

• Contribute to the development of design policies, operational effectiveness, and the mitigation of design-related risks, aligning with Barclays' control and governance agenda.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description emphasizes a proactive approach to design, moving beyond execution to include influencing decision-making, contributing to policy development, and taking ownership of operational effectiveness related to design. This suggests a strategic rather than purely tactical role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio and relevant experience in design, human-computer interaction, graphic design, or a related field is expected.

Experience: 5-10 years of professional experience in product design, with a proven track record in UX/UI design and end-to-end product development.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in end-to-end design, encompassing discovery, research, design, and delivery phases.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with engineering and product management teams throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Solid experience in 0-1 Product Development, bringing new concepts from ideation to initial launch.

• Expertise in conducting user research and usability testing to gather actionable insights.

• Proficient in creating wireframes and interactive prototypes for concept visualization and testing.

• Strong understanding and application of UI/UX design principles for digital platforms.

• Familiarity with accessibility standards and best practices to ensure inclusive design.

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence and align diverse teams. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI tools and agentic workflows, and their application in design processes.

• Demonstrated experience in developing propositions and proof-of-concept (POC) projects.

• Knowledge of digital banking products and services, and the unique design considerations therein.

• Familiarity with graphic design principles and brand identity application.

• Experience working within a large, regulated financial institution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "Assistant Vice President Expectations" suggests that candidates should highlight leadership qualities, strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and experience in mentoring or guiding other team members, even if not formally managing a team.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a diverse range of projects demonstrating end-to-end product design capabilities, from initial concept through to delivery.

• Include detailed case studies that clearly articulate the problem statement, your role, the design process employed (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), and the final outcomes.

• Highlight projects involving 0-1 product development, illustrating your ability to innovate and bring new ideas to market.

• Present examples of collaboration with engineering and product teams, demonstrating your ability to work effectively in cross-functional environments.

• Showcase work that explicitly addresses accessibility considerations and adherence to relevant standards.

• Include examples of user research and usability testing methodologies used, along with how insights were integrated into the design. Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your personal design process in detail, including how you approach problem identification, user segmentation, ideation, rapid prototyping, and iterative testing.

• Document how you incorporate feedback from user research, usability testing, and stakeholder reviews into your design iterations.

• Articulate your approach to maintaining design consistency and brand alignment across multiple products and platforms.

• Explain how you leverage AI tools or agentic workflows within your design process to enhance efficiency or innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Assistant Vice President Expectations" section implies that a portfolio should also demonstrate strategic thinking, risk mitigation in design, and the ability to analyze complex data from multiple sources to solve design problems creatively.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on Barclays' typical AVP-level compensation for Senior Product Designers in the UK, and considering Glasgow's cost of living, an estimated annual salary range would be between £65,000 - £90,000. This range reflects the 5-10 years of experience requirement, the senior nature of the role, and the specialized skills in demand.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health and wellness programs, including medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• Generous paid time off (PTO), including vacation days, sick leave, and public holidays.

• Retirement savings plan with company matching contributions (e.g., Pension scheme).

• Life assurance and critical illness cover.

• Opportunities for professional development, including training, certifications, and conference attendance.

• Employee assistance programs offering confidential support for personal and professional challenges.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives.

• Access to employee discount programs for various services and products.

Working Hours: This is a full-time position, typically requiring approximately 40 hours per week. While a standard office schedule is expected, there may be flexibility based on project needs and team collaboration, with a focus on delivering results and meeting deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior-level design roles in major UK financial institutions, adjusted for location (Glasgow) and the specified experience level. The benefits listed are standard for large corporate employers like Barclays in the UK, aimed at attracting and retaining talent.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services / Banking. Barclays is a global financial services provider engaged in retail banking and commercial banking, credit cards, investment banking, and wealth management. This industry context means a strong emphasis on security, compliance, regulatory adherence, and a commitment to customer trust.

Company Size: Barclays is a large, multinational corporation, employing tens of thousands of people globally. This size implies a structured environment with established processes, opportunities for career progression, and a diverse workforce.

Founded: Barclays was founded in 1690, making it one of the oldest financial institutions in the world. This long history signifies stability, deep-rooted expertise, and a culture that values tradition while adapting to modern challenges.

Team Structure:

• The role is within an in-house innovation team, suggesting a dynamic and forward-thinking environment focused on developing new digital banking solutions.

• Collaboration is key, with close interaction expected between designers, engineers, and strategists.

• As a Senior Product Designer at the Assistant Vice President (AVP) level, you will likely report to a Design Lead, Head of Product Design, or a Director-level executive overseeing innovation.

• You may be expected to guide or mentor junior designers and contribute to team-wide design standards and processes. Methodology:

• Data analysis and insights are paramount, driven by user research, usability testing, and performance metrics from live products.

• Workflow planning and optimization focus on creating efficient and user-friendly digital experiences that meet business objectives.

• Automation and efficiency practices are increasingly important, especially with the mention of AI tools, aiming to streamline both internal processes and customer interactions.

Company Website: https://home.barclays

📝 Enhancement Note: Operating within a large financial institution like Barclays means that design decisions must be rigorously justified, well-documented, and aligned with risk management frameworks and regulatory requirements. The "Assistant Vice President Expectations" highlight a blend of individual contribution and potential leadership within this structured environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Senior Product Designer role is positioned at an Assistant Vice President (AVP) level. This signifies a mid-to-senior career stage, requiring substantial experience and the ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy. At this level, individuals are expected to not only execute complex design tasks but also to influence strategy, mentor others, and contribute to the broader operational effectiveness of the design function.

Reporting Structure: Typically, an AVP-level Senior Product Designer would report to a Director or VP of Product Design or Innovation. They will likely collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and other senior stakeholders across business units. The role may involve guiding or mentoring junior designers, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented team environment.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is significant, directly influencing the user experience of digital banking products, which are critical for customer acquisition, retention, and overall satisfaction. Successful designs can lead to increased customer engagement, improved operational efficiency through intuitive interfaces, and innovation that differentiates Barclays in a competitive market. As an AVP, you'll be expected to connect design decisions to tangible business outcomes, such as improved conversion rates, reduced customer support inquiries, and enhanced brand perception.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunities to specialize in emerging areas like AI-driven design, agentic workflows, or advanced user research methodologies. Deepen expertise in 0-1 product development and proposition design.

• Leadership Development: Potential to move into formal leadership roles (e.g., Design Lead, Head of Product Design) or to become a subject matter expert and design strategist. Mentoring junior designers provides practical leadership experience.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain deeper understanding of different business functions within Barclays (e.g., retail banking, investment banking, wealth management) through collaborative projects, broadening strategic perspective and business acumen.

• Industry Recognition: Contribute to industry best practices through internal knowledge sharing or participation in external forums, enhancing professional reputation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The AVP designation implies a trajectory towards more senior leadership or highly specialized individual contributor roles. Growth is expected not just in design execution but in strategic thinking, business impact, and potentially people leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role is based out of Barclays' Glasgow office, indicating a predominantly on-site work arrangement. The office environment is likely professional and corporate, designed to support collaboration, security, and productivity within the financial services sector.

Office Location(s): Glasgow Campus, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom. This specific campus location will offer the necessary infrastructure and amenities for a large financial institution.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a dynamic workspace that encourages interaction with product managers, engineers, strategists, and other designers. This could include dedicated collaboration zones, meeting rooms, and open-plan areas designed for team synergy.

• Operations Tools and Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite), prototyping tools, user research platforms, and potentially specialized AI tools. Barclays will provide the necessary hardware and software infrastructure.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular team meetings, design critiques, workshops, and cross-functional project discussions, fostering a sense of shared purpose and continuous learning.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule will likely be Monday to Friday, aligning with typical business hours (approx. 40 hours per week). While core hours will be expected for collaboration and team engagement, there may be some flexibility to accommodate project deadlines or specific research activities, with a focus on delivering high-quality work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on an on-site role in Glasgow suggests that candidates should be prepared for a traditional office-based work environment, with opportunities for direct, in-person collaboration and engagement.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application and resume, focusing on relevant experience, skills, and alignment with the Senior Product Designer role and AVP expectations.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present your selected case studies from your portfolio. Be prepared to discuss your design process, decision-making, collaboration, and the impact of your work. Focus on projects demonstrating 0-1 development, user research, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: This may involve a design challenge (e.g., a take-home exercise or an in-interview exercise) to assess your practical design skills, problem-solving abilities, and approach to specific design scenarios relevant to digital banking.

• Behavioral & Cultural Fit Interview: Questions designed to assess your alignment with Barclays' values (Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence, Stewardship) and mindset (Empower, Challenge, Drive). Expect questions related to leadership, collaboration, risk management, and handling complex situations.

• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager and potentially key team members to delve deeper into your experience, leadership potential, and how you would contribute to the team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 strong case studies that best represent your end-to-end design experience, particularly highlighting 0-1 product development, user research, and collaboration.

• Tell a Story: Structure each case study with a clear narrative: the problem, your role and responsibilities, the process (research, ideation, design, testing), your key contributions, challenges faced, and the measurable outcomes/impact.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improvements in conversion rates, task completion times, user satisfaction scores, reduction in support tickets).

• Showcase Process: Clearly articulate your design thinking, methodologies, and how you adapted your approach based on user feedback and business requirements.

• Highlight Collaboration: Emphasize how you worked with engineering, product management, and other stakeholders, showcasing your communication and influencing skills.

• Address AI/Emerging Tech: If applicable, showcase projects that utilized AI tools or explored agentic workflows, explaining the rationale and benefits.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a take-home challenge, ensure you fully understand the brief, the target user, and the business objectives.

• Prioritize and Scope: For in-interview challenges, quickly identify the core problem and focus on delivering a well-reasoned solution within the given time, rather than trying to perfect every detail.

• Articulate Your Thinking: Be prepared to walk through your thought process, assumptions, and design decisions clearly and concisely. Explain why you made certain choices.

• Consider Constraints: Acknowledge potential constraints (technical, time, budget) and how they might influence your design approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes not just design execution but also strategic thinking, leadership potential (as per AVP expectations), and alignment with Barclays' core values and operational principles.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly likely as industry standard), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop).

• Prototyping Tools: InVision, Principle, Axure RP (depending on complexity required).

• User Research Platforms: UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, or internal Barclays tools for conducting remote and in-person usability tests and surveys.

• Collaboration Tools: Jira, Confluence (for project management and documentation), Slack or Microsoft Teams (for communication).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web/App Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or Barclays' internal analytics platforms to track user behavior and product performance.

• Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI, or similar tools for creating dashboards and reports to communicate design impact and user insights to stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM management role, understanding how design impacts CRM data capture and user journeys within customer-facing systems (like Salesforce, if used by Barclays for certain functions) is beneficial.

• Awareness of automation principles in design and user flows, especially relevant to AI tools and agentic workflows mentioned as a preferred skill.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mention of "AI tools/ Agentic workflows" suggests that familiarity with emerging technologies in design or a willingness to learn and adapt to them is a significant advantage. Barclays likely utilizes a robust, enterprise-grade technology stack.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Respect: Valuing diverse perspectives and fostering an inclusive environment where all team members feel heard and appreciated. This applies to user interactions, stakeholder communication, and team dynamics.

• Integrity: Upholding ethical standards in design, data handling, and communication. Being transparent about design challenges and limitations.

• Service: A commitment to delivering exceptional user experiences that meet customer needs and exceed expectations, thereby serving the bank's customers effectively.

• Excellence: Striving for the highest quality in design execution, innovation, and problem-solving. Continuously seeking to improve processes and outcomes.

• Stewardship: Taking responsibility for the long-term impact of design decisions, ensuring they align with Barclays' brand, security, and regulatory commitments.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: A highly collaborative approach is expected, working closely with product managers, engineers, strategists, researchers, and business stakeholders to ensure comprehensive solutions.

• Process Review & Feedback: An open culture for constructive feedback on designs and processes, encouraging iterative improvement and shared learning.

• Knowledge Sharing: Proactive sharing of insights, best practices, and learnings across the design team and with relevant departments to foster collective growth and elevate the overall design standard.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Barclays values and mindset are central to the company culture. Candidates should demonstrate how their design approach and work ethic align with these principles, particularly in a regulated industry where trust and responsibility are paramount.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Regulation: Designing cutting-edge digital experiences while adhering to strict financial regulations, security protocols, and accessibility standards presents a significant challenge.

• Complex Stakeholder Management: Navigating the needs and expectations of diverse stakeholders across a large organization, ensuring buy-in and alignment for design initiatives.

• Driving Adoption of New Technologies: Championing and integrating emerging technologies like AI tools into design workflows and product features requires significant advocacy, education, and proof of concept.

• Measuring Design Impact: Quantifying the ROI of design efforts, especially for 0-1 products, can be challenging and requires robust data collection and analysis strategies.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in user research, usability testing, and advanced UX/UI design techniques. Gain specialized knowledge in AI-driven design processes and agentic workflows.

• Industry Conference & Certification Participation: Opportunities to attend leading design conferences (e.g., UXPA, Interaction Week) and pursue relevant certifications to stay current with industry trends.

• Operations Mentorship & Leadership: Benefit from mentorship from senior leaders within Barclays and opportunities to mentor junior designers, developing leadership capabilities. Access to internal leadership development programs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity to work on the forefront of digital innovation within a stable, established financial institution. The challenges are framed as opportunities for skill development and strategic contribution.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for tackling a 0-1 product design challenge. How do you validate ideas and ensure product-market fit?" (Focus on research, ideation, rapid prototyping, and early validation).

• "How do you balance user needs with business objectives and technical constraints, especially in a regulated environment like banking?" (Highlight your negotiation, compromise, and problem-solving skills).

• "Imagine you need to integrate an AI-powered feature into a banking app. What steps would you take from a design perspective, and what potential user concerns would you address?" (Focus on user-centricity, ethical considerations, and clear communication of AI functionality). Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do you see your design philosophy aligning with Barclays' values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence, and Stewardship?" (Prepare specific examples of how your past work embodies these values).

• "Describe a time you had to influence stakeholders who had differing opinions on a design direction. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Showcase your communication, persuasion, and collaborative skills).

• "How do you stay updated on design trends, and how have you incorporated new technologies or methodologies into your work?" (Mention your proactive learning habits and specific examples, e.g., AI tools). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, start with the business problem and user need, clearly state your role and contributions, detail your process (research, ideation, iteration), highlight key decisions and rationale, and conclude with the measurable impact.

• Emphasize Collaboration: Explicitly mention who you collaborated with (engineers, PMs, researchers) and how that collaboration contributed to the success of the project.

• Visual Storytelling: Use clear, high-fidelity mockups, wireframes, and prototypes to illustrate your design solutions. Annotate key elements and design choices.

• Quantify Results: Present data and metrics whenever possible to demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs. If exact numbers aren't available, discuss the intended impact and how it would be measured.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, challenges encountered, and alternative solutions you considered.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only design proficiency but also strategic thinking, leadership potential, and a strong understanding of the financial services industry context, as expected for an AVP-level role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

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

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature 3-4 strong case studies that best exemplify your end-to-end design experience, particularly highlighting 0-1 product development, user research, and cross-functional collaboration. Ensure each case study clearly outlines the problem, your role, process, and quantifiable impact.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords relevant to product design, UX/UI, user research, prototyping, accessibility, 0-1 product development, and AI tools. Quantify achievements where possible and clearly state years of experience.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, decision-making rationale, and collaborative approach. Prepare to present your portfolio case studies with a clear narrative and focus on outcomes. Review Barclays' values and recent innovations.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Barclays' digital offerings, recent news, and stated company values. Understand their position in the financial services market and any known design initiatives or challenges.

⚠️ 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.