Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Bupa

Location: Salford Quays, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / UX Design

Date Posted: 2026-09-25

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and shape unique, customer-centric digital experiences from concept to launch within product squads, ensuring seamless customer journeys across Bupa's digital assets (App, Mobile, Desktop & connected devices).

• Act as a key member of the product design community of practice, contributing to peer feedback, and mentoring/coaching junior designers to elevate the craft and discipline.

• Drive a consistent approach to UX and customer-centric culture by contributing to and improving the existing UX toolkit & playbooks, and building re-usable frameworks for broader business adoption.

• Champion accessibility and design to WCAG 2.2 AA standards, ensuring all digital products meet regulatory compliance and cater to users with diverse needs.

• Collaborate closely with product owners in an agile environment, influencing product strategy and evangelizing UX design principles, standards, and processes to key stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer, indicating a need for significant experience in end-to-end user-centered design processes and a capacity for leadership within the design team. The emphasis on mentoring, coaching, and contributing to the design community of practice suggests a role that blends hands-on design work with team development and strategic influence. The mention of an FCA-regulated business environment suggests a need for a strong understanding of compliance and risk in design decisions.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of customer-centric digital experiences across the entire user-centered design process, from Discovery through to Launch.

• Provide strategic UX direction for Bupa’s digital platforms, including mobile apps, desktop interfaces, and connected devices, to ensure a consistent and seamless customer experience.

• Actively contribute to the enhancement and refinement of the team's UX toolkit and playbooks, fostering best practices and efficient design workflows.

• Develop and promote re-usable design frameworks and templates to facilitate the adoption of a customer-centric culture across different business units.

• Educate and advocate for customer-centric design principles and methodologies throughout the organization, influencing stakeholders and driving adoption.

• Represent the UX team and its processes at external design events and conferences, enhancing Bupa's profile and contributing to the broader design community.

• Mentor, coach, and inspire fellow members of the experience design team, fostering their professional growth and shaping the future of the product design discipline within Bupa.

• Build strong advocacy among key stakeholders by effectively communicating the value and impact of UX design, its principles, standards, and processes.

• Participate in and contribute to playbacks, design critiques, and other communities of practice sessions to showcase work, receive constructive feedback, and elevate design quality.

• Actively maintain and improve the team's culture, focusing on psychological safety, celebrating successes, and promoting a collaborative learning environment.

• Champion the adoption and contribution to Bupa's Design System, 'Anatomy', creating assets and documenting UX research to provide rationale for design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of individual contribution and leadership. The emphasis on "educate the business," "build a re-usable framework," and "mentor, coach and inspire" points to a senior individual contributor role with significant influence and potential for team development. The responsibility to "showcase the UX team and our process at external design events" suggests a strong emphasis on thought leadership and external representation.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating mastery of design principles and processes is paramount. A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred in senior roles.

Experience: Extensive experience (typically 5-10 years) in product design and UX, with a proven track record of delivering successful digital experiences across multiple products and services.

Required Skills:

• Deep and varied UX experience, comfortable with the full end-to-end Double Diamond design process.

• Proficiency in conducting user research, synthesizing insights, creative exploration, prototyping, testing, and validating design outcomes.

• Strong facilitation skills for workshops, capable of bringing stakeholders together, extracting information, and defining strategic direction.

• Champion of the customer, balancing user needs with business requirements.

• Established 'design thinker' with empathy for user needs and a commitment to a 'test and learn' approach.

• Strong storytelling skills, capable of influencing and encouraging stakeholders and peers to adopt new ideas and processes.

• Knowledgeable across key design and research tools, including Figma, UserTesting.com, and Progression App.

• Champion for accessibility, with a deep understanding of designing to WCAG 2.2 AA standards.

• Experience managing complexity across multiple work streams and projects simultaneously. Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within an FCA-regulated business environment.

• Experience in contributing to and advocating for the adoption of established Design Systems ('Anatomy' in this case).

• Familiarity with connected devices and their UX implications.

• Experience in creating assets for design systems and documenting UX research.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize practical, hands-on experience with the entire design lifecycle and strong interpersonal skills for stakeholder management and team influence. The explicit mention of specific tools (Figma, UserTesting.com, Progression App) and accessibility standards (WCAG 2.2 AA) indicates these are critical technical proficiencies. The preference for FCA-regulated experience suggests a need for a nuanced understanding of compliance and risk in design.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end user-centered design projects, demonstrating mastery of the Double Diamond process from Discovery to Launch.

• Include detailed case studies that highlight your role, the challenges faced, your design process, and the impact of your solutions on user experience and business objectives.

• Provide examples of how you have synthesized user research insights to inform design decisions and validated concepts through testing and iteration.

• Demonstrate proficiency in prototyping and the creation of high-fidelity designs, ideally using tools like Figma.

• Showcase experience in designing for accessibility, with examples that adhere to WCAG 2.2 AA standards. Process Documentation:

• Document your approach to user research, detailing methods used (e.g., interviews, surveys, usability testing) and how insights were translated into actionable design strategies.

• Illustrate your workflow for creating and iterating on prototypes, including how feedback was incorporated.

• Provide evidence of how you have collaborated with cross-functional teams (e.g., product owners, developers) throughout the design process.

• Show examples of how you have contributed to or utilized design systems, including the creation or documentation of components.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Product Designer role, a portfolio is crucial. It should not only display visually appealing designs but also deeply illustrate the thought process, problem-solving abilities, and impact of the design work. Emphasis should be placed on demonstrating the ability to manage complex projects, influence stakeholders, and adhere to accessibility standards. The portfolio should clearly articulate the "why" behind design decisions, supported by research and testing.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Circa £53,500 - £66,800 per annum, depending on experience.

Benefits:

• 25 days holiday pro rata, increasing with length of service, with options to buy or sell.

• Private Medical Health Insurance as a benefit in kind.

• Enhanced pension plan and life insurance.

• Flexible working arrangements.

• Family-friendly benefits.

• Various other benefits and online discounts.

Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range falls within the mid-to-senior level for Product Designers in the UK, particularly in regions outside of London. The benefits package is comprehensive, emphasizing well-being, work-life balance, and financial security, which are attractive to experienced professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare and Health Insurance. Bupa is a global health insurance and healthcare provider.

Company Size: Bupa is a large, established global organization, employing thousands of people worldwide. This implies a structured environment with established processes but also opportunities for impact within specific teams.

Founded: Bupa was founded in 1947. This long history suggests stability, deep market understanding, and a well-established brand.

Team Structure:

• The role sits within a multi-disciplinary experience design team, comprising User Researchers, Product Designers, Content Designers, and Design Operations specialists.

• This team collaborates within agile product squads, working alongside Product Owners and development teams.

• As a Senior Product Designer, you will also be a key member of the product design community of practice, contributing to peer feedback and mentorship. Methodology:

• The team operates within an agile environment, focusing on a user-centered design process from Discovery to Launch.

• There is a strong emphasis on collaboration, with cross-functional teams working together to solve customer needs.

• The team actively contributes to and utilizes UX toolkits and playbooks, aiming to build re-usable frameworks and promote a customer-centric culture.

• Design System ('Anatomy') adoption and contribution is a key part of the design methodology.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Bupa's focus on health and well-being, combined with its long history and global presence, suggests a company culture that values long-term impact, customer care, and employee well-being. The structure of the experience design team within agile squads indicates a modern, collaborative approach to digital product development, with a strong emphasis on user needs and data-driven decision-making.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, positioned at Grade C15. It signifies a level of expertise and experience where individuals are expected to lead design initiatives, mentor others, and contribute to the strategic direction of product design within the organization.

Reporting Structure: You will sit within a multi-disciplinary experience design team and work collaboratively in agile product squads. While the exact reporting line isn't specified, senior designers typically report to a Design Lead, Head of Design, or a similar leadership role. You will also mentor and coach other designers.

Operations Impact: As a Senior Product Designer, your work directly impacts Bupa's digital customer experiences, influencing customer acquisition, retention, satisfaction, and ultimately, the business's ability to "make health happen." Your role in evangelizing UX and customer-centricity has a broader organizational impact.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to mentor and coach junior designers, potentially leading to formal leadership roles within the design team or product squads.

• Strategic Influence: Contribute to product strategy and the evolution of Bupa's digital offerings, gaining exposure to business-level decision-making.

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas such as accessibility, design systems, or user research methodologies.

• External Representation: Develop thought leadership by showcasing Bupa's design work and processes at external events.

• Process Improvement: Contribute to the refinement and development of UX toolkits, playbooks, and design frameworks, enhancing team efficiency and effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Senior Product Designer role offers significant growth potential beyond individual contribution. The emphasis on mentoring, community contribution, and strategic involvement indicates a pathway towards team leadership, design strategy, and potentially broader influence within Bupa's digital transformation efforts.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid working model. A minimum of one day per week is required in the Bupa Place office in Salford Quays, with the flexibility to work remotely for the remainder of the week.

Office Location(s): Bupa Place, M50 3SP, Salford Quays, United Kingdom. This location is in a well-connected urban area, likely offering good transport links and amenities.

Workspace Context:

• The role involves working within a multi-disciplinary experience design team, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment.

• You will be part of agile product squads, indicating a dynamic and iterative work setting.

• Access to necessary design tools (Figma, UserTesting.com, Progression App) and a design system ('Anatomy') will be provided.

• The hybrid model allows for focused work at home and collaborative/team-based activities in the office.

Work Schedule: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week. The hybrid arrangement offers flexibility in how these hours are structured, balancing office presence with remote work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment at Bupa Place in Salford Quays aims to balance the benefits of in-person collaboration and team cohesion with the flexibility and autonomy of remote work, which is increasingly valued by design professionals.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with the role requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: You will likely be asked to present a selection of your work, detailing your process, problem-solving approach, and the impact of your designs. Be prepared to discuss your experience with the Double Diamond process, user research, prototyping, and accessibility.

• Skills-Based Interview: Questions will focus on your UX expertise, design thinking, stakeholder management, and mentoring capabilities. Expect scenario-based questions related to complex design challenges.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: An opportunity to meet with members of the experience design team and potentially product owners to assess collaboration style and cultural alignment.

• Final Interview: Likely with a Design Lead or Head of Design to discuss strategic vision, leadership potential, and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 strong case studies that best showcase your end-to-end product design experience, problem-solving skills, and impact. Prioritize projects that demonstrate your ability to work in complex environments and deliver user-centric solutions.

• Highlight Process: Clearly articulate your design process for each case study. Use visuals like journey maps, wireframes, and user flows to illustrate your thinking. Explain the rationale behind your decisions, referencing user research and testing.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics and data to demonstrate the positive outcomes of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, increased user satisfaction, reduced task completion times).

• Showcase Accessibility: Dedicate a section or specific examples within your case studies to demonstrate your understanding and application of WCAG 2.2 AA standards.

• Tailor to Bupa: Research Bupa's mission, values, and current digital products. Try to align your portfolio examples with the challenges and opportunities within the healthcare sector.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a design exercise, which could involve solving a specific UX problem relevant to Bupa's services or critiquing an existing design. Practice thinking aloud and articulating your process.

• Stakeholder Management Scenarios: Anticipate questions about how you would handle conflicting stakeholder opinions or advocate for user needs in a business-driven environment.

• Mentoring Scenarios: Prepare to discuss your approach to mentoring junior designers, providing constructive feedback, and fostering their growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process for a Senior Product Designer role typically involves a rigorous evaluation of both technical design skills and leadership potential. A well-prepared portfolio that clearly articulates process and impact is paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency in creating components, variants, and auto-layout is expected.

• UserTesting.com: For conducting remote usability testing and gathering user feedback throughout the design process.

• Progression App: Likely a tool for managing design projects, workflows, or feedback within the team. (Specific functionality would need clarification).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed, expect to work with analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to understand user behavior and measure design impact.

• Familiarity with A/B testing platforms may also be beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the core design responsibilities, but understanding how design integrates with CRM and marketing automation platforms can be a plus for GTM-related design aspects. Design System:

• 'Anatomy' Design System: Advocacy for and contribution to this internal design system is a key requirement. This includes creating assets and ensuring consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is a baseline expectation for modern product designers. Experience with usability testing platforms like UserTesting.com and understanding how to leverage analytics for design decisions are critical for a data-informed approach. Contribution to a design system is a significant aspect of this role, requiring an understanding of component-based design and documentation.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Centricity: A primary value, driving all design decisions to meet customer needs and improve their experiences.

• Collaboration: Working effectively in multi-disciplinary teams and agile squads to achieve shared goals.

• Continuous Improvement: Actively contributing to UX toolkits, playbooks, and design processes, and embracing a 'test and learn' approach.

• Well-being: Bupa's overarching focus on health and well-being for its customers and employees, fostering a supportive and healthy work environment.

• Diversity & Inclusion: Bupa champions diversity, encouraging applications from all backgrounds and understanding the importance of representing diverse communities.

Collaboration Style:

• Agile & Iterative: Working within agile product squads demands a flexible, collaborative, and iterative approach to design and development.

• Cross-functional: Close collaboration with Product Owners, Researchers, Content Designers, and Developers is essential.

• Community of Practice: Active participation in design critiques, peer feedback sessions, and knowledge sharing within the broader experience design team.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Proactive communication and influence with stakeholders across different business units to advocate for UX best practices and customer needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Bupa's stated values of diversity, inclusion, and well-being, alongside the emphasis on customer centricity and collaboration, suggest a positive and supportive work environment. The collaborative style is deeply embedded in the agile team structure and the community of practice.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business & Regulatory Constraints: Navigating the complexities of an FCA-regulated environment while championing user-centric design and meeting business objectives.

• Driving Adoption of Design Systems & Best Practices: Effectively influencing stakeholders and teams to adopt new design standards, tools, and methodologies.

• Mentoring and Developing Talent: Providing effective guidance and support to junior designers while managing your own project responsibilities.

• Maintaining Design Consistency Across Diverse Products: Ensuring a seamless and unified customer experience across Bupa's varied digital assets.

• Adapting to Evolving User Needs and Technologies: Staying abreast of new trends in UX, accessibility, and digital health to continuously innovate.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Formal Mentorship Programs: Opportunities to be mentored or to mentor others within the design team.

• Access to Design System Resources: Deepen expertise in design system contribution and management.

• Workshops & Training: Potential for internal or external training on advanced UX techniques, accessibility, or leadership skills.

• Industry Events: Opportunities to attend conferences and external design events, fostering professional development and networking.

• Exposure to Healthcare Industry: Gaining specialized knowledge in the complexities and user needs of the healthcare and insurance sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents a significant opportunity for professional growth by tackling complex design challenges in a regulated industry, honing leadership and mentoring skills, and contributing to the strategic evolution of digital experiences at a large, established organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led the design of a complex digital product from concept to launch. What was your process, what challenges did you face, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on Double Diamond, research, iteration, and impact.)

• "How do you advocate for user needs when faced with conflicting business priorities or technical constraints?" (Prepare examples of stakeholder management and negotiation.)

• "How do you approach mentoring junior designers? Describe a situation where you helped a designer grow their skills." (Highlight your coaching style and ability to foster development.)

• "How would you contribute to and champion Bupa's 'Anatomy' design system?" (Showcase your understanding of design systems and your proactive approach.)

• "What is your approach to designing for accessibility, specifically adhering to WCAG 2.2 AA standards? Can you provide an example?" (Be ready to discuss practical application.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Bupa's mission to 'make health happen' and how does your design philosophy align with this?" (Research Bupa's values and mission statement.)

• "How do you contribute to a positive and collaborative team culture?" (Prepare examples of your teamwork and communication style.)

• "What are your thoughts on working in a hybrid environment, and how do you ensure effective collaboration across remote and in-office team members?" (Discuss your strategies for maintaining connection and productivity.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the impact. Use a consistent structure for clarity.

• Emphasize Your Decision-Making: Explain why you made certain design choices, referencing user research, data, or business goals. This demonstrates critical thinking.

• Showcase Collaboration: Highlight instances where you worked effectively with cross-functional teams, Product Owners, and stakeholders.

• Demonstrate Technical Skills: Ensure your prototypes and final designs are polished and reflect your proficiency in tools like Figma.

• Quantify Results: If possible, present metrics that show the success of your designs. If exact metrics aren't available, discuss anticipated outcomes or qualitative feedback received.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for a Senior Product Designer role should focus on showcasing not only design craft but also strategic thinking, leadership potential, and the ability to navigate complex organizational dynamics. Demonstrating a deep understanding of the user-centered design process and its impact is key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 compelling case studies that best represent your end-to-end product design process, problem-solving abilities, and impact. Tailor your selection to highlight experience relevant to healthcare and accessibility.

• Optimize Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your years of experience, key skills (Figma, UX research, accessibility, etc.), and quantifiable achievements. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio case studies, focusing on your thought process, collaboration, and the outcomes of your work. Be ready to discuss your experience with WCAG 2.2 AA standards and design systems.

• Research Bupa: Familiarize yourself with Bupa's mission, values, and digital products. Understand their commitment to customer centricity and well-being to align your responses during interviews.

⚠️ 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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