Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Colonial First State (CFS)

Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Job Type: Full-time, 12-month maximum term

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: 2026-05-14

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design and enhancement of direct customer digital channels, focusing on intuitive User Experience (UX) and engaging User Interface (UI) design.

• Drive the evolution and maintenance of the company's design system, ensuring consistency and efficiency across all digital touchpoints.

• Leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to innovate design workflows, improve research synthesis, and elevate prototyping capabilities.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Management, Technology, and Data teams, to deliver user-centric digital solutions.

• Mentor and guide junior designers, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and high performance within the User Experience Design team.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a Senior Product Designer position within Colonial First State (CFS), a financial services organization. The primary focus is on digital product design for customer-facing channels, with a strong emphasis on UX/UI, design systems, and the integration of AI in design processes. The role is a fixed-term contract, requiring candidates to be proficient in delivering tangible design outcomes within a defined period.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own and evolve the UI design of all digital touchpoints, ensuring a cohesive and compelling user experience across platforms, with a keen eye for detail in UI methodologies.

• Contribute actively to the company’s design system, adapting it to new requirements and enhancing its utility for improved design efficiency.

• Utilize AI tools to optimize design workflows, including research synthesis, prototyping, and design handoff, thereby increasing both quality and speed of delivery.

• Continuously research and champion emerging AI capabilities within the design team to uplift practices and identify opportunities for enhanced customer outcomes.

• Analyze user data and feedback to inform design decisions, identify pain points, and drive iterative improvements to digital products.

• Develop and maintain a robust information architecture that facilitates logical and seamless user journeys across the digital ecosystem.

• Create detailed wireframes and interactive prototypes to clearly articulate design concepts, user flows, and interaction models.

• Conduct iterative design based on feedback received from user testing and stakeholder reviews, ensuring optimal user experience and functionality.

• Plan, execute, and interpret usability testing sessions to uncover user insights and validate design decisions, translating findings into actionable design changes.

• Foster strong collaborative relationships with cross-functional teams, including Product Managers, Developers, and other Designers, to ensure seamless integration of design solutions.

• Mentor and guide junior designers, promoting a creative, collaborative, and high-performance work environment within the UX team.

• Actively contribute to the continuous improvement of design processes and methodologies employed within CFS.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic design leadership and hands-on execution, emphasizing the need for a candidate who can both shape the design vision and actively contribute to its implementation. The explicit mention of AI tools and design systems indicates a forward-thinking approach to design operations and efficiency.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While specific educational requirements are not detailed, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for senior roles in this domain. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: A minimum of 5-10 years of professional experience in UX/UI design, with a significant portion focused on digital product design. Experience in Wealth Management or Superannuation is highly desirable.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated experience in Wealth Management and/or Superannuation sectors.

• Proven experience designing for financial adviser-focused experiences and interfaces.

• Solid digital product design experience, with a strong portfolio showcasing work on Mobile Apps, Public Websites, and authenticated customer environments.

• High proficiency in Figma and practical experience working with and contributing to design systems.

• In-depth knowledge of user-centered design principles and industry best practices.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

• Mastery of UI design principles including color theory, typography, layout, hierarchy, spacing, accessibility, and responsive design.

• Ability to translate complex problems into simple, elegant digital solutions and user experiences.

• Demonstrated ability to be both strategic and execution-focused, with a creative curiosity to challenge the status quo.

• Experience using AI tools to enhance design workflows, research synthesis, and prototyping, coupled with a curiosity for exploring new AI capabilities.

• Strong critical thinking skills, ability to manage ambiguity, and solve sophisticated problems.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience creating animations, micro-animations, and dynamic visual effects to enhance UI experiences.

• Experience with data analysis and user feedback interpretation to inform design decisions.

• Familiarity with developing and maintaining solid information architecture for seamless user journeys.

• Experience planning and conducting usability testing sessions and iterating designs based on findings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize specific industry experience (Wealth Management/Superannuation) and proficiency in core design tools (Figma) and methodologies (user-centered design, design systems). The integration of AI in design is a key differentiator, requiring candidates to demonstrate proactive exploration and application of these technologies.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing end-to-end digital product design projects, with a focus on the direct customer digital channels and financial adviser interfaces.

• Demonstrations of UI design methodologies, component ownership, and contributions to design systems.

• Case studies illustrating the application of user-centered design principles from research to final implementation.

• Examples of wireframes, interactive prototypes, and final UI designs for mobile apps, websites, and authenticated customer environments.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase a structured approach to information architecture design and user journey mapping.

• Provide examples of usability testing plans, execution, and the subsequent design iteration process.

• Illustrate how AI tools were leveraged to enhance design workflows, research, prototyping, or handoff stages.

• Detail contributions to design systems, including component creation, documentation, and system evolution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role, serving as the primary evidence of a candidate's capabilities. It should not only display visual design skills but also demonstrate a strategic and process-driven approach, particularly in relation to design systems, user testing, and the novel application of AI in design.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a fixed-term role and specific salary information is not provided, a competitive salary range for a Senior Product Designer in Sydney, Australia, with 5-10 years of experience in the financial services sector is estimated to be between AUD $130,000 - $180,000 per annum. This range accounts for the seniority of the role, the specialized industry experience required, and the cost of living in Sydney.

Benefits:

• Access to CFS Employer Superannuation plan, offering an extensive investment menu and flexible insurance solutions.

• Financial services support, including potential discounts on home loans and daily banking through partnerships.

• Comprehensive 24/7 confidential support services covering safety, medical, and mental health.

• Additional paid leave day to celebrate your birthday.

• Life Leave: 3 days per annum allocated for personal well-being or celebrating special events.

• Exclusive discounts on retail, travel, and entertainment.

Working Hours: The role is full-time, with an estimated 40 hours per week. While the position is on-site, some flexibility may be available depending on team and project needs, aligning with standard professional practices in the Australian financial services industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior design roles in major Australian cities, adjusted for the financial services sector and the fixed-term nature of the contract. Benefits are directly extracted from the provided text and highlight the company's commitment to employee well-being and financial security.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Wealth Management and Superannuation). CFS operates within a highly regulated industry focused on helping Australians achieve financial freedom through retirement savings and investment products. This context implies a need for design solutions that are trustworthy, secure, and compliant, while still being user-friendly and engaging.

Company Size: Colonial First State is a significant player in the Australian financial services landscape. As part of a larger financial institution, it likely operates with established processes and a considerable employee base, offering stability and structured career paths. This size also means operations are well-defined, and significant cross-functional collaboration is often required.

Founded: Colonial First State has a history within the Australian financial sector, with roots tracing back to the early 2000s through its association with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. This history suggests a mature organization with established practices and a deep understanding of the market.

Team Structure:

• The User Experience Design team is part of the wider Customer Office, reporting to the UX Manager.

• This Senior Product Designer role will lead direct customer digital channels, working closely with Product Management, Technology, Design, and Data peers.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on user-centric design principles and best practices.

• Data analysis and user feedback are key inputs for design decisions and improvements.

• Focus on creating seamless user journeys through solid information architecture and intuitive wireframes/prototypes.

• Iterative design process based on feedback and user testing.

• Application of AI tools to enhance design workflows and team practices.

Company Website: https://www.cfs.com.au/ (Note: The provided URL was for Oracle Cloud, this is the assumed public company website)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on financial freedom and its established presence in the market suggest a culture that values expertise, long-term planning, and customer trust. The "customer office" structure implies a strong organizational commitment to customer experience as a strategic differentiator.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Senior Product Designer level, indicating a significant degree of autonomy, responsibility, and expected expertise. Senior designers are typically expected to lead complex projects, mentor junior team members, and contribute to strategic design initiatives.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer reports directly to the UX Manager. This structure provides clear guidance and oversight while allowing for significant individual contribution and project leadership. Collaboration with peers in Product Management, Technology, and Data is essential for project success.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on the growth and retention of CFS's customer base by shaping the user experience of its digital channels. By creating intuitive and engaging digital products, the Senior Product Designer will contribute to increased digital adoption, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, business growth and revenue.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-driven design tools and methodologies, becoming a subject matter expert within CFS.

• Leadership Development: Opportunity to mentor junior designers, hone leadership skills, and potentially take on more significant project leadership roles.

• Strategic Contribution: Influence the strategic direction of digital product design at CFS through innovative solutions and process improvements.

• Industry Exposure: Gain in-depth experience within the Australian Wealth Management and Superannuation sector, a highly valuable niche in financial services.

• Fixed-Term to Permanent Potential: Depending on business needs and performance, there may be opportunities for conversion to a permanent role, though this is not guaranteed.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is a fixed-term contract, the "Senior" title and direct reporting line suggest a significant opportunity for impact and skill development. The emphasis on AI and design systems points towards a growth trajectory in modern design practices.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based on-site in Sydney, Australia, at 400 George Street. This suggests a professional office environment within a major business hub.

Office Location(s): Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. This central location offers good accessibility via public transport and proximity to business amenities.

Workspace Context:

• A collaborative office setting where designers work alongside peers in Product Management, Technology, and Data.

• Access to modern design tools, including Figma and potentially other relevant software.

• An environment that encourages sharing insights and continuous improvement of design processes.

• The role involves close interaction with stakeholders, product managers, and developers, fostering a dynamic and integrated work environment.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is full-time, likely aligning with typical business hours in Sydney (e.g., 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday to Friday). Given the on-site requirement, regular attendance at the Sydney office is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in a major city center indicates a traditional office-based work environment. The emphasis on collaboration suggests a workspace designed to facilitate team interaction and cross-functional project work.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess suitability against the core requirements, particularly experience in financial services and design system proficiency.

• First Interview: Likely with the UX Manager to discuss your background, experience, and approach to UX/UI design, design systems, and AI integration. Portfolio walkthrough may be requested.

• Technical/Design Challenge: A practical exercise or case study may be presented to evaluate your problem-solving skills, design thinking, and ability to apply design principles in a financial services context. This could involve designing a specific feature or improving an existing user flow.

• Final Interview: Potentially with other stakeholders (e.g., Product Leads, Technology Leads) to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and strategic thinking. Discussion on mentoring experience may also occur.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 of your strongest projects that best showcase your experience in digital product design, financial services, UI/UX, design systems, and AI integration.

• Highlight Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, the solutions implemented, and most importantly, the measurable outcomes or impact (e.g., increased conversion, improved user satisfaction, efficiency gains).

• Showcase Design Systems: If you have experience with design systems, dedicate specific examples or sections to demonstrate your contributions, understanding, and ability to maintain/evolve them.

• Demonstrate AI Application: Clearly explain how you have used AI tools in your design process, highlighting the benefits achieved (e.g., faster iteration, better insights, improved quality).

• Prepare for Walkthroughs: Be ready to confidently present your portfolio, discuss your design decisions, and answer questions about your process and rationale.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: Research Colonial First State, their products, and their target audience (customers and financial advisers).

• Brush up on Financial Services UX: Familiarize yourself with common UX patterns and challenges in the wealth management and superannuation sectors.

• Practice Design System Thinking: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach creating or contributing to a design system for a financial services company.

• AI Integration Scenarios: Think about how AI can be practically applied to solve specific user or business problems within CFS's digital offerings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is expected to be thorough, with a strong emphasis on evaluating practical design skills, portfolio evidence, and the candidate's ability to integrate modern design practices like AI and design systems within a regulated financial environment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Explicitly mentioned as a required proficiency for UI design and working with design systems. This will be the primary tool for wireframing, prototyping, and UI design.

• AI Design Tools: Candidates are expected to have experience with various AI tools that can enhance design workflows, research synthesis, and prototyping. Specific tools are not listed, implying a need for broad familiarity and adaptability.

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma's capabilities, other advanced prototyping tools might be beneficial for demonstrating complex interactions.

• Wireframing Tools: While Figma can be used, familiarity with dedicated wireframing tools could also be an asset.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Experience with user analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Pendo) to interpret user behavior and inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly designing within CRM systems, an understanding of how design impacts customer journeys managed through CRMs (like Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms could be beneficial.

• Awareness of how design handoffs integrate with development workflows and project management tools (e.g., Jira, Asana).

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and AI design tools indicates the core technology stack. Proficiency in these areas is crucial, and a willingness to explore and adopt new AI-driven design technologies is highly valued.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Expertise, Passion, and Diversity: CFS emphasizes these core values, suggesting an environment that appreciates deep knowledge, enthusiasm for work, and a variety of perspectives. For operations professionals, this means contributing with a high level of skill, demonstrating commitment, and valuing diverse input.

• High Performance: A drive for excellence and achieving strong outcomes is clearly stated. In an operations context, this translates to process efficiency, data-driven decision-making, and exceeding targets.

• Individuality and Unleashing Potential: The company aims to create an environment where individuals can be themselves and grow. This supports a culture where operations professionals can bring their unique skills and perspectives to problem-solving.

• Making a Difference: The overarching goal is to help customers achieve financial freedom, implying a purpose-driven culture where operations work directly contributes to customer success and business mission.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Close collaboration with Product Management, Technology, and Data teams is fundamental to success. This requires strong communication and a shared understanding of project goals.

• Mentorship and Knowledge Sharing: The role involves mentoring junior designers, fostering a culture where knowledge and best practices are shared freely.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Analyzing data and user feedback to inform design is a key methodology, reflecting a preference for empirical evidence in decision-making processes.

• Continuous Improvement: A proactive approach to enhancing design processes and exploring new capabilities (like AI) is encouraged.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to balance a professional, high-performance environment with a focus on individual growth and diversity. For operations roles, this means contributing to a culture of continuous improvement, data-driven strategy, and collaborative problem-solving.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Regulation: Designing within the financial services industry requires balancing cutting-edge user experience with strict regulatory compliance and security requirements.

• Integrating AI Effectively: Ensuring that AI tools are adopted thoughtfully and strategically to genuinely enhance design outcomes, rather than just being a technological novelty.

• Managing Stakeholder Expectations: Effectively communicating design rationale and managing diverse stakeholder needs across Product, Tech, and Business units within a large organization.

• Fixed-Term Constraints: Delivering significant impact and driving design evolution within a 12-month timeframe requires efficient planning and execution.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI in Design Specialization: Become a leader in applying AI tools for design research, synthesis, and prototyping within a financial services context.

• Design System Expertise: Deepen knowledge and practical application of design system principles, contributing to a robust and scalable system for CFS.

• Financial Services UX Mastery: Gain specialized expertise in designing for complex financial products and user needs, particularly for financial advisers.

• Mentorship and Influence: Develop leadership capabilities through mentoring junior designers and influencing design strategy across digital channels.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in senior design roles within established, regulated industries. The growth opportunities are directly tied to the key responsibilities and evolving trends in design technology and practice.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led the design for a complex digital product. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your role in leading, process, and measurable impact.)

• "How do you approach building or contributing to a design system? What are the key components, and how do you ensure adoption?" (Highlight your system thinking and collaboration skills.)

• "Can you share an example of how you've leveraged AI tools to improve your design workflow or deliver better user outcomes?" (Be specific about the tools, your process, and the benefits achieved.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Colonial First State and the financial services industry?" (Research CFS's mission, values, and recent news.)

• "How do you foster collaboration with product managers, developers, and other stakeholders?" (Provide examples of your communication and teamwork.)

• "How do you stay updated on the latest design trends and AI technologies?" (Show your commitment to continuous learning.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each project as a narrative: the problem, your approach, your specific contributions, the solution, and the impact.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your presentation is clean, well-organized, and visually appealing, reflecting your design skills.

• Quantify Impact: Use data and metrics whenever possible to demonstrate the success of your designs.

• Focus on Relevance: Prioritize projects that align with the requirements of this Senior Product Designer role, especially those in financial services, design systems, and AI integration.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, trade-offs made, and alternative solutions considered.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a blend of strategic thinking, practical design execution, and a proactive approach to emerging technologies like AI, all within the context of the financial services industry.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

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

• Curate and Tailor Your Portfolio: Select 3-4 key projects that best demonstrate your experience in digital product design, financial services, UI/UX, design systems, and AI integration. Ensure each project clearly outlines the problem, your role, process, solution, and measurable impact.

• Optimize Your Resume: Highlight keywords from the job description, such as "Senior Product Designer," "UX/UI," "Figma," "Design Systems," "Wealth Management," "Superannuation," and "AI Design Tools." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio, focusing on clear storytelling, demonstrating your design process, and articulating the business impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your approach to AI integration and design systems.

• Research Colonial First State: Understand their business, target audience (customers and financial advisers), and their commitment to digital transformation and customer experience.

⚠️ 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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