Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Commonwealth Bank

Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia

Job Type: Full Time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: 2026-08-28

Experience Level: 7+ years

Remote Status: Hybrid (50% office attendance)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end product design initiatives, from initial problem discovery and user research through to high-quality digital and staff experience delivery.

• Drive strategic product direction and roadmap decisions by leveraging insights from customer needs and business objectives.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Management, Engineering, Content, Accessibility, and Legal/Risk, to ensure alignment and successful execution.

• Utilize and contribute to a robust design system to ensure consistency, scalability, and accessibility across all digital touchpoints.

• Employ data-driven product development methodologies, including experimentation and A/B testing, to measure impact and optimize user experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is embedded within a cross-functional squad in Everyday Business Banking, emphasizing a hands-on approach to product design with a strong focus on measurable commercial performance and customer experience improvements. The Senior Product Designer is expected to be a key influencer in shaping product strategy and execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the complete product design lifecycle, encompassing problem discovery, opportunity exploration, solution iteration, and final delivery of user-centric digital and staff experiences.

• Inform and influence team strategy, priorities, and roadmap planning by translating customer insights and business goals into actionable design recommendations.

• Rapidly prototype and test design concepts to validate solutions and iterate towards high-quality, intuitive user interfaces and workflows.

• Partner effectively with Product Managers and Engineers to frame complex problems, define desired outcomes, and deliver measurable impact on key performance indicators.

• Plan, conduct, and synthesize user research and testing sessions to deeply understand user needs, pain points, and behaviors, and validate design hypotheses.

• Translate intricate business requirements, user needs, and system constraints into clear, intuitive, and user-friendly experiences.

• Drive collaboration and alignment across Product, Engineering, Content, Accessibility, and Legal/Risk departments to ensure cohesive and compliant product development.

• Proactively use and contribute to the evolution of the design system, ensuring consistent, scalable, and accessible design patterns are applied across the product suite.

• Leverage AI-enabled tooling in collaboration with Engineering to accelerate design exploration, prototyping speed, and efficient delivery of design solutions.

• Actively participate in and facilitate design critiques, workshops, and agile ceremonies, providing constructive feedback and incorporating insights to continuously enhance design outcomes and craft.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership and hands-on execution, typical of a senior role within an agile product development environment. The emphasis on "end-to-end design," "insights-led thinking," and "measurable impact" signifies a need for a designer who can own significant aspects of the product development process and demonstrate tangible business value.

🎓 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 design roles. A strong portfolio can often substitute for formal education.

Experience: 7+ years of experience designing digital and staff products end-to-end within cross-functional product teams.

Required Skills:

• Proven ability to lead discovery and delivery activities, collaborating effectively with customers, product managers, and engineering stakeholders.

• Deep understanding and practical application of human-centered design methodologies within fast-paced, agile environments.

• Excellent interaction and UI design skills, characterized by a keen eye for detail, aesthetic quality, and user flow optimization.

• Experience designing for complex systems, services, or platforms, demonstrating an ability to manage interconnected features and user journeys.

• Strong collaboration and communication skills, adept at both conceptual sketching with engineers and presenting strategic design concepts to executive leadership.

• Proficiency with modern design and prototyping tools, with a strong preference for Figma, and familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite.

• Basic understanding of front-end technologies, including HTML, CSS, component-based development, and design tokens, to facilitate effective collaboration with engineering teams.

• Demonstrated comfort navigating ambiguity and complexity, skillfully balancing diverse customer needs with overarching business goals.

• Experience with metrics-driven product development, including the application of experiments, A/B testing, and analysis of usage funnel data.

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing end-to-end product design thinking, exceptional craft, demonstrable outcomes, and measurable impact. Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within the Financial Services industry or in sectors that integrate both physical and digital service offerings.

• Exposure to design system management, contribution, and governance.

• A passion for mentoring junior designers and actively contributing to the uplift of design craft and community within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of 7+ years, coupled with the need for "end-to-end" leadership and "complex systems" design, indicates this role is for a seasoned professional capable of driving significant product initiatives and influencing strategic decisions. Proficiency in Figma is a strong indicator of the tools used within the team.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end product design thinking, demonstrating a clear process from problem definition to solution implementation.

• Highlight exceptional design craft and attention to detail in UI and interaction design.

• Present tangible outcomes and measurable impact, supported by relevant metrics and data.

• Include examples of contributions to cross-team design alignment and integration.

• Demonstrate experience with user research, testing, and insight synthesis. Process Documentation:

• Clearly articulate the design process employed for key projects, emphasizing how user needs and business objectives were identified and addressed.

• Detail how design systems were utilized, adapted, or contributed to, ensuring consistency and scalability.

• Illustrate the application of agile methodologies and cross-functional collaboration in bringing designs to life.

• Provide evidence of data-driven decision-making, including the use of metrics, A/B testing, or user analytics to inform design iterations and validate success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio that showcases "end-to-end product design thinking, craft, outcomes, and measurable impact" is critical. Candidates must be prepared to articulate their process, demonstrate their problem-solving skills, and quantify the results of their design work. Contributions to design alignment and the use of design systems are also key areas to highlight.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers in Sydney, Australia, with 7+ years of experience in a hybrid role at a major financial institution, the estimated annual salary range is AUD $140,000 - $190,000. This range accounts for the senior level, the complexity of the role, and the cost of living in Sydney.

Benefits:

• Supportive design community for knowledge sharing and professional growth.

• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.

• Collaborative and customer-first company culture.

• Autonomy and ownership in shaping product experiences as a key member of a cross-functional team.

• Potential for hybrid work arrangement, offering flexibility.

• Standard benefits associated with a large financial institution (e.g., superannuation, health insurance, employee assistance programs).

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with a hybrid arrangement requiring approximately 2 days per week in the Sydney office (1 Harbour Street) and the remaining days remote.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on public data for similar roles in Sydney. The provided benefits are directly extracted from the job description's "Why Join Us" section and AI-derived benefits. The hybrid work arrangement is explicitly stated.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Banking). Commonwealth Bank is one of Australia's largest financial institutions, involved in retail banking, business banking, wealth management, and institutional banking. This context implies a highly regulated environment with a strong focus on customer trust, security, and compliance, alongside innovation.

Company Size: Large enterprise (Commonwealth Bank Group is a major employer with tens of thousands of employees globally). This means ample resources, established processes, and opportunities for large-scale impact, but also potential for bureaucracy and slower decision-making compared to startups.

Founded: 1911. With over a century of history, CommBank has a deep-rooted presence in the Australian market and a significant customer base, influencing the scale and impact of product design decisions.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Product Designer will be embedded within a cross-functional squad focused on "Everyday Business Banking."

• They will report to the "Experience Chapter Lead," indicating a matrixed structure where functional expertise (design) is managed separately from project delivery (squad).

• They will be part of the broader "Business Banking Design Chapter," a community of over 40 designers who share craft, insights, and expertise, fostering a strong design practice.

• Collaboration is expected with Product Managers, Engineers, Content Designers, Accessibility Specialists, and Legal/Risk teams. Methodology:

• Agile methodologies are employed, as indicated by the mention of "fast-paced agile environment" and "agile ceremonies."

• Human-centered design (HCD) principles are fundamental, guiding the product development process from discovery to delivery.

• Data-driven product development is a key aspect, involving metrics, experiments, and A/B testing to inform decisions and measure success.

• Design System utilization is expected for consistency and scalability.

Company Website: https://www.commbank.com.au/

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Chapter" model suggests a strong emphasis on design craft and community building, providing a support network for designers within a large organization. The "Everyday Business Banking" focus indicates the products will serve small to medium enterprises, likely involving complex workflows and financial management tools.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Product Designer. This level signifies a professional with substantial experience who can independently lead complex design projects from inception to completion. They are expected to contribute strategically, mentor others, and uphold high standards of design craft and process. The role involves significant ownership and influence within their product squad and the broader design chapter.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to the Experience Chapter Lead, who is responsible for the design craft and professional development of designers. However, the designer is embedded within a cross-functional squad, reporting functionally to the Chapter Lead while working day-to-day within the squad's priorities and roadmap, likely guided by a Product Manager.

Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer's work directly influences the financial health of millions of Australians by crafting seamless, accessible, and impactful digital and staff experiences for Business Banking customers. Their contributions are expected to improve customer experiences and drive commercial performance through data-informed design decisions. The role has the potential to shape product strategy and influence roadmap priorities.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Opportunity to mentor junior designers within the Business Banking Design Chapter, contribute to design system evolution, and potentially lead design initiatives for larger product areas.

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in financial services design, complex systems, accessibility, or data-driven design through challenging projects and continuous learning.

• Chapter Contribution: Actively participate in design critiques, workshops, and community events to elevate the overall design practice within CommBank.

• Strategic Influence: Grow influence by consistently delivering impactful designs and providing valuable insights that shape product strategy and business outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Chapter" model at CommBank provides a clear career path for designers, focusing on craft development and community. The Senior level implies a capacity to mentor and influence, making it a stepping stone to Principal Designer or Design Lead roles. The role's direct impact on millions of users and commercial performance offers significant career satisfaction and visibility.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model. The role requires approximately 50% office attendance, meaning 2 days per week are expected at the Sydney office (1 Harbour Street), with the remaining days allowing for remote work. This suggests a blend of in-person collaboration and remote flexibility.

Office Location(s): 1 Harbour Street, Sydney, NSW, Australia. This is a prime CBD location, likely offering good access to public transport and amenities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role is embedded in a cross-functional squad, necessitating close collaboration with Product, Engineering, and other stakeholders. The existence of a Design Chapter also implies a strong peer-to-peer design collaboration culture.

• Tools & Technology: Access to modern design tools (e.g., Figma) and AI-enabled tooling for design and development acceleration is expected.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with design peers for critiques, workshops, and knowledge sharing. Daily collaboration within the squad is also a given.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week), with flexibility afforded by the hybrid work arrangement. This allows for effective management of design processes, data analysis, and project timelines while balancing personal needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key feature, indicating a modern work approach that balances in-office collaboration with remote flexibility. The specific office location and the emphasis on cross-functional and design chapter collaboration paint a picture of a dynamic and interactive work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of resume and portfolio by a recruiter or hiring manager to assess suitability and experience alignment.

• Portfolio Presentation & Design Challenge: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, walking through case studies that demonstrate their end-to-end design process, problem-solving skills, craft, and impact. A practical design challenge or exercise may be included to assess design thinking, problem-solving abilities, and communication skills under pressure.

• Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with the Experience Chapter Lead, Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and potentially other senior designers to assess technical skills, collaborative approach, cultural fit, and strategic thinking.

• Final Interview: Possibly with a senior leader or executive to discuss overall fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio around 2-3 strong case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process, your solutions, and the measurable outcomes.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes, user flows) to illustrate your design decisions and craft.

• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, include data, metrics, or testimonials to demonstrate the impact of your work on user experience and business objectives. For this role, highlight improvements in customer experience and commercial performance.

• Process Clarity: Clearly explain your thought process, design rationale, and how you navigated constraints, ambiguity, and stakeholder feedback.

• Highlight Collaboration: Showcase instances where you collaborated effectively with Product, Engineering, and other teams. Mention your role in design system contributions or alignment if applicable.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize experience with complex systems, financial services (if applicable), and data-driven design.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If a design challenge is given, ensure you fully understand the problem space, target users, and business goals.

• Process-Oriented: Focus on demonstrating your design process, from problem definition and research to ideation and solutioning, rather than just the final output.

• Communicate Your Thinking: Articulate your assumptions, rationale, and trade-offs clearly and concisely.

• Consider Edge Cases: Think about accessibility, scalability, and potential future iterations.

• Practice Presentation: Be prepared to present your solution and answer questions concisely and confidently.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio showcasing "end-to-end design thinking, craft, outcomes, and measurable impact" is paramount. Candidates should prepare to articulate their process in detail and demonstrate how their designs have driven tangible business value, especially within a complex financial services context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Primary tool for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Expect advanced usage for creating complex design systems and interactive prototypes.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Likely used for supporting design tasks, such as image editing or illustration, though Figma is the primary design platform.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Metrics-Driven Development Tools: Experience with tools or methodologies for tracking user behavior, conversion funnels, and performance metrics (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or internal CommBank analytics platforms).

• Experimentation Platforms: Familiarity with A/B testing frameworks and tools to validate design hypotheses and measure impact.

CRM & Automation:

• Not Directly Specified: While not explicitly listed, understanding of how designs integrate with backend systems and potentially CRM-like functionalities for business banking customers might be beneficial.

Other Potential Tools:

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, familiarity with other prototyping tools may be advantageous.

• User Research Platforms: Tools for user testing, surveys, and feedback collection.

• AI-enabled Tooling: Mentioned for accelerating exploration, prototyping, and delivery, indicating the company is investing in advanced design technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is highlighted as a core tool. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their proficiency in Figma, including its use in design systems and advanced prototyping. Experience with data analysis and A/B testing is also a key requirement, indicating that designers are expected to contribute to product optimization based on performance data.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer-First: A core principle at CommBank, emphasizing the creation of seamless, accessible, and impactful experiences that genuinely benefit customers.

• Data-Driven: Decisions are informed by insights from customer research, usage data, and experimentation to ensure measurable impact.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on working effectively within cross-functional squads and across design chapters to achieve shared goals.

• Continuous Improvement: A culture that encourages iteration, learning from feedback, and constantly seeking ways to enhance design craft and product outcomes.

• Impactful Work: Motivation derived from contributing to products that matter and make a tangible difference in the lives of millions of Australians.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers work closely with Product Managers and Engineers as embedded members of agile squads, fostering a highly integrated workflow.

• Design Chapter Community: A supportive network of 40+ designers provides a platform for knowledge sharing, design critiques, and collaborative problem-solving.

• Open Feedback Culture: Regular participation in design critiques and workshops encourages the exchange of constructive feedback to elevate design quality and team performance.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Proactive communication and collaboration with various stakeholders, including Legal/Risk and Accessibility teams, to ensure alignment and successful product launches.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "customer-first," "data-driven," and "collaboration" are central to the team's ethos. The "Chapter" model further reinforces a culture of shared learning and continuous improvement within the design discipline. Candidates should demonstrate how they embody these values in their work and interactions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complexity: Designing for complex financial systems and diverse user needs within the business banking sector requires strong problem-solving skills and the ability to simplify intricate processes.

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Effectively managing and aligning the needs and expectations of various stakeholders (customers, product, engineering, legal, risk) while maintaining design integrity.

• Driving Adoption of Design System: Ensuring consistent adoption and contribution to the design system across various teams and projects to maintain scalability and coherence.

• Measuring Impact in a Large Organization: Demonstrating the tangible impact of design initiatives within a large, established financial institution, requiring robust data collection and analysis.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Craft: Opportunities to refine skills in complex interaction design, large-scale system design, and accessibility standards.

• Financial Services Domain Expertise: Deepen understanding of the financial services industry, its regulatory landscape, and customer behaviors.

• Leadership and Mentorship: Develop leadership capabilities by mentoring junior designers and contributing to the growth of the design chapter.

• Technology Adoption: Gain experience with AI-enabled design tools and other emerging technologies that accelerate product development.

• Strategic Product Influence: Grow influence by demonstrating a strong understanding of business strategy and contributing to product roadmap decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents opportunities to tackle significant challenges in a complex domain, offering substantial growth in both technical design skills and strategic influence. The structured design chapter provides a clear framework for professional development and career progression.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led the end-to-end design of a complex digital product or feature. What was your process, what challenges did you face, and what was the measurable outcome?" (Focus on process, problem-solving, and impact.)

• "How do you balance customer needs with business goals and technical constraints when designing solutions? Provide an example." (Assess strategic thinking and trade-off management.)

• "How have you used user research and data (e.g., A/B testing, funnel analysis) to inform your design decisions and iterate on a product?" (Evaluate data-driven approach and analytical skills.)

• "Describe your experience working with design systems. How have you contributed to or utilized them to ensure consistency and scalability?" (Gauge familiarity with design system best practices.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about designing for Commonwealth Bank, specifically in the Business Banking domain?" (Assess research and genuine interest.)

• "How do you approach collaboration within a cross-functional agile team? Describe your ideal working relationship with Product Managers and Engineers." (Evaluate teamwork and communication style.)

• "How do you stay current with design trends and best practices, and how do you share that knowledge with your peers?" (Gauge continuous learning and community contribution.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each case study as a narrative: the challenge, your journey, the solution, and the impact.

• Visuals are Key: Use high-quality mockups, wireframes, user flows, and interactive prototypes to illustrate your work.

• Quantify Everything: Be ready to discuss metrics, ROI, or user feedback that validates the success of your designs.

• Explain Your Role: Clearly define your specific contributions, especially in team projects.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design rationale, trade-offs, and how you would approach specific scenarios relevant to CommBank's business.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to articulate their process rigorously and back up their claims with data and concrete examples. Understanding CommBank's position in the financial market and its focus on customer experience will be beneficial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link, ensuring your CV and portfolio are up-to-date and readily accessible.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects that demonstrate end-to-end product design thinking, strong UI/UX craft, measurable impact, and experience with complex systems, ideally within financial services or similar regulated industries.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 7+ years of experience, proficiency in Figma, experience with human-centered design, agile methodologies, and data-driven product development. Use keywords from the job description naturally.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on clear storytelling, process articulation, and quantifiable results. Prepare to discuss your approach to collaboration, stakeholder management, and navigating ambiguity.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Commonwealth Bank's business objectives, its role in the Australian financial landscape, and its commitment to customer experience and digital transformation. Understand the "Chapter" model and design community structure.

⚠️ 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.