Senior Product Designer

Commonwealth Bank
Full-time•Sydney, Australia

šŸ“ Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Commonwealth Bank

Location: Eveleigh, NSW, Australia / Sydney, NSW, Australia

Job Type: Full time

Category: Product Design / User Experience (UX) / User Interface (UI)

Date Posted: 2026-08-18

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (50% office attendance)

šŸš€ Role Summary

  • Lead end-to-end product design initiatives for mission-critical projects within the Home Buying Apply With Ease Crew.

  • Drive strategic product roadmap decisions by leveraging insight-led thinking and user research.

  • Rapidly identify user problems and iterate on validated, high-quality digital solutions.

  • Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and Business SMEs in an agile environment to deliver measurable customer and business outcomes.

  • Design intuitive and efficient workflows specifically for staff users, enhancing their productivity and experience.

  • Utilize and contribute to the evolution of the design system for scalable, accessible, and consistent delivery across digital platforms.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: This role is focused on internal staff-facing digital products within the Home Buying domain, emphasizing efficiency and seamless user experiences for employees to better serve customers. The "Apply With Ease Crew" suggests a focus on streamlining complex processes.

šŸ“ˆ Primary Responsibilities

  • Lead the complete design lifecycle for significant initiatives, from initial discovery and research through to UI design and final delivery.

  • Inform and influence team strategy and product roadmap development through robust data analysis and user insight synthesis.

  • Proactively identify user pain points and rapidly prototype and test solutions to achieve validated, high-quality outcomes.

  • Partner with Product and Engineering teams to ensure successful delivery of features that drive measurable business and customer value.

  • Design intuitive, efficient, and user-friendly workflows tailored for internal staff users to optimize their operational tasks.

  • Plan, conduct, and synthesize findings from user research, usability testing, and other insight-gathering activities.

  • Translate complex business requirements, system constraints, and user needs into clear, actionable design specifications and user experiences.

  • Apply and contribute to the advancement of the company's design system to ensure scalable, accessible, and consistent digital product delivery.

  • Collaborate with engineering teams, leveraging AI-enabled tooling to enhance design and development processes.

  • Facilitate cross-functional workshops and alignment sessions to foster clarity, drive consensus, and maintain project momentum.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership and hands-on execution, requiring the candidate to influence product direction while also being deeply involved in the practical design and delivery phases. Emphasis on staff users and internal processes is a key differentiator.

šŸŽ“ Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong understanding of Human-Centred Design principles, UX/UI methodologies, and digital product development is essential. A degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field is often beneficial.

Experience: Extensive experience (5-10 years) designing digital products end-to-end within cross-functional, agile product teams. Proven ability to lead discovery and delivery activities, demonstrating pragmatic application of human-centred design in fast-paced environments.

Required Skills:

  • Extensive end-to-end digital product design experience in cross-functional teams.

  • Proven leadership in discovery and delivery activities with stakeholders across Product, Engineering, and Business.

  • Deep understanding and practical application of human-centred design methodologies in agile settings.

  • Excellent interaction and UI design skills with a strong attention to detail and craft.

  • Experience designing for complex systems, services, or platforms.

  • Strong understanding of principles for designing responsible and scalable AI-powered experiences.

  • Proficient with modern design tools such as Figma and Adobe Creative Suite.

  • Basic understanding of front-end technologies (HTML, CSS, design tokens).

  • Ability to navigate ambiguity and complexity, balancing user needs with business goals.

  • Experience with metrics-driven product development, including experiments and A/B testing.

  • Strong collaboration and communication skills, capable of engaging with engineers and executives. Preferred Skills:

  • Experience with AI-enabled tooling in design and development workflows.

  • Familiarity with design tokens and component-based design systems for scalable implementation.

  • Experience in the financial services or banking industry.

  • Passion for mentoring junior designers and elevating design craft across the organization.

  • Experience with workshop facilitation and cross-functional alignment sessions.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AI-enabled tooling, complex systems, and metrics-driven development points to a sophisticated product design environment. The preference for mentoring indicates a desire for a candidate who can contribute to the team's overall growth and maturity.

šŸ“Š Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Showcase end-to-end product design thinking, demonstrating ownership from problem identification to solution delivery.

  • Highlight tangible, measurable impact achieved through design interventions, supported by relevant metrics and data.

  • Present case studies that illustrate a deep understanding of user needs, design challenges, and strategic decision-making processes.

  • Include examples of designing for complex systems, services, or platforms, not just isolated features.

  • Demonstrate proficiency in using modern design tools (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite) and an understanding of front-end technologies. Process Documentation:

  • Detail your approach to user research, including planning, execution, and synthesis of insights.

  • Illustrate your iterative design process, including wireframing, prototyping, usability testing, and refinement.

  • Showcase how you translate complex requirements into elegant and intuitive user experiences.

  • Explain your experience working within agile methodologies and collaborating with product and engineering teams.

  • Provide examples of how you've utilized or contributed to design systems for scalable and accessible product delivery.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role, requiring a demonstration of not just design craft but also strategic thinking, user advocacy, and the ability to deliver measurable business outcomes. Case studies should clearly articulate the problem, the process, the solution, and the impact.

šŸ’µ Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior Product Designer in Sydney, NSW with 5-10 years of experience, the estimated annual salary range is AUD $120,000 - $170,000. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in major Australian cities, considering the financial services sector and the seniority of the position.

Benefits:

  • Coaching and mentorship programs for professional development.

  • Access to learning budgets for continued skill enhancement and industry knowledge acquisition.

  • Membership in a supportive design community for collaboration and knowledge sharing.

  • Comprehensive career development opportunities within a large financial institution.

  • Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives.

  • Superannuation contributions as per Australian legislative requirements.

  • Access to employee banking benefits and financial services.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, approximately 40 hours per week. The role is hybrid, requiring 50% attendance in the Eveleigh/Sydney office, allowing for flexibility in work location for the remainder of the week.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: Salary estimation considers the Sydney market, the seniority level, and the specialized skills required. The provided benefits are directly extracted from the job description, emphasizing growth and professional development.

šŸŽÆ Team & Company Context

šŸ¢ Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services, Banking. Commonwealth Bank is one of Australia's largest financial institutions, deeply embedded in the nation's economic landscape. The "Home Buying Apply With Ease Crew" suggests a focus on innovation and customer-centricity within a traditionally regulated sector.

Company Size: Large enterprise, with tens of thousands of employees globally. This implies robust processes, extensive resources, and opportunities for impact at scale, but also potential for navigating organizational complexity.

Founded: 1911. With over a century of history, CommBank has a strong legacy and is undergoing significant digital transformation to remain competitive and relevant.

Team Structure:

  • The role is part of the "Home Buying Apply With Ease Crew," a specific product team focused on enhancing the home loan application process for staff.

  • This crew operates within an agile environment, implying close collaboration with Product Managers, Engineers, and Business SMEs.

  • The Senior Product Designer will likely report into a Design Lead or Head of Product Design within the broader digital or technology division.

  • Cross-functional collaboration is a cornerstone, with designers working daily alongside non-design disciplines. Methodology:

  • Agile development methodologies are central to the team's operations.

  • A strong emphasis on human-centred design and user research to inform product decisions.

  • Data-driven product development, including the use of A/B testing and analysis of usage funnels.

  • The company is actively integrating AI-enabled tooling into its design and engineering practices.

  • Design system utilization and evolution for scalable, consistent product experiences.

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

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: CommBank's culture is likely a blend of established corporate structure with a growing emphasis on digital transformation, innovation, and agile ways of working. The "Apply With Ease Crew" context suggests a specific focus on improving internal processes to drive external customer outcomes.

šŸ“ˆ Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Product Designer. This level indicates a significant degree of autonomy, leadership in design initiatives, and the ability to influence product strategy. It's a role that requires not only strong design craft but also strategic thinking, stakeholder management, and mentorship capabilities.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Design Lead or Head of Product Design, working within a dedicated product squad ("Home Buying Apply With Ease Crew"). This structure allows for both focused team collaboration and broader organizational integration.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on improving internal staff efficiency and the overall customer experience in home buying. By designing seamless digital tools for staff, the Senior Product Designer contributes to faster, more accurate, and more accessible home loan applications, ultimately affecting customer financial health and the bank's market position.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in AI-enabled design tools, complex system design, and data-driven product development.

  • Leadership Development: Potential to lead design efforts on major initiatives, mentor junior designers, and contribute to the strategic direction of the product design practice.

  • Cross-Functional Exposure: Gaining deeper insights into banking operations, product management, and engineering processes.

  • Specialization: Opportunity to become a subject matter expert in the home buying domain or in specific areas like AI-driven user experiences.

  • Career Progression: Potential pathways to Lead Product Designer, Design Manager, or specialist roles within the broader CommBank digital and product organization.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within a large, established organization undergoing significant digital transformation. The emphasis on mentorship suggests opportunities to develop leadership skills early in the senior career stage.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model with 50% office attendance. This suggests a blend of collaborative in-office work and remote flexibility. The office environment is likely modern and designed to support collaboration.

Office Location(s): Eveleigh, NSW (primary location mentioned) and Sydney, NSW. These are major business hubs in Australia, offering access to amenities and public transport.

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Environment: Expect a dynamic workspace with opportunities for whiteboarding sessions, workshops, and informal discussions with Product Managers, Engineers, and fellow designers.

  • Tools & Technology: Access to modern design tools (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite) and AI-enabled tooling, supporting cutting-edge design practices.

  • Team Interaction: Regular interaction with the "Home Buying Apply With Ease Crew" and potentially broader design community events, fostering knowledge sharing and a sense of belonging.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week) with a hybrid arrangement providing flexibility. This balance is designed to support productivity and work-life integration, allowing for focused individual work remotely and collaborative sessions in the office.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The hybrid model and focus on collaboration indicate a modern work environment that values both focused individual contribution and team synergy. The specific locations in Sydney are well-established business districts.

šŸ“„ Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with role requirements.

  • Hiring Manager/Team Interview: Discussion about your background, experience, and approach to product design, focusing on key responsibilities and qualifications. This may include behavioural questions.

  • Design Challenge/Portfolio Presentation: A practical exercise or a deep dive into your portfolio. Expect to present 1-2 case studies, detailing your process, decision-making, and the impact of your work. This is where you'll demonstrate end-to-end design thinking and strategic rationale.

  • Cross-functional Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other SMEs to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to work in an agile, cross-functional team.

  • Final Interview: Typically with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Design or Product) to discuss cultural fit, long-term aspirations, and overall suitability for the role and organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 strong case studies that best represent your end-to-end product design capabilities, particularly those involving complex systems, staff-facing tools, or AI integration.

  • Structure for Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate: The Problem (business and user), Your Role & Responsibilities, The Process (discovery, research, ideation, design, testing, iteration), The Solution (key design decisions and rationale), and The Outcome (measurable impact, metrics, lessons learned).

  • Highlight Process & Rationale: Emphasize why you made certain design decisions, the research that informed them, and how you navigated constraints or challenges.

  • Showcase Craft: Ensure your UI and interaction design skills are evident, but balance this with strategic thinking and problem-solving.

  • Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the value your design work delivered.

  • Tailor to CommBank: If possible, subtly align your case studies with CommBank's focus on customer financial health, digital transformation, or operational efficiency.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand the Context: Be prepared for challenges that might involve a mini-design exercise, a critique of an existing product, or a strategic problem-solving scenario related to banking or staff tools.

  • Focus on Process: Demonstrate your systematic approach to problem-solving, your ability to ask clarifying questions, and how you'd gather information.

  • Communicate Clearly: Practice articulating your thoughts, design rationale, and proposed solutions concisely and effectively.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The interview process is thorough, with a strong emphasis on portfolio presentation. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their design process, strategic thinking, and quantifiable impact. Understanding the specific context of internal staff tools within the banking sector will be advantageous.

šŸ›  Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Figma: Core tool for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency is essential.

  • Adobe Creative Suite: Likely used for supporting design tasks, asset creation, or specific applications (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator).

  • Prototyping Tools: Within Figma or dedicated tools for creating interactive prototypes for user testing and stakeholder presentations.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • Metrics-driven tools: Experience with tools for tracking user behaviour, conversion funnels, and performance metrics (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or internal CommBank platforms).

  • A/B Testing Platforms: Familiarity with running and analyzing experiments to validate design hypotheses.

CRM & Automation:

  • While not a direct CRM role, understanding how user data flows and impacts system design is crucial. Experience with enterprise systems and workflow automation principles would be beneficial.

  • Design System Management Tools: Familiarity with tools or processes for managing and contributing to design systems (e.g., Storybook, Zeroheight, or internal repositories).

AI & Collaboration:

  • AI-enabled Tooling: Experience or understanding of how AI is being integrated into design workflows, potentially for content generation, research analysis, or design optimization.

  • Collaboration Platforms: Proficiency in tools like Jira, Confluence, Slack, or Microsoft Teams for agile team collaboration.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is a non-negotiable requirement. The mention of AI-enabled tooling suggests an interest in candidates who are forward-thinking and adaptable to emerging technologies in the design space.

šŸ‘„ Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Customer-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving customer needs, even when designing for internal staff who then serve customers.

  • Impact-Driven: Focus on delivering measurable outcomes and tangible value to both users and the business.

  • Collaboration & Partnership: Working effectively across disciplines to achieve shared goals, valuing diverse perspectives.

  • Curiosity & Learning: A drive to explore new ideas, continuously learn, and embrace evolving technologies and methodologies.

  • Excellence & Craft: A dedication to high-quality design execution, attention to detail, and continuous improvement of design practices.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with Product Managers, Engineers, Business SMEs, and potentially other designers within an agile squad.

  • Open Communication: Encouraging transparent dialogue, constructive feedback, and shared problem-solving.

  • Workshop Facilitation: Actively leading and participating in sessions to drive alignment, generate ideas, and make decisions collectively.

  • Design Advocacy: Championing user needs and design best practices within the team and wider organization.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes a proactive, collaborative, and user-focused approach. The "Apply With Ease Crew" context suggests a team dedicated to solving complex problems efficiently and effectively.

⚔ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Simplifying Complexity: Designing intuitive experiences for complex internal banking processes (e.g., home loan applications) requires deep understanding and strategic simplification.

  • Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Navigating the diverse requirements of internal staff users, business stakeholders, and technical constraints.

  • Driving Design Maturity: Contributing to the elevation of design practices and influence within a large, established financial institution.

  • Integrating AI: Effectively leveraging and designing for new AI-enabled tools and experiences within a regulated environment.

  • Hybrid Work Dynamics: Maximizing collaboration and team cohesion in a hybrid work setting.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Specialized Training: Access to learning budgets for courses, workshops, and conferences focused on advanced UX/UI, AI in design, service design, or financial technology.

  • Mentorship: Opportunities to be mentored by senior design leaders and to mentor junior designers, fostering leadership skills.

  • Industry Exposure: Engaging with cutting-edge design practices and technologies within a major financial institution undergoing digital transformation.

  • Internal Mobility: Pathways to explore different product areas or leadership roles within CommBank's extensive network.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: The role presents significant challenges related to complexity and organizational change, which are directly tied to substantial growth opportunities for ambitious designers.

šŸ’” Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a time you led the end-to-end design of a complex digital product for staff users. What was your process, and what was the measurable impact?" (Focus on your process, stakeholder management, and outcome metrics).

  • "How do you approach translating intricate business and system requirements into intuitive user experiences? Can you provide an example?" (Demonstrate your problem-solving and simplification skills).

  • "Discuss your experience with human-centred design methodologies. How do you pragmatically apply them in a fast-paced agile environment, and what are the key insights you've gained?" (Highlight adaptability and practical application). Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What interests you about designing for internal staff within the banking sector, specifically for home buying processes?" (Show your understanding of the role's context and CommBank's mission).

  • "How do you contribute to fostering a collaborative design culture and mentoring other designers?" (Reflect on your team player qualities and leadership potential).

  • "CommBank is undergoing significant digital transformation. How would your design approach support this, particularly with the integration of AI-enabled tooling?" (Demonstrate forward-thinking and adaptability). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Narrative Arc: Structure each case study with a clear beginning (problem), middle (your process and solutions), and end (impact and learnings).

  • Visual Storytelling: Use mockups, prototypes, and process artifacts to visually communicate your design journey and rationale.

  • Quantify Everything: Be ready to discuss the metrics you influenced or tracked, such as efficiency gains, reduction in errors, or task completion rates for staff.

  • Highlight Collaboration: Explain how you partnered with Product Managers and Engineers, and how you facilitated workshops or alignment sessions.

  • Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, trade-offs you made, and how you handled feedback or challenges.

šŸ“ Enhancement Note: Prepare to articulate your design process with specific examples, demonstrate strategic thinking, and quantify the impact of your work. Understanding CommBank's context and the specific challenges of designing for internal financial processes will be key.

šŸ“Œ Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

  • Submit Your CV and Portfolio: Ensure your CV highlights your extensive experience in end-to-end digital product design and your portfolio is readily accessible via a link.

  • Curate Your Portfolio for Impact: Select 2-3 strong case studies that showcase your ability to design complex systems, focus on user needs (especially staff users), and demonstrate measurable outcomes.

  • Tailor Your CV: Emphasize keywords and responsibilities mentioned in the job description, such as "end-to-end design," "human-centred design," "agile," "Figma," "AI-enabled tooling," and "staff user workflows."

  • Research CommBank's Digital Strategy: Understand their transformation efforts, focus on customer financial health, and any public information about their use of technology and AI.

  • Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to clearly articulate your design philosophy, your process, and the impact of your past work during interviews and portfolio presentations.

āš ļø 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.


Application Requirements

Requires extensive experience in end-to-end digital product design within cross-functional teams and a deep understanding of human-centred design methodologies. Candidates must possess strong interaction and UI design skills, proficiency in modern design tools, and the ability to navigate complex systems in an agile environment.