Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: EdVisorly

Location: United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / UX Design

Date Posted: 2026-05-14

Experience Level: 6+ Years (Senior)

Remote Status: Fully Remote (United States)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end UX and product design strategy for both student-facing and university-facing platforms, encompassing mobile and web applications.

• Drive the design and execution of new, greenfield products from initial concept through to polished delivery, with a primary focus on these initiatives.

• Translate complex workflows and data-intensive operational tools into elegant, intuitive user experiences that build confidence for both students and university admissions staff.

• Collaborate closely with Product Management and Engineering teams to influence roadmaps, shape product direction, and ensure the delivery of high-quality design outcomes.

• Establish and scale a unified design system across the product ecosystem, laying the foundation for consistent and efficient design practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is explicitly positioned for a senior individual contributor with the potential to grow into a design leadership role. The emphasis on "greenfield products" and "building the foundations of a unified design system" indicates a high degree of autonomy and strategic input expected from the outset.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the complete design lifecycle for new and existing products, from user research and ideation to wireframing, prototyping, and final UI execution across mobile and web platforms.

• Conduct user research, including interviews and usability testing, to gather insights that directly inform and validate design decisions, ensuring a user-centric approach.

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive design system, establishing best practices for UI components, patterns, and style guides to ensure consistency and scalability.

• Partner with Product Managers to define product requirements, user stories, and feature specifications, translating business needs into user-centered design solutions.

• Work closely with Engineering teams to ensure design feasibility, provide detailed specifications, and support the implementation process, acting as the primary design advocate.

• Advocate for design best practices and a user-centered mindset throughout the organization, fostering a collaborative design culture.

• Contribute to product strategy discussions, providing design perspective on market opportunities, user needs, and competitive landscapes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic ownership (design strategy, roadmap influence) and tactical execution (end-to-end design, user research). The "greenfield products" aspect suggests a significant amount of new product ideation and design will be required.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical experience and a deep understanding of UX/UI principles is paramount.

Experience: 6+ years of professional product design experience with a proven track record of designing and shipping successful products.

Required Skills:

• Product Design Leadership: Proven ability to lead design initiatives end-to-end, from concept to execution, for both consumer-facing and B2B/enterprise applications.

• 0→1 Product Development: Demonstrated experience designing and launching new products from scratch in fast-paced, early-stage startup environments.

• UX/UI Expertise: Mastery of user-centered design principles, wireframing, prototyping, and visual design across mobile and web platforms.

• User Research & Testing: Proficiency in conducting user research methodologies (interviews, surveys, usability testing) and translating findings into actionable design improvements.

• Systems Thinking: Ability to conceptualize and design complex systems, simplifying intricate workflows into intuitive and efficient user experiences.

• Design System Development: Experience in building, contributing to, or scaling design systems, establishing design patterns and component libraries.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Strong ability to partner effectively with Product Managers, Engineers, and other stakeholders, articulating design decisions clearly.

• Independent Work Ethic: Capacity to work autonomously as a sole designer, effectively prioritizing tasks and managing workload without direct supervision.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for AI-powered tools or workflow automation platforms.

• Familiarity with the higher education technology landscape, particularly in areas like enrollment, transfer admissions, or Student Information System (SIS) / Customer Relationship Management (CRM) integration patterns.

• Experience building and scaling a design system from its foundational stages.

• Interest and potential for growth into a design leadership or team management role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "6+ years" requirement, coupled with the emphasis on owning "0→1 products" and working "without a team around you," strongly positions this as a senior individual contributor role with significant autonomy and strategic impact from day one. The preferred skills suggest the company values domain expertise in EdTech and a proactive approach to building design infrastructure.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing end-to-end product design ownership, with a clear emphasis on mobile-first consumer applications and complex B2B or enterprise tools.

• Case studies demonstrating experience in designing "0→1" products, detailing the process from problem identification to solution delivery in a startup context.

• Examples of how complex workflows and data-heavy tools were simplified into elegant, intuitive user experiences, with demonstrable outcomes or rationale.

• Evidence of user research and usability testing methodologies employed, and how these insights directly influenced design decisions and product improvements.

Process Documentation:

• Case studies should clearly articulate the design process followed for each project, including discovery, ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration phases.

• Demonstrate a structured approach to problem-solving, outlining how user needs and business objectives were identified and addressed through design.

• Showcase the ability to document design decisions, system components, and interaction patterns, particularly relevant if design system contributions are highlighted.

• Provide metrics or qualitative feedback where possible to illustrate the impact of design solutions on user engagement, efficiency, or business outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role, as it will serve as the primary evidence of the candidate's ability to handle complex design challenges independently and drive product innovation from inception. Emphasis should be placed on demonstrating ownership, strategic thinking, and tangible design impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the "Senior" title, 6+ years of experience, fully remote status within the United States, and the startup environment, a competitive salary range is expected. For a Senior Product Designer in the US, this typically falls between $120,000 and $170,000 annually, depending on specific location within the US (cost of living adjustments) and the candidate's precise experience and demonstrated impact.

• Research Methodology: This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior-level product design roles in tech startups across the United States, referencing data from platforms like Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, and industry compensation reports. Fully remote roles often command a premium or are benchmarked against higher cost-of-living areas.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage options.

• Stock Options/Equity: Potential for equity grants, common in growth-stage startups, aligning employee success with company growth.

• Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous PTO policy to encourage work-life balance.

• Remote Work Stipend: Funds for home office setup, internet, or co-working space access.

• Professional Development Budget: Allocation for conferences, training, courses, and learning resources to support skill enhancement.

• 401(k) Plan: Retirement savings plan with potential company match.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week) are expected. However, given the remote nature and startup environment, flexibility in scheduling may be available, with an emphasis on delivering results and meeting project deadlines. Core collaboration hours will likely be established to facilitate cross-functional teamwork.

📝 Enhancement Note: Startup benefits often include equity, which is a key component for attracting senior talent. The remote nature implies a need for robust communication tools and potentially stipends to support a productive home office environment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: EdTech (Education Technology), specifically focusing on higher education transfer platforms and AI-driven student support.

Company Size: As a growing startup (likely Seed to Series A/B stage given the need for a Senior Product Designer to build foundations), the company size is likely between 20-100 employees. This means a relatively flat hierarchy, close-knit teams, and direct impact.

Founded: EdVisorly's founding date (not explicitly provided, but implied by its current stage) suggests a company that has moved beyond the initial ideation phase and is now focused on scaling its product and user base.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Product Designer will likely be the sole dedicated designer initially, reporting to a Head of Product, CTO, or CEO.

• Close collaboration with Product Managers and a small, agile Engineering team is a given.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Product Development: The company leverages AI and data to transform higher education, suggesting a strong emphasis on metrics, A/B testing, and data analysis to inform product decisions.

• Agile Development: Typical for startups, an agile methodology is likely employed, facilitating rapid iteration and close collaboration between design, product, and engineering.

• User-Centric Design: The mission-driven nature and focus on student support underscore a commitment to deeply understanding and serving user needs through thoughtful design.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as mission-driven, focusing on transforming higher education and empowering students. The emphasis on "humble, hardworking teammates" and integrity suggests a collaborative and ethical work environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is firmly established as a "Senior" individual contributor. It signifies a high level of autonomy, strategic input, and responsibility for key product areas. The explicit mention of "opportunity for this role to evolve into a design leadership position" is a significant growth path, suggesting potential for future management and team-building responsibilities.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report directly to a senior leader such as the Head of Product, CTO, or CEO. This direct line of communication allows for significant influence and visibility. As the team grows, the reporting structure for design may become more formalized.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is direct and substantial. By owning the design strategy and execution for both student and university platforms, the Senior Product Designer will shape the core user experience, influence product direction, and contribute directly to the company's mission of improving enrollment outcomes and equitable access. The successful design of "greenfield products" and a robust design system will have long-term implications for product scalability and user adoption.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: The most prominent growth path is the potential to build and lead a design team as EdVisorly scales, transitioning from an individual contributor to a manager/director.

• Strategic Product Influence: Deep involvement in shaping product roadmaps and influencing company strategy based on user insights and design expertise.

• Design System Ownership: Opportunity to establish and grow a critical design asset (design system) that impacts all future product development, becoming a subject matter expert.

• Domain Expertise: Deepen knowledge in the EdTech sector, particularly in AI-powered tools and higher education workflows, becoming a valuable specialist.

• Cross-functional Skill Development: Enhance collaboration, communication, and strategic thinking skills through close work with Product and Engineering leaders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career growth potential is a significant selling point, particularly the clearly stated path towards design leadership. Candidates should prepare to discuss their long-term career aspirations and how this role aligns with their goals.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote, with candidates required to be based within the United States. This indicates a distributed workforce model.

Office Location(s): Remote within the United States. This allows for a broad talent pool and flexibility for the employee.

Workspace Context:

• Distributed Collaboration: The work environment will rely heavily on digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Zoom, Figma, Asana/Jira) for communication and teamwork.

• Autonomy and Self-Management: Employees are expected to be self-motivated and manage their time effectively to meet deadlines and deliverables.

• Startup Pace: Expect a dynamic, fast-paced environment where priorities can shift, and agility is key.

• Direct Impact: Visibility into how individual contributions directly affect product development and company success.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is typical, the remote setting often allows for some flexibility in daily scheduling, provided core collaboration hours are met and project deadlines are achieved. This flexibility is beneficial for deep work sessions required for design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature means the candidate must be comfortable and proficient with remote work tools and practices. The emphasis on autonomy suggests that candidates who thrive with self-direction will be most successful.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter or hiring manager to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: A deep dive into the candidate's portfolio. This will likely involve presenting 2-3 selected case studies, discussing design process, challenges, solutions, and impact. Expect in-depth questions about UX/UI principles, systems thinking, and experience with 0→1 products.

• Cross-functional Collaboration Interview: A session with Product Management and/or Engineering leads to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to translate complex requirements into design.

• Founder/Leadership Interview: A final conversation with a company founder or senior leader to discuss vision, strategic alignment, and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select case studies that best demonstrate the required skills: 0→1 product design, consumer mobile apps, complex B2B tools, user research, and design system contributions.

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, the decisions you made, and the outcomes achieved. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Ownership: Emphasize your individual contributions and the level of ownership you took for each project, especially in fast-paced or solo designer scenarios.

• Showcase Problem-Solving: Clearly articulate the challenges faced and how your design solutions addressed them. Quantify impact where possible (e.g., improved conversion rates, increased user satisfaction, efficiency gains).

• Prepare for "Why": Be ready to explain the rationale behind your design choices, linking them back to user needs and business goals.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: A common element might be a take-home design challenge or a live whiteboarding session focused on a specific problem relevant to EdVisorly's products.

• Focus on Process: Even if a full solution isn't completed, demonstrating a structured approach to understanding the problem, asking clarifying questions, and outlining potential design directions is key.

• Systems Thinking: Be prepared to think about how a new feature or product would integrate into an existing ecosystem or scale over time.

• Communication: Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, as if explaining it to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount. Candidates should treat it as a presentation of their most impactful work, demonstrating not just design skills but also strategic thinking and leadership potential. Being the "solo designer" means showcasing independence and the ability to drive initiatives forward.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable for collaborative design and prototyping), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator).

• User Research & Testing: Tools like UserTesting.com, Maze, Hotjar, or internal survey/interview tools.

• Project Management & Collaboration: Jira, Asana, Trello, Slack, Notion.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Awareness of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and workflow automation concepts, particularly as they relate to university operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is almost a de facto standard for modern design teams, especially in startups. Experience with tools that facilitate remote collaboration and user research will be highly advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong belief in the company's mission to transform higher education and empower students, driving a sense of purpose.

• Integrity: Doing things the "right way," suggesting ethical practices and transparency in all dealings.

• Teamwork: Collaborative spirit, working together to achieve common goals, especially crucial in a small, growing team.

• Excellence: A commitment to high standards in product quality, user experience, and operational efficiency.

• User-Centricity: A deep focus on understanding and serving the needs of students and university staff, ensuring design decisions are user-informed.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Close working relationships with Product and Engineering, characterized by open communication, shared problem-solving, and mutual respect.

• Agile Iteration: A culture that embraces iterative development, where feedback is welcomed, and designs are refined based on testing and stakeholder input.

• Direct Communication: In a smaller company, communication is likely more direct and less formal, encouraging quick feedback loops.

• Advocacy for Design: The Senior Product Designer will be expected to champion design thinking and best practices across the organization, influencing non-design stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes a strong sense of purpose, integrity, and collaboration. Candidates should demonstrate how their personal values align with these principles and how they contribute to a positive and effective team dynamic.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Solo Designer Role: The primary challenge is operating effectively as the sole designer, requiring strong self-management, prioritization skills, and the ability to wear multiple hats.

• Balancing Consumer & Enterprise Needs: Designing for both student-facing (consumer app) and university-facing (complex operational tools) products requires a versatile approach and understanding of different user contexts and expectations.

• Building from Scratch: Establishing a design system and processes for a growing company requires foresight, strategic planning, and the ability to build foundational elements that will scale.

• Fast-Paced Startup Environment: Navigating shifting priorities, rapid development cycles, and the inherent uncertainty of a startup can be demanding.

• AI/Automation Integration: Designing intuitive interfaces for AI-powered tools and workflow automation platforms presents unique UX challenges.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Direct path to leading a design function and potentially building a team.

• Strategic Product Impact: Opportunity to significantly shape the direction and success of multiple product lines.

• Domain Specialization: Deep dive into the EdTech sector and AI-driven solutions.

• Design System Architecture: Gain extensive experience in architecting and scaling robust design systems.

• Mentorship: Potential to receive mentorship from founders and senior leaders, gaining broader business acumen.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they would approach these challenges and leverage the growth opportunities. Highlighting past experiences dealing with similar situations will be crucial.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for designing a brand new product from scratch (0→1). How do you handle ambiguity and define requirements when there's no existing product to reference?" (Focus on discovery, user research, ideation, and MVP definition.)

• "How do you approach designing for two distinct user bases with potentially conflicting needs, such as students and university administrators? Provide an example from your portfolio." (Focus on user segmentation, empathy mapping, and balancing diverse requirements.)

• "What are the key components of a successful design system, and how would you go about building one for a growing startup like EdVisorly?" (Focus on scalability, component library, design principles, and adoption strategy.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why EdVisorly specifically? What about our mission and product resonates with you?" (Research the company's mission, values, and recent news.)

• "How do you foster a user-centric mindset within a team that may not have a strong design background?" (Discuss your approach to design advocacy and education.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Selectivity is Key: Choose 2-3 projects that best showcase your end-to-end process, particularly your experience with 0→1 products, consumer apps, and complex B2B tools.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study:

  • Problem: Clearly define the user problem and business objective.
  • Your Role: Specify your responsibilities and ownership.
  • Process: Detail your steps (research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, testing, iteration).
  • Solutions: Showcase your design decisions with visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes).
  • Outcome: Quantify impact (metrics) or describe qualitative results and learnings.

• Highlight Solo Work: Emphasize how you managed tasks, prioritized, and drove projects forward independently.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, trade-offs, and alternative approaches.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Familiarize yourself with common challenges in higher education admissions, transfer processes, and student advising.

• Think Systemically: Consider how a design solution might integrate with existing university systems (SIS, CRM) or AI capabilities.

• Focus on User Flows: Be ready to map out user journeys for key tasks for both student and administrator personas.

• Articulate Trade-offs: Be prepared to discuss design constraints (technical, time, budget) and how you would navigate them.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's portfolio and their ability to articulate their design process and strategic thinking. The emphasis on being a "solo designer" means showcasing strong self-direction and problem-solving skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Ashby link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is readily accessible (link on resume/application) and specifically highlights case studies relevant to 0→1 product development, consumer mobile apps, and complex B2B/enterprise tools. Tailor any accompanying materials to emphasize these aspects.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your 6+ years of experience, highlighting achievements in product design leadership, end-to-end ownership, and experience in fast-paced startup environments. Use keywords like "UX Design," "Product Design," "0→1," "Design Systems," and "User Research."

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on storytelling, clear articulation of your process, and quantifiable outcomes. Prepare thoughtful questions for the interviewers about the company's vision, design challenges, and growth trajectory.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research EdVisorly, its mission, product offerings, target audience, and any recent news or funding rounds. Understand their commitment to AI and transforming higher education.

⚠️ 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.