Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Perlego

Location: Holborn, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: 2026-07-28

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (2 days/week in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive end-to-end product design execution for Perlego's web and mobile applications, translating complex user needs into intuitive and elegant user experiences.

• Lead user research initiatives, usability testing, and data analysis to validate design hypotheses and inform product strategy.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Managers, Software Engineers, and QA specialists, within an Agile framework to ensure seamless product delivery.

• Contribute to and leverage Perlego's Design System, ensuring consistency and quality across all user touchpoints.

• Champion a proactive, hypothesis-driven approach to problem-solving, moving beyond reactive feature delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer, indicating a need for significant autonomy, strategic input, and the ability to mentor or guide junior designers, even if not explicitly stated as a management role. The focus on "owning end-to-end user experiences" and "proactive problem-solving" suggests a high level of responsibility and influence within product development cycles. The hybrid model with specific office days implies a need for strong in-person collaboration skills alongside remote work capabilities.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the complete design lifecycle for assigned product domains, from initial concept and user research through to detailed UI design, prototyping, and developer handover.

• Conduct user research, including interviews, surveys, and usability testing, to gather actionable insights and validate design assumptions.

• Translate user insights and business requirements into user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity visual designs.

• Actively participate in and contribute to the evolution of Perlego's Design System, ensuring adherence to standards and identifying opportunities for enhancement.

• Work closely with Product Managers to define product strategy and roadmap, ensuring user-centricity and business alignment.

• Partner with Software Engineers to ensure accurate implementation of designs, providing clear documentation and support throughout the development process.

• Participate in regular design critiques, offering constructive feedback to peers and incorporating feedback received to elevate design quality.

• Monitor post-launch product performance using quantitative data and qualitative feedback to identify areas for iterative improvement.

• Proactively identify and propose solutions for user pain points and product inefficiencies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a full-stack design ownership, from strategic problem identification to detailed execution and post-launch iteration. The "proactive problem solving" aspect is a key differentiator, suggesting the company values designers who identify opportunities rather than just execute on assigned tasks. Collaboration with CX (Customer Experience) specialists is also explicitly mentioned, highlighting the importance of user feedback loops.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Design (e.g., Graphic Design, Interaction Design, HCI), Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience, is generally expected for a Senior role.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in digital product design, with a proven track record of shipping high-quality web and mobile applications.

• Experience in SaaS, Edtech, or consumer subscription-based products is highly desirable. Required Skills:

• End-to-End Design Process: Demonstrated ability to manage the entire design process, from discovery and research, through wireframing and prototyping, to UI design and developer handoffs.

• Figma Mastery: Expert proficiency in Figma for wireframing, UI design, prototyping, and collaboration.

• Prototyping Skills: Advanced skills in creating interactive prototypes to effectively communicate user flows and interaction design.

• Design System Experience: Hands-on experience utilizing and contributing to design systems and component libraries.

• User Research & Validation: Competence in conducting user research (qualitative and quantitative) and usability testing to inform design decisions.

• Agile Development: Experience working within Agile/Scrum methodologies and cross-functional product teams.

• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience contributing to or owning a design system.

• Familiarity with modern design workflows and tools beyond Figma.

• Experience with A/B testing and data analysis to drive design iterations.

• Understanding of front-end development principles (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to better inform design feasibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "5+ years" aligns with a Senior level. The emphasis on a "Strong Portfolio" is critical, as it will be the primary artifact to assess the candidate's end-to-end process, problem-solving skills, and ability to articulate design rationale. The mention of SaaS, Edtech, or subscription experience is a strong signal for candidates with relevant industry backgrounds.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies that illustrate your end-to-end design process. Each case study should clearly outline the problem, your role, the research and discovery phase, design decisions, user flows, wireframes, prototypes, final UI, and post-launch outcomes.

• Problem-Solving Narrative: Clearly articulate the user or business problem you were addressing and how your design solutions effectively solved it.

• Process Documentation: Demonstrate proficiency in creating clear user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes using tools like Figma.

• Design System Integration: Include examples of how you've utilized design system components or contributed to design system development in your projects.

• Impact & Metrics: Where possible, quantify the impact of your designs using key performance metrics, user feedback, or conversion data.

Process Documentation:

• Your portfolio should reflect a systematic approach to design, including:
  • User Flow Mapping: Clear visualizations of user journeys.
  • Wireframing: Low-fidelity representations of structure and layout.
  • Interactive Prototyping: Demonstrating key interactions and user flows.
  • UI Design: High-fidelity mockups showcasing visual design and interaction details.
  • Developer Handoff: Evidence of providing clear specifications and documentation for engineers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are central to assessing a Senior Product Designer. The emphasis is on demonstrating a structured, user-centric design process, not just polished visuals. Highlighting the ability to contribute to and utilize design systems is crucial, as is the capacity to articulate design decisions based on data and user research.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £55,000 per annum.

Benefits:

• Hybrid Working: 2 days per week in the London office, offering a balance between in-person collaboration and remote flexibility.

• Learning & Development:

  • Personal L&D budget for professional growth.
  • Dedicated Learning Time to focus on skill development.
  • Regular Hackathons for innovation and team building.

• Time Off:

  • 22 days of annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year of service.
  • Company-wide closure between Christmas and New Year.
  • Flexi bank holidays for greater flexibility.

• Home Office Setup: Budget to help set up and maintain a comfortable home workspace.

• Health & Wellbeing:

  • Private medical cover via Vitality.
  • Optical cover via Vitality.
  • Dental cover via Vitality.
  • Cycle to Work scheme to promote active commuting.

• Global Flexibility: Work-from-overseas flexibility for extended periods.

• Career Support: Sabbatical options for extended breaks and personal development.

• Family Support: Matched parental leave to support new parents.

Working Hours: While not explicitly stated, a standard full-time role in the UK typically involves a 37.5 to 40-hour work week. The hybrid model suggests flexibility around daily start/end times as long as core collaboration hours are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary is explicitly stated at £55,000 GBP. The benefits package is comprehensive, emphasizing professional development, work-life balance, and employee well-being, which are attractive to experienced professionals. The "work-from-overseas flexibility" is a significant perk for a hybrid role.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Edtech / E-learning / Digital Publishing. Perlego operates in the education technology sector, aiming to democratize access to academic resources.

Company Size: Perlego is a growing company, likely in the scale-up phase, with teams organized into cross-functional "tribes" and "squads." This structure fosters agility and direct collaboration.

Founded: Perlego was founded to address the high cost of educational resources, positioning itself as a key player in making learning more accessible.

Team Structure:

• Cross-Functional Squads: Designers work within multidisciplinary squads alongside Product Managers, Software Engineers, QA specialists, and Customer Experience (CX) professionals.

• Design Team: You will be part of a collaborative design team led by a Product Design Manager and a Senior Product Designer.

• Design System Ownership: While the broader design team owns overall standards and the core Design System, individual designers have autonomy within their domains.

Methodology:

• Agile Development: The company operates using Agile principles, emphasizing iterative development, continuous feedback, and cross-functional teamwork.

• Data-Driven Decisions: There's a strong emphasis on using quantitative data and qualitative user insights to inform and validate design choices and product strategies.

• Proactive Problem-Solving: The culture encourages designers to move beyond simply executing tasks and to actively identify and propose solutions to user and business challenges.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The "tribes and squads" model indicates a modern, agile organizational structure common in tech startups and scale-ups. This implies a fast-paced environment where collaboration and adaptability are key. The focus on making education accessible is a strong mission-driven aspect that can appeal to candidates seeking purpose in their work.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Product Designer. This level signifies a high degree of autonomy, ownership of complex problems, and the expectation to contribute strategically to product direction. It implies a capacity to mentor junior designers and influence design practices.

Reporting Structure: You will report into the Product Design Manager and work within a cross-functional squad. While not a direct management role, there's an expectation of leadership through influence and expertise.

Operations Impact: As a Senior Product Designer, your work will directly influence user acquisition, retention, engagement, and overall product experience, which are critical drivers of Perlego's mission and business success. Your designs will shape how millions of learners access educational content, impacting key business metrics such as subscription rates and customer satisfaction.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design System Leadership: Opportunities to take a leading role in the development and evolution of Perlego's Design System.

• Cross-Functional Influence: Grow expertise in collaborating with Product Management and Engineering to shape product strategy and technical feasibility.

• Mentorship: Develop leadership skills by mentoring junior designers and contributing to the overall design practice within the company.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of product design or the Edtech industry.

• Career Progression: Potential to move into roles like Lead Product Designer, Design Manager, or specialize in areas like UX Research or Product Strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Senior title suggests a clear path for growth, either into more senior individual contributor roles (e.g., Lead Designer) or management positions. The emphasis on proactive problem-solving and design system contribution indicates these are areas where a candidate can demonstrate leadership and drive their career forward.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Perlego operates a hybrid work model, requiring 2 days of in-office presence per week in their London (Holborn) office. This suggests a structured approach to in-person collaboration while retaining remote flexibility.

Office Location(s): Holborn, London, United Kingdom. This central London location offers good transport links and access to amenities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office is designed to support cross-functional collaboration, likely featuring meeting rooms, breakout spaces, and areas for team interaction.

• Tools & Technology: Access to the necessary design tools and technology to perform your role effectively, including Figma and other relevant software.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities to connect with your design team, squad members, and other colleagues for brainstorming, feedback sessions, and knowledge sharing.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time work schedule is expected, with hybrid flexibility allowing for a mix of office and remote work. Core collaboration hours will likely be a factor, especially on office days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key aspect, indicating a need for designers who can be effective both remotely and in an office setting. The Holborn location is a desirable aspect for many professionals in London.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and portfolio.

• Portfolio Review & Discussion: Expect a session where you present your portfolio, discussing your case studies, design process, and problem-solving approach. This is where your ability to articulate design rationale and demonstrate impact will be heavily assessed.

• Skills-Based Interview/Challenge: You may be asked to complete a design exercise or discuss a hypothetical problem to assess your practical design skills, critical thinking, and approach to specific challenges.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other designers to assess collaboration style, technical understanding, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: A discussion with senior leadership or the Product Design Manager to finalize the decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies as narratives. Clearly define the problem, your role, the journey, the solution, and the outcome.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, user flows, prototypes, final UI) effectively to illustrate your process and decisions.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify results whenever possible. If exact metrics aren't available, discuss the intended impact and how you would measure it.

• Highlight Collaboration: Show how you worked with PMs, engineers, and other stakeholders.

• Articulate Trade-offs: Discuss any design decisions where you had to balance user needs, business goals, and technical constraints.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Problem: Carefully read and ask clarifying questions about any design challenge presented.

• Define Scope: Clearly define the problem space and any assumptions you're making.

• Outline Your Process: Explain your approach—research, ideation, prototyping, testing.

• Prioritize: If given a broad problem, explain how you would prioritize features or solutions.

• Be Ready to Justify: Be prepared to explain the rationale behind every design decision.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a strong portfolio and the ability to articulate the design process is paramount for this Senior role. Candidates should prepare to deeply dive into their past work and showcase strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: This is the core design tool for wireframing, UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Expert proficiency is required.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma has strong prototyping capabilities, familiarity with other tools might be beneficial for specific use cases or legacy projects.

• Design System Management: Experience with tools or processes for managing and contributing to design systems.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Quantitative Data Tools: Familiarity with tools used to gather and analyze product data (e.g., Amplitude, Google Analytics, Mixpanel) to inform design decisions.

• User Feedback Platforms: Experience with tools that collect qualitative user feedback (e.g., surveys, in-app feedback, CX ticket analysis).

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a designer's tool, understanding how designs integrate into CRM systems or automated workflows can be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is explicitly called out as a required mastery. The role also implies a need to leverage product analytics and user feedback, so familiarity with these data sources is important, even if the designer isn't directly managing the tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Accessibility: A core company value, driving the mission to make education accessible. Designers should consider accessibility in all their work.

• User-Centricity: Designing with a deep understanding of learner needs and partner institution requirements.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on working effectively within cross-functional teams.

• Proactivity & Ownership: Encouraging individuals to take initiative, identify problems, and drive solutions.

• Excellence & Quality: Striving for high standards in design execution and product delivery.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Partnership: Daily collaboration with Product Managers, Engineers, and QA in Agile squads.

• Open Feedback Culture: Active participation in design critiques, valuing candid feedback for continuous improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of insights, best practices, and learnings across the design team and broader organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission around accessibility is a key cultural driver. The emphasis on collaboration within Agile squads and an open feedback culture highlights the expected day-to-day working environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs, Business Goals, and Technical Constraints: A perennial challenge in product design, requiring strong negotiation and problem-solving skills.

• Scaling Design Systems: Contributing to and maintaining a design system that supports a growing product suite and user base.

• Driving Proactive Design: Shifting from reactive feature delivery to hypothesis-driven, proactive solution finding requires strategic thinking and advocacy.

• Remote/Hybrid Collaboration: Effectively collaborating and maintaining strong relationships within a hybrid team structure.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Design System Expertise: Deepen skills in building and managing robust design systems.

• Edtech Industry Insights: Gain specialized knowledge within the education technology sector.

• Cross-Functional Acumen: Enhance understanding of product management and software engineering processes.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Develop leadership capabilities through mentoring and influencing design practices.

• Continuing Education: Utilize the personal L&D budget and dedicated learning time for courses, workshops, or conferences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a senior role in a growing tech company. The growth opportunities are directly tied to the company's structure and the Senior Product Designer's responsibilities, offering clear paths for professional development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex user problem you've solved. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your end-to-end process, research, and impact).

• "How do you approach balancing user needs with business objectives and technical limitations?" (Demonstrate your strategic thinking and ability to find trade-offs).

• "Tell me about your experience with design systems. How have you contributed to or leveraged them?" (Highlight your understanding of consistency, efficiency, and scalability).

• "How do you incorporate user research and data into your design decisions?" (Showcase your data-driven approach and validation methods). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Perlego's mission to make education accessible?" (Connect your values to the company's purpose).

• "How do you contribute to a collaborative team environment, especially in a hybrid setting?" (Emphasize your teamwork and communication skills).

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

• Structure Your Narrative: Prepare a clear flow for presenting your case studies, highlighting the problem, your role, process, solutions, and impact.

• Focus on Key Decisions: Be ready to explain why you made certain design choices, referencing research or data.

• Demonstrate Figma Skills: If possible, show interactive prototypes or specific Figma features that highlight your expertise.

• Quantify Impact: Prepare to discuss metrics, user feedback, or business outcomes related to your projects.

• Practice Your Pitch: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it's concise, engaging, and within the allotted time.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions will likely probe your strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, collaboration skills, and understanding of the design process, particularly as it applies to a hybrid and Agile environment. Your portfolio will be the central piece of evidence.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your 5+ years of experience in digital product design, focusing on web and mobile applications, SaaS, or Edtech if applicable. Use keywords from the job description such as "Figma," "Design Systems," "User Research," and "Agile."

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases 2-3 in-depth case studies demonstrating your end-to-end design process, problem-solving skills, and impact. Prioritize clarity, narrative, and quantifiable results.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio case studies, focusing on articulating your design decisions and rationale. Be ready to discuss your experience with Figma and design systems.

• Research Perlego: Understand Perlego's mission, product, and target audience. Familiarize yourself with their website and any available case studies or press. This will help you tailor your answers and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with Perlego through their application process before making application decisions.