Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Schibsted (Podme)

Location: Stockholm, Sweden

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / UX Design

Date Posted: 2026-05-28

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is focused on designing best-in-class podcast and audio experiences that drive user habit formation, retention, and business outcomes.

• You will be instrumental in shaping product direction by framing opportunities through user behavior, motivation, and measurable results.

• The position requires a strong emphasis on creating seamless listening and discovery journeys across mobile platforms (iOS and Android).

• You will collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and Data Analysts to ensure design decisions are informed by research, experimentation, and behavioral data.

📝 Enhancement Note: The input data clearly indicates a "Senior Product Designer" role with a strong emphasis on user behavior, habit formation, and business impact, positioning this as a strategic design role rather than purely an execution-focused one. The company, Podme, is a premium podcast and audiobook platform, which heavily influences the required design expertise.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design intuitive and delightful mobile experiences optimized for iOS and Android platforms.

• Develop seamless user journeys for premium podcast and audiobook listening, discovery, and continuation.

• Identify and frame product opportunities by analyzing user behavior, motivations, and desired outcomes.

• Collaborate effectively with Product Managers, Engineers, Data Analysts, and other stakeholders to define product strategy and execution.

• Leverage user research, experimentation, and behavioral data to validate design decisions and continuously improve user experiences.

• Contribute to shaping product direction by translating insights into clear hypotheses, design principles, and actionable product roadmaps.

• Design experiences that reduce friction, enhance content discovery, and make content continuation effortless across various moments and devices.

• Identify points of friction and opportunities within the user experience through data analysis and user research.

• Translate research findings and behavioral data into clear product direction and design principles.

• Conduct early-stage prototyping and validation to test design concepts and iterate based on real user behavior.

• Actively participate in sharing insights and learnings across product teams to accelerate decision-making.

• Ensure the clarity, trustworthiness, and premium feel of the user interface and overall experience.

• Partner with Product Managers and Engineers to prioritize meaningful problems and validate outcomes through experiments and metrics.

• Contribute to strengthening the overall design culture by elevating UX thinking, systems design, and product craft.

• Help evolve the design approach for adaptive and AI-supported user experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities are derived from the detailed "What you'll do" and "You'll be especially focused on" sections of the input description. These sections highlight a strategic, data-informed approach to product design, focusing on user outcomes, habit formation, and cross-functional collaboration, which are critical for a senior-level role in a product-centric company.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for senior roles.

Experience: 5-10 years of professional experience in product design, with a significant focus on mobile products.

Required Skills:

• Strong experience in product design for mobile products, specifically iOS and Android.

• Proven ability to think in systems, flows, and user journeys, rather than isolated screens.

• Demonstrated comfort working with ambiguity and a proactive approach to shaping product direction.

• Proficiency in using user research methodologies and behavioral data to inform and challenge design decisions.

• Excellent collaboration skills, with a track record of working effectively across disciplines and involving stakeholders early and often.

• Deep commitment to user outcomes, product quality, and demonstrable business impact.

• Experience in framing product opportunities based on user behavior, motivation, and outcomes.

• Ability to conduct research, run experiments, and iterate based on real user behavior.

• Skills in prototyping and validating design ideas early in the development cycle.

• Systems design thinking and understanding of user journey mapping. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with audio, video, or subscription-based digital products.

• Experience designing recommendation or content discovery experiences.

• Familiarity with designing for AI-driven or adaptive user systems.

• Strong understanding of behavioral metrics, user retention strategies, and their impact on business success.

• Experience in designing for habit formation and continuation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Who you are" section directly informs the required skills. "Bonus points if you have" provides the preferred skills. The experience level is inferred from the "Senior Product Designer" title and the 5-10 year AI-derived experience range. Education is a standard assumption for senior roles in this field.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a strong understanding of user-centered design principles applied to mobile applications (iOS and Android).

• Include case studies that demonstrate your ability to frame product opportunities, not just execute UI designs.

• Highlight projects where you used research and behavioral data to inform and validate design decisions.

• Present examples of how you designed for user habit formation, retention, or content discovery.

• Demonstrate your ability to think in systems and map out complex user journeys.

• Showcase projects where you collaborated effectively with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, Data).

• Examples of prototypes and validation methods used to iterate on designs. Process Documentation:

• Case studies should clearly outline the problem space, your role, the design process, key decisions, and measurable outcomes.

• Detail how you used user research, behavioral data, and experimentation to drive product direction.

• Illustrate your approach to reducing friction, enhancing discovery, and enabling content continuation.

• Provide examples of how you translated insights into clear product direction and hypotheses.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is inferred from the emphasis on "framing product opportunities," "using research and data," "designing for habits and continuation," and "working as a true product partner" in the original job description. Senior design roles typically require a portfolio that proves strategic thinking and impact, not just visual design skills.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the Senior Product Designer title, 5-10 years of experience, and location in Stockholm, Sweden, the estimated annual salary range would typically be between SEK 600,000 - SEK 900,000. This estimate accounts for industry standards, cost of living in Stockholm, and the seniority of the role.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and potential for performance-based bonuses.

• Comprehensive health and wellness programs.

• Opportunities for professional development, training, and attending industry conferences.

• Generous paid time off and holiday allowances.

• Pension scheme contributions.

• Potential for stock options or equity, depending on company policy.

• Access to Schibsted's broader benefits package.

• Hybrid work model offering flexibility.

Working Hours: The standard full-time working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary range is an estimate based on industry benchmarks for a Senior Product Designer in Stockholm, Sweden, considering the company is part of Schibsted. Benefits are standard for a company of Schibsted's size and industry, with specific mention of professional development, which aligns with the role's growth opportunities.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Media & Technology, Digital Subscriptions, Audio/Podcast Streaming. Podme operates within a dynamic digital media landscape, focusing on premium content delivery and subscription-based services.

Company Size: Podme has a team of over 80 people and is part of Schibsted Media, a large Scandinavian media group. This indicates a company with established processes but also the agility to innovate within its niche.

Founded: Podme became part of Schibsted Media in 2021. Schibsted itself has a long history dating back to 1839, bringing a strong foundation and established corporate culture.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Product Designer will report to the UX Manager at Podme.

• The role involves close collaboration with Product Managers, Engineers, and Data Analysts, indicating a cross-functional, agile team structure.

• Design culture is focused on driving measurable business impact and user outcomes, not just feature delivery. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is a core methodology, with emphasis on using research, experimentation, and behavioral metrics.

• Focus on continuous discovery and learning to iterate and improve product experiences.

• Agile development principles are likely employed, fostering close collaboration between design, product, and engineering.

• Emphasis on understanding user behavior and motivation to design habit-forming experiences.

Company Website: https://schibstedmedia.com/our-brands/podme/ and https://schibstedmedia.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Details about Podme's vision, user base, and acquisition by Schibsted are used to contextualize the company culture. The team structure and methodology are inferred from the role's description and typical tech company practices.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, signifying a mid-to-senior level position within the design function. It requires independent contribution, strategic thinking, and the ability to mentor or influence junior designers. The role is expected to take ownership of significant product areas.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will report to the UX Manager at Podme. This provides a clear line of management and mentorship. Collaboration will be extensive with Product Managers and Engineers, forming a core product development pod.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is directly tied to driving user outcomes, such as increased engagement, habit formation, retention, and ultimately, subscription growth. Design decisions are expected to have a measurable effect on key business metrics for Podme.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in designing for habit formation, content discovery, and AI-driven experiences within the audio/podcast domain.

• Leadership Potential: Opportunity to mentor junior designers, lead design initiatives for key product areas, and contribute to evolving the design system and processes.

• Strategic Influence: Play a key role in shaping product strategy and roadmap based on user insights and business goals.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain extensive experience working within high-performing, cross-functional product teams at a leading media company.

• Industry Specialization: Become a subject matter expert in the digital audio and subscription product space.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career level is inferred from the "Senior" title. The impact is directly tied to the role's stated objectives of habit formation and business outcomes. Growth opportunities are tailored to a senior design role within a product-focused company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as Hybrid, implying a mix of in-office and remote work. The office in Stockholm likely offers a collaborative workspace designed for team interaction and focused work.

Office Location(s): Kungsbron 13, Stockholm, Sweden. This central Stockholm location is easily accessible.

Workspace Context:

• The hybrid model allows for flexibility, balancing focused individual work with collaborative team sessions in the office.

• Expect a modern, tech-oriented workspace conducive to design thinking and cross-functional collaboration.

• Access to necessary design tools, software, and potentially advanced analytics platforms to support design research and validation.

• Opportunities for informal and formal interactions with colleagues across product, engineering, and design teams.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 per week) with flexibility, allowing for effective management of design processes and data analysis alongside personal commitments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Hybrid" work arrangement and Stockholm location are direct inputs. The workspace context is inferred from typical tech company environments and the collaborative nature of the role.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: Presentation of your portfolio focusing on case studies that demonstrate strategic thinking, user behavior analysis, and impact. This may be followed by a design exercise or a take-home challenge related to Podme's product.

• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion with the UX Manager about your experience, design philosophy, approach to problem-solving, and how you align with Podme's goals.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, and Data Analysts to assess collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to work within a product team.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss strategic alignment and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the business and user outcomes achieved in your projects. Use metrics where possible.

• Show Your Process: Detail how you identified problems, conducted research, iterated on solutions, and validated them.

• Highlight Strategic Thinking: Emphasize your role in shaping product direction and framing opportunities, not just executing UI.

• Demonstrate Habit Design: Showcase examples where you designed for user habit formation, continuation, or retention.

• Systems Thinking: Illustrate your ability to design cohesive user journeys and experiences across mobile platforms.

• Be Prepared to Discuss: Be ready to dive deep into any project, discuss trade-offs, and explain your rationale.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Podme: Research Podme's product, target audience, and market position. Understand their vision for enriching lives through stories.

• Focus on Core Themes: Prepare to address challenges related to content discovery, user habit formation, seamless continuation, and premium value perception.

• Data & Research: Be ready to discuss how you would use data and research to inform design decisions in a hypothetical scenario.

• Collaboration: Think about how you would collaborate with Product Managers and Engineers to achieve design goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is constructed based on standard hiring processes for Senior Product Designer roles in tech companies, combined with the specific emphasis from the job description (e.g., habit formation, user outcomes, data-driven approach).

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), InVision, Axure RP (or similar prototyping tools).

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

• User Research & Analytics: Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, Hotjar, UserTesting.com, SurveyMonkey, Lookback.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Experience with product analytics platforms (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel) to track user behavior and measure the impact of designs.

• Familiarity with A/B testing tools and methodologies for validating design hypotheses.

• Ability to interpret data dashboards and reports to inform design iterations.

CRM & Automation: While not a direct CRM role, an understanding of how user data flows from subscription platforms and marketing automation may be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: These tools are standard for Product Designers, especially in a mobile and data-driven environment. The emphasis on analytics and experimentation aligns with the job description's focus on data-informed design and measurable outcomes.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity with Business Acumen: Deeply understand user needs and motivations while aligning design solutions with business objectives and growth strategies.

• Data-Driven Impact: Value decisions informed by research, experimentation, and behavioral metrics, aiming for measurable improvements in user outcomes and business KPIs.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Foster strong, collaborative relationships with Product, Engineering, and Data teams, sharing accountability for product success.

• Continuous Learning & Curiosity: Embrace a mindset of ongoing learning, exploring new design techniques, user behaviors, and emerging technologies (like AI).

• Craftsmanship & Quality: Strive for high-quality design execution, focusing on intuitive interfaces, seamless experiences, and a premium feel.

• Ownership & Accountability: Take ownership of design problems and their solutions, driving them from concept to measurable impact.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Pods: Work within agile teams where design is an integral part of product development from ideation to launch and iteration.

• Open Communication: Encourage open dialogue, constructive feedback, and transparent sharing of insights and challenges.

• Proactive Engagement: Actively involve stakeholders early in the design process to ensure alignment and gather diverse perspectives.

• Shared Goals: Focus on shared product and business objectives, working collaboratively to achieve them.

📝 Enhancement Note: These values are inferred from the company's vision, the role's responsibilities, and the overall emphasis on user outcomes, data, and collaboration.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Habit Formation: Creating experiences that genuinely encourage users to build and maintain habits around listening to podcasts and audiobooks is a complex design challenge.

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Effectively translating user motivations and desired outcomes into features that also drive subscription growth and retention.

• Reducing Friction in Discovery & Continuation: Ensuring users can easily find content they love and seamlessly pick up where they left off across different contexts and devices.

• Evolving Media Consumption: Adapting designs to changing user behaviors and technological advancements in the audio and digital media space.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent understanding and prioritization of design initiatives across diverse teams with potentially different objectives.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Design Skills: Deepen expertise in areas like behavioral design, recommendation systems, and designing for engagement in content-rich platforms.

• Industry Trends: Stay at the forefront of trends in audio streaming, subscription models, and AI applications in product design.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to be mentored by a UX Manager and potentially mentor junior designers, honing leadership skills.

• Strategic Product Input: Contribute significantly to product strategy, gaining experience in product-led growth and market positioning.

• Exposure to Large Media Group: Benefit from the resources and broader ecosystem of Schibsted Media, potentially attending industry events or cross-company knowledge sharing sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are derived from the core problem statements in the job description (habit formation, discovery, continuation). Growth opportunities are tailored to a senior role within the described company and industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you used behavioral data to significantly alter a product's direction or improve a key user outcome like retention or habit formation."

• "How would you approach designing a feature to help users discover new podcasts they'll love, considering both user preference and business goals?"

• "Walk us through a complex user journey you've designed for a mobile application. What were the key friction points, and how did you address them?"

• "Imagine we want to encourage users to listen to at least 3 hours of content per week. What design strategies would you propose, and how would you measure success?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about Podme's vision to enrich lives through stories, and how would your design approach support that vision?"

• "How do you typically collaborate with Product Managers and Engineers? Can you give an example of a successful partnership and a challenging one?"

• "How do you ensure your designs have a measurable impact on business objectives, beyond just user satisfaction?"

• "How do you contribute to building a strong design culture within a team or organization?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio around 2-3 key case studies that best showcase your ability to drive user outcomes and business impact through design.

• Narrative: For each case study, tell a story: the problem, your role, your process (research, ideation, iteration, validation), the solution, and most importantly, the measurable results.

• Focus on Strategy: Emphasize your thinking process, how you framed the problem, and the strategic decisions you made, not just the final UI.

• Data & Metrics: Clearly present how you used data and research, and what the impact of your design was (e.g., X% increase in retention, Y% decrease in drop-off).

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Prepare to answer detailed questions about your design choices, trade-offs, and the challenges you faced.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions are crafted to probe the specific requirements and desired attributes mentioned in the job description, such as habit formation, data-driven design, strategic thinking, and cross-functional collaboration.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Visit the Schibsted careers page and submit your application through the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating experience in mobile design (iOS/Android), user habit formation, content discovery, and data-informed decision-making. Showcase case studies with clear problem statements, processes, and measurable outcomes.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your experience with product strategy, user research, A/B testing, and cross-functional collaboration. Quantify your achievements with specific metrics where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, strategic thinking, and the impact of your work. Prepare to discuss specific examples from your portfolio and how you would approach challenges at Podme.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Podme, its mission, target audience, competitors, and recent news. Understand Schibsted's broader media landscape and values to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural alignment.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions for a Senior Product Designer role in Stockholm. All details, particularly regarding compensation and specific interview stages, should be verified directly with the hiring organization.