Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Vista Group

Location: Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: 2026-09-18

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

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

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end design process for innovative, user-centered products within the cinema software industry, driving strategic product direction.

• Collaborate closely with Product Directors, Engineers, and Business Analysts to translate complex client needs into elegant software solutions.

• Champion design excellence, user-centric principles, and inclusive design practices across cross-functional teams.

• Mentor and coach junior designers, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and knowledge sharing within the design team.

• Define and track success metrics for design initiatives, directly impacting business outcomes and user adoption rates.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer within Vista Group, a global leader in cinema software. The emphasis is on strategic influence, end-to-end ownership of the design process, and leadership through mentorship, indicating a need for a candidate with a proven track record of driving product innovation and influencing business strategy through design. The hybrid model in Auckland requires a strong ability to work independently and collaborate effectively both remotely and in-office.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Strategize, create, and deliver best-in-class guest-facing products by understanding Vista's business objectives, client needs, and user requirements.

• Present design concepts and solutions to diverse stakeholders, including executives and external partners, effectively managing expectations and negotiating trade-offs.

• Define and measure success criteria for design initiatives, such as usability scores, adoption rates, and alignment with Vista OKRs.

• Drive the complete design lifecycle, encompassing user research, discovery, ideation, interaction design, visual design, and prototyping.

• Ensure all designs adhere to accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG compliance) and inclusive design principles, fostering equitable user experiences.

• Collaborate closely with engineering teams to ensure technical feasibility while maintaining high design quality and user experience.

• Support QA testing processes to validate user experience requirements and ensure successful product implementation.

• Help maintain and evolve research methodologies and documentation for consistency, scalability, and continuous improvement.

• Contribute to the maintenance and evolution of design systems to ensure brand consistency, scalability, and efficient design asset management.

• Produce clear, accurate, and developer-ready design documentation and assets to facilitate seamless handoffs.

• Foster a culture of accountability, embracing early and cost-effective failure for rapid learning and iterative improvement.

• Act as a design advocate across the business, nurturing a culture of collaboration and unity with engineering and other departments.

• Motivate the design team to deliver high-quality work, improve productivity, and ensure role performance standards are met, providing coaching as needed.

• Mentor and coach junior designers, introducing innovative methods, tools, and best practices.

• Engage cross-functional teams early in the design process, including Marketing, Knowledge Services, and Engineering, to ensure alignment and gather diverse perspectives.

• Stay current with emerging design trends, tools, and technologies, integrating relevant advancements into Vista's design practices.

• Contribute to the evolution of Vista's design systems and processes, driving efficiency and consistency.

• Facilitate workshops, usability testing sessions, and user research activities to inform and validate design decisions.

• Identify opportunities for innovation and propose solutions that enhance user experience and achieve business outcomes.

• Proactively identify design risks, escalate issues promptly, and manage conflicting priorities to ensure timely resolution of design challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic thinking, hands-on design execution, and leadership. The emphasis on "understanding Vista OKRs," "client's want and why," and "competitors and where the market will be tomorrow" indicates a strategic contribution beyond typical UX/UI tasks. The expectation to "own and drive the design process by independently defining requirements, scoping projects and prioritising tasks" further solidifies the senior-level expectation for autonomy and project management within the design function.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or equivalent professional experience. Experience:

• Extensive experience in delivering UX/UI design solutions for software products.

• Proven experience in product design with a strong portfolio showcasing strategic, user-centered solutions and demonstrable impact.

• Demonstrated ability to own and drive the design process independently, including defining requirements, scoping projects, and prioritizing tasks.

• Proven ability to influence product strategy and contribute to business outcomes through design.

• Experience in mentoring and coaching junior designers is highly desirable. Required Skills:

• Expert proficiency in design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, Axure, and Adobe XD.

• Deep understanding of visual design principles, including hierarchy, typography, iconography, and layout, with a keen eye for pixel-perfect execution.

• Strong grasp of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG compliance) and inclusive design principles.

• Proven ability to conduct user research, usability testing, and translate findings into actionable design improvements.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to articulate complex design concepts clearly and confidently.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a data-driven approach to design decision-making.

• Ability to work independently with minimal direction and manage conflicting priorities effectively. Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with collaboration tools such as Miro and project management tools like TFS (Team Foundation Server) or similar Agile development platforms.

• Experience working within the software development lifecycle, particularly in an Agile or Scrum environment.

• Understanding of the cinema industry or related software solutions.

• Experience contributing to or maintaining design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "care about pixels and subpixels" emphasizes a high standard for visual design execution. The specific mention of Figma, Sketch, Axure, and XD, along with collaboration tools like Miro and TFS, indicates the expected technical toolkit. The emphasis on independent work and influencing product strategy suggests a need for a candidate who can operate with a high degree of autonomy and strategic foresight.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing a minimum of 5-10 years of professional experience in UX/UI and product design.

• Demonstrations of strategic thinking, illustrating how design decisions aligned with business objectives and user needs.

• Case studies detailing the end-to-end design process, from initial research and problem definition through to final execution and impact measurement.

• Examples of user-centered solutions that have delivered tangible business outcomes and improved user experience.

• Evidence of creating detailed wireframes, prototypes, interaction flows, and high-fidelity visual designs.

• Clear articulation of the design challenges, the methodologies employed, and the rationale behind key design decisions. Process Documentation:

• Showcase experience in defining, documenting, and refining design processes, including user research methodologies, ideation techniques, and design critique frameworks.

• Provide examples of how you have contributed to or managed design systems, ensuring consistency and scalability across products.

• Demonstrate an understanding of how to integrate design processes with engineering workflows and Agile methodologies.

• Include examples of how you have used data (e.g., usability scores, adoption rates, user feedback) to inform and iterate on design processes and solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio demonstrating "strategic, user-centered solutions" and the ability to "own and drive the design process by independently defining requirements, scoping projects and prioritising tasks" suggests that candidates should present portfolio pieces that highlight their project leadership, strategic input, and end-to-end ownership, rather than just visual design output.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on regional benchmarks for Senior Product Designers with 5-10 years of experience in Auckland, New Zealand, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between NZD $120,000 - $160,000 per annum. This range accounts for the required expertise, the strategic nature of the role, and the cost of living in Auckland. Benefits:

• Excellent work/life balance, including a 4 ½ day working week.

• Hybrid working model, allowing for a flexible split between home and office-based work.

• Medical and Life insurance coverage (subject to a qualifying period).

• Volunteer day to support community initiatives.

• Enhanced paid parental leave provisions.

• Comprehensive wellness benefits.

• Strong focus on mentoring and career development opportunities.

• Engaging team events, including the Vista Innovation Cup, fostering camaraderie and innovation. Working Hours:

• Standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, with a 4.5-day work week. The hybrid arrangement offers flexibility, with a requirement to attend the Auckland office for 2 days per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on an analysis of senior-level product design roles in Auckland, New Zealand, considering the company's industry (software technology) and the role's seniority. Benefits are directly extracted from the job description and are highlighted for their attractiveness to experienced professionals seeking work-life balance and comprehensive support. The 4.5-day work week is a significant differentiator.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software Technology, specifically focused on the global cinema industry, providing software solutions for cinemas and film distributors.

Company Size: Vista Group operates globally with offices and subsidiary companies across multiple continents, indicating a medium to large enterprise size with a significant international footprint.

Founded: Over 25 years ago, suggesting a stable, established company with a history of innovation and growth in its niche market.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team is described as "rapidly-growing, fast-moving, highly-capable," and works collaboratively with Product Directors, Engineers, and Business Analysts.

• Designers are based in Auckland, fostering a core team presence while also working with global customers.

• The design team is integrated as a "critical part of the software development process," indicating a high level of influence and collaboration.

• There is a clear emphasis on cross-functional collaboration, including Marketing, Knowledge Services, and Engineering. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making: "Ensure we have data about how our products are being used and review it regularly."

• User-centered design: "understanding the Vista, client business, and user needs."

• Agile and iterative development: Implied through collaboration with engineers and the focus on rapid learning ("fail early and cheaply").

• Design Systems: Maintaining and evolving these for consistency and scalability.

• Continuous Improvement: Staying current with trends, mentoring juniors, and contributing to process evolution.

Company Website: https://www.vistagroup.co.nz/

📝 Enhancement Note: Vista Group's long history and global presence suggest a mature yet dynamic environment. The emphasis on the design team being a "critical part of the software development process" implies that design is highly valued and integrated, not an afterthought. The "Shared Standards" (One Crew, Shine a Light, Make it Happen, Chase Great) provide a clear framework for expected behaviors and cultural alignment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Product Designer. This level signifies a transition from individual contributor to a role with strategic influence, project ownership, and mentorship responsibilities. It requires a deep understanding of the full product development lifecycle, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to lead design initiatives.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, a Senior Product Designer typically reports to a Design Lead, Head of Design, or a Product Director. They will work closely with Product Directors, Engineers, and Business Analysts.

Operations Impact: The role has a significant impact on revenue and business decisions by:

• Leading the design of user-centered products that directly influence customer adoption and satisfaction, thereby driving revenue.

• Strategizing product direction based on user needs, market trends, and business objectives.

• Defining success criteria and performance metrics for design initiatives, allowing for quantifiable impact assessment.

• Championing design excellence, which can lead to enhanced brand reputation and competitive advantage. Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in specific areas of UX/UI, user research, accessibility, or design systems. Opportunity to lead complex, high-impact design projects.

• Leadership Development: Transition into a Design Lead or management role, with opportunities to mentor larger teams and shape design strategy at a higher level. Potential to take on more strategic product leadership responsibilities.

• Industry Specialization: Become a subject matter expert in cinema software design, leveraging deep knowledge of the industry and its unique user needs.

• Cross-functional Leadership: Gain experience leading design initiatives that span multiple product lines or business units within Vista Group.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title combined with responsibilities like "influence product strategy," "mentor junior designers," and "own and drive the design process" clearly indicates a role with significant growth potential beyond individual contribution, pointing towards leadership and strategic product development paths.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid working model, requiring a blend of remote work and in-office presence at their Auckland headquarters. This suggests a modern approach to work, balancing flexibility with in-person collaboration.

Office Location(s): The primary office location for this role is Auckland, New Zealand, specifically within the City Works Depot. This area is known for its vibrant commercial and creative hub.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The Auckland office is designed to foster collaboration, with designers working alongside Product Directors, Engineers, and BAs. The hybrid model necessitates effective use of collaborative tools for remote interactions.

• Tools and Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools (Figma, Sketch, Axure, XD) and collaboration platforms (Miro, TFS) is expected. The company uses "latest technologies," implying a modern tech stack.

• Team Interaction: While remote work is supported, the requirement for 2 days in the office per week is to facilitate in-person brainstorming, design critiques, and team building, crucial for a design team's dynamic.

Work Schedule: The role offers a 4.5-day working week, providing an enhanced work-life balance. Standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility managed within the hybrid model.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model with specific office attendance days is a key feature. The City Works Depot location in Auckland is a desirable urban workspace. The company's commitment to "latest technologies" suggests an environment that embraces innovation in tools and processes.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio to assess experience, skill alignment, and the strategic nature of past work.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A session where candidates present selected case studies from their portfolio, discussing their design process, strategic thinking, and the impact of their work. This is crucial for evaluating communication and problem-solving skills.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: Potential for a design exercise or challenge, either take-home or live, to assess practical skills in wireframing, prototyping, or visual design, and understanding of accessibility.

• Stakeholder/Team Interviews: Meetings with Product Directors, Engineering leads, and potentially other designers to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and ability to articulate design rationale.

• Final Interview: Discussion with senior leadership to evaluate strategic alignment, leadership potential, and overall fit with Vista Group's vision and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your ability to drive product strategy, own the end-to-end design process, and deliver user-centered solutions with measurable impact.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process (research, ideation, iteration), key decisions, technical constraints, and the final outcomes/results. Quantify impact where possible.

• Highlight Strategic Input: Emphasize how your design decisions aligned with business objectives (OKRs) and user needs. Showcase instances where you influenced product direction.

• Demonstrate Technical Craftsmanship: Ensure your portfolio clearly displays your proficiency in visual design, interaction design, and your mastery of tools like Figma.

• Address Accessibility & Inclusivity: Explicitly detail how you incorporated accessibility standards (WCAG) and inclusive design principles into your work.

• Practice Your Pitch: Be prepared to confidently present your work, answer in-depth questions about your process, and discuss trade-offs you made.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a design challenge is provided, focus on understanding the core problem quickly.

• Prioritize the user experience and business objectives.

• Document your thought process clearly, even if time is limited.

• Consider edge cases and accessibility in your proposed solution.

• Be prepared to articulate the rationale behind your design choices and potential areas for future iteration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "strategic, user-centered solutions" and "influencing product strategy" means the portfolio review will likely focus heavily on the 'why' and 'impact' of the designs, not just the 'what' and 'how'. Candidates should prepare to articulate their strategic contributions and the business value derived from their design work.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (expert proficiency expected), Sketch, Axure, Adobe XD.

• Collaboration: Miro (familiarity expected), potentially other whiteboarding or brainstorming tools.

• Project Management: TFS (Team Foundation Server) or similar Agile/project tracking tools (familiarity expected).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed for designers, an understanding of how to interpret product usage data and analytics dashboards (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, or internal BI tools) would be beneficial for informing design decisions. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the Senior Product Designer role, but an awareness of how design impacts CRM systems or customer engagement platforms could be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma, Sketch, Axure, and XD, along with Miro and TFS, indicates the core technology stack for design and collaboration. Candidates are expected to be proficient in these tools, especially Figma, given its prevalence and the "expert proficiency" requirement.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• One Crew: Emphasizes teamwork, collaboration, and mutual support across diverse roles and locations. For designers, this means actively engaging with engineers, product managers, and other stakeholders, sharing knowledge, and contributing to a unified team effort.

• Shine a Light: Promotes open communication, transparency, and clarity. Designers are expected to clearly articulate their reasoning, explain the 'why' behind their decisions, and ensure stakeholders understand design concepts and potential risks.

• Make it Happen: Focuses on delivery and execution. Designers are expected to be proactive, drive projects to completion, and ensure high-quality outcomes, balancing creativity with practicality.

• Chase Great: Encourages continuous improvement, innovation, and challenging the status quo. Designers should strive for excellence, be open to feedback, and seek opportunities to elevate product quality and user experience.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are embedded within product teams, working closely with Product Directors, Engineers, and BAs, requiring strong collaborative skills and the ability to communicate effectively with technical and business audiences.

• Proactive Engagement: Expected to engage cross-functional teams early in the design process to ensure alignment, gather diverse perspectives, and mitigate risks.

• Feedback Culture: The "Chase Great" value implies a culture where constructive feedback is welcomed and utilized for continuous improvement, both for individuals and the product.

• Knowledge Sharing: Mentoring junior designers and contributing to design systems and processes highlights a culture that values sharing expertise and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Vista Group's "Shared Standards" are a strong indicator of their desired company culture. The Senior Product Designer role requires embodying these values, particularly "One Crew" for collaboration and "Chase Great" for driving innovation and quality in design.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Global Needs with Local Nuances: Designing software for a global cinema industry requires understanding diverse user bases, cultural contexts, and operational differences across regions, while maintaining a cohesive product experience.

• Technical Constraints vs. Ideal UX: Navigating the complexities of integrating advanced software features with technical feasibility, ensuring robust and scalable solutions without compromising user experience.

• Driving Design Adoption in a Fast-Paced Environment: Championing user-centered design and advocating for design best practices within a rapidly growing, fast-moving company requires strong communication and influence skills.

• Mentoring and Leading: Effectively mentoring junior designers while managing senior-level responsibilities and contributing strategically to product direction.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX/UI Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas like interaction design, user research methodologies, or advanced prototyping techniques.

• Product Strategy and Leadership: Develop skills in influencing product roadmaps, defining strategic design initiatives, and potentially moving into product leadership roles.

• Industry Expertise: Gain deep knowledge of the cinema software industry, becoming a valuable expert in a niche but globally significant market.

• Cross-functional Collaboration Mastery: Enhance skills in working with engineering, product management, and business stakeholders to deliver complex projects successfully.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are framed around the complexities of global software development, balancing user needs with technical realities, and the leadership demands of a senior role. The growth opportunities focus on expanding technical design skills, developing strategic product acumen, and honing leadership capabilities within a specialized industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you influenced product strategy through design. What was the outcome?" (Prepare a case study showcasing strategic impact and OKR alignment.)

• "How do you balance user needs with business objectives and technical constraints? Walk us through an example." (Focus on your decision-making process, trade-offs, and how you gathered input.)

• "How would you approach defining success metrics for a new guest-facing feature for cinema operators?" (Demonstrate your understanding of KPIs, user adoption, and business impact.)

• "Describe your process for managing conflicting priorities when working on multiple design projects." (Highlight your organizational skills, stakeholder communication, and prioritization strategies.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do you see your role contributing to Vista Group's 'Shared Standards' (One Crew, Shine a Light, Make it Happen, Chase Great)?" (Relate your experience and approach to each standard.)

• "How would you foster collaboration between the design team and engineering on a new product initiative?" (Discuss proactive engagement, clear communication, and shared understanding.)

• "What are your thoughts on the current state of cinema software, and where do you see opportunities for design innovation?" (Showcase your industry interest and forward-thinking approach.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure your presentation: Start with an overview of Vista Group and the role, then dive into 2-3 key portfolio projects. For each project, clearly articulate:

  • The Problem/Challenge
  • Your Role & Responsibilities
  • The Process (Research, Ideation, Design, Testing)
  • Key Decisions & Rationale
  • Outcomes & Impact (Quantified where possible)
  • Lessons Learned

• Focus on Strategic Impact: Emphasize how your designs solved business problems, met user needs, and contributed to product success.

• Highlight Collaboration: Discuss how you worked with cross-functional teams.

• Be ready for deep dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your process, tools, and decision-making.

• Showcase Craftsmanship: Be prepared to discuss visual design choices, interaction details, and accessibility considerations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, end-to-end process ownership, strong communication skills, and alignment with Vista's values. Portfolio presentations should be structured to clearly articulate impact and strategic contributions.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your CV and a link to your portfolio through the provided application link.

• Tailor your CV: Highlight experience and achievements directly relevant to product design, UX/UI, strategic influence, and leadership/mentorship, using keywords from the job description.

• Curate your portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best showcase your strategic thinking, end-to-end design process, user-centered approach, and measurable impact. Ensure case studies are well-documented and clearly articulate your contributions.

• Prepare your presentation: Practice walking through your selected portfolio projects, focusing on the narrative, your strategic decision-making, and the outcomes. Be ready to discuss your process and answer in-depth questions.

• Research Vista Group: Understand their products, mission, and "Shared Standards." Prepare to articulate how your values and working style align with the company culture.

⚠️ 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.