Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Xelix

Location: London, UK (Shoreditch Exchange, E2 8JF)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / GTM Operations Support

Date Posted: October 1, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive end-to-end product design for complex, high-ambiguity B2B financial control workflows, often involving dense data sets and expert users.

• Actively contribute to product strategy and roadmap planning as a core member of a Product Manager and Tech Lead trio, identifying risks and opportunities.

• Champion the integration and experimentation of AI-assisted design and development tools within your own workflow and team processes.

• Lead user research initiatives, including usability testing, and establish high standards for usability, accessibility, and design consistency across the product.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Senior Product Designer," the emphasis on B2B financial controls, complex data workflows, and AI integration suggests a strong need for someone who can bridge the gap between user experience and operational efficiency. This role requires a designer who can not only create intuitive interfaces but also understand the underlying business processes and how design decisions impact GTM operations and financial controls. The requirement to "own the hard problems" and "shape strategy" indicates a significant level of autonomy and strategic input expected from this position, moving beyond typical execution-focused design roles.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of the design process for challenging product features, from initial problem framing and user research to final implementation and iteration, particularly in areas with no clear precedent.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers and Tech Leads to define product vision, prioritize features, and contribute to the overall product strategy and roadmap.

• Proactively identify and mitigate design and technical risks, challenging scope or approach when necessary to ensure optimal product outcomes.

• Integrate AI-powered tools and methodologies into personal design workflows, including prototyping, ideation, and user flow analysis, to enhance efficiency and explore new design possibilities.

• Plan, conduct, and analyze user research, including usability testing and user interviews, to gather actionable insights that inform design decisions and product direction.

• Uphold and elevate the design system's architecture, ensuring consistency, scalability, and adherence to accessibility standards (WCAG) across all product touchpoints.

• Provide constructive design critique within the team, maintaining high standards for usability, user experience, and visual design.

• Contribute to the evolution of design processes and best practices within the product team, potentially mentoring junior designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "frame the problem yourself when there's no clean brief to start from" and "shape strategy" highlights a proactive, strategic approach required. This isn't just about executing designs; it's about defining what needs to be designed and why, particularly in a domain like financial controls where clarity and accuracy are paramount. The emphasis on AI integration suggests a forward-thinking approach to design tooling and methodology.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred for senior design roles. Equivalent practical experience will also be strongly considered.

Experience: 5+ years of experience in product design, with a significant portion focused on complex B2B SaaS products and end-to-end project delivery.

Required Skills:

• 5+ years of experience in product design, with a strong portfolio showcasing complex, high-quality B2B work shipped end-to-end.

• Proven track record of independently taking ambiguous problems and transforming them into successfully shipped solutions.

• Demonstrated experience planning and leading user research and usability testing, not just participating in them.

• Genuine comfort and practical application of AI-assisted design and development tools within actual workflows.

• Deep proficiency in Figma, including advanced features for component management, prototyping, and collaboration.

• Systems-level thinking applied to design systems, with a focus on scalability, maintainability, and component architecture.

• Strong understanding of accessibility principles and standards (WCAG), and their practical implementation in design.

• Solid understanding of front-end technologies, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and their implications for design decisions.

• Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to bring structure to uncertain situations, rather than waiting for it.

• Excellent communication skills, with sound judgment on when to escalate issues versus make independent decisions. Preferred Skills:

• Understanding of finance or accounting basics, particularly related to Accounts Payable processes and financial controls.

• Experience working in fast-moving environments such as scale-ups or start-ups.

• Experience mentoring junior designers or contributing significantly to the improvement of team design processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "mindset and craft" over ticking every box suggests flexibility. The inclusion of finance/accounting basics as a "big plus" points to the specialized nature of Xelix's product, indicating that candidates with domain knowledge will have a distinct advantage in understanding user needs and workflow complexities. The requirement for AI tool proficiency is a key differentiator, signaling a need for designers who are early adopters and innovators in their craft.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end design ownership of complex B2B products, demonstrating problem-framing, research, design iteration, and shipped solutions.

• Include detailed case studies that highlight the ambiguity of the initial problem and the strategic approach taken to achieve clarity and deliver value.

• Present clear evidence of user research methodologies employed, including how findings influenced design decisions and improved user outcomes.

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of design systems, with examples of component creation, scalability considerations, and how consistency was maintained across a product.

• Feature examples of applying AI-assisted tools within your design process, explaining the benefits and outcomes achieved.

• Showcase understanding of technical constraints and collaboration with engineering teams, including how design decisions were translated into code. Process Documentation:

• Case studies should clearly articulate the design process followed, emphasizing how structure was brought to ambiguous problems.

• Demonstrate how user research was integrated into the design lifecycle, from discovery to validation.

• Illustrate the iterative nature of the design process, including how feedback and data were used to refine solutions.

• Show examples of collaboration with Product Managers and Tech Leads in shaping strategy and roadmap.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's emphasis on "owning hard problems" and "shaping strategy," portfolios should go beyond visual mockups. They need to clearly articulate the strategic thinking, problem-solving methodologies, and the impact of the designer's contributions on the product and business objectives. The inclusion of AI in the design process should be a tangible element within the portfolio.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £65,000 to £80,000 per annum, dependent on experience.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary package.

• 27 days of annual leave, with an option to roll over 3 days.

• Hybrid working model, with 1-2 days per week required at the dog-friendly Hoxton office.

• On-site gym facilities at the Hoxton office.

• Comprehensive private medical cover with Vitality.

• Comprehensive private dental cover with Vitality.

• Enhanced parental leave pay.

• Annual personal learning and development budget of £1,000.

• Commitment to carbon neutrality and ambitious carbon reduction goals.

• Numerous team social events and activities.

• Annual team retreat.

Working Hours: Standard working hours are 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday, totaling 40 hours per week. The hybrid model offers flexibility in terms of location for part of the week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is based on the company's stated figures. The benefits are extensive and align with typical offerings for senior roles in scale-ups, emphasizing employee well-being, professional development, and work-life balance. The hybrid policy specifies a clear expectation for office presence, which is important for collaborative roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Technology (FinTech) / Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Xelix operates at the intersection of finance and AI, providing AI solutions to automate and strengthen financial controls, specifically for Accounts Payable teams. This niche positions them as innovators in a critical business function.

Company Size: Fast-paced scale-up, with over 100 talented people. This indicates a dynamic environment where processes are evolving, and individual contributions have a significant impact.

Founded: Xelix raised Series B funding in June 2025, suggesting a period of significant growth and expansion. The company is profitable and expanding aggressively.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Product Designer will sit in a "trio" with a Product Manager and a Tech Lead, indicating a highly collaborative and integrated product development team structure.

• This structure promotes shared ownership and decision-making, moving away from traditional hierarchical design briefs.

• The company culture emphasizes trust, ownership, speed, and impact, with a focus on personal and professional growth. Methodology:

• AI-native by culture and product, encouraging experimentation with AI in design and engineering processes.

• Agile and iterative development approach, driven by a fast-paced scale-up environment.

• Emphasis on data-driven decision-making, user research, and continuous improvement.

• Collaborative problem-solving, with a focus on tackling complex, ambiguous challenges.

Company Website: https://careers.xelix.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Xelix's position in the FinTech space, particularly with an AI focus on financial controls, means the product design role is highly specialized. Candidates should understand the implications of working with sensitive financial data and complex regulatory environments. The "fast-paced scale-up" culture means adaptability and a proactive approach are key.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a Senior Product Designer, indicating a significant level of autonomy and responsibility. It requires not just execution but also strategic input, problem-framing, and leadership within the product trio. It's a position for an experienced individual contributor who can influence product direction.

Reporting Structure: The designer will work within a Product Trio (Product Manager, Tech Lead, Designer) and will report into the Head of Product or a similar leadership role within the product/design function.

Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer's work directly impacts Xelix's core product offering, which automates financial controls. This role is crucial for user adoption, efficiency gains for clients, and the overall market competitiveness of Xelix's AI solutions. A successful designer will enhance client satisfaction, reduce friction in financial workflows, and contribute to revenue growth by making the product more effective and user-friendly.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in Design: Opportunity to shape the design system, establish design best practices, and potentially mentor junior designers as the team grows.

• Strategic Influence: Direct involvement in product strategy and roadmap planning, allowing for significant impact on the product's future direction.

• AI Integration Expertise: Develop deep expertise in applying AI tools and methodologies to the design process, becoming a thought leader in this emerging area.

• Domain Specialization: Gain in-depth knowledge of financial controls and Accounts Payable processes, becoming a valuable specialist in the FinTech domain.

• Career Progression: Potential to move into Lead Product Designer roles, Head of Design, or Product Management roles as the company scales.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers substantial growth beyond traditional design execution. The emphasis on "shaping strategy" and "owning hard problems" suggests a path towards product leadership or specialized expertise within FinTech and AI-driven design. The opportunity to mentor and influence processes points to leadership development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid working model with a physical office presence. The office is described as dog-friendly and located in Hoxton, London.

Office Location(s): Shoreditch Exchange, London, E2 8JF. This is a vibrant area in East London, known for its tech and creative industries.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model (1-2 days in office) is designed to foster collaboration, team interaction, and in-person brainstorming, essential for tackling complex design challenges.

• Tools & Technology: While not explicitly stated for the workspace, the job description implies access to modern design tools (Figma) and an encouragement to use AI-assisted technologies.

• Team Interaction: The trio structure and office days are designed to facilitate close working relationships between designers, PMs, and engineers. The company also hosts team socials and an annual retreat.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (9:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Monday-Friday) with a hybrid arrangement allowing for remote work on non-office days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is clearly defined, requiring a specific number of days in the London office. This is crucial for candidates to understand their weekly commitment to in-person collaboration. The description of the office as "dog-friendly" and located in a creative hub like Shoreditch provides context for the work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• 1. Introductory Call: A brief Teams conversation with a Talent Partner to assess initial fit and discuss the role. Preparation Tip: Be ready to articulate your career trajectory and express enthusiasm for Xelix's mission.

• 2. Hiring Manager Interview: A 30-45 minute Teams meeting focusing on your experience, problem-solving approach, and fit with the team. Preparation Tip: Prepare specific examples of how you've handled complex B2B design challenges and contributed to strategy.

• 3. Technical Task or Presentation: A role-relevant exercise to demonstrate skills and approach. This could be a design challenge or a presentation of your portfolio. Preparation Tip: Understand Xelix's product and industry; be ready to present a case study that highlights ambiguity, AI integration, and strategic thinking.

• 4. Final On-site Interview: An in-person meeting at the London office with senior leadership and co-founders. Preparation Tip: Research Xelix's leadership, their vision, and be prepared to discuss your long-term aspirations and how you can contribute to their growth.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the business impact and user value of your design solutions, not just the aesthetic outcomes. Use metrics where possible.

• Showcase Process: Detail your approach to problem-solving, especially for ambiguous B2B challenges. Highlight how you framed the problem, conducted research, and iterated on solutions.

• Highlight AI Integration: Explicitly show how you've used AI tools in your design process and the benefits derived.

• Demonstrate Systems Thinking: Provide examples of your work with design systems, showcasing component architecture, scalability, and consistency.

• B2B Complexity: Ensure your portfolio prominently features complex B2B work, demonstrating your ability to handle dense data, expert users, and high-stakes workflows.

• Storytelling: Frame your case studies as narratives that highlight your strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and ability to drive projects end-to-end.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Research Xelix's product, the FinTech industry, and the specific challenges of Accounts Payable automation.

• AI Application: Be prepared to discuss how you would leverage AI in design tasks or how you've already done so.

• Ambiguity Handling: Practice articulating how you approach ill-defined problems and create structure.

• Collaboration: Prepare to discuss how you work within a Product Trio and collaborate with PMs and Engineers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process includes a technical task/presentation and a final on-site interview, indicating a thorough evaluation. The emphasis on AI, ambiguity, and B2B context should guide portfolio preparation and interview responses. The note about AI usage in interviews is important for candidates to be aware of Xelix's transparency.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Deep proficiency is required.

• AI-Assisted Design Tools: Candidates are expected to be comfortable and experienced with various AI tools that can aid in design, prototyping, research synthesis, or ideation. Specific tools are not named, suggesting a need for general AI proficiency.

• Prototyping Tools: Likely integrated within Figma or other specialized tools for interactive prototypes.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned for the designer, understanding how to use product analytics tools (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel, Pendo) to inform design decisions and measure impact would be beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Design System Management: Tools and processes for managing and scaling design systems are critical. This may involve Figma libraries, documentation platforms (e.g., Zeroheight, Storybook), or internal tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the core design tool. The explicit requirement for AI-assisted design tools is a key differentiator. While specific analytics tools aren't listed for the designer, a data-informed approach is implied by the company's AI focus and the need to measure impact.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Ownership & Impact: High degree of personal responsibility and a focus on making a tangible contribution to the company's success.

• Speed & Agility: Ability to move quickly and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced scale-up environment.

• Continuous Learning & Growth: Commitment to personal and professional development, with a budget for learning and a culture that encourages skill enhancement.

• Collaboration & Trust: Working effectively within cross-functional teams, built on mutual trust and open communication.

• Innovation (AI-Native): Embracing new technologies, particularly AI, and integrating them into processes and products.

Collaboration Style:

• Product Trio Model: Designers work in tight-knit groups with PMs and Tech Leads, fostering shared ownership and rapid decision-making.

• Critique Culture: Regular design critiques are part of the process, aimed at elevating craft and ensuring high standards.

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to work closely with engineering and product management throughout the product lifecycle.

• Open Communication: Encouragement to "push back on scope or approach" and make independent decisions, indicating a culture that values informed opinions and proactive communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "AI-native by culture" and the "trio" structure are core to understanding Xelix's collaborative approach. Candidates should be prepared for an environment that values proactive contribution, iterative development, and a strong sense of shared purpose.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• High Ambiguity in B2B FinTech: Designing for complex financial workflows with dense data and expert users, where established design patterns may not exist.

• Integrating AI Effectively: Experimenting with and successfully embedding AI tools into the design process and product itself, while ensuring user trust and ethical considerations.

• Balancing Strategy and Execution: Contributing to high-level product strategy while also delivering high-quality design execution within a fast-paced environment.

• Scaling Design Systems: Evolving and maintaining a robust design system to support rapid product growth and new feature development.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Specialization: Becoming an expert in leveraging AI for design workflows and understanding its implications for future product development.

• Product Strategy Influence: Gaining experience in shaping product roadmaps and strategic direction for a growing FinTech company.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior designers and contribute to team process improvements.

• Domain Expertise: Deepening knowledge of financial controls and the FinTech landscape.

• Professional Development Budget: Access to a £1,000 annual budget for conferences, courses, books, or other learning resources.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are directly tied to the role's core responsibilities and Xelix's specific market. The growth opportunities are significant, offering a path for designers to become leaders in AI-driven design and specialized FinTech product development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to frame a complex, ambiguous problem for which there was no clear brief. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Preparation: Focus on your process for defining problems, user research, and strategic decision-making.)

• "How do you see AI changing the product design process, and how have you experimented with AI tools in your own workflow?" (Preparation: Be ready to discuss specific AI tools, your experiences, and your vision for AI's role in design.)

• "How would you contribute to product strategy and roadmap planning as part of a Product Trio?" (Preparation: Highlight your experience in strategic thinking, identifying opportunities/risks, and collaborating with PMs/Tech Leads.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Xelix's mission and our focus on AI for financial controls?" (Preparation: Research Xelix's product, market position, and recent funding. Connect your skills and interests to their goals.)

• "Describe your experience working in a fast-paced scale-up environment. How do you handle ambiguity and rapid change?" (Preparation: Provide examples of adaptability, resilience, and proactive problem-solving.)

• "How do you approach design critique and collaboration with engineering teams?" (Preparation: Discuss your communication style, ability to give and receive feedback constructively, and understanding of technical constraints.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Case Studies: For each case study, clearly outline: Problem, Your Role, Process (Research, Ideation, Design, Testing), Solution, and Impact (Metrics).

• Highlight Ambiguity & Strategy: Emphasize the initial uncertainty and the strategic decisions you made to bring clarity and direction.

• Showcase AI Integration: Dedicate a section or specific points within your case studies to demonstrate how you used AI tools and the results.

• Demonstrate B2B Complexity: Use examples that clearly show your ability to design for complex data, expert users, and critical workflows.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, trade-offs, and the impact of your work.

• Practice Your Narrative: Ensure you can articulate your process and outcomes clearly and concisely within the allotted time.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to assess strategic thinking, technical craft, and cultural fit. Candidates should prepare to discuss their experience with ambiguity, AI, B2B complexity, and collaborative product development. The portfolio presentation is a critical component.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Xelix careers portal at https://careers.xelix.com/jobs/8483384-senior-product-designer.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your 5+ years of B2B product design experience, specific achievements in complex problem-solving, and any experience with AI-assisted design tools or financial technology. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio prominently features end-to-end B2B case studies demonstrating your ability to handle ambiguity, integrate AI, and drive strategic product decisions. Clearly articulate the process and impact.

• Prepare for the Interview Stages: Research Xelix, understand their product and mission, and prepare specific examples for potential interview questions related to strategy, collaboration, and AI. Practice presenting your portfolio.

• Understand the Hybrid Model: Be ready to discuss your comfort and experience with hybrid work arrangements and your willingness to be in the London office 1-2 days per week.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details, especially regarding specific interview tasks or team dynamics, should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.