Senior Product Designer, Direct to Consumer

Zynga
Full-timeβ€’$100k-143k/year (CAD)β€’Toronto, Canada

πŸ“ Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer, Direct to Consumer

Company: Zynga

Location: Austin, TX, United States / Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design, UX/UI Design, E-commerce Design

Date Posted: 2026-08-12

Experience Level: Senior (5-8+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

πŸš€ Role Summary

  • Lead the end-to-end design process for critical Direct to Consumer (DTC) initiatives, focusing on mobile commerce and user experience within the interactive entertainment sector.

  • Drive innovation in mobile-first design for native apps and mobile web, translating complex requirements into intuitive and engaging customer journeys.

  • Proactively identify and address friction points within existing games and commerce experiences to enhance user satisfaction and conversion rates.

  • Champion the evolution and maintenance of a scalable Design System using advanced Figma capabilities to ensure consistency and efficiency across product development.

  • Foster a culture of UX excellence through active participation in reviews, leading critiques, and mentoring junior design staff.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This role is situated within the gaming industry, specifically focusing on the Direct to Consumer (DTC) aspect, which implies a strong emphasis on e-commerce, in-app purchases, and subscription models within mobile gaming. The "Senior" title indicates a need for leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to mentor others, beyond just execution. The hybrid work arrangement suggests a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility.

πŸ“ˆ Primary Responsibilities

  • Spearhead the design of high-impact initiatives across mobile native apps and mobile web, with a primary focus on enhancing mobile commerce and user experience from concept through launch.

  • Conduct proactive audits of current game and commerce interfaces to identify usability issues, friction points, and opportunities for improvement.

  • Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and cross-functional stakeholders to translate intricate business requirements into elegant, user-centered design solutions.

  • Leverage customer feedback, user research insights, and data analytics to uncover novel user behaviors and inform design decisions.

  • Develop and present interactive prototypes to rapidly visualize, test, and validate new feature concepts and user flows.

  • Own the creation, maintenance, and advancement of Zynga's Design System, ensuring a scalable library of components, styles, and variables in Figma for optimal efficiency and visual consistency.

  • Act as a champion for UX excellence by actively participating in product reviews, leading design critiques, and providing mentorship to junior UI/UX designers.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of strategic thinking (auditing, identifying opportunities, championing UX) and tactical execution (prototyping, design system maintenance, detailed collaboration). The focus on "measurable outcomes" and "data analytics" highlights the data-driven culture at Zynga and the expectation for designers to impact business metrics.

πŸŽ“ Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Graphic Design, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior Product Designer role. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience:

  • 5–8+ years of professional product design experience, with a significant portion dedicated to B2C mobile e-commerce or consumer-facing commerce products.

  • Proven track record of designing end-to-end consumer journeys, including product discovery, product detail pages, shopping cart, checkout flows, account management, loyalty programs, and subscription experiences. Required Skills:

  • Advanced proficiency in Figma, including deep experience in building and managing scalable design systems, components, variants, and auto-layout.

  • Strong portfolio showcasing a mobile-first design approach, high-quality UI execution, and demonstrable impact on measurable business outcomes.

  • Excellent digital hygiene, including organized file structures, clear naming conventions, and proactive documentation practices.

  • Proven ability to lead collaborative design efforts from initial ideation through to final product launch, working effectively with product managers and developers.

  • Expertise in user research methodologies and data analytics interpretation to inform design decisions and identify user pain points.

  • Solid understanding of interaction design principles and user experience best practices for mobile platforms. Preferred Skills:

  • Experience in the gaming or interactive entertainment industry.

  • Familiarity with A/B testing and conversion rate optimization (CRO) strategies.

  • Experience with animation and motion design principles for user interfaces.

  • Familiarity with design thinking methodologies and agile development environments.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma is critical, particularly "advanced features" and "scalable design systems." This suggests the company relies heavily on Figma for efficiency and consistency. The requirement for a "compelling portfolio demonstrating... measurable outcomes" is a key indicator that candidates will be evaluated on their ability to drive business results, not just aesthetic design.

πŸ“Š Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • A robust portfolio is essential, showcasing a minimum of 5-8 years of professional product design work.

  • Must prominently feature mobile-first design examples, highlighting user experience within e-commerce or consumer-facing commerce products.

  • Demonstrate high-quality UI execution with a clear understanding of visual hierarchy, typography, and branding.

  • Include case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, solutions, and measurable outcomes (e.g., conversion rate improvements, increased engagement, reduced friction).

  • Showcase your experience designing end-to-end consumer journeys, including detailed examples of product discovery, checkout flows, account management, loyalty programs, and subscription experiences. Process Documentation:

  • Portfolios should include detailed documentation of your design process for key projects, illustrating how you moved from initial discovery and user research to ideation, prototyping, and final implementation.

  • Evidence of how you used customer feedback, research insights, and data analytics to inform design decisions should be clearly presented.

  • Examples of your collaboration with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders should be integrated into your case studies.

  • Specific attention should be paid to how you contributed to or managed a Design System, including examples of component creation, scalability, and consistency enforcement.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role. Candidates must be prepared to deeply articulate their process, showcase their ability to impact business metrics, and demonstrate their mastery of Figma and design systems. The inclusion of "measurable outcomes" is a direct requirement and should be a focal point of any submitted portfolio.

πŸ’΅ Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

  • Ontario, Canada: $99,800 - $142,660 CAD per Year.

  • Austin, TX, United States: While not specified, for a comparable Senior Product Designer role in Austin, TX, the market average typically ranges from $110,000 to $160,000+ USD per year, depending on experience and specific responsibilities.

Benefits:

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.

  • Basic life insurance.

  • 14 paid holidays per calendar year.

  • Paid vacation time (ranging from 15 to 25 days annually) or eligibility for a discretionary time off program.

  • Up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year.

  • Paid parental and compassionate leave.

  • Wellbeing programs focused on mental health and overall wellness support.

  • Family planning support through Maven.

  • Commuter benefits.

  • Reimbursements for fitness-related expenses.

  • Eligibility to participate in the 401(K) plan (for US employees).

  • Eligibility to participate in the Employee Stock Purchase Program (for US employees).

Working Hours: Zynga typically operates on a standard 40-hour work week. The hybrid arrangement allows for flexibility in scheduling, with expectations for regular in-office presence on designated days.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is for Ontario, Canada. For Austin, TX, I've provided an estimated range based on industry benchmarks for a Senior Product Designer role in that region. The benefits package is extensive and covers health, wellness, time off, and financial planning, which is standard for senior roles at large tech companies.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏒 Company Culture

Industry: Interactive Entertainment / Gaming / Mobile Technology. Zynga is a global leader in this space, known for its social and mobile games. The company is a label of Take-Two Interactive, a prominent player in the broader gaming industry.

Company Size: Zynga is a large global organization with teams spanning North America, Europe, and Asia, indicating a significant operational footprint and complex organizational structure. This size implies opportunities for growth and exposure to diverse projects.

Founded: 2007. This founding date suggests a company with a mature understanding of the digital landscape, having navigated significant shifts in technology and consumer behavior, particularly in the mobile and social gaming sectors.

Team Structure:

  • The Direct to Consumer (DTC) team likely comprises product managers, engineers (iOS, Android, Web), data analysts, and designers. This Senior Product Designer will collaborate closely with these roles.

  • The reporting structure for this role is likely within a broader Product Design or UX team, reporting to a Design Lead or Director of Product Design.

  • Cross-functional collaboration is a core expectation, with the designer acting as a key bridge between user needs, business objectives, and technical feasibility. Methodology:

  • Zynga's culture is described as data-driven, with a strong entrepreneurial mindset and a fast-paced, challenging work environment. This means decisions are often backed by analytics, and there's an expectation for initiative and problem-solving.

  • The emphasis on "strong analytical skills, problem-solving and quantitative experience" suggests that designers are expected to understand and leverage data to inform their work and demonstrate impact.

  • Collaboration is key, with an expectation for great communicators, leaders, and team players.

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

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Zynga's culture is geared towards performance, data, and fast-paced execution. For a designer, this means being comfortable with iterative design based on metrics, being proactive in identifying challenges, and working collaboratively to drive the business forward within the gaming ecosystem.

πŸ“ˆ Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, indicating a high level of autonomy, responsibility, and expected contribution. It's a position where individuals are expected to lead significant design efforts, mentor junior colleagues, and influence product strategy. The focus on DTC commerce means a specialization in user acquisition, retention, and monetization strategies through design.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Design Manager or Director of Product Design. They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads on specific initiatives, acting as a senior contributor within a product pod or team.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is direct and significant. By optimizing mobile commerce experiences, the Senior Product Designer will directly influence key business metrics such as:

  • Conversion rates for in-app purchases and subscriptions.

  • Average Revenue Per User (ARPU).

  • Customer Lifetime Value (CLTV).

  • User retention and engagement.

  • Design System adoption and efficiency across the product organization. Growth Opportunities:

  • Leadership & Mentorship: Opportunity to lead design for major product initiatives and mentor junior designers, developing leadership skills.

  • Specialization: Deepen expertise in mobile commerce, gaming UX, and advanced design system management within a large, dynamic organization.

  • Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain extensive experience working with diverse teams (product, engineering, data science, marketing) to understand the broader business context.

  • Advancement: Potential career progression to Lead Product Designer, Design Manager, or specialized roles within UX strategy or design operations.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title and focus on DTC commerce position this role as one with significant impact on Zynga's revenue streams. Growth opportunities are tied to both leadership and specialized expertise within a thriving gaming company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment, requiring a balance of remote work and in-office collaboration. This suggests a modern workplace designed to support flexible working arrangements.

Office Location(s):

  • Austin, TX, United States

  • Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Candidates are expected to work from one of these specified office locations, implying a need for local residency or willingness to relocate.

Workspace Context:

  • The work environment is likely collaborative and fast-paced, typical of a leading gaming company.

  • Expect access to modern design tools and technologies, with a strong emphasis on Figma and potentially other prototyping and research platforms.

  • Opportunities for interaction with a diverse group of designers, product managers, and engineers, fostering a dynamic and innovative atmosphere.

  • The culture values data-driven decision-making and encourages proactive problem-solving.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, with flexibility in daily scheduling. However, given the hybrid nature and collaborative responsibilities, consistent availability during core business hours and for scheduled meetings will be crucial.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The hybrid model implies a need for self-discipline and strong communication skills to maintain productivity and collaboration across distributed and in-office team members. The specific office locations are key for candidates to consider for their commute and work-life balance.

πŸ“„ Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: A recruiter will likely review applications and portfolios for basic qualifications and alignment with the role.

  • Portfolio Review & Presentation: A dedicated session to walk through your portfolio, focusing on key projects, your design process, decision-making rationale, and measurable outcomes. Be prepared to discuss your contributions in detail.

  • Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the hiring manager to assess experience, leadership potential, and cultural fit.

  • Design Team/Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with other designers, product managers, and engineers to evaluate collaboration skills, technical proficiency (especially Figma), and problem-solving abilities.

  • Design Challenge (Potentially): A take-home assignment or a live whiteboarding session focused on a specific design problem relevant to mobile commerce or gaming UX.

  • Final Interview: May involve senior leadership for final approval.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Highlight DTC Commerce: Focus on projects that demonstrate your expertise in mobile e-commerce, checkout flows, subscriptions, and user journeys that directly impact revenue.

  • Quantify Impact: For each case study, clearly state the problem, your role, the solution, and quantifiable results. Use metrics like conversion rate increases, ARPU growth, engagement improvements, or reduced drop-off rates.

  • Showcase Figma Mastery: Explicitly mention and demonstrate your advanced Figma skills, particularly in design systems, components, variants, and variables.

  • Tell a Story: Structure your case studies as compelling narratives that highlight your problem-solving approach, collaboration, and the positive impact of your work.

  • Mobile-First Focus: Ensure your portfolio clearly emphasizes your mobile design expertise, showcasing responsive design principles and mobile-specific UX considerations.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand the Domain: Familiarize yourself with common challenges and best practices in mobile gaming commerce, including monetization strategies, player engagement loops, and user acquisition funnels.

  • Practice Figma: Be ready to demonstrate your Figma skills live or during a take-home exercise. Practice building components, creating flows, and articulating your design decisions within the tool.

  • Problem-Solving Framework: Prepare to articulate your approach to solving design problems using a structured framework (e.g., identify problem, research, ideate, prototype, test, iterate).

  • Data-Informed Design: Be ready to discuss how you would use data and analytics to inform design decisions and measure success for a given challenge.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio review and potential design challenge means candidates should prioritize preparing a strong visual and narrative representation of their work, with a clear focus on business impact and Figma proficiency.

πŸ›  Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Figma: This is the core design tool. Advanced proficiency is required for building and managing scalable design systems, components, variants, and variables.

  • Prototyping Tools: Likely integrated within Figma, or potentially standalone tools like InVision, Axure, or similar for interactive prototypes.

  • User Research & Analytics Platforms: Tools such as Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics, Firebase, UserTesting.com, or similar platforms for gathering user insights and performance data.

  • Project Management & Collaboration Tools: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Slack, or similar for team communication, task tracking, and documentation.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • Proficiency in interpreting data from analytics platforms to understand user behavior, identify pain points, and measure the impact of design changes.

  • Ability to translate data insights into actionable design recommendations. CRM & Automation:

  • While not a direct CRM role, understanding how user data flows from commerce interactions into CRM systems or marketing automation platforms could be beneficial for understanding the broader customer lifecycle.

  • Familiarity with how design impacts automated communication (e.g., email notifications, push notifications) would also be advantageous.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Figma is highlighted as a critical tool. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with it in detail, especially concerning design systems and advanced features. Familiarity with mobile analytics platforms is also crucial for understanding and demonstrating impact.

πŸ‘₯ Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Data-Driven: Decisions are informed by quantitative data and user insights. Designers are expected to leverage analytics to justify their choices and measure success.

  • User-Centric: A strong focus on understanding and serving the customer, ensuring intuitive and engaging experiences, particularly in commerce.

  • Collaboration: Working effectively across disciplines (product, engineering, data) is paramount. Open communication and constructive feedback are valued.

  • Innovation & Playfulness: As a gaming company, there's an inherent value placed on creativity, fun, and pushing boundaries, balanced with a professional, results-oriented approach.

  • Efficiency & Scalability: Emphasis on building robust, scalable design systems and efficient processes that support rapid product development.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to be active participants in product teams, working seamlessly with Product Managers and Engineers throughout the development lifecycle.

  • Constructive Critiques: A culture that encourages open feedback and design critiques to elevate the quality of work and foster learning.

  • Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement to share best practices, learnings, and new techniques within the design team and across the organization.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes a blend of analytical rigor, user advocacy, and collaborative execution. Designers are expected to be team players who can both contribute independently and integrate effectively within cross-functional teams, all while embodying the playful spirit of the gaming industry.

⚑ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing Business Needs with User Experience: Navigating the demands of direct-to-consumer commerce, which often involves aggressive monetization strategies, while ensuring a positive and non-intrusive user experience.

  • Rapid Iteration & Fast Pace: Adapting to Zynga's fast-paced environment and the need for quick design iterations based on data and market feedback.

  • Design System Evolution: Continuously evolving and maintaining a comprehensive design system that scales across a diverse portfolio of games and platforms.

  • Cross-Disciplinary Communication: Effectively communicating complex design concepts and rationale to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Advanced Design System Expertise: Opportunity to become a subject matter expert in designing, building, and scaling sophisticated design systems.

  • Mobile Commerce Specialization: Deepen knowledge and experience in the nuances of mobile e-commerce, player monetization, and subscription models within the gaming context.

  • Leadership Development: Gain experience in mentoring junior designers, leading design initiatives, and influencing product strategy.

  • Industry Exposure: Work with cutting-edge technologies and methodologies within the dynamic and competitive mobile gaming industry.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a senior role in a fast-paced tech environment, particularly one focused on revenue generation. The growth opportunities are well-aligned with advancing one's career in product design, with a focus on specialization and leadership.

πŸ’‘ Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a time you identified a significant friction point in a mobile commerce experience and how you designed a solution to address it. What were the results?" (Focus on your process, data usage, and quantifiable impact).

  • "How do you approach building and maintaining a scalable design system? Walk us through your experience with Figma's advanced features like components, variants, and variables." (Demonstrate technical proficiency and strategic thinking about system design).

  • "How do you collaborate with product managers and engineers to ensure a design is technically feasible and meets business objectives? Provide an example." (Highlight your cross-functional communication and problem-solving skills). Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What excites you about designing for the gaming industry and Zynga specifically?" (Show genuine interest and research into the company and its games).

  • "How do you stay updated on the latest trends in mobile commerce and UX design?" (Demonstrate continuous learning and industry awareness).

  • "Describe a situation where you had to present a design concept that was met with resistance. How did you handle it?" (Assess your communication, persuasion, and conflict-resolution skills). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Start Strong: Begin with your most impactful DTC commerce case study. Clearly state the problem, your role, and the key outcomes upfront.

  • Highlight Figma: Explicitly mention how you used Figma for this project, especially if it involved design system elements or complex prototyping.

  • Quantify Everything: For every project, be ready to discuss the metrics you influenced or measured. If exact numbers are not available, discuss the hypothesized impact and how you would measure it.

  • Walk Through Your Process: Be prepared to explain your design thinking, research methods, and iteration process for each case study.

  • Be Concise and Focused: Respect the time allocated. Focus on the most critical aspects of each project and be ready to dive deeper if prompted.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize your portfolio and your ability to articulate design decisions and their business impact, especially concerning mobile commerce and Figma expertise.

πŸ“Œ Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the provided Greenhouse link, ensuring your resume and portfolio are up-to-date and easily accessible.

  • Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best represent your experience in mobile commerce, B2C e-commerce, and your ability to drive measurable outcomes. Ensure each case study clearly outlines the problem, your role, your process, the solution, and quantifiable results.

  • Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords such as "Product Design," "Mobile Commerce," "Figma," "Design Systems," "B2C," "User Experience," and "Measurable Outcomes." Quantify your achievements wherever possible.

  • Prepare Your Figma Showcase: Be ready to discuss your advanced Figma skills, design system experience, and how you manage design files for efficiency and collaboration. Practice articulating your thought process for creating and maintaining design systems.

  • Research Zynga: Familiarize yourself with Zynga's game portfolio, their direct-to-consumer strategies, and their company culture. Understand their approach to player engagement and monetization.

⚠️ 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.

Application Requirements

Requires 5-8+ years of professional product design experience with a focus on B2C mobile e-commerce. Candidates must demonstrate advanced proficiency in Figma and a strong portfolio showcasing mobile-first design and end-to-end consumer journeys.