Senior Product Designer - Engagement & Retention

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer - Engagement & Retention

Company: Brodie Rec League

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: 2026-06-15

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design and development of the Brodie app's core engagement and retention features, focusing on gamification systems and user re-engagement strategies.

• Drive product initiatives from concept through to launch and iteration, utilizing rapid product cycles and data-driven insights to inform design decisions.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Design Directors, CEOs, and engineering, to ensure seamless feature integration and pixel-perfect implementation.

• Champion the use of modern design tools, including AI, to enhance productivity, creativity, and output efficiency in a fast-paced startup environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on the "engagement and retention layer" of a mobile consumer app. The emphasis on gamification, progression systems, and re-engagement strategies indicates a strong need for a designer who can think systemically and understand user psychology within a community-driven context. The "AI-Native Mindset" requirement suggests a forward-thinking company actively integrating advanced technologies into their design workflow.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and iterate on the XP economy, including point systems, leveling, tiers, unlockables, earn rates, decay mechanics, and seasonal resets, with a focus on preventing gaming the system.

• Develop robust badge and archetype systems, providing art direction for the 3D asset pipeline to create visually compelling rewards.

• Create and manage the weekly challenge/quest system, encompassing personal goals, team objectives, city-vs-city competitions, streak mechanics, leaderboards, and invitation systems.

• Design comprehensive reward loops, including milestone achievements, partner integrations, and membership/loyalty program features.

• Execute a live operations design cadence, focusing on weekly challenge refreshes, seasonal events, and limited-time drops to maintain player interest.

• Own and optimize the push notification strategy and design system, defining triggers, copy patterns, deep linking, segmentation, and quiet hours to maximize engagement and minimize fatigue.

• Design critical user flows for game days, challenge completion, and streak maintenance, ensuring timely and relevant communication to users.

• Collaborate with lifecycle and CRM teams to ensure a unified messaging strategy across push notifications, email, and in-app communications.

• Design end-to-end user flows for new app features, including onboarding, social activity feeds, messaging, events, and game film analysis.

• Own the design of the home dashboard, integrating awards, badges, challenges, and the activity feed for a cohesive user experience.

• Maintain and extend the component library in Figma, incorporating new gamification surfaces and ensuring brand consistency across all digital products.

• Conduct design Quality Assurance (QA) on TestFlight and staging builds, ensuring pixel-perfect implementation and optimal user experience.

• Iterate on designs based on behavioral data, session analytics, and direct player feedback to continuously improve product performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are heavily weighted towards gamification and retention mechanics within a mobile application. This suggests the need for a designer experienced in creating loops, rewards, and progression systems that drive sustained user engagement. The emphasis on "LiveOps" and "weekly challenge refreshes" indicates a dynamic product environment requiring agile design processes and continuous content updates.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While no specific degree is mandated, a background in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, or a related field is advantageous. Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of dedicated product design experience, with a significant focus on mobile-first consumer applications that have achieved substantial user scale.

• Proven track record of taking progression, reward, loyalty, or retention features from initial concept through to successful launch, with demonstrable results.

• Experience working within fast-paced, startup or high-growth environments, adapting to rapid iteration and evolving priorities. Required Skills:

• Expert-level proficiency in Figma, including advanced skills in components, auto-layout, prototyping, and design system management.

• Fluent understanding and application of engagement metrics, such as D1/D7/D30 retention, DAU/WAU, opt-in rates, and funnel analysis, utilizing tools like Mixpanel, Amplitude, or similar.

• Strong visual design skills, encompassing typography, layout, color theory, and spacing to create aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly interfaces.

• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, for clear articulation of design concepts and collaborative discussions.

• Demonstrated ability to use AI tools extensively to accelerate research, ideation, prototyping, documentation, and collaboration (e.g., Cursor, Claude, Lovable).

• A proactive approach to automating repetitive tasks and increasing workflow efficiency without compromising design quality. Preferred Skills:

• Background in sports betting/iGaming or consumer apps with strong streak-and-progression mechanics.

• Direct experience in LiveOps, including the design of seasonal events, battle passes, and daily/weekly quest systems.

• Proficiency in motion design tools (Lottie, Rive, After Effects) for creating engaging reward moments and badge reveals.

• Experience in optimizing notification performance and engagement metrics at scale.

• Familiarity with front-end development concepts and tools, such as Cursor, VS Code, or basic HTML/CSS/React for prototyping.

• Experience working collaboratively and directly with mobile engineers throughout the development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize practical, results-oriented experience in mobile product design, particularly in areas of user motivation and sustained engagement. The explicit mention of AI tools and a "fast-paced, startup or high-growth environments" highlights the company's culture and expectations for efficiency and adaptability. A strong portfolio showcasing progression or retention systems is a critical requirement.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing end-to-end product design capabilities, not just superficial UI mockups.

• At least one detailed case study focusing on a progression or retention system, clearly outlining the problem, your approach, design solutions, and measurable outcomes.

• Demonstration of strong prototyping skills, with interactive prototypes that effectively communicate complex product experiences and user flows.

• Examples of how you have utilized behavioral data, session analytics, or A/B testing to inform and iterate on design decisions.

• Evidence of maintaining and extending design systems and component libraries, particularly in Figma, to ensure consistency and scalability. Process Documentation:

• Case studies should detail the workflow from initial problem definition and user research through wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and final implementation.

• Documentation of design decisions, standards, and reusable patterns that contribute to a scalable and consistent user experience.

• Evidence of collaboration with engineering teams, including design QA processes and iterative feedback loops.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role, with a specific emphasis on demonstrating experience with progression, retention, and gamification systems. Candidates must be able to articulate their design process, showcase data-informed decision-making, and present tangible results. The inclusion of "AI-Native Mindset" implies that portfolios may also highlight how AI tools were leveraged in the design process.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The annual compensation range for this Senior Product Designer position is between $120,000 and $150,000 CAD.

• This range is determined by factors including candidate skills, experience, qualifications, internal equity considerations, and business needs. The range is subject to future adjustments. Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health and Wellness Plan: This likely includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, potentially extending to mental health support and wellness programs.

• Professional Development Budget: A dedicated budget for continuous learning, enabling participation in courses, workshops, conferences, or obtaining certifications relevant to product design and AI.

• Access to a yearly Brodie takeover of the Toronto Raptors court: A unique perk offering exclusive experiences related to the company's sports brand.

• Details regarding the full benefits package will be provided during the interview process. Working Hours:

• The role is full-time, generally expected to be around 40 hours per week. While on-site, the company culture may offer some flexibility within the standard work week, especially given the emphasis on rapid product cycles and AI-driven efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a senior-level design role in Toronto. The benefits package includes standard health provisions and a notable professional development budget, aligning with the company's emphasis on growth and AI adoption. The unique perk of Raptors court access highlights the company's branding and community focus. The working hours are standard, but the fast-paced environment suggests a need for dedication.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry:

• Sports & Recreation, Technology, Creative Agency. Brodie Rec League operates within the burgeoning market of adult recreational sports, blending community building with professional-grade league experiences. The in-house agency, BRL Studio, serves a rapidly growing sports brand with a significant digital footprint. Company Size:

• Brodie Rec League supports a brand operating across 20+ North American cities and serving over 50,000 athletes. While the exact employee count isn't specified, this indicates a medium to large-sized organization with a substantial operational scale and a growing digital product team. Founded:

• The founding date is not explicitly stated, but the company is described as a "rapidly growing sports brand" and a "fast-paced, startup or high-growth environment." This suggests an organization that has achieved significant traction and is in a phase of aggressive expansion. Team Structure:

• The Senior Product Designer will report directly to the Product Design Director.

• Close collaboration is expected with the CEO and the app Engineering team.

• The design team operates within BRL Studio, an in-house creative agency, suggesting a dedicated and specialized creative function. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Iteration based on behavioral data, session analytics, and player feedback is a core component.

• Rapid Product Cycles: Features are developed and shipped quickly, emphasizing agility and continuous improvement.

• AI Integration: Active use of AI tools to accelerate workflows across research, ideation, prototyping, and documentation.

• Systems Thinking: A focus on designing interconnected systems, particularly for gamification and engagement.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Close partnerships between Design, Product, and Engineering are essential.

Company Website:

• https://www.brodierec.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be dynamic, innovative, and community-focused, with a strong emphasis on digital product development and the integration of new technologies like AI. The in-house agency model suggests a high degree of creative control and brand integration. The "athlete experience" is central to their mission.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level:

• This is a Senior Product Designer role, indicating a level of expertise and autonomy. The designer is expected to "own" significant product initiatives, particularly the engagement and retention layer, which is critical for the company's growth. This level requires not only strong design execution but also strategic thinking and the ability to influence product direction. Reporting Structure:

• The role reports to the Product Design Director, suggesting mentorship and guidance from a seasoned design leader. This structure allows for strategic alignment and skill development within the design discipline.

• Close collaboration with the CEO and Engineering team indicates exposure to high-level decision-making and the technical realities of product development. Operations Impact:

• The designer's work directly impacts athlete engagement, retention, and overall user experience on the Brodie app. Success in this role is tied to metrics like D1/D7/D30 retention, DAU/WAU, and opt-in rates, which are crucial for the company's long-term growth and community building.

• By designing compelling progression systems and re-engagement loops, the role contributes directly to user loyalty and the "best night of the week" experience for athletes. Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in gamification, retention strategies, and live operations design within a high-growth consumer app context.

• Leadership Potential: Potential to grow into a Lead Product Designer or Product Design Manager role, mentoring junior designers and shaping the product vision.

• AI Specialization: Become a leader in applying AI to product design workflows, a highly sought-after skill.

• Impactful Projects: Work on a core product initiative with a hard launch deadline, offering significant visibility and the chance to make a tangible impact on a community-focused brand.

• Mentorship: Receive guidance from a multidisciplinary Product Design Director with a proven track record in team development.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant opportunities for growth, not just in traditional design leadership but also in specialized areas like gamification design and AI-driven product development. The direct impact on user engagement and retention makes it a high-visibility position within the company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type:

• The role is specified as "On-site" in Toronto, ON. This suggests a traditional office environment where in-person collaboration is valued. Office Location(s):

• Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Specific office address details are not provided but would be confirmed during the application process. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The emphasis on working with Product Design Director, CEO, and Engineering implies a highly collaborative workspace where ideas are shared freely.

• Modern Tools: Access to and expected use of modern design tools, including Figma and AI-powered software, will be integral to the daily workflow.

• Fast-Paced Culture: The environment is described as fast-paced with rapid product cycles, requiring designers to be agile and efficient.

• Community Focus: The company culture revolves around athletes and community, which likely influences the office atmosphere and team interactions.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time, typically around 40 hours per week. While on-site, the dynamic nature of the role and the use of AI for efficiency might allow for some flexibility in managing workload, but the "hard Fall 2026 launch deadline" indicates a period of intense focus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a preference for in-person collaboration and team cohesion. The workspace will likely be equipped with the necessary technology for modern design and AI workflows, fostering an environment of innovation and rapid development.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with the role's requirements, particularly regarding gamification and retention design.

• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, focusing on case studies that demonstrate end-to-end product design, impactful results, and proficiency in Figma and engagement metrics. Expect to discuss progression/retention system case studies in detail.

• Design Challenge/Exercise: A practical exercise may be given to assess problem-solving skills, design thinking, and ability to work with specific constraints or tools, potentially including AI.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Discussions with the Product Design Director, CEO, and members of the Engineering team to evaluate technical skills, collaboration style, communication, and cultural fit.

• Final Round: Potentially a final discussion to review overall fit, answer remaining questions, and discuss compensation and benefits.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Gamification/Retention: Prioritize case studies that showcase your experience designing progression systems, reward loops, challenges, or re-engagement strategies. Clearly articulate the "why" behind your design choices.

• Showcase Process & Data: Detail your design process, from problem definition to iteration. Include data points (retention, engagement metrics) that demonstrate the impact of your designs. Explain how you used behavioral data and analytics.

• Demonstrate Figma Mastery: Showcase your proficiency with Figma components, auto-layout, prototyping, and design systems.

• AI Integration: If applicable, describe how you leveraged AI tools in your design process to accelerate tasks, enhance ideation, or improve outcomes.

• Visual Storytelling: Use high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes to tell a compelling story about the user experience and the problem you solved. Ensure clear, concise written explanations.

• Address "AI-Native Mindset": Be prepared to discuss your proactive use of AI in design workflows and how you automate repetitive tasks.

Challenge Preparation:

• Systems Thinking: Practice designing interconnected systems, such as how different gamification elements (XP, badges, challenges) interact.

• Metric-Driven Solutions: Be ready to propose solutions that directly address key engagement metrics like retention and DAU/WAU.

• Rapid Iteration: Understand the need for speed and iteration in a startup environment. Practice thinking through quick design solutions and their potential impact.

• Communication: Prepare to articulate your design rationale clearly and concisely, especially under pressure.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process heavily emphasizes portfolio review, with a specific focus on gamification and retention design. Candidates should prepare to showcase their problem-solving skills, data-driven approach, and proficiency with modern tools, including AI. The interview process will likely assess not only design skills but also strategic thinking and cultural fit within a fast-paced, innovative environment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for all aspects of UI/UX design, prototyping, and design system management. Expert-level proficiency is required.

• AI Design Tools: Actively using AI for research, ideation, prototyping, documentation, and collaboration (e.g., Cursor, Claude, Lovable, or similar emerging tools).

• Prototyping Tools: Advanced prototyping skills within Figma or other tools for communicating complex interactions and flows.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Mixpanel / Amplitude (or similar): Fluent use in engagement metrics, D1/D7/D30 retention, DAU/WAU, funnel analysis, and behavioral data analysis is critical.

• Session Analytics Tools: Understanding how to interpret user session data to identify pain points and opportunities.

CRM & Automation:

• Notification Strategy Systems: Experience designing and optimizing push notification systems, including triggers, segmentation, and A/B testing for performance.

• Lifecycle/CRM Collaboration Tools: Ability to work alongside CRM teams to ensure consistent messaging across channels (email, push, in-app).

Other Potential Tools:

• Version Control/Code Editors: Familiarity with tools like VS Code or Cursor might be beneficial for front-end prototyping or understanding implementation details.

• Motion Design Software (Preferred): Lottie, Rive, After Effects for creating engaging animations for rewards and reveals.

• 3D Asset Pipeline Tools: For providing art direction on badge and archetype visuals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack highlights a modern, AI-integrated design environment. Figma is the cornerstone, supplemented by advanced analytics tools and a strong emphasis on AI for productivity. Proficiency in these tools, especially for designing engagement and retention features, is key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Community-Centric: A deep commitment to serving athletes and fostering a strong community around the Brodie brand. Designs should enhance the athlete experience and connection.

• Data-Driven Innovation: Decisions are informed by data, with a continuous drive to measure impact and iterate for improvement.

• Efficiency & Speed: Embracing AI and agile methodologies to work fast, automate repetitive tasks, and deliver high-quality results efficiently.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Open communication and teamwork across departments (Design, Product, Engineering, Marketing) are paramount.

• Passion for Sports & Culture: A genuine enthusiasm for basketball, sports culture, and the lifestyle Brodie Rec League represents.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers work closely with Product, Engineering, and Leadership, participating in rapid product cycles and contributing to strategic discussions.

• Feedback-Driven: A culture of constructive feedback, both giving and receiving, to continuously refine designs and processes.

• AI-Augmented Workflows: Collaboration likely extends to leveraging AI tools together, sharing insights and best practices for AI-assisted design.

• Proactive Communication: Clear and frequent communication is essential due to the fast-paced nature of product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values emphasize community, data, and efficiency, with a distinct embrace of AI in their workflows. The collaboration style is expected to be dynamic, cross-functional, and highly communicative, fitting a fast-paced startup environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Complex Systems: Designing intricate gamification systems (XP, badges, challenges) that are engaging, fair, and prevent exploitation requires careful planning and execution.

• Driving Sustained Engagement: Keeping a large user base actively engaged between game nights through digital features is an ongoing challenge that requires continuous innovation.

• Rapid Iteration and Launch Deadlines: Working under a hard Fall 2026 launch deadline for a key product initiative requires strong project management and the ability to deliver quickly without sacrificing quality.

• Integrating AI Effectively: Learning and applying new AI tools and workflows to enhance productivity and creativity in a product design context can be challenging but rewarding.

• Balancing Brand and Functionality: Ensuring that digital product design aligns with the strong community and sports culture brand of Brodie Rec League.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Gamification & Retention Expertise: Become a specialist in designing and optimizing user engagement and retention strategies for consumer apps.

• AI in Design: Develop cutting-edge skills in leveraging AI for design research, ideation, and workflow automation, positioning yourself at the forefront of design technology.

• Product Strategy Input: Gain exposure to high-level product strategy discussions with the CEO and Product Design Director, influencing the direction of key product initiatives.

• Live Operations Design: Develop experience in managing and designing for live operations, including events, seasonal content, and dynamic challenges.

• Mentorship: Benefit from guidance from a senior Product Design Director with a strong track record in team development and diverse design domains.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents significant challenges related to system design, user engagement, and rapid development, but these are coupled with substantial growth opportunities in specialized areas like gamification, AI application in design, and exposure to product strategy.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex progression system you've designed. What were the key metrics, challenges, and outcomes?" (Focus on your process, data, and quantifiable results.)

• "How would you design a system to encourage users to re-engage with the app weekly between games?" (Think about rewards, challenges, social features, and timely notifications.)

• "Given our focus on AI, how would you leverage AI tools to accelerate the design of our new gamification features?" (Be specific about tools and processes.)

• "Walk us through a case study from your portfolio that demonstrates end-to-end product design for a mobile app. What was your role, what were the key decisions, and what was the impact?" (Prepare a concise, compelling narrative.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Brodie Rec League's mission and its community?" (Research their brand, values, and impact on athletes.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with engineering and product teams, especially in a fast-paced environment?" (Highlight your communication and teamwork skills.)

• "How do you stay updated on the latest trends in product design, gamification, and AI?" (Show your commitment to continuous learning.)

• "Describe a time you had to iterate on a design based on negative feedback or poor performance data. What did you learn?" (Demonstrate resilience and adaptability.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each case study, clearly present the problem, your role, the constraints, your design process (research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, testing), the final solution, and the measured impact/results.

• Data Focus: Quantify your achievements whenever possible. Use graphs or charts to illustrate retention improvements, engagement increases, or other relevant metrics.

• AI Integration: If AI played a role in your projects, be ready to explain how you used it and what benefits it provided.

• Visuals: Use high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes to bring your designs to life. Ensure they are clear, well-annotated, and easy to navigate.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Practice presenting your key projects within the allotted interview slots, focusing on the most relevant aspects of your experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily focus on showcasing experience with gamification, retention, AI integration, and data-driven design. Candidates should be ready to articulate their process clearly, demonstrate impact through metrics, and align their approach with Brodie Rec League's community-focused and innovative culture.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the designated platform via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature your most relevant work, specifically highlighting case studies on gamification, progression systems, retention strategies, and mobile-first consumer apps. Explicitly show how you've used Figma and engagement metrics.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly states your years of experience (5+ years), your expertise in product design for mobile apps, and prominently lists key skills like Figma, gamification, engagement metrics, and AI tools. Quantify achievements where possible.

• AI Workflow Preparation: Be ready to discuss your "AI-Native Mindset" and specific examples of how you use AI tools to enhance your design process. Prepare to demonstrate this capability during the interview or challenge.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Brodie Rec League's mission, values, and target audience. Understand their brand and how their digital product aims to serve their community of athletes.

• Portfolio Walkthrough Practice: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on telling a compelling story for each case study, especially those demonstrating your ability to drive engagement and retention.

⚠️ 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.