Senior Product Designer (m/w/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer (m/w/d)

Company: PREMATCH Sports GmbH

Location: Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany / Berlin, Germany (Remote options available)

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: 2026-05-18

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid/Remote (Europe)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive end-to-end product design for a leading football platform, encompassing problem definition, user research, flow design, prototyping, and final UI.

• Conduct comprehensive user research, including interviews and usability tests, to ground design decisions in real user behavior and insights.

• Define, analyze, and continuously improve core user flows, such as onboarding and key engagement loops, to optimize user experience.

• Foster close collaboration with Product Managers and Engineering teams to translate product objectives into well-thought-out, implementable design solutions.

• Develop and maintain the company's Design System to ensure consistency, scalability, and efficiency across the entire product suite.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role focuses on a Senior Product Designer with a strong emphasis on mobile-first UX/UI for a rapidly growing sports tech startup. The "m/w/d" designation indicates inclusivity. The company's mission to bring professional experiences to amateur football suggests a need for intuitive, engaging, and data-informed design.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the entire product design lifecycle, from initial concept and problem framing through to final UI implementation and iterative improvements.

• Plan and execute user research activities, including user interviews, surveys, and usability testing sessions, to gather actionable insights.

• Map out and optimize critical user journeys and engagement loops within the app to enhance user retention and satisfaction.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Management and Engineering, to ensure design solutions align with business goals and technical feasibility.

• Contribute to and evolve the existing Design System, ensuring adherence to brand guidelines and promoting design consistency.

• Provide visual design and branding support for other teams, such as Partnerships and Marketing, as needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a holistic approach to product design, requiring ownership from discovery to delivery. The need to support other departments indicates a flexible and collaborative design function within the startup environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Not specified, but a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred.

Experience: Minimum of 5 years of professional experience as a Product Designer, with a proven track record in mobile product design (iOS/Android).

Required Skills:

• Extensive experience in End-to-End Product Design, covering the full UX/UI lifecycle.

• Proficient in conducting User Research, including user interviews, usability testing, and persona development.

• Strong skills in defining and optimizing User Flows and information architecture.

• Deep understanding of User-Centered Design principles and methodologies.

• Expertise in Interaction Design, with a keen eye for usability and user experience enhancement.

• Advanced proficiency in design and prototyping tools, particularly Figma (including Design, Prototyping, and Design System Management).

• Experience working within fast-paced, cross-functional startup teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with quantitative UX methods, such as analytics-driven design decisions and A/B testing.

• Skills in Motion Design or Micro-Interaction design.

• Basic understanding of frontend development technologies (HTML/CSS, React) to facilitate closer collaboration with engineers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a strong portfolio specifically for mobile products and proficiency in Figma are key indicators for this role. The "preferred skills" offer opportunities for candidates to differentiate themselves by showcasing broader technical or design capabilities.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating a minimum of 5 years of product design experience, with a clear focus on mobile applications (iOS and Android).

• Case studies that articulate the problem, the user research conducted, the design process, key decisions, and measurable outcomes.

• Evidence of strong UX thinking, including user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes.

• Examples of UI design that showcase aesthetic sensibility and a commitment to usability.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase a demonstrated ability to manage the entire UX process from discovery and research to iteration and delivery.

• Examples of how user insights were translated into design solutions and product improvements.

• Documentation of collaboration with product and engineering teams to ensure successful implementation of designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role, needing to clearly illustrate the candidate's ability to handle the full product design lifecycle for mobile applications and their contribution to design systems.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers in Germany (Cologne/Berlin) with 5-10 years of experience, a competitive salary range is estimated between €65,000 - €90,000 annually. This estimate considers the startup environment, the company's backing, and the senior level of the role.

Benefits:

• Competitive Salary: A strong compensation package reflecting the candidate's experience and impact.

• Employee Stock Options (VSOP): Direct participation in the company's success.

• Modern IT Equipment: Provision of necessary tools and devices for productive work.

• 27 Days Vacation: Generous annual leave for rest and rejuvenation.

• Special Regulations for Parents: Additional support for parents to balance family and work.

• Team Events: Regular social gatherings at office locations (Cologne, Berlin, London).

• Company Offsites: Four-day team retreats for strategic planning, collaboration, and team building.

• Flexible Remote Work Options: Ability to work remotely up to 2-4 days per week (depending on office proximity) and even from abroad for short periods. Tech & Product teams may have higher remote flexibility.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week), with flexibility offered in terms of remote work arrangements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general German market data for senior design roles and adjusted for the startup context and potential for equity. The benefits package is extensive, highlighting the company's commitment to employee well-being and growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Sports Technology / Digital Media / Mobile Applications. PREMATCH Sports GmbH operates within the dynamic intersection of sports, technology, and user engagement, aiming to revolutionize the amateur football experience.

Company Size: Startup (Founded in 2021, growing team). This implies a fast-paced, agile environment where individuals can have a significant impact.

Founded: 2021 in Cologne. This recent founding means the company is in a growth phase, offering opportunities to shape processes and culture.

Team Structure:

• A blend of remote and office-based teams across Cologne, Berlin, and London (Marketing/Business), with a remote-first Tech & Product team across Europe.

• Likely a flat hierarchy typical of startups, encouraging direct communication and collaboration.

Methodology:

• Agile development methodologies are expected given the startup environment and focus on rapid iteration.

• Emphasis on data-driven decision-making, with user research and analytics playing a key role in product development.

• A collaborative approach to design, involving cross-functional teams throughout the product lifecycle.

Company Website: prematchenapp.de

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on amateur football and bringing "pro experiences" to this community suggests a culture that is passionate, innovative, and user-centric. The distributed team model necessitates strong communication and collaboration tools.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, indicating a high level of autonomy, responsibility, and expected contribution. The designer will likely mentor junior team members and influence product strategy through design.

Reporting Structure: The role reports into Product leadership, likely a Head of Product or similar, and works in close collaboration with Product Managers and Engineering leads.

Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer's work will directly influence user engagement, retention, and overall product success. Their designs will be integral to achieving the company's mission of transforming amateur football experiences.

Growth Opportunities:

• Opportunity to shape the product vision and design strategy from an early stage.

• Potential for leadership growth within the design team as the company scales.

• Exposure to diverse aspects of a growing tech startup, including marketing, partnerships, and business development.

• Continuous learning through involvement in product discovery, user research, and potentially new technology adoption.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a senior role in a startup, growth is often tied to the company's expansion and the individual's ability to take on increasing responsibility and leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company has physical offices in Cologne, Berlin, and London, described as having a "real startup vibe." These offices provide spaces for collaboration and focused work.

Office Location(s):

• Cologne: Brüsseler Str. Mittelhaus, 3rd floor 21, 50674 Köln

Workspace Context:

• Hybrid work model: Employees can work 1-3 days per week in the office, with flexibility for remote work. Tech & Product roles may have higher remote flexibility, potentially up to 100% remote for some.

• Collaborative environment: The offices are designed to foster interaction and teamwork. Virtual office tools are used to maintain connection for remote employees.

• Modern IT equipment is provided to ensure productivity.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours with a high degree of flexibility regarding remote work location and days in the office, accommodating work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company offers a blend of in-office and remote work, catering to different preferences and needs, with a clear emphasis on flexibility and employee well-being.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio, likely followed by a brief call with HR or a hiring manager.

• Design Challenge/Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discuss case studies, and potentially complete a small design exercise or hypothetical problem-solving task relevant to the app.

• Team Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other designers to assess technical skills, collaboration style, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: Discussion with senior leadership (e.g., Head of Product, CEO) to finalize the decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Mobile UX: Emphasize your experience with iOS and Android design principles and best practices.

• Showcase the Process: Clearly articulate your design process for at least 2-3 key projects, detailing user research, problem definition, ideation, prototyping, and iteration.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics or outcomes that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, improved conversion rates, reduced user errors).

• Design System Contribution: If you have experience with Design Systems, showcase your contributions and understanding of their importance for scalability and consistency.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your design philosophy and approach to user-centered design.

• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely.

• Research PREMATCH Sports GmbH and their app to understand their target audience and product offerings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio and the likely presence of a design challenge suggest that practical design skills and process understanding are paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for design, prototyping, and Design System management. Candidates must be highly proficient.

• Prototyping Tools: Figma's built-in prototyping capabilities are key, but familiarity with other tools like InVision or Adobe XD might be beneficial for legacy projects.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Platforms: Experience with tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, or similar for understanding user behavior and informing design decisions is a plus.

• A/B Testing Tools: Familiarity with platforms used for A/B testing to validate design hypotheses.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a design tool, an understanding of how designs integrate with product management tools (e.g., Jira, Asana) and potentially CRM data is helpful for context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma proficiency is non-negotiable. Experience with analytics and A/B testing tools will be highly advantageous, demonstrating a data-driven design approach.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A strong focus on understanding and serving the needs of amateur football players and fans.

• Innovation & Agility: Embracing new ideas and adapting quickly in a fast-paced startup environment.

• Collaboration: Working effectively across product, engineering, marketing, and business teams.

• Passion for Football: A shared enthusiasm for the sport that drives the company's mission.

• Impact-Driven: A focus on achieving measurable results and making a real difference in the amateur football community.

Collaboration Style:

• Open and direct communication, especially given the remote and distributed nature of some teams.

• Cross-functional collaboration is key, with designers working closely with Product Managers and Engineers from concept to launch.

• Feedback is likely encouraged and valued to drive continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be a blend of startup dynamism, a passion for football, and a user-focused approach. The remote-friendly environment emphasizes strong communication and trust.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for a large, diverse user base within amateur football, requiring a deep understanding of different user needs and technical proficiencies.

• Balancing rapid iteration and feature development with maintaining a cohesive and scalable Design System.

• Effectively collaborating with distributed teams across different time zones.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Opportunity to significantly influence the product's design direction and user experience.

• Exposure to the full spectrum of startup operations, from product development to marketing and partnerships.

• Potential to grow into a design leadership role as the company expands.

• Continuous learning in UX research, mobile design trends, and potentially new design technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical of a growing tech startup in a niche market, offering significant opportunities for professional growth and impact.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for tackling a new product feature from problem definition to final UI."

• "How do you approach user research for a mobile application, and how do you ensure your insights translate into design decisions?"

• "Walk us through a challenging design problem you've solved, focusing on your thought process and the outcome."

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about PREMATCH Sports GmbH and our mission to transform amateur football?"

• "How do you contribute to a positive and productive team culture, especially in a remote or hybrid environment?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation by project, clearly outlining the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the impact.

• Storytelling: Craft a narrative around each project that highlights your problem-solving skills and design thinking.

• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups, prototypes, and clear diagrams to illustrate your work.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time and focus on the most impactful aspects of your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss your design process in detail, showcase your mobile UX expertise, and demonstrate how you collaborate effectively within a team. Researching the company's product and mission will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

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

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features relevant mobile UX/UI case studies, highlighting your end-to-end design process and Figma proficiency.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 5+ years of experience, specific skills in mobile design, user research, and Design Systems, using keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving approach, and collaboration skills. Prepare to discuss your portfolio in detail and potentially a design challenge.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research PREMATCH Sports GmbH, their app, their mission, and their target audience to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding during the interview process.

⚠️ 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.

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