Senior Product Designer - Search & Discovery

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer - Search & Discovery

Company: The Economist Group

Location: Indonesia

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design (UX/UI)

Date Posted: 2026-05-22

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and evolve personalized content modules and recommendation systems ("For You" experiences) to enhance user engagement and retention across digital platforms.

• Develop and refine search, question-asking, and topic exploration features to maximize user subscription value and content discovery.

• Own the end-to-end design process for digital products, from user research and ideation through to final design assets and implementation support.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers, Data Analysts, and Editorial teams to ensure a cohesive and high-quality user experience aligned with The Economist's brand and business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on enhancing user engagement and retention within digital subscription products, emphasizing the critical areas of content discovery and personalization. The "Search & Discovery" title indicates a strategic focus on how users find and interact with content, directly impacting subscription value and longevity.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Product Managers, Engineers, Data Scientists, and Editorial stakeholders to design and optimize discovery and personalization features, driving user satisfaction and key business outcomes.

• Plan, execute, and interpret user research initiatives to understand user behavior, identify pain points, and uncover opportunities for design innovation.

• Translate research insights into actionable design artifacts, including sketches, user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes, ensuring alignment with The Economist's brand identity and technical feasibility.

• Define and map out comprehensive user journeys and flows, ensuring a clear and intuitive experience for users across the digital ecosystem.

• Create detailed, production-ready design assets and collaborate closely with engineering teams to ensure high-fidelity implementation and a seamless user experience.

• Facilitate design sprints, workshops, and brainstorming sessions to foster cross-functional collaboration and drive product development progress.

• Present design rationale, progress updates, and key insights to stakeholders through compelling presentations and ongoing dialogue.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a full-cycle design ownership, from strategic planning and user research to execution and stakeholder communication. The emphasis on "optimizing experiences across discovery and personalization areas" suggests a data-informed approach to design, where metrics and user feedback are integral to the process.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong educational foundation in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a related field is often beneficial.

Experience:

• 5-10 years of professional experience in Product Design, UX/UI Design, or a similar role.

• Demonstrable experience designing and launching digital products across both mobile (app) and web platforms.

Required Skills:

• Portfolio: A robust portfolio showcasing core craft skills in interaction design and visual design, with examples from both app and web projects.

• User Research: Proficiency in planning, conducting, evaluating, and interpreting user research findings to inform design decisions.

• Prototyping & Wireframing: Expertise in creating wireframes, user flows, sketches, and interactive prototypes at various fidelity levels.

• Agile Development: Hands-on experience working within agile methodologies and sprints.

• Design Quality: A keen eye for design quality, usability, and visual consistency, ensuring adherence to brand standards.

• Technical Familiarity: Understanding of technologies used in modern mobile and web product development.

• User Acceptance Testing (UAT): Experience participating in or facilitating UAT.

• Accessibility & Usability: Familiarity with the fundamentals of web and mobile accessibility and usability best practices.

• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills in English, with the ability to articulate design concepts clearly.

• Teamwork & Ownership: Motivated team player with the capacity to perform under pressure and take end-to-end ownership of design responsibilities.

• Continuous Learning: A proactive approach to learning and skill development through feedback and self-reflection.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing alongside personalization systems, such as recommendation engines.

• Familiarity with AI-enabled prototyping tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Who you are" section strongly implies that a portfolio is crucial. The experience level (5-10 years) suggests the need for a candidate who can operate independently, mentor junior designers, and contribute strategically to product direction. The mention of "AI enabled prototyping tools" indicates a forward-looking approach to design tooling.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrates the candidate's end-to-end design process, from initial problem definition and research to final design solutions.

• Includes specific case studies showcasing interaction design and visual design craft across both mobile app and web platforms.

• Highlights experience in designing for personalization systems and/or search/discovery features.

Process Documentation:

• Showcases proficiency in user research methodologies, including planning, execution, and synthesis of findings.

• Illustrates the creation of key design artifacts such as user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes at various fidelity levels.

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

• Provides examples of how design decisions were informed by data and user feedback within an agile framework.

• Includes examples of facilitating design workshops or sprints to drive collaboration and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job description explicitly states, "You have a portfolio that demonstrates your design process and core craft skills." This implies that the portfolio is not just a collection of work but a narrative of the candidate's problem-solving approach and execution capabilities, particularly in the context of discovery and personalization.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

As specific salary information is not provided for Indonesia, a general estimation for a Senior Product Designer with 5-10 years of experience in a major metropolitan area within Indonesia, considering the hybrid work model and the reputation of The Economist Group, would typically range from IDR 25,000,000 to IDR 45,000,000 per month. This range is based on industry benchmarks for senior design roles in technology and media sectors in Southeast Asia, adjusted for the Indonesian market and the hybrid work arrangement.

Benefits:

• Financial Well-being: Highly competitive pension or 401(k) plan, private health insurance.

• Work-Life Balance & Well-being: 24/7 access to counseling and wellbeing resources through an Employee Assistance Program.

• Flexibility: "Work From Anywhere" program allowing up to 25 days per year to work remotely from any eligible location.

• Leave: Generous annual leave, parental leave, dedicated days off for volunteering, and moving home days.

• Professional Development: Free access to all The Economist content, including online subscriptions, apps, and podcasts.

Working Hours:

The standard working hours are not explicitly stated but are assumed to be approximately 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time role. The hybrid arrangement requires 3+ days of office attendance, suggesting flexibility in scheduling the remaining workdays.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates for Indonesia are based on general market research for senior tech/design roles. The provided benefits are comprehensive and highlight a strong focus on employee well-being, flexibility, and professional development, which are attractive aspects for senior-level talent. The "Work From Anywhere" program is a significant perk for a hybrid role.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Media & Publishing, Information Services, Digital Products. The Economist Group operates in a highly competitive global information landscape, emphasizing analytical rigor, independence, and global expertise.

Company Size: The Economist Group is a substantial organization. While exact employee numbers aren't provided in the snippet, it operates three distinct businesses (The Economist, Economist Enterprise, Economist Education) and serves subscribers in 170 countries, indicating a large, established, and globally recognized entity.

Founded: The Economist itself was founded in 1843, giving the group a long history of providing insightful analysis. This legacy informs a culture of integrity, independence, and long-term perspective.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team is described as "friendly, supportive" and keen to improve its ways of working and facilitate mutual growth.

• This Senior Product Designer will join the "Customer Engagement product area," working within a cross-functional product team.

Methodology:

• The team operates using agile methodologies and design sprints.

• There's a strong emphasis on user research, data analysis, and iterative design to inform product development.

• The design process is end-to-end, from initial concept and user needs identification to shipping production-ready assets.

• A strong commitment to maintaining The Economist's brand standards digitally while ensuring technical constraints are met.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's long-standing reputation for rigor and integrity is a core cultural element that will likely influence decision-making and design principles. The "drive progress" ethos suggests a forward-thinking and impact-oriented environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, indicating a level of expertise beyond foundational design. The individual is expected to take ownership of significant product areas (Search & Discovery, Customer Engagement), work end-to-end, and collaborate with key stakeholders. This level typically involves mentoring junior designers, influencing product strategy, and contributing to design system improvements.

Reporting Structure: The role reports into the Customer Engagement product area, likely under a Head of Product or Design Lead within that domain. The Senior Designer will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts user engagement, retention, and the perceived value of The Economist's digital subscriptions. Success in this role contributes to revenue growth and customer loyalty by ensuring users can effectively discover and utilize the content they subscribe to.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in personalization systems, AI-driven design tools, and advanced user research techniques within the media domain.

• Leadership Development: Potential to lead design initiatives, mentor junior designers, and contribute to the evolution of the design team's processes and standards.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain deeper insights into editorial strategy, data analytics, and business development within a global media organization.

• Career Advancement: Progression to Lead Product Designer, Design Manager, or specialized roles within UX strategy or research.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies a need for strategic thinking and the ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy. Growth opportunities are likely tied to expanding scope, leadership, and specialization within the dynamic digital media landscape.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is classified as Hybrid, requiring 3+ days of office attendance per week. This suggests a modern office environment designed for collaboration, likely equipped with meeting rooms, collaborative workspaces, and individual workstations.

Office Location(s): The primary specified location is Indonesia, though the specific city is not detailed. The Economist Group has offices in major global cities, so it's likely situated in a prominent Indonesian hub that supports a hybrid work model.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and emphasis on cross-functional collaboration suggest a workspace that facilitates team interaction, brainstorming, and knowledge sharing.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design and prototyping tools (Figma, Miro, Protopie mentioned), along with collaboration platforms.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular in-person interaction with design colleagues, product managers, engineers, and editorial teams, fostering a strong sense of team cohesion and efficient problem-solving.

Work Schedule: The hybrid arrangement offers flexibility, allowing for a blend of remote and in-office work. Standard business hours are expected, with a focus on delivering results through agile processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature and the mention of "3+ days office attendance" indicate a structured approach to in-office collaboration, balancing flexibility with the benefits of in-person teamwork. The environment is likely professional, dynamic, and focused on innovation within the media sector.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio to assess alignment with core requirements.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion about experience, design philosophy, and suitability for the team and role. Emphasis on understanding your approach to discovery and personalization.

• Design Exercise/Challenge: A practical task, potentially involving a take-home assignment or a live design problem to assess your design process, problem-solving skills, and ability to articulate rationale. This might focus on a specific discovery or personalization scenario relevant to The Economist.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other designers or editorial representatives to evaluate collaboration skills, technical understanding, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: Likely with a senior leader to discuss overall fit and career aspirations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio around 2-3 key case studies that best represent your end-to-end design process for app and web.

• Narrative: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), key decisions made, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Focus on Discovery/Personalization: Highlight any projects specifically related to content discovery, search, recommendations, or user engagement strategies.

• Visuals & Fidelity: Showcase a range of design artifacts, from low-fidelity wireframes and user flows to high-fidelity UI mockups, demonstrating your ability to work at different levels of detail.

• Tool Proficiency: Mention the tools used (Figma, Miro, Protopie) and explain why certain tools were chosen for specific tasks.

• Brand Alignment: If possible, subtly demonstrate an understanding of brand consistency and how you would apply it to The Economist's digital products.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: Research The Economist's content, target audience, and current digital offerings.

• Focus on User Needs: Anticipate challenges related to user segmentation, content relevance, information overload, and subscription value perception.

• Demonstrate Process: Be prepared to walk through your thought process, explaining why you made certain design choices, rather than just presenting the final solution.

• Technical Considerations: Be ready to discuss how your designs can be implemented within technical constraints and agile development cycles.

• Data Integration: Think about how data can inform and validate design decisions in this domain.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on an end-to-end process and a portfolio that demonstrates this is critical. Candidates should prepare to articulate their rationale meticulously for every stage of their design work, especially concerning user engagement and content discovery.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (primary), Miro (collaboration, workshops), Protopie (advanced prototyping).

• AI-Enabled Prototyping Tools: Experience is a plus, indicating an interest in emerging design technologies.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed, a Senior Product Designer in this role would likely interact with or utilize data from analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel) to understand user behavior, track feature adoption, and measure the impact of design changes.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design responsibilities, but understanding how CRM systems or marketing automation might influence user journeys or content delivery could be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma, Miro, and Protopie signals the expected toolset. The "plus" for AI prototyping tools suggests the company is exploring or already incorporating AI in its design workflows. A candidate's ability to leverage these tools effectively and efficiently will be key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Drive Progress: A core value of The Economist Group, suggesting a focus on innovation, continuous improvement, and making a tangible impact.

• Analytical Rigor & Independence: A commitment to evidence-based decision-making and objective insights. This translates to design work being data-informed and thoughtfully reasoned.

• Integrity & Excellence: Upholding high standards in content, analysis, and digital product delivery.

• Collaboration & Support: The design team is described as friendly, supportive, and keen to help each other grow, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.

• User-Centricity: While not explicitly stated as a "value," the emphasis on user research and understanding user needs is fundamental to product design roles.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers work closely with Product Managers, Engineers, Data Analysts, and Editorial teams, requiring strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Agile & Iterative: The team embraces agile methodologies, implying a collaborative, iterative approach to product development with regular feedback loops.

• Workshop Facilitation: Designers are expected to lead or participate in workshops and design sprints, promoting shared understanding and co-creation.

• Open Feedback: A culture that encourages learning and growth through feedback and self-reflection suggests an openness to constructive critique and continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is a blend of a rigorous, data-driven media organization with a modern, collaborative design team. Candidates should be comfortable with both analytical thinking and team-oriented execution.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Personalization and Brand Integrity: Designing personalized experiences that feel relevant and valuable without compromising The Economist's authoritative and independent brand voice.

• Technical Constraints: Navigating the complexities of implementing advanced discovery and personalization features within existing app and web architectures.

• Data Interpretation: Effectively leveraging user data and research findings to drive design decisions, especially in areas like content recommendation algorithms.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent vision and execution across multiple departments (Product, Engineering, Editorial, Marketing, Commercial) on discovery and personalization strategies.

• Evolving User Expectations: Keeping pace with rapidly changing user expectations for digital content discovery and personalized experiences in a competitive media landscape.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialization in AI/ML for Design: Gaining hands-on experience with AI-enabled design tools and understanding how AI impacts personalization systems.

• Advanced UX Research: Developing deeper expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methods specific to content engagement and subscription drivers.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Opportunities to guide junior designers, lead design initiatives, and influence product strategy.

• Industry Trends: Staying abreast of emerging trends in digital publishing, content discovery, and user engagement technologies.

• Global Media Insights: Deepening understanding of the global media landscape and subscriber behavior through direct involvement with The Economist's products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly related to the core responsibilities of enhancing discovery and personalization in a sophisticated digital media environment. Growth opportunities are aligned with deepening technical skills, leadership potential, and strategic impact.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you designed a personalization feature. What was the goal, what was your process, and what was the outcome?"

• "How would you approach designing a search experience for a niche audience with a vast amount of content?"

• "Walk me through your process for designing a 'For You' content module. How do you ensure relevance and avoid filter bubbles?"

• "How do you balance user needs with business objectives in your design decisions, especially concerning engagement metrics?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you admire about The Economist's content and digital products?"

• "How do you see yourself contributing to our design team's culture and ways of working?"

• "How do you stay updated on design trends and emerging technologies relevant to media and personalization?"

• "What are your thoughts on balancing brand integrity with personalized user experiences?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each case study as a narrative, highlighting the problem, your journey, your decisions (and why), and the results.

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the business or user impact of your designs, using metrics where available. For this role, focus on engagement, retention, or content consumption metrics.

• Process Clarity: Visually show your process – sketches, user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and final UI. Explain your rationale at each step.

• Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your experience with Figma, Miro, and Protopie, and how you use them effectively.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your chosen case studies within a set time limit, focusing on the most relevant aspects. Practice pacing and clarity.

• Q&A Readiness: Anticipate questions about your design choices, challenges faced, and alternative approaches you considered.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily emphasize the specific domains of Search & Discovery and Personalization, and how the candidate's experience relates to these critical areas for a subscription-based media company. Demonstrating an understanding of The Economist's brand and audience is also key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through The Economist Group's careers portal via the provided Greenhouse link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight 2-3 relevant case studies that best demonstrate your experience in interaction design, visual design, and end-to-end product development, with a strong emphasis on content discovery, personalization, or user engagement features for app and web.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 5-10 years of experience, highlighting achievements in user research, prototyping, agile development, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords from the job description such as "discovery," "personalization," "user engagement," "Figma," and "agile."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process and rationale for your portfolio projects. Be ready to discuss your approach to user research, problem-solving, and collaboration, particularly in the context of digital media and subscription products.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with The Economist's digital products, brand voice, and target audience. Understand their commitment to driving progress and analytical rigor to align your responses with their values.

⚠️ 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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