Senior Product Designer - Trade Me Property

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer - Trade Me Property

Company: Trade Me

Location: Level 4, 155 Fanshawe Street, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand

Job Type: Contract (6-month fixed-term)

Category: Product Design / User Experience (UX) / User Interface (UI)

Date Posted: 2026-06-23

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead end-to-end design strategy for intricate property product workstreams, balancing user needs with business objectives.

• Champion a collaborative design culture and advocate for best practices through leadership and example.

• Contribute to an active innovation backlog, identifying and shaping emerging opportunities within the Property B2B experience.

• Partner with cross-functional teams to deliver product roadmaps, effectively addressing customer problems and driving business value.

• Leverage AI tools to enhance efficiency in research synthesis, ideation, and design iteration, accelerating the design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on the Trade Me Property platform, requiring a deep understanding of the B2B experience within that sector. The emphasis on AI tools suggests a forward-thinking approach to design processes and a need for candidates comfortable with integrating emerging technologies. The fixed-term nature indicates a project-driven need, likely for a specific initiative or to augment existing team capacity.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own and execute the complete design strategy for complex property product initiatives, making data-informed decisions that align user needs with technical feasibility.

• Drive a culture of design collaboration and champion excellent design practices by leading through example and fostering open communication.

• Actively contribute to the innovation backlog for the Property B2B experience, identifying, shaping, and prioritizing new opportunities.

• Collaborate closely with Product Owners, UX partners, and cross-functional teams to deliver product roadmaps that solve customer problems and create business value.

• Employ creative problem-solving methodologies, such as Design Thinking, to guide the design process and identify optimal solutions for customer challenges.

• Utilize a range of validation techniques, including wireframes and interactive prototypes, to effectively visualize, test, and iterate on design concepts.

• Promote, encourage, and lead user testing and research initiatives, working in close partnership with Product Owners or UX specialists.

• Participate in all phases of the design lifecycle, from initial project conception through to the launch and ongoing iteration of a live product.

• Integrate and utilize AI tools to enhance productivity, accelerating research synthesis, ideation, and design iteration cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a senior-level role with significant ownership. The expectation to "own the end-to-end design strategy" and "deliver product roadmaps" signifies a strategic leadership component beyond just execution. The explicit mention of AI tools (Gemini, Claude) and Design Thinking indicates specific methodological expectations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating practical application of design principles and methodologies is paramount. Relevant certifications in UX/UI or design thinking would be advantageous.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in product design, UI design, or UX design roles, with a preference for experience within internal product teams.

Required Skills:

• Design Tools: Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools such as Figma and Sketch.

• Front-end Fundamentals: Basic understanding of HTML and CSS to inform design decisions and collaborate effectively with developers.

• AI Tool Integration: Hands-on experience and a natural curiosity for experimenting with and integrating AI tools (e.g., Gemini, Claude) into daily design workflows to enhance efficiency and accelerate processes.

• User Research & Testing: Solid understanding and practical experience with user testing and user research best practices to gather insights and validate design concepts.

• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate ideas clearly, listen actively, and proactively improve team communication.

• Problem-Solving: Demonstrated ability to use creative problem-solving techniques, including Design Thinking, to address complex user and business challenges.

• Collaboration: Proven ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including Product Owners, developers, and other stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• UI Design Expertise: A portfolio demonstrating a strong background and proven success in UI design is highly advantageous.

• Mobile Design Guidelines: Solid understanding of Material Design guidelines for Android and Human Interface Guidelines for iOS.

• Prototyping & Wireframing: Experience in creating detailed wireframes and interactive prototypes to visualize and test design concepts.

• Design Strategy: Experience in developing and executing comprehensive design strategies for complex product workstreams.

• B2B Experience: Previous experience designing for B2B products or platforms, particularly within a property or real estate context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for hands-on experience with specific AI tools (Gemini, Claude) is a key differentiator for this role, emphasizing Trade Me's commitment to leveraging AI. The "portfolio demonstrating a strong background in UI design" being advantageous, coupled with the general requirements, suggests that while UX principles are foundational, strong visual and interface design skills are highly valued for this Senior Product Designer role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Process Showcase: Demonstrate a clear and structured design process, from problem identification and research to ideation, prototyping, user testing, and final implementation.

• AI Integration Examples: Include case studies or examples that highlight how AI tools were utilized to enhance efficiency, accelerate research synthesis, or inform design decisions.

• User-Centric Solutions: Showcase projects that clearly solve user problems and deliver tangible business value, with measurable outcomes where possible.

• Collaboration Evidence: Provide examples of how you've collaborated with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, Research) to bring designs to life.

• Visual Design Excellence: Present high-fidelity UI designs that exhibit strong visual hierarchy, aesthetic appeal, and adherence to design best practices.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Document instances where you've designed or optimized workflows to improve user experience or operational efficiency.

• System Implementation Standards: Illustrate how your designs integrate with existing systems and technologies, considering technical feasibility and development constraints.

• Metrics & Impact Measurement: Detail how you've measured the success of your designs, using metrics related to user engagement, conversion rates, or business KPIs.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Product Designer role, the portfolio isn't just a collection of visuals; it's a demonstration of strategic thinking and process. The explicit callout for AI tool integration and the expectation to showcase measurable impact are critical components that candidates should prioritize.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the Senior Product Designer title, 5-10 years of experience, and the Auckland, New Zealand location, a competitive salary range is estimated. For a role of this nature in Auckland, the typical annual salary could range from NZD $120,000 to NZD $160,000. This estimate considers industry benchmarks for senior design roles in New Zealand's tech sector, accounting for the cost of living and demand for skilled designers. As this is a fixed-term contract, the rate may also be presented on an hourly or daily basis.

Benefits:

• AI Skilling: Access to dedicated AI training and development to enhance skills in this rapidly evolving field.

• Flexibility: Support for finding a work-life balance that suits individual needs, including a home office setup and utilities allowance.

• In-Office Collaboration: A hybrid work model requiring presence in the office on Mondays and at least one other day per week for team connection.

• Wellness Resources: Comprehensive support for physical and mental wellbeing through various company-provided resources.

• Social Engagement: Opportunities for team building and celebration, including company-paid lunches on payday, regular Friday drinks and nibbles, and annual company awards.

• Learning & Development: Continuous growth opportunities through on-the-job learning, formal training, and mentorship programs.

• Internal Mobility: Emphasis on internal career progression and opportunities for advancement within Trade Me.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are estimated to be 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered to support individual needs and work-life balance. The hybrid model dictates specific in-office days, with the remainder of the week potentially being remote.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on public data for senior product designer roles in Auckland, New Zealand, factoring in experience level and the specified hybrid work arrangement. The benefits listed are directly extracted from the job description, with emphasis on AI training and flexible work arrangements which are key selling points.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Online Marketplace / E-commerce / Real Estate Technology. Trade Me operates as a leading online marketplace in New Zealand, connecting buyers and sellers across various categories, including property. The Trade Me Property segment specifically focuses on facilitating real estate transactions and services for both individuals and businesses.

Company Size: Trade Me is a well-established company, likely falling within the medium to large enterprise category, with a significant employee base. This size typically allows for structured processes and dedicated teams while retaining a sense of community and agility.

Founded: Trade Me was founded in 1999, making it a long-standing and integral part of New Zealand's digital landscape. This history suggests a mature company with a deep understanding of its market and customer base, likely fostering a culture that values innovation alongside stability.

Team Structure:

• Product Design Focus: The role sits within the Trade Me Property team, indicating a specialized focus on the real estate vertical.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Designers work closely with Product Owners, UX partners, developers, and other stakeholders across the wider Trade Me business.

• Agile Environment: The mention of product roadmaps and innovation backlogs suggests an agile development environment where design is integrated into the product lifecycle.

Methodology:

• Design Thinking: Explicitly mentioned as a core problem-solving approach.

• User-Centricity: A strong emphasis on understanding and solving customer problems through design.

• Data-Informed Decisions: The role requires making trade-offs based on data and user insights.

• AI Integration: A proactive approach to incorporating AI tools into design and research processes.

Company Website: https://www.trademe.co.nz/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context highlights Trade Me's established presence and its commitment to innovation, particularly in the use of AI. The specific focus on the Property B2B experience is crucial for candidates to understand the niche they would be contributing to.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer, indicating a high level of autonomy, expertise, and responsibility. It's a role for experienced designers who can lead complex projects, mentor others, and influence design strategy. The focus is on strategic design leadership within a specific product domain (Property B2B).

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, a Senior Product Designer typically reports to a Design Lead, Head of Product Design, or a Product Manager. They are expected to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including Product Owners, developers, and potentially other designers or researchers.

Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer's impact is directly tied to the success of the Trade Me Property platform. By delivering user-centric and business-aligned design solutions, they contribute to increased user engagement, customer satisfaction, conversion rates, and ultimately, revenue for the Property B2B segment. The role also influences the broader design culture and adoption of new technologies like AI within the organization.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in the property technology and B2B marketplace domain.

• AI Leadership: Become a go-to expert within Trade Me for leveraging AI in design and product development processes.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior designers and contribute to the growth of the design team.

• Strategic Influence: Further develop strategic design leadership skills by contributing to product roadmaps and innovation backlogs.

• Internal Mobility: Trade Me's emphasis on internal mobility suggests potential pathways into leadership roles, design management, or other product-related functions within the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are framed around deepening expertise in a specific domain, leading in emerging technologies (AI), and contributing to leadership within a well-established company. The senior nature of the role implies a high degree of influence and potential for significant career development within Trade Me.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in an office environment located at Level 4, 155 Fanshawe Street, Auckland. This suggests a professional, collaborative workspace situated in a commercial area of the city. The company culture emphasizes team connection, with specific in-office days required.

Office Location(s): The primary office for this role is in Auckland, New Zealand. Being located in the CBD (Central Business District) of Auckland provides good accessibility for local transport and proximity to amenities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office serves as a central point for team collaboration, in-person meetings, and fostering team connection, as mandated by the hybrid work policy.

• Technology Enabled: As a tech company, Trade Me likely provides a well-equipped workspace with necessary design tools, hardware, and software. The emphasis on AI tools suggests access to relevant platforms and potentially powerful computing resources.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid model promotes regular face-to-face interaction with colleagues, fostering a strong team dynamic and facilitating spontaneous idea exchange.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid arrangement requires specific in-office days (Monday and at least one other day), allowing for flexibility in how the remaining workdays are structured, potentially including remote work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model is a significant aspect of the work environment. The requirement for specific in-office days (Monday + one other) is a key detail for candidates to consider regarding their commute and daily planning.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and alignment with the role requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: An opportunity to present your portfolio, discussing your design process, key projects, and how you've leveraged AI tools. Expect questions on your approach to user research, problem-solving (Design Thinking), and collaboration.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: This might involve a design challenge or a discussion about your proficiency with tools like Figma, Sketch, and your understanding of mobile design guidelines.

• Cross-functional Team Interview: An interview with potential colleagues from Product, Engineering, or other relevant teams to assess collaboration style and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager/Lead Interview: A final discussion to delve deeper into your experience, strategic thinking, and suitability for the senior role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight AI Integration: Specifically showcase projects where you've used AI tools (Gemini, Claude) to accelerate research, ideation, or iteration. Quantify the impact if possible (e.g., "reduced research synthesis time by X%").

• Demonstrate Design Process: Walk through your end-to-end process for 2-3 key projects. Emphasize problem definition, user research methods, ideation techniques (including AI-assisted), prototyping, validation, and final outcomes.

• Showcase Property B2B Relevance: If possible, include projects relevant to marketplaces, B2B platforms, or real estate, or clearly articulate how your general experience translates to this domain.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs – e.g., improvements in conversion rates, user satisfaction scores, task completion times, or business KPIs.

• Communicate Clearly: Be prepared to articulate your design decisions, trade-offs, and rationale clearly and concisely.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Familiarize yourself with Trade Me Property and the typical needs of users within the real estate marketplace context.

• Practice Design Thinking: Be ready to apply Design Thinking principles to a given problem, focusing on empathy, ideation, and iterative solutions.

• AI Tool Familiarity: Be prepared to discuss how you would leverage AI tools to tackle a specific design challenge or improve a process.

• Communication & Collaboration: Practice articulating your thoughts and solutions clearly, and be ready to discuss how you would collaborate with a cross-functional team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AI integration within the portfolio and interview process is a critical aspect. Candidates should prepare specific examples and be ready to discuss their experience and strategic thinking around these tools.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch. These are essential for creating wireframes, high-fidelity designs, and interactive prototypes.

• AI Tools: Gemini, Claude. Proficiency or demonstrated experience in using these specific AI platforms for research synthesis, ideation, content generation, and design iteration is highly valued.

• Collaboration Platforms: Likely tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar for internal communication and project coordination.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While specific tools aren't listed, a Senior Product Designer would ideally have experience with or understanding of:
  • Web Analytics: Tools like Google Analytics or similar to understand user behavior on the Property platform.
  • Data Visualization: Experience with tools that present data clearly to inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design function but understanding how designs integrate with backend systems and potentially CRM data for user segmentation or personalization would be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma, Sketch, Gemini, and Claude provides a clear indication of the expected technical proficiency. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience and comfort level with these specific tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer-Centricity: A fundamental value where user needs and problems are at the forefront of all design decisions.

• Innovation & Curiosity: Embracing new technologies like AI and being open to exploring novel solutions to enhance the user experience and work processes.

• Collaboration & Openness: Fostering a team environment where ideas are shared freely, feedback is constructive, and cross-functional partnerships are strong.

• Data-Driven Approach: Utilizing data and user insights to inform design choices and measure the impact of solutions.

• Efficiency & Action: A bias for action and a focus on creating efficient processes and delivering tangible results.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to work seamlessly with Product Managers, Engineers, and other stakeholders, integrating design into the entire product development lifecycle.

• Feedback Culture: An environment that encourages constructive feedback exchange to continuously improve designs and processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Practices that promote the sharing of insights, learnings, and best practices within the design team and across the wider organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes innovation, particularly with AI, and a strong collaborative spirit within a cross-functional environment. These values are key to understanding how the design team operates and interacts with the broader organization.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Navigating the complexities of designing for both user satisfaction and business objectives within the competitive online marketplace and property sector.

• Integrating AI Effectively: Ensuring AI tools are used strategically and ethically to enhance, rather than complicate, the design and user experience.

• Fixed-Term Project Scope: Delivering significant impact and value within a defined 6-month contract period, requiring efficient prioritization and execution.

• Evolving Technology Landscape: Keeping pace with rapid advancements in AI and design technology to maintain a competitive edge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Specialization: Develop deep expertise in applying AI tools and methodologies to product design challenges.

• Domain Expertise: Gain in-depth knowledge of the Property B2B market and its unique user needs.

• Strategic Design Leadership: Enhance skills in influencing product strategy and leading design initiatives for complex workstreams.

• Mentorship & Skill Sharing: Contribute to the development of other team members and learn from experienced professionals within Trade Me.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are framed around strategic execution within a fixed timeframe, leveraging new technologies, and navigating complex stakeholder environments. Growth opportunities focus on specialization in AI and domain expertise, alongside leadership development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for owning the end-to-end design strategy for a complex product workstream. How do you balance user needs with business objectives and technical feasibility?" (Focus on your structured approach, decision-making criteria, and how you justify trade-offs.)

• "How have you fostered a culture of design collaboration or advocated for great design practice? Can you provide an example?" (Highlight leadership, communication, and influence skills.)

• "Tell us about a time you used AI tools (like Gemini or Claude) to accelerate research synthesis, ideation, or design iteration. What was the outcome?" (Be specific about the AI tool, the task, and the measurable impact.)

• "Describe a situation where you had to deliver a product roadmap to solve customer problems. What was your role, and what were the key outcomes?" (Focus on problem-solving, collaboration, and delivery.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Trade Me and specifically the Trade Me Property platform?" (Research the company's mission, values, and recent news. Show genuine interest.)

• "How do you approach user testing and research? What are your preferred validation techniques?" (Demonstrate your understanding of user-centric methodologies.)

• "How do you ensure your designs align with the 'Trade Me way' of engaging users?" (Think about Trade Me's brand identity and user experience principles.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with Product Owners and engineers?" (Highlight your ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, the process you followed (especially AI integration), the solutions you designed, and the impact/outcomes.

• Emphasize AI's Role: Dedicate specific slides or sections to how AI tools were used. Show before-and-after scenarios or quantitative improvements.

• Focus on Trade-offs: Be ready to discuss difficult decisions made during the design process and the rationale behind them.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your presentation is clean, visually appealing, and easy to follow. Use high-quality mockups and prototypes.

• Engage Your Audience: Be enthusiastic, responsive to questions, and willing to elaborate on your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice focuses on aligning responses with the job description's key requirements, especially AI integration, strategic ownership, and collaborative skills. Practicing these types of questions and framing portfolio examples around them will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Trade Me careers site.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating end-to-end design strategy, AI tool integration (Gemini, Claude), and experience with user-centric problem-solving (Design Thinking). Prioritize examples relevant to B2B or marketplace platforms if available.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 5+ years of design experience, proficiency in Figma and Sketch, and any specific experience with AI tools, user research, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare for AI Discussion: Be ready to articulate your experience and strategic approach to using AI tools in design workflows during interviews. Prepare specific examples of how AI has accelerated your work.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Trade Me's mission, values, and the Trade Me Property platform. Understand their commitment to AI and their hybrid work culture.

⚠️ 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.