Senior UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UI Designer

Company: VML

Location: Porto, Porto District, Portugal

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Creative & Design / User Interface Design

Date Posted: 2026-04-27

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in office average)

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the creation of digital brand identities and pixel-perfect, responsive interfaces, with a strong emphasis on conversion-led design for transactional websites and eCommerce platforms.

• Lead the design and evolution of design systems, ensuring scalability, consistency, and adherence to user-centered design principles, accessibility standards, and conversion best practices.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including UX consultants, product managers, and developers, to translate business needs and user requirements into intuitive and impactful digital experiences.

• Own the end-to-end design process for client projects, from conceptualization and execution to stakeholder presentation and developer handover, ensuring high-quality output that resonates within the eCommerce landscape.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior UI Designer, implying a need for leadership in design execution, the ability to guide junior designers, and significant autonomy in project ownership. The emphasis on "conversion-led design," "eCommerce landscape," and "design systems at scale" indicates a strategic focus beyond purely aesthetic design, requiring a deep understanding of business objectives and user behavior within transactional environments.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and develop high-fidelity, responsive user interfaces for web and mobile applications, ensuring a seamless and engaging user experience that aligns with client brand guidelines and business objectives.

• Contribute to the development, maintenance, and evolution of robust design systems, including defining component logic, variants, properties, and design tokens to ensure design consistency and efficiency across multiple projects.

• Apply principles of user-centered design, conversion optimization, and accessibility to all design outputs, ensuring products are inclusive, effective, and meet user needs.

• Collaborate effectively with UX designers, product managers, content strategists, and developers throughout the product development lifecycle, from ideation and wireframing to high-fidelity mockups and final asset handover.

• Present design concepts, solutions, and rationale clearly and persuasively to internal teams and external clients, confidently defending design decisions and incorporating feedback to achieve optimal outcomes.

• Stay abreast of the latest design trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in UI design, UX, and eCommerce, actively seeking opportunities for continuous learning and skill enhancement.

• Manage multiple design projects concurrently, prioritizing tasks, adhering to tight deadlines, and maintaining a high standard of quality and accuracy in a fast-paced agency environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on design execution and strategic contribution to design systems. The emphasis on "conversion-led design," "eCommerce landscape," and "client presentation" suggests the need for strong business acumen and communication skills in addition to core design proficiency.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, UI Design, Interaction Design, or a related field.

Experience: Minimum of 5-10 years of professional experience in UI design, with a significant focus on digital agencies, creative studios, or in-house design departments. Demonstrable experience in eCommerce design is essential.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in UI design principles, with an outstanding eye for visual design, layout, and typography.

• High proficiency in industry-standard design tools, including Figma (primary), Sketch, and the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.).

• Experience in contributing to and evolving design systems, understanding component logic, variants, properties, and design tokens.

• Demonstrable experience in designing for eCommerce platforms, with a strong understanding of transactional user journeys and conversion optimization principles.

• Expertise in creating pixel-perfect, responsive interface designs that adapt seamlessly across various devices and screen sizes.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with developers for design handover and implementation, understanding technical constraints and possibilities.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and rationale clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Strong work ethic, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines with accuracy and efficiency.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience creating high-fidelity, interactive prototypes using tools like Figma, ProtoPie, Principle, Framer, or Webflow to simulate complex user journeys.

• Familiarity with content-aware design principles and their application in UI.

• Experience leveraging AI tools to accelerate UI production workflows and enhance design efficiency.

• Understanding of accessibility standards (WCAG) and their practical implementation in UI design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "contributing to and evolving a design system, not just using it" signifies a senior-level expectation, suggesting candidates should have experience in establishing or significantly improving design system components and guidelines, not just consuming existing ones. The explicit mention of Figma as primary, with other prototyping tools as bonus, indicates a specific tool preference.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A compelling and well-organized portfolio showcasing high-quality UI design work, with a significant emphasis on eCommerce projects.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your design process, the solutions implemented, and the measurable impact (e.g., conversion improvements, user satisfaction metrics).

• Examples demonstrating your ability to design responsive interfaces across various breakpoints and devices.

• Visuals and explanations of your contribution to or creation of design systems, including component examples, design tokens, and adherence to logic and properties.

Process Documentation:

• Clearly outline your approach to user-centered design, from research and ideation through to final design and handover.

• Showcase your methodology for collaborating with cross-functional teams, particularly developers and UX professionals.

• Detail your process for managing design projects, including time management, prioritization, and client communication.

• Provide examples of how you've adapted your design approach across multiple brands while maintaining consistency and quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are heavily geared towards demonstrating practical application of design systems, conversion-focused design, and collaborative workflow, especially within an agency context. Candidates must be prepared to show not just polished visuals, but also the strategic thinking and process behind their work, particularly concerning scalability and business impact for eCommerce clients.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior UI Designers with 5-10 years of experience in Portugal, the estimated annual salary range is €40,000 - €60,000. This estimate considers the company's size, industry (digital/creative agency), and the specific demands of the role, including eCommerce and design system expertise. The exact salary will be determined by the candidate's specific experience, skills, and performance during the interview process.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive training opportunities to enhance design skills and stay current with industry advancements.

• Medical insurance coverage for employees and potentially dependents.

• Dental insurance for oral health coverage.

• Meal cards, providing a subsidy for daily food expenses.

• Regular social events to foster team cohesion and a positive work environment.

• Family-friendly policies to support work-life balance.

• Discounts with a wide range of retailers, offering savings on various goods and services.

• Opportunities for professional growth and career advancement within VML's global network.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours, estimated at 40 hours per week. The role operates on a hybrid model, with an average of four days per week expected in the office, allowing for one day of remote work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on publicly available data for Senior UI Designers in Portugal's tech and creative sectors. Factors such as specific agency compensation structures, the candidate's proven track record, and the negotiation process will influence the final offer. The benefits listed are explicitly mentioned in the job description.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Marketing & Advertising / Digital Experience / Enterprise Solutions. VML operates within the dynamic digital marketing and advertising landscape, focusing on creating connected brands that drive growth through integrated brand, customer, and commerce experiences. Its Enterprise Solutions division specifically targets large organizations looking to deliver sophisticated digital experiences across various market channels.

Company Size: VML is part of WPP, a global network of over 26,000 talented people across 55+ markets. This indicates a large, globally distributed organization with significant resources and diverse opportunities.

Founded: VML was officially formed in 2024 through the merger of Wunderman Thompson and VMLY&R, bringing together extensive expertise and a rich history in digital innovation and creative services. VML's lineage, however, traces back to earlier agencies, signifying a deep-rooted presence in the industry.

Team Structure:

• The UI Design role is part of a cross-functional creative team, implying close collaboration with UX designers, product managers, developers, and potentially strategists and account managers.

• The reporting structure likely involves a Design Lead or Creative Director within the Enterprise Solutions division, with the Senior UI Designer expected to operate with a significant degree of autonomy on their assigned projects.

Methodology:

• VML emphasizes a human-first, data-informed approach to creative problem-solving, integrating brand experience, customer experience, and commerce.

• Workflow planning and optimization are critical, especially within the Enterprise Solutions division, which focuses on delivering complex digital platforms and experiences for major clients.

• Automation and efficiency are key drivers, with an expectation to leverage technology and scalable design systems to deliver high-quality work at speed.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's scale and integration into WPP suggest a structured yet dynamic environment offering exposure to a wide array of clients and projects. The Enterprise Solutions division implies a focus on complex, large-scale digital transformations and platforms, requiring a robust approach to design systems and cross-functional collaboration.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Senior UI Designer position is positioned at a mid-to-senior level, requiring 5-10 years of experience. It signifies a role where individuals are expected to lead design execution, contribute significantly to design systems, mentor junior designers, and manage complex projects with autonomy. This level demands not only strong technical design skills but also strategic thinking, effective communication, and the ability to influence project direction and client outcomes.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UI Designer will likely report to a Design Director, Creative Director, or a Head of UX/Design within the Enterprise Solutions division. They will work closely with Product Managers, Project Managers, and Development teams, forming part of a cross-functional project team.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is directly tied to enhancing user experience and driving conversion for clients' digital platforms, particularly in eCommerce. By creating intuitive, visually appealing, and user-centered interfaces, the Senior UI Designer contributes directly to client business growth, customer satisfaction, and brand perception. Their work on design systems also ensures efficiency and scalability across multiple client projects.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in eCommerce design, conversion rate optimization, and advanced prototyping. Potential to lead design initiatives for major client accounts.

• Leadership Development: Progression towards Lead UI Designer, Design Lead, or Art Director roles, involving greater strategic input, team management, and client-facing responsibilities. Mentoring junior designers is often a key part of this growth.

• Specialization: Possibility to specialize in specific areas such as design systems architecture, accessibility, or emerging technologies like AI-driven design tools within the VML ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operations Impact" section is adapted to reflect how a UI Designer's work contributes to the operational efficiency and success of client businesses and the agency itself, particularly through conversion and user experience improvements. Growth opportunities are framed within the context of a design career path within a large agency.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: VML operates on a hybrid work model, with teams expected in the office an average of four days per week. This suggests a collaborative office environment designed to facilitate in-person teamwork, brainstorming, and client interactions, balanced with the flexibility of remote work.

Office Location(s): The role is based in Porto, Portugal. VML has principal offices in various global locations, but this specific position is tied to their Porto presence, part of their operations in Portugal.

Workspace Context:

• The office environment is designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and connection, supporting the hybrid work model. Expect shared workspaces, meeting rooms equipped for hybrid collaboration, and areas for informal brainstorming.

• Access to necessary design tools and technology is expected, including high-performance workstations and software licenses for Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, and potentially prototyping tools.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with fellow designers, UX consultants, product managers, and developers are abundant, facilitating knowledge sharing and integrated project work.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid arrangement offers flexibility, allowing for one remote work day per week, which can be beneficial for focused individual work or deep-dive design tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model with specific office days emphasizes VML's commitment to balancing in-person collaboration with employee flexibility, a common trend in creative agencies. The Porto location is specific to this role, within VML's broader global network.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application, resume, and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience against the role requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: You will likely be asked to present your portfolio, focusing on relevant eCommerce and design system projects. Be prepared to walk through your process, design decisions, and the impact of your work. Expect questions about your approach to conversion design and user-centered principles.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: This may involve a design challenge or a discussion about your proficiency with specific tools (Figma, Sketch, Adobe Suite) and your understanding of component logic, variants, and design tokens.

• Cross-functional Interview: An opportunity to meet with team members from UX, Product Management, and Development to assess your collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader or hiring manager to discuss your career aspirations, alignment with VML's values, and overall suitability for the role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your expertise in eCommerce UI design, responsive design, and design system contributions. Prioritize projects that demonstrate measurable results.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role and responsibilities, your design process, the challenges you faced, the solutions you devised, and the outcomes achieved. Use data and metrics to support your claims.

• Highlight Design Systems: If you have experience contributing to or building design systems, dedicate specific slides or sections to illustrate your understanding of component logic, variants, properties, and design tokens.

• Showcase Process: Include wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and user research insights to demonstrate your thought process beyond just final visuals.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. Practice your presentation to ensure a smooth and confident delivery.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If provided with a design challenge, thoroughly understand the brief, the target audience, and the business objectives.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate your problem-solving approach, your ability to apply design principles, and how you would iterate based on feedback or constraints.

• Time Management: Allocate your time effectively across research, ideation, design, and preparation for presentation.

• Articulate Rationale: Be ready to explain your design choices clearly and concisely, linking them back to the brief and user needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to assess a range of competencies from technical design skills and portfolio quality to collaborative abilities and strategic thinking. Emphasis is placed on demonstrating a deep understanding of eCommerce, design systems, and the ability to articulate the impact of design decisions.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The primary tool for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency in creating components, variants, auto-layout, and design systems within Figma is essential.

• Sketch: A strong contender for UI design; familiarity is beneficial, especially if working with legacy projects or different teams.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for graphic design tasks, image manipulation (Photoshop), vector illustration (Illustrator), and potentially motion graphics (After Effects) for richer prototypes.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a direct design tool, understanding how analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) track user behavior and conversion metrics is crucial for informing design decisions and demonstrating impact.

CRM & Automation:

Prototyping & Advanced Tools (Bonus):

• ProtoPie, Principle, Framer, Webflow: Experience with these tools can enable the creation of more complex, high-fidelity interactive prototypes that simulate advanced user journeys and interactions.

• AI Tools: Familiarity with AI-powered design tools for accelerating workflows, generating assets, or assisting in ideation is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma as the primary tool, followed by Sketch and Adobe Creative Suite, highlights the core technical requirements. Bonus points for advanced prototyping tools and AI applications suggest VML is keen on candidates who are forward-thinking and can leverage technology to enhance productivity and design quality.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Heart: Emphasizes empathy, trust, and human-centric work. For a UI designer, this translates to designing with a deep understanding of user needs and fostering genuine collaboration within the team.

• Brains: Values curiosity, intelligence, and problem-solving. This encourages designers to approach challenges with analytical thinking, explore innovative solutions, and continuously learn.

• Courage: Inspires bold solutions, experimentation, and advocacy. UI designers are encouraged to push creative boundaries, propose innovative ideas, and confidently defend their design choices, even when challenging the status quo.

• Impact-Driven: A core tenet for VML's Enterprise Solutions division, focusing on delivering tangible business growth for clients through exceptional digital experiences. This means designs must be not only aesthetically pleasing but also effective in achieving business goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: VML fosters a highly collaborative environment where designers work seamlessly with UX, product management, development, and strategy teams to ensure holistic product development.

• Feedback Culture: An open exchange of feedback is encouraged, promoting continuous improvement and iterative design processes. Designers are expected to both give and receive constructive criticism.

• Knowledge Sharing: The agency likely promotes a culture of sharing best practices, insights, and learnings, possibly through internal workshops, design critiques, or shared documentation platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: VML's core values (Heart, Brains, Courage) are directly applicable to a Senior UI Designer role, guiding how designers should approach their work, interact with colleagues, and contribute to the company's mission of driving growth through creativity and innovation. The emphasis on "impact-driven" work highlights the importance of connecting design efforts to measurable business outcomes.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Client Demands with Design Excellence: Navigating diverse client requirements, brand guidelines, and business objectives while maintaining high design standards and advocating for user needs can be challenging.

• Scalability and Consistency in Design Systems: Contributing to and evolving design systems for large enterprise clients requires careful planning, robust documentation, and consistent application across numerous touchpoints and teams.

• Keeping Pace with Technological Advancements: The rapid evolution of design tools, platforms, and user expectations requires continuous learning and adaptation to remain at the forefront of digital design.

• Cross-functional Communication: Effectively communicating complex design rationales and technical requirements to diverse stakeholders (developers, product managers, clients) can be demanding.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Design System Specialization: Deepen expertise in architecting, implementing, and managing complex design systems for enterprise-level clients.

• Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) Mastery: Gain advanced skills in analyzing user behavior, conducting A/B tests, and optimizing interfaces for maximum conversion, particularly within eCommerce contexts.

• Emerging Technologies: Explore and integrate new design tools, AI-driven design workflows, and emerging interaction paradigms.

• Leadership and Mentorship: Develop leadership skills through mentoring junior designers, leading project design efforts, and contributing to design strategy discussions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges listed are common for senior-level designers in agency environments, particularly those working with large clients and complex digital products. The growth opportunities are tailored to leverage these challenges into areas for skill development and career advancement within VML.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to evolve a design system. What was your process, and what were the key challenges and outcomes?" (Focus on your contribution to component logic, variants, properties, and design tokens.)

• "Walk me through a complex eCommerce project from your portfolio. How did you ensure the design was conversion-led, user-centered, and visually aligned with the brand?" (Prepare to discuss your specific role, process, and the impact metrics.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do VML's core values (Heart, Brains, Courage) resonate with your personal design philosophy and work ethic?" (Be ready to provide specific examples of how you embody these values.)

• "What are your thoughts on the hybrid work model, and how do you ensure effective collaboration and productivity in such an environment?" (Connect your answer to VML's emphasis on connection and collaboration.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your role, your process, your solutions, and the results. Use visual aids effectively to support your story.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs. For eCommerce projects, focus on conversion rates, AOV (Average Order Value), or user engagement.

• Highlight Design System Contributions: Dedicate a segment to showcase your work with design systems, explaining the benefits your contributions brought in terms of consistency, scalability, and efficiency.

• Showcase Collaboration: Mention how you worked with developers, UX, and other stakeholders, emphasizing your collaborative approach and ability to manage handoffs effectively.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design decisions, your use of specific tools, and your understanding of technical constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview questions are designed to probe a Senior UI Designer's strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, understanding of eCommerce, and proficiency with design systems, all within the context of VML's values and collaborative culture. Portfolio presentation advice emphasizes demonstrating impact and process.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UI Designer position:

• Submit your application through the VML careers portal via the provided link.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your most impactful UI design projects, with a strong emphasis on eCommerce, conversion-driven design, and any contributions to design systems. Ensure each project clearly outlines the problem, your process, your solutions, and measurable outcomes.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 5-10 years of relevant experience, specifically mentioning proficiency in Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, design system development, and eCommerce expertise. Use keywords from the job description to optimize for ATS.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio, focusing on articulating your design rationale, process, and the business impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your approach to user-centered design and conversion optimization.

• Research VML & Enterprise Solutions: Familiarize yourself with VML's work, its recent merger, its core values (Heart, Brains, Courage), and the specific focus of its Enterprise Solutions division. Understanding their client roster and project types will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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.