Senior UI Designer (contract)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UI Designer (Contract)

Company: VML Enterprise Solutions

Location: Poznan, Greater Poland, Poland

Job Type: Contract

Category: CX Design / UI/UX Design

Date Posted: 2026-06-12

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the creation of intuitive and visually compelling user interfaces for digital platforms, with a strong emphasis on optimizing user experience and conversion rates within the eCommerce landscape.

• Lead the execution of online visual identity and transactional website design, ensuring alignment with both user needs and overarching business objectives.

• Collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams, including UX, Service Design, Optimization, and Consulting Leads, to deliver cohesive and impactful digital solutions.

• Champion user-centered design best practices, accessibility principles, and the strategic application of design systems to ensure scalability and consistency across large consumer-facing brands.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is listed as a Senior UI Designer, the description strongly emphasizes a "conversion-led design" approach for "transactional websites" and "eCom landscape." This indicates a focus beyond purely aesthetic UI work, pushing towards outcome-driven design that directly impacts business metrics like conversion rates, aligning it closely with revenue operations principles. The contract nature suggests a project-based engagement, likely focusing on specific client initiatives within VML's Enterprise Solutions division.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and develop pixel-perfect, responsive interfaces and digital brand aesthetics that meet both user experience and client business requirements.

• Implement and leverage design systems to create designs at scale, ensuring consistency and efficiency across multiple projects and client brands.

• Apply user-centered design best practices, conversion design principles, and accessibility standards to all design outputs.

• Maintain the highest standards of design quality to impress clients and resonate within the competitive eCommerce market.

• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in technology, design trends, and tooling to continuously improve design processes and outcomes.

• Effectively communicate and present design ideas, solutions, and rationale to clients and internal stakeholders, confidently defending design decisions.

• Collaborate closely with stakeholders, fellow designers, UX consultants, product managers, and developers throughout the design and development lifecycle.

• Manage individual projects efficiently, working accurately and meeting tight deadlines in a fast-paced agency environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative execution and strategic thinking, emphasizing the need for a designer who can not only create visually appealing interfaces but also understand and drive business outcomes through design. The emphasis on "owning a compelling portfolio of digital design work" and "defending design decisions" points to a senior-level individual expected to take ownership and influence project direction.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Degree educated in Graphic/UI design or a similar relevant discipline.

Experience:

• 5-10 years of experience in UI design, with a significant focus on eCommerce.

• Proven experience working with design systems on large, consumer-facing brands.

• Experience working within a digital or creative agency, or an in-house design studio environment. Required Skills:

• Excellent design skills with a strong portfolio demonstrating high-quality online and eCommerce design work.

• Proficiency in industry-standard design tools: Figma, Sketch, and Adobe Creative Suite.

• Exceptional eye for design, typography, and visual detail.

• Strong understanding of user-centered design best practices and conversion-led design principles.

• Expertise in responsive design principles and implementation.

• Demonstrated understanding of accessibility principles in digital design.

• Ability to present concepts and design decisions clearly and persuasively.

• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet tight deadlines.

• Excellent problem-solving abilities and capacity for multitasking.

• Great attitude, strong work ethic, and enthusiasm for technology and web-based applications.

• Self-motivated, confident, and driven to continually improve and adapt to new challenges. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with design tokens.

• Animation and video experience (Adobe After Effects, Final Cut Pro).

📝 Enhancement Note: The "5-10 Years" experience level suggests a senior role, implying not just execution but also strategic input, mentoring, and potential leadership on projects. The insistence on both aesthetic "craftsmanship" and "conversion-led design" points to a balanced candidate who understands the business impact of their visual work. The specific mention of Figma, Sketch, and Adobe Creative Suite is crucial for ATS keyword optimization.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A compelling portfolio showcasing a strong track record in high-quality online design, with a particular emphasis on successful eCommerce projects.

• Demonstrations of experience in designing for large, consumer-facing brands, highlighting the application of design systems.

• Case studies that illustrate the process from concept to final execution, detailing problem-solving approaches and design rationale.

• Examples of responsive interfaces and the ability to adapt designs across various devices and screen sizes. Process Documentation:

• Evidence of understanding and applying user-centered design methodologies in project workflows.

• Examples of how design systems have been utilized to ensure consistency, scalability, and efficiency in design outputs.

• Documentation or case studies showcasing the application of conversion-led design principles and their impact on user behavior and business metrics.

• Demonstrations of adherence to accessibility principles and standards throughout the design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "compelling portfolio that demonstrates high quality design online, including eCommerce" and experience with "design systems on a large consumer facing brand" are critical. For operations professionals, this translates to showcasing how design decisions directly contribute to business outcomes, efficiency, and scalability, aligning with the broader GTM strategy. The ability to articulate process and demonstrate impact is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a contract role and specific rates are not provided, a competitive hourly or daily rate is expected, commensurate with senior-level UI design experience, specialized eCommerce skills, and agency environment demands in Poland. Based on industry benchmarks for Senior UI Designers in major European tech hubs like Poznan, and considering the contract nature, an estimated range could be between 250-500 PLN per hour, or a day rate of 2000-4000 PLN, depending on project scope and VML's client agreements.

Benefits:

• Opportunity to work with globally recognized and exciting brands.

• Prioritized career development and skill growth.

• Empowerment to make a significant impact.

• A culture that values individuality and respect.

• Access to VML's core values: Heart, Brains, and Courage, fostering empathy, curiosity, and bold solutions.

• Potential for ongoing contract engagements based on performance and project needs.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are implied, likely around 40 hours per week, with the expectation of flexibility to meet project deadlines and client needs, typical in agency environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: For contract roles, salary is usually quoted hourly or daily. The estimated range is based on publicly available data for senior creative roles in Poland and similar European markets, acknowledging that agency rates can vary significantly based on client budgets and VML's internal pricing structures. The benefits listed are qualitative and focus on professional development, which is crucial for contract roles where long-term stability might be less certain.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Marketing & Advertising, Digital Experience, Commerce Solutions. VML is part of WPP, a global leader in marketing and communications services. The Enterprise Solutions division specifically focuses on helping leading organizations deliver digital experiences across various market routes, including eCommerce, D2C, B2B, and marketplaces.

Company Size: VML is part of WPP, a massive global entity. VML itself has over 26,000 employees globally. The Enterprise Solutions division operates with over 4,200 experts across 34 countries. This indicates a large, well-resourced organization with extensive client reach and diverse project opportunities.

Founded: VML was founded in 2008 (though its legacy entities date back much further). WPP was founded in 1982. This long history suggests stability, established processes, and deep industry expertise.

Team Structure:

• The CX team in the UK includes Leads in UX, UI, Service Design, Optimisation, and Consulting. The Senior UI Designer will work alongside these leads.

• The Enterprise Solutions division is structured with strategic consultants, creative and technical architects, and skilled developers and operators.

• Collaboration is a key theme, with the Senior UI Designer expected to work closely with stakeholders, fellow designers, UX consultants, product managers, and developers. Methodology:

• The company emphasizes creating "connected brands" through a combination of brand experience, customer experience, and commerce.

• The Enterprise Solutions division focuses on capabilities spanning the entire buying journey: customer acquisition, engagement, conversion, and loyalty.

• The agency utilizes an "agentic marketing platform" (WPP Open) to drive transformative growth for clients.

• A strong emphasis is placed on data-driven insights, collaborative intelligence, and innovative solutions.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding VML's position within WPP and the focus of its Enterprise Solutions division is crucial for a designer. It implies working on large-scale, complex client challenges for major global brands, requiring a strategic and robust approach to design, not just visual execution. The mention of "agentic marketing platform" hints at data-informed design processes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is designated as "Senior UI Designer" with an experience level of 5-10 years. This signifies a mid-to-senior level position within the design hierarchy. The individual is expected to work independently on projects, take ownership of design execution, contribute strategically to CX initiatives, and potentially mentor junior designers. The contract nature means growth is primarily project-based, offering exposure to diverse clients and challenges.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UI Designer will report to a Lead within the CX team (likely a UX Lead or Design Director, depending on the specific UK team structure) and will collaborate closely with Leads in UX, UI, Service Design, Optimisation, and Consulting. They will also work directly with product managers and developers.

Operations Impact: While not a traditional "Operations" role, this UI Designer directly impacts the "Customer Experience" (CX) and "Conversion" aspects of operations. Their work is critical for:

• Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO): Designing interfaces that improve user flow and encourage desired actions (purchases, sign-ups), directly contributing to revenue.

• Customer Journey Optimization: Ensuring a seamless and intuitive experience across touchpoints, reducing friction and enhancing customer satisfaction.

• Brand Consistency & Efficiency: Utilizing design systems to ensure consistent brand representation and efficient design iteration, reducing development overhead.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Diversification: Exposure to a wide array of client projects and industries within the Enterprise Solutions division, allowing for the development of specialized skills in eCommerce, D2C, B2B, and marketplace design.

• Advanced Design System Implementation: Deepening expertise in creating and scaling complex design systems for major brands.

• Conversion-Focused Design: Gaining hands-on experience and insight into conversion optimization strategies and their design implications.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Enhancing understanding of UX, Service Design, and product management processes, fostering a holistic view of digital product development.

• Potential for Long-Term Engagements: Successful performance in this contract role could lead to further opportunities within VML or with its clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operations Impact" section re-frames the UI Designer's role through an operations lens, highlighting their contribution to conversion, customer journey, and efficiency—key metrics for revenue and sales operations. This perspective is vital for candidates to articulate their value beyond aesthetics.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Poznan, Poland, and is described as "Hybrid." This suggests a blend of remote work and in-office presence, likely at a VML or client office location in Poznan. The company culture emphasizes collaboration, implying that in-office days will be focused on team interaction and strategic discussions.

Office Location(s): Poznan, Greater Poland, Poland. Specific office address details are not provided but would typically be available upon interview.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires close collaboration with a diverse team of designers, consultants, product managers, and developers, suggesting an environment that encourages open communication and teamwork.

• Tooling: Access to industry-standard design tools like Figma, Sketch, and Adobe Creative Suite is expected, along with potential exposure to VML's proprietary platforms for enterprise solutions.

• Dynamic Pace: Working in a fast-paced, ever-moving agency environment means adaptability and efficiency are key. The role is hands-on, requiring active participation in project execution.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is typical, agency environments often require flexibility to meet project deadlines and client demands. This might involve occasional extended hours or work outside standard business hours, balanced by the hybrid work arrangement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Hybrid" work arrangement is a key detail for candidates. The description of a "fast-paced, ever-moving environment" and "hands-on" work suggests a dynamic, potentially demanding, but also rewarding workplace for those who thrive in agency settings.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Resume and portfolio review to assess qualifications, experience, and alignment with role requirements.

• Technical/Design Assessment: Likely a portfolio review session where candidates present their work, discuss their process, and defend their design decisions. This may include a live design exercise or a take-home challenge focused on UI design, conversion optimization, or design system application.

• Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with Leads from UX, UI, Service Design, and potentially product managers or client representatives to evaluate collaboration skills, communication, strategic thinking, and cultural fit.

• Final Review: Discussion with hiring managers or senior leadership to confirm suitability for the role and contract terms.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Conversion Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the business problem, your design solution, and the measurable impact (e.g., improved conversion rates, user engagement, task completion success). Use data and metrics wherever possible.

• Showcase Design System Application: Include examples of how you've used or contributed to design systems, demonstrating your understanding of scalability, consistency, and efficiency.

• Demonstrate Process: Walk through your design process for key projects, explaining your rationale, user research findings (if applicable), iteration stages, and how you arrived at the final solution.

• Emphasize Collaboration: Mention how you collaborated with developers, UX designers, and stakeholders, showcasing your ability to communicate effectively and integrate feedback.

• Tailor to eCommerce: Ensure your portfolio prominently features relevant eCommerce projects that demonstrate your understanding of the user journey, transactional flows, and conversion optimization.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Conversion-Led Design: Be prepared to discuss your approach to designing for conversion. Research common eCommerce conversion funnels and best practices.

• Design System Thinking: Brush up on the principles of design systems, component-based design, and how to maintain consistency across large platforms.

• Tool Proficiency: Be ready to demonstrate your skills in Figma, Sketch, and Adobe Creative Suite, potentially through a practical exercise.

• Communication & Rationale: Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely, linking them back to user needs and business goals. Be prepared to defend your choices logically.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is critical for candidates. The emphasis on a "compelling portfolio" that includes "eCommerce" and demonstrates "conversion-led design" means applicants must meticulously curate their work to showcase these specific skills and their impact. The interview process likely involves not just aesthetic review but a deep dive into strategic thinking and problem-solving.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for collaborative UI design, prototyping, and design system management. Expect advanced usage.

• Sketch: Another primary tool for UI design, often used in conjunction with other tools. Proficiency is key.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Including Photoshop for image manipulation and Illustrator for vector graphics, essential for comprehensive design tasks.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as a required tool for the designer, an understanding of how designs impact analytics is crucial. Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or specific eCommerce analytics platforms would be beneficial for understanding user behavior and conversion metrics. CRM & Automation:

• No specific CRM or automation tools are listed as required for this UI design role, but awareness of how UI designs integrate with marketing automation platforms or CRM sales processes could be advantageous in understanding the broader business context. Other Potential Tools (from "If you know some of this, even better"):

• Design Tokens: Experience with design tokens for managing design system variables.

• Adobe After Effects: For motion graphics and UI animations.

• Final Cut Pro: For video editing, potentially for creating animated mockups or marketing assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma, Sketch, and Adobe Creative Suite is paramount. The "preferred" tools (design tokens, After Effects, Final Cut Pro) indicate areas where a candidate can stand out. For operations-minded candidates, linking UI design to analytics and conversion metrics is a strategic advantage.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Heart: Fostering empathy and trust, leading to human-centric design solutions that resonate with users. This translates to understanding user needs deeply and designing with compassion.

• Brains: Valuing relentless curiosity and collaborative intelligence to solve complex design challenges. This means approaching problems analytically, seeking innovative solutions, and engaging in knowledge sharing.

• Courage: Inspiring individuals to speak up, embrace experimentation, and advocate for bold solutions. This encourages designers to push creative boundaries, challenge the status quo, and champion impactful design choices, even if they are unconventional.

• Impact-Driven: A focus on driving growth and delivering transformational results for clients through connected brands and optimized experiences. The work of the UI designer is expected to directly contribute to business outcomes.

• Efficiency and Scalability: Implicit in the use of design systems and the need to work in a "fast-paced, ever-moving environment," suggesting a value placed on streamlined processes and designs that can be scaled effectively.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: A strong emphasis on working closely with UX, Service Design, Optimization, Consulting, product managers, and developers, indicating a highly integrated and collaborative workflow.

• Open Communication: The need to "communicate design ideas and solutions" and "confidently defend design decisions" suggests a culture where constructive feedback and open dialogue are encouraged.

• Shared Success: The company’s philosophy of sharing in client successes implies a team-oriented approach where collective achievements are celebrated.

• Agile & Iterative: The "fast-paced, ever-moving environment" and expectation to "adapt and take on new challenges" points towards an agile and iterative approach to design and development.

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding VML's core values (Heart, Brains, Courage) is essential for cultural fit. For a designer, "Heart" means user empathy, "Brains" means analytical problem-solving, and "Courage" means advocating for innovative design. The collaborative style is key; this isn't a siloed role.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Aesthetics and Conversion: The primary challenge will be to create visually stunning interfaces that also demonstrably drive conversions, requiring a deep understanding of user psychology and eCommerce best practices.

• Working with Large-Scale Design Systems: Effectively leveraging and potentially contributing to complex design systems for major brands, ensuring consistency while allowing for creative expression.

• Fast-Paced Agency Environment: Adapting to tight deadlines, multiple client demands, and a constantly evolving project landscape inherent in agency work.

• Communicating Complex Design Rationale: Clearly articulating design decisions and their business impact to diverse stakeholders, including those with less design-centric backgrounds.

• Staying Current: Keeping pace with rapid advancements in UI design tools, trends, and technologies, especially within the dynamic eCommerce sector.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Exposure to Global Brands: Working on projects for prestigious clients like The Coca-Cola Company, Bosch, Unilever, Ford, and Nestlé provides unparalleled learning opportunities and portfolio-building experiences.

• Advanced Design System Expertise: Deepening skills in building, scaling, and managing design systems, a highly valuable skill in modern design practice.

• Conversion Optimization Insights: Gaining practical experience in conversion-led design and understanding its direct impact on business revenue.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Collaborating with UX, Service Design, Optimization, and Consulting experts to broaden understanding of the full customer experience lifecycle.

• Technology Exploration: Staying abreast of new design tools, plugins, and emerging technologies relevant to digital and eCommerce design.

📝 Enhancement Note: Framing challenges as growth opportunities is key. For instance, "balancing aesthetics and conversion" is not just a challenge but a skill to be honed, directly contributing to a designer's value in revenue operations contexts.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you designed an interface that significantly improved conversion rates. What was your process, and what were the results?" (Focus on metrics, user research, and iterative design).

• "How do you approach using or contributing to a design system for a large consumer brand? What are the key considerations for scalability and consistency?" (Discuss principles, component libraries, and governance).

• "Walk us through a complex UI design challenge you faced. How did you arrive at your solution, and how did you communicate your rationale to stakeholders?" (Emphasize problem-solving, collaboration, and persuasive communication). Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do VML's core values (Heart, Brains, Courage) influence your design philosophy and approach to collaboration?" (Relate your own work style and values to theirs).

• "What excites you about working in a hybrid agency environment with a focus on conversion-led eCommerce design?" (Show enthusiasm for the pace, client work, and specific domain).

• "How do you stay updated on the latest design trends, tools, and technologies, particularly in the eCommerce space?" (Demonstrate proactive learning and passion). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio by project, dedicating a clear section to each. Start with the business objective, then your role, process, challenges, solutions, and crucially, the results (metrics, user feedback).

• Tell a Story: For each project, narrate the journey. Explain the 'why' behind your design decisions, not just the 'what.' Use visuals effectively to guide the viewer through your process.

• Quantify Success: Whenever possible, present quantifiable outcomes. For eCommerce, this could be conversion rate increases, reduced bounce rates, improved average order value, or higher customer satisfaction scores.

• Highlight Design System Usage: If applicable, dedicate a slide or section to showcase how you’ve leveraged design systems, demonstrating your understanding of implementation and scalability.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your specific contributions, design choices, and problem-solving approaches within each project.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating how the candidate’s design skills directly translate into business outcomes (conversion, efficiency, user satisfaction), aligning with the operational goals of any GTM or revenue team.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this contract Senior UI Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.

• Curate your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your eCommerce and conversion-led design experience. Ensure each project clearly articulates the problem, your process, your specific contributions, and measurable results. Tailor this selection to highlight your expertise in Figma, Sketch, and Adobe Creative Suite.

• Optimize Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly lists your years of experience, proficiency in key design tools (Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite), experience with design systems, and specific accomplishments in eCommerce and conversion optimization. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio, focusing on storytelling and data-driven outcomes. Be ready to articulate your design rationale and how your work impacts business goals. Prepare answers for common behavioral and situational questions.

• Research VML & WPP: Understand the company's mission, values (Heart, Brains, Courage), and the focus of their Enterprise Solutions division. Familiarize yourself with their client roster and recent work to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural alignment.

⚠️ 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.