Senior UX Designer, Consumer (m/f/d)

Bertelsmann
Full-timeHeerenveen, Netherlands

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer, Consumer (m/f/d)

Company: Bertelsmann (Riverty)

Location: Heerenveen, Netherlands

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: UX/Product Design

Date Posted: September 1, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

  • Drive human-centric design principles within Riverty's consumer financial services by translating user needs into intuitive and impactful design solutions.

  • Lead end-to-end product design processes, from ideation and research to prototyping and implementation, ensuring alignment with business objectives and technical feasibility.

  • Collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams, including Product Managers, Engineers, UX Writers, and Service Designers, to deliver cohesive and user-friendly experiences across all consumer touchpoints.

  • Advocate for the customer by championing user-centered design practices and fostering a strong design culture throughout the organization, leveraging data-driven insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within the consumer-facing arm of Riverty, a FinTech company under the Bertelsmann umbrella. The focus is on enhancing the user experience for individuals interacting with financial services, emphasizing empathy, advanced technology, and data-driven insights. The role requires a blend of strategic thinking, hands-on design execution, and strong collaboration skills within a hybrid, international team.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Conduct comprehensive user research to identify user needs, pain points, and opportunities for service improvement in financial management.

  • Develop and present detailed end-to-end user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes using Figma to visualize and test design concepts.

  • Validate design effectiveness through usability testing, user feedback analysis, and performance metric tracking to ensure objectives are met and user experience is continuously optimized.

  • Contribute to and leverage the company's design system, creating high-fidelity designs and reusable UI components to ensure consistency and efficiency across products.

  • Collaborate closely with Product and Tech teams, as well as management, to ensure design strategies align with broader business initiatives and product roadmaps.

  • Act as a primary advocate for the consumer, ensuring their voice is heard in product development and promoting a human-centric mindset across the organization.

  • Analyze user feedback and performance data to identify areas for iteration and improvement in existing and new service features.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a senior-level expectation for leading design initiatives, not just executing tasks. The emphasis on "advocating and being a voice for our customers" suggests a need for strong communication and influence skills. The requirement to "gather and analyze information needed to produce and motivate a certain design" points to a research-driven approach.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 5-10 years of professional experience in UX design, with a proven track record of leading end-to-end product design processes for consumer-facing applications.

Required Skills:

  • Proficient in conducting user research, identifying user needs, and translating them into intuitive and impactful design solutions.

  • Experienced in leading end-to-end product design processes, from concept ideation to final implementation, while ensuring alignment with business goals and technical constraints.

  • Skilled in creating wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity designs using Figma.

  • Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including product managers, engineers, and stakeholders, to drive product innovation and deliver exceptional user experiences in a fast-paced environment.

  • Strong understanding of interaction design principles, information architecture, and usability best practices, with a focus on creating seamless user flows and intuitive interfaces.

  • Proficient in conducting usability testing, gathering feedback, and iterating on designs to continuously improve the user experience.

  • Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and advocate for user-centered solutions.

  • Strategic, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex user requirements into design approaches and estimations. Preferred Skills:

  • Experience mentoring junior designers and contributing to the growth and development of the design team.

  • Experience partnering with multiple designers and stakeholders to achieve goals across complex product ecosystems.

  • Experience with financial services or FinTech products.

  • Familiarity with product frameworks and development technologies.

  • Experience with B2B, B2C, and/or B2B2C products.

  • Familiarity with accessibility standards and guidelines (e.g., WCAG) and their application in design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize practical experience and proficiency in core UX design tools and methodologies. The "Nice to have" section indicates areas where additional experience would be beneficial but not strictly required, suggesting flexibility and a willingness to train for specific domain knowledge (like FinTech) or leadership skills. The inclusion of B2B/B2C/B2B2C experience suggests the company serves diverse user types, and familiarity with accessibility standards is crucial for inclusive design.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Showcase end-to-end product design case studies demonstrating your involvement from initial research and ideation through to final implementation and iteration.

  • Include examples of wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes (ideally created in Figma), and high-fidelity mockups that illustrate your design process and problem-solving approach.

  • Highlight your ability to translate complex user needs and business goals into intuitive and user-friendly designs for consumer-facing applications.

  • Demonstrate experience in conducting and utilizing user research and usability testing to inform design decisions and validate solutions.

  • Present evidence of collaboration with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering) and how you integrated their feedback. Process Documentation:

  • Clearly articulate the research methodologies employed in your case studies, including how user insights were gathered and analyzed.

  • Detail the iterative design process, showing how feedback was incorporated to refine wireframes, prototypes, and final designs.

  • Document the rationale behind key design decisions, linking them back to user needs and business objectives.

  • Illustrate how you leveraged or contributed to a design system for consistency and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond just showcasing final designs; it must demonstrate a robust design process, problem-solving capabilities, and the ability to articulate the "why" behind design choices. The emphasis on Figma and user research aligns with the stated requirements.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior UX Designers in the Netherlands with 5-10 years of experience, the estimated salary range is €65,000 - €90,000 annually. This range accounts for the hybrid work model, the company's industry (FinTech/Media, part of Bertelsmann), and the specified location.

Benefits:

  • Competitive salary and potential for performance-based bonuses.

  • Comprehensive health insurance package covering medical, dental, and vision.

  • Generous paid time off (vacation days, public holidays) and sick leave.

  • Pension scheme contributions.

  • Opportunities for professional development, including training, workshops, and conference attendance.

  • Hybrid working model with flexibility and potential for remote work days.

  • Access to Bertelsmann's extensive network and resources.

  • Employee assistance programs and wellness initiatives.

Working Hours: Standard full-time employment, typically 40 hours per week. The company offers flexible working conditions within this framework, with an expectation of being in the office twice a week for collaborative activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on typical ranges for Senior UX Designers in the Netherlands, considering factors like experience level, location (Heerenveen/Amsterdam/Berlin options), and industry. Benefits are standard for a company of Bertelsmann's caliber and international presence, with a focus on employee well-being and professional growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: FinTech and Media Services (part of Bertelsmann). Riverty operates at the intersection of financial technology and consumer services, focusing on enabling flexible payments and building financial confidence through data-driven insights and advanced technology.

Company Size: Riverty is part of the Bertelsmann group, which employs over 4,000 people across 11 countries, representing almost 80 nationalities. This indicates a large, international organization with diverse teams.

Founded: Riverty is a relatively new brand (launched in 2022) but is a significant part of Bertelsmann's digital and financial services strategy. Bertelsmann itself is a long-standing, established media, services, and education company founded in 1835.

Team Structure:

  • The UX Designer will join an international team of UX designers, UI designers, service designers, and UX writers.

  • This role reports to the Design Lead, Consumer.

  • Collaboration will extend across cross-disciplinary consumer teams and potentially other product teams across Europe. Methodology:

  • Emphasizes a human-centric approach, combining empathy, advanced technology, and data-driven insights to create user-focused financial services.

  • Utilizes research and analysis to understand user needs and inform design decisions.

  • Focuses on creating seamless user experiences across various consumer touchpoints and channels.

  • Promotes a strong design culture and continuous improvement through feedback and metric analysis.

Company Website: https://www.riverty.com/ (and https://www.bertelsmann.com/)

📝 Enhancement Note: Riverty positions itself as a modern FinTech entity within a large, established corporate structure (Bertelsmann). This suggests a balance between the agility and innovation of a startup and the stability and resources of a global conglomerate. The company culture appears to value diversity, international collaboration, and a strong focus on user needs within the financial services sector.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior UX Designer role, indicating a mid-to-senior level position within the design function. It requires not only strong individual contribution skills but also the ability to lead projects, mentor others, and influence design strategy.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Designer reports directly to the Design Lead, Consumer. This provides a clear line of reporting and mentorship within the consumer design team.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is significant, directly influencing the user experience of Riverty's consumer financial services. By ensuring seamless, user-friendly interactions, the designer contributes to customer satisfaction, retention, and ultimately, the company's success in the competitive FinTech market. The focus on data-driven insights also implies an impact on business performance metrics.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas of UX design, FinTech, or complex product ecosystems.

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

  • Cross-functional Exposure: Experience working across various product teams and geographies within the international Riverty/Bertelsmann network.

  • Specialization: Potential to specialize in B2C, B2B, or B2B2C product design, or focus on areas like accessibility, depending on project needs and personal interest.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies a path towards leadership or deep specialization. The company's international scope and diverse product offerings present ample opportunities for varied project experience and skill development. The reporting structure to a Design Lead suggests a supportive environment for career progression.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company utilizes a hybrid workspace model, with offices designed for exchanging ideas and learning from others. The description mentions "30 hybrid workspaces," suggesting modern, collaborative environments.

Office Location(s): The role can be based in Amsterdam, Berlin, or Heerenveen, Netherlands, offering flexibility. The expectation is to be in the office twice a week.

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative office spaces designed to foster idea exchange and learning.

  • A regionally-distributed hybrid setup allows for a blend of remote work and in-office presence.

  • Opportunities for physical meetups for team huddles and cross-functional workshops, promoting team cohesion and direct collaboration.

  • Access to necessary design tools and potentially a well-defined design system.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are 40 hours per week, with flexibility built into the hybrid model. This allows operations professionals to manage their time effectively while ensuring in-office collaboration days are utilized for team interactions and strategic alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key feature, emphasizing flexibility while maintaining the importance of in-person collaboration. The choice of locations (Amsterdam, Berlin, Heerenveen) offers significant geographical flexibility within Europe. The mention of modern, collaborative workspaces suggests an environment conducive to design thinking and team synergy.

📄 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: Expect to present 2-3 key case studies from your portfolio, detailing your process, design decisions, and the impact of your work. Be prepared to discuss your role, challenges, and solutions in detail.

  • Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with potential peers (other designers, UX writers, service designers) and stakeholders (Product Managers, Engineers) to assess collaboration style, technical understanding, and cultural fit.

  • Design Challenge (Potential): A small design exercise or problem-solving task, potentially related to a specific Riverty product or user scenario, to evaluate your design thinking and practical skills.

  • Final Interview: A discussion with the Design Lead and potentially a senior leader to finalize the offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Strategically: Select case studies that best showcase your experience in consumer-facing products, end-to-end design processes, and collaboration. Highlight FinTech or complex service design if applicable.

  • Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, the solutions you designed, the rationale behind them, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

  • Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, prototypes, user flows, final designs) effectively. Ensure prototypes are interactive if possible and clearly demonstrate key user journeys.

  • Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present metrics or data that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., conversion rate improvements, task completion rates, user satisfaction scores).

  • Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, how you handled constraints, how you collaborated with teams, and how you approach user research and testing.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Familiarize yourself with Riverty's products and services. Understand their mission and target audience.

  • Practice articulating your design process concisely and clearly, focusing on user-centered methodologies.

  • Be ready to discuss your approach to problem-solving, user research, and iterative design within potential constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely to be thorough, with a strong emphasis on the candidate's portfolio and their ability to articulate their design process and impact. Preparing specific case studies that align with the job description's requirements (consumer focus, FinTech relevance, end-to-end process) will be crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Figma: Essential for wireframing, prototyping, high-fidelity design, and collaboration. Proficiency is a must.

  • User Research Tools: Experience with tools for conducting interviews, surveys, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, SurveyMonkey, Lookback).

  • Prototyping Tools: While Figma is primary, familiarity with other prototyping tools may be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with web/app analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) to understand user behavior and measure design impact.

  • Data Visualization Tools: Experience with tools that can help visualize performance metrics and user feedback.

CRM & Automation:

  • Project Management Tools: Proficiency with tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for managing design tasks and collaborating with development teams.

  • Design System Management: Experience working with or contributing to design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is explicitly mentioned as a required skill. The other tools listed are standard for a Senior UX Designer role in a tech-forward company, supporting research, collaboration, and performance tracking. Understanding how designs integrate with development workflows (Jira) is also key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Human-Centricity: A core value driving all design decisions to ensure services are empathetic and meet genuine user needs.

  • Data-Driven Insights: Leveraging data and research to inform design strategies and measure impact, ensuring objectivity and effectiveness.

  • Collaboration: Fostering strong partnerships across Product, Tech, and other departments to achieve shared goals and deliver cohesive experiences.

  • Innovation: Embracing advanced technology and new approaches to create sustainable and forward-thinking financial services.

  • Empathy: Understanding and connecting with users' financial situations and needs to build trust and provide relevant solutions.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-functional Integration: Designers work closely with Product Managers, Engineers, UX Writers, and Service Designers in agile, multidisciplinary teams.

  • Open Communication: Encouraging open dialogue, constructive feedback, and shared problem-solving to drive collective success.

  • Knowledge Sharing: A culture that supports sharing best practices, learning from each other, and contributing to a collective design knowledge base.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes a user-first approach, supported by data and collaborative teamwork. The values align with modern design principles and the specific demands of the FinTech industry, where trust and user understanding are paramount.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Effectively navigating and prioritizing competing demands from user experience requirements and business objectives within a FinTech context.

  • Designing for Complex Financial Services: Simplifying intricate financial processes and products into intuitive and accessible user experiences.

  • Adapting to a Hybrid Work Model: Maintaining strong team cohesion and design consistency across distributed teams and varying work locations.

  • Staying Ahead of FinTech Trends: Continuously evolving design approaches to align with rapid advancements in financial technology and user expectations.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Specialized Training: Access to courses and workshops on advanced UX methodologies, FinTech trends, and accessibility standards.

  • Mentorship Programs: Opportunities to be mentored by senior design leaders or to mentor junior designers, fostering leadership skills.

  • Industry Events: Potential to attend relevant design and FinTech conferences to stay abreast of industry best practices and network.

  • Cross-Product Experience: Gaining exposure to diverse product lines within Riverty and Bertelsmann, broadening skill sets and understanding of different user segments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for senior roles in dynamic industries like FinTech. They present opportunities for growth by requiring strategic thinking, complex problem-solving, and adaptability. The learning and development opportunities are geared towards enhancing both technical design skills and leadership capabilities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a complex consumer financial product you designed the user experience for. What were the main challenges, and how did you simplify it for users?" (Focus on user empathy, problem decomposition, and design solutions).

  • "How do you balance user needs with business objectives when designing a new feature? Provide an example from your experience." (Highlight your strategic thinking and negotiation skills).

  • "Walk us through your process for conducting user research and translating those insights into actionable design improvements." (Emphasize your research methodology and iterative process). Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What interests you about Riverty and the FinTech industry, specifically?" (Showcase your research into the company and industry).

  • "How do you foster a human-centric design culture within a team or organization?" (Connect to Riverty's stated values).

  • "Describe a time you had to advocate for a user-centered solution that was initially met with resistance. How did you approach it?" (Demonstrate your communication and influence skills). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure: For each case study, clearly outline the problem statement, your specific role and responsibilities, the research and design process, key design decisions with rationale, and the outcomes or impact achieved.

  • Visuals: Use high-quality visuals (wireframes, prototypes, user flows, final UI) to illustrate your process and solutions. Ensure prototypes are functional and demonstrate key user journeys.

  • Storytelling: Weave a narrative that highlights your problem-solving approach, critical thinking, and collaborative efforts. Focus on the "why" behind your design choices.

  • Metrics: Be prepared to discuss any quantifiable results or metrics that demonstrate the success of your designs. If direct metrics aren't available, discuss how you would measure success.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong grasp of user-centered design principles, practical application of UX methodologies, and the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly. Tailoring responses and portfolio examples to Riverty's context (FinTech, consumer focus, hybrid environment) will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the official application link provided.

  • Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature 2-3 relevant case studies that highlight your experience with consumer-facing products, end-to-end design processes, and preferably FinTech or complex service design. Ensure clear articulation of problem, process, solution, and impact.

  • Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your years of experience, proficiency in Figma, user research capabilities, cross-functional collaboration skills, and any experience in financial services or related industries. Use keywords from the job description.

  • Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on storytelling and clear communication of your design rationale and impact. Prepare to answer behavioral and situational questions related to UX strategy, collaboration, and problem-solving.

  • Company Research: Thoroughly research Riverty, Bertelsmann, and the current FinTech landscape. Understand their mission, values, and recent product developments 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.

Application Requirements

Candidates should have extensive experience in product design, proficiency in Figma, and a strong background in user research and interaction design. Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams are essential for this role.