Senior UX Designer, Creative

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer, Creative

Company: Publicis Groupe Holdings B.V (Digitas)

Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa (On-site)

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Technology / Marketing / Consulting

Date Posted: 2026-06-24

Experience Level: 5-10 Years (Senior)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead UX strategy and design for integrated digital products, services, and commerce ecosystems for leading global brands.

• Translate user research insights, data, and business requirements into intuitive and inclusive user journeys, flows, sitemaps, and wireframes.

• Develop interactive prototypes for concept validation and iterative design, collaborating closely with UI/Visual Designers to ensure clarity and craft.

• Apply modern design thinking and innovation practices, including prompt-based interaction and generative AI tools, to shape new solutions and drive user-centric experiences.

• Advocate for the user by embedding UX best practices, accessibility standards, and brand guidelines throughout the project lifecycle, from ideation to execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within Digitas, a "Networked Experience Agency" under Publicis Groupe. The emphasis on "Creative Commerce" and "Networked Experiences" suggests a focus on integrated digital solutions that span e-commerce, marketing, and brand engagement, requiring a UX designer adept at navigating complex customer journeys across multiple touchpoints. The mention of "Unicorns" points to a culture that values unique skill combinations and a proactive, collaborative approach.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design intuitive, meaningful, and inclusive digital experiences across websites, apps, products, and complex commerce ecosystems, ensuring a seamless user journey.

• Conduct user-centered research activities, including user interviews, usability testing, heuristic evaluations, and persona development, to uncover critical insights.

• Translate research findings, data analytics, and business requirements into actionable UX deliverables such as user journeys, flows, sitemaps, and detailed wireframes.

• Develop interactive prototypes for concept validation, iterative design refinement, and stakeholder presentations, utilizing modern design tools.

• Collaborate closely with UI/Visual Designers to translate wireframes and UX concepts into high-fidelity designs that embody clarity, craft, and brand consistency.

• Partner with cross-capability teams, including Strategy, Creative Directors, Data Analysts, Technologists, Media Planners, and Project Managers, to solve complex design challenges.

• Present UX strategies, design rationale, and actionable recommendations clearly and confidently to internal teams and external clients, fostering buy-in and alignment.

• Ensure all UX deliverables adhere to accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG), brand guidelines, and established experience principles to promote inclusivity and consistency.

• Support early-stage project phases by contributing to experience strategy, concept development, and workshop facilitation to define project direction.

• Apply modern design thinking methodologies and innovation practices to explore and shape novel solutions for client challenges.

• Participate actively in workshops (both remote and in-person) to co-create solutions with clients and multidisciplinary partners, fostering a collaborative design environment.

• Act as a user advocate throughout the project lifecycle, embedding UX best practices and championing user needs in decision-making processes.

• Lead UX project initiatives within the "Unicorn Lab" framework, demonstrating leadership in UX methodologies and problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a senior-level role requiring not just execution but also strategic leadership in UX. The emphasis on "spearheading UX strategy," "integrated projects," and "ever-improving service across multiple clients" indicates a need for proactive ownership and a client-facing capability. The inclusion of "commerce ecosystems" and "prompt-based interaction" suggests a modern, forward-thinking approach to digital product design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, HCI, Psychology, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior UX Designer role, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 3-6+ years in UX or product design, preferably within an agency, consultancy, or digital product environment.

Required Skills:

• A strong portfolio demonstrating robust UX thinking, problem-solving capabilities, a well-defined design process, and high-quality craft.

• Proficient in user-centered research methodologies, including user interviews, usability testing, heuristic evaluations, and persona development.

• Skilled in creating essential UX documentation: user journeys, flows, sitemaps, and detailed wireframes.

• Expertise in developing interactive prototypes for concept validation and iterative design processes.

• Solid understanding of interaction design principles, user behavior models, and web/mobile accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG).

• Ability to articulate design rationale clearly and confidently to diverse audiences, including peers and clients.

• Proficiency in modern design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, FigJam, Miro, Axure, or Adobe XD.

• Experience working effectively within cross-functional teams and contributing to multi-discipline collaboration.

• A balanced approach, combining analytical rigor with creative problem-solving, comfortable with both data-driven insights and ambiguous challenges.

• Excellent time management, organizational skills, and the ability to adapt quickly in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with prompt-based interaction and commonly used generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Google Gemini, DALL-E, Midjourney) for ideation, research, or content generation.

• Experience with supporting or leading experience strategy and concepting during early project phases.

• An understanding of e-commerce platforms and best practices for digital commerce experiences.

• Experience participating in and facilitating design thinking workshops with clients and internal teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required experience range (3-6+ years) aligns with a senior-level position, implying a need for demonstrated leadership and independent problem-solving. The explicit mention of a portfolio and specific design tools (Figma, Sketch, etc.) are critical requirements for assessment. The "preferred" mention of generative AI tools signals a forward-looking approach to design technology integration.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrations of a well-defined UX process, from research and ideation through to wireframing, prototyping, and user testing.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem statement, user needs, design solutions, and the impact of those solutions, ideally with quantifiable results.

• Evidence of strong problem-solving skills applied to complex digital products, services, or commerce ecosystems.

• Examples of intuitive and inclusive interface designs, showcasing attention to detail and craft.

• Documentation showcasing user journey mapping, flow diagrams, and detailed wireframes.

• Examples of interactive prototypes created for concept validation or usability testing. Process Documentation:

• Showcase understanding of user-centered design processes, including research synthesis and translation into design artifacts.

• Illustrate experience with iterative design cycles, including how feedback (user testing, stakeholder input) was incorporated.

• Provide examples of how accessibility standards and brand guidelines were integrated into the design process.

• Demonstrate collaboration with UI/Visual Designers and other cross-functional team members within the project lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It must go beyond simply showing final designs to illustrating the thinking and process behind them. Emphasis should be placed on demonstrating how the candidate translates user needs and business goals into effective, user-centered solutions, particularly within digital product and commerce contexts.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Senior UX Designer in Johannesburg, South Africa, with 3-6+ years of experience, the estimated annual salary range is ZAR 600,000 - ZAR 900,000. This estimate considers the cost of living in Johannesburg, the senior level of the role, and the specific industry (advertising/marketing agency).

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund contributions.

• Generous annual leave and paid time off.

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

• Access to cutting-edge design tools and technology.

• Collaborative and innovative work environment within a leading global agency network.

• Potential for international project involvement and exposure within the Publicis Groupe network.

• Performance-based bonuses and potential for career advancement.

Working Hours: The role specifies a FULL_TIME employment type, which typically translates to approximately 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, there may be flexibility offered based on project needs and team agreements, though core hours will likely be expected for team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on research from South African job boards and salary aggregators for UX Designer roles with 5-10 years of experience in major metropolitan areas like Johannesburg. Benefits are standard for large, international corporations and are tailored to attract and retain talent in the creative and technology sectors.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Advertising & Marketing Services (Publicis Groupe operates as a global leader in this sector). Digitas, as the "Networked Experience Agency," focuses on data, technology, creative, media, and strategy to deliver integrated digital solutions.

Company Size: Publicis Groupe is a very large global organization, employing over 5,500 individuals across more than 65 offices worldwide. Digitas itself is a significant network within this structure. This size offers stability, resources, and broad career opportunities.

Founded: Publicis Groupe was founded in 1926, bringing nearly a century of experience and evolution in advertising and communications. Digitas was founded in 1999, focusing on digital marketing and experience.

Team Structure:

• The UX Design team likely operates within the broader Creative or Digital Experience departments at Digitas.

• It will consist of a mix of UX specialists, UI Designers, and potentially UX Researchers, reporting to a Creative Director or Head of Experience Design.

• Close collaboration is expected with Strategy, Data, Technology, Media, and Project Management teams to deliver end-to-end solutions for clients. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making and user-centric approaches are core.

• Agile methodologies are likely employed for project management and iterative design.

• Emphasis on "Networked Experiences" suggests a focus on integrated, cross-channel customer journeys.

• Design thinking and innovation practices are actively encouraged.

Company Website: www.publicisgroupe.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context emphasizes a large, established global entity with a strong digital focus through Digitas. The "Networked Experience Agency" model suggests a highly integrated, cross-functional approach to client work, requiring strong collaboration skills from all team members, including UX designers.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior UX Designer role, indicating a level of expertise and autonomy beyond junior or mid-level positions. It requires the ability to lead UX initiatives, mentor junior designers, and influence project strategy and client engagement. The scope includes shaping digital products, services, and experiences across various client projects.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Designer will likely report to a Creative Director, Head of UX/Design, or a similar leadership role within the Digitas creative or experience design department. They will work closely with project teams and client stakeholders.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's impact is critical in ensuring that digital products and services are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly usable, intuitive, and effective in meeting user needs and business objectives. This directly influences client satisfaction, brand perception, conversion rates, and overall business success for the brands Digitas serves.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to lead UX workstreams, mentor junior designers, and potentially manage small teams or specific client accounts.

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in areas like commerce design, service design, UX research, or accessibility.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gain exposure to strategy, creative development, data analytics, and media planning through integrated project work.

• Global Mobility: Potential to work on international projects or explore opportunities within the broader Publicis Groupe network.

• Innovation Labs: Participation in initiatives like the "Unicorn Lab" to explore new technologies and methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title suggests expectations of leadership, strategic contribution, and client-facing presence. The growth opportunities are framed around expanding influence, expertise, and career trajectory within a large global organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is listed as "On-site," indicating a physical office presence is required. This suggests a traditional agency environment that values in-person collaboration, brainstorming, and team synergy.

Office Location(s): The primary listed location is Johannesburg, South Africa, specifically at Building 1, Silver Stream Office Park, 10 Muswell Rd, Johannesburg, 2194. This is likely a modern office park setting conducive to creative work.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely foster a collaborative environment, with open-plan areas for team interaction and dedicated spaces for focused work.

• Access to standard office amenities, meeting rooms, and potentially specialized creative studios or workshop spaces.

• The environment is expected to be dynamic and fast-paced, typical of a leading advertising agency.

• Opportunities for informal collaboration with colleagues from various disciplines (strategy, creative, tech, data) will be readily available.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time office hours are expected, approximately 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, the fast-paced agency environment may occasionally require flexibility to meet project deadlines or client needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" requirement emphasizes the value placed on in-person collaboration and team dynamics within the agency setting. The Johannesburg location places it within a major economic hub in South Africa.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio by a recruiter or hiring manager to assess qualifications and fit.

• Portfolio Presentation & Interview: A session where you present selected case studies from your portfolio, explaining your process, rationale, and impact. This will be followed by questions about your experience, design philosophy, and problem-solving approach.

• Cross-Functional Interview: An interview with team members from Strategy, Creative, or Technology to assess collaboration skills and ability to work within multidisciplinary teams.

• Hiring Manager/Director Interview: A final discussion to evaluate leadership potential, cultural fit, and alignment with the agency's vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 strong case studies that best represent your skills in UX strategy, research, wireframing, prototyping, and problem-solving, ideally with a focus on digital products or commerce.

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the business problem, user needs, your role and process, design decisions, challenges faced, and the quantifiable outcomes or learnings.

• Showcase Process: Go beyond final screens; include sketches, user flows, wireframes, research insights, and prototypes to demonstrate your thinking.

• Highlight Collaboration: Mention how you worked with UI designers, strategists, developers, and clients.

• Demonstrate Craft & Impact: Ensure your work is presented professionally, and if possible, show how your designs led to measurable improvements (e.g., increased conversion, reduced errors, improved user satisfaction).

• Tailor to Digitas: Briefly research Digitas's work and values to frame your case studies in a way that resonates with their "Networked Experience Agency" approach.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for scenario-based questions asking how you would approach a specific design problem or challenge.

• Practice articulating your design rationale clearly and concisely, as you will need to present your thinking to internal teams and clients.

• Think about how you would integrate generative AI tools into your workflow for ideation, research, or content generation, if applicable to the role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily rely on the portfolio to assess practical skills. Candidates should prepare to "walk through" their projects, demonstrating not just the final output but the strategic thinking and iterative process involved.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, FigJam, Axure, Adobe XD (Proficiency in at least one is essential, familiarity with multiple is a plus).

• Collaboration & Whiteboarding: Miro, FigJam (for workshops, ideation, and journey mapping).

• User Research & Testing: Tools like UserTesting.com, Maze, or in-house research platforms may be utilized, though the primary focus is on research methodology.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a direct responsibility, an understanding of how UX impacts analytics (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) and how data informs design decisions is beneficial.

• Familiarity with A/B testing concepts and how UX design can be leveraged for optimization. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant for UX design, but awareness of how UX integrates with marketing automation platforms and CRM systems might be beneficial in understanding the broader ecosystem. Emerging Technologies:

• Familiarity with prompt-based interaction and generative AI tools (ChatGPT, Google Gemini, DALL-E, Midjourney) is a plus, indicating an interest in cutting-edge design practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools is a must. The mention of generative AI tools highlights a forward-thinking approach to UX design technology.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the end-user in all design decisions.

• Collaboration: A belief in the power of teamwork, valuing input from diverse disciplines to create holistic solutions.

• Innovation & Curiosity: A drive to explore new ideas, technologies (like generative AI), and methodologies to push creative boundaries.

• Craftsmanship & Quality: A dedication to producing high-quality, polished, and effective design work that meets brand and user standards.

• Inclusivity & Accessibility: A commitment to designing experiences that are usable and accessible to everyone, regardless of ability or background.

• Data-Informed: Using data and research insights to guide design choices and measure impact.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, working closely with strategists, creatives, technologists, and data teams.

• Open to constructive feedback and iterative design processes.

• Comfortable facilitating and participating in workshops for co-creation and problem-solving.

• Emphasis on clear communication and transparent sharing of design thinking and rationale.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes a blend of creative excellence, user advocacy, and collaborative problem-solving, typical of a leading digital agency. The "Networked Experience Agency" model inherently requires strong cross-functional collaboration.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Navigating competing demands from users, clients, and business objectives to find optimal design solutions.

• Complexity of Commerce Ecosystems: Designing seamless user journeys across multiple touchpoints in increasingly complex digital commerce environments.

• Rapid Technological Evolution: Staying abreast of emerging technologies like AI and incorporating them effectively and ethically into design practice.

• Client Stakeholder Management: Effectively communicating UX value and rationale to clients who may have varying levels of design understanding.

• Fast-Paced Agency Environment: Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously while maintaining high-quality output.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX/UI Training: Access to internal and external training programs to hone specialized skills.

• Exposure to Diverse Industries: Working with a portfolio of global brands across various sectors.

• Mentorship Programs: Opportunities to be mentored by senior leaders or to mentor junior team members.

• Innovation Initiatives: Participation in "Unicorn Lab" or other innovation efforts to explore new tools and concepts.

• Industry Conferences & Events: Support for attending relevant UX, design, and digital marketing conferences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a senior role in a dynamic agency environment, emphasizing the need for strong problem-solving, communication, and adaptability. Growth opportunities are geared towards professional development and expanding influence.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex digital product or service you've designed. What was the core problem, your approach, and the outcome?" (Focus on process, user needs, and business impact).

• "How do you balance user needs with business requirements and technical constraints in your design process?" (Demonstrate strategic thinking and negotiation skills).

• "How would you approach designing a new feature for an e-commerce platform to increase conversion rates?" (Showcase understanding of commerce UX and data-informed design).

• "Discuss a time you used user research to significantly influence a design decision. What was the insight and how did you apply it?" (Highlight research methodology and impact). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Digitas and its 'Networked Experience Agency' model?" (Research their approach and articulate your fit).

• "How do you stay updated on the latest UX trends and technologies, including generative AI?" (Show your proactive learning and curiosity).

• "Describe your ideal collaborative environment. How do you work with cross-functional teams like strategy, tech, and creative?" (Emphasize teamwork and communication). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• "Choose 2-3 projects from your portfolio that best showcase your senior-level capabilities. Be ready to present the full lifecycle from problem to solution."

• "For each project, clearly articulate your specific role, the strategic thinking behind your design decisions, and any measurable impact or learnings."

• "Prepare to discuss how you incorporated user research, accessibility, and business goals into your designs."

• "Be ready to answer questions about your process, tools, and how you handle feedback and iteration."

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, a robust process, and the ability to articulate design rationale clearly. The portfolio presentation is key, so practice walking through case studies effectively.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Publicis Groupe careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects that best demonstrate your experience in digital product design, commerce ecosystems, and user-centered research. Emphasize case studies showing strategic thinking and measurable impact.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 3-6+ years of relevant UX experience, highlighting key skills such as UX strategy, wireframing, prototyping, user research, and proficiency in tools like Figma. Use action verbs and quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on your process, rationale, and the outcomes. Prepare to discuss your approach to collaboration, problem-solving, and how you integrate user needs with business objectives.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Digitas's work, their "Networked Experience Agency" philosophy, and Publicis Groupe's broader mission. Understand their approach to creative commerce and innovation.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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