Senior UX Designer (m/w/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer (m/w/d)

Company: netzstrategen Jobs

Location: Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Job Type: Festanstellung (Full-time/Part-time negotiable from 32 hours)

Category: UX Design / Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-06-18

Experience Level: Senior (5+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (Anchored in Karlsruhe, with remote flexibility)

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the development and scaling of the UX design discipline by defining methodologies, standards, and patterns.

• Lead UX discovery and research initiatives to identify and address genuine user problems, translating insights into robust solutions.

• Execute comprehensive UX work, encompassing user research, personas, user journeys, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing, within client projects and internal development.

• Collaborate closely with UI/Visual Design to ensure a cohesive and high-quality user experience from concept to implementation, including Design QA.

• Integrate AI tools and methodologies into the UX process to enhance research synthesis, pattern recognition, and iteration speed.

• Actively share knowledge through internal sessions, mentoring, and fostering a culture of continuous learning within the design community.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior individual contributor with significant ownership in building out a design capability. The emphasis on "Aufbauarbeit" (building work) and "Discipline-Grundlagen schaffen" (creating discipline foundations) indicates a strategic, foundational role rather than purely project execution. The integration of AI and a structured, yet flexible, work environment are key differentiators.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Establish and Scale UX Capability: Develop and document UX methodologies, standards, patterns, and templates to ensure reliable and scalable discovery, research, and conception processes at netzstrategen.

• Conduct End-to-End UX Design: Perform qualitative and quantitative user research, create personas and user journeys, develop wireframes and prototypes, and conduct usability tests for both client-facing projects with a strong discovery component and internal initiatives.

• Collaborate on Visual & Interface Design: Work in close partnership with the UI and Joy-of-Use discipline lead to translate UX concepts into compelling UI ideas, evolve visual identities, and ensure design quality through post-implementation QA.

• Manage UX/UI Handoffs: Define and maintain clear interface standards and handover processes between UX and UI, ensuring a unified design language and efficient collaboration.

• Integrate AI in Design Processes: Proactively explore and implement AI tools and techniques for research synthesis, pattern identification, and accelerating design iteration cycles, demonstrating a commitment to modern, AI-driven operations.

• Knowledge Sharing and Mentorship: Lead and participate in knowledge-sharing sessions (e.g., Lunch Topics, Best Practice sessions), mentor junior designers from other disciplines who incorporate UX elements, and contribute to a strong internal design community.

• Contribute to Digital Strategy: Embed UX principles within broader digital strategies, ensuring user-centricity is a core component of client engagements and internal product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on strategic discipline building and hands-on execution. The emphasis on "Aufbauarbeit" and "Discipline-Grundlagen schaffen" suggests that candidates will be expected to contribute to defining how UX is done at netzstrategen, not just execute existing processes. The explicit mention of AI integration points to a forward-thinking approach to design operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Successfully completed university degree in a relevant field such as Interaction Design, Communication Design, Media Informatics, or a comparable qualification. Experience:

• Typically 5+ years of professional experience as a UX Designer, UX Researcher, or Product Designer with a strong UX focus.

• Proven experience in building and scaling design disciplines, establishing methods, standards, and patterns. Required Skills:

• Deep expertise in User Research (qualitative and quantitative methods) and UX Discovery (stakeholder workshops, persona development, user journey mapping, Jobs-to-be-Done).

• Proficient in Wireframing, Prototyping (Lo-Fi and Hi-Fi), and Usability Testing methodologies.

• Solid understanding of Visual Design and Interface Design principles, with the ability to evolve brand identities and translate concepts into UI.

• Routine proficiency in Figma (or comparable tools); experience with FigJam, Miro/Mural is expected.

• Experience in managing the handoff to UI and Development teams, including specifications, component thinking, and clear communication.

• Strong command of current UI/UX methods, best practices, and design trends.

• Excellent German and English language proficiency (written and spoken).

• Pragmatic, analytical, and structured thinking approach.

• Collaborative, communicative, and process-oriented working style.

• High levels of empathy, creativity, flexibility, and curiosity.

• Demonstrated ability for constructive dissent and challenging arguments based on merit.

• Strong structuring and documentation skills, making methods accessible to others.

• Enthusiasm for digital technologies, particularly advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Design Systems and token-based component work.

• Experience in B2B or consulting environments, ideally with digital platforms, e-commerce, or operations software.

• Experience in Workshop Facilitation for diverse stakeholder groups.

• Initial experience with AI tools in the design process (e.g., Claude.ai, Figma Make).

• Familiarity with Google Suite and Asana.

• Foundational knowledge in Digital Strategy, understanding how UX integrates into broader strategic initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of foundational UX craft, strategic thinking for discipline development, and a forward-looking embrace of AI. The preference for B2B/consulting experience and specific tools like Figma Make suggests a focus on practical, business-oriented design applications.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate Discipline Building: Showcase instances where you have contributed to establishing or formalizing design processes, methodologies, or standards within a team or organization. This could include creating templates, defining workflows, or developing best practice guides.

• Exhibit End-to-End UX Process: Provide detailed case studies that clearly illustrate your involvement from initial UX discovery and research through to wireframing, prototyping, usability testing, and final UI/development handoff.

• Highlight AI Integration: If possible, include examples where you have leveraged AI tools to enhance research synthesis, ideation, or iteration within your design projects.

• Showcase Collaboration and Impact: Present projects that demonstrate effective collaboration with UI designers, developers, and stakeholders, clearly articulating the impact of your UX contributions on project outcomes and business objectives.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Be prepared to discuss how you document and optimize UX workflows, ensuring clarity, efficiency, and scalability. This includes your approach to mapping out processes from discovery to delivery.

• Implementation & Automation: Discuss experience with implementing documented processes and any methods or tools you've used to automate repetitive tasks within the UX lifecycle.

• Measurement & Analysis: Explain how you measure the effectiveness of UX processes and the impact of your work, including the types of metrics you track and how you use data to inform process improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on building a UX discipline, the portfolio should not only showcase design artifacts but also the candidate's ability to structure, document, and improve design processes. Demonstrating experience with AI in design is a specific advantage.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on industry benchmarks for Senior UX Designers in Germany, with 5+ years of experience, and considering the hybrid work model and specific responsibilities for discipline building, an estimated annual gross salary range would be €65,000 - €85,000. This range is subject to variation based on the candidate's specific skills, experience level, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Clear Role Definition & Expectations: Receive clarity on your team, discipline contribution, and career level expectations from day one.

• Skill Matrix & Career Path: Access to a skill matrix outlining expected competencies for your level and pathways for advancement to the next stage, supported by learning time and mentoring.

• Protected Learning Time: A minimum of two dedicated days per quarter for learning and experimentation, actively protected by a coordinator.

• Structured Feedback System: Regular feedback through ad-hoc check-ins, bi-weekly team showcases, bi-weekly coordinator 1:1s, and an annual review, with a clear separation of coaching and evaluation.

• Build a Discipline: Opportunity to take significant ownership in building and shaping the UX discipline, with potential for a lead add-on role after 12-18 months.

• Performance Bonus: Eligibility for a company-wide bonus if the return on sales exceeds 10%.

• Flexible Working Hours & Home Office: Embrace a flexible work schedule and home office options, integrating work seamlessly with personal life.

• Full-Time or Negotiable Part-Time: Offered as a full-time permanent position, with part-time options (minimum 32 hours/week) negotiable.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time employment is based on approximately 40 hours per week.

• Flexible working hours and home office options are integral to the company's approach, allowing for work-life integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on current market data for senior UX roles in Germany, factoring in the responsibilities of discipline building and the company's stated commitment to fair compensation. The benefits package is detailed and emphasizes professional development, work-life balance, and tangible rewards.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Services / Consulting (Digital Analytics, Business Planning, UX/Design, Development, Marketing, Training)

Company Size: The provided data does not specify exact employee count, but mentions offices in Karlsruhe, Cologne, and Barcelona, suggesting a medium-sized agency or consultancy. The emphasis on "building capabilities" implies a growth-oriented organization.

Founded: The founding date is not explicitly stated, but the company description suggests an established presence in the digital consulting space.

Team Structure:

• Cross-functional Disciplines: The UX Designer will join a team comprising Digital Analytics Strategians, Digital Tracking Strategians, Digital Business Consultants, Frontend and Full Stack Developers, and Project Managers.

• Collaborative Environment: The company fosters a collaborative culture where decisions are ideally made collectively, with regular meetings, team lunches, planning sessions, and annual company-wide workshops (physical and virtual).

• Focus on Value Contribution: The emphasis is on contributing value rather than meeting arbitrary time quotas, with clear expectations and a structured career progression.

Methodology:

• User-Centric Approach: A core tenet is making clients "actionable in the digital world" by considering all aspects of digital transformation, with UX playing a central role.

• Data-Informed Decisions: While the role is UX-focused, the mention of Digital Analytics and Tracking Strategians suggests a strong inclination towards data-informed decision-making.

• Agile & Iterative: The mention of AI integration for faster iteration and the structured feedback loops imply an agile and iterative approach to both project work and internal development.

• Honesty and Integrity: These are highlighted as core values, influencing recommendations and client relationships.

Company Website: https://www.netzstrategen.com/ (Derived from domain_derived)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company operates as a digital consultancy with a broad spectrum of services. The culture appears to be collaborative, growth-oriented, and values honesty and practical expertise. The UX role is positioned to be integral to client success and internal capability development.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior UX Designer. This level implies a significant degree of autonomy, expertise, and the capacity to influence and shape design practices. It is a pivotal role for establishing and maturing the UX discipline within the organization.

Reporting Structure:

• The role reports into a lead or coordinator responsible for the design discipline.

• Close collaboration is expected with Michael, who leads UI and Joy-of-Use, creating a complementary dynamic within the design function.

• Interaction with other strategians (Analytics, Tracking, Business Consulting) and developers will be frequent. Operations Impact:

• Client Project Success: Directly contribute to the success of client projects by ensuring user-centric solutions that meet business objectives and user needs.

• Discipline Maturation: Play a critical role in defining and establishing best practices, standards, and scalable processes for UX design at netzstrategen, impacting the quality and efficiency of all future design work.

• Innovation Adoption: Drive the adoption of modern tools and methodologies, such as AI in UX, positioning the company as forward-thinking and competitive.

• Internal Knowledge Building: Enhance the overall design maturity of the company through knowledge sharing and mentoring.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in UX: Potential to evolve into a Lead UX Designer or Head of UX role as the discipline grows, taking on more strategic oversight and team management responsibilities.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like AI-driven design, advanced research methodologies, or design system architecture.

• Cross-Disciplinary Expertise: Develop a broader understanding of digital strategy, analytics, and development through close collaboration, potentially transitioning into roles like Product Owner or Digital Strategist.

• Consulting Acumen: Enhance consulting skills through client-facing work, stakeholder management, and strategic recommendation development.

📝 Enhancement Note: This is a key strategic role for a senior professional looking to make a significant impact beyond individual project contributions. The growth path is clearly defined towards leadership within the design discipline and broader strategic influence.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model with a primary anchor in Karlsruhe. This suggests a blend of in-office collaboration and remote flexibility. The company values in-person interaction for key activities.

Office Location(s):

• Karlsruhe: The primary office location, serving as the anchor for this role.

• Other offices in Cologne and Barcelona suggest a broader organizational footprint. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The Karlsruhe office likely serves as a hub for in-person workshops, team showcase events, and discipline-specific sessions, fostering a strong sense of community and shared learning.

• Modern Tools and Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools like Figma, FigJam, and potentially AI-powered design assistants.

• Interdisciplinary Interaction: Opportunities to collaborate closely with a diverse group of digital experts, including strategists, developers, and project managers, promoting a holistic understanding of digital product development.

Work Schedule:

• Flexible working hours are a core part of the company's DNA, allowing employees to integrate their work effectively with their personal lives.

• Full-time employment is standard (approx. 40 hours/week), but part-time arrangements (minimum 32 hours/week) are negotiable.

• Presence in the office is expected for specific events like workshops, discipline sessions, and team showcases, balancing flexibility with the need for in-person collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is clearly defined, emphasizing the importance of physical presence for key collaborative and developmental activities, while offering substantial flexibility for remote work. This structure aims to balance the benefits of both in-office and remote work.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Application review, likely focusing on CV and portfolio relevance to the Senior UX Designer role and the emphasis on discipline building.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, with a strong focus on case studies demonstrating UX discovery, research, problem-solving, and ideally, contributions to process improvement or discipline development. Expect questions about AI integration and collaboration.

• Skills & Methodology Deep Dive: Interviews will probe deeper into specific UX methodologies, experience with required tools (Figma, etc.), and your approach to user research, prototyping, and testing.

• Cultural Fit & Team Interaction: Conversations will assess alignment with netzstrategen's values (honesty, collaboration, pragmatism) and your ability to work effectively within a cross-functional team and contribute to knowledge sharing.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership or the hiring manager to discuss strategic alignment, long-term vision, and final fit for the role and company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact and Process: Go beyond showcasing final designs. Detail the problem, your process, the rationale behind your decisions, the tools used, and the measurable outcomes or impact of your work.

• Highlight Discipline Building: If you have experience in establishing UX standards, creating templates, or formalizing processes, make this a central theme in your portfolio presentation.

• Showcase AI Integration: Clearly articulate any instances where you've used AI tools to improve efficiency or effectiveness in your UX workflow.

• Demonstrate Collaboration: Provide examples of how you've worked with UI designers, developers, and stakeholders, detailing your communication strategies and how you navigated handoffs.

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies as compelling narratives that highlight your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking.

Challenge Preparation:

• Process Design Challenge: You might be asked to outline a process for a specific UX challenge (e.g., researching a new feature, improving an existing workflow) or critique an existing process. Focus on structure, efficiency, and user-centricity.

• Problem-Solving Scenario: Be prepared for scenarios where you need to diagnose a UX problem based on limited information and propose a structured approach to investigate and solve it.

• AI in UX Discussion: Expect questions about how you see AI impacting UX design, how you would integrate it, and the potential benefits and risks.

• Stakeholder Communication: Practice articulating complex UX concepts and advocating for user needs to non-design stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to thoroughly assess both technical UX skills and strategic capabilities, particularly concerning the building of a design discipline and the integration of modern technologies like AI.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Core tool for wireframing, prototyping, and UI design. Expect advanced proficiency.

• FigJam: Expected for collaborative whiteboarding, brainstorming, and ideation sessions.

• Miro/Mural: Highly valued for collaborative workshops, journey mapping, and affinity diagramming.

• User Research & Testing Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Maze, Lookback, or similar for usability testing and data collection is preferred.

• AI Design Tools: Exposure to or experience with tools like Claude.ai for content generation/synthesis or Figma Make (or similar AI plugins) for design assistance is a significant plus.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Google Suite: General familiarity expected for document creation and collaboration.

• Digital Analytics & Tracking Tools: While not the primary focus, understanding how UX integrates with tools used by Digital Analytics Strategians (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) is beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• Asana: Preferred tool for project management and task tracking.

• Design Handoff Tools: Experience with tools or processes that streamline the handover of designs to development teams, ensuring component consistency and clear specifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack emphasizes modern design collaboration tools and a forward-looking approach to AI integration. Proficiency in Figma is paramount, with a strong preference for collaborative platforms and emerging AI design assistants.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Actionable Handlungsfähigkeit: Empowering clients and colleagues to act effectively in the digital world, driven by practical expertise.

• Honesty and Integrity: A foundational value influencing all recommendations and interactions, fostering trust internally and externally.

• Collaboration and Community: Strong emphasis on teamwork, collective decision-making, and valuing the "community" aspect of working together.

• Data-Driven Pragmatism: While UX-focused, there's an underlying appreciation for data and a pragmatic approach to problem-solving, avoiding dogma.

• Continuous Improvement & Learning: A culture that supports building new capabilities, learning new tools (like AI), and fostering professional growth.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with strategists, developers, and project managers is key, breaking down silos to achieve holistic digital solutions.

• Constructive Dialogue: Encouragement of "konstruktiver Widerspruch" – challenging ideas and arguments based on merit rather than personal relationships.

• Knowledge Sharing: Active participation in sharing knowledge through internal sessions, workshops, and mentoring, fostering a learning environment.

• Process-Oriented: A focus on defining and refining processes to ensure efficiency, scalability, and consistent quality in design work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is described as professional, honest, and highly collaborative, with a clear emphasis on delivering tangible value and fostering continuous improvement. The "konstruktiver Widerspruch" value is critical for a role that involves building and challenging existing norms.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Building a Discipline from the Ground Up: Establishing UX as a mature, scalable capability within a growing consultancy requires defining processes, standards, and advocating for UX best practices across diverse client projects and internal teams.

• Integrating AI Seamlessly: Effectively identifying, adopting, and integrating AI tools into the UX workflow in a way that genuinely enhances efficiency and quality, rather than just being a novelty.

• Balancing Client Demands with Internal Development: Managing client project needs while dedicating time and resources to building internal UX capabilities and knowledge.

• Navigating Cross-Functional Dynamics: Ensuring effective collaboration and communication with diverse disciplines (Analytics, Development, Strategy) who may have different priorities or perspectives.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• UX Leadership Development: Clear pathways and support for growing into leadership roles within the UX discipline, including potential for team lead or strategic oversight.

• AI & Emerging Technology Exploration: Dedicated time and resources to explore and experiment with cutting-edge AI tools and their application in UX design.

• Cross-Disciplinary Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to deepen understanding of Digital Strategy, Analytics, and Development through close collaboration and project involvement.

• Consulting Skills: Developing advanced skills in client management, stakeholder communication, and strategic advisory through hands-on project experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents significant challenges related to organizational development and innovation adoption, which are directly linked to substantial growth opportunities for ambitious professionals.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Discipline Building Approach: "Describe your approach to establishing or scaling a UX design discipline within a consulting or agency environment. What key methodologies, standards, and patterns would you prioritize?"

• AI Integration Strategy: "How would you strategically integrate AI tools into our UX process to enhance research synthesis, ideation, and iteration? What are the potential benefits and risks?"

• Balancing Project Work and Foundational Development: "How do you manage the demands of client project delivery while dedicating time and effort to building internal capabilities and best practices?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• Understanding netzstrategen's Values: "How do you see your approach to UX design aligning with netzstrategen's values of honesty, integrity, and collaboration?"

• Cross-functional Collaboration: "Describe a time you had to collaborate with non-design stakeholders (e.g., developers, strategists, analysts) to achieve a user-centric outcome. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?"

• Measuring UX Impact: "How do you measure the success and impact of your UX work, both on client projects and on the overall development of the design discipline?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with a concise overview of your experience and then dive into 2-3 detailed case studies. For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process (discovery, research, design, testing), the solutions you implemented, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Emphasize Process and Rationale: Focus on why you made certain decisions, the research that informed them, and how you documented your work. Showcase your ability to structure and communicate complex information.

• Highlight AI and Discipline Building: Explicitly call out any contributions to process improvement, standard creation, or the use of AI tools within your case studies.

• Engage and Interact: Be prepared for in-depth questions about your work. Treat the presentation as a collaborative discussion rather than a one-way lecture.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on articulating strategic thinking, process ownership, and practical application of modern UX principles, particularly concerning the unique aspects of this role like discipline building and AI integration.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on the Personio platform.

• Curate your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most impactful UX projects that best demonstrate your experience in discovery, research, problem-solving, and ideally, your contributions to establishing design processes or integrating new technologies like AI. Ensure your portfolio clearly articulates your process, rationale, and outcomes.

• Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your CV to highlight your 5+ years of experience, specific UX/Product Design expertise, proficiency in key tools (Figma, etc.), and any experience related to building design capabilities or working in consulting/B2B environments. Use keywords from the job description naturally.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your chosen portfolio case studies, focusing on clear storytelling, demonstrating your strategic thinking, and being ready to answer in-depth questions about your process, decisions, and impact. Rehearse how you would discuss AI integration and your approach to building a UX discipline.

• Research netzstrategen: Familiarize yourself with their services, client work (if publicly available), and company values. Understand their positioning as a digital consultancy and how the UX role contributes to their overall mission.

⚠️ 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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