Senior UX/UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX/UI Designer

Company: Exoticca

Location: Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Experience (UX) / User Interface (UI) Design

Date Posted: July 28, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (4+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and develop user-centered experiences for both internal operational platforms and customer-facing web products, focusing on improving complex workflows and productivity.

• Conduct in-depth user research and usability testing within operational environments to identify pain points and inform design decisions for system usability and efficiency.

• Create comprehensive design assets, including wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups in Figma, ensuring scalability and consistency across all touchpoints.

• Optimize interfaces for clarity, speed, and accessibility (WCAG standards), with a particular emphasis on enhancing the usability of complex systems and dashboards.

• Collaborate closely with product managers, engineers, and business stakeholders, leveraging design systems to ensure seamless implementation and a high-quality user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is strategically positioned at the intersection of UX/UI design and operational efficiency. The emphasis on "internal platforms and customer-facing web products," with a "strong focus on tools used by operational and business teams," indicates a significant need for a designer who can translate complex business processes and data into intuitive, scalable, and high-impact user interfaces. The core objective is to enhance productivity and system usability for internal users, directly supporting the company's operational backbone.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Partner with Product Managers, Engineers, and business stakeholders to gather requirements, define project scope, and translate complex operational needs into intuitive and effective user experiences that align with strategic business goals.

• User Research & Analysis: Conduct comprehensive user research within operational settings, including usability testing, user interviews, and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data (e.g., analytics, heatmaps, user feedback) to deeply understand user behaviors, pain points, and workflow inefficiencies.

• End-to-End Design Creation: Develop detailed wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity visual designs using Figma, ensuring designs are scalable, maintainable, and adhere to established design principles and brand guidelines.

• Usability & Accessibility Optimization: Proactively identify and implement improvements to enhance interface clarity, system speed, and overall user experience, with a specific focus on meeting and exceeding accessibility standards (WCAG) for all users, particularly within complex internal tools.

• Developer Collaboration & Design System Management: Work closely with development teams throughout the implementation phase, providing detailed design specifications, style guides, assets, and responsive support to ensure accurate and high-quality execution. Actively contribute to and utilize the company's Design System framework for managing UI components and ensuring design consistency.

• Data-Informed Iteration: Actively participate in A/B testing initiatives and leverage insights derived from both qualitative and quantitative data to iterate on designs, continuously optimizing the user experience and driving measurable improvements in operational efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on role requiring a blend of strategic thinking and tactical execution. The emphasis on "user research in operational environments" and "translating operational needs into intuitive and high-impact solutions" suggests the designer will be deeply involved in understanding and improving internal business processes through design. The requirement to "collaborate closely with developers" and "utilise the Design System framework" underscores the importance of technical understanding and adherence to established design standards for efficient implementation.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 4+ years of professional experience in UX/UI design, with a demonstrable track record of designing and delivering successful user experiences for both internal tools and customer-facing web platforms, including complex systems and dashboards.

Required Skills:

• UX/UI Design Expertise: Comprehensive understanding of user-centered design principles, interaction design, information architecture, and visual design.

• Figma Proficiency: Advanced skills in Figma for wireframing, prototyping, high-fidelity design, and design system management.

• Design Systems: Proven experience in creating, maintaining, and utilizing design systems to ensure consistency, scalability, and efficient collaboration with development teams.

• User Research Methodologies: Expertise in conducting various forms of user research, including usability testing, user interviews, persona development, and journey mapping.

• Data Analysis & Interpretation: Ability to analyze qualitative and quantitative data (e.g., analytics, heatmaps, user feedback) to derive actionable insights and inform design decisions.

• Accessibility Standards: Strong knowledge of WCAG guidelines and experience designing accessible interfaces.

• Collaboration with Developers: Familiarity with front-end technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and experience working closely with developers to ensure seamless design implementation.

• Agile Development: Proven experience working within agile development methodologies, demonstrating adaptability and the ability to iterate quickly in fast-paced environments.

Preferred Skills:

• Dashboard Design: Specific experience designing effective and user-friendly dashboards for operational or business intelligence purposes.

• Complex System Design: Experience designing interfaces for intricate operational systems, enterprise software, or workflow management tools.

• A/B Testing Experience: Practical experience in designing and analyzing A/B tests to optimize user flows and interface elements.

• Visual Design & Branding: Strong visual design skills with an understanding of branding principles.

• Prototyping Tools: Experience with other prototyping or animation tools beyond Figma.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "4+ years of experience...with experience designing both internal tools and customer-facing web platforms, including dashboards and complex systems" is a critical filter. The emphasis on a "strong portfolio demonstrating experience designing complex workflows, data-heavy interfaces, or operational systems" means candidates must showcase their ability to solve intricate design challenges within a business or operational context, not just consumer-facing applications. Proficiency in Figma and Design Systems is non-negotiable, reflecting industry standards for efficient and scalable design processes.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Complex Workflow Case Studies: Showcase at least 2-3 detailed case studies illustrating your process for designing solutions to complex operational workflows or data-heavy interfaces. Clearly articulate the problem, your design approach, the tools used, and the impact of your solution.

• Design System Contributions: Include examples of how you have contributed to or utilized a design system, demonstrating your understanding of component-based design, style guides, and ensuring design consistency across multiple platforms or products.

• User Research Integration: Provide evidence of how user research (usability testing, interviews, data analysis) directly informed your design decisions and led to measurable improvements in user experience or operational efficiency.

• Figma Project Examples: Showcase projects where Figma was the primary tool, demonstrating your proficiency in wireframing, prototyping, high-fidelity design, and collaboration features within the tool.

• Accessibility Focus: Highlight any projects where accessibility (WCAG standards) was a key consideration, explaining the specific challenges and solutions implemented.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Demonstrate your ability to map out existing operational workflows, identify bottlenecks, and design streamlined, user-friendly alternatives using design thinking principles.

• System Implementation & Collaboration: Document your process for working with development teams, including how you provide design specifications, assets, and feedback to ensure accurate implementation of your designs within complex systems.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Explain how you define success metrics for your designs and how you use data (analytics, A/B testing) to measure performance and iterate on designs for continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX/UI Designer role, especially one focused on operational systems, the portfolio is paramount. Candidates must demonstrate not just aesthetic skill but a deep understanding of process, problem-solving within complex environments, and the ability to translate technical requirements into user-friendly interfaces. The emphasis on "complex workflows, data-heavy interfaces, or operational systems" means portfolios should lean towards B2B or internal tool design, showcasing impact on efficiency and productivity rather than just user engagement metrics.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Senior UX/UI Designer with 4+ years of experience in Barcelona, Spain, and considering the hybrid work model and specific responsibilities, the estimated salary range is €45,000 - €65,000 annually.

Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation: Salary package commensurate with responsibilities and experience.

• Flexible Compensation Management: Utilize Cobee for flexible management of diet, transportation, and private health insurance benefits.

• Private Health Insurance: Comprehensive private health insurance coverage.

• Hybrid Work Model: Blend of remote flexibility and in-office collaboration at their Barcelona offices.

• Permanent Contract: Offered from the commencement of employment.

• Travel Packages: Access to discounted travel packages, aligning with Exoticca's core business.

• Referral Bonus: Reward for bringing talented individuals into the team.

• Employee Perks: Unlimited coffee, regular team lunches, English lessons, and bi-annual company parties.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered through the hybrid work model. Specific daily hours may vary but should align with team collaboration needs and agile sprint cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is estimated based on average compensation for Senior UX/UI Designers in Barcelona, Spain, factoring in the company's industry (travel/e-commerce) and the role's specific focus on operational tools. The benefits package, particularly the flexible compensation management via Cobee, is a significant perk for employees in Spain. The hybrid model implies a need for self-discipline and effective time management for remote work, balanced with in-office collaboration.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Online Travel Agency (OTA) / E-commerce. Exoticca operates in the rapidly evolving digital travel sector, focusing on curating and selling long-distance, experience-driven trips. This industry demands innovation, agility, and a strong customer-centric approach, with an increasing focus on operational efficiency to manage complex logistics.

Company Size: Exoticca is in a phase of rapid international growth, suggesting a dynamic, mid-sized company environment. This often means opportunities for impact and influence, but also requires adaptability and a willingness to contribute across various initiatives.

Founded: Founded in 2013, Exoticca has established a significant presence in the long-distance travel market. This history indicates a company that has successfully navigated market challenges and scaled its operations, now looking to further optimize its digital platforms and internal systems.

Team Structure:

• Cross-functional Operations: The UX/UI Designer will work within a product and engineering team, collaborating closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and various business stakeholders, including operational and management teams.

• Agile Environment: The team operates within an agile development framework, implying iterative work cycles, regular stand-ups, and a focus on continuous improvement and rapid adaptation.

• Multicultural Team: Exoticca prides itself on being a multicultural team, fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. This means communication and collaboration will involve individuals from various backgrounds.

Methodology:

• User-Centric Design: A core methodology emphasizing understanding and addressing user needs through research, testing, and iterative design.

• Data-Informed Decision Making: Designs are validated and refined based on qualitative and quantitative data, including user feedback, analytics, and A/B testing results.

• Agile Development Practices: Iterative design and development cycles, prioritizing flexibility, rapid feedback loops, and continuous delivery.

• Design System Utilization: A commitment to building and leveraging a design system for consistency, efficiency, and scalability in design and development.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Exoticca's positioning as a "pioneering online travel agency" that "revolutionized the conception, production, and e-commerce of long-distance dream trips" highlights a company culture focused on innovation and unique customer experiences. The emphasis on "creating life milestones" suggests a mission-driven organization. For a UX/UI Designer, this translates to opportunities to design impactful solutions for both customers seeking dream vacations and the internal teams that make these experiences possible. The rapid growth suggests a fast-paced, potentially less hierarchical environment than a very large corporation.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior UX/UI Designer role, indicating a mid-to-senior level position requiring significant autonomy and expertise. The responsibilities suggest a focus on solving complex problems within operational systems, contributing to strategic improvements in efficiency and user experience for internal teams.

Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a Head of Product, Design Lead, or a similar senior role within the product and engineering department. Close collaboration with Product Managers and Engineering leads is expected.

Operations Impact: The role is critical in streamlining internal operations and enhancing the usability of tools used by business teams. By improving workflows and system efficiency through design, this role directly impacts productivity, reduces operational costs, and contributes to the overall scalability and effectiveness of Exoticca's business operations.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: As a senior member, there's potential to grow into a lead UX/UI designer role, mentoring junior designers and taking on more significant strategic design initiatives.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in designing complex operational systems, dashboards, and enterprise-level UX, becoming a go-to specialist within the company.

• Product Strategy Influence: Contributing to product strategy by identifying user needs and proposing innovative design solutions that align with business objectives and drive operational excellence.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Experience gained in optimizing internal tools can lead to opportunities in product management or business process improvement roles.

• Industry Exposure: Working within the fast-paced travel tech industry offers exposure to cutting-edge UX practices and e-commerce trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies a need for a candidate who can operate independently, mentor others, and contribute strategically. The focus on "internal platforms and customer-facing web products" with an emphasis on "complex systems" and "operational needs" suggests that growth opportunities might involve taking ownership of key internal tools or contributing to the evolution of the customer-facing e-commerce platform from a strategic UX perspective. The company's rapid growth implies that new leadership opportunities may emerge.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Exoticca has offices in Barcelona city, indicating a professional, urban workspace. The hybrid work model suggests a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility.

Office Location(s): Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. This location offers a vibrant city environment with good public transportation links, making it accessible for employees commuting to the office.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office serves as a hub for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and collaborative work, particularly for design and development teams who benefit from face-to-face interaction.

• Technology & Tools: Employees will have access to the necessary technology and software, including Figma and other design/collaboration tools, to perform their duties effectively.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid model allows for regular interaction with colleagues, fostering team cohesion and facilitating quick problem-solving sessions, while remote days offer focused work time.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, with a hybrid arrangement. This typically involves 2-3 days per week in the Barcelona office and the remaining days working remotely. This structure aims to balance the benefits of in-person collaboration with the flexibility and focus of remote work, accommodating the need for dedicated design and analysis time.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model in Barcelona is a key aspect of the work environment. Candidates should be comfortable with this arrangement, understanding the need to be present in the office for specific collaborative activities while also managing their time effectively for focused work at home. The emphasis on "offices in Barcelona city" suggests a well-integrated urban workspace.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager to delve deeper into your experience, design philosophy, and suitability for the role and team. Portfolio walkthrough is highly likely.

• Design Challenge/Case Study: A practical exercise, potentially involving a design problem related to operational tools or customer journeys, to assess your problem-solving skills, design process, and proficiency in Figma. This may be presented to a panel.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with cross-functional team members (Product Managers, Engineers) to evaluate collaboration skills, communication style, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: Potentially a discussion with a senior leader to confirm alignment and finalize the offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio to clearly articulate the problem, your role, your design process, the solutions you developed, and the measurable impact or outcomes.

• Focus on Operational Context: For this role, highlight projects that involved designing for complex systems, internal tools, dashboards, or workflows. Emphasize how your designs improved efficiency, usability, or productivity.

• Showcase Figma Proficiency: Ensure your case studies demonstrate advanced Figma skills, including prototyping, component usage, and collaboration features.

• Detail Your Process: Clearly explain your research methodologies, how you translated user needs into design solutions, and how you collaborated with stakeholders and developers.

• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., reduction in task completion time, increased user satisfaction, improved adoption rates).

• Design System Examples: If applicable, showcase your experience with design systems.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, thoroughly understand the business context and operational goals it aims to address.

• Emphasize Process: Focus on demonstrating your thought process, problem-solving approach, and how you would make design decisions. It's not just about the final UI.

• Time Management: Practice working within time constraints, prioritizing tasks, and delivering a coherent solution.

• Presentation Skills: Prepare to clearly articulate your approach, design rationale, and potential solutions to a panel.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's portfolio, especially for projects involving internal tools or complex operational systems. Candidates should prepare to walk through their case studies methodically, explaining their design decisions, research backing, and the impact of their work. The design challenge will likely test their ability to apply UX principles to real-world operational problems.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The primary tool for wireframing, prototyping, high-fidelity design, and design system management. Advanced proficiency is expected.

• Design Systems: Experience with creating, maintaining, and utilizing design system frameworks for component management and design consistency.

• User Research Platforms: Familiarity with tools for conducting usability testing, user interviews, and surveys (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, SurveyMonkey).

• Analytics & Data Visualization Tools: Experience with tools like Google Analytics, Hotjar, or similar platforms for understanding user behavior and performance metrics.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Google Analytics: For tracking website traffic, user behavior, and conversion rates on customer-facing platforms.

• Heatmap & Session Recording Tools: (e.g., Hotjar, Crazy Egg) for visualizing user interaction and identifying usability issues.

• Data Analysis Tools: Proficiency in interpreting data from various sources to inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems (e.g., Salesforce): Familiarity with how CRM data is structured and used by operational teams is beneficial for designing related interfaces.

• Workflow Automation Tools: Awareness of how systems automate processes can inform the design of more efficient interfaces.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and Design Systems as key requirements means candidates must be proficient in these tools. Familiarity with analytics and user research platforms is also crucial for a data-informed design approach. While not explicitly listed as required, understanding how CRM and automation tools function within a business context would be advantageous for designing effective operational interfaces.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user, whether internal or external, ensuring their needs are at the forefront of design decisions.

• Efficiency & Scalability: A drive to create designs that not only solve immediate problems but also scale with the company's growth and optimize operational workflows for maximum efficiency.

• Collaboration & Communication: Valuing open communication, constructive feedback, and strong partnerships across design, product, engineering, and business teams.

• Data-Driven Innovation: Utilizing data and insights to inform design choices, validate hypotheses, and drive continuous improvement and innovation.

• Attention to Detail: A meticulous approach to design, ensuring high quality, consistency, and adherence to accessibility and usability standards.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Proactive engagement with Product Managers and Engineers to ensure design solutions are technically feasible, strategically aligned, and meet business objectives.

• Iterative Feedback Loops: Embracing an agile approach where designs are regularly reviewed, feedback is actively sought and incorporated, and iterations are made quickly.

• Shared Ownership: Fostering a sense of shared responsibility for product success, where designers, developers, and product managers work together towards common goals.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of design best practices, user insights, and learnings across the team and wider organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's emphasis on "creating life milestones" and "delivering best-value trips" likely translates into a culture that values user experience, quality, and customer satisfaction. For the operations-focused UX/UI role, this means prioritizing user efficiency and effectiveness for internal teams, ensuring they can deliver those "life milestones" seamlessly. The multicultural aspect of the team suggests a need for strong cross-cultural communication skills and an inclusive mindset.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Complexity: Translating intricate operational processes, potentially involving legacy systems or highly specialized workflows, into intuitive and user-friendly interfaces.

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Juggling the diverse requirements and priorities of various business departments (operations, sales, marketing, finance) while maintaining a user-centered design approach.

• Driving Adoption of New Designs: Encouraging internal teams to adopt new tools and workflows, overcoming resistance to change through effective design and communication.

• Measuring Impact in Operational Settings: Defining and quantifying the success of design interventions in terms of operational efficiency, productivity, and cost savings, which can be more nuanced than traditional UX metrics.

• Keeping Pace with Growth: Ensuring design solutions remain scalable and relevant as Exoticca continues its rapid international expansion.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepening Operational UX Expertise: Gaining specialized knowledge in designing for enterprise-level internal tools and complex business systems within the travel tech sector.

• Mentorship and Leadership: Opportunities to mentor junior designers and potentially take on leadership roles within the design team as the company grows.

• Continuous Learning: Access to industry best practices, workshops, and potentially conferences related to UX/UI design, product development, and the travel industry.

• Cross-functional Understanding: Developing a strong understanding of various business functions within an e-commerce and travel company, enhancing strategic design capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be navigating the complexity of operational systems and translating them into user-friendly designs. Candidates must be adept at understanding business processes and stakeholder needs. Growth opportunities are tied to the company's expansion, offering a chance to ascend in design leadership or specialize in a critical area of the business.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you designed a complex internal tool or operational system. What was the problem, your approach, and the outcome?" (Focus on process, collaboration, and impact.)

• "How do you balance the needs of various stakeholders (e.g., operations, product, engineering) when designing a new feature or system?" (Highlight communication, negotiation, and prioritization skills.)

• "Walk us through a user research project you conducted for an operational workflow. What insights did you gain, and how did they influence your design?" (Emphasize research methodology and data-driven decision-making.)

• "How do you approach ensuring accessibility (WCAG) in your designs, especially within complex systems?" (Demonstrate knowledge of standards and practical application.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Exoticca and our mission to 'create life milestones'?" (Research the company's values and recent news.)

• "How do you see your role contributing to the efficiency and success of our operational teams?" (Connect your skills to their specific needs for internal tools.)

• "Describe your experience working in a multicultural and agile environment." (Highlight adaptability, communication, and teamwork.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with the "Why": For each case study, clearly articulate the business problem or user need you addressed.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, prototypes, final designs) to illustrate your process and solutions.

• Explain Your Rationale: Be prepared to justify your design decisions, referencing user research, usability principles, and business goals.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present metrics that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved efficiency, reduced errors, increased user satisfaction).

• Highlight Figma & Design Systems: Point out specific instances where your proficiency in Figma and adherence to design systems led to better outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a deep understanding of UX principles applied to operational contexts. Candidates should be ready to articulate their design process, showcase their problem-solving skills with concrete examples from their portfolio, and highlight their ability to collaborate effectively within a fast-paced, multicultural team.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX/UI Designer position:

• Submit your comprehensive application through the provided link on Workable.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to specifically highlight experience with internal tools, complex workflows, data-heavy interfaces, and design systems. Showcase projects that demonstrate your impact on operational efficiency and user productivity.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 4+ years of experience, proficiency in Figma, and expertise in user research and design systems. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Walkthrough: Be ready to present 2-3 key portfolio pieces during interviews, focusing on your process, problem-solving, and the measurable impact of your designs, especially those relevant to operational systems.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Exoticca's mission, target market, and recent developments to articulate your interest and how your skills align with their business goals and company culture.

⚠️ 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.