Senior UX/UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX/UI Designer

Company: VML/WPP Enterprise Solutions

Location: Lisbon, Portugal / Porto, Portugal

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: 2026-08-18T08:29:40

Experience Level: 5-10 Years (Mid to Senior Level)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive end-to-end user experience and user interface design for a leading automotive client, focusing on digital products and services.

• Bridge the gap between UX strategy, interaction design, and high-fidelity UI execution with a strong emphasis on user-centricity.

• Collaborate within a dynamic, cross-functional "flex team" to deliver exceptional digital experiences across various automotive touchpoints.

• Leverage advanced Figma proficiency and mastery of complex design systems to ensure consistency, scalability, and high-quality outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically a Senior UX/UI Product Designer position, with an emphasis on UI (70%) over UX (30%). The "flex team" embedded with the automotive client suggests an agile, project-based work environment. The "Enterprise Solutions" in the company name indicates a focus on large-scale client implementations and transformations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptualization, design, and execution of user-centered digital products and services for a major automotive client.

• Translate complex user needs, business requirements, and technical constraints into intuitive and engaging user journeys and interaction models.

• Develop high-fidelity visual designs, micro-interactions, and component behaviors for a range of platforms including in-car infotainment systems, companion mobile apps, customer portals, and online retail experiences.

• Champion best practices in responsive and adaptive design, ensuring seamless user experiences across diverse devices and screen sizes.

• Actively participate in user research, usability testing, and data analysis to inform design decisions and iterate on solutions.

• Collaborate closely with product managers, engineers, brand specialists, and other stakeholders to define product direction and align on design strategies.

• Contribute to and leverage complex, tokenized design systems, ensuring adherence to established patterns, variants, and properties for brand consistency.

• Create compelling design artifacts, including interactive prototypes, presentations, and visual assets, to effectively communicate design rationale and drive stakeholder alignment.

• Adapt design approaches to work across multiple brands or sub-brands within the automotive group, maintaining quality and adherence to specific brand guidelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic UX thinking and detailed UI execution, with a clear emphasis on the latter (70% UI). The role requires significant stakeholder management and the ability to influence product direction, suggesting a senior-level individual contributor with leadership potential.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Graphic Design, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a related field is typically expected for a Senior UX/UI Designer role. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: 5-10 years of progressive experience in UX/UI Product Design, with a strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end design capabilities.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design principles and methodologies.

• Advanced proficiency in Figma for creating scalable, well-structured design files and collaborative workflows.

• Deep understanding and practical experience with complex, tokenized design systems, including component architecture, variants, and properties.

• Strong capability in designing responsive and adaptive interfaces for web, mobile applications, and in-car systems.

• Demonstrated ability to lead design thinking and problem-framing for complex, ambiguous challenges within the automotive sector.

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence and align senior cross-functional teams.

• Experience in creating high-quality interactive prototypes and compelling design presentations.

• Ability to translate user research and data insights into actionable design decisions.

• Experience working with multiple brands and adapting design approaches to specific brand guidelines. Preferred Skills:

• Specific experience within the automotive industry, understanding its unique design maturity and stakeholder expectations.

• Familiarity with AI's impact on growth systems and digital transformation within enterprise contexts.

• Experience with connected services, vehicle configuration tools, or in-car infotainment systems.

• Knowledge of agile development methodologies and experience working in project-based or retained client-embedded teams.

• Experience with other design and prototyping tools beyond Figma.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "Automotive Sector Acumen (ideally)" and experience with "tokenised design systems" are critical differentiators. The emphasis on Figma fluency and the 70% UI / 30% UX split indicates a need for a designer who can not only conceptualize but also execute visually stunning and highly functional interfaces.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 5-10 projects demonstrating end-to-end product design expertise, from discovery to high-fidelity execution.

• Highlight specific projects within or analogous to the automotive industry, demonstrating understanding of complex user journeys and digital ecosystems.

• Include detailed case studies that articulate the problem, your design process, your specific role, the challenges faced, and the measurable impact of your solutions.

• Demonstrate proficiency in Figma, including well-structured files, component libraries, and interactive prototyping capabilities.

• Present examples of working with or contributing to design systems, showcasing understanding of scalability, consistency, and component architecture.

• Clearly illustrate your ability to translate user research and data into design decisions with demonstrable outcomes. Process Documentation:

• For each case study, clearly outline the design process followed, including phases such as research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and user testing.

• Detail how you collaborated with cross-functional teams (product managers, engineers, researchers, stakeholders) throughout the design lifecycle.

• Explain how you managed feedback, iterated on designs, and navigated complex requirements or evolving project scopes.

• Document your approach to ensuring design consistency and scalability, particularly in relation to design systems and brand guidelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is crucial for this role, serving as direct evidence of the candidate's ability to handle complex projects, manage stakeholder expectations, and deliver high-quality UI/UX outputs. Emphasis should be placed on projects that demonstrate strategic thinking, problem-solving, and measurable results within enterprise environments.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior UX/UI Designer with 5-10 years of experience in Lisbon or Porto, Portugal, the estimated annual salary range is approximately €45,000 - €70,000. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior design roles in Western Europe, considering the specific skills required (Figma, design systems, automotive experience) and the hybrid work arrangement.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive training opportunities to enhance professional development.

• Medical insurance coverage.

• Dental insurance coverage.

• Meal cards for daily expenses.

• Regular social events to foster team cohesion.

• Family-friendly policies to support work-life balance.

• Discounts with hundreds of retailers.

• Opportunities to work with globally recognized brands and cutting-edge AI technologies.

Working Hours: A standard 40-hour work week is expected, with a hybrid arrangement allowing for flexibility between remote and in-office work. Specific in-office days may be determined by client needs and team collaboration requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on general market data for Portugal and senior-level design roles. Actual compensation will vary based on experience, specific skills, client demands, and negotiation. The benefits package is strong, indicating a commitment to employee well-being and professional growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: WPP Enterprise Solutions operates within the broad sectors of Marketing & Advertising Technology, Consulting, and Digital Transformation. They specialize in building growth systems powered by AI and data, working with best-in-class technology partners to modernize client businesses. The specific client is in the automotive sector, a dynamic industry undergoing significant digital evolution.

Company Size: VML/WPP Enterprise Solutions is part of WPP, a global leader in marketing communications. WPP employs over 12,000 experts globally across 40+ markets, indicating a large, established, and well-resourced organization. This size offers stability and access to extensive resources, while the "flex team" model suggests a more agile, client-embedded operational structure.

Founded: WPP was founded in 1982. VML was founded in 1992 and merged with Wunderman in 2020 to form Wunderman Thompson, which then merged with VMLY&R in 2024 to form VML, part of WPP. This history signifies deep experience and a legacy of innovation in the creative and digital services industry.

Team Structure:

• The role is part of a "dynamic, flexible team, embedded directly with a leading automotive client," suggesting a dedicated project team structure.

• This team likely comprises various disciplines such as product management, UX/UI design, engineering, and potentially client-side representatives.

• The Senior UX/UI Designer will report to a design lead or program manager within the client-embedded team, with a matrixed reporting line back to VML/WPP Enterprise Solutions for professional development and operational alignment.

• Cross-functional collaboration is core to this role, requiring close partnership with product, engineering, and client stakeholders. Methodology:

• WPP Enterprise Solutions focuses on designing, building, and operating "growth systems" leveraging AI, data, and partnerships with leading technology providers (Adobe, AWS, Salesforce, etc.).

• The approach emphasizes business transformation and marketing modernization, connecting strategy directly to execution.

• Agile and flexible delivery models are implied by the "flex team" structure, suggesting iterative development and rapid prototyping.

• Design thinking, user-centricity, and data-driven decision-making are foundational to their methodology.

Company Website: https://www.vml.com/ (as VML is the primary brand supporting Enterprise Solutions)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on AI-driven growth systems and its partnership ecosystem are key differentiators. The embedded client team structure means the culture will be a blend of WPP's values and the specific client's operational environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior UX/UI Product Designer, indicating a mid-to-senior level of experience. It requires a high degree of autonomy, strategic thinking, and the ability to lead design efforts within complex projects. The "70% UI / 30% UX" split suggests a specialist role with a strong emphasis on visual and interaction design execution.

Reporting Structure: The designer will be embedded within a client-focused "flex team," likely reporting to a Design Lead or Program Manager within that team. There will also be a professional reporting line back to VML/WPP Enterprise Solutions for career development, performance reviews, and adherence to company standards. This dual reporting structure is common in client-embedded consulting roles.

Operations Impact: The Senior UX/UI Designer will directly impact the client's digital transformation efforts by creating user experiences that enhance customer engagement, drive loyalty, and ultimately contribute to business growth within the automotive sector. Their work will shape how customers interact with the automotive brand across various digital touchpoints, influencing purchasing decisions, post-sale service, and brand perception.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in automotive UX/UI, advanced Figma techniques, and complex design system management.

• Leadership Development: Transition into Design Lead roles, mentoring junior designers, and taking ownership of larger project streams.

• Client Relationship Management: Develop strong client-facing skills, influencing strategy and building long-term partnerships.

• Cross-Industry Exposure: With VML/WPP, there's potential to work on projects for other high-profile clients in different sectors, broadening experience.

• Technical Acumen: Grow understanding of AI integration, platform engineering, and how design interfaces with advanced technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for this role likely involves increasing responsibility for project leadership, client strategy, and potentially managing design teams. The hybrid nature of the role and the client-embedded structure offer unique exposure to real-world enterprise challenges and solutions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as "Hybrid," indicating a blend of remote work and in-office presence. The specific arrangement will likely involve working from a VML/WPP office in Lisbon or Porto, as well as potentially working from the client's premises or remotely from home.

Office Location(s): Lisbon, Portugal and Porto, Portugal. Candidates should be willing to work from one of these locations, with the understanding that some client-facing activities might require presence at the client's facilities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The "flex team" model emphasizes close collaboration with product managers, engineers, and other designers, both in person and remotely. Expect regular team meetings, design critiques, and brainstorming sessions.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools (primarily Figma), collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Teams), and project management software will be provided. The environment will support efficient workflows for design system integration and developer handoffs.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with the embedded client team, as well as with the broader VML/WPP Enterprise Solutions community, fostering knowledge sharing and professional networking.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is typical, with flexibility often afforded within hybrid arrangements. However, given the client-embedded nature and the demands of enterprise projects, occasional flexibility to meet project deadlines or client needs may be required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model in Portugal offers a good work-life balance. Candidates should be prepared for a collaborative environment that demands strong communication and teamwork, whether in person or virtually.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and portfolios, assessing alignment with the core requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation & UX/UI Deep Dive: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, walking through 1-2 key projects that best demonstrate their end-to-end design process, Figma proficiency, design system experience, and automotive acumen. This stage will involve in-depth questions about design rationale, problem-solving, and collaboration.

• Stakeholder/Team Interview: An interview with potential team members or client stakeholders to assess cultural fit, communication skills, ability to influence, and strategic thinking. This might include scenario-based questions or a design challenge.

• Final Interview: A discussion with a senior leader to finalize the decision, focusing on strategic impact, career aspirations, and overall fit with VML/WPP Enterprise Solutions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best highlight your 70% UI / 30% UX strengths, design system expertise, and any automotive or complex enterprise experience.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your unique contribution, the design process, key decisions, and quantifiable outcomes. Focus on the "why" behind your design choices.

• Showcase Figma Mastery: Ensure your Figma files are well-organized and demonstrate advanced capabilities, including component libraries and interactive prototypes.

• Highlight Design System Experience: Clearly explain your role in using, contributing to, or building design systems, emphasizing scalability and consistency.

• Demonstrate Stakeholder Engagement: Provide examples of how you managed feedback, presented to stakeholders, and influenced product direction.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a potential design challenge that may involve problem-framing, ideation, and UI execution within a given automotive context.

• Practice articulating your design process and rationale clearly and concisely, anticipating questions about trade-offs and alternative solutions.

• Research VML/WPP Enterprise Solutions' approach to growth systems, AI, and client transformation to align your thinking with their strategic focus.

• Understand the automotive industry's current digital landscape and key challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio presentation is a critical component. Candidates should prepare to articulate their design decisions with confidence, demonstrating a deep understanding of both user needs and business objectives. The emphasis on Figma and design systems means practical demonstration of these skills will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Advanced proficiency is a mandatory requirement for UI design, prototyping, and collaborative workflows. This includes deep knowledge of components, variants, auto layout, and design system integration.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma offers robust prototyping, familiarity with other tools like InVision, Adobe XD, or Principle might be beneficial for specific use cases.

• Design System Management Tools: Understanding of tools or methodologies used for managing and scaling design systems (e.g., Storybook, Zeroheight) is highly valuable.

Analytics & Reporting:

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

• Data Analysis Tools: Familiarity with interpreting data from analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to inform design decisions.

• Presentation Software: Proficiency in tools like PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Keynote for creating compelling design presentations.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM/Automation role, understanding how design integrates with customer journeys managed by CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms is advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the central tool for this role. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their expertise in Figma and their understanding of how design systems function within larger digital ecosystems. Awareness of how design impacts customer journeys managed by CRM and automation tools is a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Heart: Fostering empathy, trust, and genuine connections. This translates to user-centric design, understanding user needs deeply, and building collaborative relationships within the team and with the client.

• Brains: Valuing relentless curiosity and collaborative intelligence to solve complex challenges. This means approaching problems with analytical rigor, seeking innovative solutions, and leveraging collective knowledge to overcome design hurdles.

• Courage: Inspiring individuals to speak up, embrace experimentation, and advocate for bold solutions. This encourages designers to challenge briefs, propose innovative ideas, and push the boundaries of what's possible in automotive digital experiences.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The "flex team" model necessitates seamless collaboration with product managers, engineers, marketers, and client stakeholders. Open communication, active listening, and a willingness to compromise are key.

• Process Review & Feedback: A culture of constructive feedback and iterative design is expected, with regular design critiques and reviews to refine work and ensure alignment.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, design patterns, and learnings across projects and teams to foster continuous improvement and collective growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's core values (Heart, Brains, Courage) provide a framework for expected behaviors. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate empathy, intellectual curiosity, and the courage to innovate and advocate for strong design solutions within the automotive client's environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Automotive Sector Nuances: Navigating the specific design maturity, regulatory landscape, and complex user needs within the automotive industry. This includes understanding the interplay between physical vehicle interaction and digital interfaces.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Managing diverse stakeholder expectations and influencing design decisions within a large, potentially traditional, client organization.

• Balancing UX & UI: Effectively dedicating time and effort to both strategic UX thinking and detailed UI execution, as per the 70% UI / 30% UX split, without compromising quality in either area.

• Design System Evolution: Working with and contributing to complex, tokenized design systems that need to adapt to evolving brand needs and product requirements across multiple platforms.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Automotive Domain Expertise: Gaining in-depth knowledge of automotive UX/UI trends, in-car systems, connected services, and the customer lifecycle.

• Advanced Design System Mastery: Becoming an expert in building, scaling, and maintaining sophisticated design systems for enterprise-level applications.

• AI Integration in Design: Understanding how AI is shaping growth systems and digital experiences, and how to design for AI-driven features.

• Client-Side Leadership: Developing skills in client relationship management, strategic consulting, and leading design initiatives within a client's operational framework.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Opportunities to mentor junior designers and take on leadership roles within project teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges revolve around the complexity of the automotive sector and the demands of enterprise-level design. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering specialization in a high-demand field and pathways to leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to influence a senior stakeholder who disagreed with your design direction. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on communication, data, and persuasion skills.)

• "How do you approach problem-framing for complex, ambiguous challenges in a new domain, such as the automotive industry?" (Highlight your structured approach to discovery and definition.)

• "Walk us through a project where you managed the balance between rapid UI execution and deeper UX strategy. How did you ensure both were effective?" (Prepare to discuss the 70/30 split and your process.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do VML/WPP's values of Heart, Brains, and Courage resonate with your own work philosophy and approach to design?" (Connect your experiences to their stated values.)

• "What interests you most about working within an automotive client's embedded team, and how do you envision adapting to that environment?" (Showcase your understanding of client-embedded roles and your adaptability.)

• "How do you stay current with AI trends and their impact on user experience and growth systems?" (Demonstrate your curiosity and forward-thinking approach.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Prepare a narrative flow for each case study that clearly outlines the problem, your role, process, solutions, and outcomes. Use visuals effectively.

• Focus on "Why": Be ready to defend your design decisions with clear rationale, user insights, and business objectives.

• Demonstrate Figma Expertise: Be prepared to navigate your Figma files, showcasing organized layers, component usage, and interactive prototypes.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time, increased user satisfaction).

• Tailor to Automotive: If possible, draw parallels or specific examples from automotive design or related complex industries.

📝 Enhancement Note: Expect a rigorous interview process that deeply probes your design process, problem-solving abilities, and ability to collaborate effectively within a client-facing environment. The portfolio presentation is your primary tool for showcasing these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX/UI Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in UX/UI design, Figma proficiency, design systems, and any relevant automotive or enterprise project work. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, showcases your strongest relevant projects, and is easily navigable. Focus on case studies that demonstrate your end-to-end design process and impact.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough, focusing on clear communication, design rationale, and demonstrating your skills with Figma. Be ready to answer in-depth questions.

• Research the Company: Familiarize yourself with VML/WPP Enterprise Solutions' work, their approach to growth systems, and their partnership ecosystem. Understand the automotive industry's digital landscape.

⚠️ 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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