Senior UX/UI Designer (temporary)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX/UI Designer (Temporary)

Company: Nordea

Location: Helsinki, Finland

Job Type: Temporary, Full-Time

Category: Design Operations / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: October 6, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the stewardship, maintenance, and scaling of Nordea's official design system to ensure consistent digital experiences across all products.

• Serve as a key liaison between design and development teams, facilitating seamless integration of design components and tokens.

• Drive the adoption and best practices of Nordea's design language and visual identity throughout the organization.

• Execute end-to-end UX/UI design solutions for complex customer workflows, focusing on accessibility and user-centricity.

• Integrate and optimize AI tools within the design process to enhance efficiency and accelerate prototyping.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a temporary, 9-month position, specifically covering a maternity leave. While the core responsibilities align with a Senior UX/UI Designer focused on design systems, the temporary nature suggests a need for rapid integration and immediate impact. The emphasis on AI tool integration and community building points towards a forward-thinking design team looking to leverage modern technologies and foster collaboration.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design System Stewardship: Actively maintain, update, and evolve Nordea's comprehensive design system, ensuring its scalability and adherence to brand guidelines across all digital products. This includes managing component libraries, design tokens, and documentation.

• Cross-functional Collaboration & Integration: Serve as the primary point of contact between the design and development teams, translating design specifications into actionable development tasks and ensuring accurate implementation of design components.

• Design Advocacy and Education: Champion the design language, principles, and best practices of the design system across various teams and stakeholders within Nordea, conducting workshops and providing guidance.

• End-to-End Design Execution: Lead and execute high-quality interaction design, user experience (UX), and visual design solutions for complex digital workflows, from conceptualization to detailed mockups and prototypes.

• AI Tool Integration and Optimization: Proactively research, evaluate, and implement AI-powered design tools and automation techniques to streamline the design process, accelerate prototyping, and enhance overall team efficiency.

• Community Engagement and Mentoring: Foster a collaborative design community by actively participating in and potentially leading inner-source initiatives, workshops, and knowledge-sharing sessions, mentoring junior designers and developers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Community Liaison" and "Design Advocacy" responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on communication and influence. This role requires not just design expertise but also the ability to educate, evangelize, and build consensus across different technical and business units, a critical aspect of successful design system adoption. The mention of "inner-source design communities" suggests a mature approach to knowledge sharing and collaborative development within the organization.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical experience in UX/UI design and design systems is paramount. Relevant certifications in UX/UI design or related fields would be beneficial.

Experience: Minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in UX/UI design, with a significant focus on building, scaling, and maintaining comprehensive design systems. Demonstrated experience in leading design initiatives and collaborating with engineering teams.

Required Skills:

• Senior-Level Design Leadership: Proven track record of leading UX/UI design initiatives and managing complex, enterprise-level design systems.

• Core Design Craft: Deep expertise in interaction design, information architecture, user research, and high-fidelity visual design.

• Design System Management: Extensive experience in building, documenting, and scaling design systems, including component libraries and design tokens.

• Tool Proficiency: Advanced, daily working knowledge of modern design and prototyping tools such as Figma, and experience with component library management systems.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Demonstrated success in partnering effectively with developers to translate design specifications and components into functional code.

• Communication & Advocacy: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively present design concepts and advocate for design best practices.

Preferred Skills:

• AI Design Tool Integration: Hands-on experience using AI design assistants or automation tools to accelerate prototyping and design workflows.

• Front-end Development Understanding: Basic knowledge of HTML, CSS, and native mobile frameworks to facilitate better communication with engineering teams.

• Community Building & Facilitation: Experience in running inner-source design communities, organizing workshops, and fostering collaborative environments.

• Accessibility Standards: Familiarity with WCAG or other accessibility guidelines to ensure inclusive design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "senior-level experience" and "proven track record" indicates that candidates will be expected to demonstrate a history of significant contributions and leadership in design system development. The preference for AI tool experience and front-end understanding suggests the company is looking for a candidate who can bridge the gap between design, technology, and emerging AI capabilities.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design System Case Studies: Showcase detailed examples of design systems you have contributed to or managed, highlighting your role in their development, maintenance, and evolution. Include examples of component libraries, style guides, and governance models.

• Process Optimization Examples: Provide examples of how you have used design systems or AI tools to streamline design workflows, improve efficiency, and accelerate the delivery of digital products. Quantify improvements where possible (e.g., reduced design time, faster iteration cycles).

• Cross-functional Collaboration Demonstrations: Illustrate instances where you successfully collaborated with development teams to implement design system components, manage design tokens, and ensure code accuracy.

• High-Fidelity Design Work: Present a selection of your best UX/UI design work for complex digital products or features, demonstrating your skills in interaction design, visual design, and information architecture.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design and Optimization: Be prepared to discuss your process for designing and optimizing workflows, particularly in the context of design system implementation and AI tool integration.

• System Implementation Standards: Detail your approach to ensuring consistent implementation of design system elements by development teams, including best practices for handoff and documentation.

• Measurement and Performance Analysis: Explain how you measure the success and impact of design systems and AI-driven design initiatives, including key metrics and reporting strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, a strong portfolio is essential. It should not only showcase design craft but also demonstrate a deep understanding of design systems, process optimization, and cross-functional collaboration. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their contributions and the impact of their work with specific examples, ideally quantified, and highlight their experience with tools like Figma and any AI design tools.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a temporary role with a specific duration (9 months) and an unspecified salary, a competitive rate will be offered commensurate with senior-level UX/UI design experience in Helsinki. Based on industry benchmarks for Senior UX/UI Designers in Helsinki, Finland, with 5-10 years of experience, a typical hourly rate could range from €40 to €65, which translates to an annual equivalent of approximately €78,000 to €127,000. This estimate considers the cost of living in Helsinki and the demand for specialized design skills in the financial sector.

Benefits:

• Hybrid Working Model: Flexibility to work both remotely and from the Helsinki office, promoting work-life balance.

• Professional Development: Opportunities to learn and grow through access to internal training, workshops, and potentially industry conferences, focusing on design systems and AI in design.

• Inclusive Work Environment: Access to a diverse and inclusive workplace that values collaboration, learning, and personal growth.

• Contribution to a Leading Financial Institution: The chance to work on impactful projects for a major Nordic bank, gaining valuable experience in the financial technology sector.

• Networking Opportunities: Engaging with a large community of design and technology professionals within Nordea.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are likely around 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time role. Flexibility within the hybrid model is expected, allowing for some adaptation to personal needs and project demands, while ensuring core team collaboration hours are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on publicly available data for similar roles in Helsinki, Finland, and assumes a competitive rate for a senior, temporary position within a large financial institution. The benefits listed are derived from the job description's emphasis on culture, growth, and work-life balance. Given the temporary nature, benefits like long-term health insurance or retirement plans might differ from permanent roles, but core benefits like flexible working and professional development are highlighted.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Finance & Banking. Nordea operates as one of the largest financial services groups in the Nordic and Baltic regions, offering banking, wealth management, and insurance services. This context means a strong emphasis on security, compliance, customer trust, and innovation within a regulated environment.

Company Size: Nordea is a large, established financial institution. With a significant employee base across multiple countries, this implies a structured corporate environment with extensive resources, established processes, and a broad network of professionals.

Founded: Nordea has a history dating back over 200 years. This long heritage suggests a stable company with deep roots in the Nordic economies, a culture that values tradition alongside innovation, and a commitment to long-term relationships.

Team Structure:

• Team Testdreiv: This is the Design Language and Design System team, part of the Group Digital organization. It comprises about 10 members distributed across Helsinki, Copenhagen, and Gdynia.

• Reporting Structure: The team is part of the Customer Experience and Design community, indicating a hierarchical structure that values specialized design expertise within a broader digital transformation effort.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The team actively collaborates with various product development teams to ensure consistency and efficiency in digital service delivery. They act as a bridge between design and technology.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on using data to inform design decisions and measure the impact of design system implementations.

• Agile Development Principles: While not explicitly stated, the need for teams to "work faster and build smoother" suggests an agile or hybrid agile approach to development and design.

• Design System Governance: A structured approach to maintaining and scaling the design system, ensuring consistency and efficient component reuse.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's long history and position as a major financial institution mean that while innovation is encouraged (e.g., AI integration), it will be balanced with a strong focus on security, compliance, and stability. The "Team Testdreiv" operates as a central hub for design excellence, supporting multiple product teams, which requires strong communication and process management skills.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior UX/UI Designer. This level typically signifies a high degree of autonomy, expertise, and the ability to influence design strategy and execution. In the context of design systems, it means not just contributing components but actively shaping the system's direction, governance, and adoption across the organization.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX/UI Designer will report into the Design Language and Design System team (Team Testdreiv), which is part of the Group Digital organization. This structure places the role within a specialized design function, likely reporting to a Design Lead or Manager responsible for the overall design system strategy.

Operations Impact: The primary impact of this role is on efficiency, consistency, and scalability of digital product development. By maintaining and evolving the design system, the Senior UX/UI Designer enables product teams to build user interfaces faster, more consistently, and with higher quality, directly contributing to improved customer experience and reduced development costs. The integration of AI tools further amplifies this impact by accelerating design processes.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization in Design Systems: Deepen expertise in design system architecture, governance, and community management, potentially leading to a Design System Lead role.

• AI in Design Specialization: Develop advanced skills in leveraging AI tools for design optimization, prototyping, and workflow automation, becoming a subject matter expert in this emerging field.

• Cross-functional Leadership: Gain broader experience in stakeholder management and influencing product strategy across different business units within Nordea.

• Mentorship and Team Leadership: Opportunity to mentor junior designers and contribute to the growth of the design community within Nordea.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a temporary role, the "Senior" designation implies significant responsibility and the potential for ongoing engagement or future opportunities within Nordea if performance is strong. The growth opportunities focus on deepening expertise in critical areas like design systems and AI, making it a valuable stepping stone for career advancement in specialized design fields.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Nordea operates with a Hybrid working model, balancing the benefits of in-office collaboration with the flexibility of remote work. This suggests a modern office environment designed for collaboration, complemented by remote work capabilities.

Office Location(s): The role is based in Helsinki, Finland. Specific office details are not provided, but Nordea's main offices in Helsinki are typically well-equipped business facilities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office spaces are likely designed to facilitate teamwork, with meeting rooms, common areas, and potentially flexible workstations that encourage interaction among team members.

• Operations Tools and Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools (like Figma), collaboration platforms, and potentially specialized AI design software will be available. The team's focus on design systems implies robust digital infrastructure.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with the 10-member Team Testdreiv, which is distributed across Helsinki, Copenhagen, and Gdynia, will be facilitated through digital collaboration tools and scheduled in-office days.

Work Schedule: The hybrid model allows for flexibility. While core working hours will likely be established for team synchronization, individuals can typically manage their schedule to balance remote and in-office days, accommodating project needs and personal preferences. The emphasis on "moving forward" and "growth mindset" suggests a dynamic and supportive schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key aspect of the work environment. Candidates should be prepared to articulate how they thrive in such settings, demonstrating self-discipline for remote work and effective collaboration when in the office. The distributed nature of the team means strong digital communication skills are crucial.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess alignment with the required skills and experience, particularly in design systems and UX/UI craft.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: You will likely be asked to present a selection of your work, focusing on design system contributions, process optimization examples, and cross-functional collaboration. Be prepared to discuss your design decisions, methodologies, and the impact of your work.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: This may involve a design exercise or a discussion about specific tools (e.g., Figma capabilities, AI tool usage) and your approach to complex design challenges.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: An opportunity to meet with potential team members and discuss Nordea's values, collaboration style, and how you would contribute to Team Testdreiv.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A final discussion with the hiring manager (Adele Asuncion) to confirm overall fit and address any remaining questions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 strong case studies that best showcase your expertise in design systems, UX/UI design for complex workflows, and AI tool integration.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your design system contributions (e.g., adoption rates, efficiency gains, reduction in design debt).

• Showcase Process: Clearly articulate your design process, from problem definition to solution implementation, highlighting your role in each stage.

• Highlight Collaboration: Provide examples of how you've effectively partnered with developers and other stakeholders, demonstrating your ability to bridge design and technology.

• Demonstrate System Thinking: Emphasize your understanding of how individual components contribute to a larger, cohesive design system and overall product ecosystem.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design System Scenario: Be prepared for a scenario-based question or a brief exercise related to maintaining, updating, or scaling a design system.

• AI Tool Application: Think about how you would leverage AI tools to solve specific design challenges or improve workflows within the context of a design system.

• Cross-functional Problem-Solving: Practice articulating how you would address design-related conflicts or integration issues with development teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize your portfolio. Candidates should prepare to discuss their experience with design systems in detail, focusing on practical application, scalability, and collaboration with engineering. The emphasis on AI integration suggests interviewers will probe your understanding and practical use of these emerging technologies in a design context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: This is explicitly mentioned as a required daily working tool. Proficiency in Figma for UI design, prototyping, component creation, and collaboration is essential.

• Design System Management Tools: Experience with tools and methodologies for managing component libraries, design tokens, and style guides. This could include Figma's features or dedicated design system platforms.

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, familiarity with other prototyping tools that facilitate rapid iteration and user testing.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics Platforms: While not explicitly listed, experience with tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar platforms to understand user behavior and inform design decisions would be beneficial.

• Performance Monitoring Tools: Understanding how to use data to track the adoption and effectiveness of the design system.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, or similar for managing design tasks, sprints, and team workflows.

• Collaboration Platforms: Proficiency with tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Confluence for team communication and documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the core design tool. Beyond that, the role requires a strong understanding of design system infrastructure and principles, which may involve various supporting tools or platforms. The mention of AI tool integration suggests a willingness to explore and adopt new technologies that enhance the design workflow.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on working together across disciplines (design, development) and geographies to achieve common goals. The team acts as a bridge, necessitating excellent collaborative skills.

• Ownership: Taking responsibility for the design system, its evolution, and its impact on Nordea's digital products. This includes proactive maintenance and improvement.

• Passion: A genuine enthusiasm for design, user experience, and creating high-quality digital products that serve Nordea's customers effectively.

• Courage: Willingness to challenge the status quo, propose innovative solutions, and advocate for design best practices, even in a large corporate environment.

• Growth Mindset: A commitment to continuous learning, embracing new technologies like AI in design, and seeking opportunities for personal and professional development.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The team actively works with development teams to translate design into code, implying a collaborative and communicative approach.

• Process Review and Feedback: A culture that encourages open feedback on design system components, workflows, and best practices to drive continuous improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: Active participation in sharing expertise through workshops, documentation, and internal community platforms (inner-source).

📝 Enhancement Note: The values of Collaboration, Ownership, Passion, and Courage are central to Nordea's culture and are particularly relevant to a design system team. Candidates should be able to demonstrate how they embody these values in their work, especially in how they collaborate with diverse teams and champion design excellence.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Consistency with Innovation: Maintaining a cohesive design system while allowing for product-specific innovation and the integration of new technologies like AI.

• Driving Adoption Across Diverse Teams: Ensuring widespread adoption and consistent application of the design system across numerous product teams with varying technical capabilities and priorities.

• Rapid Integration of AI Tools: Staying abreast of and effectively integrating emerging AI design tools into existing workflows without disrupting current processes.

• Temporary Role Integration: Quickly integrating into a new team and project, understanding existing systems and processes, and delivering impact within a 9-month timeframe.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Design System Specialization: Deepen expertise in advanced design system strategies, governance models, and scaling methodologies.

• AI in Design Exploration: Gain practical experience and knowledge in leveraging AI for design automation, content generation, and workflow optimization.

• Cross-Organizational Influence: Develop skills in stakeholder management and driving change initiatives within a large financial institution.

• Mentorship and Community Building: Contribute to the growth of Nordea's design community and mentor other professionals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The temporary nature of the role presents a unique challenge: the need to quickly onboard and deliver significant value. Candidates who can demonstrate adaptability, a proactive approach to learning, and a track record of rapid impact will be well-suited. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering a chance to become a leader in specialized areas of design.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you successfully scaled a design system. What were the key challenges and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on your process, collaboration, and impact.)

• "How would you approach integrating AI design tools into an existing design system workflow? What are the potential benefits and risks?" (Demonstrate your forward-thinking approach and understanding of AI's role.)

• "Imagine a product team is resistant to adopting the design system. How would you engage them and advocate for its use?" (Highlight your communication, persuasion, and community-building skills.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do Nordea's values (Collaboration, Ownership, Passion, Courage) align with your own professional approach?" (Provide specific examples of how you've embodied these values.)

• "How do you see the hybrid working model impacting team collaboration and productivity for a design system team?" (Discuss your strategies for effective remote and in-office collaboration.)

• "What is your understanding of the role of design systems in a regulated industry like finance?" (Showcase your awareness of industry-specific considerations like security and compliance.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, the solution (especially design system components and AI integration), and the measurable outcomes.

• Highlight Design System Components: Show specific examples of components, tokens, and guidelines you've developed or managed. Explain the rationale behind their design and implementation.

• Demonstrate Collaboration: Use visual aids or descriptions to show how you worked with developers and other stakeholders.

• Emphasize Process Optimization: Clearly articulate how your work has led to increased efficiency, consistency, or faster delivery.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design decisions, tool usage, and problem-solving approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on articulating your experience with design systems and your understanding of how they function within a large organization. Be ready to discuss specific technical aspects of Figma and design system components, as well as your strategic thinking regarding AI integration and cross-functional collaboration.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Nordea Careers website.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature your experience with design systems, UX/UI design for complex workflows, and any use of AI design tools. Prioritize case studies that demonstrate scalability, collaboration with developers, and process optimization.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your senior-level experience, specific skills in Figma and design system management, and any experience with AI in design. Use keywords from the job description such as "Design System Stewardship," "Interaction Design," "Visual Design," and "AI Tool Integration."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, showcasing your portfolio with a focus on quantifiable results and collaborative efforts, and preparing to discuss how you embody Nordea's core values.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Nordea's digital offerings, its position in the Nordic market, and its stated values. Understand the importance of design systems in a financial institution and how AI can support these goals.

⚠️ 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.