Senior UX/UI (Product) Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX/UI (Product) Designer

Company: VML

Location: Lisbon, Portugal

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: May 29, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end design of digital products and services, from initial concept and user journey mapping to high-fidelity UI execution, ensuring a seamless user experience.

• Drive user-centric design thinking across complex and ambiguous problem spaces, translating user research and data into actionable insights for informed decision-making.

• Collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams, including strategists, developers, and account managers, to deliver exceptional digital experiences for a diverse global client portfolio.

• Masterfully manage stakeholder relationships, influencing and aligning senior leaders across various disciplines while operating autonomously in fast-paced, evolving environments.

• Leverage advanced proficiency in Figma and deep expertise in tokenized design systems to create scalable, well-structured design files that support collaboration, handover, and systemization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer with a strong emphasis on both UX and UI capabilities, requiring end-to-end ownership. The hybrid nature and focus on client-facing work within an agency setting (VML, part of WPP) are key differentiators. The role demands a high degree of autonomy and stakeholder management, typical of senior-level positions in a dynamic agency environment. The "Enterprise Solutions" division specialization suggests a focus on large-scale digital transformation and commerce platforms.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the complete design lifecycle for digital products and services, encompassing discovery, experience definition, interaction design, and detailed UI execution.

• Develop user personas, journey maps, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity visual designs that effectively communicate design concepts and user flows.

• Champion user-centered design principles, accessibility standards, and conversion optimization strategies throughout the design process.

• Design and maintain complex, tokenized design systems, ensuring scalability, consistency, and adherence to component architecture, variants, and properties.

• Conduct and synthesize user research, usability testing, and data analysis to inform design decisions and iterate on product solutions.

• Collaborate closely with product managers, engineers, and marketing teams to ensure design feasibility, technical accuracy, and alignment with business objectives.

• Adapt design approaches to suit diverse client needs, sectors, and varying levels of design maturity, while maintaining quality and brand consistency.

• Produce high-quality supporting design artifacts, including presentations, visual assets, and communication materials, to facilitate stakeholder alignment and user engagement.

• Effectively manage multiple workstreams, priorities, and stakeholders within both Business as Usual (BAU) and retained delivery models.

• Translate brand guidelines and visual identities into cohesive and compelling digital experiences across various platforms and devices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic UX leadership and detailed UI execution. The emphasis on "end-to-end" and "bridging the gap" between UX and UI signifies a holistic design ownership. The mention of "tokenized design systems" and "component architecture" points to a need for advanced system design skills, crucial for large-scale enterprise solutions.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While specific degree requirements are not listed, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Graphic Design, or a related field is typically expected for senior-level roles. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: 5-10 years of progressive experience in UX/UI and Product Design, with a significant portion in agency or consulting environments. Proven track record of leading design initiatives for complex digital products and services.

Required Skills:

• Proven ability to work autonomously and lead design within complex, fast-paced environments, often with evolving requirements.

• Strong experience in stakeholder management, with the ability to challenge, influence, and align senior stakeholders across disciplines.

• Demonstrated ability to frame problems, define opportunities, and shape product direction, rather than just responding to briefs.

• Proven ability to operate as a true end-to-end product designer, seamlessly transitioning between UX strategy, interaction design, and high-fidelity UI execution.

• Confident working across a variety of clients, sectors, and problem spaces, quickly building domain understanding and adapting approach.

• Experience operating within BAU and retained delivery models, balancing pace and quality while managing multiple workstreams and priorities.

• Strong experience working with complex, tokenized design systems, with a deep understanding of component architecture, variants, properties, and scalable design patterns.

• Solid understanding of responsive design principles and behavior logic across devices and platforms.

• Advanced proficiency in Figma, with the ability to create scalable, well-structured design files that support collaboration and handover.

• Ability to produce high-quality supporting design artifacts beyond core product UI, including prototypes, presentations, and visual assets.

• Expertise in translating user research and data into actionable insights to drive informed design decisions.

• Strong communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design rationale, trade-offs, and recommendations.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working across multiple brands and visual identities, adapting design approach while maintaining consistency and quality.

• Familiarity with various design and prototyping tools beyond Figma.

• Experience with user research methodologies and tools.

• Understanding of front-end development principles (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to inform design feasibility.

• Portfolio showcasing a diverse range of impactful digital product design projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications heavily emphasize leadership, strategic thinking, and end-to-end design capabilities. The requirement for advanced Figma and tokenized design system knowledge is critical. The "5-10 years" experience level suggests a need for demonstrated leadership and problem-solving in complex scenarios.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end product design projects, demonstrating ownership from problem definition to final UI execution and impact.

• Include case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, key decisions, and measurable outcomes.

• Highlight experience with complex, tokenized design systems, illustrating your contribution to their architecture, scalability, and implementation.

• Present examples of how you've translated user research and data into actionable design strategies and solutions.

Process Documentation:

• Detail your approach to framing problems and defining opportunities within ambiguous or complex project scopes.

• Illustrate your methodology for conducting user research, synthesizing findings, and integrating them into the design process.

• Explain your process for developing and maintaining design systems, including component libraries, variants, and pattern documentation.

• Show examples of how you manage stakeholder expectations and communicate design rationale, trade-offs, and recommendations effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is paramount for this role. It should not only display visual design prowess but also strategic thinking, process rigor, and impact. Emphasizing end-to-end ownership and handling of complex design systems will be key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior Product Designer with 5-10 years of experience in Lisbon, Portugal, the estimated annual salary range is €45,000 - €65,000. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks, cost of living in Lisbon, and the senior level of the role.

Benefits:

• Training opportunities for continuous skill development.

• Comprehensive Medical Insurance.

• Dental Insurance coverage.

• Meal Cards for daily expenses.

• Regular Social Events to foster team bonding.

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

• Discounts with hundreds of retailers, offering significant savings.

• Opportunity to work with world-leading brands and on impactful projects.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are approximately 40 hours per week. The role is hybrid, requiring 4 days per week in the office, with flexibility to be discussed regarding specific arrangements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is an estimate based on typical senior UX/UI roles in Lisbon. The benefits package is comprehensive, reflecting VML's commitment to employee well-being and professional growth. The hybrid arrangement with 4 days in office is a key aspect of the work environment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Advertising, Marketing, Digital Transformation, Customer Experience, Commerce. VML operates within the broader WPP network, a global leader in marketing and communications services.

Company Size: VML is part of WPP, a massive global organization. VML itself has over 26,000 employees across 55+ markets, making it a very large agency.

Founded: VML was founded in 1992, and WPP was founded in 1982. This history signifies deep industry experience and established market presence.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Product Designer will be part of the Enterprise Solutions division within VML.

• This division comprises strategic consultants, creative and technical architects, developers, and operators.

• The design team likely collaborates closely with these disciplines to deliver integrated digital experiences.

Methodology:

• VML emphasizes a human-first, innovative approach to creating connected brands that drive growth.

• Their methodology likely involves a blend of agile development, design thinking, and data-driven strategies to address complex client challenges.

• The company values collaboration, creativity, and a drive for impact, as reflected in their core values: Heart, Brains, and Courage.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: VML's culture is shaped by its large, global presence within WPP and its focus on integrated brand, customer, and commerce experiences. The Enterprise Solutions division suggests a focus on large-scale, complex digital platforms. The core values of Heart, Brains, and Courage are central to their operational philosophy.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a Senior Product Designer, indicating a mid-to-senior level position. It requires substantial experience and the ability to operate autonomously, lead design initiatives, and influence stakeholders. It's a crucial step for designers wishing to move into lead design or design director roles.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Design Lead, Head of Design, or a Director within the Enterprise Solutions division. They will collaborate extensively with product managers, project managers, developers, strategists, and client teams.

Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer's work directly impacts client success by shaping user experiences that drive engagement, conversion, and loyalty. Their designs contribute to revenue generation for clients through improved digital platforms and commerce solutions. The role is critical in translating client business objectives into tangible, user-centric digital products.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a Design Lead or Art Director role, managing design teams and project streams.

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like design system architecture, advanced interaction design, or specialized industry domains (e.g., e-commerce, enterprise platforms).

• Client Relationship Management: Develop stronger client-facing skills and strategic advisory capabilities.

• Global Exposure: Work on diverse projects for international blue-chip clients, broadening industry and design experience.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to mentor junior designers and contribute to VML's design community.

📝 Enhancement Note: The senior level implies a pathway to leadership and greater strategic influence. The diverse client base and focus on "Enterprise Solutions" offer significant learning and growth potential in complex digital transformation projects.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, with an average of four days per week in the office. This suggests a collaborative office environment designed to foster creativity, connection, and teamwork.

Office Location(s): Lisbon, Porto, or Faro offices in Portugal. These locations offer vibrant working environments within Portugal.

Workspace Context:

• The office environment is designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and connection, aligning with VML's hybrid approach.

• Access to necessary design tools and technology will be provided, including advanced Figma capabilities.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with cross-functional teams (strategists, developers, account managers) are integral to the daily workflow.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 per week), with a hybrid arrangement. While the core schedule is defined, the agency environment may sometimes require flexibility to meet client deadlines or project demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key feature, balancing in-office collaboration with flexibility. The office locations in Portugal are well-established hubs. The emphasis on collaboration is central to VML's operational philosophy.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and fit.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A key stage where candidates present a selection of their work, explaining their process, rationale, and impact. Expect detailed questions about their contributions, design decisions, and stakeholder management.

• Skills Assessment/Challenge: Potentially a design exercise or case study to evaluate problem-solving, design thinking, and execution capabilities in a timed environment.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with potential team members and senior stakeholders to assess cultural fit, communication skills, and strategic alignment.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss overall fit and career aspirations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase end-to-end ownership, complex problem-solving, and impact.

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your specific role and contributions, the design process, key challenges, solutions, and measurable outcomes.

• Highlight Systems Thinking: Explicitly demonstrate your experience with design systems, component architecture, and scalability. Showcase your Figma file structure if possible.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., conversion rate increases, user satisfaction improvements).

• Showcase Versatility: Include projects that demonstrate your ability to work across different client types, sectors, and design challenges.

• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices, trade-offs, and how you handle feedback and collaboration.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: If given a design challenge, thoroughly analyze the requirements, objectives, and constraints.

• Emphasize Process: Clearly outline your approach, even if time is limited. Show your thinking process, not just the final output.

• Focus on User-Centricity: Demonstrate how you prioritize user needs and translate them into design solutions.

• Communicate Clearly: Practice articulating your ideas concisely and persuasively.

• Be Ready to Iterate: Show flexibility and an openness to feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process heavily emphasizes portfolio presentation and strategic thinking. Candidates must be prepared to defend their design decisions and demonstrate end-to-end ownership and impact. The "challenge preparation" is crucial for demonstrating practical application of skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Advanced proficiency is a mandatory requirement for creating scalable, well-structured design files, prototyping, and collaborating.

• Prototyping Tools: In addition to Figma, familiarity with other prototyping tools may be beneficial for specific project needs.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Experience translating insights from user research and analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Hotjar) into design improvements.

CRM & Automation:

• While not primary design tools, understanding how designs integrate with CRM systems and user journeys within automated workflows is advantageous, especially in enterprise solutions and commerce.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the cornerstone of the required toolset. The emphasis is on design execution and systemization, with an understanding of how designs integrate into broader digital ecosystems.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Heart: Fostering empathy, trust, and genuine connections to deliver human-centric work. This translates to understanding user needs deeply and collaborating respectfully.

• Brains: Valuing curiosity, intelligence, and collaborative problem-solving to tackle complex challenges. This means a drive for continuous learning and innovative solutions.

• Courage: Inspiring individuals to speak up, embrace experimentation, and advocate for bold solutions. This encourages proactive contribution and pushing creative boundaries.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, working within cross-functional teams of strategists, developers, project managers, and client stakeholders.

• Emphasis on open communication, feedback exchange, and shared ownership of project success.

• Encourages knowledge sharing and continuous improvement through an experimental approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core values (Heart, Brains, Courage) are central to VML's culture and dictate how employees are expected to interact, innovate, and lead. Collaboration is paramount, especially given the agency's integrated approach to client solutions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Working autonomously with often incomplete or evolving requirements in complex client environments. Requires strong problem-framing skills and adaptability.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Influencing and managing expectations of senior stakeholders across diverse disciplines and potentially varying levels of design maturity.

• Balancing Pace and Quality: Delivering high-quality design solutions efficiently within both BAU and retained client delivery models, managing multiple workstreams simultaneously.

• Adapting to Diverse Clients: Quickly building domain understanding and adapting design approaches for a wide range of clients, sectors, and brand identities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design System Expertise: Deepen skills in creating, scaling, and managing complex, tokenized design systems.

• Strategic Product Leadership: Develop capabilities in shaping product direction and influencing business strategy through design.

• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Gain experience working closely with strategy, technology, and commerce experts within VML's Enterprise Solutions division.

• Global Client Exposure: Work on high-profile projects for leading global brands, expanding industry knowledge and portfolio breadth.

• Mentorship Programs: Opportunities to be mentored by senior design leaders or to mentor junior designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical of senior roles in a large agency, emphasizing autonomy, strategic influence, and adaptability. Growth opportunities are strong, particularly in leadership, systems design, and exposure to high-impact enterprise-level projects.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to lead the design of a complex digital product from concept to launch with minimal guidance. What was your process, and what were the key outcomes?" (Focus on end-to-end ownership, autonomy, and problem-solving).

• "How do you approach framing ambiguous problems and defining product direction for a new initiative?" (Highlight your strategic thinking and problem-definition skills).

• "Walk us through your experience with tokenized design systems. How do you ensure scalability, consistency, and effective handover to development?" (Demonstrate technical depth in systems design and Figma proficiency).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about VML and our Enterprise Solutions division?" (Research VML's recent work, values, and specific case studies within Enterprise Solutions).

• "How do you embody VML's core values of Heart, Brains, and Courage in your daily work?" (Provide specific examples of empathy, collaboration, innovation, and bold decision-making).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select for Impact: Choose projects that best showcase end-to-end ownership, complex challenges, design system experience, and measurable results.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly outline: The Problem, Your Role, The Process (Research, Ideation, Design, Testing), Key Decisions & Trade-offs, The Solution, and The Impact/Outcomes.

• Highlight Figma Mastery: Be prepared to discuss your Figma file structure, component libraries, and how you ensure scalability and efficient handover.

• Quantify Results: Use data points (e.g., conversion rates, user satisfaction scores, task completion times) to demonstrate the value of your design work.

• Articulate Rationale: Be ready to explain why you made specific design choices, the trade-offs involved, and how they align with user needs and business goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating leadership, strategic thinking, end-to-end design capabilities, and a strong command of design systems and Figma. The ability to articulate design rationale and quantify impact is critical.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the VML careers portal, ensuring your CV is in English.

• Customize Your Portfolio: Select 3-4 key projects that best demonstrate your end-to-end design process, experience with complex design systems, and ability to drive measurable impact. Quantify results wherever possible.

• Tailor Your CV: Highlight keywords such as "Product Design," "UX/UI," "Figma," "Design Systems," "Stakeholder Management," and "End-to-End Design" to align with the job description. Emphasize your experience in fast-paced, client-facing environments.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on clear storytelling, articulating your design rationale, and demonstrating your understanding of user-centricity and business objectives. Be ready to discuss your approach to design systems and stakeholder management.

• Research VML & WPP: Understand their company values (Heart, Brains, Courage), recent work (especially within Enterprise Solutions), and their position in the industry. Prepare to discuss how your skills and approach align with their culture and client needs.

⚠️ 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.