Senior UX/UI (Product) Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX/UI (Product) Designer

Company: VML

Location: Porto, Portugal

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: 2026-05-29

Experience Level: Senior (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in office expected)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role requires a Senior Product Designer with expertise in both User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design, focusing on creating exceptional digital products and services.

• The position emphasizes end-to-end design ownership, from initial discovery and strategy to high-fidelity visual design and interaction execution.

• The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong stakeholder management abilities and the capacity to lead design initiatives within complex, fast-paced client environments.

• Proficiency in advanced design tools, particularly Figma, and a deep understanding of design systems and responsive design principles are critical for success in this role.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within VML's Enterprise Solutions division, indicating a focus on large-scale digital transformations, commerce platforms, and B2B/D2C client engagements. The emphasis on "connected brands" and "driving growth" suggests a strategic approach to design, where UX/UI directly impacts business outcomes and client success metrics.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end design process for digital products and services, encompassing user research, experience definition, interaction design, and visual UI execution.

• Drive user-centric design thinking across complex and often ambiguous problem spaces, translating business objectives and user needs into effective design solutions.

• Develop and refine user journeys, interaction models, and information architecture to ensure intuitive and engaging digital experiences.

• Create high-fidelity UI designs, prototypes, and supporting design artifacts (e.g., release notes, comms materials) to clearly communicate design rationale and facilitate stakeholder alignment.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product managers, engineers, strategists, and client stakeholders, to deliver cohesive and impactful digital solutions.

• Manage and influence senior stakeholders across various disciplines, effectively challenging briefs and shaping product direction based on design expertise and user insights.

• Operate seamlessly within both agile (BAU) and retained delivery models, balancing speed and quality while managing multiple workstreams and priorities.

• Contribute to and leverage complex, tokenized design systems, ensuring consistency, scalability, and adherence to component architecture and design patterns.

• Translate user research findings and data analytics into actionable insights that inform design decisions and build confidence among clients and internal teams.

• Ensure adherence to accessibility standards, conversion principles, and user-centered design best practices throughout the design lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "leading design thinking across complex and sometimes ambiguous problem spaces" and "shaping product direction, not just responding to briefs" indicates that this role expects a proactive, strategic designer who can drive innovation and influence product strategy, rather than a purely execution-focused role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience, is highly valued in the design industry.

Experience: A minimum of 5-10 years of proven experience in product design, with a strong emphasis on UX/UI for digital products and services. Experience in agency or consulting environments, working with diverse clients and complex projects, is essential.

Required Skills:

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

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

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

• Demonstrated ability to frame problems, define opportunities, and shape product direction.

• Expertise in operating as a true end-to-end product designer, seamlessly transitioning between UX strategy, interaction design, and high-fidelity UI execution.

• Experience working with complex, tokenized design systems, understanding component architecture, variants, and scalable patterns.

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

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

• Expertise in translating user research and data into actionable insights.

• Strong communication and storytelling skills to articulate design rationale and trade-offs.

Preferred Skills:

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

• Familiarity with user research methodologies and tools beyond basic insight generation.

• Experience with A/B testing and conversion rate optimization (CRO) principles from a design perspective.

• Knowledge of front-end development principles to facilitate better collaboration with engineering teams.

• Experience in global or multi-market digital product rollouts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "5-10 years" experience level, coupled with the emphasis on leadership, stakeholder management, and end-to-end ownership, suggests this role is for a seasoned designer who can operate at a strategic level and mentor junior team members implicitly.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end product design case studies that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems from discovery through to detailed UI execution.

• Highlight projects where you have taken ownership and led design initiatives, especially in fast-paced or ambiguous environments.

• Include examples of your work with tokenized design systems, demonstrating understanding of component architecture, variants, and scalable patterns.

• Present a clear progression of your design thinking, including user research insights, wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity UI designs.

Process Documentation:

• Detail your approach to user research and how you translate findings into actionable design decisions.

• Illustrate your workflow for designing responsive experiences across multiple devices and platforms.

• Provide examples of how you have managed stakeholder expectations and communicated design rationale effectively.

• Showcase your proficiency in Figma, including file structure, component libraries, and collaboration features.

• Document your experience in creating supporting design artifacts such as prototypes, presentations, and visual assets for communication and alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the emphasis on "complex, tokenised design systems" and "Figma proficiency," candidates should prepare to showcase their system design skills and their ability to create organized, scalable design files within their portfolio. The role also requires demonstrating strategic problem-framing, not just execution.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior UX/UI (Product) Designer in Porto, Portugal, with 5-10 years of experience, the estimated annual salary range is €45,000 - €65,000. This estimate considers the role's seniority, the specific skill set required (advanced Figma, design systems, stakeholder management), the hybrid work model, and general market rates for experienced design professionals in major Portuguese cities.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive training opportunities to foster career development and skill enhancement.

• Medical insurance coverage for employee well-being.

• Dental insurance for complete health coverage.

• Meal cards to assist with daily expenses.

• Regular social events to promote team cohesion and networking.

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

• Discounts with hundreds of retailers, offering cost savings on various purchases.

• Opportunity to work with globally recognized brands and on impactful digital transformation projects.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week. The role is hybrid, with an expectation of working in the office an average of four days per week. Flexibility may be available, and specific arrangements should be discussed with the hiring team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on industry benchmarks for senior design roles in Portugal and the specific requirements of the job description. It accounts for the hybrid nature of the role and the strategic responsibilities outlined.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: VML operates within the Advertising, Marketing, and Technology services sector, part of the broader WPP network. Their focus is on combining brand experience, customer experience, and commerce to drive growth for blue-chip clients. The Enterprise Solutions division specifically targets large-scale digital transformations and platform implementations.

Company Size: VML is a large global agency network, part of WPP, with over 26,000 employees globally across 55+ markets. This size offers extensive resources, diverse client opportunities, and a broad network for collaboration and learning.

Founded: VML was founded in 1992 and merged with Wunderman Thompson to form VML in January 2024, creating one of the largest creative companies globally. This history signifies a deep-rooted expertise in marketing, digital transformation, and client service.

Team Structure:

• The Enterprise Solutions division likely comprises specialized teams of consultants, architects, developers, and designers focused on delivering comprehensive digital commerce solutions.

• The reporting structure for this role would likely place the Senior Product Designer under a Design Lead or Creative Director within the Enterprise Solutions division, with close collaboration with Product Managers and Engineering Leads.

Methodology:

• VML emphasizes a human-first, data-informed approach to design and strategy, aiming to create "connected brands."

• Their methodology likely involves agile frameworks for iterative development, robust user research, and a focus on measurable business impact (ROI, conversion, engagement).

• Design thinking principles are core to identifying and solving client challenges, leading to innovative and effective digital experiences.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: VML's culture is built on "Heart, Brains, and Courage." For a Senior Product Designer, this translates to empathetic collaboration, intelligent problem-solving, and the bravery to propose innovative design solutions that push boundaries for clients. The Enterprise Solutions division specifically caters to large, complex projects, requiring a designer who can navigate these challenges with confidence.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, indicating a level of expertise and autonomy. Professionals at this level are expected to lead design initiatives, mentor junior designers, influence product strategy, and manage complex client relationships. They are key contributors to high-impact projects and are often seen as design leaders within their teams.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Design Director or Head of Design within the Enterprise Solutions division. They will collaborate closely with cross-functional project teams, including Product Managers, Project Managers, Business Analysts, and Development Leads, reporting to different leads on a per-project basis.

Operations Impact: The operations impact of this role is significant. By crafting exceptional user experiences and interfaces for VML's enterprise clients, the designer directly contributes to client acquisition, engagement, conversion, and loyalty. This role is crucial for driving multi-channel growth for world-leading brands and achieving the $29bn+ annual revenue generated for VML's clients.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Develop deep expertise in specific areas of enterprise commerce, such as D2C platforms, B2B portals, or marketplace integrations, becoming a go-to expert.

• Leadership: Advance into roles like Design Lead, Creative Director, or Head of Design, managing teams and setting design strategy for larger accounts or portfolios.

• Skill Expansion: Gain experience in strategic consulting, client relationship management, and leading design sprints for complex digital transformations.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior designers, fostering their growth and contributing to the overall design talent within VML.

• Global Exposure: Work on projects for a diverse range of international clients, expanding understanding of global market nuances and design best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role's emphasis on leading design, shaping strategy, and working with complex clients positions it as a stepping stone to design leadership. The growth opportunities are tied to increasing strategic influence and team management within the large VML/WPP network.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: VML operates with a hybrid model, expecting employees to be in the office an average of four days per week. This suggests a blend of focused individual work and collaborative team sessions, fostering creativity and connection. The offices in Porto, Lisbon, or Faro are designed to support both.

Office Location(s): The role is based in Portugal, with potential assignments to offices in Porto, Lisbon, or Faro. This offers candidates flexibility in choosing their primary work location within the country.

Workspace Context:

• The office environment is likely designed to encourage collaboration, with open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and possibly dedicated project spaces.

• Access to modern design tools and technology, including high-performance workstations and relevant software licenses (e.g., Figma), is expected.

• Opportunities for informal and formal interactions with design peers, project teams, and leadership are integral to the hybrid model, facilitating knowledge sharing and problem-solving.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid model allows for a structured work week that balances in-office collaboration with remote flexibility. Specific daily schedules can be discussed, but the expectation is consistent engagement and availability during core business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key feature, with a stated average of four days in the office. This indicates a company culture that values in-person collaboration for key activities like brainstorming, design critiques, and stakeholder meetings, while allowing for focused work remotely.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: An opportunity to present 1-2 key case studies from your portfolio, focusing on your end-to-end design process, problem-solving approach, design rationale, and impact. Be prepared to discuss your role, challenges, and outcomes in detail.

• Skills-Based Interview: Technical questions assessing your proficiency in Figma, design systems, responsive design, user research translation, and stakeholder management. You may be asked to walk through specific design files.

• Situational & Behavioral Interview: Questions designed to understand how you handle complex projects, ambiguous requirements, client feedback, and cross-functional collaboration. Expect questions related to VML's core values (Heart, Brains, Courage).

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic fit, growth potential, and cultural alignment within the Enterprise Solutions division.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select case studies that best demonstrate your end-to-end process, problem-solving abilities, and impact on business goals. Prioritize projects that showcase your work with complex systems, stakeholder management, and autonomous leadership.

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies with a clear narrative: problem, your approach, your role, challenges, solutions, and measurable outcomes. Use visuals effectively to illustrate your process and final designs.

• Showcase Figma Mastery: Be ready to discuss your Figma file structure, component libraries, and how you ensure scalability and collaboration.

• Highlight Impact: Quantify results whenever possible. Use metrics related to user engagement, conversion rates, task completion, or client satisfaction.

• Address Ambiguity: Be prepared to discuss how you approach projects with incomplete or evolving requirements, demonstrating your ability to define problems and shape direction.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: You may be given a design challenge or a take-home assignment to assess your skills in a simulated real-world scenario. Focus on demonstrating your process, strategic thinking, and ability to deliver high-quality design artifacts within a given timeframe.

• Presentation Skills: Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely. Be ready to defend your choices and discuss trade-offs.

• Company Context: Research VML's recent work, client portfolio, and their Enterprise Solutions division. Understand their approach to digital transformation and commerce.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely to be rigorous, emphasizing not just design execution but also strategic thinking, leadership potential, and the ability to navigate complex client environments, aligning with VML's "Brains" and "Courage" values.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Advanced proficiency is a core requirement. This includes mastery of its collaboration features, component systems, auto-layout, variants, prototyping capabilities, and ability to create structured, scalable design files.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma has strong prototyping features, familiarity with other tools like Adobe XD, InVision, or Principle might be beneficial for specific project needs or past experience.

• Design Systems: Experience with creating, contributing to, and managing complex, tokenized design systems is crucial. This involves understanding component architecture, variants, properties, and how to scale design patterns.

Analytics & Reporting:

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

• Analytics Platforms: Basic understanding of how to interpret data from platforms like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or client-specific dashboards to inform design decisions and measure impact.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct requirement for the designer, an understanding of how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and marketing automation platforms integrate with customer-facing digital experiences can be beneficial for context.

• Familiarity with common enterprise CMS and e-commerce platforms (e.g., Adobe Experience Manager, Sitecore, Shopify Plus, BigCommerce) is advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit emphasis on Figma and tokenized design systems indicates these are non-negotiable technical proficiencies. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their expertise in these areas, perhaps even by sharing examples of their Figma file organization.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Heart: Foster empathy and trust in all interactions, both with team members and clients. This means understanding user needs deeply and building genuine connections within the collaborative environment.

• Brains: Embrace relentless curiosity and collaborative intelligence to solve complex challenges. This value promotes a data-driven approach, analytical thinking, and a commitment to continuous learning and innovation in design.

• Courage: 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 to achieve impactful results for clients.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: VML emphasizes seamless collaboration across disciplines. Designers are expected to work closely with strategists, developers, project managers, and client teams, contributing to a unified project vision.

• Process Review & Feedback: A culture of constructive feedback is likely present, where design work is regularly reviewed by peers and leadership to ensure quality and alignment with project goals. Openness to feedback and iterative improvement is key.

• Knowledge Sharing: The global nature of VML and its hybrid model encourage knowledge sharing through internal communities of practice, workshops, and informal discussions, fostering a collective growth mindset.

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding and embodying VML's core values (Heart, Brains, Courage) is critical for cultural fit. Candidates should prepare to provide examples of how they have demonstrated these values in their previous work and how they will apply them in this role.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

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