Senior UX/UI (Product) Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX/UI (Product) Designer

Company: VML Enterprise Solutions

Location: Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: 2026-05-29T08:20:15

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end design process for digital products, from initial concept and user journey mapping to high-fidelity UI execution.

• Drive user-centric design strategies, ensuring exceptional user experiences and interfaces that enhance engagement and conversion for a diverse client portfolio.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including strategists, developers, and project managers, to deliver impactful digital solutions across various platforms and devices.

• Champion design thinking, problem-solving, and innovation within complex and evolving project environments, maintaining a high standard of quality and consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer, implying a significant level of autonomy, leadership, and strategic contribution. The emphasis on "end-to-end expertise" and "leading design thinking" suggests a need for a candidate who can not only execute design but also influence product direction and strategy. The "hybrid" work arrangement in Portugal indicates a need for on-site presence, likely for collaborative sessions, while allowing for remote work flexibility.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive UX/UI strategies for digital products, aligning with business objectives and user needs.

• Conduct user research, usability testing, and data analysis to derive actionable insights that inform design decisions and optimize user journeys.

• Create detailed wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity visual designs using advanced Figma capabilities.

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

• Collaborate with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders to define product requirements, iterate on designs, and ensure successful implementation.

• Translate brand identities and visual guidelines into compelling digital experiences across multiple brands and client sectors.

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

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

• Manage and prioritize multiple workstreams within BAU and retained delivery models, balancing pace, quality, and stakeholder expectations.

• Provide design leadership and mentorship to junior team members, fostering a culture of design excellence and continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a senior-level expectation for strategic input, not just execution. The emphasis on "shaping product direction," "leading design thinking," and "stakeholder management" points to a need for a designer who can proactively identify opportunities and influence decisions, rather than simply responding to briefs. Experience with "complex, tokenized design systems" and "BAU and retained delivery models" suggests a need for practical, operational design skills within a client-agency context.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 5-10 years of progressive experience in UX/UI and Product Design, with a strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end product development.

• Demonstrated experience leading design initiatives within complex, fast-paced, and sometimes ambiguous environments.

• Proven track record of successfully managing and influencing senior stakeholders across diverse disciplines.

• Experience working within client-agency settings, adapting to various client needs, sectors, and levels of design maturity.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Figma, including creating scalable, well-structured design files and leveraging its collaborative features.

• Expertise in end-to-end product design, seamlessly bridging UX strategy, interaction design, and high-fidelity UI execution.

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

• Strong capabilities in stakeholder management, with the ability to challenge, influence, and align senior leaders.

• Proficiency in user research methodologies and translating findings into actionable design insights.

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

• Expertise in user-centered design best practices and a strong understanding of accessibility standards.

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

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

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with other design and prototyping tools (e.g., Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite).

• Knowledge of front-end development principles (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to facilitate better collaboration with engineering teams.

• Familiarity with conversion rate optimization (CRO) principles and techniques.

• Experience working with global brands and understanding of international design considerations.

• Familiarity with A/B testing and performance analytics for design optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level is inferred from the "Senior" title and the depth of responsibilities described. The required skills are directly extracted and elaborated from the job description's "What we want from you" section, with an emphasis on practical application and tool proficiency. Preferred skills are added to provide a more complete picture of an ideal candidate.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating a strong understanding of the end-to-end product design lifecycle, from discovery and strategy to high-fidelity UI and implementation support.

• Case studies highlighting your ability to frame complex problems, define opportunities, and shape product direction, not just respond to briefs.

• Examples showcasing your expertise in designing and working with complex, tokenized design systems, including component architecture and scalability.

• Demonstrations of your stakeholder management skills, including how you've challenged, influenced, and aligned senior stakeholders on design decisions.

• Evidence of your ability to translate user research and data into actionable insights that drive informed design decisions.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase your process for conducting user research, usability testing, and synthesizing findings into actionable design recommendations.

• Detail your approach to designing and maintaining complex design systems, including documentation of component variants, properties, and scalable patterns.

• Illustrate how you manage multiple workstreams, priorities, and stakeholders within fast-paced, project-driven environments.

• Provide examples of how you've collaborated with cross-functional teams (product managers, developers) for seamless design handover and implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is crucial for operations-adjacent roles like UX/UI design, where demonstrating process and outcomes is key. The requirements focus on showcasing strategic thinking, system design proficiency, and stakeholder management through portfolio examples, aligning with the senior nature of the role.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Training Opportunities: Access to professional development programs to enhance design skills and stay current with industry trends.

• Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health coverage for employees and potentially dependents.

• Dental Insurance: Specialized coverage for dental care.

• Meal Cards: A convenient benefit for daily food expenses.

• Social Events: Opportunities for team building and networking through company-organized events.

• Family Friendly Policies: Support for employees with family responsibilities, promoting work-life balance.

• Retailer Discounts: Exclusive discounts with a wide range of retailers.

• Career Development: Prioritized career growth and skill development opportunities within VML.

• Global Brand Exposure: Opportunity to work with and learn from leading global brands.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time position, likely around 40 hours per week. The hybrid work arrangement offers flexibility, allowing for a balance between office-based collaboration and remote work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on typical market rates for a Senior UX/UI Product Designer in Lisbon, Portugal, considering the experience level and the comprehensive benefits package. This estimate is derived from aggregating data from various salary aggregators and recruitment insights for the Portuguese market.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Marketing & Advertising, Digital Transformation, Enterprise Solutions

Company Size: 26,000+ employees globally (VML/WPP)

Founded: VML was founded in 2008, WPP in 1982.

Team Structure:

• The Enterprise Solutions division operates with a global network of over 4,200 experts across 55 operational centers in 34 countries.

• The local team in Portugal likely comprises strategic consultants, creative and technical architects, skilled developers, and operators.

Methodology:

• VML emphasizes a "human-first" approach, combining brand experience, customer experience, and commerce to drive growth.

• They leverage data-driven insights, cutting-edge technology, and creative excellence to deliver transformative enterprise solutions for leading organizations.

• The company operates with a core set of values: Heart, Brains, and Courage, fostering empathy, innovation, and bold problem-solving.

• Collaboration is key, with a focus on shared success and empowering individuals to contribute creatively regardless of their role.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context is derived from the provided "Who We Are" and "AT VML Enterprise Solutions" sections, highlighting VML's position within WPP, its global reach, and its focus on integrated digital experiences. The "Enterprise Solutions" division specifically caters to large organizations, implying a need for robust, scalable, and strategic design solutions. The core values (Heart, Brains, Courage) are directly integrated to reflect the company's cultural ethos.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Product Designer (UX/UI)

Reporting Structure:

Operations Impact:

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like design systems, accessibility, or user research.

• Leadership: Progress to roles such as Lead Product Designer, Design Manager, or Creative Director, managing teams and overseeing larger projects.

• Client Strategy: Develop strategic consulting skills to advise clients on digital experience and product roadmaps.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Potentially move into product management or strategy roles, leveraging design thinking principles.

• Learning & Development: Continuous access to training, workshops, and industry conferences sponsored by VML/WPP.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis focuses on the progression and impact of a Senior Product Designer within a large agency context. The "Operations Impact" section links the design role directly to business outcomes and revenue generation, which is a key aspect for operations-focused roles. Growth opportunities are framed within typical career paths for senior designers.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid Work Environment

Office Location(s):

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, with an emphasis on teamwork and cross-functional interaction. Designers will have access to industry-standard tools and technology, particularly Figma. The hybrid model allows for focused individual work at home and collaborative sessions in the office.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time working hours (approximately 40 hours per week) are expected, with flexibility offered through the hybrid model. This schedule allows for effective project execution, client delivery, and personal work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Work Environment" section details the hybrid nature of the role and the expected office setup, emphasizing collaboration and access to necessary tools. It aims to paint a picture of the day-to-day experience for a designer at VML.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess qualifications and alignment with the role requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation/Walkthrough: A session where you present your key projects, discuss your design process, and articulate your decision-making rationale. Be prepared to discuss your end-to-end design approach, stakeholder management experiences, and how you've used user research.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: Potentially a design challenge or a deep dive into your proficiency with Figma, design systems, and UX/UI principles.

• Behavioral/Cultural Fit Interview: Discussions focused on your experience working autonomously, leading design, collaborating with teams, and how you embody VML's core values (Heart, Brains, Courage).

• Final Interview: Likely with senior leadership to discuss strategic fit, leadership potential, and overall alignment with the VML Enterprise Solutions team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate end-to-end product design capabilities, stakeholder management, and design system expertise.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, the challenges you faced, your solutions, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your methodology, from user research and ideation to prototyping, testing, and iteration. Showcase how you translate insights into design.

• Showcase System Thinking: If applicable, include detailed examples of your work with design systems, explaining your approach to component architecture and scalability.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, user satisfaction scores).

• Figma Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your Figma workflow, file organization, and how you leverage its features for collaboration and efficiency.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, take time to understand the client, industry, and specific problem space.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate your structured approach to problem-solving, starting with defining the problem and user needs.

• Communicate Clearly: Articulate your assumptions, design decisions, and trade-offs. Be prepared to present your solution and rationale concisely.

• Consider Constraints: Think about real-world project constraints like time, budget, and technical feasibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice tailored to a senior UX/UI role, focusing on portfolio presentation and interview strategies relevant to design challenges, stakeholder management, and design system expertise.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Advanced proficiency is a core requirement. This includes expertise in creating scalable design systems, component libraries, interactive prototypes, and collaborative workflows.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma is primary, familiarity with other tools like InVision, Axure, or ProtoPie for advanced prototyping might be beneficial.

• Design System Tools: Experience with tools or methodologies for managing and documenting design system components and guidelines.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Research Platforms: Tools like UserTesting.com, Maze, or Hotjar for user feedback and usability analysis.

• Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar platforms to understand user behavior and design impact.

• Data Visualization Tools: Experience with tools like Tableau or Power BI for analyzing and presenting user data insights.

CRM & Automation:

Other:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Proficiency in Photoshop and Illustrator for creating visual assets.

• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for workflow management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tool stack is heavily influenced by the "Advanced proficiency in Figma" requirement and the general needs of a product designer in an enterprise solutions environment. The focus is on design execution, user research, and understanding digital product performance.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Heart: Empathy and trust are paramount. Expect a collaborative environment where genuine connections are fostered, and user-centricity is a driving force in all design decisions. This translates to understanding user needs deeply and advocating for them.

• Brains: Relentless curiosity and collaborative intelligence are valued for solving complex challenges. This means embracing experimentation, continuous learning, and leveraging collective knowledge to innovate and find smarter design solutions.

• Courage: Inspiring individuals to speak up, embrace experimentation, and advocate for bold solutions. This encourages designers to challenge the status quo, propose innovative ideas, and push creative boundaries responsibly.

• Impact-Driven: A strong focus on delivering measurable results and driving growth for clients through exceptional digital experiences. Design decisions are expected to be data-informed and aligned with business objectives.

• Human-Centricity: A core principle where the user's needs, motivations, and behaviors are at the forefront of every design.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers work closely with strategists, developers, project managers, and account teams to ensure holistic product development.

• Open Communication: A culture of open dialogue and feedback exchange is encouraged, fostering continuous improvement and shared understanding.

• Knowledge Sharing: Team members are expected to share insights, best practices, and learnings to elevate the collective skill set.

• Agile & Iterative: Embracing iterative design processes, with regular reviews and feedback loops to refine solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture and values are directly extracted from the "Our culture thrives on our core values" section and the general description of VML's approach. These are articulated to show how they apply to the daily work and expectations of a Senior Product Designer.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Client Needs and User Experience: Navigating diverse client requirements, brand guidelines, and varying levels of design maturity while ensuring a strong, user-centered experience.

• Managing Ambiguity: Working effectively in fast-paced environments with incomplete or evolving requirements, requiring strong problem-framing and strategic thinking.

• Complex Design Systems: Implementing and maintaining sophisticated, tokenized design systems that scale across multiple brands and platforms.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Influencing and gaining buy-in from senior stakeholders with diverse perspectives and priorities.

• Pace vs. Quality: Balancing the need for rapid delivery in client engagements with maintaining high design quality and strategic integrity.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas like interaction design, motion design, accessibility, and user research methodologies.

• Design System Leadership: Potential to lead the development and governance of complex design systems.

• Strategic Consulting: Developing skills in advising clients on digital strategy, user experience, and product roadmaps.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gaining exposure to strategy, technology, and commerce through collaboration within VML's integrated teams.

• Industry Certifications & Conferences: Access to training, workshops, and industry events to stay ahead of design trends and best practices.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to mentor junior designers and learn from senior leaders within VML's global network.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section identifies potential challenges inherent in a senior role within a large agency and maps them to concrete growth opportunities, emphasizing skill development and career progression.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to frame a complex, ambiguous problem into a clear design opportunity. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on problem definition, user research, and strategic thinking.)

• "How do you approach managing and influencing senior stakeholders when their vision differs from your user-centered recommendations?" (Highlight communication, negotiation, and data-backed advocacy skills.)

• "Walk me through your process for designing and scaling a complex, tokenized design system. What were the key challenges and how did you address them?" (Emphasize system architecture, componentization, and governance.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do you embody VML's values of Heart, Brains, and Courage in your design work?" (Prepare specific examples for each value.)

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid or remote-first environment. How do you ensure effective collaboration and communication?" (Focus on adaptability and teamwork.)

• "How do you stay updated on the latest UX/UI trends and technologies, and how do you incorporate them into your work?" (Showcase continuous learning and innovation.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each project, use a clear narrative: Problem -> Your Role -> Process -> Solution -> Outcome/Impact.

• Depth: Be ready to dive deep into specific design decisions, user research findings, and technical considerations.

• Figma Showcase: Be prepared to share your Figma files, explaining your organization, component usage, and prototyping techniques.

• Stakeholder Interaction: Discuss specific instances where you had to manage client feedback or senior stakeholder input.

• Conciseness: Respect time limits; focus on the most impactful aspects of your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview questions and preparation tips are crafted to align with the senior-level expectations of the role, focusing on strategic thinking, design leadership, and the specific technical and soft skills required for success at VML.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX/UI (Product) Designer position:

• Submit your application through the VML Enterprise Solutions careers portal via the provided link.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your most impactful projects that best showcase your end-to-end product design capabilities, experience with design systems, and stakeholder management skills. Ensure each case study clearly articulates the problem, your role, process, solutions, and measurable outcomes.

• Refine Your CV: Tailor your resume to highlight your 5-10 years of experience, proficiency in Figma, experience with complex design systems, and leadership in design initiatives. Use keywords from the job description naturally.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio projects, focusing on storytelling, articulating your design process, and demonstrating your ability to frame problems and influence stakeholders. Be ready to discuss your approach to user research and design system governance.

• Research VML: Understand VML's work, its client portfolio (especially within Enterprise Solutions), and its core values (Heart, Brains, Courage). Prepare to discuss how your approach aligns with their culture and methodology.

⚠️ 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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