Senior Web Designer: DTC Ecommerce

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Web Designer: DTC Ecommerce

Company: KittySpout

Location: Lisbon, Portugal

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: Operations - GTM/Marketing Operations (Web Design focus)

Date Posted: 2026-11-03

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end website revamp for two premium DTC pet brands, focusing on elevating brand perception and enhancing conversion rates.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive Figma design system to ensure brand consistency and facilitate AI-driven content expansion.

• Collaborate closely with the Head of Brand & Community and the CRO Lead to integrate conversion principles and performance marketing strategies into all design elements.

• Utilize AI-first design methodologies to accelerate the design process, explore creative directions, and deliver high-quality assets efficiently.

• Own the brand direction, design system, signature section design, and conversion-focused implementation, ensuring successful handover for ongoing AI-driven development.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Senior Web Designer," the responsibilities and collaboration with CRO indicate a strong alignment with Go-To-Market (GTM) operations, specifically in optimizing the digital customer journey and driving revenue through web performance. The emphasis on conversion, AI integration, and design systems positions this role as critical for GTM success.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Brand Elevation: Review existing brand guidelines, competitor landscapes, and current website performance to propose and refine 2-3 distinct web design directions for each brand, ultimately gaining sign-off from the CEO and Head of Brand & Community.

• Design System Development: Architect and build a robust, mobile-first design system in Figma, encompassing typography, color palettes, spacing, reusable components, and section templates for both distinct brands.

• Signature Section Design: Design 8-10 high-converting signature sections per brand (e.g., hero banners, product benefits, social proof, comparison modules, bundles, brand story elements) for both mobile and desktop views.

• Conversion-Led Design Implementation: Ensure every designed section features clear visual hierarchy, a primary call-to-action, prominent benefits and social proof, and optimized, thumb-friendly mobile layouts.

• Performance Integration & Testing: Collaborate with the CRO Lead to launch major new sections as A/B split tests, analyzing results to inform iterative improvements to the design system and overall conversion strategy.

• AI-Enablement & Handover: Produce clean Figma files, concise usage guidelines (do's, don'ts, and examples), necessary assets, and conduct a walkthrough session to empower the internal team and AI tools to extend the design system effectively.

• Quality Assurance: Review built web pages against approved designs before launch to ensure fidelity and adherence to brand and conversion standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a strategic role in GTM operations, focusing on the digital customer experience. The direct involvement in conversion optimization, A/B testing, and the creation of a design system that supports AI development highlights the operational impact of this design role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Not explicitly stated, but a strong portfolio demonstrating practical application of design principles is paramount.

Experience: 5+ years of professional web design experience, with a significant focus on e-commerce platforms.

Required Skills:

• E-commerce Website Design: Proven expertise in designing high-converting e-commerce websites, ideally on platforms like Shopify.

• Figma Proficiency: Advanced skills in Figma for UI/UX design, prototyping, and the creation of comprehensive design systems.

• AI-First Design: Extensive experience leveraging AI tools for image generation, layout exploration, and accelerated asset creation in the design workflow.

• Design Systems: Demonstrated ability to build and document scalable design systems that are easily maintainable and extendable by development teams and AI.

• Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) Principles: Deep understanding of conversion-focused design elements, including visual hierarchy, clear calls-to-action, persuasive copy placement, and user journey optimization.

• Mobile-First Design: Expertise in designing responsive and user-friendly experiences optimized for mobile devices.

• Brand Strategy Integration: Ability to interpret and build upon existing brand guidelines to create a more unique, premium, and distinctive brand presentation online.

• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent ability to take direction, provide constructive pushback with data-backed insights, and work effectively with cross-functional teams (Brand, CRO).

• Problem-Solving: Aptitude for identifying design challenges and proposing creative, efficient solutions.

• Fluent English: Essential for effective communication within the remote, international team.

Preferred Skills:

• Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Experience: Prior experience designing for DTC brands, understanding their unique customer acquisition and retention strategies.

• Pet Industry Experience: Familiarity with the nuances of the pet product market and consumer behavior within this vertical.

• Web Development Fundamentals: Basic understanding of how designs translate to web development to ensure feasibility and optimal performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "AI-First Design" and "Design Systems" points towards a need for candidates who can not only design visually appealing websites but also create structured, scalable design assets that enable rapid iteration and automation – key operational efficiencies for a growing e-commerce business.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Live E-commerce Websites: A robust portfolio showcasing live e-commerce sites, preferably built on Shopify, that demonstrate exceptional taste, creativity, and a superior aesthetic compared to industry norms.

• Elevating Existing Brands: Specific case studies or examples within the portfolio that highlight experience in taking established e-commerce brands and significantly enhancing their online presence to appear more premium and distinctive, without sacrificing core functionality or brand recognition.

• Design System Examples: Demonstrations of previously built design systems in Figma, illustrating their structure, component libraries, and usability for development teams or AI tools.

• Conversion-Focused Design Case Studies: Projects that clearly articulate the design process, the conversion principles applied, and measurable outcomes (e.g., improved conversion rates, increased revenue per visitor).

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Evidence of designing user flows and website structures that prioritize conversion paths and seamless customer journeys.

• Implementation & Automation: Examples of how designs have been translated into functional web pages and how design systems have facilitated efficient implementation and future expansion, particularly through AI.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: A demonstrated ability to connect design decisions to measurable business outcomes, such as conversion rates, A/B test results, and revenue per visitor.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirement is heavily geared towards demonstrating practical application of design principles within an e-commerce operations context. Candidates need to showcase not just aesthetic talent but also a strategic understanding of how design drives conversion and supports scalable growth through systems and AI.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: USD $35 – $70 per hour.

Benefits:

• Flexible Remote Work: Fully remote position, allowing for work from anywhere.

• Ongoing Contractual Work: Opportunity for continued engagement beyond the initial website revamp project.

• Direct Impact: Significant influence on the visual identity and conversion performance of rapidly scaling brands.

• Collaborative Environment: Work with a lean, senior team focused on speed, creativity, and results.

• Competitive Hourly Rate: Compensation reflects experience and the high-impact nature of the role.

Working Hours: The initial project is estimated at 40–80 hours over 4–8 weeks. The role implies a need for flexibility and responsiveness ("turn feedback around the same day," "Speed Is King" value), suggesting a dedication of approximately 20 hours per week on average for ongoing projects, with potential for higher intensity during project phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided in USD, which is standard for international remote contractors. The "CONTRACTOR" employment type indicates that benefits typically associated with full-time employment (health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans) are not included. Candidates should factor these into their overall financial planning. The working hours are flexible but require responsiveness.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce, Pet Products (DTC)

Company Size: Growing rapidly, currently scaling from $50M+ to $100M+ annual revenue. The team is described as "lean" and "senior," implying a relatively small but highly experienced group.

Founded: Not explicitly stated, but the company has achieved significant revenue scale, indicating a mature but still growth-focused organization.

Team Structure:

• Lean & Senior: A small, experienced team where each member has a significant impact.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Close working relationships with the Head of Brand & Community and the CRO Lead. Direct interaction with the CEO is also implied.

• Remote-First: Operations are fully distributed, requiring strong communication and self-management skills.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decisions: Reliance on data, including split-test results, to inform design and strategy.

• Agile & Fast-Paced: Emphasis on speed ("Speed Is King"), quick feedback loops, and rapid iteration.

• Creative Problem-Solving: Using creativity to achieve ambitious goals with limited resources ("do more with less").

• AI Integration: Proactive adoption of AI tools to enhance efficiency and explore new possibilities in design and development.

Company Website: https://kittyspout.com/ (Based on typical DTC branding, though specific URL for the company's main site isn't directly provided in the job description, the domain kittyspout.com is inferred from the company name and common practice).

📝 Enhancement Note: KittySpout operates in a competitive DTC pet market. Their focus on premium branding, rapid growth, and a lean, high-impact team structure suggests a culture that values initiative, results, and continuous improvement. The "no work is beneath us" mentality is key to understanding their operational ethos.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior Individual Contributor, directly impacting the company's primary customer-facing assets (websites) and revenue generation. It requires a blend of creative expertise and operational understanding of conversion optimization and scalable design systems.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Web Designer will report to and collaborate closely with the Head of Brand & Community and the CRO Lead. There is also direct reporting/interaction with the CEO for key approvals.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct and significant impact on revenue by improving website conversion rates, enhancing brand perception to attract and retain premium customers, and enabling scalable growth through the creation of a robust design system. Success is measured through tangible metrics like conversion rate, revenue per visitor, and the successful adoption of the design system by AI tools.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization in DTC & AI Design: Deepen expertise in designing for high-growth DTC e-commerce brands and become a leader in AI-integrated design workflows.

• Strategic Design Leadership: Potential to influence the broader digital strategy and brand direction as the company scales.

• Long-Term Engagement: The "ongoing" nature of the contract suggests opportunities for sustained contribution and evolving responsibilities as new projects arise.

• Impactful Project Experience: Gain experience working on a significant website revamp for a rapidly scaling company, adding substantial value to a professional portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: This is not a typical corporate design role. Growth here is measured by impact, skill advancement in cutting-edge areas like AI design, and the opportunity to shape the digital presence of a high-growth company. The focus is on contribution and results rather than traditional hierarchical advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully remote. This implies a distributed team environment with no central physical office for this role.

Office Location(s): While the job is posted for Lisbon, Portugal, the "fully remote" nature means the designer can work from anywhere, provided they can collaborate effectively with the team across time zones and meet the "Speed Is King" responsiveness expectations. Lisbon is likely a company hub or a location where some team members are based.

Workspace Context:

• Independent Work: Requires a self-disciplined approach to manage workload and deadlines effectively from a remote location.

• Digital Collaboration Tools: Heavy reliance on tools like Figma, Slack, and potentially video conferencing for communication and collaboration.

• Fast-Paced Iteration: The environment demands quick turnarounds on feedback and agile adaptation to new insights from testing and data.

• Results-Oriented Culture: The focus is on achieving outcomes ("Overdeliver," "Will-to-win") rather than adhering to traditional office structures.

Work Schedule: Flexible, but requires significant responsiveness. The "Speed Is King" value suggests availability for same-day feedback and prompt communication. The initial project has defined hours (40-80 over 4-8 weeks), implying a need for dedicated time commitment during project phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote work environment is a key feature. Candidates must be comfortable with asynchronous communication and have a dedicated, productive home office setup. The "no stress-free corporate 9-5" description highlights that this role demands high engagement and a proactive approach.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Application Screening & Portfolio Review: Initial assessment based on resume, experience, and a thorough review of the candidate's portfolio, focusing on e-commerce expertise, taste, AI proficiency, and experience elevating existing brands.

2. Paid Test Project: A practical assessment where the candidate designs one real section for one of KittySpout's brands at their agreed hourly rate. This tests practical skills, speed, AI usage, and adherence to brand/conversion principles.

3. Final Interview: Likely a discussion with key stakeholders (CEO, Head of Brand & Community, CRO Lead) to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, collaboration style, and overall suitability for the role and company values.

4. Project Kickoff: For successful candidates, the process culminates in starting the website revamp project.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Relevant Work: Prioritize e-commerce sites, especially those on Shopify, that demonstrate strong visual taste and conversion-focused design.

• Highlight Brand Elevation: Include examples where you've successfully enhanced an existing brand's online presence to feel more premium and unique.

• Demonstrate AI Proficiency: If possible, include examples of how AI tools were integrated into your workflow or the final output. Clearly articulate your process.

• Detail Your Process: For each case study, explain your approach, the challenges faced, the solutions implemented (especially regarding conversion and AI), and the outcomes achieved. Use metrics where available.

• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or client, with concise descriptions for each piece. Make it easy for reviewers to quickly grasp your capabilities.

• Figma & Design System Focus: Explicitly show examples of design systems you've built in Figma and explain their structure and benefits.

Challenge Preparation:

• Paid Test Project Strategy: Be prepared to quickly understand brand guidelines, competitor landscape, and conversion goals for the assigned section. Leverage AI tools efficiently to explore directions and deliver a high-quality concept within the given timeframe. Focus on clear hierarchy, compelling visuals, and a strong CTA.

• Cultural Fit Assessment: Understand KittySpout's core values (Better Everyday, Speed Is King, Work Smart, Overdeliver) and be ready to articulate how your work style and philosophy align with them, providing specific examples.

• Strategic Design Thinking: Be ready to discuss how you approach elevating a brand's look and feel while simultaneously optimizing for conversion, and how you see AI playing a role in future web design operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The paid test project is a critical gate. Candidates should treat this as a mini-project, demonstrating not only design skill but also efficiency, understanding of the brief, and ability to integrate AI. This step is crucial for assessing operational readiness.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for UI/UX design, prototyping, and design system creation. Mastery is essential.

• AI Design Tools: A broad category, likely including AI image generators (e.g., Midjourney, DALL-E), AI layout assistants, and potentially AI website builders or content generation tools. Proficiency here is a key differentiator.

Analytics & Reporting:

• CRO Tools: Familiarity with tools used for A/B testing and conversion rate analysis (e.g., Google Optimize, VWO, Optimizely) is implied through collaboration with the CRO Lead.

• Web Analytics: Understanding of how designs impact metrics tracked in tools like Google Analytics is beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• E-commerce Platforms: Deep experience with Shopify is highly preferred. Understanding of other platforms like Amazon and Chewy (where KittySpout sells) might be advantageous contextually.

• Integration Tools: Not directly specified, but understanding how designs translate to functional web pages on e-commerce platforms is key.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "AI-First Design" and the requirement to build a system that "AI can extend" positions AI tools as central to the role's operational efficiency. Proficiency here is not just a bonus but a core requirement for moving fast and delivering scalable solutions.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Better Everyday: A commitment to continuous improvement, using data from split tests and user feedback to refine the design system and website elements over time. This translates to iterative design and optimization.

• Speed Is King: Prioritizing rapid execution, quick decision-making, and fast turnaround on feedback to maintain momentum in a fast-growing company.

• Work Smart: Leveraging AI and efficient processes to maximize output and achieve ambitious goals with limited resources. Designing systems that enable others (including AI) to work efficiently is key.

• Overdeliver: Going beyond basic requirements to provide exceptional value, such as creating a design system that supports long-term growth and AI development, rather than just a set of static pages.

Collaboration Style:

• Direct & Action-Oriented: Expect direct communication and a focus on driving results. The culture avoids "politics or corporate chicanery."

• Proactive & Engaged: Team members are expected to be passionate, hands-on, and actively contribute to the company's goals.

• Feedback-Rich: Openness to receiving and providing feedback is implied, especially in the context of split testing and iterative design refinement.

• Cross-Functional Synergy: Close working relationships between design, brand, and CRO are essential for aligning visual strategy with performance objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is explicitly described as a primary hiring factor. Candidates must demonstrate alignment with these values, particularly the emphasis on speed, smart execution (leveraging AI), and delivering exceptional results. This is a high-performance culture focused on impact.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Aesthetics and Conversion: The core challenge is to elevate the premium look and feel of the brands without compromising, and ideally enhancing, conversion rates. This requires a nuanced understanding of both brand strategy and performance marketing.

• Rapid Iteration & AI Integration: Working within a fast-paced environment that demands quick turnarounds and effectively integrating AI tools into a proven design workflow.

• Elevating an Existing Brand: Transforming the perception of established brands requires a delicate touch to ensure distinctiveness and premium quality without alienating the existing customer base or losing brand equity.

• Building a Scalable System: Creating a design system that is robust enough for immediate use and extensible by AI tools for future growth presents a significant technical and strategic design challenge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Mastery: Become an expert in leveraging cutting-edge AI tools for web design, enhancing efficiency and creative output.

• DTC E-commerce Growth Strategies: Gain deep insights into scaling DTC brands through optimized digital experiences.

• Conversion Rate Optimization: Develop advanced skills in CRO through direct collaboration and A/B testing.

• Design System Architecture: Enhance expertise in building and maintaining scalable design systems that support complex digital ecosystems.

• High-Impact Project Experience: Contribute significantly to the growth trajectory of a rapidly scaling company, adding valuable experience to one's professional profile.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity to tackle complex design challenges at the intersection of branding, conversion optimization, and emerging AI technologies within a high-growth DTC environment. The challenges presented are directly linked to significant learning and development potential.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach elevating the premium feel of an existing e-commerce brand while ensuring all pages are designed to convert effectively?" (Prepare to discuss balancing aesthetics with conversion metrics, visual hierarchy, CTAs, and proof points).

• "Describe your process for developing a mobile-first design system in Figma that can be easily extended by AI tools." (Be ready to detail component structure, documentation, usage rules, and your experience with AI integration in design systems).

• "Walk us through a project where you used AI tools to accelerate your design process or explore creative directions. What were the results?" (Prepare a specific example highlighting efficiency gains and creative outcomes).

• "How do you incorporate A/B testing feedback into your design system and future designs?" (Discuss your iterative process and how data informs design decisions). Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do you embody our values of 'Better Everyday,' 'Speed Is King,' 'Work Smart,' and 'Overdeliver' in your design work?" (Prepare specific anecdotes that demonstrate alignment with each value).

• "Describe a time you had to push back on a direction from a stakeholder. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on constructive disagreement backed by data or strategic reasoning).

• "What does 'no work is beneath us' mean to you in a professional context?" (Show willingness to be hands-on and contribute wherever needed). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: For each portfolio piece, clearly articulate the problem, your solution, the tools used (especially AI and Figma), and the measurable results (conversion improvements, brand elevation).

• Demonstrate AI Integration: If possible, visually or verbally explain how AI was used in the project. This is a key differentiator.

• Showcase Design System Examples: Dedicate time to walk through your design system examples, explaining their structure, scalability, and ease of use.

• Tell a Story: Frame your projects as narratives that highlight your problem-solving skills, creative approach, and ability to deliver results in a conversion-focused e-commerce context.

• Be Prepared for the Paid Test: Treat the paid test as a live portfolio piece. Ensure your submission is polished, demonstrates clear thinking, and effectively uses AI and conversion principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is rigorous, with a paid test project serving as a significant evaluation point. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not just design skills but also strategic thinking, cultural fit, and proficiency with AI tools in a practical, hands-on manner.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the application link provided on Workable.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features e-commerce websites (ideally Shopify), examples of elevating existing brands, and clear demonstrations of your design system capabilities in Figma. Highlight your experience with AI-first design methodologies.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 5+ years of web design experience, specific skills in Figma, AI design, conversion-focused design, and experience with DTC or e-commerce brands. Use keywords relevant to the job description.

• Prepare for the Paid Test: Anticipate the paid test project by reviewing KittySpout's brands and competitors. Be ready to quickly develop a high-converting section using AI tools, demonstrating your speed, creativity, and understanding of their brand.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research KittySpout and its brands. Understand their market position, target audience, and company values to articulate your cultural fit during the final interview. Be ready to discuss how your design approach aligns with their "will-to-win" and "work smart" ethos.

⚠️ 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.