Staff/Principal Product Designer, Partnerships

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Staff/Principal Product Designer, Partnerships

Company: Ethos Life

Location: Bangalore, India

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design (GTM/Partnerships Focus)

Date Posted: August 1, 2026

Experience Level: 7-10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and define design strategy for critical product initiatives within the Partnerships team, influencing the overall user experience vision.

• Drive the creation and optimization of end-to-end user journeys, from zero-to-one product development to enhancing core business offerings that directly impact revenue.

• Collaborate closely with executive stakeholders across engineering, product, marketing, and carrier partners to ensure seamless product development and launch.

• Champion an AI-augmented product building model, actively participating in and guiding the transition towards more intelligent design and development processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned for a senior individual contributor (Staff/Principal level) with a strong emphasis on strategic design leadership within a fast-paced, venture-backed startup environment. The focus on "Partnerships" indicates a need for designing experiences that facilitate B2B2C or B2B integrations, likely involving agent enablement and carrier/partner portal functionalities, directly impacting revenue growth.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive design strategies for multiple product units within the Partnerships division, ensuring alignment with business objectives and user needs.

• Set the strategic vision for the overall user experience across Ethos's partnership ecosystem, establishing design standards and best practices.

• Lead the design and development of new, innovative products and features, particularly in the zero-to-one space, and iterate on existing user journeys to drive significant revenue gains.

• Effectively manage and influence executive-level stakeholders from engineering, product management, marketing, and external partners, ensuring buy-in and collaborative execution.

• Proactively identify and implement improvements to the product development process, working cross-functionally to enhance efficiency, speed, and quality of output.

• Mentor and guide junior designers (at the Principal level), fostering their growth and elevating the design practice across the team.

• Actively research, integrate, and champion the adoption of AI-augmented product building methodologies to enhance design capabilities and outcomes.

• Measure and articulate the business impact of design decisions, demonstrating clear ROI and contribution to key performance indicators.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership, hands-on design execution, and process improvement. The emphasis on "Partnerships" suggests that responsibilities will extend beyond direct consumer-facing design to encompass experiences for agents, carriers, and other business partners, requiring a nuanced understanding of B2B and B2B2C design principles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While no specific degree is mandated, a strong educational foundation in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field is highly beneficial. Equivalent practical experience will be considered. Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of professional Product Design experience, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality digital products.

• For the Principal level, a minimum of 10 years of experience is required, with demonstrated leadership in influencing design outcomes and mentoring other designers.

• At least 2 years of experience working within a venture-funded, private startup environment is a mandatory requirement, demonstrating adaptability and comfort in a high-growth setting.

• The majority of your design experience should be in-house, focused on direct-to-consumer (DTC) products, providing a deep understanding of user acquisition and retention strategies.

• Proven experience in a high-velocity, experiment-driven environment, showcasing the ability to iterate rapidly and leverage data for design decisions.

• Demonstrated ability to lead projects end-to-end: from initial discovery, problem definition, ideation, and validation through to engineering implementation and post-launch measurement.

• Experience launching entirely new (0-1) products, not solely focusing on iterative improvements to existing offerings. Required Skills:

• Design Strategy Leadership: Ability to define and articulate a compelling vision for user experience and product direction.

• End-to-End Product Design: Proficiency in the entire product development lifecycle, from research and ideation to implementation and measurement.

• User-Centric Design: Deep understanding of user research methodologies, usability testing, and translating user needs into intuitive interfaces.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Exceptional ability to partner effectively with Product Managers, Engineers, Marketing, and other key stakeholders.

• Communication & Storytelling: Clear and persuasive articulation of design rationale, decisions, and impact to diverse audiences, including executive leadership.

Preferred Skills:

• Partnerships/B2B2C Design: Experience designing for complex ecosystems involving agents, carriers, or other business partners.

• AI-Augmented Design Tools: Familiarity or experience with leveraging AI tools in the design process for efficiency and enhanced output.

• Data Analysis & Impact Measurement: Proven ability to define KPIs, measure design impact on business metrics (e.g., conversion rates, revenue), and use data to inform design iterations.

• Interaction Design & Prototyping: Advanced skills in creating detailed interactive prototypes and specifications.

• Visual Design & Content Strategy: Strong aesthetic sensibility and ability to guide visual polish and content design for cohesive user experiences.

• Mentorship & Team Leadership: Experience formally or informally leading and developing other designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The distinction between Staff and Principal roles is primarily in the depth of experience, leadership, and mentorship expectations. The requirement for "in-house" and "direct-to-consumer" experience is crucial, but the "Partnerships" focus adds a layer of B2B/B2B2C complexity that candidates should highlight if they have it. The "AI-augmented" aspect is a forward-looking requirement.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate End-to-End Ownership: Showcase a minimum of 2-3 significant projects where you led the entire design process from discovery to post-launch analysis and iteration.

• Highlight 0-1 Product Launches: Include at least one case study detailing the conception, design, and launch of a new product or major feature from scratch.

• Illustrate Process Adaptability: Provide examples of how you adapted your design process based on project needs, constraints, or the velocity of a startup environment (e.g., knowing when to shortcut, when to be rigorous).

• Showcase Business Impact: Clearly articulate the business goals for each project and present metrics demonstrating the positive impact of your design solutions on key performance indicators (e.g., conversion rates, user engagement, revenue growth, cost reduction).

• Detail Interaction and Content Design: Include specific examples of your interaction design decisions, user flows, and how you approached content strategy within your designs, demonstrating intentionality and polish.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their design process in detail, explaining:

  • How they conduct user research and define problems.

  • Their methods for ideation, wireframing, and prototyping.

  • How they collaborate with engineering and product teams during implementation.

  • Their approach to validating designs and measuring success post-launch.

  • How they integrate feedback and iterate on designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: For senior roles like this, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to showcase not just design skills but strategic thinking, leadership, and business acumen. The emphasis on "process" and "systems" in this context refers to the candidate's systematic approach to design problems and their ability to work within and improve existing product development systems.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Given the Staff/Principal level experience, the location in Bangalore, India, and the venture-funded startup context, a competitive salary range can be estimated.

  • Staff Product Designer: ₹35,00,000 - ₹55,00,000 per annum (approx. $42,000 - $66,000 USD)
  • Principal Product Designer: ₹50,00,000 - ₹75,00,000+ per annum (approx. $60,000 - $90,000+ USD)

• These ranges are estimates and can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, negotiation skills, and the company's compensation philosophy. The "Principal" level will command a premium, especially for candidates with strong leadership and 0-1 product launch experience. Benefits:

• Inclusive and Diverse Workplace: Commitment to fostering an environment where all employees feel valued and respected.

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical coverage for employees and potentially dependents.

• Stock Options/Equity: Potential for equity in a growing startup, offering long-term financial upside.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continued learning, training, and attending industry conferences.

• Flexible Work Environment: Hybrid work model allowing for a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation, sick leave, and public holiday allowances.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time employment, typically around 40 hours per week. The hybrid model offers flexibility in structuring these hours, with expectations for collaboration during core business hours and designated in-office days.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary ranges are based on industry benchmarks for senior design roles in major Indian tech hubs like Bangalore, adjusted for the startup environment and the specific seniority levels (Staff/Principal). Benefits listed are common for tech companies, with emphasis on inclusive culture as stated in the job description.

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Life Insurance Technology (Insurtech)

Company Size: The job description doesn't explicitly state the company size, but the reference to being "venture-funded" and operating with "product units" suggests a growing, mid-sized company, likely between 200-1000 employees. This implies a dynamic environment with established processes but still retaining startup agility.

Founded: Ethos was founded in 2016, indicating a company with several years of operational history, past the initial startup phase, and now focused on scaling and refining its offerings.

Team Structure:

• The Partnerships team likely operates with a dedicated Product Manager, Engineering Lead, and a cross-functional design presence. Designers will work closely with product managers and engineers.

• Designers are expected to manage executive stakeholders, implying a matrixed reporting structure where designers report to a Design Lead or Head of Product, but also work directly with senior leaders across departments.

• Collaboration is key, with designers expected to partner extensively with Product, Engineering, Marketing, and external Carrier/Partner teams. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: The emphasis on "experiment-driven" and "measuring impact" highlights a culture that values data to inform design choices and validate hypotheses.

• Agile Development: The mention of "high-velocity" and "product development process" suggests an agile or lean methodology where rapid iteration and continuous improvement are prioritized.

• AI Integration: A forward-thinking approach to integrating AI into product development workflows is a notable aspect of their methodology.

• User-Centricity: Despite the speed, the core mission of "protecting families" and "transforming the life insurance experience" underscores a commitment to user needs.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Ethos Life operates in the Insurtech space, a rapidly evolving sector. The company's mission to "democratize access to life insurance" and "empower agents at scale" suggests a focus on user experience, efficiency, and building trust. The "Partnerships" role specifically targets growth through strategic alliances.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level:

• This role is positioned at a senior individual contributor level, either Staff or Principal Product Designer.
  • Staff Designer: Expected to be a significant contributor to product strategy, capable of owning complex projects, driving cross-functional alignment, and mentoring others indirectly. They are seen as experts in their domain.
  • Principal Designer: Represents the highest level of individual contributor expertise. Expected to influence company-wide design strategy, tackle the most ambiguous and impactful problems, mentor multiple designers, and potentially shape the future of the design organization. They are often seen as thought leaders.

Reporting Structure:

• Designers typically report into a Design Lead, Head of Design, or potentially a Head of Product. However, the role demands significant autonomy and direct interaction with executive leadership across Engineering, Product, and Marketing, as well as external partners. Operations Impact:

• This role has a direct and significant impact on revenue generation through the Partnerships team. By designing effective agent journeys, partner portals, and new business lines, the designer directly contributes to customer acquisition, agent productivity, and strategic growth initiatives. The ability to measure and articulate this impact is crucial. Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Track: For Principal level, there's a clear path towards becoming a design leader, potentially managing a team or leading design for a major product area.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape product strategy and company direction through impactful design initiatives.

• Domain Expertise: Deepen expertise in the Insurtech industry and the complexities of partnership ecosystems.

• AI & Innovation: Be at the forefront of adopting AI in product development, gaining cutting-edge skills.

• Cross-Functional Mastery: Develop strong relationships and strategic partnerships across various business functions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Staff/Principal designation signifies a high level of impact and influence. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they've driven significant business outcomes and shaped product strategy in previous roles. The growth opportunities are geared towards senior leadership and strategic contributions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type:

• The job is listed as Hybrid, meaning it will involve a combination of in-office work and remote work. This suggests a collaborative office space designed to facilitate teamwork, brainstorming, and mentorship, alongside the flexibility of remote work. Office Location(s):

• The primary office location specified is Bangalore, India. This implies that candidates are expected to be based in or willing to relocate to Bangalore to fulfill the hybrid work requirements. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office likely features open work areas, meeting rooms, and potentially dedicated spaces for design critiques and brainstorming sessions.

• Technology & Tools: Access to necessary design software, hardware, and collaboration platforms will be provided. The company's commitment to AI-augmented building suggests they invest in modern technology.

• Team Interaction: Hybrid work necessitates intentional team interactions. Expect structured in-office days for collaboration, team-building activities, and key meetings.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule will likely be 40 hours per week. The hybrid arrangement allows for flexibility in daily scheduling, but core hours for collaboration and team meetings will be expected. The "high-velocity" nature of the company may sometimes require dedication beyond standard hours for critical launches or problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role in Bangalore requires candidates to understand the local work culture and commute expectations. The emphasis on collaboration in a hybrid setting means candidates should highlight their ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a distributed team.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, experience, and alignment with the role and company culture.

2. Hiring Manager Interview: A more in-depth conversation with the hiring manager (likely a Design Lead or Head of Product) to discuss experience, design philosophy, and strategic thinking.

3. Portfolio Presentation & Design Challenge: This is a critical stage. Candidates will present their portfolio, showcasing 2-3 key projects with a strong focus on process, impact, and ownership. They may also be given a take-home design challenge or an in-person/virtual whiteboarding session to assess problem-solving skills and design approach in real-time.

4. Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders from Engineering, Product Management, and potentially Marketing or Partnerships teams to evaluate collaboration skills and ability to work across disciplines.

5. Executive/Leadership Interview: For Staff/Principal roles, a final interview with senior leadership (e.g., VP of Product, CTO, or CEO) to assess strategic alignment, leadership potential, and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, the process you followed, your key contributions, the challenges you overcame, and the measurable outcomes.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs. Focus on business impact (revenue, conversion, efficiency) as well as user impact.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Include high-fidelity mockups, interactive prototypes, user flows, and any relevant research findings. Explain the why behind your design decisions.

• Highlight Adaptability: Showcase how you navigated ambiguity, constraints, and rapid iteration, especially in a startup environment.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects relevant to partnerships, B2B2C experiences, or complex user journeys if possible. If not, clearly articulate how your DTC experience translates to these areas.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Business Context: Research Ethos Life, its mission, its products, and its market. Understand the challenges in the Insurtech space and the role of partnerships.

• Focus on Process: For any design challenge, clearly articulate your thought process. Explain your assumptions, the questions you'd ask, the steps you'd take, and how you'd measure success.

• Prioritize and Scope: In timed challenges, demonstrate your ability to prioritize key features or user flows and manage scope effectively.

• Be Ready to Defend Decisions: Be prepared to explain and defend your design choices, especially if asked to make trade-offs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for senior roles is rigorous and multi-faceted. The portfolio review is the most critical component, serving as the primary evidence of a candidate's capabilities. Candidates should prepare to articulate their strategic thinking and leadership potential.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable, industry standard), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop).

• User Research & Testing: Tools for conducting user interviews, usability testing, and surveys (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, SurveyMonkey, Google Forms).

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack.

• AI-Augmented Design Tools: Candidates are encouraged to be familiar with or explore tools that leverage AI for design tasks, such as AI-powered ideation tools, content generation assistants, or automated design systems.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel, or similar product analytics platforms to track user behavior and product performance.

• Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI, Looker Studio (formerly Google Data Studio) for creating dashboards and reports.

• A/B Testing Platforms: Tools for running experiments and measuring the impact of design changes (e.g., Optimizely, VWO).

CRM & Automation:

• CRM: Salesforce, HubSpot (likely used by sales/marketing teams, designers may need to understand data flow).

• Integration Platforms: Understanding how different systems connect (e.g., Zapier, custom APIs) can be beneficial for designing integrated experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in modern design tools like Figma is almost certainly expected. Familiarity with product analytics and A/B testing platforms is crucial for demonstrating the ability to measure design impact. The mention of AI-augmented tools suggests the company is forward-thinking and values candidates who embrace new technologies.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Protecting Families: The core mission drives a sense of purpose and responsibility, emphasizing the importance of ethical design and user well-being.

• Democratizing Access: A value that translates into designing inclusive, accessible, and user-friendly experiences for a broad audience.

• Empowering Agents at Scale: This value highlights a focus on efficiency, usability, and providing robust tools for business partners.

• Innovation & Agility: A culture that embraces rapid iteration, experimentation, and adopting new technologies (like AI) to stay ahead.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: A commitment to using data and insights to guide product development and measure success.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnership: The company fosters strong collaboration between Design, Product, Engineering, and Marketing teams. Expect regular syncs, joint planning sessions, and shared ownership of product outcomes.

• Open Feedback Culture: A willingness to give and receive constructive feedback is essential for growth and continuous improvement, especially in a fast-paced environment.

• Experimentation Mindset: Collaboration often involves hypothesis-driven experimentation, where teams work together to test ideas and learn quickly.

• Ownership and Accountability: Team members are encouraged to take ownership of their work and be accountable for delivering results, fostering a proactive and results-oriented environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values are deeply tied to its mission. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how their work aligns with these values and how they contribute to a collaborative and innovative environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Speed and Quality: Operating in a "high-velocity, experiment-driven environment" while maintaining high design standards requires strategic prioritization and efficient workflows.

• Designing for Complex Partnerships: Creating seamless experiences across multiple stakeholders (consumers, agents, carriers) involves navigating complex business rules and technical integrations.

• Zero-to-One Product Development: Launching entirely new products from scratch presents inherent risks and requires strong problem-solving, market validation, and iterative refinement.

• Transitioning to AI-Augmented Workflows: Adapting to and effectively leveraging new AI tools and methodologies in the design process can be a learning curve.

• Influencing Executive Stakeholders: Effectively communicating design value and securing buy-in from senior leaders requires strong strategic thinking and persuasive communication skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Leadership: Opportunities to grow into a Principal Designer role, shaping company-wide design strategy and mentoring junior talent.

• Insurtech Domain Expertise: Deepen knowledge of the life insurance industry, regulatory landscape, and the intricacies of partnership models.

• AI in Design: Gain hands-on experience and expertise in leveraging AI tools to enhance product development and design processes.

• Strategic Product Development: Contribute to the growth of a rapidly scaling tech company by launching impactful new products and features.

• Cross-functional Acumen: Develop a strong understanding of business operations across Product, Engineering, Marketing, and Sales through close collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should view these challenges not as deterrents, but as opportunities for growth and skill development. Highlighting how they've overcome similar challenges in the past will be beneficial.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led the design strategy for a complex product or feature. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on strategic thinking, process, and impact).

• "How do you balance the need for rigorous design process with the demands of a fast-paced startup environment?" (Demonstrate adaptability and efficiency).

• "Tell me about a zero-to-one product you designed. What were the biggest challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Highlight innovation and execution).

• "How do you measure the success of your designs, and how have you used data to influence design decisions?" (Emphasize data literacy and business impact).

• "How would you approach designing an experience for our partnerships team, considering the needs of agents, carriers, and consumers?" (Assess understanding of B2B2C/partnership design). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Ethos Life, and why are you interested in working here, particularly in the Insurtech space?" (Show research and genuine interest).

• "How do you see AI transforming product design, and how would you integrate AI tools into your workflow at Ethos?" (Assess forward-thinking and adaptability).

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid environment and collaborating with remote and in-office colleagues." (Evaluate collaboration skills).

• "How do you approach mentoring or influencing other designers?" (For Principal role, assess leadership potential). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with the "Why": Clearly articulate the problem you were solving and the business objectives.

• Walk Through Your Process: Detail your research, ideation, design iterations, and validation steps. Explain why you made certain choices.

• Showcase Your Role: Be specific about your contributions, especially if it was a team project.

• Quantify Results: Present the impact of your work using data and metrics. Connect your design decisions to business outcomes.

• Highlight Nuances: Discuss challenges, trade-offs, and learnings. Show self-awareness and a growth mindset.

• Practice Your Narrative: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it flows logically, stays within time limits, and is engaging.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership, adaptability, and a data-driven approach, all within the context of product design for a growing tech company in the Insurtech sector.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Staff/Principal Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Greenhouse link on the Ethos Life careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features 2-3 in-depth case studies that showcase end-to-end project ownership, zero-to-one product launches, and measurable business impact. Tailor the presentation to highlight experience relevant to partnerships or complex user journeys if possible.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your years of experience, specific achievements in product design, startup experience, and any leadership or mentorship roles. Use keywords from the job description such as "design strategy," "0-1 products," "stakeholder management," and "AI-augmented."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, defending your design decisions with rationale and data, and preparing answers for behavioral questions focusing on leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving. Prepare to discuss your experience with hybrid work and AI in design.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Ethos Life, its mission, products, target audience, and recent news. Understand their competitive landscape in the Insurtech market and their approach to partnerships.

⚠️ 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.