UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer

Company: Catawiki

Location: Lisbon, Portugal

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design

Date Posted: November 5, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end UX and product design initiatives for key areas of Catawiki's marketplace, focusing on buyer, seller, or post-sale experiences.

• Leverage customer research, behavioral data, and business insights to identify user needs and drive impactful design opportunities.

• Translate complex problems into intuitive user journeys, interaction designs, interface designs, prototypes, and service flows.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including Product Managers, Engineers, Data Scientists, UX Writers, and Supply stakeholders to deliver cohesive and effective solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior individual contributor, emphasizing leadership through work and influence rather than people management. The scope is broad, covering multiple facets of the marketplace, requiring a candidate who can connect disparate user experiences and understand the interconnectedness of buyer, seller, and fulfillment journeys. The mention of "practical AI-assisted workflows" indicates a forward-thinking design environment where leveraging new tools for efficiency and ideation is encouraged.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the design process for specific seller and expert experiences, from initial research and concept development through prototyping, delivery, and post-launch analysis.

• Utilize customer research, behavioral analytics, and business acumen to thoroughly define problems, pinpoint user needs, and prioritize design opportunities within the marketplace.

• Develop clear, user-centered journeys, interaction models, interface designs, prototypes, and service flows that address complex user challenges.

• Conduct rigorous testing of design concepts with customers and internal stakeholders, incorporating feedback to refine and improve solutions.

• Actively partner with Product Managers, Engineers, Data Scientists, UX Writers, supply-side stakeholders, and fellow designers to collaboratively shape and execute product strategies.

• Ensure design decisions are grounded in a balance of user empathy, business objectives, and technical feasibility, with a clear line of sight to measurable customer and commercial impact.

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of design systems and shared patterns to ensure a consistent and coherent user experience across the entire Catawiki platform.

• Employ Figma and practical AI-assisted workflows for efficient ideation and prototyping, applying critical judgment to the output of these tools.

• Articulate design rationale and decisions clearly, effectively communicating the story behind the work to diverse audiences, and iterating based on constructive feedback.

• Navigate ambiguity and manage competing priorities effectively, demonstrating the ability to quickly understand new product areas and contribute productively within the first month.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on the full design lifecycle, from discovery to iteration. The expectation to "lead design" suggests autonomy and ownership. The requirement to connect "customer needs, business goals and technical constraints" is a core tenet of effective product design, especially in a marketplace setting where multiple user types and business objectives must be considered. The integration of AI tools implies a need for adaptability and a willingness to explore new design methodologies.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, or a related field is often preferred for roles of this nature. A strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical experience will be highly valued.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of dedicated experience in UX or product design, with a proven track record of owning design projects end-to-end. This includes successfully navigating complex problem spaces and demonstrating tangible contributions to project outcomes.

Required Skills:

• End-to-End UX/Product Design Ownership: Demonstrated ability to manage design projects from conception through to post-launch analysis, including research, ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration.

• Interaction Design & Prototyping: Strong command of interaction design principles and proficiency in creating interactive prototypes to visualize and test user flows and functionality.

• Visual Communication: Excellent visual design skills, with the ability to create clear, compelling, and aesthetically consistent interfaces.

• Design Systems: Understanding of how to utilize, contribute to, and improve design systems and shared UI patterns for consistency and efficiency.

• Customer Research & Data Translation: Experience in conducting or contributing to user research (qualitative and quantitative) and translating findings, behavioral data, and direct feedback into actionable design decisions.

• Figma Proficiency: Advanced skills in Figma for design, prototyping, and collaboration.

• AI-Assisted Design: Practical experience and willingness to experiment with AI tools for design ideation, prototyping, or workflow enhancement.

• Structured Communication (English): Clear, concise, and structured verbal and written communication skills in English, with the ability to articulate complex design concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Structured Problem Solving: Ability to break down complex problems into manageable components, analyze root causes, and develop effective solutions.

• Independent Decision-Making: Confidence and capability to make sound design decisions with minimal oversight, while also knowing when to seek input.

• Systems Thinking: Ability to understand and design for interconnected user journeys and how decisions in one area of the marketplace impact others.

• Stakeholder Management & Collaboration: Proven ability to effectively manage relationships with various stakeholders, collaborate across diverse disciplines (Product, Engineering, Data Science, UX Writing), and influence decisions without formal authority.

• Adaptability & Openness to Feedback: A flexible mindset, receptive to change, feedback, and evolving tools and processes within a dynamic environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within a smaller product company, e-commerce platform, or a marketplace environment.

• Specific experience designing seller journeys or contributing to marketplace-specific user experiences.

• Proven ability to deliver results in less structured environments characterized by multiple competing priorities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a strong portfolio is crucial for this role, as it serves as the primary evidence of the candidate's ability to handle complex problems and achieve outcomes. The requirement for "practical AI-assisted workflows" suggests that candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience and perspective on integrating AI into their design process, not just theoretical knowledge. The preference for marketplace or e-commerce experience is a strong indicator of the type of domain knowledge that will be advantageous.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• End-to-End Case Studies: Detailed case studies showcasing at least 2-3 complex projects, illustrating the entire design process from problem definition and research to final solution and impact.

• Problem Framing: Clear articulation of the initial problem statement, user needs, and business objectives for each project.

• Decision Rationale: Comprehensive explanation of the design decisions made, including trade-offs considered, user research insights, and data-driven justifications.

• Process & Tools: Documentation of the design process followed, including methodologies used (e.g., user interviews, usability testing, A/B testing) and specific tools employed (Figma, prototyping tools, AI tools).

• Outcomes & Impact: Quantifiable results or qualitative evidence demonstrating the impact of the designed solutions on user behavior, business metrics (e.g., conversion rates, engagement, task completion), or customer satisfaction.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Examples demonstrating the ability to map out complex user workflows, identify bottlenecks, and propose optimized flows.

• Implementation & Automation: Evidence of how designs were translated into implementable solutions, and any considerations for process automation or efficiency.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Examples of how the success of designs was measured post-launch, including the metrics tracked and analysis performed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are heavily focused on demonstrating a structured, data-informed, and impact-oriented design process. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their portfolio, explaining not just what they designed, but why they designed it that way and what the results were. The inclusion of AI tools in the portfolio is explicitly mentioned, suggesting that examples of their application would be beneficial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for experienced UX Designers in Lisbon, Portugal, with 5-10 years of experience in a hybrid work environment, the estimated annual gross base salary range is €45,000 - €65,000. This range is an estimate and will be finalized based on the candidate's specific competencies, experience level, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Competitive Annual Gross Base Salary: Tailored to experience and skill level.

• Meal Allowance Card: A daily stipend to cover meal expenses while working.

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Coverage from day one, including dental care, with access to a wide network of hospitals, clinics, and wellness providers.

• Work From Home Allowance: A monthly stipend to assist with household utility bills.

• Commuting Coverage: Reimbursement for travel expenses between home and the Lisbon office.

• Learning & Development Initiatives: Access to programs, mentorship, and resources to support career growth and skill enhancement.

• Catavoucher: A €100 voucher upon joining and a €50 voucher for your birthday.

• "Pursue Your Passion" Day: An additional paid day off annually to dedicate to personal interests.

• Additional Leave: Extra days off for significant work anniversives and key life events.

• Amazing Office: Access to a well-equipped and inspiring office space in the heart of Lisbon.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid model offers flexibility, with a minimum of two days per week required in the Lisbon office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimation is based on publicly available data for UX Designer roles in Lisbon with the specified experience level, considering the hybrid work arrangement and the company's industry (e-commerce/marketplace). The benefits package is comprehensive, with specific details provided in the job description, highlighting a commitment to employee well-being and professional development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Catawiki operates within the online marketplace and e-commerce sector, specifically focusing on unique and special objects. This niche positions it within a competitive landscape that demands innovative user experiences to connect buyers and sellers of high-value, curated items. The company's success is driven by its expert curation and its ability to foster trust and engagement within its community.

Company Size: With over 800 employees ("Catawikians") and a presence in multiple locations, Catawiki is a growing scale-up. This size typically means a dynamic environment where processes are evolving, opportunities for impact are significant, and cross-functional collaboration is essential. For operations professionals, this translates to a role where they can influence and shape processes, rather than just maintaining existing ones.

Founded: Founded in 2008, Catawiki has established itself over more than a decade as a leading marketplace for special objects. This history suggests a company that has navigated growth stages, learned from its experiences, and is now focused on scaling its mission to become the world's most popular destination for unique items. This maturity provides a stable yet ambitious operational context.

Team Structure: The UX Designer will be part of a design team that collaborates closely with Product Managers, Engineers, Data Scientists, and UX Writers. While not a people management role, it implies leadership through influence, design expertise, and collaborative problem-solving within a matrixed structure. The team operates with a "flat structure" philosophy, meaning individual contributions have broad scope and direct impact.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Iteration: The team relies on customer research, behavioral data, and direct feedback to inform design decisions and drive iterative improvements.

• User-Centricity with Business Acumen: A core methodology involves balancing user empathy with business goals and technical constraints to ensure designs are both desirable and viable.

• Collaborative Development: Design is a shared responsibility, with close partnerships across disciplines to achieve integrated solutions.

• Agile & Iterative Design: The process emphasizes exploring, testing, and iterating on ideas rapidly, with continuous learning post-launch.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is characterized by three core values: ownership and impact, openness to change and feedback, and passion for the mission and customers. These values are deeply embedded in the "How We Work" section, suggesting that candidates who align with these principles will thrive. The hybrid work model and specific office presence requirements are clearly defined.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior UX Designer. It requires a substantial amount of experience (5+ years) and the ability to "own design work end to end." This implies a level of autonomy, strategic input, and responsibility for significant parts of the product experience, moving beyond task execution to problem definition and solution leadership.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly detailed, the role involves close collaboration with Product Managers, Engineers, Data Scientists, UX Writers, and Supply stakeholders. The UX Designer is expected to "lead through your work and influence, rather than people management," suggesting a peer-level collaboration dynamic where design expertise drives decisions, rather than hierarchical authority. The design team itself likely has a design lead or manager, but this specific role focuses on individual contribution and project leadership.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's impact is directly tied to improving the buyer, seller, and post-sale experiences within the Catawiki marketplace. By identifying user needs and translating them into effective designs, they contribute to increased customer satisfaction, higher conversion rates, improved seller retention, and overall marketplace growth. The emphasis on connecting design decisions to "measurable customer and commercial impact" underscores the direct link between UX work and business outcomes.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization & Domain Expertise: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of the marketplace (Demand, Supply, Fulfilment) or become a go-to expert for certain design challenges.

• Design System Leadership: Potential to take a more prominent role in shaping and evolving Catawiki's design system and shared patterns.

• Cross-functional Influence: Developing stronger skills in influencing product strategy and roadmap through compelling design advocacy and data-driven insights.

• Mentorship: As a senior individual, there's an implicit opportunity to mentor more junior designers or product team members on UX best practices.

• Career Progression: Potential to move into Lead UX Designer, Design Manager, or specialized UX roles within a growing organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path for a Senior UX Designer at Catawiki appears to focus on deepening impact within the product organization through expertise and influence, rather than necessarily climbing a traditional management ladder. The company's emphasis on "Learning & Development initiatives, including clear development plans and mentorship programmes" suggests a structured approach to employee growth.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Catawiki operates a hybrid work model, with employees expected to spend a minimum of two days per week in their designated office hub. The Lisbon office is described as "amazing" and "right in the centre of Lisbon," suggesting a modern, well-located workspace designed to foster collaboration and productivity.

Office Location(s): The primary office location for this role is Lisbon, Portugal. Employees are expected to work from this hub a minimum of two days per week.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office design is intended to "inspire collaboration," facilitating spontaneous interactions and planned teamwork.

• Tools & Technology: While not explicitly detailed for the office space, the job description mentions the use of Figma and practical AI-assisted workflows, implying that designers will have access to the necessary digital tools and potentially hardware to support their work.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid model balances focused remote work with in-person collaboration, allowing for team connection, brainstorming sessions, and relationship building within the design and cross-functional teams.

Work Schedule: The role operates on a standard full-time schedule, approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid arrangement offers flexibility in how and where work is performed, with the core requirement of being present in the Lisbon office for a minimum of two days per week. This schedule is designed to accommodate project deadlines and team collaboration needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role is a key aspect of the work environment. Candidates should be comfortable with a structured hybrid setup, understanding that in-office days are for collaboration and team engagement, while remote days may offer more focused individual work. The "amazing office" description suggests an investment in employee experience within the physical workspace.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and cover letter, potentially aided by AI tools to assess initial fit. Emphasis on clear communication and alignment with company values.

• Portfolio Review & Discussion: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, focusing on 2-3 key case studies. Be prepared to articulate your problem-solving approach, design decisions, collaboration process, and the measurable impact of your work.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Discussions with Product Managers, Engineers, Data Scientists, and potentially other designers. These interviews will assess your collaboration skills, technical understanding, ability to balance constraints, and your approach to user empathy and business goals.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A final conversation to assess overall fit, cultural alignment, and address any remaining questions about the role and team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate end-to-end ownership, complex problem-solving, and measurable impact relevant to a marketplace or e-commerce context.

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies as narratives. Clearly define the problem, your role, the process you followed, the decisions you made (and why), and the tangible outcomes. Use visuals effectively but ensure they support the narrative.

• Highlight Collaboration: Showcase how you worked with cross-functional teams, managed stakeholder feedback, and influenced decisions.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, present quantitative data (e.g., conversion rate improvements, user satisfaction scores, task completion times) to demonstrate the business value of your designs. If quantitative data is unavailable, use qualitative insights and user testimonials.

• Showcase AI Usage: If you've used AI tools in your process, be prepared to discuss how you leveraged them, the benefits gained, and how you applied your own design judgment to the AI's output.

• Be Concise and Clear: Respect the time of the interviewers. Practice your presentation to ensure it's engaging, informative, and within the allotted time.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: Be prepared for a potential design exercise, which could be a take-home assignment or a live problem-solving session. This will likely assess your ability to quickly understand a problem, generate ideas, and articulate your design thinking.

• Focus on Process: For any challenge, emphasize your thought process, how you would gather information, what questions you would ask, and how you would approach finding a solution, rather than just presenting a final polished UI.

• Stakeholder Empathy: Consider how you would communicate your approach and findings to different types of stakeholders (e.g., engineers, business leaders).

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process emphasizes a strong portfolio and the ability to articulate design thinking and impact. Candidates should prepare to discuss their experience with AI in design and how they manage ambiguity and cross-functional collaboration, as these are key themes in the job description.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency is explicitly required.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma offers robust prototyping, experience with other tools (e.g., InVision, Axure) might be beneficial, though not explicitly stated as required.

• AI-Assisted Design Tools: Practical experience with AI tools for ideation, content generation, or workflow acceleration is sought. Candidates should be ready to discuss specific tools and applications.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Behavioral Data Analysis: While Data Scientists are part of the team, UX Designers are expected to use behavioral data to inform their decisions. Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel) or the ability to interpret data from them is valuable.

• Usability Testing Platforms: Experience with tools for conducting remote or in-person usability tests.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct requirement for this UX role, an understanding of how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketplace platforms function can provide valuable context for buyer and seller journeys.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the non-negotiable primary design tool. The explicit mention of "practical AI-assisted workflows" is a significant differentiator, indicating that candidates who can demonstrate hands-on experience with AI in design will have an advantage. The ability to interpret and leverage behavioral data is also a key requirement, underscoring a data-informed approach to design.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Taking Ownership and Driving Impact: This value is central to the role, requiring designers to be proactive, accountable for their work, and focused on delivering tangible results that benefit users and the business.

• Being Open to Change and Feedback: The team culture embraces iteration and continuous improvement. Designers are expected to be receptive to constructive criticism, adapt to evolving priorities, and embrace new tools and methodologies.

• Being Passionate About Our Mission and Our Customers: A genuine interest in Catawiki's unique marketplace and a deep empathy for its users (buyers, sellers, experts) are essential. This passion fuels dedication and drives user-centered design decisions.

• Collaboration: Working effectively across disciplines is a cornerstone. The culture promotes shared decision-making and mutual respect among Product Managers, Engineers, Data Scientists, UX Writers, and fellow designers.

• Data-Informed Design: Decisions are grounded in evidence, with research and data playing a critical role in shaping design strategies and validating solutions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Disciplinary Partnership: Designers work hand-in-hand with product managers, engineers, and data scientists, contributing to shared product goals.

• Iterative Feedback Loops: Design is a continuous dialogue, with regular feedback sessions involving customers and colleagues to refine ideas and solutions.

• Influence Without Authority: The team values clear communication and strong rationale, enabling designers to influence product direction through expertise and collaboration rather than formal hierarchy.

• Shared Ownership: While individuals own specific design areas, the overall product experience is a shared responsibility, fostering a collective drive for success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's three core values are not just aspirational but are actively integrated into the "How We Work" philosophy. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they embody these values in their daily work and how they approach collaboration within a hybrid, cross-functional team.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Diverse User Needs: The marketplace model involves distinct user groups (buyers, sellers, experts) with potentially conflicting needs and priorities. Designing for this complexity requires careful consideration and trade-offs.

• Navigating Ambiguity and Competing Priorities: As a growing scale-up, priorities can shift, and projects may have less defined scopes. The ability to thrive in such environments and quickly adapt is key.

• Integrating AI Effectively: Leveraging AI-assisted workflows requires careful judgment to ensure outputs align with brand standards, user needs, and strategic goals, rather than simply accepting AI suggestions.

• Driving Impact in a Hybrid Environment: Effectively collaborating and influencing product direction in a hybrid work setting requires proactive communication and strong relationship-building skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to hone skills in interaction design, service design, and potentially explore new areas like AI-driven design.

• Domain Expertise: Deepen understanding of e-commerce, marketplace dynamics, and the specific nuances of Catawiki's unique item categories.

• Cross-Functional Acumen: Enhance understanding of product management, engineering constraints, and data analysis through close collaboration.

• Mentorship Programs: Access to formal mentorship opportunities to guide career development and skill enhancement.

• Industry Exposure: Potential to attend conferences or workshops related to UX, e-commerce, and design technology.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in dynamic, growth-stage tech companies, particularly those operating complex marketplaces. The growth opportunities are framed around deepening expertise and expanding influence within the product organization, aligning with a senior individual contributor path.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance competing priorities from different stakeholders. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Assesses stakeholder management, prioritization, and communication.)

• "Walk me through a complex UX problem you solved. What was your process, what data did you use, and how did you measure success?" (Assesses problem-solving, data-driven design, and impact measurement.)

• "How do you approach designing for multiple user types with potentially conflicting needs, such as buyers and sellers on a marketplace?" (Assesses systems thinking and user empathy for diverse audiences.)

• "Tell me about your experience using AI tools in your design process. What are the benefits and limitations you've observed?" (Assesses practical application of new technologies and critical judgment.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Catawiki's mission and the types of special objects we auction?" (Assesses passion and cultural fit.)

• "How do you embody the value of 'Taking ownership and driving impact' in your daily work?" (Assesses alignment with core company values.)

• "How do you handle constructive feedback on your designs, especially when it conflicts with your initial vision?" (Assesses openness to feedback and adaptability.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline: Problem Statement -> Your Role & Responsibilities -> Research & Insights -> Design Process & Decisions (including trade-offs) -> Solutions & Prototypes -> Outcomes & Impact -> Learnings.

• Focus on "Why": Emphasize the rationale behind your decisions. Why did you choose a particular approach? What user needs or business goals were you addressing?

• Showcase Collaboration: Briefly explain how you worked with PMs, Engineers, and other stakeholders throughout the project.

• Quantify, Quantify, Quantify: Present metrics and data wherever possible. If quantitative data isn't available, use strong qualitative evidence.

• Prepare for Deep Dives: Be ready to answer detailed questions about any aspect of your presented work, including specific design choices, research methodologies, and the impact of your solutions.

• AI Integration: If AI was used, be prepared to discuss how it was used, what value it added, and how you maintained control and critical thinking over the AI's output.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating ownership, a structured and data-informed design process, strong collaboration skills, and an understanding of how design impacts business outcomes. Candidates should be ready to discuss their experience with AI tools and their adaptability in a dynamic environment.

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📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on greenhouse.io.

• Tailor Your Resume and Cover Letter: Highlight your 5+ years of end-to-end UX/product design experience, focusing on marketplace or e-commerce relevant projects. Explicitly mention your proficiency in Figma and any experience with AI-assisted design workflows. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 strong case studies that showcase your problem-solving skills, design process, collaboration, and measurable impact. Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates your ability to handle complex challenges and includes examples of how you've used data and user research to drive decisions. Be ready to discuss your use of AI tools.

• Research Catawiki: Understand their mission, the types of items auctioned, their target audience, and their core values. Familiarize yourself with their current platform to identify potential areas for UX improvement.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on clear storytelling, articulating your decision-making process, and highlighting the impact of your work. Be prepared for questions about collaboration and handling ambiguity.

⚠️ 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.