UX Designer - Wholesale Banking @ING Hubs RO
š Job Overview
Job Title: UX Designer - Wholesale Banking @ING Hubs RO
Company: ING
Location: Bucharest, Romania
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: UX/UI Design, Product Design, Financial Services Technology
Date Posted: April 23, 2026
Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)
Remote Status: Hybrid
š Role Summary
-
Design, test, and iteratively improve in-house built applications for wholesale banking clients and internal users across multiple countries.
-
Collaborate within multidisciplinary teams, including Customer Journey Experts and Engineers, to deliver superior digital banking experiences.
-
Contribute to the strategic digital delivery of wholesale banking services, focusing on user-centric design principles.
-
Play a pivotal role in establishing and building the UX Design team within ING Hubs Romania, acting as the first dedicated UX Designer in this location.
š Primary Responsibilities
-
Design user interfaces and user experiences for a range of digital products, including the ingwb.com website, InsideBusiness Portal (web banking platform), InsideBusiness Services (employee platform), and specialized banking applications.
-
Conduct user research, usability testing, and gather feedback to inform design decisions and ensure solutions meet user needs and business objectives.
-
Translate complex banking processes and requirements into intuitive and efficient user flows and interactive prototypes.
-
Collaborate closely with product owners, business stakeholders, and engineering teams to ensure design feasibility and successful implementation.
-
Advocate for user-centered design principles and best practices throughout the Agile development lifecycle.
-
Contribute to the development of a consistent design language and style guide across ING's wholesale banking digital touchpoints.
-
Proactively identify opportunities for design improvement and innovation within the wholesale banking digital ecosystem.
-
Support the growth and development of the UX Design CoE in Romania by sharing expertise and mentoring potential future team members.
š Enhancement Note: The role emphasizes not only individual design contributions but also the strategic initiative of building a new UX function in Romania, requiring leadership potential and team-building skills beyond typical mid-level UX roles.
š Skills & Qualifications
Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design (e.g., Interaction Design, Graphic Design, Human-Computer Interaction), Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for UX Designer roles.
Experience: Minimum of 3 years of professional work experience as a UX Designer, with a strong preference for experience within the financial services industry.
Required Skills:
-
Interaction Design: Deep expertise in creating intuitive and effective user flows, navigation systems, and interactive elements.
-
Visual Design: Proficiency in creating aesthetically pleasing and functional user interfaces that align with brand guidelines.
-
User Testing & Research: Proven ability to plan, conduct, and analyze usability tests and user research to gather actionable insights.
-
Figma Proficiency: Advanced skills in using Figma for wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity design.
-
Agile Methodologies: Experience working within Agile development environments, participating in sprints, and collaborating with cross-functional teams.
-
Stakeholder Management: Ability to effectively communicate design rationale, gather requirements, and manage expectations with various internal stakeholders.
-
Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written English communication skills for clear articulation of design concepts and collaboration.
-
Portfolio: An impressive portfolio showcasing relevant UX design work, with a preference for financial industry cases.
Preferred Skills:
-
Visual Design: Experience in creating style guides and design systems.
-
Prototyping Tools: Familiarity with other prototyping tools beyond Figma.
-
Banking Domain Knowledge: Understanding of wholesale banking products, services, and customer needs.
-
Problem Solving: Ability to analyze complex problems and devise effective user-centered solutions.
-
Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
-
Style Flexibility: Adaptability in design approach to suit different needs, cultures, and situations.
š Enhancement Note: The requirement for an "impressive portfolio with preferably financial cases" strongly suggests that candidates with demonstrable experience in B2B financial applications or complex enterprise software will have a significant advantage.
š Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
-
Case Studies: Detailed case studies showcasing the entire UX design process from problem definition, research, ideation, design, testing, to final implementation and impact.
-
Financial Domain Focus: Prioritize projects demonstrating experience with financial services, banking applications, or complex B2B platforms.
-
Interaction Design Examples: Showcase intricate user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes that highlight problem-solving for complex user journeys.
-
Visual Design Showcase: Present high-fidelity mockups and UI elements that demonstrate aesthetic sensibility and adherence to design principles.
-
Testing & Iteration: Include evidence of user testing methodologies employed and how feedback led to design iterations and improvements.
-
Tool Proficiency: Explicitly mention and demonstrate proficiency in Figma, including examples of its advanced features used in projects.
Process Documentation:
-
Problem-Solution Framing: Clearly articulate the business problem or user need addressed by each project.
-
User-Centric Design Approach: Detail the methods used to understand user needs (e.g., user interviews, surveys, persona development).
-
Design Iteration Process: Explain how design decisions were made and refined based on feedback and testing.
-
Collaboration & Communication: Illustrate how collaboration with engineers, product managers, and stakeholders was managed throughout the design process.
š Enhancement Note: Given this is the first UX designer role in Romania, the portfolio should not only showcase design skills but also the ability to articulate and potentially evangelize UX processes within a new environment, demonstrating proactive engagement and strategic thinking.
šµ Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: For a mid-level UX Designer with 3+ years of experience in Bucharest, Romania, a competitive salary range would likely fall between ā¬35,000 - ā¬55,000 annually, depending on the exact experience, skill set, and negotiation.
Benefits:
-
Competitive Salary: As indicated by the range above, reflecting experience and market standards.
-
Hybrid Work Model: Flexible working arrangements combining office-based collaboration and remote work.
-
Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, and potentially attending industry conferences to enhance UX and design skills.
-
Impactful Work: Opportunity to shape digital experiences for a major international bank and contribute to significant digital transformation initiatives.
-
Collaborative Environment: Work within a supportive and multidisciplinary team structure that fosters learning and growth.
-
Global Reach: Exposure to international projects and collaboration with teams across different regions.
-
Standard Benefits: Likely includes health insurance, meal tickets, and other standard employee benefits offered by large corporations in Romania.
Working Hours: The role specifies a 40-hour work week, consistent with full-time employment. Flexibility in daily scheduling may be available, typical of hybrid work arrangements and Agile environments, allowing for effective project management and personal work-life balance.
š Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on industry benchmarks for UX Designers in Bucharest, Romania, considering the specified experience level (3+ years) and the tech-focused nature of ING Hubs Romania. Actual compensation will vary based on individual qualifications and final negotiation.
šÆ Team & Company Context
š¢ Company Culture
Industry: Banking, Financial Services, Technology. ING Hubs Romania plays a critical role in supporting ING's global operations through technology and specialized services, placing it at the intersection of traditional finance and digital innovation.
Company Size: ING Hubs Romania comprises over 2000 high-performing engineers, risk, and operations professionals, with a significant tech workforce exceeding 1800 individuals. This indicates a large, dynamic, and technologically advanced organization.
Founded: ING Group has a long history, with ING Hubs Romania established in 2015. This relatively recent establishment within a large, established bank suggests a culture that balances established corporate structures with the agility and innovation of a dedicated tech hub.
Team Structure:
-
Center of Expertise (CoE) UX Design and Content: You will be part of this specialized team, working alongside content writers and fellow UX designers.
-
Cross-Functional Squads/Tribes: The CoE collaborates with various "tribes" and "squads" across ING Wholesale Bank, indicating a matrixed organizational structure common in Agile environments.
-
Reporting Hierarchy: While the specific reporting line isn't detailed, the role of the first UX designer in Romania suggests a potential path towards team leadership or acting as a senior point of contact for UX within the hub, likely reporting to a manager overseeing design or digital functions.
-
International Collaboration: The role involves working with teams and stakeholders across ING units worldwide, particularly with the existing CoE based in Amsterdam.
Methodology:
-
Agile Way of Working: The team operates according to ING's Agile methodology, implying iterative development, cross-functional collaboration, and continuous feedback loops.
-
User-Centric Design: The mission of the CoE is to execute a seamless digital delivery strategy with a positive user result, emphasizing a strong focus on user experience.
-
Data-Driven Decision Making: While not explicitly detailed for UX, ING's overall focus on data and analytics suggests that UX decisions are informed by data insights where available.
-
Digital Delivery Strategy: The core objective is to digitize processes and enhance customer experience through well-designed digital applications and platforms.
Company Website: https://inghubsromania.com/home
š Enhancement Note: The description of ING Hubs Romania as a significant contributor to global ING operations, with a large tech workforce and a focus on innovative solutions, indicates an environment where operations and technology professionals can drive substantial impact. The emphasis on "borderless services" highlights the global nature of the work.
š Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level UX Designer. It requires 3+ years of experience and demonstrates a capacity for independent work, design leadership within a new team, and strategic contribution to digital delivery. It's a step beyond an entry-level designer, offering the chance to influence design direction and build a function.
Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will likely report to a manager or lead within the UX Design and Content CoE, potentially someone based in Amsterdam or a local lead in Romania overseeing the new hub's design function. Collaboration will be extensive with Customer Journey Experts, Engineers, Product Owners, and other stakeholders across various Agile squads and tribes within Wholesale Banking.
Operations Impact: As a UX Designer, the impact is direct on customer and employee experience by making digital banking products intuitive, efficient, and user-friendly. This translates to increased customer satisfaction, higher adoption rates for digital platforms, reduced support costs, and improved operational efficiency through digitized processes. In the wholesale banking context, this can directly influence client retention, transaction volumes, and the bank's competitive edge in the digital space.
Growth Opportunities:
-
Team Leadership: With being the first UX designer in Romania, there's a significant opportunity to grow into a team lead or manager role as the UX CoE in Romania expands.
-
Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of UX within the financial sector, such as B2B platform design, complex data visualization, or mobile banking for enterprise clients.
-
Cross-Functional Expertise: Gain in-depth knowledge of wholesale banking operations, product development lifecycles, and Agile methodologies by working closely with diverse teams.
-
Design System Development: Contribute to or lead the development and maintenance of ING's design systems for wholesale banking applications.
-
Global Project Involvement: Participate in and lead design initiatives for international projects, gaining exposure to diverse markets and user groups.
š Enhancement Note: The unique position of being the "first UX designer in this setting" is a significant growth opportunity. It implies a chance to shape the UX culture, processes, and team structure in Romania, offering a higher level of autonomy and potential for leadership than a typical mid-level role in an established team.
š Work Environment
Office Type: ING Hubs Romania operates from modern office locations in Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca, designed to foster collaboration and innovation. The specific location mentioned is "Bucharest - Dacia One," suggesting a contemporary office space.
Office Location(s): Bucharest, Romania (specifically Dacia One). The company also has a presence in Cluj-Napoca. These locations are hubs for ING's global operations, implying a professional and well-equipped workspace.
Workspace Context:
-
Collaborative Spaces: The environment is described as "highly collaborative," suggesting open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and informal spaces designed to encourage interaction and idea sharing among colleagues.
-
Technology & Tools: As a tech-driven hub, expect access to modern hardware, software, and the necessary tools for UX design, including Figma. The description highlights a strong tech capability across the organization.
-
Multidisciplinary Teams: You will be integrated into multidisciplinary teams, working alongside engineers, Customer Journey Experts, and other specialists, fostering a dynamic and interactive work atmosphere.
-
Agile Environment: The workspace will likely be set up to support Agile ceremonies and team interactions, promoting flexibility and responsiveness.
Work Schedule: The standard working hours are 40 per week. The company promotes a "flexible way of working," which, combined with the hybrid model, suggests a degree of autonomy in managing daily schedules, provided project deadlines and team collaboration needs are met. This flexibility is beneficial for deep work required in UX design and for accommodating cross-timezone collaborations.
š Enhancement Note: The "Bucharest - Dacia One" location signifies a modern, potentially premium office environment, common for large financial institutions establishing tech hubs in major European cities. This implies a professional setting with good amenities and infrastructure.
š Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
-
Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and relevant experience.
-
Technical/Skills Interview: Likely an interview focusing on your UX design process, problem-solving abilities, and proficiency with tools like Figma. This may involve discussing specific case studies from your portfolio.
-
Design Challenge/Exercise: You might be asked to complete a take-home design challenge or a live exercise to demonstrate your design thinking and execution skills in a given scenario.
-
Behavioral/Cultural Fit Interview: Assessing your ability to collaborate, communicate, and align with ING's values and Agile working culture. This would include discussions on stakeholder management and working within multidisciplinary teams.
-
Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader or hiring manager to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and the strategic vision for the UX role in Romania.
Portfolio Review Tips:
-
Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 of your strongest projects that best showcase your UX process, interaction design skills, and ideally, experience in financial services or complex B2B platforms.
-
Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, design, testing), key decisions made, challenges overcome, and the impact of your design. Use visuals (wireframes, prototypes, user flows) effectively.
-
Highlight Figma Skills: Demonstrate advanced Figma usage, including component libraries, prototyping interactions, and collaborative features.
-
Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, user satisfaction scores, reduced task completion times).
-
Tailor to ING: If possible, subtly tailor your portfolio presentation to reflect an understanding of banking or complex enterprise software challenges.
Challenge Preparation:
-
Understand the Context: If given a challenge, thoroughly analyze the brief, identifying the core problem and user group.
-
Define Your Approach: Outline your UX process for tackling the challenge, from initial assumptions to potential solutions.
-
Focus on Process: Even if you don't complete a full design, demonstrating a sound and logical design thinking process is crucial.
-
Time Management: Practice working within defined time limits for design exercises.
-
Articulate Rationale: Be prepared to clearly explain your design choices and trade-offs.
š Enhancement Note: Given the role's emphasis on building the UX function in Romania, interviewers will likely probe your understanding of how to establish design standards, mentor junior designers, and integrate UX best practices into an existing Agile and tech-focused environment.
š Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
-
Figma: This is explicitly listed as a required skill and will be the primary tool for UI design, wireframing, and prototyping. Expect to use it extensively for daily design tasks and collaboration.
-
Prototyping Tools: While Figma is primary, familiarity with other prototyping tools might be beneficial for diverse project needs or historical context.
-
Design Systems: Experience with creating, contributing to, or utilizing design systems will be highly valuable for ensuring consistency across ING's digital products.
Analytics & Reporting:
-
User Analytics Platforms: While not specified, experience with tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or specialized UX analytics platforms (e.g., Hotjar, FullStory) for understanding user behavior and identifying pain points would be advantageous.
-
A/B Testing Tools: Familiarity with tools used for A/B testing designs to optimize user flows and conversion rates.
CRM & Automation:
-
Project Management Tools: Proficiency in tools like Jira, Confluence, or similar platforms for task management, sprint tracking, and documentation within an Agile framework.
-
Collaboration Tools: Experience with communication and collaboration platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, or similar, for seamless team interaction.
-
Documentation Tools: Tools for user research documentation, journey mapping, and design specifications.
š Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma indicates it's a core requirement. Candidates should be prepared to showcase their Figma expertise, including advanced features like component variants, auto-layout, and collaborative design features, as part of their portfolio and during interviews.
š„ Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
-
Impact-Driven: ING emphasizes making an impact, with a desire to "make the world a better place, one innovative solution at a time." For a UX Designer, this translates to creating solutions that genuinely improve users' lives and business outcomes.
-
Data-Driven Approach: While not explicitly stated for UX, ING's overall tech focus suggests decisions are informed by data and insights, encouraging a logical and evidence-based approach to design.
-
Efficiency and Optimization: The company's operations in wholesale banking require efficiency. UX designers are expected to contribute to streamlining processes and improving the usability of digital tools to enhance operational efficiency.
-
Continuous Improvement: The Agile environment fosters a culture of ongoing learning and iteration, where feedback is encouraged and designs are continuously refined.
-
Collaboration & Transparency: A highly collaborative environment where fair and constructive feedback is encouraged.
Collaboration Style:
-
Multidisciplinary Teams: Expect to work closely with engineers, product owners, Customer Journey Experts, and business stakeholders in a highly integrated manner.
-
Agile Ceremonies: Active participation in Agile rituals like daily stand-ups, sprint planning, reviews, and retrospectives, fostering open communication and shared ownership.
-
Feedback Culture: A culture where constructive feedback is valued and sought after, aiding in the iterative design process and professional development.
-
Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement to share insights, best practices, and learnings within the CoE and broader teams to elevate design standards across the organization.
š Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "impact isn't a perk. It's the driver of our work" suggests a company culture that values purpose-driven work and tangible results, which UX designers can directly contribute to by solving real user problems.
ā” Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
-
Establishing UX in a New Hub: As the first UX designer in Romania, a key challenge will be building the UX function, defining processes, and establishing design standards from the ground up, potentially with remote guidance from Amsterdam.
-
Balancing Global Standards with Local Needs: Integrating global design guidelines and best practices from the Amsterdam CoE while understanding and addressing specific needs of the Romanian hub and its local stakeholders.
-
Complex Financial Domain: Navigating the intricacies of wholesale banking, regulatory requirements, and diverse user needs across multiple countries can be complex.
-
Stakeholder Alignment: Ensuring alignment among various stakeholders with potentially different priorities and expectations across different departments and geographies.
-
Rapidly Evolving Technology: Keeping pace with advancements in UX design tools, methodologies, and banking technology to maintain cutting-edge solutions.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
-
Leadership Development: Opportunity to develop leadership skills by establishing and potentially growing the UX team in Romania.
-
Specialized Financial UX: Deepen expertise in the nuances of B2B financial product design, compliance, and user experience within a regulated industry.
-
Cross-Cultural Design: Gain experience designing for a global user base with diverse cultural contexts and expectations.
-
Mentorship: Potential to mentor future UX designers joining the Romanian hub, solidifying your own expertise.
-
Industry Exposure: Engage with industry trends and best practices, potentially through internal ING initiatives or external professional development.
š Enhancement Note: The challenge of "building the team in Romania" is a significant growth opportunity, offering a chance to shape the future of UX design within ING Hubs Romania and develop leadership capabilities beyond traditional individual contributor roles.
š” Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
-
"Describe a time you had to establish a new design process or introduce a new design tool within a team. What were the challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on your ability to build the UX function in Romania).
-
"How do you balance the needs of different stakeholders (e.g., business, tech, users) when designing a complex financial product?" (Demonstrate stakeholder management and negotiation skills).
Company & Culture Questions:
-
"How do you approach collaboration in a remote or hybrid multidisciplinary team?" (Highlight your experience with Agile and cross-functional teamwork).
-
"What do you know about ING's digital strategy or its approach to wholesale banking?" (Research ING's recent initiatives, especially in digital transformation and financial services).
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
-
The "Why": Clearly articulate the problem you were trying to solve and why it mattered to the users and the business.
-
Your Role & Process: Detail your specific contributions and the UX methodologies you employed. Use visuals (sketches, wireframes, prototypes, user flows) to illustrate your journey.
-
Key Decisions & Trade-offs: Explain critical design choices and the rationale behind them, including any challenges or compromises.
-
Outcomes & Impact: Quantify results where possible (e.g., user feedback, metrics) and discuss lessons learned.
-
Figma Showcase: Be ready to demonstrate your Figma skills, perhaps by walking through a prototype or interactive element.
š Enhancement Note: Expect questions that assess your proactive nature, ability to work independently, and your vision for UX design within ING. Your readiness to take initiative and shape a function will be key.
š Application Steps
To apply for this UX Designer position:
-
Submit Your Application Online: Navigate to the provided Workday job link and complete the application form.
-
Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-4 of your most impactful UX design projects, prioritizing those with financial industry experience or showcasing complex B2B applications. Ensure each project clearly demonstrates your process, Figma proficiency, and delivered outcomes.
-
Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 3+ years of UX design experience, specific skills in interaction design, visual design, user testing, and Figma. Emphasize any experience in Agile environments or the financial sector. Use keywords from the job description.
-
Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving approach, and stakeholder management skills. Be ready to discuss your portfolio projects in detail and answer behavioral questions related to collaboration and adaptability.
-
Research ING: Familiarize yourself with ING's wholesale banking services, digital initiatives, and company values. Understand their mission and how UX design contributes to it.
ā ļø 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.
Application Requirements
The role requires a minimum of 3 years of experience in UX design, with a strong focus on interaction design and proficiency in Figma. Candidates should have excellent communication skills and a portfolio demonstrating financial industry experience.