UX/UI Designer - VIE - Barcelona

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX/UI Designer - VIE - Barcelona

Company: Papernest

Location: Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Job Type: VOLUNTEER

Category: UX/UI Design (GTM Operations Support)

Date Posted: May 13, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the end-to-end user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design process for Papernest's digital products, focusing on iterative improvements and user-centric design principles.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers and cross-functional teams to translate business requirements and user needs into intuitive and engaging product designs.

• Conduct comprehensive user research and testing to gather insights, validate design decisions, and ensure products meet user expectations and business objectives.

• Contribute to the evolution of Papernest's design system by maintaining and updating UI components, ensuring brand consistency and design efficiency across all platforms.

• This role is critical in supporting Go-To-Market (GTM) operations by ensuring the usability and effectiveness of the platform, directly impacting customer acquisition and retention.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is titled UX/UI Designer, its impact on customer acquisition, retention, and platform effectiveness positions it as a crucial support function within GTM Operations. The emphasis on user flows, product co-construction, and user research directly influences how effectively customers can engage with and utilize Papernest's services, thereby impacting revenue generation and operational efficiency. The VIE (Volontariat International en Entreprise) contract type suggests a development-focused role, ideal for gaining international experience in a fast-paced scale-up environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Product Managers: Advise on user research methodologies, challenge product ideas, and co-create user flows to ensure a user-centric approach from the outset.

• Design Delivery & Conception: Create high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes, present designs to development teams, and review their implementation to ensure design integrity.

• UI Kit Maintenance: Contribute to the updates and evolution of the UI Kit, ensuring consistency and adherence to design system principles across all Papernest products.

• User Research Execution: Prepare user research guides, conduct user interviews, analyze findings, and translate insights into actionable design recommendations.

• User Testing & Iteration: Plan and execute usability tests, analyze results, and iterate on designs based on user feedback to continuously enhance product usability and user satisfaction.

• Product Evaluation: Assess existing products and websites to identify areas for improvement and optimize the user journey.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with Product Managers, engineers, and other designers to ensure seamless integration of UX/UI efforts into the product development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on design role with significant influence on product strategy and user experience. The emphasis on "challenging Product Managers" and "co-constructing user flows" indicates a collaborative environment where design input is highly valued. The iterative nature of user testing and design updates is key to maintaining a competitive edge in a scale-up context.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a background in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a related field is typically beneficial. The focus is on practical application and demonstrated skill.

Experience: 2 to 3 years of dedicated experience in UX Design is required, with a strong emphasis on product design and user-centric methodologies.

Required Skills:

• UX Design Methodologies: Proven experience with the full UX lifecycle, including user research, user testing, wireframing, prototyping, and iteration.

• Figma Proficiency: Mastery of Figma, including advanced features like auto-layout, components, variants, and design systems.

• User Research & Testing: Demonstrated ability to plan, conduct, and analyze user interviews and usability tests.

• Portfolio: A strong UX/Product Design portfolio showcasing a range of projects, design processes, and problem-solving skills.

• Collaboration: Experience working effectively within cross-functional teams, including Product Managers and Engineers.

• Problem-Solving: Ability to identify user pain points and translate them into effective design solutions.

• B2C Product Experience: Ideally, experience designing for Business-to-Consumer (B2C) products.

Preferred Skills:

• UI Design: Solid understanding of UI design principles and best practices.

• Design Systems: Experience contributing to or managing design systems.

• Agile/Scrum: Familiarity with agile development methodologies.

• International Experience: Previous experience in an international setting or with a multinational company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a strong portfolio and Figma proficiency is paramount for this role. The "2 to 3 years of experience" suggests an intermediate level designer who can work independently but also benefit from mentorship. The emphasis on B2C products aligns with Papernest's customer base.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: Detailed case studies demonstrating your UX process from problem identification to final solution, including research, ideation, design iterations, and outcomes.

• UX Methodology Showcase: Explicitly highlight your application of UX methodologies (user research, user testing, persona development, journey mapping, etc.) within your case studies.

• Figma Work Samples: Include examples of your Figma work, showcasing your proficiency with auto-layout, components, variants, and design system principles.

• Problem-Solving Examples: Present specific instances where you identified user pain points and designed effective solutions, quantifying impact where possible.

• Collaboration Evidence: Briefly describe how you collaborated with Product Managers and Engineers on past projects.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Showcase examples of user flow diagrams and wireframes you've created to map out user journeys and product interactions.

• Prototyping Examples: Include links to interactive prototypes or detailed descriptions of animations and micro-interactions you've designed.

• User Feedback Integration: Provide examples of how user feedback from interviews or tests was incorporated into design iterations, demonstrating an iterative design approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role, serving as the primary means to assess practical skills and process understanding. Candidates should focus on demonstrating a structured, user-centered design process and proficiency with Figma's advanced features. Highlighting iterative design based on user feedback is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a VIE (Volontariat International en Entreprise) position, compensation is structured as a monthly allowance defined by Business France and updated quarterly for Spain. This allowance is typically a fixed amount, intended to cover living expenses, and is tax-exempt in France. For Barcelona, based on recent Business France guidelines for VIEs in Spain, the estimated monthly allowance would be in the range of €1,000 - €1,300.

Benefits:

• Monthly Allowance: A fixed monthly stipend as defined by Business France for VIE contracts in Spain.

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance provided by APRIL, with 100% coverage for medical expenses to simplify healthcare management.

• Transport Costs: 100% coverage of round-trip transport costs to facilitate the candidate's relocation to Barcelona.

• Luggage Costs: 100% coverage for luggage expenses (up to 150kg) to assist with the move.

• Career Development: Structured support for professional growth and learning throughout the VIE contract, positioning it as a career stepping stone.

• Remote Work: Two days of remote work per week, offering flexibility and improved work-life balance.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are 40 hours per week, with the flexibility of 2 remote days per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The VIE contract has specific financial and benefit structures distinct from standard employment. The "monthly allowance" is not a salary in the traditional sense but a stipend. The benefits are designed to support international relocation and integration. Researching the latest Business France allowance rates for Spain is recommended for candidates.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Papernest operates within the Fintech and Proptech sectors, focusing on simplifying consumer contracts (utilities, insurance, banking) through a digital platform. The company is a scale-up, indicating a dynamic, fast-paced, and growth-oriented environment.

Company Size: Papernest has over 900 employees, positioning it as a large scale-up or emerging enterprise. This size suggests established processes but still retains the agility and innovation typical of growing tech companies.

Founded: Founded in 2015, Papernest has rapidly scaled its operations across France, Spain, and Italy, demonstrating a strong track record of growth and market penetration.

Team Structure:

• The UX/UI Designer will likely be part of a Product team, reporting to a Design Lead or Manager.

• This team collaborates closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially Marketing teams.

• Given the scale, there is likely a dedicated UX/UI team with specialists in research, design, and potentially design systems. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decisions: Papernest emphasizes data to drive product development and business strategy. Operations professionals are expected to leverage data analysis for insights.

• Agile Development: The company likely employs agile methodologies for product development, requiring flexibility and iterative processes.

• User-Centric Design: A core philosophy is placing the user at the center of all product decisions, driven by research and testing.

Company Website: https://careers.papernest.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Papernest's culture is characterized by rapid growth, international scope, and a focus on innovation. The company's success relies on efficient GTM strategies, supported by user-friendly platforms. The scale-up environment means opportunities for significant impact and learning.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This VIE role is positioned as an intermediate-level design position. It offers a significant opportunity for professional development and hands-on experience in a fast-growing international scale-up. It's an excellent stepping stone for future roles in UX/UI design, product management, or GTM operations.

Reporting Structure: The designer will report to a manager, likely a Lead UX/UI Designer or Head of Design, and will work closely with Product Managers and engineering teams. This structure allows for mentorship while also fostering autonomy.

Operations Impact: By improving the user experience of Papernest's platform, this role directly impacts customer acquisition, conversion rates, and customer retention. A seamless and intuitive user journey is crucial for efficient GTM operations, reducing friction in the customer lifecycle and supporting revenue growth.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of UX/UI design, such as user research, interaction design, or design systems.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain experience working across different departments (Product, Engineering, Marketing) and understanding their operational needs.

• International Exposure: Develop a global perspective by working in a diverse, international team in Barcelona.

• Career Advancement: The VIE contract is designed as a launchpad; successful performance can lead to full-time opportunities within Papernest or provide a strong foundation for future roles in the tech industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The VIE contract is a unique growth opportunity, offering international experience and structured professional development. The role's impact on GTM operations means that success here can be a strong differentiator for future career steps.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Papernest offers a hybrid work model, allowing for both in-office collaboration and remote flexibility. The Barcelona office serves as a central hub for team interaction and strategic planning.

Office Location(s): The role is based in Barcelona, Spain, at Carrer de Ramon Turró, 200, 08005. This location is accessible within the city.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office likely features collaborative areas designed to foster teamwork and knowledge sharing among designers, product managers, and engineers.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools, particularly Figma, and potentially other collaboration and project management software.

• International Team Interaction: Opportunities to interact with a diverse, multinational team, enriching the work experience and fostering cross-cultural understanding.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week. The hybrid model allows for 3 days in the office and 2 days of remote work, providing a balance between focused individual work and team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key feature, balancing the need for in-person collaboration essential for design sprints and brainstorming with the flexibility of remote work. The Barcelona location offers a vibrant work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Call (30 mins): A screening call with Eva, the Talent Acquisition Partner, to assess initial fit, motivation for the VIE program, and basic qualifications.

• Portfolio Presentation (1 hour): A detailed presentation of your UX/Product Design portfolio to Margaux, your potential manager. This is where you'll showcase your process, problem-solving skills, and Figma proficiency.

• UX Case Study (1 hour): A practical exercise involving a UX case study, likely presented to Margaux and Valentin (CPO). This will assess your ability to apply UX methodologies to a given problem.

• Final Interview (30 mins): An interview with a Product Manager to evaluate cultural fit, alignment with product vision, and overall suitability for the role within the broader product team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure Your Case Studies: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, design, testing), key decisions, and the outcomes.

• Highlight Figma Skills: Explicitly demonstrate your use of Figma features like auto-layout, components, and variants. If you've contributed to or used a design system, showcase that.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics (e.g., conversion rate improvements, task completion times, user satisfaction scores) to demonstrate the impact of your design solutions.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (mockups, prototypes, user flow diagrams) extensively to illustrate your design thinking and execution.

• Tailor to Papernest: Research Papernest's products and target audience. If possible, tailor your presentation to address challenges relevant to their business.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Papernest's Business: Familiarize yourself with Papernest's mission, services, and target market.

• Practice UX Case Studies: Be ready to walk through a hypothetical or past UX challenge, explaining your thought process step-by-step.

• Articulate Your Process: Be prepared to explain why you made certain design decisions, referencing UX principles and user insights.

• Prepare Questions: Have thoughtful questions ready for each interviewer about the team, product strategy, design challenges, and career growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is multi-stage and emphasizes practical application through portfolio review and a case study. Candidates should prepare thoroughly to demonstrate their design process, technical skills (especially Figma), and ability to collaborate effectively.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core design tool for wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and design system management. Proficiency with auto-layout, components, variants, and collaborative features is essential.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma offers robust prototyping, experience with other tools like InVision or Adobe XD may be beneficial.

• User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting remote user interviews and usability testing (e.g., Lookback, UserTesting.com, Maze).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics Tools: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, or Amplitude to understand user behavior and product performance post-launch.

• Data Visualization: Ability to interpret data and potentially use tools for basic data visualization to support design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct responsibility, understanding how UX/UI impacts CRM usage and customer onboarding automation can be beneficial. Familiarity with CRM principles (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and marketing automation concepts would be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the central tool. Demonstrating advanced proficiency in Figma and understanding how design integrates with product analytics and user research tools will be key differentiators.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user in all design and product decisions.

• Collaboration: Valuing teamwork, open communication, and constructive feedback across all disciplines.

• Innovation: Encouraging creative problem-solving and the exploration of new ideas to improve user experience and product offerings.

• Efficiency: Striving for streamlined processes and effective solutions that optimize both user journeys and internal workflows.

• International Mindset: Embracing diversity, inclusivity, and a global perspective in all aspects of work.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The design team actively collaborates with Product Management and Engineering, participating in agile ceremonies and joint problem-solving sessions.

• Feedback Culture: An environment where constructive feedback is regularly exchanged to refine designs and processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging team members to share learnings, best practices, and insights through workshops, presentations, or informal discussions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Papernest fosters a collaborative and user-focused culture. The ideal candidate will be someone who thrives in a dynamic team environment, values user feedback, and is eager to contribute to innovative solutions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rapid Iteration: The scale-up environment demands quick adaptation and frequent design iterations based on user feedback and business priorities.

• Balancing User Needs and Business Goals: Effectively translating user needs into designs that also meet business objectives and technical constraints.

• Cross-functional Communication: Ensuring clear and consistent communication across diverse teams with different priorities and perspectives.

• Evolving Design System: Contributing to and adapting to a growing design system as the product suite expands.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX/UI Techniques: Opportunity to learn and apply cutting-edge UX research and design methodologies.

• Design System Development: Gain hands-on experience in building and maintaining robust design systems.

• International Product Development: Exposure to product development within a European context, understanding diverse user behaviors and market needs.

• Career Mentorship: Benefit from guidance from experienced designers and product leaders within Papernest.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents challenges that are also significant growth opportunities. Overcoming these will build resilience, strategic thinking, and advanced design skills valuable for any operations-focused role.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to challenge a Product Manager's initial idea. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on collaboration, data-driven arguments, and user advocacy).

• "Walk us through a complex user flow you designed. What were the key decision points and trade-offs you considered?" (Emphasize process, problem-solving, and rationale).

• "How do you prioritize design tasks when working on multiple products simultaneously?" (Highlight time management, prioritization frameworks, and communication). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you specifically about Papernest and this VIE opportunity in Barcelona?" (Demonstrate research on the company, its mission, and the VIE program).

• "How do you contribute to a collaborative team environment?" (Provide examples of teamwork, feedback sharing, and cross-functional support).

• "How do you ensure your designs align with business objectives while prioritizing user needs?" (Showcase an understanding of the balance between user experience and business goals). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each case study as a narrative – the problem, your journey, the solution, and the impact.

• Visual Emphasis: Use high-quality visuals of your mockups, prototypes, and user flows. Keep text concise and focused.

• Process Clarity: Clearly articulate each step of your design process, explaining the why behind your decisions.

• Figma Demonstration: Be prepared to show specific examples within Figma that highlight your advanced skills (components, auto-layout, variants).

• Q&A Preparedness: Anticipate questions about your design choices and be ready to defend them with logical reasoning and user-centric principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a structured, user-centric design process, strong technical skills in Figma, and the ability to collaborate effectively within a fast-paced, international environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-support UX/UI design position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Papernest careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases 2-3 detailed case studies that highlight your UX methodology, problem-solving skills, and Figma proficiency (auto-layout, components, variants). Tailor your presentation to emphasize B2C product design and user research.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to prominently feature your 2-3 years of UX design experience, specific skills (Figma, user research, prototyping), and any relevant international or scale-up experience. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process and decision-making rationale. Prepare to present your portfolio confidently and answer behavioral questions about collaboration and problem-solving. Research Papernest's products and mission thoroughly.

• Company Research: Understand Papernest's business model, market position, and company culture. Be ready to articulate why you are a good fit for a VIE contract in Barcelona and how you can contribute to their GTM efforts through exceptional UX/UI design.

⚠️ 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.