At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of our system, mentor designers, and create user-friendly interfaces.
- Company: Join Arbor, a mission-driven company transforming education for happier school environments.
- Benefits: Enjoy 32 days holiday, wellness support, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Dynamic remote role with excellent professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while working with a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Experience in user-centered design and managing design systems is essential.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 100000 £ per year.
Location: Remote, UK
Salary: £100,000 per year
About us
At Arbor, we’re on a mission to transform the way schools work for the better. We believe in a future of work in schools where being challenged doesn’t mean being burnt out and overworked. Our School Management Suite is already making a difference in over 12,500 schools and trusts, giving time and power back to staff, turning data into clear, actionable insights, and supporting happier working days.
About the role
We are seeking a Senior Product Designer to own and evolve our Design System while establishing the frameworks and processes that enable our design team to do their best work. This role focuses on building the foundations for consistent, high-quality design at scale.
Core responsibilities
- Own the strategic direction and governance of the design system, including roadmap planning, contribution frameworks, and driving adoption across product teams.
- Lead, mentor, and manage designers within the team, setting quality standards and supporting their professional growth.
- Explore AI-enhanced tooling to accelerate design exploration to rapidly generate and test ideas.
- Design and prototype wireframes, user flows, and high-fidelity UI mockups to communicate design ideas effectively.
- Create intuitive, visually appealing, and accessible user interfaces for our users.
- Develop and maintain a deep understanding of user needs, business objectives, and the education sector to create impactful design solutions.
- Plan, conduct and analyse both quantitative and qualitative user research to make data-driven design decisions.
- Translate complex workflows and requirements into simple, effective, and scalable user experiences.
- Effectively communicate design rationale, process, and decisions to stakeholders and cross-functional teams.
- Understand how AI-powered tools will help extend Design capabilities beyond traditional boundaries.
Desired qualities
- Strong experience in user-centered design, from research to final execution.
- Extensive experience building, scaling, and maintaining a design system.
- Proven experience leading and managing designers, with a track record of developing team capabilities and maintaining high design standards.
- Experience working in agile environments with cross-functional teams including engineering, product management, and marketing.
- Strong decision-making skills, adaptability, and the ability to influence teams.
- A proactive approach to learning and applying new design methodologies.
- A curious and collaborative mindset, able to think on your feet, likes to move fast.
What we offer
- A dedicated wellbeing team who champion initiatives such as mindfulness, lunch n learns, manager training, mental health first aid training and much more!
- 32 days holiday (plus Bank Holidays).
- Life Assurance paid out at 3x annual salary.
- Comprehensive wellness benefit provided by AIG Smart Health.
- Private Dental Insurance with Bupa.
- Salary sacrifice Pension provided by Scottish Widows.
- Enhanced maternity and adoption leave (20 weeks full pay) and paternity (6 weeks full pay) pay.
- Access to services such as Calm and Bippit (financial wellbeing coaching).
- All of our roles champion flexible working.
- Social committees that plan team, office and company wide events.
- Dedicated professional development training budget.
- Volunteer with a charity of your choice for a day each year.
- Dog friendly offices!
Interview process
- Phone screen
- 1st stage - portfolio walkthrough
- 2nd stage with white boarding session
We are committed to a fair and comfortable recruitment process, so if you require any reasonable adjustments during your application or interview process, please reach out to a member of the team at careers@arbor-education.com.
Arbor Education is an equal opportunities organisation. Our goal is for Arbor to be a workplace which represents, celebrates and supports people from all backgrounds.
Refer a friend
Know someone else who would be good for this role? You can refer a friend, family member or colleague, if they are offered a role with Arbor, we will say thank you with a voucher valued up to £200!
Please note: We are unable to provide visa sponsorship at this time.
Senior Product Designer (Design Systems) employer: Arbor Education
At Arbor, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to transforming the educational landscape while fostering a supportive and innovative work culture. Our remote UK team enjoys a wealth of benefits, including 32 days of holiday, comprehensive wellness support, and a strong emphasis on professional development, ensuring that every employee can thrive both personally and professionally. Join us in making schools happier places to work, where your contributions truly make a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Product Designer (Design Systems)
✨Tip Number 1
Get your portfolio in tip-top shape! Make sure it showcases your best work, especially projects that highlight your experience with design systems. We want to see how you’ve turned complex requirements into elegant solutions.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your storytelling skills! When you’re in the interview, be ready to explain your design rationale and the processes behind your decisions. We love a good narrative that shows how you think and solve problems.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to research Arbor! Understand our mission and values, and think about how your design philosophy aligns with what we do. This will help you connect your experience to our goals during the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Product Designer (Design Systems)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:Make sure your portfolio is up to date and showcases your best work. Highlight projects that demonstrate your experience with design systems and user-centred design. We want to see how you tackle complex problems and create elegant solutions!
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that match the Senior Product Designer role. We love seeing candidates who understand our mission and values.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate well-structured applications that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Arbor!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arbor Education
✨Know Your Design System Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you have a solid understanding of design systems and how they function. Familiarise yourself with Arbor's existing design system, if possible, and be ready to discuss how you would enhance it. This shows your proactive approach and genuine interest in their work.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Product Designer, you'll be expected to lead and mentor others. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully guided a team or improved design standards. Highlight your ability to influence and inspire others, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Prepare for the Whiteboarding Session
The second stage includes a whiteboarding session, so practice articulating your design thought process clearly. Use this opportunity to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and how you translate complex requirements into intuitive designs. Think out loud to engage your interviewers.
✨Understand User Needs and Business Objectives
Arbor values user-centred design, so come prepared with insights on how you gather user feedback and incorporate it into your designs. Discuss your experience with both quantitative and qualitative research methods, and how these inform your design decisions. This will show that you can create impactful solutions that align with their mission.
