At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design for RA's consumer products and enhance user experiences in electronic music.
- Company: Join Resident Advisor, a vibrant hub for electronic music culture since 2001.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, flexible work options, wellness initiatives, and community volunteering.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to innovation and community impact.
- Why this job: Shape the future of electronic music while working with cutting-edge design and AI tools.
- Qualifications: 4+ years in product design, strong portfolio, and experience mentoring designers.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
About RA
Resident Advisor has been a home for electronic music culture since 2001. Event discovery, ticketing, news and long-form editorial, artist profiles, original films, and a weekly mix series two decades deep. Around 7 million people use the web platform every month, with a wider audience across our apps and other channels. Underneath the platform sits a network of contributors and city managers across dozens of cities, which is how we stay connected to the scenes we cover rather than reporting on them from a distance. RA is 25 years old, independent, B.Corp certified and intent on being indispensable to the artists, promoters and audiences who make this culture. Resident Advisor helps users explore the world of electronic music, from finding their next night out and buying tickets to discovering the artists, clubs and scenes behind it.
The mandate
We're looking for a senior product designer to join our design team and set the design direction for our consumer products: ra.co and the RA Guide app, used by millions of ticket buyers, readers and electronic music fans annually. The role also encompasses RA PRO, our B2B offering for promoters listing events and tickets on RA. You'll work closely with Product Managers, Engineers, Data, Commercial and Growth teams to design experiences that help users stay engaged with the electronic music community via RA while contributing to the future development of the platform. This is a senior role for a designer who combines strong product thinking and exceptional craft with hands-on experience of AI-assisted design. You'll lead projects from discovery through delivery, set the standard for design quality across the team, and own the evolution of the RA Design System so it works as well for AI tools and agents as it does for designers and engineers.
Responsibilities
- Lead design for Resident Advisor's consumer products end to end, across web and native app touchpoints.
- Set design direction and quality standards, and partner with Product, Engineering and Data leads to shape strategy, roadmaps and prioritisation.
- Mentor and coach other designers through critique, pairing and feedback, raising the bar for craft across the team.
- Lead discovery activities including user research, workshops and analysis of customer feedback and data.
- Work closely with engineers throughout implementation to ensure quality execution and close the gap between design and code.
Design systems and AI
- Own the RA Design System: maintain, evolve and govern tokens, components and patterns so they stay consistent across Figma and code.
- Structure and document the design system so developers and AI can use it reliably and efficiently.
- Bring AI into the design workflow, using it for research synthesis, ideation, prototyping and production, and helping the wider team adopt it thoughtfully.
- Document design decisions, patterns and best practices in a way both people and AI tools can use.
Who we are looking for
- A portfolio demonstrating strong product design thinking, visual craft and impact on products shipped at scale.
- 4+ years of Product Design experience, including time in a senior or lead role setting design direction for a product area.
- Experience mentoring designers and influencing product and engineering stakeholders.
- Hands-on experience using AI in your design practice, from ideation and prototyping to working with AI coding tools, and a considered point of view on where it helps and where it doesn't.
- Deep experience building and maintaining design systems, including design tokens, component libraries and documentation, and keeping Figma and code in sync.
- An understanding of what makes a design system usable by AI: structured tokens, consistent naming, well-defined component properties and clear usage guidance.
- Expert UI and interaction design skills with a keen eye for detail.
- A strong grasp of user-centred design and balancing user and business needs.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills, and experience working in Agile product teams.
- Experience designing AI-powered or personalised product experiences is a plus.
What we offer you
- Generous annual leave policies aimed at promoting work-life balance.
- Flexibility in working arrangements, offering hybrid or remote work options based on role requirements and location.
- Matching pension schemes and/or 401k.
- Comprehensive staff wellbeing initiatives, featuring regular activities and workplace programmes to support mental and physical health.
- This includes discounted ClassPass memberships and custom-fitted earplugs.
- Company-led social events, team lunches, and discounts on RA merch.
- Paid annual volunteering allowance, encouraging contributions to community projects and charities you care about.
- Regular company-wide Q&As with senior leadership, along with ongoing virtual educational training sessions for all staff.
- A transparent internal company culture committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
More about RA
We are independent and we intend to stay that way. 25 years in, RA answers to the culture it came from rather than to outside stakeholders. That is what enables us to make decisions on a long-term basis. Our staff, contributors and international teams are not observers. They are part of the scenes we cover, and that is what we hire for. Craft first, and then a genuine stake in this music rather than just a job in it. RA has been B Corp certified since 2024, which holds us to standards on social and environmental impact we would want to meet regardless of the badge. We especially welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, abilities, ethnicities, experiences, gender identities, and sexual orientations.
Our values
- Electronic music is art. We celebrate the progressive values that underpin electronic music.
- We advocate for a more inclusive and equitable electronic music community.
- We honour the past, present and future of electronic music.
- We use innovation to empower the community.
- We choose honesty over gain and purpose over profit.
- We're always front left.
This role is a permanent position based in Manchester. Please note: This position requires applicants to be based in Manchester and to work from the office three days per week. The annual salary for this role is £45k–£55k.
Senior Product Designer - Manchester employer: Resident Advisor
Resident Advisor (RA) is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, deeply rooted in the electronic music community. With comprehensive wellbeing initiatives, opportunities for professional growth, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, RA empowers its employees to thrive both personally and professionally. Located in London, the company offers a unique chance to contribute to a globally recognised platform while enjoying a collaborative environment that values creativity and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Product Designer - Manchester
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
In the world of UX/UI design, your portfolio speaks volumes! Make sure it's packed with your best work and showcases your process, not just the final product. We want to see how you tackle design challenges, so consider adding case studies that reflect your thought process and user-centric approach.
✨Get Involved in Design Communities
Jump into local or online design meetups and workshops! Places like UXPA or local design events can be goldmines for networking and learning. Plus, mingling with fellow designers can introduce you to potential job openings that might not be listed elsewhere.
✨Tailor Your Applications
When you find a role that excites you, like the one at Resident Advisor for a Senior Product Designer - Manchester, make your application count! Highlight specific projects and skills that directly relate to the job description. Hiring managers are looking for candidates who fit into their specific team, so show them you’re the one!
✨Leverage Social Media
Don't underestimate the power of social media in finding a UX/UI design job! Follow design leaders on platforms like Twitter or Instagram, share your work, and engage in conversations. It’s a great way to get noticed by recruiters and even catch wind of openings at companies like Resident Advisor before they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Product Designer - Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Design Process:When you're applying for a UX/UI Design role like Senior Product Designer - Manchester at Resident Advisor, make sure to include examples that clearly highlight your design process. We want to see not just the final product but also the journey that led you there—wireframes, user personas, and iterations demonstrate your thought process and user-centric approach!
Tailor Your Portfolio:A tailor-made portfolio is crucial for a full-time design role! Curate your best projects that align with the kind of work Resident Advisor does. We suggest including 3-5 case studies that showcase a variety of skills such as wireframing, prototyping, and user testing to really make your application pop.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should not just be a summary of your CV. Use it to express why you’re excited about UX/UI Design and what draws you specifically to Resident Advisor. Mention any relevant experience, tools you’re proficient in (like Sketch or Figma), and how you can contribute to their projects.
Highlight Collaboration Skills:In the world of UX/UI Design, teamwork is crucial. Make sure to highlight any past experiences where you worked in cross-functional teams. Illustrate how you communicated design decisions and listened to feedback, as this will resonate well with the culture at Resident Advisor.
How to prepare for a job interview at Resident Advisor
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
When you're gunning for a full-time UX/UI design role, your portfolio is your best friend! Make sure you've got a solid selection of your work, showcasing not just the final designs, but the process behind them—think wireframes, user flows, and any user research you've conducted. During the interview with Resident Advisor, be prepared to discuss your design decisions and how they solve specific user problems.
✨Prepare for Design Challenges
Expect to face some practical design tasks during your interview. Resident Advisor might ask you to tackle a quick design challenge or critique an existing interface. Brush up on your problem-solving skills and try to articulate your thought process as you work through these scenarios. Showing how you approach a design problem is just as important as the final output!
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with the tools commonly used in the industry—figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch should be second nature to you. Be ready to discuss your preferred tools during the interview and how they've shaped your design process at previous positions. This knowledge could give you an edge at Resident Advisor!
✨Show Passion for User Experience
In a full-time UX/UI design role, having a genuine passion for improving user interactions can set you apart. Be prepared to share instances when you went above and beyond to ensure a great user experience in your previous projects. This will demonstrate that you’re not just a designer, but a user advocate, which is exactly what Resident Advisor is looking for.
