At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the redesign of a B2B SaaS platform, focusing on user experience and visual identity.
- Company: Fast-growing UK tax tech start-up revolutionising the accountancy profession.
- Benefits: Competitive salary of £85,000, 50% annual bonus, and EMI share options.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with no bureaucracy and excellent growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be a founding designer and shape a modern, intuitive product from the ground up.
- Qualifications: Experience in B2B SaaS design and a passion for user research.
The predicted salary is between 85000 - 85000 £ per year.
We have partnered with an incredibly exciting, fast-growing UK tax technology start-up that is rewriting the rules of the accountancy profession. Package of £85,000 with a 50% annual bonus + EMI Share Options.
Having already secured seed funding and currently progressing through a £1.5m round, they are building expert systems that transform incredibly complex tax legislation into clean, machine-readable code. Their platform is already live, integrated with Xero, and actively used by accounting practices supporting hundreds of SMEs.
Up until now, the focus has been on flawless technical accuracy and functionality. Now, they need a Founding Product Designer to take complete ownership of the user experience and lead a ground-up redesign. There are no layers of bureaucracy, no endless sign-off processes, and no team to manage just yet. You will work directly with the founders (CEO/CTO) and sit face-to-face with users to turn a high-powered technical engine into a modern, intuitive, and genuinely beautiful B2B SaaS platform.
The Role & Responsibilities
- As the solo design leader, you will be entirely hands-on, bridging the gap between complex backend data workflows and a seamless user experience.
- End-to-End Product Design: Own the UX/UI of the entire platform, including dashboard design, complex report builders, audit trail visualisations, and data ingestion flows.
- Build the Blueprint: Establish and maintain a scalable design system from scratch that the engineering team can build with efficiently.
- Deep User Research: Conduct direct research sessions with existing accounting firm clients. You will watch how they work, gather feedback, and translate those insights into definitive design choices.
- Shape the Brand: Define the visual identity of the product, moving it away from 'boring compliance software' into a modern, distinct, and premium SaaS category.
- Domain Immersion: Work alongside in-house domain experts to understand UK tax logic, ensuring you can design with a true understanding of user intent.
What We Are Looking For
- This role requires a unique blend of high-level systems thinking and flawless pixel-level execution.
- B2B SaaS Expertise: You have a proven track record designing complex tools where users interact with dense data points (e.g., fintech, compliance platforms, ERPs, dashboards, or advanced reporting tools).
- Systems Thinker: You look beyond individual screens. You care deeply about how data flows, how steps connect, and how to build user confidence through UI.
- 100% Hands-On: You thrive as a solo operator. You are excited to design day-to-day rather than managing or directing others.
- User-Obsessed: You love getting in front of clients, asking 'why' repeatedly, and building based on real human behaviour rather than assumptions.
Nice to Haves
- Experience working within a fast-paced seed-stage startup (navigating pivots and rapid iteration cycles).
- Prior experience building design systems from scratch.
- A background or exposure to tax, accounting, or compliance tech.
What Success Looks Like in 12 Months
- You will have launched a distinct visual identity that sets the company entirely apart from traditional, legacy tax software.
- Key user workflows will be completely redesigned based on your fresh user research.
- A scalable design system will be fully embedded into the engineering workflow.
- User research will be a core pillar of how the company builds product moving forward.
My client is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Due to high volumes of interest, we can only respond to shortlisted applicants.
Founding Product Designer employer: ripple
Join a pioneering UK tax technology start-up that is redefining the accountancy landscape. As a Founding Product Designer, you will enjoy a dynamic work culture free from bureaucracy, allowing you to directly influence the user experience and brand identity of an innovative B2B SaaS platform. With competitive compensation, including a substantial bonus and share options, this role offers exceptional opportunities for personal growth and the chance to make a significant impact in a fast-paced environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Founding Product Designer
✨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 ripple for a Founding Product Designer, 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 ripple before they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Founding Product Designer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Design Process:When you're applying for a UX/UI Design role like Founding Product Designer at ripple, 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 ripple 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 ripple. 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 ripple.
How to prepare for a job interview at ripple
✨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 ripple, 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. ripple 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 ripple!
✨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 ripple is looking for.
