Lead Product Designer (Europe)

Whimsical is an end-to-end SaaS platform for shaping ideas. Our software enables thousands of customers—from individuals to Fortune 500—to think and collaborate in the new era of distributed work.

We’re now looking for a Lead Product Designer to take part in our efforts to build tools that make online work better.

About the Role

As a product-led company, our product designers are essential in driving Whimsical’s success by solving hard problems and delivering value for both our users and the company. You will have direct impact on most parts of the company in close partnership with your cross-functional team (product management, design, and engineers) and the leadership.

Our process is loosely based on Shape Up. We write a lot, comment, iterate, and play (using Whimsical of course ;)) with our pitches. We work in a dual-track process where you as a designer will shape and discover future products while working with your team on delivering features directly to customers. Our product teams are cross-functional inspired by Marty Cagan’s two books Inspired and Empowered.

Whimsical is right now a small team of 25 people. You will be the 2nd product designer on our team. This gives you a massive opportunity to have impact and directly shape the product.

You will be reporting to our VP Product Niklas Stephenson but also work closely with Steve Schoeffel our Chief Creative Officer and co-founder.

Your responsibilities include:

• Make sure we deliver valuable, viable, usable, and feasible products
• Be a part of our design team across the organisation to ensure that we have a common design language
• Drive our discovery process with prototypes, interviews, and facilitate product workshops
• Partner with the product manager on your team to write pitches that highlight why a specific solution will help us achieve your team’s goals
• Evaluate product initiatives and kill darlings as fast as possible
• Design and perfect the final delivered versions of new features and products
• Develop relationships with all types of customers, know what they think, what value our products deliver, and where we can do even better
• Pair with engineers to deliver products that embody Whimsical's love for craftsmanship

Your first quarter at Whimsical

At the end of your first quarter at Whimsical you will:

• Feel at home, know the awesome people here and how we work
• Understand the core data of your slice of the product and the general core KPIs for Whimsical
• Know what makes the users tick, and where we are failing today
• Have multiple designs in production
• Research, write pitches, and deliver your first features together with your team

Requirements

About You

We’re looking for someone with a proven track record of product design in rapidly growing SaaS companies.

• Demonstrate understanding of the techniques and methods of modern product discovery
• Work iteratively with design using moderns tools and processes
• 5 years experience working on technology-powered products as a designer
• Proven ability to engage with engineers, designers, and company leaders in a constructive and collaborative relationship
• Deep appreciation for design and craftsmanship—you care about what we build and how we build it
• Comfortable with the fast-paced, ambiguous environment of a start-up
• Based in Europe

Benefits

What We Offer

• 100% Remote: We’re spread from California to Latvia and we’ve got you covered if you prefer to work from a coworking space.
• Salary: Annual salary starting at $184,631
• Equity: starting at 0.5%
• Vacation:6 weeks of paid time off each year
• Parental Leave: 4 weeks paid by company
• Equipment: We provide all the tech you need to work successfully
• Summits: We try to bring everyone together in person at least twice a year when possible

You can read more about how we think about compensation on our blog.

About Whimsical

Whimsical was founded in 2017 by Kaspars Dancis and Steve Schoeffel to help teams be more effective in the distributed and fully digital work environment.

Whimsical's product is expressive, fast, and delightful. We believe that software should spark joy, not dread.

We are a remote-first company and big proponents of remote work because it democratizes the opportunities for people everywhere.

Our operating philosophy is based on set of core principles, such as:

• Sustainability: We don't believe in growth at all costs. Growth is a fundamental part of a healthy existence but we want it to be in balance with sustainability and bounded by ethical behavior. We strive to work calm, 40-hour work weeks.Whimsical is also committed to doing our part towards sustainable future for the planet.
• Craftsmanship: We care deeply about our work. We are specialists, eager learners, and persistent in our pursuit of quality work. We're patient and committed because building great things takes time.
• Long-term focus: We're building Whimsical for the long-haul, not a quick exit. We avoid shortcuts and consider every key decision from a 10+ year perspective.
• Partnership Mindset: We’ve built the company around the idea that everybody who joins us should feel like they are partners in the business. Time is precious and we want Whimsical to be the place where people invest their time rather than sell it. Our equity offers are 100% transparent and above market average. We also pay everyone at the same level the same salary, no matter where they live.