Lead Product Designer

Onward Accessibility; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 96,000 - 165,000; Part time

Job summary

Onward Search is assisting a life insurance company in New York City to hire a freelance Lead Product Designer. You will shape an agent-facing AI platform, set design direction for complex workflows, and create production-ready prototypes while mentoring designers and guiding quality from roadmap through QA.

This hybrid NYC role requires collaboration across Product, Engineering, and Implementation teams and leadership in a SAFe environment.

Qualifications

• Portfolio or case studies required with resume, including any passwords.
• 10+ years of digital product design experience, with leadership of a product or workstream.
• Strong foundation in high-fidelity UI, design systems, responsive design, and developer handoff.
• Experience leading design in a SAFe environment with Product, Engineering, and Implementation teams.
• Expert-level Figma skills: components, variables, auto layout, prototyping, Dev Mode handoff.

Responsibilities

• Set design direction for agent-facing AI platform and shape complex workflows.
• Create production-ready prototypes and guide quality from roadmap to QA.
• Partner with Product, Engineering, and Implementation teams to resolve tradeoffs and ensure delivery.
• Mentor designers and facilitate collaborative design sessions; present strategy to senior stakeholders.
• Influence product roadmaps and PI planning in a SAFe environment.

Skills

10+ years digital product design

Leadership/mentoring

Figma expert

SAFe experience

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Design or related field

Tools

Figma

Design Systems

Job description

Our client, a life insurance company in New York City, is hiring a freelance Lead Product Designer to shape an agent-facing AI platform. You'll set design direction for complex workflows, create production-ready prototypes, and guide quality from roadmap through QA. The role also partners across teams, mentors designers, and supports measurable improvements for users.

This is a HYBRID position in New York City. Remote is NOT an option.

Lead Product Designer Responsibilities:

• Translate complex, cross-functional problems into clear user flows and high-fidelity prototypes.
• Establish design quality standards, including component usage, responsive behavior, accessibility guidance, edge cases, and developer handoff.
• Influence product roadmaps and prioritization while contributing to PI planning and sprint ceremonies in a SAFe environment.
• Collaborate with Product, Engineering, and Implementation teams to resolve tradeoffs, manage risks, and support delivery through QA.
• Facilitate collaborative design sessions, mentor designers, and present design strategy and rationale to senior stakeholders.

Lead Product Designer Qualifications:

• Provide a portfolio or case studies as a document or accessible link with your resume, including any required passwords.
• Bring 10+ years of digital product design experience, including leadership of a product, workstream, or portfolio.
• Demonstrate a strong foundation in high-fidelity UI, design systems, responsive design, and detailed developer handoff.
• Have experience leading design in a Scaled Agile (SAFe) environment and partnering with Product, Engineering, and Implementation teams.
• Possess expert-level Figma skills, including components, variables, auto layout, prototyping, and Dev Mode handoff.

Perks and Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance.
• Life Insurance.
• 401(k) Program.
• Commuter Benefit.
• eLearning and Ongoing Training.
• Education Reimbursement.

Eligibility requires working over 30 hours per week on an assignment lasting at least 10 weeks.