Urgent Search: Gem: Principal Product Designer

Overview

We care about people and the world. We seek out areas of social need and policy failure and make transformational change using research, design and technology. Our clients are as passionate as we are and are working in government agencies, nonprofit organisations and socially-minded businesses.

There are currently 50+ of us working as researchers, strategists, designers, technologists and producers towards our mission from our head office in Collingwood, and remotely from co-working spaces and homes across Australia.

This role sits in our GEM Digital Product team, a multidisciplinary crew of producers, designers, developers and strategists who are exploring the future of AI-enabled tools and digital products that support public good.

Then there’s you

You’re a Principal Product Designer with deep experience in UX and product design, and a knack for turning complex client ideas into usable, tested, and impactful products. You thrive in discovery, prototyping, iteration, and research, and you’re comfortable leading design projects end-to-end.

You set a high bar for design delivery and practice, but you’re just as motivated by helping others grow. You can facilitate workshops, engage clients with clarity and empathy, and guide cross-disciplinary teams towards feasible, elegant solutions.

While polished UI design isn’t your only focus, you can bring strong visual craft when it’s needed. You’re curious about emerging technologies — especially AI — and excited by the opportunity to ensure they’re human-centred, ethical and purposeful.

You'll be expected to have knowledge and experience in these areas:

- Extensive experience in UX and product design, with strength in iteration, testing, and client engagement
- Strong facilitation skills, including leading workshops and co-design activities
- Ability to translate complex concepts into user journeys, wireframes and prototypes that are tested and refined with feedback
- Familiarity with agile/lean ways of working and collaborating closely with developers and strategists
- Confidence with design and collaboration tools such as Figma and Miro
- Competence in UI/visual design, able to deliver polished outcomes when required
- Exposure to (or interest in) AI products and emerging technology, and how to design them responsibly
- A track record of modelling best practice design methods, and uplifting design capability in others

If you were here last week, you may have:

- Facilitated a co-design workshop with a government department to reimagine an AI-enabled tool for frontline workers
- Sketched, prototyped and tested user journeys for a digital product supporting people seeking legal or mental health support
- Partnered with developers to translate prototypes into working features, ensuring feasibility without losing design intent
- Reviewed a proposal alongside the Business Director, shaping the design approach that helped Portable win new work
- Shared a new prototyping method with your team that streamlined testing and iteration
- Wrapped up the week by joining the team for Pictionary, trivia, or a casual Friday check-in

How we remunerate and support the experience, growth, and well-being of our team

The salary range for this role is $128,000 to $160,000 plus superannuation.

Joining Portable means becoming part of an organisation with an award-winning workplace culture, where your contributions are valued and you’re supported by a multidisciplinary team.

Here’s what else you can look forward to:

- Meaningful work with impact: projects in mental health, justice, accessibility, and social innovation
- Flexible work arrangements: hybrid options (2-3 days WFH), flexible hours, and personalised start/finish times — with time in our Collingwood office to connect with the team
- Enhanced leave benefits: bonus annual leave based on tenure, purchase additional leave, paid volunteering leave, and paid mental health days
- Growth and career development: structured pathways, $2,000 annual professional development allowance, two paid PD days, and access to leadership coaching and our Emerging Leaders program
- Wellbeing support: up to 4 counselling sessions per year through The Mindroom, plus career and life coaching
- Financial incentives: profit-sharing bonus, salary sacrificing, and employee share plan options
- Family-friendly policies: enhanced parental leave and flexible part-time arrangements

How to apply

We are committed to building a diverse and equal team. People from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

To be considered for this role, please send us:

- Your resume
- A short (max. 1 page) cover letter telling us what attracted you to this role and why you think you’d be a great fit

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