Mid Experience Designer

About Portable

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 one of our Digital Product teams, which is made up of producers, designers and developers who care deeply about helping  our clients solve interesting problems.

Then there's you

You're a Melbourne based, mid-level Experience Designer who wants to use their skills to solve real problems for real people and learn from others in the team to take your design craft to the next level. You are looking for your next home, not just the next job, and you are interested in the opportunities working in a fast-paced digital agency can bring. 

You have a solid background in user experience and interface design. You can work across the spectrum of design, from creating low-fidelity wireframes to mid-fidelity prototypes and high-fidelity interfaces, ready for implementation., You have exposure to testing designs for digital products and services, and are comfortable walking team mates and clients through your design approach and rationale. Your openness to learning is second to none, and you have a strong desire to try new things, even if they are outside your comfort zone.

You're human-centred not only in your approach to design, but in how you collaborate with people and clients. You give and receive feedback generously and openly, and work to create strong, productive relationships with our cross-disciplinary team. 

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

• A strong level of confidence and capability using Figma to design low-to-high-fidelity user interfaces, clickable prototypes and wireframes.
• A growing level of technical knowledge and experience in user experience design methodologies and their application to digital design and product outcomes.
• A good level of experience working with design systems and UI components, including maintaining consistency and contributing new patterns. 
• Confidence designing responsive and adaptive layouts across desktop, tablet, and mobile breakpoints.
• Experience preparing UI documentation and specifications for developer handover, with an understanding of how designs translate into code (HTML, CSS, component structures).
• An interest and familiarity with the human-centred design process, and how cross-disciplinary teams can take problems from discovery and problem definition through to prototyping, testing, iteration and implementation.
• Solid visual design skills with an understanding of layout, typography, hierarchy, colour theory, spacing and more. 
• An interest and familiarity with inclusive design and best practice accessibility.

As a mid-level designer, you'll be expected to deliver the following outcomes: 

• On time and in-scope delivery of quality design work, with support from Seniors and Leads when needed
• Proactive identification of gaps in your own knowledge and capability, and proactively seeking out learning and development from others
• Valuable contribution to 'rituals' such as kick-off meetings, presentations, critique sessions and project retrospectives
• A positive contribution to Portable more generally, and consistent demonstration of our values and behaviours

If you were here last week, you may have:

• Created a prototype for a new legal help platform and prepared it for user testing sessions 
• Received coaching from a senior member of the team to grow your confidence presenting design work to clients
• Collaborated with your project Producer and Lead on a design solution to fit  a project constraint (like a tight timeline) 
• Attended a co-design workshop to reimagine the digital experience of seeking support from a large mental health organisation
• Designed logo and visual identity concepts for a digital platform that helps dying people and the people who care for them find holistic support and resources
• Attended a training session on using the Portable UI Kit to create new design systems for projects
• Joined the team for some Pictionary or trivia to end your Friday afternoon

How we remunerate and support the experience, growth and wellbeing of our team:

The salary range for this role is $80,000 to $95,000 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: We take on projects that aim to make a positive difference in areas like mental health, social justice, and accessibility
• Flexible work arrangements: We support a flexible working environment – whether it's from home, the office, or a café – with remote and hybrid options (up to 3 days per week), flexible hours, and personalised start/finish times. Please note however this role is based in Melbourne and you need to be able to work in our Collingwood office with the team.
• Enhanced leave benefits: We offer bonus annual leave based on tenure, the option to purchase additional leave, paid volunteering leave, and paid mental health days as personal leave, with no explanation or medical certificate required
• Growth and career development: We offer structured career pathways, an annual professional development allowance of $1,000 and two working days, access to our Emerging Leaders program, twice-yearly salary reviews, and ongoing leadership coaching for those ready to step up
• Wellbeing support: Through our Employee Assistance Program with The Mindroom, our team can access up to 4 counselling sessions per year, with support for general wellbeing, career planning, and managing life's challenges
• Financial incentives: Team members are eligible for a profit-sharing bonus and can explore employee share plan options, as well as salary sacrificing
• Family-friendly policies: We offer enhanced parental leave and support part-time arrangements that work around family commitments, such as school drop-offs and caring for sick loved ones

How to apply:

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

To be considered for this role, please send us:

1. Your resume
2. A short (max. 1 page) cover helping us understand what attracted you to this role and why you think you would be a good fit.

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