Principal Product Designer - Strategic Discovery (all genders)

Role: We are seeking a highly skilled Principal Product Designer (Strategic Specialist) who excels at the front end of innovation—product discovery, research strategy, and complex problem framing. Based in Partner Tech, Berlin, you will navigate ambiguity, lead strategic product discoveries, and apply systemic design thinking to inspire and align cross‑functional teams. You will operate in the Discovery phase, bridging User Research, Product Management, and Design Strategy, translating insights into structural user‑experience concepts, interaction models, and tangible product experiences. Responsibilities: - Conduct advanced multi‑method research, selecting and deploying a wide spectrum of qualitative and quantitative methodologies. - Create conceptual designs and experience models, turning abstract insights into low‑to‑mid fidelity user flows, structural wireframes, and service blueprints. - Perform strategic synthesis and information architecture, building customer/partner archetypes, user segmentations, and holistic journey maps. - Develop CX vision and align strategy, translating data into actionable experience visions that shape short‑, mid‑ and long‑term product strategies. - Solve complex B2B and enterprise system problems, navigating technical constraints and multi‑stakeholder landscapes. - Facilitate large workshops, drive cross‑functional alignment, and upskill product teams in discovery practices. Qualifications: - Define and run cohesive research and discovery strategies across the product development lifecycle, guiding Product Managers and designers through ambiguous problem spaces. - Materialize product strategy and shape concepts hands‑on using customer journey mapping, JTBD, structural documentation, and design direction. - Discover intangible partner attitudes, behaviors, and motivations through rigorous field research, embedding deep customer understanding organization‑wide. - Translate complex insights into compelling narratives, storyboards, and qualitative benchmarks to secure executive buy‑in. - Enable a product‑led organization by modeling user‑centered design practices, defining research principles, and leading research operations initiatives. - Partner with senior Product Management to co‑create strategic prioritization frameworks that link qualitative benchmarks to the long‑term roadmap. - Convert customer insights into business cases that connect user pain points to commercial metrics such as retention, acquisition, or operational efficiency. What We Offer: - 27 days of holiday per year (up to 30 days with seniority) plus 2 paid volunteering days. - Employee shares program. - 40% discount on Zalando fashion and beauty products, 30% discount on Lounge, and additional external partner discounts. - Relocation assistance (subject to prior agreement). - Family services, counseling, and support. - Health and wellbeing options including Wellhub (formerly Gympass) and mental health coaching. - Development opportunities through a training platform and biannual peer‑to‑peer review.