A bit about Smartly
We exist to make it simpler for Kiwi businesses to look after their people. We’re known as the simple way to sort payroll for over22,000 businesses. Our slick software, combined with our awesome support team, helps businesses pay their people on time, accurately, and in line with legislation.
We wholeheartedly believe that if you put people first, everyone wins. Great employees and great relationships are among the most valuable assets a business can have. Look after them, and success—however you measure it—gets easier. Your people win, your customers win, you win. We live this belief every day in the way we work with our own team.
What we’re looking for
We’re on the hunt for a Senior UX/UI Designer to join our design team at Smartly.
Based in Lower Hutt (with hybrid flexibility), this is an exciting opportunity for a senior designer who thrives on turning complexity into clarity. Designing beautifully simple solutions is second nature, with a strong focus on usability and user-centred thinking. You’ll work across the full product design process—shaping how our platform works and looks from the inside out.
You’ll collaborate with product managers, analysts, and engineers across multiple value streams (like Payroll and HR) to design elegant, scalable, and accessible experiences. You’ll also work closely with other designers in the design team, contributing to shared initiatives and helping foster a connected, creative studio culture. You’ll lead discovery, model complex systems, and craft pixel-perfect interfaces that make everyday tasks simpler and more rewarding for our users.
If you’re a strategic thinker with a systems mindset, refined design craft, and a drive to shape meaningful products, we’d love to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the design of end-to-end product experiences, from discovery through to delivery
- Shape product direction by combining customer insights, system models, and visual craft
- Rapidly prototype and validate ideas using sketches, Figma, and emerging tools (including AI)
- Create polished UI designs that align with our design system and reflect Smartly’s brand
- Contribute to and evolve our design practice—methods, tools, and shared processes
- Work across value streams and collaborate closely with cross-functional teams
What you’ll bring
- 5+ years of experience designing digital products in SaaS, B2B, or B2B2C environments
- A systems-thinking approach, with experience in JTBD, journey mapping, IA, or OOUX
- Strong visual and interaction design skills—layout, typography, motion, and accessibility
- Proficiency in Figma and experience working with design systems
- A curious and collaborative mindset, with comfort in fast-paced, evolving environments
- Proactive and self-directed, able to lead design initiatives and mentor others when needed
What you’ll get
- The chance to help shape an essential product used by thousands of NZ businesses
- A design-led culture that values craft, collaboration, and continuous learning
- A mix of high-trust autonomy and meaningful cross-functional teamwork
- A hybrid work environment with flexibility and strong team connection
Apply now
Please submit your Cover Letter & CV below. Please ensure an accessible link to portfolio is included.
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What We Do
From setting up new employees, to managing all their information, to sorting their pay and timesheets, Smartly lets you do it all in one place, cutting down your workload and freeing up your headspace. We have been making it simple for Kiwi businesses since 2004, automating payroll calculations accurately, on time, and in line with legislation, saving you time and stress. Plus, now with our People Management add-on you can manage all your payroll and people admin in one place.
