At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our design team to enhance user experiences through collaboration and creativity.
- Company: Dynamic tech company in Manchester focused on innovation and inclusivity.
- Benefits: £30,000 salary, shares, 28 days holiday, hybrid working, and comprehensive health cover.
- Other info: Embrace a supportive environment that values diversity and personal development.
- Why this job: Kickstart your design career with hands-on experience and growth opportunities.
- Qualifications: Graduating in 2026 with a passion for design and technology.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 30000 € per year.
We’re looking for a Graduate Experience Designer to join our Product & Technology community in Manchester. As part of the Design team, you’ll help improve our end-to-end experiences by working closely with other designers, product managers, engineers and researchers. You’ll support work from early ideas and discovery through to design, testing, and iteration of solutions, considering the needs of customers, consumers and colleagues throughout.
You’ll get hands‑on experience contributing to a range of design activities, from shaping early ideas and analysing insights to creating designs, taking part in workshops and testing concepts with users. You’ll have the opportunity to explore and build skills across different areas of design, including insight analysis, service design, interaction design, visual design and content design. Over time, and with support from the wider team, you’ll build confidence in both design thinking and craft. As you grow, you’ll have the space to shape your own development, deepening your expertise in particular areas while continuing to collaborate across disciplines. You’ll also learn how to work with our design system to create consistent, high-quality experiences across journeys for customers, consumers and colleagues.
Our graduate programme starts in October 2026.
What we're looking for:
- You’ll be a graduate (or graduating in 2026) in any degree discipline, or hold a level 6 qualification, with a passion for design and technology.
- Interest in end-to-end design, from understanding problems and analysing insights through to exploring ideas, designing and testing solutions.
- Some exposure to one or more areas of design such as interaction design, visual design, service design or content design, including sketches, storyboards, journey maps, wireframes, prototypes or written content developed through education, personal projects or independent exploration.
- Curiosity and a willingness to learn, take feedback and develop your skills across different design disciplines.
- The ability to bring together different sources of information, make sense of them and form clear ideas or conclusions.
- Enjoy working with others and communicating ideas clearly.
- Interest in improving experiences across digital products and services for customers, consumers and colleagues.
Benefits and more:
- We’re offering a salary of £30,000, plus an additional 10% of your salary awarded in shares each year. These awarded shares will become yours in yearly instalments over the next three years, and you can choose to either sell them or keep them as shares.
- You’ll have 28 days’ holiday per year, plus bank holidays and half‑day closures on Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
- You’ll be enrolled in our pension scheme, with standard contributions of 7% and employee contributions of 5%.
- We also offer comprehensive private medical cover, enhanced family leave provisions, a car salary sacrifice scheme, share‑save options, and more.
- We provide access to 24/7 online GP and dentist, as well as specialist support for assisted fertility, gender dysphoria, menopause, period care plans and other wellbeing services.
- Our hybrid model, Connected Working, combines the best of both worlds – office and home working. You’ll have two fixed weekly office days for team collaboration, plus one more day of your choice to suit your work‑life balance.
- Additionally, we have remote‑first periods at set times during summer and winter, where you can work remotely anywhere in the UK and from certain locations abroad.
Location: Manchester, UK. We are committed to making Auto Trader a diverse and inclusive environment for everyone.
Graduate Experience Designer in Manchester employer: Autotrader
At Auto Trader, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work culture in Manchester that fosters creativity and collaboration. As a Graduate Experience Designer, you'll benefit from a competitive salary, generous share options, and a comprehensive benefits package, including private medical cover and flexible working arrangements that support your personal and professional growth. With access to diverse design projects and a commitment to employee development, you'll have the opportunity to shape your career while contributing to meaningful experiences for our customers and colleagues.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Graduate Experience Designer in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. A friendly chat can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your design projects, even if they're from uni or personal work. This is your chance to shine and demonstrate your passion for design.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common design questions and scenarios. Think about how you’d approach real-world problems and be ready to share your thought process.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at StudySmarter.
We think you need these skills to ace Graduate Experience Designer in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Design:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for design and technology shine through. Share any personal projects or experiences that highlight your interest in end-to-end design, as this will resonate with us at StudySmarter.
Be Clear and Concise:We love a well-structured application! Make sure to communicate your ideas clearly and keep your writing concise. Use bullet points if necessary to make it easy for us to see your skills and experiences at a glance.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to the Graduate Experience Designer role. Highlight relevant skills and experiences that align with what we’re looking for in the job description.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, it shows us that you’re genuinely interested in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Autotrader
✨Know Your Design Basics
Brush up on your understanding of design principles, especially in areas like interaction and visual design. Be ready to discuss any projects or coursework that showcase your skills, as this will demonstrate your passion and knowledge in the field.
✨Showcase Your Curiosity
During the interview, express your eagerness to learn and grow. Share examples of how you've sought feedback in the past and how it has helped you improve your work. This will highlight your willingness to adapt and develop your skills across different design disciplines.
✨Prepare for Collaborative Scenarios
Since the role involves working closely with others, think of examples where you've successfully collaborated on projects. Be ready to discuss how you communicate ideas clearly and how you handle differing opinions within a team setting.
✨Understand the User Experience
Familiarise yourself with the concept of end-to-end design. Be prepared to talk about how you would approach understanding user needs and testing solutions. This shows that you’re not just focused on aesthetics but also on creating meaningful experiences for users.
