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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of high-quality services like Universal Credit to support working-aged people.
- Company: Join DWP, the UK's largest government department, making a real impact on millions of lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, flexible hours, generous holidays, and a fantastic pension scheme.
- Why this job: Shape the future of services that matter, while collaborating with diverse teams and driving positive change.
- Qualifications: Expertise in service design, collaboration, and user-centred design is essential.
- Other info: Be part of an award-winning culture with opportunities for professional development and community engagement.
The predicted salary is between 77740 - 83957 £ per year.
This range is provided by DWP Digital. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range
Pay up to £80,267, plus 28.97% employer pension contributions, hybrid working, flexible hours, and great work life balance.
Join DWP as a Lead Service Designer, as you set the direction and guide teams to help embed service design across the organisation. You\’ll be exploring problems, fostering collaboration and aligning user needs with policy, service and product strategy.
You’ll join a supportive community of user‑centred design professionals who are committed to accessibility and excellence. This is a fantastic opportunity in areas of DWP that have significant and long‑term value to our users. If you have experience leading design of end‑to‑end, front‑to‑back services that solve complex problems then this role could be ideal for you.
DWP. Digital with Purpose.
We are looking for a Lead Service Designer to join our community of tech experts in DWP Digital.
We\’re using fresh ideas and leading‑edge tech to build and maintain digital solutions that will be used by nearly every person in the UK, every day and at key moments in their lives.
DWP is the UK\’s largest government department. We help people into work, and make payments worth over £195bn a year to support and empower millions of people.
The scale of what we do is extraordinary, and our purpose is unique. We\’d love you to join us.
What skills, knowledge and experience will you need?
- Proven experience in designing end‑to‑end services that solve complex problems.
- Strong ability to apply best practice and evidence‑based approaches to create services that meet user, colleague, and organisational needs.
- Excellent communication skills, with confidence in advocating for user‑centred design and influencing senior stakeholders.
- Demonstrated leadership in fostering a positive, collaborative environment that supports effective service design.
You and your role
In DWP our services are designed in collaboration with the people who use them, not just for them. You\’ll help us find innovative ways to design for our users, using data trends to develop new solutions, and working alongside users to solve problems. The services you design will help make people\’s lives better.
You’ll join us in one of two areas: Health and Disability, or Debt. As a Lead Service Designer, you’ll be shaping future services by aligning emerging policy and business strategy with user needs, in a bid to evolve our services to drive improvements that deliver real outcomes.
This is a leadership role where you’ll be setting direction, guiding teams and helping to embed services across the organisation. From facilitating collaboration, mentoring designers through to producing high‑quality design outputs and promoting best practices.
You should be a confident facilitator and expert practitioner, with a passion for advocating user‑centred design and driving improvements. You’ll be joining a collaborative design community who don\’t work in isolation, and you’ll enjoy unique career development opportunities as part of this team.
Location
You’ll join us in one of our brilliant digital hubs in Birmingham, Blackpool, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle or Sheffield
Hybrid Working
We work a hybrid model – you’ll spend some time working at home and collaborating face to face in a hub.
Pay
We offer competitive pay of up to £80,267
Pension
You’ll get a brilliant civil service pension with employer contributions worth 28.97%
Holidays
A generous leave package starting at 26 days rising to 31 days over time.
You can also take up to 3 extra days off a month on flexi‑time. You’ll also get all the usual public holidays.
Benefits
- Flexible working including flexible hours and flex‑friendly policies
- Time off volunteering and charitable giving
- Bring your authentic self to work with ‘I Can Be Me in DWP’
- Discounts and savings on shopping, fun days out and more
- Interest‑free loans to buy a bike or a season ticket, so it\’s even easier for you to get to work and start making a difference
- Sports and social activities
- Professional development, coaching, mentoring and career progression opportunities.
Award-winning environment and culture
- DWP have been recognised as 2024 Diversity Employer of the Year at the Computing Women in Tech Excellence awards
- Diverse and Inclusive Leadership at Digital Leaders Awards 2024
- Commended as Best Place to Work in Digital category in the Computing Digital Technology Leaders awards 2025
- Recognised as one of the Best Public Sector Employers at 2025 Women In Tech Employer Awards
Process
We know your time is valuable so our application and selection process is just two stages:
Apply
Complete your application on Civil Service Jobs. There’ll be full instructions when you click through.
Interview
A single stage interview online.
Click APPLY for more information and to start your application.
Seniority level
Mid‑Senior level
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Information Technology
Industries
Technology, Information and Internet and Technology, Information and Media
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Lead Service Designer employer: DWP Digital
Contact Detail:
DWP Digital Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Service Designer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the principles of user-centred design and service design methodologies. Being able to discuss these concepts confidently during your interview will demonstrate your expertise and alignment with the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led cross-functional teams in previous roles. Highlighting your experience in collaboration and stakeholder engagement will show that you can effectively influence decision-making at various levels.
✨Tip Number 3
Research DWP's current services, especially Universal Credit, and think critically about potential improvements. Being able to articulate your ideas on enhancing these services will set you apart as a proactive candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with current or former DWP employees on platforms like LinkedIn. Gaining insights from their experiences can provide you with valuable information to tailor your approach and demonstrate your genuine interest in the organisation.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Service Designer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure to thoroughly read the job description for the Lead Service Designer position. Understand the key responsibilities and required skills, such as leading service design for Universal Credit and engaging with senior stakeholders.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in service design, collaboration, and user-centred design. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead projects and influence decision-making.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for service design and how your skills align with DWP's mission. Mention your experience in mentoring designers and promoting best practices, as these are key aspects of the role.
Prepare for the Interview: Once you submit your application, prepare for the online interview by reviewing common interview questions related to service design. Be ready to discuss your previous projects and how you've successfully collaborated across teams.
How to prepare for a job interview at DWP Digital
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Lead Service Designer. Familiarise yourself with Universal Credit and how it impacts users. This will help you articulate your vision for the role during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Since the role involves engaging with senior stakeholders and facilitating collaboration across teams, prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to work effectively with diverse groups. Highlight any past experiences where you successfully led cross-functional teams.
✨Prepare High-Quality Artefacts
Be ready to discuss and present high-quality service design artefacts you've created in the past. This could include user journey maps, wireframes, or prototypes. Showing tangible examples of your work can significantly strengthen your case.
✨Emphasise User-Centred Design
As an advocate for user-centred design, be prepared to discuss how you incorporate user feedback into your design process. Share specific instances where user insights led to improved service outcomes, demonstrating your commitment to putting users at the heart of your work.
