Senior Service Designer

Senior Service Designer

Full-Time 52846 - 66058 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
DWP Digital

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design user-centric services and lead teams to solve complex problems.
  • 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.
  • Other info: Work from various digital hubs across the UK and enjoy a supportive, award-winning culture.
  • Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team using cutting-edge tech to improve public services for everyone.
  • Qualifications: Experience in service design and user-centred approaches is essential.

The predicted salary is between 52846 - 66058 £ per year.

Overview Pay up to £57,946 - £68,205 plus 28.97% employer pension contributions, hybrid working, flexible hours, and great work life balance.
DWP. Digital with Purpose.
Can you help the UK's biggest government department design stronger services through shared insight, collaboration and a deep understanding of user needs?
Do you want to be part of a Design Community that invests in your skills and development?
At DWP Digital, you\'ll design and deliver services that genuinely change lives. We support over 22 million people every day helping people find work, navigate challenging moments, and access the support they need. Our work plays a vital role in delivering the Government\'s "Get Britain Working" vision, and few organisations offer the chance to use design thinking at such scale, with such meaningful impact.
This is more than a design role. It\'s an opportunity to shape how services are designed across the organisation. You\'ll work with policy, product, delivery, and operational teams to bring clarity, solve complex problems, and define what great service looks like-end to end.
You\'ll join a vibrant, open, and collaborative design community that values learning, trust, and practical problem solving. Together, you\'ll create services that are inclusive, resilient, and ready for the future.
We\'re recruiting Service Designers across three exciting areas:
Digital Modernisation and Efficiency & Digital Channels
Help us create seamless, multichannel experiences by bringing together technology, data, and operational processes-making things simpler and more connected for citizens and colleagues.
Debt Management
Shape fair, compassionate, and sustainable approaches to recovering money owed to the department. You\'ll design services that understand people\'s circumstances and treat every customer with dignity and respect.
Health and Disability
Design clear, responsive services that support timely, accurate decisions-ensuring people get the help they need, when they need it.
What skills, knowledge and experience will you need?
You have substantial experience in designing comprehensive end to end services that address complex operational and organisational challenges.
You apply strong user centred and evidence based design expertise to develop services that reflect best practice principles and meet the needs of users, colleagues, and the organisation.
You can communicate effectively with a broad range of colleagues and influence stakeholders at multiple levels by clearly articulating the value of service design, your approach, and the reasoning behind key design decisions.
You can create and sustain a positive and collaborative working environment that supports effective teamwork within your own team, across the organisation, and within the wider service design community.
Location: You\'ll join us in one of our brilliant digital hubs in Blackpool, Birmingham, Leeds,
Manchester, Newcastle or Sheffield whichever is most convenient for you.
Hybrid Working: We work a hybrid model - you\'ll spend some time working at home and some time collaborating face to face in a hub.
Pay: We offer competitive pay from £57,946 - £68,205
Pension: You\'ll get a brilliant civil service pension with employer contributions worth 28.97%, worth up to £16,786 per year.
Holidays: A generous leave package starting at 25 days rising to 30 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.
We have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:
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.
And we have an 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
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Senior Service Designer employer: DWP Digital

DWP Digital is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation in the heart of Leeds. With a competitive starting salary of £70,000 and a comprehensive benefits package, including a civil service pension, employees enjoy flexibility through a hybrid working model, allowing for a healthy work-life balance. The company prioritises employee growth, providing ample opportunities for professional development while working with cutting-edge technologies like VXLAN and next-generation firewalls.

DWP Digital

Contact Details:

DWP Digital Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Service Designer

Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with user-centred design principles and be ready to discuss how you've applied them in past projects. This will show that you understand the core of what DWP is looking for in a Senior Service Designer.

Tip Number 2

Prepare examples of how you've influenced stakeholders at various levels. Being able to articulate your experience in facilitating collaboration and consensus will demonstrate your ability to navigate the complexities of a large organisation like DWP.

Tip Number 3

Brush up on your storytelling and visualisation skills. As a Senior Service Designer, you'll need to effectively communicate complex ideas, so practice presenting your work in a clear and engaging way.

Tip Number 4

Research DWP's current digital services and think critically about potential improvements. Showing that you have a proactive mindset and can identify areas for enhancement will set you apart from other candidates.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Service Designer

User-Centred Design
Service Design Methodologies
Stakeholder Engagement
Communication Skills
Collaboration and Teamwork
Problem-Solving Skills
Data Analysis

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role:Before you start writing your application, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of a Senior Service Designer. Familiarise yourself with user-centred design principles and how they apply to public services.

Tailor Your CV:Highlight your relevant experience in service design, focusing on hands-on approaches you've used to solve complex problems. Make sure to include specific examples that demonstrate your expertise in user-centred design and collaboration with stakeholders.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell a story about your passion for service design and how it aligns with DWP's mission. Emphasise your ability to influence and communicate effectively with various stakeholders, showcasing your leadership skills.

Proofread and Edit:Before submitting your application, take the time to proofread your documents. Check for any spelling or grammatical errors, and ensure that your writing is clear and concise. A polished application reflects your attention to detail.

How to prepare for a job interview at DWP Digital

Showcase Your User-Centric Approach

As a Senior Service Designer, it's crucial to demonstrate your expertise in user-centred design. Prepare examples of how you've successfully implemented user feedback into service design, and be ready to discuss the impact of these changes on both users and the organisation.

Communicate Effectively with Stakeholders

You'll need to influence and communicate with various stakeholders. Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely, ensuring you can explain the value of user-centricity to colleagues at all levels of seniority.

Prepare for Complex Problem-Solving Scenarios

Expect to discuss complex problems you've solved in previous roles. Be prepared to walk through your thought process, the methodologies you used, and how you collaborated with others to achieve successful outcomes.

Emphasise Collaboration and Team Environment

DWP values a positive working environment. Highlight your experience in fostering collaboration within teams and how you've contributed to creating a supportive atmosphere that encourages innovation and teamwork.