At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design work to create user-friendly public services that make a real difference.
- Company: Join the Government Digital Service, shaping the future of digital government.
- Benefits: Work with talented professionals and contribute to impactful projects across the UK.
- Other info: Join a vibrant design community and enjoy opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a team transforming public services for millions, using innovative design.
- Qualifications: Experience in service design, user research, and collaboration in agile environments.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 84000 € per year.
The Government Digital Service (GDS) is the digital centre of government. We are responsible for setting, leading and delivering the vision for a modern digital government. Our priorities are to drive a modern digital government by:
- joining up public sector services
- harnessing the power of AI for the public good
- strengthening and extending our digital and data public infrastructure
- elevating leadership and investing in talent
- funding for outcomes and procuring for growth and innovation
- committing to transparency and driving accountability
We are home to the Incubator for Artificial Intelligence (I.AI), the world-leading GOV.UK and at the forefront of coordinating the UK’s geospatial strategy and activity. We lead the Government Digital and Data function and champion the work of digital teams across government.
As a designer at GDS you’ll work in multidisciplinary teams, alongside researchers and developers, to deliver world-class, user-centred public services that meet the Government Design Principles. You’ll help identify and fix some of the toughest problems in public infrastructure and focus on the design of services at scale. You’ll help the government transform the way it delivers services, so that they’re more efficient, simpler, faster and easier to use.
You’ll be part of a fantastic design community in government, where we share ideas and challenges with thousands of designers across the public sector. This is a chance to work on services that matter, at a huge scale, with people who value design.
We are recruiting for a Senior Service Designer. You will be working with skilled teams to design, prototype and build multi-channel cross-government public services that change lives. These skills must be demonstrated in your cover letter and portfolio.
As a Senior Service Designer you’ll:
- lead and coordinate design work in your team, supporting other designers where necessary
- work effectively in a multidisciplinary, agile environment, adapting quickly to changes in requirements, priorities or user needs
- use research and analytics to understand users' needs, identify service failures and test different designs
- design collaboratively and in the open, engaging your whole team with the design process and adapting it if necessary
- champion accessibility and inclusion, consider the impact of new technologies and ensure that designs meet legal requirements
- collaborate with designers in other teams and departments, reviewing each other’s work and developing shared patterns
We’re interested in people who have:
- experience in designing services for users in complex environments and for digital and apps
- experience in making effective decisions with user research data
- experience of working with senior stakeholders and ability to negotiate important design decisions
- experience of engaging with people in a variety of ways (e.g., workshops or co-design activities)
- an understanding of the importance of inclusive, equitable, accessible and sustainable public services
- experience of working in an agile, multidisciplinary and collaborative environment
- experience of guiding, supporting and mentoring others
Senior Service Designer - Government Digital Service - G7 in London employer: Government Digital and Data
The Government Digital Service (GDS) is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of digital transformation within the UK government. With hubs in Bristol, London, and Manchester, GDS fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture where talented professionals can thrive, contribute to meaningful projects, and drive impactful change for millions of citizens. Employees benefit from a strong commitment to professional development, access to cutting-edge technology, and the chance to be part of a passionate community dedicated to enhancing public services.
Contact Detail:
Government Digital and Data Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Service Designer - Government Digital Service - G7 in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former GDS employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for your interview. Personal connections can give you insights that you won’t find anywhere else.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding GDS’s mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their projects, especially GOV.UK One Login and Wallet. Show us how your skills align with their goals and how you can contribute to making public services better.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your design thinking process! Be ready to discuss your approach to problem-solving and how you’ve used user research in past projects. We want to see how you tackle challenges and create user-centred designs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to showcase your portfolio! Make sure it highlights your best work and demonstrates your experience in designing services for users. Apply through our website to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Service Designer - Government Digital Service - G7 in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Design Skills:Make sure your portfolio is up to date and highlights your best work. We want to see how you've tackled complex design challenges, especially in public services. Don't forget to include examples that demonstrate your user-centred approach!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect your understanding of the role and the GDS mission. We love it when applicants connect their experience to our goals, so be specific about how you can contribute to making government services more efficient and accessible.
Highlight Collaboration Experience:Since you'll be working in multidisciplinary teams, it's crucial to showcase your ability to collaborate. Share examples of how you've worked with researchers, developers, or other designers to create impactful solutions. We value teamwork!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our team there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Government Digital and Data
✨Know Your Design Principles
Familiarise yourself with the Government Design Principles before the interview. Be ready to discuss how your design philosophy aligns with these principles and how you’ve applied them in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
Prepare examples that highlight your experience working in multidisciplinary teams. Discuss how you’ve engaged with researchers, developers, and stakeholders to create user-centred designs, as collaboration is key in this role.
✨Demonstrate User-Centric Thinking
Be ready to talk about how you use research and analytics to inform your design decisions. Share specific instances where user feedback led to significant improvements in your projects, showcasing your commitment to accessibility and inclusion.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Anticipate questions that ask how you would handle specific design challenges or service failures. Think through your problem-solving process and be prepared to discuss how you would adapt designs based on user needs and feedback.
