Senior Service Designer in Bristol

Senior Service Designer in Bristol

Bristol Full-Time 48000 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and build user-centred public services that make a real difference.
  • Company: Join the Government Digital Service, leading digital transformation in the UK.
  • Benefits: Work with talented professionals and contribute to impactful projects.
  • Why this job: Be part of a team that tackles national digital challenges and improves public services.
  • Qualifications: Experience in service design, user research, and collaboration in agile environments.
  • Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to work on large-scale projects.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.

Overview

This role is available across our London, Bristol and Manchester locations. 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. We’re part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and employ more than 1,000 people all over the UK, with hubs in Manchester, London and Bristol. The Government Digital Service is where talent translates into impact. From your first day, you’ll be working with some of the world’s most highly-skilled digital professionals, all contributing their knowledge to make change on a national scale. Join us for rewarding work that makes a difference across the UK.

You will solve some of the nation’s highest-priority digital challenges, helping millions of people access services they need. We are designing and building GOV.UK One Login, a simple, safe, and secure way for people to prove who they are and access government services. We’re also designing and building GOV.UK Wallet, an app for people to save government-issued documents to their phone, so they can show them to prove things when useful. GOV.UK One Login and GOV.UK Wallet are being made for everyone, to be accessible, inclusive, safe, and easy to use. We’re an ambitious team at the heart of government, full of talented and passionate people. If you’d like to join us in this work, we’d love to hear from you.

Responsibilities

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 you will be focusing 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.

Senior Service Designer role

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

Person specification

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

Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible. DSIT cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DSIT holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.

Senior Service Designer in Bristol employer: Government Digital Service

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 a strong commitment to employee growth and a collaborative work culture, GDS fosters an environment where talented professionals can thrive while making a meaningful impact on public services. Located in vibrant hubs like London, Bristol, and Manchester, employees benefit from a diverse and inclusive atmosphere, alongside access to cutting-edge projects that harness the power of technology for the public good.
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Contact Detail:

Government Digital Service Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Service Designer in Bristol

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at GDS on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for your interview. It’s all about making connections and showing genuine interest!

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by diving deep into GDS's projects, especially GOV.UK One Login and Wallet. Be ready to discuss how your design skills can contribute to these initiatives. Show us you’re not just a designer, but a problem solver!

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your design thinking process! Be ready to walk us through your design decisions in a clear and engaging way. Use real examples from your portfolio that highlight your ability to work collaboratively and adapt to user needs.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at GDS. Let’s make a difference together!

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Service Designer in Bristol

Service Design
User-Centred Design
Prototyping
Agile Methodologies
User Research
Data Analysis
Collaboration
Accessibility and Inclusion
Stakeholder Engagement
Decision-Making
Mentoring
Design Principles
Cross-Channel Design
Adaptability

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 and the impact your designs have had on users. Don't forget to include examples that demonstrate your experience in user-centred design!

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 experiences to our goals, so be specific about how your skills align with what we’re looking for. Let us know why you’re excited about working with us!

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role.

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, 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 Service

✨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 Your User Research Skills

Be prepared to talk about how you’ve used user research data to inform your design decisions. Share specific instances where your insights led to significant improvements in service delivery or user experience.

✨Emphasise Accessibility and Inclusion

Since the role focuses on designing inclusive services, come equipped with examples of how you’ve championed accessibility in your previous work. Discuss any challenges you faced and how you overcame them to ensure equitable access for all users.

Senior Service Designer in Bristol
Government Digital Service
Location: Bristol
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