At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in designing user-focused services that make a real difference.
- Company: Join Homes England, a fast-growing organisation with a strong social purpose.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 33 days leave, and flexible hybrid working.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive culture that values collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Shape the future of services while collaborating with diverse teams and stakeholders.
- Qualifications: Experienced in User Centred Design with strong leadership and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Interviews will take place week commencing: 08/06/2026. This is a Fixed Term Contract until 04/05/2027.
Locations: Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle or Northstowe.
About the role:
Working within the User Centred Design team, alongside the Head of User Centred Design and a multidisciplinary group of Service Designers, User Researchers and Content Designers, the UCD Lead plays a critical role in shaping end‑to‑end services across Homes England. You will join a skilled and collaborative team, committed to designing services that meet real user needs while delivering meaningful societal outcomes. This role sits within a wider digital leadership community, with the opportunity to influence how services are designed and delivered across the organisation, embedding user‑centric practices at the heart of our work. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of Homes England’s services within a fast‑growing organisation with a strong social purpose.
Working closely with service owners, policy colleagues, and stakeholders across the agency, the UCD Lead will drive the design and continual improvement of services that make a tangible difference. You will lead and support delivery across multiple agile, multidisciplinary teams, balancing hands‑on design work with team leadership. You will manage, develop and lead your team – continually improving the quality, impact and efficiency of the design function. Alongside this, you will contribute to mapping the organisation’s service landscape, helping to align services and ensure a coherent, user‑focused experience across the agency.
About you:
You are an experienced User Centred Design professional, confident leading teams to deliver complex end‑to‑end services and working across diverse organisational environments. You are committed to continuously improving services, using research, insight and iteration to reduce complexity and create better outcomes for users and the organisation. Delivering on a mission as bold as ours isn’t always easy. You are resilient and comfortable working with senior stakeholders, using evidence and user insight to challenge assumptions, influence decisions and drive alignment. You bring strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to explain complex design concepts clearly and practically. You thrive in collaborative, multidisciplinary environments and enjoy working in agile teams to design and improve services. You are equally confident taking a strategic view across services as you are getting hands‑on to support delivery. You effectively manage competing priorities, ensuring the most impactful work is delivered while maintaining a high standard of quality and consistency. As a leader, you are supportive and inclusive, guiding and mentoring others to grow while fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.
Benefits:
- As well as a competitive salary and 33 days annual leave, we are committed to 50/50 hybrid working.
- Membership of the Homes and Communities Agency Pension Scheme, which is a contributory defined benefit scheme with the amount you receive on retirement based on your salary and years worked at the Agency.
- If you ever need a bit of extra help, we have a great employee assistance programme, a wide range of healthcare plans, financial wellbeing support and access to many great discounts with leading high street names.
- Our range of network groups are also there to support you to be yourself at work and play a key role in helping shape our future.
- If you are a member of a professional body, we’ll pay for your membership and once you get your digital kit, you’ll be good to go.
Work Eligibility:
You will be required to have the Right to Work in the UK and Homes England do not offer visa sponsorship. If your application is shortlisted to interview we will require you to provide proof of your Right to Work in the UK at this stage.
Artificial Intelligence Notice:
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:
For more information about our EDI strategy please see our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Report 2024 to 2025 — Second Edition - GOV.UK.
Lead - User Centred Design in Leeds employer: Homes England
Homes England is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that prioritises user-centred design to create meaningful societal outcomes. With a commitment to employee growth through mentorship and professional development, alongside competitive benefits such as 33 days of annual leave and hybrid working options, we empower our team to thrive in a supportive environment. Join us in shaping the future of public services across various vibrant locations, where your contributions will make a tangible difference in communities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead - User Centred Design in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the User Centred Design field on LinkedIn or at industry events. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you that interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Make sure it highlights your best work in user-centred design. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, use it to showcase how you've tackled real user needs and improved services.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research Homes England and their projects. Think about how your experience aligns with their mission and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their user-centric approach.
✨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 being part of our team and making a difference in user-centred design.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead - User Centred Design in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the User Centred Design role. We want to see how you can contribute to shaping services that meet real user needs, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a UCD Lead, you'll be managing and developing a team. Use your application to demonstrate your leadership style and how you've successfully guided teams in the past. We love hearing about your collaborative approach and how you foster innovation!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key! Make sure your ideas are easy to follow and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate straightforward communication, especially when explaining complex design concepts.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Homes England
✨Know Your User Centred Design Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the principles of User Centred Design. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past projects, especially in leading teams and delivering complex services. Show them you understand the importance of user needs and societal outcomes.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in managing and developing teams. Talk about how you've fostered collaboration and innovation in previous roles. They want to see that you can lead a multidisciplinary team while maintaining high standards.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice explaining complex design concepts in simple terms. You’ll need to demonstrate strong communication skills, especially when discussing your approach with senior stakeholders. Think about how you can make your insights relatable and actionable.
✨Be Ready for Agile Discussions
Since this role involves working in agile environments, be prepared to discuss your experience with agile methodologies. Share specific examples of how you've adapted to changing priorities and ensured impactful work is delivered efficiently.
