At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead user-centred design projects that create meaningful societal impact.
- Company: Homes England, a fast-growing organisation with a strong social purpose.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 33 days leave, hybrid working, and professional development support.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team committed to continuous improvement and innovation.
- Why this job: Shape the future of services that truly meet user needs and drive positive change.
- Qualifications: Experience in user-centred design and team leadership in diverse environments.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ 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. We’ll support you, wherever possible, so that you don’t miss out on what matters to you. 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. Internal applicants: please note that if you are successful, the salary you are offered will be in accordance with our pay policy. You can find details on the HR Hub SharePoint site. 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. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
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 for Social Impact (Hybrid) in Leeds employer: Homes England
Homes England is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that prioritises user-centred design for social impact. With a commitment to employee growth through mentorship and professional development, alongside competitive benefits such as 33 days of annual leave and a robust pension scheme, we empower our team to make meaningful contributions to society. Our hybrid working model ensures flexibility, allowing you to balance your professional and personal life while being part of a mission-driven organisation dedicated to improving services for communities across the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead - User-Centred Design for Social Impact (Hybrid) in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the User Centred Design space on LinkedIn or at local meetups. Building connections can lead to insider info about job openings and even referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work in user-centred design. Make sure it’s easy to navigate and showcases how you’ve made a difference in past projects.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research Homes England and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their user-focused services.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead - User-Centred Design for Social Impact (Hybrid) in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our User Centred Design team!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a UCD Lead, you'll be guiding a team, so don’t forget to mention your leadership experiences. Share examples of how you've supported and developed others in previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language to explain your design concepts and experiences. We appreciate clarity as much as creativity!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Homes England
✨Know Your User-Centred Design Principles
Make sure you brush up on the core principles of user-centred design. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past projects, especially in complex environments. This will show your understanding and commitment to creating services that truly meet user needs.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
Since this role involves working with senior stakeholders, think about examples where you've successfully influenced decisions using user insights. Prepare to share how you’ve navigated challenging conversations and aligned diverse teams towards a common goal.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a UCD Lead, you'll be managing a team. Be prepared to talk about your leadership approach, how you foster collaboration, and how you support team members' growth. Share specific instances where your guidance led to improved outcomes.
✨Demonstrate Your Agile Experience
This role requires working in agile teams, so come equipped with examples of how you've contributed to agile processes. Discuss how you balance hands-on design work with leadership responsibilities, and how you ensure quality while managing competing priorities.
