Design Associate 2026 - Apply now!

IBM Consulting is IBM’s consulting and global professional services business, with market leading capabilities in business and technology transformation. With deep expertise in many industries, we offer strategy, experience, technology, and operations services to many of the most innovative and valuable companies in the world. Our people are focused on accelerating our clients’ businesses through the power of collaboration. We believe in the power of technology responsibly used to help people, partners and the planet.

Our Designers sit in a part of IBM called Enterprise Experience Design, where we focus on creating great experiences for a huge range of users; employees, customers, users, patients and many more. We have a thriving design community with over 140 members, with regular access to training, social events, “field trips” and a great mentoring and coaching network. The Client Innovation Centre (CIC) is an innovative and exciting part of IBM. A fast‑paced and dynamic business built to deliver high‑value technical services to world renowned clients. All of our employees work in a consultancy environment on a variety of exciting projects across a range of sectors. Every project has its own unique working environment – this enables our employees to build their experience, skillset and network.

Are you ready to lead in this new era of technology and solve some of the world's most challenging problems? You will lead IBM into the future by translating system requirements into the design and development of customized systems in an agile environment. The success of IBM is in your hands as you transform vital business needs into code and drive innovation. Your work will power IBM and its clients globally, collaborating and integrating code into enterprise systems. You will have access to the latest education, tools and technology, and a limitless career path with the world’s technology leader. Come to IBM and make a global impact!

Responsibilities

At IBM our designers are responsible for ensuring the service or product addresses the needs of the people who use it and making sure it also meets the business objectives of the client. Designers are an essential member of any cross‑functional team, acting as a conduit between the users and the business. Through Enterprise Design Thinking by IBM, and a variety of other user‑centred design approaches, you will deliver user‑centred outcomes in agile teams, working closely with product owners, developers, testers, business analysts and many more to design and build services based on web, mobile and new emerging technologies. You’ll make the work better for your users by uncovering vital user insights, identifying ways to address them, and communicating these designs to the developers who build them.

As a Design Associate you’ll join a team with other designers working on new features for one of our diverse clients. You’ll spend your day researching and reviewing findings, creating designs and iterating through testing and collaboration from senior designers, creating detailed design specifications to help with handover to developers, and talking about your designs with stakeholders and senior leadership.

• Service design: collecting user insights to determine the shape of a service and how it serves all its users, including internal users and non‑digital channels
• UX design: architecting and defining the on‑screen experience and how users move through the architecture
• Visual design: ensuring that the designs communicate effectively with the experience in an accessible and delightful way
• User research: responsible for strategizing how to collect vital data, undertaking the research and synthesising it into tangible and meaningful user needs
• Content design: evaluating needs and crafting clear, concise and accessible language to help users navigate services and communications

Preferred Education

Master’s Degree

Required Technical And Professional Expertise

• Degree in a human‑centred or design subject
• Experience researching or designing products, systems or services for people as part of an academic project, internship, freelance or professional job, or similar
• A portfolio showcasing your relevant work will be required as part of your Application Form

Eligibility Requirements

As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds. However, for you to be eligible for this role, all applicants must hold British Nationality, UK work permit or indefinite leave to remain. We do not offer visa sponsorship and have no future plans to do so and cannot take applications using the 2‑year UK Graduate Visa. Due to Client requirements, it is preferable for candidates to have a minimum of 5 years UK continuous residency. This role is subject to pre‑employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS).

Application Deadline

The closing date for applications is Sunday, 8th March. Please note, however, that we may close this role earlier if the volume of applications reaches our capacity. We highly recommend submitting your application before this date to avoid disappointment.

Assessment Availability Requirements

Assessment Centres are scheduled for the week commencing 20th April. Your availability for this week is critical as Assessment Centre attendance is mandatory and there will be no option to choose your date. Spots are limited, so please ensure your calendar is clear. In the event you progress to the Final Interview stage, these will take place during the week commencing Monday, 27th April. Again, your attendance is mandatory and there will be no flexibility in scheduling. You will be allocated a slot, so please make sure your schedule is free for this week.