At a Glance
- Tasks: Design impactful digital services that genuinely improve user experiences.
- Company: Join a specialist tech consultancy with a focus on public sector innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate, flexible travel, and opportunities for diverse projects.
- Other info: Immediate start with potential for broader project engagement over time.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives through thoughtful UX/UI design.
- Qualifications: Experience in designing for regulated sectors and strong grasp of GDS principles.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
Day rate: £500 - £550 (potentially some wiggle room).
Location: Ideally North of England, but open to anywhere as long as you're ok travelling to site in Manchester, Leeds or Midlands 2 - 4 days a month.
Need to be eligible for SC Clearance.
We're looking for experienced UX/UI designers to join a specialist technology consultancy working on high-impact digital services. These are contract roles with immediate starts, working across public sector programmes with the opportunity to take on private sector work as your engagement evolves.
The work
You'll be embedded in delivery teams working on complex public sector digital services, where good design genuinely changes outcomes for the people using it. You'll work alongside content designers, user researchers, and service designers to shape services from discovery through to live.
UX/UI design here means more than wireframes and visuals. You'll be making decisions about user flows, interaction patterns, and interface design that hold up under scrutiny, translating complex policy and process into services that are simple, accessible, and easy to use. You'll design and iterate through discovery, alpha, beta and live, running rapid prototyping and testing cycles, and working to GDS service standards and design principles throughout. You'll engage directly with stakeholders and advocate for users in environments where legacy systems and institutional constraints can be hard to shift.
The consultancy works across both public and private sector, so while immediate projects are in government and public services, there is scope for the right person to work across a broader portfolio over time.
What we're looking for
- Deep experience designing for government or other highly regulated public sector services.
- Strong grasp of GDS design principles and the Service Standard.
- A track record of working through the full assessment lifecycle, including discovery, alpha, beta and live assessments.
- Experience designing accessible, inclusive interfaces to WCAG standards.
- Solid understanding of responsive and multi-channel design.
- Confident navigating the GOV.UK Design System or similar pattern libraries, with a view on when and how to challenge and extend them based on evidence and research.
- Skilled in Figma for prototyping and design handover.
- Comfortable collaborating closely with researchers, content designers, and developers in agile delivery environments.
- Familiarity with tools like Figma, Google Docs, GitHub, and design/prototyping libraries.
- A view on how you're using AI tools in your practice.
- The confidence to talk through the decisions behind your work, not just what you designed, but why, and what difference it made.
Requirements
You must be eligible for Security Check (SC) clearance. Active clearance is not required, but you must be eligible. You should also be willing and able to travel to client sites a few times a month as the engagement requires.
At Inara Talent, we believe everyone deserves a fair chance to shine. We connect great people from all backgrounds with opportunities where they can thrive, making sure hiring is fair, inclusive, and truly diverse. No matter your race, gender, age, ability, or background, we focus on what really matters: your talent.
UX/UI Designer in Leeds employer: Inara
Inara is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic work culture, encouraging innovation and collaboration among its team members. With a focus on employee growth, Inara offers ample opportunities for professional development in the rapidly evolving field of digital workplace solutions. Located in a vibrant area, employees benefit from a supportive environment that values work-life balance and provides access to cutting-edge technology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land UX/UI Designer in Leeds
✨Show Off Your Skills with a Killer Portfolio
As a freelance UX/UI designer, your portfolio is your best mate. Make sure to showcase a variety of projects that highlight your design process, not just the final product. Include case studies that tell a story about how you approached the problem and the impact of your design solutions.
✨Get Involved in Design Communities
Dive into online design communities like Dribbble, Behance, or even UX forums on Reddit. These platforms not only allow you to showcase your work but also help you connect with potential clients and fellow designers. Plus, attending local design meetups or online webinars can open up freelance opportunities that aren’t advertised elsewhere.
✨Nail Your Pitch
When reaching out to potential clients, tailor your pitches to their specific needs. Highlight how your skills align with their projects and mention any related work you've done. Remember, clients love to see how you can add value to their business, so be clear about what you can bring to the table.
✨Leverage Social Media for Visibility
Showcase your design work on platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn. Post regularly and engage with your audience; ask for feedback on your designs or share insights into your creative process. This not only builds your brand but can lead to potential clients sliding into your DMs!
We think you need these skills to ace UX/UI Designer in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Design Portfolio:As a freelance UX/UI designer, your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it’s packed with your best work, showcasing your design process, user flows, and final products. Highlight projects that demonstrate not just your aesthetic skills but also your ability to solve real user problems.
Tailor Your Application to Inara:When applying for the freelance role of UX/UI Designer at Inara, take a moment to research their style and design language. Customising your CV and portfolio to align with their brand aesthetics shows you're not just any designer, but the perfect fit for their team.
Crisp and Clear Proposals:When you pitch yourself, be direct about what you can bring to the table. Outline your skills clearly and mention your rates upfront. A straightforward proposal lets Inara know you're professional and ready to hit the ground running!
Highlight Collaboration Experience:Freelance roles often involve working with various clients. Make sure to showcase any previous collaboration experiences in your CV. Mention how you’ve worked with developers, marketers, or stakeholders to create designs that keep all parties happy — that's a key selling point for us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Inara
✨Showcase Your Portfolio like a Pro
Your portfolio is your calling card, so make sure it’s not just pretty but also tells a story. Arrange your best UX/UI design projects in a way that highlights your thought process, problem-solving skills, and the impact of your work. Talk about the challenges you faced and how you tackled them—freelancers need to show they can handle real-world problems.
✨Use Design Tools Effectively
Familiarity with design tools such as Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD is crucial in our field. Be ready to discuss your experience with these tools in real scenarios. They might ask specific technical questions about how you’d approach a design problem or your workflow, so brush up on those details and think of examples from your previous freelance projects.
✨Prepare for Client-Centric Questions
As a freelancer, you'll be client-facing, so expect questions about handling client feedback and managing expectations. Prepare examples of how you've dealt with difficult situations or miscommunications in previous projects. Your ability to communicate effectively with clients is a major selling point, and it’s worth stressing how well you can read and meet their needs.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Self-Management
Freelance work requires a lot of self-discipline and time management. Be prepared to discuss how you organise your time, juggle multiple clients, and prioritise tasks. Sharing how you've successfully managed deadlines and client relationships in the past can really set you apart from the competition and show that you're more than just a designer—you're a complete package.
