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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic Digital Design team to create user-centred services.
- Company: Join the Intellectual Property Office, a leader in digital transformation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and unlimited learning access.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on modernising customer services while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in user-centred design and team management.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working with excellent career progression opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 74000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity as part of the DDaT Extended Leadership Team (ELT) to lead our Digital Design team. An established and high performing team which is integral to the current Transformation programme – an ambitious and high-profile delivery of modern customer centric Services for Intellectual Property.
Leading and managing a team of interaction and content designers, coaching and mentoring and helping mature the profession and championing personal development alongside high-quality delivery. We need an engaging leader, with a passion for excellence, with great stakeholder skills who can communicate across a range of technical and non-technical audiences. You’ll get the most from your team by supporting and challenging them as they work across our Services and change portfolios. You’ll be able to see and appreciate the bigger picture, and see where the design profession sits as part of the wider UCD profession, DDaT directorate and the IPO to play your part in delivering our strategy.
Working Style
This role will be carried out in-line with IPO Hybrid working arrangements where staff are currently expected to spend at least 20% of their time working onsite from one of our offices. This role is based in our Newport Office. The requirement for attendance at an office location can vary by role so we would encourage candidates to discuss working arrangements with the recruiting manager to agree a reasonable balance between working from home and the office.
Main duties consist of but are not limited to:
- Direct line management of senior designers as well as supporting delivery teams through matrix management.
- Be an advocate for UCD approaches, educating and championing awareness of the benefits of UCD across the organisation.
- Ensure a clear direction for the design community, aligned with the wider DDaT strategy.
- Management of key stakeholders across both IT and the wider IPO.
- Coaching and mentoring all members of the team as well as members of the organisation about the value of user-centred design.
- Active engagement to the wider leadership of the Digital, Data & Technology function as part of the Extended Leadership Team.
Person specification
- Leading and managing technical teams.
- Experience of being part of a leadership team and helping to shape and influence wider decisions across an organisation.
- Extensive experience of user-centred design tools and methodologies within both agile and DevOps environments.
- Demonstratable experience of being a user-centred design practitioner who drives and implements change across a number of delivery teams simultaneously.
- Demonstrable experience of professional development of a community of design practitioners including development of new talent such as graduates and apprentices.
- Experience of large transformational programmes of work and experience of analysis of componentised delivery methods.
- Influencing, both inside a DDaT department, and across the organisation.
- Knowledge or experience of blue-printing, prototyping (including prototyping in code) and story boarding techniques including giving direction on what tools and methods to use.
Alongside your salary of £66,162, Intellectual Property Office contributes £19,167 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Unlimited Pluralsight video learning access. Access to Microsoft’s ESI training suite. Hybrid working with no core hours. Substantial support for career progression. 25 days annual leave moving to 30 days in annual increments. You will also get 8 days public leave and 1 day privilege leave.
Head of Digital Design in Newport employer: Intellectual Property Office UK
Contact Detail:
Intellectual Property Office UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Digital Design in Newport
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at the IPO or in similar roles on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for user-centred design! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've championed UCD in past projects. This will demonstrate your commitment and expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky stakeholder questions! Think about how you’ve managed diverse teams and communicated effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences. We want to see your leadership skills shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Digital Design in Newport
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Head of Digital Design. We want to see your passion for user-centred design and how you can lead our team effectively.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves managing a team, don’t forget to share examples of your leadership style. We’re looking for someone who can coach and mentor others, so let us know how you've done this in the past!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your points are easy to understand and directly related to the job description. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Intellectual Property Office UK
✨Know Your Design Principles
Make sure you brush up on user-centred design principles and methodologies. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in previous roles, especially in agile and DevOps environments. This will show your depth of knowledge and passion for the field.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your experience in leading and managing teams. Think of specific examples where you've coached or mentored designers, and how you've influenced decisions within a leadership team. This will highlight your ability to engage and inspire others.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with the IPO's transformation programme and how the Digital Design team fits into it. Being able to articulate how your role contributes to the wider strategy will demonstrate your strategic thinking and alignment with their goals.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Be prepared to discuss your experience in managing key stakeholders. Think of examples where you've communicated effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences. This will showcase your strong communication skills and ability to bridge gaps between different teams.
