At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of impactful customer experiences and shape product strategy.
- Company: Join interactive investor, the UK's top flat-fee investment platform.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, private medical insurance, and 25 days annual leave.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for continuous learning and growth.
- Why this job: Play a key role in transforming user-centred design in financial services.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in senior UX design roles and a strong portfolio.
The predicted salary is between 64000 - 64000 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid - Manchester 3 days in office, 2 days remote
Salary From: £64,000
Who we are: interactive investor is an award‑winning investment platform that puts its customers in control of their financial future. We’ve been helping investors for nearly 30 years. We’ve seen market highs and lows and been resilient throughout. We’re now the UK’s number one flat‑fee investment platform, with assets under administration approaching £75 billion and over 500,000 customers.
Purpose of the Role The Principal UX Designer leads the design of complex, high‑impact customer experiences, helping shape product strategy, influence organisational direction, and elevate UX maturity across the business. You'll join a highly collaborative, supportive, and talented UX team with a strong culture of partnership, continuous learning, and shared success, where great ideas can come from anyone and design excellence is achieved together. Working across multiple squads and initiatives, you will provide leadership through expertise, coaching, and strategic influence. You’ll collaborate closely with UX Research, UX Writing, Product, Engineering, Analytics, and the Design System team to deliver intuitive, accessible, and effective digital experiences that meet customer and business needs. This is an opportunity to play a key role in a significant user‑centred transformation within a leading financial services organisation.
Key Responsibilities
- UX Strategy & Leadership: Partner with the UX Design Manager to define and drive UX strategy across products, platforms, and customer journeys. Help evolve the UX discipline by shaping standards, practices, and ways of working. Identify opportunities to improve customer outcomes and business performance.
- Design Excellence: Lead the design of complex, strategically important initiatives spanning multiple products, teams, and journeys. Drive end‑to‑end design activities from discovery through to delivery and optimisation. Create and contribute to journey maps, wireframes, prototypes, and high‑fidelity designs. Set the benchmark for design quality, craft, and execution across the UX team.
- Standards, Accessibility & Design Systems: Champion UX best practices, accessibility, and inclusive design throughout the product lifecycle. Support the adoption and evolution of the Design System to ensure consistency and scalability.
- Mentoring & Influence: Act as a role model for UX, sharing expertise and helping grow capability across the team. Communicate design strategy and rationale to stakeholders at all levels. Influence decisions through customer insight, evidence, and design expertise. Advocate for user‑centred design and help strengthen a customer‑focused culture.
Must Have
- Significant experience in a Principal, Lead, Staff, or equivalent senior UX design role.
- Proven track record designing complex digital products, platforms, and customer journeys.
- Strong portfolio demonstrating strategic thinking, design leadership, and measurable impact.
- Expertise in UX design, interaction design, information architecture, and complex problem solving.
- Experience leading large‑scale or strategically important design initiatives.
- Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and presentation skills.
- Strong understanding of accessibility, inclusive design, and WCAG standards.
- Experience working with and championing Design Systems.
Desirable
- Experience within regulated industries, particularly financial services.
- Experience leading transformation programmes or strategic design initiatives.
- Experience influencing organisational change and design maturity.
- Understanding of end‑to‑end customer journeys across multiple channels.
- Experience using AI‑powered tools to support research, ideation, and design delivery.
Benefits
- Group Personal Pension Plan – 8% employer contribution and 4% employee contribution
- Life Assurance and Group Income Protection
- Private Medical Insurance – Provided by Bupa
- 25 Days Annual Leave, plus bank holidays
- Staff Discounts on our investment products
- Personal & Well‑being Fund – Supporting your physical and mental wellness
- Retail Discounts – Savings at a wide range of high street and online retailers
- Voluntary Flexible Benefits – Tailor your benefits to suit your lifestyle
interactive investor operates in accordance with the UK Equality Act 2010. We welcome applications from individuals of all ages, disabilities, gender identities, marital status, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We are committed to treating all applicants fairly and making reasonable adjustments where needed to support disabled applicants. We actively prevent all forms of discrimination, harassment, and victimisation—whether direct, indirect, associative, or perceptive.
UX Design Principal (Mat Cover 10 Months Contract) in Manchester employer: Interactive Investor Plc
At interactive investor, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic hybrid work environment in Manchester that fosters collaboration and innovation. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our supportive culture, comprehensive benefits including a generous pension plan and private medical insurance, and opportunities for continuous learning and mentorship within a talented UX team. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the financial services sector while enjoying a rewarding work-life balance and a focus on well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land UX Design Principal (Mat Cover 10 Months Contract) in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at interactive investor on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio that highlights your best UX design projects. Make sure to include case studies that demonstrate your strategic thinking and impact—this is your chance to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get ready for interviews by doing mock sessions with friends or mentors. Focus on articulating your design process and how you've tackled complex problems in the past.
✨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 the interactive investor team. Don’t miss out!
We think you need these skills to ace UX Design Principal (Mat Cover 10 Months Contract) in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your significant experience in UX design roles. We want to see your strong portfolio that demonstrates your strategic thinking and design leadership. Don’t hold back on showcasing those complex digital products you've worked on!
Tailor Your Application:When applying, tailor your application to reflect the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description. We love seeing how you can lead design initiatives and improve customer outcomes, so make it clear how your skills align with our needs.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your written application. We’re looking for someone who fits into our collaborative culture, so don’t be afraid to express your passion for user-centred design and how you can contribute to our team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Interactive Investor Plc
✨Know Your UX Fundamentals
Brush up on your UX design principles, especially around accessibility and inclusive design. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past projects, as this role places a strong emphasis on championing best practices throughout the product lifecycle.
✨Showcase Your Portfolio Effectively
Prepare to present your portfolio with a focus on complex digital products and customer journeys. Highlight your strategic thinking and measurable impact, and be ready to explain your design rationale and the outcomes of your initiatives.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership and mentoring abilities. Think of examples where you've influenced design decisions or helped grow a team's capabilities. Be prepared to discuss how you can elevate UX maturity within the organisation.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Practice articulating your design strategy and insights clearly. This position involves communicating with various stakeholders, so demonstrate your excellent communication skills by discussing how you've successfully managed stakeholder relationships in previous roles.