Lead Service Designer in Harrogate

Lead Service Designer in Harrogate

Harrogate Full-Time 51356 - 55539 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the design of complex services and coach multidisciplinary teams.
  • Company: Join North Yorkshire Council's innovative Transformation team.
  • Benefits: Enjoy shopping discounts, flexible working, and a great pension scheme.
  • Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for professional development.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on user experience and service transformation.
  • Qualifications: Strong stakeholder management skills and a degree or equivalent experience.

The predicted salary is between 51356 - 55539 £ per year.

We are looking for an experienced service designer who can lead the design of complex services across multidisciplinary teams. You will help teams understand user needs, navigate competing priorities, and identify opportunities for improvement. As the lead, you will support and coach colleagues, help develop ways of working, and create opportunities for teams to apply user‑centred design approaches more effectively.

Key responsibilities:

  • Lead the design of complex services across multidisciplinary teams, in a service design role.
  • Work through ambiguity, balancing competing needs and helping others make informed decisions.
  • Use evidence and insight to guide teams and influence senior stakeholders.
  • Support or coach colleagues and help teams adopt service design approaches effectively.
  • Confidently select and adapt service design methods to suit the context and challenge.

Qualifications:

  • Strong stakeholder management skills and experience influencing senior colleagues.
  • Good understanding of local authority policies, procedures, and relevant legislation relating to service operation.
  • Working knowledge of government design principles and standards.
  • Educated to degree level (Level 5) or equivalent experience.
  • Evidenced commitment to ongoing professional development (CPD).

The Transformation team at North Yorkshire Council is at the heart of all planned change programmes, driving efficiency and effectiveness to deliver better customer experiences and continuous improvements. The Service Design and Digital Adoption team is dedicated to designing council services that are accessible, efficient, and aligned with our operating model. We lead on user experience (UX) practice and deliver in‑house developed products and automation tools to support service transformation.

Why Work for us?

As a North Yorkshire Council employee, you will have access to some great benefits via our everybody benefits scheme such as:

  • Shopping discounts including home technology
  • Green car salary sacrifice schemes
  • Financial wellbeing and health assured and an employee assistance programme to assist with your health and wellbeing
  • A favourable local government pension scheme and flexible working options

For more information about our role please contact Anne‑Louise Arkle. When you apply, please tell us about you, why this role interests you, and how your experience, skills or approach match the "About you" section above.

For guidance on using AI to assist in your application, please see our guidance Advice on your job application | North Yorkshire Council.

Key Dates:

Closing date: 26th July 2026

Company: North Yorkshire Council

Salary: £51,356 – £55,539

Location: Harrogate, North Yorkshire

Sector: Corporate Services

Job Role: Head of Service

Lead Service Designer in Harrogate employer: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Kirklees Metropolitan Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and flexible work environment for Childcare Lawyers in Northallerton. With hybrid working options and a strong commitment to employee growth, the council fosters a culture of collaboration and professional development, making it an ideal place for those passionate about making a meaningful impact in children's services.

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Contact Details:

Kirklees Metropolitan Council Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Service Designer in Harrogate

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We think you need these skills to ace Lead Service Designer in Harrogate

Service Design
User-Centred Design
Stakeholder Management
Influencing Skills
Understanding of Local Authority Policies
Knowledge of Government Design Principles
Coaching and Mentoring

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!

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Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of Kirklees Metropolitan Council. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!

Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!

How to prepare for a job interview at Kirklees Metropolitan Council

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