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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Design user-friendly products that enhance national security and improve user experience.
- Company: Join MI5, the UK's security service, dedicated to keeping the nation safe.
- Benefits: Supportive environment, career development, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven team shaping the future of security through design.
- Qualifications: Experience in UX design with a strong portfolio showcasing your creative skills.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for travel and hands-on user research.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: London
About The Job
MI5 keeps the country safe from serious threats like terrorism and attempts by states to harm the UK, its people and its way of life. We carry out investigations by obtaining, analysing and assessing intelligence, and then work with a range of partners, including MI6 and GCHQ to disrupt these threats. Through our protective security arm, we provide advice and guidance to government, businesses, and other organisations about how to keep themselves safe. A role in MI5 means you’ll do unique and challenging work in a supportive and encouraging environment, making a real difference to UK national security.
To help you succeed, you’ll be working under the Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) Capability Framework, which recognises and rewards specialist expertise. This framework provides clear guidance for developing your skills and progressing your career, and while it’s broadly aligned to the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework, it’s tailored to MI5’s unique mission. Like many other big organisations in a data-driven world, MI5 is embarking on a transformation to ensure we keep our edge and continue keeping the country safe, with user-centred design at the heart of this.
Job Description
The role
As an Interaction Designer at MI5, you’ll design intuitive, user-friendly products that help keep the UK safe. You’ll join our growing Experience Design Team, reporting to the Head of Experience Design and collaborating with graphic designers, user researchers, and service designers. Your passion, experience, and creative flair will help shape the future of MI5's mission capabilities. The role involves looking ahead to explore emerging technologies while reviewing existing systems and processes to identify improvements, turning insights into impactful solutions.
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Supporting the scoping and planning of design projects under guidance from the team lead.
- Working with user researchers to gather and interpret data, transforming insights into solutions that meet user and business needs.
- Creating wireframes and prototypes for new products, while clearly communicating complex information to non-technical audiences.
- Contributing to design concepts for technology products and other solutions that improve user experience.
- Advocating for users throughout the product lifecycle by running user testing, gathering feedback, and promoting robust UX principles across MI5.
- Identifying user issues to inform decisions on technology and value for money.
- Occasional UK travel to collect valuable insights directly from users and teams.
Person specification
About You
If you possess experience in delivering successful UX design outcomes across multiple initiatives, both independently and as part of a team, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. Your portfolio will tell the story of your practical ability, showcasing prototypes and artefacts created using tools such as Sketch, Axure, Adobe XD, InVision Studio, or Figma. But technical skills alone aren’t enough. We’re looking for a collaborative, imaginative thinker who’s ready to challenge organisational norms and bring fresh ideas to the table.
You’ll thrive if you’re comfortable working across the full product lifecycle and helping colleagues understand how digital technology is changing user behaviour, and the opportunities and challenges that brings.
Key Strengths Include:
- Experience working in an agile, product-driven environment as part of a cross-functional team.
- Understanding of user-centred design practices and how to embed them into agile workflows while delivering timely findings.
- Excellent communication skills and confidence in explaining design decisions and complex information to a wider team.
- Independence and good judgement, knowing when to seek guidance.
- Ability to help colleagues understand how technology is shaping user behaviour.
- Contributing ideas that improve user experience across processes, policies, and even physical spaces.
Interaction Designer - MI5 The Security Service - HEO in Manchester employer: Manchester Digital
Contact Detail:
Manchester Digital Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Interaction Designer - MI5 The Security Service - HEO in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former MI5 employees on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the role and the team, plus it shows our genuine interest in the position.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to UX design and user-centred practices. We should also be ready to discuss our portfolio in detail, highlighting how our designs have made a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase our passion for user experience! During interviews, we can share examples of how we've used feedback to improve designs. This demonstrates our commitment to putting users first, which is key for MI5.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed. Plus, it shows that we’re serious about joining MI5 and contributing to national security.
We think you need these skills to ace Interaction Designer - MI5 The Security Service - HEO in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Portfolio: Make sure to include a link to your portfolio in your application. We want to see your practical skills in action, so highlight those prototypes and artefacts you've created using tools like Figma or Adobe XD.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! We’re looking for someone who understands user-centred design, so make sure to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect how your experience aligns with our mission at MI5.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate good communication skills, so make sure you explain your design decisions and experiences in a way that’s easy for us to understand.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Manchester Digital
✨Know Your User-Centred Design
Make sure you brush up on user-centred design principles before the interview. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in your previous projects, especially in an agile environment. Highlight specific examples where your designs improved user experience.
✨Showcase Your Portfolio
Your portfolio is your best friend! Bring it along and be prepared to walk through your favourite projects. Focus on the prototypes and artefacts you've created using tools like Figma or Adobe XD, and explain the thought process behind each design decision.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since you'll need to explain complex information to non-technical audiences, practice articulating your design choices in simple terms. Think about how you can convey your ideas effectively, as strong communication skills are key for this role.
✨Be Ready for Collaboration
Collaboration is crucial at MI5, so come prepared to discuss how you've worked with cross-functional teams in the past. Share examples of how you’ve gathered feedback from user testing and how that influenced your design decisions.
