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.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for travel and hands-on user research.
- 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.
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
MI5 is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to the safety and security of the UK in a supportive and collaborative environment. With a strong focus on employee development through the Digital, Data and Technology Capability Framework, staff are encouraged to grow their skills and advance their careers while working on innovative projects that make a real difference. The culture at MI5 promotes creativity and teamwork, making it an ideal place for those passionate about user-centred design and technology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interaction Designer - MI5 The Security Service - HEO in Manchester
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
In the world of UX/UI design, your portfolio speaks volumes! Make sure it's packed with your best work and showcases your process, not just the final product. We want to see how you tackle design challenges, so consider adding case studies that reflect your thought process and user-centric approach.
✨Get Involved in Design Communities
Jump into local or online design meetups and workshops! Places like UXPA or local design events can be goldmines for networking and learning. Plus, mingling with fellow designers can introduce you to potential job openings that might not be listed elsewhere.
✨Tailor Your Applications
When you find a role that excites you, like the one at Manchester Digital for a Interaction Designer - MI5 The Security Service - HEO, make your application count! Highlight specific projects and skills that directly relate to the job description. Hiring managers are looking for candidates who fit into their specific team, so show them you’re the one!
✨Leverage Social Media
Don't underestimate the power of social media in finding a UX/UI design job! Follow design leaders on platforms like Twitter or Instagram, share your work, and engage in conversations. It’s a great way to get noticed by recruiters and even catch wind of openings at companies like Manchester Digital before they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Interaction Designer - MI5 The Security Service - HEO in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Design Process:When you're applying for a UX/UI Design role like Interaction Designer - MI5 The Security Service - HEO at Manchester Digital, make sure to include examples that clearly highlight your design process. We want to see not just the final product but also the journey that led you there—wireframes, user personas, and iterations demonstrate your thought process and user-centric approach!
Tailor Your Portfolio:A tailor-made portfolio is crucial for a full-time design role! Curate your best projects that align with the kind of work Manchester Digital does. We suggest including 3-5 case studies that showcase a variety of skills such as wireframing, prototyping, and user testing to really make your application pop.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should not just be a summary of your CV. Use it to express why you’re excited about UX/UI Design and what draws you specifically to Manchester Digital. Mention any relevant experience, tools you’re proficient in (like Sketch or Figma), and how you can contribute to their projects.
Highlight Collaboration Skills:In the world of UX/UI Design, teamwork is crucial. Make sure to highlight any past experiences where you worked in cross-functional teams. Illustrate how you communicated design decisions and listened to feedback, as this will resonate well with the culture at Manchester Digital.
How to prepare for a job interview at Manchester Digital
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
When you're gunning for a full-time UX/UI design role, your portfolio is your best friend! Make sure you've got a solid selection of your work, showcasing not just the final designs, but the process behind them—think wireframes, user flows, and any user research you've conducted. During the interview with Manchester Digital, be prepared to discuss your design decisions and how they solve specific user problems.
✨Prepare for Design Challenges
Expect to face some practical design tasks during your interview. Manchester Digital might ask you to tackle a quick design challenge or critique an existing interface. Brush up on your problem-solving skills and try to articulate your thought process as you work through these scenarios. Showing how you approach a design problem is just as important as the final output!
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with the tools commonly used in the industry—figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch should be second nature to you. Be ready to discuss your preferred tools during the interview and how they've shaped your design process at previous positions. This knowledge could give you an edge at Manchester Digital!
✨Show Passion for User Experience
In a full-time UX/UI design role, having a genuine passion for improving user interactions can set you apart. Be prepared to share instances when you went above and beyond to ensure a great user experience in your previous projects. This will demonstrate that you’re not just a designer, but a user advocate, which is exactly what Manchester Digital is looking for.
