At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design for innovative public services, shaping user experiences across digital platforms.
- Company: Join the Government Digital Service, transforming how the UK delivers digital services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team dedicated to impactful digital transformation.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by solving national digital challenges and improving public access to services.
- Qualifications: Experience in interaction design and leading design teams in collaborative environments.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
Location: Bristol, London, Manchester
About The Job
The Government Digital Service (GDS) is the digital centre of government. We are responsible for setting, leading and delivering the vision for a modern digital government. Our priorities are to drive a modern digital government by:
- joining up public sector services
- harnessing the power of AI for the public good
- strengthening and extending our digital and data public infrastructure
- elevating leadership and investing in talent
- funding for outcomes and procuring for growth and innovation
- committing to transparency and driving accountability
We are home to the Incubator for Artificial Intelligence (I.AI), the world-leading GOV.UK and at the forefront of coordinating the UK’s geospatial strategy and activity. We lead the Government Digital and Data function and champion the work of digital teams across government. We’re part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and employ more than 1,000 people all over the UK, with hubs in Manchester, London and Bristol. The Government Digital Service is where talent translates into impact. From your first day, you’ll be working with some of the world’s most highly‑skilled digital professionals, all contributing their knowledge to make change on a national scale. Join us for rewarding work that makes a difference across the UK. You'll solve some of the nation’s highest‑priority digital challenges, helping millions of people access services they need.
Job Description
Digital Identity (DI) is looking for an experienced Lead Designer to support our UCD leadership team. Lead Designers form a core part of the design team, helping to deliver strategic and organisational change through their work with designers. You will be working with skilled teams to design, prototype and build multi‑channel cross‑government public services that change lives.
As a Lead Designer You’ll:
- work with the Head of User‑Centred Design to set design direction and good practice within the programme, and to build and support the design practice and community within the programme
- lead design delivery across multiple teams in a programme; shaping product strategy and delivery, and ensuring our work contributes to our wider organisational design principles, objectives and strategic priorities
- lead and join up design across our native app (iOS and Android) and web channels, so people get a coherent experience wherever they use GOV.UK One Login
- influence and assure the quality of the design delivery across several product delivery teams using tools such as peer review/critiques and accessible design reviews
- contribute to the GDS Design Community helping teams understand connections and potential collisions between different services and helping to reconcile these
- use evidence to challenge assumptions, negotiate with senior stakeholders and validate design and management decisions
- use their specialist design skills to demonstrate best practice, coaching and mentoring teams
- engage with designers to develop concepts and deliver high‑quality services, based on user needs and meeting GDS design standards
- guide, support and mentor design team members and contribute to building a diverse and supportive team through recruitment and resource planning, and help to ensure that designers have the right conditions and environment to thrive
Person specification
We’re Interested In People Who Have:
- experience as an interaction designer – designing, prototyping and iterating accessible, usable digital services and native apps based on user needs
- an understanding of complex organisations and systems, and the wider implications and long‑term impact of business issues and activities
- experience in helping teams understand the wider service context of a project or product and in an agile, multidisciplinary and collaborative environment
- experience in reflecting critically and asking difficult questions; thinking holistically about the big picture while working out details and being able to appreciate and articulate the broader implications of a thing
- experience in design leadership and the ability to guide designers working in a range of design specialisms, particularly in interaction design and service design
- proven experience in establishing positive working relationships with colleagues, stakeholders and teams to deliver outcomes - including introducing positive change to working practices or teams
Lead Interaction Designer - Government Digital Service - G6 in Manchester employer: Manchester Digital
At Manchester Digital, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to excel. As a Chief Software Engineering Leader, you will not only lead a talented team but also enjoy flexible working arrangements, competitive pension contributions, and generous annual leave that grows with your tenure, making it an ideal environment for personal and professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Interaction Designer - Government Digital Service - G6 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 Lead Interaction Designer - Government Digital Service - G6, 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 Lead Interaction Designer - Government Digital Service - G6 in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Design Process:When you're applying for a UX/UI Design role like Lead Interaction Designer - Government Digital Service - G6 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.
