At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead UX design to enhance user experiences across digital platforms.
- Company: Join a world-class museum dedicated to science and sustainability.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, life insurance, and staff discounts.
- Other info: Embrace hybrid working and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape impactful user experiences while inspiring millions about the natural world.
- Qualifications: Proven UX design experience and leadership skills in a digital environment.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
About Us
We are a world-class visitor attraction and leading science research centre. We use the Museum's unique collections and our unrivalled expertise to tackle the biggest challenges facing the world today. We care for more than 80 million objects spanning billions of years and welcome more than seven million visitors annually and 16 million visits to our website. Today the Museum is more relevant and influential than ever. By attracting people from a range of backgrounds to work for us, we can continue to look at the world with fresh eyes and find new ways of doing things. We employ 1100 staff in a variety of roles, all united by our vision of a future where people and planet thrive. We need everyone to have the passion and drive to help us with our mission to create advocates for our planet and inspire millions to care about the natural world. Diversity and inclusion matter to us. Our vision is of a future where both people and the planet thrive. Diversity is one of our core values and we strive to build a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging. All new staff who join us learn about the importance of diversity and inclusion to the Museum and how to contribute to creating an inclusive environment. We know we have more to do, but we are committed to ensuring that everyone who works at the Museum feels they can thrive and feel valued and respected.
About the role
This role offers the opportunity to shape UX at a pivotal point in our digital development. As our team portfolios evolve, you’ll play a key role in defining how user‑centred design is applied across our digital products and services, and how design contributes to organisational outcomes. Leading a team working across customer‑facing experiences such as our websites and online ticketing, you’ll focus on key journeys and ensure our products are grounded in real user needs and contexts. You’ll help us build on our existing strengths and be more ambitious in how we use design—raising the quality and consistency of our work, while balancing user needs with commercial goals in a thoughtful and practical way.
About you
You’re an experienced UX designer with a strong understanding of how design contributes to meaningful outcomes. You’re comfortable working across complex digital services, using research, data and judgement to shape decisions and guide teams. You have experience supporting, mentoring or leading designers, and are motivated to help others do their best work. You’re comfortable providing direction to a team of UX/UI Designers, giving feedback and maintaining high standards for quality, accessibility and user‑centred design. You bring a thoughtful, pragmatic approach, balancing user needs with organisational priorities, and knowing when to challenge, support or adapt to help both people and projects succeed.
Thriving at the Museum: the way we work
We are proud to work at the Museum and have identified the qualities we all need to embody to reach our shared ambition. This sits alongside the Museum’s values and forms the framework for the way we work.
What we offer
- 27.5 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays (full time equivalent)
- Generous defined contribution Natural History Museum Pension Scheme (employer contribution 4 - 10%)
- Season ticket, bicycle and rental loan
- Life insurance
- Free admission to our exhibitions and many other paid exhibitions at museums, galleries and institutions across London and the UK.
- Staff discount at our Museum shops and cafes
- We offer a wide variety of training initiatives and opportunities to build skills. Investing in staff development is important to us, and we are ambitious about helping staff to grow and fulfil their potential.
Hybrid working
We are working towards a vision where both people and planet thrive, and nothing gives a greater connection with this, than seeing first‑hand, the visitors, scientific research and collections that all of our work is inspired by and working side by side with the teams delivering the visitor experience and events. We also recognise the benefits and flexibility that hybrid working brings. We operate a hybrid working model that requires regular, weekly attendance for this role, with the precise pattern of days on site and worked from home to be agreed with your manager.
Lead UX Designer employer: National History Museum
Contact Detail:
National History Museum Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead UX Designer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the Museum 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 portfolio! When you get that interview, make sure to bring your best work. Tailor your examples to highlight how you've tackled user needs and contributed to meaningful outcomes in past projects.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about how you balance user needs with business goals. Be ready to share specific examples of when you’ve had to challenge or adapt your approach to achieve success.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our mission to inspire millions.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead UX Designer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your passion for UX design shine through! We want to see how your enthusiasm aligns with our mission to inspire millions and care for the planet.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in user-centred design. We’re looking for someone who can balance user needs with organisational goals, so give us examples of how you've done this in the past!
Be Authentic: Don’t be afraid to show your personality in your application. We value diversity and inclusion, so let us know what makes you unique and how you can contribute to our inclusive environment.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, plus you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at National History Museum
✨Know Your UX Fundamentals
Brush up on your UX principles and methodologies. Be ready to discuss how user-centred design can impact organisational outcomes, especially in a complex digital environment like the Museum's.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've supported or mentored other designers. Highlight your experience in providing constructive feedback and maintaining high standards for quality and accessibility in your previous roles.
✨Align with Their Values
Familiarise yourself with the Museum's commitment to diversity and inclusion. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to creating an inclusive environment and how this aligns with your own values.
✨Demonstrate Your Pragmatic Approach
Think about how you balance user needs with commercial goals. Prepare to share specific instances where you've successfully navigated this balance in past projects, showcasing your thoughtful and practical approach.