At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex service design projects from discovery to delivery in diverse environments.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to impactful design and transformation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, hybrid working, and a supportive learning environment.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for personal growth and community involvement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by shaping services that connect design with public policy.
- Qualifications: Five years of hands-on service design experience and strong facilitation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Are you a designer who has been in the thick of it, shaping, testing, learning and delivering products or services in complex environments? We are looking for someone with at least five years of practitioner experience in design, research, facilitation, and transformation across diverse organisations and communities. Our Senior Service Designer leads complex design and research programmes from discovery to delivery.
Key responsibilities
- Service and systems design – lead end‑to‑end service design from discovery through to implementation, working across complex organisations and system environments.
- Facilitation and co‑design – plan and lead workshops that build shared understanding across organisations with different priorities, helping clients think in a design‑informed way.
- Strategic design – operate at the level of problem framing and systems thinking, using rigorous research and evidence to help clients ask better questions before the design work begins and shaping approaches that account for complexity, behaviour change and interdependency across organisations and systems.
- Policy design – work at the intersection of design and public policy, drawing on qualitative research, test‑and‑learn and systems design to connect service‑level design to the policy intent it is meant to deliver, and to make visible where the policy‑to‑delivery chain is breaking down.
- Delivery and quality – lead design work across one or more major programmes simultaneously, producing outputs to a senior‑client standard and supporting the wider team to do the same.
- Practice and business development – build trusted relationships with clients and partners, and contribute to bids, proposals, and thought leadership that reflect Perago’s evidence base and voice.
Experience
- At least five years of hands‑on service design experience in UK public and/or private sector context.
- A genuine toolkit: service blueprints, journey mapping, process mapping, prototyping, test‑and‑learn, workshops, research design, synthesis, low/no‑code experimentation.
- The ability to work across the full arc of a programme, from early discovery and problem framing through to implementation support.
- Comfortable influencing and working alongside policy, delivery and technology teams, bringing structure and clarity to complex challenges without imposing a design process that does not fit.
- Experience leading and facilitating workshops with frontline practitioners and senior leaders alike, and the judgement to handle a room when it is not going the way you planned.
- The ability to design and lead qualitative research in the service of good design.
- An understanding of how design connects to policy and systems change.
- Able to help a client ask a better question before the design work begins, contribute to how a problem or brief is framed.
- Comfortable working in conditions of ambiguity and uncertainty.
- A point of view on the field and practice.
- Experience of working across private, public or third sectors is an advantage.
- A strong sense of purpose and values to match ours: openness, collaboration, a growth mindset and getting things done.
Location and travel
Our office is in Swansea. We have a hybrid working approach with an expectation of being on site at least once or twice a week, though the office is available most days. Client‑side working arrangements reflect client needs, and there is some travel in Wales and across the UK as part of the role (driving licence required).
Learning and development
We will support your learning and development through training, conferences or what you need to grow. You will be part of regular team sessions including show and tells, catch‑ups, and socials. You can also get involved in our volunteering and community work.
Leave
25 days holiday plus bank holidays, with an additional day for each full year of service up to 30 days, and an extra day off for your birthday.
Pension
Workplace pension scheme with an employee contribution of 5% and an employer contribution of 3%.
Welsh language
Although not a requirement for this role, it would be great if you are a Welsh speaker, confident speaking and writing in Welsh, or have a willingness to learn.
Senior Service Designer in Swansea employer: Perago
At Perago, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and growth-oriented work culture. Located in the vibrant city of Swansea, we offer a hybrid working model, generous leave policies, and robust learning and development opportunities, ensuring our employees thrive both personally and professionally. Join us to make a meaningful impact in service design while enjoying the unique advantages of working in a supportive environment that values openness and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Service Designer in Swansea
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend design meetups, workshops, or conferences where you can meet potential employers and showcase your skills. Remember, it's all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Make sure it’s up to date and highlights your best work. When you get the chance to chat with someone from a company you're interested in, have your portfolio ready to share. Visuals speak louder than words!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to service design. Think about how you can demonstrate your experience in leading complex projects and facilitating workshops. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We love seeing applications directly from candidates who are excited about joining us. It shows initiative and gives you a better chance of standing out in the crowd.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Service Designer in Swansea
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your five years of hands-on service design experience. We want to see how you've shaped, tested, and delivered products or services in complex environments, so don’t hold back on the details!
Tailor Your Application:When applying, tailor your application to reflect our values and the specific skills mentioned in the job description. Use examples that demonstrate your ability to lead workshops and facilitate co-design, as these are key aspects of the role.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your experience and how it relates to the role. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the position!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you’re considered for the role without any hiccups!
How to prepare for a job interview at Perago
✨Know Your Design Toolkit
Make sure you can confidently discuss your toolkit, including service blueprints, journey mapping, and prototyping. Be ready to explain why you choose certain methods for specific challenges, especially in complex environments.
✨Showcase Your Facilitation Skills
Prepare examples of workshops you've led, highlighting how you built shared understanding among diverse stakeholders. Think about times when you had to adapt on the fly and how you managed those situations.
✨Connect Design to Policy
Brush up on how design intersects with public policy. Be prepared to discuss how your design work has influenced policy outcomes or how you've navigated the complexities of policy intent in your projects.
✨Embrace Ambiguity
Expect the unexpected! Share experiences where you've thrived in uncertain conditions, demonstrating your ability to maintain momentum and quality despite shifting scopes or unclear briefs.
