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- Tasks: Lead user-centred design strategy for a major government digital programme.
- Company: Join a dynamic team focused on impactful government services.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, flexible working, and opportunities for contract extension.
- Other info: Embrace a diverse and inclusive workplace with strong career growth potential.
- Why this job: Shape the future of digital services while influencing key stakeholders.
- Qualifications: Current SC clearance and extensive GDS experience required.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 67500 £ per year.
Rate: Up to £675 per day (Inside IR35)
Location: London (3 days per week on-site)
Contract: Initial contract with strong extension potential
We're looking for an experienced SC-cleared UCD Lead to take a senior, strategic role on a major central government digital programme. This role will suit someone who can set direction for user-centred design, lead and mentor teams, and influence at programme and senior stakeholder level while ensuring delivery meets the Government Service Standard.
Key Requirements
- Active Security Clearance (SC) - must be current and transferable
- Extensive GDS experience, working to the Government Service Standard
- Proven experience operating as a UCD / Design Lead on complex digital services
- Strong background in leading multidisciplinary design and research teams
- Confidence influencing senior stakeholders, service owners and programme leadership
- Experience shaping UCD strategy across multiple products or services
Responsibilities
- Set the UCD strategy and vision, ensuring alignment with organisational and programme objectives
- Provide clear leadership and direction to content designers, user researchers and interaction designers
- Champion user-centred design at a strategic level, embedding best practice across teams
- Oversee research-led design decisions and ensure insights directly inform delivery
- Coach and mentor team members, supporting capability development and quality standards
- Ensure all UCD outputs align with GDS standards and support successful service assessments
Working Pattern
3 days per week on-site in London. Remaining days remote, offering a balanced and flexible working model.
If you're an SC-cleared UCD Lead with strong GDS experience and a track record of strategic leadership within government digital programmes, we'd like to hear from you.
Reasonable Adjustments: Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients. If you need any help or adjustments during the recruitment process for any reason, please let us know when you apply or talk to the recruiters directly so we can support you.
SC Cleared UCD Lead - GDS employer: Sanderson Government and Defence
Contact Detail:
Sanderson Government and Defence Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land SC Cleared UCD Lead - GDS
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who have experience with GDS. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to UCD and GDS. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable with articulating your experience and strategies.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! When discussing your past roles, highlight how you’ve influenced teams and stakeholders. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to set direction and mentor others.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace SC Cleared UCD Lead - GDS
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your SC clearance and GDS experience. We want to see how your background aligns with the UCD Lead role, so don’t be shy about showcasing relevant projects and achievements!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. We love seeing passion for user-centred design and how you’ve influenced teams in the past.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a UCD Lead, we need to see your leadership chops. Highlight any experience you have in mentoring teams or shaping UCD strategies. This will help us understand how you can guide our multidisciplinary design teams.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy and straightforward!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sanderson Government and Defence
✨Know Your GDS Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the Government Digital Service (GDS) standards. Brush up on how they apply to user-centred design and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with these principles. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the framework, but that you can actively contribute to it.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led multidisciplinary teams in the past. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you influenced stakeholders at a senior level. This is your chance to demonstrate your ability to set direction and mentor others, which is crucial for this role.
✨Be Research-Driven
Highlight your experience with research-led design decisions. Be ready to discuss how insights from user research have shaped your previous projects. This will illustrate your commitment to embedding best practices in user-centred design and ensuring that delivery meets the required standards.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Think of insightful questions to ask during the interview. This could be about their current UCD strategy or how they measure success against the Government Service Standard. Asking thoughtful questions shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you.