At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative service design projects to improve public sector outcomes for citizens.
- Company: Join UBDS Group, a dynamic and forward-thinking organisation committed to innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, private medical cover, training opportunities, and generous holiday.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with ample opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping services that enhance lives and drive change.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in GDS-aligned service design within the UK public sector.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
We are looking for an experienced Senior Service Designer to shape and deliver complex public sector discovery work focused on improving outcomes for citizens and organisations. This role will operate within a GDS-aligned, multidisciplinary environment, applying service design principles to complex policy and operational challenges. You will take a systems view of services, exploring how policy, legislation, operational processes, technology and user needs interact and identifying opportunities for meaningful, sustainable improvement.
You’ll work across organisational boundaries, helping stakeholders build shared understanding of evidence, constraints and opportunity spaces, and translating insight into clear service propositions and design principles. This is a senior role suited to someone comfortable working in ambiguity, influencing at pace, and leading discovery within complex public sector environments.
What You’ll Do
- Lead end-to-end service design discovery within a public sector context, aligned to GDS standards and service lifecycle phases (Discovery, Alpha, Beta, Live).
- Take a systems-thinking approach, mapping the interactions between users, policy, legislation, operations, technology and governance.
- Synthesise existing research and analysis into clear insights, opportunity areas and design considerations.
- Define and apply service design principles to shape improved service outcomes.
- Identify unmet needs, friction points and structural barriers within complex service ecosystems.
- Facilitate collaborative workshops and structured sense-making sessions across multidisciplinary teams and policy stakeholders.
- Ensure service design recommendations are grounded in a clear understanding of the GB legal and regulatory framework.
- Produce high-quality artefacts including service maps, ecosystem maps, problem statements, design principles and strategic recommendations.
- Support teams through governance and service assessment processes where required.
What We’re Looking For
- Significant experience delivering GDS-aligned service design within UK public sector environments.
- Strong understanding of the Government Service Standard and experience working through service assessments.
- Experience leading Discovery phases in complex policy or regulated contexts.
- Proven ability to work across multidisciplinary teams including policy, delivery, technology and operations.
- Experience shaping services influenced by legislative or regulatory frameworks.
Skills & Approach
- Strong systems thinking capability, able to see the whole service, not just individual touchpoints.
- Excellent synthesis skills: turning research and evidence into structured insight and direction.
- Confident facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills, including with senior audiences.
- Ability to balance user needs, organisational constraints and policy intent.
- Clear, structured communication, both written and visual.
- Comfortable working in ambiguity and shaping clarity collaboratively.
Benefits
Professionals choose to grow their careers at UBDS Group for its reputation as a dynamic and forward-thinking organisation that is deeply committed to both innovation and employee development. At UBDS Group, employees are given unique opportunities to work on cutting-edge projects across a diverse range of industries, exposing them to new challenges and learning opportunities that are pivotal for professional growth. The Group’s culture emphasises continuous improvement, offering ample training programs, mentorship, and the chance to gain certifications that enhance their skills and marketability. UBDS Group fosters a collaborative environment where creativity and innovation are encouraged, allowing employees to contribute ideas and solutions that have a tangible impact on the company and its clients. This combination of professional development, a culture of innovation, and the opportunity to make meaningful contributions makes UBDS Group an attractive place for those looking to advance their careers and be at the forefront of technological and operational excellence.
Employee Benefits
- Training – All team members are offered a number of options in terms of personal development, whether it is technical led, business acumen or methodologies.
- Private medical cover for you and your spouse/partner, offered via Vitality.
- Discretionary bonus based on a blend of personal and company performance.
- Holiday – You will receive 25 Days holiday, plus 1 day for Birthday and 1 day for your work anniversary in addition to UK bank holidays.
- Electric Vehicle leasing with salary sacrifice.
- Contributed Pension Scheme.
- Death in service cover.
About UBDS Group
At UBDS Group our mission is to support entrepreneurs who are setting new standards with technology solutions across cloud services, cybersecurity, data and AI, ensuring that every investment advances our commitment to innovation, making a difference, and creating impactful solutions for organisations and society.
Equal Opportunities
We are an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability or age.
Senior Service Designer in London employer: UBDS Group
UBDS Group is an exceptional employer for Senior Service Designers, offering a dynamic and innovative work environment that prioritises employee development and professional growth. With a strong commitment to continuous improvement, employees benefit from extensive training opportunities, mentorship, and the chance to work on cutting-edge projects that make a real impact in the public sector. The collaborative culture encourages creativity and the sharing of ideas, making UBDS Group an attractive choice for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Service Designer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the public sector and service design space. Attend events, join online forums, and connect on LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Senior Service Designer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work in service design. Include case studies that demonstrate your systems thinking and ability to tackle complex challenges. This will make you stand out when applying through our website.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on GDS standards and service lifecycle phases. Be ready to discuss how you've led discovery phases and worked across multidisciplinary teams. Confidence is key, so practice articulating your experiences clearly.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in the interviewer's mind. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the Senior Service Designer position.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Service Designer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in GDS-aligned service design. We want to see how your skills align with the specific needs of the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects!
Showcase Your Systems Thinking:Since this role requires a strong systems-thinking approach, be sure to include examples that demonstrate your ability to see the bigger picture. We love seeing how you’ve mapped interactions between users, policy, and technology in past projects.
Communicate Clearly:Your written communication should be clear and structured. Use visuals where possible to convey complex ideas simply. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can translate insights into actionable design principles, so make it easy for us to understand your thought process!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at UBDS Group
✨Know Your GDS Standards
Make sure you’re well-versed in the Government Digital Service (GDS) standards. Familiarise yourself with the service lifecycle phases and be ready to discuss how your past experiences align with these principles. This will show that you understand the framework within which you'll be operating.
✨Showcase Your Systems Thinking
Prepare to demonstrate your systems thinking capability. Think about how different elements like policy, technology, and user needs interact in service design. Bring examples of how you've mapped these interactions in previous roles to highlight your ability to see the bigger picture.
✨Engage Stakeholders Effectively
Practice your facilitation skills ahead of time. You’ll need to engage with various stakeholders, so think of ways to encourage collaboration and shared understanding. Be ready to share examples of how you’ve successfully led workshops or sessions that brought diverse teams together.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Your communication skills are key in this role. Prepare to articulate your insights and recommendations clearly, both verbally and visually. Consider creating a few high-quality artefacts, like service maps or problem statements, to showcase your structured approach during the interview.
