At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead service design discovery to improve public sector outcomes for citizens and organisations.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking team dedicated to enhancing public services.
- Benefits: Enjoy private medical cover, a discretionary bonus, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Opportunities for personal development and career growth in a collaborative setting.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in public services while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in GDS-aligned service design and strong systems thinking skills.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Training – All team members are offered a number of options in terms of personal development, whether it is technical led, business acumen or methodologies. We want you to grow with us and to help us achieve more.
- 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.
Senior Service Designer in Manchester employer: UBDS Group
Join a forward-thinking organisation that prioritises meaningful public sector improvements and values your professional growth. As a Senior Service Designer, you'll thrive in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment that encourages innovation and offers extensive training opportunities, private medical cover, and a generous holiday package. With a focus on shaping services that truly benefit citizens, this role provides a unique chance to make a significant impact while enjoying a supportive work culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Service Designer in Manchester
✨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
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your experience with GDS-aligned 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 your facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills. Be ready to discuss how you've led discovery phases and worked across multidisciplinary teams. We want to see how you can influence and lead in ambiguous situations!
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on the latest trends in service design and public sector policies. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also show that you're genuinely interested in improving outcomes for citizens and organisations. Don't forget to apply through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Service Designer in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in GDS-aligned service design. We want to see how your skills match the specific needs of the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects!
Showcase Your Systems Thinking:In your application, emphasise your ability to take a systems view of services. We’re looking for someone who can connect the dots between policy, technology, and user needs, so share examples that demonstrate this skill.
Be Clear and Structured:When writing your application, clarity is key! Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate well-organised applications that make it easy for us to see your thought process and insights.
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 shows you’re keen to join our team 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 you've applied these principles in your previous roles. This shows you understand the framework and can hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Systems Thinking
Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to take a systems-thinking approach. Be ready to explain how you’ve mapped interactions between users, policy, and technology in past projects. This will highlight your capability to see the bigger picture and tackle complex challenges.
✨Engage Stakeholders Effectively
Think about how you’ve facilitated workshops or engaged with stakeholders in the past. Bring specific examples of how you’ve built shared understanding among multidisciplinary teams. This will showcase your confidence and communication skills, which are crucial for this role.
✨Prepare High-Quality Artefacts
Have a portfolio or examples of artefacts like service maps or design principles ready to share. Discuss how these artefacts have influenced service outcomes in your previous work. This not only demonstrates your skills but also your commitment to producing quality work.
