At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead UX design for impactful products that improve lives and simplify complex problems.
- Company: Whiteshield, a global advisory firm focused on policy, data, and technology.
- Benefits: Creative freedom, meaningful impact, flexible remote work, and supportive culture.
- Why this job: Shape products used at national scale and make a real difference in everyday lives.
- Qualifications: Strong design portfolio, experience with mobile and large-scale platforms, and excellent communication skills.
- Other info: Join a talented team and enjoy a collaborative, outcome-driven environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Data-rich dashboards and decision-support tools.
Note: This is an External Contractor Agreement. Agreement Type: 2-3 Months (option to extend / become permanent). Location: Remote (UAE Hours).
Whiteshield is a global advisory firm helping governments navigate big, world-shaping challenges - from economic transformation to education, employment, and innovation. We work at the intersection of policy, data, and technology, building products that don’t just inform decisions, but improve lives.
Design is central to how we work. It’s how we turn complexity into clarity, dense systems into intuitive experiences, and ambitious ideas into products people genuinely enjoy using. If you’re motivated by impact and purpose - Whiteshield is for you.
WHERE YOU FIT IN
We are looking for a Design Lead who can transition easily from early ideas to polished execution, always keeping the user in mind. You will design across a range of products and platforms, including:
- Mobile applications
- Large, public-facing citizen platforms
- Government portals and digital services
- Data-rich dashboards and decision-support tools
If you enjoy simplifying complex problems and designing clear, effective solutions, this role will suit you well.
What You’ll Own
- Design Direction & Vision
- Set and evolve the design language across mobile, web, and large-scale public platforms.
- Raise the bar for visual quality, interaction design, and overall experience across all Whiteshield products.
- Bring clarity and cohesion to a growing product ecosystem, ensuring consistency without sacrificing creativity.
- User Experience & Product Execution
- Lead research and design sprints to deeply understand diverse users - citizens, students, jobseekers, policymakers, businesses, and institutions.
- Translate complex policy, data, and services into intuitive, human-centered journeys.
- Design experiences that feel simple, accessible, and culturally relevant across regions and audiences.
- Partner closely with product, engineering, and policy teams to take ideas from concept to launch.
- Team Leadership & Collaboration
- Guide and mentor designers, helping grow both craft and confidence.
- Communicate design decisions clearly and persuasively, especially with non-design stakeholders.
- Champion design as a strategic function, not just a delivery role.
Requirements
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
- We place less emphasis on titles and tenure, and more on demonstrated design capability.
- A portfolio that shows strong visual design, thoughtful UX, and clear problem-solving.
- Experience designing both mobile products and large-scale platforms.
- Comfort thinking in systems - components, patterns, and responsive layouts.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate across disciplines.
- Experience guiding or mentoring other designers.
- Fluency in English; additional languages are a plus.
Benefits
- Meaningful impact - Your work helps shape products used at national scale - enabling people to access services, opportunities, and support that make a real difference in everyday lives.
- Creative freedom - You will have room to explore ideas, test approaches, and raise the bar for design quality - even in complex, regulated environments. We value thoughtful experimentation and encourage new ways of working.
- High-calibre collaboration - You’ll work alongside talented people across policy, data, design, and technology - bringing different perspectives together to solve complex problems well.
- Flexibility that works - We operate in an outcome-driven, remote-friendly way that respects individual working styles. Trust, autonomy, and balance are core to how we work.
- Supportive culture - You will join a team that values respect, inclusion, and wellbeing - where people are encouraged to do their best work without burning out.
Whiteshield: UX Design Lead - External Contractor in London employer: Whiteshield
Contact Detail:
Whiteshield Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Whiteshield: UX Design Lead - External Contractor in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those who work at Whiteshield or similar firms. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you an interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Make sure it’s easy to access and highlights your best work. Tailor it to showcase projects that align with the role of UX Design Lead, focusing on user-centric designs and problem-solving.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common design questions and scenarios. Think about how you can demonstrate your ability to simplify complex problems and create intuitive experiences – that’s what they’re looking for!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Whiteshield team and making a meaningful impact.
We think you need these skills to ace Whiteshield: UX Design Lead - External Contractor in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Portfolio: Make sure to include a link to your portfolio that highlights your best work. We want to see your design capabilities in action, so pick projects that demonstrate your visual design and UX skills.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect how your experience aligns with our mission at Whiteshield. Show us why you’re the perfect fit for this role.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid jargon and focus on what makes you stand out as a UX Design Lead.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Whiteshield
✨Know Your Design Principles
Before the interview, brush up on your design principles and methodologies. Be ready to discuss how you approach user experience and visual design, especially in relation to data-rich dashboards and decision-support tools. This will show that you understand the core of what Whiteshield is looking for.
✨Showcase Your Portfolio Effectively
Make sure your portfolio is not just a collection of work but tells a story about your design journey. Highlight projects that demonstrate your ability to simplify complex problems and create intuitive experiences. Be prepared to explain your thought process and the impact of your designs.
✨Prepare for Collaborative Scenarios
Since collaboration is key at Whiteshield, think of examples where you've successfully worked with cross-functional teams. Be ready to discuss how you communicate design decisions to non-design stakeholders and how you mentor other designers, as this will resonate well with their team leadership focus.
✨Understand Their Mission and Values
Research Whiteshield’s mission and the types of challenges they tackle. Be prepared to articulate how your design philosophy aligns with their goal of making a meaningful impact. Showing that you’re motivated by purpose will set you apart as a candidate who truly fits their culture.