Head of UCD User Centred Design - SC Cleared

Sanderson; Corsham; Remote; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading defence consultancy is seeking an experienced Head of User-Centred Design to lead the strategy and delivery across high-impact defence programmes. This senior role involves shaping digital services to meet user needs in secure environments. The ideal candidate will have experience in user-centred design and a strong understanding of the defence sector. This role offers a competitive daily rate of £700 and is primarily remote with occasional travel to Corsham.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading user-centred design initiatives.
• Strong understanding of design principles and user research techniques.
• Experience working in the defence sector or similar high-stakes environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design strategy and delivery across defence programmes.
• Build and nurture a high-performing user-centred design team.

Job description

Head of User-Centred Design - Defence Sector

Location : Remote with occasional travel to Corsham Clearance : SC Contract Type : Contract, 4 months Rate : Circa £700 per day, Inside IR35.

We are seeking an experienced Head of User-Centred Design (UCD) to lead the strategy, capability, and delivery of user-centred design across a high-impact defence programme. This is a senior leadership role, shaping how digital and data-enabled services are designed, tested, and delivered to meet the unique needs of users operating in secure and mission-critical environments.

Role Overview:

You’ll lead a multidisciplinary design function - spanning User Research, Service Design, Interaction Design, and Content Design - ensuring that every product and service is intuitive, inclusive, and effective. Working alongside engineering, product, and delivery teams, you’ll champion evidence-based design and embed user needs at the heart of every decision.

Key Responsibilities:

• Set the vision, strategy, and standards for user-centred design across defence digital programmes.
• Build and lead a high-performing UCD team, nurturing skills in research, design, and accessibility.