Head of UCD (User Centred Design) - SC Cleared

Sanderson Government & Defence; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading Defence sector consultancy is seeking a Head of User-Centred Design to lead a multidisciplinary team. You will shape and implement design strategies across various digital programmes, ensuring user needs are prioritized. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in UCD in complex environments and possesses SC clearance. This position is primarily remote with occasional travel to Corsham, offering a contract rate of around £700 per day.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading User-Centred Design in complex environments.
• Proven track record building and managing design teams.
• Strong knowledge of GDS standards and digital delivery lifecycle.
• Experience integrating UCD with Agile and DevOps.
• SC clearance is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead the UCD function across digital programmes.
• Build and lead a high-performing UCD team.
• Oversee design outcomes across multiple workstreams.
• Advocate for practical and secure user solutions.
• Embed design governance compliant with GDS standards.
• Drive collaboration across teams.
• Present findings to senior stakeholders.
• Mentor teams on design principles.

Skills

User-Centred Design

Stakeholder engagement

Multidisciplinary team management

Agile delivery models

GDS service standards

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.

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.
• Oversee the delivery of design outcomes across multiple workstreams, ensuring alignment with service and operational goals.
• Advocate for the user - ensuring solutions are practical, secure, and effective in complex environments.
• Shape and embed design governance, ensuring compliance with Government Digital Service (GDS) standards and MOD policies.
• Drive a culture of collaboration between designers, engineers, product managers, and service delivery leads.
• Present research findings and design recommendations to senior stakeholders and governance boards.
• Mentor and upskill teams on human-centred design principles, accessibility, and inclusive design.

Skills & Experience

• Extensive experience leading User-Centred Design in large-scale, complex, or secure environments.
• Proven track record building and managing multidisciplinary design teams.
• Strong knowledge of GDS service standards and the digital delivery lifecycle within government or defence.
• Experience integrating UCD with Agile and DevOps delivery models.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills - able to influence senior decision-makers and bridge design with strategy.
• SC clearance essential.

Desirable

• Background in Defence or Government Digital Services.
• Experience applying UCD principles in operational or mission systems.
• Formal qualifications in UX, Service Design, or Human Factors.

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.