Lead Designer

Made Tech; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology firm in the UK is seeking an experienced Lead Interaction and Service Designer to mentor teams and improve public services through design. The successful candidate will lead hands-on design projects, advocate user-centered design, and support sales initiatives. Flexible benefits are offered, alongside opportunities for remote work and professional development.

Benefits

30 days holiday

Flexible working hours

Parental leave

Remote work options

Paid counseling

Qualifications

• Expertise in Interaction and Service Design essential.
• Self-initiated work ethic with strategic mindset.
• Ability to manage and mentor design teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead design efforts for public services.
• Mentor and coach designers.
• Build trust with clients and support sales.

Skills

Leadership and advocacy for Interaction and Service Design practice

Strong collaboration skills

Innovative approach to complex design challenges

Accountability for meeting objectives

Job description

Made Tech aims to positively impact society by leveraging technology to improve public services. We foster a community of designers and researchers to support a design-led approach in the public sector.

Role: Lead Interaction and Service Designer

We are seeking an expert in Interaction and Service Design to coach, mentor, and lead within this discipline. The successful candidate will guide design teams to deliver positive outcomes in public service delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Report to the Head of Interaction and Service Design or a UCD Principal
• Lead hands-on design efforts for products and teams, ensuring successful delivery of public services via technology
• Act as a subject matter expert, facilitating design processes and communicating decisions to teams and stakeholders
• Contribute to and lead the community of practice in Interaction and Service Design
• Influence team structures to balance profit, utilization, and client needs throughout project lifecycles
• Support team retention, hiring, and quality assurance
• Mentor and coach designers, managing line reports
• Develop shared understanding of problems and testing ideas through storytelling
• Ensure designs are user-friendly and accessible, simplifying public services
• Utilize and contribute to Made Tech's playbooks
• Maintain high quality across multiple teams and manage delivery risks
• Introduce best practices for sharing and improving design work
• Support hiring and onboarding of designers
• Help define and uphold Made Tech's design principles
• Advocate for user-centered design both internally and externally
• Build trust with clients, understand their needs, and support sales efforts with bid reviews and contributions
• Create marketing content, such as blogs and case studies, showcasing successful public service designs
• Contribute to the growth and well-being of the UCD community at Made Tech
• Ensure project objectives are met on time and to standard
• Demonstrate Made Tech values in feedback from colleagues and clients
• Support and engage team members through regular communication and development plans
• Drive ownership, learning, mentoring, and continuous improvement within the team

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Innovative approach to complex design challenges based on core principles
• Leadership and advocacy for Interaction and Service Design practice
• Broad industry or business knowledge
• Self-initiated work ethic with strategic approach from first principles
• Accountability for meeting objectives and delivering high-quality outputs
• Strong collaboration skills with users and clients throughout all work stages

We offer flexible benefits, including a benefits platform with schemes like Smart Tech, Cycle to Work, and a benefits allowance. Our perks include 30 days holiday, flexible working hours, parental leave, remote work options, paid counseling, and more.

If successful, SC clearance will be required.

Our mission is to use technology to improve society, demonstrated through projects like the Homes for Ukraine service, NHS digital access improvements, and environmental initiatives.

We are proud to have been recognized as finalists in workplace transparency awards, reflecting our commitment to open and inclusive practices.