Senior Service Designer

Methods; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading IT Services Consultancy in Manchester is looking for a skilled individual to lead user-centered design practices. The role includes advocating for design best practices, collaborating in a multidisciplinary team, and mentoring junior members. Responsibilities involve creating service designs and communicating with users effectively. A supportive environment and extensive benefits are offered to encourage skill development and wellbeing.

Benefits

24/7 confidential employee assistance programme

25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays

Discretionary company bonus

Private medical insurance

Qualifications

• Experience in communicating abstract concepts effectively.
• Ability to run workshops and facilitate discussions.
• Participation in user research activities and prototype design.

Responsibilities

• Develop best practices for government services.
• Map user journeys and visualize design problems.
• Collaborate within a multidisciplinary team.

Skills

Design communication

Collaboration skills

Understanding technology constraints

Agile methodology

Education

Relevant industry experience

Job description

Methods Business and Digital Technology Limited

Methods is a £100M+ IT Services Consultancy who has partnered with a range of central government departments and agencies to transform the way the public sector operates in the UK. Established over 30 years ago and UK-based, we apply our skills in transformation, delivery, and collaboration from across the Methods Group, to create end-to-end business and technical solutions that are people‑centred, safe, and designed for the future.

Our human touch sets us apart from other consultancies, system integrators and software houses - with people, technology, and data at the heart of who we are, we believe in creating value and sustainability through everything we do for our clients, staff, communities, and the planet.

We support our clients in the success of their projects while working collaboratively to share skill sets and solve problems. At Methods we have fun while working hard; we are not afraid of making mistakes and learning from them.

Predominantly focused on the public-sector, Methods is now building a significant private sector client portfolio.

Methods was acquired by the Alten Group in early 2022.

Requirements

Your main day to day responsibilities will be :

• Identifying, developing, and using best practice and standards to design services consistent with the rest of government
• Advocating for users and understanding user needs to design simple, effective, and accessible services
• Creating service maps, blueprints, and other concepts
• Mapping user journeys, processes, and visualising design problems
• Articulating and solving complex problems, from end to end and surface to core
• Communicating concepts to users and stakeholders
• Selling your ideas with persuasive storytelling
• Experience with the GDS / style guide and service design standard
• Collaborating within a multidisciplinary team by sharing design work, and participating in research

You will also be expected to carry out the following day to day activities :

• Advocating for user‑centred design and being an active part of the Design community within Methods and across government to share ideas and best practice, and proactively help and support each other
• Taking responsibility for your own learning and development and seek opportunities to improve your knowledge and experience
• Project support and guidance to other team members in the SD community of practice
• Coach and mentor more junior team members in the SD community of practice
• Support probation and annual reviews for more junior team members in the SD community of practice
• Support training and development plans alongside the Head of SD, and Deputy Director of UCD
• Bid support to Head of SD and Deputy Director of UCD
• Support permanent staff hiring when required

Essential Skills

• Talking about design and ideas in a way that other people understand
• Communicating often abstract concepts to people with a range of opinions and understanding
• Understanding how technology constraints may need to be considered in design
• Running workshops, participating in discussions and assisting in the facilitation of the design of the service through collaboration with other professions
• Understanding user needs, participating in research activities, and interpreting user research to inform design
• Contributing to the design of prototypes at different levels of fidelity
• Working in an agile environment

Qualifications

• Relevant industry experience

Benefits

Methods is passionate about its people; we want our colleagues to develop the things they are good at and enjoy.

By joining us you can expect

• Autonomy to develop and grow your skills and experience
• Be part of exciting project work that is making a difference in society
• Strong, inspiring and thought‑provoking leadership
• A supportive and collaborative environment

Development – a management development programme, and training

Wellness – 24 / 7 confidential employee assistance programme

Flexible Working – including home working and part time

Social – office parties, breakfast Tuesdays, monthly pizza Thursdays, Thirsty Thursdays, and commitment to charitable causes

Time Off – 25 days of annual leave a year, plus bank holidays, with the option to buy 5 extra days each year

Volunteering – 2 paid days per year to volunteer in our local communities or within a charity organisation

Pension – Salary Exchange Scheme with 4% employer contribution and 5% employee contribution

Discretionary Company Bonus – based on company and individual performance

Life Assurance – of 4 times base salary

Private Medical Insurance – which is non‑contributory (spouse and dependants included)

Worldwide Travel Insurance – which is non‑contributory (spouse and dependants included)

Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Pay

Travel – season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme

For a full list of benefits please visit our website (