Senior UX Designer, Puzzles

The Guardian; England; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Volunteering days

Payroll giving options

Life cover

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Job summary

A leading media company is seeking a Senior UX Designer for their Puzzles team on a 12-month fixed-term contract. This hybrid role entails leading the UX design for cross-platform puzzles that enhance user engagement and revenue. Candidates should have a strong portfolio demonstrating experience in digital product design, gamified experiences, and an understanding of user behaviour. The role offers a range of benefits, including 30 days annual leave, pension scheme, and various employee support initiatives.

Qualifications

• Proven experience designing digital products in cross-functional teams.
• Strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end UX design for web and mobile.
• Experience with design systems and component libraries.

Responsibilities

• Lead UX design for the Puzzles proposition including ideation and prototypes.
• Rapidly prototype new puzzle formats and gamification features.
• Conduct user research and champion a test-and-learn approach.

Skills

End-to-end UX design

Design systems

Interaction design

Usability

User behaviour

Mentoring designers

Gamification

Job description

Senior UX Designer, Puzzles

We are looking for a Senior UX Designer to join our Puzzles team, part of the Premium Propositions Product Group on a 12‑month fixed‑term contract. You will lead the design of a world‑class, cross‑platform puzzles experience that drives daily engagement, subscription growth, and ad revenue.

Hybrid working: 2 days a week from offices at Kings Cross, 3 days a week remotely.

About the Role

• Lead UX design for the Puzzles proposition: discovery, ideation, wireframes, prototypes, interfaces.
• Rapidly prototype new puzzle formats, gamification features, subscription‑focused interactions.
• Champion a test‑and‑learn approach, conducting qualitative and quantitative user research.
• Serve as UX voice within the squad, communicate design rationale to Product, Engineering, Commercial stakeholders.
• Implement Guardian design system across web and app platforms; contribute components, patterns, and best practices.
• Define long‑term UX vision balancing user delight, business goals, and technical feasibility.
• Identify opportunities for gamification, cross‑platform parity, and subscription enhancements.

About You

• Proven experience designing digital products in cross‑functional teams, ideally in subscription, gaming or content‑rich environments.
• Strong portfolio showcasing end‑to‑end UX design for web and mobile, including gamified experiences.
• Experience with design systems and component libraries.
• Deep understanding of interaction design, usability, accessibility, information architecture and user behaviour.
• Comfortable balancing business objectives, technical constraints, and user needs.
• Experience mentoring designers and contributing to a positive, collaborative team culture.
• Experience with casual or mobile gaming, gamification, or puzzles.

How to Apply

Please upload your latest CV, a cover letter outlining why you would love to take on this role and why you are a great match, plus portfolio examples or links.

Closing date: Thursday 15th January 2026.

Benefits

30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays); pension scheme (employee 5% contribution, employer 8‑12%); 2 volunteering days annually; payroll giving options; season ticket loans; life cover, income protection, eye tests; optional dental insurance; enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental leave; IVF, menopause, baby loss, trans equality policy.

Diversity Statement

We actively encourage applications from candidates who are Black, Asian or minority‑ethnic (BAME) or from other groups traditionally underrepresented in the UK media.