SEO Interaction Designer

Hard Problems; Coventry; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work pattern

Flexible working arrangements

60% in-office

Job summary

Hard Problems is seeking an Interaction Designer within the Apprenticeship Service team of the Department for Education. The role is permanent, SEO level, and can be based in Coventry, Manchester or Sheffield with hybrid UK-wide working expectations.

You will report to the Senior Interaction Designer and collaborate with designers, researchers and service designers in a dynamic, multi-disciplinary setting. You will prototype across fidelities, contribute to design systems, and ensure

Qualifications

• Essential: Prototyping across fidelities (wireframes, Figma; coded prototypes with HTML/CSS/JS)
• Research/data-driven design decisions
• Confident stakeholder communication and facilitation
• Design accessible services (WCAG, inclusive design)
• Contribute to design systems, components and patterns
• Work effectively in agile, multidisciplinary teams

Responsibilities

• Design and prototype high-quality UIs across fidelities including wireframes, Figma and coded prototypes using HTML, CSS and JavaScript
• Interpret research and data to drive design decisions and iterate within agile teams
• Collaborate across disciplines to shape end-to-end service experiences
• Ensure designs meet WCAG accessibility standards and inclusive design principles
• Contribute to and help maintain design systems, patterns and components
• Communicate design decisions clearly and influence stakeholders through facilitation

Skills

Prototyping across fidelities

Research-driven design

Stakeholder communication

Inclusive design / WCAG

Design systems

Agile teamwork

Tools

Figma

HTML/CSS/JavaScript

GitHub

Job description

The role

This Interaction Designer post sits within the Apprenticeship Service team, part of DfE's growing User-Centred Design Team. You would report to the Senior Interaction Designer and work alongside other interaction designers, content designers, user researchers and service designers. The role is graded at Senior Executive Officer (SEO) level and is a permanent appointment.

What you would do

• Design and prototype high-quality user interfaces aligned to user needs and business goals, across multiple fidelities including wireframes, Figma and coded prototypes using HTML, CSS and JavaScript
• Interpret research and data to make informed design decisions and iterate on designs independently within agile, multidisciplinary teams
• Collaborate across disciplines to shape end-to-end service experiences
• Ensure all designs meet WCAG accessibility standards and inclusive design principles
• Contribute to and help maintain design systems, patterns and components
• Communicate design decisions clearly and influence stakeholders through confident facilitation

What they are looking for

Essential:

• Strong prototyping skills across multiple fidelities, including wireframes, Figma and coded prototypes (HTML, CSS and JavaScript)
• Working knowledge of GitHub or other version control systems
• Ability to use research and data to drive design decisions
• Confident stakeholder communication and facilitation skills
• Experience designing accessible services (WCAG and inclusive design)
• Experience contributing to design systems, components and patterns
• Ability to work effectively in agile, multidisciplinary teams

Desirable (assessed only at interview in a tie-break situation):

• Strong analytical skills to identify and resolve service design issues
• Experience measuring design impact and outcomes

Behaviours assessed during selection: Working Together, Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions.

Working arrangements

The role can be based in Coventry (CV1 2WT), Manchester (M1 2WD) or Sheffield (S1 2JF). Most DfE employees work a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. The role can only be worked in the UK. Part-time hours are available from a minimum of 0.8 FTE. Flexible working arrangements including job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours are offered.

Pay and benefits

The salary is £44,305. DfE contributes £12,835 towards membership of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme (employer contribution of 28.97%). Staff receive 25 days annual leave, rising by one day per year to a maximum of 30 days after five years, plus the King's Birthday privilege holiday and 8 bank and public holidays.