Interaction Designer (mid-level and senior)
Government Digital Services -
What you'll do
As a designer at GDS you’ll work in multidisciplinary teams, alongside researchers and developers, to deliver world-class, user centred public services that meet the Government Design Principles,
You’ll help identify and fix some of the toughest problems in public infrastructure and you will be focussing on the design of services at scale. You’ll help the government transform the way it delivers services, so that they’re more efficient, simpler, faster and easier to use.
You'll be part of a fantastic design community in government, where we share ideas and challenges with 1000s of designers across the public sector. This is a chance to work on services that matter, at a huge scale, with people who value design.
Find out more about what it’s like designing in government on our Design in Government blog.
Mid level and senior interaction designers
We are recruiting both mid level and senior interaction designers. We will ask you which level you would like to apply for. We can also help you work out which level is right for you. The final point in the list below applies to senior level interaction designers. The other points are relevant to both mid level and senior level interaction designers.
As a interaction designer you’ll:
- work effectively in a multidisciplinary, agile environment, adapting quickly to changes in requirements, priorities or user needs
- use research and analytics to understand users needs, identify service failures and test different designs
- design collaboratively and in the open, engaging your whole team with the design process and adapting it if necessary
- champion accessibility and inclusion, consider the impact of new technologies and ensure that designs meet legal requirements
- collaborate with designers in other teams and departments, reviewing each other's work and developing shared patterns
- [senior only] senior interaction designers will lead and coordinate design work in your team, supporting other designers where necessary
Who you are
We’re interested in people who:
- design clear, usable, accessible digital interfaces that work across a range of devices and browsers
- have experience in making effective decisions with user research data
- have experience of working with senior stakeholders and ability to negotiate important design decisions
- have experience of engaging with people in a variety of ways (eg, workshops or co-design activities)
- have an understanding of the importance of inclusive, equitable, accessible and sustainable public services
- [senior only] senior interaction designers will have experience of guiding, supporting and mentoring others
The final point in the list above applies to senior level interaction designers. These skills must be demonstrated in your cover letter to be considered for the senior level. The other points are relevant to both mid level and senior level interaction designers.
Please note the salary for this role is:
Mid level Interaction Designer salary:
Up to £62,500 (London) /£55,000 (National) - based on capability- The base salary of this grade is £54,700 (London) / £49,700 (National). Offers made above this will be made up with a specialist pay allowance.
Senior Interaction Designer salary:
Up to £65,600 (London) / £58,000 (National)-based on capability- The base salary of this grade is £54,700 (London) / £49,700 (National). Offers made above this will be made up with a specialist pay allowance.
How to apply
If this role is a good fit for you. You must submit all 3 of these for your application to be considered:
1. a cover letter to tell us about you and why you think you are suitable for this role, addressing the points in the “who you are” section above.
If you want to be considered for only the senior or mid-level role, please state this in your cover letter. Otherwise we will consider you for both roles.
2. a CV to show us your work history
3. a link to your portfolio in your cover letter or cv to show some examples of your design work
The selection process as a standard for all of our roles consists of:
- An application screening process to shortlist people to interview
- An interview
- A short task, which we will give you before the interview. You’ll present your response during the interview.
GDS offers hybrid working for all employees. This means that everyone does some working from home/remote working and also spends some time in their local office. You will agree to your hybrid working arrangement with your line manager in line with your preferences and business needs.
If we receive a high number of applications, we may decide to include an additional round (this would typically be a short telephone interview or assessment/exercise depending on the type of role).
A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.
Candidates that do not pass the interview, however, have demonstrated an acceptable standard will be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.
