Service designer (mid-level and senior)

Who we are

The Government Digital Service (GDS) and the Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) are part of the Cabinet Office. We lead the digital transformation of the UK government so that it works better for everyone. 

Following our Government Design Principles, we deliver platforms, standards and digital services to help departments transform how they work and meet the needs of their users. Find out more about the work in this blog post or the Design in Government blog.

Using our unique position at the centre of government, we develop services that work for the user, however complex the underlying systems may be. We believe that ensuring things work for end users is the only way to realise the efficiencies that come with digital transformation.

The role 

As a designer at GDS you’ll work in multidisciplinary teams, alongside researchers and developers, to deliver world-class, user centred public services. 

You’ll help identify and fix some of the toughest problems in public infrastructure and you will be focussing on 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.

If you’d like to work with us to simplify services and want to be part of a fantastic service design in government community, 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. 

Applications will be reviewed every three weeks up until the closing date. Please do not delay applying as suitable candidates will be interviewed every 3 weeks from the date applications are received.

mid level and senior service designers

We are recruiting both mid level and senior service designers. We will ask you which level you would like to apply for, and we can also help you work out which level is right for you. The final point in the list below applies to senior level service 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 service designers. 

As a service 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 others work and developing shared patterns
• [seniors only] senior service designers will lead and coordinate design work in your team, supporting other designers where necessary

Who you are

We’re interested in people who:

• Have experience in designing services for users in complex environments
• 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 
• [seniors only] Senior service designers will have experience of guiding, supporting and mentoring others

The selection process as a standard for all of our roles consists of:

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. 

1. a CV to show us your work history
2. a link to your portfolio in your cover letter or cv to show some examples of your design work

Please note an interview task will form part of the selection process. A short task, which we will give you the day before the interview. You will be given 20 mins at the beginning of the interview to work on the task 

Applications will be reviewed every three weeks up until the closing date. Please do not delay applying as suitable candidates will be interviewed every 3 weeks from the date applications are received.

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 your hybrid working arrangement with your line manager in line with your preferences and business need.

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.