Senior Service Designer

Overview

Senior Service Designer to join our Digital and Service Design function within the Digital and Technology group. This is a full-time opportunity on a fixed term contract until 30 November 2026
. The role will be based at 7-8 Wellington Place, Leeds.

We are implementing a flexible, hybrid working arrangement. Attendance on site is driven by business needs to enable collaboration and stakeholder engagement. Please discuss this with the recruiting manager before accepting an appointment.

We’re looking for an experienced Senior Service Designer to grow and shape our user-centred design practice. You will coordinate customers, colleagues and stakeholders, work hands-on with research and data to deliver insights, and create artefacts that help the Agency deliver great services and business benefits. You will be experienced in leading user-centred design activities, mentoring others, and providing strategic guidance.

• Lead the design of services on large or complex programmes and support the wider organisational objectives and strategic priorities. Think holistically about the big picture while also managing detail.
• Guide, support, and lead other designers within the core UCD team, including line management for another service designer. Provide expert insight into method selection, prioritisation, and how to meet agency needs.
• Design in a user-centred way, understand internal and external customers, and incorporate needs into digital services. Advocate for people and user needs in all design work.
• Design and develop service artefacts such as service blueprints and customer journeys.
• Use evidence from research and data to inform design and management decisions, working with user researchers to interpret findings and select appropriate methods.

Successful candidates will have:

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience in service design.
• Strong experience with a user-centred design approach.
• Experience working within an agile delivery framework and the GDS Service Standard.
• Experience advocating for people and user needs using user research and data to identify problems, inform decisions, and influence stakeholders.
• Experience explaining design concepts clearly through visualisation, sketches and prototyping.
• Experience coaching, mentoring, or supporting the development of other designers.

Method of assessment: A = Application, I = Interview, P = Presentation.

• Behaviour criteria: Managing a Quality Service, Seeing the Big Picture, Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace.
• Experience criteria: Advocacy for user needs, stakeholder engagement across disciplines, data-driven decision making, experience in complex or regulated environments, ability to explain ideas clearly, and coaching/mentoring.
• Technical criteria: Degree-level qualification or equivalent; strong user-centred design experience; experience with agile delivery and the GDS Service Standard.

Please note:

The job description may not open in some browsers. If you need adjustments during the process, contact  Closing date: 24 March 2026. Shortlisting from 27 March 2026. Interviews from 7 April 2026.