Senior interaction designer

A senior interaction designer is an experienced designer who works with minimal support and can influence and mentor others.

At this role level, you will:

work with service managers and programme directors to develop design concepts potentially have responsibility across complex services help set direction and embed good practice within teams make important decisions based on research and understand how this research impacts others

In the Department for Education you will:

• lead the design and prototyping of complex services and interactions
• set direction and standards for design fidelity and quality across teams and services
• make strategic design decisions based on research, data and organisational goals
• collaborate across teams and disciplines to shape service direction
• ensure accessibility and inclusive design are embedded across services
• own and evolve design systems, patterns, and standards
• influence senior stakeholders and drive alignment across teams
• mentor designers, lead critiques and embed good design practice

It is essential that you can demonstrate the following:

• expert prototyping skills across all levels of fidelity including rapid-low fidelity exploration, high fidelity coded prototypes using HTML, CSS, and Javascript
• ability to define and uphold standards of design quality and consistency
• strong experience using GitHub/version control to manage design changes
• expert use of research, data and testing to inform decisions
• ability to influence and communicate with senior stakeholders
• deep expertise in accessibility and inclusive design (WCAG)
• experience leading and evolving design systems and components
• strong experience working in agile environments and leading design within them

Desirable

It is desirable if you can demonstrate the following:

• ability to measure and evaluate design impact against KPIs
• strong analytical skills to identify systemic service issues

Selection process

Applications will be sifted by a panel who will assess the evidence provided against the essential criteria listed in the advert.

The CV and supporting evidence will be evaluated in line with the DfE Design Skills Framework, including:

• iterative design
• evidence-based design
• designing together
• design communication
• design for everyone
• leading design

Depending on the number of candidates who meet the minimum pass mark at sift, you will be invited to interview.

Interview process

Candidates who are successful at sift will be invited to a 2-stage interview process, typically held on the same day. This will last up to 2 hours.

Stage 1: Technical assessment

The first stage is a technical design assessment, led by a Senior Interaction Designer or the Head of Profession if this is for a G7 role.

Format:

• 40-minute practical task
• followed by up to 10-minute discussion
• followed by a 10-minute break before Stage 2

Stage 2: Stage 2: Questions

1 hour for questions based on essential criteria against success profiles.