Senior UX Designer

About IT Services

IT Services at the University of Manchester is a vibrant and fast-moving department, we focus on delivering excellent customer service and quality services for our staff, students and researchers.

The Team

The Digital, Usability and Inclusion (DU&I) Team sits within IT Services and plays a key role in shaping how people experience digital systems across The University. We work to make sure that everything we design and build is easy to use, accessible, and inclusive. Our team supports digital projects by focusing on the needs of users, ensuring that all staff, students and researchers can access and benefit from digital services. We use research, testing and design thinking to guide decision-making. Our priorities are user experience, accessibility, and helping colleagues across the University design digital systems that work for everyone.

The Role

We’re looking for a Senior UX Designer to help lead the design of digital experiences that are simple, accessible and effective. You’ll be part of the DU&I team and will shape how staff, students and researchers interact with our systems. You’ll guide and support others in the team, lead on complex design challenges, and make sure users are at the heart of every decision. You’ll also help us meet accessibility requirements by championing inclusive design in everything we do.

This role works closely with colleagues in IT Services, academic departments and professional services. You’ll lead workshops, run research sessions, test ideas and refine designs based on feedback. You’ll also apply basic front-end development skills to bridge the gap between design and implementation—working with developers to bring designs to life. You’ll support and mentor other designers, contributing to a strong, collaborative team culture that focuses on continuous improvement.

The Person

The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate:

• Experience of designing user-friendly digital services that are accessible and inclusive
• A strong understanding of accessibility requirements and standards such as Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
• The ability to lead workshops, user research, and usability testing activities
• A collaborative mindset and the ability to work well with a wide range of colleagues and stakeholders
• Confidence using prototyping and design tools such as Figma or Miro
• Basic front-end development knowledge (e.g. HTML, CSS and an understanding of how designs are implemented)
• Experience supporting or mentoring others in a team setting
• A passion for creating digital experiences that meet real user needs

What can you expect in return

Our diverse job opportunities all include a top benefits package that includes many features that are hard to find in the private sector:

• Generous annual leave allowance, including Christmas/New Year closure;
• Pension scheme membership to provide benefits for you and your family;
• Well-being programme with counselling, fitness and leading sports facilities;
• Learning and development opportunities;
• Season ticket loans for public transport;
• Cycle to Work Scheme;
• Workplace nursery scheme;
• Staff recognition schemes;
• Staff discounts on a range of products and services including travel and high street savings.

In fact, there are so many benefits available you can see more of them by clicking HERE

Find out more about our organisation and values:

• IT Services: About us and ITS Practice Charter

When completing the additional information section of your application, please ensure you make reference to the job description and person specification above, as this will form an integral part of the shortlisting process.

As an equal-opportunity employer, we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Blended working arrangements may be considered.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Enquiries:

Please contact our IT Resource Management Team

Email: it.resource@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support:

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

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