Contract Senior UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Contract Senior UX Designer

Company: Red Badger

Location: Remote / London, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Contract

Category: UX Design / Product Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-17

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (2-3 days onsite in London)

🚀 Role Summary

• This contract role focuses on leading UX design initiatives, emphasizing Human Centred Design and Design Thinking methodologies.

• Responsibilities include managing design stakeholders, coaching clients and teams, and facilitating impactful workshops and design sprints.

• The position requires hands-on user research, comprehensive user testing, and strategic consulting for product backlog prioritization.

• Successful candidates will demonstrate expertise in creating low-to-high fidelity prototypes and auditing existing user experiences to drive improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Contract Senior UX Designer," the description uses "Principal UX Consultant," suggesting a senior-level role with a strong emphasis on client-facing consulting and strategic influence beyond typical UX design tasks. The hybrid requirement of 2-3 days onsite in London is a critical constraint for remote candidates.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and manage design stakeholders, ensuring alignment and effective communication throughout project lifecycles.

• Coach clients and internal teams in adopting and applying Design Thinking, Lean UX, and Human Centred Design principles.

• Design and facilitate engaging workshops and intensive design sprints to foster collaboration and drive innovation.

• Conduct thorough user research, including qualitative and quantitative methods, to uncover user needs and pain points.

• Execute comprehensive user testing strategies, from guerrilla testing to formal lab settings, to validate design concepts.

• Provide strategic consulting to product owners, particularly in the area of backlog prioritization and roadmap alignment.

• Develop prototypes at various fidelity levels, from low-fidelity sketches and wireframes to high-fidelity interactive click-throughs.

• Conduct thorough audits of existing user experiences to identify areas for improvement and propose actionable solutions.

• Collaborate closely with engineering, QA, and other delivery disciplines to ensure seamless integration of UX designs.

• Act as the sole UX Designer on projects, requiring the ability to manage all UX-related activities independently.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership, client-facing consulting, and hands-on design execution. The emphasis on "coaching clients or your team" and "consulting a product owner" indicates a need for strong communication, influencing, and strategic thinking skills, characteristic of a senior or principal-level consultant.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating relevant experience and a deep understanding of UX principles is paramount. Relevant certifications in Design Thinking or Human Centred Design are beneficial.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in UX design, with a significant portion in senior or consulting roles.

• Proven track record of leading UX activities on complex projects from conception to delivery.

• Experience working in a consulting or agency environment, directly engaging with clients. Required Skills:

• In-depth knowledge and practical application of Human Centred Design (HCD) and Design Thinking frameworks.

• Expertise in Lean UX principles and methodologies for agile product development.

• Proven experience in designing and facilitating workshops and design sprints.

• Demonstrated ability to conduct user research and user testing at various fidelity levels.

• Experience in consulting with product owners on backlog prioritization and feature roadmap planning.

• Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools, such as Sketch or Figma.

• Aptitude for learning and introducing new tools and methodologies to enhance design processes.

• Experience designing for mobile-first responsive websites and native mobile applications (iOS/Android).

• Ability to work effectively as a sole UX designer within a team and client structure.

• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with experience presenting design concepts. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with guerilla user testing and formal lab testing methodologies.

• Familiarity with Agile and Scrum development processes.

• Experience working closely with engineers, QA, and other delivery disciplines.

• Ability to audit and optimize existing user experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a strong theoretical foundation in HCD and Design Thinking, coupled with practical, hands-on experience in a client-facing, consultative capacity. The ability to operate independently as a sole UX designer is a critical differentiator.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of UX design projects, demonstrating a strong understanding of Human Centred Design principles.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your process, the solutions implemented, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Evidence of experience in facilitating workshops, conducting user research, and performing user testing.

• Examples of prototypes created at various fidelity levels, illustrating your design and interaction design capabilities.

• Demonstrations of experience in managing design stakeholders and collaborating with cross-functional teams. Process Documentation:

• Portfolio pieces should clearly document your end-to-end UX design process, from discovery and research to design, testing, and iteration.

• Highlight how you applied Design Thinking, Lean UX, or HCD methodologies in specific projects.

• Showcase your approach to user research and testing, including methodologies used and insights gained.

• Illustrate your prototyping workflow and the tools used to create interactive experiences.

• Examples of how you have influenced product strategy through UX insights and recommendations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is crucial for this role, serving as the primary evidence of the candidate's ability to lead UX initiatives, apply core methodologies, and deliver impactful design solutions. Emphasis should be placed on demonstrating a consultative approach and the ability to drive strategic decisions through design.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a contract role, compensation is likely to be quoted on a daily or hourly rate. Based on industry benchmarks for a Senior UX Designer/Principal UX Consultant with 5-10 years of experience in London, a daily rate could range from £400 to £700. This estimate is based on research from UK-based contracting salary aggregators and consultancies, considering the hybrid working model and the senior nature of the role.

Benefits:

• Contract roles typically do not include traditional employee benefits. However, potential benefits may include:

• Opportunity to work on high-profile projects with a reputable digital consultancy.

• Exposure to diverse clients and industries.

• Potential for extension beyond the initial 6-month contract.

• Flexible working arrangements within the hybrid model.

Working Hours: The role is likely to adhere to standard UK business hours, approximately 40 hours per week. While the position is hybrid, flexibility may be offered within the 2-3 days required onsite in London.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the contract nature, salary will be a primary negotiation point. The provided range is an estimate for the UK market and can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, portfolio strength, and the exact client engagement Red Badger has secured. It's crucial for candidates to research current market rates for contract UX consultants in London.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Red Badger operates within the Technology and Consulting sectors, specializing in digital transformation and product development. They work with a variety of clients, from established enterprises to innovative startups, helping them build and evolve digital products.

Company Size: Red Badger is a medium-sized consultancy, typically employing between 50-200 employees. This size often fosters a collaborative environment where individuals can have a significant impact and work across various projects and teams.

Founded: Red Badger was founded in 2011. With over a decade of experience, the company has established a strong reputation for delivering high-quality digital solutions and possesses a mature understanding of product development lifecycles and client needs.

Team Structure:

• The UX team at Red Badger likely consists of designers with varying specializations (UX Research, Interaction Design, UI Design, Service Design).

• Senior designers often operate in a lead or principal capacity, guiding less experienced team members and directly engaging with clients.

• Reporting structures are typically project-based, with designers reporting to Project Leads, Delivery Managers, or UX Leads depending on the project's scale.

• Cross-functional collaboration is key, with close working relationships expected between UX designers, product owners, developers, and QA engineers. Methodology:

• Red Badger emphasizes agile and lean methodologies, including Design Thinking, Lean UX, and Human Centred Design.

• Data-driven decision-making is likely a core tenet, with an emphasis on user research and analytics to inform design.

• Iterative development and continuous improvement are expected, with a focus on delivering value quickly and adapting to feedback.

• They likely employ a blend of remote and in-office collaboration tools to support their hybrid work model.

Company Website: https://content.red-badger.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Red Badger's focus on digital transformation and consultancy suggests a fast-paced, client-centric environment. The company values expertise in modern design methodologies and the ability to translate business needs into user-centric digital products.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Senior/Principal level within the UX Design discipline. It requires not only strong design skills but also the ability to lead, consult, and influence. This level typically involves taking ownership of significant project components, mentoring junior colleagues, and acting as a key advisor to clients and product teams.

Reporting Structure: As a contractor, the reporting structure will depend on the specific client engagement and Red Badger's internal project management. Generally, you would report to a Project Manager, Delivery Lead, or potentially a Head of Design within Red Badger or the client organization. You are expected to work autonomously and deliver assigned UX tasks with minimal direct supervision.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is significant, directly influencing the usability, desirability, and effectiveness of digital products. By applying Human Centred Design and Lean UX principles, the Senior UX Designer helps ensure that products meet user needs, achieve business objectives, and deliver a superior customer experience. This can translate into increased user adoption, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, revenue growth for the client.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like user research methodologies, service design, or complex interaction design through diverse project engagements.

• Client Consulting: Develop advanced client management, presentation, and strategic advisory skills by working with various clients and their unique challenges.

• Leadership Mentorship: Gain experience in mentoring and guiding junior designers, contributing to the overall growth of the UX practice within Red Badger and its clients.

• Portfolio Expansion: Build a robust portfolio with a wide array of successful projects, enhancing future career prospects in senior UX or design leadership roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: For contract roles, "growth" is often measured by the breadth and complexity of projects undertaken, the skills acquired, and the professional network built. This role offers a chance to tackle challenging problems for diverse clients, enhancing a consultant's marketability.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as hybrid, requiring 2-3 days per week onsite in London. This suggests a modern office environment designed for collaboration, client meetings, and focused work. Red Badger's offices are likely equipped with facilities to support design thinking workshops and team collaboration.

Office Location(s): The primary onsite requirement is in London, England. Specific office addresses would need to be confirmed, but London offers excellent transport links and a vibrant professional ecosystem.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a dynamic workspace that encourages interaction with colleagues, clients, and other project team members. Hot-desking or flexible desk arrangements are common in such environments.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to standard office amenities, high-speed internet, and potentially shared design resources. The company likely provides the necessary software licenses for design and collaboration tools.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities to engage with Red Badger's internal teams and client-side teams, fostering knowledge sharing and a sense of community, especially on days spent in the office.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid model means that while remote work is possible, a significant portion of the week will be spent in the London office, necessitating a structured schedule that balances remote flexibility with in-person collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature requires candidates to be comfortable with a structured schedule and able to commute to London. The office environment will likely be geared towards collaboration and client engagement, reflecting Red Badger's consulting nature.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application, focusing on your CV and portfolio to assess suitability.

• Portfolio Review & Discussion: You will likely present your portfolio to showcase your UX design skills, process, and impact. This stage will involve detailed questions about your projects, methodologies, and client interactions. Be prepared to discuss your approach to Human Centred Design, Design Thinking, and Lean UX.

• Stakeholder/Team Interview: An interview with a senior member of Red Badger's team or a client stakeholder to assess your consulting skills, ability to manage stakeholders, and cultural fit.

• Practical Exercise/Case Study (Potential): You might be given a small design challenge or asked to elaborate on a specific problem-solving scenario relevant to their clients.

• Final Interview: A final discussion to confirm details, discuss contract terms, and finalize the engagement.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your expertise in Human Centred Design, Design Thinking, and client consulting.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the business problem, user needs, your process (research, ideation, design, testing), your specific contributions, the challenges faced, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your methodologies, especially how you applied HCD, Design Thinking, and Lean UX. Show your thought process, not just the final visuals.

• Showcase Collaboration: Include examples of how you worked with clients, product owners, engineers, and QA teams.

• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, how you handled conflicting feedback, and how you measure success.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Client: If possible, research Red Badger's typical clients and the types of problems they solve. This will help you tailor your responses.

• Practice Design Thinking: Be ready to discuss how you would approach a design problem using Design Thinking principles, from empathizing with users to prototyping solutions.

• Articulate Value: Focus on how your UX contributions drive business value, such as increased conversion rates, improved user satisfaction, or reduced support costs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is the most critical component. Candidates must be prepared to walk through their projects in detail, demonstrating not only design craft but also strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and client-facing consulting skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch are explicitly mentioned as industry-standard. Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop) can also be beneficial for asset creation.

• Prototyping Tools: InVision, Axure, or similar tools for creating interactive prototypes, depending on the project's fidelity requirements.

• Collaboration Tools: Jira, Confluence for project management and documentation; Slack or Microsoft Teams for communication.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Platforms: Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel (familiarity is a plus for understanding user behavior data).

• User Testing Platforms: UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze.co.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a UX designer's primary tool, understanding how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms integrate with user-facing applications can provide valuable context for design.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and Sketch is non-negotiable. The ability to learn and adapt to new tools quickly is also highly valued, reflecting the dynamic nature of the UX design field and consultancy work.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving user needs through empathetic design.

• Collaboration: Valuing teamwork and open communication, working effectively with clients, designers, developers, and product managers.

• Excellence: Striving for high-quality design solutions and continuous improvement in processes and outcomes.

• Innovation: A proactive approach to exploring new ideas, technologies, and methodologies to deliver cutting-edge digital products.

• Impact: Focusing on delivering tangible business value and positive user experiences through design.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with development and product teams to ensure designs are feasible and aligned with business goals.

• Client Partnership: Building strong, trusting relationships with clients, acting as a strategic partner in their digital transformation journey.

• Feedback Culture: Openness to constructive feedback from peers, clients, and users, using it to iterate and improve designs.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in sharing best practices, insights, and learnings within the Red Badger team and client teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Red Badger likely fosters a culture that blends client-facing professionalism with a collaborative, innovative internal environment. The emphasis on Human Centred Design and delivering impact aligns with modern design consultancy values.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Navigating potentially conflicting requirements from various stakeholders while maintaining a user-centric approach.

• Fast-Paced Project Cycles: Adapting quickly to changing project scopes, timelines, and client feedback in a consulting environment.

• Sole Designer Responsibility: Managing all UX aspects of a project independently, requiring strong self-management and broad skill application.

• Remote/Hybrid Collaboration: Ensuring effective communication and collaboration across hybrid teams and with remote clients.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Diverse Project Exposure: Gaining experience across a wide range of industries and product types, broadening your design expertise.

• Advanced Methodologies: Deepening knowledge and practical application of advanced UX research, service design, and strategy frameworks.

• Client Relationship Management: Developing skills in client communication, negotiation, and strategic advisory.

• Continuous Learning: Red Badger likely encourages and supports ongoing professional development through internal workshops, external training, and conference attendance.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant opportunities for professional growth by tackling complex challenges in a dynamic consulting setting. Candidates who thrive on autonomy and continuous learning will find this role particularly rewarding.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to manage conflicting stakeholder requirements. How did you resolve it while staying true to user needs?" (Focus on your process for negotiation, data-driven arguments, and finding common ground.)

• "How would you approach prioritizing features for a product backlog when faced with limited resources and multiple competing demands?" (Discuss your methods for user impact assessment, business value alignment, and collaborative prioritization techniques.)

• "Walk me through a project where you acted as the sole UX designer. What were the biggest challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Highlight your organizational skills, ability to wear multiple hats, and proactive problem-solving.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Red Badger and our approach to digital product development?" (Research their website, case studies, and blog. Show you understand their focus on agile, lean, and user-centric design.)

• "How do you approach collaboration within a hybrid team environment?" (Discuss your strategies for effective communication, documentation, and building rapport remotely and in-office.)

• "How do you ensure your UX designs deliver measurable business impact?" (Prepare examples of metrics you've influenced, such as conversion rates, task completion times, or user satisfaction scores.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: For each project, follow a clear narrative: Problem -> Your Role -> Process -> Solution -> Outcome.

• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, present data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your design solutions.

• Articulate Your 'Why': Be ready to explain the rationale behind your design decisions, linking them back to user needs and business goals.

• Showcase Process, Not Just Polish: Demonstrate your thought process, research insights, and iterations, not just the final, polished screens.

• Engage Your Audience: Make it a conversation. Ask clarifying questions and be prepared to discuss aspects of your work in depth.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skills, but also strategic thinking, client management capabilities, and a deep understanding of modern UX methodologies like HCD and Design Thinking.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the application link provided on the Red Badger careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your CV and portfolio to highlight experience in Human Centred Design, Design Thinking, Lean UX, client consulting, and leading UX activities. Ensure case studies clearly demonstrate your process and impact.

• Resume Optimization: Use keywords from the job description such as "Human Centred Design," "Design Thinking," "Workshop Facilitation," "User Research," "Prototyping," "Sketch," "Figma," and "Stakeholder Management." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on storytelling, articulating your design rationale, and demonstrating your consulting skills. Prepare for questions about client management and problem-solving.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Red Badger's website, clients, and recent projects. Understand their approach to digital transformation and their values to articulate your cultural fit.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.