UX/UI Designer

PA Consulting
Full-time•Belfast, United Kingdom
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📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX/UI Designer

Company: PA Consulting

Location: Belfast, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time

Category: UI/UX Design

Date Posted: 2025-06-11T09:18:07.465

Experience Level: 2-5 years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🎨 Role Summary

  • Contribute to the design and creation of delightful digital products and services through user-centered design principles.
  • Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams, including product managers and engineers, throughout the entire design lifecycle.
  • Apply UX best practices while considering technical constraints to deliver effective and feasible design solutions.
  • Utilize a range of design tools and techniques for research, ideation, prototyping, and user testing.
📝 Enhancement Note: Based on the "some industry experience" and the interview process structure which includes technical and competency rounds, this role is likely targeting a designer with a few years of practical experience, capable of contributing significantly to design projects with some guidance. The hybrid model with significant client interaction suggests a need for strong communication and collaboration skills.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

  • Collaborate cross-functionally with product, design, and engineering teams to bring innovative software solutions to life.
  • Participate in and support various research and design activities, from user interviews and workshops to prototyping and user testing.
  • Rapidly visualize design ideas through collaborative sketching and digital prototyping.
  • Craft high-quality UX and UI artifacts, ensuring adherence to design standards and project requirements.
  • Apply UX best practices effectively while understanding and balancing project-specific technical constraints.
📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a hands-on, collaborative approach within an agile environment. The focus on both research and design execution, alongside rapid prototyping, indicates a need for a versatile designer comfortable across different stages of the design process.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field is typically preferred for a role at this level in a consulting firm, though relevant portfolio and experience are often more critical.

Experience: Some industry experience in producing UX and UI design solutions for a range of client problems. This suggests a minimum of 2-3 years of professional experience in a design role, with a portfolio demonstrating practical application of design principles.

Required Skills:

  • Proficiency in UX and UI design principles and best practices.
  • Experience with design, prototyping, and collaboration software (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, Miro, Mural).
  • Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking abilities.
  • Ability to collaborate effectively with multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
  • Understanding of technical constraints and how they impact design decisions.

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience with user testing methodologies and gathering user feedback.
  • Familiarity with agile development methodologies and cross-functional team collaboration.
  • Experience working on client-facing projects, particularly within a consulting environment.
📝 Enhancement Note: The core requirements highlight practical experience and a problem-solving mindset. While specific years of experience aren't mandated, "some industry experience" points towards a junior to mid-level designer. The emphasis on collaboration and stakeholder engagement is crucial for a consulting environment.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Include case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your design process (including research, ideation, and iteration), your role, and the impact of your design solutions.
  • Showcase a range of projects demonstrating proficiency in both UX research/strategy and UI design execution.
  • Present high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes that effectively communicate the user flow and visual design.
  • Quantify the impact of your design decisions where possible, using metrics or user feedback.

Process Documentation:

  • Clearly document your research methodologies, including user interviews, surveys, or usability testing.
  • Illustrate your ideation process, showing sketches, wireframes, and different design iterations.
  • Explain how you validated your design decisions, including feedback loops and testing outcomes.
📝 Enhancement Note: For a role at PA Consulting, a strong portfolio is paramount. They will be looking for candidates who can demonstrate a clear understanding of the design process, can articulate their decisions effectively, and show the impact of their work on real-world problems, likely within a client-service context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £30,000 - £45,000 per annum. (Estimated based on typical UX/UI Designer salaries in Belfast, UK for individuals with 2-5 years of experience, considering the consulting industry and cost of living in the region.)

Benefits:

  • Health and lifestyle perks, including private healthcare for you and your family.
  • 25 days annual leave, plus an additional half day on Christmas Eve, with the option to purchase 5 extra days.
  • Generous company pension scheme to support your long-term financial planning.
  • Opportunity to engage in community and charity-based initiatives.
  • Annual performance-based bonus tied to individual and company success.
  • PA share ownership program, allowing you to share in the company's growth.
  • Tax-efficient benefits such as Cycle to Work and Give As You Earn schemes.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility expected to meet project deadlines and client needs in a consulting environment. Hybrid working model requires a minimum of 2 days per week in the office or on client site.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on regional market data for UX/UI designers with the specified experience level in Belfast. Consulting roles often have a competitive compensation structure that may include performance bonuses and opportunities for equity, which are reflected in the listed benefits. Data sources considered include Glassdoor, Payscale, and LinkedIn Salary insights for Belfast, UK.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Business Consulting and Services, with deep expertise across various sectors including consumer and manufacturing, defence and security, energy and utilities, financial services, government and public services, health and life sciences, and transport.

Company Size: Over 4,000 employees globally. This size indicates a large, established organization with structured teams and processes, but also potentially diverse project opportunities.

Founded: Information not provided in the source data, but PA Consulting is a well-established global consulting firm.

Team Structure:

  • The UX/UI Designer will join the Digital & Data community, working alongside product, design, and other experts.
  • Collaboration is emphasized within cross-disciplinary teams, suggesting a matrixed or project-based team structure common in consulting.
  • The role involves working with a wide range of experts, implying a collaborative and knowledge-sharing environment.

Methodology:

  • Emphasis on strategic thinking, customer-centric service design, and agile engineering practices.
  • Work is done to agile best practices within cross-functional teams.
  • Likely utilizes design thinking methodologies for problem-solving and innovation.

Company Website: https://www.paconsulting.com

📝 Enhancement Note: PA Consulting's focus on "ingenuity" and "positive human future" suggests a culture that values innovation and impactful work. The large size and diverse industry focus mean exposure to a wide variety of challenging design problems. The emphasis on agile and cross-functional teams indicates a collaborative and fast-paced work environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: This role appears to be at the Junior to Mid-Level UX/UI Designer level, suitable for someone with foundational experience looking to develop their skills further within a structured consulting environment.

Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a Design Lead, Senior Designer, or a Manager within the Digital & Data practice, working closely with project managers and technical leads on client engagements.

Design Impact: Design plays a crucial role in accelerating innovation and crafting delightful digital products and services for clients across diverse sectors. Designers have the opportunity to directly influence client solutions and user experiences.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Opportunity to progress on a technical career track within design, focusing on deepening expertise in specific areas like UX research, UI systems, or interaction design.
  • Budget allocated for professional development, including technical and non-technical training and certifications.
  • Mentoring and coaching opportunities within a supportive tech community.
  • Exposure to a broad variety of projects and technologies, fostering continuous learning and skill expansion.
📝 Enhancement Note: PA Consulting offers a clear path for technical career progression within the design discipline, which is a strong indicator of their commitment to design expertise. The emphasis on learning and development, coupled with exposure to diverse projects, provides significant opportunities for skill enhancement and career advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: Hybrid working model with a requirement to be in the office or on client site a minimum of 2 days per week. The actual time and location may vary depending on the project, including potential for up to 5 days per week on a client site.

Office Location(s): Primary location listed is Belfast, UK (35 Queen Street, Belfast BT1 6EA). PA Consulting has offices globally, and client engagements could potentially involve travel to other locations, though the primary base is Belfast.

Design Workspace Context:

  • Likely provides collaborative workspaces designed to facilitate teamwork and creative sessions, such as live in-person whiteboarding.
  • Access to necessary design tools and technology for creating and collaborating on digital products.
  • Opportunities for interaction with a diverse team of experts across different disciplines.

Work Schedule: Hybrid, requiring a minimum of two days in the office or on client site. Flexibility may be required based on project demands and client needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model with a focus on in-person collaboration reflects a preference for hands-on teamwork and potentially direct client interaction. The mention of live whiteboarding sessions highlights a dynamic and interactive approach to design problem-solving.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

  • Quick call with a Tech Recruiter to discuss your background, the role, and PA Consulting. Focus on your interest in the role and your high-level experience.
  • Round 1: Either a competency-based interview assessing your behavioral skills and experience, or a technical interview focusing on your design knowledge and problem-solving abilities. Prepare to discuss past projects and how you applied design principles.
  • Round 2: The other interview type (competency or technical) not covered in Round 1. This round will delve deeper into either your technical design skills or your collaborative and problem-solving approaches.
  • Final round: Meeting with a PA leader involving a mini case study and discussion focused on your client-centricity and ability to apply design thinking to business problems. Prepare to articulate your design process and how it aligns with client needs.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Tailor your portfolio presentation to highlight projects relevant to the consulting environment and diverse industries PA Consulting serves.
  • For each case study, clearly explain the client's problem, your approach to understanding the user and the business need, and the impact of your design solution.
  • Be prepared to discuss the trade-offs and constraints you faced during the design process and how you navigated them.
  • Showcase your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and communicate design decisions effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Challenge Preparation:

  • For the mini case study in the final round, practice breaking down a problem, structuring your thinking process, and presenting a concise, client-focused solution within a limited time frame.
  • Focus on demonstrating your understanding of the business context and how design can drive value for clients.
  • Be prepared to discuss your approach to gathering requirements, ideating solutions, and validating your designs in a client-facing scenario.

ATS Keywords: UX Designer, UI Designer, User Experience, User Interface, Design Thinking, Agile, Scrum, Prototyping, Wireframing, User Research, Usability Testing, Information Architecture, Interaction Design, Visual Design, Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, Miro, Mural, InVision, Zeplin, Storybook, Axure, Collaboration, Stakeholder Management, Problem Solving, Analytical Thinking, Digital Products, Service Design, Consulting, Client Engagement, Cross-functional Teams, Design Systems, Design Process, Case Study, Portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process, particularly the final round with a mini case study focused on client-centricity, strongly indicates that PA Consulting values candidates who can not only design but also understand and address complex business problems from a client perspective. Preparing compelling case studies that highlight problem-solving and impact will be crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

  • Figma: Expected for UI design, prototyping, and team collaboration. Proficiency in creating design systems and interactive prototypes is likely required.
  • Sketch: Another widely used design tool, experience is beneficial, especially if clients use it.
  • Adobe XD: Experience with Adobe's design and prototyping tool is valuable.
  • Miro/Mural: Essential for collaborative brainstorming, workshops, and remote design activities.

Collaboration & Handoff:

  • InVision/Zeplin/Storybook/Axure: Tools used for prototyping, developer handoff, and design documentation. Experience with at least one or more of these is expected for effective teamwork.
  • Teams: Used for asynchronous communication and potentially live whiteboarding sessions.

Research & Testing:

  • While specific tools aren't listed, experience with tools for user interviews, surveys, usability testing platforms, and potentially analytics tools to measure design performance would be beneficial.
📝 Enhancement Note: The job description lists a broad range of potential design tools, indicating that PA Consulting is looking for designers who are adaptable and proficient in various industry-standard software. While not all tools may be used on every project, a strong foundation in core design and collaboration tools is essential.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

  • Belief in the power of ingenuity to build a positive human future, driving innovative and impactful design solutions.
  • Challenging where it matters and taking ownership of outcomes, fostering a proactive and results-oriented design approach.
  • Combining strategic thinking with customer-centric service design, ensuring designs are both visionary and user-focused.
  • Operating within a trust-based, inclusive environment that values excellence, innovation, and curiosity in design practice.

Collaboration Style:

  • Highly collaborative within multi-disciplinary teams, working closely with product, engineering, and other experts.
  • Emphasis on live, in-person whiteboarding sessions for problem-solving, alongside asynchronous digital communication.
  • Supportive community with knowledge-sharing and peer-level support, coaching, and mentoring opportunities for designers.
📝 Enhancement Note: PA Consulting's stated values and culture emphasize innovation, collaboration, and impact. For designers, this translates to a work environment where creative problem-solving is encouraged, teamwork is essential, and the focus is on delivering tangible results for clients and users.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

  • Working on a broad variety of projects across diverse sectors, requiring adaptability and the ability to quickly understand new industries and user needs.
  • Balancing UX best practices with the technical constraints of different projects and client environments.
  • Collaborating effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including clients, product managers, engineers, and other experts.
  • Rapidly visualizing and iterating on ideas in a fast-paced, agile consulting environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Deepen expertise through a culture of continuous learning and growth, with a dedicated budget for training and certifications.
  • Opportunity to progress on a technical career track within design.
  • Gain experience working with a broad variety of tech stacks and project types.
  • Benefit from knowledge-sharing and peer support within a collaborative tech community.
📝 Enhancement Note: The consulting environment at PA Consulting offers significant opportunities for growth through exposure to diverse challenges and a strong emphasis on continuous learning. Designers will be challenged to adapt their skills across different industries and technical landscapes, fostering rapid professional development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

  • Be prepared to walk through your design process for a specific project from your portfolio, highlighting your approach to user research, ideation, prototyping, and testing.
  • Discuss how you identify and prioritize user needs and business requirements.
  • Explain how you collaborate with developers and product managers throughout the design lifecycle.

Company Culture Questions:

  • Research PA Consulting's values and recent projects to demonstrate your understanding of their work and how your skills align with their mission.
  • Be prepared to discuss your experience working in collaborative, fast-paced environments.
  • Ask thoughtful questions about the design team structure, culture, and typical project workflows.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your skills in both UX and UI design, and are relevant to the types of clients PA Consulting serves.
  • For each project, tell a compelling story about the problem, your process, your role, and the impact of your design.
  • Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
📝 Enhancement Note: Success in the interview process will require demonstrating not only strong design skills but also the ability to think strategically, collaborate effectively, and apply design principles to solve complex business problems in a client-facing context. Practice articulating your design process and showcasing your impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

  • Submit your application through this link
  • Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant UX/UI design experience, skills, and portfolio, using keywords from the job description.
  • Curate your online portfolio to showcase your best design projects, with detailed case studies explaining your process and impact.
  • Prepare for the interview process by practicing articulating your design process, preparing for technical and competency questions, and researching PA Consulting's work and values.
⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and design industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.
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