Head of UX

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Head of UX

Company: Just Group plc

Location: London, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: UX/Product Design Leadership

Date Posted: April 22, 2026

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

Remote Status: Hybrid (50% office, 2 days/week in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic direction and practical execution of User Experience (UX) for Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) digital products, ensuring alignment with business objectives and customer needs.

• Champion a user-centered design philosophy, driving a consistent and high-quality experience across all digital touchpoints for a retirement-focused audience.

• Implement and manage a robust testing-led UX approach, leveraging user research, data analytics, and direct feedback to inform and iterate on product design decisions.

• Foster strong collaborative relationships with Product, Technology, Marketing, and other key stakeholders to ensure integrated UX priorities and successful delivery plans.

• Maintain and evolve a scalable design system and optimize UX processes to enhance efficiency and ensure accessibility, usability, and visual consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a strategic leadership opportunity with significant hands-on delivery expectations. The "Head of UX" title, combined with the requirement for practical UX delivery and the opportunity to influence standards, suggests a senior individual contributor role with leadership responsibilities rather than a direct management role of a large team, especially given the company's description as a "digital-first business rethinking retirement" and the emphasis on shaping customer journeys. The hybrid model with specific office days indicates a need for on-site collaboration and contribution to team dynamics.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define, articulate, and execute a comprehensive D2C UX strategy that directly supports overarching business goals and addresses the specific needs of the target customer demographic (future Generation X retirees).

• Establish and promote a clear vision for user experience quality, ensuring consistency, intuitiveness, and a seamless customer journey across all digital platforms and customer interaction points.

• Drive a research-informed and testing-led UX methodology by integrating user research, usability testing, and data analytics into the product development lifecycle, ensuring insights directly shape design and functional decisions.

• Implement continuous improvement loops through regular testing, A/B experimentation, and analysis of user feedback and performance metrics to optimize digital product effectiveness.

• Cultivate and maintain strong, collaborative partnerships with Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, and other critical business units to ensure cohesive UX strategy, prioritized delivery, and alignment on product roadmaps.

• Actively influence product roadmaps and strategic planning processes to advocate for and embed user needs, experience enhancements, and UX-driven innovation opportunities.

• Oversee and enforce UX quality standards, with a particular focus on accessibility (WCAG compliance), usability best practices, and maintaining visual design consistency across all digital assets and products.

• Develop, maintain, and evolve a scalable design system that supports efficient design workflows and ensures brand consistency, while also optimizing existing UX processes for greater effectiveness.

• Define key performance indicators (KPIs) for UX initiatives, meticulously track their impact through data analysis, and report on the effectiveness of UX efforts to drive continuous improvement and demonstrate value.

• Represent the UX function and advocate for user-centricity at leadership forums, effectively communicating insights, progress updates, and strategic opportunities for digital innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic vision setting and tactical execution. The emphasis on "D2C UX strategy," "testing-led UX approach," and "defining KPIs and measuring impact" are core to modern Revenue Operations and Sales Operations functions, as they directly link user experience to business outcomes like conversion rates, customer retention, and lifetime value. The requirement to "influence product roadmaps" and "represent UX at leadership level" signifies a significant strategic contribution expected from this role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Psychology, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for senior UX leadership roles. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: A minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in UX design and strategy, with a substantial portion focused on designing and delivering user-centered digital products within a Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) environment. Proven experience in a leadership or senior individual contributor role, demonstrating the ability to influence strategy and drive UX initiatives.

Required Skills:

• UX Strategy Development: Ability to define and articulate a clear UX vision and strategy aligned with business objectives, particularly for D2C digital products.

• End-to-End UX Design: Comprehensive understanding and practical application of the entire UX lifecycle, from user research and discovery to wireframing, prototyping, usability testing, and final design delivery.

• User Research & Testing: Proficient in various user research methodologies (e.g., interviews, surveys, usability testing) and the ability to translate findings into actionable design improvements.

• Design Tools Proficiency: Hands-on expertise with modern design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, or Adobe Creative Suite.

• Data-Informed Design: Experience in leveraging data analytics, user feedback, and performance metrics to inform and iterate on design decisions.

• Design System Management: Ability to maintain, evolve, and champion a design system to ensure consistency and efficiency across products.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Strong ability to partner effectively with Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, and other stakeholders.

• Problem-Solving: Analytical and critical thinking skills to address complex design challenges in ambiguous or evolving environments.

• Communication & Influence: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present ideas clearly, advocate for user needs, and influence decision-making at various levels.

• Hands-on Delivery: Willingness and capability to remain actively involved in the day-to-day design and delivery process.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the financial services or retirement planning industry.

• Knowledge of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG 2.1 AA).

• Experience with A/B testing and conversion rate optimization (CRO) strategies.

• Familiarity with Agile/Scrum development methodologies.

• Experience managing or mentoring junior UX designers.

• Understanding of front-end development principles (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to facilitate better collaboration with engineering teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "readiness to take the next step" and confidence to "influence decisions beyond individual designs" strongly suggests this role is for a senior practitioner ready for greater strategic impact. The emphasis on D2C experience is crucial, as it implies a focus on customer acquisition, engagement, and retention through digital channels, which is a key area for GTM and Revenue Operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• End-to-End UX Case Studies: A strong portfolio showcasing 3-5 comprehensive case studies demonstrating the full UX process from problem identification and user research through to solution design, testing, and impact measurement.

• D2C Focus: Projects that clearly highlight experience in designing for Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) digital products, emphasizing customer journey mapping, conversion optimization, and user engagement strategies.

• Problem/Solution Articulation: Each case study should clearly define the problem addressed, the user needs identified, the design process followed, the solutions implemented, and the quantifiable outcomes achieved.

• UX Tools Showcase: Evidence of proficiency in modern design tools such as Figma, Sketch, or Adobe Creative Suite, demonstrated through the quality of wireframes, prototypes, and final UI designs.

• Research & Testing Integration: Examples of how user research and usability testing were integrated into the design process to validate hypotheses and improve user experience.

• Impact & Metrics: Clear articulation of the business impact and measurable results of UX initiatives, including relevant KPIs (e.g., conversion rates, task completion times, user satisfaction scores).

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Showcase examples where you have documented and optimized UX workflows, including user flows, wireframing processes, and collaboration handoffs.

• Design System Implementation: If applicable, demonstrate experience in contributing to or managing a design system, outlining its structure, benefits, and how it was implemented to ensure consistency and efficiency.

• Testing & Iteration Frameworks: Provide insights into how you have established frameworks for continuous user testing, A/B experimentation, and iterative design improvements based on data and feedback.

• Cross-Functional Process Integration: Illustrate how you've integrated UX processes with Product Management, Engineering, and Marketing to ensure seamless collaboration and alignment throughout the product development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Head of UX role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to demonstrate not just design skills but strategic thinking, research methodology, and a clear understanding of how UX impacts business outcomes. The emphasis on D2C and measurable impact aligns with how GTM and Revenue Operations professionals are evaluated.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Head of UX role in London with 5-10 years of experience, a competitive salary range of £70,000 - £95,000 per annum is estimated. This range accounts for the strategic leadership component, hands-on delivery expectations, and the cost of living in London.

Benefits:

• Competitive Salary: As detailed in the estimated range.

• Pension Scheme: Comprehensive pension plan to support long-term financial planning.

• Life Assurance: Financial protection for beneficiaries.

• Annual Leave: 25 days of annual leave, plus an additional day for your birthday.

• Private Medical Cover: Access to private healthcare services.

• Income Protection: Support in case of long-term illness or disability.

• Generous Bonus Scheme: A highly achievable bonus scheme linked to individual and company performance.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for career progression and in-role development.

• Well-being Support: Free access to the Headspace app, a 24/7 employee assistance helpline, and trained physical and mental health first aiders.

• Employee Benefits Portal: Access to a variety of employee-funded benefits through an online portal.

• Additional Purchase Options: Various options available for employees and their loved ones.

Working Hours: 35 hours per week, indicating a standard full-time commitment with potential for flexibility within a structured framework.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on typical compensation for senior UX leadership roles in London, considering the company's industry (financial services/retirement) and size. The benefits package is quite comprehensive, reflecting a commitment to employee well-being and professional growth, which is attractive to experienced professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (specifically, retirement and later-life financial planning). Just Group plc is a prominent player in this sector, focusing on providing solutions for individuals planning for retirement. This industry context implies a need for trust, clarity, and robust security in digital offerings.

Company Size: Just Group plc is a significant organization, employing over 1,400 colleagues. This size suggests a structured environment with established processes, but also room for innovation and individual impact, especially in a leadership role.

Founded: While the exact founding date isn't provided, the company's established presence in the financial services sector indicates a history of operations and evolution, likely with a digital transformation agenda.

Team Structure:

• UX Team: The role implies leadership over the UX function, likely involving direct collaboration with other UX designers, researchers, or potentially leading a small, focused team.

• Reporting Structure: The Head of UX will likely report into a senior digital, product, or marketing leader (e.g., Head of Digital, Chief Product Officer, or similar).

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Close partnership with Product Managers, Engineering leads, Marketing teams, and potentially Data Analysts is essential for defining and executing the UX strategy.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasis on using data, analytics, and user research to inform UX strategy and design decisions.

• Agile & Iterative Development: Implied by the focus on continuous testing, iteration, and close collaboration with engineering teams.

• User-Centered Design: A core philosophy that places real user needs at the forefront of all digital product development.

Company Website: https://www.justgroupplc.co.uk/

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Just Group plc's position as a "digital-first business rethinking retirement" is key. This suggests a company undergoing significant digital transformation, where UX plays a critical role in achieving their "most loved retirement expert" ambition. The company culture is described as ambitious, curious, and collaborative, with a strong focus on customer outcomes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This "Head of UX" role represents a significant step into leadership within the UX discipline. It's positioned as a "great step-up opportunity for a senior UX practitioner looking to expand their impact into strategic direction while remaining actively involved in delivery." This means it's not just about managing people, but about shaping the strategic vision and operational processes of UX within the organization.

Reporting Structure: The role is expected to collaborate closely with Product, Technology, and Marketing, and represent UX at leadership levels. This indicates a high degree of visibility and influence, reporting typically to a Director or VP level within the digital or product organization.

Operations Impact: The Head of UX will have a direct impact on customer acquisition, engagement, and retention through intuitive and effective digital experiences. This translates to business impact by improving conversion rates, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, revenue and market share within the retirement sector. The role is instrumental in ensuring the company's digital products are user-friendly and align with its mission to be the "UK's most loved retirement expert."

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership Expansion: Opportunity to deepen strategic influence, potentially leading to broader product or digital leadership roles.

• Specialization & Expertise: Further develop expertise in D2C UX within the financial services sector, becoming a subject matter expert.

• Team Development: If the team grows, there will be opportunities to mentor and manage a UX team, developing leadership and people management skills.

• Influence on Digital Transformation: Play a pivotal role in shaping the ongoing digital transformation of Just Group plc.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth from a senior practitioner to a strategic leader. The emphasis on "shaping standards and direction" and "influencing product roadmaps" indicates significant scope for career advancement beyond the immediate responsibilities, particularly within a growing digital-first organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in London with a hybrid work arrangement, requiring 50% office presence, equating to approximately 2 days per week in the office. This suggests a modern office environment designed to facilitate collaboration and focused work.

Office Location(s): The primary location is London, United Kingdom. Specific office address details are not provided but would typically be within a central business district accessible via public transport.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model is designed to balance individual focused work with in-person collaboration, team meetings, and strategic discussions with cross-functional teams.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to modern design and prototyping tools (Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite), analytics platforms, and potentially collaboration tools like Jira and Confluence.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with UX peers, Product Managers, Engineers, and Marketing specialists, fostering a dynamic and integrated working environment.

Work Schedule: A standard 35-hour work week is specified, offering a structured work schedule. The hybrid nature provides some flexibility in how and where the remaining work is completed, balancing office days with remote work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key feature, indicating a company that embraces flexible working while valuing in-person collaboration for strategic initiatives and team cohesion. This balance is often sought after by professionals looking for structure and flexibility.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application: Submission of CV and a link to the UX portfolio.

• Initial Screening: Likely a phone or video call with a recruiter or hiring manager to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A dedicated session where candidates present their portfolio, highlighting key case studies, demonstrating their UX process, strategic thinking, and impact. This is a critical stage.

• In-Person Assessment/Interview: This may involve further discussions with the hiring manager and key stakeholders (e.g., Head of Product, Engineering Lead), potentially including a practical exercise or a deeper dive into strategic thinking and problem-solving.

• Final Interview/Offer: Final discussions and offer extension.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest D2C UX case studies that best showcase your end-to-end process, problem-solving skills, and measurable impact.

• Tell a Story: Structure each case study as a narrative: the challenge, your role and process, the solutions you designed, and the quantifiable results achieved.

• Highlight Collaboration: Emphasize how you collaborated with Product, Engineering, and Marketing teams.

• Showcase Strategic Thinking: Clearly articulate how your UX decisions aligned with business goals and user needs.

• Demonstrate Data & Research: Explain how user research and data informed your design decisions and how you measured success.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio presentation to ensure a smooth, confident, and concise delivery within the allotted time.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate UX Challenges: Be prepared for case studies or hypothetical scenarios related to designing for a D2C financial services audience, focusing on trust, clarity, and user engagement for retirement planning.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate your systematic approach to problem-solving, from understanding the brief to iterating on solutions.

• Articulate Strategy: Be ready to discuss your UX strategy principles and how you would approach defining and implementing UX standards for a company like Just Group plc.

• Research Just Group: Understand their current digital offerings, target audience, and business objectives to tailor your responses.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio review and potential in-person assessment highlights the practical and strategic nature of this role. Candidates should prepare to not only showcase their design work but also articulate their strategic thinking and collaborative approach.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, XD). Proficiency in at least one is essential, with Figma and Sketch being industry standards.

• User Research & Testing Platforms: Tools for conducting usability tests, surveys, and analyzing user feedback (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, SurveyMonkey, Hotjar).

• Design System Management: Experience with or understanding of how to create and maintain design systems, potentially using tools like Zeroheight or Storybook.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar platforms to track user behavior, engagement, and conversion rates.

• Data Visualization Tools: Potentially tools like Tableau or Power BI for creating dashboards to monitor UX KPIs and present insights to stakeholders.

• A/B Testing Tools: Platforms like Optimizely, VWO, or Google Optimize for running experiments and optimizing user journeys.

CRM & Automation:

• While not primary UX tools, an understanding of how UX interacts with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms is beneficial for holistic customer journey design.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in modern design tools like Figma and Sketch is a non-negotiable requirement. The ability to leverage analytics and testing tools to drive data-informed decisions is also critical for this role, aligning with the operational focus on performance measurement.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of customers, particularly those planning for retirement. This is fundamental to Just Group's mission.

• Ambition & Drive: A culture that encourages setting high goals and working proactively to achieve them, as evidenced by the company's growth journey.

• Curiosity & Learning: An environment that fosters continuous learning, exploration of new ideas, and a willingness to adapt and innovate.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Emphasis on working together across departments to achieve shared objectives and deliver the best outcomes.

• Integrity & Trust: In the financial services sector, operating with honesty, transparency, and building trust with customers and colleagues is paramount.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role thrives on close collaboration with Product, Engineering, and Marketing, requiring a proactive and communicative approach to integrate UX insights and design into broader business strategies.

• Feedback-Driven: An openness to constructive feedback from peers, stakeholders, and users, using it to refine designs and processes.

• Shared Ownership: A collaborative spirit where team members feel a sense of shared ownership over product success and customer experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is built around being "ambitious, curious and collaborative – and every decision we make centres around being Just and delivering the best outcomes for our customers." This directly translates to how UX professionals are expected to operate, focusing on impactful, customer-driven solutions within a supportive team environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Strategic Vision with Hands-on Delivery: Effectively managing time and focus between defining high-level UX strategy and executing day-to-day design tasks.

• Navigating Ambiguity and Change: Working within a dynamic business environment where priorities can evolve, requiring adaptability and resilience.

• Influencing Stakeholders: Gaining buy-in and driving adoption of user-centered design principles across various departments and leadership levels.

• Data Interpretation for UX: Effectively translating complex financial data and user behavior analytics into actionable UX insights and design improvements.

• D2C in Financial Services: Designing for a sensitive industry where trust, clarity, and regulatory compliance are critical, alongside user engagement and conversion goals.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership: Opportunities to hone strategic thinking, influence senior leadership, and shape the digital future of a prominent financial services company.

• Industry Expertise: Deepen knowledge of the retirement and financial planning sector, understanding its unique user needs and market dynamics.

• Mentorship & Team Building: Potential to mentor junior designers and contribute to building a strong, user-focused UX capability within Just Group.

• Continuous Skill Enhancement: Staying abreast of the latest UX trends, tools, and methodologies through industry events, training, and practical application.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a senior leadership role in a growing company, offering significant opportunities for professional development and strategic impact. The financial services sector provides a unique and complex domain for UX challenges.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you define and implement a D2C UX strategy for a company like Just Group, focusing on retirement solutions?" (Prepare to discuss frameworks, alignment with business goals, and key initiatives.)

• "Describe a situation where you had to influence stakeholders with differing priorities to adopt a user-centered design approach. What was your strategy, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on communication, data-driven persuasion, and conflict resolution.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Just Group plc and our mission? How do you see UX contributing to our goal of becoming the UK's most loved retirement expert?" (Research company values, mission, and recent news. Connect UX to business objectives.)

• "Describe your ideal collaborative relationship with Product, Engineering, and Marketing teams. How do you ensure alignment and foster effective communication?" (Highlight your teamwork and cross-functional collaboration skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role, your process (research, ideation, design, testing), the solution, and the measurable impact.

• Quantify Results: Wherever possible, present data and metrics that demonstrate the positive outcomes of your design interventions (e.g., "increased conversion by X%", "reduced task completion time by Y%").

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes) to illustrate your design thinking and final solutions.

• Explain Your 'Why': Articulate the rationale behind your design decisions, linking them back to user needs and business objectives.

• Be Concise and Engaging: Practice delivering your presentation within the allotted time, maintaining audience engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, practical application of UX principles, and a clear understanding of how UX drives business outcomes, especially within the financial services and D2C context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Head of UX position:

• Submit Your CV: Utilize the 'apply now' button on the Workday portal to submit your CV.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and strategically showcases your best D2C UX case studies, highlighting end-to-end process, problem-solving, and measurable impact.

• Tailor Your CV: Optimize your CV to explicitly mention keywords such as "UX Strategy," "D2C," "User Research," "Design Systems," "Figma," "Usability Testing," and "Stakeholder Management," aligning with the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio Presentation: Rehearse a clear and concise presentation of your portfolio, focusing on 2-3 key case studies that best demonstrate your strategic thinking and delivery capabilities.

• Research Just Group plc: Thoroughly understand the company's mission, values, target audience (retirement planning), and current digital presence to articulate how your UX expertise aligns with their goals.

⚠️ 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.