Lead UX/UI Designer - Contract outside IR35 at Mindera

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead UX/UI Designer - Contract outside IR35 Company: Mindera Location: United Kingdom Job Type: Contract Category: User Experience (UX) / User Interface (UI) Design Operations Date Posted: 2025-08-19 Experience Level: Mid-Senior to Lead (5-10 years) Remote Status: Fully Remote (UK Based)

🚀 Role Summary

Lead the end-to-end design process for customer-facing digital products, from initial discovery and research through to the delivery of high-fidelity UI designs.
Drive user-centric design practices, ensuring intuitive, engaging, and accessible app experiences by leveraging existing design systems and native-first solutions.
Facilitate collaborative ideation workshops with cross-functional teams, including product owners, developers, and fellow designers, to translate business requirements into impactful user journeys.
Contribute to the evolution and consistent application of a centralised design system, ensuring scalability and adherence to best practices across all digital products.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is for a UX/UI Designer, the emphasis on "end-to-end design process," "discovery and delivery," "customer-facing digital products," and "collaboration with product owners and developers" positions this as a crucial operational role within the product development lifecycle. The "Lead" aspect implies significant responsibility for process ownership and team influence, aligning it with operational leadership.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

Spearhead the complete UX/UI design lifecycle for customer-facing mobile and web applications, from user research and ideation to wireframing, prototyping, and final UI implementation.
Conduct and apply appropriate user research methodologies to uncover insights that inform design decisions and solve complex product challenges.
Facilitate and lead design thinking workshops and brainstorming sessions with multidisciplinary teams to foster innovation and co-create solutions.
Develop detailed wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity visual designs that clearly communicate user flows and interface elements.
Design and continuously optimize human-centered interfaces and user journeys, balancing user insights with strong visual design execution and adherence to brand guidelines.
Translate complex business requirements, user needs, and technical constraints into elegant and effective digital experiences.
Foster strong collaborative relationships with product managers, developers, QA testers, and other designers to ensure seamless integration of design into the development pipeline.
Articulate and present design concepts, user insights, and strategic recommendations to diverse audiences, including technical teams and executive stakeholders.
Actively participate in design critiques, provide constructive feedback within the UX team, and contribute to a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing.
Partner with the centralized design system team to leverage existing components, ensure design consistency, and contribute to the system's ongoing development and scalability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong focus on process management and cross-functional collaboration, which are core to operations roles. The expectation to "deliver intuitive, engaging, and accessible app UI using an existing design system" and "translate business ideas and requirements into impactful digital experiences" directly links design output to business objectives, a key operational driver.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field is preferred. Equivalent practical experience in a lead design capacity will also be strongly considered. Experience: A proven track record of 5-10 years in senior or lead UX/UI design roles, with significant experience in designing customer-facing digital products, particularly mobile applications.

Required Skills:

Demonstrated expertise in leading end-to-end design processes, encompassing both the discovery (research, ideation, concept validation) and delivery (wireframing, prototyping, UI design, developer handoff) phases.
Strong proficiency in UX research methodologies, including user interviews, usability testing, journey mapping, and persona development.
Deep understanding of human-centered design principles and their practical application in creating user-friendly interfaces.
Extensive experience working with and contributing to design systems, ensuring consistency, scalability, and efficient design workflows.
Advanced proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools, with a strong emphasis on Figma.
Exceptional communication, presentation, and facilitation skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and user insights effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Proven ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution, transitioning seamlessly between high-level conceptualization and detailed design implementation.
Experience in collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams, including product management, engineering, and marketing.

Preferred Skills:

Familiarity with Agile development methodologies, such as Scrum or Kanban, and experience integrating design processes within these frameworks.
Knowledge of accessibility standards, including WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), and experience designing for inclusivity.
Ability to create clear, comprehensive, and scalable design documentation, including style guides and component specifications.
Experience working autonomously and collaboratively in multidisciplinary, fast-paced environments.
A proactive approach to staying current with the latest UI/UX trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in digital product design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on specific tools like Figma, methodologies like human-centered design, and collaborative processes like cross-functional work and design systems indicates a need for operational proficiency in design execution. The "lead" aspect suggests an expectation of process ownership and best practice implementation.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 3-5 end-to-end product design case studies, demonstrating your process from problem definition to final solution.
Case studies should highlight your role in discovery (research, user interviews, usability testing) and delivery (wireframes, prototypes, UI design, developer handoff).
Evidence of design system utilization and contribution, demonstrating an understanding of component-based design and scalability.
Examples of successful collaboration with cross-functional teams and how you addressed stakeholder feedback.
Demonstrations of problem-solving skills, user-centricity, and strong visual design execution.

Process Documentation:

Showcase examples of how you document your design process, including user journey maps, wireframes, prototypes, and final UI specifications.
Include instances where you have created or contributed to design system documentation or style guides.
Provide examples of how you have translated complex requirements into clear design documentation for development teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for UX roles, but for a "Lead" position within an operations context, it needs to demonstrate not just design output, but also process management, collaboration, and the ability to drive outcomes through structured design methodologies. The focus on documentation and design systems aligns with operational efficiency and scalability.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a contract position outside IR35, the salary is self-proposed. Based on industry benchmarks for a Lead UX/UI Designer with 5-10 years of experience in the UK, a competitive daily or hourly rate would typically range from £400 to £700, depending on the candidate's specific experience, portfolio, and negotiation.

Benefits:

Competitive Salary: Including the unique opportunity for self-proposed salary increases, allowing direct negotiation of your value.
Flexible Working Arrangements: Enjoy the flexibility to work remotely, supporting a healthy work-life balance.
Generous Holiday Allowance: 25 days of holiday plus bank holidays, increasing by one day per year of service up to a maximum of 30 days after 5 years.
Annual Profit Distribution: Share in the company's success with annual profit distributions.
Enhanced Parental Leave: Comprehensive enhanced leave and pay for maternity, paternity, shared parental, and adoption leave.
Enhanced Pension Scheme: Up to 8% matched contributions to your pension.
Professional Development: Access to growth opportunities, including learning platforms like Udemy, to enhance your skills.
Private Medical Healthcare: Comprehensive coverage with Aviva.
Dynamic Work Environment: Be part of a supportive, innovative, and dynamic atmosphere where contributions are valued.
Career Advancement: Opportunities for professional development and career progression within a global organization.
Social Events: Annual company team-building trips, anniversary celebrations, and Christmas parties.
Conference Budget: Support for attending industry conferences to stay abreast of trends and network.
Electric Vehicle Leasing Scheme: Option to lease an electric vehicle.
Retail Discounts: Access to various retail discounts.
Office Amenities: On-site snacks and drinks provided at offices, fostering a healthy working environment.
Cycle to Work Scheme: Encouraging sustainable commuting options.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are expected, typically around 40 hours per week, with flexibility in scheduling to accommodate remote work and project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "self-proposed salary increases" is a significant benefit for contract roles, allowing for direct negotiation of compensation aligned with performance and market value, a key aspect of operational self-management. The breadth of benefits indicates a commitment to employee well-being and professional growth, common in companies that value operational excellence and retention.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Information Technology and Services, with a strong focus on Software Engineering and Digital Product Development. Mindera partners with clients to build high-performance, resilient, and scalable software systems that drive business impact. Company Size: Mindera is a growing global technology company with a significant presence across multiple continents, indicating a robust infrastructure and diverse project opportunities. The company's global footprint suggests a structured yet adaptable operational framework. Founded: Mindera was founded with a mission to build world-class teams and create impactful technology. The company's ethos emphasizes collaboration, self-organization, and a lean approach, fostering an environment where innovation and ownership are paramount.

Team Structure:

The UX/UI design team is integrated within multidisciplinary project teams, working closely with product managers, developers, and other specialists.
Designers collaborate with a centralized design system team to ensure consistency and leverage shared resources.
Reporting structures likely involve a Design Lead or Head of Design, with direct project reporting to Product Owners or Project Managers.
Cross-functional collaboration is a cornerstone, with designers expected to work seamlessly across different functions to achieve project goals.

Methodology:

Mindera operates within an Agile, Lean, and collaborative environment, encouraging colleagues to take risks, make decisions, and communicate openly.
Design processes are integrated into the Agile development lifecycle, prioritizing iterative delivery and continuous feedback.
Data analysis and user insights are central to informing design decisions and optimizing digital experiences.
Workflow planning and optimization are key, with an emphasis on efficiency and delivering value to clients.
Automation and efficiency practices are likely employed to streamline design and development processes.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Mindera's culture emphasizes agility, collaboration, and ownership, which are critical for effective operations. The focus on building "high-performance, resilient, and scalable software systems" directly relates to operational excellence in product delivery. The global presence suggests a need for standardized operational processes that can be adapted across regions.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Mid-Senior to Lead level within the UX/UI design discipline. As a Lead Designer, you are expected to not only execute design tasks but also to guide the design process, mentor junior designers, and influence design strategy for projects. This level requires a strong understanding of operational best practices in design, including process efficiency, stakeholder management, and design system governance. Reporting Structure: You will likely report to a Design Manager or the Head of Design, and work closely with Product Owners and Engineering Leads on specific projects. The role involves significant collaboration with a centralized design system team, requiring effective communication and alignment with their operational standards. Operations Impact: As a Lead UX/UI Designer, your impact is directly tied to the success of customer-facing digital products. By creating intuitive and engaging user experiences, you will drive user adoption, satisfaction, and retention, which directly influence key business metrics such as conversion rates, customer lifetime value, and overall revenue. Your ability to translate business needs into user-centric solutions is a critical operational lever for client success.

Growth Opportunities:

Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specialized areas of UX/UI, such as advanced interaction design, user research methodologies, or accessibility design. Access to platforms like Udemy facilitates continuous learning.
Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a Design Manager role, leading larger design teams, defining design strategy, and managing client relationships. This includes developing mentorship and team management skills.
Cross-Functional Mastery: Gaining broader exposure to product management and software engineering processes, enhancing your understanding of the end-to-end product development lifecycle and strengthening your operational toolkit.
Client Engagement: Opportunities to lead design initiatives for high-profile clients, presenting to stakeholders and influencing product roadmaps, which builds strategic communication and business acumen.
Design System Contribution: Becoming a key contributor to or leader of the design system team, driving its evolution and adoption across the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead" designation implies a responsibility for operationalizing design best practices, mentoring, and potentially influencing team processes. The growth opportunities highlight a path towards broader operational leadership within the product development sphere.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Mindera operates a global network of offices, but this role is fully remote within the UK. While specific office environments are not directly applicable, the company culture values collaboration and innovation, suggesting that remote work is structured to foster similar engagement. Office Location(s): While Mindera has physical offices in locations such as Leicester, UK, and globally, this specific contract role is advertised as remote within the United Kingdom. This offers maximum flexibility for the contractor.

Workspace Context:

Collaborative Environment: Despite being remote, the expectation is active participation in virtual collaboration tools, team meetings, and ideation sessions, mirroring the collaborative spirit found in their physical offices.
Operations Tools & Technology: Access to and proficient use of industry-standard design tools (Figma), collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams), and project management software is essential for effective remote work and integration with global teams.
Team Interaction: You will engage with a global, multidisciplinary team, requiring strong virtual communication skills and an understanding of how to build rapport and drive consensus remotely. The company provides snacks and drinks at offices, indicating a focus on employee well-being that can be translated into remote work best practices.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, with an expectation of around 40 hours per week. Flexibility in the daily schedule is likely provided, common in contract roles and remote positions, allowing for efficient management of tasks and personal commitments, crucial for maintaining productivity and project momentum.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature necessitates a high degree of self-discipline and proactive communication, key operational traits. The company's global presence and collaborative culture imply that remote workers are expected to integrate seamlessly into existing operational workflows and communication cadences.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess suitability for the role and alignment with Mindera's design standards.
Technical Interview/Portfolio Review: A deep dive into your portfolio, discussing specific case studies, your design process, problem-solving approaches, and experience with design systems and collaboration tools. Expect to present and articulate your work.
Workshop/Design Challenge: You might be asked to participate in a short design exercise or workshop, either live or as a take-home assignment, to evaluate your practical skills, thought process, and ability to work under simulated project conditions.
Cultural Fit/Team Interview: A discussion with members of the design or project team to assess your collaboration style, communication skills, and alignment with Mindera's values and agile methodology.
Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader or client representative to discuss overall fit, strategic thinking, and contractual details.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Structure Your Case Studies: For each case study, clearly define: The Problem, Your Role, The Process (Research, Ideation, Design, Testing), The Solution, and The Outcome/Impact. Quantify results where possible.
Highlight Process Ownership: As a Lead, emphasize how you guided the design process, made critical decisions, managed trade-offs, and facilitated collaboration. Showcase your ability to manage the end-to-end design lifecycle.
Showcase Design System Usage: Demonstrate your understanding and application of design systems. If you contributed to one, detail your contributions and the impact.
Articulate Collaboration: Provide specific examples of how you worked with developers, product managers, and other stakeholders. Explain how you incorporated feedback and resolved disagreements.
Prepare for "Why": Be ready to explain the rationale behind every design decision, linking it back to user needs, business goals, or research insights.
Figma Proficiency: Be prepared to discuss your workflow in Figma, including component usage, prototyping, and collaboration features.

Challenge Preparation:

Understand the Brief: If given a design challenge, thoroughly read and understand the problem statement, constraints, and objectives.
Prioritize User Needs: Focus on demonstrating a user-centric approach, even in a short exercise.
Communicate Your Process: Whether live or take-home, clearly articulate your thought process, assumptions, and design choices.
Consider Accessibility & Design Systems: If relevant, show awareness of accessibility standards and how you might integrate with or adapt to a design system.
Keep it Concise: Present your solution clearly and efficiently, focusing on the most critical aspects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes demonstrating operational proficiency in design – not just aesthetic skill, but process management, collaboration, and problem-solving within a structured framework. The portfolio review is a critical operational assessment of your ability to deliver results.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

Figma: Essential for wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and collaboration. Proficiency in its advanced features, component libraries, and auto-layout is expected.
Prototyping Tools: While Figma has strong prototyping capabilities, familiarity with other tools like InVision or Adobe XD might be beneficial for specific project needs or past experience.
User Research & Testing Platforms: Experience with tools for conducting user interviews, surveys, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, SurveyMonkey).
Collaboration & Communication Tools: Proficiency in platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Confluence, and Miro for seamless communication, project management, and collaborative ideation.

Analytics & Reporting:

Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) to understand user behavior and inform design iterations.
Ability to interpret data to identify user pain points and opportunities for improvement.

CRM & Automation:

While not a direct CRM role, understanding how design impacts the user journey within a CRM context (e.g., lead qualification, customer support interfaces) can be an advantage.
Awareness of how design outputs integrate with development workflows and potentially automated testing processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma and collaborative tools highlights the operational necessity of efficient and integrated design workflows. Understanding how design interacts with analytics and development pipelines is crucial for an operations-minded designer.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving user needs as the primary driver for all design decisions and processes.
Collaboration: Fostering a supportive and open environment where cross-functional teams work together seamlessly, sharing knowledge and providing constructive feedback.
Efficiency & Scalability: Designing solutions that are not only effective but also efficient to build and scalable through the use of design systems and well-documented processes.
Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Encouraging experimentation, embracing new ideas, and consistently seeking ways to optimize design processes and product experiences.
Accountability & Ownership: Taking responsibility for design outcomes, from initial concept to final implementation, and driving projects to successful completion.

Collaboration Style:

Proactive Communication: Engaging actively with team members, stakeholders, and clients through various channels to ensure alignment and address potential issues early.
Design Critiques & Feedback Loops: Participating in regular design reviews to provide and receive constructive criticism, promoting a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
Knowledge Sharing: Actively sharing insights, best practices, and learnings with the wider design and development teams, contributing to collective growth and operational excellence.
Iterative Design: Embracing an iterative approach, where designs are refined based on feedback, testing, and evolving project requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Mindera's emphasis on collaboration, efficiency, and continuous improvement directly aligns with key values in operations. A Lead Designer is expected to embody and promote these values within their project teams and design interactions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Effectively managing and prioritizing input from multiple stakeholders (product, engineering, business) while advocating for user needs and design best practices.
Navigating Complex Product Environments: Designing for intricate user flows and technical constraints within established products, requiring strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Maintaining Consistency with Design Systems: Ensuring adherence to a centralized design system while also allowing for product-specific innovation and user experience enhancements.
Remote Collaboration Effectiveness: Maintaining high levels of collaboration, communication, and team cohesion in a fully remote work setting.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Advanced UX/UI Techniques: Opportunities to master new design methodologies, tools, and emerging trends in user experience and interface design.
Design Leadership: Developing skills in mentoring junior designers, leading design initiatives, and contributing to the strategic direction of product design.
Cross-Functional Expertise: Gaining deeper insights into product management, software development lifecycles, and client business objectives, broadening your operational understanding.
Industry Exposure: Access to conference budgets can provide exposure to cutting-edge practices and networking opportunities within the broader tech and design communities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented often require strong operational skills in process management, stakeholder negotiation, and adaptability. The growth opportunities are geared towards enhancing both design craft and broader operational leadership capabilities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

Design Process & Methodology: "Walk me through your end-to-end design process for a complex customer-facing application. How do you integrate user research and testing into your workflow?" Prepare to detail your approach, including how you select and apply methodologies.
Design Systems & Consistency: "How do you ensure design consistency across multiple products while working with a centralized design system? Describe a time you contributed to or advocated for a design system." Focus on your understanding of scalability and governance.
Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: "Describe a situation where you had to balance conflicting stakeholder requirements or feedback. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" Prepare examples demonstrating your communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking: "Tell me about a challenging design problem you solved. What was your approach, what were the constraints, and what was the impact of your solution?" Highlight your analytical skills and ability to think critically.

Company & Culture Questions:

Mindera's Values: "How do your personal values and work style align with Mindera's emphasis on collaboration, agility, and innovation?" Research the company's blog and handbook for specific insights.
Remote Work & Team Dynamics: "How do you maintain effective collaboration and communication within a remote, multidisciplinary team?" Prepare to discuss your strategies for staying connected and productive.
Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the success of your designs and their impact on user behavior and business outcomes?" Be ready to discuss KPIs and how you use data to inform design.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Narrative Arc: Structure your portfolio presentation like a story, guiding the interviewer through the problem, your process, and the solution with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
Focus on "Why": For each decision, explain the reasoning behind it, linking it to user needs, research findings, or business objectives.
Showcase Collaboration: Highlight instances where you worked effectively with developers and product managers, demonstrating your ability to integrate design into the development pipeline.
Demonstrate Process Ownership: Emphasize your role as a Lead, showcasing how you managed the end-to-end process, made critical decisions, and facilitated team efforts.
Quantify Results: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to illustrate the impact of your design solutions on user behavior and business goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions for a Lead role will probe not only design skills but also operational capabilities like process management, strategic thinking, and cross-functional leadership. Prepare to articulate your impact and how you operate within a team structure.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead UX/UI Designer position:

Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.
Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your most relevant end-to-end design case studies, specifically those involving customer-facing apps, design systems, and cross-functional collaboration. Ensure your process and impact are clearly articulated.
Resume Optimization: Update your CV to prominently feature your experience as a Senior/Lead UX/UI Designer, detailing your responsibilities in process management, user research, and stakeholder collaboration. Quantify achievements and highlight proficiency in Figma and design systems.
Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, showcasing your problem-solving skills, and explaining your contributions to past projects. Prepare specific examples for common interview questions related to collaboration, challenges, and design leadership.
Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Mindera's mission, values, and the types of projects they undertake. Understand their approach to technology and client partnerships to better align your responses with their culture and operational ethos.

⚠️ 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.

Lead UX/UI Designer - Contract outside IR35