Senior Product Designer (we have office locations in Cambridge, Leeds and London)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer
Company: Genomics England
Location: London, England, United Kingdom
Job Type: Full-time
Category: Product Design / User Experience
Date Posted: 2025-10-03
Experience Level: 5-10 Years
Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end design and development of innovative Newborns products, ensuring a user-centric and compliant healthcare experience.
• Drive the establishment and adherence to first-class design standards and best practices across the product development lifecycle.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Managers, Engineers, Researchers, and Clinical Staff, to translate insights into actionable product roadmaps and features.
• Champion accessibility and inclusivity in design, ensuring products are usable by everyone, aligning with WCAG 2.2 guidelines.
• Contribute to the growth of the design community by actively participating in the creation and maintenance of a shared component library and elevating overall design quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer, implying a significant level of autonomy, leadership, and responsibility in shaping product strategy and design execution, particularly within the critical Newborns product area. The emphasis on "end-to-end" ownership and establishing "first class design standards" indicates a need for a candidate who can not only execute but also influence and elevate the design practice within the organization.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Deeply understand the Genomics England Newborns service, its operational intricacies, and its potential to revolutionize healthcare.
• Conduct and interpret qualitative and quantitative user research to inform product strategy and design decisions.
• Design intuitive and highly usable user experiences for the Newborns service, ensuring feasibility and viability in collaboration with the product squad.
• Translate user insights and business objectives into a clear product vision and roadmap, working in tandem with the Product Manager.
• Collaborate with Content Designers to ensure all product content is accessible and meets the needs of diverse user groups.
• Apply existing NHS design systems and frameworks, and contribute to their evolution, ensuring consistency and best practice.
• Ensure all designs comply with stringent legal and regulatory requirements, including evaluation by an external Research Ethics Committee (REC).
• Facilitate decision-making and co-creation sessions with a diverse range of stakeholders, including users, product squads, and clinical staff, to solve complex problems collaboratively.
• Actively contribute to the broader design community by building and maintaining a shared component library and improving collective design quality.
• Iterate on designs based on feedback from usability testing, peer reviews, and stakeholder input to achieve optimal outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong focus on user research, regulatory compliance within the healthcare sector, and collaborative product development. The emphasis on working with the "Newborns service" and understanding its clinical context suggests a need for designers who can navigate complex, sensitive, and regulated environments. The requirement to work with an external Research Ethics Committee (REC) is a critical compliance point specific to healthcare product design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While specific educational requirements are not detailed, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is typically expected for senior-level product design roles. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: Substantial experience as a Senior Product Designer, with a proven track record of delivering live products from conception through to launch and ongoing iteration.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrable portfolio showcasing end-to-end product design delivery, from discovery and research to launch and post-launch optimization.
• Proven experience working effectively within cross-functional product squads, collaborating with Product Managers, Engineers, and Researchers.
• Deep understanding of product design processes and methodologies, including user-centered design, iterative design, and agile development.
• Ability to translate user research findings into actionable wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity designs.
• Strong knowledge of WCAG 2.2 accessibility guidelines and practical application in design solutions.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with experience working alongside diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Advanced proficiency in design and prototyping tools, specifically Figma and Miro.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet project deadlines consistently.
• A proactive approach to seeking and incorporating feedback for continuous work improvement.
• Experience in designing for complex, regulated environments is highly advantageous.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience utilizing and contributing to NHS design systems.
• Familiarity with applying regulatory best practices within the healthcare or genomics sector.
• Experience in facilitating design thinking workshops and co-creation sessions.
• Understanding of content design principles and collaboration with content strategists.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Substantial experience" requirement, coupled with the need for "live delivery" and "end-to-end" work, suggests that candidates should have a minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in product design, with a significant portion at a senior level. The explicit mention of Figma and Miro indicates a need for hands-on proficiency in these industry-standard tools. The preference for NHS design systems points to a specific domain knowledge that would be highly beneficial.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio demonstrating a range of end-to-end product design projects, with a clear emphasis on the user journey and problem-solving approach.
• Case studies that clearly articulate the design process, including discovery, research, ideation, prototyping, testing, and implementation.
• Visual examples of wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and final UI designs.
• Evidence of collaboration with cross-functional teams and how user insights were integrated into the design.
• Demonstrations of how user needs and business objectives were balanced in design solutions.

Process Documentation:

• Showcasing experience in documenting design processes, including user journey mapping, workflow diagrams, and design system guidelines.
• Examples of how iterative design processes were managed, including feedback loops and design revisions.
• Evidence of contribution to or creation of component libraries and style guides.
• Documentation illustrating how accessibility standards and regulatory requirements were addressed throughout the design lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Product Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond just showcasing final visuals and delve into the process. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their decision-making, research methodologies, and how they navigated constraints (like regulatory requirements) to arrive at their solutions. The emphasis on "live delivery" means projects should ideally be launched products, with quantifiable outcomes where possible.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The provided starting salary is £63,300 per annum. Given the Senior Product Designer title, location in London, and the specified experience level (5-10 years), this figure aligns with industry benchmarks. However, actual compensation may vary based on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and performance during the interview process.

Benefits:

• Generous Leave: 30 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, with options for additional leave for long service and up to 30 days of remote working abroad annually (subject to approval).
• Family-Friendly Policies: Blended working arrangements, flexible working hours, and enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave.
• Pension & Financial Security: A defined contribution pension scheme with a company match (double matches up to 10%), Life Assurance (3x salary), and a "Give As You Earn" scheme for charitable giving.
• Learning & Development: Individual learning budgets, support for professional training and certifications, and reimbursement for one annual professional subscription (subject to approval).
• Recognition & Rewards: An employee recognition program and a referral scheme to acknowledge contributions.
• Health & Wellbeing: Subsidised gym membership, a free Headspace account for mental wellbeing, an Employee Assistance Programme, provision for eye tests, and flu vaccinations.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are 40 hours per week. The company operates a blended working model, with an expectation of a minimum of 2 days per month in the office, though this can vary by role and team agreement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The stated salary of £63,300 is presented as a starting point. For London, this is a competitive but potentially mid-range figure for a Senior Product Designer with 5-10 years of experience in a specialized field like genomics. Exceptional candidates with highly relevant experience in healthcare tech or genomics design might command higher offers. The benefits package is comprehensive, with a strong emphasis on work-life balance, professional development, and employee wellbeing, which are attractive to senior professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Genomics and Healthcare Technology. Genomics England operates at the intersection of cutting-edge scientific research, national healthcare provision (NHS), and data-driven innovation. This means the environment is likely highly collaborative, research-oriented, and focused on long-term impact and patient outcomes.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, Genomics England is a significant national initiative, suggesting an organization that has grown beyond a startup but is not yet a large corporate entity. This size typically allows for a culture that balances structure with agility, offering opportunities for direct impact.

Founded: Genomics England was established in 2012 to realize the potential of the 100,000 Genomes Project. Its history is rooted in a major national scientific endeavor, indicating a mission-driven culture focused on advancing genomic medicine and research.

Team Structure:

• The design team likely operates within a broader Product or Technology department, forming part of "squads" that are cross-functional by nature.
• Reporting structures are expected to include a Design Lead or Head of Product, with Senior Designers having significant autonomy within their assigned product areas (like Newborns).
• Cross-functional collaboration is a core tenet, involving close partnerships with Product Managers, Engineers, Clinical Advisors, Researchers, and Content Designers.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is central, leveraging insights from user research, clinical data, and performance metrics.
• Agile and iterative development methodologies are likely employed to enable rapid prototyping, testing, and refinement of products.
• Focus on user-centered design principles, ensuring that patient and clinician needs are at the forefront of all product development.
• Emphasis on establishing and maintaining robust design systems and component libraries for scalability and consistency.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Genomics England's mission is highly impactful, which often attracts individuals passionate about science and public health. The culture is likely to be intellectually stimulating, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and the ethical considerations inherent in genomic data. The "blended working model" and emphasis on employee wellbeing suggest a modern, forward-thinking organizational approach.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as a Senior Product Designer, indicating a mid-to-senior level position. It requires a high degree of independent work, problem-solving, and the ability to lead design initiatives. The scope of responsibility includes shaping product strategy, establishing design standards, and mentoring junior designers indirectly through collaboration and contribution to team quality.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Design, Design Lead, or Head of Product. They will be an integral part of a cross-functional product squad, working closely with a Product Manager and a team of engineers. While not a direct management role, leadership is expected in design execution and influencing product direction.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is significant, directly influencing the usability, effectiveness, and adoption of critical genomics products, particularly within the Newborns service. Successful product design contributes to better patient outcomes, improved diagnostic accuracy, and enhanced research capabilities, all of which are core to Genomics England's mission. This role has the potential to shape the future of genomic healthcare delivery.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in healthcare product design, genomics, and user experience within a highly specialized and impactful field.
• Leadership: Potential to grow into a Lead Product Designer role, managing a small team or taking ownership of larger product portfolios.
• Skill Development: Access to learning budgets and support for training/certifications can facilitate the acquisition of new skills in areas like advanced prototyping, UX research methodologies, or specific healthcare technology domains.
• Cross-Functional Expertise: Gaining in-depth knowledge of clinical workflows, research methodologies, and regulatory pathways within the genomics sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title and the focus on leading the Newborns product line suggest this is a pivotal role for career advancement. Candidates looking to make a tangible impact in a mission-driven organization within the rapidly evolving field of genomics will find significant growth potential. The emphasis on collaboration and influencing product strategy also prepares individuals for future leadership roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Genomics England operates a "blended working model," indicating a hybrid approach that combines remote work with in-office collaboration. The company has offices in Cambridge, Leeds, and London, providing options for location.

Office Location(s): The specific office locations mentioned are Cambridge, Leeds, and London. The job description states the role is based in London, but also notes flexibility with remote working abroad. The London office is located in Canary Wharf.

Workspace Context:

• The hybrid model fosters a flexible work environment, allowing for focused individual work remotely and collaborative sessions in the office.
• The London office in Canary Wharf likely offers a modern, professional workspace conducive to collaboration.
• Interaction with the product squad (engineers, product managers, researchers) will be a key aspect of the daily work, whether conducted virtually or in person.
• The emphasis on a diverse and inclusive workplace suggests an environment where different perspectives are valued and encouraged.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered through the blended working model. This allows for adaptation to personal needs while ensuring project timelines and team collaboration needs are met. The minimum in-office expectation is 2 days per month, allowing for significant remote autonomy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The blended working model is a key feature, offering flexibility. Candidates should assess their comfort with hybrid work and their ability to maintain productivity and collaboration across remote and in-office settings. The mention of specific office locations and the Canary Wharf address provides concrete details for those considering the commute or local environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with the role requirements.
• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion focused on experience, motivations, and understanding of the role and Genomics England's mission.
• Design Challenge/Portfolio Review: A practical exercise or in-depth discussion of portfolio projects, likely involving presenting case studies, discussing design decisions, and demonstrating problem-solving abilities. This stage will assess practical skills and process.
• Cross-functional Team Interview: Meeting with key team members (e.g., Product Manager, Lead Engineer) to evaluate collaboration style, communication, and cultural fit.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Focus on 2-3 of your strongest, most relevant projects that demonstrate end-to-end product design, particularly those involving complex problem-solving or regulated environments.
• Tell a Story: Structure each case study to clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, iteration), the solutions you designed, and the impact or outcome. Use visuals (wireframes, prototypes, final designs) to support your narrative.
• Highlight Collaboration: Explicitly mention how you worked with cross-functional teams, incorporated feedback, and navigated stakeholder input.
• Showcase Process, Not Just Polish: Emphasize your thinking, your decision-making rationale, and how you iterated based on research and feedback. Include early-stage concepts or explorations if they demonstrate your thought process.
• Address Accessibility and Compliance: If possible, highlight how you considered accessibility guidelines (WCAG) and any regulatory requirements in your designs.
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, challenges faced, how you handle disagreements, and how you measure success.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If a design challenge is provided, take time to thoroughly understand the brief, the target users, and the business goals specific to Genomics England and the Newborns service.
• Focus on Process: Demonstrate a clear, logical design process, even if time is limited. Prioritize key user flows and core functionality.
• Communicate Your Thinking: Clearly articulate your assumptions, decisions, and rationale. Use tools like Miro or Figma to visually represent your thought process and solutions.
• Consider Constraints: Be mindful of potential constraints such as technical feasibility, regulatory requirements, and the need for accessibility.
• Present Clearly: Organize your presentation logically, focusing on the problem, your approach, your proposed solution, and how you would test/validate it.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily rely on the candidate's ability to articulate their design process and demonstrate impact through their portfolio. Candidates should prepare to discuss their experience with NHS design systems and regulatory compliance, as these are highlighted as key aspects of the role. The "Newborns products" focus suggests a need to understand the sensitive nature of healthcare products for infants and their families.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Advanced proficiency required for UI design, prototyping, and collaborative design workflows. This will be the primary tool for creating wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes.
• Miro: Essential for collaborative ideation, user journey mapping, workshop facilitation, and brainstorming sessions, especially within a hybrid work environment.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned, experience with user analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel) to understand user behavior and product performance would be beneficial.
• Familiarity with A/B testing methodologies and tools to validate design hypotheses.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design role, but understanding how design integrates with broader product management and development workflows is key.

Other Relevant Tools/Concepts:

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, familiarity with other prototyping tools can be an asset.
• User Research Platforms: Experience with tools for user interviews, surveys, and usability testing.
• Design System Management Tools: Understanding how to maintain and contribute to design systems.
• Collaboration Platforms: Proficiency in tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Confluence for project management and team communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and Miro indicates these are non-negotiable tools for this role. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate advanced skills in both. The context of healthcare and genomics suggests that data privacy and security considerations will be paramount, which could influence the choice and usage of certain analytics or collaboration tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong commitment to the company's mission of advancing genomic healthcare and research for the benefit of patients.
• Collaboration & Inclusivity: Valuing diverse perspectives and fostering an environment where everyone feels respected, welcomed, and able to contribute their best work.
• Data-Driven & Evidence-Based: Decisions are made based on robust data, research, and scientific evidence.
• Continuous Improvement: A culture that embraces feedback, learning, and iterative refinement of processes and products.
• Integrity & Ethics: Upholding the highest ethical standards, particularly concerning sensitive genomic data and patient privacy.
• Efficiency & Impact: Striving for efficient processes and measurable impact in all endeavors.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designs are developed collaboratively within agile squads, ensuring close alignment between design, product, engineering, and clinical/research teams.
• Open Communication: Encouraging open dialogue, constructive feedback, and transparent sharing of ideas and challenges.
• Co-creation: Actively involving stakeholders, including end-users, in the design process to ensure solutions are relevant and meet diverse needs.
• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that supports sharing best practices, learnings, and design system updates across the wider design community.

📝 Enhancement Note: Genomics England's emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and ethical conduct is central to its identity. Candidates should reflect these values in their approach to design and collaboration. The "virtues" mentioned in the job description likely outline specific company values that applicants should research and align with.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex Healthcare Regulations: Designing within a highly regulated sector (NHS, REC) requires meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of compliance requirements, which can be a significant challenge.
• Balancing User Needs with Technical & Regulatory Constraints: Synthesizing the needs of diverse users (patients, clinicians, researchers) with technical feasibility and strict regulatory mandates requires sophisticated problem-solving.
• Translating Scientific Complexity into Usable Designs: Making complex genomic data and processes understandable and actionable for various user groups is a core design challenge.
• Driving Adoption of New Technologies: Encouraging the uptake of novel genomic healthcare solutions requires user-friendly and trustworthy design.
• Maintaining Design Quality Across a Growing Organization: As Genomics England scales, ensuring consistent design quality and adherence to standards across multiple product areas and teams can be challenging.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Domain Knowledge: Gaining in-depth expertise in genomics, bioinformatics, and healthcare technology design.
• Regulatory Design Expertise: Developing a strong understanding of healthcare-specific design regulations and ethical review processes.
• Advanced UX/UI Skills: Opportunities to hone skills in complex data visualization, user research methodologies for sensitive topics, and accessibility in healthcare contexts.
• Leadership and Mentorship: Potential to mentor junior designers and contribute to shaping the design strategy and processes for critical national initiatives.
• Industry Engagement: Potential to attend relevant conferences or participate in industry working groups related to health tech and genomics design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to working in a cutting-edge, regulated field like genomics in healthcare. These challenges also represent significant opportunities for professional growth and skill development, making the role attractive to ambitious designers.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Product Vision & Strategy: "How would you approach defining the product vision and roadmap for the Newborns service, considering its critical nature and potential impact on infant health?" (Prepare to discuss user research, market analysis, and stakeholder alignment.)
• Design Process & Collaboration: "Describe your end-to-end design process for a complex product. How do you ensure effective collaboration with product managers, engineers, and clinical stakeholders, particularly when dealing with sensitive data?" (Highlight your iterative approach, feedback mechanisms, and communication strategies.)
• Problem-Solving & Innovation: "Imagine a scenario where user research reveals a significant barrier to the adoption of genomic testing for newborns. How would you approach diagnosing the root cause and designing a solution that is both effective and compliant?" (Focus on your analytical skills, user empathy, and ability to translate insights into actionable design recommendations.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Mission Alignment: "What excites you about Genomics England's mission, and how do you see your role as a Senior Product Designer contributing to it?" (Research the company's mission, values, and recent achievements.)
• Team Dynamics: "How do you contribute to a positive and productive team environment, especially within a cross-functional, hybrid setting?" (Discuss your collaborative style, how you give and receive feedback, and your approach to inclusivity.)
• Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the success of your designs in a healthcare context, beyond standard UX metrics?" (Consider patient outcomes, clinician efficiency, data accuracy, and regulatory compliance as potential impact areas.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Flow: Structure your presentation around the story of each project: problem, your role, process, solution, and impact.
• Visual Aids: Use high-quality visuals of your work (wireframes, prototypes, final UI) to illustrate your points. Annotate key design decisions.
• Focus on 'Why': Be prepared to articulate the reasoning behind your design choices, referencing user research, business goals, and constraints.
• Demonstrate Iteration: Show how your designs evolved based on feedback, testing, and changing requirements.
• Quantify Impact: Where possible, provide data or metrics that demonstrate the positive outcomes of your design work.
• Address Constraints: Be ready to discuss how you handled challenges, including regulatory requirements, technical limitations, or stakeholder disagreements.
• Engage the Audience: Make it a conversation rather than a monologue. Ask clarifying questions and encourage discussion.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare specific examples that showcase their ability to handle complex, regulated products and demonstrate a deep understanding of user-centered design principles within a healthcare context. The emphasis on the "Newborns service" suggests a need to consider the unique sensitivities and user groups involved.

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📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on SmartRecruiters.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight 2-3 of your most relevant end-to-end product design projects. Prioritize case studies that demonstrate your ability to work in regulated environments, collaborate cross-functionally, and deliver impactful user experiences. Ensure your process, decision-making, and outcomes are clearly articulated.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to prominently feature keywords related to product design, user experience, Figma, Miro, accessibility (WCAG), user research, cross-functional collaboration, and any experience with healthcare or regulated industries. Quantify achievements wherever possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process and presenting your portfolio case studies. Prepare thoughtful answers to potential strategy, behavioral, and situational questions, focusing on how you would approach challenges specific to Genomics England and the Newborns product line.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Genomics England's mission, values, recent projects, and the broader context of genomic healthcare in the UK. Understand their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and ethical practices.

⚠️ 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.