Senior UX & UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX & UI Designer Company: Avnet (Farnell) Location: Leeds, United Kingdom Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: User Experience (UX) & User Interface (UI) Design Operations Date Posted: 2025-12-04 Experience Level: 5-10 years Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This maternity cover position is a critical role within the User Experience team, focusing on enhancing digital product design for Farnell, an Avnet company, a global distributor of technology products.
• The role involves shaping user experience and visual design, requiring a blend of creativity, technical expertise, and a deep understanding of user behavior, directly impacting customer engagement and product usability.
• You will operate within multiple Agile Squads, collaborating closely with product managers, developers, and researchers to deliver intuitive and user-centered solutions.
• This position offers a fixed-term contract of 12 months, with a hybrid work model requiring 3 days in the office and 2 days remote, emphasizing flexibility and work-life balance within a structured operations framework.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the primary focus is UX/UI design, the operational aspects of managing design systems, collaborating within Agile squads, and ensuring consistent application of design across a global digital presence place this role firmly within an operational context, particularly concerning Go-To-Market (GTM) product enablement and customer journey optimization.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive user research to uncover user behaviors, needs, and pain points, translating these insights into actionable design strategies and product enhancements.
• Develop and maintain a robust Information Architecture (IA) to ensure optimal organization, navigation, and accessibility of content and features across digital platforms.
• Create detailed wireframes, interactive prototypes, and user flows to effectively communicate complex design concepts, user journeys, and interaction models.
• Design visually appealing, consistent, and responsive user interfaces that adhere to brand guidelines, enhance usability, and elevate the overall customer experience.
• Establish and enforce design system governance principles, ensuring consistency, scalability, and adherence to best practices across all design outputs.
• Plan, execute, and analyze usability testing sessions to gather user feedback, identify usability issues, and iterate on designs for continuous improvement.
• Collaborate effectively with product managers, developers, researchers, and other cross-functional stakeholders to ensure design feasibility, alignment with project goals, and timely delivery within Agile sprints.
• Mentor and guide junior designers, fostering their professional development, sharing best practices, and promoting a culture of design excellence.
• Proactively stay abreast of the latest design trends, emerging technologies, industry best practices, and competitive landscape to drive innovation and continuous improvement in design strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a structured approach to design, mirroring operations' focus on process, efficiency, and measurable outcomes. Design system governance, in particular, is a key operational function ensuring consistency and scalability, vital for a global distributor like Farnell.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a related field, or an equivalent HND qualification.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design, with a proven track record of delivering successful digital products and applications.

Required Skills:

• Deep understanding and practical application of user-centered design (UCD) principles and methodologies.
• Proficiency in user research techniques, including user interviews, surveys, persona development, and usability testing.
• Expertise in information architecture, wireframing, prototyping, and user flow creation using industry-standard tools.
• Strong visual design skills with a keen eye for aesthetics, typography, color theory, and layout.
• Experience in establishing or contributing to design system governance, ensuring brand consistency and design scalability.
• Proven ability to conduct and interpret usability testing to drive design iterations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and present concepts effectively to diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively within cross-functional Agile teams, working closely with product managers and developers.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to translate user needs and business requirements into intuitive design solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Proficiency with Figma, including advanced features for prototyping and design system management.
• Familiarity with other design and prototyping tools such as Sketch or Adobe XD.
• Experience working in a high-volume e-commerce or global distribution environment.
• Knowledge of front-end development principles (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to inform design feasibility.
• Experience mentoring junior designers or leading design initiatives.
• Understanding of A/B testing principles in the context of design optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on specific tools like Figma, coupled with the need for collaboration in Agile environments and the governance of design systems, highlights the operational rigor expected. The preference for e-commerce experience suggests a focus on conversion optimization and customer journey design, key GTM operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a diverse range of UX/UI design projects, demonstrating end-to-end design thinking from research to final implementation.
• Case studies that clearly articulate the design problem, the user research conducted, the design process followed, and the measurable impact of the solutions.
• Examples of information architecture, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity visual designs.
• Demonstrations of experience with design systems, including contributions to or utilization of component libraries and style guides.
• Evidence of successful collaboration with development teams and product managers, illustrating how design was integrated into product development lifecycles.

Process Documentation:

• Ability to document design processes, user flows, and interaction specifications to ensure clear communication and handoff to development teams.
• Experience in defining and contributing to design system documentation, maintaining consistency and usability of design assets.
• Skills in creating user journey maps and service blueprints to visualize the end-to-end customer experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX/UI role, the portfolio serves as a critical deliverable, akin to an operations professional's process documentation or project portfolio. It must demonstrate not just aesthetic skill but also strategic thinking, problem-solving capabilities, and the ability to drive tangible business outcomes through design, reflecting an operational mindset focused on efficiency and effectiveness.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a fixed-term maternity cover role, specific salary details are not provided. However, based on industry benchmarks for a Senior UX/UI Designer in Leeds, UK, with 5-10 years of experience, a competitive salary range would typically be between £50,000 to £70,000 per annum. This estimate considers the seniority of the role, the hybrid work model, and the benefits package offered.

Benefits:

• Pension scheme: Matched up to 8%.
• Private Medical cover.
• Generous holiday allowance: 25 days plus bank holidays.
• Option to buy additional holiday days.
• Free on-site parking.
• Free on-site gym facilities.
• Flexible home working arrangements.
• Various reward schemes.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered through the hybrid work arrangement (3 days in office, 2 days remote).

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on publicly available data for similar roles in the Leeds, UK region, factoring in the specified experience level and the competitive benefits package. The inclusion of a pension scheme, private medical cover, and generous holiday allowance aligns with standard UK employment practices for senior technical roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology Distribution, Electronics Components, Global Services. Farnell, an Avnet company, operates within the complex and fast-paced electronics distribution sector, serving engineers and businesses worldwide with a vast catalog of components and solutions. This industry demands efficiency, reliability, and a strong focus on customer experience to maintain a competitive edge.

Company Size: Avnet is a large, global corporation. Farnell, as part of Avnet, benefits from the resources and reach of a major player in the technology supply chain, while maintaining a distinct brand identity and operational focus. This large scale implies structured processes, established workflows, and opportunities for cross-departmental collaboration on a significant level.

Founded: Avnet was founded in 192 רבים, with Farnell having a long history as a leading distributor. This longevity suggests a stable company with a deep understanding of its market, robust operational frameworks, and a culture that values experience and sustained growth.

Team Structure:

• The User Experience team is led by a User Experience Lead with extensive tenure (over 20 years), indicating a stable and experienced leadership.
• The Senior UX & UI Designer will work within multiple Agile Squads, implying a matrixed reporting structure where designers collaborate closely with Product Managers, Developers, and Researchers on specific product initiatives.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a core aspect of the role, requiring seamless integration with business stakeholders, marketing, and engineering teams to ensure cohesive product development and customer journey alignment.

Methodology:

• Agile methodologies are central to the team's operational approach, requiring iterative design, continuous feedback, and adaptability.
• User-centered design principles form the foundation of all design activities, ensuring that user needs and behaviors are paramount in decision-making.
• Data-driven design decisions are expected, leveraging user research, analytics, and usability testing to inform and validate design strategies.
• Design system governance ensures a standardized, efficient, and scalable approach to design across all digital touchpoints.

Company Website: https://www.avnet.com/ and https://www.farnell.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The context of a global technology distributor means that operational efficiency, scalability, and a seamless customer experience are paramount. The UX/UI team plays a crucial role in enabling these through intuitive digital interfaces and product offerings, directly supporting GTM strategies.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as "Senior," indicating a level of expertise and autonomy. A Senior UX/UI Designer is expected to lead design initiatives, mentor junior team members, and contribute significantly to strategic design decisions. In an operations context, this means driving process improvements, influencing design standards, and ensuring the effective implementation of design systems that support business objectives.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX & UI Designer will report to the User Experience Lead. Within the Agile Squads, they will work collaboratively with Product Managers and Development Leads, contributing to team-level decision-making and project execution. This structure allows for both strategic oversight from leadership and hands-on execution within project teams.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is significant, directly influencing customer acquisition, retention, and overall satisfaction through the design of Farnell's digital platforms. Effective UX/UI design enhances conversion rates, reduces customer support inquiries, and strengthens brand loyalty, all of which are critical operational metrics for a global distributor. The design system governance aspect also ensures operational efficiency by providing reusable components and standardized patterns, reducing development time and ensuring brand consistency.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of UX/UI, such as interaction design, user research methodologies, or design system architecture.
• Leadership Development: Potential to take on more leadership responsibilities within the UX team, such as leading specific design projects or initiatives, and further developing mentorship skills.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gaining deeper insights and experience by contributing to multiple Agile Squads, understanding diverse product roadmaps and business priorities within Avnet.
• Career Advancement: Progression to roles like Lead UX/UI Designer, Design Manager, or specialized roles within product development or GTM operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities emphasize not just design skills but also operational leadership and strategic influence. Mentorship and leading initiatives are key to developing operational management capabilities.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role operates on a hybrid model, requiring 3 days per week in the Farnell office in Leeds and 2 days working from home. This setup aims to balance the benefits of in-person collaboration and team synergy with the flexibility and focus offered by remote work.

Office Location(s): Leeds, United Kingdom. This established office location likely offers well-equipped facilities for collaborative work, including meeting rooms, design studios, and necessary technology infrastructure.

Workspace Context:

• The office environment is expected to foster collaboration, with opportunities for spontaneous interaction with colleagues in Agile Squads, the broader UX team, and other departments.
• Access to standard office technology, design software, and potentially specialized hardware or testing equipment will be available.
• The hybrid model allows for focused individual work at home, while office days are optimized for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional alignment.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time work week (approximately 40 hours) is expected, with the flexibility to manage work hours around the hybrid schedule. This allows operations professionals to balance project deadlines with personal commitments, promoting a sustainable work-life integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a common operational strategy to optimize employee well-being and productivity. For a design role, it facilitates both focused individual work and essential team collaboration, impacting the efficiency of design workflows and communication.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit CV and portfolio via the provided link.
• Initial Screening: A Talent Partner will conduct an initial screening call to assess suitability, experience, and cultural fit.
• Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing specific projects, design rationale, and problem-solving approaches. This stage may include design challenges or case studies to evaluate practical skills and strategic thinking.
• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with the UX Lead, Product Managers, and potentially Development Leads to assess collaboration skills, understanding of Agile methodologies, and alignment with team dynamics.
• Final Assessment: A final interview stage to evaluate overall fit, strategic contribution, and potential impact on business objectives.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent your skills and experience relevant to this role, focusing on e-commerce or complex digital platforms if possible.
• Structure for Clarity: For each project, clearly outline the problem statement, your role and responsibilities, the design process (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), your specific contributions, and the measurable outcomes or impact.
• Highlight Process: Detail your thought process, design decisions, and how you leveraged user research and data to inform your solutions. Explain your approach to design system governance and collaboration.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improvements in conversion rates, task completion times, user satisfaction scores).
• Tailor to Farnell: Research Farnell's current digital presence and identify areas where your skills could add value. Be prepared to discuss how your approach aligns with their brand and user base.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a potential design exercise or case study, which might involve analyzing a user problem, proposing a solution, or critiquing an existing design.
• Practice articulating your design decisions concisely and persuasively, focusing on the "why" behind your choices.
• Understand the Agile development process and how UX/UI fits within sprint cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio review and potential design challenges highlights the practical, results-oriented nature of operations roles. Candidates must demonstrate not only creativity but also a structured, data-informed approach to problem-solving and a clear ability to deliver measurable business value.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Preferred tool for UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and design system management. Proficiency is highly valued.
• Sketch: A widely used alternative for UI design and prototyping.
• Adobe XD: Another popular tool for UX/UI design and prototyping.
• User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting surveys, interviews, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Tools: Familiarity with platforms like Google Analytics or Adobe Analytics to understand user behavior and track design performance.
• Data Visualization Tools: Experience with tools that can help present user data and design impact effectively.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM/automation role, understanding how UX/UI impacts customer journeys within CRM systems and marketing automation platforms is beneficial. Familiarity with how design choices influence lead generation and customer segmentation can be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in industry-standard design tools, particularly Figma, is crucial. Understanding analytics tools is also key, as operations roles often require data-driven decision-making and performance measurement. The mention of CRM and automation, while secondary, highlights the interconnectedness of UX/UI with broader GTM operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A fundamental commitment to understanding and serving user needs, driving all design decisions from a user-first perspective.
• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on working effectively with cross-functional teams, fostering open communication and shared ownership of product success.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: A drive to explore new design trends, technologies, and methodologies to consistently enhance user experiences and product offerings.
• Efficiency & Scalability: A focus on creating designs that are not only user-friendly but also efficient to implement and scalable across global platforms, often through robust design systems.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Valuing insights derived from user research, analytics, and testing to inform and validate design strategies.

Collaboration Style:

• Agile & Iterative: Embracing an agile mindset with frequent collaboration, feedback loops, and iterative design processes.
• Cross-Functional Integration: Working seamlessly with product managers, developers, researchers, and other stakeholders to achieve common goals.
• Open Communication: Encouraging transparent and constructive dialogue to ensure alignment and address challenges proactively.
• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: Fostering an environment where team members support each other's growth through sharing expertise and providing guidance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values and collaboration style reflect a modern, agile, and results-oriented operational environment. The emphasis on user-centricity, efficiency, and data-driven decisions are hallmarks of effective operations teams.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Effectively translating diverse user requirements and business objectives into cohesive and optimal design solutions within project constraints.
• Maintaining Design Consistency Across Platforms: Ensuring brand coherence and a unified user experience across Farnell's various digital touchpoints, especially with a hybrid team structure.
• Adapting to Evolving Technologies and Trends: Staying current with rapid advancements in design tools, methodologies, and user expectations in the fast-paced tech industry.
• Managing Stakeholder Expectations: Effectively communicating design rationale and managing feedback from multiple stakeholders with potentially differing priorities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Tool Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in tools like Figma or explore new design software and plugins.
• Specialized UX/UI Workshops: Access to training in areas such as advanced user research techniques, interaction design patterns, or accessibility standards.
• Industry Conferences & Webinars: Encouragement to attend relevant industry events to stay abreast of best practices and network with peers.
• Mentorship Programs: Formal or informal mentorship opportunities to learn from experienced designers and leaders within Avnet.
• Exposure to Global Markets: Gaining experience in designing for diverse international user bases, understanding cultural nuances and localization requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the strategic and problem-solving aspects of the role, common in operations. Growth opportunities focus on continuous skill enhancement and strategic development, crucial for senior roles in any operational function.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex UX challenge you faced and how you approached solving it. What was the outcome?" (Focus on process, user research, and measurable impact.)
• "How do you balance user needs with business objectives and technical constraints in your design process?" (Demonstrate strategic thinking and pragmatic problem-solving.)
• "Walk me through your process for developing and governing a design system. What were the key considerations?" (Highlight operational efficiency and scalability.)
• "How do you approach user research and incorporate its findings into your design iterations?" (Showcase a data-driven and user-centric methodology.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Farnell/Avnet and our customer base? How would your design approach cater to them?" (Research the company's products, services, and target audience.)
• "How do you typically collaborate with product managers and developers in an Agile environment?" (Prepare examples of successful cross-functional teamwork.)
• "Describe a time you received critical feedback on your design. How did you handle it, and what did you learn?" (Demonstrate adaptability and a growth mindset.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each project as a narrative – the challenge, your journey, and the resolution.
• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the "so what?" for each project – what business value or user improvement did it deliver? Use metrics where possible.
• Highlight Collaboration: Explain your role within team projects and how you interacted with others.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design decisions, research methodologies, or technical feasibility.
• Showcase Process Artifacts: Include examples of wireframes, user flows, personas, and prototypes to illustrate your thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a structured, impact-oriented approach to design, mirroring operational best practices. Candidates need to articulate not just what they did, but why, and what the results were, showcasing their ability to drive tangible business outcomes.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX & UI Designer (Maternity Cover) position:

• Click on the provided link to access the Avnet careers portal and submit your application.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and highlights projects demonstrating your expertise in user research, information architecture, wireframing, prototyping, and visual design, with a focus on e-commerce or similar digital platforms. Tailor your case studies to showcase how you drive user engagement and business outcomes.
• Resume Optimization: Review your CV to ensure it clearly articulates your 5+ years of UX/UI experience, proficiency in key design tools (especially Figma), and your ability to work within Agile environments. Quantify achievements and responsibilities using operations-relevant keywords.
• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on storytelling, articulating your design process, and demonstrating the measurable impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your approach to design system governance and cross-functional collaboration.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Farnell's brand, products, target audience, and current digital offerings. Understand their commitment to user experience and how your skills align with their operational 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.

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