Senior UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer Company: AJ Bell Location: Manchester, London, or Bristol (Hybrid) - United Kingdom Job Type: Full-time Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design Date Posted: 2025-10-23 Experience Level: 6+ Years Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end UX design process for key product areas, ensuring a user-centric approach to platform development.
• Drive strategic planning of design initiatives, aligning UX efforts with broader business objectives and influencing senior-level decision-making.
• Champion and contribute to the development and maintenance of design systems, including Figma component libraries and new design guidelines.
• Foster strong collaboration with executive and cross-functional teams, acting as a key player in building and nurturing team synergy.
• Advocate for UX best practices across the wider business, actively seeking opportunities to showcase the value of user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior UX Designer, indicating a significant level of autonomy and strategic influence. The emphasis on "Design leadership" and "influencing decision-making at senior levels" suggests a role that goes beyond execution to strategic contribution within the UX Team and potentially across Product Development. The requirement for 6+ years of experience reinforces this seniority.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end UX design process for designated product areas, from initial concept to final implementation, ensuring seamless user experiences across all digital channels.
• Assist with the strategic planning of design initiatives, contributing to the overall design strategy and aligning UX efforts with AJ Bell's business goals.
• Play a key role in shaping the company's design strategy, influencing decision-making at senior levels and advocating for user-centric design principles.
• Contribute extensively to the creation and maintenance of components within a Figma library, driving the development of new design guidelines and component libraries to enhance design consistency and efficiency.
• Collaborate effectively with executive leadership, product managers, engineers, and other cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality user experiences.
• Conduct and oversee comprehensive usability testing processes, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to gather user insights and inform design decisions.
• Clearly and persuasively communicate design ideas, rationales, and strategies to diverse audiences, including non-design stakeholders.
• Act as a proactive advocate for UX within the wider business, identifying and capitalizing on opportunities to showcase the impact and value of user experience initiatives.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior members of the UX team, fostering a collaborative and supportive team environment.
• Actively participate in and contribute to weekly UX Critique sessions, providing constructive feedback and sharing insights to elevate the team's design output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership and hands-on design execution. The emphasis on "end-to-end UX design process," "strategic planning," and "influencing decision-making" indicates a senior role with significant ownership. The expectation to "oversee comprehensive usability testing" and "advocate for UX" further defines the scope of influence and responsibility beyond individual design tasks.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific educational qualifications are listed, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, or a related field is often preferred for senior UX roles, demonstrating a foundational understanding of user-centered principles.

Experience: A minimum of 6 years of progressive experience in User Experience (UX) Design, with a proven track record of delivering successful digital products and platforms. Experience in guiding junior team members and handling multiple complex projects simultaneously is essential.

Required Skills:

• Creativity: Demonstrated ability to generate innovative and effective design solutions that enhance user engagement and satisfaction.
• Ownership: Proven capacity to take full responsibility for the UX design process from conception through to delivery.
• Design Leadership: Experience in strategic planning of design initiatives and influencing design strategy at a senior level.
• Brand Knowledge: Ability to understand, follow, and contribute to wider branding initiatives, ensuring brand promise is reflected in user experiences.
• Design Systems Expertise: Extensive knowledge in creating, maintaining, and evolving components within Figma libraries and contributing to design guidelines.
• Collaboration: Strong ability to work effectively with executive, cross-functional teams, and stakeholders, fostering positive working relationships.
• Decision Making: Capacity to make informed, strategic design decisions, balancing user needs, business objectives, and creative goals.
• Research & Usability Testing: Skills in designing, conducting, and analyzing usability tests using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and strategies persuasively to various audiences.
• User Psychology: Deep understanding of user psychology and human behavior principles to inform design decisions.
• Accessibility Expertise: Strong knowledge of accessibility standards and best practices (e.g., WCAG) to ensure inclusive design.
• Prototyping Software Proficiency: Expert-level proficiency in industry-standard prototyping tools such as Figma, Adobe XD, or similar.
• Mentorship: Experience in guiding and inspiring junior designers.
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills to address complex design challenges.
• Self-Motivation & Ambition: Proactive, driven, and eager to contribute to the growth and success of the UX team and the company.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the Financial Services or Fintech industry.
• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies.
• Experience with user journey mapping and service design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "required skills" list is extensive, reflecting the seniority of the role. "Design leadership," "brand knowledge," and "mentorship" are key indicators of a senior position that involves strategic input and team development. The emphasis on Figma and design systems is critical, highlighting the need for practical, hands-on skills in a modern design environment.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated End-to-End Process: Showcase a minimum of 2-3 significant UX projects that illustrate your entire design process, from initial research and problem definition through to wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and final design delivery.
• Problem/Solution Articulation: Clearly articulate the user problem or business challenge addressed in each project, the design decisions made, and the rationale behind them.
• Figma Component & Guideline Contributions: If possible, provide examples or descriptions of your contributions to design systems, component libraries (especially in Figma), or design guidelines, highlighting your role in their development and maintenance.
• Metrics and Impact: Quantify the impact of your design solutions where possible, using data, metrics, or user feedback to demonstrate improvements in usability, engagement, conversion rates, or other relevant KPIs.
• Collaboration and Stakeholder Management: Include examples that highlight your ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams (product, engineering, marketing) and present design solutions to stakeholders.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates are expected to be able to document and articulate their design processes clearly, including:
  • Workflow design and optimization methodologies used in past projects.
  • Implementation of user research and testing plans, including data analysis and synthesis.
  • Strategies for creating and maintaining design systems and component libraries.
  • Methods for communicating design rationales and gaining stakeholder buy-in.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Designer role, a portfolio is crucial. The emphasis here is not just on the final visual output but on the strategic thinking, process rigor, and demonstrable impact. Specific mention of Figma and design systems means candidates should be prepared to showcase their work in these areas. The ability to articulate process and rationale is as important as the final designs themselves.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior UX Designers in the UK with 6+ years of experience, particularly in established financial services firms like AJ Bell, a competitive salary range would likely be between £55,000 and £75,000 per annum. This estimate considers the hybrid working model, the company's listing on the FTSE 250, and the comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits:

• Competitive starting salary.
• Generous holiday entitlement: starting at 26 days, increasing to 31 days with length of service.
• Holiday buy and sell scheme for added flexibility.
• Pension schemes with matched contributions up to 7%.
• Discretionary bonus scheme.
• Annual free share awards scheme.
• Buy As You Earn (BAYE) Scheme for share ownership.
• Health Cash Plan provided by Medicash.
• Discounted private healthcare scheme and dental plan.
• Free on-site gym membership with a variety of free classes.
• Employee Assistance Programme for confidential support.
• Bike loan scheme to encourage active commuting.
• Sick Pay+ pledge for enhanced sick pay.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave policies.
• Discounted nursery fees at Kids Planet on Exchange Quay.
• Loans for travel season tickets.
• Death in service scheme for peace of mind.
• Dedicated time for proof-of-concepts and exploring new technologies.
• Support to attend conferences, events, and meet-ups for professional development.
• Paid time off for volunteer work.
• Charitable giving opportunities through salary sacrifice.
• Active social calendar with events like monthly payday drinks, Christmas party, and summer party.
• On-site parking at Exchange Quay.
• Comprehensive personal development programmes, including access to personal skills workshops.
• Ongoing technical training and professional qualification support.
• Talent management programmes for career advancement.
• Peer recognition scheme with rewards such as vouchers or time off.
• Monthly leadership breakfasts and lunches.
• Casual dress code.
• Access to benefits from sponsorship deals.
• Hybrid working model.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are not explicitly stated but are implied to be a full-time role. Given the industry and company size, a typical 37.5 to 40-hour week is expected, with flexibility often offered through the hybrid working arrangement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided benefits list is exceptionally comprehensive, indicating a strong focus on employee well-being, professional development, and financial security. The salary range is an estimate based on similar roles in the UK financial services sector and the seniority level described. It's crucial for candidates to confirm the exact salary during the interview process. The mention of "Dedicated time for proof-of-concepts and assessing new tech" and "Support to attend conferences" is particularly attractive for a design role focused on innovation.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services / Investment Platforms. AJ Bell operates in the UK's rapidly growing investment platform sector, serving both professional financial advisers and DIY investors. This industry demands high levels of trust, security, and user-friendliness, making UX design critical to customer acquisition and retention. Company Size: Over 1500 employees. As a FTSE 250 company, AJ Bell is a large, established, and publicly traded organization. This size implies structured processes, potential for career advancement, and significant resources for technology and development. Founded: AJ Bell was founded with a mission to make investing easier. Its growth from its inception to becoming a FTSE 250 company signifies a successful and ambitious trajectory. The company's commitment to innovation and customer service is a key aspect of its culture.

Team Structure:

• UX Team: The Senior UX Designer will be a prominent member of the UX Team, suggesting a dedicated group focused on user experience. The team likely comprises other UX designers, researchers, and potentially UI designers.
• Reporting: The role implies reporting into a Head of UX, Design Lead, or a similar senior position within the product development structure.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role heavily emphasizes collaboration with executive teams, product management, engineering, marketing, and potentially compliance/legal departments to ensure cohesive product development.

Methodology:

• User-Centric Design: The core methodology is user-centric, with a strong emphasis on understanding user needs through research and testing.
• Design Systems Approach: A significant focus on creating and maintaining robust design systems and component libraries for consistency and efficiency.
• Agile Development: While not explicitly stated, large tech-focused companies like AJ Bell typically operate within Agile or hybrid Agile frameworks, requiring designers to be adaptable and collaborative within sprint cycles.
• Data-Driven Decisions: The role requires using both quantitative and qualitative data to inform design decisions and measure impact.

Company Website: ajbell.co.uk

📝 Enhancement Note: AJ Bell's position as a leading financial services platform means that UX design directly impacts customer trust and financial decision-making. The company culture values growth, innovation, and employee development, as evidenced by its long-standing recognition as a "Best Companies to Work For." The hybrid model reflects a modern approach to work, balanced with the need for in-person collaboration.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level UX Designer position. It signifies a move beyond individual contributor tasks to include strategic input, design leadership, mentorship, and significant influence on product direction. The role is expected to contribute to shaping the overall design strategy of AJ Bell's platforms.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Designer will likely report to a Head of UX, Design Manager, or a Director of Product/Technology. They will work closely with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and other senior stakeholders across the business, playing a pivotal role in cross-functional decision-making processes related to user experience.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is substantial. By leading the UX design process for key product areas and contributing to the overall design strategy, the Senior UX Designer directly influences customer acquisition, retention, platform usability, and ultimately, the company's revenue and market position. Effective UX design in financial services is critical for building trust and ensuring customers can confidently manage their investments.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to grow into a Lead UX Designer, Head of UX, or a similar management role, overseeing larger teams and strategic design initiatives.
• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas such as UX research leadership, design systems architecture, or product strategy.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Potential to lead design thinking workshops or champion design excellence across different departments.
• Mentorship & Training: Continued development through mentoring junior staff, attending industry events, and receiving support for professional qualifications and ongoing technical training.
• Exposure to Strategic Initiatives: Involvement in high-level product strategy and business planning discussions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title is well-supported by the responsibilities and expectations outlined. The growth opportunities focus on both deepening UX expertise and moving into leadership roles, common paths for senior designers in established companies. The impact on revenue and market position is a key motivator for operations-focused candidates.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: AJ Bell operates a hybrid working model, meaning employees will spend a portion of their time in the office and the remainder working remotely. The initial period for new team members is designed to be full-time in the office to facilitate immersion and relationship building. Offices are located in Manchester, London, and Bristol.

Office Location(s):

• Manchester: 4 Exchange Quay (headquarters)
• London: Specific office location not detailed but implied to be central.
• Bristol: Specific office location not detailed but implied to be central. These locations are strategically chosen to be accessible urban hubs.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment likely includes collaborative areas, meeting rooms, and potentially dedicated UX team spaces designed to foster interaction and brainstorming.
• Tools and Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma, Adobe XD), collaboration tools, and company-provided hardware. The emphasis on design systems suggests integrated workflows.
• Team Interaction: The hybrid model encourages intentional in-office days for team meetings, workshops, critiques, and building rapport with colleagues across product, engineering, and other departments.

Work Schedule: While a standard full-time schedule is expected, the hybrid model offers flexibility. Employees are required to be in the office for a minimum of 50% of their working time per month. The initial onboarding period requires full-time office presence. This structure supports focused work at home and collaborative efforts in the office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work arrangement is a key feature. The requirement for a minimum of 50% in-office time, along with the initial full-time onboarding, indicates a company that values in-person collaboration and team cohesion while offering the flexibility of remote work. This balance is typical for senior roles where strategic alignment and mentorship are important.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Application & Screening: Submit CV and potentially a cover letter. Recruiters will screen applications based on experience, skills, and alignment with role requirements.
2. Hiring Manager/Team Lead Interview: A discussion focusing on your background, experience, problem-solving approach, and understanding of UX principles. This stage will likely probe your experience in leadership, strategy, and mentorship.
3. Portfolio Review & Presentation: A critical stage where you will present a selection of your best work. Be prepared to walk through 2-3 key projects, detailing your process, design decisions, challenges, and outcomes. Focus on projects that showcase end-to-end ownership, strategic thinking, and collaboration.
4. Technical/Skills Assessment (Optional): This might involve a design exercise (e.g., a take-home challenge, a live whiteboarding session, or a critique of an existing design) to assess your practical skills, problem-solving abilities, and approach to design challenges.
5. Cross-functional Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with product managers, engineering leads, or other key stakeholders to assess your ability to collaborate, communicate effectively, and understand business needs.
6. Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Product, CTO) to discuss cultural fit, career aspirations, and overall strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best represent your senior-level capabilities, focusing on complexity, impact, and your role in driving the outcome.
• Tell a Story: Structure each project presentation as a narrative: the problem, your approach, the solutions, the challenges, the outcomes, and your learnings.
• Highlight Process & Rationale: Emphasize why you made certain decisions, detailing your research, testing, and iteration process.
• Showcase Design System Contributions: If you have experience with Figma component libraries or design guidelines, be ready to discuss your contributions and their impact.
• Quantify Impact: Use data, metrics, and user feedback to demonstrate the success of your designs.
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your decision-making, conflict resolution, and how you handle constructive criticism.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a design exercise is given, focus on understanding the brief thoroughly.
• Structure your approach logically, outlining your assumptions and methodology.
• For whiteboarding sessions, think aloud, articulate your process, and engage with the interviewer.
• For take-home challenges, manage your time effectively to deliver a well-reasoned solution.
• Be ready to discuss how your solution aligns with business goals and user needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical application of UX skills and strategic thinking. The portfolio review is the cornerstone, requiring candidates to not only show their work but also articulate their thought process and impact. Preparing for design exercises that test problem-solving and collaboration is crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and critically, for creating and maintaining design systems and component libraries. Expertise here is a core requirement.
• Adobe XD (or similar): Proficiency in other prototyping and design tools may be beneficial, though Figma is highlighted.
• Prototyping Software: General expertise in creating interactive prototypes to test user flows and gather feedback.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Usability Testing Platforms: Tools for conducting and analyzing qualitative and quantitative user research (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, Hotjar).
• Analytics Tools: Familiarity with web analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to understand user behavior and measure the impact of design changes.
• Data Visualization Tools: Experience with tools that help visualize user data and design performance metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a UX tool, understanding how UX impacts CRM usage and customer journey automation can be beneficial. Familiarity with how user data flows from front-end interactions into backend systems would be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is explicitly mentioned as a key tool, particularly for design systems. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate advanced proficiency in Figma, including its collaborative features and ability to manage component libraries. Familiarity with research and analytics tools is also important for a role that emphasizes data-driven decision-making.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of AJ Bell's customers, ensuring all designs prioritize user experience and satisfaction.
• Collaboration: Valuing teamwork, open communication, and cross-functional partnerships to achieve shared goals and deliver cohesive products.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Encouraging creativity, embracing new ideas, and consistently seeking ways to enhance user experiences and improve design processes.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Relying on research, testing, and analytics to inform design choices and measure the effectiveness of solutions.
• Professionalism & Ownership: Taking responsibility for one's work, delivering high-quality outcomes, and contributing to a professional and results-oriented environment.
• "Feel Good Investing": This brand promise suggests a culture that aims to make financial management accessible, understandable, and positive for users.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The UX team works closely with Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, and other departments, requiring strong communication and the ability to translate user needs into actionable requirements for other teams.
• Constructive Feedback Culture: Active participation in UX Critique sessions signifies a culture that values constructive feedback, peer review, and collective improvement of design quality.
• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of insights, best practices, and learnings across the team and wider organization to foster a learning environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's brand promise, "feel good investing," is a strong indicator of the desired user experience and, by extension, the team's values. The emphasis on collaboration, data, and continuous improvement aligns with modern UX practices in a regulated industry.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: A common challenge in UX, especially in a regulated industry like financial services, is finding the optimal balance between delivering exceptional user experiences and meeting strict business, compliance, and technical requirements.
• Scaling Design Systems: As AJ Bell grows and evolves, maintaining and scaling a comprehensive design system across various platforms and product areas can be a significant undertaking.
• Driving UX Adoption: Ensuring that UX best practices are understood and consistently applied across all product development teams, especially in a large organization with diverse teams.
• Navigating Complex Financial Products: Designing intuitive and accessible user interfaces for complex financial products and services requires deep user understanding and clear communication strategies.
• Adapting to Evolving Technologies: Staying abreast of new UX methodologies, design tools, and emerging technologies to maintain a competitive edge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design System Development: Opportunity to lead or significantly contribute to the evolution of AJ Bell's design system, potentially exploring advanced patterns and governance models.
• Strategic Influence: Gaining experience in shaping product strategy and influencing executive-level decisions through compelling design advocacy.
• Mentorship and Leadership: Developing leadership skills through mentoring junior designers and potentially contributing to team management.
• Industry Exposure: Support for attending conferences, workshops, and obtaining professional certifications relevant to UX and product design.
• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Opportunities to learn more about financial markets, investment products, and the broader business operations of a leading financial services firm.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a senior role in a large, established company within a complex industry. The growth opportunities are well-aligned with a senior UX designer's career trajectory, focusing on strategic impact, leadership, and continuous skill enhancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting stakeholder requirements with user needs. How did you approach it and what was the outcome?" (Focus on negotiation, compromise, and user advocacy.)
• "How would you approach designing a new feature for our investment platform to increase user engagement by 15%?" (Demonstrate strategic thinking, user research, and iterative design process.)
• "What are the key principles of a successful design system, and how have you contributed to one in the past?" (Highlight your understanding of scalability, consistency, and component governance.)
• "How do you measure the success of your UX designs, and what key metrics do you focus on?" (Showcase your data-driven approach and understanding of ROI.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about AJ Bell's 'feel good investing' brand promise, and how would you translate that into user experiences?" (Research the company's mission and values.)
• "How do you approach collaboration with engineering and product teams in a hybrid work environment?" (Discuss your communication strategies and experience with remote/hybrid collaboration tools.)
• "Describe your experience mentoring junior designers. What is your philosophy on mentorship?" (Highlight your leadership potential and collaborative spirit.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each project, clearly define the problem, your role, the process, the solution, the outcomes (quantified if possible), and your key learnings.
• Visuals: Use high-fidelity mockups, interactive prototypes, and relevant research artifacts (e.g., user journey maps, personas).
• Narrative: Tell a compelling story about how you solved a problem and the impact of your work.
• Figma Focus: Be ready to discuss your Figma workflow, component creation, and how you've contributed to design systems.
• Conciseness: Respect the allocated time; be thorough but efficient.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership, and a deep understanding of UX principles within a business context. The portfolio presentation is the primary vehicle for showcasing these attributes. Be ready to articulate your process and rationale for every design decision.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the AJ Bell careers page.
• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature 2-3 complex UX projects that best demonstrate your end-to-end design process, strategic thinking, and leadership capabilities. Ensure these examples highlight your experience with Figma and design systems.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your CV to emphasize your 6+ years of UX experience, specific achievements in design leadership, mentorship, and contributions to design systems. Use keywords from the job description naturally.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work. Prepare specific examples for strategy, collaboration, and problem-solving questions. Rehearse your portfolio presentation to be clear, concise, and engaging.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with AJ Bell's products, services, brand values ("feel good investing"), and recent company news. Understand their market position and target audience.

⚠️ 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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