Senior UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer

Company: Cancer Research UK (CRUK)

Location: Stratford, London, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Digital Product Development

Date Posted: September 11, 2025

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

Remote Status: Hybrid (1-2 days per week in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and support user research and experience design for a variety of digital products and initiatives across the organization, focusing on enhancing user interactions with Cancer Research UK's services.

• Drive the development and execution of UX strategies, contributing to the overall digital product roadmap and improving user-centricity within the organization.

• Act as a senior UX specialist, influencing stakeholders and mentoring junior team members to elevate the organization's UX maturity and design practices.

• Apply a comprehensive understanding of user-centered design principles and methodologies to solve complex challenges and deliver innovative solutions for diverse user groups.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is for a UX Designer, the focus on "resolving complex challenges," "collaborating cross-functionally," and "driving delivery of work across a range of products and initiatives" suggests a strong operational component. The role requires an understanding of how UX design integrates with broader organizational goals and project management, aligning with the principles of efficient operations and service delivery within a non-profit sector. The emphasis on "portfolio leadership" and "understanding UX resourcing needs" also points to an operational oversight aspect.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and support user research studies and experience design for diverse user groups, employing UX methodologies such as the double diamond process.

• Develop and drive the implementation of medium to long-term UX strategies, identifying opportunities to enhance Cancer Research UK's UX maturity.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to design user-focused solutions for strategically important external and internal-facing products and services.

• Mentor, coach, and upskill junior UX designers and colleagues across the organization in user-centered design tools and techniques.

• Line manage a small team of 2-3 direct reports, providing day-to-day guidance and support.

• Act as an influential UX specialist within the Technology department and across the organization, representing CRUK's UX offering internally and externally.

• Identify and resolve complex problems within the UX capability, exploring new ideas and opportunities for innovation and improvement.

• Maintain an understanding of directorate and department priorities to inform delivery and impact, seeking opportunities to lead or contribute to portfolio initiatives.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key staff across the organization to ensure effectiveness in the role and foster a collaborative working style.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on UX work and leadership, including team management and strategic influence. This indicates a need for strong project management skills, stakeholder alignment capabilities, and the ability to translate organizational objectives into actionable UX initiatives, which are core to operational efficiency in a design context.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, or a related field is typically expected, though equivalent practical experience may be considered.

Experience: A minimum of 5-10 years of experience as a Senior UX Designer or UX Researcher, with a proven track record of independently leading, delivering, and completing multiple UX projects simultaneously within agile environments.

Required Skills:

• User Research & Analysis: Expertise in conducting user research, interviews, competitor analysis, contextual inquiry, and survey writing.

• Information Architecture & Design: Proficiency in persona/archetype creation, user journey mapping, and information architecture design.

• Interaction Design & Prototyping: Strong skills in designing innovative experiences, wireframing, prototyping using tools like Figma, and conducting usability testing (Lab and Guerrilla).

• User Testing & Optimization: Experience with smoke tests, A/B testing, and multivariate testing (e.g., using Optimizely), and analyzing user behavior data from tools like Hotjar or Google Analytics.

• Agile Methodologies: Demonstrated experience working within multi-disciplinary teams and agile development frameworks.

• Communication & Storytelling: Ability to clearly articulate UX concepts, research findings, design decisions, and their benefits through compelling storytelling techniques.

• Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to build and manage strong stakeholder relationships across an organization with a collaborative working style.

• Organizational Skills: Strong organizational, prioritization, and planning skills, with the ability to work independently and identify high-impact areas.

• UX Maturity & Improvement: Capability to identify opportunities for enhancing UX maturity within an organization.

• Accessibility & Inclusive Design: Solid understanding and application of accessibility (WCAG) and inclusive design principles.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with design systems and their implementation.

• Proficiency in heuristic evaluations.

• Experience working with marginalized user groups or within similar sectors (e.g., healthcare, charities).

• Experience in Lean UX methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The extensive list of required UX processes and tools (Figma, Optimizely, Hotjar, GA) signifies a need for candidates with practical, hands-on experience in a modern digital product development environment. The emphasis on "analyzing data" and "identifying opportunities" points to a data-driven approach, common in operations roles focused on performance improvement.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a range of UX projects demonstrating end-to-end design processes, from research to high-fidelity prototypes and testing.

• Include case studies that highlight your role in problem-solving, user research methodologies, design decisions, and the impact of your work.

• Present examples of user journey maps, personas, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and usability testing reports.

• Demonstrate your ability to apply accessibility and inclusive design principles in your work.

Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how you have documented user research findings and translated them into actionable design recommendations.

• Showcase experience in adhering to or contributing to design systems and style guides to ensure consistency and efficiency.

• Illustrate your approach to iterative design and how you incorporate feedback from usability testing and A/B testing into the design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is crucial for demonstrating practical UX skills. For this role, it should not only showcase design quality but also the candidate's ability to manage projects, collaborate effectively, and deliver measurable results, akin to an operations professional demonstrating process efficiency and impact. The emphasis on "identifying opportunities" and "driving delivery" suggests a need for portfolio pieces that highlight strategic thinking and proactive problem-solving.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £45,000 - £50,000 per annum.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive benefits package offered by Cancer Research UK, details available on their careers page. This typically includes:

  • Generous annual leave allowance.

  • Pension scheme contributions.

  • Life assurance.

  • Opportunities for professional development and training.

  • Health and wellbeing support programs.

  • Flexible working arrangements.

  • Potential for performance-related bonuses or recognition. Working Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a Senior UX Designer in London. The mention of a "generous benefits package" and "career and personal development opportunities" aligns with how operations-focused organizations attract and retain talent, emphasizing a supportive and growth-oriented environment. The 35-hour work week is standard for many UK organizations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Non-profit / Cancer Research & Awareness. Cancer Research UK is a leading independent cancer charity in the UK, dedicated to saving lives through research.

Company Size: Large (implied by the scale of operations and employee numbers typical for major charities). CRUK is a significant organization with a national presence.

Founded: 2002 (formed through a merger of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund and the Cancer Research Campaign).

Team Structure:

• The Senior UX Designer reports to the Lead UX Designer.

• Part of the Chief Operating Office department, indicating a central, operational function supporting the wider organization.

• Will work within multi-disciplinary teams, collaborating with product managers, developers, researchers, and other stakeholders.

Methodology:

• Adherence to the double diamond design process.

• Emphasis on user-centered design principles and practices.

• Agile methodologies are integral to the team's workflow.

• Focus on data-driven decision-making, utilizing analytics and testing results.

• Commitment to continuous improvement and increasing UX maturity across the organization.

Company Website: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/

📝 Enhancement Note: CRUK's mission-driven nature fosters a culture of purpose and impact. The operational structure within the Chief Operating Office suggests that UX design is viewed as a critical function for enabling the organization's mission efficiently. The values (Bold, Credible, Human, Together) are central to their operational ethos and guide how teams collaborate and deliver.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level individual contributor role with leadership responsibilities, including line management and strategic influence. It bridges hands-on design work with team development and organizational UX strategy.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Lead UX Designer, with potential for interaction with portfolio leadership and senior stakeholders across the organization.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's work directly impacts how people interact with Cancer Research UK, influencing engagement with donors, supporters, patients, and researchers. By improving digital products and services, the role contributes to the organization's efficiency in fundraising, research dissemination, and patient support, ultimately advancing its mission to beat cancer.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunity to hone line management skills and mentor junior designers, preparing for potential future leadership roles within UX or digital teams.

• Strategic UX Contribution: Influence the organization's UX strategy and help shape its digital future, gaining experience in organizational change and capability building.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Work on diverse projects across different departments, broadening understanding of organizational operations and stakeholder needs.

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific UX areas through project work and continuous learning, potentially specializing in areas like research, interaction design, or accessibility.

• Industry Best Practices: Stay current with advancements in UX and digital design, contributing to the organization's adoption of new tools and methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth beyond individual contribution, moving into team leadership and strategic planning. This aligns with operations career paths where individuals develop expertise in specific functional areas while also gaining broader organizational and strategic understanding.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Office-based with high flexibility, allowing for 1-2 days per week in the Stratford, London office. This hybrid model balances collaborative in-office work with the autonomy of remote work.

Office Location(s): Stratford, London (2 Redman Place). This is a modern, well-connected area of London, likely offering good amenities and transport links.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Opportunities to work closely with multi-disciplinary teams, fostering knowledge sharing and collective problem-solving.

• Resource Availability: Access to modern design tools and technologies, supported by the organization's commitment to providing high-quality tools.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with the Lead UX Designer, direct reports, and cross-functional colleagues, facilitating mentorship and peer learning.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (35 per week), with flexibility offered in the hybrid work arrangement, allowing for better work-life balance and efficient task management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model is a key feature, offering flexibility common in modern operational environments that prioritize employee well-being and productivity. The emphasis on collaboration within multi-disciplinary teams is critical for efficient project execution and knowledge transfer in any operational setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Anonymised Shortlisting: CVs are anonymised for initial review, with work history details from the application form being the primary assessment tool.

• Competency-Based Interview: The process includes one competency-based interview. Candidates should prepare to discuss their experience against specific behavioral criteria.

• Exercise: An exercise will be part of the interview process, likely designed to assess practical UX skills, problem-solving abilities, and communication style.

• Interview Dates: Interviews are scheduled from the week commencing October 6, 2025.

• Reasonable Adjustments: Candidates needing more time to apply due to reasonable adjustments should contact recruitment@cancer.org.uk.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: For each project in your portfolio, clearly articulate the problem you were solving, your specific contributions, the process you followed, and the measurable outcomes or impact achieved.

• Showcase Process: Include examples of your research methods, wireframes, prototypes, user testing findings, and iterations. Demonstrate how you translated insights into design solutions.

• Highlight Collaboration: If possible, include examples of successful cross-functional collaboration and how you managed stakeholder relationships.

• Tailor to CRUK: Consider how your portfolio projects align with CRUK's mission and user groups. Emphasize any experience with non-profits, healthcare, or sensitive topics.

• Conciseness and Clarity: Present your work clearly and concisely, focusing on the most relevant and impactful projects.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Double Diamond: Be prepared to articulate your understanding and application of the double diamond process.

• UX Principles: Refresh your knowledge of core UX principles, including user research techniques, usability testing, interaction design, and accessibility standards.

• Problem-Solving: Anticipate scenario-based questions or a practical exercise that requires you to solve a UX problem, potentially related to CRUK's services or a similar context.

• Behavioral Questions: Prepare STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method responses for competency-based questions, focusing on leadership, collaboration, problem-solving, and stakeholder management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The anonymised shortlisting process highlights the importance of a well-completed application form, particularly the work history section. The inclusion of an exercise suggests a practical, skills-based assessment rather than purely theoretical. Preparing to discuss your process and impact is key, mirroring how operational roles often require demonstrating efficiency and results.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Prototyping & Design: Figma is explicitly mentioned. Proficiency in other industry-standard tools like Sketch, Adobe XD, or InVision would also be beneficial.

• User Research & Analytics: Tools for user research (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback), and analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Hotjar) are essential.

• A/B Testing: Experience with A/B testing and multivariate testing platforms like Optimizely is a requirement.

• Design Systems: Understanding and potentially contributing to design systems.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Google Analytics (GA) for analyzing user behavior and website performance.

• Hotjar for heatmaps, session recordings, and user feedback.

CRM & Automation:

• While not explicitly mentioned for the UX role, familiarity with CRM systems (like Salesforce, widely used in non-profits for donor management) and marketing automation tools could provide context for how user data is managed and utilized across the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on specific tools like Figma, Optimizely, and Hotjar indicates a need for candidates with practical, hands-on experience in a tech-forward design environment. Proficiency in these tools is crucial for effective execution of UX strategies and for driving operational efficiency in design workflows.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Bold: Act with ambition, courage, and determination. This encourages taking initiative, tackling challenging projects, and pushing for innovative solutions in UX.

• Credible: Act with rigor and professionalism. This emphasizes the importance of data-driven decisions, thorough research, and high-quality design execution.

• Human: Act to have a positive impact on people. This highlights empathy and a focus on user needs, especially crucial given CRUK's mission. In a design context, it means creating inclusive and supportive experiences.

• Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively. This promotes teamwork, cross-functional partnerships, and knowledge sharing, essential for smooth operations and effective project delivery.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Strong emphasis on working collaboratively with diverse teams (product, tech, marketing, etc.) to achieve shared goals.

• Process Review & Feedback: A culture that encourages open feedback and iterative refinement of design processes and outcomes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement to share learnings and best practices, contributing to the overall development and efficiency of the UX team and the wider organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of organizational values provides a clear framework for understanding the expected behaviors and cultural fit. For operations professionals, aligning with these values means demonstrating accountability, professionalism, user-centricity, and teamwork in their daily work and decision-making.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Diverse User Needs: Catering to the varied needs of different Cancer Research UK audiences (patients, donors, researchers, staff) while maintaining a cohesive user experience.

• Navigating Sensitive Topics: Conducting research and designing solutions related to cancer requires a high degree of empathy and sensitivity, managing potentially challenging conversations.

• Driving UX Maturity: Contributing to the ongoing development and adoption of UX best practices across a large organization, which can involve change management and stakeholder education.

• Hybrid Work Management: Effectively collaborating and maintaining team cohesion and productivity within a hybrid work model.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• UX Leadership: Opportunities to develop leadership skills through line management and strategic contribution.

• Industry Trends: Staying abreast of the latest advancements in UX design, research methodologies, and digital technologies.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gaining insights into other areas of the organization through cross-functional project work.

• Professional Development: Access to training, conferences, and resources provided by CRUK to support skill enhancement and career progression.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in mission-driven organizations and roles that bridge technical skills with organizational impact. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering a path for career advancement and skill diversification, which is attractive to professionals seeking long-term development in operations and design leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• UX Strategy: "How would you approach developing a UX strategy for a new digital initiative at Cancer Research UK? What key considerations would you include?" (Focus on aligning UX with organizational goals, user needs, and business impact).

• Collaboration & Influence: "Describe a time you had to influence stakeholders who were resistant to UX recommendations. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Highlight communication, storytelling, and relationship-building skills).

• Problem-Solving: "Walk us through a complex UX problem you solved. What was your process, what tools did you use, and how did you measure success?" (Emphasize your design process, data analysis, and impact demonstration).

Company & Culture Questions:

• CRUK Mission: "How does your understanding of Cancer Research UK's mission influence your approach to UX design?" (Showcase empathy and alignment with the organization's purpose).

• Team Dynamics: "Describe your experience working in multi-disciplinary teams and your role in fostering a collaborative environment." (Provide examples of successful teamwork and communication).

• Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the success and impact of your UX work? Can you provide examples of metrics you've used?" (Focus on data-driven results and ROI).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Structure: For each case study, present a clear narrative: the challenge, your process, your solution, and the results. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly call out the UX processes and tools you employed in each project.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify your achievements wherever possible (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time, increased user satisfaction).

• Demonstrate Collaboration: If applicable, explain how you worked with developers, product managers, or other stakeholders.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, challenges encountered, and alternative approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing to discuss your process, impact, and how you align with CRUK's values and mission will be critical. Demonstrating an understanding of how UX operations contribute to the organization's overall efficiency and effectiveness will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Workday portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and clearly showcases projects that demonstrate your end-to-end UX process, problem-solving skills, and impact. Tailor your selection or presentation to highlight relevant experience for a non-profit organization like CRUK.

• Resume Optimization: Craft your resume to highlight your 5-10 years of experience, focusing on senior-level responsibilities, leadership, and specific UX skills and tools mentioned in the job description. Use keywords naturally.

• Application Form Completion: Pay close attention to completing the "work history" section thoroughly, as this will be used for anonymized shortlisting. Be specific about your responsibilities and achievements in previous roles.

• Interview Preparation: Practice answering competency-based questions using the STAR method. Prepare to discuss your portfolio projects in detail and be ready for a practical UX exercise. Research CRUK's current digital presence and recent initiatives.

⚠️ 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.