Senior UX / UI Designer (12-Month FTC)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX / UI Designer (12-Month FTC)

Company: Lloyds Banking Group

Location: Halifax or Leeds, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time, Contract

Category: User Experience (UX) / User Interface (UI) Design, Product Design

Date Posted: November 7, 2025

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (implied by "Senior" title and 5-10 years experience)

Remote Status: Hybrid (minimum 2 days/week in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the end-to-end product design process, from initial concept to final implementation, ensuring a user-centric approach.

• Act as a critical liaison between design, engineering, and research teams, translating customer needs into tangible design solutions.

• Develop wireframes, mock-ups, and interactive prototypes that effectively communicate design intent and user flows.

• Contribute to and leverage a robust design system to ensure consistency and efficiency across digital products within the Homes & Mortgages platform.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is for a UX/UI Designer, the context of a major financial institution like Lloyds Banking Group, focusing on a "Homes & Mortgages Platform," suggests a strong need for operational efficiency, data-driven decision-making, and seamless integration with backend systems. Candidates should highlight experience in designing for complex, regulated environments and demonstrate an understanding of how UX/UI directly impacts operational metrics and customer satisfaction in financial services.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design lifecycle for specific product features within the Homes & Mortgages platform, from user research synthesis to high-fidelity prototyping and handover to development.

• Collaborate closely with Product Owners, Engineers, Researchers, and other stakeholders in an agile environment to define scope, visualize outcomes, and prioritize design efforts.

• Champion the user perspective by conducting and supporting user research activities, translating insights into actionable design improvements and validating design decisions against customer needs.

• Develop and maintain design components within a design system, ensuring visual consistency, interaction standards, and usability best practices across multiple digital channels.

• Communicate design rationale, user insights, and technical considerations effectively to diverse audiences, including non-design and non-digital backgrounds, to manage expectations and foster collaboration.

• Map out intuitive user journeys and user flows, defining information architecture and creating page-level prototypes and design goals that align with business objectives and customer expectations.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of design processes and methodologies within the team, sharing knowledge and embedding design principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "improve the journeys in which we engage our millions of customers" and "support them with the right products, tools, and services" indicates a focus on not just aesthetic design but also on the functional and operational aspects of customer interaction within financial services. This implies a need to consider how design choices impact customer support, onboarding processes, and overall operational efficiency.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical experience and a deep understanding of design principles is expected.

Experience: Demonstrable experience within Product Design, with a focus on UX/UI principles and their application in digital product development.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in Product Design, encompassing user research, concept development, wireframing, prototyping, and visual design.

• Experience contributing to and utilizing design systems, including creating and managing design components.

• In-depth understanding of competitor analysis, workshop facilitation, and visual design across multiple digital channels.

• Strong knowledge of interaction design principles and usability best practices.

• Awareness and practical application of user research methodologies and activities.

• Proficiency with industry-standard design and prototyping tools such as Sketch, Figma, and InVision.

• Experience working within an agile development environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for financial services, particularly in areas like mortgages, banking, or customer onboarding.

• Familiarity with data analysis and metrics to inform design decisions and measure impact.

• Experience with journey mapping and service design principles.

• Strong visual storytelling abilities to articulate design concepts and user value.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "customer insight," "market insight," and "agile team" collaboration suggests that candidates with experience in data-informed design and agile operations will be highly valued. The role requires translating complex financial products and processes into user-friendly digital experiences, demanding a blend of creative design skills and a strategic understanding of business needs and customer journeys within a regulated industry.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of UX/UI design projects, with a clear emphasis on the design process from problem identification to solution implementation.

• Demonstrate experience in creating and contributing design components to a design system, illustrating an understanding of scalable and consistent design.

• Include case studies that highlight competitor analysis, concept development, and workshop facilitation, showcasing problem-solving skills.

• Present projects that illustrate visual design across multiple channels and effective prototyping techniques.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of how user research and customer insight were integrated into the design process to drive decision-making.

• Demonstration of how design principles were applied to create intuitive user journeys and page-level designs.

• Evidence of collaboration with engineering and product teams, including handover processes and iteration based on feedback.

• Case studies that show how design decisions influenced operational efficiency or customer engagement metrics.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, a portfolio should not just showcase final designs but also the iterative process, user research synthesis, and how design decisions were made to address specific customer needs and business goals within a financial services context. Highlighting contributions to design systems and demonstrating proficiency with tools like Figma is crucial. The ability to articulate how design impacts operational aspects like customer onboarding, application processing, or self-service capabilities will be a significant differentiator.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £59,850 - £66,500 per annum (based on specified range)

Benefits:

• A generous pension contribution of up to 15%.

• Discretionary annual performance-related bonus.

• Share schemes, including free shares.

• Adaptable benefits for lifestyle adjustments, such as discounted shopping.

• 30 days of annual holiday, in addition to bank holidays.

• A comprehensive range of wellbeing initiatives.

• Generous parental leave policies.

Working Hours: Full-Time, with a hybrid working pattern requiring a minimum of 2 days per week (or 40% of time) in the office. This equates to approximately 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The stated salary range is competitive for a Senior UX/UI Designer role in the UK, particularly in financial services. The hybrid working model offers flexibility, which is a key consideration for many professionals. The extensive benefits package, including pension, bonus, and share schemes, reflects the stability and commitment of a large financial institution. The mention of "digital banking" and "transformation programme" suggests that the company invests in its technology and people, which is attractive to operations-minded candidates.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Banking and Mortgages)

Company Size: Large Enterprise (Lloyds Banking Group is one of the UK's largest financial institutions with tens of thousands of employees).

Founded: 2009 (Lloyds Banking Group formed through merger, with heritage dating back much further).

Team Structure:

• The role is part of an agile team focused on the Homes & Mortgages platform, implying a cross-functional structure with designers, engineers, product owners, and researchers.

• The Senior UX/UI Designer will likely report into a Design Lead or Head of Product Design within the platform's product development hierarchy.

Methodology:

• The company emphasizes an agile methodology for product development, requiring iterative design, continuous feedback, and close collaboration.

• A strong focus on customer insight and market analysis will guide design decisions and strategic planning.

• The company is undergoing "ambitious transformation" and investing in digital platforms, suggesting a culture that values innovation, efficiency, and data-driven approaches to improving customer experience and operational processes.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Lloyds Banking Group's commitment to "helping Britain prosper" and its significant investment in digital transformation indicates a forward-thinking culture within a traditionally conservative industry. For operations professionals, this translates to opportunities to implement modern processes, leverage technology for efficiency, and contribute to large-scale strategic initiatives. The emphasis on inclusivity and diversity is also a key cultural pillar.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level individual contributor role, focusing on specialized design expertise within a critical platform. It implies a level of autonomy and the ability to mentor junior designers. The "12-Month FTC" (Fixed-Term Contract) suggests a project-based engagement, potentially leading to further opportunities or serving as valuable experience on a major transformation.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX/UI Designer will likely report to a Design Manager or Head of Design within the Homes & Mortgages platform. They will collaborate closely with Product Owners and Engineering Leads.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts customer experience within the Homes & Mortgages division, a core revenue-generating area for the bank. Effective UX/UI design can lead to:

• Increased customer acquisition and conversion rates.

• Reduced customer churn due to improved usability and satisfaction.

• Lower operational costs through more efficient customer journeys and self-service capabilities.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Deepen expertise in financial services UX, design systems, and agile methodologies. Potential to gain experience in specific areas like mortgage application workflows or digital banking features.

• Leadership Potential: Opportunity to mentor junior designers, lead specific design initiatives, and influence design strategy within the platform.

• Career Progression: Successful performance on this FTC could lead to opportunities for permanent roles within Lloyds Banking Group or similar large-scale financial institutions, or provide a strong foundation for future senior design roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: While primarily a design role, the "Senior" designation and the platform's operational significance mean that understanding the impact of design on business metrics and operational efficiency is paramount. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how their design decisions contribute to overall business objectives and customer satisfaction in a regulated environment. The FTC nature means demonstrating immediate value and adaptability will be key.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is hybrid, requiring presence in the office at least two days per week. This suggests a modern office environment designed for collaboration, with access to standard business amenities.

Office Location(s): Halifax or Leeds, United Kingdom. These are significant operational hubs for Lloyds Banking Group.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely be collaborative, with open-plan areas designed for agile team interaction, alongside quieter spaces for focused design work.

• Access to the latest design software (Sketch, Figma, InVision) and collaboration tools will be standard.

• Opportunities for daily interaction with cross-functional team members (product, engineering, research) to facilitate the design process.

Work Schedule: Full-time, approximately 40 hours per week, with a hybrid model. While core hours will likely exist, the hybrid nature allows for some flexibility in structuring the week, balancing office presence with remote work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model is typical for large organizations, particularly those undergoing digital transformation. For operations roles, understanding how to maintain team cohesion, communication, and productivity across hybrid and remote setups is essential. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience working effectively in such environments.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a recruiter or HR screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the hiring manager to delve deeper into experience, technical skills, and understanding of the role's responsibilities.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A crucial stage where candidates will present their portfolio, showcasing key projects, design process, and problem-solving skills. Expect to discuss specific case studies in detail.

• Technical/Team Interview: May involve a practical design exercise or a discussion with other team members (designers, product owners) to assess collaboration and technical acumen.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss strategic alignment and long-term fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your senior-level product design skills, especially those relevant to financial services or complex platforms.

• Focus on Process: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), key decisions made, and the outcome/impact. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Design System Contributions: If you have experience with design systems, showcase your contributions and how you ensured consistency and scalability.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time, increased user satisfaction).

• Tell a Story: Structure your presentation to tell a compelling narrative about each project, emphasizing your problem-solving approach and user-centricity.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a potential take-home design challenge or an in-interview exercise.

• Focus on demonstrating your ability to quickly understand a problem, define user needs, and propose a well-reasoned design solution.

• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, as if you were presenting to stakeholders.

• Consider how your design would integrate with existing systems and adhere to potential regulatory requirements in financial services.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX/UI Designer role, the portfolio review is paramount. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their design decisions with strategic rationale, linking them to user needs, business objectives, and operational efficiency. Highlighting experience with design systems and agile methodologies will be critical. The ability to present complex ideas clearly and concisely to a diverse audience is a key skill to demonstrate.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Figma (highly preferred, as it's industry-standard for collaboration), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (as applicable).

• Prototyping Tools: InVision, Figma's prototyping features, or other relevant tools for creating interactive mock-ups.

• Collaboration Tools: Jira, Confluence (common in agile environments for project tracking and documentation).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to understand user behaviour and measure design impact.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM/Automation role, understanding how UX/UI design interfaces with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, internal LBG systems) and automation workflows can be beneficial for designing seamless customer journeys.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is a significant advantage, given its widespread adoption. Experience with design systems and their implementation tools (e.g., Storybook, Zeplin) is also highly relevant. For operations-minded candidates, understanding how design tools integrate with development workflows and data analytics platforms will be a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Centricity: A core value, ensuring all design decisions prioritize customer needs and satisfaction, directly impacting customer loyalty and operational efficiency.

• Collaboration: Emphasis on cross-functional teamwork, open communication, and shared problem-solving to achieve collective goals.

• Innovation & Transformation: A drive to improve processes, adopt new technologies, and enhance customer experiences through design and digital solutions.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Using insights from research and analytics to inform design choices and measure their effectiveness.

• Inclusivity: Designing accessible and equitable experiences for all customers and colleagues.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, with designers working closely with product managers, engineers, researchers, and business stakeholders.

• A culture that values constructive feedback and iterative design improvements.

• Emphasis on clear communication and storytelling to align diverse teams around a shared vision for the product.

📝 Enhancement Note: Lloyds Banking Group's stated values revolve around "helping Britain prosper" and fostering an inclusive culture. For operations professionals, this translates to a commitment to ethical practices, customer well-being, and contributing to a stable financial ecosystem. The emphasis on "transformation" suggests an environment that embraces change and seeks continuous improvement in both customer-facing products and internal operational processes.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex Systems: Designing for a large, established financial institution with potentially complex legacy systems and strict regulatory requirements.

• Balancing User Needs with Business Constraints: Effectively advocating for user needs while managing technical limitations, business objectives, and compliance mandates.

• Driving Adoption of New Designs: Ensuring buy-in and smooth implementation of new designs and features across a large organization.

• Measuring Impact: Quantifying the ROI of design initiatives in a way that resonates with business stakeholders and demonstrates operational improvements.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Specialization: Gaining deep expertise in UX/UI design for financial services, specifically within the mortgage sector.

• Design System Mastery: Contributing to and potentially leading aspects of a large-scale design system.

• Agile Operations Integration: Enhancing skills in agile methodologies and cross-functional collaboration within a large corporate structure.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to mentor junior designers and learn from experienced professionals across various disciplines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges in this role are typical of senior positions in large, regulated industries, requiring strong problem-solving skills, resilience, and strategic thinking. The growth opportunities are significant, offering a chance to impact a core business function within a leading financial institution and develop specialized skills in a high-demand area.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for designing a complex feature, such as a mortgage application workflow, from initial concept to launch." (Focus on user research, iteration, and collaboration.)

• "How do you balance user needs with business requirements and technical constraints? Provide an example." (Demonstrate strategic thinking and compromise.)

• "Walk us through a project where you contributed to or built a design system. What were the key challenges and successes?" (Highlight system thinking and component reusability.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Lloyds Banking Group and its mission to 'help Britain prosper'?" (Demonstrate research and alignment with company values.)

• "How do you see your role as a Senior UX/UI Designer contributing to the Homes & Mortgages platform's success and the bank's overall transformation?" (Connect your skills to business impact.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with a high-level overview of your career, then dive into 2-3 detailed case studies. For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, the process, your contributions, challenges overcome, and the results.

• Visuals: Use high-quality visuals of wireframes, mock-ups, prototypes, and user flows. Explain why you made certain design choices.

• Metrics: Quantify achievements whenever possible. If you don't have hard metrics, discuss anticipated outcomes or lessons learned.

• Storytelling: Frame your projects as narratives, highlighting your problem-solving skills and user empathy.

• Q&A Readiness: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, challenges faced, and how you’d approach specific scenarios relevant to financial services.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skills, but also strategic thinking, an understanding of the financial services industry, and the ability to operate effectively within a large, agile organization. Be ready to discuss how your design work contributes to operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and business goals.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX / UI Designer position at Lloyds Banking Group:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Lloyds Banking Group careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating your experience with complex user journeys, design systems, and ideally, financial services or regulated industries. Ensure it clearly showcases your process and impact.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to prominently feature keywords from the job description, such as "Product Design," "UX/UI," "Design Systems," "Figma," "Agile," and "Customer Insight." Quantify your achievements with specific metrics where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process and project outcomes using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Prepare specific examples for common UX/UI interview questions and be ready to present your portfolio confidently.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Lloyds Banking Group's mission, values, and recent initiatives, particularly in digital transformation and customer experience within their Homes & Mortgages division. Understand their commitment to agile working and hybrid models.

⚠️ 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.