Senior UX/UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX/UI Designer

Company: Apadmi

Location: Manchester, United Kingdom (Hybrid)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Design Operations / Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-03-25T15:18:11

Experience Level: Senior (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end design lifecycle for client-facing digital products, from initial discovery and strategy through to final UI delivery and implementation.

• Champion user-centered design principles, balancing user needs with commercial objectives to create impactful and intuitive digital experiences.

• Develop and deliver high-quality user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and scalable design systems for a diverse range of client projects.

• Act as a key mentor and leader within the design team, providing constructive feedback, planning project design work, and contributing to the evolution of design processes and quality standards.

• Drive design excellence and innovation by contributing to new business pitches, articulating design rationale confidently to stakeholders, and ensuring design intent is realized in agile development environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a Senior UX/UI Designer position, indicating a focus on leadership, strategic input, and mentorship within the design function. The emphasis on "client products" and "commercial objectives" suggests a strong link between design outcomes and business results, typical of agency or consultancy environments. The hybrid model in Manchester implies a need for both in-office collaboration and remote flexibility. The reporting structure to Head of UX / Creative Director reinforces the senior nature and strategic importance of the role.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the design process for client projects, taking full ownership from initial discovery, user research synthesis, and strategy formulation to detailed UI design and handoff for development.

• Craft exceptional user experiences and interfaces that not only meet user needs but also drive commercial success for Apadmi's clients, ensuring a strong ROI on design investment.

• Produce comprehensive design artifacts, including detailed user flows, low-fidelity wireframes, high-fidelity interactive prototypes, and robust, scalable design systems.

• Collaborate closely with User Researchers to integrate insights, validate design hypotheses, and ensure a data-informed approach to all design decisions.

• Facilitate and lead client-facing discovery sessions, co-creation workshops, and design sprints to build consensus and drive project alignment.

• Partner effectively with Product Managers and Engineering leads to translate design intent into functional, high-quality digital products, ensuring seamless integration into agile/scrum development workflows.

• Serve as a confident and articulate design advocate in client meetings, clearly communicating design rationale, strategic thinking, and user-centric justifications for proposed solutions.

• Contribute significantly to new business development by assisting in proposal creation, developing design visions for pitches, and demonstrating Apadmi's design capabilities.

• Provide direction and strategic oversight for junior and mid-level designers working on project teams, including planning their design tasks and ensuring quality output.

• Conduct thorough peer reviews, offering clear, constructive, and actionable feedback to elevate the quality of design work across the team.

• Champion and implement inclusive design principles and accessibility best practices across all projects to ensure products are usable by everyone.

• Ensure all design deliverables are met on time, within project scope, and are demonstrably supported by user research and industry best practices.

• Actively contribute to the continuous improvement of Apadmi's internal design processes, quality standards, and overall ways of working.

• Effectively integrate and operate within agile and scrum methodologies, adapting design workflows to support iterative development cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of individual contribution, leadership, and strategic client engagement. The emphasis on "full design lifecycle," "commercial objectives," and "stakeholder influence" points to a role that requires not only strong design craft but also business acumen and client management skills. The requirement to "direct the work of other designers" and provide "constructive feedback" clearly defines the senior and mentorship aspects of the role within a project team context.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Digital Media, or a related field is beneficial, often demonstrating a foundational understanding of design principles and user-centered methodologies. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: A minimum of 5-10 years of professional experience in UX/UI design, with a significant portion focused on digital product design for web and mobile platforms. Proven experience in leading design processes for complex projects and a track record of delivering successful, user-centered digital solutions.

Required Skills:

• UX Design: Deep understanding of user-centered design methodologies, information architecture, user journey mapping, and usability principles.

• UI Design: Expertise in visual design, interaction design, typography, color theory, and creating high-fidelity mockups and prototypes.

• User Research: Proficiency in planning, conducting, and synthesizing user research (e.g., interviews, usability testing, surveys) to inform design decisions.

• Prototyping: Skilled in creating interactive prototypes using tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or InVision to effectively communicate design concepts and user flows.

• Wireframing: Ability to develop clear and effective wireframes that outline the structure, layout, and functionality of digital products.

• Design Systems: Experience in creating, managing, and scaling design systems to ensure consistency and efficiency across multiple products and platforms.

• Mentoring: Demonstrated ability to guide, support, and provide constructive feedback to junior and mid-level designers, fostering their professional growth.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Proven capability to build relationships, communicate effectively, and influence decisions with diverse stakeholders, including clients, product managers, and engineers.

• Agile Methodologies: Experience working within agile and scrum frameworks, adapting design processes to iterative development cycles and cross-functional team collaboration.

• Accessibility (WCAG): Strong understanding and practical application of web accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG 2.1 AA) to design inclusive and usable products.

• Collaboration: Excellent teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and contribute positively to team dynamics.

• Communication: Superior verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex design concepts and rationale clearly and persuasively.

• Facilitation: Strong facilitation skills for leading workshops, design sprints, and client meetings effectively.

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to understand business objectives and translate them into effective design strategies that deliver both user value and commercial impact.

• Portfolio Demonstration: Ability to showcase strategic thinking, craft excellence, and measurable impact of past design work.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in mobile app design (iOS and Android specific guidelines).

• Familiarity with front-end development principles and constraints (HTML, CSS, JavaScript).

• Experience with proposal writing and contributing to new business pitches.

• Knowledge of design operations principles and workflow optimization.

• Experience in a client-facing agency or consultancy environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills list is comprehensive and aligned with industry standards for a senior-level UX/UI designer. The inclusion of "Design Systems," "Mentoring," and "Stakeholder Engagement" alongside core design competencies highlights the elevated responsibilities. "Strategic Thinking" and "Portfolio Demonstration" are critical for senior roles, emphasizing the need to connect design work to business outcomes and to effectively present this connection. The preferred skills offer a pathway for candidates to further differentiate themselves.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio is mandatory, showcasing a minimum of 5-10 years of UX/UI design work.

• The portfolio must demonstrate strategic thinking, highlighting how design decisions were informed by user needs, business goals, and market context.

• Evidence of craft excellence in visual design, interaction design, and prototyping must be clearly presented.

• Crucially, the portfolio should include case studies that detail measurable impact and business outcomes achieved through your design solutions (e.g., improvements in conversion rates, user engagement, task completion times, client satisfaction).

Process Documentation:

• Case studies should clearly articulate the end-to-end design process followed for each project, from discovery and research through to final delivery.

• Demonstrate how user research (qualitative and quantitative) was integrated into the design workflow to validate hypotheses and inform iterations.

• Showcase the creation and application of key design artifacts such as user personas, journey maps, user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and final UI designs.

• Detail the development and utilization of design systems, illustrating how they ensured consistency and scalability.

• Explain how collaboration with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders was managed throughout the design lifecycle.

• Include examples of how accessibility and inclusive design principles were applied.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX/UI Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. The emphasis here is on demonstrating strategic leadership, end-to-end process ownership, and quantifiable impact. Simply showing final designs is insufficient; candidates must illustrate their thinking, decision-making process, and the tangible business value derived from their work. This aligns with the expectations for a senior role that influences business outcomes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Senior UX/UI Designer in Manchester, UK, with 5-10 years of experience and a hybrid work model, the estimated annual salary range is £50,000 - £70,000. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, portfolio strength, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Hybrid Working Model: Flexibility to balance work from Apadmi's Manchester HQ with remote work, promoting work-life integration.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning through training, workshops, conferences, and access to design resources.

• Pension Scheme: Contribution to a company pension plan to support long-term financial security.

• Health & Wellbeing: Potential for private healthcare coverage and initiatives focused on employee wellbeing.

• Creative Environment: Working in a dynamic, collaborative environment with a focus on design excellence and innovation.

• Client Exposure: Opportunity to work with a diverse portfolio of leading brands and impactful digital products.

• Team Culture: Being part of a supportive, multidisciplinary team that values collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week. While a structured work week is expected, Apadmi likely offers flexibility within its hybrid model to accommodate project deadlines and personal needs, common in creative and tech industries.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on publicly available data for similar roles in the Manchester area, considering the experience level and the hybrid work arrangement. The benefits listed are typical for a company of Apadmi's nature and size, with specific emphasis on professional growth and work-life balance, which are attractive to senior design professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Apadmi operates within the digital product development and technology services sector, specializing in creating mobile apps, websites, and digital platforms. They serve a diverse range of clients, indicating a broad market reach and experience across various industries.

Company Size: Apadmi is a growing company, likely falling into the small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) category or larger, based on its description of multidisciplinary teams and client portfolio. This size typically offers a balance between the structure and resources of a larger firm and the agility and personal impact of a smaller one.

Founded: Apadmi was founded in 2007, giving it over 15 years of experience in the digital product space. This tenure suggests a stable company with established processes, a proven track record, and a deep understanding of market evolution.

Team Structure:

• The UX/UI design team is likely structured to support multiple client projects simultaneously, with designers embedded within multidisciplinary project teams (strategy, product, engineering).

• Senior designers like this role will report to the Head of UX or Creative Director, indicating a clear hierarchy for design leadership and strategic oversight.

Methodology:

• Apadmi emphasizes a user-centered approach, combining strategy, product thinking, design, and engineering to deliver commercially impactful solutions.

• They likely employ agile/scrum methodologies for project execution, requiring designers to be adaptable and integrated within iterative development cycles.

• Design processes are expected to be research-informed, data-driven, and focused on delivering tangible user and business value.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context highlights Apadmi as an established digital product agency with a strong focus on user-centricity and commercial outcomes. The founding date suggests stability and experience. The mention of multidisciplinary teams and hybrid work points to a modern, collaborative work environment. The emphasis on "making a difference" and "commercially impactful" experiences indicates a results-oriented culture.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as "Senior," signifying a level of experience and responsibility beyond mid-level. Senior designers are expected to lead projects, mentor junior team members, influence strategy, and contribute to business development. They are key contributors who can operate autonomously on complex challenges and guide others.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX/UI Designer will report directly to the Head of UX or Creative Director. This direct line of communication ensures visibility to senior leadership, opportunities for strategic input, and clear guidance on design direction and professional development.

Operations Impact: The role's success is measured by its direct impact on the success of client digital products. This includes improving user satisfaction, increasing engagement metrics, driving conversion rates, and ultimately contributing to the commercial success and ROI of the digital initiatives Apadmi delivers for its clients. The role also impacts the internal design team's effectiveness through mentorship and process improvement.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to progress into Lead UX/UI Designer, Head of UX, or other managerial roles within the design department, overseeing larger teams and strategic initiatives.

• Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas such as interaction design, design systems, accessibility, or user research methodologies.

• Client Strategy: Development of skills in client management, business development, and strategic consulting, becoming a trusted advisor to clients.

• Process Improvement: Contributing to the refinement and innovation of Apadmi's design processes, tools, and quality standards, influencing the agency's overall design practice.

• Cross-functional Mastery: Gaining deeper insights into product management and engineering practices, enabling more holistic product development contributions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis frames the Senior UX/UI Designer role as a significant step in a design career. The growth opportunities are tied to both deepening design expertise and expanding into leadership, strategic consulting, and process ownership. The reporting structure and impact metrics emphasize the strategic importance of the role within the agency's client-focused operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Apadmi's HQ in Manchester is described as a place for hybrid working. This suggests a modern office environment designed to facilitate collaboration, client meetings, and focused work, while also accommodating remote work days. The office likely offers various types of workspaces, from dedicated desks to collaborative areas and meeting rooms.

Office Location(s): The primary office is located in Manchester, UK. This central location in a major city likely offers good transport links and access to a vibrant professional community. Specific details about the office's accessibility or amenities would typically be available during the interview process.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office will likely feature open-plan areas and meeting rooms that encourage interaction and brainstorming among multidisciplinary project teams.

• Technology & Tools: Employees will have access to industry-standard design software, hardware, and potentially collaborative platforms necessary for digital product development.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid model means designers will have structured opportunities to connect with colleagues in person, fostering team cohesion and facilitating complex discussions, alongside remote interactions.

Work Schedule: The role involves a standard 40-hour work week, with a hybrid arrangement that allows for a blend of in-office and remote work. This structure aims to provide flexibility while ensuring consistent team presence and collaboration, particularly important for design reviews, workshops, and client interactions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment description focuses on the hybrid model and the collaborative nature of an agency setting. The emphasis is on balancing individual focus with team synergy and client engagement, typical for a design role in a client-facing organization.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio by the recruitment team or hiring manager to assess suitability and experience.

• Portfolio Presentation & Interview: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, walking through selected case studies. This will be followed by an interview focusing on your design process, strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, and problem-solving skills. Be prepared to discuss your approach to user research, UI design, collaboration, and stakeholder management.

• Skills-Based Exercise/Challenge: You may be asked to complete a short design exercise or a take-home brief to assess your practical design skills, problem-solving approach, and ability to work within project constraints.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Further interviews with other members of the UX/UI team, potentially the Head of UX/Creative Director, and possibly a Product Manager or Engineering Lead to evaluate cultural fit, collaboration style, and technical understanding.

• Final Interview: A final discussion, potentially with senior leadership, to confirm suitability and discuss terms of employment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your senior-level capabilities, strategic thinking, and impact. Ensure a mix of complex challenges and successful outcomes.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, the process you followed, the decisions you made (and why), the challenges you overcame, and the measurable results achieved. Use visuals effectively to support your narrative.

• Highlight Impact: Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Use metrics such as increased conversion rates, improved user satisfaction scores, reduced task completion times, or positive client feedback.

• Showcase Process: Detail your UX process, from discovery and research to ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration. Explain how you collaborated with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

• Address Accessibility: Be prepared to discuss how you integrated accessibility and inclusive design principles into your work.

• Tailor to Apadmi: Research Apadmi's client work and values. Try to align your portfolio examples with the types of projects and industries they typically serve, demonstrating your understanding of their business.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Thoroughly read and understand any take-home brief or in-person exercise. Ask clarifying questions if needed.

• Time Management: Allocate your time wisely. Prioritize delivering a clear, well-reasoned solution over excessive polish if time is limited.

• Articulate Your Rationale: Be prepared to explain your design choices, the assumptions you made, and how your solution addresses the problem statement.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate your thought process and how you would approach the problem, even if you cannot complete the entire solution within the given time.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides detailed advice on preparing for the interview process, with a strong emphasis on portfolio presentation and handling potential design challenges. The advice is tailored to a senior role where strategic thinking and demonstrable impact are key evaluation criteria.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable, industry standard), Sketch, Adobe XD. Proficiency in at least one is essential, with Figma being the most likely primary tool.

• Wireframing & Flow Tools: Balsamiq, Miro, Whimsical, or integrated features within Figma/Sketch.

• User Research Tools: SurveyMonkey, Typeform, Google Forms for surveys; UserTesting.com, Lookback for remote user testing; Hotjar for analytics.

• Design System Management: Figma, Zeroheight, Storybook (depending on complexity and client needs).

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack, Microsoft Teams.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web/App Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude. Understanding how to interpret data from these tools is crucial for informing design decisions and measuring impact.

• Heatmapping & Session Recording: Hotjar, FullStory.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managed by UX/UI, familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and marketing automation platforms can provide context for user journeys and data integration points.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools listed represent the current industry standard for UX/UI design and product development. Proficiency in Figma is almost a given for modern design roles. The inclusion of analytics and collaboration tools highlights the cross-functional nature of the role and the need for data-informed design and effective teamwork.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving user needs as the primary driver for all design decisions and product development.

• Excellence & Craftsmanship: A dedication to producing high-quality, polished, and well-executed design work that reflects Apadmi's reputation.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A belief in the power of multidisciplinary teams, open communication, and shared problem-solving to achieve the best outcomes.

• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: A proactive approach to exploring new ideas, technologies, and methodologies to enhance design practices and product effectiveness.

• Commercial Acumen: Understanding that design must not only serve users but also contribute to the commercial success and strategic goals of clients.

• Inclusivity & Accessibility: A core value of designing for everyone, ensuring digital products are usable and accessible to people of all abilities.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to work seamlessly with product managers, researchers, engineers, and strategists, fostering a holistic product development environment.

• Open Feedback Culture: A willingness to give and receive constructive feedback in design reviews and team discussions to elevate the quality of work.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of insights, best practices, and learnings across the team and the wider organization.

• Agile Partnership: Close collaboration with development teams within agile sprints, ensuring design intent is maintained and adapted as needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture and values are inferred from the company's description and the nature of a digital product agency. The emphasis on user-centricity, excellence, collaboration, and commercial impact are standard for successful design teams in this sector. The senior role's expectation to mentor and improve processes suggests a culture that values growth and collective improvement.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Commercial Goals: Consistently finding the optimal intersection between creating delightful user experiences and meeting aggressive client business objectives and deadlines.

• Managing Client Expectations: Effectively communicating design rationale, managing scope, and navigating client feedback to deliver successful outcomes on diverse projects.

• Navigating Complex Technical Constraints: Designing for intricate technical platforms or legacy systems while ensuring a seamless user experience.

• Mentoring and Leading: Effectively guiding and influencing junior designers while also managing personal project responsibilities and contributing to strategic initiatives.

• Staying Ahead of the Curve: Keeping pace with rapidly evolving design tools, technologies, user behaviors, and industry trends.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Techniques: Pursuing training or certifications in specialized areas like advanced interaction design, motion design, or UX strategy.

• Leadership Development: Participating in management training programs or taking on project leadership roles to hone leadership and strategic planning skills.

• Industry Exposure: Attending relevant design conferences (e.g., UX Camp, Interaction Week) and engaging with the broader design community.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Deepening understanding of business strategy, product management, and technical development through collaboration and internal knowledge sharing.

• Design System Evolution: Contributing to the development and scaling of design systems, a highly sought-after skill.

📝 Enhancement Note: Identifying potential challenges helps candidates anticipate the demands of the role. The growth opportunities are framed to align with a senior designer's career trajectory, focusing on deepening expertise, expanding leadership, and contributing strategically.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for leading the design of a complex digital product from conception to launch. How do you ensure both user needs and commercial objectives are met?" (Focus on end-to-end process, strategy, and impact.)

• "How do you approach balancing conflicting stakeholder requirements or user feedback with your design vision?" (Assess stakeholder management, negotiation, and decision-making.)

• "Walk us through a time you had to influence a senior stakeholder or client to adopt your design recommendation. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Demonstrate influencing skills and persuasive communication.)

• "How do you ensure your designs are inclusive and accessible? Can you provide an example of how you've implemented accessibility best practices?" (Gauge understanding of inclusivity and practical application.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Apadmi and this specific role?" (Demonstrate research into the company and alignment with role responsibilities.)

• "How do you stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in UX/UI design?" (Assess proactive learning and industry awareness.)

• "Describe your ideal team environment. How do you contribute to a positive and collaborative team culture?" (Evaluate cultural fit and collaboration style.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Impactful Projects: Choose projects that showcase strategic thinking, problem-solving, and measurable results. Aim for variety in project type if possible.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your specific role and contributions, the process you followed (research, ideation, design, testing), key decisions and rationale, challenges faced, and the final outcomes/impact.

• Quantify Results: Use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs. If exact numbers aren't available, discuss the expected impact or qualitative feedback received.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your decision-making, the tools you used, and how you collaborated with others.

• Showcase Your Thinking: Emphasize your thought process and how you arrived at your solutions, not just the final deliverables.

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview questions are designed to probe for the core competencies required of a senior designer: strategic thinking, leadership, client management, problem-solving, and a strong understanding of the design process and its impact. The portfolio preparation advice is centered on demonstrating these qualities effectively.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX/UI Designer position:

• Visit the Apadmi careers page or the provided Greenhouse link to submit your application.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and prominently features 3-5 of your most impactful projects that align with Apadmi's client work and the role's senior requirements. Tailor your case study narratives to highlight strategic thinking, end-to-end process ownership, and quantifiable business impact.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your years of experience, key responsibilities, and achievements relevant to senior UX/UI design, leadership, and client engagement. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, articulate your design process, and prepare to discuss how you handle challenges, collaborate with teams, and influence stakeholders. Research Apadmi's recent projects and company values.

• Company Research: Thoroughly review Apadmi's website, case studies, and any available company information to understand their mission, values, client base, and design philosophy. This will help you tailor your application and interview responses effectively.

⚠️ 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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