Senior UX/UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX/UI Designer

Company: ministry03

Location: Wellington, NZ

Job Type: Full-time

Category: UX/UI Design & Product Development

Date Posted: 2026-04-29

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end UX and UI design for digital and data products, focusing on improving education services within the Ministry.

• Champion a human-centred design approach, bridging user needs, business objectives, and technical capabilities for intuitive and accessible solutions.

• Collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams, including developers, business analysts, product owners, and business stakeholders, to shape effective digital experiences.

• Drive the continuous improvement of UX design practices across the Ministry and foster stronger sector engagement in design processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is positioned as a Senior UX/UI Designer within a government Ministry, indicating a focus on public service, accessibility, and potentially complex regulatory environments. The emphasis on "shaping the future of Education" suggests a strategic impact beyond typical product design. The "Digital and Data" group context highlights the importance of data-informed design and modernization.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design process for medium-to-large scale digital and data products and services.

• Develop and execute user research methodologies, including workshops, interviews, surveys, and usability testing, to gather insights and validate design decisions.

• Create and refine wireframes, mock-ups, and interactive prototypes, ensuring they are user-friendly, intuitive, and meet accessibility standards.

• Translate design concepts into clear and actionable guidance for development teams, ensuring accurate implementation of UX/UI specifications.

• Support and mentor junior designers and contribute to strengthening UX design practice and standards across the organization.

• Collaborate with product owners and business analysts to define product requirements and ensure design solutions align with business goals and user needs.

• Champion user accessibility and adherence to New Zealand Government Web Accessibility and Usability Standards in all design outputs.

• Continuously evaluate and iterate on designs based on user feedback, performance data, and evolving business requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly outline a senior-level role with a mandate to lead design initiatives, mentor others, and influence design practices. The emphasis on "medium-to-large pieces of work" and "strengthen UX design practice" suggests a significant scope of influence and responsibility.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred for senior design roles. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: Minimum of 5-10 years of professional experience in UX/UI design, with a proven track record of leading design projects from concept to completion.

Required Skills:

• Extensive experience in User-Centred Design (UCD) and Human-Centred Design methodologies.

• Proficiency in interaction design principles and practices.

• Strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end UX/UI design work, demonstrating strategic thinking and quality execution.

• Demonstrated experience with New Zealand Government Web Accessibility and Usability Standards.

• Expertise in creating and validating wireframes, mock-ups, and interactive prototypes.

• Ability to translate design specifications into clear guidance for development teams.

• Proven ability to build relationships and partnerships within a complex organizational environment.

• Experience interpreting quantitative and qualitative feedback to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.

• Strong planning, organizational, and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure.

• Ability to improve inefficient processes and navigate ambiguity effectively.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in a government or public sector organization.

• Familiarity with Agile/Scrum development methodologies.

• Experience with data visualization and dashboard design.

• Knowledge of user research techniques beyond standard UCD practices.

• Experience with design system management and governance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications highlight a blend of technical design skills, strategic thinking, collaborative ability, and an understanding of the public sector context, particularly regarding accessibility and government standards. The portfolio requirement is critical for demonstrating practical expertise.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is essential, demonstrating end-to-end UX/UI design thinking and execution.

• Showcase case studies that highlight problem definition, user research, ideation, prototyping, testing, and final design solutions.

• Include examples of designs that adhere to accessibility standards and explain the rationale behind design choices.

• Present projects that highlight collaboration with developers and stakeholders, and the impact of your design contributions.

Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how you have applied UCD and interaction design methods in practice, including documentation from workshops, interviews, and usability testing.

• Showcase how you have translated user insights and feedback into tangible design improvements.

• Demonstrate your process for creating and validating wireframes, mock-ups, and interactive prototypes.

• Illustrate how you have provided clear design guidance to delivery teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is the primary tool for demonstrating practical UX/UI skills. Candidates should focus on showcasing their process, problem-solving abilities, and the impact of their design work, with a strong emphasis on accessibility and user-centricity.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $100,296 - $121,490 per annum (NZD)

The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary within this range, reflecting their individual skills and experience.

Benefits:

• KiwiSaver contribution.

• Flexible hybrid working arrangements.

• Access to Microsoft 365 and Jira/Atlassian tools.

• Support from a dedicated Analysis & Design Practice team.

• Opportunities for coaching, mentoring, and professional development.

• Modern office space in central Wellington.

• Commitment to public service integrity and conduct.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week), with flexibility offered within a hybrid work environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is clearly defined. The benefits package emphasizes professional development, work-life balance through hybrid work, and access to modern tools, which are attractive aspects for senior-level design professionals. The NZD currency and Wellington location are key considerations for salary expectations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Government & Public Sector (Education)

Company Size: Large (Ministry-level organization)

Founded: The Ministry of Education in New Zealand has a long history, with its current structure evolving over time. The emphasis is on shaping the future of education.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the Te Pou Kōrero | Digital and Data group.

• This group is responsible for setting digital and data direction, strategy, and capability plans.

• The role is part of the Analysis & Design Practice team, which offers coaching, mentoring, and professional development.

Methodology:

• Adherence to human-centred design (HCD) and user-centred design (UCD) principles.

• Focus on data-driven decision-making and leveraging insights from quantitative and qualitative feedback.

• Commitment to improving inefficient processes and embracing innovation through new technologies, research, testing, and prototyping.

• Application of Agile/Scrum methodologies is likely, given the mention of Jira/Atlassian tools.

• Strict adherence to Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

Company Website: https://ministrycareers.education.govt.nz/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is rooted in public service values, emphasizing equity, excellence, and making a difference for students. The Digital and Data group is at the forefront of modernizing these services, requiring a blend of innovation and adherence to government standards. The team structure promotes collaboration and continuous learning.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior UX/UI Designer. This level signifies a significant degree of autonomy, leadership potential, and responsibility for complex design challenges. It involves not just execution but also strategic input and practice enhancement.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX/UI Designer will likely report to a Lead UX/UI Designer or a Practice Manager within the Analysis & Design team. They will also work closely with Product Owners and other stakeholders across various business groups.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on the usability, accessibility, and effectiveness of digital and data products that serve students, educators, and the wider education sector. By improving these services, the role contributes to achieving equitable and excellent educational outcomes for New Zealand.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas of UX/UI, such as advanced user research, accessibility best practices, or design system management.

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a Lead UX/UI Designer role, taking on more strategic oversight and team leadership responsibilities.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain experience working across various Ministry initiatives and with diverse stakeholders, broadening understanding of the education system.

• Mentorship: Benefit from and provide mentorship within the Analysis & Design Practice team, fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement.

• Industry Engagement: Potential to represent the Ministry at industry events or contribute to public sector design standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: This Senior role offers a clear path for career progression within the Ministry's digital and data domain. The focus on practice enhancement and mentorship indicates a supportive environment for professional growth, with opportunities to influence design strategy at a broader level.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment with modern office space provided in central Wellington. This allows for a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility.

Office Location(s): Central Wellington, New Zealand, offering accessibility and proximity to government services and amenities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The Ministry fosters a supportive Analysis & Design Practice team, encouraging collaboration, knowledge sharing, and professional development.

• Tools & Technology: Access to modern tools including Microsoft 365, Jira/Atlassian tools, and Microsoft Co-pilot, supporting efficient workflow and design processes.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with fellow designers, developers, business analysts, and product owners, facilitating effective problem-solving and design iteration.

Work Schedule: Flexible hybrid working arrangements are offered, allowing for a managed balance between office-based work and remote work, supporting efficient data analysis and design tasks while maintaining team connectivity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model in a modern Wellington office is a key feature, catering to contemporary work preferences. The availability of specific collaboration tools like Jira and Microsoft Co-pilot indicates a commitment to leveraging technology for efficiency and team synergy.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application: Submit a cover letter and resume. The cover letter should articulate motivations, values, strengths, transferable skills, and diverse perspectives.

• Portfolio Review: A critical step where candidates present their professional UX/UI design work. Expect to discuss your process, rationale, and impact.

• Interviews: Likely to involve interviews with the hiring manager (Megan Williams), potential team members, and possibly other stakeholders. These will assess technical skills, problem-solving abilities, collaboration style, and cultural fit.

• Potential Practical Exercise: A design challenge or case study may be presented to assess problem-solving skills and design approach in real-time or as a take-home assignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Structure your portfolio case studies to tell a compelling story: the problem, your approach, the solution, and the outcomes.

• Process Emphasis: Clearly articulate your UX/UI process, highlighting user research, design iterations, and how you incorporated feedback.

• Accessibility Focus: Specifically call out how you have addressed accessibility standards and why those decisions were important.

• Impact & Metrics: Where possible, quantify the impact of your designs. Use metrics related to user satisfaction, task completion rates, or efficiency gains.

• Tailor to Role: Highlight projects most relevant to government services, complex organizations, and digital/data products.

Challenge Preparation:

• Problem Framing: Practice breaking down ambiguous problems into manageable components.

• User-Centric Solutions: Focus on developing solutions that address genuine user needs.

• Time Management: If given a timed exercise, practice working efficiently and prioritizing tasks.

• Articulate Rationale: Be prepared to clearly explain the reasoning behind your design choices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process emphasizes articulating personal values and diverse perspectives, alongside technical skills. The portfolio review is central, requiring candidates to demonstrate their process and impact, particularly concerning accessibility and user-centricity within a government context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma is explicitly mentioned as a required tool. Expect to use it for wireframing, mock-ups, interactive prototyping, and potentially design system management.

• Collaboration & Workflow: Jira and Atlassian tools are available, indicating a need for proficiency in project tracking, task management, and agile workflow processes.

• Productivity Suite: Microsoft 365 is provided, suggesting standard use for documents, presentations, and communication.

• Emerging Technologies: Microsoft Co-pilot is implemented, hinting at potential use for AI-assisted design tasks, research synthesis, or content generation.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly mentioned as a primary focus for this UX/UI role, but an understanding of how design impacts user journeys within broader digital ecosystems (which may include CRM or automation platforms) would be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is modern and focused on collaborative design and development workflows. Proficiency in Figma is a must, and familiarity with Jira/Atlassian is expected. The mention of Microsoft Co-pilot suggests an openness to AI-driven tools in the design process.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Equity and Excellence: A core value driving the Ministry's mission to provide equitable and excellent educational outcomes. Designs should reflect this commitment.

• Human-Centred Approach: Prioritizing users (students, educators, etc.) in all design decisions, ensuring solutions are usable, intuitive, and accessible.

• Collaboration and Partnership: Working effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders to achieve shared outcomes and build strong relationships.

• Continuous Improvement: Embracing feedback, learning from data, and actively seeking ways to enhance processes and outcomes.

• Integrity and Conduct: Adhering to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct, demonstrating professionalism and ethical behavior.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with developers, business analysts, and product owners is key to successful product development.

• Process Review Culture: Openness to feedback and iterative design processes, involving stakeholders early and consistently.

• Knowledge Sharing: A supportive team environment that encourages sharing best practices, learning from each other, and mentoring junior colleagues.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture is deeply aligned with the Ministry's public service mission. Values like equity, human-centred design, and integrity are paramount. Collaboration is essential for navigating the complexity of government services and ensuring designs meet diverse user needs.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complexity: Working within a large government organization with diverse stakeholders, legacy systems, and potentially bureaucratic processes.

• Balancing Needs: Synthesizing the needs of various user groups, business objectives, and technical constraints to create effective solutions.

• Driving Change: Influencing and improving design practices across the Ministry and ensuring consistent adoption of UCD principles.

• Accessibility Compliance: Consistently meeting and exceeding stringent government accessibility and usability standards in all digital products.

• Ambiguity: Effectively managing projects and design processes within environments that may have evolving requirements or unclear initial direction.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Access to professional development opportunities to enhance skills in areas like advanced UX research, accessibility, or specific design tools.

• Industry Engagement: Opportunities to attend conferences, workshops, or training related to UX/UI design, digital government, or educational technology.

• Mentorship Programs: Participate in or lead mentorship initiatives within the Analysis & Design Practice team, fostering leadership and knowledge transfer.

• Exposure to New Technologies: Working with emerging tools like Microsoft Co-pilot and contributing to the digital transformation of the education sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents challenges inherent to large public sector organizations but also offers substantial growth opportunities through specialized learning, leadership development, and the chance to contribute to significant societal impact within the education domain.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex digital product you designed from end-to-end. What was the problem, your process, and the outcome?" (Focus on demonstrating UCD, collaboration, and impact).

• "How do you ensure your designs are accessible and meet government standards? Can you provide an example?" (Highlight specific knowledge of NZ standards and practical application).

• "How would you approach a project with ambiguous requirements or conflicting stakeholder needs?" (Showcase problem-solving, negotiation, and iterative design skills).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for the Ministry of Education and specifically in the Digital and Data group?" (Connect your values and career goals to the Ministry's mission).

• "How do you contribute to a positive and collaborative team environment?" (Provide examples of your teamwork and mentoring contributions).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the measured impact.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your prototypes and mock-ups are clean, well-organized, and easy to understand.

• Process Documentation: Have examples of your research findings, wireframes, and testing reports ready to share.

• Interactive Demonstration: Be prepared to walk through a prototype live or demonstrate key interactions.

• Highlight Collaboration: Explain how you worked with developers, product owners, and other stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on articulating design strategy, demonstrating a deep understanding of user-centred and accessible design, and showcasing effective collaboration. The portfolio presentation is a key component, requiring clear storytelling and process demonstration.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX/UI Designer position:

• Submit your application through the 'apply' button on the Ministry careers website.

• Customize Your Cover Letter: Clearly articulate your motivations, values, strengths, transferable skills, and the unique perspectives you bring, aligning them with the Ministry's mission and the role's requirements.

• Optimize Your Resume: Highlight relevant experience, focusing on end-to-end UX/UI design, UCD methodologies, accessibility standards, and collaboration within complex organizations. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate your strongest case studies, ensuring they demonstrate your process, problem-solving skills, and impact, with a specific emphasis on accessibility and user-centricity. Be ready to present it clearly and concisely.

• Research the Ministry: Understand the Ministry's mission, the Digital and Data group's objectives, and the importance of shaping the future of education. Familiarize yourself with the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

⚠️ 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.