Senior UX/UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX/UI Designer Company: PA Consulting Location: London, England, United Kingdom Job Type: Full-time Category: Design Operations / UX/UI Design Date Posted: 2025-10-30T09:31:46.459 Experience Level: 5-10 years Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead complex UX/UI design projects from initial strategy through to successful execution, demonstrating strong project management and client relationship skills.
• Deliver exceptional design outputs across the full spectrum of UX/UI, emphasizing innovation, quality, and adherence to project timelines within a consulting environment.
• Provide strategic leadership by shaping design approaches, influencing client decisions, and mentoring junior design colleagues to foster a culture of excellence.
• Act as a core design consultant, integrating design objectives seamlessly with business goals, building robust client partnerships, and contributing to business development efforts.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior UX/UI Designer within a consulting firm, emphasizing leadership, client-facing responsibilities, and strategic impact. The role requires a blend of deep design expertise, consulting acumen, and the ability to manage complex projects and client relationships, aligning with the typical demands of senior-level operations and GTM support roles that interface with product and strategy.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end design projects, from conceptualization and strategy development to final execution, ensuring alignment with client objectives and PA Consulting's standards.
• Manage medium-sized assignments, structuring workstreams, defining outcomes, and proactively identifying and mitigating project risks.
• Cultivate and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with senior clients, acting as a key point of contact and trusted advisor.
• Foster high-performing, motivated, and inclusive design teams through effective leadership, coaching, and mentorship.
• Produce outstanding design deliverables across the entire UX/UI spectrum, including user research, wireframes, prototypes, high-fidelity mockups, and design systems.
• Drive innovation within design processes and solutions, ensuring the highest quality of work and consistently meeting or exceeding project deadlines.
• Shape design approaches for complex projects, influencing client strategy and technical roadmaps, and actively contributing to business development by creating new client offerings and enhancing existing ones.
• Act as a consultant with design at the core, balancing client deliverables with internal projects, and ensuring seamless integration of design outcomes with overarching business objectives.
• Guide clients through design decisions and rationales, articulating the value and impact of design choices to achieve excellent business outcomes.
• Collaborate with PA Consulting teams to grow client accounts and contribute to proposals, pitches, and senior client conversations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on design, project leadership, client management, and business development, which is typical for senior roles in client-facing operations and consulting environments. The emphasis on "leading and delivering," "design excellence," and "strategic leadership" points to a role that requires significant autonomy and impact.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for senior design roles. Experience: Proven track record in creating and delivering successful services for private and public sector clients, with significant experience in a client-facing agency or consultancy role. (Estimated 5-10 years based on AI data).

Required Skills:

• UX/UI Design Expertise: Demonstrated ability to create and deliver exceptional design deliverables across the entire design spectrum, from user research to high-fidelity mockups.
• Client-Facing Experience: Proven experience in a client-facing role (agency or consultancy) with a track record of building strong client relationships and owning assignment outcomes.
• Leadership & Mentoring: Collaborative and empathetic leadership style, with a focus on mentoring, developing others, creating inclusive environments, and fostering a culture of excellence.
• Strategic Thinking & Innovation: Ability to shape design approaches, influence client decisions, and contribute to business development by creating new client offers.
• Problem-Solving & Analytical Skills: Thriving in problem-solving and analytical thinking to tackle complex client challenges.
• AI-Powered Experience Design: Understanding of how to design for AI-powered experiences and leverage AI to enhance the creative process (e.g., generative design, AI-assisted prototyping).
• Agile Methodologies: Experience working to agile best practices and cross-functionally with multiple teams and stakeholders.
• Industry-Standard Design Tools: Proficiency in industry-standard design tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, prototyping tools).
• Business Acumen: Strong understanding of business objectives and the ability to identify new opportunities and contribute to business development.

Preferred Skills:

• UK Government Service Standard Familiarity: Experience with the UK Government Service Standard is considered a bonus.
• Emerging Technologies: Familiarity with current trends in service design and emerging technologies such as AI, automation, and digital transformation.
• Proposal Leadership: Experience leading proposals and contributing to pitches and senior client conversations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of technical design skills, consulting experience, leadership capabilities, and an understanding of emerging technologies like AI, which is crucial for a Senior UX/UI Designer in a forward-thinking consultancy. The "even if you don't meet every requirement" clause suggests a focus on potential and transferable skills, common in consulting environments where adaptability is key.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies Demonstrating Impact: A portfolio showcasing a range of complex design projects, clearly illustrating the problem, your role, the design process, and the tangible outcomes or business impact achieved. This should include examples of services designed for private and public sector clients.
• Client Relationship Management Examples: Evidence of how you have built and maintained strong client relationships, managed stakeholder expectations, and influenced client decisions through design rationales.
• Leadership and Team Collaboration: Examples of how you have led design teams, mentored junior designers, and fostered inclusive environments, demonstrating your ability to collaborate effectively across disciplines.
• AI Integration: Showcase projects where you have designed for AI-powered experiences or utilized AI tools to enhance your creative process, demonstrating forward-thinking design capabilities.
• Strategic Project Delivery: Projects that highlight your ability to manage medium-sized assignments, structure workstreams, and deliver successful outcomes under pressure.

Process Documentation:

• Design Process Documentation: Clearly articulate your end-to-end design process, from initial client engagement and discovery through to detailed design, prototyping, testing, and handover, emphasizing agile methodologies.
• Client Journey Mapping: Demonstrate experience in mapping client journeys and identifying key touchpoints for designing seamless and effective user experiences.
• Risk Management in Design: Examples of how you have identified and managed risks within design projects to ensure successful delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior design role in consulting, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond just visual design to demonstrate strategic thinking, client management, leadership, and the ability to deliver measurable business value. Emphasizing AI integration and adherence to consulting best practices is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: While not explicitly stated, for a Senior UX/UI Designer in London with 5-10 years of experience, in a consulting firm like PA Consulting, the estimated salary range is typically between £65,000 - £90,000 per annum. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior design roles in London's consulting sector, considering the firm's size, reputation, and the demand for specialized skills like AI integration in design.

Benefits:

• Health and Lifestyle Perks: Comprehensive private healthcare for you and your family.
• Generous Annual Leave: 25 days of annual leave, plus a bonus half-day on Christmas Eve, with the option to buy an additional 5 days.
• Pension Scheme: Generous company pension scheme.
• Community Engagement: Opportunity to get involved with community and charity-based initiatives.
• Performance Bonus: Annual performance-based bonus.
• Share Ownership: PA share ownership program, offering a stake in the company's success.
• Tax-Efficient Benefits: Access to tax-efficient schemes such as Cycle to Work and Give As You Earn.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week (standard full-time, with potential for flexibility based on project needs and hybrid working policy).

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on London market rates for senior UX/UI designers in consulting. The listed benefits are extensive and align with typical offerings for senior professional roles in large consultancies, emphasizing employee well-being and long-term incentives.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Consulting (with deep expertise across Consumer & Manufacturing, Defence & Security, Energy & Utilities, Financial Services, Government & Public Services, Health & Life Sciences, and Transport). PA Consulting is a global innovation and transformation consultancy. Company Size: Over 4,000 employees globally. This size indicates a well-established organization with diverse capabilities, structured processes, and opportunities for career advancement, while still fostering a community feel. Founded: The founding date is not specified, but PA Consulting has a long history dating back to 1943, suggesting a stable, experienced, and reputable firm with a legacy of innovation.

Team Structure:

• Digital & Data Community: The role sits within the Digital & Data team, which collaborates with product, design, and a wide range of other experts and cross-disciplinary teams.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Expect to work cross-functionally with multiple teams and stakeholders, including strategists, consultants, digital experts, engineers, and technologists.
• Reporting & Mentorship: The role involves leading teams and mentoring design colleagues, indicating a hierarchical structure with opportunities for both reporting to senior leaders and guiding junior members.

Methodology:

• Agile Best Practices: Work is conducted using agile best practices, emphasizing iterative development and collaboration.
• Customer-Centric Service Design: A strong focus on understanding user needs and designing services that are effective and user-friendly.
• Innovative Thinking & Technology: Emphasis on combining innovative thinking with breakthrough technologies, including AI, automation, and digital transformation.
• Data-Driven Insights: Implicit in consulting, the approach likely involves using data analysis to inform design decisions and measure impact.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: PA Consulting presents itself as an innovation-driven consultancy focused on solving complex challenges for a wide range of industries. The culture appears to value ingenuity, collaboration, continuous learning, and employee well-being, with a clear emphasis on hybrid working and fostering an inclusive environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior UX/UI Designer - This is a senior individual contributor role with significant leadership responsibilities. It sits on a technical career track, offering progression without necessarily requiring a move into partner-level management, which is a key differentiator for those who wish to remain hands-on with design. Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a Design Lead, Head of Digital/Design, or a Programme Director, depending on the project structure. The role also involves leading and mentoring junior designers. Operations Impact: The role's impact is directly tied to client success through effective design solutions that drive innovation, improve user experiences, and contribute to business objectives. This involves influencing client strategy, shaping product roadmaps, and driving digital transformation initiatives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-powered experiences, generative design, and other emerging technologies.
• Leadership Development: Progress to leading larger, more complex design engagements, potentially managing entire design workstreams or practice areas.
• Consulting Skills Enhancement: Develop advanced consulting skills, business development capabilities, and client relationship management expertise.
• Industry Exposure: Gain broad experience across PA Consulting's seven key sectors, offering diverse project challenges and learning opportunities.
• Learning & Development Budget: Access to a budget for courses, certifications, and training to continuously upskill.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path emphasizes continuous learning, technical specialization in cutting-edge areas like AI, and leadership development within a consulting framework. The option for a technical career track is a significant benefit for designers who want to grow their expertise without transitioning into traditional management roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid working model, requiring a minimum of 2 days per week in the office or on client site. This suggests a blend of structured office collaboration and flexible remote work. Office Location(s): Based in London, UK, with specific office address at 10 Bressenden Place, London SW1E 5DH. Client site work is also a possibility, which could extend travel requirements.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment likely supports in-person whiteboarding sessions and team problem-solving, fostering a collaborative atmosphere.
• Technology & Tools: Access to standard consulting office infrastructure, likely including high-speed internet, modern meeting facilities, and company-provided hardware/software for design and communication.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with design colleagues, cross-functional teams, and clients, both in person and through digital collaboration tools (e.g., Teams).

Work Schedule: The standard is a 40-hour work week, but the nature of consulting often involves project-driven demands, which may require flexibility. The hybrid model allows for a balance between structured office time and remote work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model with specific office days aims to balance flexibility with the need for in-person collaboration, which is vital for design thinking and client engagement in a consulting setting. The mention of client site work indicates potential for varied work locations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Round 1: Competency Interview (45 mins): Focuses on assessing your behavioral competencies, leadership style, problem-solving approach, and alignment with PA Consulting's values. Prepare to discuss past experiences demonstrating these qualities.
• Round 2: Case Study Task (60 mins): A practical exercise designed to evaluate your design skills, strategic thinking, and ability to tackle a complex client challenge under time pressure. This will likely involve problem analysis, solution ideation, and presentation of your approach.
• Final Round: Meeting with a PA Leader (60 mins): A high-level discussion to assess strategic fit, business acumen, and overall potential for contributing to PA Consulting's growth and client success. This is an opportunity to demonstrate your vision and leadership.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Impact: Select projects that best showcase your senior-level experience, leadership, client management, and ability to deliver tangible business outcomes, especially those involving AI or complex digital transformations.
• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your specific role and contributions, the design process followed (emphasizing agile and AI integration where applicable), key challenges overcome, and the quantifiable results achieved.
• Highlight Leadership: Explicitly demonstrate how you led teams, mentored junior designers, and managed client relationships within your portfolio examples.
• Demonstrate Strategic Thinking: Show how your design decisions aligned with broader business objectives and contributed to strategic client goals.
• Be Prepared to Discuss: Anticipate questions about your design philosophy, how you handle difficult stakeholders, your approach to innovation, and how you leverage AI in your workflow.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: Research PA Consulting's industry sectors, recent projects, and their approach to innovation and AI. Tailor your case study approach to reflect this context.
• Practice Problem Decomposition: For the case study, focus on breaking down the problem logically, identifying key user needs and business constraints, and proposing well-reasoned solutions.
• Articulate Your Rationale: Be prepared to clearly explain the "why" behind your design choices, linking them back to user needs, business goals, and best practices.
• Showcase Collaboration: If the case study allows, demonstrate how you would collaborate with different stakeholders (e.g., business analysts, developers, clients) to achieve the best outcome.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is multi-stage and rigorous, typical for senior consulting roles. The emphasis on competency, a practical case study, and a final leadership meeting highlights the need for well-rounded candidates. Portfolio presentation should focus on impact, leadership, and strategic contribution, with specific attention to AI and client-facing experience.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX/UI Design Software: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, XD), InVision, Axure RP (or similar prototyping tools).
• Collaboration Platforms: Microsoft Teams, Slack, Jira, Confluence.
• Design System Tools: Tools for creating and managing design systems.
• AI Design Tools: Generative design tools, AI-assisted prototyping tools, prompt-based exploration tools.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Hotjar, Mixpanel.
• Reporting Tools: Tableau, Power BI, Looker (for understanding user behavior and design impact).

CRM & Automation:

• While not primary for UX/UI, familiarity with how design integrates with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms may be beneficial for understanding the broader customer journey.
• Integration Tools: Understanding of how design integrates into development pipelines and deployment processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools listed reflect modern UX/UI design practices, with a specific emphasis on AI-powered tools and collaborative platforms essential for consulting environments. Familiarity with analytics tools is important for demonstrating the impact of design.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Ingenuity: A core value at PA Consulting, emphasizing innovative thinking and the creation of opportunity from complexity. For a designer, this means pushing creative boundaries and finding novel solutions.
• Collaboration: Working effectively within interdisciplinary teams, with clients, and across PA Consulting's global offices. This involves open communication, active listening, and shared ownership.
• Excellence: A commitment to delivering high-quality work, meeting project deadlines, and exceeding client expectations. This translates to meticulous attention to detail and a drive for continuous improvement.
• Curiosity: A mindset of continuous learning and exploration, staying abreast of emerging technologies, design trends, and industry best practices.
• Inclusivity: Fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute their best work. This is crucial for both internal team dynamics and designing user-centered experiences.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with strategists, consultants, engineers, and product managers to ensure design is integrated into the broader solution.
• Client-Centric Approach: Engaging clients actively in the design process, building consensus, and ensuring design decisions are aligned with their business objectives and user needs.
• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in the Digital & Data community, sharing best practices, and contributing to the collective knowledge base through peer support, coaching, and mentoring.
• Agile & Iterative: Embracing an agile approach to design, involving iterative feedback loops and continuous refinement based on insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The stated values of "Ingenuity," "Collaboration," "Excellence," "Curiosity," and "Inclusivity" are central to PA Consulting's identity and directly influence how designers are expected to operate, collaborate, and contribute to client success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Client Demands with Innovation: Juggling the immediate needs and constraints of diverse clients with the drive to innovate and explore cutting-edge design solutions.
• Navigating Complex Stakeholder Landscapes: Managing expectations and aligning design vision across multiple stakeholders with potentially conflicting priorities in both client organizations and PA Consulting.
• Designing for Emerging Technologies: Staying ahead of the curve with rapidly evolving technologies like AI, and translating their potential into practical, user-centered design solutions.
• Measuring Design Impact: Quantifying the business value and ROI of design interventions in a consulting context, requiring strong analytical and data interpretation skills.
• Adapting to Diverse Industries: Quickly understanding the unique challenges, user bases, and business contexts of PA Consulting's wide range of industry sectors.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI & Emerging Tech Specialization: Opportunities to become a subject matter expert in AI-driven design, generative design, and other future-facing technologies through dedicated training and project work.
• Advanced Consulting Skills: Developing expertise in business development, client account management, and strategic advisory.
• Leadership Pathways: Clear paths for growth into roles with greater project leadership, team management, and strategic influence.
• Industry Certifications & Training: Access to a budget for professional development, including courses and certifications relevant to UX/UI design, AI, and consulting.
• Mentorship Programs: Engaging with senior leaders and peers for guidance, career advice, and skill development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to a senior consulting role focused on innovation. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering a clear path for both technical and leadership development within a dynamic consulting environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex design project you led from strategy to execution. What were the key challenges, how did you overcome them, and what was the ultimate business impact?" (Focus on demonstrating leadership, problem-solving, strategic thinking, and quantifiable results, ideally with AI integration.)
• "How do you approach building and maintaining strong relationships with senior clients, especially when managing conflicting priorities or expectations?" (Prepare examples of client management, communication, and negotiation skills.)
• "Walk us through your process for designing an AI-powered experience. How do you ensure it's user-centric and delivers tangible value?" (Showcase your understanding of AI design principles, ethical considerations, and your personal workflow using AI tools.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why PA Consulting, and how do you see your skills and values aligning with our emphasis on ingenuity and client-focused innovation?" (Research PA Consulting's recent work, values, and industry focus. Connect your experience to their mission.)
• "Describe a time you mentored a junior designer or fostered an inclusive team environment. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Highlight your leadership and team-building capabilities.)
• "How do you stay current with emerging technologies like AI and integrate them into your design practice?" (Demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning and innovation.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: Structure your portfolio presentations as compelling narratives. For each project, clearly outline the context, the problem, your specific role and contributions, the design process and rationale, key decisions, challenges faced, and the measurable impact.
• Quantify Your Impact: Use data and metrics whenever possible to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased conversion rates, improved user satisfaction scores, reduced support tickets).
• Showcase Your Process: Be prepared to walk through your design process, explaining why you chose certain methodologies or tools, especially highlighting your use of AI in design.
• Emphasize Leadership & Client Interaction: Clearly articulate your leadership contributions, how you managed stakeholders, and your role in client communication and relationship building.
• Be Ready for Q&A: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices, technical approaches, and strategic thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on articulating your impact, leadership, and strategic thinking, with a strong emphasis on your experience with AI and client-facing consulting work. The case study is a critical component, requiring practical problem-solving skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX/UI Designer position:

• Submit Your Application: Apply through the provided link on SmartRecruiters. Ensure your CV is up-to-date and tailored to highlight relevant experience.
• Optimize Your Resume: Clearly articulate your experience in UX/UI design, client-facing roles, leadership, and any work with AI or emerging technologies. Use keywords from the job description to enhance ATS compatibility.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Prepare a digital portfolio that showcases 3-5 of your most impactful projects. Each project should detail the problem, your role, process, challenges, and quantifiable results, with a specific section on AI integration and client engagement.
• Prepare for the Case Study: Practice problem-solving exercises and familiarize yourself with common design challenges in consulting and digital transformation. Be ready to present your approach logically and concisely.
• Research PA Consulting: Understand their values, recent projects, industry sectors, and approach to innovation. Prepare thoughtful questions for the interviewers that demonstrate your engagement and interest.

⚠️ 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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