Senior UX/UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX/UI Designer

Company: PA Consulting

Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Design Operations / GTM Operations (Design Enablement)

Date Posted: March 20, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design of practical, usable interfaces and user flows for innovative software solutions, from initial concept through to production-ready designs across web and mobile platforms.

• Collaborate within multidisciplinary delivery teams and embed with clients, ensuring user-centricity and pragmatic, craft-proud execution.

• Leverage AI tools and generative platforms to accelerate ideation, auditing, documentation, and analysis, enhancing the design process's efficiency.

• Contribute to and maintain design systems, ensuring consistency, accessibility, and adherence to best practices across various client projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is explicitly Senior UX/UI Designer, its focus on product delivery, client engagement, and integration within multidisciplinary teams positions it within the broader GTM Operations landscape, specifically concerning the enablement and execution of design within Go-To-Market strategies. The emphasis on AI tools and agile methodologies also aligns with modern operational efficiency focus for design functions.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design comprehensive user journeys, wireframes, interactive prototypes (using tools like Figma and generative platforms), and high-fidelity UI designs that support the shipment of functional software across web and mobile applications.

• Drive product concepts from ideation to production-ready designs, iterating based on evidence, user feedback, expert judgment, and market-leading best practices.

• Operate effectively within agile dual-track cycles (discovery and delivery), adapting scope and design fidelity as needed to meet project, organizational, and user goals.

• Partner closely with engineering, product management, and fellow designers to make swift, practical decisions that balance user needs with technical feasibility and project timelines.

• Actively contribute to, and champion the use of, design systems, ensuring pattern consistency, accessibility standards, and brand alignment for all digital products.

• Intentionally apply AI tools (e.g., Copilot, Miro, ChatGPT, Claude, agentic workflows, and other generative tooling) to enhance speed in ideation, conduct design audits, streamline documentation, and perform analysis.

• Facilitate client workshops, whiteboarding sessions, and design reviews, clearly articulating design decisions, rationale, and outcomes to diverse stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of individual contribution and collaborative leadership, typical for a Senior role within a consulting environment. The specific mention of "shipping working software" and operating in "agile dual-track cycles" underscores a strong focus on operational execution and delivery efficiency, aligning with the GTM Operations context.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mentioned, a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred for Senior UX/UI roles. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: A minimum of 5-10 years of hands-on experience as a UX/UI practitioner with a proven track record of shipping successful digital products. Experience within a consulting environment is highly advantageous.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design principles and methodologies.

• Proficiency in creating user journeys, flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes using industry-standard tools such as Figma or similar generative platforms.

• Strong UI design skills with a focus on creating visually appealing, intuitive, and functional interfaces for web and mobile applications.

• Experience working within agile development environments and understanding of dual-track agile cycles (discovery and delivery).

• Familiarity with design systems, including their creation, contribution, and application for maintaining consistency and accessibility.

• Ability to articulate and present design decisions clearly and persuasively to technical and non-technical stakeholders, including clients.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI tools and generative design platforms (e.g., Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude, Miro) for accelerating design processes.

• Understanding of accessibility standards (WCAG) and best practices for inclusive design.

• Experience contributing to or managing design systems.

• Familiarity with various sectors PA Consulting serves (e.g., consumer and manufacturing, defence and security, energy and utilities, financial services, government and public services, health and life sciences, transport).

• Ability to balance best practices with technical constraints and project timelines effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AI tools and specific platforms like Figma, combined with agile methodologies, points towards a need for operational efficiency and modern design workflows. The "How you operate" section in the original description further reinforces the need for adaptability and a pragmatic approach to design execution, which are key operational considerations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 5-10 years of shipped product experience, demonstrating end-to-end UX/UI design impact.

• Case studies that detail the design process, from initial problem definition and user research through to wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and final implementation.

• Clear articulation of your role and contributions within multidisciplinary teams for each project presented.

• Examples of how you have applied design systems or contributed to their development and maintenance.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of designing user journeys, flows, wireframes, and prototypes, clearly illustrating the evolution of concepts.

• Examples of iterating on designs based on evidence, user feedback, or strategic judgment.

• Documentation or case studies that showcase your ability to work within agile cycles and adapt design scope and fidelity as needed.

• Examples of how you have partnered with engineering and product teams to make practical design decisions.

• Demonstrations of how you have applied AI tools to enhance design ideation, auditing, documentation, or analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for senior design roles, especially in consulting. The focus here should be on showcasing not just aesthetic skills but also the ability to execute pragmatically within project constraints, collaborate effectively, and leverage modern tools like AI for operational efficiency in the design delivery process.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior UX/UI Designers in the UK, with 5-10 years of experience, and considering the consulting sector and Belfast location, an estimated salary range would be £55,000 - £75,000 per annum. This estimate considers the cost of living in Belfast and the typical compensation structures for senior consulting roles.

Benefits:

• Health and lifestyle perks, including private healthcare for the employee and their family.

• 25 days of annual leave, plus an additional half day on Christmas Eve, with the option to purchase up to 5 extra days.

• Generous company pension scheme.

• Opportunities to engage in community and charity-based initiatives.

• Annual performance-based bonus.

• PA share ownership program.

• Tax-efficient benefits, such as cycle-to-work schemes and "Give as you Earn" payroll giving.

• Budget for technical and non-technical training courses, plus certification opportunities.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week. The role operates on a hybrid working model, with a minimum expectation of being in the office or on client site for 2 days per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on typical market rates for a Senior UX/UI Designer in the UK with the specified experience level and the consulting industry. It aims to reflect the value placed on specialized design skills and client-facing experience.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: PA Consulting operates across a diverse range of sectors including Consumer and Manufacturing, Defence and Security, Energy and Utilities, Financial Services, Government and Public Services, Health and Life Sciences, and Transport. This broad industry coverage allows for varied project experiences and exposure to different operational challenges.

Company Size: PA Consulting is a large organization, employing over 4,000 strategists, innovators, designers, consultants, digital experts, scientists, engineers, and technologists globally. This size indicates a robust organizational structure, ample resources, and opportunities for professional development within a well-established firm.

Founded: PA Consulting was founded in 1943. Its long history suggests a stable and experienced organization with a deep understanding of its markets and a proven ability to adapt to evolving technological landscapes and client needs.

Team Structure:

• The role sits within the Digital & Data community, which is a part of the broader consulting practice. This community comprises product, design, and a wide range of other experts working in interdisciplinary teams.

• Designers have the option to progress on a technical career track, separate from the traditional Partner career track, offering flexibility in career development.

Methodology:

• PA Consulting emphasizes combining strategic thinking, customer-centric service design, and agile engineering practices to accelerate innovation.

• The approach involves working in agile dual-track cycles (discovery and delivery), focusing on pragmatic craft-proud delivery and iterative design.

• There's a strong emphasis on leveraging AI tools to enhance efficiency in various design tasks, reflecting a forward-thinking operational approach to design execution.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's broad industry reach and large, interdisciplinary teams suggest that operations professionals in design roles will encounter a wide array of challenges and opportunities for cross-functional collaboration and process improvement. The explicit mention of a "technical career track" is a significant operational detail for career progression.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior UX/UI Designer role, indicating a mid-to-senior level position. It requires a significant amount of hands-on experience, the ability to work independently, guide junior team members, and contribute strategically to design solutions within client projects. The role is client-facing and involves taking concepts from ideation to production-ready designs.

Reporting Structure: Senior Designers typically report to a Design Lead or Head of Design within their practice area. On projects, they will work within multidisciplinary teams and often report to a Project Manager or Delivery Lead. They are expected to mentor junior designers and collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and clients.

Operations Impact: Senior UX/UI Designers are critical in translating business requirements and user needs into functional, usable, and aesthetically pleasing digital products. Their work directly impacts user adoption, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, the success of Go-To-Market strategies by ensuring the product's interface and user experience are compelling and effective. Their ability to leverage AI tools also contributes to operational efficiency for the design function.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of UX/UI design, advanced prototyping, design systems, or emerging technologies like AI-driven design.

• Leadership Development: Progress to Lead UX/UI Designer roles, managing design streams within projects, mentoring teams, and taking on more strategic client advisory responsibilities.

• Consulting Acumen: Develop stronger client management, business analysis, and strategic consulting skills, potentially transitioning into more senior consulting or practice leadership roles.

• Industry Exposure: Gain broad experience across PA Consulting’s diverse sectors, building a versatile skill set applicable to a wide range of design challenges.

• Continuous Learning: Utilize the allocated budget for courses and certifications to stay current with the latest design trends, tools, and methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are framed to highlight how a Senior UX/UI role within a consulting firm like PA Consulting can lead to broader career development beyond pure design, emphasizing operational impact and strategic contribution.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: PA Consulting operates a hybrid working model. This means designers will spend time both in the office and working remotely or on client sites. The Belfast office is located at Printworks, 35-39 Queen Street, BT1 6EA. This suggests a modern, professional office environment designed to facilitate collaboration and focused work.

Office Location(s): The primary office for this role is in Belfast, United Kingdom. PA Consulting also has offices across the UK, Ireland, US, Nordics, and Netherlands, indicating potential opportunities for travel or collaboration with international teams.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment likely includes collaborative zones, meeting rooms, and open-plan areas designed to foster teamwork and knowledge sharing among designers and multidisciplinary teams.

• Technology Integration: Access to necessary design software, hardware, and collaboration tools, including potentially advanced AI tools and generative platforms, will be available.

• Client Engagement: A significant portion of the work may involve being on client sites, requiring adaptability to different work environments and client team structures.

Work Schedule: The role requires a minimum of 2 days per week in the office or on client site, with flexibility for remote work on other days. This hybrid approach aims to balance focused individual work with collaborative team activities and client interaction, supporting operational efficiency and work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the work environment is a key operational consideration, requiring individuals to manage their time effectively across different locations and maintain productivity in various settings.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Call: A brief call with a Tech Recruiter to discuss your application, the role specifics, and PA Consulting.

• Round 1: A 45-minute interview, which may be competency-based or technical, assessing core design skills and fit.

• Round 2: A 60-minute session involving a mini case study presentation and discussion focused on client-centricity and problem-solving.

• Final Round: A 60-minute meeting with a PA leader to assess strategic alignment, cultural fit, and overall potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Impact: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that demonstrate end-to-end design thinking, problem-solving, and shipped product experience. Prioritize projects that align with PA Consulting's sectors or showcase your ability to work in multidisciplinary, agile teams.

• Showcase Process: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, UI, testing), the tools used (especially Figma, AI tools), and the outcomes/impact. Visual aids are crucial.

• Highlight Collaboration: Emphasize how you worked with engineers, product managers, and clients. Use concise language.

• Address AI Integration: If applicable, include a project where you leveraged AI tools to enhance efficiency or explore new design avenues, explaining the benefits and your approach.

• Be Ready to Discuss: Prepare to articulate your design rationale, defend your decisions, and discuss challenges encountered and how you overcame them.

Challenge Preparation:

• Case Study Practice: Prepare a mini case study that you can present within a limited timeframe (e.g., 10-15 minutes). Focus on a single, well-defined problem and your solution.

• Client-Centricity: Think about how you approach understanding client needs, managing expectations, and delivering value within consulting constraints.

• Problem Framing: Be ready to reframe problems and propose workable options, demonstrating your ability to break down ambiguity.

• AI Tool Familiarity: Be prepared to discuss your experience and approach to using AI tools in design workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to assess not only design skills but also consulting aptitude, client-facing abilities, and operational efficiency through AI tool usage. A well-prepared portfolio is paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and collaboration. Proficiency in advanced features and potentially plugins is expected.

• Generative Design Platforms: Familiarity with AI-powered tools for ideation, content generation, and rapid prototyping (e.g., Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, or integrated AI features within design tools).

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, experience with tools like Adobe XD, Sketch, InVision, or similar for creating interactive prototypes.

• AI Collaboration Tools: Experience with tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or Copilot for ideation, content drafting, and analysis.

• Whiteboarding/Collaboration Tools: Miro, Mural, or similar for remote whiteboarding, workshop facilitation, and collaborative ideation.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Experience with CRM systems is not a direct requirement, but understanding how design impacts user onboarding and engagement within CRM-driven processes can be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of AI tools and Figma highlights the modern technology stack expected for this role, emphasizing efficiency and advanced design capabilities.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Ingenuity: A core value driving innovative thinking and problem-solving to build a positive human future. For designers, this means pushing creative boundaries and finding novel solutions.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on working in multidisciplinary teams and cross-functional collaboration, valuing diverse expertise and collective intelligence.

• Curiosity & Learning: A culture that encourages continuous learning, exploration of new technologies (like AI), and personal/professional growth.

• Pragmatism & Craftsmanship: Balancing innovative ideas with practical execution and delivering high-quality, usable interfaces that meet real-world needs.

• Client-Centricity: A focus on understanding and addressing client challenges, delivering tangible results and enduring value.

Collaboration Style:

• Interdisciplinary: Designers work closely with strategists, consultants, digital experts, engineers, and product managers in agile teams.

• Constructive Challenger: Encourages open feedback, constructive critique, and the ability to reframe problems to find workable solutions.

• Hybrid Approach: Balancing remote work with in-office or client-site collaboration, requiring effective communication and time management.

• Mentorship: Senior designers are expected to mentor and support junior members of the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "ingenuity," "collaboration," and "curiosity" suggests a dynamic and forward-thinking operational culture that values innovation and continuous improvement.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Adapting to Diverse Clients and Sectors: Navigating the unique challenges, requirements, and operational contexts of clients across PA Consulting’s seven key sectors.

• Balancing Best Practices with Constraints: Effectively integrating UX/UI best practices while adhering to technical limitations, tight timelines, and client-specific requirements.

• Rapid Iteration in Agile Environments: Thriving in fast-paced, iterative delivery cycles where scope and fidelity may change frequently.

• Integrating AI Tools Effectively: Learning to leverage AI tools strategically and ethically to enhance, rather than replace, the core design process and human creativity.

• Client-Facing Demands: Managing client expectations, facilitating workshops, and presenting design solutions persuasively in a consulting context.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Pursue specialized training in areas like service design, interaction design, user research methodologies, or advanced prototyping.

• AI in Design: Develop expertise in applying AI tools and generative workflows to design processes, becoming a go-to resource for the team.

• Consulting Fundamentals: Gain experience in project management, client relationship management, and business strategy through diverse project engagements.

• Leadership and Mentorship: Take on leadership roles within project teams, mentor junior designers, and contribute to the growth of the design practice.

• Industry Exposure: Deepen understanding of various industry verticals, enabling more informed and impactful design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges and growth opportunities are framed to highlight the dynamic nature of consulting work and how a Senior UX/UI Designer can leverage these to enhance their operational skills and career trajectory.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance user needs with significant technical constraints. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on pragmatic decision-making and problem-solving).

• "How do you approach designing for a client you have limited familiarity with? What steps do you take to understand their business and users?" (Demonstrate client-centricity and research skills).

• "Imagine you're tasked with redesigning a core feature of a product using AI tools. How would you integrate AI into your workflow, and what potential benefits and risks would you consider?" (Showcase AI literacy and strategic application).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about PA Consulting and our approach to innovation?" (Research PA's values, sectors, and recent work).

• "How do you contribute to a collaborative and inclusive team environment, especially in a hybrid setting?" (Highlight teamwork, communication, and adaptability).

• "Describe your experience working with design systems. How do you ensure consistency and accessibility?" (Showcase technical understanding and operational rigor).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each case study as a narrative: the challenge, your approach, the solution, and the impact.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present key projects within a 10-15 minute slot, focusing on the most impactful elements.

• Visuals: Use high-quality visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes, flow diagrams) to illustrate your points.

• Data & Metrics: Where possible, include quantitative results (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time) to demonstrate impact.

• AI Integration Highlight: If a project involved AI tools, clearly articulate how they were used and the benefits achieved.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design expertise but also consulting skills, strategic thinking, adaptability, and proficiency with modern operational tools like AI.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX/UI Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on SmartRecruiters.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating end-to-end design ownership, agile delivery, client collaboration, and ideally, experience with AI tools or modern design systems. Ensure case studies clearly articulate your process and impact.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to prominently feature keywords from the job description, such as "UX/UI Design," "Figma," "Agile," "Prototyping," "AI Tools," "Client-Facing," and "Design Systems." Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Improved user engagement by X%").

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process and decisions clearly and concisely. Prepare a mini case study for Round 2 and research PA Consulting's work, values, and recent projects to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural alignment.

• Company Research: Understand PA Consulting's core sectors, their approach to "Ingenuity," and their commitment to innovation and client success. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate alignment during the interview stages.

⚠️ 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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