UX Designer (12 Month FTC)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer (12 Month FTC)

Company: Lloyds Banking Group

Location: Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time, Temporary

Category: User Experience (UX) Design

Date Posted: April 16, 2026

Experience Level: 5+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on crafting end-to-end user experiences within a collaborative design team, emphasizing the strategic use of design systems and user-centric principles.

• The position requires a strong ability to balance business objectives with user needs, translating user research and feedback into actionable design improvements.

• Candidates will be expected to bring designs to life through advanced prototyping and articulate design rationale clearly to stakeholders and development teams.

• A key aspect of the role involves advocating for and implementing inclusive and accessible design practices across various user demographics and technical abilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a 12-month fixed-term contract (FTC) within a large financial institution, requiring a blend of creative design skills and an understanding of complex operational environments. The emphasis on "Agentic AI experience" suggests an interest in emerging AI-driven design tools or applications.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• End-to-End User Experience Design: Skillfully craft cohesive user journeys, creatively utilizing components from a central design system to optimize the balance of content and UI elements on screen.

• Prototyping and Visualization: Bring designs to life using various prototyping software (e.g., Sketch, InVision, Figma, Axure, Adobe XD) to effectively communicate user flows and interactions.

• User-Centric Problem Solving: Balance business requirements with user needs by gathering and interpreting user research and rationale to align on individual user needs, diplomatically pushing back when necessary to prioritize customer well-being.

• Platform Adaptability and Guidance: Adapt designs to technical constraints of different platforms while providing guidance on creating the best possible end-user experience.

• Advocacy for Inclusion and Accessibility: Champion customer inclusion by designing accessible interfaces suitable for customers of diverse ages, backgrounds, and technical abilities.

• Design System Contribution: Proactively recommend improvements and extensions to existing design systems to benefit both the project and fellow designers.

• Collaboration and Communication: Work collaboratively with a full design team and present design output clearly to collaborators, development teams, and internal customers.

• Data Interpretation: Interpret quantitative and qualitative research data to inform the interaction design process, leveraging insights from dedicated user research teams.

• Design Delivery: See designs through to delivery by communicating effectively with developers to ensure designs meet specifications and are usable by a broad range of users.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer who can operate autonomously ("full ownership") while also being a strong team player. The mention of "Agentic AI experience" as "highly beneficial" suggests that experience with AI-powered design tools or applications that learn and adapt to user behavior will be a significant advantage.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a background in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is implied by the experience requirements.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of experience within User Experience (UX) design or Interaction Design.

Required Skills:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in User Experience design or Interaction Design.

• Strong experience as an Interaction Designer or UX Designer.

• Full ownership of the interaction design project lifecycle.

• Excellent prototyping and layout skills, with the ability to articulate them clearly.

• Comfort and proficiency in using existing design systems and recommending improvements.

• Ability to interpret quantitative and qualitative research to inform design decisions.

• Strong ability to see designs through to delivery, collaborating with development teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in financial services or a similarly complex regulated industry.

• Agentic AI experience (highly beneficial).

• Experience with a range of prototyping software including Sketch, InVision, Figma, Axure, and Adobe XD.

• Visual design background as a complementary skill.

• Experience working in a hybrid environment and collaborating remotely.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "5 years experience" is given, but the note about "recognizing skills are developed in many ways" is crucial. This suggests the hiring team is open to candidates with equivalent practical experience gained through bootcamps, self-teaching, or extensive project work, not strictly traditional academic pathways. The "Agentic AI experience" is a key differentiator for this role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• End-to-End Case Studies: Showcase a minimum of 2-3 comprehensive case studies demonstrating ownership of the UX/Interaction Design process from initial concept to final delivery.

• Problem/Solution Articulation: Clearly define the user problem or business challenge, the design process undertaken, and the ultimate solution, supported by visual artifacts.

• Prototyping Examples: Include interactive prototypes or detailed walkthroughs of user flows and interactions to demonstrate proficiency with tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD.

• Design System Application: Illustrate how existing design systems were leveraged or how contributions were made to extend their functionality.

• Research Integration: Demonstrate how user research (qualitative and quantitative) and usability testing feedback were interpreted and integrated into the design iterations.

• Accessibility & Inclusion Examples: Showcase specific instances where inclusive design principles and accessibility standards were applied and addressed.

• Technical Constraint Navigation: Provide examples of how technical limitations were navigated to achieve optimal user experiences.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Detail the stages of your design process, including discovery, ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration.

• System Implementation: Explain how designs were communicated and implemented with development teams, ensuring adherence to specifications.

• Performance Analysis: If possible, include metrics or qualitative feedback on the impact of your designs post-launch, demonstrating an understanding of performance measurement.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, the portfolio should heavily emphasize the ability to take ownership and drive projects forward independently, as well as the practical application of design systems and user research. Given the "Agentic AI" interest, any projects involving adaptive interfaces or AI-assisted design workflows would be highly advantageous.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £61,344 - £68,160 per annum.

Benefits:

• Pension: A generous pension contribution of up to 15%.

• Bonus: An annual performance-related bonus.

• Share Schemes: Participation in share schemes, including free shares.

• Lifestyle Adaptations: Benefits that can be adapted to personal lifestyle, such as discounted shopping.

• Holiday Allowance: 30 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays.

• Wellbeing: A range of wellbeing initiatives.

• Parental Leave: Generous parental leave policies.

• Flexible Working: Hybrid working options (minimum 2 days/40% in office) and job sharing.

Working Hours: Full-time, with an expected 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary is clearly defined for this 12-month FTC. The benefits package is comprehensive, reflecting the scale of Lloyds Banking Group, and includes significant perks like share schemes and a substantial pension. The hybrid working arrangement is clearly stipulated.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services. Lloyds Banking Group is one of the UK's largest financial institutions, offering a wide range of banking and financial services to individuals, small and medium-sized enterprises, and large corporations.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (implied by "Lloyds Banking Group" and the scope of operations).

Founded: The current entity of Lloyds Banking Group was formed in 2009 through the merger of Lloyds TSB and HBOS. Its heritage dates back much further, with constituent banks founded in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Team Structure:

• Design Team Integration: The UX Designer will work collaboratively within a full design team.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Close collaboration with development teams is essential for design implementation and ensuring technical feasibility.

• User Research Support: Dedicated user research teams will provide designers with customer insights and data.

• Reporting: Likely reports into a Head of Design, UX Lead, or Product Design Manager, with collaboration across product management and engineering.

Methodology:

• Agile & Hybrid Working: The company embraces flexible working, including a hybrid model, indicating a move towards agile methodologies that support adaptable work styles.

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on interpreting quantitative and qualitative research and user data to inform design decisions.

• Design System Utilization: Reliance on and contribution to a central design system for consistency and efficiency.

• Customer-Centric Approach: A core value is understanding and meeting customer needs, with a strong focus on inclusion and accessibility.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Lloyds Banking Group is a well-established, large-scale organization. The culture is likely to be structured and process-oriented, but with a stated commitment to transformation, innovation, and inclusion. The "agentic AI" mention suggests an openness to exploring cutting-edge technologies within this established framework.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-to-Senior Level UX Designer. The requirement for 5+ years of experience and the expectation of "full ownership" indicate a role for an experienced professional capable of independent work and influencing design direction.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will report to a design management function, working closely with product teams, development teams, and user researchers. This structure allows for both strategic input and hands-on execution.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's work directly impacts the usability and accessibility of digital products and services, influencing customer satisfaction, engagement, and ultimately, business outcomes for Lloyds Banking Group. By improving user journeys and ensuring inclusive design, they contribute to customer retention and acquisition.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like AI-driven design, accessibility, or complex financial product UX.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain experience working across various product teams and with different technical stacks within a large financial institution.

• Design System Evolution: Contribute to the growth and refinement of a large-scale design system, enhancing skills in design governance and scalability.

• Contract Extension/Permanent Roles: While this is a 12-month FTC, successful performance could lead to opportunities for contract extension or permanent positions within Lloyds Banking Group, depending on business needs.

• Leadership Potential: Through demonstrating ownership and influencing design decisions, there's potential to grow into lead or manager roles in future opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a significant opportunity for a UX Designer looking to gain experience in the financial services sector, particularly within a large, transformation-focused organization. The FTC nature means growth is more about skill acquisition and portfolio enhancement rather than a linear career path within the company, unless an extension or permanent role materializes.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid working model, meaning a blend of remote work and in-office presence. The office is located at Edinburgh Citymark, 150 Fountainbridge.

Office Location(s): Edinburgh, United Kingdom.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office space will serve as a hub for team collaboration, design critiques, and stakeholder meetings, facilitating in-person interaction with colleagues.

• Technology Access: Access to company-provided hardware, software, and potentially specialized design tools will be available.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities to engage with fellow designers, researchers, product managers, and developers, fostering a dynamic and interactive work environment.

Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with a hybrid arrangement allowing for flexibility in location for a portion of the work week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key aspect of the work environment, requiring self-discipline and effective communication for remote work, alongside engagement during office days. The Edinburgh location is a significant hub for Lloyds Banking Group.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Application review and potential initial call with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Presentation: A key stage will involve presenting a portfolio of work. Candidates should be prepared to walk through 2-3 key projects, explaining their role, process, and outcomes.

• Technical/Design Interview: Discussion with hiring managers and/or senior designers focusing on design methodology, problem-solving skills, and specific UX/Interaction design expertise.

• Behavioral Interview: Assessment of how candidates handle specific situations, work in teams, and align with company values.

• Final Stage: Potentially a final interview with a senior leader or stakeholder.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the problem, your specific contribution, the design solution, and the measurable impact (user satisfaction, task completion rates, business metrics).

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visual aids, wireframes, prototypes, and user flows to illustrate your design process and final output.

• Highlight Ownership: Emphasize instances where you took full responsibility for a design project and drove it to completion.

• Demonstrate Adaptability: Showcase projects where you navigated technical constraints or adapted designs based on user feedback or business needs.

• Address AI/Agentic AI: If you have relevant experience, be prepared to discuss it, explaining your understanding and application of AI in design contexts.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your strongest projects efficiently, respecting the interviewer's time.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a potential design exercise, which might involve solving a hypothetical UX problem or critiquing an existing interface. Focus on your thought process, not just the final output.

• Scenario-Based Questions: Prepare for questions about how you would handle specific design challenges, stakeholder disagreements, or conflicting feedback.

• Company Research: Understand Lloyds Banking Group's mission, values, and recent digital initiatives to tailor your responses and show genuine interest.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is critical. Candidates should curate their best work, focusing on projects that demonstrate end-to-end ownership, strong research integration, and successful collaboration. The "Agentic AI" aspect should be addressed if relevant experience exists.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Prototyping Software: Proficiency in at least one, ideally multiple, from: Sketch, InVision, Figma, Axure, Adobe XD.

• Design Systems: Experience working with and contributing to established design systems.

• Collaboration Platforms: Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Confluence, Jira for team communication and project management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Research Tools: Familiarity with tools used for qualitative and quantitative user research (e.g., Hotjar, UserTesting.com, Maze, survey platforms).

• Analytics Platforms: Basic understanding of how to interpret data from web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics), although dedicated analysts may handle deep dives.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, an understanding of how UX design impacts customer journeys within CRM systems and automated workflows is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD is generally expected for UX roles. The emphasis on "design systems" is a key technical requirement. Experience with "Agentic AI" tools or platforms is a significant, though preferred, differentiator.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: A primary value is understanding and prioritizing customer needs, ensuring designs are user-friendly and beneficial.

• Collaboration: Working effectively within a design team and across departments is paramount.

• Inclusion & Accessibility: A commitment to creating products that are usable by everyone, regardless of background or ability.

• Innovation: While established, the company is undergoing transformation, indicating an appetite for new ideas and technologies, such as Agentic AI.

• Integrity: As a financial institution, adherence to ethical standards and regulatory requirements is foundational.

Collaboration Style:

• Team-Oriented: Expect a collaborative environment where design critiques and shared problem-solving are common.

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Strong working relationships with product managers, developers, researchers, and business stakeholders are essential for successful project delivery.

• Feedback Integration: A culture that encourages constructive feedback and iterative improvement of designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes collaboration, customer-centricity, and a growing openness to innovation. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate how they embody these values in their work and interactions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Juggling diverse requirements from business, technical, and user perspectives within a large organization.

• Navigating Technical Constraints: Adapting designs to complex legacy systems or specific platform limitations common in large financial institutions.

• Driving Adoption of New Technologies: Introducing and integrating newer concepts like Agentic AI into a traditionally conservative industry.

• Maintaining Design Consistency: Ensuring a cohesive user experience across a vast product portfolio while working within a large design team and system.

• Fixed-Term Contract Nature: Adapting to a temporary role, focusing on delivering high-impact projects within the contract duration.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Financial Services UX: Deep dive into the unique challenges and user behaviors within the financial services sector.

• Agentic AI Integration: Opportunity to explore and apply cutting-edge AI technologies in a practical design context.

• Large-Scale Design Systems: Gain experience managing and contributing to robust, enterprise-level design systems.

• Cross-Functional Experience: Work with diverse teams and learn about different facets of a large financial institution's operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges revolve around working within a large, established financial institution that is undergoing transformation. The growth opportunities are significant for gaining specialized experience and exposure to new technologies.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you took full ownership of an interaction design project. What were the key stages, challenges, and outcomes?" (Focus on your process, decision-making, and results.)

• "How do you balance business requirements with user needs when they conflict? Provide an example." (Highlight your user advocacy and negotiation skills.)

• "Walk us through a project where you had to adapt your design to technical constraints. How did you ensure a good user experience?" (Demonstrate problem-solving and adaptability.)

• "How do you approach designing for accessibility and inclusion? Can you share an example from your portfolio?" (Showcase your commitment to diverse user needs.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for Lloyds Banking Group and specifically in the financial services sector?" (Research their purpose, values, and recent initiatives.)

• "How do you typically collaborate with developers and user researchers?" (Emphasize teamwork and communication.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each project, clearly state: the problem, your role, your process, the solution, and the impact.

• Visuals: Use high-fidelity mockups, interactive prototypes, and clear user flow diagrams.

• Narrative: Tell a compelling story about your design journey, highlighting key decisions and learnings.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your strongest projects within a limited timeframe (e.g., 10-15 minutes per project).

• AI/Agentic AI Focus: If applicable, weave in how AI or related concepts were part of your process or the project's goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to discuss your experience with design systems and how you interpret user research. The "Agentic AI" aspect is a strong differentiator, so if you have relevant experience, prepare to elaborate on it. Emphasize your ability to take ownership and deliver end-to-end solutions.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

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

• Portfolio Curation: Select 2-3 of your most impactful UX/Interaction Design projects that best demonstrate end-to-end ownership, design system usage, research integration, and accessibility considerations. Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible (e.g., personal website, PDF).

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your 5+ years of relevant experience, specific UX/Interaction Design skills, proficiency in prototyping tools, and any experience with financial services or AI-related design. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, decision-making rationale, and project outcomes clearly and concisely. Prepare to discuss your experience with design systems and user research. Be ready to present your portfolio effectively.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Lloyds Banking Group’s mission, values, digital transformation efforts, and their commitment to inclusion. Understand the broader context of the financial services industry.

⚠️ 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.