UX Designer - (12-Month FTC)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX/UI Designer (12-Month FTC)

Company: Lloyds Banking Group

Location: Manchester, United Kingdom

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Experience Design / Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-02-09T00:00:00

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 Years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (2 days in office per week)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on creating intuitive and accessible digital experiences within a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment.

• The UX/UI Designer will be responsible for the end-to-end user journey, from concept to Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and scaling.

• Key responsibilities include designing interaction patterns, prototyping solutions, and shaping product experiences across various modalities.

• The position requires a strong ability to balance complex technical outcomes with evolving consumer needs and business requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the input job title is "UX Designer," the description explicitly mentions "UX/UI Designer" and details responsibilities that encompass both user experience and user interface design. The "FTC" (Fixed-Term Contract) nature of the role is a critical detail for candidates to note. The role operates within a "start-up style innovation team" within a large financial institution, suggesting a dynamic and potentially agile work environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and craft intuitive, accessible, and cohesive end-to-end user experiences across multiple platforms and interaction contexts.

• Develop scalable interfaces by leveraging and contributing to existing design systems.

• Create rapid prototypes and conduct lightweight experiments to validate design concepts and inform product direction.

• Structure user flows and journeys, synthesizing insights to create clear information architecture, even in ambiguous situations.

• Champion accessible and inclusive design practices, ensuring solutions cater to customers of all ages, backgrounds, and technical abilities.

• Balance user needs with product growth, value proposition thinking, and measurable experience outcomes.

• Collaborate closely with product owners, engineers, and other designers to deliver exceptional digital products.

• Translate complex business requirements and technical constraints into user-centered design solutions.

• Present and communicate design rationale and research findings effectively to diverse stakeholder groups.

• Bring designs to life using tools like Figma and conduct user testing sessions to gather feedback and iterate on designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed are a synthesis of the "What You'll Do" section and general UX/UI design principles, emphasizing the full lifecycle of design from ideation to implementation and iteration within a product context. The inclusion of "scaling" and "MVP" suggests a product development lifecycle focus.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: Typically, 2-5 years of professional experience in UX/UI design, with a proven track record of designing and shipping digital products. Experience within a financial services or large corporate environment, particularly in innovation or digital transformation initiatives, is advantageous.

Required Skills:

• Interaction Design & Design Systems: Ability to build scalable interfaces using design systems and design across multiple modalities and interaction contexts.

• Prototyping & Interaction Experimentation: Proficiency in creating rapid prototypes and conducting lightweight experiments to validate ideas and inform product direction.

• Information Architecture & Experience Mapping: Skill in structuring user flows and journeys, synthesizing insights, and mapping complex user experiences.

• Accessible & Inclusive Design: Strong understanding and application of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and championing inclusive design practices from the outset.

• Product Thinking & Outcome Focus: Ability to balance user needs with product growth, value proposition thinking, and measurable experience outcomes.

• User Research & Testing: Experience in planning, conducting, and synthesizing user research and usability testing sessions.

• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with cross-functional teams and clear communication of design decisions.

• Tool Proficiency: Demonstrable expertise in design and prototyping tools, specifically Figma.

Preferred Skills:

• Behavioral psychology and persuasive design principles.

• Experience collaborating with visual and content designers.

• Facilitation of multi-disciplinary workshops and design critiques.

• Familiarity with user experience measurement frameworks (e.g., EBVI - Experience-Based Value Index).

• Experience in mentoring junior designers or contributing to craft development within a team.

• Understanding of technical constraints across different platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Essential Skills/Experience" and "Desirable Skills/Experience" from the job description have been directly translated into required and preferred skills. The experience level is inferred from the typical progression for these skill sets and the general nature of the role within an innovation team.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a range of UX/UI design projects demonstrating the full design lifecycle, from research and ideation to prototyping, testing, and final implementation.

• Highlight projects that clearly articulate the problem statement, user needs, and business objectives addressed.

• Include examples of how design decisions were informed by user research, data, and analytics.

• Demonstrate proficiency in creating user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and final UI designs.

Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your personal design process, including how you approach user research, ideation, prototyping, and collaboration.

• Demonstrate an understanding of agile methodologies and how UX/UI design integrates within sprint cycles.

• Provide examples of how you have contributed to or utilized design systems to ensure consistency and scalability.

• Detail your approach to accessibility and inclusive design, including specific standards and practices you apply.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is extrapolated based on standard expectations for UX/UI design roles, particularly those involving product development and innovation. A strong portfolio is paramount for demonstrating practical skills and process.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £59,850 - £66,500 per annum. The provided range in the job description is £59,850 - £66,500. The initial overview mentioned £61,344 - £68,160, which appears to be a broader company-wide range for similar roles. We will use the specific range provided in the job description for this role.

Benefits:

• A generous pension contribution of up to 15%.

• An annual performance-related bonus.

• Share schemes, including free shares.

• Benefits adaptable to lifestyle, such as discounted shopping.

• 30 days’ holiday, with bank holidays on top.

• A range of wellbeing initiatives.

• Generous parental leave policies.

Working Hours: Full Time, typically 40 hours per week. The role adopts a hybrid working pattern, requiring at least two days per week (or 40% of time) in the Manchester office.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary and benefits information is directly extracted from the job description. The working hours and hybrid arrangement details are also directly stated. The salary range appears competitive for a mid-level UX/UI Designer role in Manchester, UK.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services, Banking, Digital Transformation. Lloyds Banking Group is the UK's largest digital bank and a major player in the financial sector, aiming to "help Britain prosper."

Company Size: Large Enterprise (over 10,000 employees). This scale offers significant resources, opportunities for impact, and exposure to complex organizational structures.

Founded: 2009 (Lloyds Banking Group as it is known today, formed from mergers). The Group has a long heritage in UK banking.

Team Structure:

• The role sits within the Group Innovation team, which operates with a "start-up style" environment.

• This team is part of the GCOO (Group Chief Operating Officer) organisation.

Methodology:

• The Group Innovation team focuses on rapid experimentation, design thinking, and agile methodologies to bring bold ideas to life.

• They work on turning concepts into scalable outcomes, testing customer desirability, business viability, and technical feasibility.

• Emphasis is placed on cross-functional collaboration, design, and data-driven validation.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Company information is derived from the "About the team" and "About working for us" sections, as well as general knowledge about Lloyds Banking Group. The "start-up style" in the innovation team is highlighted as a key cultural aspect.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a mid-level UX/UI Designer role (2-5 years experience). It offers hands-on design work with significant autonomy in crafting user experiences within a specific project or product lifecycle. The "12-Month FTC" designation means it's a fixed-term contract, ideal for gaining specific project experience or for those seeking a defined period of employment.

Reporting Structure: The role reports into leadership within the Group Innovation team. Collaboration is expected with product owners and engineers, indicating a matrixed or project-based reporting style within the innovation unit.

Operations Impact: While not a traditional "Operations" role (e.g., Revenue Ops, Sales Ops), this UX/UI Designer role directly impacts customer acquisition, retention, and satisfaction through improved digital product experiences. A well-designed user interface and intuitive user journey are critical for driving customer engagement, transaction completion, and overall business viability.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Opportunity to deepen expertise in areas like accessible design, interaction design for complex financial products, and rapid prototyping within a large, regulated industry.

• Project Exposure: Gain experience with the full product lifecycle from concept to MVP and scaling in an innovation setting.

• Cross-Functional Experience: Work closely with product managers, engineers, and business stakeholders, enhancing understanding of product development dynamics.

• Potential for Extension/Conversion: While a fixed-term contract, strong performance could lead to contract extensions or opportunities within other teams at Lloyds Banking Group.

• Networking: Build relationships within a large financial institution and its innovation arm.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis focuses on the career trajectory and impact of a UX/UI Designer, framing it within the context of the broader "operations" requirement of the prompt where applicable (e.g., impact on business operations through customer experience). The FTC nature is crucial for career pathing.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid working model. Requires a minimum of 2 days per week (40% of time) in the Manchester office, with occasional travel to other group locations (Leeds, London, Edinburgh) possible.

Office Location(s): Manchester, United Kingdom (Westminster House mentioned in raw data).

Workspace Context:

• The role is within the Group Innovation team, described as a "start-up style" environment, suggesting a dynamic, collaborative, and potentially fast-paced workspace.

• Collaboration with designers, product owners, and engineers is a core aspect, implying an interactive and team-oriented physical workspace.

• Access to design tools (Figma) and user testing facilities is implicit for this role.

• The hybrid model allows for focused individual work at home and collaborative sessions in the office.

Work Schedule: Full-time (likely 40 hours per week), with flexibility offered through the hybrid model. Adherence to project timelines and sprint cycles will be important.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment details are derived from the "Working Pattern," "Location," and "About the team" sections, emphasizing the hybrid nature and the "start-up" feel within the innovation team.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely an HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, salary expectations, and fit for a fixed-term contract.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion focused on experience, skills, and understanding of the role's responsibilities, particularly around UX/UI design principles and process.

• Portfolio Review & Practical Exercise: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing specific projects, their design process, and problem-solving approach. A practical design exercise or case study related to financial services or innovation might be included.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with potential colleagues (designers, product owners, engineers) to assess collaboration style, cultural fit, and ability to work within the innovation team's dynamic.

• Final Interview: Possibly with senior leadership within the innovation or GCOO organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Structure your portfolio around compelling narratives for each project. Clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process, the solutions, and the measurable outcomes.

• Process Demonstration: Walk through your design process step-by-step, explaining your rationale for key decisions, research methods used, and how you iterated based on feedback.

• Tool Proficiency: Highlight your expertise with Figma and any other relevant design or prototyping tools.

• Impact Focus: Quantify the impact of your designs where possible (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced user error, increased engagement). If direct metrics aren't available, discuss anticipated benefits or qualitative improvements.

• Accessibility & Inclusivity: Dedicate a section or clearly demonstrate within projects how you applied accessibility standards and inclusive design principles.

• Relevance: Tailor your presentation to highlight experience relevant to financial services or innovation, if possible.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your approach to designing for complex, regulated environments like banking.

• Practice articulating your design decisions concisely and defending them with user-centric rationale.

• Familiarize yourself with common UX/UI challenges in digital banking, such as user onboarding, secure transactions, and personalized financial advice.

• Understand how to balance user needs with business goals and technical feasibility, especially within a large organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is based on standard UX/UI hiring processes and industry best practices for portfolio presentation and interview preparation. The focus is on demonstrating practical skills, process, and impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Explicitly mentioned as the primary design and prototyping tool. Proficiency is essential.

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, experience with other prototyping tools (e.g., InVision, Adobe XD) may be beneficial.

• User Research Platforms: Familiarity with tools for conducting user interviews, surveys, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, Qualtrics).

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this UX/UI role, but understanding how user interactions feed into CRM systems or impact automated customer journeys can provide valuable context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Tool requirements are directly extracted from the job description (Figma) and supplemented with common tools used in UX/UI design roles that support the described responsibilities.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: A strong emphasis on understanding and serving customer needs, ensuring intuitive and accessible digital experiences.

• Innovation & Experimentation: A culture that encourages exploring new ideas, rapid prototyping, and validating concepts through testing.

• Collaboration: Working effectively within cross-functional teams (designers, product owners, engineers) to achieve shared goals.

• Inclusivity & Accessibility: A commitment to designing for all users, regardless of background, ability, or technical proficiency.

• Impact & Outcome Orientation: Driving tangible results by translating user needs into valuable product features and business outcomes.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, working closely with product owners and engineers to bring designs to life.

• Emphasis on cross-functional communication and shared understanding of project goals.

• Likely involves regular design critiques and feedback sessions to ensure quality and alignment.

• The "start-up style" environment suggests a dynamic, iterative, and potentially less hierarchical collaboration approach within the innovation team.

📝 Enhancement Note: Values and collaboration style are inferred from the company's stated purpose, the description of the innovation team, and the core responsibilities of a UX/UI designer in a product development context.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Regulation: Designing cutting-edge digital experiences within the highly regulated financial services industry requires careful navigation of compliance and security requirements.

• Complex User Needs: Addressing the diverse and sometimes complex needs of a broad customer base, from individual consumers to large businesses.

• Technical Constraints: Adapting designs to work within existing technical architectures and platforms, which may have limitations.

• Pace of Innovation: Working in a fast-paced "start-up style" environment requires adaptability and the ability to deliver quickly while maintaining quality.

• Fixed-Term Contract: Navigating a 12-month contract requires focus on delivering immediate impact and potentially managing career transition planning.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Design Skills: Deepen expertise in areas like financial UX, accessible design for complex systems, or interaction design for new technologies.

• Product Development Lifecycle: Gain hands-on experience in an innovation team, learning how new ideas are explored, validated, and scaled within a large organization.

• Cross-Functional Acumen: Enhance understanding of product management, engineering processes, and business strategy through close collaboration.

• Industry Exposure: Gain insights into the digital transformation efforts within a major UK financial institution.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges and growth opportunities are identified by considering the industry, the specific team environment, the role's nature, and the typical career development paths for UX/UI designers.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex digital product you designed from concept to launch. What was your process, what were the key challenges, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on demonstrating end-to-end UX/UI process, problem-solving, and impact).

• "How do you ensure your designs are accessible and inclusive? Can you provide an example?" (Highlight your understanding of accessibility standards and practical application).

• "How do you balance user needs with business requirements and technical constraints, especially in a fast-paced environment?" (Prepare to discuss trade-offs and stakeholder management).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Lloyds Banking Group and its digital innovation efforts?" (Research their recent digital initiatives, customer focus, and innovation team's purpose).

• "How do you see yourself contributing to our 'start-up style' innovation team?" (Align your collaborative and agile working style with the team's description).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select 3-4 strong, diverse projects that showcase your end-to-end UX/UI skills.

• For each project, clearly articulate:

  • The problem statement and your understanding of user needs.
  • Your specific role and contributions.
  • Your design process, including research, ideation, prototyping, and testing.
  • Key design decisions and the rationale behind them.
  • The final solution and its impact (quantifiable if possible).
  • Lessons learned and potential future improvements.

• Be prepared to discuss your Figma expertise and how you leverage it for efficiency and collaboration.

• Practice your narrative to ensure a smooth and engaging presentation within the allotted time.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation advice is tailored to a UX/UI role in a financial services innovation context, focusing on demonstrating process, user-centricity, collaboration, and impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX/UI Designer position:

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

• Tailor your resume/CV: Highlight experience relevant to UX/UI design, prototyping, design systems, accessibility, and working within product development teams. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare your portfolio: Ensure it's up-to-date, showcases your best work with clear case studies, and demonstrates your design process and Figma proficiency. Be ready to present it confidently.

• Research Lloyds Banking Group: Understand their mission, values, digital strategy, and the role of their innovation team.

• Practice interview questions: Prepare to discuss your experience, design process, and how you handle challenges using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

⚠️ 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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