UX Designer (12-Month FTC)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer (12-Month Fixed-Term Contract) Company: Lloyds Banking Group Location: Manchester, United Kingdom Job Type: Full-Time, Contract Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Digital Product Design Date Posted: 27 August 2025 Experience Level: Junior to Mid-Level (0-2 years) Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on User Experience (UX) Design and User Interface (UI) design within a digital product development environment.
• The UX Designer will be instrumental in creating intuitive and accessible digital interfaces for Lloyds Banking Group's customer-facing platforms.
• Key responsibilities include translating user needs and business requirements into effective design solutions, utilizing existing design systems, and collaborating within a multidisciplinary design team.
• The position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a leading UK financial institution's digital transformation efforts.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "12-Month Fixed-Term Contract" designation and the explicit mention of learning from and supporting other Interaction Designers, this role is positioned as an excellent opportunity for a junior to mid-level UX Designer looking to gain experience within a large, established financial services organization. The emphasis on design systems and collaboration suggests a structured design process.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and layout user interfaces (UIs) and pages, leveraging components from a central design system to optimize content and UI element balance.
• Utilize prototyping software (e.g., Sketch, InVision, Figma, Axure, Adobe XD) to bring designs to life and facilitate user testing.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to balance business requirements with user needs, using research and rationale to align internal customers with user needs.
• Provide design guidance and adapt to technical constraints of various platforms to ensure optimal end-user experience.
• Champion customer inclusion by designing accessible interfaces for a diverse range of users with varying ages, backgrounds, and technical abilities.
• Present designs to internal customers and adapt them based on feedback, demonstrating a collaborative and iterative design approach.
• Test designs with different users, incorporate their feedback, and present data and design iterations back to internal customers.
• Work collaboratively with a full-stack design team, including UX Writers, Service Designers, and Visual Designers, understanding interdisciplinary overlaps.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on user-centered design principles, practical application of design tools, and effective communication with both users and internal stakeholders. The expectation to advocate for customer inclusion points to a commitment to accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG).

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While no specific degree is mandated, a background in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Digital Design, Graphic Design, Psychology, or a related field is highly beneficial.
• Demonstrated understanding of user-centered design principles and methodologies.

Experience:

• Experience in UX/UI design, with a focus on digital products or web applications.
• Familiarity with design process optimization and iterative design cycles.
• Proven ability to translate user feedback into actionable design improvements.

Required Skills:

• Human-Centered Design Approach: A strong understanding and practical application of designing with the user at the forefront.
• Prototyping Software Proficiency: Experience with at least one industry-standard prototyping tool such as Sketch, InVision, Figma, Axure, or Adobe XD.
• User Experience (UX) Principles: Solid grasp of UX best practices, user flows, wireframing, and information architecture.
• Collaboration Skills: Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team and engage with various internal stakeholders.
• Customer Inclusion & Accessibility: Understanding and commitment to designing inclusive and accessible digital experiences.
• Adaptability: Willingness to adapt designs based on technical constraints and stakeholder feedback.
• Feedback Presentation: Ability to present design concepts, user testing results, and iterations to internal customers effectively.
• Design Systems: Experience working with or contributing to design systems, ensuring consistency and efficiency in design output.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the financial services sector or other regulated industries.
• Knowledge of Service Design principles and how they integrate with UX.
• Familiarity with UX Writing and its role in creating seamless user experiences.
• Experience with user research methodologies and synthesizing research findings.
• Visual design skills and an understanding of visual hierarchy and aesthetics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills are heavily focused on practical UX/UI design execution and collaborative teamwork. The emphasis on "learning from" and "supporting" other designers suggests that while a strong foundation is necessary, candidates with emerging talent and a willingness to grow will be considered.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• User-Centered Design Case Studies: Showcase projects that demonstrate a clear human-centered design process, from problem identification to solution implementation.
• Prototyping & Interaction Design Examples: Include interactive prototypes or detailed walkthroughs of user flows, highlighting your ability to bring designs to life.
• Design System Utilization: Provide examples where you have effectively used or adapted components from a design system to create consistent and efficient UIs.
• User Feedback Integration: Demonstrate how you have incorporated user feedback and research findings into design iterations, showing your problem-solving and adaptability.
• Accessibility & Inclusion: Feature projects that specifically address accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG), showcasing your commitment to inclusive design.

Process Documentation:

• Design Process Walkthroughs: Clearly articulate your design process for key projects, including phases like research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, testing, and iteration.
• Rationale for Design Decisions: Explain the reasoning behind your design choices, linking them back to user needs, business goals, and accessibility principles.
• Collaboration Artifacts: If possible, include examples of how you collaborated with other designers, developers, or product managers, such as shared wireframes, design critiques, or feedback summaries.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is crucial for this role, particularly for a contract position. It should clearly illustrate the candidate's design process, technical proficiency with prototyping tools, and ability to translate user needs into tangible design solutions, with a specific emphasis on how they've worked within established design systems and considered accessibility.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £39,825 - £44,250 per annum Benefits:

• Generous Pension Contribution: Up to 15% contribution.
• Share Schemes: Including free shares, offering an opportunity for ownership and long-term reward.
• Adaptable Lifestyle Benefits: Options such as discounted shopping and other perks tailored to individual needs.
• Holiday Entitlement: 28 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays, providing ample time for rest and rejuvenation.
• Wellbeing Initiatives: Access to a range of programs and resources designed to support employee health and wellbeing.
• Generous Parental Leave Policies: Comprehensive leave provisions for new parents.

Working Hours: Full-Time (approximately 40 hours per week). The company supports flexible working and hybrid arrangements, with a minimum expectation of spending 40% of time (at least two days per week) in the Manchester office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for junior to mid-level UX Designers in the UK, particularly within a large corporate environment. The comprehensive benefits package, including share schemes and generous holiday, adds significant value to the overall compensation. The hybrid working model with specific office days offers a balance between flexibility and in-person collaboration.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services / Banking. Lloyds Banking Group is a prominent player in the UK financial sector, aiming to "help Britain prosper." Company Size: Large Enterprise (Lloyds Banking Group is one of the UK's largest financial institutions, with a significant global presence and a vast employee base). This scale offers stability and extensive resources for professional development. Founded: The current Lloyds Banking Group was formed in 2009, but its constituent banks have histories stretching back centuries, indicating a deep-rooted legacy and stability.

Team Structure:

• The UX Designer will operate within a full design team, which includes Interaction Designers, UX Writers, and Visual Designers.
• Collaboration is expected with product managers, developers, researchers, and other business stakeholders.
• The role implies working within an Agile or similar product development framework.

Methodology:

• Agile/Iterative Development: The company's digital transformation efforts suggest a strong adoption of agile methodologies, emphasizing rapid iteration, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Data-Driven Design: User research and data analysis are likely key components in informing design decisions and validating solutions.
• Design System Adoption: A commitment to using and contributing to a central design system indicates a focus on consistency, efficiency, and scalability in design.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Working for a large, established financial institution like Lloyds Banking Group means adhering to rigorous standards, a structured environment, and a focus on customer trust and security. The company's commitment to digital transformation presents an exciting opportunity to work on impactful projects.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a fixed-term contract for a UX Designer, likely targeting individuals with 0-2 years of experience. It serves as an excellent entry point or stepping stone for developing practical UX/UI skills within a corporate setting. Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will report into a Design Lead or a Product Manager, working closely with a team of fellow designers and developers. The collaborative nature of the role means regular interaction with various cross-functional teams. Operations Impact: As a UX Designer, the impact is directly on the usability and accessibility of digital products, influencing customer satisfaction, engagement, and potentially conversion rates. By improving the user experience, this role contributes to the company's goal of being the "best bank for customers."

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Opportunity to hone skills in UX/UI design, prototyping, user research, and accessibility standards under the guidance of experienced designers.
• Industry Exposure: Gain valuable experience within the financial services industry, understanding its unique challenges and opportunities.
• Portfolio Enhancement: Build a robust portfolio with tangible projects completed for a major UK brand.
• Networking: Develop professional relationships within a large organization, potentially leading to future opportunities.
• Learning the Ropes: Understand how design processes integrate into larger corporate structures and digital transformation initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a fixed-term contract, this role provides significant learning and development opportunities. The exposure to large-scale projects and established design practices can be invaluable for career progression in UX/UI design.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is hybrid, requiring a minimum of two days per week in the Manchester office. This suggests a modern office environment designed to facilitate collaboration and focused work. Office Location(s): Manchester, Westminster House. This location is a key hub for Lloyds Banking Group operations.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment likely includes meeting rooms, brainstorming areas, and open-plan spaces conducive to teamwork and cross-functional interaction.
• Design Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software and hardware will be provided.
• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities to engage with fellow designers, product teams, and other colleagues to share ideas and foster innovation.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours, with flexibility offered through the hybrid working model. This allows for dedicated time for focused design work, team collaboration, and personal work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model emphasizes the importance of in-person collaboration for design sprints, feedback sessions, and team cohesion, while also acknowledging the benefits of remote work for focused individual tasks.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely conducted by HR or a recruiter to assess basic qualifications and fit.
• Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, discuss their design process, and potentially answer technical questions related to UX/UI design and prototyping tools.
• Skills-Based Assessment/Case Study: May involve a practical exercise or case study to evaluate problem-solving skills, design thinking, and ability to apply concepts discussed.
• Team/Hiring Manager Interview: To assess cultural fit, collaborative approach, and alignment with team dynamics.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Structure your portfolio around compelling narratives for each project, clearly outlining the problem, your role, the process, the solutions, and the outcomes.
• Process Emphasis: Detail your design process, including research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and iteration. Highlight how you incorporated feedback.
• Tool Proficiency: Explicitly mention the tools used for each project (e.g., Figma for wireframing and prototyping).
• Accessibility Focus: If possible, include examples that showcase your understanding and application of accessibility principles.
• Conciseness: Present a curated selection of your best work that is most relevant to the role.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand LBG's Digital Presence: Familiarize yourself with Lloyds Banking Group's current digital offerings and identify potential areas for UX improvement.
• Practice Design Principles: Be ready to articulate your understanding of user-centered design, usability heuristics, and accessibility standards.
• Prepare for Collaborative Scenarios: Think about how you would approach collaborative design challenges and provide constructive feedback.
• Articulate Design Rationale: Be prepared to justify every design decision you've made in your portfolio projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely be rigorous, focusing on both technical design skills and the ability to integrate into a professional team environment. A well-prepared portfolio that clearly demonstrates a user-centric approach and practical design skills is paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Prototyping Software: Sketch, InVision, Figma, Axure, Adobe XD. Proficiency in at least one is essential. Figma is increasingly becoming an industry standard for collaborative design.
• Design Systems: Experience working with established design systems for consistency.
• Collaboration Platforms: Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Confluence for communication and project management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned for the UX Designer, an understanding of how user behavior data (e.g., from analytics tools like Google Analytics or Adobe Analytics) informs design decisions is beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the UX Designer role, but awareness of how design impacts CRM and customer journey automation can be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with modern prototyping and design tools, particularly Figma, is highly valued. Experience with design systems is also a key requirement, indicating the company's commitment to efficient and consistent design.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: A core value for Lloyds Banking Group, emphasizing understanding and meeting customer needs.
• Integrity: Upholding ethical standards and trustworthiness in all actions.
• Teamwork: Collaborating effectively to achieve shared goals.
• Excellence: Striving for high quality and continuous improvement in all aspects of work.
• Inclusion: Fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to work closely with product managers, developers, researchers, and business stakeholders.
• Feedback-Driven: An open culture for giving and receiving constructive feedback is implied, essential for iterative design.
• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices and insights within the design team and across departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes a strong sense of purpose, customer advocacy, and collaborative teamwork. Candidates should demonstrate alignment with these values and a proactive, team-oriented approach.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Constraints: Navigating the complexities of stakeholder requirements, technical limitations, and business objectives while advocating for the user.
• Working within a Large Organization: Adapting to established processes, approval workflows, and the scale of operations within a major financial institution.
• Fixed-Term Contract Context: The 12-month duration requires efficient contribution and quick integration into projects.
• Maintaining Design Consistency: Ensuring adherence to the central design system while still allowing for creative problem-solving.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX/UI Skills: Deepen expertise in interaction design, prototyping, and user research methodologies.
• Financial Services Industry Insight: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the digital landscape and customer expectations within the banking sector.
• Accessibility Best Practices: Develop a strong foundation in creating WCAG-compliant designs.
• Corporate Design Processes: Learn how design functions within a large corporate structure, including stakeholder management and project delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents a significant opportunity to tackle real-world design challenges within a high-impact industry, fostering rapid professional growth and skill development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: "Walk me through your design process for a recent project where you had to balance user needs with business requirements."
• Collaboration: "Describe a time you disagreed with a stakeholder about a design decision. How did you handle it?"
• Problem-Solving: "How would you approach designing a new feature for a mobile banking app that aims to improve customer engagement?"
• User Advocacy: "How do you ensure that user needs are met, especially when they conflict with initial project briefs?"
• Accessibility: "What steps do you take to ensure your designs are accessible to all users?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for Lloyds Banking Group and in the financial services industry?"
• "How do you stay updated on the latest UX/UI design trends and best practices?"
• "How do you approach collaboration with developers and product managers?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Relevant Projects: Choose 2-3 projects that best showcase your UX/UI skills, process, and ability to work with design systems.
• Focus on the "Why": Clearly articulate the problem you were solving, your design rationale, and how your solution addressed the user's needs and business goals.
• Demonstrate Process: Show wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and any user testing feedback you incorporated.
• Highlight Collaboration: Mention how you worked with other team members.
• Concise and Clear: Aim for a presentation that is engaging, informative, and within the allotted time.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to articulate your design process with clarity and confidence, using specific examples from your portfolio. Be ready to discuss how you champion user needs and contribute to a collaborative team environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Lloyds Banking Group careers portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and highlights projects that demonstrate your human-centered design approach, proficiency with relevant prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch), and experience with design systems. Tailor your portfolio to showcase your ability to balance user needs with business requirements.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your UX/UI design experience, focusing on achievements and quantifiable results where possible. Use keywords such as "UX Design," "UI Design," "Prototyping," "User-Centered Design," "Accessibility," and "Design Systems."
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, explaining your portfolio projects, and answering common UX interview questions related to problem-solving, collaboration, and user advocacy. Prepare to discuss how you would contribute to a hybrid working environment.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Lloyds Banking Group's mission, values, and recent digital initiatives. Understanding their commitment to "helping Britain prosper" and their focus on customer inclusion will be beneficial.

⚠️ 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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