UX Designer (12-Month FTC)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer (12-Month FTC) Company: Lloyds Banking Group Location: Bristol, England, United Kingdom Job Type: Full-Time, Contractor Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Digital Product Design Date Posted: October 21, 2025 Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years) Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Crafting end-to-end user experiences by creatively integrating components from a central design system to achieve optimal content and UI balance.
• Bringing designs to life through advanced prototyping using industry-standard software, ensuring a cohesive and intuitive user journey.
• Balancing critical business requirements with evolving user needs, leveraging user research and usability testing to inform design decisions and stakeholder alignment.
• Advocating for and implementing inclusive and accessible design principles to ensure products are usable by a diverse range of customers across various ages, backgrounds, and technical abilities.
• Collaborating closely with a multi-disciplinary team, including product owners, engineers, and fellow designers, to ensure seamless design delivery and adherence to technical constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically a 12-month Fixed-Term Contract (FTC), which is a crucial detail for candidates considering long-term career alignment. The emphasis on a "central design system" and "components" suggests a mature design practice focused on scalability and consistency, common in large financial institutions. The mention of "Enterprise Platforms" indicates the scope of work will likely involve internal tools or core customer-facing systems that support multiple business units.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive user journeys and interaction flows, ensuring seamless transitions and intuitive navigation across digital platforms.
• Create high-fidelity prototypes using tools like Sketch, Figma, or Adobe XD to effectively communicate design concepts and user flows to stakeholders and development teams.
• Translate user research findings, usability testing results, and quantitative/qualitative data into actionable design improvements and recommendations.
• Contribute to and actively improve existing design systems, proposing enhancements that increase efficiency and consistency for the broader design team.
• Collaborate with product managers, engineers, and user researchers to define design requirements, understand technical limitations, and ensure successful implementation of user-centered designs.
• Champion accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) throughout the design process, ensuring products are inclusive for users of all abilities and backgrounds.
• Provide clear and concise design specifications and guidance to development teams, ensuring pixel-perfect implementation and a high-quality end-user experience.
• Participate in design reviews and critique sessions, offering constructive feedback and incorporating feedback from peers and stakeholders.
• Adapt designs to meet the specific technical constraints and requirements of various platforms while maintaining a focus on optimal user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "gathering user research and rationale to align stakeholders" and knowing "when to diplomatically push back" highlights the need for strong communication and negotiation skills in this role, beyond just design execution. The requirement to "give guidance on creating the best possible end user experience" despite technical constraints underscores the strategic influence this UX Designer is expected to have.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred for foundational understanding in user experience principles. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered. Experience: Demonstrable experience (ideally 2-5 years) in User Experience (UX) Design or Interaction Design, with a strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end design project ownership.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in User Experience (UX) Design and Interaction Design principles.
• Full ownership of an Interaction Design project lifecycle, from concept to delivery.
• Excellent prototyping skills with proficiency in industry-standard software (e.g., Sketch, InVision, Figma, Axure, Adobe XD).
• Strong layout and visual design capabilities that can be clearly articulated.
• Experience in collaborating with and contributing to Design Systems, with an ability to suggest improvements.
• Ability to interpret and apply insights from quantitative and qualitative user research and usability testing.
• Collaborative mindset and proven ability to work effectively within multi-disciplinary teams.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, capable of articulating design rationale to internal customers and development teams.
• Commitment to customer inclusivity and deep understanding of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG).
• Experience in seeing designs through to successful delivery, working closely with developers to ensure specifications are met.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within the financial services industry or a regulated environment.
• Familiarity with complex technological landscapes and enterprise platforms.
• Technical knowledge or interest in becoming a Creative Technologist.
• Experience in A/B testing and other experimental design methodologies.
• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "2-5 years" experience level suggests this is a mid-level role, requiring a solid foundation of skills and the ability to work independently on projects, rather than an entry-level or senior strategic position. The preference for financial services experience and technical knowledge points towards a role that requires understanding of complex systems and potentially compliance considerations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio that clearly demonstrates end-to-end UX design ownership for at least 2-3 significant projects.
• Case studies detailing the problem, your design process, key decisions, challenges faced, and the final solution with measurable outcomes.
• Evidence of user research, usability testing, and how these insights informed design iterations.
• Examples of problem-solving within technical constraints and how you advocated for user needs.
• Demonstrations of how you utilized or contributed to existing design systems.
• Prototypes showcasing user flows and interactive elements.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase your ability to document design processes, user flows, and interaction specifications clearly for development teams.
• Examples of how you've applied design thinking methodologies and iterative design approaches.
• Evidence of working with user research findings, including how you synthesized and translated them into design artifacts.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the emphasis on delivering designs "through to delivery" and working with developers, the portfolio should ideally include artifacts that bridge the gap between design and development, such as detailed user flows, interactive prototypes, and potentially annotated wireframes or specifications. The mention of "technical constraints" implies a need to demonstrate pragmatic design solutions.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £59,850 - £66,500 per annum (GBP)

Benefits:

• Generous Pension Contribution: Up to 15% contribution to a company pension scheme.
• Discretionary Annual Performance-Related Bonus: Potential for additional compensation based on individual and company performance.
• Share Schemes: Including free shares, offering an opportunity to benefit from the company's growth.
• Adaptable Lifestyle Benefits: A range of discounts on shopping and other services to suit personal needs.
• Holiday Entitlement: 30 days of annual leave, in addition to public holidays.
• Wellbeing Initiatives: Comprehensive programs and resources to support employee health and wellness.
• Generous Parental Leave Policies: Supporting employees through significant life events.

Working Hours: Full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. The role supports hybrid working, requiring at least two days per week (or 40% of time) in the Bristol office. Occasional travel to other sites (Manchester, Halifax, Leeds, Edinburgh, London) may be required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific and falls within the mid-to-senior range for UX Designers in the UK, particularly in a major financial institution. The benefits package is comprehensive, reflecting the offerings typical of a large, established employer like Lloyds Banking Group. The hybrid working model, with a specific office attendance requirement, is clearly defined.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services. Lloyds Banking Group is the UK's leading bank, serving millions of customers across personal, business, and corporate segments. This industry context requires a strong emphasis on security, compliance, customer trust, and robust digital experiences. Company Size: Large enterprise (significant number of employees, likely tens of thousands across various divisions). This size implies structured processes, established design systems, and a wide array of internal and external stakeholders. Founded: The group has a long history, with its origins tracing back to the early 19th century, evolving through mergers and acquisitions into the modern Lloyds Banking Group. This heritage suggests a stable, established organization with a deep understanding of the UK financial landscape.

Team Structure:

• The UX Designer will be part of "Enterprise Experience Design," aligned to one or more "Enterprise Platforms."
• This suggests a centralized design function that supports various business units or product lines.
• The team likely includes other UX/UI designers, user researchers, content designers, and potentially service designers, working in a matrixed structure.
• Collaboration will extend to Product Owners, Engineers, Business Analysts, and other cross-functional teams.

Methodology:

• Agile Development: The company's description of its transformation program and investment in platforms points towards an Agile or hybrid Agile methodology.
• User-Centered Design Process: The emphasis on user research, usability testing, and balancing user needs with business requirements indicates a strong commitment to a user-centered design (UCD) approach.
• Design System Utilization: The mention of a "central design system" implies a standardized approach to design, focusing on component-based design and consistent user experiences across applications.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Enterprise Experience Design" team structure implies that this role might support internal tools for colleagues (e.g., engineers, marketing) as well as customer-facing platforms. This broad scope means the designer must be adaptable to different user types and business objectives. The company's long history combined with an "ambitious transformation programme" highlights a blend of stability and forward-thinking innovation.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level UX Designer, suitable for individuals with 2-5 years of focused experience. It requires the ability to take ownership of design tasks, contribute meaningfully to design systems, and collaborate effectively within a team. The role is not entry-level but also not a senior strategic or leadership position.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will report into a lead within the Enterprise Experience Design team. They will work closely with Product Owners and Engineering leads on specific platform assignments. The reporting structure is likely within a larger digital or technology department, emphasizing cross-functional collaboration.

Operations Impact: While the role is UX Design, its impact is directly tied to operational efficiency and customer satisfaction within Lloyds Banking Group. By improving user experiences for both customers and colleagues (e.g., engineers, marketing teams using internal platforms), this role contributes to:

• Increased customer adoption and retention.
• Reduced customer support inquiries through intuitive interfaces.
• Enhanced productivity and efficiency for internal users.
• Successful adoption of new digital products and features.
• Brand perception and customer loyalty.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like accessibility, interaction design for complex systems, or user research methodologies.
• Design System Contribution: Take on more responsibility for evolving and maintaining the design system, potentially leading initiatives in this area.
• Platform Ownership: Gain experience across a broader range of enterprise platforms, leading design efforts for more critical or complex systems.
• Creative Technologist Path: Develop technical skills to bridge the gap between design and development, a specifically mentioned desirable trait.
• Mentorship: As experience grows, potentially mentor junior designers or contribute to design best practices within the team.
• Fixed-Term to Permanent: While a 12-month FTC, strong performance can lead to opportunities for permanent roles within the organization, given the size and ongoing transformation at Lloyds Banking Group.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "creative technology" as a desirable skill suggests a potential growth path for designers interested in exploring the technical feasibility and implementation of innovative design solutions, which is a valuable differentiator in the UX field.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid working model, requiring a mix of office-based and remote work. The company emphasizes its commitment to flexible working. Office Location(s): Primarily based in Bristol Harbourside. Occasional visits to other major Lloyds Banking Group hubs are also expected, including Manchester, Halifax, Leeds, and London. This necessitates adaptability and willingness to travel occasionally.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hubs: The Bristol office is likely equipped with collaborative spaces designed to facilitate teamwork, brainstorming, and design critiques, supporting the hybrid work model.
• Technology Access: Designers will have access to standard design software and potentially specialized tools required for their role. The company's investment in platforms suggests a modern technology infrastructure.
• Cross-Functional Interaction: The work environment fosters close interaction with product managers, engineers, researchers, and other designers, promoting a shared understanding and efficient workflow.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week), with flexibility offered through the hybrid model. Designers are expected to manage their time effectively to meet project deadlines and collaborate with team members across different locations and time zones when necessary.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 2 days per week in the Bristol office is a key aspect of the hybrid arrangement. Candidates should consider their proximity to Bristol and their comfort level with this specific hybrid structure. The mention of occasional travel to other major cities indicates that the role may involve broader collaboration across the group's different operational centers.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess relevant experience and skills.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation to discuss your background, motivations, and suitability for the role. This is often where initial questions about your experience with design systems, user research, and collaboration will be posed.
• Portfolio Presentation & Technical Interview: You will likely be asked to present a selection of your work from your portfolio, detailing your process, rationale, and outcomes for specific projects. This is a critical stage to demonstrate your design thinking, problem-solving abilities, and communication skills. Expect technical questions related to UX principles, prototyping, and accessibility.
• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with other designers, product managers, or engineers to assess your fit within the team and your ability to collaborate effectively.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a more senior leader, focusing on strategic alignment and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best showcase your end-to-end UX design process, problem-solving skills, and impact. Prioritize projects that align with the responsibilities outlined (e.g., complex systems, design systems, accessibility).
• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem you were solving, your role, your design process, key decisions, challenges, and the impact of your solution (quantifiable results are ideal).
• Highlight Collaboration: Show how you worked with stakeholders, researchers, and developers.
• Demonstrate Process: Explain why you made certain design choices, referencing user research, data, or design principles.
• Showcase Prototyping: Include interactive prototypes or clear visual representations of user flows and interactions.
• Address Accessibility: Explicitly mention how you considered and implemented accessibility standards in your designs.
• Be Prepared to Defend: Be ready to answer detailed questions about your design choices and trade-offs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a potential design challenge, either as a take-home assignment or a live exercise during the interview process. This might involve designing a specific feature or flow based on a given brief.
• Focus on Process: For any challenge, emphasize your thought process, how you approach problem-solving, and how you would gather information (e.g., what questions you would ask).
• Time Management: If given a timed exercise, manage your time effectively to deliver a coherent solution.
• Presentation: Practice presenting your solution clearly and concisely, highlighting key design decisions and rationale.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on presenting work and the potential for a design challenge means candidates should not only have a strong portfolio but also practice articulating their design journey and decisions verbally. The mention of "stakeholders" early on suggests that the ability to influence and communicate with non-designers will be heavily assessed.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Prototyping & Design: Sketch, InVision, Figma, Axure, Adobe XD (Proficiency in at least one is essential, familiarity with multiple is beneficial).
• Design Systems: Experience working with and contributing to established design systems.
• Collaboration Tools: Jira, Confluence (common in Agile environments for project tracking and documentation).
• Communication Platforms: Microsoft Teams, Slack (for day-to-day team communication).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly a UX Designer's primary tool, familiarity with how user data is collected and analyzed is beneficial. This could include:
  • Web Analytics Platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) for understanding user behavior.
  • User Research Platforms (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback) for gathering qualitative insights.

CRM & Automation:

• Not typically a direct requirement for UX Designers, but understanding how CRM systems and marketing automation tools influence customer journeys can provide valuable context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specific list of prototyping software (Sketch, InVision, Figma, Axure, Adobe XD) is provided, indicating that candidates should highlight their proficiency in these tools. The mention of "enterprise platforms" suggests that the UX Designer will be working within a structured and potentially complex technology ecosystem, where integration and adherence to existing standards are paramount.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: A core value for Lloyds Banking Group, emphasizing understanding and prioritizing customer needs in all design decisions.
• Integrity: Operating with honesty, transparency, and a commitment to ethical practices, particularly critical in the financial services sector.
• Collaboration: Working effectively across teams and disciplines to achieve shared goals, essential for a hybrid and large organizational structure.
• Excellence: Striving for high-quality outcomes in design, user experience, and overall delivery.
• Inclusivity: A strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, reflected in both internal culture and the design of accessible products.

Collaboration Style:

• Hybrid & Cross-Functional: The team operates in a hybrid model, requiring strong remote collaboration skills alongside in-office interaction. Collaboration is inherently cross-functional, involving close partnerships with Product Owners, Engineers, Researchers, and Business Analysts.
• Iterative Feedback: The culture likely embraces iterative design, with regular feedback loops through design reviews, usability testing, and sprint retrospectives.
• Open Communication: An open and transparent communication style is encouraged to ensure alignment and to address challenges proactively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated commitment to "making a difference to customers, businesses and communities" and "helping Britain prosper" implies that the team's work is viewed through a lens of broader societal impact, which can be a motivating factor for individuals joining the organization. The emphasis on "inclusive every day" and "celebrates diversity" points to a culture that values diverse perspectives in problem-solving.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Diverse User Needs: Designing for millions of customers with varying demographics, technical aptitudes, and financial needs requires careful consideration and robust research.
• Navigating Complex Systems: Working within a large financial institution means dealing with established legacy systems, complex regulations, and intricate technical architectures, which can present design constraints.
• Hybrid Work Coordination: Effectively collaborating and maintaining team cohesion in a hybrid environment requires proactive communication and a structured approach to teamwork.
• Fixed-Term Contract Transition: As a 12-month FTC, the challenge of proving impact and demonstrating long-term value within a limited timeframe is inherent.
• Design System Evolution: Keeping a large design system current and applicable across diverse platforms and evolving business needs is an ongoing challenge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Access to Industry-Leading Tools: Exposure to and training on advanced design and prototyping software.
• Mentorship Programs: Opportunities to learn from experienced designers and researchers within a large, established design team.
• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Gaining deeper insights into product management, engineering processes, and user research methodologies.
• Financial Services Domain Expertise: Developing a strong understanding of the financial services industry, its unique user needs, and regulatory landscape.
• Accessibility & Inclusivity Training: Direct application and further development of skills in creating inclusive and accessible digital products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenge of "balancing business requirements with user needs" and knowing "when to diplomatically push back" suggests that designers will be empowered to advocate for the user, but must do so with strategic acumen and strong supporting evidence. This presents a significant growth opportunity in persuasive communication and stakeholder management.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting stakeholder requirements with user needs. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your negotiation, research, and advocacy skills.)
• "Walk us through a complex user journey you designed. What were the key challenges, and how did your design address them?" (Prepare a case study from your portfolio that highlights end-to-end process and problem-solving.)
• "How do you ensure your designs are inclusive and accessible to a wide range of users? Can you provide an example?" (Be ready to discuss specific accessibility standards and methods.)
• "Describe your experience working with or contributing to a design system. What are the benefits, and how do you ensure consistency?" (Highlight your understanding of design system principles and practical application.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for Lloyds Banking Group, and specifically in the financial services industry?" (Research the company's purpose, values, and recent initiatives.)
• "How do you approach collaboration within a hybrid team, especially when working with engineers and product managers?" (Emphasize your proactive communication and teamwork strategies.)
• "How do you measure the success of your UX designs?" (Discuss key UX metrics and how you've used them to demonstrate impact.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role, the process, solutions, and outcomes. Use a consistent framework.
• Highlight Impact: Quantify results where possible (e.g., "improved conversion by X%", "reduced task completion time by Y%"). If quantitative data isn't available, focus on qualitative feedback and user testimonials.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals, wireframes, prototypes, and user flows to illustrate your design decisions and the user experience.
• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices, trade-offs, and any challenges encountered.
• Connect to the Role: Tailor your presentation to highlight skills and experiences most relevant to the job description (e.g., working with design systems, financial services context, accessibility).

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "12-Month FTC" nature of the role, interviewers will likely be looking for candidates who can hit the ground running and deliver tangible results quickly. Therefore, emphasizing projects where you had significant ownership and achieved clear outcomes will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Lloyds Banking Group careers portal.
• Portfolio Enhancement: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, clearly showcases your UX design process, and highlights projects relevant to enterprise platforms, design systems, and accessibility. Tailor the case studies to emphasize ownership and impact.
• Resume Optimization: Align your resume with the keywords and responsibilities mentioned in the job description, particularly focusing on "User Experience Design," "Interaction Design," "Prototyping," "Design Systems," and "Accessibility." Quantify achievements where possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, decision-making rationale, and collaboration experience. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions and be ready to present your portfolio confidently.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Lloyds Banking Group's mission, values, and recent digital initiatives. Understand their commitment to customer-centricity and financial inclusion.

⚠️ 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.

---