UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer

Company: News Corp Australia

Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Job Type: FULL_TIME, CONTRACTOR

Category: Digital Product Design & User Experience

Date Posted: August 20, 2025

Experience Level: Mid-Weight (4+ years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is crucial for shaping the user experience of News Corp Australia's digital products, focusing on consumer and business objectives.

• The UX Designer will independently lead UX projects, encompassing user research, information architecture, and interaction design, with support from the UX Lead.

• A key aspect involves collaborating closely with Product and Design teams to ensure user-centered design principles are integrated across digital platforms.

• The position requires a strong ability to define problems, leverage user research and business intelligence for strategic decisions, and present data-backed rationale to stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: This position is a 10-month fixed-term maternity cover contract, which is a critical detail for candidates to consider regarding the duration and nature of the employment. The role is described as "Mid-weight," indicating a need for demonstrated experience and the capacity for independent project leadership beyond foundational UX tasks.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead UX projects from conception through to execution, ensuring alignment with strategic business and consumer objectives.

• Conduct comprehensive user research, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies to identify user needs and pain points.

• Synthesize research findings into actionable insights, translating them into user personas, journey maps, and comprehensive finding reports.

• Design and iterate on user flows, wireframes, and interaction models, adhering to established design principles and best practices.

• Develop and present interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design solutions and gather stakeholder feedback.

• Facilitate productive discussions and collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Product Managers, Engineers, and other Designers.

• Champion user-centered design principles throughout the product development lifecycle, advocating for the user's needs.

• Contribute to and leverage an existing design language system to ensure consistency and efficiency across digital products.

• Document design decisions, research findings, and interaction specifications clearly and concisely.

• Proactively identify opportunities for UX improvements and contribute to the continuous enhancement of digital experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic thinking, hands-on design execution, and strong communication skills. The expectation to "independently lead UX projects" suggests a need for self-direction and project management capabilities within the UX domain. Emphasis on "data-backed rationale" points to the importance of evidence-driven design decisions.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While a specific degree is not mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating mastery of UX principles and practices is essential. Formal education in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Psychology, or a related field is often beneficial.

Experience: A minimum of 4+ years of professional experience as a UX Designer is required, with a proven track record of successfully delivering user-centered digital products.

Required Skills:

• Minimum 4 years of experience in UX Design roles.

• Proven ability to define and solve complex user problems and identify strategic opportunities for digital products.

• Proficiency in conducting both primary (e.g., user interviews, usability testing) and secondary (e.g., market research, competitive analysis) UX research.

• Expertise in synthesizing qualitative and quantitative research data into actionable insights and user-centric artifacts.

• Demonstrated experience in creating user personas, journey maps, and detailed research reports.

• Strong skills in designing user flows, wireframes, and interaction models, with a solid understanding of interaction design principles.

• Proficiency in creating interactive prototypes using tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and findings to diverse stakeholders.

• Experience advocating for user-centered design within a collaborative team environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within and contributing to a Design Language System (DLS).

• Knowledge and practical application of Lean UX methodologies.

• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies and their integration with UX processes.

• Experience with A/B testing and data analysis to inform design iterations.

• Understanding of web and mobile accessibility standards (WCAG).

• Experience within the media or publishing industry is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "mid-complexity projects" suggests the ideal candidate can handle tasks that require strategic thinking and problem-solving beyond basic UI design. The requirement for "data-backed rationale" underscores the need for analytical skills and the ability to justify design decisions with evidence.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of UX design projects, demonstrating a clear understanding of the UX process from research to final design.

• Case studies that detail the problem statement, research methodologies employed, design process, iteration, and measurable outcomes or impact.

• Examples of user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and final UI designs, highlighting the evolution of the design.

• Evidence of research artifacts such as user personas, journey maps, and usability testing reports.

Process Documentation:

• Ability to clearly articulate the UX design process used for specific projects within the portfolio.

• Documentation should cover how user research was conducted, synthesized, and translated into design solutions.

• Examples of how design iterations were managed, feedback was incorporated, and final designs were implemented.

• Showcase understanding of workflow design and optimization from a user perspective.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is the primary tool for evaluating a candidate's practical UX skills and process. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their projects, explaining their design thinking, research methods, and the impact of their work, particularly focusing on how they applied user-centered design principles and handled stakeholder feedback.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Mid-weight UX Designer in Sydney, Australia, with 4+ years of experience, the estimated annual salary range is typically between AUD $90,000 to $130,000. This can vary based on the specific scope of responsibilities, the candidate's demonstrated skills, and the negotiation process.

Benefits:

• Exclusive Access: Opportunity to access publications and products from across the News Corp family.

• Health & Wellbeing: Support for mental and physical health, including onsite gym facilities at their Sydney office.

• Time Off: Comprehensive leave options including Parental Leave, Birthday Leave, Volunteer Leave, Career Break, and Compassionate Leave.

• Professional Development: Access to development opportunities, including diversity and inclusion-focused education, and recognition programs.

• Financial Wellbeing: Support and resources to help manage personal finances.

• Perks & Discounts: Exclusive offers on a variety of products and services.

• Community Impact: Opportunities to contribute to and make a difference in local communities.

• Workplace Inclusion: Engagement through employee resource groups and access to facilities like multi-faith quiet rooms and parents' rooms.

Working Hours: The role is full-time, implying approximately 35-40 hours per week. While the contract is for 5 days per week, specific daily hours may offer some flexibility, common in creative and digital roles, but the core expectation is full-time commitment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for UX Designers in Sydney with 4-5 years of experience, considering the company's industry and size. The comprehensive benefits package is a significant draw, offering substantial support for employees' well-being and personal growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Media and Publishing, digital content, news, and information services. News Corp Australia is part of a global media conglomerate, indicating a large, established organization with a significant digital footprint and a focus on audience engagement.

Company Size: Part of News Corp, which is a large global enterprise. News Corp Australia itself operates with a substantial number of employees across its various brands and functions, suggesting a dynamic and resource-rich environment.

Founded: News Corporation was founded by Rupert Murdoch in 1952. News Corp Australia has a long history within the Australian media landscape, evolving with digital transformation. This history indicates a company that values tradition but is also adapting to modern media consumption.

Team Structure:

• The UX Designer will be part of the Consumer Experience team, working closely with Product and Design teams.

• This implies a collaborative structure where UX designers work in tandem with product managers to define product strategy and with other designers (potentially UI designers, researchers) to execute on user-centered solutions.

Methodology:

• The role emphasizes user research, Lean UX practices, and data-informed decision-making.

• Expect a focus on agile development cycles, iterative design, and continuous improvement based on user feedback and performance metrics.

• Collaboration and open communication are key, suggesting a culture that values shared understanding and collective problem-solving.

Company Website: https://www.newscorpaustralia.com/careers

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as a mix of social interaction and focused work, valuing diverse skills and new approaches. This suggests a collaborative yet productive environment where individual contributions are recognized within a team framework. The emphasis on "social introverts" implies a balance of personalities and work styles.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Mid-weight UX Designer role, positioned between Junior and Senior levels. It requires demonstrated independent project leadership and a solid foundation in UX principles, research methodologies, and design execution. The role offers the opportunity to tackle mid-complexity projects and contribute significantly to product strategy.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will report to a UX Lead or a similar senior design/product management role. They will work collaboratively with product managers, engineers, and other members of the product and design teams. This structure allows for mentorship and guidance while also fostering autonomy in project execution.

Operations Impact: As a UX Designer, the impact is directly on the user experience of News Corp Australia's digital products. This includes driving user engagement, satisfaction, and potentially conversion rates by creating intuitive, effective, and enjoyable digital interactions. Successful UX design directly contributes to the company's ability to retain and grow its audience and achieve its business objectives in the competitive media landscape.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of UX, such as user research, interaction design, or information architecture, through project exposure and potential training.

• Project Leadership: Gain experience leading UX initiatives for prominent Australian media brands, enhancing portfolio and leadership capabilities.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Develop stronger relationships and understanding of product management, engineering, and business strategy through close collaboration.

• Potential for Senior Roles: Successful performance in this contract role could lead to opportunities for more senior UX positions within News Corp Australia or its affiliated companies.

• Industry Exposure: Work with established media brands, providing valuable experience in a dynamic and evolving industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The contract nature of the role presents a unique growth opportunity. While it's a fixed term, excelling in this position can serve as a strong stepping stone for permanent roles, especially given the company's size and potential need for skilled UX professionals. The chance to work on "prestigious media brands" is a significant CV builder.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Sydney, NSW, at 2 Holt Street, Surry Hills. This is a physical office location, indicating an on-site work arrangement. News Corp Australia offices often feature modern, collaborative workspaces.

Office Location(s): The primary location is Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The company may have other offices, but this specific role is tied to the Sydney location.

Workspace Context:

• The office environment is likely to be dynamic and collaborative, fostering interaction among team members from different disciplines.

• Expect access to standard office amenities and potentially a creative studio or design hub environment.

• The company culture suggests a balance between focused work (e.g., headphone silos) and social interaction (e.g., pub lunches), indicating a supportive and engaging workplace.

• The mention of onsite gyms at their Adelaide, Brisbane, and Sydney offices suggests a commitment to employee well-being.

Work Schedule: This is a full-time position, requiring 5 days per week. While specific daily hours might have some flexibility, the core expectation is consistent presence and contribution during standard business hours, aligning with the needs of project collaboration and team synchronization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature of the role is important for candidates who prefer or require in-person collaboration and access to office resources. The company's emphasis on employee well-being, including onsite facilities, suggests a positive and supportive work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio by a recruiter or hiring manager to assess fit for the role and required experience.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, walking through key projects, design process, research insights, and outcomes. This is a crucial step to demonstrate UX thinking and communication skills.

• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: An interview with the UX Lead and potentially other members of the Product/Design team to discuss experience, problem-solving approaches, collaboration style, and cultural fit.

• Skills Assessment/Challenge (Potential): While not explicitly mentioned, some companies may include a short UX challenge or case study to assess practical skills and problem-solving abilities.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader in Product or Design.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-5 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your UX process, problem-solving skills, and impact.

• Tell a Story: Structure each case study as a narrative: problem, your role, process (research, ideation, design, testing), solution, and outcomes (quantifiable if possible).

• Highlight Your Process: Clearly explain why you made certain design decisions, linking them back to user research, business goals, or design principles.

• Showcase Deliverables: Include examples of wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and the final UI where applicable. Also, show research artifacts like personas or journey maps.

• Be Prepared to Discuss: Anticipate questions about your design choices, challenges faced, how you handled feedback, and what you learned.

• Tailor to News Corp: If possible, highlight projects that demonstrate experience with content-heavy platforms or media-related digital products.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If a challenge is given, ensure you understand the brief, the target audience, and the business objectives.

• Time Management: Allocate your time wisely across research, ideation, design, and presentation.

• Communicate Your Thinking: Articulate your thought process clearly, even if you don't reach a perfect solution. Explain your assumptions and rationale.

• Focus on User Needs: Ground your solutions in user-centered design principles and research insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio presentation is the most critical part of the evaluation. Candidates should prepare a concise and compelling narrative for each project, focusing on their specific contributions and the impact of their design work. Demonstrating an understanding of the media industry and audience engagement would be a significant advantage.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Prototyping & Design: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision (or similar design and prototyping software). Proficiency in at least one is essential.

• User Research Tools: SurveyMonkey, Typeform, UserTesting.com, Lookback, Hotjar (for analytics and heatmaps).

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack.

• Design Systems: Experience working with or contributing to Design Language Systems (DLS) is preferred.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics (for understanding user behavior on live products).

• Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI, Looker (for analyzing user data and presenting findings).

CRM & Automation: While not directly UX tools, understanding how CRM data (e.g., Salesforce) or marketing automation platforms might inform user journeys or personalization can be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in modern UX design and prototyping tools like Figma is highly valued. Experience with user research platforms and web analytics tools is also important for understanding user behavior and iterating on designs based on data. Familiarity with design systems is a key advantage for ensuring consistency in a large organization.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user throughout the design process.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals and foster a supportive environment.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing user research, analytics, and business intelligence to inform design choices and measure impact.

• Innovation & Iteration: A willingness to explore new ideas, experiment with solutions, and continuously refine designs based on feedback and learning.

• Quality & Craftsmanship: Striving for high-quality design execution and attention to detail in all deliverables.

• Adaptability: Embracing change and navigating the fast-paced nature of the digital media industry.

Collaboration Style:

• Open Communication: Encouraging transparent dialogue and sharing of ideas and feedback across teams.

• Cross-functional Integration: Working closely and productively with Product Managers, Developers, Researchers, and other stakeholders.

• Constructive Feedback: Engaging in and providing constructive feedback to elevate the quality of design and product outcomes.

• Teamwork: A collective approach to problem-solving, where team members support each other and contribute to a shared vision.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values suggest a culture that balances user advocacy with business objectives, supported by data and collaborative teamwork. Candidates who can demonstrate these values in their approach to UX design will likely be a strong fit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Navigating the inherent tension between creating optimal user experiences and meeting specific business objectives and constraints within a large media organization.

• Working with Existing Design Systems: Adapting to and potentially contributing to an established design language system, ensuring consistency while pushing creative boundaries.

• Fast-Paced Environment: Thriving in a dynamic, large-enterprise setting that requires quick iteration and adaptation to changing priorities.

• Stakeholder Management: Effectively communicating and gaining buy-in from a diverse range of stakeholders with potentially varying priorities and perspectives.

• Maternity Cover Contract: Adapting quickly to an existing team and ongoing projects within a fixed-term contract period.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Exposure to Major Brands: Gaining experience working on well-known and influential Australian media brands.

• UX Leadership Exposure: Learning from and collaborating with senior UX leadership, potentially gaining mentorship.

• Industry Best Practices: Staying current with evolving UX trends, methodologies, and tools within the digital media space.

• Cross-functional Skill Development: Enhancing understanding of product management, content strategy, and business operations through collaboration.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Building a strong portfolio with impactful projects from a reputable media company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for mid-weight roles in large organizations, requiring strong problem-solving and communication skills. The growth opportunities are significant, particularly for career advancement and skill development within the media technology sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Project Deep Dive: Be prepared to discuss your portfolio projects in detail. Expect questions like: "Walk me through your most challenging UX project," "How did you define the problem for X project?" "What research methods did you use and why?" "How did you iterate on your design based on feedback?" "What was the measurable impact of your design?"

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: You might be asked hypothetical questions about how you would approach a specific UX problem for one of News Corp's digital products. Think about how you'd gather information, define the problem, brainstorm solutions, and test them.

• Collaboration & Communication: How do you handle disagreements with stakeholders or team members? How do you present your findings to a non-design audience? How do you ensure buy-in for your design recommendations?

• Design Philosophy: What are your core UX principles? What makes a "good" user experience in the context of digital media? How do you balance user needs with business goals?

Company & Culture Questions:

• Research News Corp Australia: Understand their brands, their audience, and their current digital initiatives. What do you admire about their digital products? What opportunities do you see?

• Team Fit: How do you see yourself fitting into a collaborative team environment? How do you contribute to team culture?

• Adaptability: How do you handle working in a fast-paced environment or on a fixed-term contract?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Concise Narrative: Focus on the key aspects of each project – the problem, your process, your contribution, and the outcome. Aim for 5-7 minutes per project.

• Visuals are Key: Ensure your slides are clean, visually appealing, and clearly showcase your design work (wireframes, flows, prototypes).

• Highlight Data & Rationale: Emphasize how you used data and research to inform your decisions and how you articulated that rationale to stakeholders.

• Practice, Practice, Practice: Rehearse your presentation to ensure a smooth flow, clear articulation, and confident delivery. Be ready for spontaneous questions.

• Show Enthusiasm: Convey your passion for UX design and your interest in News Corp Australia's mission.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize your ability to articulate your UX process and decision-making. Preparing specific examples from your portfolio that align with the responsibilities and preferred skills will be crucial. Demonstrating an understanding of the media landscape and user engagement within that context is a significant advantage.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position:

• Submit Your Application: Complete the application form via the provided link on the News Corp Australia Careers portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Update your resume to highlight your 4+ years of UX design experience, focusing on responsibilities and achievements that align with the job description, such as user research, prototyping, and stakeholder communication. Use keywords from the job posting.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, easily accessible (e.g., via a link), and showcases your strongest UX case studies. Be ready to present your work and discuss your process in detail.

• Research News Corp Australia: Familiarize yourself with their various media brands, digital products, and recent news. Understanding their business context will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough and anticipated interview questions to ensure a confident and articulate delivery. Focus on clearly explaining your UX process and the impact of your work.

⚠️ 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.