UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer

Company: Tes

Location: Sheffield or London, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: 2026-04-17

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

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the entire design lifecycle within designated product areas, translating complex user insights into intuitive and accessible digital products.

• Drive Design Operations (DesignOps) initiatives to enhance the efficiency and performance of the design function amidst organizational transformation.

• Champion a "Dual-Track Agile" approach, integrating continuous discovery with iterative product delivery.

• Foster cross-functional collaboration with Product Managers and Engineers to ensure the feasibility and impact of design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role emphasizes a proactive, "architect of order" mentality, ideal for candidates who thrive in dynamic environments and can build structure within evolving processes. The focus on DesignOps and navigating organizational transformation suggests a need for strategic thinking and process improvement skills beyond traditional UX design.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Continuous Discovery & Design: Lead design activities within a "Dual-Track Agile" framework, working closely with UX Researchers to understand user needs and validate design concepts.

• Lean Experimentation: Deconstruct complex product ideas into manageable, lean experiments to expedite learning and validate hypotheses efficiently.

• DesignOps Contribution: Partner with senior designers and leadership to refine design processes, including defining "Definition of Ready," streamlining handoffs, and optimizing workflows.

• Design System Governance: Contribute to the development, maintenance, and governance of the Design System, ensuring component architecture and documentation support scalability.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitate workshops and collaborative sessions (e.g., FigJam) to align stakeholders on product requirements and design directions.

• Design Quality Assurance: Support and lead design syncs, such as Design Critiques and peer reviews, to maintain high design quality standards.

• Cross-Functional Team Collaboration: Work intimately with Product Managers and Engineers, involving developers early in the design process to ensure technical feasibility and alignment with constraints.

• UX Metrics Definition & Tracking: Define, track, and report on key UX metrics, developing creative approaches to measure product success and user experience impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on design work, process improvement, and strategic collaboration. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate experience in improving design team efficiency and contributing to scalable design systems.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for this level of role. Equivalent practical experience will also be highly valued.

Experience: 2-5 years of experience in UX design, with a demonstrated ability to manage the full design lifecycle from discovery to delivery. Experience in a SaaS environment or a company undergoing significant transformation is highly preferred.

Required Skills:

• UX Design Mastery: Proficient in the end-to-end UX design process, including user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing.

• Figma Proficiency: Advanced skills in Figma, including Auto-layout, Variables, and Component creation and management.

• Agile Methodologies: Strong understanding and practical experience with Agile frameworks, particularly "Dual-Track Agile" or similar iterative approaches.

• Design Systems: Experience contributing to or managing design systems, understanding component-based design and its scalability benefits.

• Workshop Facilitation: Ability to plan and lead collaborative workshops and brainstorming sessions with diverse stakeholders.

• Systems Thinking: Capacity to understand and articulate how design decisions impact the broader product ecosystem and business objectives.

• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering).

Preferred Skills:

• UX Research Tools: Familiarity with tools like Askable or Maze for conducting lean user research and gathering data.

• DesignOps Principles: Understanding of Design Operations principles and experience in implementing process improvements within design teams.

• AI in Design: Proactive exploration and understanding of how AI can be leveraged within the design process.

• SaaS Product Experience: Prior experience designing for Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platforms.

• Design Critiques & Reviews: Experience participating in and leading design critiques to foster quality and continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma mastery, DesignOps, and navigating change suggests that candidates with a strong portfolio showcasing process improvement and system thinking will stand out.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating your UX design process from problem identification to solution implementation and impact.

• Process Improvement Examples: Include examples where you proactively identified and addressed inefficiencies in design workflows or processes, ideally within a DesignOps context.

• Design System Contributions: Highlight your involvement in design systems, showcasing component design, documentation, and governance contributions.

• Collaboration Showcase: Illustrate how you collaborated with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders, detailing the problem-solving approach and outcomes.

• Impact Metrics: Quantify the impact of your design work using relevant UX metrics, demonstrating ROI or improvements in user satisfaction, efficiency, or conversion rates.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate your ability to document design processes, workflows, and design system guidelines clearly and concisely.

• Showcase examples of how you have contributed to or refined "Definition of Ready" criteria or handoff procedures.

📝 Enhancement Note: Applicants should prepare to present their portfolio not just as a showcase of design output, but as evidence of their ability to build and improve design processes, especially within a dynamic and transforming organization.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £42,000 - £51,000 per annum. This range is competitive for a mid-level UX Designer role in the UK, considering the responsibilities and the company's industry.

Benefits:

• 25 days of annual leave, increasing to 30 days with tenure.

• 5% pension contribution after probation period.

• Access to state-of-the-art offices.

• Comprehensive benefits package through "My Benefits World."

• Free eye care cover.

• Life Assurance.

• Cycle to Work Scheme.

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for confidential support.

• Quarterly Tes social events to foster team cohesion.

• Access to an extensive Learning and Development menu for continuous professional growth.

Working Hours: Full-time, with a hybrid working pattern requiring 3 days per week in the office. Standard working hours are assumed to be around 40 hours per week, though flexibility may be offered in line with hybrid working policies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided based on the input data and typical UK market rates for a UX Designer with 2-5 years of experience. The benefits package is comprehensive and aligns with standard offerings for permanent employees in the UK tech/education sector.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: EdTech (Education Technology). Tes is a global leader in providing digital solutions and resources for schools and educators.

Company Size: Tes is a significant player in the EdTech market, with a large community of educators and relationships with schools worldwide. While exact employee numbers aren't provided, the description implies a company of considerable scale, likely fitting into the 500-1000+ employee range.

Founded: Tes has been operating for over 100 years, indicating a long-standing presence and deep understanding of the education sector.

Team Structure:

• The UX Designer will be part of the "Product" department.

• Within Product, they will collaborate closely with Product Managers, UX Researchers, Senior UX Designers, and Design Leadership.

• They will also work daily with Engineers on cross-functional product teams.

Methodology:

• Agile & Iterative: The Product team operates with a "Dual-Track Agile" approach, emphasizing continuous discovery and iterative delivery.

• Lean Experimentation: A core methodology for deconstructing ideas and learning quickly.

• DesignOps Focus: The company is actively working to stabilize and professionalize its design function, moving from "organized chaos" towards a high-performing design engine.

• Data-Driven Insights: Emphasis on turning user insights into accessible products and measuring what matters through UX metrics.

Company Website: www.tes.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Tes positions itself as a mission-driven organization focused on supporting education globally. The current phase of organizational transformation suggests a culture that values adaptability, initiative, and a willingness to build processes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level UX Designer, typically requiring 2-5 years of experience. It involves significant ownership of design lifecycles within product areas and a key contribution to DesignOps.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer reports into the Product department, likely to a Design Manager or Head of Product/Design. They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineers within specific product pods.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's work directly impacts the usability, accessibility, and effectiveness of Tes's EdTech solutions. By translating user insights into products and improving design processes, they contribute to greater educator success, wider adoption of Tes products, and ultimately, enhanced educational outcomes for millions of students worldwide. Their role in DesignOps aims to increase the overall efficiency and strategic impact of the design team.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Potential to grow into Senior UX Designer or Lead UX Designer roles, taking on more complex product areas or mentoring junior designers.

• DesignOps Specialization: Opportunity to specialize further in DesignOps, contributing more strategically to the optimization of design processes, tools, and team structure.

• Product Strategy: Involvement in early-stage product discovery and strategy can lead to broader product management or product strategy roles.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Developing deep expertise in specific product domains or across multiple business areas within Tes.

• Mentorship: As the design function matures, opportunities to mentor emerging talent will likely arise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a unique opportunity to influence the evolution of a design function during a period of significant change. This provides substantial growth potential for individuals who can demonstrate leadership in process building and strategic design thinking.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Tes offers "state-of-the-art offices" in Sheffield and London, suggesting modern, well-equipped workspaces designed to foster collaboration and productivity.

Office Location(s):

• Sheffield City Centre, England, United Kingdom

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The hybrid model (3 days in office) emphasizes collaboration. The office environment is expected to facilitate interaction with Product Managers, Engineers, UX Researchers, and other designers.

• Tooling: Access to standard design and collaboration tools, with specific mention of Figma, FigJam, and potentially research platforms like Askable or Maze. The company is also exploring AI tools.

• Dynamic Atmosphere: Given the organizational transformation, the work environment will likely be dynamic, fast-paced, and encouraging of proactive problem-solving.

Work Schedule: Full-time, permanent position with a hybrid working arrangement. The expectation is to be in the office 3 days per week, allowing for flexibility on the remaining days. Standard working hours are typical for a full-time role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model and emphasis on office presence for 3 days a week indicate a value placed on in-person collaboration, team building, and spontaneous idea generation, while still offering flexibility.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and portfolios.

• Technical Interview: This will likely involve a deep dive into your UX design process, problem-solving skills, and technical proficiency, particularly with Figma and design systems. Expect scenario-based questions related to navigating ambiguity.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session to walk through your selected case studies, focusing on your process, decision-making, and impact. Be prepared to discuss your contributions to process improvement and DesignOps.

• Cross-Functional Interview: An opportunity to meet with Product Managers and Engineers to assess collaboration style, communication, and ability to work within cross-functional teams.

• Hiring Manager/Leadership Interview: A final discussion to assess cultural fit, alignment with company values, and overall suitability for the role and the current organizational transformation.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Transformation: Highlight projects where you navigated ambiguity, built processes, or contributed to DesignOps.

• Showcase "Architect of Order": Demonstrate how you brought structure, clarity, or efficiency to design projects or team processes.

• Quantify Impact: Use data and metrics to prove the success of your designs and process improvements. Clearly state the problem, your solution, and the measurable outcome.

• Figma Mastery: Be ready to discuss specific Figma features (Auto-layout, Variables, Components) and how you leveraged them.

• Process Clarity: Clearly articulate your design process for each case study, emphasizing any innovative or optimized steps.

• Address the "Grey Area": Be prepared to discuss how you handle situations where requirements are unclear or processes are still developing.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: You may be given a small design exercise to complete within a timeframe, either take-home or during an interview. This could involve deconstructing a problem, sketching solutions, or refining an existing concept.

• Process Thinking: Prepare to discuss how you would approach defining a "Definition of Ready" or streamlining a specific design handoff process.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Practice articulating complex design decisions clearly and concisely, anticipating questions from both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not only core UX skills but also the candidate's ability to thrive in a transforming environment and contribute to DesignOps. A portfolio that explicitly addresses these themes will be highly advantageous.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core design and prototyping tool, with an expectation of mastery in its advanced features (Auto-layout, Variables, Components).

• FigJam: Used for collaborative workshops and brainstorming sessions.

• Design System: The company utilizes and is actively developing its own Design System; contribution and adherence are key.

Analytics & Reporting:

• UX Research Tools: Familiarity with platforms like Askable or Maze for conducting user research, usability testing, and gathering data.

• UX Metrics Tracking: Experience in defining and tracking key UX metrics relevant to product performance and user satisfaction.

CRM & Automation: While not explicitly mentioned for UX design, an understanding of how design integrates with broader product management and development workflows (often supported by tools like Jira) is beneficial.

Emerging Technologies:

• AI in Design: The company is exploring innovative ways to work in the AI space, suggesting an interest in candidates who are curious about or have experience with AI-assisted design tools and workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is non-negotiable. Experience with tools that support lean experimentation and data gathering (like Maze) will be a strong plus. The company's forward-looking approach to AI indicates a desire for innovative thinkers.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Adaptability & Resilience: Thriving in a dynamic, transforming environment where change is constant.

• Ownership & Initiative: Being a self-starter who proactively identifies needs and drives solutions without waiting for explicit direction.

• Pragmatism: Balancing the pursuit of ideal UX with the need for timely, "good enough" solutions to maintain momentum.

• Systems Thinking: Understanding the interconnectedness of design elements within the broader product ecosystem and business goals.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders to achieve shared objectives.

• Process Orientation: Valuing and actively contributing to the refinement and optimization of design processes.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Deep collaboration with Product Managers and Engineers is essential, involving them early and often in the design process.

• Open Communication: Facilitating clarity through workshops and open dialogue to ensure alignment among stakeholders.

• Feedback Culture: Engaging in design critiques and peer reviews to foster continuous learning and maintain quality.

• Agile Teamwork: Working within "Dual-Track Agile" teams, emphasizing shared responsibility and iterative progress.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to reward proactivity, adaptability, and a builder's mindset. Candidates who can demonstrate these traits and a collaborative spirit will likely integrate well.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Organizational Transformation: Working within a company that is "in the middle of a major organizational transformation," where "processes are still being defined" and there's "organized chaos." This requires comfort with ambiguity and a proactive approach to building structure.

• Balancing Discovery and Delivery: Effectively managing "Dual-Track Agile," where learning (Discovery) and building (Delivery) happen concurrently and sometimes in parallel.

• Defining and Stabilizing Design Processes: Moving the design function from chaos to a high-performing engine by defining workflows, handoffs, and standards.

• Stakeholder Alignment with Thin Requirements: Facilitating clarity and consensus when initial requirements are not fully defined.

• Measuring Intangible UX Impact: Developing creative methods to define and track UX metrics that demonstrate value and guide product decisions.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Process Improvement Expertise: Gaining hands-on experience in defining and implementing design processes and DesignOps frameworks.

• Strategic Design Influence: Directly contributing to the strategic direction and operational efficiency of a growing design team.

• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Deepening understanding of product management and engineering processes through close collaboration.

• Design System Evolution: Playing a key role in shaping and scaling a critical design asset.

• Exposure to AI in Design: Opportunities to explore and integrate emerging AI technologies into the design workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are significant but offer substantial opportunities for professional growth and impact, particularly for individuals who enjoy building and optimizing.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design in a situation with unclear requirements or evolving processes. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your ability to navigate ambiguity and build structure).

• "How would you go about defining a 'Definition of Ready' for a new feature in a team that doesn't currently have one?" (Demonstrate your process-building skills).

• "Walk us through a UX project where you used 'Dual-Track Agile' or a similar iterative approach. What were the challenges, and how did you manage discovery and delivery simultaneously?" (Showcase your agile methodology expertise).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Tes's mission to 'power schools and enable great teaching worldwide'?" (Show your alignment with the company's purpose).

• "How do you approach working in a dynamic or transforming environment? What strategies do you use to stay effective?" (Assess your adaptability and proactivity).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation around 2-3 strong case studies. For each, clearly outline the problem, your role, the process you followed, key decisions made, challenges overcome, and the measurable impact.

• Highlight DesignOps Contributions: Explicitly point out any instances where you improved processes, contributed to design systems, or helped streamline workflows.

• Demonstrate Figma Mastery: Be ready to show specific examples of your work in Figma, explaining how you used features like auto-layout, variables, and components effectively.

• Quantify Everything Possible: Use data, metrics, and user feedback to support your claims about impact.

• Tell a Story: Frame your projects as narratives that showcase your problem-solving journey.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to discuss not just what you designed, but how you designed it, and crucially, how you improved the process of designing. Your ability to articulate your approach to ambiguity and process building will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Dayforce platform.

• Portfolio Customization: Select 2-3 of your most relevant case studies that highlight your experience with process improvement, DesignOps, agile methodologies, and Figma mastery. Tailor your portfolio to showcase how you've navigated ambiguity and built structure in past roles.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your years of experience, key skills (especially Figma, DesignOps, Agile), and achievements that align with the job description's emphasis on adaptability and process building. Use keywords from the job description naturally.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, your approach to problem-solving in dynamic environments, and your understanding of UX metrics. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions related to collaboration, initiative, and handling change.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Tes's mission, products, and recent developments. Understand their position in the EdTech market and their stated goal of organizational transformation. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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.