UX/UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX/UI Designer

Company: PA Consulting

Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Design Operations / Product Design

Date Posted: March 20, 2026

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

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design practical and usable interfaces and user flows for digital products, encompassing the entire product lifecycle from initial concept to production-ready implementation.

• Collaborate within multidisciplinary delivery teams and as an individual designer embedded with clients, ensuring seamless integration of design principles into software solutions.

• Utilize a range of design tools and methodologies, including manual creation and generative AI platforms, to produce user journeys, wireframes, prototypes, and UI elements for both web and mobile applications.

• Contribute to and maintain design systems, ensuring consistency, accessibility, and adherence to best practices across all design outputs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within PA Consulting's Digital & Data community, emphasizing a blend of strategic thinking, customer-centric service design, and agile engineering. The UX/UI Designer will be instrumental in bringing innovative software solutions to life for a diverse client base across various sectors, with a strong focus on pragmatic delivery and continuous learning, particularly in the application of AI tools within the design process.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design comprehensive user journeys, intuitive flows, detailed wireframes, and interactive prototypes using tools like Figma and generative AI platforms.

• Develop polished UI designs for web and mobile applications that support the delivery of functional and user-friendly software.

• Drive product concepts from ideation through to production-ready designs, iterating based on evidence, user feedback, and market-leading best practices.

• Actively participate in agile delivery cycles (discovery and delivery), adapting design scope and fidelity to meet project, organizational, and user goals.

• Partner closely with engineering, product management, and fellow designers to make timely and practical design decisions.

• Contribute to the development, maintenance, and application of design systems, ensuring pattern consistency and accessibility standards are met.

• Leverage AI tools such as Copilot, Miro, ChatGPT, Claude, and agentic workflows to accelerate ideation, design auditing, documentation, and analysis.

• Facilitate client workshops, whiteboarding sessions, and design reviews, clearly articulating design decisions and rationale to diverse stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on approach to design, emphasizing the ability to work at pace within agile environments and to translate complex requirements into tangible design assets. The integration of AI tools is a key differentiator, suggesting an expectation for designers to be at the forefront of adopting new technologies to enhance efficiency and creativity.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a strong portfolio demonstrating practical application of UX/UI principles is paramount. Relevant fields of study could include Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Graphic Design, Interaction Design, or related disciplines.

Experience: A minimum of 2-5 years of hands-on experience as a UX/UI practitioner with a proven track record of shipping products. Experience in a consulting environment or working on a variety of client projects is highly advantageous.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in designing user journeys, flows, wireframes, and prototypes.

• Proficiency in industry-standard design tools such as Figma, and familiarity with generative AI platforms.

• Strong UI design skills with a focus on creating visually appealing and functional interfaces for web and mobile.

• Experience working within agile development methodologies and dual-track agile cycles.

• Ability to contribute to and utilize design systems, ensuring consistency and accessibility.

• Familiarity with AI tools for design ideation, auditing, and analysis (e.g., Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude).

• Excellent facilitation skills for client workshops and design reviews.

• Clear and concise communication abilities for explaining design decisions to various audiences.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in service design and product design.

• Understanding of accessibility standards and best practices.

• Familiarity with Miro or similar collaborative whiteboarding tools.

• Experience with agentic workflows and other advanced generative tooling.

• Ability to reframe problems and propose workable, pragmatic solutions.

• A collaborative and optimistic approach to teamwork and problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of technical design skills, practical experience in shipping products, and soft skills crucial for a consulting environment. The strong emphasis on AI tools suggests that candidates who can demonstrate innovative application of these technologies in their design process will be highly favored. The "How you operate" section provides explicit behavioral expectations that candidates should mirror in their application and interviews.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a range of UX/UI design projects, with a strong emphasis on shipped products.

• Detailed case studies demonstrating the end-to-end design process, from problem definition and user research to wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and iteration.

• Evidence of designing for both web and mobile platforms.

• Examples of contributions to or creation of design systems, highlighting pattern consistency and accessibility.

• Projects that illustrate the ability to balance design best practices with technical constraints and project timelines.

Process Documentation:

• Clear documentation of user journeys, flows, and interaction models.

• Prototypes (interactive wireframes or high-fidelity mockups) that effectively communicate design concepts and user interactions.

• Artifacts demonstrating iterative design based on feedback, user testing, or data analysis.

• Documentation of design decisions and rationale, particularly when collaborating with multidisciplinary teams or presenting to clients.

• Examples of how design systems were applied or contributed to.

• Evidence of facilitating design workshops and incorporating client feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX/UI role in a consulting firm like PA Consulting, the portfolio is the primary assessment tool. It needs to clearly articulate the candidate's design thinking, problem-solving skills, craft, and adaptability. Demonstrating the ability to work pragmatically and leverage modern tools, including AI, will be crucial. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their portfolio, explaining their process and the impact of their design decisions.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a UX/UI Designer with 2-5 years of experience in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the estimated salary range is typically between £35,000 and £55,000 per annum. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in the UK, considering the cost of living in Belfast and PA Consulting's reputation as a leading global consultancy.

Benefits:

• Private healthcare for the employee and their family.

• 25 days of annual leave, plus an additional half day on Christmas Eve.

• Option to purchase up to 5 additional days of annual leave.

• Generous company pension scheme.

• Opportunities to participate in community and charity-based initiatives.

• Annual performance-based bonus.

• PA share ownership scheme.

• Tax-efficient benefits, such as cycle-to-work schemes and "give as you earn" programs.

• Budget for technical and non-technical training courses and certifications.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week. The role operates on a hybrid model, with a minimum expectation of being in the office or on client site 2 days per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general market data for UX/UI Designer roles in the UK, specifically in a city like Belfast. It aims to provide a reasonable expectation for a mid-level professional. The benefits listed are directly drawn from the job description and are comprehensive, reflecting PA Consulting's commitment to employee well-being and professional development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Consulting, Technology, Digital Transformation, and Engineering. PA Consulting operates across a broad spectrum of sectors including Consumer & Manufacturing, Defence & Security, Energy & Utilities, Financial Services, Government & Public Services, Health & Life Sciences, and Transport. This diverse industry exposure means operations professionals will engage with a wide array of business challenges and technological landscapes.

Company Size: Over 4,000 employees globally. This size offers the benefits of a large, established organization with extensive resources and opportunities, while still maintaining specialized teams and communities of practice. For operations professionals, this translates to potential for structured career paths, access to diverse projects, and a robust internal network.

Founded: Founded in 1943. With a long history, PA Consulting has built a strong reputation for innovation and problem-solving, adapting to technological advancements and market shifts over decades. This legacy suggests a culture that values deep expertise, strategic foresight, and enduring client relationships.

Team Structure:

• The Digital & Data community is a key area within PA Consulting, comprising strategists, innovators, designers, consultants, digital experts, and technologists.

• The UX/UI Designer will often be part of multidisciplinary delivery teams, working alongside product managers, engineers, and other specialists.

• There is a clear emphasis on cross-functional collaboration, with designers expected to embed with client teams or work within project-specific delivery units.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on customer-centric service design and agile engineering practices.

• A blend of strategic thinking, innovative thinking, and breakthrough technologies.

• Pragmatic delivery and craft-proud execution.

• Intentional use of AI tools to enhance ideation, auditing, documentation, and analysis.

• Iterative design processes, sharing early and inviting critique.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: PA Consulting's culture is built around "Ingenuity" and a commitment to building a "positive human future." For operations roles, this means an environment that values problem-solving, innovation, and a collaborative approach to tackling complex challenges for a diverse client base. The company's size and history provide stability, while its focus on digital and data suggests a forward-thinking and technologically adept workplace.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is considered Mid-Level, typically requiring 2-5 years of focused experience. As a UX/UI Designer, the career progression is often structured around deepening design expertise, taking on more complex projects, and potentially moving into lead or principal designer roles. PA Consulting also offers a technical career track, allowing specialists to advance without necessarily pursuing a traditional management or partner track.

Reporting Structure: The UX/UI Designer will report to a Design Lead or a Project Manager within their assigned multidisciplinary delivery team. They will also maintain a connection to the broader Design discipline and the Digital & Data community, likely through formal or informal mentorship and community leadership opportunities.

Operations Impact: UX/UI Designers at PA Consulting directly impact client success by creating user-centered, effective, and engaging digital products and services. Their work influences user adoption, customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and ultimately, the business outcomes for clients across various sectors. The ability to translate complex business needs into intuitive user experiences is critical to this impact.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in UX/UI design, service design, and product design. Gain advanced proficiency in specialized design tools and generative AI applications.

• Technical Career Track: Progress along a defined technical path, focusing on mastering design craft, mentoring junior designers, and becoming a subject matter expert.

• Cross-Sector Exposure: Work on a wide variety of projects for clients in diverse industries, broadening experience and understanding of different business challenges and user needs.

• Leadership Potential: Opportunities to lead design efforts on projects, facilitate client workshops, and contribute to the growth of the Design discipline within PA Consulting.

• Learning & Development: Access to training budgets, certifications, and continuous learning opportunities, including participation in industry conferences and internal knowledge-sharing sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: PA Consulting's explicit mention of a technical career track is a significant differentiator for specialists like UX/UI Designers. It indicates a commitment to valuing deep technical expertise and providing avenues for growth that focus on craft and impact, rather than solely on management. The hybrid model and focus on learning also contribute to a supportive environment for development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: PA Consulting operates a hybrid working model, requiring employees to be in the office or on client site a minimum of 2 days per week. The office in Belfast is located at Printworks, 35-39 Queen Street, BT1 6EA, a central location likely offering modern amenities and collaborative workspaces.

Office Location(s): The primary office for this role is in Belfast, Northern Ireland. PA Consulting also has offices across the UK, Ireland, US, Nordics, and Netherlands, indicating potential for varied client site engagements within these regions.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office is designed to foster collaboration, with spaces for team meetings, workshops, and informal interactions. The hybrid model encourages in-person engagement for key discussions and team building.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Employees will have access to the necessary design software (e.g., Figma), collaboration tools (e.g., Miro), and AI platforms. The company encourages the use of these tools to enhance productivity and innovation in design processes.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with multidisciplinary teams (engineering, product, other designers) is a core component of the role, facilitating knowledge sharing and joint problem-solving.

Work Schedule: The hybrid model allows for flexibility, with a core requirement of 2 days per week in the office or on client site. This structure aims to balance the benefits of in-person collaboration with the autonomy of remote work, supporting efficient design processes and data analysis activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the work environment is a key aspect for operations professionals, balancing collaborative needs with flexibility. The emphasis on client site work suggests that comfort with travel and adapting to different client environments is beneficial. The Belfast office location provides a specific geographical anchor for the role.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Call: A quick call with a Tech Recruiter to discuss your application, the role details, and PA Consulting. This is an opportunity to gauge initial fit and ask clarifying questions.

• Round 1 (Competency or Technical Interview): A 45-minute interview focusing on your core skills, experience, and how you handle specific situations (competency-based) or a deeper dive into your technical design capabilities.

• Round 2 (Mini Case Study & Client-Centricity): A 60-minute session involving a mini case study. This assesses your problem-solving approach, design thinking, and ability to understand and address client needs and challenges.

• Final Round (Meeting with a PA Leader): A 60-minute meeting with a PA leader, likely to assess cultural fit, strategic alignment, and overall potential within the organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your UX/UI skills, problem-solving abilities, and impact. Prioritize projects that align with PA Consulting's industry focus and emphasis on innovation.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (discovery, ideation, design, testing, iteration), the tools you used (especially AI), and the outcomes or impact achieved. Quantify results where possible.

• Highlight AI Integration: Explicitly demonstrate how you have used AI tools in your workflow, explaining the benefits and outcomes. This is a key requirement for this role.

• Showcase Pragmatism: Emphasize how you balance design best practices with technical constraints, timelines, and client needs. Demonstrate adaptability and iterative thinking.

• Prepare for Discussion: Be ready to discuss your design decisions, defend your choices, and answer questions about your process, challenges, and how you collaborate with teams.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Case Study: The mini case study will likely involve a design problem related to a client scenario or a common industry challenge. Research PA Consulting's work across different sectors to gain context.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate a structured approach to problem-solving, even with limited time. Outline your steps, considerations, and potential solutions.

• Client-Centricity: Frame your approach around understanding the client's goals, constraints, and user needs. Show empathy and a solution-oriented mindset.

• AI Application: Consider how AI could be leveraged within the case study scenario to enhance efficiency or explore new possibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to assess a candidate's capabilities from multiple angles: technical skills, problem-solving, client interaction, and leadership potential. The emphasis on a "mini case study" and "client-centricity" suggests that practical application and understanding of business context are highly valued. Candidates must be prepared to actively demonstrate their design process and how they integrate modern tools like AI.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The primary tool for wireframing, prototyping, and UI design, as stated in the job description. Proficiency is essential.

• Generative AI Platforms: A broad category including tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and potentially specialized AI design assistants. Expectation is to use these for ideation, content generation, auditing, and analysis.

• Miro (or similar): Collaborative whiteboarding tool for workshops, brainstorming, and ideation sessions.

• Other Design Software: Familiarity with industry-standard design and prototyping tools beyond Figma may be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• This role is design-focused, so direct CRM or automation tool management is unlikely. However, understanding how designs integrate with backend systems and user management processes is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and generative AI tools indicates these are core requirements. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience and proficiency with these specific technologies, and how they leverage them to improve design outcomes and efficiency. The ability to adapt to and learn new AI tools quickly is also a key expectation.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Ingenuity: A core value at PA Consulting, encouraging innovative thinking and creative problem-solving to build a positive future. This translates to a proactive approach to design challenges.

• Customer-Centricity: A strong focus on understanding and serving user needs through thoughtful design, ensuring practical and usable interfaces.

• Collaboration: Working effectively within multidisciplinary teams, sharing knowledge, and valuing diverse perspectives to achieve collective goals.

• Excellence & Curiosity: A drive for high-quality output, coupled with a continuous desire to learn, explore new technologies (especially AI), and challenge conventional approaches.

• Pragmatism: Focusing on delivering tangible value, feasibility, and making practical decisions that lead to actionable outcomes, rather than theoretical perfection.

Collaboration Style:

• Multidisciplinary Integration: Designers are expected to work seamlessly with engineers, product managers, and other specialists, fostering a shared understanding and collective ownership of project goals.

• Open Feedback Loops: A culture that encourages sharing work early, inviting critique, and iterating based on constructive feedback from peers, clients, and stakeholders.

• Knowledge Sharing: Active participation in communities of practice, workshops, and internal sessions to share best practices, learn from others, and collectively elevate the design discipline.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize a culture of innovation, client focus, and teamwork. For a UX/UI Designer, this means being a proactive, collaborative, and adaptable team member who is passionate about creating user-centered solutions and continuously learning, especially in the rapidly evolving field of AI-assisted design.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Constraints: Integrating cutting-edge AI tools and design methodologies while adhering to client budgets, technical limitations, and project timelines.

• Adapting to Diverse Client Needs: Quickly understanding and responding to the unique challenges, industries, and user bases of various clients.

• Navigating Ambiguity: Breaking down complex, ill-defined problems into concrete steps and actionable design solutions within a fast-paced consulting environment.

• Staying Ahead of AI Evolution: Continuously learning and applying new AI tools and techniques to maintain a competitive edge in design workflows.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen AI Expertise: Gain hands-on experience with a wide array of AI tools and learn how to strategically integrate them into design workflows for maximum impact.

• Cross-Sectoral Experience: Broaden understanding of different industries and user contexts by working on diverse client projects.

• Mentorship & Coaching: Benefit from peer-level support, coaching, and mentoring within the Digital & Data community and the Design discipline.

• Formal Training & Certifications: Utilize the allocated budget for courses and certifications in specialized design areas, AI, or project management.

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to lead design efforts, mentor junior designers, and contribute to the strategic direction of design practices within PA Consulting.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents significant opportunities for professional growth, particularly in the rapidly evolving space of AI-driven design. Candidates should be prepared to articulate how they approach challenges and leverage learning opportunities to enhance their skills and contribute to PA Consulting's innovative culture.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance a highly innovative design concept with significant technical constraints or tight deadlines. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Assesses pragmatism and problem-solving)

• "How have you used AI tools in your UX/UI design process? Please provide a specific example of how AI helped you ideate, iterate, or analyze a design challenge." (Assesses AI proficiency and strategic application)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about PA Consulting's approach to innovation and its focus on 'Ingenuity'?" (Assesses cultural alignment)

• "How do you approach collaboration within a multidisciplinary team, especially when design perspectives differ from engineering or product management?" (Assesses teamwork and communication)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your specific role, the process undertaken (including discovery, ideation, design, testing), the tools used (especially AI), and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Highlight AI Integration: Dedicate specific points or slides to showcasing how AI tools were leveraged. Explain the 'why' behind using AI and the tangible benefits it brought to the project.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals effectively. Present your wireframes, prototypes, and final UI designs clearly. Interactive prototypes are highly recommended.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your decision-making process, challenges faced, how you handled feedback, and how your designs solved the initial problem.

• Connect to PA Consulting: Where possible, draw parallels between your project experiences and the types of work PA Consulting does or the values they espouse.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only design skills but also the ability to think strategically, communicate effectively, and adapt to a consulting environment. The emphasis on AI integration means candidates must have concrete examples ready to share. Practicing the portfolio walkthrough, especially highlighting AI usage, will be critical.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX/UI Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on smartrecruiters.com.

• Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume to highlight keywords and responsibilities mentioned in the job description, such as "UX/UI Design," "Figma," "prototyping," "agile," "AI tools," and "client-facing." Quantify your achievements with metrics where possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, well-organized, and features projects that showcase your end-to-end design process, including clear examples of AI tool utilization and shipped products.

• Practice Your Narrative: Rehearse walking through your portfolio, focusing on explaining your design decisions, process, and the impact of your work, especially concerning AI integration and client collaboration.

• Research PA Consulting: Familiarize yourself with PA Consulting's work, industry sectors, values, and recent projects. Understand their "Ingenuity" ethos and how you can contribute to their mission.

⚠️ 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.