UX/UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX/UI Designer Company: PA Consulting Location: London, England, United Kingdom (Primary), Manchester, England, United Kingdom (Secondary) Job Type: Full-time Category: User Experience/User Interface Design Date Posted: 2025-07-22T13:50:41.163 Experience Level: Entry-Level (0-2 years) Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is focused on applying user-centered design principles to create intuitive and engaging digital experiences for a diverse client base across multiple industries.
• The UX/UI Designer will collaborate within cross-functional teams, contributing to the entire design lifecycle from research and ideation to prototyping and final design implementation, aligning with agile methodologies.
• A key aspect of the role involves translating complex client needs and business requirements into effective, user-friendly interfaces, supported by strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• The position offers a unique career path within a supportive tech community, with opportunities for technical growth and specialization outside of traditional partnership tracks.

📝 Enhancement Note: While labeled as UX/UI Designer, the responsibilities and required skills suggest a blend of user research, interaction design, and visual design, common in modern product design roles. The emphasis on cross-functional collaboration and client-facing work indicates a consultative approach within the design process.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop user-centered designs, including wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes, utilizing industry-standard design tools to translate conceptual ideas into tangible user interfaces.
• Conduct user research and usability testing to gather insights, analyze user behaviors, and inform design decisions, ensuring that solutions are aligned with user needs and business objectives.
• Collaborate effectively with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders in agile environments to deliver high-quality digital products and features.
• Contribute to the creation and maintenance of design systems and style guides to ensure consistency and scalability across various client projects and internal initiatives.
• Present design concepts, user research findings, and project outcomes clearly and persuasively to internal teams and clients, articulating the rationale behind design choices and demonstrating user impact.
• Support senior designers and project leads in client discussions, proposal development, and the execution of design strategies across PA Consulting's diverse industry sectors.
• Actively participate in internal digital design initiatives, knowledge sharing sessions, and continuous learning to stay abreast of emerging design trends, tools, and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a proactive designer who can not only execute but also contribute creatively and analytically. The mention of "internal digital design initiatives" suggests opportunities for personal project contributions and skill development beyond client work, a common trait in consulting firms.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, Psychology, or a related field is preferred, though equivalent practical experience will be strongly considered.

Experience:

• 0-2 years of professional experience in UX/UI design, user research, or a closely related field, demonstrating a foundational understanding of design principles and methodologies.
• Experience working with design tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision, or similar platforms for wireframing, prototyping, and visual design.
• Exposure to user research methodologies, including user interviews, surveys, persona development, and usability testing.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively within cross-functional teams, contributing to a shared vision and project goals.

Required Skills:

• UX/UI Design: Foundational knowledge of user experience and user interface design principles, best practices, and common patterns.
• Prototyping & Wireframing: Proficiency in creating low-fidelity wireframes and high-fidelity interactive prototypes using industry-standard design software.
• User Research & Usability Testing: Experience or understanding of conducting user research, gathering insights, and performing usability testing to validate design decisions.
• Communication & Presentation: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and present work effectively to diverse audiences.
• Problem Solving & Analytical Thinking: Aptitude for dissecting complex problems, analyzing user needs, and developing creative, user-centric solutions.
• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented, fast-paced environment, engaging with stakeholders across different disciplines.
• Detail Orientation: A keen eye for detail in design execution, ensuring pixel-perfect designs and a consistent user experience.
• Adaptability & Learning: Eagerness to learn new tools, technologies, and design approaches, and adapt to evolving project requirements and industry trends.

Preferred Skills:

• Design Systems: Experience contributing to or working with design systems and style guides.
• Visual Design: A strong visual design sensibility, with an understanding of typography, color theory, and layout principles.
• Agile Methodologies: Familiarity with agile development processes and principles.
• Client Engagement: Experience interacting with clients or stakeholders in a professional capacity.
• Storytelling: Ability to craft compelling narratives around design solutions and their impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the entry-level nature (0-2 years), the emphasis is on foundational skills and a strong aptitude for learning and collaboration. Candidates are encouraged to apply even if they don't meet every single listed requirement, indicating a willingness to train and develop talent.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Process Showcase: A portfolio demonstrating a clear and well-articulated design process, from initial concept and research through to final design and iteration.
• User-Centric Case Studies: At least 2-3 detailed case studies showcasing end-to-end UX/UI projects, highlighting problem definition, user research findings, design decisions, and outcomes.
• Prototyping & Interaction Examples: Visual and interactive examples of prototypes that effectively communicate user flows and interaction designs.
• Visual Design Execution: Examples of polished visual designs, demonstrating an understanding of aesthetics, branding, and interface consistency.
• Problem-Solving Demonstration: Case studies should clearly illustrate how design solutions addressed specific user or business problems.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Visualization: Ability to visually document user flows, information architecture, and interaction patterns.
• Research Synthesis: Examples of how user research and testing data were synthesized and translated into actionable design recommendations.
• Design System Contribution: If applicable, examples of contributions to or usage of design systems, showcasing an understanding of scalability and component-based design.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an entry-level role, the portfolio is crucial for demonstrating potential and understanding of the design process, rather than extensive years of experience. Focus should be on clarity of thought, problem-solving approach, and execution quality.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The typical salary range for a UX/UI Designer with 0-2 years of experience in London, UK, is estimated to be between £30,000 and £45,000 per annum. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks, cost of living in London, and the typical entry-level compensation for consulting roles involving specialized design skills.

Benefits:

• Health and Lifestyle Perks: Comprehensive benefits package including private healthcare for you and your family.
• Generous Annual Leave: 25 days of annual leave, with an additional half-day on Christmas Eve. There is also an option to purchase up to 5 additional days per year.
• Company Pension Scheme: A generous company pension scheme to support long-term financial planning.
• Community & Charity Involvement: Opportunities to participate in community and charity-based initiatives, aligning with PA Consulting's values.
• Performance Bonus: Annual performance-based bonus, rewarding individual and company success.
• Share Ownership: PA share ownership program, offering employees a stake in the company's growth.
• Tax-Efficient Benefits: Access to tax-efficient benefits, such as the cycle-to-work scheme and "give as you earn" payroll giving.

Working Hours:

• The standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week. The hybrid working model requires a minimum of 2 days per week in the office or on client site, with flexibility depending on project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate for London. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate's specific qualifications, experience, and the outcome of the interview process. The benefits package is comprehensive, reflecting typical offerings in the consulting sector.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Management Consulting / Technology Consulting / Digital Transformation. PA Consulting Group 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 the UX/UI Designer will encounter a wide range of design challenges and user contexts. Company Size: Over 4,000 employees globally. This signifies a large, established firm with considerable resources, a broad client base, and a structured environment that still fosters innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration. Founded: PA Consulting was founded in 1943. This long history suggests stability, deep industry knowledge, and a well-established reputation in the consulting world.

Team Structure:

• The UX/UI Designer will be part of the Digital & Data community, working alongside product managers, engineers, and other experts in interdisciplinary teams.
• Reporting is likely within a project-based structure, potentially to a Design Lead or a Project Manager, with functional guidance from a head of design or community lead.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a core tenet, meaning frequent interaction with diverse teams to bring ideas to life through innovative software solutions.

Methodology:

• The company emphasizes a blend of strategic thinking, customer-centric service design, and agile engineering practices to drive innovation.
• Design work is conducted within agile best practices, involving live, in-person whiteboarding sessions and asynchronous communication tools like Microsoft Teams.
• There's a strong focus on translating complex problems into tangible solutions, often involving iterative design and testing cycles.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: PA Consulting's culture is described as innovative, inclusive, and focused on delivering tangible results for clients. The emphasis on "ingenuity" suggests a drive for creative problem-solving and a forward-thinking approach to technology and business challenges.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at an entry-level (0-2 years experience) within the UX/UI design discipline. It serves as a foundational step, providing exposure to various design challenges and client sectors. Reporting Structure: The designer will report within project teams, likely to a Senior Designer, Project Lead, or Design Manager. There is also a clear emphasis on functional community membership for peer support and development. Operations Impact: While not a traditional "operations" role in terms of back-office process optimization, the UX/UI Designer's work has a direct impact on the usability, adoption, and success of digital products and services for clients. This contributes to client satisfaction, efficiency, and ultimately, their business outcomes and revenue generation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Career Track: PA Consulting explicitly offers a technical career track for designers, allowing for deep specialization in UX/UI without necessarily moving into management or partner roles. This means dedicated growth in design craft, tooling, and methodology.
• Skill Development: Access to a budget for courses (technical and non-technical) and certifications, as well as continuous learning within the design community, supports the deepening of expertise.
• Industry Exposure: Working across seven different sectors provides a broad base of experience and understanding of diverse user needs and business contexts, which can lead to specialized expertise or broader consulting capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of a "technical career track" is a significant growth differentiator for specialists who wish to deepen their craft rather than move into management. This suggests a mature approach to talent development within the firm.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: PA Consulting operates a hybrid working model, meaning the workspace is a blend of remote work and in-office or client-site presence. The company values in-person collaboration. Office Location(s): Primary location is London, with an alternative mention of Manchester. This suggests opportunities may exist across multiple UK hubs, offering flexibility for candidates depending on their location preference. Workspace Context:

• The environment encourages live, in-person whiteboarding sessions for collaborative problem-solving, fostering a dynamic and interactive design culture.
• It is digitally enabled, with standard collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams being used for asynchronous communication.
• The team structure promotes interaction with diverse experts, creating a rich learning environment and opportunities for cross-pollination of ideas.

Work Schedule: While the core hours are not explicitly stated beyond the 40-hour week, the hybrid model implies a need for flexibility to accommodate client site visits and team collaboration, while still allowing for focused, independent design work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model with a minimum of 2 days in the office/client site emphasizes the value PA Consulting places on face-to-face interaction for collaboration and client engagement, a common practice in consulting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Round 1: Competency Interview (45 mins): Expect questions focused on behavioral competencies, assessing how you handle specific situations related to problem-solving, collaboration, communication, and learning. Prepare examples using the STAR method.
• Round 2: Case Study Presentation (60 mins): This is a critical stage where you'll present your portfolio. Prepare a concise narrative for 1-2 key projects, focusing on your process, design decisions, and the impact of your work. Be ready for detailed questions about your approach.
• Final Round: Meeting with a PA Leader (60 mins): This interview will likely assess your cultural fit, strategic thinking, and overall potential within PA Consulting. It's an opportunity to ask high-level questions about the company's vision and your role in it.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies as narratives. Clearly define the problem, your approach, the challenges, your solutions, and the results.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Include visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes, user flows) to illustrate your process and design thinking.
• Highlight Your Process: Emphasize how you arrived at your solutions. Detail your research methods, design iterations, and why specific decisions were made.
• Quantify Impact: If possible, include metrics or outcomes that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced error rates, increased user satisfaction).
• Tailor to PA: Briefly mention how your skills and experience align with PA Consulting's values and the types of clients they serve.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenges: Be prepared for potential hypothetical design challenges or discussions around problem-solving scenarios relevant to consulting or digital product development.
• Presentation Skills: Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Be ready to explain your design rationale under pressure.
• Company Research: Understand PA Consulting's business, industry sectors, and company culture. This will help you tailor your answers and demonstrate genuine interest.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is multi-stage and designed to assess a range of skills from technical design execution to strategic thinking and cultural alignment. The case study presentation is a pivotal part, requiring thorough preparation of portfolio work.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision (or similar industry-standard tools). Proficiency in at least one is essential for creating wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes.
• User Research & Analysis: Tools for surveys (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform) and potentially analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Hotjar) for understanding user behavior and validating design decisions.
• Collaboration & Communication: Microsoft Teams, Slack, Jira, Confluence (or similar platforms for team communication, project management, and documentation).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) to understand user engagement and performance metrics can be beneficial for data-informed design.
• Experience with tools that support A/B testing or user feedback analysis is a plus.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct requirement for this UX/UI role, an understanding of how CRM systems (like Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms integrate with user interfaces and customer journeys would be advantageous, especially when working on client projects with these systems in place.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis is on design and prototyping tools. Familiarity with collaboration and basic analytics tools is also valuable. The specific stack can vary by client project, so adaptability is key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Ingenuity: A core value driving innovative thinking and creative problem-solving to address complex challenges.
• Client Focus: Dedication to understanding client needs and delivering tangible, positive outcomes.
• Collaboration: A team-oriented approach that values diverse perspectives and cross-functional teamwork.
• Curiosity & Learning: A commitment to continuous learning, skill development, and staying abreast of industry trends and new technologies.
• Excellence: Striving for high quality in all aspects of work, from design execution to client delivery.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers work closely with strategists, engineers, data scientists, and business consultants, requiring strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively across disciplines.
• Agile & Iterative: Collaboration is framed within agile methodologies, encouraging iterative feedback loops and adaptive planning.
• Knowledge Sharing: The design community fosters a culture of sharing knowledge, best practices, and learnings through peer support, coaching, and mentoring.

📝 Enhancement Note: PA Consulting's culture appears to be a blend of traditional consulting rigor with a modern emphasis on digital innovation and employee development. The values support a collaborative, learning-oriented environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Diverse Client Needs: Adapting design approaches and solutions to meet the unique requirements and user bases of clients across various sectors can be challenging.
• Fast-Paced Environment: The consulting world is dynamic; managing multiple projects, deadlines, and client expectations requires strong organizational and time management skills.
• Translating Complexity: Effectively simplifying complex business or technical requirements into intuitive user experiences demands strong analytical and design thinking.
• Staying Current: Keeping up with the rapid evolution of design tools, methodologies, and user expectations requires a proactive commitment to continuous learning.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Formal Training: Access to budgets for courses and certifications to deepen technical design skills or expand into related areas.
• Mentorship & Peer Support: Learning from experienced colleagues within the Digital & Data community and through mentorship programs.
• Project Diversity: Gaining exposure to a wide range of projects and industries accelerates learning and broadens skill sets.
• Technical Career Path: Focused development and advancement within the UX/UI design discipline, offering specialization and mastery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for consulting roles, emphasizing adaptability and continuous learning. The growth opportunities are well-defined, particularly the dedicated technical career track.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: Be ready to walk through your design process for a specific project. How do you approach user research? How do you translate insights into designs? What are your prototyping methods?
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: Describe a time you collaborated with engineers or product managers. How did you handle disagreements or differing opinions? How do you communicate design concepts to non-designers?
• Problem-Solving: Prepare examples of how you've solved complex design problems. What was the challenge, your approach, and the outcome? Think about how you might tackle a hypothetical design problem related to a PA client sector.

Company & Culture Questions:

• PA Consulting's Values: Research PA Consulting's values (ingenuity, client focus, collaboration etc.) and prepare to discuss how your own work ethic and approach align with them.
• Team Dynamics: How do you contribute to a team? What makes a successful cross-functional team from your perspective?
• Impact Measurement: How do you measure the success of your designs? Discuss how you might approach measuring the impact of a design on a client's business goals.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Concise Narrative: Focus on 1-2 strong case studies. Clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, key design decisions, and the results.
• Visual Storytelling: Use visuals effectively to show your work. Explain the why behind your design choices.
• Interactive Elements: If your prototypes are interactive, be prepared to demonstrate them smoothly.
• Q&A Readiness: Anticipate questions about your choices, challenges faced, and alternative approaches you considered. Be honest about what you learned.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a solid understanding of the design process, strong communication skills, a collaborative mindset, and a clear alignment with PA Consulting's values and operational approach.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX/UI Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on SmartRecruiters.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, showcases 1-2 strong, relevant case studies with clear process documentation, and highlights your problem-solving skills. Tailor any introductory text to mention your interest in PA Consulting's work.
• Resume Optimization: Craft your resume to highlight key UX/UI skills, relevant tools, and any project experience that demonstrates your ability to work collaboratively and deliver user-centered designs. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Practice your portfolio presentation, focusing on telling a compelling story about your design process and impact. Prepare STAR method answers for behavioral questions. Research PA Consulting's industries and values.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with PA Consulting's website, understanding their services, client sectors, and company culture to better articulate your fit and ask informed questions during interviews.

⚠️ 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.