Mid-Level UX/UI Designer (12-Month Maternity Leave Cover)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Mid-Level UX/UI Designer (12-Month Maternity Leave Cover)

Company: Wordwall

Location: London, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: UX/UI Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-10

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

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Focus on end-to-end UX workflow execution and ownership, translating validated product hypotheses into intuitive interaction designs.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers and Engineers to ensure the delivery of usable, scalable, and high-quality solutions across digital product surfaces.

• Contribute to and evolve a component-based design system, ensuring consistency and adherence to brand guidelines.

• Utilize and test AI solutions to accelerate the design process and enhance efficiency.

• Maintain a structured Figma workspace and design architecture for optimal team collaboration and workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a critical support function within the product development lifecycle, emphasizing design execution and system thinking. The "Operations" aspect of this UX/UI role lies in the structured approach to design processes, system maintenance, and cross-functional collaboration, which are core to efficient product delivery.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Translate user needs and validated product ideas/requirements into wireframes, user flows, and polished UI components.

• Own the design process from concept ideation through to engineering handoff, ensuring clarity, consistency, and adherence to usability best practices.

• Develop UX solutions that are scalable and effective across mobile and desktop platforms, catering to both new and experienced users.

• Actively contribute to and maintain an evolving component-based design system and a scalable design library.

• Conduct or support user research and usability testing, synthesizing insights to drive actionable design improvements.

• Establish and maintain a structured Figma workspace and robust design architecture.

• Build and manage a visual style guide to ensure consistent branding and design application.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers to understand problems, shape problem statements, and explore solution spaces.

• Work directly with engineers to ensure accurate implementation of designs and resolve any technical design challenges.

• Participate actively in design iterations, rapid prototyping sessions, user testing, QA handoffs, and cross-functional design reviews.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on, execution-driven approach, with a strong emphasis on the entire design lifecycle from ideation to implementation. The role requires not only creative design skills but also a systematic approach to design operations, including system management and cross-functional alignment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio and demonstrable experience in relevant design fields are paramount. Equivalent practical experience will be considered.

Experience: 4+ years of experience designing digital products or SaaS applications, with a proven track record in user-centered design principles.

Required Skills:

• Strong interaction design skills and a deep understanding of usability best practices.

• Fluency in Figma, including proficiency with component-driven design systems.

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating the ability to translate product intent into functional, user-first designs.

• Proven ability to manage one's own workload effectively and maintain productivity in a remote, asynchronous team environment.

• Experience and comfort in testing and utilizing AI solutions to accelerate design workflows.

• Existing suitable homeworking setup.

• Must have the right to work in the UK.

• Availability for immediate start or with a notice period of one month or less. Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the EdTech sector, education platforms, or creator tools.

• Familiarity with the implementation and documentation of design libraries.

• Proven experience working collaboratively with Product Managers and Engineers in agile, delivery-focused environments.

• Understanding of user-centered design methodologies, user testing, rapid prototyping, and QA workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement is specific to digital products and SaaS, indicating a need for understanding complex application design. The emphasis on Figma and component-based systems points towards a need for efficiency and scalability in design output, a hallmark of good design operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a clear process from problem definition to final design solution, highlighting user research and ideation stages.

• Showcase at least 2-3 robust case studies of digital products or SaaS applications, detailing your specific contributions and impact.

• Include examples of wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity UI designs, with a focus on component-based architecture.

• Evidence of contributions to or creation of design systems and style guides, illustrating scalability and consistency.

• Examples of how user feedback and testing insights were integrated into design iterations.

• Any experience with AI-assisted design tools and their impact on workflow efficiency should be highlighted. Process Documentation:

• Exhibit your approach to establishing and maintaining a structured Figma workspace and design architecture.

• Provide examples of how you have built or contributed to scalable design libraries and visual style guides.

• Showcase your collaboration process with Product Managers and Engineers, particularly concerning design handoffs and feedback loops.

• Detail your experience with user research and usability testing methodologies and how insights are synthesized and actioned.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX/UI role with an operational bent, the portfolio must not only showcase aesthetic and functional design but also demonstrate a methodical approach to design process, systemization, and collaboration. This reflects the need for a designer who can integrate seamlessly into a structured product development workflow.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a 12-month fixed-term contract for maternity leave cover, a specific salary range is not provided. However, based on industry benchmarks for a Mid-Level UX/UI Designer in London with 4+ years of experience, a competitive contract rate would typically fall between £300 - £450 per day, equating to an annualised salary of approximately £60,000 - £90,000, depending on experience and the specific scope of responsibilities.

Benefits:

• 30 days' holiday per year (inclusive of UK bank holidays).

• 100% remote working, offering flexibility and work-life balance.

• Opportunities for social events and annual meetups, fostering team connection despite remote work.

Working Hours: A standard full-time work schedule is expected, typically around 40 hours per week. While the role is remote, maintaining consistent availability during core UK business hours is important for cross-functional collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimation is based on typical contract rates for experienced UX/UI designers in the London market and the stated experience level. The benefits are standard for contract roles but emphasize flexibility and team engagement.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Wordwall operates within the EdTech (Education Technology) sector, providing a platform that helps educators create engaging and interactive learning experiences. This implies a culture focused on innovation, user-centricity for both educators and students, and a drive to improve educational outcomes through technology.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the mention of a "growing product team" and reporting to a "Head of Design" suggests a mid-sized company with established product development functions but still retaining some of the agility and collaborative spirit of a smaller organization.

Founded: The founding date is not provided, but the company's focus on modern technology (AI solutions) and a remote-first approach suggests a relatively contemporary establishment or a company that has significantly modernized its operations.

Team Structure:

• The Product team likely includes Product Managers, UX/UI Designers, Engineers (frontend and backend), and potentially QA specialists.

• The UX/UI Design function, while potentially small, is led by a Head of Design, indicating a structured approach to design leadership and strategy.

• Collaboration is expected to be cross-functional, with designers working closely with PMs to define problems and with engineers for implementation. Methodology:

• Design execution and craft are key, with an emphasis on translating product hypotheses into tangible, user-friendly designs.

• A structured approach to design process, including wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing, is crucial.

• The use and testing of AI solutions suggest a forward-thinking methodology that embraces new technologies for efficiency.

• Contribution to and maintenance of a component-based design system and style guide are integral to ensuring consistency and scalability.

Company Website: https://wordwall.net/

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Wordwall's position in the EdTech market helps frame the design challenges. The focus on "simplicity" and "usability" for educators and students is a critical lens through which design decisions are made.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is for a Mid-Level UX/UI Designer, meaning the individual is expected to work with a significant degree of autonomy on defined projects. They are not entry-level but are not yet leading design strategy for major initiatives. Their "operations" contribution lies in executing and refining design processes, contributing to systems, and ensuring smooth handoffs.

Reporting Structure: The designer will report to the Head of Design. This provides a clear line of leadership and mentorship, with the Head of Design likely setting broader design strategy and priorities, while the Mid-Level Designer focuses on execution and tactical design problem-solving.

Operations Impact: The designer's impact is directly tied to the usability, intuitiveness, and overall quality of the Wordwall platform. Successful design execution leads to higher user adoption, engagement, and satisfaction among educators and students, indirectly driving business growth and retention. Their role in maintaining and evolving the design system also impacts engineering efficiency and product consistency.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in interaction design, usability testing, and component-based design systems.

• Process Improvement: Contribute to refining design workflows, documentation standards, and the integration of AI tools within the design process.

• Cross-functional Acumen: Enhance collaboration skills with Product Managers and Engineers, gaining a broader understanding of the product development lifecycle.

• System Design: Further develop skills in building and scaling design systems, which is a valuable asset in the UX/UI field.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a fixed-term contract, the role offers significant operational experience in a structured product environment. The focus on design systems and process refinement provides valuable transferable skills.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is advertised as 100% remote. This means there is no central office to attend, and the work is conducted from the employee's home setup.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, the requirement to have the right to work in the UK and the derived location of London, England, United Kingdom, suggest that candidates should be based within the UK to align with the company's operational and legal framework.

Workspace Context:

• Remote & Asynchronous: The team operates remotely, necessitating strong asynchronous communication skills and self-management. Tools like Slack, Figma, and project management software will be key for collaboration.

• Tooling: A suitable homeworking setup is a requirement, implying access to a reliable internet connection, a functional computer, and potentially ergonomic considerations. The company will provide access to necessary design software (Figma) and collaboration platforms.

• Team Interaction: Despite being remote, opportunities for social events and annual meetups are provided to foster team cohesion and informal collaboration.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week. Flexibility is inherent in a remote role, but candidates must be available for collaborative sessions, design reviews, and communication during core UK business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote and asynchronous nature of the work environment emphasizes the need for strong self-discipline, clear communication, and proficiency with remote collaboration tools. This is a critical aspect of "operations" in a distributed team.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Deadline: 14th September 2026.

• Initial HR Intro Call: 16th - 18th September 2026. This call will likely assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, availability, and salary expectations.

• Interviews: 21st - 24th September 2026 (with potential extension to 1st October). This stage will involve deeper dives into your UX/UI skills, portfolio, and problem-solving abilities. Expect discussions with the Head of Design and potentially other team members.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure and Narrative: Organize your portfolio logically, clearly articulating the problem, your process, your role, the solutions you designed, and the outcomes. Use a storytelling approach.

• Highlight Process: For this role, emphasize your structured approach to design, including wireframing, user flows, component-based design system contributions, and usability testing insights. Show how you work.

• Showcase Figma Proficiency: Include examples that clearly demonstrate your command of Figma, especially concerning components, variants, and prototyping.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics or qualitative feedback to demonstrate the impact of your designs on user experience and business goals.

• Tailor to the Role: Ensure your portfolio highlights projects relevant to SaaS or digital product design, and ideally, any EdTech experience. Explicitly mention your experience with AI tools if applicable.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a potential design challenge that assesses your ability to translate a product problem into a usable interface.

• Focus on demonstrating your thought process, your ability to ask clarifying questions, and your application of design principles under time constraints.

• Practice articulating your design decisions and rationale clearly and concisely, as if presenting to a Product Manager or Engineer.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured and time-bound, requiring prompt application and preparation. The portfolio review is a critical component, where demonstrating a systematic and operational approach to design is as important as the visual output.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core design tool. Proficiency is mandatory, including advanced features like component libraries, variants, auto layout, and prototyping. Experience in establishing and maintaining Figma architecture is highly valued.

• AI Solutions: Comfort and experience in testing and utilizing AI tools to accelerate design workflows (e.g., for ideation, asset generation, or workflow automation).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as a primary tool for the designer, understanding how to interpret user data from analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) would be beneficial for informing design decisions and understanding user behavior. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the designer's primary toolset but understanding the user journey within a CRM context might be relevant for B2B SaaS products.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is non-negotiable. The mention of AI solutions indicates an openness to leveraging technology for design efficiency, a key aspect of modern design operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A core value in EdTech, ensuring that designs meet the needs of educators and students effectively.

• Simplicity: A stated philosophy, meaning designs should be intuitive, uncluttered, and easy to use.

• Craftsmanship: A commitment to high-quality execution, attention to detail, and polished user interfaces.

• Efficiency: Embracing tools and processes that enable rapid, consistent delivery of design solutions.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with cross-functional teams (PMs, Engineers) to achieve shared goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Remote & Asynchronous: Expect a communication style that prioritizes clear written documentation and asynchronous updates, supplemented by scheduled video calls for key discussions.

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to be integrated into product squads, working closely with PMs to define problems and Engineers to ensure seamless implementation.

• Feedback-Oriented: A culture that encourages constructive feedback on designs and processes to foster continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "simplicity" and "craft" within a collaborative, remote environment dictates a communication and design style that is both efficient and user-focused.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Remote Collaboration: Effectively contributing to and maintaining a strong design presence and seamless collaboration in a fully remote and asynchronous environment.

• Design System Evolution: Contributing to a design system that needs to scale across different user types and platforms while maintaining consistency and usability.

• Balancing Speed and Quality: Delivering high-quality, user-first designs rapidly to meet product development timelines.

• AI Integration: Effectively evaluating and integrating new AI tools into existing workflows to enhance efficiency without compromising design quality or user experience.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Figma Techniques: Deepen expertise in Figma's advanced features for system design and complex prototyping.

• User Research Methodologies: Gain practical experience in conducting and synthesizing user research, particularly within the EdTech context.

• Product Strategy Exposure: Work closely with Product Managers, offering insights into user needs and design possibilities that can influence product strategy.

• Design System Management: Contribute to the ongoing development and documentation of a scalable design system.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to remote work and the dynamic nature of product development, offering opportunities for skill development in areas critical to modern UX operations.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for translating a validated product hypothesis into wireframes, user flows, and high-fidelity UI designs. How do you ensure scalability across devices?" (Prepare to walk through a case study, highlighting your systematic approach and considerations for different platforms.)

• "How do you collaborate with Product Managers and Engineers to ensure designs are well-understood and accurately implemented? What is your approach to design handoffs?" (Focus on communication strategies, documentation practices, and proactive problem-solving.)

• "Tell us about a time you used user research or usability testing to significantly improve a design. What was your process for synthesizing the insights and iterating on the design?" (Prepare a specific example, detailing the problem, your actions, and the quantifiable or qualitative outcome.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Wordwall and the EdTech industry?" (Research Wordwall's mission, product, and target audience. Highlight how your design philosophy aligns with their values of simplicity and user-centricity.)

• "How do you approach working in a remote, asynchronous team environment? What strategies do you use to stay organized and collaborate effectively?" (Emphasize your self-management skills, communication habits, and experience with remote collaboration tools.)

• "How do you ensure consistency and brand alignment in your designs, especially when working with a component-based design system?" (Discuss your understanding of design systems, style guides, and your attention to detail.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Flow: Structure your presentation around a few key case studies, guiding the interviewers through the problem, your process, your specific contributions, the solution, and the impact.

• Figma Walkthrough: Be prepared to screen-share and walk through specific Figma files, demonstrating your proficiency with components, variants, and design architecture.

• Focus on Operations: Highlight how your design process contributes to efficient workflows, system maintainability, and effective cross-functional collaboration. Showcase your ability to produce documentation that engineers can easily use.

• AI Integration: If you have relevant examples, be ready to discuss how you've used AI tools to enhance your design process or outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skill but also a mature, process-oriented approach that aligns with operational efficiency and cross-functional effectiveness.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-focused UX/UI design position:

• Submit your application through the Workable application link provided.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible and clearly showcases your experience in digital product/SaaS design, with a strong emphasis on your process, Figma proficiency, and any contributions to design systems. Tailor your case studies to highlight relevant skills.

• Resume Optimization: Highlight your 4+ years of experience, specific UX/UI skills (Figma, interaction design, usability testing), and any EdTech or SaaS product experience. Clearly state your availability and right to work in the UK.

• Interview Preparation: Review common UX/UI interview questions, prepare to present your portfolio confidently, and practice articulating your design process and rationale clearly. Be ready to discuss your experience with remote work and collaboration.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Wordwall's product, mission, and target audience. Understand their emphasis on simplicity and user-centricity in the EdTech space.

⚠️ 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.