Product Designer – 12 Month FTC  

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer – 12 Month FTC

Company: Lloyds Banking Group

Location: London, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time, Temporary

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: August 19, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (2 days/week in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end product experience design, from initial problem framing and discovery through to detailed interaction design and successful delivery within a complex financial services environment.

• Translate intricate business processes and regulatory requirements into intuitive, user-centered digital experiences, focusing on areas like customer onboarding, account management, and operational workflows.

• Apply and advance systemic thinking to design solutions that consider unintended consequences and ensure seamless integration across various user touchpoints and business operations.

• Leverage AI-assisted design tools and workflows to enhance design exploration, iteration speed, and overall quality, pushing the boundaries of current design practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the original listing is for a "Product Designer," the detailed responsibilities and required skills, such as end-to-end experience design, interaction design, information architecture, and collaboration with product/engineering, strongly align with the core competencies of a Senior UX/UI Designer or Product Designer with a UX/UI focus. The context of "complex, high-dependency domains" and "managing roles, permissions, and business operations" indicates a need for a designer who can handle intricate systems and user flows, typical of mid-to-senior level roles in regulated industries.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design end-to-end digital experiences, encompassing the entire product lifecycle from initial user research and problem definition to detailed interaction design, prototyping, and final delivery.

• Collaborate closely with product managers, engineers, researchers, and business stakeholders to define problems, explore innovative solutions, and ensure alignment on design strategy and execution.

• Translate complex business processes, rules, and regulatory constraints into clear, structured user flows, intuitive information architectures, and high-quality interaction patterns.

• Champion accessibility, inclusion, and adherence to web standards, ensuring all designed experiences are usable, reliable, and meet a high standard of craft for diverse customer needs.

• Utilize research findings, user data, and analytical insights to iterate on designs, balancing customer needs with business objectives and regulatory compliance.

• Apply and contribute to the evolution of established design systems and patterns, ensuring consistency while adapting them to address complex use cases and new functionalities.

• Actively explore and implement AI-assisted design workflows to streamline the design process, accelerate ideation, and enhance design outcomes.

• Develop low-fidelity wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes to clearly communicate design intent, user flows, and interaction details for engineering teams.

• Continuously strive to elevate clarity, simplicity, and overall design quality through evidenced examples and by raising standards across all design outputs.

• Engage in systemic thinking to anticipate potential unintended consequences of design decisions and ensure a cohesive and seamless user experience across the platform.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a full-stack design approach, covering discovery, strategy, detailed design, and delivery. The mention of "complex, high-dependency domains" and "business operations" suggests a focus on enterprise-level applications or internal tools within the financial sector, requiring a strong understanding of user flows and information architecture for complex systems.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. Experience:

• Demonstrable experience (typically 5-10 years) in end-to-end product design, with a strong portfolio showcasing complex digital product development.

• Proven track record of working within complex, regulated domains, translating ambiguity into clear, structured user journeys and information architectures.

• Experience across the full design lifecycle, from discovery and research to detailed interaction design and delivery. Required Skills:

• UX/UI Design Craft: Strong proficiency in both User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design, with the ability to move seamlessly between structural problem-solving and high-quality visual design.

• Interaction Design: Expertise in defining intuitive and effective interaction patterns for complex digital products.

• Information Architecture: Ability to create clear, logical structures and hierarchies for content and functionality within digital products.

• Prototyping: Skilled in creating low- to high-fidelity prototypes using industry-standard tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD) to effectively communicate design concepts and user flows.

• Systems Thinking: A strong aptitude for understanding and designing within complex systems, anticipating consequences, and ensuring holistic solutions.

• Accessibility & Inclusive Design: Deep understanding and practical application of WCAG guidelines and inclusive design principles to ensure products are usable by everyone.

• AI-Assisted Design Workflows: Proactive experience and willingness to leverage AI tools to enhance design exploration, efficiency, and quality.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively within agile, cross-functional teams, collaborating closely with Product Managers, Engineers, Researchers, and other stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Design Systems: Experience actively contributing to or managing design systems, particularly in environments with high complexity and scalability requirements.

• Financial Services/Fintech Design: Experience designing for business or commercial banking, financial services, or fintech platforms.

• Workshop Facilitation: Experience facilitating discovery, alignment, or modeling workshops to bring clarity to ambiguous problem spaces.

• Multi-level Abstraction: Ability to work effectively at various levels of detail, from high-level strategic thinking to granular interaction design.

• Mentoring/Leadership: Experience mentoring junior designers or supporting others in developing systems thinking, interaction design skills, or design quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "AI-assisted design workflows" requirement is a key differentiator, indicating the company's forward-thinking approach. The preferred skills highlight domain expertise in financial services and experience with design systems, which are highly valuable for this role. The emphasis on "systems thinking" and "translating complex business processes" suggests the need for a designer who can manage intricate logic and rules.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• End-to-End Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 comprehensive case studies demonstrating your ability to design end-to-end product experiences, from initial problem definition and research through to detailed design solutions and outcomes.

• Problem Framing & Solution: Clearly articulate the problem you were solving, the constraints (business, regulatory, technical), and your strategic approach to finding the best solution.

• Process & Methodology: Detail your design process, including user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and iteration, highlighting how you made decisions.

• Systemic Thinking Examples: Include examples that demonstrate your ability to think systemically, showing how your designs integrate with broader systems or address potential unintended consequences.

• Craft & Polish: Present high-fidelity mockups, prototypes, and final UI designs that exhibit exceptional craft, attention to detail, and adherence to design principles.

• Accessibility & Inclusion: Highlight specific instances where accessibility and inclusive design principles were integral to your design process and solutions.

• AI Tool Integration: If possible, showcase how you've leveraged AI-assisted design tools to enhance your workflow or outcomes.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Provide examples of how you've mapped out and designed complex user workflows, focusing on clarity, efficiency, and user satisfaction.

• System Implementation Standards: Demonstrate your understanding of how designs are implemented, including collaboration with engineering teams and adherence to design system guidelines.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Show how your designs have been measured for success, referencing data, user feedback, or key performance indicators (KPIs) that demonstrate impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role involving complex domains and systemic thinking, a portfolio that clearly articulates the design process and decision-making is crucial. Emphasis should be placed on demonstrating how the designer navigates ambiguity, integrates with existing systems, and considers the broader impact of their work, especially concerning financial regulations and accessibility.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £72,702 - £80,780 per annum.

Benefits:

• Generous Pension Contribution: Up to 15% contribution to your pension.

• Annual Performance Bonus: Eligibility for an annual performance-related bonus.

• Share Schemes: Including free shares, offering ownership in the company.

• Lifestyle Adaptable Benefits: A range of discounts and perks that can be adapted to individual lifestyle needs, such as discounted shopping.

• Generous Holiday Allowance: 30 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays.

• Wellbeing Initiatives: Access to various programs and resources focused on employee well-being.

• Comprehensive Parental Leave: Generous policies for parental leave.

Working Hours: Full-time, with a standard expectation of approximately 40 hours per week. The role supports hybrid working, requiring colleagues to be in the office for at least two days per week or 40% of their time.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific. The benefits package is comprehensive, typical for a large financial institution like Lloyds Banking Group, and particularly attractive for a temporary contract, offering significant value beyond base salary. The hybrid working model is clearly defined.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Banking and Financial Technology)

Lloyds Banking Group is one of the UK's largest financial services groups, with a long history and a significant market presence. This industry context implies a strong emphasis on regulatory compliance, data security, customer trust, and a commitment to digital transformation to meet evolving customer needs and competitive pressures.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (over 10,000 employees)

As a major banking group, Lloyds Banking Group offers the stability and resources of a large organization. For operations professionals, this means opportunities for structured career progression, access to extensive training and development programs, and the chance to work on large-scale, impactful projects. It also suggests established processes and potentially a more formal corporate culture, though with increasing emphasis on agility and innovation.

Founded: 2009 (Lloyds Banking Group formed through merger)

The Group's formation through mergers signifies a rich heritage and a blend of different organizational cultures. The ongoing investment in technology and customer experience indicates a strategic focus on modernization and adapting to the digital age, making it an exciting time to join and contribute to shaping its future.

Team Structure:

• Operations Focus: The Product Designer will likely be part of a dedicated Product Design or Digital Experience team, working within a larger Digital or Technology division.

• Cross-functional Pods: Expect to work in agile, cross-functional teams (often referred to as "pods" or "squads") comprising Product Managers, Engineers, Researchers, Data Analysts, and other specialists.

• Reporting: The role is a 12-month fixed-term contract, and the designer will report to a Design Lead, Head of Design, or a Senior Product Manager, depending on the specific team structure.

Methodology:

• Agile & Lean UX: Design work is likely conducted within agile frameworks (Scrum, Kanban), emphasizing iterative development, continuous feedback, and lean UX principles to quickly test and refine solutions.

• Data-Driven Design: Decisions are informed by user research, analytics, A/B testing, and performance metrics to ensure designs meet user needs and business objectives.

• Design Systems & Standards: A strong emphasis on leveraging and contributing to design systems to ensure consistency, scalability, and efficiency across products.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's status as a major financial institution is critical. It implies a high degree of regulatory scrutiny, a focus on security and compliance, and a need for designers who can navigate complex requirements. The "12 Month FTC" designation means the role is project-driven, likely focusing on specific digital transformation initiatives or product enhancements.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor

This role is positioned at a senior individual contributor level. The Product Designer is expected to lead their own projects, make significant design decisions, and contribute to the strategic direction of product experiences, particularly within complex domains. They are not managing people but are expected to influence design quality and process.

Reporting Structure:

• The designer will report to a Design Manager, Lead Designer, or a Senior Product Manager.

• They will be embedded within cross-functional product teams, collaborating daily with engineers, product owners, and researchers.

• This structure fosters autonomy while ensuring alignment with broader product and business goals. Operations Impact:

• The Product Designer's work directly influences customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and the adoption of digital services.

• By translating complex business processes into intuitive experiences, they reduce user friction, improve task completion rates, and contribute to the bank's digital transformation objectives.

• Their contributions in areas like accessibility and systemic thinking are vital for ensuring the bank serves all its customers effectively and responsibly. Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like financial services design, complex system design, AI-assisted workflows, or design systems.

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to mentor junior designers, lead design initiatives within specific product areas, or contribute to design strategy discussions.

• Skill Expansion: Exposure to advanced design tools, AI technologies, and large-scale transformation projects within a major financial institution.

• Portfolio Enhancement: The 12-month contract offers a chance to build a robust portfolio with high-impact projects for a well-respected organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is a significant step for a designer looking to gain experience in the highly regulated financial sector, working on complex systems and alongside mature product teams. The fixed-term nature means candidates should be looking for a substantial project-based engagement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Corporate Office Environment with Hybrid Flexibility

Lloyds Banking Group operates from established corporate offices. The London office at 25 Gresham Street provides a professional workspace. The hybrid model allows for a blend of focused individual work at home and collaborative, in-person interaction at the office.

Office Location(s):

• Primary: London, 25 Gresham Street. This central London location offers excellent transport links and access to city amenities.

• Hybrid Model: Employees are expected to spend at least two days per week (or 40% of their time) at the designated office site.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hubs: Office spaces are designed to facilitate collaboration, with meeting rooms, breakout areas, and common spaces for team interaction.

• Technology & Tools: Access to standard corporate IT infrastructure, high-speed internet, and potentially specialized design hardware or software. The company encourages the use of AI-assisted design tools.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid model is structured to ensure regular face-to-face interaction with team members for brainstorming, problem-solving, and relationship building, while remote days allow for focused design work.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week).

• Hybrid working policy requires a minimum of 2 days per week in the office. This structure is designed to balance flexibility with the need for in-person collaboration and team cohesion.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model is a key aspect. While offering flexibility, the requirement for 2 days in the office means candidates must be able to commute to London regularly. This is typical for senior roles in large, established organizations to foster team cohesion and facilitate complex discussions.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Screening: Initial review of CV and portfolio against the stated requirements.

• Hiring Manager/Recruiter Call: An initial conversation to assess cultural fit, understand motivation, and confirm basic qualifications.

• Design Challenge/Portfolio Review: A more in-depth session. This may involve:

  • Presenting and discussing 1-2 key portfolio case studies, focusing on your process, decision-making, and impact.
  • Potentially a take-home design exercise or a live whiteboarding session to assess problem-solving skills and approach to a specific design challenge.

• Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with cross-functional team members (e.g., Product Manager, Engineering Lead, Researcher) to assess collaboration skills and technical understanding.

• Final Interview: A discussion with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Design, Director of Product) to assess strategic thinking and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 of your strongest case studies that best align with the job description's emphasis on complex domains, end-to-end design, systems thinking, and AI-assisted workflows.

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, the challenges faced, your solutions, and the measurable outcomes or impact. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Process & Rationale: Detail your design decisions and the rationale behind them. Show how you used research, data, and iteration to arrive at your solutions.

• Showcase Systems Thinking: Explicitly demonstrate how you approached complex systems, considered edge cases, and ensured integration.

• Emphasize Collaboration: Mention how you collaborated with engineers, product managers, and other stakeholders.

• Accessibility & Craft: Ensure your portfolio clearly shows your commitment to accessibility and high-quality UI craft.

• AI Integration: If you have examples of using AI tools, be prepared to discuss them and their impact.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Familiarize yourself with common challenges and design considerations within the financial services industry (e.g., security, compliance, user trust, complex workflows).

• Systems Thinking Practice: Be ready to analyze a complex problem and break it down, identifying key components, user flows, and potential interactions.

• AI Tool Familiarity: Be prepared to discuss how you might use AI tools to approach a given design problem.

• Communication: Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, as if explaining it to a non-designer or a mixed audience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely to be thorough, given the senior nature of the role and the company's industry. A strong emphasis will be placed on demonstrating a structured, data-informed, and collaborative design process, with a particular focus on how candidates handle complexity and leverage new technologies like AI.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Figma: Widely used for collaborative interface design, prototyping, and design systems.

• Sketch: Another popular vector-based design tool for UI design.

• Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop): For asset creation and image editing.

• Prototyping Tools: InVision, Principle, or built-in Figma/Sketch prototyping features.

Collaboration & Project Management:

• Jira / Confluence: For agile project tracking, documentation, and knowledge sharing.

• Slack / Microsoft Teams: For internal communication and team collaboration.

Research & Analytics:

• User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting interviews, usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback).

• Analytics Platforms: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar tools for tracking user behavior and product performance.

• Survey Tools: SurveyMonkey, Typeform for gathering user feedback.

Design Systems:

• Familiarity with managing, contributing to, or utilizing robust design systems (e.g., Storybook, custom-built systems). Emerging Technologies:

• AI-Assisted Design Tools: Proficiency or demonstrated interest in tools like Uizard, Galileo AI, or AI plugins within existing design software.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core tools are standard for modern product design. The explicit mention of AI-assisted design workflows suggests that candidates should be comfortable exploring and integrating these tools. Experience with design systems is highly valued given the scale of Lloyds Banking Group.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of 28 million customers, ensuring products are accessible, reliable, and provide value.

• Integrity & Trust: Upholding the highest ethical standards, essential in the financial services industry, ensuring data security and customer privacy.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering an environment where diverse teams work together effectively to achieve common goals.

• Innovation & Agility: Embracing change, exploring new technologies (like AI), and adapting quickly to market demands and customer expectations.

• Inclusion & Diversity: Actively building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the UK, promoting an environment where everyone can thrive.

• Efficiency & Excellence: Striving for high-quality craft, streamlined processes, and measurable impact in all design work.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Partnership: Designs are developed in close partnership with Product Managers, Engineers, Researchers, and business stakeholders, with a shared responsibility for outcomes.

• Feedback-Rich Environment: An expectation of giving and receiving constructive feedback to improve designs and processes.

• Agile Methodologies: Working within agile sprints, with regular stand-ups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives to ensure alignment and continuous improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of insights, best practices, and learnings across teams and the wider design community within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Lloyds Banking Group emphasizes its commitment to values like integrity, customer focus, and inclusion, which are paramount in the financial sector. The culture likely balances established corporate structures with a growing emphasis on agile ways of working and digital innovation, driven by the need to stay competitive.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complexity: Designing for intricate financial processes, regulatory requirements, and large-scale enterprise systems requires meticulous attention to detail and strong problem-solving skills.

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Effectively managing competing priorities and requirements from various business units, compliance, and customer needs.

• Integrating AI Tools: Proactively exploring and integrating AI-assisted design workflows into established processes while ensuring quality and ethical considerations.

• Design System Evolution: Contributing to or adapting a large, complex design system to meet new requirements while maintaining consistency and scalability.

• Fixed-Term Contract: Adapting quickly to a new team and project within a 12-month timeframe, delivering significant impact.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Domain Expertise: Gaining deep experience in designing for the financial services sector, understanding its unique challenges and opportunities.

• AI Design Exploration: Hands-on experience with cutting-edge AI design tools and methodologies, contributing to the future of design at a major institution.

• Large-Scale Systems: Working on projects that impact millions of customers, providing exposure to enterprise-level product development and infrastructure.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from experienced design leaders and potentially mentor junior designers.

• Professional Development: Access to LBG's extensive learning resources, workshops, and potential for attending industry conferences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to working in a large, regulated industry and embracing new technologies. The growth opportunities are substantial, particularly for gaining specialized experience in fintech design and AI-driven product development within a stable, reputable organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a complex business process with many rules and constraints. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, systemic thinking, and ability to translate complexity.)

• "How have you used AI-assisted design tools in your workflow? What benefits did you see, and what were the limitations?" (Be prepared to discuss specific tools and your thoughts on their application.)

• "Walk me through a project where you had to balance conflicting stakeholder requirements or regulatory constraints with user needs. How did you achieve alignment?" (Highlight your negotiation, communication, and problem-solving skills.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about designing for the financial services industry, specifically at Lloyds Banking Group?" (Research LBG's purpose, values, and recent digital initiatives.)

• "How do you ensure your designs are accessible and inclusive for all users?" (Refer to specific principles, guidelines, and examples from your work.)

• "Describe your experience working in an agile, cross-functional team. How do you typically collaborate with product managers and engineers?" (Emphasize your communication style and contribution to team success.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: For each case study, clearly outline: Problem, Your Role, Process, Solution, Outcome/Impact.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (screenshots, wireframes, prototypes) to illustrate your points effectively.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data, metrics, or user feedback to demonstrate the success of your designs.

• Explain Your 'Why': Be ready to articulate the rationale behind your design decisions at every stage.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your process, tools, and decision-making.

Challenge Preparation:

• Systems Thinking Exercise: Practice breaking down a complex problem (e.g., a new feature for a banking app, a workflow for business operations) into its core components, user journeys, and interaction points.

• AI Tool Application: Think about how AI could assist in solving a hypothetical design problem.

• Accessibility Audit: Be ready to quickly identify potential accessibility issues in a given interface.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a mature design process, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to adapt to the specific demands of the financial services industry, including its regulatory and technical complexities. Highlighting experience with AI tools and design systems will be advantageous.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Lloyds Banking Group careers portal via the provided URL.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is readily accessible and highlights 2-3 relevant case studies that demonstrate end-to-end design, complex problem-solving, systemic thinking, and ideally, experience with AI tools or financial services. Tailor your portfolio's introductory text to briefly touch upon your interest in this specific role and company.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your experience in product design, UX/UI, interaction design, and information architecture. Quantify your achievements with metrics where possible and use keywords from the job description (e.g., "end-to-end experiences," "complex domains," "systems thinking," "AI-assisted design").

• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly review the "Interview Preparation" section above. Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and impact for your chosen portfolio case studies. Prepare specific examples for behavioral and situational questions.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Lloyds Banking Group's mission, values, recent digital initiatives, and their commitment to diversity and inclusion. Understand their position in the financial services market.

⚠️ 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.