Senior Interaction Designer / Senior UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Interaction Designer / Senior UX Designer

Company: NEC Software Solutions (NECSWS)

Location: Remote, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time, Fixed Term Contract (potential for extension/permanent)

Category: User Experience (UX) Design, Interaction Design, Government Digital Service (GDS) Design

Date Posted: 2026-08-03

Experience Level: 5-10 years (Senior)

Remote Status: Fully Remote (with potential for hybrid arrangements)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead interaction design within multidisciplinary teams for critical public sector programs, ensuring alignment with GDS standards and user needs.

• Act as a trusted point of contact for clients, influencing design decisions and shaping outcomes for successful project delivery.

• Navigate complex, sensitive, and fast-moving delivery environments, demonstrating autonomy, sound judgment, and strong negotiation skills.

• Support the program through a GDS Design and Build phase, making informed decisions and articulating design insights clearly to senior stakeholders.

• Contribute to services with meaningful societal impact, where good design directly shapes public outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically seeking a Senior Interaction Designer with a strong background in Government Digital Service (GDS) principles and practices. The emphasis on GDS, coupled with the need for UK Security Clearance, indicates a focus on public sector digital transformation projects with high security and compliance requirements. The fixed-term contract nature with potential for extension suggests a project-driven need, common in government or large-scale digital initiatives.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the interaction design process for key government programs, ensuring user-centered design principles are applied throughout the project lifecycle.

• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including developers, researchers, product managers, and content designers, to deliver cohesive and effective user experiences.

• Develop and refine user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and detailed interaction specifications using tools like Figma.

• Conduct design reviews and user testing sessions, incorporating feedback to iterate and improve designs.

• Articulate design rationale and decisions to clients and senior stakeholders, managing expectations and building consensus.

• Ensure designs comply with GDS standards, accessibility guidelines, and relevant government policies.

• Proactively identify and address design challenges, ambiguities, and competing priorities within complex project environments.

• Mentor and guide junior designers, fostering a collaborative and high-performing design culture.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of design processes and best practices within NEC Software Solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a senior-level role requiring not just design execution but also leadership, client management, and strategic influence. The explicit mention of GDS standards and the need to support a "GDS Design and Build phase" underscores the importance of understanding and applying government digital service design frameworks.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, or a related field is typically expected for senior roles in this domain. Equivalent professional experience will also be considered.

Experience: Minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in interaction design and UX design, with a significant portion dedicated to GDS projects.

Required Skills:

• Interaction Design: Proven expertise in designing intuitive and effective user interactions for complex digital services.

• UX Design Principles: Deep understanding of user-centered design methodologies, usability best practices, and information architecture.

• GDS Experience: Demonstrable experience working with or within Government Digital Service (GDS) guidelines and frameworks.

• Figma Proficiency: Advanced skills in Figma for wireframing, prototyping, and design collaboration.

• Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration: Experience working effectively within agile, multidisciplinary delivery teams.

• Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to manage complex stakeholder groups, navigate differing priorities, and build strong relationships.

• Communication & Presentation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design concepts and rationale to diverse audiences.

• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to tackle complex, ambiguous, and fast-moving challenges.

• Security Clearance Eligibility: Must be eligible for UK Security Clearance and NPPV3.

Preferred Skills:

• Home Office/Public Safety Context: Experience working within the Home Office, Bluelight, Public Safety, or Justice sectors.

• GDS Assessment Experience: Prior experience with GDS assessments, particularly at the Beta stage.

• AI Design Tools: Familiarity with or experience using Figma Make or other AI design tools.

• Prototyping Tools: Experience with other advanced prototyping tools beyond Figma.

• Agile Methodologies: Experience working within Agile and Scrum frameworks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for UK Security Clearance and NPPV3 is a critical gatekeeper for this role, significantly narrowing the candidate pool. The preference for public sector experience, especially within Home Office or similar domains, further refines the ideal candidate profile. Proficiency in Figma is a hard requirement, suggesting it's the primary tool within the team.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Interaction Design Case Studies: Showcase at least 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating your interaction design process, problem-solving approach, and delivered outcomes for complex projects, ideally with a GDS or public sector focus.

• GDS Alignment: Clearly illustrate how your design process and deliverables adhered to GDS principles and standards.

• Figma Prototypes: Include interactive prototypes created in Figma that demonstrate user flows, micro-interactions, and the overall user experience.

• Problem-Solution-Outcome Structure: Present case studies using a clear structure that outlines the problem, your design process and solutions, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Provide examples or descriptions of how you managed stakeholder expectations and incorporated feedback into your designs.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Evidence of designing and documenting user workflows, interaction patterns, and user journeys.

• Design System Contributions: If applicable, demonstrate experience contributing to or utilizing design systems, particularly those aligned with GDS standards.

• User Research Integration: Show how user research findings were translated into actionable design improvements and documented.

• Iterative Design: Illustrate a commitment to iterative design, showing how feedback loops were established and utilized for continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the GDS focus, portfolios should strongly emphasize adherence to government design standards, accessibility, and user-centricity. The ability to showcase process through Figma prototypes and well-structured case studies is paramount. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their decision-making process and how they navigated complexity and stakeholder input.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a Fixed Term Contract role, salary will be commensurate with experience and the specific requirements of the role. Based on similar senior UX/Interaction Designer roles with GDS experience and security clearance requirements in the UK, a day rate or equivalent annual salary could range from £65,000 to £95,000 per annum, or £350-£550 per day for a contractor.

Benefits:

• Private Medical Cover funded by NEC for Employees (with option to add family members at an additional cost).

• 25 days paid holiday (pro-rata for contract length) with the option to buy/sell.

• 4 x basic salary life assurance cover funded by NEC (with option to increase cover).

• Group Pension Plan with significant employer contributions (up to 8.5%).

• A selection of flexible benefits to suit individual needs.

• Free access to LinkedIn Learning (over 15,000 courses).

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are assumed to be 40 hours per week. The role offers flexibility, with remote and hybrid options available. The fast-paced delivery environment may require adaptability.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on general market rates for senior UX/Interaction Designers in the UK, with an uplift for GDS experience and the essential requirement of holding UK Security Clearance/NPPV3. The provided benefits are standard for NEC Software Solutions, but for a fixed-term contract, some benefits (like pension contributions) might be handled differently or paid out as part of the day rate.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software Solutions, Technology, Government & Public Sector Services. NEC Software Solutions specializes in providing software and IT services to public sector organizations, including government, healthcare, and emergency services.

Company Size: NEC Software Solutions is part of the global NEC Corporation. The UK entity likely employs a significant number of people (several thousand), positioning it as a large enterprise within the UK tech sector.

Founded: NEC Corporation was founded in 1899, with its UK Software Solutions division operating as a key part of its global strategy, focusing on digital transformation for public services.

Team Structure:

• The role is within a multidisciplinary project team, working on a critical program. This structure is typical of agile delivery environments, common in GDS initiatives.

• The Interaction Designer will likely report to a Design Lead or Head of UX within the project or program.

• Close collaboration is expected with Product Owners, Business Analysts, Developers, Testers, and other UX specialists (e.g., Researchers). Methodology:

• Agile Delivery: Projects are likely run using agile methodologies, with iterative development cycles.

• GDS Frameworks: Design and development will adhere to the Government Digital Service (GDS) standards and principles, emphasizing user needs, accessibility, and iterative delivery.

• User-Centered Design (UCD): A strong focus on understanding user needs through research and embedding this understanding into the design process.

• Data-Informed Design: While not explicitly mentioned, the use of data and analytics to inform design decisions is a common practice in modern UX roles, especially in government digital services.

Company Website: www.necsws.com

📝 Enhancement Note: NEC Software Solutions operates in a space where public service impact is a core driver. The culture likely values professionalism, a commitment to quality, and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments, particularly within the public sector. The GDS focus suggests a culture that values evidence-based design and iterative improvement.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level position, implying a high degree of autonomy, technical expertise, and leadership potential. The role requires an individual capable of leading design efforts, influencing strategic decisions, and mentoring others.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Interaction Designer will likely report into a Design Lead or Programme Manager, working within a multidisciplinary team. This structure allows for focused project delivery while maintaining connection to a broader design community within NECSWS.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on the functionality and usability of critical public services. By ensuring effective interaction design, the Senior Interaction Designer contributes to improved citizen experiences, operational efficiency for public bodies, and the successful delivery of government programs with significant societal impact.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Potential to move into Lead UX Designer or Head of UX roles, managing larger teams or more complex programs.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like GDS compliance, accessibility, or user research methodologies within public sector contexts.

• Permanent Role Conversion: The possibility of converting to a permanent position offers long-term career stability and further growth within NEC Software Solutions.

• Cross-Functional Experience: Exposure to various public sector domains (Home Office, Public Safety, Justice) can broaden professional experience and marketability.

• Continuous Learning: Access to LinkedIn Learning and exposure to cutting-edge GDS practices provide ongoing skill development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title, coupled with GDS experience and security clearance, positions this role as a high-impact, high-responsibility position. Growth paths are likely tied to demonstrating leadership, strategic thinking, and successful delivery on high-profile public sector projects. The potential for permanent conversion is a significant growth factor.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is advertised as remote or hybrid. This suggests a modern work environment that prioritizes flexibility and employee well-being. For hybrid arrangements, it would involve working from a NECSWS office location.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote within the UK, NEC Software Solutions has offices across the UK, potentially offering hybrid options in locations like Manchester, Birmingham, London, or others. Specific hybrid arrangements would need to be clarified.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Work: Requires a self-motivated individual comfortable working independently and collaborating virtually. Essential tools will include reliable internet, a suitable home workspace, and access to company-provided software.

• Hybrid Work: Offers a blend of remote flexibility and in-person collaboration, which can be beneficial for team building and complex problem-solving sessions.

• Collaborative Tools: Expect to use digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Miro) extensively for communication and design workshops.

• Technology Stack: Access to up-to-date design software (Figma) and project management tools will be provided.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are likely 40 hours per week. While remote work offers flexibility, project deadlines and client needs may require adaptability and occasional work outside standard hours, particularly during critical delivery phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-first, hybrid-optional approach reflects a common trend in the tech industry, especially for roles that can be effectively performed outside a traditional office. The emphasis on GDS and public sector work implies a professional and structured work environment, even with the flexibility offered.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, GDS experience, and security clearance eligibility.

• Technical Interview: A more in-depth discussion with a hiring manager or senior designer focusing on UX/interaction design principles, GDS knowledge, and problem-solving abilities. This may involve discussing past projects.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A dedicated session where candidates present their portfolio, focusing on 2-3 key case studies. Expect to discuss your design process, decision-making, GDS adherence, and how you handled challenges and stakeholder feedback.

• Practical Exercise/Design Challenge: A potential exercise simulating a real-world problem, requiring candidates to demonstrate their approach to interaction design and GDS standards. This could be a take-home task or an in-person/virtual whiteboard session.

• Final Interview: A discussion with senior stakeholders or a panel to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and overall suitability for the role and NECSWS.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• GDS Focus: Clearly highlight how your work aligns with GDS principles (e.g., user needs, simplicity, accessibility, iterative development).

• Process Over Pixels: Emphasize your thought process, problem-solving strategies, and how you arrived at design decisions, rather than just showing final visuals.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use interactive Figma prototypes to demonstrate user flows and interactions.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics or outcomes that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved task completion rates, user satisfaction scores).

• Stakeholder Navigation: Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you managed conflicting stakeholder requirements or navigated ambiguity.

• Conciseness: Select your strongest, most relevant case studies that best showcase your senior-level capabilities and GDS experience.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize Yourself with GDS: Re-read the GDS Service Manual, focusing on design principles, user research, and accessibility standards.

• Practice Whiteboarding: Be ready to sketch out user flows, wireframes, and interaction patterns quickly and clearly.

• Think Aloud: For any design challenge, articulate your thought process, assumptions, and design rationale as you work.

• User-Centricity: Always frame your solutions around user needs and business objectives.

• Consider Constraints: Understand that real-world projects have constraints (time, budget, technical limitations) and demonstrate how you work within them.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to rigorously assess not only design skills but also specific GDS expertise, stakeholder management capabilities, and the ability to work in a secure, public sector environment. A strong, GDS-aligned portfolio is crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for wireframing, prototyping, collaborative design, and creating design specifications. Proficiency is a mandatory requirement.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma is primary, familiarity with other advanced prototyping tools can be beneficial.

• Design Systems: Experience with or contribution to design systems, particularly those aligned with GDS standards.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned, familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Hotjar) and how to interpret user behaviour data to inform design decisions is valuable.

• Tools for accessibility testing and reporting. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core function of an Interaction Designer, but an understanding of how designs integrate into broader digital platforms and workflows is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is highlighted as the core tool. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate deep expertise in its features for interaction design and prototyping. Knowledge of how design integrates into larger systems and workflows is a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A fundamental value, ensuring all design decisions are driven by user needs and research.

• Excellence & Quality: A commitment to high standards in design, delivery, and user experience, particularly within the public sector.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on working effectively within multidisciplinary teams and with diverse stakeholders.

• Impact: A focus on delivering services that have a tangible, positive impact on society and citizens.

• Integrity & Security: Given the clearance requirements, a strong emphasis on ethical conduct, data privacy, and security protocols.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect to work closely with developers, researchers, product managers, and content designers in an agile setting.

• Open Communication: A culture that encourages open dialogue, constructive feedback, and transparent decision-making.

• GDS Alignment: Collaboration will often involve ensuring designs meet GDS standards, requiring clear communication with GDS advisors or internal GDS champions.

• Iterative Feedback: A willingness to share work early and often, incorporating feedback from team members and stakeholders to refine designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture likely balances the innovation and agility of a tech company with the responsibility and rigor required for public sector services. GDS principles will heavily influence the collaborative approach and design validation processes.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating GDS Standards: Ensuring strict adherence to complex and evolving GDS guidelines while meeting project timelines.

• Complex Stakeholder Environments: Managing competing priorities and differing opinions from a wide range of senior stakeholders.

• Ambiguity and Pace: Working effectively in fast-paced, often ambiguous project environments characteristic of large government programs.

• Security Clearance: The essential requirement for UK Security Clearance and NPPV3 can be a barrier for some candidates.

• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong team cohesion and effective design communication in a fully remote or hybrid setting.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• GDS Expertise: Deepen knowledge and practical application of GDS design principles and best practices.

• Public Sector Domain Knowledge: Gain insights into the unique challenges and opportunities within Home Office, Public Safety, or Justice sectors.

• Advanced Figma Techniques: Further hone skills in Figma for complex prototyping and design system management.

• Leadership Skills: Develop skills in mentoring, leading design discussions, and influencing project direction.

• Access to Training: Utilize the provided LinkedIn Learning subscription for continuous professional development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly tied to the nature of GDS projects and public sector work. Growth opportunities are substantial for individuals who can successfully navigate these challenges and demonstrate leadership in a complex environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• GDS Principles: "How would you ensure a service meets the GDS design principles?" or "Describe a time you had to balance GDS standards with user needs or technical constraints."

• Design Process: "Walk me through your process for designing a complex user flow, from initial concept to final delivery, using Figma."

• Stakeholder Management: "Describe a situation where you had to manage conflicting stakeholder requirements. How did you resolve it?"

• Problem Solving: "Imagine you're designing a new feature for [a public service scenario]. What are the first steps you'd take, and what potential challenges do you foresee?"

• Teamwork: "How do you collaborate effectively with developers and researchers in a multidisciplinary team?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working on public sector services and specifically for NEC Software Solutions?"

• "How do you stay updated on GDS best practices and emerging UX trends?"

• "Describe your experience working in a remote or hybrid environment."

• "How do you approach ethical design considerations, especially when dealing with sensitive user data?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation around 2-3 key case studies. For each, clearly state the problem, your role, the process undertaken, the design solutions (with interactive Figma prototypes), and the outcomes.

• GDS Integration: Explicitly call out how GDS principles were applied and why.

• Decision Rationale: Be prepared to explain why you made specific design choices, referencing user research, GDS standards, or stakeholder input.

• Handling Feedback: Be open to questions and constructive feedback on your presented work.

• Conciseness: Aim for clarity and impact, respecting the allocated time for the presentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a strong understanding of GDS, a robust and well-articulated design process, excellent communication skills, and the ability to handle complexity and stakeholder dynamics. Demonstrating how you've successfully navigated these areas in past roles will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the application link provided on SmartRecruiters.

• Tailor your CV: Highlight specific experience with interaction design, UX design, GDS projects, and proficiency with Figma. Ensure your CV clearly states your eligibility for UK Security Clearance and NPPV3.

• Prepare your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 strong GDS-relevant case studies that showcase your senior-level interaction design skills, process, and Figma proficiency. Ensure it's easily accessible (e.g., a link to a personal website or a well-organized PDF).

• Practice your Pitch: Be ready to articulate your experience, GDS knowledge, and why you are a good fit for this role during initial screenings and interviews.

• Research NECSWS: Understand the company's mission, its work in the public sector, and its commitment to GDS principles to demonstrate genuine interest and alignment.

⚠️ 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.