Senior UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer

Company: Barclays

Location: Canary Wharf, 1 Churchill Place, London, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full time

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-10-02

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic direction and implementation of User Experience (UX) design for product development within Barclays' Markets - Post Trade division.

• Drive end-to-end experience excellence across a portfolio of applications, focusing on complex interaction problems and user research.

• Manage product development UX initiatives, ensuring departmental efficiency, effectiveness, and alignment with organizational goals.

• Collaborate closely with senior management and stakeholders to define product roadmaps, mitigate risks, and ensure compliance with financial regulations.

• Contribute to a greenfield program aimed at establishing a central User Experience function, shaping the future of design within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior UX Designer, implying a significant level of autonomy and strategic input. The emphasis on "managing product development UX" and "setting the strategic direction" suggests a blend of individual contribution and potential team influence, even if not directly managing a large team. The context of a "greenfield program" and "central User Experience function" indicates a foundational role with the opportunity to shape processes and standards.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic direction for product development UX, incorporating up-to-date methodologies and processes to enhance user journeys.

• Oversee and manage product development UX initiatives, including the oversight of colleagues' performance and the implementation of departmental goals.

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with product development UX stakeholders, identifying key partners and ensuring the quality of third-party services.

• Create and implement policies and procedures specifically for product development UX to standardize best practices and ensure consistency.

• Proactively manage product development UX risk by identifying potential issues, developing mitigation strategies, and ensuring alignment with the bank’s compliance functions.

• Monitor the financial performance of the product development UX department, focusing on revenue, profitability, and cost control measures.

• Conduct comprehensive market research to identify trends, analyze the competitive landscape, and understand regulatory changes to uncover new market opportunities.

• Contribute to setting strategy, driving requirements, and making recommendations for change within the UX domain.

• Plan resources, budgets, and policies, while managing and maintaining existing policies and processes for continuous improvement.

• Escalate breaches of policies or procedures as necessary, ensuring adherence to organizational standards.

• If managing a team: Define jobs and responsibilities, plan for future departmental needs, counsel employees on performance, and contribute to pay decisions.

• If leading specialists: Influence department operations in alignment with strategic and tactical priorities, balancing short and long-term goals while meeting corporate requirements for budgets and schedules.

• If an individual contributor: Act as a subject matter expert, guide technical direction, lead collaborative assignments, and train/coach less experienced specialists.

• Advise key stakeholders, including functional leadership teams and senior management, on areas of functional and cross-functional impact and alignment.

• Demonstrate leadership and accountability for managing risk and strengthening controls within the scope of UX responsibilities.

• Collaborate with other business areas to stay abreast of business activity and strategies, ensuring UX efforts are aligned with overall business objectives.

• Create solutions through sophisticated analytical thought, comparing and selecting complex alternatives to solve intricate problems.

• Apply interpretative thinking to define problems and develop innovative solutions, incorporating insights from extensive research.

• Build and maintain trusting relationships and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to achieve key business objectives through influencing and negotiation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on strategic leadership and hands-on execution. The emphasis on "management of product development UX" and "oversight of colleagues and their performance" suggests leadership responsibilities, even if the role is not explicitly a "Manager." The "Vice President Expectations" section provides further detail on the expected scope of influence, strategic contribution, and risk management for this senior-level role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, Psychology, or a related field is highly valued.

• Equivalent practical experience demonstrating a strong understanding of UX principles and methodologies will also be considered. Experience:

• 5-10 years of professional experience in UX design, interaction design, or product design, with a proven track record of managing and delivering complex design projects.

• Demonstrable experience in leading UX initiatives, setting strategic direction, and implementing new methodologies and processes within a corporate environment.

• Experience working within the financial services industry, particularly in banking or capital markets, is highly advantageous for understanding regulatory constraints and business complexities.

• Proven experience in managing product development risk and ensuring alignment with compliance functions. Required Skills:

• Visual Design & Product Design: Expertise in creating aesthetically pleasing, user-centered designs that align with brand guidelines and product objectives.

• Interaction Design: Deep understanding of how users interact with digital products, designing intuitive and efficient user flows and interfaces.

• Figma Proficiency: Advanced skills in using Figma for design, prototyping, and collaboration, including creating interactive prototypes.

• Journey Mapping & Information Architecture: Ability to map complex user journeys, define information hierarchies, and design logical site structures.

• User Research: Experience in planning and conducting user research (e.g., interviews, usability testing) to gather insights and validate design decisions.

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to contribute to and set strategy, understand business goals, and translate them into actionable UX plans.

• Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to identify, engage, and manage relationships with diverse stakeholders across different levels of the organization.

• Risk Management: Experience in identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks, particularly in a regulated financial environment.

• Analytical Thought: Capacity for sophisticated analytical thinking, problem definition, and developing innovative solutions based on data and research.

• Leadership & Influence: Ability to guide teams, influence decision-making, and drive change, even without direct line management.

Preferred Skills:

• Market Research: Experience in conducting thorough market analysis to identify trends, competitive landscapes, and opportunities.

• Negotiation Skills: Ability to influence and negotiate outcomes with internal and external stakeholders.

• Change Management: Experience in driving and managing significant changes within an organization.

• Business Acumen: A strong understanding of business principles and how UX contributes to business objectives and financial performance.

• Agile/Scrum Methodologies: Familiarity with Agile development processes and how UX integrates into sprints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Vice President Expectations" and specific skills mentioned in the job description (e.g., strategic direction, risk management, stakeholder management) strongly suggest the need for a candidate with significant experience and a strategic mindset. The 5-10 year experience range aligns with a senior individual contributor or a potential team lead role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing end-to-end UX design projects, demonstrating a clear process from research and ideation through to final design and iteration.

• Case studies that highlight complex interaction problems and how they were solved with innovative UX solutions.

• Examples of visual design and product design work, illustrating an understanding of aesthetics and user interface principles.

• Demonstrations of interactive Figma prototypes that effectively communicate user flows and design concepts.

• Documentation of journey mapping exercises and information architecture designs for complex applications.

• Evidence of user research methodologies employed and the impact of user insights on design decisions.

• Projects that showcase the ability to manage product development risk and ensure compliance within design. Process Documentation:

• The ability to document and articulate the UX design process, including workflow design, methodology implementation, and performance analysis.

• Experience in developing and implementing policies and procedures for product development UX.

• Examples of how you have contributed to or established departmental goals and objectives related to UX efficiency and effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the senior nature of the role and the emphasis on strategic direction and process implementation, a portfolio that clearly articulates the candidate's design process, strategic thinking, and impact on business objectives is crucial. The ability to demonstrate how they have managed risk and improved efficiency within a design context will be highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on the Senior UX Designer title, the location in Canary Wharf, London, and the 5-10 years of experience requirement, the estimated annual salary range for this role is between £70,000 and £100,000.

• This estimate is derived from current market data for senior UX/Product Designers in London's financial sector, considering the responsibilities related to strategy, risk management, and stakeholder engagement. Factors such as specific experience, skill set, and negotiation will influence the final offer. Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Generous paid time off (PTO), including vacation days, sick leave, and public holidays.

• Pension scheme with employer contributions, aligned with UK retirement savings standards.

• Opportunities for professional development, including training, certifications, and conference attendance.

• Employee assistance programs offering confidential support for personal and professional well-being.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses and long-term incentive plans.

• Access to employee discount programs and corporate benefits. Working Hours:

• Standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, typically Monday to Friday.

• While the role is on-site, there may be flexibility for occasional remote work or adjusted hours depending on project needs and team agreements, though the primary expectation is presence in the Canary Wharf office.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on common industry benchmarks for senior UX roles in London's financial district, factoring in the specified experience level and the seniority implied by "Senior UX Designer" and "Vice President Expectations." Benefits are typical for a large financial institution like Barclays.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Banking and Investment)

Company Size: Large (Barclays is a global financial services provider with tens of thousands of employees worldwide). This size implies established processes, extensive resources, and significant opportunities for cross-functional collaboration. For operations professionals, it means navigating a structured environment with clear hierarchies and compliance frameworks.

Founded: 1836. Barclays has a long and rich history, indicating a stable and established organization with deep roots in the financial industry. This history often translates to a culture that values tradition, reliability, and long-term strategic planning.

Team Structure:

• The UX team is part of a larger product development or technology division within Barclays, likely focusing on the Markets - Post Trade area.

• This role will involve collaboration with product managers, business analysts, engineers, QA testers, and senior leadership within the Markets division.

• The UX team is undergoing a "greenfield program" to define a central User Experience function, suggesting a period of significant organizational change and opportunity to shape team processes and culture.

• Reporting structure likely involves a Head of UX, Director of Design, or a senior product lead, with direct reporting to a VP or Director level. Methodology:

• Data Analysis and Insights: Emphasis on data-driven decision-making, utilizing user research, analytics, and market research to inform design strategies.

• Workflow Planning and Optimization: Focus on defining and refining UX processes to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and user satisfaction within product development lifecycles.

• Automation and Efficiency Practices: Exploration and implementation of tools and methods to automate repetitive tasks and streamline design workflows.

Company Website: https://home.barclays

📝 Enhancement Note: The context of Barclays as a large, historic financial institution implies a culture that is both professional and increasingly focused on digital transformation and customer experience. The "greenfield program" for UX is a key indicator of a company actively investing in and evolving its design capabilities.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor / Potential Team Lead. This role is positioned at a senior level, requiring strategic input, independent problem-solving, and the ability to influence others. It offers a path to specialized leadership within UX or broader product management roles.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Designer will likely report to a UX Lead, Head of UX, or a Director within the Markets division. They will collaborate extensively with product managers, engineers, and business stakeholders across various departments.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on the usability, efficiency, and effectiveness of Barclays' post-trade market applications. By improving user experience, the role contributes to increased operational efficiency, reduced errors, enhanced client satisfaction, and ultimately, a stronger competitive position for Barclays in the financial markets.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in specific UX domains (e.g., service design, design systems, accessibility) or expand into related areas like product management or business analysis.

• Industry Conference and Certification Participation: Opportunities to attend leading UX and financial technology conferences, and pursue relevant certifications to stay at the forefront of industry trends.

• Operations Mentorship and Leadership Development: Potential to mentor junior designers, lead UX initiatives, and contribute to the development of the central UX function, paving the way for future leadership roles.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: The broad exposure to different business units within Barclays can open doors to opportunities in other product or technology teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "greenfield program" aspect of this role presents a significant growth opportunity, allowing the individual to shape the future of UX at Barclays. The "Vice President Expectations" section further underscores the potential for impact and advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role located in a major financial hub. Barclays' offices are typically modern, professional, and equipped with state-of-the-art technology to support a productive work environment.

Office Location(s): Canary Wharf, 1 Churchill Place, London. This is a prime business district with excellent transport links, offering a dynamic and collaborative working atmosphere.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office space is designed to foster collaboration, with meeting rooms, breakout areas, and open-plan workspaces. Expect regular interaction with colleagues from UX, product, and engineering teams.

• Operations Tools and Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools (like Figma), collaboration platforms, and potentially internal Barclays systems for project management and communication.

• Operations Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities for team meetings, design critiques, workshops, and cross-functional alignment sessions.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is typically Monday to Friday, with a focus on delivering results and meeting project deadlines. While the role is on-site, the company culture may offer some degree of flexibility for work-life balance, particularly as the central UX function is being established.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Canary Wharf location suggests a fast-paced, professional environment characteristic of major financial institutions. The emphasis on collaboration is key for a role involving the establishment of a new UX function.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience against the role requirements.

• Hiring Manager/Team Lead Interview: A discussion focused on your background, experience, and understanding of UX principles, potentially including behavioral questions related to leadership and problem-solving.

• Portfolio Presentation & Case Study: A critical stage where you will present selected projects from your portfolio, demonstrating your design process, problem-solving skills, and impact. Be prepared to discuss your contributions, challenges, and outcomes in detail.

• Skills Assessment/Technical Interview: This may involve a design exercise or a discussion about specific technical skills like Figma, interaction design, or information architecture.

• Stakeholder/Cross-Functional Interview: An interview with potential collaborators (e.g., product managers, engineers) to assess your ability to work effectively in a team and communicate your ideas.

• Final Interview: Often with a senior leader (e.g., VP level) to assess strategic thinking, cultural fit, and overall suitability for the role and Barclays.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 of your strongest projects that best represent your skills in visual design, interaction design, journey mapping, and information architecture.

• Showcase the Process: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the methodologies used (user research, ideation, prototyping, testing), the solutions you designed, and the measurable impact or outcomes.

• Highlight Strategic Input: Emphasize any instances where you contributed to strategy, influenced decision-making, or managed product development risk.

• Demonstrate Figma Expertise: Be ready to walk through interactive Figma prototypes, explaining design choices and user flows.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion times, increased user satisfaction scores).

• Tailor to Barclays: Briefly research Barclays' current market position and any recent digital initiatives to frame your experience and demonstrate your understanding of their business context.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a take-home or in-person design challenge. This could involve solving a specific UX problem related to financial services or improving an existing interface. Focus on a structured approach, clear rationale, and well-presented deliverables.

• Strategic Thinking Questions: Practice articulating your approach to setting UX strategy, managing stakeholders, and contributing to business goals.

• Risk and Controls: Understand how UX design intersects with risk management and compliance in a financial institution. Be ready to discuss how you would ensure designs are robust and adhere to regulatory requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "greenfield program" and "central User Experience function" means interviewers will likely be looking for candidates who can not only design but also help shape processes, advocate for UX, and collaborate to build something new.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The primary tool for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency in advanced features, component libraries, and interactive prototyping is essential.

• Sketch/Adobe XD: While Figma is specified, familiarity with other leading design tools may be beneficial for broader understanding.

• Prototyping Tools: In-depth knowledge of creating interactive prototypes within Figma or using dedicated tools like InVision.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Research Platforms: Tools like UserTesting.com, Maze, or similar platforms for conducting usability testing and gathering user feedback.

• Analytics Tools: Familiarity with web/application analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to understand user behavior and measure design impact.

• Data Visualization Tools: Experience with tools like Tableau or Power BI could be advantageous for presenting user data and research findings.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how UX design impacts customer-facing applications and potentially CRM interfaces would be valuable.

• Familiarity with project management and collaboration tools such as Jira, Confluence, Asana, or Trello for workflow management and team communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is explicitly called out as a required skill, making it a critical tool for candidates to highlight in their applications and portfolios. The mention of a "greenfield program" suggests an opportunity to influence or select new tools and technologies for the UX function.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Respect: Valuing diverse perspectives and fostering an inclusive environment where all team members feel heard and respected.

• Integrity: Upholding ethical standards in design, data handling, and stakeholder interactions, especially critical in the financial sector.

• Service: A commitment to excellent user experience and supporting the needs of both internal and external customers.

• Excellence: Striving for high-quality design outcomes, continuous improvement, and exceeding expectations in all aspects of work.

• Stewardship: A responsible approach to managing resources, risks, and the long-term impact of design decisions on the organization and its users.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: A strong emphasis on working collaboratively with product managers, engineers, business analysts, and other stakeholders to achieve shared goals.

• Process Review Culture: Openness to feedback, iterative design processes, and continuous refinement of workflows and methodologies.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, insights, and learnings within the UX team and across the wider organization.

• Efficiency Experimentation: A proactive approach to finding and implementing more efficient ways of working, especially relevant to the establishment of a new UX function.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Barclays Values (Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence, Stewardship) and Mindset (Empower, Challenge, Drive) are foundational. For this role, the "Excellence" and "Stewardship" values are particularly relevant, alongside the "Challenge" and "Drive" mindset for shaping a new UX function.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Establishing a Central UX Function: Navigating the complexities of defining and implementing new processes, standards, and a cohesive culture for UX within a large, established organization.

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Effectively managing diverse expectations from senior leadership, product teams, and end-users to deliver designs that meet multiple objectives.

• Navigating Financial Regulations: Ensuring all UX designs comply with stringent financial industry regulations and internal controls.

• Integrating UX into Greenfield Programs: Working within a new program where processes are still being defined, requiring adaptability and proactive problem-solving.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• UX Skill Advancement: Opportunity to specialize in areas like design systems, accessibility, advanced prototyping, or user research methodologies.

• Industry Conference and Certification Participation: Support for attending relevant conferences (e.g., UXPA, Nielsen Norman Group) and pursuing certifications to enhance professional development.

• Operations Mentorship and Leadership: Potential to mentor junior designers, lead UX initiatives, and contribute to strategic planning for the UX function, fostering leadership capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge and opportunity lies in the "greenfield program" context, offering a chance to build and influence from the ground up, which is a significant draw for ambitious UX professionals.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to setting the strategic direction for UX within a product development lifecycle. How would you align this with broader business objectives at Barclays?" (Preparation: Focus on translating business goals into UX strategies, using frameworks like OKRs or strategic roadmaps.)

• "How do you manage and mitigate risks associated with product development UX, especially in a regulated environment like banking? Provide an example." (Preparation: Discuss risk assessment frameworks, compliance considerations, and proactive design strategies.)

• "Walk me through a complex interaction problem you solved. What was your process, what were the challenges, and what was the outcome?" (Preparation: Select a strong portfolio case study emphasizing problem-solving, your role, and measurable results.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "How would you contribute to building a central User Experience function from the ground up at Barclays?" (Preparation: Discuss your vision for a UX team, ideal processes, collaboration models, and advocacy strategies.)

• "How do you ensure your designs align with the values of a company like Barclays (Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence, Stewardship)?" (Preparation: Connect your design philosophy and approach to these core values, providing specific examples.)

• "Describe a time you had to influence senior stakeholders to adopt a particular UX recommendation. What was your approach?" (Preparation: Focus on communication, data-driven arguments, and building consensus.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with an executive summary for each project, followed by the problem statement, your role, detailed process, solution, and finally, the results and learnings.

• Focus on "Why": Clearly articulate the rationale behind your design decisions, linking them back to user needs and business objectives.

• Interactive Demonstrations: Use Figma prototypes to showcase the user flow and key interactions. Be prepared to answer questions about the technical implementation and design system considerations.

• Quantify Success: Present metrics and data that demonstrate the positive impact of your work. If direct metrics are unavailable, discuss anticipated outcomes or qualitative feedback.

• Tell a Story: Weave a narrative around your projects that highlights your problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and ability to drive positive change.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will likely be assessing not only design skills but also strategic thinking, leadership potential, and the ability to navigate a large corporate environment, especially given the "greenfield program" context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Barclays careers portal.

• Customize Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your experience in visual design, interaction design, Figma, journey mapping, information architecture, and any experience in financial services or large corporate environments. Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a selection of 3-4 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your end-to-end UX process, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills. Ensure it's easily accessible online.

• Practice Your Portfolio Presentation: Rehearse walking through your chosen case studies, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and demonstrating your impact and strategic contributions. Be ready to discuss your role and decisions in detail.

• Research Barclays: Understand Barclays' business, its position in the financial markets, and its recent digital initiatives. Familiarize yourself with their company values and how your approach aligns with them.

⚠️ 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.