Senior UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer

Company: Native Design

Location: London, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Fixed-term

Category: UX/UI Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-20

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the definition of interaction models, information architecture, and user flows for diverse digital products across multiple sectors, driving UX strategy and product innovation.

• Manage UX workstreams from brief to delivery, ensuring successful execution of design projects and user-centered design principles.

• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of designers, developers, anthropologists, strategists, and engineers to create boundary-pushing experiences and innovative solutions.

• Design for emerging technologies, including AI-driven experiences and conversational interfaces, adapting traditional UX playbooks to new paradigms.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is categorized under UX/UI Design Operations, as it involves the strategic management, execution, and optimization of design processes and workflows within a product development lifecycle, aligning with GTM and product strategy. The emphasis on leading workstreams, defining models, and collaborating across disciplines highlights a strong operational component to the design function.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and document information architecture, user flows, and interaction models for new products and features, ensuring intuitive and efficient user journeys.

• Develop, test, and iterate on interactive prototypes from rough concepts to high-fidelity, production-ready designs, facilitating clear communication and user validation.

• Translate complex user needs and business objectives into clear, considered, and user-centered designs, with a strong focus on user behavior analysis.

• Design for AI-driven experiences, including conversational interfaces and adaptive systems, understanding the nuances of non-linear interactions and invisible interfaces.

• Take ownership of UX workstreams from project inception through to final delivery, managing timelines, resources, and stakeholder expectations effectively.

• Collaborate closely with visual designers, researchers, engineers, strategists, and anthropologists to ensure cohesive and high-impact product development.

• Champion accessibility standards (WCAG) throughout the design process, ensuring inclusive and equitable user experiences across all platforms.

• Articulate design rationale and strategic thinking through compelling narratives and presentations to clients and internal teams, demonstrating strong storytelling and communication skills.

• Support and mentor more junior designers, fostering a culture of learning, feedback, and continuous improvement within the design team.

• Contribute to Native's reputation for design innovation and thoughtful execution by pushing creative boundaries and challenging perceptions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a senior-level contribution, requiring leadership in defining and executing UX strategy, managing complex projects, and mentoring junior staff. The inclusion of AI and platform-agnostic design highlights the forward-thinking nature of the role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: Minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in UX design, with a significant portion gained within a fast-paced, creative agency environment, delivering high-impact work across diverse industries and product types.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in core design and collaboration tools: Figma, Miro, and Adobe Creative Suite.

• Deep understanding of interaction design fundamentals, information architecture, and user flow mapping.

• Proven ability to create and test prototypes at various fidelity levels, from concept exploration to detailed handoffs.

• Strong systems thinking capabilities, understanding how individual components contribute to a coherent and functional whole.

• Experience or demonstrated aptitude for designing for AI-driven experiences, including conversational interfaces and adaptive systems.

• Excellent storytelling and communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and strategic thinking effectively.

• Experience working collaboratively in cross-disciplinary teams, alongside visual designers, researchers, developers, and strategists.

• Solid working knowledge of accessibility standards (WCAG) and their practical application in design.

• Meticulous attention to detail in hierarchy, flow, and interaction design, ensuring clear documentation and clean handoffs.

• Adaptability and resilience in a dynamic environment where ideas may be iterated upon or revised.

• Demonstrated ability to mentor and support more junior designers, fostering team growth and quality. Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for platform-agnostic contexts, including embedded devices, connected hardware, and cross-platform ecosystems.

• Experience in industrial design, service design, or anthropology to complement digital design expertise.

• Familiarity with research methodologies and user testing techniques to inform design decisions.

• Understanding of front-end development principles to facilitate smoother collaboration with engineering teams.

• A strong passion for design and innovation, evidenced by a portfolio of impactful work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Agency-Tested" requirement implies a need for candidates who can handle client demands, tight deadlines, and diverse project scopes. The emphasis on AI and platform-agnostic design suggests the company is at the forefront of technological trends.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A portfolio that clearly demonstrates your UX process, from initial problem definition and research through to detailed design solutions and iteration.

• Showcase decision-making rationale behind design choices, highlighting how user needs and business goals were balanced.

• Include case studies that illustrate your ability to translate complex problems into clear, considered designs for a variety of products and experiences.

• Present examples of prototypes you have built and tested, detailing the learnings and how they influenced the final design.

• Demonstrate your experience with information architecture and user flow mapping in tangible project examples.

• Highlight projects where you've designed for AI-driven experiences or conversational interfaces, explaining the unique challenges and solutions.

• Showcase your understanding and application of accessibility standards (WCAG) in your work.

• Provide examples of your collaboration with cross-disciplinary teams and how you facilitated effective communication. Process Documentation:

• Portfolio pieces should include clear documentation of your design process, detailing research methods, ideation phases, and user testing outcomes.

• Demonstrate how you manage and document UX workstreams, from brief to delivery, showing organizational and project management skills.

• Illustrate your approach to creating clean and detailed design documentation for handoffs to development teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio demonstrating "UX process and decision-making, not just the end result" is critical. Candidates must be prepared to deeply articulate their strategic thinking and problem-solving methodologies rather than just showcasing polished visuals.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior UX Designers in London with 5-10 years of experience in an agency setting, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between £65,000 and £90,000 per annum. This range accounts for the seniority, specialized skills (AI, platform-agnostic design), and the agency environment, which often commands higher compensation due to project complexity and client demands.

Benefits:

• Annual Leave: Generous 25 days of holiday plus bank holidays, with active encouragement to take leave.

• Enhanced Parental Leave: Comprehensive maternity and paternity pay to support new parents.

• Private Healthcare: Access to Bupa private medical insurance, including 24/7 GP access, mental health support, and specialist care.

• Wellness & Fitness: A health and wellness cashback plan, a 40% discount across the Hussle Gym network, and YuLife wellbeing and fitness benefits (mindfulness resources, company-wide challenges, cash rewards).

• Professional Development: Dedicated opportunities for learning and development, including access to industry talks, exhibitions, and visiting speakers, fostering continuous skill enhancement.

• Studio Culture: Regular company events and studio activities throughout the year to foster camaraderie and team cohesion.

• Pension Scheme: [Assuming a standard UK pension contribution scheme, though not explicitly stated.]

Working Hours: The role is a full-time position. While specific hours are not detailed, a standard 40-hour work week is typical for such roles in London, with potential for flexibility depending on project demands and team needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimation is based on typical UK market rates for experienced UX Designers in London, considering the agency context and specialized skills. The benefits package is comprehensive, emphasizing employee well-being and professional growth, which are attractive to senior-level candidates.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Design and Innovation Consulting, Technology, Healthcare, Wellness, Automotive. Native Design operates at the intersection of digital product design, industrial design, and service design, serving innovative brands. This diverse industry exposure means operations professionals must be adaptable and understand varied market dynamics.

Company Size: Independent Studio (over twenty years in operation), implying a potentially close-knit team with direct impact potential, but also the need for robust internal processes. The company size fosters agility and direct collaboration, which is key for design operations.

Founded: Over twenty years ago. This longevity suggests stability, established methodologies, and a deep understanding of the design and innovation landscape.

Team Structure:

• The design team likely comprises specialists in UX, UI, visual design, research, and potentially industrial/service design.

• Collaboration is highly cross-disciplinary, with designers working alongside anthropologists, strategists, engineers, and developers.

• The reporting structure is likely to be relatively flat within project teams, with a design lead or director overseeing senior members. Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: Emphasis on understanding user behavior and market trends to inform design decisions, likely employing user research and analytics.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: Focus on efficient project execution from brief to delivery, managing design workstreams effectively.

• Automation & Efficiency: While not explicitly stated for design, the company's innovative nature suggests an openness to leveraging tools and processes that enhance efficiency within the design lifecycle.

Company Website: https://www.native.com/ (Inferred from domain_derived: native.com)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on "design and innovation" and its blend of expertise suggest a culture that values creativity, rigorous problem-solving, and forward-thinking approaches. For operations professionals, this means an environment that is likely dynamic, client-focused, and driven by impactful outcomes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior UX Designer role, indicating a significant level of autonomy, responsibility, and expertise. In an operations context, this translates to leading design initiatives, defining processes, mentoring junior staff, and influencing strategic decisions related to product development and user experience. The role is expected to contribute to the company's overall design output and innovation strategy.

Reporting Structure: Senior UX Designers typically report to a Design Lead, Head of Design, or a Director of Product/Design. They are expected to manage their own projects effectively and often guide or mentor junior designers within their project teams. Collaboration is key, with frequent interaction with product managers, engineers, and strategists.

Operations Impact: The operations impact of this role is significant. By defining interaction models, information architecture, and user flows, the Senior UX Designer directly shapes the user's experience with products and services. This has a direct correlation to user adoption, satisfaction, retention, and ultimately, business success. Their work contributes to the company's reputation for delivering "wholly new products and experiences" and "work that pushes boundaries."

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specialized areas like AI-driven design, conversational interfaces, or platform-agnostic design. Potential to lead design operations for specific product lines or initiatives.

• Leadership Development: Transition into a Design Lead, UX Manager, or Head of Design role, overseeing design teams and strategy. Opportunities to manage larger, more complex projects and client relationships.

• Strategic Influence: Play a key role in shaping Native's design methodologies, process improvements, and the company's overall innovation strategy. Contribute to new business pitches and client strategy sessions.

• Specialization: Develop deep expertise in specific industry verticals (e.g., healthcare, automotive) that Native serves, becoming a go-to expert for those sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a Senior UX Designer at an innovation-focused firm like Native Design often involves moving into leadership roles or becoming a subject matter expert in emerging design fields. The operational aspect involves improving design processes and team effectiveness.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job description mentions a "Shoreditch studio" that is "well connected and surrounded by a vibrant design and technology community." This suggests a modern, collaborative office space designed to foster creativity and interaction.

Office Location(s): Shoreditch, London. This location is a hub for creative industries, offering excellent transport links and a dynamic urban environment. Specific address: Garden Walk 5, London, EC2A 3EQ.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The studio culture, regular events, and cross-disciplinary team structure imply a highly collaborative workspace where designers regularly interact with other disciplines.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools like Figma, Miro, and Adobe Creative Suite is expected. The company's focus on innovation suggests they may also utilize cutting-edge software and hardware.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for spontaneous brainstorming, design critiques, and knowledge sharing are likely integral to the daily workflow, fostering a dynamic and interactive design process.

Work Schedule: The role is fixed-term and full-time, likely adhering to standard office hours (e.g., 9 AM to 5 PM or 10 AM to 6 PM) with some flexibility. The emphasis on "designing the user experiences of the future" and working on "wholly new products" suggests an environment that might occasionally require focused effort to meet ambitious project goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Shoreditch location is a significant draw for talent in the creative and tech sectors, indicating a vibrant and well-connected workplace. The collaborative nature of the workspace is crucial for a design role that emphasizes cross-disciplinary interaction.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess your experience, skills, and fit with the role requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: You will likely be asked to present your portfolio, focusing on specific case studies that demonstrate your UX process, decision-making, and ability to solve complex problems. Be prepared to articulate your rationale, the challenges faced, and the outcomes achieved.

• Skills-Based Interview: A discussion focusing on your technical proficiency with tools (Figma, Miro, Adobe CS), understanding of interaction design principles, systems thinking, and experience with AI-driven design.

• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration Assessment: Questions designed to gauge your ability to work effectively with other disciplines (developers, researchers, strategists), focusing on communication, feedback, and shared problem-solving.

• Cultural Fit Interview: An assessment of your alignment with Native's values of collaboration, rigor, passion, and adaptability. You may meet with various team members, including senior designers and potentially leadership.

• Final Interview: A concluding discussion, possibly with a senior leader, to finalize the decision and discuss terms.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 projects that best showcase your strengths as a Senior UX Designer, emphasizing your process, problem-solving, and impact. Include projects that highlight your experience with AI, platform-agnostic design, and accessibility.

• Storytelling is Key: Structure each case study as a narrative: the problem, your approach (research, ideation, design), your specific contributions, the challenges you overcame, and the results/impact.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, user flows, prototypes, final designs) to illustrate your points. Provide context for why certain design decisions were made.

• Demonstrate Process: Clearly articulate the steps you took, the tools you used, and the reasoning behind your choices. Show how you iterated based on feedback or testing.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased user engagement, improved task completion rates, positive client feedback).

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your specific contributions, design trade-offs, and how you handled challenges.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: You might be given a small design challenge or asked to critique an existing design. Be ready to apply your problem-solving skills and articulate your thoughts clearly.

• Scenario-Based Questions: Prepare for questions about how you would approach specific design scenarios or challenges common in agency environments (e.g., tight deadlines, conflicting client feedback, scope creep).

• AI Design Thinking: Be ready to discuss your understanding of designing for AI, potential pitfalls, and innovative approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "portfolio that demonstrates your UX process and decision-making" is paramount. Candidates should prepare to walk through their thought process in detail, not just present final deliverables. The interview process is designed to assess not only design skills but also collaboration, adaptability, and strategic thinking.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: For collaborative interface design, prototyping, and design system management. Expect proficiency in its advanced features for complex projects and team collaboration.

• Miro: For collaborative whiteboarding, brainstorming, user journey mapping, information architecture planning, and facilitating remote team discussions.

• Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator): For asset creation, image editing, and potentially supplementary design tasks.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as required tools, a Senior UX Designer should be comfortable interpreting data from analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) to inform design decisions and measure the impact of their work.

• Familiarity with tools that facilitate user feedback and usability testing analysis. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to core UX design tasks, but understanding how CRM systems and marketing automation tools influence user journeys and data collection can be beneficial for a holistic product perspective. Other Potential Tools:

• Prototyping tools beyond Figma (e.g., ProtoPie, InVision).

• User research platforms (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback).

• Project management tools (e.g., Jira, Asana) for managing design tasks within larger development workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and Miro is explicitly stated as a given. Candidates should highlight their experience with these tools and demonstrate how they leverage them for efficient collaboration and complex design problem-solving. An understanding of how design impacts broader business systems like CRM is a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on working fluidly with diverse disciplines (developers, researchers, strategists, engineers) to achieve cohesive, high-impact results. Design thinking is integrated across teams.

• Rigor & Craft: A commitment to precision in hierarchy, flow, and interaction detail. High standards for documentation, handoffs, and the overall quality of design output.

• Innovation & Invention: A culture that encourages "inventing" and designing "wholly new products and experiences," pushing boundaries and challenging perceptions.

• Adaptability: Openness to iterating, testing, and rebuilding ideas. A willingness to scrap concepts that don't work and embrace change.

• User-Centricity: A fundamental focus on understanding user behavior and translating complex problems into clear, considered designs that resonate with users.

• Passion: A belief that the best creatives genuinely enjoy their work, fostering an environment of enthusiasm and dedication.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Disciplinary Integration: Designers work hand-in-hand with other specialists, sharing insights and perspectives to create holistic solutions. This implies open communication channels and mutual respect for different expertise.

• Process Review & Feedback: A culture that likely embraces constructive feedback and iterative refinement of design processes and outcomes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement of sharing thinking, providing useful feedback, and collectively raising the quality of work, particularly through mentorship of junior designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values highlight a dynamic and high-achieving environment. For operations professionals, this means embracing a culture of continuous improvement, strong teamwork, and a commitment to delivering exceptional, innovative work.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Emerging Technologies: Navigating the complexities of designing for AI-driven experiences, conversational interfaces, and potentially invisible interfaces requires continuous learning and adaptation of established UX principles.

• Balancing Innovation with User Needs: The drive to "push boundaries" and "invent" must be carefully balanced with ensuring designs are intuitive, accessible, and meet genuine user needs.

• Agency Environment Demands: Working in a fast-paced agency means managing multiple projects, diverse client expectations, and tight deadlines, requiring strong organizational and time-management skills.

• Cross-Disciplinary Alignment: Ensuring seamless collaboration and shared understanding across highly specialized teams (e.g., industrial design, AI engineering, anthropology) can present communication and integration challenges.

• Iterative Design Cycles: Embracing a culture where ideas are tested and potentially scrapped can be challenging for designers who become attached to their work, requiring resilience and a focus on the overall project goal.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Skill Development: Deepen expertise in AI/conversational design, platform-agnostic design, or specific industry verticals like healthcare or automotive.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Opportunities to mentor junior designers, develop leadership skills, and potentially move into design management or lead roles.

• Industry Exposure: Access to industry talks, exhibitions, and visiting speakers provides continuous learning and exposure to the latest trends and best practices.

• Project Diversity: Working on a wide range of projects for different clients and sectors offers continuous learning through diverse problem sets and user contexts.

• Process Refinement: Contribute to the evolution of Native's design processes and methodologies, influencing how innovative products are created.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents significant opportunities for growth by tackling cutting-edge design challenges and developing leadership capabilities. Candidates should be prepared to articulate how they approach learning and adapt to new technological paradigms.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a complex, AI-driven experience. What were the unique challenges, and how did you approach them?" (Focus on process, problem-solving, and specific design decisions.)

• "How do you balance the need for innovation with ensuring a product is user-friendly and accessible? Provide an example." (Highlight your understanding of user-centered design principles and trade-offs.)

• "Walk us through a project where you significantly influenced the product strategy through your UX research and design recommendations." (Prepare a case study demonstrating strategic impact and data-driven decision-making.)

• "How do you approach information architecture for a large, interconnected system or ecosystem?" (Demonstrate your systematic thinking and ability to organize complexity.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to Native Design's approach to 'inventing' and creating 'wholly new products'?" (Show you've researched the company and align with its innovative ethos.)

• "Describe your experience working in a fast-paced agency environment. How do you manage competing priorities and client expectations?" (Highlight your adaptability, time management, and client communication skills.)

• "How do you contribute to a collaborative team environment, especially when working with disciplines outside of design?" (Provide examples of your cross-functional collaboration style and ability to build rapport.)

• "How do you ensure accessibility is integrated into your design process from the outset?" (Demonstrate your commitment to inclusive design and knowledge of WCAG.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Your Best: Choose 3-4 projects that showcase your senior-level UX process, problem-solving, and impact, ideally including AI/conversational design or platform-agnostic examples.

• Narrative Arc: Structure each case study with a clear beginning (problem/brief), middle (your process, challenges, solutions), and end (outcome, learnings).

• Highlight Your Role: Be explicit about your specific contributions, especially in team projects.

• Showcase Process & Rationale: Detail why you made certain decisions. Use wireframes, user flows, and prototypes to illustrate your thinking.

• Quantify Impact: Use metrics or qualitative feedback to demonstrate the success of your designs.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices, trade-offs, and how you handled critiques or challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize your portfolio and your ability to articulate your design process and strategic thinking. Be prepared to discuss your experience with AI, systems thinking, and cross-disciplinary collaboration in detail.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Native Design careers portal (native-design.jobs.personio.com).

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating your UX process, problem-solving, and impact, with a focus on AI-driven design, systems thinking, and agency experience.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 5-10 years of experience, proficiency in Figma, Miro, and Adobe Creative Suite, and specific achievements in interaction design, information architecture, and user flow development. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on your design rationale, decision-making process, and ability to collaborate. Prepare to discuss your experience with AI and accessibility.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Native Design's work, ethos, and client portfolio to understand their approach to innovation and design. Be ready to articulate why you are a good fit for their culture and mission.

⚠️ 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.