User Experience (UX) Designer
📍 Job Overview
Job Title: User Experience (UX) Designer
Company: Uniting NSW.ACT
Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Job Type: Full-time Permanent
Category: Digital Product Design / User Experience
Date Posted: April 29, 2026
Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (3-7 years)
Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in office, 2 from home)
🚀 Role Summary
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Spearhead UX discovery and design thinking initiatives to craft intuitive and inclusive digital experiences.
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Develop wireframes, prototypes, and contribute to design systems across internal and customer-facing platforms.
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Conduct user research and usability testing to ensure user-centered design principles are embedded throughout the organization.
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Collaborate closely with product managers, developers, and business stakeholders to translate insights into actionable design solutions.
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Influence and uplift UX best practices across multiple programs and initiatives as a subject matter expert.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior individual contributor, emphasizing autonomy and the ability to influence UX practice without direct reports. The focus is on driving user-centered design across a diverse range of digital products and services within a non-profit organization.
📈 Primary Responsibilities
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Lead UX discovery and design thinking activities, including workshops, interviews, and co-design sessions, to gather user needs and business requirements.
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Translate user research insights and business objectives into comprehensive documentation such as personas, user journey maps, and future-state experience visions.
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Create detailed wireframes, interactive prototypes, and contribute to the development and maintenance of robust design systems.
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Plan and execute user research and usability testing methodologies to validate design concepts and identify areas for improvement, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity are prioritized.
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Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including Product Managers, Developers, and Business Stakeholders, to ensure seamless integration of UX design into the product lifecycle.
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Support agile delivery processes by contributing to backlog development, defining user stories, and participating in roadmap planning.
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Act as a champion for UX best practices, guiding and influencing teams across various initiatives to foster a user-centric mindset.
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Continuously contribute to a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the Digital Technology team and the broader organization.
📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic UX leadership and hands-on design execution. Emphasis is placed on influencing stakeholders and driving adoption of UX practices, which is common for senior UX roles in organizations looking to mature their digital capabilities.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, or a related field is often preferred and demonstrates a foundational understanding of user-centered design principles.
Experience: 3–7 years of progressive experience in User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design, with a proven track record of delivering successful digital products.
Required Skills:
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UX/UI Design Expertise: Demonstrated proficiency in the end-to-end UX design process, from discovery to delivery.
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Visual Design & Prototyping: Strong skills in creating high-fidelity visual designs, wireframes, and interactive prototypes.
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Design Systems: Experience in developing, maintaining, or contributing to design systems.
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User Research & Usability Testing: Proven ability to plan, conduct, and analyze user research and usability testing.
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Figma Proficiency: Expert-level skills in Figma for design, prototyping, and collaboration.
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Adobe Creative Cloud: Proficiency with other relevant design tools within the Adobe suite.
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Stakeholder Engagement: Excellent ability to collaborate with and influence stakeholders across various levels and departments.
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Communication Skills: Clear and concise communication, capable of articulating design concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
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Problem-Solving: Analytical and solutions-focused approach to design challenges.
Preferred Skills:
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Experience working within Agile development environments.
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Familiarity with enterprise transformation programs.
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Knowledge of front-end technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript).
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Experience with Miro or Mural for collaborative ideation.
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Familiarity with JIRA and Confluence for project management and documentation.
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Demonstrated experience designing for diverse and inclusive user groups.
📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement (3-7 years) suggests a mid-to-senior level individual contributor. The emphasis on influencing without direct reports, combined with the need for stakeholder engagement and UX best practice uplift, points to a role that requires strong soft skills and strategic thinking beyond pure design execution.
📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
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Visual Design Showcase: Demonstrate a range of polished visual design work, highlighting aesthetic sensibility and attention to detail.
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Prototyping Expertise: Include examples of interactive prototypes that effectively communicate user flows and design concepts.
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Design System Contributions: Showcase experience with design systems, whether through creation, contribution, or detailed understanding.
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User-Centered Design Process: Clearly articulate the UX process for at least 2-3 case studies, detailing how user research, ideation, design, and testing were integrated to solve specific problems and achieve desired outcomes.
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Problem/Solution Framing: For each case study, clearly define the problem statement, the candidate's role, the solutions proposed, and the impact or results achieved.
Process Documentation:
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Discovery & Research: Evidence of how user research and stakeholder interviews were conducted and synthesized into actionable insights.
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Design & Iteration: Examples of wireframes, user flows, and prototypes, with an explanation of design decisions and iterative improvements based on feedback.
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Collaboration & Influence: Examples of how you collaborated with development and product teams, and influenced design decisions through persuasive communication and data-driven arguments.
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Accessibility & Inclusivity: Demonstrate a commitment to inclusive design principles, potentially through specific examples of how accessibility was addressed in past projects.
📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this role, serving as the primary evidence of design skills, process, and impact. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their case studies, emphasizing their problem-solving approach, collaboration, and the tangible outcomes of their design work.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a User Experience Designer with 3-7 years of experience in Sydney, Australia, the estimated salary range is AUD $95,000 - $130,000 per annum. This estimate considers the cost of living in Sydney and the typical compensation for roles within the not-for-profit and technology sectors.
Benefits:
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Tax-Free Salary Packaging: Access up to $18,550 in tax-free benefits annually, significantly increasing take-home pay.
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Fitness Passport Program: Opportunities to subsidize gym memberships and fitness activities, promoting employee wellbeing.
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U Rewards Program: Exclusive discounts and offers on a variety of goods and services through the company's rewards platform.
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Hybrid Work Model: Flexibility to work from home for two days per week, promoting work-life balance.
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Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning and skill enhancement within a supportive environment.
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Meaningful Work: The chance to contribute to a purpose-driven organization making a positive impact on society.
Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are assumed to be approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid arrangement offers flexibility in managing workdays.
📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on market data for Sydney. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate's experience, qualifications, and negotiation. The benefits package, particularly the tax-free salary packaging, is a significant financial advantage for employees in Australia.
🎯 Team & Company Context
🏢 Company Culture
Industry: Social Services / Human Services / Technology. Uniting NSW.ACT operates within the broad social services sector, leveraging digital technology to enhance its mission.
Company Size: Uniting is a large, established organization, part of the Uniting Church network. Its extensive reach implies a complex organizational structure with numerous programs and services.
Founded: Uniting has a long history, tracing its origins back to the mid-19th century through various church-related charities. This legacy suggests a culture deeply rooted in community service, compassion, and social justice.
Team Structure:
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The UX Designer will be part of the Digital Technology team, indicating a focus on leveraging technology to achieve organizational goals.
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This role operates with a high degree of autonomy, suggesting a flat or matrixed organizational structure where individual expertise is highly valued.
Methodology:
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User-Centered Design: The role is fundamentally about embedding user-centered thinking and design methodologies across the organization.
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Agile Principles: While not explicitly stated as the sole methodology, the mention of backlog development and user stories suggests an adoption of Agile or hybrid agile approaches.
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Continuous Improvement: The company values a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, encouraging proactive contributions and problem-solving from its employees.
Company Website: https://www.uniting.org/
📝 Enhancement Note: Uniting's mission-driven nature is a significant cultural aspect. Candidates should demonstrate alignment with values such as compassion, inclusion, and courage. The hybrid work model and focus on employee benefits suggest a commitment to employee well-being.
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a mid-to-senior level (3-7 years of experience). It offers the opportunity to act as a subject matter expert and a leader in UX practice without direct management responsibilities. The focus is on influencing strategy and elevating UX maturity across the organization.
Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will sit within the Digital Technology team. While they won't have direct reports, they are expected to lead and uplift UX practice, implying a reporting line to a Digital Technology Lead, Head of Digital, or similar senior role.
Operations Impact: The UX Designer will directly impact the effectiveness and user-friendliness of digital platforms, influencing how both internal staff and external clients interact with Uniting's services. This role is crucial for improving service delivery, operational efficiency, and overall user satisfaction in a digitally evolving landscape.
Growth Opportunities:
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UX Leadership: Develop expertise in leading UX initiatives and influencing organizational strategy, potentially moving towards a UX Lead or Principal UX Designer role.
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Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas such as accessibility, inclusive design, or user research methodologies.
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Cross-Functional Development: Gain broader experience by working across diverse programs and collaborating with various departments, enhancing understanding of the non-profit sector's operational complexities.
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Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior designers or teams on UX best practices.
📝 Enhancement Note: For candidates seeking to make a tangible impact within a mission-driven organization and grow their influence in UX without necessarily pursuing a people management path, this role offers significant potential. The opportunity to shape digital experiences for a large non-profit is a unique career differentiator.
🌐 Work Environment
Office Type: The role is based in Sydney CBD and operates on a hybrid model, requiring 3 days in the office and 2 days working from home. This suggests a modern office environment designed to support collaborative work and focused individual tasks.
Office Location(s): Pitt Street, Sydney CBD. This central location offers excellent accessibility via public transport and proximity to amenities.
Workspace Context:
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Collaborative Hub: The office environment likely facilitates team collaboration, workshops, and stakeholder meetings, essential for design thinking processes.
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Technology Access: As part of the Digital Technology team, the designer will have access to the necessary software and hardware for their role.
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Team Interaction: Opportunities for informal and formal interactions with colleagues within the Digital Technology team and across other departments.
Work Schedule: The standard full-time work week (likely 40 hours) will be structured with the flexibility of the hybrid model, allowing for a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work.
📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key feature, offering flexibility. Candidates should consider how they best thrive in a hybrid setting and be prepared to articulate how they maintain productivity and collaboration across both environments.
📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
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Initial Screening: Likely a brief call with HR or a recruiter to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.
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Portfolio Presentation & Technical Interview: A more in-depth session where candidates present their portfolio, discussing case studies and design process. This will likely involve questions about UX methodologies, problem-solving, and technical skills.
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Stakeholder/Team Interviews: Conversations with potential team members and stakeholders (e.g., Product Managers, Developers) to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to integrate into the team.
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Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit with the organization's mission and goals.
Portfolio Review Tips:
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Storytelling: Structure your portfolio around compelling narratives for each case study. Clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process followed, the solutions you designed, and the impact achieved.
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Process Emphasis: Don't just show final designs; explain your thought process, the research conducted, and how you iterated based on feedback.
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Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced support tickets, increased user satisfaction scores).
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Tailor to the Role: Highlight projects that demonstrate experience with similar challenges or within the non-profit/social services sector, if applicable. Emphasize your ability to design for diverse user groups and promote inclusivity.
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Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. Be prepared to present it confidently and answer detailed questions.
Challenge Preparation:
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Design Challenge: Be prepared for a potential design exercise, either pre-interview or as part of an interview stage. This might involve analyzing a problem statement and proposing a UX solution, or critiquing an existing interface.
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Strategic Thinking: Anticipate questions about how you would approach improving UX within an organization like Uniting, considering its mission and diverse user base.
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Behavioral Questions: Prepare examples that demonstrate your communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and leadership skills, especially in situations where you had to influence without direct authority.
📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely to be rigorous, with a strong emphasis on the portfolio as a demonstration of applied UX skills and strategic thinking. Candidates should prepare to articulate their value proposition not just as a designer, but as a strategic partner in improving digital experiences.
🛠 Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
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Figma: Essential for UI design, wireframing, and prototyping. Expect advanced usage scenarios.
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Adobe Creative Cloud: Proficiency is expected, likely including Photoshop, Illustrator, and potentially XD.
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Miro / Mural: Crucial for collaborative workshops, brainstorming, affinity mapping, and journey mapping.
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JIRA / Confluence: Familiarity is beneficial for understanding development workflows, managing tasks, and documentation.
Analytics & Reporting: While not explicitly listed as a primary tool for the UX Designer, familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Hotjar) and the ability to interpret user data to inform design decisions would be advantageous.
CRM & Automation: Not directly relevant to this role's core responsibilities but understanding how CRM systems might integrate with customer-facing platforms could be a plus.
📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is paramount. Experience with collaborative whiteboarding tools like Miro/Mural is also highly valued for remote and hybrid environments. An understanding of JIRA/Confluence will facilitate better collaboration with development teams.
👥 Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
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Compassion, Inclusion, Courage: These are core values that should be reflected in the designer's approach to user empathy, design solutions, and advocating for user needs.
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Justice & Community: A deep understanding of and commitment to Uniting's mission to confront injustice and serve communities is essential.
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User-Centricity: A dedication to placing the user at the heart of all design decisions, ensuring digital experiences are intuitive, accessible, and inclusive.
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Innovation & Continuous Improvement: A proactive mindset, always seeking ways to enhance user experiences and contribute to the organization's digital evolution.
Collaboration Style:
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Cross-Functional Partnership: Working closely with Product Managers, Developers, and other stakeholders to ensure cohesive product development.
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Influence & Guidance: Leading by example and providing expert guidance to uplift UX practices across teams.
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Open Communication: Fostering an environment where feedback is openly shared and design decisions are transparently communicated.
📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should demonstrate how their personal values and work style align with Uniting's stated values. A genuine passion for the organization's mission will be a significant differentiator.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
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Driving UX Maturity: The role involves uplifting UX practice across the organization, which can be challenging in environments where user-centered design may not be fully embedded. This requires strong influencing skills and the ability to demonstrate tangible value.
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Balancing Diverse Needs: Designing for a wide array of users within the social services sector, including vulnerable populations and internal staff, requires careful consideration of accessibility, inclusivity, and varying technical proficiencies.
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Navigating Complexity: Working within a large, established organization with multiple programs and stakeholders means navigating complex requirements and priorities.
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Hybrid Work Dynamics: Effectively collaborating and maintaining team cohesion in a hybrid work environment requires proactive communication and adaptive strategies.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
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UX Leadership Development: Opportunities to hone skills in strategic UX planning, stakeholder management, and driving organizational change.
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Specialized Training: Potential for training in advanced UX methodologies, accessibility standards, or emerging design technologies.
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Impactful Projects: Contributing to digital solutions that have a direct positive impact on people's lives and the communities Uniting serves.
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Industry Exposure: Gaining experience within the non-profit and social services sector, understanding its unique digital challenges and opportunities.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity to drive significant change and impact within a mission-driven organization. The challenges are inherent to maturing digital capabilities and require a proactive, resilient, and highly collaborative individual.
💡 Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
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"How would you approach understanding the diverse user needs of Uniting's clients and staff to inform digital product design?"
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"Describe a time you had to influence stakeholders to adopt a user-centered design approach for a project where there was initial resistance. What was your strategy and the outcome?"
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"Given that you won't have direct reports, how would you go about leading and uplifting UX best practices across different teams within Uniting?"
Company & Culture Questions:
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"What interests you about Uniting's mission and values, and how do you see them aligning with your own?"
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"How do you approach ensuring inclusivity and accessibility in your design work, particularly for diverse user groups?"
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"Describe your experience working in a hybrid or remote team environment. What strategies do you employ to stay connected and productive?"
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
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Focus on Process: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the methodologies used (research, ideation, testing), the design solutions, and the impact. Use visuals to support your narrative.
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Highlight Influence: Explain how you collaborated with teams and influenced decisions, especially if you had to overcome challenges or advocate for user needs.
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Showcase Versatility: Present a range of work that demonstrates your skills in visual design, prototyping, and user research.
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Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design decisions, trade-offs made, and lessons learned.
📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to articulate their understanding of UX principles within a mission-driven context. Emphasize how their skills can directly contribute to Uniting's goals of serving diverse communities and improving digital experiences.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this User Experience Designer position:
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Submit your application: Apply via the provided job advertisement link on the Dayforce platform. Ensure all required fields are completed accurately.
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Craft a compelling CV: Tailor your resume to highlight your 3–7 years of UX/UI design experience, focusing on achievements in visual design, prototyping, user research, and design systems. Use keywords from the job description.
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Prepare your Portfolio: Curate a portfolio that clearly showcases your best work, with detailed case studies explaining your process, problem-solving approach, and impact. Ensure it's easily accessible and well-organized.
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Write a targeted Cover Letter: Address your interest in Uniting NSW.ACT specifically, linking your skills and experience to the company's mission and the role's requirements. Highlight your passion for inclusive and user-centered design.
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Research Uniting: Familiarize yourself with Uniting's services, values, and mission. Understand the context of the social services sector and how digital design can contribute to its objectives.
⚠️ 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.
Application Requirements
Candidates must have 3–7 years of experience in UX/UI design with a strong portfolio demonstrating visual design and prototyping skills. Proficiency in tools like Figma and Adobe Creative Cloud, along with the ability to influence stakeholders and navigate complex environments, is required.