User Experience (UX) Designer - FTC, 9 months

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: User Experience (UX) Designer - FTC, 9 months

Company: Zurich Insurance Company Ltd.

Location: London, Farnborough, or Swindon, United Kingdom

Job Type: Temporary (Fixed-Term Contract), Full-Time/Part-Time/Job Share

Category: Digital Experience / User Experience Design

Date Posted: May 14, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and develop intuitive and effective user experiences across Zurich's digital platforms to meet customer expectations and business objectives.

• Conduct user research, including usability testing and analysis of user motivations and behaviors, to drive design decisions and optimize digital product performance.

• Create visual concepts, wireframes, prototypes, and user flows using industry-standard design tools to translate ideas into tangible digital solutions.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product owners, developers, business analysts, and stakeholders, to ensure seamless integration of user-centric design principles.

• Champion accessibility standards and design guidelines to ensure inclusive and user-friendly digital experiences for all customers.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a 9-month fixed-term contract, specifically to cover maternity leave. The hybrid work arrangement allows for flexibility, with candidates expected to work from one of the specified office locations (London, Farnborough, or Swindon) for a portion of their week. The emphasis on "Digital & Customer Experience team" and "digital estate" indicates a focus on customer-facing digital products and services within the insurance sector.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and sketch a range of visual concepts for digital products and services, both on paper and using specialized software applications.

• Create comprehensive user journeys and site architecture maps to define navigation and information hierarchy within digital platforms.

• Drive user insight through ongoing usability testing and research using tools like UserTesting.com to inform design iterations and optimize user experience.

• Translate abstract concepts into detailed wireframes, interactive prototypes, and clear user flows utilizing tools such as Figma, Axure, and the Adobe product suite.

• Manage and deliver small-scale digital change requests, ensuring adherence to standard workflows, processes, and design standards.

• Design user experiences for cross-platform applications, encompassing mobile phones, tablets, and computers, ensuring consistency and usability across all devices.

• Foster collaborative relationships with other UX designers, product owners, development teams, business analysts, project managers, and the broader UK Customer Office team.

• Regularly liaise with key stakeholders to gather requirements, ensure designs align with business objectives, and present progress on design projects in review meetings.

• Document and communicate design decisions, research findings, and project outcomes through written reports and presentations.

• Actively support and contribute to the company's accessibility agenda, ensuring digital products are usable by individuals with diverse needs.

• Uphold and enforce adherence to established design standards, guidelines, and best practices throughout the design lifecycle.

• Stay current with technological innovations, emerging design tools, and new techniques relevant to the UX field.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on approach to UX design, requiring the ability to move from conceptualization to detailed execution. The mention of "small change digital requests" suggests a need for efficiency and the capacity to handle iterative improvements alongside larger design projects. The emphasis on "cross-platform applications" and specific tools like Figma, Axure, and Adobe Suite indicates a need for practical, current technical skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• A minimum of 3 years of experience working in a similar UX Designer role is required.

Required Skills:

• Strong visual conceptualization and awareness, with the ability to sketch and visualize ideas effectively.

• Proficiency in industry-standard UX design tools, specifically Figma and Axure, as well as the Adobe product suite.

• Experience in creating user journeys, site architecture maps, wireframes, prototypes, and user flows.

• Demonstrated ability to conduct and interpret usability testing and user research (e.g., using UserTesting.com).

• Solid understanding of design principles, coding concepts, and their application in UX design.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, for effective stakeholder management and team collaboration.

• Empathy with end-users, demonstrating a strong ability to understand customer needs and motivations.

• A logical, step-by-step approach to problem-solving and design, ensuring user-friendliness and simplicity.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working in the insurance or financial services industry.

• Knowledge of accessibility standards and best practices (e.g., WCAG).

• Experience with cross-platform design principles for web, mobile, and tablet applications.

• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a "UX specific qualification" alongside 3+ years of experience suggests that while practical experience is paramount, a foundational understanding through formal training or certification is highly valued. The "interest in, and knowledge of, coding and design principles" indicates a desire for designers who understand the technical feasibility and implementation aspects of their designs.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrable ability to translate user needs and business requirements into compelling visual concepts and functional prototypes.

• Case studies showcasing end-to-end UX design processes, from initial research and ideation to wireframing, prototyping, and final design output.

• Evidence of user-centered design methodology, including how user research and usability testing informed design decisions.

• Examples of user journeys, site architecture maps, and wireframes that illustrate a clear understanding of information architecture and user flow.

• Prototypes created using industry-standard tools (Figma, Axure, Adobe Suite) that demonstrate interactivity and user flow.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase a structured approach to UX design, including how you manage the design process from brief to delivery.

• Provide examples of how you have used specific tools and methodologies to document user research findings, design decisions, and project progress.

• Illustrate your process for collaborating with development teams and stakeholders, including how feedback was incorporated.

• Demonstrate your understanding of adhering to design standards, guidelines, and accessibility best practices within your workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, a portfolio is crucial for demonstrating practical UX skills. Applicants should be prepared to walk through their design process, explain their rationale, and highlight the impact of their design decisions on user experience and business outcomes. Emphasis should be placed on projects that showcase problem-solving abilities, user research integration, and proficiency with key design tools.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Up to £45,000 per annum, depending on experience. The salary range is estimated to be competitive for a mid-level UX Designer in the London/South East England region, considering the fixed-term nature of the contract and the company's industry.

Benefits:

• 12% Defined Non-contributory Pension Scheme: Zurich contributes 12% of your salary to your pension without requiring employee contributions.

• Annual Company Bonus: Eligibility for an annual bonus based on company and individual performance.

• Private Medical Insurance: Comprehensive private healthcare coverage for employees.

• Option to Buy or Sell Holiday Days: Flexibility to increase or decrease your annual leave allowance.

• Flexible Benefits: Access to a range of other benefits that can be tailored to individual needs.

• Hybrid Working Arrangements: Flexibility to balance office-based work with remote working.

Working Hours: The role is available on a full-time, part-time, or job-share basis, with the standard full-time working hours assumed to be approximately 35-40 hours per week. Flexibility is encouraged.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary is stated as "up to £45,000," implying that more experienced candidates may negotiate towards this upper limit. The benefits package is robust, with a strong pension contribution and a significant emphasis on flexibility, including the option to adjust holiday entitlement and a hybrid work model. The "flexible benefits" likely encompass a wider array of options such as life assurance, critical illness cover, and potentially wellness programs.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Insurance. Zurich is a long-standing and significant player in the global insurance industry, offering a wide range of financial protection products and services. This context means the UX Designer will be working within a regulated environment that prioritizes security, trust, and customer data privacy.

Company Size: Over 65,000 employees globally. This indicates Zurich is a large, established corporation with established processes and a structured hierarchy, but also offers the stability and resources of a major enterprise.

Founded: Zurich has a long history, established as a long-standing player in the insurance industry. While the exact founding date isn't provided, its longevity suggests a culture that values stability, expertise, and sustained growth.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the "Digital & Customer Experience team," suggesting a dedicated unit focused on improving digital interactions and overall customer journeys.

• Collaboration is expected with other UX designers, product owners, development teams, business analysts, project managers, and the wider UK Customer Office team. This points to a matrixed or highly cross-functional team structure.

Methodology:

• The team emphasizes understanding "user motivations and behaviours" and keeping "appreciation of UX techniques and thinking fresh," suggesting a commitment to modern UX practices and continuous learning.

• A "data-driven approach" is implied through the use of usability testing and informing design decisions with research.

• Adherence to "design standards, guidelines, and best practices" indicates a focus on consistency and quality in design output.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as diverse, inclusive, and focused on employee wellbeing and sustainable impact. The emphasis on "responsible and impactful businesses" and supporting "causes across the UK" suggests a company with a strong corporate social responsibility ethos. For a UX Designer, this means opportunities to work on projects with a positive societal impact, alongside the core business objectives.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Mid-Level UX Designer role, focusing on execution and collaboration within a specialized team. It offers the opportunity to contribute significantly to digital product design and customer experience improvements. The contract nature (9 months) suggests it's an opportunity for focused project work rather than a long-term career launchpad within Zurich, though it could lead to further opportunities.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will report to a lead within the Digital & Customer Experience team. They will work collaboratively with various departments, requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills to navigate different team dynamics and stakeholder expectations.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's work directly impacts customer satisfaction, engagement, and retention by ensuring digital platforms are user-friendly, efficient, and accessible. This role contributes to operational efficiency by reducing support queries stemming from poor user experience and enhances the company's brand perception and market competitiveness through superior digital offerings.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Enhancement: Deepen expertise in UX research methodologies, usability testing, and specific design tools like Figma and Axure. Gain exposure to accessibility standards and cross-platform design challenges within a large enterprise context.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Work closely with product, development, and business teams, gaining a broader understanding of the digital product lifecycle and business operations within the insurance sector.

• Project Variety: Contribute to a range of digital initiatives, potentially including website enhancements, mobile app improvements, or internal digital tools, offering diverse project experience within the 9-month term.

• Potential for Further Opportunities: Successful performance in this FTC role could open doors to future contract extensions or permanent positions within Zurich, particularly within the Digital & CX teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a fixed-term role, the experience gained in a large, established company like Zurich in the insurance sector is highly valuable. The opportunity to work on diverse digital projects and collaborate across departments provides significant professional development, even within a 9-month timeframe.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid working arrangements are offered, meaning a blend of in-office and remote work. The office locations in London, Farnborough, and Swindon provide options for employees. The presence of a "Digital & Customer Experience team" suggests a modern, potentially open-plan office environment designed for collaboration.

Office Location(s):

• London: A major metropolitan hub, offering excellent transport links and access to a vibrant professional community.

• Farnborough: Located in Hampshire, offering a more suburban business park setting with good connectivity.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires significant collaboration with various teams, suggesting an office space that facilitates team meetings, workshops, and informal discussions.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard UX design software (Figma, Axure, Adobe Suite) and potentially user research platforms will be available. The company's digital estate will be the primary focus of design efforts.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities to interact with fellow UX designers, product owners, and development teams will be integral to the daily workflow, fostering a dynamic and interactive work environment.

Work Schedule: Flexibility is a key aspect, with the role available on a full-time, part-time, or job-share basis. This allows individuals to tailor their work schedule to personal needs, while still ensuring project deliverables and team collaboration are met. The hybrid model further supports work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a significant factor for candidates seeking flexibility. The company's commitment to employee wellbeing and diverse working arrangements suggests a supportive and modern work environment. The choice of office location offers flexibility for candidates based in different parts of the UK.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of CV and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and suitability for the role. Candidates may be asked for specific examples of their work.

• First Interview: Likely with a hiring manager or senior UX designer. This will focus on your background, understanding of UX principles, experience with key tools, and approach to design challenges. Expect questions about your portfolio and specific project contributions.

• Technical/Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you will present a selection of your work, discussing your design process, rationale, and the impact of your solutions. This is a critical stage to demonstrate your practical skills.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a more senior leader or cross-functional stakeholders. This interview may assess cultural fit, problem-solving abilities, and how you would integrate into the existing team and company culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-4 of your strongest projects that best represent your skills and experience relevant to this role.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process (research, ideation, design, testing), the challenges faced, and the final outcome/impact. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your user-centered approach, how you incorporated user feedback, and how you collaborated with teams.

• Tool Proficiency: Clearly showcase your proficiency with Figma, Axure, and the Adobe Suite through your project examples.

• Accessibility Focus: If possible, include a project that demonstrates your understanding and application of accessibility principles.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your portfolio concisely, focusing on the most impactful aspects of each project.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Scenario: Be prepared for a hypothetical design challenge, either presented during an interview or as a take-home assignment. This might involve improving an existing digital flow or designing a new feature.

• Process Articulation: Focus on clearly articulating your thought process, assumptions, and how you would approach the problem using UX methodologies.

• Tool Application: Demonstrate how you would use tools like Figma or Axure to explore solutions and present your findings.

• Stakeholder Communication: Think about how you would present your solution and justify your design decisions to different stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "UX specific qualification" and "3+ years" experience means the interview process will likely be rigorous, seeking a candidate who can hit the ground running. The portfolio review is paramount; candidates should be ready to discuss their work in detail and demonstrate practical application of UX principles and tools.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: A collaborative interface design tool used for wireframing, prototyping, and UI design. Expect to use it extensively for creating visual designs and interactive prototypes.

• Axure: A sophisticated prototyping tool used for creating complex, high-fidelity interactive prototypes, often used for detailed user flow and interaction design.

• Adobe Product Suite: This broadly includes tools like Photoshop and Illustrator, which may be used for asset creation, image editing, and graphic design elements within UX projects.

Analytics & Reporting:

• UserTesting.com: Specifically mentioned for conducting usability testing and gathering user feedback to inform design decisions.

• Other Analytics Tools (Implied): While not explicitly stated, familiarity with web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) and A/B testing platforms could be beneficial for understanding user behavior post-launch and optimizing designs.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly specified for UX Designer role: While Zurich undoubtedly uses CRM and automation tools for business operations, the UX Designer's primary focus will be on the front-end customer experience rather than backend system management. However, understanding how designs integrate with backend systems can be an advantage.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and Axure is essential for this role. The mention of Adobe Suite suggests a need for graphic design skills to complement UX work. While direct CRM/automation management isn't expected, an understanding of how digital products interact with these systems would be a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Centricity: A core value, evident in the focus on "enjoyable and effective experience," "user motivations and behaviours," and "empathy with the customer." Designs must prioritize user needs.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on working "collaboratively" with diverse teams and stakeholders, fostering a team-oriented environment.

• Innovation & Adaptability: A willingness to keep "designing and thinking fresh," stay "up to date with technological innovations," and adapt to "rapidly changing tasks" and "emerging technologies."

• Quality & Excellence: Adherence to "design standards, guidelines, and best practices" and delivering "ease and quality of experience" reflects a commitment to high-quality output.

• Inclusivity & Accessibility: Actively supporting the "accessibility agenda" and ensuring designs are "user friendly, accessible and simple for end users."

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role is designed to be highly integrated with product, development, and business teams, requiring seamless communication and joint problem-solving.

• Feedback-Driven: A culture that likely encourages constructive feedback through design reviews and usability testing to refine designs.

• Knowledge Sharing: Opportunities to share insights, best practices, and learn from other UX designers and specialists within the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: Zurich's stated values of diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing are likely reflected in the team's operational culture. Candidates should demonstrate an ability to work effectively in a diverse team and contribute to a positive, collaborative atmosphere that prioritizes both user needs and business goals.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Objectives: A common challenge in UX design, requiring the ability to find solutions that satisfy both customer desires and Zurich's business goals and constraints.

• Working within a Large Corporate Structure: Navigating established processes, stakeholder management, and potentially longer approval cycles within a large organization like Zurich.

• Fixed-Term Contract Constraints: Delivering significant impact and integration within a 9-month period, requiring efficient project management and prioritization.

• Keeping Pace with Evolving Technology: Continuously learning and adapting to new design tools, methodologies, and user behavior trends in the fast-paced digital landscape.

• Ensuring Accessibility Across Platforms: Implementing and maintaining accessibility standards consistently across diverse digital products and devices.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen UX Expertise: Gain hands-on experience with advanced UX research, prototyping, and testing techniques within a professional setting.

• Industry Exposure: Work within the insurance industry, gaining insights into its unique user needs and digital challenges.

• Tool Mastery: Become highly proficient in industry-leading tools like Figma and Axure.

• Cross-functional Collaboration Skills: Enhance ability to work effectively with diverse teams, including product managers and developers.

• Potential for Networking: Build professional connections within Zurich's Digital & Customer Experience team and the wider organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a mid-level UX role in a large enterprise. The growth opportunities are significant, particularly in terms of practical application of skills, exposure to industry-specific UX problems, and professional networking.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex UX challenge you faced and how you approached solving it. What was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, problem-solving, and impact.)

• "How do you balance user needs with business requirements and technical constraints?" (Demonstrate your understanding of trade-offs and collaborative problem-solving.)

• "Walk me through your process for creating a user journey map or a wireframe for a new feature." (Showcase your methodology and tool proficiency.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for Zurich, and specifically in the insurance industry?" (Research Zurich's mission, values, and recent digital initiatives.)

• "How do you contribute to a collaborative team environment, and how would you work with developers and product owners?" (Emphasize your communication, teamwork, and stakeholder management skills.)

• "How do you ensure your designs are accessible to all users?" (Prepare to discuss accessibility standards and your experience in implementing them.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each project, clearly outline: The Problem, Your Role, The Process (Research, Ideation, Design, Testing), Key Decisions & Rationale, Challenges, and Outcomes/Impact.

• Visuals: Use clear, high-quality visuals of wireframes, prototypes, and final designs. Annotate key elements to explain your design choices.

• Storytelling: Frame your projects as narratives. Explain why you made certain decisions, not just what you did.

• Tool Demonstration: Be ready to discuss your specific use of Figma, Axure, etc., and how these tools facilitated your process.

• Conciseness: Aim for approximately 5-7 minutes per project to keep the presentation engaging and allow for discussion.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to discuss their portfolio in depth, demonstrating not just the final output but the thought process, research, and collaboration that went into it. Understanding Zurich's business and customer focus will be key to tailoring responses.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this User Experience (UX) Designer position:

• Submit Your Application Online: Utilize the provided application link on Zurich's careers portal.

• Tailor Your CV: Highlight your 3+ years of UX design experience, proficiency in Figma, Axure, and Adobe Suite, and any relevant qualifications or experience in financial services. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "improved user task completion by X%").

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a strong portfolio showcasing 3-4 relevant UX projects. Ensure each project clearly details the problem, your process, your role, and the impact. Be ready to present and discuss your work confidently.

• Research Zurich: Familiarize yourself with Zurich's mission, values, customer-centric approach, and recent digital initiatives. Understand their commitment to accessibility and inclusion.

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare for common UX interview questions, focusing on your problem-solving approach, collaborative skills, and your process. Practice articulating your portfolio projects clearly and concisely.

⚠️ 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.