UX Designer (12 months FTC)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer (12 months FTC)

Company: Kainos

Location: Belfast, United Kingdom / Derry-Londonderry, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time, Temporary

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: 2026-09-16

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design intuitive and impactful user experiences for enterprise software, focusing on AI-powered features and workflows within the Workday ecosystem.

• Develop wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mock-ups, ensuring adherence to usability best practices and accessibility standards.

• Conduct user research and usability testing to gather insights and validate design concepts, directly influencing product direction.

• Collaborate closely with product managers, engineers, and data scientists to translate complex AI capabilities into seamless and user-centric applications.

• Advocate for design thinking and UX best practices across the product development lifecycle to enhance the value of the Kainos Smart products.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a fixed-term contract for 12 months, which is a significant factor for candidates to consider regarding career planning and job security. The focus on AI-powered features within enterprise software and the Workday ecosystem indicates a specialized and high-demand area within UX.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and iterate on wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and high-fidelity mock-ups for new and existing features, prioritizing user needs and business objectives.

• Lead the creation and application of user journey maps, process maps, and personas to deeply understand user contexts and inform strategic design decisions.

• Facilitate and conduct comprehensive user research, including interviews, surveys, and contextual inquiries, to uncover user pain points and validate design hypotheses.

• Execute robust usability testing sessions, analyze results, and translate findings into actionable design improvements to optimize user efficiency and satisfaction.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including Product Management, Engineering, and Data Science, to ensure a cohesive and integrated product experience.

• Translate complex AI capabilities and intelligent automation concepts into clear, transparent, and trustworthy user interfaces and workflows.

• Champion and implement accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) throughout the design process, ensuring inclusive design for all users.

• Analyze user feedback, product analytics, and usage data to identify trends, opportunities for enhancement, and areas for iterative design improvements.

• Contribute to the strategic vision of Kainos Smart products by advocating for user-centered design principles and best practices within the product development lifecycle.

• Ensure designs align with business goals, technical constraints, and the overall product roadmap for Kainos' Workday-focused solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a UX Designer who can not only execute standard UX tasks but also deeply understand and integrate AI capabilities into enterprise software. The emphasis on user journey mapping, process mapping, and translating complex AI into usable experiences suggests a strategic and analytical approach is required, beyond just visual design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Design, Psychology, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for mid-level UX Designer roles. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: Proven experience (2-5 years) designing for enterprise software or Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions is a core requirement, demonstrating an understanding of complex user needs and business contexts.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrable expertise in UX design principles, including information architecture, interaction design, and visual design.

• Strong proficiency with industry-standard design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar platforms.

• Proven experience in conducting user research methodologies (e.g., interviews, surveys, usability testing) and translating findings into actionable design improvements.

• Ability to design user experiences for AI-powered features and workflows, with an understanding of AI design patterns and best practices.

• Experience in creating and utilizing journey maps, process maps, and user personas to guide design strategy.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and collaborate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Understanding of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and experience in designing inclusive user interfaces.

• A strong portfolio showcasing a range of UX design work, including research, interaction design, and visual design, with clear examples of problem-solving and impact. Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within Agile development methodologies (Scrum, Kanban).

• Familiarity with the Workday product suite and its ecosystem, or similar enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.

• Understanding of enterprise governance, compliance, audit, or risk management processes, particularly as they relate to software design.

• Ability to balance competing business objectives with user needs to deliver optimal, high-quality solutions.

• Experience in designing for complex data visualization, analytics, or reporting features.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Desirable" skills indicate a preference for candidates who can quickly integrate into Kainos' specific environment, particularly concerning Workday and Agile methodologies. The ability to balance business objectives with user needs is a critical soft skill for any operations or product-focused role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is mandatory, showcasing a breadth of UX design expertise. This should include case studies detailing your process from problem identification through to solution design and iteration.

• Demonstrate proficiency in user research methodologies, outlining how you gathered insights and used them to inform design decisions.

• Present examples of wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mock-ups, highlighting your interaction and visual design skills.

• Include specific examples of designing for enterprise software or SaaS products, demonstrating an understanding of complex user needs and business workflows.

• Showcase experience with AI-powered features or workflows, explaining the design challenges and your approach to creating intuitive AI interactions.

• Clearly articulate the impact of your design work, ideally with quantifiable metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrates user satisfaction or business value. Process Documentation:

• For each portfolio case study, clearly document the design process followed, including research methods, ideation techniques, prototyping tools used, and testing procedures.

• Outline how you incorporated feedback from user research, usability testing, and stakeholder reviews into your design iterations.

• Provide evidence of collaboration with cross-functional teams (e.g., Product Managers, Engineers, Data Scientists) and how this collaboration influenced the final design.

• Demonstrate adherence to accessibility standards and best practices in your design documentation.

• Explain how you balanced business requirements with user needs to arrive at the final solution, showcasing your strategic thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX role, the portfolio is paramount. This section emphasizes not just the final deliverables but the process behind them, especially concerning user research, AI integration, and cross-functional collaboration. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their portfolio and explain their decision-making at each stage.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on Kainos's typical hiring practices for mid-level UX Designers in the UK and considering the 12-month FTC nature of the role, an estimated salary range would be between £45,000 - £65,000 per annum. This range is an estimate and can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and the exact scope of responsibilities.

Benefits:

• 12-Month Fixed-Term Contract: Provides a defined period of employment with a focus on project delivery.

• Pension Scheme: Comprehensive pension contributions to support long-term financial planning.

• Health and Wellbeing: Access to health and wellbeing programs, potentially including private medical insurance or employee assistance programs.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, upskilling, and attending industry events, especially relevant given the AI focus.

• Collaborative Work Environment: Being part of a dynamic and innovative product team.

• Employee Assistance Program: Confidential support for personal and professional challenges.

• Potential for Future Opportunities: While a fixed-term role, successful performance could lead to opportunities for permanent positions or future contracts within Kainos.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, typically 37.5-40 hours per week, with potential for some flexibility depending on project needs and team agreements. The role is on-site, requiring regular attendance at the Belfast or Derry-Londonderry office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on industry benchmarks for UX Designers in the UK with 2-5 years of experience, considering the company's size and the specialized nature of the role (AI focus). The FTC nature is a key differentiator and should be factored into salary expectations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / Software Development. Kainos is a leading digital services and technology company, specializing in Workday solutions, digital transformation, and software development. They work with major organizations across various sectors, including public sector, healthcare, and commercial enterprises.

Company Size: Kainos is a significant player in the tech industry, employing over 2,000 people globally. This size offers the stability and resources of a large organization while maintaining a culture that can still feel agile and focused.

Founded: Kainos was founded in 1989, bringing decades of experience and a strong reputation in the technology sector. This long history suggests a stable company with established processes and a deep understanding of the market.

Team Structure:

• The UX Designer will join a high-performing product team focused on Kainos Smart products for Workday. This team likely includes Product Managers, Engineers (Frontend and Backend), Data Scientists, and QA Testers.

• The reporting structure would typically involve reporting to a Product Lead, Head of Product, or UX Manager, depending on the specific team organization.

• Cross-functional collaboration is central to this role, with constant interaction expected between UX, Product Management, Engineering, and Data Science to define and deliver AI-powered product features. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on using user research, usability testing, and product analytics to inform design decisions and measure impact.

• Agile Development: Likely to be working within an Agile framework (Scrum or Kanban), involving iterative development cycles, sprint planning, and continuous feedback.

• Design Thinking: The role advocates for design thinking as a core methodology, promoting a user-centric approach to problem-solving and innovation.

• AI Integration: A specific focus on how to design for emerging AI capabilities, ensuring transparency, trust, and user value.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Kainos's focus on Workday and AI-powered solutions positions this role at the intersection of established enterprise software and cutting-edge technology. The company's size and history suggest a professional environment with opportunities for structured growth, even within a temporary contract.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This UX Designer role is positioned at a mid-level, suitable for individuals with 2-5 years of dedicated UX experience. The responsibilities indicate a need for autonomy in design execution, research facilitation, and cross-functional collaboration, moving beyond junior-level task execution. The role requires the ability to lead design efforts for specific features or product areas and contribute to design strategy.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will report into a Product Management or UX leadership structure within the Kainos Smart products division. They will work closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and Data Scientists, forming a core product development pod. This structure fosters direct collaboration and shared ownership of product outcomes.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's impact is critical to the success of Kainos Smart products. By creating intuitive and effective user experiences for Workday solutions, particularly those leveraging AI, they directly influence customer adoption, satisfaction, and the perceived value of Kainos' offerings. Positive UX can lead to increased customer retention, stronger partnerships (including with Workday itself), and a competitive advantage in the market. The focus on AI translation means the designer is instrumental in shaping how businesses leverage advanced technology.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in designing for AI-driven features, enterprise SaaS, and the Workday ecosystem. This specialized knowledge is highly valuable in the current tech market.

• Process Improvement: Contribute to refining UX processes within Kainos, potentially leading to more efficient design workflows or improved research methodologies.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Develop stronger collaboration and influence skills by working closely with diverse teams, potentially leading design initiatives within product sprints.

• Portfolio Enhancement: The project itself provides a significant opportunity to build a robust portfolio with tangible, impactful case studies in a high-demand area.

• Networking: Build professional relationships within Kainos and potentially with Workday stakeholders, opening doors for future opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a 12-month FTC, the role offers substantial growth in specialized UX areas relevant to enterprise AI and SaaS. Candidates should view this as a significant opportunity to enhance their resume and skill set, even if the tenure is limited.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is on-site, indicating a traditional office-based work environment. Kainos offices are typically modern and professional, designed to foster collaboration and productivity.

Office Location(s): Belfast and Derry-Londonderry in Northern Ireland. These locations offer access to a growing tech talent pool and are hubs for Kainos's operations. Proximity to one of these offices is required.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Offices will likely feature open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and breakout spaces conducive to team discussions and brainstorming sessions.

• Tools & Technology: Access to standard office equipment, high-speed internet, and the necessary software licenses for design tools (Figma, Sketch, etc.) and collaboration platforms.

• Team Interaction: Frequent face-to-face interaction with product managers, engineers, and data scientists, facilitating quick feedback loops and integrated problem-solving. This on-site presence is crucial for effective UX collaboration.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule will be full-time, aligning with typical business hours in the UK. While on-site, there may be some flexibility in start/end times, subject to team agreements and project demands, but the expectation is consistent presence in the office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is a key aspect of this role. It suggests a company culture that values in-person collaboration, which can be particularly beneficial for UX roles requiring close interaction with development teams and for fostering a strong team dynamic.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and experience.

• First Interview: Likely a conversation with a hiring manager or senior team member to discuss your background, motivations, and high-level UX approach. This may include a portfolio walkthrough.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: This could involve a design challenge (e.g., a short task to design a specific feature or critique an existing interface) or a more in-depth portfolio review focusing on your process and problem-solving skills. Expect questions about AI design patterns and enterprise software.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a panel or senior leadership to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and overall suitability for the team and the fixed-term contract.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 of your strongest, most relevant case studies. Prioritize those that showcase enterprise SaaS, AI-related design, and your end-to-end UX process.

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the constraints, your process (research, ideation, design, testing), the solutions, and the outcomes/impact. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight AI & Enterprise: Explicitly address how you approached designing for AI features and complex enterprise user needs. Discuss your understanding of AI design patterns.

• Be Ready to Discuss: Prepare to dive deep into your decision-making, explain trade-offs, and discuss how you collaborated with technical teams.

• Showcase Tools: Briefly mention and demonstrate proficiency with tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, ensure you fully grasp the problem statement, target users, and business goals. Ask clarifying questions.

• Focus on Process: Even for a short exercise, demonstrate your thought process. Sketching, outlining user flows, and explaining your rationale are more important than a polished final visual.

• AI & Enterprise Nuances: Consider how to apply AI concepts and address the specific needs of enterprise users in your approach.

• Time Management: Be mindful of the time allocated. Prioritize key aspects of the design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AI-powered features and enterprise software means interviewers will likely probe deeply into how candidates approach designing for these specific contexts. A strong portfolio that clearly articulates this experience is crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD (proficiency in at least one is required).

• User Research & Testing: Tools like UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, or internal methods for conducting and analyzing user feedback.

• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Confluence for team communication, project management, and documentation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Tools such as Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, or internal dashboards to track user behavior and product performance.

• Data Visualization: Potentially tools for creating reports and dashboards to present findings to stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM: While not a direct CRM role, understanding how UX impacts CRM usage and data input might be beneficial.

• Integration: Familiarity with how different software systems integrate, especially in the context of enterprise solutions like Workday.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in specific design tools like Figma or Sketch is a hard requirement. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with these tools and how they leverage them for complex enterprise SaaS design, including AI integrations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving user needs as the primary driver of product development.

• Innovation & Impact: A drive to create meaningful impact through innovative solutions, particularly in leveraging AI and advanced technologies.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong belief in working together, sharing knowledge, and supporting colleagues to achieve collective goals.

• Quality & Excellence: A dedication to delivering high-quality, polished, and effective products that meet rigorous standards.

• Continuous Improvement: An ethos of constantly seeking ways to enhance processes, products, and personal skills.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The team operates with close collaboration between UX, Product, Engineering, and Data Science, fostering a shared sense of ownership and rapid feedback loops.

• Open Communication: Encouragement of open dialogue, constructive feedback, and transparent sharing of ideas and challenges.

• Agile Mindset: Embracing iterative development, adaptability, and a willingness to pivot based on new insights or changing requirements.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that values sharing best practices, learnings from research, and insights across the team and wider organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Kainos emphasizes a "people-first culture." For a UX Designer, this translates to a collaborative environment where user insights are valued, and the team works together to achieve impactful outcomes, especially in the complex domain of Workday and AI.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for AI Transparency: A key challenge will be designing AI-powered features that are intuitive, explainable, and build user trust, avoiding "black box" perceptions.

• Balancing Complex Needs: Harmonizing the diverse and often competing needs of enterprise clients, business stakeholders, and end-users within the Workday ecosystem.

• Agile Iteration Speed: Working within an Agile framework requires rapid design cycles and the ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities and feedback.

• Technical Constraints: Understanding and designing within the technical limitations and architecture of enterprise software and Workday integrations.

• Fixed-Term Contract: Navigating a 12-month contract requires focus on delivering high impact within a defined timeframe and managing career transition planning.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Specialization: Gain hands-on experience and develop expertise in designing user interfaces for artificial intelligence and machine learning applications.

• Workday Ecosystem Expertise: Deepen understanding of the Workday platform and its integration points, becoming a specialist in this critical enterprise software area.

• Agile UX Practices: Hone skills in rapid prototyping, iterative design, and user research within an Agile development process.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Enhance skills in working effectively with diverse technical teams, including data scientists and software engineers, to bring complex products to life.

• Portfolio Development: Build a strong portfolio with high-impact case studies in a sought-after field (AI in enterprise SaaS).

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are directly tied to the innovative nature of the role, particularly the integration of AI into enterprise software. The growth opportunities focus on developing highly specialized and in-demand skills.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for designing an AI-powered feature. How do you ensure it's intuitive and trustworthy for enterprise users?" (Focus on your research, ideation, and testing specific to AI, and how you address transparency.)

• "Walk me through a complex enterprise SaaS product you've designed. What were the key user needs and business objectives, and how did you balance them?" (Highlight your understanding of enterprise context and your end-to-end process.)

• "How do you approach user research and usability testing for a product like Kainos Smart, which integrates with Workday?" (Emphasize your methods for gathering insights from a specific user base and your ability to translate findings into actionable design improvements.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Kainos and our focus on Workday solutions and AI?" (Demonstrate research into the company's mission, products, and market position.)

• "How do you contribute to a collaborative team environment, especially when working with engineers and data scientists?" (Provide examples of your communication and teamwork skills, highlighting your ability to integrate with technical teams.)

• "How do you ensure your designs align with business objectives while advocating for user needs?" (Showcase your strategic thinking and ability to find win-win solutions.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with a concise overview of your career and key UX strengths. For each case study, clearly state the problem, your role, the solution, and the measurable outcome.

• Deep Dive on Process: Be prepared to explain the 'why' behind your design decisions at every stage – from initial research to final pixel.

• Highlight AI & Enterprise: Explicitly discuss how your designs address the unique challenges and opportunities of AI integration and enterprise software.

• Demonstrate Tools & Techniques: Briefly show how you used specific design tools to create wireframes, prototypes, or user flows.

• Engage and Listen: Make it a conversation. Ask clarifying questions and be receptive to feedback from the interviewers.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a deep understanding of both UX principles and the specific context of AI in enterprise SaaS, particularly within the Workday ecosystem. The portfolio is the primary tool for showcasing this expertise.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the Kainos careers portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight 2-3 key case studies that best demonstrate your experience in enterprise software design, AI-powered feature design, and your end-to-end UX process. Ensure clear articulation of problem, solution, and impact.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to prominently feature keywords such as "UX Designer," "SaaS," "Enterprise Software," "AI Design," "Wireframing," "Prototyping," "User Research," "Figma," and "Agile." Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on explaining your design decisions, research methodologies, and how you collaborate with cross-functional teams. Prepare to discuss specific examples of AI design challenges.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Kainos, their Smart products for Workday, and their company culture. Understand their mission, values, and recent achievements, especially concerning AI and digital transformation.

⚠️ 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.