UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer

Company: Barclays

Location: Manchester, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full time

Category: User Experience & Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-26

Experience Level: Mid-Senior (5-10 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Conceptualize and design user-centric digital banking products and experiences, ensuring alignment with customer needs, industry best practices, and business objectives.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including product managers, developers, and business analysts, to translate business requirements into compelling user experiences.

• Develop interactive prototypes and wireframes to visualize design concepts, validate solutions, and iterate designs based on feedback.

• Conduct user research, usability testing, and data analysis to gather insights into user behavior, preferences, and pain points, translating these into actionable design improvements.

• Champion and advocate for user-centered design principles and Design Principles within the organization, influencing decision-making and contributing to policy development.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role, while titled "UX Designer," has significant operational and strategic components, particularly concerning the "Assistant Vice President Expectations" section. The responsibilities and expectations suggest a role that goes beyond pure design execution, involving leadership, risk management, and cross-functional influence, which are hallmarks of operations-focused roles within design. The emphasis on "commercial and customer outcomes" and "CX metrics" further highlights the operations alignment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptualization, design, and implementation of user-centric digital banking products and experiences, ensuring seamless alignment with customer needs, industry best practices, and overarching business objectives.

• Monitor and analyze the impact of design decisions post-launch through relevant Customer Experience (CX) metrics, providing data-driven insights for continuous improvement.

• Foster strong collaboration with cross-functional teams, including Product Managers, Developers, and Business Analysts, to effectively translate complex business requirements into intuitive and compelling user experiences.

• Advocate and champion established Design Principles within the organization, ensuring a consistent and high-quality user experience across all digital touchpoints.

• Develop and present interactive prototypes, wireframes, and design concepts to visualize solutions, gather feedback, and iterate designs effectively based on user insights, technical constraints, and evolving business requirements.

• Evaluate the technical feasibility, legal compliance, and potential risks associated with new product development and launch, ensuring robust governance oversight and providing essential design assurance.

• Conduct comprehensive user research, usability testing, and data analysis to gather deep insights into user behavior, preferences, and pain points, utilizing these findings to inform design decisions and enhance the overall user experience.

• Proactively stay abreast of emerging trends, technologies, and design tools within the fintech and banking industry, identifying opportunities for innovation and improvement in product design processes, tools, and methodologies.

• Contribute to policy development and operational effectiveness by advising and influencing decision-making processes, particularly concerning user experience strategy and implementation.

• Lead collaborative assignments, guiding team members through structured projects, and identifying the need for specialized expertise to achieve optimal outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities have been expanded to detail the operational aspects of UX design, emphasizing metrics, governance, risk assessment, and cross-functional leadership, aligning with the "Assistant Vice President Expectations" outlined in the raw description.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

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

• A strong understanding of design principles, user-centered design methodologies, and the ability to articulate design rationale. Experience:

• 5-10 years of professional experience in User Experience (UX) Design, with a focus on digital products, preferably within the financial services or fintech industry.

• Proven track record of designing and delivering best-in-class user experiences for complex digital platforms.

• Experience in managing and mitigating risks associated with product design and development. Required Skills:

• User Experience (UX) Design: Deep understanding of UX principles and methodologies for creating intuitive and engaging digital products.

• User Interface (UI) Design: Ability to translate UX strategies into visually appealing and functional user interfaces.

• Prototyping & Wireframing: Proficiency in creating interactive prototypes and detailed wireframes using industry-standard tools.

• Usability Testing & User Research: Expertise in planning, conducting, and analyzing usability tests and user research to gather actionable insights.

• Data Analysis: Ability to interpret CX metrics and user data to inform design decisions and measure impact.

• Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch: Advanced proficiency in at least one of these leading UX/UI design software tools.

• Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to effectively communicate, collaborate with, and influence diverse stakeholders, including product managers, developers, and business leaders.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Demonstrated success in working effectively within multidisciplinary teams to achieve common goals.

• Design Principles Advocacy: Ability to champion and embed design principles across an organization.

Preferred Skills:

• Copywriting: Experience in creating clear, concise, and brand-aligned copy for digital interfaces, adhering to global standards.

• Product Design Strategy: Ability to align design efforts with broader product and business strategies to achieve commercial and customer outcomes.

• Risk Management: Understanding of risk assessment and mitigation strategies within a product development lifecycle.

• Fintech/Banking Industry Experience: Familiarity with the unique challenges and opportunities within the financial services sector.

• Agile/Scrum Methodologies: Experience working within agile development environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications have been structured to reflect a mid-senior level role, emphasizing both technical design skills and the strategic, operational, and leadership expectations mentioned in the "Assistant Vice President Expectations." The inclusion of specific software and industry experience provides clarity for candidates.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of UX/UI design projects, demonstrating a clear process from research and ideation to final design and post-launch analysis.

• Case studies that highlight your role in conceptualizing, designing, and implementing user-centric digital banking products or similar complex digital experiences.

• Examples of interactive prototypes and wireframes that illustrate your ability to visualize and validate design solutions.

• Demonstrations of how user research, usability testing, and data analysis informed your design decisions and led to measurable improvements in user experience or business outcomes.

• Evidence of collaboration with cross-functional teams, showcasing your ability to translate business requirements into effective user journeys. Process Documentation:

• Showcase your process for conducting user research, including methodologies used, participant recruitment, and data synthesis.

• Provide examples of your iterative design process, including how feedback from usability testing and stakeholders was incorporated.

• Detail your approach to risk assessment and design assurance, including how you evaluated technical feasibility and compliance.

• Illustrate your methods for monitoring and analyzing post-launch CX metrics to drive continuous design improvement.

• Document your strategies for advocating and embedding design principles within an organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section emphasizes the need for a portfolio that not only displays design output but also details the operational processes, decision-making, and impact measurement, aligning with the elevated expectations of the role.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on Barclays' typical compensation structures for Assistant Vice President (AVP) level roles in Manchester, UK, and considering the mid-to-senior experience required (5-10 years), the estimated annual salary range for a UX Designer is approximately £60,000 - £85,000. This estimate is derived from industry benchmarks for similar roles in major UK financial hubs, factoring in the specialized skills in UX/UI, product design, and risk management. Benefits:

• Comprehensive health and wellness programs, including private medical insurance and mental health support.

• Generous pension scheme with employer contributions.

• Life assurance and income protection benefits.

• Opportunity to participate in employee share plans or bonus schemes.

• Extensive learning and development opportunities, including access to training, workshops, and professional certifications.

• Generous annual leave allowance, with options to purchase additional days.

• Employee assistance programs offering confidential support for personal and professional matters.

• Discounts on Barclays products and services.

• Opportunities for career progression and internal mobility within a global organization. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are approximately 40 hours per week.

• While the role is primarily on-site, there may be flexibility to discuss hybrid working arrangements after an initial settling-in period, subject to business needs and line manager approval.

• Occasional overtime may be required to meet project deadlines or critical business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on industry standards for AVP-level roles in the UK financial sector. Benefits are typical for large, established financial institutions like Barclays. Working hours are standard, with potential for hybrid arrangements.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services / Banking Technology. Barclays operates at the intersection of finance and technology, driving innovation in digital banking solutions. This context means a strong emphasis on security, regulatory compliance, customer trust, and the integration of cutting-edge technology to enhance user experiences.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (typically 100,000+ employees globally). As a major global bank, Barclays offers vast opportunities for career development, exposure to diverse business functions, and involvement in large-scale, impactful projects. The size also implies established processes and a structured environment.

Founded: 1800s (Barclays has a long and rich history). This historical foundation suggests a culture that values stability, integrity, and long-term vision, while simultaneously embracing digital transformation and innovation to remain competitive in the modern financial landscape.

Team Structure:

• The UX Design team likely operates within a broader digital product development or technology division, potentially reporting into a Head of Design or Digital Product Lead.

• This role may involve leading or mentoring junior designers, indicating a team structure that supports both individual contribution and leadership.

• Close collaboration is expected with Product Management, Engineering, Business Analysis, Risk, and Compliance teams, reflecting a matrixed organizational structure common in large enterprises. Methodology:

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

• Agile Development: Likely operates within an agile framework, involving iterative design cycles, sprint planning, and continuous feedback loops.

• User-Centricity: A core tenet, ensuring that customer needs and behaviors are at the forefront of all design and product development efforts.

• Risk & Compliance Integration: Design processes are tightly integrated with risk assessment and regulatory compliance to ensure secure and lawful product offerings.

Company Website: https://home.barclays/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context is fleshed out to highlight how Barclays' industry, size, and history influence its culture, team structure, and operational methodologies, especially for a design role with operational responsibilities.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Assistant Vice President (AVP). This level signifies a mid-to-senior professional who is expected to operate with a significant degree of autonomy, contribute to strategic decision-making, and potentially lead projects or teams. In a design context, it implies a blend of expert design skills, strategic thinking, and operational oversight.

Reporting Structure: The role will likely report to a senior leader within the Digital Product or Experience Design function, such as a Director of UX or Head of Digital Product. The AVP will also be expected to influence and collaborate with peers and stakeholders across various business units, including Product, Technology, Risk, and Compliance.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer at this level is expected to have a direct impact on the commercial success and customer satisfaction of Barclays' digital products. By creating superior user experiences, they contribute to increased customer acquisition, retention, engagement, and operational efficiency, ultimately driving revenue and reducing support costs. Their role in ensuring design aligns with business objectives and mitigates risk is crucial for the organization's overall operational effectiveness.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Potential to move into a Senior UX Designer, Lead UX Designer, or UX Manager role, with increased responsibility for team leadership, strategy, and mentorship.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas such as user research, interaction design, accessibility design, or design systems.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Potential to transition into related roles within Product Management, Digital Strategy, or Business Analysis, leveraging design thinking and customer advocacy skills.

• Global Exposure: Opportunities to work on international projects and collaborate with teams across different regions within Barclays.

• Continuous Learning: Access to internal and external training, workshops, conferences, and certifications to stay at the forefront of UX and design trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis focuses on the career trajectory and impact expected at the AVP level within a large financial institution, framing UX design through an operational and strategic lens.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, professional corporate office environment. Barclays offices are typically designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and employee well-being.

Office Location(s): 4 Piccadilly Place, Manchester, England, United Kingdom. This location is a central business district, likely offering good transport links and access to amenities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office will likely feature open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and dedicated collaboration zones to facilitate teamwork and knowledge sharing among designers, product managers, and developers.

• Technology & Tools: Access to high-performance workstations, the latest design software (Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch), and collaboration platforms (e.g., Jira, Confluence, Slack).

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for informal and formal interaction with the UX team, as well as cross-functional colleagues, fostering a strong sense of community and shared purpose.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is Monday to Friday, aligning with typical business hours.

• The emphasis is on achieving objectives and delivering results, with a degree of flexibility in how and when work is completed, provided it meets project timelines and business needs. On-site presence is expected for key team interactions and collaborative sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment description is tailored to a corporate setting in a major UK city, emphasizing collaboration, technology access, and the on-site expectations for this role.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and resumes, focusing on relevant experience and skills.

• Technical Assessment/Portfolio Review: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discussing their design process, key projects, and how they've driven outcomes. This may include a design challenge or case study presentation.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A deeper dive into your experience, approach to UX, problem-solving skills, and alignment with Barclays' values and AVP-level expectations.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders (e.g., Product Managers, Developers, Business Analysts) to assess collaboration skills and understanding of broader business contexts.

• Final Interview/Panel: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic thinking, leadership potential, and overall fit for the role and company culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Select Projects: Choose 3-5 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your UX process, problem-solving abilities, and impact, particularly those relevant to financial services or complex digital products.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, the challenges you encountered, the solutions you designed, and the quantifiable outcomes or learnings.

• Highlight Operations & Impact: Emphasize how your design decisions led to specific commercial or customer outcomes, and how you managed risks or influenced stakeholders. Showcase your understanding of CX metrics.

• Showcase Tools & Techniques: Clearly state the tools and methodologies you used, and be prepared to discuss their application and why you chose them.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough to ensure a smooth, engaging, and concise presentation, allowing ample time for Q&A.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, ensure you fully grasp the problem statement, target audience, and business objectives.

• Think Aloud: During a live challenge, articulate your thought process, assumptions, and design rationale clearly.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate a structured approach, even if time is limited. Show how you would start to tackle the problem, what questions you would ask, and what research you would conduct.

• Consider the "Assistant Vice President Expectations": Frame your approach with an awareness of strategic impact, risk, and stakeholder influence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview and portfolio review process is detailed with actionable advice specifically for a UX Designer role at the AVP level within a large financial institution, emphasizing both design craft and operational acumen.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Widely used for collaborative interface design, prototyping, and design systems. Proficiency is highly valued for real-time collaboration and efficient workflow.

• Adobe XD: Another industry-standard tool for UX/UI design and prototyping, offering a comprehensive suite of features for creating interactive experiences.

• Sketch: A popular vector-based design tool for macOS, favored by many design teams for its clean interface and extensibility through plugins.

• InVision / Marvel: Platforms for prototyping, collaboration, and design handoff, often used in conjunction with design tools.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Google Analytics / Adobe Analytics: For tracking user behavior, website performance, and conversion rates on digital platforms.

• Hotjar / FullStory: Tools for user session recording, heatmaps, and user feedback to understand user interactions and identify pain points.

• Tableau / Power BI: For creating dashboards and visualizing data from various sources, including CX metrics and user analytics.

CRM & Automation:

• Salesforce / Microsoft Dynamics (or similar): Understanding how UX design integrates with CRM systems for customer journey mapping and personalization.

• Jira / Confluence: Essential for agile project management, task tracking, documentation, and team collaboration.

• Zeplin / Abstract: Tools facilitating seamless design handoff between designers and developers, ensuring design specifications are clearly communicated.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section outlines the typical technology stack for a UX Designer in a corporate environment, emphasizing design tools, analytics platforms, and project management software crucial for operations and collaboration.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving customer needs through thoughtful and effective design, ensuring all digital interactions are intuitive and valuable.

• Excellence: A drive for high-quality output in all aspects of design, from conceptualization to execution, with a meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to best practices.

• Integrity: Upholding the highest ethical standards in design, ensuring transparency, fairness, and trustworthiness in all user interactions and data handling, especially critical in financial services.

• Collaboration: Fostering a team-oriented environment where diverse perspectives are valued, ideas are shared openly, and cross-functional partnerships are key to achieving shared goals.

• Innovation: Encouraging a forward-thinking mindset, embracing new technologies and methodologies to continuously improve user experiences and deliver cutting-edge digital solutions.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership with Product & Engineering: Working hand-in-hand with Product Managers to define strategy and requirements, and with Engineers to ensure designs are feasible and implemented accurately.

• Cross-functional Influence: Actively engaging with stakeholders across departments (e.g., Marketing, Risk, Legal, Compliance) to gather input, build consensus, and ensure designs meet diverse business needs.

• Feedback-Driven Iteration: Embracing a culture of constructive feedback, both giving and receiving, to refine designs and ensure continuous improvement throughout the product lifecycle.

• Knowledge Sharing: Proactively sharing insights, best practices, and learnings within the design team and across the wider organization to elevate design maturity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture and values are aligned with Barclays' stated values and the operational demands of a large financial institution, emphasizing collaboration, integrity, and customer focus in a design context.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Objectives: Effectively navigating the inherent tension between creating ideal user experiences and meeting stringent business, regulatory, and technical constraints common in banking.

• Navigating Complex Stakeholder Landscapes: Managing diverse expectations and requirements from numerous stakeholders across different departments, each with their own priorities.

• Driving Design Adoption: Championing user-centered design principles and advocating for design-led solutions in an organization that may have established processes or differing priorities.

• Keeping Pace with Technological Advancements: Continuously adapting to new design tools, methodologies, and emerging technologies in the rapidly evolving fintech landscape.

• Ensuring Accessibility & Inclusivity: Designing digital products that are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, and representative of a diverse customer base.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX/UI Training: Access to specialized courses and certifications in areas like interaction design, user research methodologies, accessibility, and design systems.

• Industry Conferences & Events: Opportunities to attend leading UX and fintech conferences (e.g., UXPA, NN/g, Web Summit) to gain insights and network.

• Mentorship Programs: Participation in formal or informal mentorship programs, both as a mentee and potentially as a mentor to junior designers.

• Leadership Skill Development: Training in project management, team leadership, strategic thinking, and stakeholder influence to prepare for more senior roles.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Opportunities to shadow or collaborate closely with teams in Product Management, Data Science, or Strategy to broaden business acumen.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section identifies common challenges in large financial institutions for UX designers and outlines specific growth opportunities relevant to advancing within a corporate design and operations framework.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance competing stakeholder demands with user needs. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on stakeholder management, negotiation, and user advocacy).

• "How do you measure the success of a UX design? Can you provide examples of CX metrics you've used and how they informed your design iterations?" (Focus on data analysis, impact measurement, and continuous improvement).

• "Imagine we are launching a new digital savings product. What would be your first steps in designing the user experience, considering both user needs and regulatory requirements?" (Focus on strategic thinking, process, and understanding of financial services context). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Barclays' digital transformation efforts, and how do you see UX design contributing to our strategic goals?" (Demonstrate research and strategic alignment).

• "How do you embody Barclays' values of Respect, Integrity, Service, and Excellence in your design work?" (Connect your work ethic to company values).

• "Describe your experience working within a large, matrixed organization. How do you ensure effective collaboration and communication across different teams?" (Highlight cross-functional collaboration skills). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with a high-level overview of your most impactful projects. For each project, clearly outline the problem, your solution, and the results.

• Demonstrate Process: Walk through your design process for 1-2 key projects, highlighting research, ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration. Explain why you made certain decisions.

• Quantify Outcomes: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to showcase the impact of your design work (e.g., "increased conversion by X%", "reduced task completion time by Y%", "improved customer satisfaction scores by Z points").

• Address AVP Expectations: Frame your contributions in terms of strategic impact, risk mitigation, and stakeholder influence, demonstrating your readiness for a more senior, operational role.

• Engage and Ask Questions: Be prepared for in-depth questions about your work and actively ask thoughtful questions about the team, projects, and company culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation is tailored to assess both design expertise and the operational/strategic capabilities expected at the AVP level within Barclays, focusing on relevant question types and presentation strategies.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position:

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

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your most compelling UX/UI design projects that showcase your end-to-end design process, problem-solving skills, and quantifiable impact. Prioritize projects relevant to financial services or complex digital platforms.

• Tailor Your Resume: Optimize your resume to highlight keywords and experiences mentioned in this job description, such as "User-Centric Design," "Digital Banking," "Figma," "Stakeholder Management," and "CX Metrics." Clearly articulate your years of experience and key achievements.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough to deliver a concise, engaging, and impactful presentation that clearly articulates your design process, rationale, and the business outcomes of your work. Be ready to discuss how you handle risk and collaborate with diverse teams.

• Research Barclays: Familiarize yourself with Barclays' digital initiatives, values, and recent news. Understand their commitment to customer experience and innovation in financial services. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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.