UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer

Company: Kainos

Location: Belfast, United Kingdom

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Experience Design / UX Design

Date Posted: 2026-11-05T00:00:00

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Deliver intuitive and user-centered service experiences by deeply understanding user needs and applying established design principles.

• Champion design thinking and service design methodologies across project teams, fostering a culture of user advocacy.

• Lead the creation and implementation of comprehensive design systems and user journey maps to guide strategic design direction and prioritize efforts.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional project teams, including developers and stakeholders, to champion the value and integration of UX design within the broader development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: Based on the "Senior Associate" designation and the emphasis on leading specific UX activities (journey maps, design systems) and instrumental development of the UX practice, this role requires a candidate with a solid foundation in UX principles and practical experience, likely around 5-10 years. The "contributes towards" and "comfortable contributing to" phrasing suggests a balance between leadership and hands-on contribution, typical for a mid-to-senior level UX professional.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Deliver intuitive and user-centered service experiences by applying established design principles and advocating for design thinking and service design.

• Lead the creation and use of journey and process maps in a project context to help prioritize and guide design direction and business value.

• Guide the creation of design systems and advocate best practices by example, ensuring consistency and scalability in design outputs.

• Contribute to the design and facilitation of ideation workshops, fostering collaboration and innovative problem-solving.

• Facilitate accessibility audits and usability testing sessions to identify and address user pain points and ensure inclusive design.

• Analyze and review existing Information Architecture, proposing and implementing improvements to enhance navigation and content organization.

• Collaborate with wider project teams to establish and communicate the value of UX design as a critical discipline for successful digital service delivery.

• Contribute to research and strategic planning activities, ensuring user needs are integrated into the early stages of project conceptualization.

• Design with an awareness of limitations and constraints within the technical and business landscape, ensuring practical and implementable solutions.

• Instrumentally contribute to the ongoing development and refinement of the UX design practice within Kainos, sharing knowledge and mentoring others.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on execution and strategic influence. The role requires not just design execution but also the ability to advocate for UX, facilitate workshops, and contribute to the growth of the UX practice within Kainos. This suggests a candidate who can operate independently on projects while also contributing to the team's overall maturity.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred, though equivalent practical experience will be considered. Experience:

• Demonstrable experience (5-10 years) in delivering user-centered digital services, with a strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end UX design processes.

• Proven experience in applying user-centred design practices throughout the project lifecycle, from research and discovery to iteration and delivery. Required Skills:

• UX Design: Expertise in core UX principles, including user research, wireframing, prototyping, and user testing.

• Design Systems: Ability to guide the creation and implementation of design systems, ensuring consistency and scalability in digital products.

• Service Design & Design Thinking: Passion for and practical application of design thinking and service design methodologies to create intuitive experiences.

• Journey & Process Mapping: Proficiency in creating and utilizing journey maps and process maps to identify user pain points and inform design decisions.

• Usability Testing & Accessibility: Experience in facilitating usability testing and conducting accessibility audits to ensure inclusive and effective designs.

• Information Architecture (IA): Ability to analyze and review existing IA, designing effective navigation and content structures.

• Ideation & Collaboration: Skilled in contributing to and facilitating ideation workshops, working collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

• Strategic Planning: Comfortable contributing to research and strategic planning, integrating user needs into project roadmaps.

Preferred Skills:

• Agile Methodologies: Experience working within Agile delivery frameworks, understanding iterative development cycles.

• Visual Design Principles: Understanding of interaction design and visual design principles to complement UX strategy.

• Full-Service Digital Agency Experience: Prior experience working in a dynamic, full-service digital agency environment.

• Community Engagement: Active membership in relevant UX communities, with potential for speaking at conferences or contributing to online discussions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Minimum (Essential) Requirements" clearly outline the core competencies expected. The "Desirable" section points towards candidates who are not only skilled practitioners but also engaged members of the broader UX community and experienced in fast-paced agency environments. The 5-10 year experience bracket is inferred from the responsibilities, which include guiding system creation, leading mapping exercises, and instrumental development of practice, indicating a level beyond entry-level.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• End-to-End UX Process: Showcase a minimum of 2-3 comprehensive case studies demonstrating your complete UX process from problem definition and user research through to wireframing, prototyping, testing, and final design recommendations.

• Problem-Solving & Impact: Clearly articulate the user problems addressed and the business objectives met. Quantify the impact of your design solutions where possible (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time, increased user satisfaction scores).

• Design System Contribution: Include examples of contributions to or creation of design systems, highlighting your understanding of modular design, component libraries, and pattern application.

• User Research & Testing Artifacts: Present examples of user research findings, persona development, journey maps, usability test plans, and reports to demonstrate your research and validation skills.

• Wireframing & Prototyping: Provide clear examples of wireframes (low-fidelity to high-fidelity) and interactive prototypes that illustrate your design thinking and interaction design capabilities.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Demonstrate your ability to document and optimize user flows, information architecture, and interaction models.

• Design Thinking Application: Show evidence of how you apply design thinking principles in your process, including empathy, ideation, prototyping, and testing phases.

• Collaboration Evidence: Include examples or descriptions of how you collaborate with developers, product managers, and other stakeholders throughout the design process, detailing communication and feedback loops.

• Accessibility Integration: Showcase how accessibility considerations are integrated into your design process, referencing specific standards (e.g., WCAG) and testing methods.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role emphasizing leadership in design systems and journey mapping, and contributing to practice development, the portfolio must go beyond just visual design. It needs to demonstrate strategic thinking, research rigor, and the ability to articulate process and impact. The emphasis on "instrumental in developing the UX design practice" suggests that candidates should be prepared to discuss how they've influenced or improved processes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for a UX Designer with 5-10 years of experience in the UK, particularly in Northern Ireland, the estimated salary range is £45,000 - £65,000 per annum. This estimate considers the "Senior Associate" level, the responsibilities outlined, and the cost of living in Belfast. Factors such as specific skills, project experience, and the candidate's negotiation ability will influence the final offer. Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health & Wellbeing: Access to private medical insurance, health cash plans, and potentially mental health support services.

• Pension Scheme: Generous employer contribution to a company pension scheme, supporting long-term financial security.

• Generous Annual Leave: A competitive holiday allowance, typically starting above the statutory minimum, with potential for increases based on tenure.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, certifications, conference attendance, and internal knowledge sharing to foster continuous learning and career growth.

• Life Assurance: A death-in-service benefit providing financial security for dependents.

• Cycle to Work Scheme: An initiative promoting sustainable commuting and offering tax benefits.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential support services for personal and professional issues.

• Social Events & Team Building: Regular opportunities to connect with colleagues in a relaxed and collaborative environment.

Working Hours:

• The standard working hours are 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, Kainos typically offers a degree of flexibility regarding start and end times, allowing for better work-life integration, provided core business hours and project needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on average UK salaries for UX Designers with 5-10 years of experience, adjusted for Belfast's cost of living and Kainos's standing as a significant tech employer. The benefits listed are common for large, established tech companies in the UK and are tailored to appeal to design professionals by including development opportunities.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / Software Development / Digital Transformation Consulting. Kainos operates at the intersection of these, delivering innovative digital services and solutions, notably with a strong focus on Workday implementation and digital public services.

Company Size: Kainos is a large, established organization, typically employing over 2,500 people globally. This size offers stability, structured career paths, and significant resources, while also maintaining a culture that aims to be collaborative and people-focused.

Founded: Kainos was founded in 1989. With over three decades of experience, the company has a deep understanding of the technology landscape and a proven track record of adapting to market changes and delivering complex digital solutions.

Team Structure:

• Experience Design Capability: You will be part of a dedicated "Experience Design capability" within Kainos. This suggests a specialized team structure focused on UX/UI, Service Design, and related disciplines.

• Project-Based Teams: You will likely work within cross-functional project teams, collaborating with project managers, developers, business analysts, and client stakeholders. The structure is agile and delivery-focused.

• Reporting Hierarchy: While specific reporting lines aren't detailed, a "Senior Associate" role typically reports to a higher-level UX lead, Design Manager, or Head of Experience Design, who oversees the capability.

Methodology:

• User-Centred Design: This is explicitly stated as a core philosophy, meaning all design decisions are driven by user needs and research.

• Agile Delivery: The "Desirable" skills mention Agile, indicating that project work often follows Agile methodologies, emphasizing iterative development, collaboration, and rapid feedback loops.

• Service Design & Design Thinking: These are actively promoted, suggesting a holistic approach to problem-solving that considers the entire user journey and ecosystem.

• Data-Driven Decisions: While not explicitly stated for UX, the broader tech industry context and Kainos's focus on measurable impact imply that UX decisions are informed by research, analytics, and user feedback.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Kainos's long history and large size suggest a structured environment with established processes but also a commitment to innovation. The emphasis on "Experience Design capability" indicates a strong internal community for UX professionals, fostering collaboration and best practice sharing. The "people-first culture" and focus on making a "positive, measurable impact" are key cultural indicators.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level:

• This role is positioned as a Senior Associate UX Designer. This typically signifies a mid-to-senior level professional who has moved beyond junior responsibilities. They are expected to operate with a significant degree of autonomy on defined projects, lead specific UX initiatives (like design systems or journey mapping), and contribute to the strategic direction of UX within projects. They are also expected to mentor more junior colleagues and actively contribute to the growth of the UX practice. Reporting Structure:

• As a Senior Associate, you would likely report to a UX Lead, Design Manager, or potentially a Head of Experience Design within Kainos. You would also work closely with Project Managers, Product Owners, and development teams in a matrixed, project-driven environment. The emphasis on collaboration suggests a flat, team-oriented reporting structure within project contexts. Operations Impact:

• As a UX Designer, your impact is primarily on the usability, desirability, and effectiveness of digital services. You directly influence user satisfaction, task completion rates, adoption of services, and ultimately, the success of the digital products and services Kainos delivers for its clients. By advocating for user needs and ensuring intuitive design, you contribute to reduced support costs, increased engagement, and stronger client relationships. Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like Service Design, Design Systems, UX Research, or Accessibility.

• Leadership Progression: Advance to roles such as UX Lead, Senior UX Designer, Design Manager, or Head of Experience Design, managing teams and strategic initiatives.

• Cross-Functional Movement: Opportunities to move into related roles like Product Management, Service Design Lead, or even business analysis, leveraging your user-centric perspective.

• Mentorship & Practice Development: Take on more significant roles in mentoring junior designers and leading the evolution of Kainos's UX design methodologies and standards.

• Client-Facing Expertise: Develop strong client management and presentation skills, becoming a key advisor on UX strategy for clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior Associate" title and responsibilities suggest a role that is both hands-on and influential, offering a clear path for growth within a specialized UX discipline or into management. The focus on developing the "UX design practice" indicates opportunities to shape processes and standards.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type:

• The role is explicitly on-site in Belfast. Kainos offices are typically modern, professional environments designed to foster collaboration and productivity. They provide the necessary infrastructure for a hybrid or fully on-site workforce. Office Location(s):

• The primary office location mentioned is Belfast, Northern Ireland. Kainos has multiple offices across the UK and internationally, but this role is tied to the Belfast site. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Kainos offices are equipped with various meeting rooms, breakout areas, and open-plan workspaces designed to encourage interaction and teamwork.

• Technology Infrastructure: Employees have access to company-provided hardware, software, and robust IT support necessary for design work, including high-speed internet and relevant design tools.

• Team Interaction: Being on-site facilitates spontaneous discussions, whiteboarding sessions, and closer collaboration with project team members, which is crucial for design thinking and agile development.

• Professional Atmosphere: The environment is professional, with a focus on delivering high-quality work for clients.

Work Schedule:

• The standard working hours are 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, Kainos often promotes a culture that supports work-life balance, potentially offering some flexibility in daily start and end times, subject to team and project requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Belfast is a key differentiator. The description implies a professional, collaborative office environment with the necessary resources for effective UX work. The emphasis on collaboration is a strong indicator of the desired work style.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio by the talent acquisition team to assess suitability against the core requirements.

• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: A conversation with the hiring manager or a senior member of the Experience Design team to discuss your experience, approach to UX, and cultural fit. This may involve a high-level overview of your portfolio.

• Portfolio Presentation & Technical Interview: A dedicated session where you will present 1-2 key case studies from your portfolio. This is where you'll deep-dive into your process, problem-solving skills, and impact. Expect detailed questions about your design decisions, research methods, and how you handle constraints. This stage often includes technical questions related to UX principles, design systems, and potentially specific tools.

• Workshop/Exercise (Potential): You might be asked to complete a short design exercise or participate in a simulated workshop scenario to assess your practical skills and collaborative abilities.

• Final Interview: A final conversation, potentially with a more senior leader, to confirm cultural alignment and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your end-to-end UX process, problem-solving skills, and impact. Prioritize projects that align with Kainos's work (e.g., digital services, complex systems).

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, the process you followed, the challenges you faced, your solutions, and the outcomes. Use visuals effectively to illustrate your journey.

• Highlight Process & Rationale: Don't just show final designs. Explain why you made certain decisions, referencing user research, data, and design principles.

• Demonstrate Collaboration: Explain how you worked with other disciplines (developers, PMs) and stakeholders.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrate the success of your designs.

• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, how you handle feedback, your understanding of technical constraints, and your approach to accessibility.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, take time to understand the brief, target users, and business goals. Ask clarifying questions.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate your structured approach to problem-solving, even if you don't reach a perfect solution in the allotted time. Outline your steps: research, ideation, sketching, prototyping, testing.

• Communicate Clearly: Articulate your thought process verbally and visually. Use whiteboards or digital tools effectively.

• Consider Constraints: Acknowledge and design within any given constraints (time, technical limitations).

• Present Confidently: Practice your presentation delivery to ensure clarity, conciseness, and confidence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely to be thorough, with a strong emphasis on the portfolio presentation to assess practical UX skills and problem-solving capabilities. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their design decisions and demonstrate their understanding of the UX lifecycle and its business impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping Software: Proficiency in industry-standard tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar platforms for wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity design.

• User Research Tools: Familiarity with tools for conducting user interviews, surveys, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, SurveyMonkey, Google Forms).

• Collaboration & Project Management: Experience with tools like Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello for managing tasks, workflows, and team communication within Agile environments.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Understanding of tools like Google Analytics to interpret user behavior data and inform design decisions.

• A/B Testing Platforms: Familiarity with tools or methodologies for A/B testing designs to optimize user flows and conversion rates.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a UX tool, an understanding of how UX integrates with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, Workday) and automation platforms can be beneficial for context, especially in enterprise software projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job description doesn't explicitly list tools, proficiency in leading design tools like Figma or Sketch, along with user research platforms and project management software (especially for Agile environments), is essential for a Senior UX Designer.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• People-First Culture: A core value at Kainos, emphasizing respect, support, and valuing individual contributions. This translates to a collaborative and empathetic team environment.

• Innovation & Problem Solving: A drive to tackle complex challenges and find creative, effective solutions through technology and design.

• Measurable Impact: A focus on delivering tangible, positive results for users and clients, rather than just cosmetic changes. This means valuing data and outcomes.

• Collaboration: Working together across disciplines and teams to achieve common goals, valuing diverse perspectives.

• Quality & Excellence: A commitment to delivering high-quality products and services that make a real difference.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect to work closely with developers, business analysts, project managers, and client stakeholders in a highly integrated, project-team-based environment.

• Open Communication: The culture encourages open dialogue, constructive feedback, and a willingness to share knowledge and best practices.

• Agile & Iterative: Collaboration likely follows Agile principles, involving regular stand-ups, sprint reviews, and continuous feedback loops.

• User Advocacy: The team's collective aim is to advocate for the user, ensuring their needs are central to all design and development decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Kainos's stated values of "people-first," innovation, and measurable impact are key to understanding the team culture. The emphasis on collaboration and user advocacy will shape how UX designers interact with colleagues and clients.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business/Technical Constraints: A common challenge in UX, requiring strong negotiation and problem-solving skills to deliver optimal solutions within practical limitations.

• Driving UX Adoption in Diverse Projects: Ensuring UX principles are consistently applied and valued across a range of client projects and teams with varying levels of UX maturity.

• Measuring and Communicating UX Impact: Clearly articulating the value of UX efforts in tangible business terms to stakeholders who may not have a deep understanding of design principles.

• Keeping Pace with Evolving Technologies & Trends: Continuously learning and adapting to new design tools, methodologies, and user expectations in the rapidly changing tech landscape.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Internal Knowledge Sharing: Regular brown bag sessions, workshops, and community events within the Experience Design capability to share learnings and best practices.

• Formal Training & Certifications: Opportunities to attend external training courses, workshops, and pursue industry certifications relevant to UX, Service Design, or Agile methodologies.

• Conference Attendance: Support for attending major UX and design conferences to gain insights from industry leaders and network with peers.

• Mentorship Programs: Access to mentorship from senior designers within Kainos, providing guidance on career development and skill enhancement.

• Exposure to Diverse Projects: Working on a variety of client projects across different sectors allows for broad experience and skill development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a senior UX role in a consulting environment, emphasizing the need for adaptability and strong communication. The growth opportunities are robust, reflecting Kainos's commitment to employee development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to advocate for a design decision that was initially met with resistance. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your persuasive skills, use of data/research, and ability to find common ground.)

• "Walk us through your process for designing a complex user journey. What tools and methods did you use, and how did you ensure all touchpoints were considered?" (Highlight your structured approach, journey mapping skills, and holistic thinking.)

• "How do you balance user needs with technical constraints and business objectives in your designs?" (Demonstrate your pragmatic approach, problem-solving skills, and ability to negotiate trade-offs.)

• "Tell us about your experience with design systems. How have you contributed to them, and what are the key principles for effective design system implementation?" (Showcase your understanding of scalability, consistency, and governance.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Kainos and this specific UX Designer role?" (Research Kainos's work, values, and recent projects. Connect your skills and aspirations to their mission.)

• "How do you contribute to a positive and collaborative team environment?" (Share examples of your teamwork, communication style, and support for colleagues.)

• "What does 'people-first culture' mean to you in a professional context?" (Relate it to empathy, respect, and user-centricity.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: For each case study, clearly outline: The Problem, Your Role, The Process (Research, Ideation, Design, Testing), The Solution, The Outcome/Impact.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, prototypes, user flows, personas) to illustrate your points. Explain your rationale behind design choices.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Expect questions on specific design decisions, how you handled feedback, any challenges encountered, and how you measured success.

• Highlight Collaboration: Explain how you worked with developers, product managers, and stakeholders.

• Quantify Results: If possible, present metrics or user feedback that demonstrate the positive impact of your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of UX methodologies, the ability to articulate design decisions and rationale, and a collaborative, problem-solving mindset. Candidates should be ready to present their portfolio as evidence of these skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position at Kainos:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday portal link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your CV and portfolio are tailored to highlight your experience with design systems, journey mapping, user-centered design, and Agile methodologies, as these are key requirements.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your achievements and responsibilities using strong action verbs. Quantify your impact where possible (e.g., "Improved user task completion by 15%").

• Portfolio Walkthrough Practice: Rehearse presenting 1-2 of your strongest case studies, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and demonstrating your end-to-end UX process and problem-solving approach. Be ready to answer detailed questions.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Kainos's work, values, and recent projects. Understand their approach to digital services and consulting.

⚠️ 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.