UX designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer

Company: Stedin

Location: Rotterdam, Blaak 8 (Kantoor functie), South Holland, Netherlands

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Service Design / UX Design

Date Posted: 2026-06-12

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

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on improving end-to-end services and internal processes within Stedin, aiming to streamline operations and enhance user experiences for both employees and customers.

• The Service Designer will bridge the gap between IT, operations, and business units, ensuring seamless integration of processes, systems, and interactions.

• A key aspect involves identifying service delivery pain points and translating them into actionable improvement initiatives and concrete UX solutions.

• The position requires a strong ability to manage stakeholders, facilitate workshops, and translate user needs and business goals into effective service designs and digital products, with an emphasis on the energy transition sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "UX Designer," the description heavily emphasizes "Service Design" and the improvement of end-to-end services and internal processes, indicating a role that blends strategic service design with practical UX execution. The focus on organizational-wide impact and cross-functional collaboration suggests a significant operations and GTM touchpoint, even if not explicitly stated.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Analyze and map user journeys, internal processes, and digital systems to identify bottlenecks and opportunities for service enhancement.

• Design and facilitate workshops with stakeholders from IT, operations, and business units to co-create solutions and gather requirements.

• Develop Service Blueprints, wireframes, and other design artifacts to visualize proposed service improvements and user interactions.

• Translate identified service gaps and user needs into concrete, actionable improvement initiatives and UX solutions for development teams.

• Collaborate closely with UX designers and product teams to ensure the realization of proposed improvements into practical, inclusive, and efficient digital products and services.

• Proactively seek feedback and iterate on designs based on user research and stakeholder input, ensuring alignment with both user needs and business objectives.

• Integrate AI capabilities to accelerate the transformation of ideas into usable plans and enhance the efficiency of the design process.

• Champion Design Thinking principles and best practices throughout the organization, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic service design, user research, stakeholder management, and hands-on UX design, all aimed at operational efficiency and service improvement. The emphasis on "end-to-end services and chains" and "organizational-overstijgend" work implies a strong connection to the operational backbone of the company.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Minimum HBO (higher professional education) work and thinking level.

• Bachelor's degree is preferred, aligning with the mid-level experience requirement. Experience:

• Minimum of 4 years of experience specifically as a Service Designer or in a comparable domain, demonstrating mastery of the end-to-end service design process.

• Proven experience in stakeholder management, effectively engaging and influencing individuals across various departments and levels.

• Demonstrated ability to facilitate workshops and design thinking sessions with diverse groups.

• Experience in translating complex user needs and business objectives into tangible service improvements and design solutions. Required Skills:

• Service Design: Deep understanding and practical application of service design methodologies, including journey mapping, blueprinting, and service innovation.

• UX Design: Proficiency in translating service concepts into user-centered digital experiences, including wireframing and prototyping.

• Stakeholder Management: Strong ability to build relationships, communicate effectively, and manage expectations with diverse internal and external stakeholders.

• Workshop Facilitation: Expertise in designing and leading collaborative workshops to drive ideation, problem-solving, and consensus-building.

• User Research: Experience in conducting user research to gather insights, validate assumptions, and inform design decisions.

• Dutch Language Proficiency: Excellent command of the Dutch language at C2 level, essential for communication and collaboration within the Netherlands-based organization.

• Process Analysis & Optimization: Ability to analyze existing processes, identify inefficiencies, and propose practical solutions for improvement.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI tools and their application in design and planning processes.

• Familiarity with Design Thinking frameworks and their implementation in organizational contexts.

• Experience working within organizations with multiple teams, complex systems, and a focus on the energy sector.

• Ability to articulate and present design strategies and solutions concisely and persuasively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a C2 level of Dutch language proficiency is a critical requirement for this role, underscoring the need for seamless communication within the local organization. The mention of "AI implementation" indicates a forward-looking approach to design and operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Service Design Case Studies: Showcase end-to-end service improvement projects, detailing the problem, your role, the process followed (e.g., research, ideation, prototyping, implementation), and the measurable impact.

• User Journey Maps & Service Blueprints: Provide examples of complex user journeys and service blueprints you have created, demonstrating your ability to map out multi-faceted service interactions and touchpoints.

• Workshop Facilitation Examples: Include documentation or descriptions of workshops you have facilitated, highlighting stakeholder engagement strategies and the outcomes achieved.

• UX Design Artifacts: Present wireframes, mockups, or interactive prototypes that demonstrate your ability to translate service concepts into intuitive user interfaces.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Detail your approach to understanding, documenting, and optimizing existing workflows and service delivery processes.

• User-Centric Design Implementation: Showcase how you have implemented user feedback and research findings into actionable design improvements within a project lifecycle.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Illustrate how you have collaborated with IT, operations, and business teams to ensure the successful integration and delivery of designed services.

• Impact Measurement: Provide examples of how you have measured the success and ROI of your design initiatives, using relevant KPIs and metrics.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio demonstrating end-to-end service design, stakeholder engagement, and the translation of complex problems into tangible UX solutions is crucial. The emphasis on "organizational-overstijgend" and "connecting different disciplines" means the portfolio should highlight collaborative efforts and broad impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• A gross monthly salary of up to €6,207 (based on 40 hours and relevant knowledge/experience).

• This range positions the role at a mid-to-senior level within the Dutch market for specialized UX/Service Designers. Benefits:

• Personal Budget: A personal budget of 24% of salary (including 8% holiday allowance), which can be used for extra salary, additional leave days (up to 35.5), or other benefits.

• Annual Energy Budget: €700 gross annually for personal energy-related expenses (e.g., sports subscriptions, home gym equipment, sportswear).

• Leave: 24.5 vacation days per year.

• Pension: Pension accrual with ABP, with Stedin contributing 70% of the premium.

• Hybrid Work: 50% work from home, 50% in the office, with modern home office facilities and a €2.40 per day home office allowance.

• Commuting: Free public transport subscription (OV-vrij) for commuting and personal use, or a flexible travel scheme with an additional allowance for cycling.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for attending events, knowledge sessions, training, and further education.

Working Hours:

• Standard 40-hour work week, with flexibility to work 32 or 36 hours per week.

• The hybrid model allows for flexible arrangement of work, balancing professional duties with personal life.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for the Rotterdam area and the specified experience level. The comprehensive benefits package, particularly the personal budget and energy budget, offers significant flexibility and value to the employee. The hybrid work arrangement with a 50/50 split is clearly defined.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Energy Infrastructure / Utility Services. Stedin is a key player in the energy transition in the Netherlands, responsible for the grid infrastructure for electricity and gas. This context implies a mission-driven environment focused on sustainability, innovation, and societal impact.

Company Size: Stedin is a significant organization, employing a substantial number of people (implied by the scope of services and team size). This size offers opportunities for broad impact and cross-functional collaboration but also requires navigating complex organizational structures.

Founded: While the founding date is not provided, Stedin has a long history as a grid operator, undergoing transformations to meet the demands of the energy transition. This history suggests a stable yet evolving organization.

Team Structure:

• The UX Designer will be part of the "UX Design team," a young, enthusiastic, and growing team of 11 design colleagues at the Rotterdam office.

• This team operates within a larger organizational structure that includes IT, business, and field operations.

• The role involves acting as a connector between these different disciplines, requiring strong collaboration and communication skills. Methodology:

• Service Design & UX: The team employs Service Design and UX principles to improve end-to-end services and digital products.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis is placed on collaboration, with designers actively seeking input and feedback from colleagues and stakeholders.

• Design Thinking: The organization encourages the application of Design Thinking methodologies to solve complex problems and drive innovation.

• Data-Driven Improvement: While not explicitly detailed, the focus on analyzing processes and user journeys implies a data-informed approach to identifying and implementing improvements.

Company Website: https://www.stedin.net/ (Inferred from domain derived)

📝 Enhancement Note: Stedin's mission in the energy transition is a significant cultural driver. The UX Design team is presented as collaborative and growing, offering a dynamic environment. The hybrid work model and focus on work-life balance are key cultural indicators.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-level Service Designer/UX Designer, requiring 4+ years of experience. It's a critical individual contributor role focused on improving operational services through design. The scope extends beyond individual features to entire service chains and organizational processes.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer reports into the UX Design team, which is likely part of a larger Digital or IT department. The role involves close collaboration with product teams, IT, operations, and business stakeholders, indicating a matrixed reporting or strong cross-functional alignment.

Operations Impact: The Service Designer has a direct impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of Stedin's services, which are fundamental to the energy transition and customer satisfaction. By improving internal processes and digital products, the role contributes to:

• Operational Efficiency: Streamlining workflows and reducing friction for employees and customers.

• Customer Experience: Enhancing the usability and satisfaction of digital services.

• Energy Transition Acceleration: Supporting the delivery of critical energy services through better digital and service design.

• Employee Productivity: Making work easier and more efficient for Stedin's internal teams.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in Service Design, UX Research, or specific areas of digital product development within the energy sector.

• Leadership: Transition into a Senior Service Designer role, leading larger projects or mentoring junior designers.

• Cross-Functional Movement: Potential to move into Product Management, Project Management, or specialized roles within IT or Operations, leveraging design and process expertise.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning through workshops, training, and industry events, focusing on emerging technologies like AI in design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth within design and potentially into broader operational or product leadership positions, especially given the company's focus on innovation and the energy transition. The impact is significant, touching both internal operations and external service delivery.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The primary work location is an office in Rotterdam (Coolse Poort), described as modern. The company operates a hybrid work model, with employees expected to be in the office approximately 50% of the time.

Office Location(s):

• Rotterdam, Blaak 8 (Kantoor functie): This is the primary office location mentioned.

• Accessibility: The office is described as "goed bereikbaar voor iedereen" (easily accessible for everyone), and commuting is facilitated by a free public transport subscription or a flexible travel scheme.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The Rotterdam office serves as a hub for collaboration, with opportunities to connect with design buddies and other colleagues.

• Inspirational Setting: The office provides a professional workspace with modern facilities, including a rooftop terrace for lunches, offering views over Rotterdam.

• Tools & Technology: Employees have access to necessary tools, including MacBooks, and support for home office setups. The environment encourages interaction and knowledge sharing among designers.

Work Schedule:

• The role is 40 hours per week, with flexibility for 32 or 36 hours.

• The hybrid model allows for flexible scheduling, accommodating personal needs and work-life balance. The 50/50 split means dedicated days for in-office collaboration and focused work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key feature, offering flexibility while ensuring in-person collaboration. The Rotterdam office is well-equipped and strategically located for easy access, supporting a balanced work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Online Assessment: An initial online assessment to gauge skills and fit.

• Interview (50 minutes): A primary interview focusing on experience, approach, and cultural fit.

• Case Study (50 minutes): A practical exercise to assess problem-solving skills, design thinking, and ability to translate concepts into solutions. This will likely involve presenting your approach to a business challenge.

• Outcome Integration: The results of the assessment and case study will be discussed during the interview.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Relevance is Key: Curate your portfolio to showcase projects that best align with Service Design, end-to-end service improvement, and UX for complex systems. Highlight projects where you managed stakeholders and facilitated workshops.

• Showcase the Process: For each case study, clearly articulate your role, the problem statement, your methodology (including research, ideation, prototyping), challenges faced, and the ultimate impact/results. Use Service Blueprints and user journey maps as central artifacts.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs – e.g., efficiency gains, user satisfaction improvements, cost reductions, or adoption rates.

• Highlight Collaboration: Emphasize how you worked with IT, operations, and business teams. Show your ability to bridge gaps and facilitate understanding across disciplines.

• Dutch Language Integration: If applicable, mention how language proficiency was integral to your success in projects within the Netherlands.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Stedin's Context: Research Stedin's role in the energy transition, their services, and their strategic goals.

• Service Design Fundamentals: Be prepared to discuss your approach to Service Design, Design Thinking, and user research.

• Problem-Solving Framework: Have a structured approach to tackling the case study, focusing on understanding the problem, defining scope, ideating solutions, and proposing actionable steps.

• Stakeholder Scenarios: Anticipate questions about managing conflicting stakeholder needs or facilitating difficult conversations.

• AI in Design: Be ready to discuss how you might leverage AI in your design process or for specific Stedin challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured, with a significant emphasis on practical application (case study) and a prior assessment. The portfolio is explicitly requested, making it a critical component of the application. Preparation should focus on demonstrating end-to-end service design capabilities and collaborative problem-solving.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Proficiency in standard UX/UI design tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite) for wireframing, prototyping, and visual design.

• Service Design Tools: Experience with tools for creating Service Blueprints, user journey maps, and process flows (e.g., Miro, Lucidchart, Mural).

• Collaboration Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Confluence, Slack, Microsoft Teams for project management and team communication.

• AI Tools: Experience or familiarity with AI tools that can assist in research synthesis, idea generation, or content creation within a design context.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics: Understanding of how to interpret data from user analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel) to inform design decisions.

• Feedback Tools: Experience with tools for collecting and analyzing user feedback (e.g., surveys, user testing platforms).

• Reporting Dashboards: Ability to contribute to or interpret data presented in dashboards that track service performance and user engagement.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managing CRM, understanding how digital services integrate with CRM systems and operational workflows is beneficial.

• Familiarity with workflow automation principles to identify opportunities for process efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, the role implies a need for proficiency in common design and collaboration software. The mention of AI suggests an openness to exploring and utilizing emerging technologies for design and operational efficiency.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Energy & Impact: A drive to contribute to the energy transition and make a tangible societal impact through improved services.

• Collaboration & Connection: Valuing teamwork, open communication, and the ability to connect people, teams, and complex issues.

• Curiosity & Learning: A commitment to continuous learning, staying updated on design trends and technologies, and embracing feedback for improvement.

• Efficiency & Optimization: A focus on identifying and implementing process improvements to enhance service delivery and operational effectiveness.

• User-Centricity: Placing the needs of both internal employees and external customers at the forefront of all design decisions.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive & Connecting: Actively seeking out collaboration opportunities with IT, business, and operations teams to ensure holistic solutions.

• Facilitative: Leading workshops and discussions to encourage input, build consensus, and drive towards shared goals.

• Open to Feedback: Embracing a culture where constructive criticism is welcomed and used for iterative improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share insights, best practices, and enthusiasm for Design Thinking with colleagues across the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes a proactive, collaborative approach, driven by a mission to contribute to the energy transition. The values align with a modern, forward-thinking design team that prioritizes both user needs and organizational efficiency.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Organizational Complexity: Working within a large utility company with diverse stakeholders and established processes requires strong navigation and change management skills.

• Balancing Strategy and Execution: Effectively switching between strategic service design thinking and the practical, hands-on execution of UX solutions.

• Integrating AI: Exploring and effectively implementing AI tools in the design process can be a challenge, requiring continuous learning and adaptation.

• Measuring Impact: Quantifying the impact of service design improvements, especially in complex, long-term projects like the energy transition, can be difficult.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Service Design Mastery: Opportunities to deepen expertise in advanced service design techniques and methodologies.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Gaining in-depth understanding of IT systems, operational processes, and business strategies within the energy sector.

• AI in Design: Learning to leverage AI for enhanced research, ideation, and workflow automation.

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into senior or lead design roles, mentoring others and driving strategic design initiatives.

• Industry Engagement: Attending conferences and workshops relevant to UX, Service Design, and the energy sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to working in a large, impactful organization undergoing significant transformation. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering pathways for both specialized skill development and broader career progression within the company.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex end-to-end service you've designed or significantly improved. What was your process, what were the key challenges, and what was the measurable impact?" (Focus on your role, methodology, stakeholder management, and quantitative results).

• "How do you approach stakeholder management when dealing with conflicting priorities between business, IT, and user needs?" (Prepare examples of negotiation, consensus-building, and communication strategies).

• "Imagine Stedin wants to improve its customer onboarding process for new energy contracts. How would you approach this challenge from a Service Design perspective?" (Outline your steps, including research, ideation, prototyping, and implementation considerations). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Stedin and our mission in the energy transition?" (Research Stedin's mission, values, and recent projects).

• "How do you contribute to a collaborative and learning-focused team environment?" (Share examples of your teamwork, feedback sharing, and continuous learning habits).

• "How do you ensure your design solutions are inclusive and accessible to all users?" (Discuss your approach to inclusive design principles and user testing). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each case study, frame it as a narrative: the problem, your journey to a solution, and the outcome.

• Highlight Your Role: Clearly articulate your specific contributions, especially in stakeholder engagement and workshop facilitation.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals – Service Blueprints, journey maps, wireframes – to illustrate your thinking and solutions.

• Quantify Results: Be ready to discuss the metrics and KPIs that demonstrate the success of your projects.

• Connect to Stedin: Where possible, relate your experience to Stedin's challenges or mission.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on articulating your end-to-end service design process, demonstrating strong stakeholder management, and showcasing your ability to translate complex problems into user-centered solutions with measurable impact. Understanding Stedin's context is crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position:

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

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio link is prominently displayed on your CV or cover letter. Curate your portfolio to highlight 2-3 key Service Design projects that best demonstrate your experience with end-to-end service improvement, stakeholder management, and UX execution.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords from the job description, such as "Service Design," "UX Design," "Stakeholder Management," "Workshop Facilitation," and "Process Analysis." Quantify your achievements with specific numbers and metrics where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process and project outcomes clearly and concisely. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions and be ready to walk through your portfolio case studies during the interview and case study assessment.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Stedin's mission, values, and current initiatives, particularly concerning the energy transition and digital transformation. Understand how your role contributes to these broader organizational goals.

⚠️ 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.