UX/UI Design Manager

Transport for NSW
Full-timeMascot, Australia

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX/UI Design Manager

Company: Transport for NSW

Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: UX/UI Design Management, Digital Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-07-22

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

  • Lead complex, end-to-end UX/UI design initiatives across Transport for NSW's extensive digital ecosystem, ensuring cohesive and impactful customer journeys.

  • Drive human-centered design principles from initial discovery through to final delivery, encompassing user research, journey mapping, information architecture, and advanced prototyping.

  • Develop high-fidelity design artifacts, including detailed wireframes, intricate interaction designs, comprehensive user flows, and interactive prototypes to facilitate efficient software development cycles.

  • Champion best-practice human-centered design, accessibility standards (WCAG 2.x), and inclusive design principles throughout all projects and team endeavors.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is categorized under Digital Product Design and UX/UI Design Management, emphasizing leadership and strategic oversight within a large government transport organization. The hybrid work arrangement suggests a blend of in-office collaboration and remote flexibility, typical for senior roles requiring both team engagement and focused work.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Spearhead the design and execution of UX/UI for Transport for NSW's digital platforms, including web and mobile applications, ensuring a unified and intuitive customer experience.

  • Oversee the entire human-centered design process, from user research and persona development to information architecture, wireframing, and interactive prototyping.

  • Create detailed design artifacts, such as wireframes, user flows, interaction designs, and high-fidelity prototypes, to clearly communicate design intent to development teams.

  • Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Business Analysts, and Engineering teams to align design outcomes with acceptance criteria and overarching business objectives.

  • Conduct rigorous user testing, analyze feedback, and iterate on designs to validate and refine the user experience for optimal customer satisfaction.

  • Review developer demos and completed work, providing constructive feedback on UX, UI, and accessibility to ensure adherence to design system standards.

  • Contribute actively to the evolution and governance of Transport for NSW's Design System, promoting consistency, scalability, and maintainability across all digital touchpoints.

  • Mentor and coach junior UX/UI designers, fostering skill development, elevating design quality, and promoting a culture of design excellence within the team.

  • Proactively identify and communicate potential design risks, ambiguities, and architectural implications to key stakeholders, ensuring timely mitigation.

  • Advocate for and enforce accessibility standards (WCAG 2.x) and inclusive design practices to ensure Transport for NSW's digital services are usable by all customers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on design leadership, strategic contribution to the design system, and team mentorship. The emphasis on "complex, end-to-end UX/UI design" and "multi-platform digital products" indicates a need for a candidate with broad experience in large-scale digital environments.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline (e.g., Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Computer Science) or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: Demonstrated experience in senior or lead UX/UI design roles, successfully delivering customer-centered digital solutions for complex, multi-platform digital products.

Required Skills:

  • Significant experience leading end-to-end UX/UI design for complex, multi-platform digital products.

  • Strong capability across user research methodologies, interaction design principles, visual design execution, and design system governance.

  • Proven experience conducting usability testing, synthesizing user insights, and translating findings into actionable design improvements.

  • Advanced proficiency with modern design and prototyping tools, specifically Figma and FigJam.

  • In-depth knowledge of accessibility standards, including WCAG 2.x, and their practical application in design.

  • Experience working within agile delivery environments and collaborating effectively with Product, Engineering, and Content roles.

  • Strong understanding of platform-specific design guidelines for web, iOS, and Android.

  • Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills, with a demonstrated ability to influence outcomes in complex organizational structures.

  • Eligibility to work in Australia. Preferred Skills:

  • Experience in information architecture and journey mapping.

  • Familiarity with responsive and component-based design principles.

  • Experience in mentoring and developing other UX/UI designers.

  • Knowledge of Transport for NSW's digital ecosystem and user base.

📝 Enhancement Note: The extensive list of required skills, particularly the emphasis on Figma, FigJam, WCAG 2.x, and agile environments, suggests a modern and technically proficient design team. The AI's assessment of "10+ Years" experience aligns with the senior/lead role requirement.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Showcase end-to-end UX/UI design projects for complex, multi-platform digital products, demonstrating a strong grasp of the entire design lifecycle from discovery to delivery.

  • Highlight examples of human-centered design application, including user research findings, journey maps, information architecture diagrams, and wireframes.

  • Present high-fidelity design artifacts, such as detailed wireframes, interaction designs, user flows, and interactive prototypes, illustrating your ability to create clear and functional designs.

  • Provide case studies demonstrating experience with usability testing, including methodologies used, insights gathered, and how these insights informed iterative design improvements.

  • Include examples of contributions to or governance of Design Systems, showcasing an understanding of consistency, scalability, and maintainability.

  • Demonstrate proficiency in applying accessibility standards (WCAG 2.x) within design projects, with clear examples of implementation. Process Documentation:

  • Document your approach to user research, detailing methodologies for user interviews, surveys, and other research techniques.

  • Illustrate your process for translating research insights into design solutions, including wireframing, prototyping, and user flow creation.

  • Outline your methods for collaborating with product managers, business analysts, and engineers, emphasizing communication and feedback loops.

  • Detail your experience with conducting and interpreting usability testing sessions and incorporating feedback into design iterations.

  • Show your understanding of design system governance, including how you contribute to or maintain design libraries and component standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX/UI Design Manager role, a portfolio is critical. It should not only showcase visual design skills but also demonstrate strategic thinking, process rigor, and leadership capabilities. The emphasis on "end-to-end" and "complex, multi-platform" projects is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a UX/UI Design Manager in Sydney, Australia, with 10+ years of experience, the estimated salary range is AUD $140,000 - $190,000 per annum, plus superannuation. This range accounts for the seniority of the role, the complexity of Transport for NSW's digital ecosystem, and the cost of living in Sydney.

Benefits:

  • Flexible work options may be available, promoting work-life balance.

  • Opportunity to gain a wealth of expertise and diverse skills within a large government organization.

  • Access to professional development and learning opportunities.

  • Contribution to a vital public service that connects communities.

  • Superannuation contributions as per Australian standards.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are typically 38-40 hours per week, with potential for flexible arrangements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Since no specific salary was provided, an estimated range has been created based on the role title, experience level, and location. Australian public sector roles often have structured pay scales and comprehensive benefits packages.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Government & Public Sector, Transportation. Transport for NSW is responsible for shaping a future that is integrated, safe, and efficient for all transport users across New South Wales. This involves managing and coordinating a vast network of infrastructure and services.

Company Size: Transport for NSW is a large government department, employing thousands of individuals across various disciplines. This scale implies complex organizational structures, extensive resources, and a broad impact on public life.

Founded: Transport for NSW was established to unify transport services in NSW, with its current form evolving through various government reorganizations. Its long-standing presence in public service signifies a commitment to long-term infrastructure development and service delivery.

Team Structure:

  • The UX/UI Design team likely operates within a larger Digital or Technology division, supporting various product and service development initiatives.

  • The team structure will include a mix of senior designers, mid-level designers, and potentially junior designers, all reporting to the UX/UI Design Manager.

  • Collaboration will be essential with cross-functional teams including Product Management, Business Analysis, Engineering, Content Strategy, and potentially User Research specialists. Methodology:

  • Emphasis on human-centered design and user research to inform all design decisions.

  • Agile methodologies are likely employed for iterative development and rapid deployment of digital solutions.

  • Design system governance plays a crucial role in maintaining consistency and scalability across a diverse digital portfolio.

  • Strong focus on accessibility and inclusive design to serve the broad public user base.

Company Website: https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/

📝 Enhancement Note: As a major government entity, Transport for NSW likely operates with a culture that values public service, collaboration, and adherence to established processes and standards. The scale of operations means significant opportunities for impact and professional growth.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a senior management level, focusing on leading and mentoring a team of UX/UI designers. It requires strategic thinking, a deep understanding of design principles and processes, and the ability to influence stakeholders across a large organization. The scope extends beyond individual contribution to team capability development and design system oversight.

Reporting Structure: The UX/UI Design Manager will likely report to a Head of Digital Design, Director of Digital Products, or a similar senior leadership position within the technology or digital division of Transport for NSW.

Operations Impact: The UX/UI Design Manager's impact is significant, directly influencing the usability, accessibility, and overall customer experience of Transport for NSW's digital services. Effective design leadership can lead to increased customer satisfaction, operational efficiency through intuitive interfaces, and successful adoption of digital tools by the public.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Leadership Advancement: Potential progression to higher leadership roles such as Head of Digital Design, Director of UX, or Chief Design Officer within Transport for NSW or other large organizations.

  • Strategic Influence: Opportunities to shape the digital strategy and design standards for a critical public service, influencing policy and user experience on a large scale.

  • Specialization: Deepen expertise in areas like design system architecture, accessibility leadership, or complex service design within the transportation sector.

  • Mentorship & Capability Building: Develop strong leadership and coaching skills by nurturing the talent within the UX/UI design team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "10+ Years" experience requirement and the "Manager" title clearly position this as a senior leadership role. Growth opportunities will focus on expanding leadership scope, strategic influence, and potentially specialization within the government and transport sectors.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, allowing for a combination of office-based work and remote flexibility. This structure aims to balance collaborative team interaction with individual focus time.

Office Location(s): The role is based in Sydney, NSW, Australia. Specific office locations within Sydney will likely be disclosed during the application process, often situated in accessible urban areas.

Workspace Context:

  • The office environment is expected to be professional and collaborative, fostering interaction among design teams and with other departments.

  • Access to modern design tools, software, and potentially dedicated usability testing labs will be available.

  • Opportunities for daily interaction with fellow designers, product managers, and engineers to facilitate seamless workflow and problem-solving.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours, with flexibility potentially offered depending on team needs and individual arrangements, aligning with the hybrid work policy. This allows for structured work during core hours essential for team collaboration and project delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Hybrid" work arrangement indicates a modern approach to workplace flexibility, common in many large organizations, especially those in tech-adjacent roles. The focus on collaboration within the office is key for a management position.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: A review of your application, resume, and portfolio to assess alignment with the core requirements.

  • Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on your experience, leadership style, and approach to UX/UI design challenges, particularly in complex environments.

  • Technical/Portfolio Review: A deep dive into your portfolio, where you will be expected to present and discuss your most relevant projects, methodologies, and impact. Be prepared to explain your design decisions, user research findings, and how you've applied principles like human-centered design and accessibility.

  • Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with potential peers, direct reports, and key stakeholders (e.g., Product Managers, Engineers) to assess cultural fit, collaboration skills, and your ability to mentor and influence.

  • Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss strategic vision and overall fit for the organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate end-to-end UX/UI leadership for complex, multi-platform digital products. Prioritize projects showcasing impact and leadership.

  • Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, design, testing, iteration), the tools used, the solutions you developed, and the measurable outcomes or impact achieved.

  • Highlight Leadership & Mentorship: Include examples of how you’ve led design initiatives, mentored junior designers, or contributed to design system governance.

  • Showcase Process Rigor: Clearly explain your user research methodologies, how you synthesized insights, and how you translated those into design solutions. Demonstrate your understanding of information architecture, interaction design, and prototyping.

  • Emphasize Accessibility: Explicitly detail how you incorporated WCAG 2.x and inclusive design principles into your work.

  • Prepare for Questions: Be ready to discuss your design philosophy, how you handle design disagreements, and how you stay current with industry trends.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Some roles may include a design exercise or case study. Prepare to tackle a problem relevant to public transport UX/UI, focusing on user needs, accessibility, and scalability.

  • Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, both verbally and visually, as you would in a portfolio presentation.

  • Be ready to discuss how you would approach a design challenge within a government context, considering stakeholder management and adherence to standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a management role in a government organization will likely be thorough, focusing on both technical expertise and leadership capabilities. A well-structured portfolio that highlights impact and process is crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Figma: Advanced proficiency required for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration.

  • FigJam: Expected for collaborative brainstorming, wireframing, and workshop facilitation.

  • Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, experience with tools like InVision, Adobe XD, or similar for creating interactive prototypes.

  • Design System Tools: Familiarity with managing and contributing to design systems, which often involves specific components and documentation platforms.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • Web Analytics Tools: Experience with platforms like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar for understanding user behavior on digital platforms.

  • User Feedback Platforms: Tools for collecting and analyzing user feedback, such as SurveyMonkey, Typeform, or in-app feedback mechanisms.

  • Data Visualization Tools: Familiarity with tools like Tableau or Power BI for presenting user data and design impact metrics to stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

  • While not directly a UX/UI tool, an understanding of how design impacts customer journeys within CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) or automation platforms can be beneficial.

  • Experience with project management tools like Jira, Confluence, or Asana for agile workflow management and team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and FigJam highlights the current technology stack. Proficiency in these and related design and collaboration tools is essential. Understanding how design integrates with broader digital ecosystems, including analytics and project management, is also key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Human-Centered Design: A core value that prioritizes understanding and meeting the needs of all users, especially in a public service context.

  • Accessibility & Inclusion: A commitment to ensuring all digital services are usable by everyone, regardless of ability or background.

  • Collaboration: Strong emphasis on teamwork and cross-functional partnerships to achieve shared goals.

  • Efficiency & Scalability: Designing solutions that are not only effective for users but also maintainable and scalable across a large digital ecosystem.

  • Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizing user research, testing, and analytics to inform design choices and measure impact.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-Functional Integration: Close working relationships with Product Managers, Business Analysts, Engineers, and Content Strategists are vital for successful project delivery.

  • Iterative Feedback Loops: A culture of continuous feedback and iteration, where designs are shared early and often for input and refinement.

  • Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, design principles, and insights across the UX/UI team and wider organization.

  • Mentorship and Support: A supportive environment where senior designers mentor junior team members, fostering a culture of growth and shared learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values and collaboration style are deeply intertwined with the nature of public service and large organizational structures. Emphasizing user needs, accessibility, and collaborative problem-solving will be key to fitting into this culture.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Scale and Complexity: Navigating the sheer scale and complexity of Transport for NSW's digital ecosystem, which involves numerous services, user types, and legacy systems.

  • Stakeholder Management: Balancing the needs and expectations of diverse stakeholders across different departments and levels of the organization.

  • Adherence to Standards: Ensuring consistent application of design principles, accessibility standards, and design system guidelines across a wide range of projects and teams.

  • Driving Change: Influencing and driving adoption of best practices in human-centered design and accessibility within a large, established government bureaucracy.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Leadership Skills: Developing advanced leadership, team management, and strategic planning skills in a large-scale public sector environment.

  • Industry Expertise: Gaining deep knowledge of the transportation sector and the unique user needs within it.

  • Mentorship Programs: Opportunities to mentor and be mentored, fostering personal and professional growth.

  • Continuous Learning: Staying abreast of the latest UX/UI trends, tools, and accessibility best practices through internal training, conferences, and workshops.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to managing design in a large government entity. The growth opportunities are substantial, focusing on leadership development and strategic impact within a critical public service domain.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "How would you approach leading the UX/UI design for a complex, multi-platform digital product within a large government agency like Transport for NSW?" (Prepare to discuss your process, stakeholder management, and team leadership.)

  • "Describe a time you successfully championed human-centered design principles or accessibility standards in a challenging environment. What was the outcome?" (Focus on your influence, problem-solving, and impact.)

  • "How do you balance the need for design consistency with the need for innovation across a diverse digital ecosystem?" (Discuss your approach to design systems and managing design debt.) Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What interests you about working for Transport for NSW and specifically in the public sector?" (Research the organization's mission and recent projects.)

  • "How do you foster a collaborative and inclusive design culture within a team?" (Discuss your mentorship style and approach to team dynamics.)

  • "How would you measure the success and impact of your UX/UI design initiatives within this organization?" (Prepare to discuss relevant KPIs and metrics, e.g., user satisfaction, task completion rates, accessibility compliance.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure is Key: Organize your portfolio presentation logically, typically by project. For each project, clearly define the problem, your specific role, your design process (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), the final solution, and the impact/results.

  • Quantify Impact: Where possible, use data to demonstrate the positive outcomes of your work (e.g., "increased task completion by X%", "reduced error rates by Y%", "improved accessibility compliance to Z%").

  • Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals effectively – sketches, wireframes, prototypes, user flows, and key UI screens. Explain your design decisions and the rationale behind them.

  • Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects that align with the requirements of a UX/UI Design Manager role, showcasing leadership, complex problem-solving, and experience with design systems and accessibility.

  • Be Ready for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design philosophy, how you handle feedback, your experience with specific tools, and your approach to mentoring.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing for questions about leadership, stakeholder management, and strategic thinking, in addition to design process and impact, is crucial for a management role. Demonstrating an understanding of the public sector context will be advantageous.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX/UI Design Manager position:

  • Submit your application through the provided link on the Transport for NSW jobs portal.

  • Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is tailored to highlight your experience in leading end-to-end UX/UI design for complex, multi-platform digital products. Prioritize case studies demonstrating leadership, human-centered design, accessibility, and design system governance.

  • Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your leadership experience, quantifiable achievements, and proficiency in key skills such as Figma, WCAG 2.x, and agile methodologies. Use keywords from the job description.

  • Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, leadership philosophy, and how you measure impact. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions and be ready to present your portfolio effectively.

  • Company Research: Thoroughly research Transport for NSW, its mission, current digital initiatives, and its commitment to public service, accessibility, and user experience. Understand the context of working within a government organization.

⚠️ 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.

Application Requirements

Requires significant experience leading complex multi-platform digital products and advanced proficiency in Figma and WCAG accessibility standards. Candidates should have tertiary qualifications in a relevant field and a proven track record in senior or lead design roles.