Overview

Senior User Centred Designer role with Essex County Council (ECC). Salary £60,049 - £70,645 per annum + hybrid working. Location: England, Essex, Chelmsford. This is a full-time position with interviews scheduled on 29 and 30 October 2025. The role involves leading the design of services that put users at the heart of ECC's digital offerings, championing user needs throughout the design process.

Interviews will be held on 29th and 30th October 2025. The role offers flexible hybrid working, typically 2 to 3 days per month in the Chelmsford office, dependent on business need.

Responsibilities

• Champion user-centred design and research across ECC, embedding user-first thinking throughout service development.
• Lead design work within multi-disciplinary teams, creating end-to-end digital services that meet user needs, comply with accessibility standards, and support business objectives.
• Collaborate with service areas to scope and shape service design proposals aligned with ECC's strategic aims and financial priorities.
• Use visual tools and storytelling to align stakeholders, communicate complex design concepts, and foster collaborative decision-making.
• Identify and develop reusable service patterns and standards to ensure consistent user experiences and efficient service delivery.
• Select and apply appropriate design methods and tools, ensuring all work is documented and aligned with best practice.
• Oversee planning and facilitation of user research using qualitative and quantitative methods, ensuring ethical standards are upheld.
• Advocate for inclusive design practices and help deliver services that work for all users, regardless of background or ability.
• Contribute to Communities of Practice and support the Head of Design in mentoring and developing multi-skilled design professionals.

Experience and Qualifications

• Educated to degree level (RQF Level 6) in design, research, or a related field, or equivalent by experience.
• Strong track record of delivering user-centred design in Agile environments, balancing user needs with organisational priorities.
• Skilled in communicating technical complexity and risk in clear, accessible language to diverse audiences.
• Proficient in prototyping, sketching, testing, and iterative design; ideally including collaboration with developers on coded prototypes.
• Experienced in using analytics and user insight to guide design decisions and improve service outcomes.
• Proven ability to build and support teams in adopting user-centred design practices within Agile workflows.
• Knowledge of Government Service Standards, Accessibility Regulations, and Information Governance principles.
• Committed to continuous professional development and staying current with emerging delivery methods and technologies.

Why Join ECC

Essex County Council offers a dynamic public service environment, serving over 1.8 million residents across 1,420 square miles, with a focus on transformational change and delivering value. ECC is recognised for productivity and offers flexible working, development opportunities, and a collaborative team culture.

Application Details

To apply, please click the Apply Now link below. This role expires on 20/10/2025. Interviews will occur on 29th and 30th October 2025.