Senior Service Designer

We’re supporting a forward‑thinking organisation in the search for a Senior Service Designer. Working across diverse, high‑stakes missions, this addition to the User-Centred Design team will be proficient in User Research, Service Design, and UX Strategy. You will lead complex discovery, translate business needs into technical understanding, and facilitate strategic change within a multidisciplinary organisation. You’ll thrive in an environment where no two days look the same, moving between innovative project spaces ranging from transport to communications to remote connectivity.

What you’ll be doing

As a Senior Service Designer, you will shape the end-to-end delivery of a range of programmes aiming to improve the UK’s infrastructure and digital ecosystems. You’ll shape early‑stage problem spaces by driving research, mapping insights, designing service concepts, and producing artefacts such as blueprints, systems maps and prototypes. Being confident in uncertain spaces is key, as this role will involve making sense of ambiguity and identifying what stakeholders need before solutions are defined.

A core part of this role is translating user needs and business goals into clear direction for highly technical teams. You’ll design and lead workshops, co‑creation sessions and decision‑making forums, acting as facilitator and mediator between internal and external stakeholders.

As a Senior Designer, you will mentor mid‑level and junior designers, shape design standards, and help raise design maturity within an organisation embedding user‑centred practice. This Senior Service Designer role is hands‑on, strategic, and central to the success of high‑impact programmes.

What experience you’ll need to apply

• Significant experience in service design, design research or strategic design.
• Ability to independently lead ambiguous discovery without a defined brief.
• Strong problem‑framing skills and comfort working across shifting contexts.
• Experience facilitating workshops and cross‑disciplinary sessions with senior stakeholders.
• Proven ability to create artefacts (blueprints, system maps, prototypes, concepts) that shape decisions.
• Experience mentoring junior or mid‑level designers.
• Comfortable working in technical or regulated domains, even without being a technical specialist.
• Confident external‑facing communicator with strong stakeholder rapport.

What you’ll get in return for your experience

You’ll join a mission‑led organisation with a collaborative, high‑trust culture where design is growing in influence. Benefits include hybrid working from an Oxford office (2 days per week), 28 days holiday (plus Bank Holidays), up to 10% employer pension contribution, annual bonus and more. You’ll work flexibly, receive regular development support, and contribute to meaningful work with real‑world impact.
 
What’s next?

If this Senior Service Designer role sounds like your next step, please apply for more details.