🚀 Senior User Centred Designer

About the Role

Senior User Centred Designer – Permanent, Full Time – £60,049 to £70,645 per annum – Location: Chelmsford – Working Style: Anywhere worker* – Interviews from 29th to 30th October 2025.

• Experience flexible hybrid working arrangements with the freedom to work from home and in-person collaboration at our Chelmsford office, typically 2 to 3 days per month dependent on business need.

Senior Designer – Essex Digital Service

Essex County Council is transforming how services are delivered across Essex, supporting areas such as social care, education, transport and the environment. In this role you will lead the design of user‑centred digital services, champion user needs throughout the process, and bring depth in service design or user research.

Key Responsibilities

• Champion user‑centred design and research across ECC, promoting awareness and 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 a range of 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‑skill design professionals.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Degree or equivalent in design, research or related field (RQF Level 6).
• 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, preferably collaborating 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

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment and flexible working. With excellent development opportunities and a supportive team passionate about public service, Essex is an ideal place for digital transformation professionals.

Equal Opportunity and Accessibility Statement

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We commit to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum job requirements, veterans and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements, and all applicants in line with the Code of Conduct and Nolan Principles. We also provide interview support for disabled applicants via the Job Interview Scheme where appropriate. All applicants under the age of 15 or over 70 will also be accommodated.

Contact

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