Lead UX Designer - NESO
National Grid
About the Role
National Energy System Operator (NESO) recognises the potential of bright and talented individuals, and we encourage you to join us as Great Britain’s energy system undergoes an ambitious, exciting, and vital transformation. Together with industry, we are creating a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
We are seeking a proactive and experienced Lead UX Designer with strong experience of integrating principles of service design, user research and user experience to build applications that users love. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of user-centred design and service design methodologies, with a proven track record of creating seamless, end-to-end experiences in complex, data-driven environments. This role requires a self-starter capable of leading design initiatives, establishing processes, understanding end-to-end business processes, and applying frameworks like Jobs to be Done to drive appropriately shape the product.
This role can be based from Wokingham or Warwick, and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home. We are open to full time and part time applicants, as well as flexible working arrangements.
Key Accountabilities
- Lead the UX and service design process for a market management and real-time system, guiding a team of designers to deliver user-centric designs and define end to end service delivery model.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including developers, product managers, product owners, and stakeholders, to ensure design aligns with business objectives and technical requirements.
- Conduct user research and utilise the Jobs to be Done framework to identify user needs and inform the creation of comprehensive design solutions.
- Develop service blueprints, wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity designs that clearly communicate design concepts and service flows.
- Ensure designs are optimised for performance, adhere to accessibility standards, and deliver a cohesive service experience.
- Map end-to-end business processes and service touchpoints to inform design decisions and ensure seamless integration with existing systems.
- Maintain and evolve a consistent common component library, build a design system and service guidelines to ensure a unified user experience across all platforms.
About You
Mandatory Skills:
- Proven leadership experience in UX and service design leading a team of 6-8 UX designers and taking them on journey towards modern UX approaches
- Proven focus on user adoption and running processes requiring situational awareness based on quantitative data
- Proficiency in design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Figma, or similar.
- Excellent understanding of Design Thinking, System Thinking, service design, agile methodologies, and business process mapping.
- Familiarity with front-end development technologies specially React to effectively collaborate with developers.
- Exceptional communication and leadership skills, with the ability to drive design strategy and project delivery.
Desirable Skills:
- Experience with real-time data handling and designing for responsive and adaptive interfaces.
- Familiarity with accessibility standards (WCAG) and best practices for inclusive design.
- Exposure to data visualization techniques and tools.
- Knowledge of performance optimization techniques for UI/UX in high-demand environments.
- Understanding of DevOps environments and how UX and service design integrate within them.
- Ability to work independently and take ownership of design projects, delivering high-quality results under tight deadlines.
- Highly motivated, with a passion for delivering exceptional user and service experiences and a strong desire to continuously learn and improve.
About What You'll Get
A competitive salary between £68,000 - £78,000pa – dependent on experience and capability.
As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus of up to 15% of your salary for stretch performance, 28 days annual leave as standard, and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%.
As we work towards creating a cleaner, greener, and more affordable future for all, we also work towards creating a place for our teammates to belong, with professional and personal growth and positive well-being.
- Full support and career-development resources to expand your skills, enhance your expertise, and maximise your potential along your career journey.
- A diverse and inclusive community of belonging, where teammates are empowered to bring ideas to the table.
- Generous Total Rewards Plan – comprising of health, finance and wealth, work/life balance, and career benefits.
About Us
National Energy System Operator’s (NESO) mission is to facilitate the decarbonisation of Great Britain’s energy network and ensure the delivery of reliable, affordable, and clean electricity for consumers. We work with stakeholders across the whole energy industry to plan for future network needs, using a wider adoption of technology and changes in consumer behaviour, as well as ensuring we have the right markets, networks, and frameworks in place, to transform the way we operate tomorrow.
Join us, and let’s energise progress.
energy, our future, together.
About The National Energy System Operator (NESO)
In Autumn of 2024, the ESO transitioned to National Energy System Operator, or NESO for short. Previously denoted as the Future System Operator (or FSO), the new National Energy System Operator is the independent body responsible for planning Great Britain’s electricity and gas networks and operating the electricity system.
The ESO, including all of its existing roles, are now at the heart of the new National Energy System Operator. As NESO, we will build on our existing roles, capabilities, and ways of working significantly to create an organisation the energy system and its users’ need. Our new capabilities will enable us to look across vectors, including electricity, natural gas and hydrogen, and crucially consider the trade-offs between them.
The organisation is set up as a public corporation with its own Board of independent directors, with complete operational independence from government, the regulator and any and all commercial interest. As was the ESO, NESO will be licenced and regulated by Ofgem through price control agreements and obligated to identify optimal solutions to system operations and planning in the most sustainable, affordable and secure way for all.
More Information
This role closes on 31st July 2025 at 23:59, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary.
We work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office.
We're committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve, and a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential.
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