Head of User Experience Design

The University and UIS

University Information Services (UIS) provides the digital infrastructure, business information and computing services at the heart of one of the world's top universities. The University of Cambridge has a bold ambition to use digitalisation to transform education and research, and UIS' team of developers, designers, testers, analysts and support staff is leading this exciting work.

The role

We are looking for an experienced design leader to establish and lead our User Experience Design (UXD) function.

In this newly created role, you will champion user-centred design across UIS, ensuring user needs shape digital services and products across the University. You will lead a multidisciplinary team of user researchers and designers, working closely with product, delivery and technical colleagues to embed design thinking and evidence-based decision-making.

You will demonstrate the value of design through measurable improvements in service quality, accessibility and user experience. You will also help shape the effective and responsible use of AI-enabled technologies across services.

This is an opportunity to influence the future of digital services at one of the world's leading universities while building a mature and impactful design practice.

What you will do

As Head of User Experience Design, you will:

• Lead and develop the User Experience Design function.
• Define and deliver the UXD vision, strategy, standards and practices for UIS.
• Champion user-centred, accessible and inclusive design.
• Advocate for the value of design and influence decision-making through evidence and insight.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams.
• Develop organisational capability and maturity in design.
• Ensure research and insight inform strategic, product and service decisions.
• Support the effective design of AI-enabled services and experiences.

What you will need

You will bring:

• Significant experience leading and building user-centred design, service design, user research or related disciplines in a large organisation.
• A strong track record of influencing senior stakeholders and driving change.
• Experience embedding user-centred design within product, delivery or technology environments.
• Excellent communication, collaboration and relationship-building skills.
• Experience using research and evidence to improve services and inform decisions.
• Experience applying design approaches to AI-enabled services and understanding the opportunities and risks associated with emerging technologies.

The benefits

You can expect to receive:

• A competitive salary with automatic service-related progression and annual cost-of-living increases
• A generous annual leave allowance of 41 days per year (including bank holidays)
• Access to a hybrid pension scheme with attractive employer contributions
• Access to a range of shopping and travel discounts through the Cambens scheme.

We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for flexible working arrangements.

We particularly welcome applications from women and /or candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our department.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click on the ‘Apply’ button above.

If you would like more information about this role, informal enquiries can be directed by email to Kate Livingstone, Director of Digital Transformation at kl491@cam.ac.uk.

Please quote reference VC51568 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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