Junior Graphic Designer

The Government Digital Service (GDS) is the digital centre of the UK government, responsible for setting, leading and delivering the vision for a modern digital government. It is home to GOV.UK, the Incubator for Artificial Intelligence (I.AI), and leads the Government Digital and Data function. GDS is part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and employs more than 1,000 people across hubs in Manchester, London and Bristol.

The role

This is a permanent Higher Executive Officer-grade position based in Manchester, sitting within the GDS GOV.UK business area. The role exists to support the design of user-centred government services, contributing to cross-government design patterns and standards. The team works in an agile environment alongside user researchers, data analysts and front-end developers.

What you would do

• Understand user needs and design services and graphics that meet them
• Create visuals, illustrations and infographics that support users in accessing government services
• Build and iterate prototypes to test and communicate design ideas
• Work with user researchers, data analysts and front-end developers to turn concepts into user-centred graphics
• Ensure design output is consistent internally and with the wider GOV.UK brand
• Contribute to cross-government design patterns and standards
• Help communicate complex data insights visually to senior stakeholders
• Identify commonalities across services where products could be consolidated or improved

What they are looking for

• An aptitude for design demonstrated through work, study, volunteering, personal projects or other experience, with examples of using creative thinking to make something clearer, more accessible or easier to use
• An interest in understanding problems before jumping to solutions, and the ability to use data and testing results (with support) to inform design decisions
• Experience making ideas tangible through sketches, diagrams, prototypes, journey maps, layouts or visual designs
• The ability to share and explain design decisions clearly to different audiences
• A collaborative, curious and reflective approach, open to feedback and learning from more experienced designers
• Awareness of agile ways of working and the ability to contribute positively to a team and design community
• Awareness of the Government Digital and Data Capability Framework skills for this role: Design communication, Designing for everyone, Designing together, and Evidence-based design

Working arrangements

The role is based in Manchester. GDS operates a discretionary hybrid working policy: staff are expected to attend the office or a non-home location for 40-60% of their time. Flexible working options are available, including part-time, job share, compressed hours and flexi-time. Full home working is not normally offered. DSIT cannot offer visa sponsorship for this campaign.

Pay and benefits

• Salary: £37,655 - £41,120 (base salary at this grade is £37,655 for locations outside London)
• Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97% (approximately £10,908 per year at the base salary)
• 25 days annual leave, rising by one day per year to a maximum of 30 days
• An extra day off for the King's birthday
• In-year bonus scheme for high performance
• Career progression, coaching and a personal development training budget
• 10 learning days per year
• Employee assistance programme
• Advances on pay, including travel season tickets
• Death in service benefits
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee discounts scheme
• 5 special leave days per year for volunteering