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University of the West of England
University of the West of England

UX Design Lead

Bristol Hybrid 5-10 yrs exp
User Experience DesignUser ResearchService DesignAccessibilityAnalytics

Requirements

Requires an experienced UX leader capable of connecting user needs with organizational priorities in a complex environment. Must be proficient in evidence-led design, user testing, and influencing stakeholders to improve digital experiences.

Job Description

Are you an experienced UX leader who wants to shape digital experiences that make a genuine difference to people’s lives?

UWE Bristol is looking for an experienced UX Lead to help us design clearer, more accessible and more effective digital journeys across our digital products, platforms and services. This is a strategic, hands-on role for someone who can combine user research, service design, accessibility, analytics and stakeholder influence to improve experiences for prospective students, applicants, students, staff and wider audiences.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead user-centred design in a large, ambitious university with a strong commitment to inclusion, innovation and continuous improvement.

About The Role

As UX Lead, you will play a key role in shaping the future of UWE Bristol’s digital experience. Working across Student Recruitment and Marketing, digital, content, design, development and wider university teams, you will help us understand our users, improve complex journeys and design experiences that are intuitive, accessible and effective.

You will lead UX research, experience design and service design activity across our websites, platforms and digital services. You will use insight, analytics, user testing and stakeholder engagement to identify what needs to improve, then turn that understanding into clear recommendations, prototypes, journey maps, design principles and practical improvements.

This is not just a delivery role. It is a leadership role for someone who can connect user needs with organisational priorities, influence decisions, bring people together and champion evidence-led design across a complex environment.

You will be joining a cross-functional team that already works across digital marketing, analytics, platform development and personalised digital experiences, with a clear appetite for testing, learning and improving.

Where you will be working

UWE Bristol is a campus-based University, with vibrant campus communities that are central to student life.

In this role, you’ll be based at our modern Frenchay Campus where we’ve invested in state-of-the-art facilities designed to help both staff and students succeed.

You’ll spend most of your time on campus, although there may be the opportunity to work from home with agreement from your people manager.

Add your individuality to ours

UWE Bristol recognises the power of a truly diverse university community .

We’re part of a vibrant, multicultural city and welcome talented people from all backgrounds. Diversity is our strength, enhancing creativity, decision‑making, and problem‑solving. Join our supportive community and thrive.

We particularly encourage applications from global majority candidates as we are currently under-represented in this area, however all appointments are made strictly on individual merit.

As a Disability Confident employer, we encourage applications from disabled or neurodivergent candidates.

Further information

If you would like to speak to us to find out more about this role, please email Justine Thaysen: justine.thaysen@uwe.ac.uk

Interviews are scheduled to take place at our Frenchay campus on 25September 2026.

This is a full-time, permanent post, working 37 hours per week.

This post is available on a job share basis for applicants wishing to work part time.

Salary offers are made in line with the University’s salary assessment guidelines, reflecting your relevant skills and experience in parity with colleagues.

Right to Work in the UK

If offered a role, you will need to provide valid documentation confirming your right to work in the UK before employment begins. Guidance on acceptable documents is available via the Home Office Right to Work Checklist .

We may be able to sponsor eligible candidates for this role under the Skilled Worker visa route; however, visa sponsorship eligibility is assessed only at offer stage, being invited to interview does not indicate an offer of sponsorship.

Please review our Skilled Worker Guidance and UK Government website to assess your eligibility. If you do not qualify you may wish to explore other visa options .

Please note that UWE Bristol does not cover any visa or health surcharge costs.

Next Steps

We’d love to hear from you - if this role excites you, please complete our application form as soon as possible and tell us how your skills and experience meet the criteria listed in the Person Specification, using clear and relevant examples wherever possible.

We’ll keep you informed of the outcome by email once shortlisting is complete.

Skills

User Experience DesignUser ResearchService DesignAccessibilityAnalyticsStakeholder ManagementPrototypingJourney MappingUser-Centred DesignStrategic Leadership