Ref Number
B04-07461
Professional Expertise
Research and Research Support
Department
UCL BEAMS (B04)
Location
London
Working Pattern
Full time
Salary
£54,931-£64,644
Contract Type
Fixed-term
Working Type
Hybrid
Available for Secondment
Yes
Closing Date
03-Jul-2026
The UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP) is changing how public value is imagined, practised and evaluated to tackle societal challenges. The Public Sector Capabilities Index becomes the first global measure of where government capabilities and capacity are strong and where critical public sector capabilities must be developed.
This is a unique opportunity to lead the design, digital development, and user experience of an ambitious new Index, transforming complex data and research into an engaging, user-centred product. You will lead a multidisciplinary Design and Digital Cluster, working across service design, digital delivery, brand, and stakeholder engagement to bring the Index to life through its first platform release in 2026. Working closely with product, data, research, and partnership teams, you will shape how the Index is experienced by cities, funders, and policymakers, ensuring it delivers clear value, practical insights, and a compelling user journey. From overseeing platform development and service design to building partnerships and driving adoption, you will play a pivotal role in creating a trusted, impactful tool that supports urban transformation at scale.
You will be an experienced design and product leader with a track record of turning complex research, data, and policy into impactful, user-centred products and services. Whether through a PhD or equivalent professional experience, the chosen candidate will bring deep expertise in design, public policy, public administration, or a related field, alongside a strong understanding of how public sector organisations develop and strengthen their capabilities. You will have successfully led multidisciplinary teams across design, service design, UX, and digital product development, setting clear direction while fostering collaboration and innovation. Comfortable working in data-rich and fast-paced environments, you can translate complex concepts into compelling user experiences, practical tools, and clear communications that resonate with diverse audiences. You are a skilled collaborator and communicator, able to engage stakeholders at all levels—from city officials and practitioners to funders, donors, and strategic partners. With a strong commitment to user-centred design and co-creation, you enjoy bringing people together to shape solutions, build communities of practice, and drive meaningful impact through design-led approaches.
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits, some of which are below: • 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays and 6 closure days) • Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme • Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE) • Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan • Immigration loan • Relocation scheme for certain posts • Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay • Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service • Discounted medical insurance Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.
As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women. Our Faculty holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality. You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/
