UX/UI Designer

About The Company

Imperial War Museums (IWM) is a renowned institution dedicated to exploring conflict and its profound impact on society. As a leading organization in the heritage and cultural sector, IWM offers a diverse range of exhibitions, educational programs, and digital experiences that aim to foster understanding, reflection, and dialogue about the complexities of war and peace. With a commitment to accessibility, inclusivity, and innovation, IWM serves millions of visitors and online users each year, providing insightful perspectives on history through engaging and thought-provoking content. The organization values collaboration, evidence-led decision making, and a passion for preserving history for future generations.

About The Role

We are seeking a talented and experienced UX/UI Designer to join our Digital Engagement team at Imperial War Museums. This pivotal role is instrumental in shaping the future of our digital presence, particularly as we undertake a major redevelopment of our flagship website, iwm.org.uk. The successful candidate will lead the design of user-centered digital experiences, working closely with external agencies and internal teams to develop and implement a new, cohesive design system. Your work will directly influence how audiences engage with our content, access collections, and understand the stories of conflict that we aim to tell. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to a high-profile digital transformation, ensuring that our digital platforms are accessible, engaging, and aligned with our organizational vision and values.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in UX and UI design, with proven experience working on large-scale websites or digital products within multidisciplinary teams. You should have a solid understanding of user-centered design principles, journey mapping, and usability heuristics. Experience in developing accessible, visually coherent interfaces that adhere to brand standards is essential. Familiarity with digital design systems, preferably in collaboration with external agencies, and knowledge of accessibility standards such as WCAG are highly desirable. Proficiency in design tools like Figma, along with the ability to create wireframes, prototypes, and UI components, is required. Strong problem-solving skills, effective communication abilities, and the capacity to make practical design decisions within technical constraints are also important for success in this role.

Responsibilities

• Lead the UX and UI design efforts across Imperial War Museums' digital platforms, with a primary focus on the redevelopment of iwm.org.uk.
• Collaborate with external design agencies to develop and embed a comprehensive design system, ensuring consistency across all digital touchpoints.
• Create wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity designs that are accessible, on-brand, and grounded in user research and needs.
• Work closely with Product Managers, Developers, and content teams to deliver engaging, user-centered digital experiences.
• Participate in user research, usability testing, and evidence-based prioritization to inform design decisions.
• Communicate design concepts, trade-offs, and insights effectively to stakeholders at all levels.
• Advocate for inclusive, accessible design practices and support capability building within the Digital Engagement team.
  
  

Benefits

Imperial War Museums offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth. You will receive 25 days of annual leave, with public holidays, increasing to 27 days after three years and 30 days after five years of service. The organization provides a competitive pension scheme, with employer contributions ranging from 7% to 12%. Additional benefits include enhanced maternity and paternity leave, tailored benefits through IWM4me, free sanitary products, and retail discounts across cafes, shops, and partner outlets. Employees enjoy free entry to IWM air shows and partner museums, access to in-house training programs, interest-free season ticket loans, cycling schemes, eye test reimbursements, and access to confidential support services through the Employee Assistance Programme. Healthcare options such as Benenden Healthcare and dental insurance are available, along with social and networking events, staff discounts, and opportunities to participate in sports clubs and cultural activities. These benefits are designed to promote a healthy work-life balance and support your overall well-being.

Equal Opportunity

Imperial War Museums is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce. We believe that a variety of perspectives and experiences enrich our organization and help us better serve our audiences. We actively promote equal opportunities in employment and are dedicated to removing barriers to ensure that everyone has the chance to succeed. Our Access and Inclusion strategy emphasizes openness, accessibility, and inclusivity across all aspects of our work, from recruitment to service delivery. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to creating a supportive environment where all employees can thrive. Flexible working arrangements are available and encouraged, and we are dedicated to building a workplace culture that respects and values difference, promotes equality, and supports work-life balance.