Service Designer

Service Designer

Location: Remote, occasional travel a for team days, maybe a few times a month

Industry: Technology Consultancy

Day Rate: Flexible for the right person

IR35 status: Most engagements are Outside IR35

Contract length: This is to join a high calibre consultancy network, so contract lengths can easily flex but they will be discussed during the interview process

Security clearance: Eligible for SC clearance is ideal

Highly desirable: GDS experience

This is a brilliant contract opportunity for an experienced Service Designer to join a highly respected consultancy network operating across complex digital transformation programmes. They are scaling their design and product community due to a surge in new work, particularly across government and public sector engagements, and they’re looking for senior level service design professionals who thrive in environments where they can influence, lead and shape meaningful change. This isn’t a role tied to one fixed engagement. It’s a place in a curated network of experts, where you’ll be deployed onto impactful projects that genuinely need strong, pragmatic thinkers. You’ll join a small but exceptionally capable design and product group who set the standard for high quality delivery, human centred design and evidence led decision making.

What the role looks like

The service designers in this network sit at the intersection of research, strategy, systems thinking and hands on delivery. They collaborate with user researchers, content designers, UX designers and technical teams to make sense of complex problems and design holistic end to end services that work for users, organisations and the teams supporting them behind the scenes. You’ll bring clarity to ambiguity, create alignment where there are competing priorities and help steer organisations towards better ways of working. This means mapping as a tool for alignment, measuring outcomes, shaping visions, prototyping ideas, challenging assumptions and guiding senior stakeholders through change. It also means delivering services through discovery, alpha, beta and beyond, not just stopping at the conceptual stage. The design culture here values autonomy, expertise and practical thinking. They don’t overcomplicate things for the sake of it. They focus on what works, what creates value and what helps teams deliver.

Key responsibilities

• Designing end to end services across online and offline touchpoints, from understanding the problem space through to shaping implementation
• Mapping existing and future states, including frontstage and backstage processes, actors, systems, integrations and operational realities
• Synthesising insights from multiple sources and turning complexity into clarity
• Working in multidisciplinary teams using modern agile practices, fast feedback loops and iterative delivery
• Leading and facilitating workshops, building alignment across silos and guiding stakeholders through decisions
• Partnering with senior leaders to shape strategy, vision and roadmaps for change
• Measuring outcomes and ensuring services continue to meet user needs beyond discovery
• Bringing a human centred, value driven mindset to every stage of delivery

What they’re looking for

This network is looking for someone who brings both depth of expertise and the confidence to work at different altitudes. They want someone who can tackle organisational complexity, influence senior stakeholders, and still roll up their sleeves when needed.

Minimum 8 to 10 years of commercial experience, with at least 4 years of genuine, hands on service design

Strong, demonstrable experience delivering work in public sector environments, ideally with solid exposure to GDS service standards and delivery phases

GDS assessor experience or certification is a strong plus

Experience working from discovery through to implementation, not just theory or conceptual stages

Ability to communicate complex systems and processes clearly, including through techniques like service blueprints

Comfortable navigating technical constraints, conflicting requirements and organisational politics

Skilled facilitator able to lead face to face and remote workshops with confidence

Strong consulting skills, including influencing, storytelling and operating in ambiguity

SC eligibility is essential. Candidates must have lived in the UK for at least 5 years with no prolonged periods abroad

A strategic thinker who can shape vision and direction, alongside a pragmatic practitioner able to move quickly and iteratively

Someone adaptable, collaborative and values led, who can build trusted relationships quickly

Ways of working

The role is UK based with consultants spread across the country. While remote work is common, there is an expectation of in person presence every now and then for workshops, stakeholder engagement and relationship building. Travel may include cities such as London, Manchester, Leeds, the Midlands or similar.

Contracts and day rates

Most engagements sit outside IR35, subject to assessment, although some clients may require work through an umbrella model. For this reason, you should be comfortable providing both an outside and inside IR35 day rate.

The hiring process

The selection process is thorough but supportive, designed to assess both service design expertise and consulting behaviours. It consists of:

• Initial CV review and screening call
• A skills interview including a short scenario exercise, portfolio walkthrough and structured Q&A
• A final consulting skills interview focusing on soft skills, collaboration and communication

All interviews are conducted remotely.

Why this is a great opportunity

Joining this network means joining a community of thoughtful, talented professionals who care about doing things properly. The work is impactful, meaningful and often at the heart of public services that millions rely on. You’ll have the autonomy to shape direction, the trust to work at a senior level and the support of a small, expert design group who understand the realities of delivering in complex environments. For service designers who enjoy solving knotty problems, influencing culture change, shaping strategy and delivering real outcomes, this is an exceptional chance to make a difference. If this sounds like the kind of environment you could add value to, it would be great to hear from you.

At Inara Talent, we believe everyone deserves a fair chance to shine. We connect great people from all backgrounds with opportunities where they can thrive, making sure hiring is fair, inclusive, and truly diverse. No matter your race, gender, age, ability, or background—we focus on what really matters: your talent.