Service Designer (SC Essential | DV Desirable)

£600-£800 per day | Inside IR35 | 6 Months + Extensions | London (3 Days per Week) | SC Clearance Required

We’re seeking an experienced Service Designer to join a cutting-edge AI programme within the Defence sector, helping to shape complex services that support critical operational and strategic outcomes across Government and Defence.

This is an opportunity to work on a high-profile transformation initiative where User-Centred Design (UCD), Service Design and Artificial Intelligence are driving the future of service delivery. You’ll work within multidisciplinary teams to design end-to-end services that are intuitive, accessible and effective for a diverse range of users and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead service design activities across Discovery, Alpha, Beta and Live phases.
• Map and improve complex end-to-end services, user journeys and organisational processes.
• Apply User-Centred Design methodologies to understand user needs and pain points.
• Create service blueprints, ecosystem maps, process maps and customer journeys.
• Facilitate workshops, co-design sessions and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Collaborate closely with User Researchers, UX Designers, Product Managers, Business Analysts and Technical Architects.
• Translate research insights into actionable service improvements.
• Design services that align with GDS Service Standards and Government best practice.
• Support the delivery of AI-enabled services by ensuring they are usable, accessible and trusted by users.
• Influence senior stakeholders and drive service transformation across complex environments.

Essential Experience

• Proven experience as a Service Designer delivering large-scale digital transformation programmes.
• Strong understanding of User-Centred Design (UCD) principles and practices.
• Significant experience working within Central Government organisations.
• Strong knowledge of GDS Service Standard and Government Digital delivery frameworks.
• Experience creating service blueprints, journey maps and operating models.
• Skilled in facilitating workshops and engaging diverse stakeholder groups.
• Experience working in Agile multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Active SC Clearance is essential.

Highly Desirable

• Current MOD DV Clearance.
• Previous experience delivering within the Defence sector.
• Experience supporting AI, Data or Emerging Technology programmes.
• Knowledge of MOD, Defence Digital or wider National Security environments.
• Experience working on complex transformation programmes involving multiple user groups and organisations.

Contract Details

• Duration: 6 Months + Extensions
• Location: London (3 days per week onsite)
• IR35: Inside IR35
• SC Cleared Rate: Up to £600 per day
• DV Cleared Rate: Up to £800 per day
• Clearance: Active SC Clearance required. MOD DV highly desirable.
• Start Date: ASAP

This role is ideal for a Service Designer passionate about applying UCD, GDS principles and AI innovation to solve complex challenges within Defence and Government. You’ll play a key role in designing secure, effective and user-centred services that support critical national capabilities.