Design Jobs Board

Aegon is an international provider of life insurance, pensions, and asset management. With over £607 billion assets under management, we have businesses in over 25 countries around the world and around two million customers in the UK. At Aegon it’s our mission to help the UK achieve a lifetime of financial security. We’ve led the way in innovation that can make people’s financial assets work smarter as well as harder. From online technology that gives one-stop access to a universe of investment opportunity – to retirement products that make wealth planning simple, easy, and fulfilling – we’re dedicated to getting people closer to their financial goals every day.

The Digital function sets the digital vision for AEGON UK and creates the strategy to execute that vision. It drives the user experience (UX) design of the digital estate. It also supports the maintenance of content on the strategic content management system. This team provides the direction and strategic expertise required to deliver a brilliant, efficient, and effective digital experience across all channels.

The Marketing department is split across different locations in the UK, so travel may be required from time to time.

Summary of role:

The ultimate purpose of the role is to contribute to the user experience (UX) design for Aegon’s digital estate. You’ll play a key role, working in a team of experts (and external resources) in the creation of UX that enable commercial digitisation of the business. You’ll also ensure that key journeys and changes in our UX layer are tested via the UX Researchers, refined and optimised. You’ll have a strong passion for excellent UX, and you’ll articulate the importance of this in a commercial and user-centric way.

You will use your experience to develop the skills and capabilities of less experienced team members.

You’ll be expected to utilise and share expert skills in the areas of innovation, ideation, concept design and visioning

Key Tasks:

UX DESIGN STRATEGY:
Input into the ongoing research, definition, implementation, and improvement of the teams’ ways of working and outputs within UX Design which will ultimately increase the wider UX team’s maturity level. You’ll be expected to lead and contribute into process improvements, complex theory, prototypes, and concept in the form of easily digestible presentations that engage and influence buy-in to the UX Design Strategy and the wider digital strategy. Providing guidance to UX Designers on their input.

MANAGE WORKLOAD:
Track and proactively manage allocated tasks from the UX Design Teams backlog to help support business priorities. Consult with BAU and Agile teams, taking accountability for your features and keeping them up to date with progress.

RAPID PROTOTYPING AND UX DESIGN SERVICES:
Provision of high quality UX design capabilities via yourself. This includes provision of iterative design, digital journey flow design, wireframes and visual design execution. Ensure UX designs are appropriately user tested & refined during the design lifecycle. Run regular show & tell sessions with the team, Head of Digital, Marketing Director and other stakeholders. Collaborate with UX Designers to give guidance on their work.

QUALITY CONTROL AND OPTIMISATION:
Help ensure we comply with the standards for Aegon’s digital estate and consult with the Lead UX Designer on the evolution and management of these. You have a responsibility to ensure all of your outputs align with the required standards (accessibility, brand, UX best practice, technology stack considerations and Design System integration) and are produced consistently by performing UX check-ins with the wider team on a regular occurrence. Provide key feedback to colleagues, challenge/influence in meetings and help ensure the UX Designers develop their skills/knowledge. Assist UX Designers to prepare for meeting Stakeholders, ensuring standards are followed.

DESIGN SYSTEM:
Assist the UI Designers with vision wireframes, valued input, and feedback into the design system so it can be fully established and can evolve. Help ensure the use of design system assets (such as the UI Kit) within the UX team and ensure it is being used properly to maximise reuse and mitigate inconsistency.

RISK MANAGEMENT AND COMPLIANCE:
Assist team in active risk management, measured by risk MI and feedback from the Risk & Audit functions and wider Marketing team. Ensure UX release processes maintain compliance with regulatory rules and approval process; be willing to constructively challenge where appropriate.

Skills & Knowledge:

Expert in UX Design:

• Solid understanding of processes and when to use including Iterative design (with wireframes or prototypes), journey mapping, design thinking, scenario-based thinking and a persona driven mind-set
• Expert knowledge in current wireframing tools and techniques (e.g. Axure, Figma, Adobe creative suite)

Advanced in aspects of UI Design:

• Responsive and adaptive web design techniques with mobile first thinking
• Accessible design requirements, tools, and techniques (WCAG compliance)
• Understanding of implementing branding in digital channels and associated standards.

A strong understanding of:

• The UX Research process, methods, and techniques and how this integrates with the UX Design process
• What a design system is and how it should be used
• Flawless attention to detail
• Creative, innovative thinker
• Self-disciplined, self-motivating and self-improving
• Ability to share knowledge with team and influence positive outcomes across all levels, functions and channels
• Ability to evaluate complex problems and use judgement and data to recommend and deliver innovative & creative solutions
• Ability to think on a customer-centric level as well as with commercial imperative
• Ability to work cross functionally in virtual teams across locations
• Excellent written communication skills, demonstrable at all levels.
• Effectively communicate and present complex conceptual thinking visually and verbally
• Advanced understanding of digital measurement tools, techniques, reporting and analysis
• Confidence to constructively challenge requirements and creative proposals
• Strong PowerPoint, word, and Excel skills

Desirable:

• Good understanding of Aegon’s customer promises.
• Good understanding of the creative process, overall approach to marketing and customer strategy.
• Knowledge of markets, clients, and products within financial services.
• Understanding of TCF and how it impacts AEGON marketing strategy and processes
• Comprehensive understanding of the overall approach to marketing and customer strategy.
• Knowledge of markets, clients, and products within financial services.
• In depth knowledge of Aegon Brand guidelines and tone of voice
• Good understanding of digital content management principles, technologies, and workflow.

Experience:

• Proven track record in User Experience, Interaction Design & Service Design within Agile ways of working (required).
• Rapid User Experience Research (desirable).
• Proven track record and work experience of using skill and knowledge to supply UX designs
• Use of industry-standard prototyping and wire-framing software tools.
• Experience designing UX for digital products.
• Able to work effectively across different teams and communicate through a range of technical fields.
• Knowledge and experience of Agile methodology.
• Testing and optimisation tools.
• Proven record of delivery within a business function.
• Working within a fast-paced team with stretching deliverables.
• Passionate about user experience, branding and driving value for the customer.
• Pensions & savings experience (desirable)
• Strong balance of technical, marketing and user experience skills.
• Experience working cross functionally and matrix management

This role can be based in either our Edinburgh, London, or Witham offices.

The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that we have had to limit access to our offices. The majority of our colleagues are currently working remotely from home. Once it is safe to do so we look forward to welcoming everyone back and collaborating in new and exciting ways. This would include you, should your application be successful. So, it is important that you live within a commutable distance to our office as we plan to have a hybrid model in the future – with colleagues splitting their time between office and home working.

This is a 12 Month Fixed Term Contract position.

Please submit your application by the closing date of 8th November 2021.

Salary
Competitive salary dependent on experience from £39,520 to £49,400.

Benefits
In return, we can offer you career development and a range of financial services benefits including:

• Non-contributory Pension between 8% and 12% dependent on age
• Flexible benefits including private health care, income protection and life assurance with additional voluntary benefits available

Equal Opportunity Employer:
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their age, disability, race, religion/belief, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity.