If you’re an experienced Service Designer ready to lead complex, high-impact work and shape services used by millions of people, this is a role worth exploring.
We’re looking for a Lead Service Designer to drive experience design across major public sector transformation programmes — bringing together research, strategy, systems thinking and service design leadership to create services that are simpler, smarter and more human.
You should apply if you’re excited by visible impact, complex problem-solving and the opportunity to lead design direction on meaningful programmes. You’ll work with senior stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams, shape strategy through delivery, mentor others and help strengthen design capability within a global organisation that invests in design, learning and progression.
What you’ll be doing
In this role, you’ll lead service design activity across discovery, alpha, beta and live phases, helping clients understand user needs, navigate complexity and deliver services that work better for everyone.
• Lead co-creation workshops with senior stakeholders, users and multidisciplinary teams to shape practical, user-centred solutions.
• Own and develop customer journey maps, service blueprints and service visions that identify pain points, opportunities and future-state experiences.
• Use research, insight, data and service design methods to inform strategic product and service direction.
• Work closely with product, research, content, technology and delivery teams in agile environments to turn strategy into measurable service outcomes.
• Influence client discussions, challenge assumptions constructively and bring clarity to complex service problems.
• Mentor designers, support design quality and help build a positive, collaborative design culture through shared methods, critique and best practice.
What you’ll bring
· Strong Service Design experience gained in consultancy, agency or client-side environments, ideally with experience leading workstreams or projects.
· Proven experience designing end-to-end services across digital and non-digital channels, with the ability to connect user needs, policy, operations and technology.
· Confidence facilitating complex workshops, influencing senior stakeholders and aligning multidisciplinary teams around a shared service vision.
· Experience turning research, insight, data and business needs into clear strategic recommendations and practical service improvements.
· Strong knowledge of journey mapping, service blueprinting, systems thinking, prototyping, usability and accessibility principles.
· Comfort working in agile delivery environments with designers, researchers, product teams, delivery managers, business analysts and developers.
· A strong portfolio with case studies that show your leadership, design thinking, decision-making and impact.
· Experience with tools such as Figma, Miro, Sketch, Adobe XD, Axure or similar.
· Experience working to GDS standards or on public sector digital services would be highly advantageous.
About Cognizant:
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, bridging the gap between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization’s unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, drive tangible outcomes and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at cognizant.ai or @cognizant.
Additional employment information
Compensation information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.
Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
