Experience Design Lead (Cross Collections Search Project)
Job Description
Role type: Full Time; Fixed Term for 6 months
Department: Enterprise Services Group
Salary: UOM 8 -$125,191 - $135,504 p.a. plus 17% super
Shape a flagship collections discovery platform / Pioneer AI-augmented, human-centred experience design / Collaborate across product, tech and collections
Apply now to lead end-to-end UX, UI and AI-driven design for a landmarkUniversity-wide search platform.
Investing in you – 17% superannuation, benefits package including salary packaging, health and wellbeing programs, discounted services, and professional development opportunities.
The University of Melbourne
We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website.
Your next career opportunity
As the Experience Design Lead (UX/UI & Agentic Design), you will play a pivotal role in shaping a new digital discovery experience that transforms how people access and explore the University of Melbourne’s cultural, academic and research collections.
Working within the Enterprise Services Group, you will lead end-to-end UX, UI and product design across the Cross Collections Search project, translating user needs, business requirements and platform capabilities into intuitive, accessible and engaging experiences.
This is a highly hands-on role where you will drive user research, usability testing, information architecture, interaction design, visual design and design validation while working closely with product owners, developers, architects and collection experts.
You will also leverage emerging AI and agentic design practices to accelerate research synthesis, prototyping and design exploration, while ensuring solutions remain human-centred, inclusive and evidence-based.
What you will deliver
Lead end-to-end UX, UI and product design for the Cross Collections Search platform.
Plan and conduct user research, usability testing and design validation activities.
Design information architecture, search, browse and discovery experiences across complex collections and datasets.
Produce build-ready wireframes, prototypes and developer-ready design specifications.
Design accessible, responsive interfaces aligned with design systems and WCAG standards.
Apply AI and agentic design tools to accelerate research, prototyping and delivery workflows.
Facilitate workshops, design reviews and stakeholder engagement activities.
Collaborate with product, technical and collections teams to ensure successful implementation outcomes.
You may be a great fit if you:
Hold tertiary qualifications in UX Design, Interaction Design, Product Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Service Design, Digital Design or equivalent practical experience.
Have significant experience delivering end-to-end UX and UI design for complex digital products from discovery through to implementation.
Demonstrate strong capability in user research, usability testing, information architecture, interaction design and service discovery.
Have experience designing search, browse and content discovery experiences for information-rich platforms.
Create polished, accessible interfaces using Figma and modern design systems aligned with WCAG accessibility standards.
Have experience applying AI-assisted and agentic design practices, including prompt engineering, AI-assisted prototyping and human-in-the-loop design approaches.
Are comfortable using tools such as Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code or similar AI-assisted environments to rapidly prototype and validate concepts.
Thrive in Agile, Lean UX or multidisciplinary delivery environments and can confidently facilitate workshops and stakeholder engagement activities.
Ideally bring experience working within higher education, research, cultural collections, libraries, archives, museums or other knowledge-rich environments.
For further information please refer to the attached PD.
What we offer you!
We offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits to support your success and sense of fulfilment, including:
Build future financial security with 17% superannuation
Supportive flexible work arrangements underpinned by our commitment to inclusion and well-being
Career development opportunities, including access to a range of tailored programs, such as Academic Women in Leadership, and learning platforms including LinkedIn Learning
Progressive, considerate leave provisions to empower your work-life balance and well-being, including leading parental leave, gender affirmation leave and cultural leave
Salary packaging and access to a range of discounted services including Bupa health insurance, and access to unique cultural and recreational benefits such as discounts for the Melbourne Theatre Company
Health and well-being services including a leading Employee Assistance Program
Your new team – Enterprise Services Group
Within the Enterprise Services Group, you will join a digital product team focused on high-impact University platforms.
This team partners with academic, research and collections leaders to build intuitive services that enable discovery and engagement.
You will work alongside product owners, engineers and designers in a collaborative, evidence-led and user-centred environment.
The group values experimentation, inclusive design and continuous learning, offering strong support for professional growth and innovation.
Be Yourself
The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child-safe organisation. The diversity of our community enriches us all, and we are committed to creating an inclusive and fair workplace where everyone is valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Discover more about Diversity and Inclusion at UniMelb.
We're committed to a barrier-free recruitment process and ongoing workplace support, providing adjustments throughout. We warmly encourage applications from people with disabilities. Learn more about how we support an accessible recruitment process.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians. Visit our Indigenous staff page to learn more about our investment and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff. Indigenous applicants are encouraged to connect with our Indigenous Employment & Development team at [email protected].
Application essentials:
Visit "apply with us" to learn more about the process, including tips and FAQs.
You must have current valid work rights for Australia. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
A Working with Children Check is required for all positions. If successful, we will guide you through the process and reimburse you.
Please upload your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest and experience as part of the application process.
Want to know more?
For queries related to this specific position, contact Damian Da Silva
For questions related to our recruitment process email Tara at [email protected]
For recruitment adjustments contact Kim Groizard on +61 3 9035 3218 or at [email protected] (subject: 'Recruitment Adjustments').
Apply today and join a community that’s shaping the future.
Applications close: 29/06/2026 11:55 PM; Melbourne time zone.
Position Description: