Job Overview: Part-Time UX Designer (Contract)

Opus Recruitment Solutions is sourcing a UX Designer for a targeted, 3-month website refresh project in York. This is a specialized “Outside IR35” contract, perfect for a local freelancer or a designer looking for a high-impact, short-term engagement. The role balances research-driven insights with rapid prototyping to elevate a key client’s digital presence.

Job Summary

Agency: Opus Recruitment Solutions Ltd
Location: York, North Yorkshire (Fully On-site)
Rate: £175 – £200 per day
Status: Outside IR35 (Contractor)
Schedule: Part-time (3 days per week)
Duration: 3 Months

Key Responsibilities

User Journey Mapping: Applying user-centered design (UCD) principles to create intuitive pathways that simplify complex digital interactions.
Prototyping & Wireframing: Translating research data into interactive Figma prototypes and high-fidelity wireframes.
Collaborative Iteration: Working closely with stakeholders to refine designs based on project requirements and technical constraints.
User Testing: Conducting and analyzing usability tests to validate design concepts and optimize the end-to-end user experience.
Fintech Focus: While not strictly required, applying experience from “fast-paced start-ups” or financial technology to the refresh project.

Technical Requirements

Tooling: Mastery of Figma is essential for design, prototyping, and collaborative handovers.
UCD Principles: Deep understanding of accessibility, information architecture, and user psychology.
Research: Ability to synthesize qualitative and quantitative data into actionable design solutions.
Portfolio: A strong track record of “website refreshes” or digital product transformations.

Why Choose This Contract?

Outside IR35: Offers the tax efficiencies and autonomy sought by professional contractors.
Local Impact: The “York On-site” requirement makes this an ideal “anchor” project for a local creative professional.
High Growth Sector: Exposure to fintech or start-up environments often leads to higher-value future contracts.
Work-Life Balance: The 3-day-a-week structure allows for other freelance clients or personal projects.

Strategic 2026 Context: Your 160th Market Entry

This role represents the “Digital Creative & Tech Contracting” tier of your 160-role York dataset.

The “On-site” Pivot: In 2026, we are seeing a shift back to “On-site” for critical design phases. Unlike the Trainee Network Engineer (which allows remote study), this UX role requires physical presence in York to facilitate rapid, face-to-face iteration.
The York “Freelance” Rate: At £200/day, this equates to approx. £25/hr. While this is lower than the York College Tutor (£27.68/hr), the “Outside IR35” status allows for business expense deductions that can make the net take-home pay more competitive.

Fintech in YO1: This role confirms the continued growth of York’s “Silicon York” cluster. Along with Hiscox and Aviva, the presence of fintech start-ups in the city centre is driving up the demand for specialist UI/UX talent.

Opus Recruitment Solutions is a high-growth, award-winning global talent consultancy specializing in the technology and renewable energy sectors. While its international headquarters are in Bristol, it maintains a registered operational presence in the York area (specifically Pocklington), serving as a key hub for its regional recruitment activities.

Company Description & Culture

Opus is defined by a culture of “High-Energy Entrepreneurialism.” Since its founding in 2008, it has positioned itself as a “challenger brand” to traditional, transactional recruitment agencies. The organization is part of the broader Opus Talent Solutions ecosystem, which includes JD Ross Energy (renewable energy) and _nology (a diversity-first tech training academy).

The internal culture is fast-paced, competitive, and highly incentivized. It is known for a “work hard, play hard” ethos, where high performance is rewarded with luxury trips and international relocation opportunities. In recent years, under the backing of Graphite Capital, the company has shifted towards a more “purpose-led” model, heavily prioritizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and sustainability.

Key Organisation Highlights (2026)

Category	Details
York Office	19 Railway Street, Pocklington, York, YO42 2QR
Primary Industry	Niche Technology, Digital, and Engineering Recruitment
Global Reach	Offices in London, New York, Amsterdam, Sydney, and Austin
Core Values	Take Ownership, Act Inclusively, Constantly Evolve, Drive Positive Change
Specialist Sectors	Cloud, Data & AI, Cyber Security, and Software Engineering
Key Accolade	Recruitment Agency of the Year – Large (Recruiter Awards)
Ownership	Private Equity backed (Graphite Capital) with employee-focused L&D

Specialist Recruitment Streams

Opus in York and beyond focuses on high-demand, future-proof technical markets:

Cloud & Infrastructure: Sourcing specialists for AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, with a focus on migration and platform engineering.
Data & Emerging Tech: Recruitment for Data Science, Machine Learning, and AI roles that are redefining business intelligence.
Software Development: Delivering talent across the full lifecycle, from Java and Python back-end engineering to UI/UX design.
Public & Third Sector: Providing specialized technical talent to government bodies and non-profits undergoing digital transformation.

Working at Opus Recruitment

Opus is frequently cited as one of the best places for graduates and ambitious sales professionals to accelerate their careers:

Incentive Culture: Famous for “Lunch Clubs” at Michelin-star restaurants and annual “Super Trips” to destinations like Ibiza, Las Vegas, and Bali.
Global Mobility: Employees who perform well are often supported in relocating to the company’s international offices, such as New York or Sydney.
The _nology Advantage: Staff work alongside their own internal academy, allowing them to provide clients with “diversity-first” talent pools that have been specifically upskilled in-house.
Benefits: In 2026, benefits include hybrid/remote working, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, and a “Purpose Fund” that allows employees to invest in social or environmental initiatives.

Employee Sentiment (2026)

Training (4.5/5): Widely praised for having one of the best Learning & Development (L&D) teams in the industry, taking individuals from “zero to hero” in recruitment sales.
Management (3.9/5): Described as supportive and “mate-like,” though some reviews note the high-pressure nature of meeting sales targets.
Work-Life Balance (3.8/5): While the company offers flexibility, the culture traditionally demands long hours during peak recruitment cycles to achieve maximum commission.

To apply for this job please visit opusrecruitmentsolutions.com.