Studio overview
We are Sports Interactive, the studio behind Football Manager.
Founded in 1994, Sports Interactive became a wholly owned subsidiary of SEGA Europe in 2006. Based at the Here East technology hub in Stratford, East London, our team continues to expand as we bring our titles to an ever-growing audience across an increasing variety of platforms.
To support our growth, we welcome passionate people with the drive to match our ambitions and the initiative to realise their potential.
Role details
Job title: Senior UI/UX Designer
Team: Design
Reporting to: Lead UI/UX Designer
Working model: Hybrid, with two to three days per week in the studio
Location: Here East, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, E15 2GW
Position overview
We are looking for a Senior UI/UX Designer to help shape the future of Football Manager, the world’s leading football-management series.
Football Manager has one of the deepest, most detailed interfaces in games, and players spend hundreds of hours using it. In this role, you will lead improvements to the game’s usability and UI, turning complex systems into experiences that feel clear, intuitive and enjoyable.
You will work closely with Games Design, UI Engineering, Narrative, User Research, Business Intelligence, Production and QA. You will have real ownership of the features you design.
Accessibility is a key focus for us. We want more people than ever to enjoy our games, and you will play a key role in making that happen.
You will be organised and self-motivated, and communicate confidently across the Design team and the wider studio. You will enjoy sharing your expertise, inspiring those around you and raising the standard of both your work and the team’s.
Key responsibilities
Collaborate with Games Design and Creative Leads to shape new features for future versions of Football Manager.
Own end-to-end UI/UX for features, from early concepts and wireframes through to high-fidelity designs and full specifications.
Tackle complex gameplay systems, transforming deep information into clear, intuitive and enjoyable interfaces.
Champion user-centred design, working closely with User Research and Business Intelligence to inform decisions and validate them through testing and data.
Design for accessibility across platforms and input methods, including mouse and keyboard, controller and touch.
Contribute to and evolve the UI design system, producing high-quality components and assets and ensuring they are used consistently.
Work with Engineers to prototype, implement and polish designs in Unity, ensuring the final result matches the design intent.
Partner with Production to scope and estimate work, and keep Producers and management updated on progress, risks and trade-offs.
Present and explain design decisions clearly to every discipline, acting as an advocate for the player.
Raise the quality bar across the team through design critiques, feedback and sharing best practice.
Informally mentor and support junior members of the UI/UX team.
Stay current with developments in UI/UX practice and tools, bringing useful ideas back to the team.
Knowledge, skills and experience
Professional UI/UX design experience in software or games, including features delivered from concept to release.
A portfolio demonstrating both your design process and polished final work.
Strong understanding of UX principles, including accessible design.
Proven ability to design clear, intuitive interfaces for complex data systems.
Strong visual design skills and the ability to produce polished UI.
Experience creating user flows, wireframes, prototypes and detailed design specifications.
Experience building, maintaining or contributing to a design system.
Expert use of Figma and familiarity with collaboration tools such as Miro.
Experience using user research, usability testing and data to inform and validate design decisions.
Understanding of technical constraints and experience working closely with Engineers through to implementation.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present and explain design decisions to disciplines and stakeholders.
A collaborative approach and experience supporting or mentoring other Designers.
Desirable experience
Experience with Unity.
Animation or motion-design skills, such as After Effects or Principle.
Basic knowledge of HTML, CSS or similar technologies.
Experience with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
An interest in Football Manager and football is helpful but not essential.
Benefits
Private healthcare and dental plans.
A range of gym membership options through our benefits partners.
Travel insurance for you and your family.
Subsidised mental health, therapy and coaching sessions.
Access to on-site physical therapy and massage services.
Free access to games released under the SEGA Europe umbrella.
Contributory pension scheme, with contributions of up to 7% of annual salary.
Regular events in collaboration with our partner football clubs.
Free on-site evening bar at our London headquarters.
A well-stocked breakfast bar with cereal, fruit, tea and coffee.
Multiple clubs and societies to join, including book clubs and art workshops.
A personalised shirt for your club after passing probation.
Trophies and gift cards for length-of-service milestones.
Cupcakes delivered on your birthday.
What it is like to work here
We approach everything with passion, whether that means making our mark on the football industry or doing our part for the world around us. We want to share that outlook with everyone who comes to work here.
We believe talent wins games, but teamwork wins titles. Every role requires some studio attendance to help us collaborate effectively and stay connected. Collaboration helps us continually improve on our best work.
Everyone’s contribution matters, regardless of where they work in the business. We support people to drive their own growth and realise their full potential. Above all, we are a down-to-earth team that enjoys what we do.
Whether making technical improvements or fine-tuning our creative process, everything is geared towards producing the best game possible for our players. We are tenacious, ambitious and unafraid to change things when needed. These principles have helped us create a game that has endured year after year and will continue to drive us forward.
We are also a London Living Wage employer and have one of the lowest staff-turnover rates in the industry.
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from relevant candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief.
Sports Interactive is proudly a Disability Confident Committed employer. We are dedicated to making our recruitment process inclusive and accessible. Our studio has disabled access and facilities; please let us know if you require any other reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process.
Our values
Keep collaborating: Teamwork wins titles. Ideas belong to everyone, whatever department you work in. Collaboration helps us achieve more together than we could individually.
Be flexible: We think fast and adapt faster. The football and entertainment worlds never stand still, so we keep progressing and changing to stay ahead.
Stay tenacious: We do not overlook the details. Everything we do is about producing the best game possible, so we never settle.
Show ambition: Let your drive lead the way. Your individual outlook can give everyone an edge; make the studio’s purpose personal.
Bring the passion: Have fun doing your thing. Making our players’ passion come to life is our passion.
Consider the bigger picture: Keep things in perspective. We want our impact to be positive, from work–life balance to initiatives addressing the issues that matter most today.