The Notes Operations Division - part of Banking Directorate - fulfils the Bank's obligations as the sole issuer of banknotes in England and Wales. Operational staff are based in Essex at our cash centre with other roles based in London at its Threadneedle Street offices. We rely on expertise in fields as diverse as economic and quantitative modelling, risk analysis, operations, sustainability and science.
In fulfilling our role to maintain confidence in our currency, it is important that we ensure:
The right note - the public has access to genuine, high-quality banknotes of a range of denominations.
The right place - a well-run cash industry exists to supply banknotes efficiently across the country.
The right time - the Note Circulation Scheme ensures peaks in public banknote demand e.g. Christmas are met consistently.
We also fulfil a statutory responsibility to ensure public confidence in banknotes issued by Scottish and Northern Ireland banks.
The Banknote Security and Design (BSD) team is based within Notes Operations at our Debden Cash Centre in Essex. The team comprises a diverse mixture of technical specialists in the fields of design, science and engineering that supports:
- pioneering design and development of banknote security features
- banknote product design for the next generation of banknotes
- technical support for the continued manufacturing and quality control of existing banknotes
- counterfeit threat assessment and support for law enforcement
- a framework for the testing the efficacy of automatic cash handling machines
The team works collaboratively with its contracted supplier of banknotes, specialists and technical suppliers from around the globe, academia, other Central Banks, law enforcement agencies, such as the National Crime Agency and banknote equipment manufacturers.
Job Description
Banknotes have been called 'the calling card of a nation'; they represent the culture and history of the nation that they represent. This is an exciting role for an experienced designer to make a real impact to the design of the next generation of Bank of England banknotes within the BSD team to:
- Lead the ongoing design activity for BoE banknotes.
- Work with suppliers and technical BoE colleagues to design and integrate security technology that meets the required aesthetic objectives.
- Contribute to the industrial development of new banknotes, working closely with our in-sourced print supplier.
To meet these broad objectives, the designer will work with the respective internal and external teams to:
- Research and develop design concepts (artist's impressions) - working closely with our in-sourced printer - that encompass multiple design elements representative of the chosen theme that meet the statutory and aesthetic requirements of our banknotes and the ultimate 'voice of the customer' - the public.
- Integrate the proposed security feature technology with the proposed design to maximise both the technical performance of the banknote and the counterfeit resilience of the overall design.
- Contribute to the development and analysis of output from industrial-scale trials that will demonstrate the viability for mass production and circulation of new substrates, security features and designs.
- Undertake formal approvals for designs transitioning from concept, through development to mass production.
- Create reports to facilitate decisions at Board level and the ability to clearly communicate their design and its elements to senior executive management.
Role Requirements:
Minimum Criteria
- Product Designer with proven experience in the design of secure documents.
- Experience of working with industrial printers to translate a design into a final product.
- Can demonstrate an ability to collaboratively work with all colleagues and external partners to achieve project goals.
Essential Criteria
- Experience of researching and developing concept designs for security documents from a design brief.
- Experience with graphic design software including commercial security document design software and other commercial software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator or similar.
- Experience of contributing to technical projects working within a project management framework.
- Interpersonal skills - Strong communication and diplomacy skills to persuade and influence up to and including senior levels and external audiences.
- Detail-oriented, capable of working individually in an organised manner. Methodical and precise, willing to tackle challenges and propose innovative solutions.
- A graphics or fine art background with demonstrable experience in working to written briefs.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience of integrating banknote designs with security technology.
- Functional knowledge - experience of commercial printing processes and translation of conceptual artwork to print.
- Functional knowledge - knowledge of the wider cash industry and cash machine technologies.
This role will include occasional national and international travel opportunities that the applicant should be comfortable with, to attend conferences, working groups and visiting suppliers.
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Our Approach to Inclusion
The Bank values diversity, equity and inclusion. We play a key role in maintaining monetary and financial stability, and to do that effectively, we believe we need a workforce that reflects the society we serve.
At the Bank of England, we want all colleagues to feel valued and respected, so we're working hard to build an inclusive culture which supports people from all backgrounds and communities to be at their best at work. We celebrate all forms of diversity, including (but not limited to) age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status. We believe that it's by drawing on different perspectives and experiences that we'll continue to make the best decisions for the public.
For most roles where work can be carried out at home, we aim for colleagues to spend half of their time in the office, with a minimum of 40% per month. Subject to that minimum requirement, individuals and managers should work together to find what works best for them, their team and stakeholders. Given the operational nature of this role, for significant periods at key parts of development programmes this role may require attendance onsite for >50% of the time, up to 5 days a week during trials, production or key testing periods.
Finally, we're proud to be a member of the Disability Confident Scheme. If you wish to apply under this scheme, you should check the box in the 'Candidate Personal Information' under the 'Disability Confident Scheme' section of the application.
Salary and Benefits Information
We encourage flexible working, part time working and job share arrangements. Part time salary and benefits will be on a pro-rated basis as appropriate.
This role offers a salary circa £70,900 - £90,000. In addition, we also offer a comprehensive benefits package as detailed below:
- A non-contributory, career average pension giving you a guaranteed retirement benefit of 1/95th of your annual salary for every year worked. There is the option to increase your pension (to 1/50th) or decrease (to 1/120th) in exchange for salary through our flexible benefits programme each year.
- A discretionary performance award based on a current award pool.
- A 8% benefits allowance with the option to take as salary or purchase a wide range of flexible benefits.
- 26 days' annual leave with option to buy up to 12 additional days through flexible benefits.
- Private medical insurance and income protection.
National Security Vetting Process
Employment in this role will be subject to the National Security Vetting clearance process (and typically can take between 6 to 12 weeks post offer) and the passing of additional Bank security checks in accordance with the Bank policy. Further information regarding the vetting and security clearance requirements for the role will be provided to the successful applicant, and information about how the Bank processes personal data for these purposes, is set out in the Bank's Privacy Notice.
The Bank of England welcomes applications from all candidates, but as a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) approved sponsor, we have a responsibility to comply with the Immigration Rules and guidance. As such, our ability to employ individuals who require sponsorship for immigration purposes is limited. The Bank cannot guarantee that you and / or the role you are applying for will be eligible for sponsorship and that any application made to UKVI will be successful. Eligibility will therefore be considered on a case by case basis.
The Application Process
Important: Please ensure that you complete the 'work history' section and answer ALL the application questions fully. All candidate applications are anonymised to ensure that our hiring managers will not be able to see your personal information, including your CV, when reviewing your application details at the screening stage. It's therefore really important that you fill out the work history and application form questions, as your answers will form a critical part of the initial selection process.
The assessment process will comprise of two interview stages and a review of your design portfolio (where allowed under confidentiality).
This role closes on 17th January 2025.
Please apply online, ensuring that you complete your work history and answer ALL the application questions fully and in detail as your application will not be considered if all mandatory questions are not fully completed.
Desired Skills and Experience
Product Designer with proven experience in the design of secure documents.
Experience of working with industrial printers to translate a design into a final product.
Can demonstrate an ability to collaboratively work with all colleagues and external partners to achieve project goals.