Lead User Researcher

Location:

Leeds (with occasional client travel) Office Working:
Hybrid About the Company

Mastek Limited is a global provider of enterprise AI, digital, and cloud services, enabling clients to achieve measurable and sustainable returns on their technology investments. With a presence in over 40 countries and approximately 5,000 employees, Mastek helps organisations accelerate transformation through innovative, scalable, and human-centred solutions. Working across sectors including Healthcare, Government, Retail, Manufacturing, Higher Education, and Financial Services, Mastek partners with leading technology providers including Microsoft, AWS, Oracle, Salesforce, Snowflake, and Databricks.

Our values of Trust, Value, and Velocity underpin everything we do.

We are seeking an experienced Lead User Researcher to join our growing User-Centred Design (UCD) practice. This role offers the opportunity to lead impactful research across complex digital transformation programmes for public and private sector clients. You'll work with in multidisciplinary teams to ensure products and services are shaped around genuine user needs, while also helping grow our UCD capability through mentoring, community leadership, and business development activities.

The successful candidate will bring strong expertise in user research, stakeholder engagement, Agile delivery, and evidence-based design, with the ability to lead teams and influence decision‑making at all levels.

• Lead and deliver end-to-end user research across complex digital and transformation programmes.
• Plan, scope, and conduct appropriate research activities to understand user needs and behaviours.
• Translate research findings into actionable insights that inform service and product decisions.
• Create and maintain high-quality research outputs, reports, and recommendations.
• Facilitate workshops, interviews, usability testing, and stakeholder engagement sessions.
• Build trusted relationships with clients and champion user-centred design approaches.
• Support organisations in adopting UCD, Agile, and evidence-based delivery practices.
• Mentor and support User Researchers and other members of multidisciplinary teams.
• Contribute to proposals, bids, and business development activities.
• Help shape Mastek's UCD strategy, propositions, and community growth initiatives.

• Degree in Psychology, Human Factors, Social Sciences, Design, Research, Digital, or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• Relevant User Research, UX, Design Thinking, or UCD certifications are advantageous.

• Significant experience delivering user research within Agile, multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Proven ability to translate user needs into practical, actionable recommendations.
• Experience working within consultancy or client-facing environments.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience facilitating workshops, research sessions, and collaborative design activities.
• Ability to manage ambiguity and work effectively within complex organisations.
• Experience mentoring, coaching, or leading research practitioners.
• Passion for user-centred design and improving services through evidence-based insight.

• Experience working with GDS and/or NHS Service Standards.
• Experience leading Discovery phases and supporting service assessments.
• Public sector or healthcare experience.
• Knowledge of related disciplines such as Service Design or Content Design.
• Experience contributing to Design Operations, capability development, or UCD communities of practice.

• Competitive salary and annual bonus opportunities.
• Hybrid and flexible working options.
• Generous annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays.
• Company pension scheme with employer contributions.
• Private medical insurance (for self & dependents).
• Life assurance cover.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• Gym and wellbeing support initiatives.
• Learning and development opportunities, including access to certifications and training.
• Employee recognition and reward programmes.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Enhanced family-friendly policies.

At Mastek, we are committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment where everyone can succeed. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer.