Senior User Researcher

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Senior User Researcher to manage a user research team while delivering high‑quality research across a range of digital projects. The role requires the ability to effectively manage day‑to‑day research activities while maintaining a clear strategic focus aligned with wider organisational goals and objectives. You will be educated to degree level or equivalent and bring extensive experience in both qualitative and quantitative research methods.

• Leading and conducting proactive user experience research projects, including the creation of user research deliverables to provide in‑depth, actionable insight.
• Planning, designing and conducting interviews, workshops and usability testing sessions to support the design and development of digital services. Leading the user research process from developing the research methodology and user recruitment scripts through to analysis and user research outputs.
• Conducting in‑house user research with users to test concept developments and prototypes using a wide range of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, such as contextual interviews, pop‑up interviews, surveys and usability testing, to ensure that user needs are fully understood in the service design.
• Taking an innovative approach to ensure that all customer groups are represented in the user research and using a variety of channels to achieve this.
• Working collaboratively with the project team, designers and developers to turn user data into actionable product/service requirements that feed into prototype development and influence product direction.
• Effectively delivering user research projects within deadlines and maintaining a focus on results despite unforeseen challenges and setbacks.

• Educated to degree level (or relevant qualifications) in a relevant field, or significant relevant working experience of the subject matter.

• GDS trained or with extensive experience across a wide variety of research methodologies to carry out research to identify user needs following GDS standards.
• Providing advice and guidance across projects on both user research methodologies and GDS standards related to research and deliverables.
• Understanding and communicating to others the benefits and applicability of UI design, user testing tools, methods and standards to technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Demonstrable knowledge and experience in user‑centred design practices.
• Good attention to detail and able to work to a high level of accuracy.
• Familiar with collaborative tools such as JIRA and Trello.
• Creative and proactive enough to challenge the status quo with natural curiosity and inquisitive nature.
• A high level of confidence and ability to engage with and influence others including senior managers.
• Excellent communication skills.

• Identifying user needs and ensuring they are captured and implemented.
• Track record of conducting proactive user experience research projects through all stages from research methodology planning to analysis and outputs.
• Proven experience of a wide range of research methodologies such as professional and customer contextual interviews, workshops, pop‑up, guerrilla research and usability testing.
• Accessibility considerations and testing with users with additional needs to shape inclusive design.
• Presenting user research findings to senior managers and external organisations, being challenged on results and research outcomes.
• Managing user data in a secure way, in line with organisational policy.
• Working within multidisciplinary agile teams, and experience of creating epics and user stories.
• Training and mentoring junior user researchers and the wider team on user research best practice and agile methodology.
• Management, development and supervision of a small team of user researchers.

• Excellent problem‑solving and analytical skills.
• Experienced in delivering user research outputs from both qualitative and quantitative research and able to constructively critique methodological and analytical choices taken within the…