Senior User Researcher

Overview

Senior User Researcher at Methods, based in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom. This role is hybrid.

Location:

Hybrid

Salary: £55,000 - £65,000 per year

Methods is a £100M+ IT Services Consultancy focused on transforming the public sector in the UK. We partner with central government departments and agencies to deliver end-to-end business and technical solutions that are people-centred, safe, and designed for the future. We work across transformation, delivery, and collaboration, with a focus on value, sustainability, and learning from mistakes. Methods was acquired by the Alten Group in early 2022.

Your main day to day responsibilities will be to:

• work with client product managers/owners to devise appropriate research strategies that generate focused insights to support product development
• collaborate within a multidisciplinary team by including colleagues in research and analysis activities
• advocate for users, effectively communicating their needs and perspectives to support the design of intuitive and accessible services
• draw together, present and test reasonable conclusions from a wide range of incomplete and/or complex evidence and data
• take appropriate action or make decisions even when details are not clear
• weigh up data from various sources, recognising when to bring in additional Methods support
• identify the main issues in complex problems; clarify understanding or stakeholder expectations to seek the best option
• convincingly and tactfully persuade sceptical colleagues and stakeholders about the value and purpose of research
• effectively capture, use and share user/customer insight and views from a diverse range of stakeholders to ensure better policy and delivery
• support the Head of User Research in coordinating quality user research across the Digital Delivery portfolio through the research community
• guide, coach and mentor other user researchers in Methods and our clients
• work closely with colleagues to identify, develop and share good practice
• set and monitor standards for research, e.g. in ethics, lab testing, recruitment and documentation
• provide formalised peer-review to services, for quality assurance or as part of an assessment panel

You will also be expected to carry out the following day-to-day activities:

• confidently engage with stakeholders and colleagues at all levels, using strong interpersonal skills to develop and improve relationships within and outside of user research
• actively build and maintain a network of colleagues and contacts
• evaluate how Methods' user research compares to government and competitor best practice and identify improvements
• advocate for user-centred design and be an active part of the user research community within Methods and across government
• take responsibility for your own learning and development and seek opportunities to improve your knowledge and experience
• provide project support, guidance, coaching and mentoring to less experienced user researchers
• support bids, alongside the Head of User Research
• help recruit contract or permanent user researchers where more capacity is needed

• demonstrable passion for behavioural research with leadership potential
• ability to support and develop less experienced colleagues
• understanding the research question and how to answer it
• correctly applying a variety of research and analysis techniques
• ensuring research is representative and inclusive, enabling products/services to work for anyone
• communicating research in a way that others understand
• running workshops and facilitating design of the service through collaboration with other professions
• identifying the ‘so what’ and communicating it persuasively
• working in an agile environment

• Relevant industry experience

• Autonomy to develop and grow your skills
• Be part of exciting project work that makes a difference in society
• Strong, inspiring leadership
• A supportive and collaborative environment
• Development programmes and training
• Wellness: 24/7 confidential employee assistance programme
• Flexible working, including home working and part-time options
• Office social events and charitable commitments
• Generous leave—25 days plus bank holidays, with option to buy 5 extra days
• Volunteering: 2 paid days per year
• Pension with employer/employee contributions
• Discretionary company bonus
• Life and private medical insurance for employees and dependants
• Worldwide travel insurance
• Travel benefits: season ticket loan, cycle to work

• Mid-Senior level

• Full-time

• Information Technology

• IT Services and IT Consulting

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Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom