Lead User Researcher

Location: St James's

Our client is a UK software consultancy. If you already have all the answers, please don't apply for this role. We're looking for a Lead User Researcher to join our Design and Research team – who asks questions of us, our processes, and our clients. The key is someone who can ask the right questions at the right time. Questions about work itself, about the conditions that enable us to produce our best work, and those that help us grow as individuals, as a team and as a company.

You'll operate in a blended role, between overseeing projects and being actively involved in research where you can have the greatest impact. You'll work closely with our clients in user-focused engagements and support us in developing long-term relationships. Who we are Our design team is a collaborative mix of service designers, researchers, UX and UI designers, working shoulder-to-shoulder with engineers, delivery managers, AI and data specialists.

What sets us apart:
We follow work across both design diamonds, from discovery through to delivery We don't stop at ideas, we build and run real services We work in prototype-driven, user-centred, delivery-focused teams We form long-term client partnerships, allowing us to deliver real-world outcomes We don't just do research. We have impact. Our client is a leading UK technology and strategy consultancy. From enterprise to government, we help visionary organisations turn strategic ambitions into results  practices cover AI transformation, data platforms, systems engineering advanced CX and experience design.

Our client was founded on one simple idea: if we can create the best possible culture and working environment then everything else will fall into place. And it seems to be working – We were recently voted number 1 company to work for in the UK at the Best Company awards, and we have a loyal and growing client base who trust us with their hardest problems and their mission critical projects.

What You'll Do Deliver excellent user research Plan and lead research across different stages of delivery, from discovery through to live. Choose and apply the right research methods for the context, including interviews, usability testing, co-design and mixed-method approaches. Work directly with users to understand their needs, behaviours, contexts and barriers, including people with access needs or in vulnerable circumstances.

Turn insight into action Synthesise findings into clear, persuasive outputs that help teams and clients make confident product and service decisions. Translate research insight into practical recommendations for service design, product strategy and delivery priorities. Facilitate workshops, playback sessions and stakeholder discussions to build shared understanding and momentum around user needs. Work closely with teams and clients Build strong, trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders, helping them embed user-centred ways of working.

Collaborate day to day with designers, engineers, product managers and delivery leads in multidisciplinary teams. Provide stretch and support Advise clients and teams on research strategy, participant recruitment, ethics, consent and good research practice. Provide quality assurance and senior oversight for research activities, ensuring high standards in approach, delivery and outputs. Support public sector clients to meet the Government Service Standard and build inclusive, accessible services that work for diverse users.

Grow people and practice Coach and mentor researchers and designers, helping develop the user-centred design capability across projects and within our client. Contribute to our client's design and research practice by improving methods, tools, standards and thought leadership.…