Overview
As a Senior User Researcher Consultant at Version 1, you will shape meaningful, accessible services that deliver lasting value across both public and private sectors. Leading research across the full delivery lifecycle, you'll help agile teams validate assumptions, reduce risk, and prioritise work based on real user needs. You will work autonomously within multidisciplinary teams—collaborating with product managers, designers, business analysts, and developers—to ensure evidence drives decision‑making at every stage. Beyond projects, you’ll influence service strategy, foster a user‑first mindset in client organisations, and strengthen Version 1's user research practice by mentoring colleagues and sharing expertise across our community of practice.
Responsibilities
- Lead and deliver user research for complex projects, ensuring findings directly inform product, service and strategy decisions.
- Proactively contribute to client meetings, workshops and presentations, building strong relationships providing actionable recommendations.
- Develop strong client relationships by anticipating client needs, advising on research opportunities and driving outcomes that align with both user needs and business objectives.
- Mentor and guide team members, upskilling junior researchers and fostering a collaborative, supportive working environment.
- Takes full ownership of research deliverables, ensuring they are high quality and aligned with project objectives and client needs.
- Anticipates challenges and delivers proactive, evidence‑based solutions to complex problems.
- Communicates confidently and effectively, acting as a trusted research voice in meetings and workshops.
- Fosters a collaborative, inclusive team culture, actively mentoring and supporting colleagues’ development.
- Brings enthusiasm, curiosity and a willingness to learn, helping to build a positive and supportive working environment.
Qualifications & Experience
- Extensive experience (5+ years) as a researcher, leading research including work on complex digital services in Agile environments.
- End‑to‑end research capability – from designing and running generative and evaluative studies to analysing and synthesising findings into clear, actionable insights.
- Broad methodological expertise, with the ability to confidently select and apply a wide range of qualitative and quantitative methods (e.g. moderated and unmoderated usability testing, depth interviews, surveys, co‑design, diary studies) to meet project needs.
- Strong consultancy skills, including building trusted client relationships, advising on research strategy and influencing decisions at senior levels.
- Stakeholder management expertise, with experience engaging senior stakeholders, facilitating workshops and driving alignment across multidisciplinary teams.
- Proven impact, demonstrated through a strong portfolio or case studies showing how your research has informed successful product, service or strategic outcomes.
- Mentorship experience, coaching and supporting junior researchers and colleagues to develop their skills and confidence.
- Thorough understanding of ethical considerations in user research, particularly when working with vulnerable users or those with access needs.
- Deep understanding of inclusive design and accessibility, including conducting research with users with access needs and familiarity with WCAG 2.2.
- Working knowledge of UK public sector service design, including GDS service standards, GOV.UK design system patterns and assessment processes.
- Experience working within Agile teams, actively contributing to ceremonies and supporting iterative, user‑centred delivery.
Company Information
Version 1 has celebrated over 28 years in Technology Services and continues to be trusted by global brands to deliver solutions that drive customer success. Our expertise enables our customers to navigate the rapidly changing Digital‑First world we live in, and we foster strong partnerships with leading technology giants including Microsoft, AWS, Oracle, Red Hat, OutSystems and Snowflake.
- UK & Ireland's premier AWS, Microsoft & Oracle partner
- 3300+ strong workforce, €350/£300m revenue business
- 10+ years as a Great Place to Work in Ireland & UK
- Best Workplace for Women in the UK & Ireland by GPTW
- Best Workplace for Wellbeing in the UK by GPTW
Benefits
- Quarterly Performance‑Related Profit Share Scheme – employees collectively benefit from a share of the company's profits.
- Strong career progression and mentorship coaching through Strength in Balance & Leadership schemes and a dedicated quarterly Pathways Career Development programme.
- Flexible/remote working – Version 1 offers flexibility to help achieve a healthy work‑life balance.
- Financial wellbeing initiatives – pension, private healthcare cover, life assurance, financial advice and an employee discount scheme.
- Employee wellbeing schemes – gym discounts, bike‑to‑work, fitness classes, mindfulness workshops, employee assistance programme and more.
- Generous holiday allowance, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, marriage/civil partnership leave and special leave policies.
- Educational assistance – incentivised certifications and accreditations, including AWS, Microsoft, Oracle and Red Hat.
- Reward schemes – Annual Excellence Awards and a 'Call‑Out' platform.
- Environment, Social and Community First initiatives – opportunities to get involved in local fundraising and development in line with diversity, inclusion and belonging schemes.
Contact & Salary
Contact email: ashley.smith@version1.com. Salary: £46,471 to £51,606 per annum inclusive of London weighting.