Senior Project Officer

LeedsGraphicDesigners.co.uk; Little London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A public sector organization in Little London is seeking a User Research Lead to enhance data products through user research. This role involves leading qualitative studies, translating user needs into actionable insights, and advocating for user-centered design. With a hybrid working model, the position also offers a strong salary package, including 30 days of annual leave and various loans, ensuring a supportive environment for diverse candidates.

Benefits

30 days annual leave

Interest-free season ticket loan

Interest-free bicycle loan

Career average pension scheme

Qualifications

• Deep experience delivering qualitative/user research studies.
• Strong research communication skills for diverse audiences.
• Experience leading user research within product development.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and delivery of user research.
• Directly lead research of data products with users.
• Advocate for user-centered design in internal processes.

Skills

User research

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical skills

Data literacy

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Power BI

MS Planner

Asana

Lucid

Miro

Job description

Communities & Skills

Collaborative, open, inclusive and fair – we work with and through partners to ensure Londoners can shape healthy, empowered and productive lives.

Communities and Skills is led by Executive Director, Tunde Olayinka and is comprised of the following units: Civil Society & Sport, Communities & Social Policy, Group Public Health Unit, Skills and Employment and Health, Children and Young Londoners.

About The Team

The Skills & Employment Unit is responsible for overseeing adult skills delivery in London following delegation of the Adult Skills Fund from the DfE to the Greater London Authority in 2019 and the introduction of Skills Bootcamps in 2022.

The Skills and Employment Units Funding Policy and Systems Team is responsible for data collection and processing related to London’s adult education and skills programmes and produces a range of data products to support delivery of the Mayor’s priorities in this area.

About The Role

You will lead the planning, design and delivery of user research with users of the team’s data products to understand their needs and requirements and work with the development team to design potential solutions.

The team has recently started embedding user‑centred approaches in its work. You’ll have the chance to embed user research as a critical function within the team and make a meaningful impact for data users in an evolving environment. If you’re interested in how data is used and enthusiastic about delivering improvements for the public sector, this role is for you.

This is a hybrid working opportunity. The team is based at 169 Union Street, SE1 0LL.

What your day will look like

• Produce research outputs that inform design so that our data products work well for users and achieve the desired business outcomes.
• Establish user research as a function within the Funding Policy and Systems team, setting standards, behavioural expectations for researchers and embedding user research into the delivery of all data products.
• Directly lead research of our data products, working in the open with users at the centre of all you do, including working across multiple workstreams concurrently.
• Apply a range of research methods to identify user needs and requirements, refine concepts, and test solutions with data users, creating research and analysis plans to guide decision‑making.
• Analyse findings to draw out key insights; communicate insights and recommendations to the multi‑disciplinary team and stakeholders, translating vision into prioritised, deliverable user stories backed up by evidence.
• Create wireframes used to visualise and test design concepts, and lead the design of data product solutions for the development team.
• Contribute to the refinement and prioritisation of the Data and Systems Roadmap.
• Build up an internal research and insight knowledge base, maintaining a repository and standardising processes that enable quality research.
• Advocate for user‑centred design and development, highlighting benefits to internal stakeholders and supporting agile ways of working.
• Apply an agile mindset across all aspects of the role, creating a fast‑paced, evolving environment with iterative methods.
• Manage staff and resources in accordance with the Authority’s policies and Code of Ethics and Standards.
• Realise the benefits of a flexible approach to work, supporting delivery of key workstreams across the team and participating in multi‑disciplinary, cross‑department and cross‑organisational groups and project teams.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Deep experience delivering qualitative/user research studies across the full product lifecycle, ideally focused on improving business processes and data products.
• Strong research communication skills, capable of succinctly explaining user needs to diverse, non‑expert audiences and building trust across teams.
• Experience leading a user research function within the product development lifecycle, building and executing a backlog of work and translating user needs into user stories for delivery.
• Analytically rigorous, with an understanding of methodological validity of both qualitative and quantitative data.
• Highly data literate and able to articulate data challenges faced by users.
• Experience working across modern technology platforms including workflow management tools (e.g., MS Planner, Asana) and collaborative software (e.g., Lucid, Miro). Proficient in Microsoft Excel.
• Experience using software to build dashboards (e.g., PowerBI) is an asset.
• Deep understanding of how to build accessible products.

Behavioural Competencies

• Research and Analysis – gathering intelligence, testing validity, drawing conclusions leading to practical benefits.
• Communicating and Influencing – presenting information and arguments clearly and convincingly, engaging others.
• Stakeholder Focus – consulting with, listening to and understanding the needs of those impacted, shaping work and managing expectations.
• Problem Solving – analysing situations from varied viewpoints and finding creative, workable, timely solutions.

How to Apply

If you would like to apply you need to submit an up‑to‑date CV and a personal statement (max 1500 words) addressing how you meet the essential criteria. Upload both documents through the online application system under the “CV and Cover Letters” section. Do not include photographs or images and keep file size under 1.5 MB each.

Benefits

Gla staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely. In addition to a good salary package, you will be paid every four weeks and receive frequent salary payments. We offer an attractive benefits package including 30 days annual leave, interest‑free season ticket loan, interest‑free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

London’s diversity is its biggest asset, and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London’s diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently under‑represented in our workforce. We are a Disability Confident Employer and will accommodate adjustments as part of the recruitment process.

Assessment Process

Your application will be reviewed by a panel. If shortlisted you will be invited to an interview/assessment on 4–5 February 2026.

Additional Information

All candidates must confirm that the information provided in this application form is true and correct. Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record (DBS) check. Some roles may require additional security screening.

More Support

If you have a disability which makes submitting an online application form difficult, please contact the resourcing team ([e-mail]). We are committed to being an inclusive and accessible workplace.