Senior User Researcher

SmartSourcing Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 94,000 - 127,000; Part time

Job summary

SmartSourcing Ltd is seeking a Senior User Researcher for a 3-month contract with potential extension. The role combines hands-on research leadership with evaluation and foundational work to inform public-facing digital services.

Hybrid role with two days on site in London. You will lead mixed-method studies, recruit participants, analyze data, and translate insights into actionable recommendations for stakeholders across government teams.

Qualifications

• Experience in both evaluative and foundational research.
• Skilled communicator with ability to influence stakeholders and advocate for users.
• Proven ability to advocate for research and build relationships with colleagues.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and senior stakeholders throughout product development.
• Educated to at least Bachelor level in User Centred design related field.

Responsibilities

• Oversee evaluation of video content pilots and inform guidance.
• Take on ad hoc research for the YouTube commissioning work stream.
• Lead end-to-end research projects from planning to reporting.
• Collaborate with analytics and stakeholders to build a rich picture of user behaviour.
• Explore innovative methods to deliver better outcomes and advocate for impact.

Skills

Evaluative research

Foundational research

Stakeholder influence

User advocacy

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's in User Centred design related field

Job description

Senior User Researcher

3mths Initially Potential extension

Rate IRO of £600pd inside IR35

Hybrid working - 2 days a week on site

Current or Lapsed SC

Overview

The client is responsible for setting, leading and delivering the vision for a modern digital government.Their priorities are to drive a modern digital government.

The Content Development team are currently undertaking an evaluation and discovery process to identify how video content could be used in certain areas.

You will:

• Oversee the ongoing evaluation of video content pilots to inform video guidance and add to a growing evidence base in this area.
• Take on ad hoc research and evaluation projects for the YouTube commissioning work stream, including audience testing new content.
• Make an impact: work on and tackle some of the toughest challenges in public infrastructure, improving millions of people's lives through solutions that are informed by high quality, evidence-based, insights
• Deliver work that matters: driving change, delivering better value and outcomes for users and government, to empower and transform.
• Lead and conduct a wide range of user research projects that are aligned with the vision and goals using a range of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
• Deliver high-quality research projects end-to‑t‑end: from planning, recruiting participants, data analysis and reporting, ensuring key insights are acted upon.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary colleagues and stakeholders throughout the research process, and work with analytics colleagues and use a wide range of data to build a rich picture of user behaviour.
• Consistently explore and implement innovative ways to deliver better outcomes, whether by refining existing methods or experimenting with new, creative, approaches.
• Help colleagues understand when and when not to do research and advocate the value and demonstrate the importance of research by ensuring that impact is tracked and visible to others.

Essential skills

• Experience in both evaluative and foundational research, leveraging a wide range of data and techniques.
• The ability to be a skilled communicator with a proven track record of influencing stakeholders and advocating for users, driving decisions and shaping direction at both tactical and strategic levels.
• A proven ability to advocate for research and build strong relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Skilled in collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and senior stakeholders throughout the product development process to drive actions and meaningful change.
• Been educated to at least Batchelors level in a field related to User Centred design (e.g. HCI, Human Factors, Anthropology, Design, Psychology)