Senior User Researcher

Methods Business and Digital Technology; Manchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK-based IT consulting firm is looking for an experienced Senior User Researcher to lead user research in a public sector environment. The role involves developing research strategies, advocating for user needs, and mentoring junior researchers. Strong leadership and communication skills are essential. Benefits include flexible working arrangements, a discretionary company bonus, and private medical insurance.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

24/7 confidential employee assistance programme

Discretionary company bonus

Private medical insurance

Enhanced maternity and paternity pay

Responsibilities

• Devise research strategies with client product managers.
• Communicate user needs to design accessible services.
• Guide and mentor other user researchers.

Skills

Strong leadership skills

Ability to support and develop less experienced colleagues

Understanding research questions

Applying research and analysis techniques

Ensuring inclusive research

Communicating research findings clearly

Facilitating workshops

Working in an agile environment

Education

Relevant industry experience

Job description

Overview

Methods is a £100M+ IT Services Consultancy who has partnered with a range of central government departments and agencies to transform the way the public sector operates in the UK. Established over 30 years ago and UK-based, we apply our skills in transformation, delivery, and collaboration from across the Methods Group, to create end-to-end business and technical solutions that are people-centred, safe, and designed for the future.

Our human touch sets us apart from other consultancies, system integrators and software houses - with people, technology, and data at the heart of who we are, we believe in creating value and sustainability through everything we do for our clients, staff, communities, and the planet.

We support our clients in the success of their projects while working collaboratively to share skill sets and solve problems. At Methods we have fun while working hard; we are not afraid of making mistakes and learning from them.

Predominantly focused on the public-sector, Methods is now building a significant private sector client portfolio.

Methods was acquired by the Alten Group in early 2022.

Your role

We are looking for an experienced Senior User Researcher to join our growing team on a permanent basis. You will have a passion for understanding and championing the user.

You will have experience of working on products and services in a public sector environment, conducting user research on projects to a high ethical standard, with knowledge of government service standards and principles.

• 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 ("delivery through people")
• 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 with colleagues 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 necessary and desirable 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
• Project support, guidance, coaching and mentoring (as appropriate) 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.

Essential Skills

You’ll have a demonstrable passion for behavioural research, with the following skills or proven experience in:

• Strong leadership skills
• Ability to support and develop less experienced colleagues
• Understanding the research question which needs to be answered, and choosing the best way to answer that question
• Correctly applying a variety of research and analysis techniques
• Ensuring research is representative and inclusive, enabling products/services to be designed to work effectively for anyone who may need it
• Talking about research in a way that other people understand
• Running workshops, participating in discussions and assisting in the facilitation of the design of the service through collaboration with other professions
• Identifying the ‘so what’ and communicating it in a compelling way
• Working in an agile environment

Qualifications

• Relevant industry experience

Methods is passionate about its people; we want our colleagues to develop the things they are good at and enjoy.

By joining us you can expect

• Autonomy to develop and grow your skills and experience
• Be part of exciting project work that is making a difference in society
• Strong, inspiring and thought-provoking leadership
• A supportive and collaborative environment

Development

- a management development programme, and training

Wellness

– 24/7 confidential employee assistance programme

Flexible Working

– including home working and part time

Social

– office parties, breakfast Tuesdays, monthly pizza Thursdays, Thirsty Thursdays, and commitment to charitable causes

Time Off

– 25 days of annual leave a year, plus bank holidays, with the option to buy 5 extra days each year

Volunteering

– 2 paid days per year to volunteer in our local communities or within a charity organisation

Pension

– Salary Exchange Scheme with 4% employer contribution and 5% employee contribution

Discretionary Company Bonus

– based on company and individual performance

Life Assurance

– 4 times base salary

Private Medical Insurance

– which is non-contributory (spouse and dependants included)

Worldwide Travel Insurance

– which is non-contributory (spouse and dependants included)

Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Pay

–

Travel

– season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme

For a full list of benefits please visit our website (www.methods.co.uk/careers/benefits)