Senior User Researcher

Cinefix; Norwich; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading design consultancy is seeking a Senior Consultant in User Research to advise clients on user-centred design and lead Agile teams. You will play a crucial role in ensuring that services meet user needs while supporting the growth of your team. This position offers a competitive salary, hybrid work options, and a range of benefits including a contributory pension scheme and flexible perks.

Benefits

Contributory pension scheme

25 days holiday plus UK public holidays

Cycle-to-work scheme

Flexible benefits scheme

Qualifications

• Expertise in applying user research methodologies across different environments.
• Experienced in multidisciplinary Agile teams to design and deliver services.
• Advanced communication skills, with the ability to manage conflict tactfully.

Responsibilities

• Advise clients on solving problems with user-centred design.
• Lead Agile teams to meet user needs in service design.
• Manage user researchers and promote design methodologies.

Skills

User research methodologies

Agile methodologies

Stakeholder management

Consultancy skills

Advanced communication

Job description

About The Role

Hippo is recruiting senior consultants in user research. User researchers design, plan and conduct research into what people need from a service and produce recommendations for user‑centred service design. Working with designers, product owners, developers and other members of Agile teams, they also test services as they are being designed and use research evidence to help explain design decisions to clients.

As a senior consultant in user research, you’ll already be an expert in your field. You’ll also be a leader of people and teams, and an advocate for user‑centred design approaches. Hippo will provide exciting opportunities to share your expertise with clients and team members, and to develop as a leader.

Please note, we are looking for candidates who are looking for growth at this level (senior), therefore the advertised salary band is the lower end of our full banding for this level of position, allowing for progression in the role.

What You’ll Do

• Advise clients on how to solve complex problems using research, people‑centred design and Agile methodologies
• Lead multidisciplinary Agile teams to design services that meet identified user needs
• Advocate inclusive approaches within user research
• Build supportive relationships with clients and stakeholders, yet challenge ideas and manage difficult conversations
• Line‑manage user researchers and advise other colleagues on how to get the best from user research
• Support recruitment, events, blog‑writing and winning new business
• Promote Hippo’s people‑centred design offer both internally and externally

Skills And Experience That You Need

• Expertise in applying user research methodologies across different environments
• Experience of working in multidisciplinary Agile teams to design and deliver people‑centred services
• Working knowledge of how to research accessibility needs or assisted digital needs
• Proven experience of championing user research, user‑centred design and service design approaches
• Experience of line management or mentoring/training other user researchers
• Advanced communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to manage conflict and convey difficult messages with tact and sensitivity
• A good understanding of other Agile roles across design, product and tech
• Strong consultancy and leadership skills, and confidence in exploring problem spaces with clients to determine the most appropriate way forward

What Makes Us Great

As well as a competitive salary which were transparent about from the outset, you can also expect a range of benefits:

• Contributory pension scheme (Hippo 6% with employee contributions of 2%)
• 25 days holiday plus UK public holidays
• Perkbox access for a wide range of discounts
• Critical illness cover
• Life assurance and death in service cover
• Volunteer days
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme for avid cyclists
• Salary sacrifice electric vehicle scheme
• Season ticket loans
• Financial and general wellbeing sessions
• Flexible benefits scheme with options of:
  • Private health cover
  • Private dental cover
  • Additional company pension contributions
  • Additional holidays (up to an extra 2 days)
  • Wellbeing contribution
  • Charity contributions
  • Tree planting

Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at Hippo

At Hippo, we’re dedicated to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace that works for everyone. We understand that having a diverse team unlocks our capacity for innovation, creativity and problem solving. Only by building a community of diverse perspectives, cultures and socio‑economic backgrounds can we create an environment where all can contribute and thrive.

We actively encourage applications from underrepresented groups, including women, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+, neurodivergent people and people with disabilities. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process that reflects our workplace culture. We are a registered Disability Confident Employer, Mindful Employer, Endometriosis Friendly Employer and a member of the Armed Forces Covenant. Hippo continually strives to remove barriers, provide accommodations and offer reasonable adjustments to ensure equity throughout our practices.

Hippo locations

We are headquartered in Leeds and have offices across the UK in Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, London and Bristol. We’re on the lookout for top talent nationwide but you need to be located within reasonable travelling distance from one of our offices which will be your contracted office location. Candidates may be required to travel to client sites for a number of days per week. We offer a generous relocation support package of up to £8k (please ask for terms and conditions) to help make your move a smooth one.

Work Location: Hybrid remote in London WC1R 4PN