User Researcher

Experis - ManpowerGroup; London; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a Lead User Researcher for Defence & Security clients in London or Bristol. This role involves championing user-centred insights, managing research strategies across critical programmes, and mentoring junior researchers. Candidates must hold active UK security clearance and have significant experience in public sector user research. The position offers competitive compensation up to £120,000 annually, along with a hybrid working arrangement.

Benefits

Competitive remuneration

Hybrid working model

High-impact assignments

Qualifications

• UK national with an active Developed Vetting (DV) or Security Check (SC).
• Proven experience leading user research programmes in the public sector.
• Deep expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Responsibilities

• Plan and facilitate user research activities to uncover user needs.
• Develop and maintain research outputs, including user personas.
• Mentor less experienced researchers to build research capability.

Tools

usability testing platforms

survey tools

analytics software

Job description

Lead User Researcher - Defence & Security (Bristol or London)

Salary: £75,000 - £120,000 per annum (dependent on experience and clearance level)
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (Bristol or London)
Security Requirement: Active UK Security Clearance (SC or DV)

Role Overview

Join a high-performing, interdisciplinary team focused on delivering critical digital products for Defence & Security clients. As Lead User Researcher, you'll champion user-centred insights while shaping research strategy, processes, and standards across enterprise-level programmes.

Responsibilities

• Plan and facilitate user research activities-interviews, usability testing, workshops, surveys-to uncover user needs and behaviours across complex environments
• Develop and maintain research artefacts and outputs, including user personas, journey maps, experience maps, and design recommendations
• Advocate for user needs throughout the lifecycle, partnering closely with designers, product owners, developers, and senior stakeholders
• Interpret, synthesise, and present actionable insights to non‑specialist and executive audiences
• Mentor and coach less experienced researchers to build research capability and consistency across teams

Required Experience & Qualifications

• UK national with an active Developed Vetting (DV) or Security Check (SC)
• Proven experience leading user research programmes within the public sector or regulated industries (Defence, Justice, Government, etc.)
• Deep expertise in both qualitative and quantitative research methods; ability to derive actionable insight from complex datasets
• Strong storytelling ability, confident in presenting findings to senior decision‑makers and product teams
• Proficiency with research tools like usability testing platforms, survey tools, analytics software, and experience methods aligned with user‑centred design frameworks
• Experience working in agile delivery environments alongside designers, developers, and product owners, with a user‑centred mindset

What's On Offer

• Competitive remuneration up to £120k, aligned with veteran user research professionals in Defence & Security fields
• Hybrid working model based in Bristol or London, with flexibility for remote collaboration and occasional in‑office presence
• High‑impact, high visibility assignments across high‑stakes national security programmes
• Significant influence over team practices and enterprise‑level research capability building

How to Apply

If you hold active SC or DV clearance, and are passionate about defining user experiences at scale in sensitive environments, we would welcome your application. Please provide your CV along with a summary of your relevant experience, clearance level, and preferred location.

People Source Consulting Ltd is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy. People Source specialise in technology recruitment across niche markets including Information Technology, Digital TV, Digital Marketing, Project and Programme Management, SAP, Digital and Consumer Electronics, Air Traffic Management, Management Consultancy, Business Intelligence, Manufacturing, Telecoms, Public Sector, Healthcare, Finance and Oil & Gas.