User Researcher

Scrumconnect Limited; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Scrumconnect Consulting in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, seeks a Senior User Researcher to lead the user research programme for the SCS-N Discovery, designing and executing a comprehensive approach to understand building control authority teams across England.

Working at SFIA Level 5, you will advise on research strategy, run autonomous studies, produce evidence-based outputs, and inform the design of a new digital notification system for government services, ensuring GDPR compliance and high-quality

Qualifications

• Significant experience as a User Researcher in UK public sector or government digital delivery.
• Ability to design and execute large-scale research programmes across distributed teams.
• Strong ability to communicate findings to non-specialist audiences in plain English.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of the user research strategy for the SCS-N Discovery, including defining research questions, selecting appropriate methods and managing participant recruitment.
• Plan and facilitate interviews, focus groups, contextual enquiries and usability sessions with BCA teams across local authorities.
• Produce outputs including findings reports, journey maps and personas, and contribute to as-is process mapping of SCS-N notifications.

Skills

UK public sector experience

Qualitative research

SFIA Level 5

GDS standards

Education

GSR accreditation

Tools

Dovetail

Lookback

Optimal Workshop

Miro

Job description

Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom | Posted on 10/11/2026

Scrumconnect Consulting is a multi-award-winning digital consultancy, recognised for delivering impactful and innovative technology solutions across UK government departments. Our work has positively influenced the lives of over 40 million UK citizens.

We are passionate about user-centred design, agile delivery, and building digital services that make a real difference. Our teams work at the forefront of innovation, helping organisations transform and deliver high-quality, scalable solutions that truly matter.

Role Summary

The Senior User Researcher will lead the user research programme for the SCS-N Discovery, designing and executing a comprehensive research approach to understand the needs, behaviours and pain points of building control authority teams across England.

Operating at SFIA Level 5, this role requires an experienced researcher capable of working autonomously, advising on research strategy and producing high-quality, evidence-based outputs that directly inform the design of a new digital notification system.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of the user research strategy for the SCS-N Discovery, including defining research questions, selecting appropriate methods and managing participant recruitment.
• Plan and facilitate in-depth interviews, focus groups, contextual enquiries and usability sessions with building control authority (BCA) teams across a representative sample of local authorities.
• Design and deploy surveys, diary studies and other mixed-methods research instruments.
• Synthesise and analyse large volumes of qualitative and quantitative research data to identify themes, insights and user needs.
• Produce clear, compelling and high-quality research outputs, including findings reports, insight packs, affinity diagrams, personas and journey maps.
• Contribute to the 'as-is' process mapping of how BCA teams manage SCS-N notifications.
• Define and prioritise user needs for the new system (essential vs. desirable), in collaboration with the Business Analyst (BA) and Service Designer.
• Present research findings clearly and persuasively to senior stakeholders at BSR and MHCLG.
• Ensure all research is conducted in accordance with GDPR, ethical research standards and the Government Social Research framework.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to raising research standards across the team.
• Significant experience as a User Researcher in UK public sector or government digital delivery.
• Strong qualitative research skills, including interview design, facilitation, analysis and synthesis.
• Experience designing and executing large-scale research programmes engaging diverse and geographically distributed participant groups.
• Proficiency in research tools such as Dovetail, Lookback, Optimal Workshop, Miro or equivalent.
• Experience producing GDS-standard research outputs, including needs registers, research findings reports and journey maps.
• Ability to communicate complex research findings in plain English to non-specialist audiences.
• Knowledge of the GDS Service Standard and the role of research across Discovery, Alpha and Beta.
• SFIA Level 5 competencies as defined in the SFIA framework.
• Experience researching local authority, building control or regulatory services.
• Knowledge of quantitative research methods and survey design.
• Experience with remote and in-person research facilitation across public sector contexts.
• Government Social Research (GSR) accreditation or an equivalent professional research qualification.

At SFIA Level 5 (Ensure, Advise), the successful candidate will demonstrate the following core behaviours:

• Takes responsibility for the quality and rigour of the research programme.
• Advises on research strategy, method selection and approach at programme level.
• Works autonomously, self-directing research activities with minimal supervision.
• Influences decisions on service design and policy through evidence-based research.
• Demonstrates accountability for research outputs and their impact on delivery.

Diversity & Inclusion

At Scrumconnect Consulting, we believe that diversity drives innovation and better outcomes. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every individual is valued, respected and supported.

We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and actively encourage individuals from underrepresented groups, including women, people with disabilities and diverse communities, as well as those seeking flexible working arrangements.

As a Disability Confident Level 1 employer, we are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and during employment to ensure equal opportunities for all.