Senior User Researcher

Scrumconnect Limited; United States; Remote; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Disability Confident employer

Flexible working

Diversity & Inclusion

Job summary

Scrumconnect Consulting is seeking a Senior User Researcher to lead the research programme for the Discovery phase, shaping a comprehensive strategy to understand needs and pain points of building control teams in England. You will work autonomously and inform the design of a new digital notification system.

The role requires SFIA Level 5 competencies, strong facilitation and evidence-based outputs, and adherence to GDPR and public-sector research standards, with an emphasis on leadership and

Qualifications

• 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 participant groups.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of the user research strategy for the SCS-N discovery, including defining research questions and managing participant recruitment.
• Plan and facilitate interviews, focus groups, contextual enquiries and usability sessions with BCA teams across authorities.
• Design and deploy surveys, diary studies and mixed-methods research instruments.
• Synthesize and analyse research data to identify themes and user needs.
• Produce outputs including findings reports, insight packs, personas and journey maps.
• Contribute to mapping how BCA teams manage SCS-N notifications.
• Prioritise user needs for the new system in collaboration with the BA and Service Designer.
• Present findings to senior stakeholders at BSR and MHCLG.
• Ensure GDPR and ethical research standards; mentor junior researchers.

Skills

User research

Qualitative methods

Stakeholder comms

Public sector experience

SFIA Level 5

Tools

Dovetail

Lookback

Optimal Workshop

Miro

Job description

This is a remote position.

About Scrumconnect Consulting

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 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[7.1] 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 BA and Service Designer
• Present research findings clearly and persuasively to senior stakeholders at BSR and MHCLG[8.1]
• Ensure all research is conducted in accordance with GDPR, ethical research standards and the Government Social Research framework
• Mentor[9.1] junior researchers and contribute to raising research standards across the team

Essential Skills & Experience

• 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

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Experience researching local authority, building control or regulatory services[10.1]
• 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 equivalent professional research qualification

SFIA Level 5 Behaviours Expected

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.