Senior User Researcher SC Cleared - Inside IR35 Contract

Version 1 Solutions Limited; United States; Remote; USD 86,000 - 119,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible/remote working

Private healthcare

Pension scheme

Performance bonuses

Employee wellbeing programs

Job summary

Version 1 Solutions Limited is seeking a Senior User Researcher to lead research across the full delivery lifecycle for UK public sector clients. You will shape services by validating assumptions, mentoring colleagues, and guiding evidence-based decision making in agile teams.

Expect to influence service strategy and foster a user-first culture across client organisations while maintaining a strong portfolio of impactful research and ethical practices.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience (5+ years) as a researcher, leading research for complex digital services.
• Strong knowledge of UK public sector service design, including GDS service standards, GOV.UK design system patterns, and assessment processes.
• End-to-end research capability from designing and running generative and evaluative studies to synthesising findings into actionable insights.
• Broad methodological expertise across qualitative and quantitative methods (e.g., usability testing, interviews, surveys, diary studies).
• Strong consultancy skills, building trusted client relationships and influencing senior decisions.
• Stakeholder management across multi-disciplinary teams and with senior stakeholders.
• Proven impact demonstrated through case studies showing research informed product/service outcomes.
• Thorough understanding of ethical considerations and inclusive design, including accessibility WCAG 2.2.
• Experience working in Agile teams and supporting iterative, user-centered delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver user research for complex projects, ensuring findings inform product, service, and strategy decisions.
• Contribute to client meetings and workshops, building relationships and providing actionable recommendations.
• Mentor junior researchers and foster a collaborative working environment.
• Anticipate client needs and advise on research opportunities aligning with user and business goals.

Skills

User research

Stakeholder management

Consulting

GDS service standards

Inclusive design

WCAG 2.2

Agile delivery

Public sector experience

Job description

We're looking for an SC Cleared User Researcher who can shape meaningful, accessible services that deliver lasting value across our Public Sector Clients. Leading research across the full delivery lifecycle, you'll help agile teams validate assumptions, reduce risk, and prioritise work based on real user needs. You will work autonomously within multidisciplinary teams — collaborating with product managers, designers, business analysts and developers—to ensure evidence drives decision‑making at every stage. Beyond projects, you'll influence service strategy, foster a user‑first mindset in client organisations, and strengthen Version 1’s user research practice by mentoring colleagues and sharing expertise across our community of practice. This role is for a consultant who thrives in client‑facing settings, can confidently lead discovery and delivery activities, and has a proven track record of working to the GDS Digital Service Standard.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver user research for complex projects, ensuring findings directly inform product, service, and strategy decisions.
• Proactively contribute to client meetings, workshops and presentations, building strong relationships and providing actionable recommendations.
• Develop strong client relationships by anticipating client needs, advising on research opportunities and driving outcomes that align with both user needs and business objectives.
• Mentor and guide team members, upskilling junior researchers and fostering a collaborative, supportive working environment.

Expected behaviours

• Takes full ownership of research deliverables, ensuring they are high quality and aligned with project objectives and client needs.
• Anticipates challenges and delivers proactive, evidence‑based solutions to complex problems.
• Communicates confidently and effectively, acting as a trusted research voice in meetings and workshops.
• Fosters a collaborative, inclusive team culture, actively mentoring and supporting colleagues' development.
• Brings enthusiasm, curiosity and a willingness to learn, helping to build a positive and supportive working environment.

Senior User Researcher Expertise

• Extensive experience (5+ years) as a researcher, leading research including work on complex digital services in Agile environments.
• Strong knowledge of UK public sector service design, including GDS service standards, GOV.UK design system patterns, and assessment processes.
• End‑to‑end research capability - from designing and running generative and evaluative studies to analysing and synthesising findings into clear, actionable insights.
• Broad methodological expertise, with the ability to confidently select and apply a wide range of qualitative and quantitative methods (e.g., moderated and unmoderated usability testing, depth interviews, surveys, co‑design, diary studies) to meet project needs.
• Strong consultancy skills, including building trusted client relationships, advising on research strategy and influencing decisions at senior levels.
• Stakeholder management expertise, with experience engaging senior stakeholders, facilitating workshops and driving alignment across multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Proven impact, demonstrated through a strong portfolio or case studies showing how your research has informed successful product, service or strategic outcomes.
• Thorough understanding of ethical considerations in user research, particularly when working with vulnerable users or those with access needs.
• Deep understanding of inclusive design and accessibility, including conducting research with users with access needs and familiarity with WCAG 2.2.
• Experience working within Agile teams, actively contributing to ceremonies and supporting iterative, user‑centred delivery.

Version 1 has celebrated 30 years in business and continues to be trusted by global brands to deliver technology and transformation solutions that drive customer success. Our deep expertise enables our customers to navigate the rapidly evolving technology landscape. We foster strong partnerships with global technology leaders including Microsoft, AWS, Oracle, Red Hat, OutSystems, Snowflake, ensuring that our customers are provided with the highest quality solutions and services.

Company Highlights

• UK & Ireland's premier AWS, Microsoft & Oracle partner
• 3300+ strong, €350/£300m revenue business
• 10+ years as a Great Place to Work in Ireland & UK
• Best Workplace for Women in the UK & Ireland by GPTW
• Best Workplace for Wellbeing in the UK by GPTW

We're a core values driven company, we hire people who share our values, and we reward those who display and foster them, it's deeply embedded in our DNA. Invest in us and we'll invest in you!.

Benefits

• Share in our success with our Quarterly Performance‑Related Profit Share Scheme, where employees collectively benefit from a share of our company's profits
• Strong Career Progression & mentorship coaching through our Strength in Balance & Leadership schemes with a dedicated quarterly Pathways Career Development programme
• Flexible/remote working, Version 1 is tremendously understanding of life events and people's individual circumstances and offer flexibility to help achieve a healthy work life balance
• Financial Wellbeing initiatives including: Version 1 Pension with a 5% employee‑matched contribution, Private Healthcare Cover, Life Assurance, Financial advice and an Employee Discount scheme
• Employee Wellbeing schemes including Gym Discounts, Bike to Work, Fitness classes, Mindfulness Workshops, Employee Assistance Programme and much more.
• 24 days holiday allowance plus Public Holidays, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, marriage/civil partnership leave and special leave policies
• Educational assistance, incentivised certifications, and accreditations, including AWS, Microsoft, Oracle and Red Hat
• Reward schemes including Version 1's Annual Excellence Awards & quarterly Star Awards.
• Environment, Social and Community First initiatives allow you to get involved in local fundraising and development opportunities as part of fostering our diversity, inclusion and belonging schemes.

And many more exciting benefits… drop us a note to find out more.