Location: Manchester, England, United Kingdom (Hybrid).

We are seeking an experienced Senior User Researcher to join our growing team on a permanent basis. You will have a passion for understanding and championing the user. You will have experience of working on products and services in a public sector environment, conducting user research on projects to a high ethical standard, with knowledge of government service standards and principles.

Responsibilities

• work with client product managers/owners to devise appropriate research strategies that generate focused insights to support product development
• collaborate within a multidisciplinary team by including colleagues in research and analysis activities
• advocate for users, effectively communicating their needs and perspectives to support the design of intuitive and accessible services
• draw together, present and test reasonable conclusions from a wide range of incomplete and/or complex evidence and data
• take appropriate action or make decisions even when details are not clear
• weigh up data from various sources, recognising when to bring in additional Methods support
• identify the main issues in complex problems; clarify understanding or stakeholder expectations to seek the best option
• convincingly and tactfully persuade sceptical colleagues and stakeholders about the value and purpose of research
• effectively capture, use and share user/customer insight and views from a diverse range of stakeholders to ensure better policy and delivery
• support the Head of User Research in coordinating quality user research across the Digital Delivery portfolio through the research community
• guide, coach and mentor other user researchers in Methods and our clients
• work closely with colleagues to identify, develop and share good practice
• set and monitor standards for research, e.g. in ethics, lab testing, recruitment and documentation
• provide formalised peer-review to services, for quality assurance or as part of an assessment panel

Day-to-day activities

• confidently engage with stakeholders and colleagues at all levels, using strong interpersonal skills to develop and improve relationships within and outside of user research
• actively build and maintain a network of colleagues and contacts
• evaluate how Methods' user research compares to government and competitor best practice and identify necessary and desirable improvements
• advocate for user-centred design and be an active part of the user research community within Methods and across government
• take responsibility for your own learning and development and seek opportunities to improve your knowledge and experience
• project support, guidance, coaching and mentoring (as appropriate) to less experienced user researchers
• support bids, alongside the Head of User Research
• help recruit contract or permanent user researchers where more capacity is needed

Essential Skills

• demonstrable passion for behavioural research
• leadership skills
• ability to support and develop less experienced colleagues
• understanding the research question which needs to be answered, and choosing the best way to answer that question
• correctly applying a variety of research and analysis techniques
• ensuring research is representative and inclusive, enabling products/services to be designed to work effectively for anyone who may need it
• communicating research in a way others can understand
• running workshops and facilitating service design through collaboration with other professions
• identifying the ‘so what’ and communicating it in a compelling way
• working in an agile environment

Qualifications

• Relevant industry experience

Benefits

• Autonomy to develop and grow your skills and experience
• Be part of exciting project work that is making a difference in society
• Strong, inspiring and thought-provoking leadership
• A supportive and collaborative environment
• Development opportunities through a management development programme and training
• Wellness resources, flexible working, social activities, time off, volunteering, pension, discretionary bonus, life and private medical insurance, worldwide travel insurance, enhanced maternity/paternity pay, and travel benefits

For a full list of benefits please visit our website: www.methods.co.uk/careers/benefits