Lead User Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead User Researcher

Company: NEC Software Solutions (NECSWS)

Location: Remote, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time (Fixed-term contract, minimum 6 months)

Category: User Research / GTM Operations

Date Posted: April 22, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead user research initiatives for a critical GDS Beta programme, ensuring user-centricity in complex, fast-moving delivery environments.

• Act as a trusted client liaison and guide multidisciplinary teams through GDS Beta assessments, influencing strategic decisions and research direction.

• Drive the planning, facilitation, and delivery of user research across sensitive and high-impact public sector projects.

• Champion ethical research practices, accessibility, and digital inclusion within the NEC Digital Studio, aligning with the company's people-first design philosophy.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the provided job title is "Lead User Researcher," the emphasis on "GDS Beta delivery experience," "complex delivery environments," and "influencing outcomes" suggests a strong alignment with Go-To-Market (GTM) operations, particularly in the context of user adoption and product readiness for public sector services. This role requires not just research expertise but also the operational capability to translate insights into actionable GDS-compliant delivery strategies. The fixed-term nature points towards project-based operational needs.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end user research strategy for a significant GDS Beta project, from planning to insight dissemination.

• Lead the design and execution of research methodologies (e.g., interviews, usability testing, surveys) to uncover user needs, pain points, and behaviors relevant to public sector services.

• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including product managers, designers, developers, and policy advisors, to integrate user insights into product development and service design.

• Facilitate research sessions and workshops, ensuring clear communication of findings and recommendations to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Prepare and support the programme through GDS Beta Assessments, ensuring research evidence meets required standards and contributes to successful accreditation.

• Manage complex stakeholder relationships, navigating ambiguity, competing priorities, and client expectations with confidence.

• Articulate research insights clearly and persuasively to senior stakeholders, clients, and delivery teams to inform strategic decision-making and ensure user needs are met.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of user research practices within the NEC Digital Studio, sharing knowledge and mentoring other team members.

• Ensure research activities adhere to ethical guidelines, data privacy regulations, and accessibility standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of direct research execution and strategic leadership, common in senior operations roles. The emphasis on GDS Beta assessments and stakeholder management points to the operational requirement of ensuring compliance and buy-in for service delivery, bridging the gap between user insight and government standards.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong academic foundation in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, or a related field is highly beneficial. Equivalent practical experience will be considered.

Experience: Minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in user research, with a significant focus on leading research initiatives within government or public sector digital projects.

Required Skills:

• GDS User Research Leadership: Proven experience leading user research within Government Digital Service (GDS) frameworks and standards.

• GDS Beta Assessment Experience: Demonstrable experience participating in and supporting GDS Beta Assessments, understanding the criteria and evidence required.

• Research Methodology Expertise: Mastery of a wide range of qualitative and quantitative user research methods (e.g., user interviews, usability testing, diary studies, surveys, contextual inquiry).

• Stakeholder Management: Exceptional ability to manage complex stakeholder groups, build rapport, and navigate competing priorities in a public sector context.

• Project Management: Strong project management skills to plan, execute, and deliver research projects on time and within scope, often in fast-paced environments.

• Communication & Facilitation: Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex research findings clearly to diverse audiences.

• Problem-Solving: Ability to identify and define research problems, develop appropriate research plans, and adapt methodologies to address ambiguity.

• GDS Compliance: Understanding of GDS principles, design patterns, and service standards.

• Security Clearance: Eligibility for UK Security Clearance and NPPV3 is essential.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within Bluelight, Public Safety, or Justice sector contexts.

• Familiarity with agile development methodologies.

• Experience with accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and digital inclusion principles.

• Knowledge of participatory co-design and ethical research practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for GDS Beta experience and eligibility for specific UK security clearances are critical operational gatekeepers for this role. These are not standard research skills but operational prerequisites for working on government-sensitive projects.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• GDS Project Case Studies: Showcase at least 2-3 GDS-compliant projects where you led user research, demonstrating your understanding of GDS principles and assessment requirements.

• Research Process Documentation: Provide examples of your research plans, methodologies, and insight reports, highlighting how you translated findings into actionable recommendations for service delivery.

• Stakeholder Engagement Examples: Illustrate how you managed and influenced senior stakeholders, evidenced through communication plans, feedback summaries, or decision logs.

• Impact Measurement: Demonstrate how your research contributed to measurable improvements in user experience, service efficiency, or public outcomes, ideally with quantitative data.

Process Documentation:

• Research Planning Framework: Detail your approach to scoping research, defining objectives, selecting appropriate methodologies, and recruiting participants for complex public sector initiatives.

• Insight Synthesis & Dissemination: Outline your methods for synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data into clear, compelling insights and communicating them effectively to multidisciplinary teams and senior leadership.

• GDS Assessment Readiness: Provide evidence of how you prepare research deliverables and evidence to meet GDS assessment criteria, particularly for Beta stage reviews.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role emphasizing GDS Beta delivery, the portfolio must explicitly demonstrate adherence to government digital service standards. This goes beyond typical design portfolios, requiring documentation of process, compliance, and stakeholder influence in a public sector context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £59,800 - £75,000 per annum, subject to location and experience.

Benefits:

• Private Medical Cover funded by NEC for Employees (with the option to add family members at an additional cost).

• 25 days paid holiday per year (pro-rata for fixed-term contract), with the option to buy/sell holidays.

• 4 x basic salary life assurance cover funded by NEC (with the option to increase cover at an additional cost).

• Generous Group Pension Plan with employer contributions up to a maximum of 8.5%.

• A selection of flexible benefits to suit individual needs.

• Free access to LinkedIn Learning with over 15,000 courses.

• Give back days.

• Annual team and company away-days.

• Personal learning budget.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week (standard full-time hours). While the role is remote, consistent availability during core UK working hours will be expected to facilitate collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and client engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided in GBP (£) for the UK market. The benefits package is comprehensive, offering good support for employee well-being and professional development, which is attractive for operations professionals seeking stability and growth. The fixed-term nature suggests potential for contract extension or conversion based on project needs.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / Software Solutions, specifically serving the Public Sector (Government, Healthcare, Justice, Public Safety).

Company Size: NEC Software Solutions is part of NEC Corporation, a global technology leader with over 3,000 employees. This indicates a robust organizational structure with established processes and resources, but also potentially a degree of bureaucracy.

Founded: NEC Corporation was founded in 1899, and NEC Software Solutions operates as a significant division, implying stability and a long-standing presence in the technology sector.

Team Structure:

• NEC Digital Studio: This role sits within the NEC Digital Studio, described as a "people-first digital studio" focused on human-centered design, ethical research, and co-design. This suggests a collaborative, user-focused environment.

• Multidisciplinary Delivery Teams: The Lead User Researcher will work within these teams, which are composed of various specialists (product managers, designers, developers, policy advisors) focused on delivering GDS-compliant services.

• Reporting: While not explicitly stated, a Lead User Researcher typically reports to a Head of User Research, a Design Director, or a Programme Director, depending on the organizational structure.

Methodology:

• User-Centric Design: The NEC Digital Studio prioritizes putting people at the center of services, using evidence-led solutions, participatory co-design, and ethical research.

• Agile Delivery: Implicit in GDS Beta delivery is an agile approach to product development and service design.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Insights from user research are critical for shaping service outcomes and ensuring compliance.

Company Website: www.necsws.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on the "NEC Digital Studio" and its mission highlights a specific culture within the larger NEC organization. For a Lead User Researcher, understanding this culture of ethical, inclusive, and participatory design is crucial for aligning with the company's operational ethos.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a "Lead" position, indicating a senior individual contributor or team lead capacity. It requires not only deep expertise in user research but also the ability to strategize, influence, and guide others through complex GDS delivery processes. This is a critical operational role for ensuring public services are user-validated and compliant.

Reporting Structure: The Lead User Researcher will likely report into a senior leadership role within the NEC Digital Studio or a specific programme directorate. They will collaborate extensively with multidisciplinary teams and senior client stakeholders.

Operations Impact: The user research conducted will directly influence the design, development, and delivery of critical public services. By ensuring these services are user-centered and meet GDS standards, the role has a significant operational impact on government efficiency, public trust, and citizen experience.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific public sector domains (e.g., Bluelight, Justice) or advanced research techniques.

• Leadership Development: Potential to move into managing a user research team, overseeing multiple projects, or taking on broader strategic operational roles within the Digital Studio.

• GDS Expertise: Become a recognized expert in GDS delivery processes and standards, a highly sought-after skill in the UK public sector technology landscape.

• Contract Extension/Conversion: Given the fixed-term nature, successful performance could lead to contract extension or opportunities for permanent roles within NECSWS.

• Learning & Development: Access to LinkedIn Learning and a personal learning budget supports continuous skill enhancement relevant to both user research and operational effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead" title signifies a step up in responsibility, requiring strategic thinking and the ability to manage complex operational challenges within a government framework. Growth potential lies in deepening domain expertise and potentially moving into management or broader operational strategy roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Remote. The role can be performed from home within the UK. Hybrid options may be available depending on the candidate's location, suggesting a flexible approach to work arrangements.

Office Location(s): While remote, candidates must be based in the United Kingdom to be eligible for the necessary security clearances. NEC Software Solutions has offices across the UK, but specific hybrid work arrangements would depend on the candidate's proximity to a company site and programme requirements.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Collaboration: Expect to utilize a range of digital collaboration tools for communication, meetings, and research facilitation.

• GDS Delivery Focus: The work environment is geared towards delivering complex public sector digital services, which often involves rigorous processes, stakeholder engagement, and adherence to strict standards.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for interaction with the multidisciplinary delivery team and NEC Digital Studio colleagues will occur through scheduled meetings, workshops, and informal digital channels.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (40 hours/week). While remote, the demands of leading research in a fast-paced GDS environment may require flexibility to meet project deadlines and client needs. Availability during core UK business hours is essential for seamless collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature is a key aspect of the work environment. However, the "GDS Beta delivery" context implies a need for structured communication and availability, making it more than a typical remote role, requiring strong self-management and proactive engagement.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and Cover Letter to assess suitability against essential criteria, particularly GDS experience and security clearance eligibility.

• First Interview: Likely to focus on your experience leading user research, GDS Beta involvement, stakeholder management skills, and understanding of public sector digital delivery. Expect behavioural questions.

• Portfolio Presentation/Case Study: You will likely be asked to present a case study from your portfolio, detailing a complex user research project, your approach, findings, and impact, specifically highlighting GDS relevance and stakeholder influence.

• Final Interview: This may involve meeting with senior leadership and potentially client representatives to assess strategic thinking, leadership potential, and cultural fit within the NEC Digital Studio and the programme team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Prioritize GDS Relevance: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects that demonstrate your experience with GDS standards, Beta assessments, and public sector service delivery.

• Structure for Impact: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role, the research process, key insights, how you influenced decisions, and the resulting impact (ideally with metrics).

• Demonstrate Strategic Leadership: Showcase how you set research direction, managed stakeholders, navigated ambiguity, and contributed to strategic outcomes, not just executed research tasks.

• Highlight GDS Beta Evidence: Be prepared to articulate how your research provided the evidence needed for GDS assessments.

• Concise and Clear: Present your work clearly and concisely, focusing on the most impactful aspects relevant to this specific role.

Challenge Preparation:

• GDS Scenario: Be prepared for a hypothetical scenario related to a GDS Beta project, asking how you would approach user research challenges, manage stakeholders, or prepare for an assessment.

• Stakeholder Management: Practice articulating how you would handle conflicting stakeholder demands or communicate difficult research findings.

• Ethical Considerations: Be ready to discuss how you ensure ethical research practices and data privacy, particularly in sensitive public sector contexts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on GDS Beta assessment means the interview process will heavily scrutinize your ability to deliver compliant, evidence-based research for government services. The portfolio review is a critical component, requiring careful curation to showcase this specific expertise.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: Tools for remote usability testing, participant recruitment, and survey administration (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey).

• Collaboration Suites: Microsoft 365 (Teams, SharePoint, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or Google Workspace for communication, document creation, and project management.

• Prototyping & Design Tools (for review): Familiarity with tools used by designers to understand prototypes and user flows (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: Proficiency in qualitative data analysis software (e.g., NVivo, Dovetail) and basic statistical analysis for quantitative data.

• Reporting Tools: Ability to create clear, compelling reports and presentations using tools like PowerPoint, Google Slides, or dedicated reporting dashboards.

CRM & Automation: While not directly managing a CRM, understanding how user research findings can feed into CRM strategies or product roadmaps is beneficial. Familiarity with agile project management tools (e.g., Jira, Asana) is also valuable for team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack focuses on research delivery and collaboration. The key is not just proficiency in specific tools but the ability to leverage them effectively to gather and communicate insights that drive GDS-compliant service development.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A fundamental belief in putting the user at the heart of all service design and delivery.

• Evidence-Led Design: Decisions are driven by robust research and data, ensuring services are effective and meet user needs.

• Ethical Practice: Commitment to conducting research responsibly, respecting participant privacy, and ensuring digital inclusion.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively within multidisciplinary teams to achieve shared goals.

• Excellence & Compliance: Striving for high standards in research quality and adherence to GDS guidelines.

• Impact & Societal Contribution: A drive to make a positive difference in the world through improved public services.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively engaging with product managers, designers, developers, and other specialists to ensure research insights are understood and acted upon.

• Open Communication: Fostering an environment where feedback is shared constructively, and research findings are discussed transparently.

• Co-Design Principles: Embracing participatory approaches where users and stakeholders are involved in the design process.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Proactive and transparent communication with clients and senior stakeholders to build trust and manage expectations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes a strong ethical compass and a dedication to public service. For an operations role like this, understanding and embodying these values is critical, as they directly influence decision-making and collaboration within the GDS framework.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex Public Sector Environments: Dealing with bureaucracy, diverse stakeholder needs, and often sensitive data within government projects.

• Pace and Pressure of GDS Beta: Working under tight deadlines and rigorous assessment criteria inherent in GDS Beta delivery.

• Managing Ambiguity: Researching problems that are often ill-defined or have competing priorities.

• Influencing Senior Stakeholders: Gaining buy-in and driving action from stakeholders who may have differing views or priorities.

• Remote Team Dynamics: Maintaining strong team cohesion and effective collaboration in a predominantly remote setting.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• GDS Expertise: Becoming a go-to expert for GDS processes and user research within the organization.

• Domain Specialization: Developing deep knowledge in critical public sectors like Bluelight, Justice, or Public Safety.

• Leadership Skills: Enhancing strategic planning, stakeholder negotiation, and team guidance capabilities.

• Continuous Professional Development: Utilizing provided learning resources (LinkedIn Learning, personal budget) to stay abreast of the latest research techniques and operational best practices in public sector digital transformation.

• Networking: Building a strong professional network within the UK government digital community.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are significant but directly tied to the rewarding nature of working on high-impact public services. The growth opportunities are substantial for those who excel in this demanding yet impactful operational domain.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your experience leading user research for a GDS Beta project. What were the key challenges, and how did you address them?" (Focus on your strategic approach, problem-solving, and GDS compliance.)

• "How have you managed competing priorities and diverse stakeholder needs in a complex public sector project? Provide a specific example." (Highlight your negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills.)

• "Imagine you've uncovered research findings that contradict a key stakeholder's assumptions. How would you present this information to ensure it's understood and acted upon?" (Demonstrate your ability to deliver difficult insights persuasively and constructively.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about NEC Software Solutions and the NEC Digital Studio's mission?" (Research their work in public services and their human-centered design philosophy.)

• "How do you ensure ethical research practices and promote digital inclusion in your work?" (Align your answer with their stated values.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Structure your case study presentation with a clear beginning (problem/context), middle (your research process, insights, and challenges), and end (impact, recommendations, and stakeholder influence).

• Focus on GDS Compliance: Explicitly call out how your research met GDS standards or contributed to assessment readiness.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the tangible benefits of your research (e.g., improved task completion rates, reduced error rates, increased user satisfaction).

• Visual Aids: Use clear, concise visuals (e.g., anonymized quotes, journey maps, key findings summaries) to support your narrative. Avoid overly dense slides.

• Engage the Audience: Treat it as a conversation, inviting questions and demonstrating your thought process.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily emphasize your ability to operate within the GDS framework and demonstrate leadership in a complex, public-facing operational context. Your portfolio is your primary tool for validating these claims.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on jobs.smartrecruiters.com.

• Tailor your CV: Ensure your CV clearly highlights your experience in user research, specifically within GDS projects and Beta assessments. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Craft a compelling Cover Letter: Address why you are a good fit for NEC Software Solutions, the NEC Digital Studio, and this specific Lead User Researcher role. Articulate your understanding of public sector digital services and your passion for user-centered design. Keep it within the 1000-word guideline.

• Prepare your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 strong case studies that best demonstrate your GDS experience, research leadership, stakeholder management, and ability to drive impact in complex environments. Be ready to present these effectively.

• Research NECSWS and GDS: Familiarize yourself with NEC Software Solutions' work in the public sector and the principles of the Government Digital Service (GDS) to align your application and interview responses.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.