Senior User Researcher

NECSWS
Full_time£46k-65k/year (GBP)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior User Researcher Company: NECSWS Location: Remote, United Kingdom Job Type: Full-time Category: User Experience & Research Date Posted: 2026-01-16T14:47:13.342 Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years) Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

  • Lead and champion user research initiatives within multidisciplinary teams, ensuring a user-centered design (UCD) approach is embedded throughout project lifecycles.
  • Drive the planning, facilitation, and execution of diverse user research activities, from discovery to iterative development, adhering to GDS service standards.
  • Foster a culture of inclusive and ethical research practices, with a strong emphasis on accessibility and the needs of diverse user groups.
  • Contribute to the strategic growth of NEC Digital Studio by supporting new business opportunities, client engagement, and proposal development.
  • Mentor and develop junior members of the user research team, overseeing professional development and fostering team cohesion.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the raw job description focuses on User Research, the company's mission and client base (public services, government, NHS) suggest a strong alignment with GTM (Go-To-Market) strategy enablement through deep user understanding. This role is crucial for informing product-market fit, service design, and customer adoption strategies. The emphasis on UCD, accessibility, and working with "seldom heard" voices indicates a need for research that directly impacts service effectiveness and inclusivity, which are key GTM considerations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Plan, facilitate, and lead comprehensive user research activities across various project phases, including qualitative analysis and synthesis to generate actionable insights.
  • Advocate for and champion user-centered design (UCD) principles and ethical research practices with clients, many of whom may be new to these methodologies.
  • Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including service designers, interaction designers, and developers, to ensure research findings inform design decisions and product development.
  • Support the growth and development of the user research team by mentoring, line managing, and overseeing appraisals and professional development for team members.
  • Contribute to new business development by identifying client opportunities, assisting with proposals, and participating in pitches to secure new projects.
  • Define and refine the practice of user research within NEC Digital Studio, contributing to the continuous improvement of service delivery for inclusive, accessible, and effective design outcomes.
  • Facilitate a variety of research sessions, including user interviews, usability testing, and co-analysis workshops, guiding stakeholders through these processes effectively.
  • Translate complex research findings into clear, engaging, and meaningful outputs such as user journeys, user stories, and detailed user needs for colleagues and stakeholders.
  • Proactively identify opportunities to add value and lead conversations, demonstrating autonomy and a proactive approach to project challenges.
  • Manage stakeholder expectations and negotiate towards positive outcomes, ensuring research activities align with project budgets and objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of individual contribution and team leadership, common in senior operations roles that bridge tactical execution with strategic influence. The emphasis on client-facing work, proposal development, and championing UCD aligns with GTM operations roles that support business development and client success.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Design, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

  • Minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in user research, with a proven track record of leading research projects from conception to completion.
  • Demonstrable experience working within agile multidisciplinary teams and advocating for user research activities.
  • Experience in conducting ethical and inclusive research, with a strong understanding of accessibility needs and how to make adjustments for diverse users.
  • Proven experience in applying user research methodologies to meet GDS (Government Digital Service) standards or similar public sector digital service frameworks.
  • Expertise in qualitative analysis and synthesis, transforming research findings into representative user journeys, user stories, and user needs.

Required Skills:

  • User Research: Mastery of various qualitative research methods (interviews, usability testing, ethnography, diary studies, etc.) and quantitative methods.
  • Qualitative Analysis & Synthesis: Ability to analyze complex data, identify patterns, and synthesize findings into actionable insights and clear user needs.
  • Facilitation: Exceptional skills in facilitating user interviews, usability tests, co-design workshops, and stakeholder sessions.
  • Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to effectively manage, influence, and guide clients and stakeholders towards informed decision-making and positive project outcomes.
  • Written & Verbal Communication: Excellent ability to articulate research findings clearly, concisely, and engagingly to diverse audiences, including senior leadership and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Project Management: Strong ability to lead and manage research projects, including planning, scoping, resource allocation, and delivery within budget and timelines.
  • Inclusive & Ethical Research: Deep understanding and practical application of inclusive design principles and ethical research practices, ensuring the safety and dignity of participants.
  • User-Centered Design (UCD) Advocacy: Ability to champion UCD principles and educate clients and teams on its value and application.

Preferred Skills:

  • Service Design Thinking: Interest in or experience with service design principles and methodologies, understanding how research informs the broader service ecosystem.
  • Accessibility Expertise: In-depth knowledge of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and experience in testing for and recommending accessibility improvements.
  • Experience with Government Digital Standards (GDS): Familiarity with or direct experience applying GDS principles and frameworks to digital service development.
  • Team Leadership/Management: Experience in line managing, mentoring, or coaching junior researchers.
  • New Business Development: Experience in contributing to proposals, pitches, and client workshops for new business opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills directly translate to operations functions: Stakeholder Management (client relations, internal alignment), Project Management (project execution, resource planning), and Communication (reporting, cross-functional alignment). The emphasis on UCD and inclusive research is critical for ensuring products and services meet diverse market needs, a core GTM objective.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Case Studies: A portfolio showcasing 2-3 significant user research projects led by the candidate. Each case study should clearly outline the project context, the research questions, methodologies employed, the challenges faced, the participant recruitment strategy, the synthesis process, and the impact of the research findings on the final product or service.
  • Methodology Diversity: Demonstrations of expertise in a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods, with clear explanations of why specific methods were chosen for particular projects.
  • Impact & Outcomes: Quantifiable or qualitative evidence of how the research directly influenced design decisions, improved user experience, met accessibility requirements, or contributed to business objectives. This could include metrics on usability improvements, user satisfaction scores, or client testimonials.
  • Process Documentation: Examples of research plans, recruitment screeners, interview guides, synthesis frameworks, and research reports that demonstrate a structured and professional approach to research operations.
  • Inclusivity Focus: Specific examples or case studies highlighting experience with inclusive research practices, working with diverse or seldom-heard user groups, and addressing accessibility needs.

Process Documentation:

  • Research Planning: Ability to create detailed research plans that define objectives, scope, target participants, methodologies, timelines, and ethical considerations.
  • Ethical Frameworks: Documentation of adherence to ethical research guidelines, including informed consent processes, data anonymization, and participant safety protocols.
  • Synthesis & Reporting: Structured approaches to synthesizing qualitative data and presenting findings in clear, actionable reports, presentations, and artifacts (e.g., personas, journey maps).
  • Collaboration Workflows: Examples of how research findings are integrated into multidisciplinary team workflows, including participation in co-design sessions and feedback loops with designers, developers, and product managers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio demonstrating leadership, impact, and process is standard for senior operations roles. For this Senior User Researcher, the portfolio acts as a demonstration of their ability to execute complex research operations, influence product strategy, and drive user adoption – all critical components of GTM success. The documentation requirements highlight operational rigor.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £46,000 - £65,000 per annum, subject to location and experience.

Benefits:

  • Private Medical Cover: Comprehensive private medical insurance funded by NEC for employees, with an option to extend coverage to family members at an additional cost.
  • Generous Paid Holiday: 25 days of paid holiday per year, with the flexibility to buy or sell up to 5 days (pro-rata for full-time equivalent).
  • Life Assurance: 4x basic salary life assurance cover, funded by NEC, with the option to increase coverage at an additional cost for enhanced financial protection.
  • Attractive Pension Scheme: A Group Pension Plan with significant employer contributions, up to a maximum of 8.5%, providing a strong foundation for long-term financial planning.
  • Flexible Benefits: A curated selection of flexible benefits designed to cater to individual needs and preferences, allowing for personalized benefits packages.
  • Continuous Learning: Free access to LinkedIn Learning for all colleagues, offering over 15,000 courses across a vast array of subjects to support continuous professional development.
  • Community Engagement: Paid "Give Back Days" to support charitable activities and community initiatives, aligning with the company's social impact mission.
  • Team & Company Events: Annual team and company away-days designed to foster team cohesion, collaboration, and strategic alignment.
  • Personal Learning Budget: A dedicated budget for personal learning and development, enabling employees to pursue specific training, certifications, or educational opportunities to enhance their skills.

Working Hours:

  • Standard full-time working hours are assumed to be approximately 40 hours per week, typical for UK-based roles. The remote nature of the role offers flexibility, but adherence to project timelines and team collaboration needs will be expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a Senior User Researcher in the UK, reflecting the seniority and specialized skills required. The benefits package is robust, emphasizing employee well-being, professional development, and work-life balance, which are attractive to operations professionals seeking stable and supportive environments. The mention of "flexible benefits" suggests an operations-minded approach to employee support.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Government & Public Sector, Consulting, Social Services, Creative & Media. NECSWS operates at the intersection of these sectors, developing software and digital solutions for public services. Company Size: NECSWS is part of a larger organization (implied by "3,000+ employees" and "NEC Digital Studio"), suggesting a mid-to-large enterprise environment with established processes, but the Digital Studio likely operates with a more agile and human-centered ethos. This provides a balance of stability and innovation. Founded: NEC Digital Studio was "created to put people at the centre of services," indicating a relatively recent, focused initiative within a larger, established entity. This implies a culture that values user-centricity and innovation.

Team Structure:

  • Multidisciplinary Teams: The role explicitly mentions working within multidisciplinary teams, which typically include user researchers, service designers, interaction designers, content designers, developers, and product managers. This collaborative structure is common in modern digital product development.
  • User Research Guild/Community: The mention of weekly meet-ups for User Researchers to share work, discuss implications, and learn methods signifies a strong internal community of practice. This fosters knowledge sharing and professional development.
  • Reporting Structure: Senior members of the User Research team provide support, look after well-being, help set goals, and offer feedback, indicating a supportive hierarchy with mentorship opportunities. The Senior User Researcher will also have line management responsibilities.

Methodology:

  • User-Centered Design (UCD) & Participatory Co-Design: A core philosophy, emphasizing putting people at the center of service design and involving users directly in the design process.
  • Ethical Research & Digital Inclusion: A strong commitment to conducting research ethically and ensuring that digital services are accessible and inclusive for all users, especially "seldom heard" voices.
  • Agile Project Delivery: Research is conducted across different agile phases of a project, indicating adaptability and integration with iterative development cycles.
  • Evidence-Led Solutions: Focus on developing solutions grounded in research and data to transform public services effectively.

Company Website: https://necsws.com/digitalstudio/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on public services and human-centered design makes this role highly relevant to operations professionals interested in impact. The "people-first" digital studio culture suggests an environment that values collaboration, ethical practice, and continuous improvement, aligning with operational excellence.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as "Senior," indicating a level of autonomy, leadership, and responsibility beyond that of a mid-level researcher. It implies a capacity to manage complex projects, mentor others, and influence strategic direction, particularly in how user insights are integrated into business and product development processes.

Reporting Structure: The Senior User Researcher will have direct line management responsibilities for other user researchers. They will report into a more senior figure within the User Research team or the broader Digital Studio leadership, who will provide mentorship and support. Collaboration with other senior digital roles (e.g., Head of Design, Head of Product) is also expected.

Operations Impact: The Senior User Researcher's impact is multifaceted:

  • Product/Service Effectiveness: Ensuring that digital services are usable, accessible, and meet the genuine needs of diverse users, leading to greater adoption and satisfaction.
  • Business Development: Directly contributing to winning new business through compelling pitches and proposals that showcase NEC's user research capabilities.
  • Operational Efficiency: Improving how research is conducted and integrated into development cycles, potentially streamlining processes and reducing rework.
  • Team Development: Building the capacity and expertise of the user research team through mentorship and leadership.
  • Client Success: Enabling clients to deliver better public services by embedding user understanding into their strategies.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Leadership Development: Opportunities to further develop line management skills, lead larger and more strategic research initiatives, and potentially move into a Head of User Research or similar leadership role.
  • Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas such as accessibility research, ethical AI research, or research within particular public sector domains.
  • Cross-Disciplinary Expertise: Broaden knowledge and experience in related fields like Service Design, UX Strategy, or Product Management through close collaboration and potential training.
  • Contribution to Practice: Play a key role in shaping the future of user research practices at NEC, contributing to methodologies, training development (Design School), and thought leadership.
  • Client Relationship Management: Develop strong relationships with high-profile clients, potentially leading to more strategic advisory roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section highlights how a Senior User Researcher role aligns with career progression in operations, emphasizing leadership, strategic influence, and impact on business outcomes. The growth opportunities are tailored to typical career paths for senior professionals in research and operations roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is advertised as "Remote or Hybrid, Subject to Location." This indicates flexibility, with options for fully remote work within the UK or a hybrid arrangement if based near one of NEC's offices. The company culture promotes a "people-first digital studio," suggesting a collaborative and supportive atmosphere.

Office Location(s): While remote, the company operates in the UK, and hybrid options may be available depending on the employee's location within the UK. NEC Software Solutions has multiple locations across the UK, though specific office details for this role are not provided beyond the general "UK - Remote or Hybrid" designation.

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Environment: Despite being remote, the company emphasizes collaborative ways of working, both within multidisciplinary teams and through dedicated user research community meet-ups. Tools and processes will likely facilitate virtual collaboration.
  • Operations Tools & Technology: Standard digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Teams, Miro, Zoom) are expected. Specific user research tools for recruitment, testing, and analysis will be utilized. The company's focus on digital services implies a modern technology stack.
  • Team Interaction: Regular interaction with colleagues through virtual meetings, dedicated community channels, and project-specific collaboration. Opportunities exist to engage with senior leadership and clients.

Work Schedule:

  • Full-time, with a standard 40-hour work week expected. The remote and hybrid nature offers flexibility, allowing individuals to manage their schedules effectively, provided project deadlines and collaborative needs are met. This flexibility is beneficial for deep work required in research and analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote/hybrid aspect is crucial for attracting talent outside major hubs, and the description highlights how collaboration is maintained in such environments, which is a key operational consideration for distributed teams.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Application: Submission of a CV, a Cover Letter (max 1000 words) explaining fit and motivation, and a presentation (max 5 pages) on a led project or process.
  • Portfolio Review: The presentation serves as an initial portfolio review, demonstrating leadership, process, and outcomes. Candidates selected for interviews will present this for up to 10 minutes.
  • Interviews: Likely to involve multiple stages, including:
    • Hiring Manager Interview: Assessing overall fit, experience, and leadership potential.
    • Team/Peer Interviews: Evaluating collaboration style, technical skills, and cultural alignment with the user research team and multidisciplinary project teams.
    • Presentation & Q&A: A deeper dive into the candidate's presented project, assessing their strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and communication skills.
    • Potential Practical Exercise: A short, timed exercise to assess research planning, analysis, or synthesis skills, mirroring real-world challenges.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Structure Your Presentation: Clearly define the problem/context, your role and approach, the methodologies used, the key findings, the insights derived, and the impact/results of your work. Use a STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) or similar framework.
  • Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals where appropriate (e.g., anonymized snippets of research outputs, diagrams, key quotes) to illustrate your process and findings.
  • Highlight Leadership & Influence: For a senior role, emphasize how you led the research, influenced stakeholders, mentored others, and drove outcomes.
  • Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data or metrics to demonstrate the success of your research and its contribution to business goals or user satisfaction.
  • Focus on Process & Rationale: Explain why you chose certain methods and how you synthesized findings. This demonstrates a strong understanding of research operations and strategy.
  • Tailor to NEC: Briefly mention why NEC Digital Studio and their mission resonate with you, and how your skills align with their focus on public services, inclusivity, and UCD.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Research Scenarios: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach research for a complex public service scenario, perhaps involving vulnerable users or sensitive data.
  • Ethical Dilemmas: Consider how you would handle ethical challenges in research, such as participant distress, data privacy concerns, or conflicting stakeholder demands.
  • Stakeholder Negotiation: Practice articulating the value of research and negotiating priorities with stakeholders who may not fully understand or prioritize UCD.
  • Team Collaboration: Be ready to discuss how you integrate research findings into agile development cycles and collaborate effectively with diverse team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process emphasizes a portfolio, which is critical for operations roles. The advice provided is tailored to demonstrating leadership, process rigor, and impact, aligning with what hiring managers in operations-focused roles look for.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • User Research Platforms: Experience with tools for remote usability testing, session recording, and participant recruitment (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, UserZoom).
  • Collaboration Tools: Proficiency in virtual whiteboarding and collaboration platforms (e.g., Miro, Mural) for co-design, synthesis, and workshop facilitation.
  • Survey & Data Collection Tools: Familiarity with tools for creating surveys and collecting quantitative data (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Google Forms, Typeform).
  • Prototyping Tools (for testing): Understanding of how to test prototypes created in tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or InVision.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • Spreadsheet Software: Advanced proficiency in Excel or Google Sheets for data analysis and reporting.
  • Presentation Software: Expertise in creating compelling presentations using tools like PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Keynote to communicate research findings.

CRM & Automation:

  • Project Management Software: Familiarity with agile project management tools (e.g., Jira, Asana, Trello) for tracking research tasks and sprint integration.
  • Data Analysis Software (Optional but beneficial): Experience with statistical analysis tools (e.g., SPSS, R) or qualitative data analysis software (e.g., NVivo, Dovetail) can be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is not a traditional "Ops" role in terms of CRM/Salesforce, the "Tools & Technology Stack" section highlights the operational tools researchers use daily. Proficiency in these tools, and understanding how they integrate into broader development workflows, is key to operational efficiency in product development.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Care Passionately: A genuine commitment to understanding and advocating for users, and to making a positive impact through public services. This translates to a deep sense of responsibility in the research process.
  • Fluent in People: Empathy, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to connect with and understand diverse individuals from various backgrounds. This is fundamental to effective user research.
  • Believe in Your Craft: A dedication to the principles and practices of user research, continuously seeking to improve methodologies and deliver high-quality insights. This means a commitment to research rigor and best practices.
  • Push Convention: A willingness to challenge the status quo, explore new research methods, and find innovative ways to uncover user needs, especially in complex or underserved areas. This fosters continuous improvement.
  • Open to Change: Adaptability and flexibility in approach, especially when working in agile environments and with clients who are new to UCD. This is crucial for navigating project complexities.
  • Value Each Other: A collaborative and supportive attitude, respecting team members' contributions and fostering a positive working environment. This underpins effective teamwork and mentorship.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with designers, developers, product managers, and clients, ensuring research insights are integrated into all stages of the product lifecycle. This involves active participation in team ceremonies and feedback sessions.
  • Process Review & Feedback: An open culture of sharing work, receiving constructive feedback, and discussing the implications of research findings to refine approaches and elevate the quality of insights.
  • Knowledge Sharing: Proactive sharing of learnings, best practices, and insights within the user research community and across wider project teams, fostering a collective intelligence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of company values provides a clear framework for understanding the desired culture and behaviors. For operations roles, aligning with these values means demonstrating a commitment to process, collaboration, and impact, which are echoed in the company's stated principles.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Championing UCD with Novice Clients: Educating and persuading clients who may be unfamiliar with or skeptical of user-centered design methodologies, demonstrating its tangible benefits and ROI.
  • Navigating Complexity and Ambiguity: Tackling research projects in complex public service domains with diverse stakeholders, evolving requirements, and potentially sensitive user groups.
  • Balancing Research Rigor with Agile Timelines: Ensuring thorough and ethical research is conducted within fast-paced agile development cycles, requiring efficient planning and execution.
  • Recruiting Niche or Seldom-Heard Participants: Developing effective strategies to identify, recruit, and engage with diverse and often hard-to-reach user groups to ensure representative insights.
  • Managing Stakeholder Expectations: Negotiating research scope, timelines, and deliverables with multiple stakeholders who may have competing priorities or differing views on user needs.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Advanced Research Methodologies: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specialized research techniques, such as ethnography, diary studies, or advanced qualitative analysis.
  • Accessibility and Inclusive Design: Further development in understanding and applying accessibility standards (WCAG) and inclusive design principles across various digital products.
  • Service Design Integration: Gaining a deeper understanding of service design thinking and how user research contributes to the holistic design of services.
  • Leadership and Mentorship: Developing skills in line management, strategic project leadership, and mentoring junior researchers.
  • Industry Exposure: Potential to work across a variety of public sector domains, gaining broad experience and understanding of different user needs and operational contexts.
  • Contribution to Design School: Involvement in developing and delivering training courses, enhancing expertise and public speaking skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: Identifying potential challenges and growth opportunities is vital for operations candidates, as it demonstrates foresight and a proactive approach to career development and problem-solving. This section frames the role's complexities as learning experiences.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a complex user research project you led from start to finish. What was the challenge, your approach, the key findings, and the impact on the product or service?" (Assesses leadership, process, impact)
  • "How would you approach user research for a new digital service aimed at [specific public sector user group, e.g., vulnerable elderly individuals, small business owners]? What ethical considerations would be paramount?" (Assesses methodology, ethical reasoning, user empathy)
  • "Imagine a client is resistant to user research findings that contradict their existing assumptions. How would you navigate this situation to ensure the insights are heard and acted upon?" (Assesses stakeholder management, communication, influence)
  • "How do you ensure your research is inclusive and representative, particularly when working with seldom-heard voices?" (Assesses commitment to inclusivity and practical application)

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "Why are you interested in working for NEC Digital Studio and specifically this Senior User Researcher role?" (Assesses motivation, alignment with mission)
  • "How do you align with NEC's values (Care Passionately, Fluent in People, etc.) in your day-to-day work?" (Assesses cultural fit)
  • "Describe your experience working in multidisciplinary, agile teams. How do you ensure effective collaboration between research and design/development?" (Assesses teamwork, integration)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Concise Storytelling: Focus on telling a compelling story about your chosen project. Clearly articulate the context, the problem, your specific role and actions, and the measurable outcomes.
  • Visual Aids: Use clear, concise slides. Avoid text-heavy slides; use visuals, diagrams, and key quotes to illustrate your points. Ensure all sensitive or proprietary information is anonymized.
  • Demonstrate Process: Explain your research methodology and synthesis process clearly. Show how you arrived at your conclusions.
  • Highlight Impact: Quantify the impact of your research wherever possible (e.g., "led to a 20% increase in task completion," "reduced user errors by 15%"). If quantitative data isn't available, focus on qualitative impact and stakeholder feedback.
  • Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your decisions, challenges faced, alternative approaches, and the broader implications of your research. Be ready to defend your choices with solid reasoning.
  • Showcase Leadership: As a senior role, emphasize your leadership in the project, how you guided the team, and how you influenced stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice for preparing for interviews and presenting a portfolio, specifically tailored to a senior research role within a company focused on public services and UCD. The question types are typical for assessing senior-level candidates in operations-adjacent roles.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-adjacent position:

  • Submit Your CV: Ensure your CV highlights your experience in leading user research projects, working with multidisciplinary teams, and delivering impactful insights. Tailor it to the keywords and responsibilities mentioned in the job description.
  • Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Clearly articulate your motivation for joining NEC Digital Studio, your understanding of their mission, and how your skills and experience align with the Senior User Researcher role. Aim for your cover letter to be around 1000 words, as requested.
  • Prepare Your Project Presentation/Portfolio: Select a project that best demonstrates your leadership, research methodology, analytical skills, and ability to drive impact. Structure it logically (context, challenge, approach, findings, results) and create a concise presentation (max 5 pages). Practice presenting it within the 10-minute time limit.
  • Research NEC Digital Studio: Familiarize yourself with their work, client types, and their emphasis on user-centered design, accessibility, and public services. Understand their values and how they translate into their projects. This will be crucial for tailoring your application and interview responses.
  • Anticipate Interview Questions: Prepare to discuss your experience with the key skills and responsibilities outlined, particularly your approach to leading research, stakeholder management, and inclusive practices. Be ready to articulate your thought process and demonstrate your problem-solving abilities.

⚠️ 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.

Application Requirements

Candidates should have significant experience in user research, particularly in leading multidisciplinary teams and conducting inclusive research. Skills in qualitative analysis, facilitation, and stakeholder management are also important.