Senior User Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior User Researcher

Company: Version 1

Location: London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, Edinburgh, Belfast, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Research / Service Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-10-06

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end user research initiatives for complex digital services within the UK Public Sector, ensuring a user-centric approach drives strategic decision-making.

• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including product managers, designers, business analysts, and developers, to validate assumptions and reduce project risk.

• Develop and nurture strong client relationships by proactively identifying research opportunities and advising on optimal strategies to meet user needs and business objectives.

• Mentor and upskill junior researchers and colleagues, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment that elevates the overall user research practice within Version 1.

• Champion user needs and a user-first mindset within client organizations, influencing service strategy and promoting best practices aligned with GDS Digital Service Standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior User Researcher Consultant, indicating a client-facing capacity with a strong emphasis on leadership, strategic influence, and direct impact on public sector digital services. The hybrid work arrangement suggests a need for both on-site collaboration and remote flexibility.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, design, and execution of comprehensive user research studies, encompassing both generative and evaluative phases, to uncover critical user insights.

• Translate complex research findings into clear, actionable recommendations for product, service, and strategic decision-making, ensuring evidence-based outcomes.

• Proactively engage with client stakeholders at various levels, facilitating workshops, presenting research findings, and building trusted advisory relationships.

• Mentor and coach junior researchers and other team members, providing guidance on research methodologies, ethical considerations, and professional development.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement and strategic direction of Version 1's user research practice through knowledge sharing, community engagement, and the development of best practices.

• Ensure all research activities and deliverables adhere to the GDS Digital Service Standard, GOV.UK design patterns, and accessibility guidelines (WCAG 2.2).

• Conduct research with diverse user groups, including those with access needs, ensuring inclusive design principles are embedded throughout the service lifecycle.

• Actively participate in Agile ceremonies, providing research input and supporting iterative development cycles to ensure user needs are met continuously.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of direct research execution, strategic consultation, client management, and internal team leadership, reflecting a senior-level role with significant autonomy and influence.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, UX Design, or a related field is often preferred for senior research roles. Equivalent practical experience will also be highly valued.

Experience: 5+ years of progressive experience as a User Researcher, with a significant portion focused on complex digital services within Agile environments and the UK Public Sector.

Required Skills:

• Extensive experience leading end-to-end user research across the full discovery and delivery lifecycle.

• Deep knowledge of UK public sector service design principles, including adherence to GDS Service Standards and familiarity with GOV.UK design system patterns.

• Proven ability to design, conduct, and analyze a wide range of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies (e.g., usability testing, interviews, surveys, co-design, diary studies).

• Strong consultancy and client-facing skills, with a demonstrated ability to build trust and influence senior stakeholders.

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, including experience facilitating workshops and presenting complex findings clearly.

• Demonstrated experience in mentoring and developing junior researchers and team members.

• Thorough understanding of ethical research practices and a commitment to user privacy.

• Profound knowledge of inclusive design principles and accessibility standards, including WCAG 2.2.

• Experience working effectively within multidisciplinary Agile teams. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with GDS assessment processes.

• Familiarity with a variety of analytics and data visualization tools to complement qualitative findings.

• Ability to advise on research strategy and contribute to broader service design initiatives.

• Experience conducting research with vulnerable user groups.

• Familiarity with GDS assessment processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize practical, hands-on experience and deep domain knowledge, particularly concerning the UK Public Sector and GDS standards, which are critical differentiators for this role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing end-to-end user research projects, with a strong emphasis on impact within complex digital services.

• Case studies demonstrating how research findings directly informed product, service, and strategic decisions, leading to tangible outcomes.

• Examples of research applied within Agile environments, illustrating adaptability and iterative contribution.

• Evidence of client engagement, stakeholder management, and influencing senior decision-makers through research insights.

• Demonstrations of mentorship in action, highlighting guidance provided to junior researchers and colleagues.

• Inclusion of research conducted with diverse user groups and a clear articulation of how accessibility and inclusive design were integrated.

• Documentation of adherence to GDS Service Standards or similar public sector frameworks. Process Documentation:

• Showcase your approach to designing and conducting generative research to identify unmet user needs and opportunities.

• Detail your methods for planning and executing evaluative research, such as usability testing, to validate designs and identify areas for improvement.

• Provide examples of how you synthesize complex qualitative and quantitative data into clear, concise, and actionable insights for multidisciplinary teams.

• Illustrate your process for collaborating with product managers, designers, and developers to ensure research findings are effectively implemented.

• Document your approach to mentoring and upskilling others in user research techniques and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are heavily geared towards demonstrating practical application, strategic impact, and leadership in user research within a public sector context, emphasizing client-facing consultancy and team development.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the "Senior" title, 5+ years of experience, and the London/UK location, a competitive salary range is estimated. For a Senior User Researcher in London, a typical range would be approximately £55,000 - £75,000 per annum. This can vary based on specific experience, the exact location within the UK, and the client project's nature.

Benefits:

• Share in company success with a Quarterly Performance-Related Profit Share Scheme.

• Robust career progression and mentorship coaching through "Strength in Balance" and "Leadership" schemes, with a dedicated quarterly "Pathways Career Development" program.

• Flexible and remote working options to support a healthy work-life balance.

• Financial Wellbeing: Pension with a 5% employee-matched contribution, Private Healthcare Cover, Life Assurance, Financial advice, and an Employee Discount scheme.

• Employee Wellbeing: Gym Discounts, Bike to Work scheme, Fitness classes, Mindfulness Workshops, and an Employee Assistance Programme.

• Generous holiday allowance of 24 days plus Public Holidays, along with enhanced maternity/paternity leave, marriage/civil partnership leave, and special leave policies.

• Educational assistance, incentivised certifications, and accreditations (e.g., AWS, Microsoft, Oracle, Red Hat).

• Reward schemes including Version 1's Annual Excellence Awards and quarterly Star Awards.

• Opportunities to engage in Environment, Social, and Community First initiatives, fostering diversity, inclusion, and belonging.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are assumed to be 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered to support work-life balance, aligning with the hybrid and remote working policies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior user researchers in the UK, particularly in major cities like London, and considers the full-time employment type. The provided benefits package is extensive, covering financial, professional, and personal wellbeing aspects.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Version 1 operates within the Technology, Consulting, Government & Public Sector, and Software industries, focusing on delivering technology and transformation solutions. They are a leading partner for major technology providers like Microsoft, AWS, Oracle, and Snowflake, indicating a strong technical foundation and commitment to innovation.

Company Size: Version 1 is a substantial organization with 3300+ employees and revenues of €350m/£300m. This size suggests a well-established company with structured processes, but also opportunities for cross-functional collaboration and impact.

Founded: Founded over 30 years ago, Version 1 has a long-standing history and deep expertise in the technology and transformation space. This longevity points to stability, adaptability, and a proven track record of success.

Team Structure:

• The user research function is likely part of a broader Digital, Data and Cloud department, suggesting integration with broader transformation initiatives.

• As a Senior User Researcher Consultant, you will operate within multidisciplinary client teams, collaborating closely with product managers, designers, business analysts, and developers.

• There is a dedicated community of practice for user researchers within Version 1, facilitating knowledge sharing, mentorship, and collective development. Methodology:

• Version 1 champions a user-first approach, deeply embedding user needs into technology and transformation solutions.

• They work with clients to navigate evolving technology landscapes, fostering strong partnerships with global leaders.

• The company emphasizes a core values-driven culture, focusing on hiring and rewarding individuals who embody these values.

• Research is expected to drive decision-making at every stage of the project lifecycle, aligning with Agile methodologies and GDS standards.

Company Website: Version 1 Careers (Assuming this is the relevant URL, as organization_url was null)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is characterized by a strong emphasis on values, employee wellbeing, and professional development, coupled with a deep expertise in technology and a client-centric approach, particularly within the public sector.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Consultant role within User Research, indicating a leadership position responsible for driving research strategy, execution, and client impact. It requires significant autonomy, mentorship capabilities, and the ability to influence at senior levels. This level is crucial for shaping service design and ensuring user needs are met in complex public sector digital transformations.

Reporting Structure: While reporting lines within client engagements will vary, internally, Senior User Researchers typically report to a Research Lead, Head of UX, or a similar senior management role within the Digital, Data, and Cloud department. They are expected to mentor junior team members and collaborate across various project teams.

Operations Impact: The role's operations impact is significant, directly influencing the effectiveness, usability, and accessibility of digital services for public sector clients. By ensuring services are designed around real user needs, this role contributes to improved public service delivery, increased citizen engagement, and efficient government operations. It plays a critical role in mitigating project risks and ensuring successful digital transformation outcomes.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to lead larger, more complex client engagements, mentor multiple junior researchers, and potentially move into management or practice lead roles within Version 1's user research community.

• Skill Specialization & Expansion: Deepen expertise in specific research methodologies, accessibility, or service design, or expand into related areas like UX strategy, product management, or client relationship management.

• Industry Influence: Contribute to Version 1's thought leadership in user research and public sector digital transformation through speaking engagements, publications, and internal best practice development.

• Certification & Training: Access to incentivised certifications and accreditations from leading technology partners (AWS, Microsoft, Oracle, Red Hat) and ongoing professional development programs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path for a Senior User Researcher Consultant at Version 1 offers substantial growth potential, moving beyond individual contribution to leadership, strategic influence, and subject matter expertise within the critical public sector digital transformation space.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as Hybrid, indicating a blend of remote work and office-based collaboration. Version 1 has offices in multiple UK locations (London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, Edinburgh, Belfast), suggesting that employees can work from a local office when required, fostering team cohesion and client engagement.

Office Location(s): The position is open to candidates in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, Edinburgh, and Belfast, United Kingdom. This offers flexibility for candidates to work from an office hub closer to their residence.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hubs: Office locations are likely designed to facilitate collaboration, workshops, and team meetings, providing a professional environment for client interactions.

• Technology & Tools: Access to Version 1's standard technology stack and research tools will be available, supporting both remote and in-office work.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid model allows for regular face-to-face interaction with colleagues and clients, essential for building strong relationships and fostering a collaborative team spirit, while also providing the flexibility of remote work for focused research and analysis.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are 40 per week, but the "Flexible/remote working" benefit indicates a commitment to work-life balance. This flexibility is crucial for operations roles that often require deep focus and can accommodate personal commitments alongside project demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment, combined with multiple office locations across the UK, offers a balance between in-person collaboration and remote flexibility, catering to the needs of modern operations professionals and client-facing consultants.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess experience and alignment with the role's requirements, particularly regarding public sector and GDS experience.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion to delve deeper into your experience, research approach, client consultancy skills, and understanding of Agile and GDS standards.

• Practical Exercise/Case Study: You may be asked to present a portfolio case study or complete a task that demonstrates your research methodology, analytical skills, and ability to translate findings into actionable insights. This will likely focus on a public sector scenario.

• Team/Stakeholder Interview: An opportunity to meet with potential colleagues and client representatives (if applicable) to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and your ability to influence.

• Final Interview: A conversation with senior leadership to discuss your strategic vision, leadership potential, and overall fit within Version 1.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Prioritize Impact: Showcase projects where your research led to significant, measurable improvements in product, service, or strategy. Quantify outcomes whenever possible.

• Public Sector Focus: Highlight your experience with GDS standards, GOV.UK patterns, and research within the public sector. This is a key differentiator.

• Methodological Breadth: Demonstrate your proficiency across a range of qualitative and quantitative methods, explaining why you chose specific approaches for different project needs.

• Consultancy & Mentorship: Include examples of how you've advised clients, managed stakeholders, and mentored junior researchers.

• Accessibility & Inclusivity: Clearly articulate your approach to inclusive design and accessibility, with examples of research involving users with access needs.

• Storytelling: Structure your case studies to tell a compelling story: the problem, your approach, the insights, the actions taken, and the results.

Challenge Preparation:

• GDS Standards: Refresh your knowledge of the GDS Digital Service Standard and how user research contributes to meeting each criterion.

• Public Sector Case Studies: Prepare to discuss common challenges and user needs within public sector digital services.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Be ready to articulate your process for tackling ambiguous research problems and influencing stakeholders with limited data.

• Mentorship Examples: Prepare to discuss how you would approach mentoring a junior researcher on a challenging project.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process emphasizes a robust evaluation of practical skills, domain knowledge (public sector, GDS), and consultancy capabilities, with the portfolio serving as a critical tool for demonstrating impact and experience.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: Familiarity with tools for remote usability testing, survey creation, and participant recruitment (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, SurveyMonkey, Typeform).

• Collaboration Tools: Proficiency in tools supporting multidisciplinary team collaboration, such as Jira, Confluence, Miro, or Mural for workshops and documentation.

• Design Software Interaction: Ability to work alongside designers using tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD to review designs and integrate research findings.

• Presentation Software: Advanced skills in tools like PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Keynote for presenting research findings and recommendations to clients and internal teams.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Synthesis Tools: Experience with qualitative data analysis software (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo) or spreadsheet software (Excel, Google Sheets) for synthesizing research findings.

• Reporting Dashboards: Ability to contribute to or interpret data presented in dashboards (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) to understand user behaviour trends alongside qualitative insights.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a core CRM or automation role, understanding how research insights can inform CRM strategies or automated user journeys is beneficial. Familiarity with how user data is managed within client systems might be relevant.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack focuses on tools essential for conducting research, collaborating with teams, and presenting findings effectively. While direct experience with CRM or automation tools isn't primary, understanding their integration with user behaviour is advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for user needs in all decision-making processes.

• Collaboration: Fostering strong, cross-functional partnerships with product, design, development, and client teams to achieve shared goals.

• Evidence-Based Approach: Relying on robust research and data to inform strategy, validate assumptions, and drive impactful outcomes.

• Continuous Improvement: A dedication to learning, adapting, and refining research methodologies and practices to enhance effectiveness.

• Integrity & Ethics: Upholding high ethical standards in research, ensuring user privacy and responsible data handling.

• Impact & Value: Focusing on delivering tangible value to clients and users through well-designed and effective digital services.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Team Member: Working seamlessly within multidisciplinary Agile teams, actively participating in ceremonies and contributing research expertise.

• Consultative Partner: Acting as a trusted advisor to clients and internal stakeholders, providing strategic research guidance and influencing decision-making.

• Mentorship & Support: A culture of knowledge sharing and mutual support, where senior members actively mentor junior colleagues and foster a learning environment.

• Open Communication: Encouraging open dialogue, feedback, and constructive debate to ensure the best outcomes for users and projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture at Version 1 appears to strongly align with core values of user advocacy, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making, complemented by a supportive environment for professional growth and ethical conduct.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Public Sector Complexity: Understanding and adhering to the unique procurement, governance, and stakeholder landscapes within UK public sector organizations.

• Balancing User Needs with Constraints: Effectively advocating for user needs while managing project constraints (budget, timelines, technical limitations) and influencing senior stakeholders to prioritize user-centric solutions.

• Driving Culture Change: Influencing client organizations to adopt a more user-first mindset and embed user research practices into their ongoing operations.

• Remote/Hybrid Collaboration: Effectively conducting research and maintaining strong team cohesion in a hybrid work environment, ensuring all voices are heard and research remains impactful.

• Staying Ahead of Evolving Methodologies: Continuously learning and adapting to new research tools, techniques, and ethical considerations in the rapidly changing digital landscape.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Methodologies: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specialized research techniques, such as advanced qualitative analysis, mixed-methods research, or behavioural science applications.

• Service Design & Strategy: Expanding knowledge and practical application in broader service design principles, user experience strategy, and digital transformation consulting.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Formal pathways for developing leadership skills, managing teams, and contributing to the strategic direction of Version 1's user research practice.

• Industry Exposure: Attending industry conferences, workshops, and engaging with professional bodies to stay abreast of the latest trends and best practices in user research and digital services.

• Certification Programs: Access to and support for obtaining certifications relevant to user research, service design, accessibility, or cloud technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents opportunities to tackle significant challenges within the public sector and develop advanced skills, with a clear emphasis on continuous learning and professional growth, particularly in leadership and strategic consulting.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led user research for a complex digital service within the UK Public Sector. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them using GDS standards?" (Focus on structured approach, GDS adherence, problem-solving, and impact).

• "How would you advise a client who is hesitant to invest in user research due to budget or time constraints? Provide specific examples of how you've influenced senior stakeholders." (Emphasize communication, value proposition, risk mitigation, and ROI).

• "Imagine you're working with a multidisciplinary team that is struggling to incorporate user feedback into their development process. What steps would you take to improve this collaboration and ensure user needs are met?" (Highlight communication, facilitation, and teamwork strategies). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for Version 1, specifically within our Public Sector digital transformation practice?" (Research Version 1's values, recent projects, and commitment to public service).

• "How do you approach mentoring junior researchers? Describe a situation where you helped a colleague develop a new research skill." (Demonstrate leadership, supportive attitude, and commitment to team growth).

• "Version 1 values integrity and collaboration. Can you provide an example of how you've demonstrated these values in a previous role, particularly in a client-facing capacity?" (Align your experiences with the company's core values). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select High-Impact Case Studies: Choose 2-3 projects that best demonstrate your senior-level capabilities, public sector experience, and measurable impact.

• Structure for Clarity: For each case study, clearly outline the context, your specific role and responsibilities, the research questions, methodologies used, key insights, resulting actions, and outcomes/impact.

• Emphasize GDS & Accessibility: Explicitly detail how your research aligned with GDS Service Standards and addressed accessibility requirements.

• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to showcase the positive impact of your research (e.g., improved task completion rates, reduction in support queries, increased user satisfaction scores).

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your methodology, decision-making process, stakeholder management, and how you handled challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily focus on demonstrating a deep understanding of public sector digital transformation, GDS standards, and a strong consultancy skillset, supported by concrete examples from your portfolio.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior User Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Version 1 careers portal.

• Tailor your CV: Highlight your extensive experience (5+ years) in user research, specifically mentioning your work within Agile environments and the UK Public Sector. Emphasize your proficiency with GDS Service Standards and accessibility guidelines (WCAG 2.2).

• Curate your Portfolio: Prepare a strong portfolio that showcases 2-3 key projects. Focus on demonstrating end-to-end research capabilities, client consultancy, stakeholder management, and tangible impact. Ensure examples of your mentorship and work on inclusive design are prominent.

• Prepare for Case Studies: Be ready to present one of your portfolio case studies in detail, articulating your process, insights, and the impact of your research. Practice explaining your approach to complex problems and influencing stakeholders.

• Research Version 1: Familiarize yourself with Version 1's values, their work in the public sector, and their commitment to employee development. Understand their role as a partner to major technology leaders.

⚠️ 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.

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