Senior User Researcher - Fixed Term Contract

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior User Researcher - Fixed Term Contract

Company: NEC Software Solutions (NECSWS)

Location: Remote, United Kingdom

Job Type: Contract

Category: User Experience & Research Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-20

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and execute fast-paced user research projects within multidisciplinary teams, ensuring inclusive and effective outcomes.

• Champion User-Centered Design (UCD) principles and advocate for user research across diverse client sectors, including government and healthcare.

• Provide line management and professional development support to junior user researchers, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented team environment.

• Contribute to new business development by identifying opportunities, assisting with proposals, and participating in pitches for client projects.

• Define and refine research practices, contributing to the advancement of NEC Digital Studio's delivery of accessible and effective design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is focused on User Research, a critical component of GTM (Go-To-Market) strategy by ensuring product-market fit and user adoption. While not a traditional Revenue or Sales Operations role, the emphasis on user insights, client engagement, and driving effective design directly impacts product success, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, revenue generation. The "Senior" title and line management responsibilities indicate a mid-to-senior level position within the UX/Research operations domain.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Plan, facilitate, and lead comprehensive user research activities across various project lifecycles, from discovery to delivery.

• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams (including Service Design, Interaction Design, Content Design, and Developers) to integrate user insights into design and development processes.

• Advocate for and champion user research and UCD methodologies, particularly with clients new to these approaches, educating them on best practices and benefits.

• Conduct ethical and inclusive user research, actively identifying and accommodating user accessibility needs throughout the research process.

• Analyze and synthesize qualitative research findings to produce actionable insights, including representative user journeys, user stories, and clear user needs.

• Facilitate diverse research sessions, such as user interviews, usability testing, co-analysis, and co-synthesis workshops, guiding stakeholders through these processes.

• Develop and present research findings in engaging and meaningful ways to colleagues, clients, and stakeholders, ensuring clarity and impact.

• Work collaboratively with experts and clients to translate insights into informed design decisions and strategic recommendations.

• Proactively identify opportunities to add value and lead conversations within projects and client engagements.

• Manage stakeholder relationships effectively, negotiating and guiding them towards positive outcomes within project scope and budget constraints.

• Navigate and manage complexity and ambiguity inherent in UCD projects, supporting team members and clients through uncertainty.

• Support the development and delivery of courses within the NEC Digital Studio's Design School.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on research execution, strategic influence, team leadership, and business development support. This indicates the need for strong project management capabilities alongside deep user research expertise. The mention of GDS service standards suggests alignment with UK government digital service design principles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While no specific degree is mandated, a strong academic foundation in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Design, or a related field is highly beneficial for understanding user behavior and research methodologies. Equivalent practical experience will be strongly considered. Experience:

• Minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in user research, with a proven track record of delivering successful research projects in fast-paced environments.

• Demonstrated experience leading and managing user research projects from inception to completion.

• Experience working within multidisciplinary, agile teams, contributing to product and service design lifecycles.

• Proven experience in line managing and mentoring junior researchers or team members. Required Skills:

• User Research Expertise: Deep understanding and practical application of a wide range of qualitative and quantitative user research methods (e.g., interviews, usability testing, surveys, diary studies, ethnography).

• Inclusive Research & Accessibility: Proficient in conducting research ethically and inclusively, with a strong understanding of accessibility needs and how to accommodate them.

• GDS Service Standards: Familiarity with planning and conducting research activities aligned with GDS (Government Digital Service) service standards and agile project phases.

• Qualitative Analysis & Synthesis: Ability to effectively analyze and synthesize research data to identify patterns, themes, user journeys, user stories, and core user needs.

• Facilitation Skills: Highly skilled in facilitating various research and co-design sessions, effectively guiding participants and stakeholders.

• Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to build rapport, negotiate, and influence stakeholders at all levels, managing expectations and driving towards positive outcomes.

• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex findings clearly and engagingly to diverse audiences.

• Proactive & Autonomous: A self-starter who can take initiative, lead conversations, and add value independently.

• Project Management: Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and deliver within deadlines.

Preferred Skills:

• Service Design: Experience or a strong interest in Service Design principles and methodologies.

• User-Centered Design (UCD) Championing: Experience educating and advocating for UCD principles with clients and internal teams.

• New Business Development: Experience contributing to proposals and pitches for new client projects.

• UX/UI Design Principles: Understanding of core UX/UI design principles to better collaborate with design teams.

• Digital Inclusion: Deeper expertise in specific areas of digital inclusion beyond basic accessibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "5-10 Years" experience level for a "Senior" role is a common benchmark in the industry. The emphasis on GDS standards suggests that candidates with public sector or government digital project experience will be highly competitive. The inclusion of "line managing" and "professional development" points towards leadership responsibilities.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: Showcase 3-5 detailed case studies that demonstrate your end-to-end user research process, from problem definition and research planning to analysis, synthesis, and the impact of your findings on design decisions and project outcomes.

• Methodology Showcase: Clearly articulate the research methodologies employed in each case study, explaining why specific methods were chosen based on project goals, constraints, and user groups.

• Deliverable Examples: Include examples of key research deliverables such as research plans, participant recruitment screeners, interview guides, usability test scripts, affinity diagrams, user personas, journey maps, and insight reports.

• Impact & Outcomes: Crucially, demonstrate the tangible impact of your research. Quantify outcomes where possible (e.g., "led to a 15% reduction in task completion time," "identified critical usability issues that were resolved, improving user satisfaction scores").

• Collaboration: Highlight instances where you collaborated effectively with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders, showcasing your ability to integrate research into broader project workflows.

Process Documentation:

• Research Planning: Provide examples of how you develop comprehensive research plans, including defining research objectives, scope, participant criteria, timelines, and ethical considerations.

• Methodology Application: Detail your approach to applying various research methods, including how you adapt them to different project phases and client contexts.

• Data Synthesis & Analysis: Illustrate your process for synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data, ensuring rigor and the generation of actionable insights.

• Insight Communication: Showcase how you translate research findings into clear, compelling narratives and actionable recommendations for design, product, and business stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior User Researcher role, a robust portfolio is paramount. It's not just about listing methods but demonstrating strategic application, problem-solving, and measurable impact. The emphasis on "process" indicates a need to articulate the "how" and "why" behind research decisions, aligning with operations' focus on methodology and efficiency.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• £46,000 - £65,000 per annum, subject to location and experience. Benefits:

• Pension Scheme: Generous employer contributions to a Group Pension Plan (up to a maximum of 8.5%).

• Private Medical Cover: Funded by NEC for employees, with an option to add family members at an additional cost.

• Annual Leave: 25 days of paid holiday per year (pro-rata for contract), with the option to buy or sell a portion.

• Life Assurance: 4x basic salary life assurance cover funded by NEC, with the option to increase cover.

• Flexible Benefits: A selection of flexible benefits to cater to individual needs.

• Professional Development: Free access to LinkedIn Learning, offering over 15,000 courses for continuous skill development.

• Remote Working: Opportunity to work remotely within the UK, offering flexibility and work-life balance.

Working Hours:

• Standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week. Given the remote nature and contract role, there may be flexibility, but adherence to project timelines and client needs is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided and appears competitive for a Senior User Researcher role in the UK, especially considering the remote aspect. The benefits are comprehensive, with particular emphasis on professional development and health/well-being, which are attractive to experienced professionals. The contract nature implies that benefits like statutory sick pay and holiday entitlement may be handled differently than for permanent employees, but the listed benefits are strong.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Software, Government & Public Sector Services, Healthcare. NEC Software Solutions leverages technology to improve public services, working with central and local government, the NHS, charities, and private sector organizations. This focus implies a culture that values social impact, efficiency, and user-centricity.

Company Size: 3,000+ employees. This indicates a large, established organization with significant resources and a broad reach, offering stability and opportunities for impact across various sectors.

Founded: NEC Software Solutions is part of the global NEC Corporation. While the exact founding date of the UK entity isn't specified, NEC Corporation dates back to 1899, suggesting a long history of innovation and reliability.

Team Structure:

• User Research Team: The User Researchers operate within the NEC Digital Studio. This team is supported by senior members who focus on well-being, goal setting, and professional development.

• Multidisciplinary Teams: Researchers work closely with interaction designers, content designers, developers, and service designers, fostering a collaborative, cross-functional environment.

• Client Integration: In some projects, researchers may be embedded within client teams, requiring adaptability and strong client-facing skills.

• Reporting: While not explicitly detailed, senior researchers likely report to a Head of UX, Research Lead, or Digital Studio Director, and are responsible for mentoring junior members.

Methodology:

• User-Centered Design (UCD): A core methodology, with a strong emphasis on ethical research, accessibility, and inclusive design practices.

• Agile Delivery: Research activities are conducted within agile phases of projects, requiring flexibility and iterative approaches.

• Participatory Co-Design: The studio practices participatory co-design, actively involving users and stakeholders in the design process.

• Data-Driven Insights: Research findings are used to inform evidence-led solutions and design decisions.

Company Website: www.necsws.com and NEC Digital Studio | Made for Life (necsws.com)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission to improve public services and its focus on user-centric design are key cultural indicators. The Digital Studio's specialization in "seldom heard voices" and "diverse user groups" points to a commitment to inclusion and equity, which is critical for user researchers to align with.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior User Researcher position, indicating a mid-to-senior career stage. It involves not only executing research but also strategic planning, leading projects, mentoring junior staff, and contributing to business development. It's a key role within the UX/Research operations function, bridging user needs with business objectives.

Reporting Structure: The Senior User Researcher will likely report to a Research Lead or Head of UX within the NEC Digital Studio. They will also be responsible for overseeing and mentoring junior user researchers, creating a mentorship dynamic within the team. Collaboration with various multidisciplinary teams is a core aspect of the role.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is significant. By ensuring that products and services are designed based on genuine user needs and are accessible to all, the Senior User Researcher directly influences:

• Product Success: Improving usability and user satisfaction leads to better adoption and engagement.

• Service Effectiveness: Ensuring services meet user needs improves outcomes for citizens and clients.

• Client Satisfaction: Delivering impactful research and design recommendations enhances client relationships and project success.

• Brand Reputation: A commitment to inclusive and user-centered design strengthens NEC's reputation as a provider of high-quality digital solutions.

• Efficiency: By identifying issues early and ensuring designs are user-friendly, research can prevent costly rework and improve operational efficiency for clients.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunity to hone line management and mentoring skills, potentially progressing to a Lead User Researcher or UX Manager role.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific research methodologies, accessibility, or particular client sectors (e.g., government, healthcare).

• Strategic Influence: Contribute to the strategic direction of the NEC Digital Studio's research practice and UCD approach.

• Business Development: Develop skills in client engagement, proposal writing, and pitching, opening doors to client-facing leadership roles.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Gain broader experience working across various digital disciplines, enhancing overall understanding of product development lifecycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title and line management responsibilities clearly position this role as a significant step in a user research career, offering leadership and strategic development opportunities beyond just executing research tasks.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Primarily a remote role, offering significant flexibility. However, the mention of "Hybrid Subject to Location" suggests that for some roles or specific projects, there might be an expectation of occasional office presence or co-location with client teams, particularly if based near one of NEC's physical office locations.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote within the UK, NEC Software Solutions has multiple locations across the UK. Candidates may be expected to travel occasionally for client meetings or team events, depending on project needs.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Flexibility: The primary work environment is remote, allowing for a good work-life balance and autonomy.

• Collaborative Tools: Expect to use a range of digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Miro, Figma, shared document platforms) to connect with colleagues and clients.

• Team Interaction: Regular participation in virtual team meetings, research syncs, and cross-functional project stand-ups is expected to foster connection and collaboration.

• Professional Development Resources: Access to LinkedIn Learning and potential involvement in the "Design School" provides continuous learning opportunities.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week. While remote work offers flexibility, adherence to project deadlines, client availability, and team collaboration needs will be paramount. Occasional flexibility may be required for time-sensitive research or client commitments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature is a significant draw. The "Hybrid Subject to Location" phrasing is common and often means that while remote is the default, proximity to an office or client site might influence occasional requirements. The emphasis on digital collaboration tools is standard for remote operations roles.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your CV, Cover Letter, and Portfolio. Focus on tailoring your CV and cover letter to highlight experience relevant to the job description, especially UCD, GDS standards, and leadership.

• Portfolio Presentation & Interview: This is a crucial stage. You will likely present selected case studies from your portfolio to a panel (e.g., Research Lead, Senior Designers, Project Managers). Be prepared to discuss your process, rationale, challenges, and impact in detail.

• Skills-Based Interview/Workshop: You may be asked to demonstrate your facilitation, analysis, or problem-solving skills through a practical exercise or scenario-based questions. This could involve critiquing a design, planning a research study, or analyzing a dataset.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: An opportunity to meet potential colleagues and assess if your working style aligns with NEC's values (care passionately, fluent in people, believe in your craft, push convention, open to change, value each other).

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss your strategic vision and long-term fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant case studies. Ensure they showcase a range of methodologies and demonstrate impact.

• Tell a Story: Structure each case study as a narrative: the problem, your approach (the "how" and "why"), the insights, the recommendations, and the outcomes/impact.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the value of your research.

• Highlight Collaboration: Show how you worked with multidisciplinary teams and managed stakeholders.

• Focus on UCD & Inclusion: Emphasize your commitment to user-centered design, accessibility, and ethical research practices.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your decision-making process, challenges faced, and how you handled ambiguity.

Challenge Preparation:

• Research NECSWS & Digital Studio: Understand their mission, values, client base, and the types of projects they undertake.

• Review GDS Standards: Refresh your knowledge of the GDS Service Manual, particularly the research and design phases.

• Practice Explaining Methodologies: Be ready to articulate the pros and cons of different research methods and when to apply them.

• Prepare for Behavioral Questions: Think about examples that demonstrate NEC's values (e.g., a time you cared passionately, were fluent in people, pushed convention, etc.).

• Scenario Planning: Consider how you would approach a hypothetical research challenge for a public service or government project.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process emphasizes a strong portfolio and the ability to articulate research strategy and impact, aligning with operations' need for demonstrable results and process clarity. The mention of specific values indicates a focus on cultural fit during interviews.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting remote usability testing, interviews, and surveys (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Zoom, Google Meet).

• Collaboration & Whiteboarding: Digital tools for co-design sessions, brainstorming, and synthesis (e.g., Miro, Mural, Figma, Adobe XD).

• Data Analysis & Synthesis: Tools for organizing and analyzing qualitative data (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo, spreadsheets like Excel/Google Sheets).

• Project Management: Tools used by multidisciplinary teams to track progress (e.g., Jira, Asana, Trello).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus for a User Researcher, familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics) can be beneficial for understanding user behavior in context.

• Proficiency in creating clear, impactful reports and presentations using tools like PowerPoint, Google Slides, or dedicated reporting software. CRM & Automation:

• Not typically a direct user of CRM/automation tools in this role, but understanding how user feedback integrates with customer data can be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis here is on tools that facilitate research execution, collaboration, and insight synthesis. While not directly "operations" tools in the sales/revenue sense, they are critical for the "operations" of a user research function.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Care Passionately: Demonstrate a genuine commitment to the impact of your work on users and society, particularly within public services.

• Fluent in People: Possess strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and the ability to understand and connect with diverse user groups and stakeholders.

• Believe in Your Craft: Have a deep conviction in the value and methodology of user research, advocating for its importance in decision-making.

• Push Convention: Be willing to challenge existing norms, explore innovative research methods, and propose new approaches to solve complex problems.

• Open to Change: Adaptable and flexible in your approach, embracing new challenges, methodologies, and client requirements.

• Value Each Other: Foster a supportive and collaborative team environment, respecting diverse perspectives and contributing positively to team dynamics.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively participate in and contribute to multidisciplinary teams, ensuring research insights are seamlessly integrated into the design and development process.

• Process Review & Feedback: Engage in constructive feedback loops, both giving and receiving, to continuously improve research methods and project outcomes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Proactively share learnings, insights, and best practices with colleagues through team meet-ups, presentations, and informal discussions.

• Client Partnership: Work collaboratively with clients, acting as a trusted advisor and partner in their user research journey.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit listing of company values provides a clear framework for how NEC expects its employees to operate. For a Senior User Researcher, demonstrating these values through research practice and team interaction will be key to cultural alignment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Client Education on UCD: Clients may have limited understanding of UCD, requiring the Senior User Researcher to act as an educator and advocate, which can be demanding.

• Managing Ambiguity and Complexity: Working on diverse projects with varying levels of clarity requires strong problem-solving skills and resilience.

• Fast-Paced Project Environments: Delivering high-quality research within tight deadlines necessitates efficient planning and execution.

• Balancing Research Rigor with Project Constraints: Finding the right balance between ideal research methodologies and practical project limitations (time, budget, scope).

• SC Clearance Requirements: For certain government projects, obtaining and maintaining Security Clearance (SC) can be a lengthy and involved process.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Research Techniques: Opportunity to explore and implement advanced qualitative and quantitative research methods.

• Leadership and Mentoring: Develop formal leadership skills through line management and mentoring junior researchers.

• Industry Conferences & Training: Access to LinkedIn Learning and potential for attending industry events to stay abreast of the latest UX and research trends.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gaining deeper insights into Service Design, Interaction Design, and development through close collaboration.

• Public Sector Digital Transformation: Deepen expertise in how digital solutions transform public services, a significant growth area.

📝 Enhancement Note: Acknowledging potential challenges like client education and security clearance provides a realistic view of the role. The growth opportunities are well-aligned with a senior position, focusing on leadership, strategic impact, and specialized knowledge.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to advocate for user research with a client who was skeptical of UCD. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Assesses advocacy, stakeholder management, and impact).

• "Walk us through a complex research project you led. What were the key objectives, your methodology, the challenges you faced, and the ultimate impact of your findings?" (Assesses project leadership, methodological rigor, problem-solving, and impact demonstration).

• "How do you ensure your research is inclusive and addresses the needs of diverse user groups, particularly those with accessibility requirements?" (Assesses commitment to inclusion and ethical research). Company & Culture Questions:

• "NEC values 'Fluent in People.' How does this value manifest in your user research practice?" (Assesses understanding of values and personal alignment).

• "Describe a situation where you had to push convention in your research approach. What was the situation, and what did you learn?" (Assesses innovation and willingness to challenge norms).

• "How would you contribute to the professional development of junior user researchers on our team?" (Assesses mentoring and team-building capabilities). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, the methodology and rationale, the key findings, the actionable recommendations, and the measured impact.

• Focus on 'Why': Be ready to explain why you chose specific methods, why certain insights were significant, and why your recommendations were appropriate.

• Demonstrate Collaboration: Use examples to show how you worked effectively with designers, developers, and stakeholders.

• Quantify Impact: Use metrics and specific outcomes to showcase the value of your research.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate deep dives into your methods, challenges, and decision-making processes. Have a backup case study ready.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice focuses on demonstrating leadership, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of user research principles, particularly within the context of public sector and UCD. The emphasis on values and portfolio presentation is critical for this role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior User Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on SmartRecruiters.

• Tailor your CV and Cover Letter: Clearly highlight your experience in user research, UCD, GDS standards, stakeholder management, and any leadership or mentoring experience. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare your Portfolio: Curate 3-5 strong case studies that showcase your end-to-end research process, methodologies, challenges, and demonstrable impact. Ensure it's easily accessible (e.g., a dedicated website, PDF, or shared drive).

• Practice your Portfolio Presentation: Rehearse presenting your case studies, focusing on clear storytelling, the "why" behind your decisions, and quantifying impact. Be ready to answer in-depth questions.

• Research NECSWS and the Digital Studio: Understand their mission, values, and the types of projects they undertake to articulate your interest and cultural fit.

⚠️ 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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