Senior User Researcher - Inside IR35 Contract

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior User Researcher - Inside IR35 Contract

Company: Version 1

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

Job Type: Full-time Contract

Category: User Experience & Research Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-26

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and deliver impactful user research initiatives within complex public sector digital transformation projects, ensuring user needs are central to product and service strategy.

• Collaborate intimately with multidisciplinary agile teams, including product managers, designers, business analysts, and developers, to validate assumptions, mitigate risks, and prioritize development efforts based on robust user insights.

• Act as a senior consultant, building trusted client relationships, advising on research strategy, and influencing decision-making at senior levels to drive user-centred outcomes.

• Champion the adoption of user research best practices and foster a user-first mindset within client organizations, contributing to the continuous improvement of Version 1's research practice.

• Mentor junior researchers and actively share expertise across the Version 1 community of practice, contributing to the professional development of colleagues.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is explicitly stated as "Inside IR35 Contract," indicating that the engagement will be managed through an umbrella company or intermediary, and the tax and National Insurance contributions will be handled accordingly. This is a critical detail for contractors in the UK. The hybrid nature suggests a blend of on-site client engagement and remote work.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the design, execution, and analysis of end-to-end user research studies, encompassing both generative and evaluative approaches, to ensure comprehensive understanding of user behaviors, needs, and motivations.

• Conduct a diverse range of qualitative and quantitative research methods, including but not limited to moderated/unmoderated usability testing, in-depth interviews, surveys, co-design workshops, and diary studies, selecting the most appropriate techniques for project objectives.

• Synthesize complex research findings into clear, concise, and actionable insights, translating data into strategic recommendations that directly inform product roadmaps, service design enhancements, and overall business strategy.

• Proactively engage with clients and stakeholders through presentations, workshops, and regular communication, building strong rapport and effectively advocating for user-centric design principles.

• Develop and maintain strong client relationships by anticipating needs, proactively identifying research opportunities, and ensuring research outcomes align with both user needs and overarching business objectives.

• Ensure all research activities adhere to ethical research principles, with a particular focus on inclusive design, accessibility standards (WCAG 2.2), and working with potentially vulnerable user groups.

• Actively participate in agile ceremonies, contributing research insights to sprint planning, reviews, and retrospectives, thereby embedding user feedback into iterative development cycles.

• Contribute to the growth and maturity of Version 1's user research practice by mentoring colleagues, sharing best practices, and participating in community of practice initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "GDS Digital Service Standard" and "Public Sector Clients" suggests the need for a deep understanding of government digital service design principles and procurement processes. This implies a requirement for research that is not only methodologically sound but also aligned with regulatory and governmental frameworks.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of dedicated experience as a User Researcher, with a significant portion focused on leading research for complex digital services within Agile development environments.

Required Skills:

• Extensive experience (5+ years) in leading user research projects for complex digital services within Agile frameworks.

• Strong knowledge of UK public sector service design, including familiarity with the GDS Digital Service Standard, GOV.UK design system patterns, and assessment processes.

• End-to-end research capability, from designing and executing generative and evaluative studies to analyzing and synthesizing findings into actionable insights.

• Broad methodological expertise, with the ability to confidently select and apply a wide range of qualitative and quantitative methods (e.g., moderated/unmoderated usability testing, depth interviews, surveys, co-design, diary studies).

• Proven consultancy skills, including building trusted client relationships, advising on research strategy, and influencing decisions at senior levels.

• Expertise in stakeholder management, including engaging senior stakeholders, facilitating workshops, and driving alignment across multidisciplinary teams.

• Demonstrated impact through a strong portfolio or case studies showcasing how research has informed successful product, service, or strategic outcomes.

• Thorough understanding of ethical considerations in user research, particularly when working with vulnerable users or those with access needs.

• Deep understanding of inclusive design and accessibility, including conducting research with users with access needs and familiarity with WCAG 2.2 standards.

• Experience working within Agile teams and actively contributing to ceremonies and iterative, user-centered delivery. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with data visualization tools to present research findings effectively.

• Familiarity with A/B testing and experimental design principles.

• Experience in mentoring or leading junior researchers.

• A track record of contributing to the development of research operations within an organization.

• Experience with specific government digital platforms or services.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "5+ years" experience is a baseline, but "senior" implies a deeper level of strategic thinking, client management, and potentially team leadership. The emphasis on GDS and public sector work is a strong differentiator.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a minimum of 3-5 significant user research projects, with at least two focused on complex digital services within the public sector or similar highly regulated environments.

• Each project case study should clearly articulate the problem statement, research objectives, methodologies employed, sample size and demographics, key findings, and actionable recommendations.

• Demonstrate the tangible impact of your research on product/service outcomes, ideally with quantifiable metrics or qualitative evidence of influence on decision-making.

• Highlight your ability to work within Agile methodologies, illustrating how your research integrated into sprint cycles and iterative development.

• Showcase experience in stakeholder management and influencing, with examples of how you communicated research to diverse audiences, including senior leadership. Process Documentation:

• Evidence of designing and documenting research plans, methodologies, and analysis frameworks.

• Examples of how research findings were synthesized and communicated through reports, presentations, or other actionable artifacts.

• Documentation demonstrating adherence to ethical research practices and data privacy regulations.

• Examples of how research insights were translated into user stories, personas, journey maps, or other design artifacts.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior-level consultancy role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to demonstrate not just research execution but strategic thinking, client management, and demonstrable impact. The "Inside IR35 Contract" nature might mean the focus is on project delivery rather than long-term process development within Version 1 itself.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is an "Inside IR35 Contract" role, the compensation will be structured as a daily rate. Based on typical rates for Senior User Researchers with extensive public sector/GDS experience in the UK, a range of £450 - £650 per day is a reasonable estimate. This rate accounts for the senior level, contract nature, IR35 implications, and the specialized public sector/GDS expertise required. Actual rates may vary based on specific client budgets, contract duration, and candidate negotiation.

Benefits:

• For the Contractor (via Umbrella Company/Intermediary): The primary "benefit" is the daily rate itself, which is typically higher than a permanent salary to compensate for the lack of traditional employee benefits and job security. This rate will be subject to PAYE tax and National

Insurance contributions.

• Version 1 Company Benefits (Indirectly for Contractor): While direct access to Version 1's permanent employee benefits is unlikely for a contractor, the role offers exposure to:

  • Quarterly Performance-Related Profit Share Scheme (potentially applicable depending on contract terms and company policy, though less common for contractors).

  • Exposure to Version 1's "Strength in Balance" and "Leadership" schemes for professional development and mentorship, though direct participation may be limited.

  • Opportunities to work within a flexible/remote working environment, aligned with Version 1's understanding of individual circumstances.

  • Access to projects that foster a healthy work-life balance.

  • Potential for incentivised certifications and accreditations, if agreed upon with the client and umbrella company.

  • Involvement in Environment, Social, and Community First initiatives, depending on client site requirements and contractor engagement. Working Hours: The role is listed as "Full-time," and the typical expectation for a contract of this nature is 40 hours per week. While Version 1 emphasizes flexibility, standard working hours for client-facing engagements usually align with business needs, often within a 9 AM to 5 PM framework, with the possibility of some flexibility to accommodate project deadlines or client availability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary is an estimate for a contractor's daily rate, reflecting market conditions for this specific skill set and contract type in the UK. The benefits listed are primarily those of Version 1 for permanent employees; contractors typically receive their benefits through their chosen umbrella company or intermediary, with the daily rate being the primary compensation.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology & Digital Transformation Consulting, with a strong focus on Public Sector clients. Version 1 is a leading partner for global technology leaders like Microsoft, AWS, Oracle, and Red Hat, indicating a commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology.

Company Size: 3300+ employees, a significant mid-to-large enterprise size, suggesting established processes, a robust support structure, and a wide range of client engagements. This size allows for specialization within teams and a strong community of practice.

Founded: Version 1 has been in business for over 30 years. This longevity points to stability, adaptability, and a deep understanding of the technology and consulting landscape. Their sustained success, including multiple "Great Place to Work" awards, suggests a positive internal culture that values employee well-being and professional growth.

Team Structure:

• As a Senior User Researcher, you will likely be embedded within multidisciplinary agile project teams, working directly with client stakeholders.

• You will also be part of Version 1's broader "Digital, Data and Cloud" department, and specifically within a community of practice for User Experience and Research professionals.

• The reporting structure will likely involve reporting to a Project Lead or Programme Manager on client projects, and potentially a Research Lead or Head of UX within Version 1 for professional development and practice alignment.

• Collaboration is expected to be highly cross-functional, both internally within Version 1 teams and externally with client product owners, designers, developers, and business analysts. Methodology:

• Data analysis and insights methods are core to the role, with an emphasis on evidence-based decision-making.

• Workflow planning and optimization strategies will be applied to research processes to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.

• Automation and efficiency practices are encouraged, particularly in how research is conducted and findings are disseminated, to maximize impact within project timelines.

Company Website: https://www.version1.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's long history, award-winning culture, and strong partnerships suggest a stable and reputable organization. The "Digital, Data and Cloud" department aligns well with a role focused on modern digital services and user research.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a "Senior" level, signifying a high degree of autonomy, expertise, and responsibility. It's a lead role where you are expected to guide research efforts, influence strategy, and mentor others. This level typically requires substantial experience and a proven track record of delivering significant impact.

Reporting Structure: On client projects, you will report to a Project Manager or equivalent client-side lead. Professionally, you will likely have a connection to a Research Lead or Practice Manager within Version 1, who oversees your development and adherence to company standards.

Operations Impact: The "Operations" in this context refers to the operational excellence of digital services and user experience. Your impact will be measured by how effectively you ensure that services are usable, accessible, and meet the genuine needs of citizens and users within public sector organizations. This directly contributes to the success of client projects, the efficiency of public services, and Version 1's reputation as a provider of high-quality digital solutions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific research methodologies, accessibility standards (e.g., advanced WCAG compliance), or particular public sector domains.

• Leadership Development: Transition into a lead researcher role on larger, more complex programs, or potentially move into managing a team of researchers as Version 1's practice grows.

• Consulting Acumen: Enhance client-facing and strategic advisory skills, becoming a trusted advisor to senior public sector stakeholders.

• Industry Influence: Contribute to thought leadership within the user research and public sector digital transformation space, potentially through speaking engagements or publications.

• Certification: Pursue advanced certifications in UX research, accessibility, or specific Agile methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a senior contractor is often project-to-project, but within Version 1, there's an opportunity to build a reputation that leads to longer-term engagements or even a permanent role if desired and available. The emphasis on mentorship suggests a desire to build internal capability.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role is described as "Hybrid." This implies a combination of working remotely and attending client sites or Version 1 offices. Given the client-facing nature and the mention of specific cities (London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, Edinburgh, Belfast), expect to spend a significant portion of your time on client premises, particularly during critical project phases like discovery and workshops.

Office Location(s): The role is open to candidates based in or willing to travel to London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, Edinburgh, or Belfast. This broad geographical spread suggests that Version 1 serves clients across the UK and Ireland, and the specific client location will dictate the primary on-site presence.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: You will be working within multidisciplinary agile teams, requiring close collaboration with designers, developers, product managers, and business analysts. Client site environments will likely be dynamic and team-oriented.

• Operations Tools and Technology: Access to standard office technology and potentially specialized UX research tools will be provided or expected. The focus will be on research execution, so a robust laptop and reliable internet connection are essential for remote work.

• Team Interaction: Expect regular team meetings, stand-ups, and collaborative sessions, both in-person and virtually, to ensure seamless project delivery and knowledge sharing.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time (40 hours/week) with an emphasis on flexibility. While client needs will dictate some of the schedule, especially on-site days, Version 1's culture promotes work-life balance. This flexibility is crucial for balancing client demands with personal commitments, especially for a contract role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature and multiple location options offer flexibility but require a candidate who can travel and adapt to different client environments. The "Inside IR35" status may also influence the type of remote work arrangements possible, often requiring more defined working hours than a permanent remote role.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely conduct an initial call to assess your experience, understanding of the role, and suitability for contract work (including IR35).

• Technical/Skills Interview: Expect an in-depth interview focusing on your user research methodologies, experience with GDS standards, public sector work, and Agile environments. This may involve discussing specific case studies from your portfolio.

• Portfolio Review/Presentation: You will likely be asked to present a selection of your portfolio case studies, detailing your approach, findings, and impact. This is a critical stage to demonstrate your senior-level capabilities.

• Client/Stakeholder Interview: You may have a final interview with the client or key stakeholders to assess cultural fit, consultancy skills, and your ability to integrate into their team.

• Offer & Onboarding: If successful, there will be a process for setting up the contract via an umbrella company and onboarding onto the client project.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 projects that best showcase your senior-level skills, GDS/public sector experience, and impact. Tailor your selection to the job description's requirements.

• Structure for Impact: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role, the methodology, your process, the key insights, and the tangible outcomes or impact. Use visuals where appropriate.

• Quantify Success: Whenever possible, use metrics and data to demonstrate the impact of your research. Even qualitative feedback from stakeholders or users can be powerful.

• Highlight Consultancy Skills: Emphasize how you managed client relationships, influenced decisions, and navigated complex organizational dynamics.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your methodology choices, ethical considerations, challenges faced, and how you adapted your approach.

Challenge Preparation:

• GDS Standards: Refresh your knowledge of the GDS Digital Service Standard and common GOV.UK design patterns. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in practice.

• Agile Integration: Prepare examples of how you've successfully embedded user research within agile sprints and ceremonies.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Think about common user research challenges (e.g., recruitment difficulties, stakeholder resistance, tight deadlines) and how you've overcome them.

• Accessibility & Inclusivity: Be ready to discuss your approach to inclusive design and research with users with access needs, referencing WCAG 2.2.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize your practical experience, especially concerning GDS standards and public sector work. Your portfolio is your primary tool here.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: Proficiency with tools for conducting and analyzing various research methods. Examples include:

  • Usability Testing: UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Optimal Workshop.
  • Surveys: SurveyMonkey, Typeform, Google Forms, Qualtrics.
  • Interview/Workshop Collaboration: Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Miro, Mural.
  • Recruitment: UserZoom (formerly Validately), Respondent.io, or internal client recruitment processes.

• Data Analysis & Synthesis Tools:

  • Qualitative Analysis: Dovetail, NVivo, Affinity Diagramming tools (Miro/Mural), spreadsheets (Excel/Google Sheets).
  • Quantitative Analysis: Spreadsheets (Excel/Google Sheets), SPSS, R (basic familiarity).

• Prototyping & Design Tools (for understanding, not necessarily creation): Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD (to understand user flows and test prototypes).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Reporting & Presentation: Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, Keynote for presenting findings.

• Dashboarding Tools: Familiarity with tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Google Data Studio for understanding and potentially contributing to data dashboards, though primary focus is qualitative research.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM or automation role, familiarity with how user research data can feed into CRM strategies or inform marketing automation can be beneficial. Understanding how user feedback can drive product improvements that impact conversion rates is key.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis is on research execution tools. While familiarity with broader analytics or design tools is helpful for collaboration, deep expertise in user research platforms and qualitative analysis software is paramount.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

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

• Data-Driven Decisions: Basing recommendations and actions on robust evidence derived from user research and data analysis.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with diverse teams to achieve shared goals, valuing input from all disciplines.

• Excellence & Quality: Striving for high-quality research outputs and impactful outcomes that deliver lasting value.

• Continuous Improvement: An openness to learning, adapting methodologies, and enhancing research practices.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively engaging with product managers, designers, developers, and business analysts to ensure research insights are understood and integrated into the product development lifecycle.

• Process Review & Feedback: Participating in feedback loops for research studies and contributing to process improvements within the project team and the wider research community.

• Knowledge Sharing: Proactively sharing learnings, best practices, and insights with colleagues to foster a collective understanding and elevate the research practice across Version 1 and its clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: Version 1's core values (implied from their "Great Place to Work" status and company description) likely emphasize integrity, collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to client success. For this role, these translate into a user-focused, evidence-driven, and collaborative approach to research delivery.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Client Stakeholder Management: Navigating complex political landscapes within public sector organizations and influencing senior stakeholders who may have differing priorities or less experience with user research.

• Balancing Diverse Needs: Synthesizing input from various stakeholders (users, clients, internal teams) to create coherent and actionable recommendations.

• Methodological Rigor vs. Project Constraints: Adapting research methodologies to fit within tight project timelines and budgets common in contract roles, without compromising the quality of insights.

• Remote Collaboration Effectiveness: Ensuring impactful research and collaboration when working in a hybrid or remote capacity, which requires strong communication and facilitation skills.

• Staying Current: Keeping up-to-date with evolving user research techniques, accessibility standards, and the specific digital agendas of various public sector bodies.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Methodologies: Opportunity to explore and apply more specialized research techniques and analytical approaches.

• Public Sector Domain Expertise: Deepen knowledge of specific government service design challenges, user groups, and policy contexts.

• Mentorship: Both receiving mentorship from senior leaders within Version 1 and providing mentorship to junior researchers, solidifying your own understanding.

• Client-Side Influence: Developing strategic advisory skills and learning to drive significant change within client organizations through research.

• Certification: Potential to gain further certifications that enhance your professional profile, supported by Version 1's educational assistance programs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The contract nature presents a unique challenge in terms of long-term project continuity and integration, but the "Inside IR35" framework is designed to manage this. The growth opportunities are significant for someone looking to build a strong consulting and public sector UX portfolio.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to influence a senior stakeholder who was resistant to user research findings. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on communication, data-driven arguments, and relationship building.)

• "How would you approach designing a research plan for a complex government service with a diverse user base and strict accessibility requirements?" (Assess understanding of GDS standards, methodology selection, and ethical considerations.)

• "Walk me through a challenging project where your research insights led to a significant change in product strategy or service design. What were the challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Demonstrate problem-solving, impact, and your end-to-end research process.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Version 1 and our work in the public sector?" (Show you've researched the company and understand their client base.)

• "How do you ensure your research practices align with GDS Digital Service Standards and accessibility guidelines (WCAG 2.2)?" (Gauge your familiarity with UK government digital principles.)

• "How do you approach collaboration within a multidisciplinary agile team?" (Assess your teamwork and communication style.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• The STAR Method: For each case study, structure your presentation using the Situation, Task, Action, Result framework.

• Focus on "Why": Clearly articulate why you chose specific methodologies and how your decisions directly addressed the research objectives.

• Demonstrate Impact: Emphasize the tangible outcomes of your research and how it influenced decisions or improved user experience. Quantify results where possible.

• Consultancy Lens: Frame your contributions not just as a researcher, but as a consultant who advised and guided clients towards better user-centered outcomes.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your analysis, synthesis, and any challenges encountered.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to discuss your experience with GDS standards extensively. The "Inside IR35" aspect might also be a topic of discussion to ensure mutual understanding of the contracting arrangement.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

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

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your CV and, if requested, your portfolio are tailored to highlight your experience with GDS standards, public sector projects, and complex digital services. Prioritize case studies that demonstrate end-to-end research, stakeholder influence, and measurable impact.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly state your years of experience (5+ years) and mention key skills such as User Research, GDS, Agile, Usability Testing, Stakeholder Management, and Accessibility (WCAG 2.2). Use action verbs that reflect senior-level responsibilities.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your experience using the STAR method for behavioral questions and be ready to present your portfolio confidently. Thoroughly research Version 1 and their public sector work.

• IR35 Understanding: Be clear on your understanding of "Inside IR35" contracts and your preferred method of engagement (e.g., through an umbrella company).

⚠️ 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.